cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metaanalysis of acustimulation effects on postoperative nausea and vomiting in children

Objective Using metaanalysis, we sought to determine acustimulation (AS) effects on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children. Methods Metaanalyses were performed on various acupoint AS effects including acupressure, acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and electrical stimulation (ETS) on PONV in children. On-line databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1966 through May 2005. In addition, the reference lists of reviewed papers were scanned for additional trials. The identified RCTs were evaluated for methodological quality using the Quality Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) guidelines, and results were pooled using the fixed-effects model. Results Twelve RCTs were pooled for the outcomes of 24-hour PONV including 12 trials for vomiting and two trials for nausea. Compared with the control groups, all AS modalities reduced vomiting (RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.59-0.80, P P P P = .118) in children. Compared with the controls, medications (three trials) reduced vomiting (RR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22-0.7, P = .0056). There were no differences between the medication and AS treatments (three trials) in reducing vomiting (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.54-2.93, P = .6025). Conclusions This metaanalysis demonstrated that acupressure and acupuncture are effective treatment modalities to reduce postoperative vomiting in children. Acupuncture treatment is as effective as medications to reduce vomiting in children. Acupuncture had the greatest impact on reducing vomiting when compared with acupressure and ETS in children.
Delineating White Matter Structure in Diffusion Tensor MRI with Anisotropy Creases

Geometric models of white matter architecture play an increasing role in neuroscientific applications of diffusion tensor imaging, and the most popular method for building them is fiber tractography. For some analysis tasks, however, a compelling alternative may be found in the first and second derivatives of diffusion anisotropy. We extend to tensor fields the notion from classical computer vision of ridges and valleys, and define anisotropy creases as features of locally extremal tensor anisotropy. Mathematically, these are the loci where the gradient of anisotropy is orthogonal to one or more eigenvectors of its Hessian. We propose that anisotropy creases provide a basis for extracting a skeleton of the major white matter pathways, in that ridges of anisotropy coincide with interiors of fiber tracts, and valleys of anisotropy coincide with the interfaces between adjacent but distinctly oriented tracts. The crease extraction algorithm we present generates high-quality polygonal models of crease surfaces, which are further simplified by connected-component analysis. We demonstrate anisotropy creases on measured diffusion MRI data, and visualize them in combination with tractography to confirm their anatomic relevance.
A least-squares approximation of partial differential equations with high-dimensional random inputs

Uncertainty quantification schemes based on stochastic Galerkin projections, with global or local basis functions, and also stochastic collocation methods in their conventional form, suffer from the so called curse of dimensionality: the associated computational cost grows exponentially as a function of the number of random variables defining the underlying probability space of the problem. In this paper, to overcome the curse of dimensionality, a low-rank separated approximation of the solution of a stochastic partial differential (SPDE) with high-dimensional random input data is obtained using an alternating least-squares (ALS) scheme. It will be shown that, in theory, the computational cost of the proposed algorithm grows linearly with respect to the dimension of the underlying probability space of the system. For the case of an elliptic SPDE, an a priori error analysis of the algorithm is derived. Finally, different aspects of the proposed methodology are explored through its application to some numerical experiments.
Defining annotations: a visual (re)interpretation

A variety of research has focused on annotations and methods for incorporating ‘them’ into digital formats. Absent from most is a clear definition of what is meant by the term ‘annotation’ and the characteristics they embody. In the digital world it is often perceived as a synonym for metadata, but in the analog world it may refer to a reader's scribbled notes in the margins. These are both types of annotation, but at opposing ends of the scale; one formal the other informal. Marshall's (1998b) seven dimensions of annotation are (re)presented here in a new visual format (figure 1) for comparison to an historical geographers information needs and note taking behavior. One of the geographer's objectives was to reconstruct a digital map of 18th century North Carolina settlement patterns. The findings point to an untapped avenue for improving access to our nations cultural heritage.
CHILDREN WITH EXCESSIVE FEARS

A sample of 28 children with excessive fears, all under twelve years of age, is compared with a control group from the same outpatient psychiatric population. Demographic characteristics of the sample are discussed, as well as the nature and content of the fears, their context, and the degree of symboliza-tion and displacement. A relationship between excessive fears and bedsharing is noted.
Development by Design: Mitigating Wind Development's Impacts on Wildlife in Kansas

Wind energy, if improperly sited, can impact wildlife through direct mortality and habitat loss and fragmentation, in contrast to its environmental benefits in the areas of greenhouse gas, air quality, and water quality. Fortunately, risks to wildlife from wind energy may be alleviated through proper siting and mitigation offsets. Here we identify areas in Kansas where wind development is incompatible with conservation, areas where wind development may proceed but with compensatory mitigation for impacts, and areas where development could proceed without the need for compensatory mitigation. We demonstrate that approximately 10.3 million ha in Kansas (48 percent of the state) has the potential to provide 478 GW of installed capacity while still meeting conservation goals. Of this total, approximately 2.7 million ha would require no compensatory mitigation and could produce up to 125 GW of installed capacity. This is 1,648 percent higher than the level of wind development needed in Kansas by 2030 if the United States is to get 20 percent of its electricity from wind. Projects that avoid and offset impacts consistent with this analysis could be awarded “Green Certification.” Certification may help to expand and sustain the wind industry by facilitating the completion of individual projects sited to avoid sensitive areas and protecting the industry's reputation as an ecologically friendly source of electricity.
The DNA Binding Domain of a Papillomavirus E2 Protein Programs a Chimeric Nuclease To Cleave Integrated Human Papillomavirus DNA in HeLa Cervical Carcinoma Cells

Viral DNA binding proteins that direct nucleases or other protein domains to viral DNA in lytically or latently infected cells may provide a novel approach to modulate viral gene expression or replication. Cervical carcinogenesis is initiated by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and viral DNA persists in the cancer cells. To test whether a DNA binding domain of a papillomavirus protein can direct a nuclease domain to cleave HPV DNA in cervical cancer cells, we fused the DNA binding domain of the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) E2 protein to the catalytic domain of the FokI restriction endonuclease, generating a BPV1 E2-FokI chimeric nuclease (BEF). BEF introduced DNA double-strand breaks on both sides of an E2 binding site in vitro, whereas DNA binding or catalytic mutants of BEF did not. After expression of BEF in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells, we detected cleavage at E2 binding sites in the integrated HPV18 DNA in these cells and also at an E2 binding site in cellular DNA. BEF-expressing cells underwent senescence, which required the DNA binding activity of BEF, but not its nuclease activity. These results demonstrate that DNA binding domains of viral proteins can target effector molecules to cognate binding sites in virally infected cells.
Inter-Frame Interference in Time Hopping Impulse Radio Based UWB Systems for Coherent Receivers

Ultra Wideband (UWB) Systems take advantage of collecting energy from a large number of multipaths. In high data rate systems for time hopping (TH) UWB transmission, this large number of multipaths may leak into neighboring frames causing inter-frame interference (IFI). Most studies so far avoid this IFI by placing one or more constraints on chip length, frame length, minimum pulse to pulse duration, etc. In this paper, IFI will be investigated in detail for BPSK and PPM modulations in coherent transceivers. It will be shown that IFI effect is insignificant for these modulation options and for these transceiver architectures. Therefore, the constraints to avoid IFI can be removed for those systems. To the best knowledge of the authors, this type of analysis has not been conducted before and the simulation and semi-analytical analysis both result in a novel conclusion.
Mid-UV Spectral Diagnostics

The mid-ultraviolet is an important diagnostic region due to its sensitivity to the hottest stars of a stellar population. Sources of mid-UV flux include main sequence turn-off stars, the basic clocks of stellar evolution, and also blue horizontal branch stars and blue stragglers. We describe some observed trends in mid-UV colors and spectral indices.
Practicality of state-machine verification of speed-independent circuits

A state-machine verifier is described for speed-independent control circuits, using as an example an arbiter with reject. User-level behavioral descriptions are given as Petri nets, which are translated into trace structures, which are then automatically compared. The example verifies in two ways: first, the entire implementation is compared with a specification; second, the circuit is verified hierarchically according to the structure of the design. Performance figures are given. >
Saturable transport of manganese(II) across blood-nerve barrier of rat peripheral nerve

To determine whether the blood-nerve barrier of the rat peripheral nerve transports manganese(II) (Mn) by a saturable mechanism similar to that found at the blood-brain barrier, we measured the uptake of 54Mn from blood into desheathed sciatic nerve and into cerebral cortex of awake rats at different plasma concentrations of unlabeled Mn using an intravenous infusion technique. The unidirectional influx (Jin) of Mn into sciatic nerve was facilitated and saturable, when steady-state plasma Mn ranged from 4 to 4,312 ng/ml (0.073-78.4 microM), as was the unidirectional influx of Mn into the cerebral cortex. Michaelis-Menten constants (Km and Vmax) and the passive diffusion constant (Kd), determined by nonlinear least squares, were as follows: for the blood-nerve barrier (sciatic nerve) Km = 4.7 microM, Vmax = 0.56 x 10(-3) nmol.s-1.g wet wt-1, and Kd = 6.3 x 10(-6) ml.s-1.g wet wt-1; for the blood-brain barrier (cerebral cortex) Km = 1.0 microM, Vmax = 0.40 x 10(-3) nmol.s-1.g wet wt-1, and Kd = 0.3 x 10(-6) ml.s-1.g wet wt-1. The results demonstrate facilitated concentration-dependent mechanisms of transport of Mn at the blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers.
EMS PATIENT TRANSPORT REFUSAL: A POPULATION-BASED COMPARISON OF VIRGINIA COUNTIES

(2004). EMS PATIENT TRANSPORT REFUSAL: A POPULATION-BASED COMPARISON OF VIRGINIA COUNTIES. Prehospital Emergency Care: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 108-108.
POLYCHOTOMOUS LOGISTIC REGRESSION METHODS FOR MATCHED CASE-CONTROL STUDIES WITH MULTIPLE CASE OR CONTROL GROUPS

Two statistical methods, a polychotomous and pairwise approach, are presented to derive estimates of the relative odds in a matched case-control design when multiple case or control groups are used. Test statistics are derived to determine if the relative odds between groups are different. The polychotomous method is limited to case-control sets, i.e., where data are available on all members of a matched set. In contrast, the pairwise method makes use of data from both complete and incomplete sets. Nonetheless, efficiency calculations show that the polychotomous logistic regression model is more efficient even when 40 per cent of the case-control sets are incomplete. An example using a single dichotomous variable is provided.
Defining an ideal temperature range for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine, Sardinops sagax caeruleus

The aim of this study was to determine a physiologically “ideal” temperature range of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax caeruleus) from the northern stock by assessing the effects of cumulatively increasing or decreasing temperature on their stress physiology. Sardines collected off the coast of Southern California during late spring and late fall were exposed to cumulatively increasing or decreasing temperatures that reached +/− 8 °C from their acclimation temperature over a period of approximately one month. Blood plasma and tissue samples were collected at every 2 °C temperature change. Measurements included plasma cortisol, expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp70, Hsp90, HOP) in liver tissue, expression of an immune gene (IgM) in liver tissue, and Michaelis-Menton (Km) determinations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and citrate synthase (CS) from white and red muscle tissue, respectively. Critical thermal minimum and maximum temperatures were also measured to identify the outer edges of their thermal tolerance. Feeding behavior ceased and plasma cortisol was elevated at the lowest temperature, while Hsp90 and Km pyr (LDH) values were elevated at the highest temperatures to which sardines were exposed. An additional finding was that Vmax of LDH increased with increasing condition factor, indicating the occurrence of metabolic scaling in Pacific sardine. Critical thermal minimums and maximums for sardines acclimated to 15 °C and 17 °C were 3.4 °C – 29.1 °C and 4.8 °C – 29.9 °C, respectively. This study indicates Pacific sardine from the northern stock have a physiologic ideal temperature range of 9 °C – 19 °C for 15 °C acclimated sardines and 11 °C – 21 °C for 17 °C acclimated sardines.
Magic Mint, the Internet, and Peer Associations: A Test of Social Learning Theory Using Patterns of Salvia Divinorum Use

As new drugs are introduced into the market, it becomes the role of policy makers to assess the dangers associated with each drug and its potential to be misused by the populace. The focus of this research is to better understand how young adults learn about a new drug and subsequently engage in its use. Salvia divinorum is a plant species whose leaves contain psychoactive components. Its recreational use among teenagers and young adults has received increased media and policy attention. Several states have taken the initiative to ban this substance. Despite this legal action, little is known about why this substance has gained in popularity and what factors contribute to its use. Akers’ social learning theory offers one explanation for why individuals experiment with drugs. We employ a sample of college students from a large public university to test Akers’ propositions, finding support for his theory.
Germinal Cell Tumors of the Testis After Orchiopexy

AbstractA review of the literature revealed 220 cases of germinal cell tumor of the testis that had occurred after orchiopexy. Of these cases 97 were accurately documented in regard to scrotal placement of the undescended testis and the subsequent tumor. Only 6 cases were reported after orchiopexy in children <10 years old. Since the number of patients at risk is unknown the possible protection of early orchiopexy against subsequent malignant degeneration cannot be established. The small number of cases reported after orchiopexy in children <10 years old is encouraging. The accumulated reports of germinal cell tumors of the testes after orchiopexy in patients between 10 and 20 years old militate against such a procedure in patients with a unilateral undescended testis.
Eustachian Tube Function in 6-Year-Old Children with and without a History of Middle Ear Disease

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that eustachian tube opening efficiency, measured as the fractional gradient equilibrated (FGE), is lower in 6-year-old children with no middle ear disease but a well-documented history of recurrent acute otitis media, as compared with children with a negative disease history (control).Study DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTertiary care pediatric hospital.Subjects and MethodsBilateral eustachian tube function was evaluated in 44 healthy 6-year-old children (19 boys, 29 white). None had middle ear disease at the time of testing, but 23 had a history of recurrent acute otitis media. Twenty-one had no significant past otitis media. Eustachian tube function was measured with a pressure chamber protocol that established negative middle ear gauge pressures (referenced to the chamber pressure) and recorded that pressure before and after a swallow. FGE was calculated as the change in middle ear gauge pressure with swallowing divided by the preswallow pressure. Between-group comp...
Clinical study of ultra short wave and sound-frequency therapy on pelvie inflammtion block

Objective:Object To study the effect of ultrashort wave and sound-frequency therapy on pelvic inflammation block.Methods:120 cass were divided into two groups,60 patients of the treatment group were treated with both ulerashort wave and sound frequency current once a time,ten days a course,Another 60 patients of the control group were treated with Flagyl 0.5g and Cefazolini 5.0g once a day,ten days a course.Results:the effective rate of 60 patients of therapy group was 85%,The control group's was 65%,through test of calculation,u=2.12,P0.05,The difference between the two groups was significant.Conclusion:Ultrashort wave and sound-frequency therapy on pelvic inflammation block was one of effective therapy method.
Isolation of Circulating Melanoma Cells

Circulating melanoma cells (CMCs) represent critical mediators of metastatic melanoma progression. However, isolation and characterization of CMCs has been challenging due to the low frequency of these cells and the paucity of melanoma-specific cell surface markers. Herein, we describe a method for the isolation of CMCs that employs two independent markers, displays high sensitivity for CMC enrichment, and can be readily adapted to include additional molecular melanoma markers of interest. CMCs isolated by this method are enriched for ABCB5-positive melanoma stem cells, are tumorigenic in xenotransplantation assays, and can be used for phenotypical, genetic, and functional investigations of CMC biology.
Background in Logic

Mathematics enables us to model many things abstractly. Group theory, for example, abstracts features of such diverse activities as English changeringing and quantum mechanics. Mathematical logic carries the abstraction one level higher: it is a mathematical model of mathematics. This book shows that the computational complexity of all problems in computer science can be understood via the complexity of their logical descriptions. We begin with a high-level introduction to logic. Although much of the material is well-known, we urge readers to at least skim this background chapter as the concentration on finite and ordered structures, i.e., relational databases, is not standard in most treatments of logic.
Scaffolds: Flow perfusion bioreactor design

Limited mass transfer within scaffolds is an extremely common issue in tissue engineering. Oftentimes, cells cultured statically on scaffolds develop a shell of viable cells and extracellular matrix with the interior portion of the construct relatively devoid of cells and matrix. Flow perfusion bioreactors have been designed to overcome the challenge of mass transfer within scaffolds and to provide physiologically relevant shear stresses beneficial to tissue morphogenesis.
Imaging Lymphatic Function of a Toddler with Congenital Lymphedema

1791 Objectives Pediatric lymphedema is reported to occur in 1 in 6000 children and can differ from adult lymphedema in that it is typically of primary, non-traumatic origin and may not progress to pitting edema. Primary lymphedema in the pediatric population remains poorly diagnosed and misunderstood due to a lack of information on the causation and underlying anatomy of the lymphatic system. We sought to image the lymphatics in the extremities of a 21 month old boy who presented with unilateral right arm and hand lymphedema at birth. Methods Based on an FDA(IND:102,827) and IRB-approved protocol, near-infrared fluorescence lymphatics imaging was offered to the patient’s family to elucidate the cause of his lymphedema. After informed consent of the parents, an intradermal injection, containing 12.5 µg of indocyanine green (ICG) in 0.05 ml saline, was administered in the dorsum of each foot and hand for lymphatic uptake, for a total dose of 50 µg. Image acquisition rates of about 88 images/minute enabled visualization of its transit through functional lymphatics. Imaging occurred on the unsedated child while he sat in his mother9s lap. Results The imaging results indicated an intact, apparently normal lymphatic anatomy with no obvious malformation but with decreased lymphatic contractile function of the affected right upper extremity relative to the contralateral and lower extremities. Movies show active propulsion in unaffected extremities. Figure 1 shows fluorescent images and movies of lymphatics in the (A) lateral and (B) medial right arm, and (C) axilla of the right arm. Figure (D) shows intact vessels with limited contractile function with possible dermal backflow near the right wrist. Manual lymphatci drainage techniques increased contractile function in the right arm. We hypothesize that the lack of contraction of the lymphatic vessels rather than an anatomical malformation is the source of the unilateral extremity swelling and that compression and manual lymphatic drainage could be effective treatments. Conclusions Near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging can provide information of malformation or inadequate lymph pumping function and may provide key information for the most efficacious treatment of rare lymphatic disorders in children.
Improving motor imagery BCI with user response to feedback

In brain-computer interface (BCI) systems, the non-stationarity of brain signals is known to be a challenge for training robust classifiers as other brain processes produce signals that coincide wi...
Strong measure zero and infinite games

We show that strong measure zero sets (in a $$\sigma $$ -totally bounded metric space) can be characterized by the nonexistence of a winning strategy in a certain infinite game. We use this characterization to give a proof of the well known fact, originally conjectured by K. Prikry, that every dense $$G_\delta $$ subset of the real line contains a translate of every strong measure zero set. We also derive a related result which answers a question of J. Fickett.
Design Thinking: Problem Solving in the Diverse Workplace

Numerous studies have been conducted on changing corporate, nonprofit, educational, and other workplace cultures over the last two decades. However, even as the need for change is recognized, the question arises how are strategic decisions made in order to have transformative alterations in management decisions to promote new innovative products, solutions, and resources? This chapter will define, highlight, and discuss through interactive case studies and exercises, Design Thinking implementation in the corporate, educational, governmental, and nonprofit workplaces. Through practical scenarios, readers will be guided through the wonderful, human-centered ventures of Design Thinking principles for problem-solving, the implementation and planning of transforming recommendations revealed through the process.
Clinical Predictors of Malignancy in Patients with Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Background and Purpose Factors associated with malignancy in patients with pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumors, Pheo) and paraganglioma (extra-adrenal, PGL) are not well-defined and all patients require lifelong surveillance. The primary aim of our study was to determine genetic and clinical variables associated with malignancy in patients with Pheo/PGL.
Sector Option Implied Volatility Dynamics and Predictability

As research is revealing more detail about the behavior of implied volatilities, the empirical evidence points to important differences between systematic volatility, that is correlated with the market index and is shared broadly across stocks, and idiosyncratic volatility that is largely independent of the rest of the market. It is the former that appears to command a significant variance risk premium in market prices. Marks and Simon examine an intermediate case: options on sector exchange traded funds. The underlying asset for an ETF is a portfolio of stocks within a single market sector. That is, the underlying is an index not a single stock, so volatility risk is somewhat systematic, but to the extent there is an important industry component to variance, it might behave more like single-stock idiosyncratic risk than like market risk. The results show a rich array of volatility effects, both in terms of different risk premia on different types of volatility, but also in terms of the speed of adjustment of sector IVs that appear to revert toward a relatively constant long term average relationship with systematic risk after deviating from it temporarily. Among other interesting results in the study: both market and sector IVs respond to realized returns, but sector “idiosyncratic” IVs are more symmetrical in responding to positive and negative returns; however, the impact of a negative return appears immediately, while sector IVs respond more slowly to positive returns. Overall, the article provides new evidence showing the rich structure of implied volatility dynamics.
Cell Strain Senescence in Vitro: Cell Culture Anomaly or an Expression of a Fundamental Inability of Normal Cells to Survive and Proliferate

Since the advent of enzymic dissociation methods for the serial propagation of cells in culture numerous studies have detailed the changes in growth properties and morphology which take place with continued passage. Swim and associates [1, 2] clearly defined the characteristics of two distinct classes of cells which proliferate in vitro. One class, later termed primary cell lines by Harris [3] and others, comprises the apparently unaltered progeny of cells derived by dissociation of a given animal tissue. The second class, the so-called permanent cell lines, evolves during serial propagation of primary lines. We will be concerned mainly with the growth properties of primary cell lines in this discussion.
Gräfe, Albrecht von

German ophthalmologist Albrecht von Grafe (1828–70) was one of the founders of modern scientific ophthalmology and was the most important and influential ophthalmologist during the nineteenth century. Immediately after the invention of the ophthalmoscope, von Grafe championed its use for clinical work and soon described the appearance of the ocular fundus in various diseases. von Grafe made major contributions to our understanding and treatment of glaucoma, cataracts, and strabismus. He also recognized and described homonymous hemianopsia, central retinal artery occlusion, optic neuritis, and papilledema. The eponymous ‘Grafe’s sign’ (lid lag) is associated with exophthalmic goiter (Graves' disease).
Human Immunodeficiency virus and inflammatory bowel disease

We have now completed the second decade of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that first came to attention in 1981 [1]. The early years of the epidemic were devoted to describing the vast spectrum of, and defining optimum treatments for, the complications of AIDS. Over the past 10 years, there has been intense investigation into the virology of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and, consequently, rapid progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis of this devastating worldwide infectious disease. These efforts have culminated in the development of highly active antiretroviral therapies, termed HAART, which have profoundly changed the paradigms for management of HI V-related complications including those involving the gastrointestinal tract [2, 3]. Because of the widespread availability of these drugs and access to care [4] the fall in AIDS-related morbidity and mortality has been most pronounced in the developed world, whereas in contrast, and for the foreseeable future, complications related to HIV-associated immunodeficiency will continue unabated in developing countries [1, 5]. Before the development of HAART, gastrointestinal disorders occurred almost uniformly in patients with AIDS. Problems referable to the colon, usually diarrhea, were observed in 50% or more of patients at some point during the course of HIV and AIDS [5]. Al though oppor tun i s t i c infect ions and neoplasms comprise the majority of the colonic disorders in these patients, a number of cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), have been described [6-22]. In addition, an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the colon, apparently distinct from IBD, has also been recognized [23, 24]. Given the potential for confusion clinically, endoscopically, and pathologically between opportunistic infections of the colon and IBD, an appreciation of the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and management of IBD in HIV-infected patients is important. In this chapter the relationship of HIV infection and IBD will be explored, focusing on the pathogenesis of IBD and what lessons we can learn from coexistent HIV infection; the chapter will review the clinical presentation and relationship to immunodeficiency of the reported patients with HIV infection; outline the differential diagnosis of IBD in the setting of HIV; and review management. Finally, criteria will be proposed for the diagnosis of idiopathic IBD in the setting of HIV infection.
Amazing Grace: The Healing Effects of Near-Death Experiences on Those Dying and Grieving

Study presenting evidence of seven categorical situations where participating in or knowledge of near-death experiences (NDEs) and nearing-death awareness experiences serve as healing agents in facing one's own death or the death of a significant other.
Teaching Cancer Principles to Undergraduate Students

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Most of the United States population will have some exposure to cancer during their lifetime. Medical knowledge becomes more advanced daily. Rapidly expanding knowledge specific to cancer etiology, diagnosis, and treatment is no exception. The consumer is at risk of misunderstanding this information at the time of the crisis because of the emotional, physical, and financial involvement. Gaining knowledge about cancer prior to such involvement may allow a better understanding if cancer care is required in the future. The Honors Oncology Course titled Learning to Live with Cancer was developed at the College of Nursing at Brigham Young University. It was developed to teach nursing and non-nursing students basic cancer principles, provide information regarding diagnosis and treatment of the disease, and allow students to work with cancer patients in the community to understand the impact of cancer on the patients, families, significant others, and the community at large.
Does high normocalcemia predict ovarian cancer in patients with a pelvic mass

e16533 Background: Survival from ovarian cancer is improved when surgery is performed by a gynecologic oncologist. Accurately predicting malignant ovarian masses prior to surgery could improve the ...
Characterizing introduction to proof courses: a survey of U.S. R1 and R2 course syllabi

Many tertiary institutions with mathematics programmes offer introduction to proof courses to ease mathematics students’ transition from primarily calculation-based courses like Calculus and differ...
Novel Antidiabetic Therapies and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: The Role of the Noninferiority Trial

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet until now treatments for diabetes had only a modest impact on cardiovascular events. New interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (oral empagliflozin and injectable liraglutide) are associated with unprecedented reductions in composite cardiovascular outcomes that seem disproportionate to the impact on glycated hemoglobin. This review examines in detail the recent trials that arrived at these conclusions, limitations of these studies, and how these outcomes may influence patient management in the future.
Deconstructing myelodysplastic syndromes

In this issue of Blood, Hsu et al show that myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells can be efficiently reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to capture the clonal intermediates that appeared during MDS progression.1
QueryFuse Is A Sensitive Algorithm For Detection Of Gene-Specific Fusions

Recurrent chromosomal translocations, known as fusions, play important roles in carcinogenesis. They can serve as valuable diagnostic and therapeutic targets. RNA-seq is an ideal platform for detecting transcribed fusions, and computational methods have been developed to identify fusion transcripts from RNA-seq data. However, some transciptome realignment procedures for these methods are unnecessary, making this task computationally expensive and time consuming. Therefore, we have developed QueryFuse, a novel hypothesis-based algorithm that identifies gene-specific fusion from pre-aligned RNA-seq data. It is designed to help biologists quickly find and/or computationally validate fusions of interest, together with visualization and detailed properties of supporting reads. By aligning reads to Query genes at the pre-processing step with a more sensitive, memory intensive local aligner, QueryFuse can reduce alignment time and improve detection sensitivity. QueryFuse performed better or at comparable levels with two popular tools (deFuse and TopHatFusion) on both simulated and well-annotated cell-line datasets. Finally, using QueryFuse, we identified a novel fusion event with a potential therapeutic implication in clinical samples. Taken together, our results showed that QueryFuse is efficient and reliable for detecting gene-specific fusion events.
Epidemiological characteristice of mumps in Zaozhuang in Shandong province from 2008 to 2012

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Zaozhuang and provide references for prevention and control strategies.Methods According to the Zaozhuang disease surveillance information reporting system,the mumps case surveillance data from 2008 to 2012 were collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method.Results A total of 3768 mumps cases were reported in Zaozhuang from 2008 to 2012,the average annual incidence was 20.14/105 with the highest incidence in 2012 (35.04/105) and in the areas of Fengcheng District (46.07/105) and Shizhong District (43.40/105).The onset of mumps showed remarkable seasonality,the peak prevalence was from April to July.Most of the cases were students in school and children in kindergarten,and 41.51％ cases were 5-9 years old.About 62.57％ cases (595/951) were unvaccinated.Conclusions The morbidity of mumps is high in Zaozhuang from 2008 to 2012 with remarkable seasonality.Of all the cases,school children are the main population who are lack of immunization.A suggestion is to strengthen the prevention measures for school-age children and improve immunization coverage in Zaozhuang. Key words: Mumps ; Epidemiology ; Prevention Strategy
Device quality templates of InxGa1−xN (x < 0.1) with defect densities comparable to GaN

InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structures currently used in optical devices are based on highly strained InGaN films. The presence of strain reduces quantum efficiency and indium incorporation, two critical parameters in addressing the green gap. We report on the growth of InGaN-relaxed templates on GaN as substrates to reduce the strain in the MQW structures. Relaxation in the InGaN templates, due to the lattice mismatch, is accommodated by the generation of V-pits rather than the formation of misfit dislocations. InxGa1−xN templates (x ∼ 0.1) are grown via a modified semibulk (SB) approach, with a gradually increasing GaN interlayer thickness to provide a mechanism for backfilling of V-pits. We used high-resolution x-ray diffraction rocking curves to quantify the edge-type and screw-type dislocation density present in the SB and compared the results with the etch pit density obtained via atomic force microscopy after treating the SB with a silane etch. Device-quality InGaN templates with defect density in the mid 108 cm−2 were investigated using the above two approaches, with a quality comparable to state-of-the-art GaN.
Serine-threonine kinase TAO3-mediated trafficking of endosomes containing the invadopodia scaffold TKS5α promotes cancer invasion and tumor growth.

Invadopodia are actin-based proteolytic membrane protrusions required for invasive behavior and tumor growth. In this study, we used our high-content screening assay to identify kinases whose activity affects invadopodia formation. Among the top hits selected for further analysis was TAO3, an STE20-like kinase of the GCK subfamily. TAO3 was overexpressed in many human cancers and regulated invadopodia formation in melanoma, breast, and bladder cancers. Furthermore, TAO3 catalytic activity facilitated melanoma growth in three-dimensional matrices and in vivo. A novel, potent catalytic inhibitor of TAO3 was developed that inhibited invadopodia formation and function as well as tumor cell extravasation and growth. Treatment with this inhibitor demonstrated that TAO3 activity is required for endosomal trafficking of TKS5α, an obligate invadopodia scaffold protein. A phosphoproteomics screen for TAO3 substrates revealed the dynein subunit protein LIC2 as a relevant substrate. Knockdown of LIC2 or expression of a phosphomimetic form promoted invadopodia formation. Thus, TAO3 is a new therapeutic target with a distinct mechanism of action. SIGNIFICANCE: An unbiased screening approach identifies TAO3 as a regulator of invadopodia formation and function, supporting clinical development of this class of target.
Evaluating hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater and surface water in the Upper Pearl River Watershed, USA.

The groundwater quality of the Upper Pearl River Watershed (UPRW) and surface water quality of the basin’s outlet, Ross Barnett Reservoir (RBR), are critically important because of growing demands for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use in the region. To identify factors affecting water quality and characterize the surface water outlet and the watershed’s groundwater, geochemical and statistical analyses were performed using results from various hydrogeochemical parameters. Based on surface geology, groundwater samples analyzed (n = 51) within the watershed were partitioned into three recharge zones: North, Mid, and South. Precipitation and rock-water interactions were identified to dominantly influence the groundwater chemistry in the region. The chemistry of the surface water samples (n = 9), on the other hand, was influenced more by precipitation with minor contribution from the proximal aquifer system. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that two groundwater recharge zones and RBR samples exhibited significant clustering. The groundwater had a complex array of parameters influencing its chemistry owing to diverse properties, including Na, Ca, Mg, alkalinity, and conductivity. Comparing land use at the sub-watershed level with the water quality parameters showed that agriculture and development could have contributed nitrate, especially to the groundwater in the south zone. However, a general lack of distinct relationship between land use and water quality, along with detection of excess nitrate in select wells suggested that the water in the region was likely affected by point sources, such as poultry farms. The research recommends evaluating point sources of pollution to cater to future water management in the region.
O historiador mais conhecido do mundo: a vida de Eric Hobsbawm

Book review: EVANS, Richard J. Eric Hobsbawm: A Life in History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019, 785 p.
Unique considerations in the assessment of ADHD in college students.

Evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP) has long focused on treatment, but evidence-based psychological assessment (EBPA) is also crucial given the important role of accurate and reliable diag...
Ethics and the Environment: An Introduction

Preface 1. The environment as an ethical question 2. Human morality 3. Meta-ethics 4. Normative ethics 5. Humans and other animals 6. The value of nature 7. Nature's future.
Nuclear factor-kappa B regulates pain and COMT expression in a rodent model of inflammation

Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a ubiquitously expressed protein complex regulating the transcription of genes involved in inflammation and pain. Increased NF-κB activity in immune and nervous system cells is linked to several chronic pain conditions in humans as well as inflammation and nerve injury-evoked pain in animals. A recent in vitro study further demonstrates that increased NF-κB activity in astrocytes decreases transcription of catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that inactivates catecholamines that cause pain. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between systemic and astrocytic NF-κB activity, pain, and COMT expression in an animal model of inflammation. Results demonstrated that administration of the inflammatory stimulant complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) led to increased pain and decreased COMT protein expression in an NF-κB-dependent manner. Specifically, we found that rats and mice receiving intraplantar CFA exhibited increased behavioral responses to mechanical and thermal heat stimuli. CFA-evoked pain was blocked in rats receiving a pre-emptive systemic dose of the NF-κB inhibitor MG132 and exacerbated in IKKca mice with constitutive NF-κB activity in astrocytes. Furthermore, we observed NF-κB-linked reductions in COMT expression in midbrain at 6h and 1d following CFA in rats and at 1h and 1d in forebrain and midbrain following CFA in IKKca mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that systemic and astrocytic NF-κB activity drive inflammatory pain and regulate the expression of COMT in forebrain and midbrain structures.
Rat preprocarboxypeptidase H. Cloning, characterization, and sequence of the cDNA and regulation of the mRNA by corticotropin-releasing factor.

Abstract Carboxypeptidase H is a putative post-translational processing enzyme which removes basic amino acid residues from intermediates during protein hormone biosynthesis. A 2.2-kilobase pair cDNA was shown to contain the complete amino acid sequence of rat carboxypeptidase H. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that the enzyme was synthesized as preprocarboxypeptidase H, a precursor form of 476 amino acid residues. Preprocarboxypeptidase H contained a putative hydrophobic signal peptide and a short propeptide which contained 5 adjacent Arg residues at its C terminus. Northern blot analysis identified a single carboxypeptidase H mRNA of approximately 2.3 kilobases in brain, pituitary, and heart, as well as in mouse AtT20 cells. No carboxypeptidase H mRNA was detected in rat liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and mammary gland. Sequence analysis of cDNAs obtained from different rat tissues suggested that a single mRNA encodes an identical carboxypeptidase in several tissues. Treatment of AtT20 cells with dexamethasone decreased the levels of both carboxypeptidase H and preproopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNAs by approximately 30%. Exposure of the dexamethasone-treated cells to corticotropin-releasing factor effected a 2- to 3-fold increase in the carboxypeptidase H and POMC mRNA levels relative to those of dexamethasone-treated cells exposed to control medium. This suggests that the mRNA levels of POMC and one of its putative post-translational processing enzymes, carboxypeptidase H, are co-regulated by corticotropin-releasing factor and steroid hormones.
Biomaterial approaches for stem cell-based myocardial tissue engineering

Adult and pluripotent stem cells represent a ready supply of cellular raw materials that can be used to generate the functionally mature cells needed to replace damaged or diseased heart tissue. However, the use of stem cells for cardiac regenerative therapies is limited by the low efficiency by which stem cells are differentiated in vitro to cardiac lineages as well as the inability to effectively deliver stem cells and their derivatives to regions of damaged myocardium. In this review, we discuss the various biomaterial-based approaches that are being implemented to direct stem cell fate both in vitro and in vivo. First, we discuss the stem cell types available for cardiac repair and the engineering of naturally and synthetically derived biomaterials to direct their in vitro differentiation to the cell types that comprise heart tissue. Next, we describe biomaterial-based approaches that are being implemented to enhance the in vivo integration and differentiation of stem cells delivered to areas of cardiac damage. Finally, we present emerging trends of using stem cell-based biomaterial approaches to deliver pro-survival factors and fully vascularized tissue to the damaged and diseased cardiac tissue.
Abstract 51: Effects of Vascular Risk Factors on Microstructural White Matter: A Voxel-Based Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Background: Diabetes mellitus type II (DMT2) and hypertension (HTN) have been reported as increasing the risk of dementia. Because recent cross-sectional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have identified association between vascular risk factors (VRF) and microstructural white matter (WM) abnormalities in elderly, longitudinal DTI studies are needed to determine whether VRF may be associated with accelerated WM degeneration over time. Methods: 114 cognitively normal participants from University of California, Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, aged 73.9±6.7, received a comprehensive clinical evaluation and brain MRI including T1-weighted and DTI sequences on two dates (mean delay: 3.3 years). Baseline and follow-up FA maps were calculated, aligned, and subtracted to provide FA change ([[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]FA) maps and warped to a common template (MDT). Coregistration of baseline and follow-up T1 maps to MDT enabled computation of Jacobian images (i.e. the local contraction factor). VRF score (VRFS) was computed as the sum of DMT2, HTN and hyperlipidemia (HYP) incidence based on the subject’s medical history. We then used voxel-based linear regressions to relate annual [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]FA and Jacobian determinants to VRFS, adjusting for potential confounders. Resulting T maps were corrected for multiple comparisons. Results: Poorer VRF score was associated with higher rate of [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]FA loss and of GM atrophy with regions most heavily implicated including the corpus callosum and the frontal GM (see Figure1). Conclusions: This is one of very few studies of longitudinal DTI change in the elderly. DMT2, HTH and HYP are associated with accelerated WM degeneration and GM atrophy in areas whose integrity is known to be reduced in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Future work should clarify the independent role of these vascular risk factors in accelerating brain aging. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif