cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Bone Loss Prevention in HIV-Infected Males

OBJECTIVE:To review the use of testosterone for the prevention of bone loss in men with HIV infection.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1966–May 2002) on the use of testosterone in osteoporosis/HIV infection was performed. A reference bibliography search was also completed.DATA SYNTHESIS:Osteopenia/osteoporosis is reported in HIV-infected men due to a myriad of factors. Sex hormone deficiency is a frequent endocrine abnormality in this population.CONCLUSIONS:In HIV-negative men, testosterone may be beneficial for preventing bone loss and hastening the resolution of fractures. Testosterone's role in preventing bone loss in HIV-infected men remains to be defined.
Giant Extracellular Matrix Binding Protein Expression in Staphylococcus epidermidis is Regulated by Biofilm Formation and Osmotic Pressure

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic bacterium that thrives as a commensal cutaneous organism and as a vascular pathogen. The S. epidermidis extracellular matrix binding protein (Embp) has been reported to be a virulence factor involved in colonization of medical device implants and subsequent biofilm formation. Here, we characterize the expression patterns of Embp in planktonic and biofilm cultures, as well as under high osmotic stresses that typify the commensal environment of the skin. Embp expression without osmotic stress was similar for planktonic and adherent cultures. Addition of osmotic stress via NaCl caused slight increases in embp expression in planktonic cultures. However, in adherent cultures a 100-fold increase in embp expression with NaCl versus controls occurred and coincided with altered biofilm morphology. Results suggest that the central role of Embp lies in commensal skin colonization, stabilizing the cell wall against osmotic stresses, rather than as a virulence factor promoting adhesion.
Adjustment to College in Students With ADHD

Objective: To examine college adjustment in students reporting an ADHD diagnosis and the effect of medication treatment on students' adjustment. Method: 1,648 first-semester freshmen attending a public and a private university completed a Web-based survey to examine their adjustment to college. Results: Compared with 200 randomly selected control students, 68 students with ADHD reported more academic concerns and depressive symptoms. This was explained by higher rates of inattentive symptoms among students with ADHD and was unrelated to hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Among students with ADHD, medication treatment was not related to better adjustment or diminished ADHD symptoms. The contribution of inattention to academic concerns and depressive symptoms remained significant when controlling for personality traits. Conclusion: Students with ADHD experience greater academic performance concerns and depressive symptoms during the transition to college. Medication treatment did not appear to diminish ADHD sy...
Miniaturization of the Biconical Antenna for Ultrawideband Applications

A miniaturized, ultrawideband antenna for the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz frequency band is presented. The antenna is designed to have a low profile to enhance integration onto existing structures and a low directivity pattern for body worn applications. A systematic process to miniaturize the well-known biconical antenna is illustrated by adding several different geometric features that reduce the size of the antenna. After miniaturization, the vertical height of the antenna was reduced by over 60% while maintaining electrical performance. Prototype antennas were manufactured using low cost plastic injection molding and dipping processes to facilitate transition to mass production and to enhance the durability of the antenna. The simulated and measured reflection coefficient of the antenna show good agreement. Measured antenna gain patterns verify that the manufacturing process employed is capable of producing low loss antenna structures. Lastly, time domain short pulse measurements of the antenna verify that it does not appreciably distort radiated signals in the azimuthal plane.
Crystal Structure of the Kelch Domain of Human Keap1

Keap1 is a substrate adaptor protein for an ubiquitin ligase complex that targets the Nrf2 transcription factor for degradation. Keap1 binds Nrf2 through its C-terminal Kelch domain, which contains six copies of the evolutionarily conserved kelch repeat sequence motif. The structure of the Kelch domain from human Keap1 has been determined by x-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.85 A. The Kelch domain forms a 6-bladed β-propeller structure, with residues at the C terminus forming the first strand in the first blade. Key structural roles have been identified for the highly conserved glycine, tyrosine, and tryptophan residues that define the kelch repeat sequence motif. In addition, we show that substitution of a single amino acid located within a loop that extends out from the bottom of the β-propeller structure abolishes binding of Nrf2. The structure of the Kelch domain of Keap1 represents a high quality model for the superfamily of eukaryotic kelch repeat proteins and provides insight into how disease-causing mutations perturb the structural integrity of the Kelch domain.
Comparison of treatment with fluorinated glucocorticoids to the natural history of autoantibody-associated congenital heart block: retrospective review of the research registry for neonatal lupus.

Objective To compare intervention with fluorinated glucocorticoids to the natural history of untreated congenital heart block (CHB) with respect to conduction abnormalities, associated effusions, ascites, and hydrops fetalis, and the requirement for a pacemaker. Methods Records of all mothers enrolled in the Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus were reviewed. The cohort includes 47 mothers whose sera contain anti-SSA/Ro or anti-SSB/La antibodies, and their 50 offspring with CHB, in whom at least 4 echocardiograms were performed after in utero diagnosis. In 28 pregnancies, mothers received dexamethasone 4–9 mg/day for 3–19 weeks or betamethasone 12–24 mg/week for >6 weeks (group A). In 22 pregnancies, fluorinated steroids were not used (group B). Results Third-degree block was present in 21 fetuses in group A and 18 fetuses in group B; none were reversible despite steroid treatment. Three fetuses in group A and 2 in group B progressed from second-degree block, alternating with third-degree block, to permanent third-degree block at birth and postnatally. Of 4 fetuses in group A with second-degree block at presentation, all reverted to first-degree block by birth; 2 remain so at age 4 years, 1 alternates between first-degree and second-degree block at 2 years, and the fourth is in second-degree block at age 4 years. Of 2 fetuses in group B with second-degree block at presentation, both progressed to permanent third-degree block postnatally. Initial echocardiographic evaluation revealed pericardial effusions in 13 group A versus 4 group B fetuses, pleural effusions in 2 group A versus 0 group B, ascites in 8 group A versus 0 group B (P < 0.007), hydrops fetalis in 8 group A versus 0 group B (P < 0.007), and intrauterine growth restriction in 1 group A versus 1 group B. Pericardial effusions resolved and reappeared in both groups. Steroid therapy was most effective in the resolution of pleural effusions (2 of 2), ascites (6 of 8), and hydrops fetalis (5 of 8). Oligohydramnios ensued in 9 group A and 2 group B fetuses. Although fetuses in group A had more complications at presentation than those in group B, there were no significant differences in the duration of pregnancy (35.7 weeks versus 37.0 weeks), the number of deaths (4 versus 1), final degree of heart block, or requirement for a pacemaker (14 versus 11). Conclusion While prospective trials are needed, these data suggest that fluorinated steroids should be considered for fetuses with incomplete block or hydropic changes. Serial echocardiograms are recommended to monitor fetal progress. It remains to be determined whether third-degree block is reversible if therapy is initiated immediately upon detection.
Starting Performance of Salient-Pole Synchronous Motors

This paper presents an analysis of the sub-synchro-nous speed phenomena of a salient pole synchronous motor in which formulas and equivalent circuits are developed, making it possible to calculate the torque and current for a broad range of Conditions. Equations in terms of the impedances of the direct and quadrature axes are first derived from the revolving field point of view. The equivalent circuits for the two axes are then set up and expressions for the separate impedances of the circuit elements established. Adequate means of taking into account the combined effects of salient poles, incomplete amortisseur windings, and open or closed field windings are presented. The results obtained are illustrated by a comparison of the predicted performance and test data for a large 60-pole motor. The calculated distribution of current between the amortisseur bars of the same motor is shown by curves. Other curves show the calculated performance of the motor with and without continuous end rings between the poles and with the field winding open and closed. A final example shows the theoretical effects of changing the positions of the bars in the poles of a large waterwheel generator.
Patterning of the "distal esophagus" in esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula: is thyroid transcription factor 1 a player?

Abstract Background. We have recently proposed that the “distal esophagus” in esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is actually embryologically derived from the middle branch of a trifurcation of the embryonic lung bud, which subsequently grows caudally in the foregut to connect with the developing stomach. We hypothesized that differential mRNA expression of the lung-specific patterning transcription factor, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), in the developing fistula tract in TEF relative to the bronchi (the other branches of the lung bud trifurcation) might explain the unique nonbranching pattern of growth of the fistula tract. Materials and methods. EA/TEF was induced in Sprague–Dawley rat embryos via intraperitoneal injection of 2.2 mg/kg adriamycin into pregnant dams on Days 6–9 of gestation. The foregut from embryos developing EA/TEF and from control embryos (no adriamycin) were isolated on Gestational Days 13.5, 15.5, and 17.5 (term = 21 days). Some were processed for whole-mount in situ hybridization for TTF-1, while others were embedded and sectioned for histologic analysis via in situ hybridization for TTF-1. Results. The expression of the respiratory-specific transcription factor TTF-1 is conserved in the epithelium of the developing fistula tract in TEF. The pattern of expression of TTF-1 in the fistula tract mirrors the expression in the large airways of the developing lungs, despite the fact that the fistula tract does not form secondary branches to give rise to a lung. Conclusions. The fistula tract in TEF is a respiratory-derived structure that expresses the lung-specific transcription factor TTF-1 throughout its development in the foregut. Contrary to the patterning role that it normally plays in the developing lung, TTF-1 does not induce branching morphogenesis in the fistula tract. Thus, the nonbranching pattern of growth of the fistula tract may be attributable to local mesenchymal–epithelial interactions that override TTF-1 patterning activity.
Word alignment based on bilingual bracketing

In this paper, an improved word alignment based on bilingual bracketing is described. The explored approaches include using Model-1 conditional probability, a boosting strategy for lexicon probabilities based on importance sampling, applying Parts of Speech to discriminate English words and incorporating information of English base noun phrase. The results of the shared task on French-English, Romanian-English and Chinese-English word alignments are presented and discussed.
Button-pressing affects P300 amplitude and scalp topography.

Background: Scant and equivocal research exists examining the effects of button-pressing on P300. Button-pressing may decrease P300 latency and amplitude. The melding of motor potentials and P300 may also confound studies of P300 topography, such as studies of temporal scalp-area asymmetries in schizophrenia. Method: P300 was measured on button-press and silent-count tasks in control subjects. An estimate of motor activity was constructed from a simple reaction time task, with reaction times matched to the button-press task. The motor estimate was subtracted from the buttonpress P300 to assess Kok’s (1988) additive model. Lastly, lateral P300 from schizophrenia patients was compared with each condition’s P300. Results: P300 was smaller and its topography different in the button-pressing task relative to silent-counting. The motor-correction procedure generated a P300 with normal topography. Comparison of the button-press P300 in controls to the silent-count P300 in schizophrenia patients reduced a significant lateral asymmetry to trend level. This asymmetry was significant after the correction procedure. Conclusions: Button-pressing generates smaller P300 than silent-counting. Also, P300 topography in button-pressing tasks is confounded by motor potentials. The distortion can be corrected with a motor potential estimate. Motor potentials can occlude differences in P300 topography between groups. q 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
A pattern recognition technique for scene matching of dissimilar imagery

The problem of accurately aligning the line of sight (LOS) of an infrared imaging seeker with the LOS of a precision pointing and tracking system (PTS) using scene matching techniques is considered in this paper. Several preprocessing algorithms are proposed to transform the two dissimilar video signals to a compatible format. The dissimilarity in the two images is due to the different spatial and spectral responses of the imaging sensors. Several thresholding techniques are presented for converting the eight bit preprocessed video to two levels for input to a binary correlation algorithm. The emphasis of the work was to determine the best trade-offs in order to obtain a real-time correlation algorithm but yet be accurate and reliable. Real-time in this application means that the match point of the two scenes is computed (or updated) on each field of video or at 1/60th second intervals. Simulation results using a particular edge extraction algorithm with several thresholding techniques are given. A new method for improving the correlator (or scene matcher) performance is given.
Five-Year Survival in EGFR-Mutant Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Treated with EGFR-TKIs

Abstract Introduction Activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene ( EGFR ) predict for prolonged progression-free survival in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) versus chemotherapy. Long-term survival outcomes, however, remain undefined. The objective of this study was to determine the 5-year survival in these patients and identify clinical factors associated with overall survival (OS). Methods Patients with EGFR -mutant metastatic lung adenocarcinoma who had been treated with erlotinib or gefitinib at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2002 and 2009 were included. OS was analyzed. Results Among 137 patients, median progression-free survival and OS were 12.1 months (95% CI: 10.2–13.5) and 30.9 months (95% CI: 28.2–35.7), respectively. Twenty patients (14.6%) were 5-year survivors. In multivariate analysis, exon 19 deletions (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44–0.91, p = 0.01), absence of extrathoracic (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41–0.93, p = 0.02) or brain metastasis (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30–0.77, p = 0.002), and not a current smoker (HR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09–0.59, p = 0.002) were associated with prolonged OS. Age; sex; stage at diagnosis; liver, bone, or adrenal metastasis; specific TKI; and line of TKI therapy were not associated with OS. Conclusions Our data suggest that the rate of 5-year survival among patients with EGFR -mutant metastatic lung adenocarcinoma treated with erlotinib or gefitinib is 14.6%. Exon 19 deletions and absence of extrathoracic or brain metastasis are associated with prolonged survival. On the basis of our findings, clinicians can gain an enhanced estimation of long-term outcomes in this population.
Some Functional Consequences of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertension

Whether left ventricular hypertrophy is a useful compensatory process or whether it bears, in its very development, the seeds of future cardiac decompensation, is still not completely clear. Two functional consequences of ventricular hypertrophy resulting from systemic hypertension are discussed, which may play a role in long-term deterioration of cardiac function. Reduction of inotropic responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation can reduce effective cardioadrenergic support and by making the heart more dependent on the Frank-Sterling mechanism, may initiate a vicious circle of dilation and ultimately decompensation.
Optical wavefront shaping for the enhancement of Raman signal in scattering media

The ability to non-invasively focus light through scattering media has significant applications in many fields ranging from nanotechnology to deep tissue sensing. Until recently, the multiple light scattering events that occur in complex media such as biological tissue have inhibited the focusing ability and penetration depth of optical tools. Through the use of optical wavefront shaping, the spatial distortions due to these scattering events can be corrected, and the incident light can be focused through the scattering medium. Here, we demonstrate that wavefront shaping can be used to non-invasively enhance the Raman signal of a material through a scattering medium. Raman signal enhancement was achieved using backscattered light and a continuous sequential algorithm. Our results show the potential of wavefront shaping as an important addition to non-invasive detection techniques.
A computer-assisted information system for anatomic pathology.

A computer-based information system has been developed that accepts anatomic pathology diagnoses in free English text, codes the diagnoses automatically, retrieves and prints out the diagnoses in English, and is easily operated by the pathologist. The system assumes a conjunction of process and site words in anatomic diagnoses, the existence of hierarchical relationships among these words, and the machine codability of individual words according to this hierarchical structure. The system utilizes a simplified subject classification and functions by coarse screening of the file with dependence on visual examination of the replies for fine discrimination. Testing indicates satisfactory operation of the method. The system is programmed in FORTRAN, is adaptable to large or small, disk-oriented, general purpose computers, and is economically practical for routine operation.
Determination of P-Type Amylase in Serum Using a Selective Inhibitor

A simple, rapid method for the determination of P-type isoamylase with the use of a commercially available a-amylase inhibitor is presented in detail. The procedure described herein has been developed for use with the Beckman DS amylase kit and BMD amylase-UV kit and has been adapted to the COBAS-Bio and the Hitachi 705 analyzers. The method can readily be modified for use with other manual or automated methods and is suitable for routine as well as emergency use.
Some Computer Simulations of Semiconductor Thin Film Growth and Strain Relaxation in a Unified Atomistic and Kinetic Model

An overview is provided of an evolving atomistic and kinetic model of semiconductor growth that unifies the main features of strain relaxation in low and high lattice misfit heteroepitaxy. The model reveals a kinetic pathway for dislocation formation during growth with little or no energy cost at low misfits, thus providing a way out of the longstanding dilemma of too high dislocation nucleation energies predicted by classical theories of the equilibrium behaviour of a fixed number of particles at low misfits. The essential kinetic processes underlying the model are identified on the basis of comparison of the predictions of kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations of growth with real-time or in-situ data obtained in such experiments as reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Relative significance of these atomistic kinetic processes is shown to naturally lead to strain relaxation via defect initiation at low misfits while maintaining smooth surface morphology or at high misfits change to 3-dimensional morphology while initially maintaining coherence. The potential role of steps in providing sources for defect formation is examined through molecular dynamics simulations of Ge overlayers on Si (001) stepped surfaces.
Iron oxide nanoparticles and the mechanisms of immune recognition of nanomedicines

Nanomaterials are foreign substances that are treated by the immune system just like foreign invading pathogens. The immune system (innate immunity for the most part) is trained to recognize regular arrangements of chemical groups, which is what engineered nanomaterials are. The immune recognition poses multiple challenges to the use of nanomaterials for drug and gene delivery. One of the untoward results of immune recognition to nanomaterials once they are injected into the circulation is activation of the complement cascade. The complement system is a central component of the innate immunity accounting for about 5% of globulins in serum and is responsible for recognizing, eliminating and destroying pathogens [1]. Uncontrolled complement activation is known to cause inflammation, immune cell activation, increased vascular permeability and even tumor growth [1–3]. Nanocarriers can cause complement activation-related pseudoallergy or CARPA (term introduced by Dr Szebeni [4]). CARPA is a known phenomenon following infusion of Doxil (liposomal doxorubicin), Taxol (cremophorpaclitaxel), Feridex (dextran iron oxide) and SandImmune (cremophor-cyclosporine A). Numerous reports demonstrated complement activation by carbon nanotubes [5], micelles [6], liposomes, [7] polymer [8] and gold nanoparticles [9] in vitro and in vivo. Additional effects of complement activation are nanoparticle opsonization with complement fragments and subsequent clearance by macrophages and leukocytes. Besides complement, other mechanisms of recognition and clearance of nanoparticles are known. Scavenger receptors (SRs) are professional phagocytic pattern recognition receptors that were discovered in 1979 [10] and are responsible for opsonin-independent binding and uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), pathogens, environmental particles and apoptotic cells. The universal feature of SRs is that their ligands possess a pattern of negative charges. SRs are implicated in the immune uptake of numerous nanoparticle types [11]. The main criticism of studies of immune mechanisms of clearance of nanomedicines in order to prolong circulation and decrease complement activation could be summarized in two questions: why not make thousands of nanoparticulate compounds (by combinatorial approach) and one of them will work? How the immune recognition can be blocked after learning that proteins (receptors) X, Y and Z mediate nanoparticle clearance? The answer to these questions is complex. Can we use the rational knowledge to modify nanoparticle structure to avoid the immune receptors? Superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) are a nice illustration of how understanding the mechanisms of immune recognition could be useful to decrease immune Iron oxide nanoparticles and the mechanisms of immune recognition of nanomedicines
Nodular pretibial myxoedema after treatment of Graves disease with radioactive iodine ablation therapy

A 45-year-old African-American woman presented with a 2-month history of bulging eyes, neck swelling, increased appetite and oligomenorrhea. On examination, she had fine hand tremors and bilateral proptosis with lid lag. The thyroid gland was diffusely enlarged. Laboratory test revealed suppressed thyrotropin-stimulating hormone and elevated free thyroxine levels at 7.4 ng/dL (normal 0.76–1.46 ng/dL). She was diagnosed with Graves disease and treated with 15.3 mCi of radioactive …
The Debugger Interface

The second graphical interface developed for the FIELD environment was the debugger interface which provides a graphical front end to the textual interface provided by ddt (see Chapter 4). This interface was modeled in part on Sun’s dbxtool [Micr86a],which offered a simple graphical interface to dbx.
Early changes in cerebrospinal fluid Ca2+ and FFA levels following experimental spinal cord injury.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ca2+ and free fatty acids (FFA) levels were determined for 4 h following experimental spinal cord (SC) injury in rabbits. The injury was produced by dropping a 20 g weight from 20 cm on exposed dura mater at the C5-C6 level. Samples of CSF were obtained from the cisterna magna from a second laminectomy at the C1 level. A significant decrease in CSF Ca2+ levels was observed 10 and 30 min post-injury; such levels increased above normal values 180 min post-injury. A significant increase in CSF FFA levels was seen from 10 to 240 min post-injury with a peak at 30 min. The early decrease of CSF Ca2+ levels and the concomitant increase in CSF FFA levels seem to confirm the role of Ca2+ in mediating the lipolytic response of the SC tissue to trauma.
Examples and Computations

This chapter considers various examples and makes explicit computations. These include the spheres, complex projective spaces, the Borromean rings, symmetric spaces, and the classifying spaces BU(n) and BU. We also consider the graded Lie algebra defined by Whitehead products on homotopy groups. We consider the third homotopy group of a simply connected space and the homotopy theory of simply connected 4-manifolds. Lastly, we discuss products and Massey products in cohomology, the principle of two types and the formality of compact Kahler manifolds.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADDH) and Delinquency Subgroups

Two subgroups of hyperactive children (25 non-delinquent and 9 delinquent) and 1 group of 34 non-delinquent normal children were evaluated from childhood to adolescence at the National Center for Hyperactive Children, Encino, CA, using auditory evoked response potential (AERP) measures and EEG recordings.
Constrained IntraSPECT reconstruction from SPECT projections

A new method is presented for tomographic image reconstruction, called "Intrinsic Transmission SPECT" or just "IntraSPECT". It simultaneously reconstructs both the attenuation map (/spl mu/) and an attenuation-compensated activity map (A), using only the SPECT projections. A modified ART-algorithm (ART-IntraSPECT) was developed and tested with a simulated thorax. The /spl mu/-image reconstructed with ART-IntraSPECT clearly exhibited all relevant anatomical structure, such as lungs and spine vs soft tissue. However, both A and /spl mu/-images were quantitatively inaccurate. The accuracy was considerably improved by applying reasonable tissue-type constraints to the /spl mu/-image. >
Modeling and control of fuel distribution in a dual-fuel internal combustion engine leveraging late intake valve closings

In internal combustion engines, cycle-to-cycle and cylinder-to-cylinder variations of the combustion process have been shown to negatively impact the fuel efficiency of the engine and lead to higher exhaust emissions. The combustion variations are generally tied to differences in the composition and condition of the trapped mass throughout each cycle and across individual cylinders. Thus, advanced engines featuring exhaust gas recirculation, flexible valve actuation systems, advanced fueling strategies, and turbocharging systems are prone to exhibit higher variations in the combustion process. In this study, the cylinder-to-cylinder variations of the combustion process in a dual-fuel internal combustion engine leveraging late intake valve closing are investigated and a model to predict and address one of the root causes for these variations across cylinders is developed. The study is conducted on an inline six-cylinder heavy-duty dual-fuel engine equipped with exhaust gas recirculation, a variable geometr...
Using Claims Data to Examine Hospital Readmission Risk in Patients With Schizophrenia and Comorbid Marijuana Use Disorders.

Objective:Few epidemiologic studies have examined marijuana use disorder and repeated hospitalizations related to schizophrenia. To address this gap, this study examines time to readmission by indicators for recent marijuana use disorder in the presence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other drug use disorder.Method:Our sample consisted of 4,349 patients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) in 2005 in individually linked California Health Care Cost and Utilization Project (CA HCUP) data. Readmissions were assessed from 2005 to 2011. Predictors for readmission were examined using a stratified, recurrent-event, Cox proportional hazards model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on patients readmitted in 2010 or 2011.Results:We found that having marijuana use disorder or AUD alone within 90 days of initial hospitalization was associated with longer times until first readmission. A lower risk of readmission for those with recent marijuana use disorder persisted through the fifth ...
PDE-5 inhibitors should be used post radical prostatectomy as erection function rehabilitation? | Opinion: No.

The advancement and refinement in prostate cancer detection and treatment mo-dalities have contributed to a younger patient population undergoing radical prostatec-tomy (RP) (1). Although it is effective in treating prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy has also been shown to compromise erectile function (EF), and therefore the patient’s quality of life and general well being (2). Alemozaffar et al. (3) attempted to predict erectile function after prostate cancer patients undergoing RP, external radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Pretreatment sexual health related quality of life score, age, serum prostate-specific antigen level, race/ethnicity, body mass index and intended treatment details were associated with functional erections 2 years after treatment. They found that 48% of patients (n=1027) with functional erections prior to treatment reported erectile dysfunction 2 years after treatment. In the prostatectomy cohort, 60% of patients with prior functional erections reported erectile dysfunction, along with 42% and 37% of the external radiotherapy and brachytherapy cohorts, respectively. The Prostate Cancer Outcomes study revealed 60% of men experienced self-reported erectile dysfunction 18 months after radical prostatectomy, and only 28% of men reported erections firm enough for intercourse at a 5-year follow-up (4). Many urologists believe more patients would be willing to undergo surgical treatment if it were not for the possibility of developing postoperative ED (2). The discovery of the neurovascular bundle sparing technique by Dr. Patrick Walsh enabled urologists to provide hope of regaining erectile function after radical prostatectomy (5). However, despite meticulous dissection to preserve the neurovascular bundle, there is evi-dence that neuropraxia, ischemic and hypoxic nerve insults, fibrotic remodeling, and apopto-sis of cavernous smooth muscle contribute to post-surgery erectile dysfunction (6).
Influence of CNTRENE® C100LM carbon nanotube material on the growth and regulation of Escherichia coli.

The growing use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in industrial and consumer products raises important questions about their environmental fate and impact on prokaryotes. In the environment, CNTs are exposed to a variety of conditions (e.g., UV light) that could lead to decomposition and changes in their chemical properties. Therefore, the potential cytotoxic effect of both pristine and artificially aged carboxyl functionalized CNTRENE® C100LM CNTmaterial at neutral and acidic conditions on Escherichia coli K12 was analyzed using a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, which also allowed monitoring of non-lethal growth effects. However, there were no observable MIC or significant changes in growth behavior in E. coli K12 when exposed to pristine or aged CNTs. Exposure to pristine CNTRENE® C100LM CNT material did not appear to influence cell morphology or damage the cells when examined by electron microscopy. In addition, RNA sequencing revealed no observable regulatory changes in typical stress response pathways. This is surprising considering that previous studies have claimed high cytotoxicity of CNTs, including carboxyl functionalized single-walled CNTs, and suggest that other factors such as trace heavy metals or other impurities are likely responsible for many of the previously reported cytotoxicity in E. coli and possibly other microorganisms.
Microfluidic platform to study intercellular connectivity through on-chip electrical impedance measurement

A platform has been developed to study intercellular communication in non-neural cells as it relates to developmental biology and morphogenetic bioengineering. The versatile platform uses laminar flow in a microfluidic channel to create a “sucrose gap” that forces electrical signaling through a cell monolayer. The intercellular communication in the cell network is detected through electrical impedance measurements. A phase sensitive homodyne system has been designed and simulated in a 130nm CMOS process to provide a readout of cell monolayer complex impedance within the device. The system exhibits a highly linear conversion rate of 0.589mV/kΩ for cell layer impedances up to 1 MΩ.
Innate Cellular Defense by Mosquito Hemocytes

The mosquito is an ideal laboratory model for the study of innate cellular defense mechanisms among the Metozoa. Although there may be nonspecific protective humoral factors present in the hemolymph of mosquitoes, there is presumably no specific humoral or antibody system as part of their arsenal of internal defense. In addition, both man and mosquitoes are susceptible to infection by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. In both mammals and mosquitoes, the malaria sporozoite must migrate through the circulation to reach a target organ (liver or salivary gland), and is therefore potentially susceptible to the cellular defense mechanisms of both hosts. This fortunate circumstance affords an opportunity to study the response of a purely cellular internal defense mechanism to the same stage of the same parasite which successfully evades the defense mechanisms of both mammals and mosquitoes.
Histology and Pathology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is made through collaboration between gastroenterologist and pathologist. Geared towards the clinician and pathologist in training, the following chapter will focus specifically on the microscopic and macroscopic features that define both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In addition to presenting the classic histopathologic features of IBD, pertinent clinical and histologic mimics within the differential diagnosis will be discussed in detail. Finally, as IBD is a chronic disease, it is important to extend the discussion beyond differential diagnostic considerations to issues concerning disease progression and treatment related complications. Emphasis will be placed on communication within the team of pathologists and clinicians to facilitate optimal patient care.
Eplerenone: another drug to add to the mix?

Digoxin and diuretics have been used for centuries to treat the symptoms of heart failure. Yet, it was the addition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that revolutionized the management of chronic heart failure by demonstrating an astonishing 40% reduction in 6-month mortality when
Neuronal Precursor Proliferation and Epileptic Malformations of Cortical Development

The pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the development of cerebral malformations in humans, its epileptogenicity, and its relation with postnatal progenitor cell proliferation and neurogenesis are largely unknown. This chapter summarizes data concerning mechanisms of corticogenesis and postnatal neurogenesis and its possible relation with epileptogenesis in malformations of cortical development.
A Quality of Life: Accessing Seventeenth Century Data—The Example of Dublin

Developing a representation of the quality of life in an era far removed in time from our own is challenging; not the least of the problems is the anachronism of construing the concept of quality of life in its twenty-first formulation as a suitable vehicle. In a number of former eras survival and shelter, rather than embellishments of personal fulfillment, were ambitions unmet by ordinary people.
Thermomechanical Analysis for an All-Tungsten ARIES Divertor

AbstractThe ARIES team is currently proposing two tungsten divertor concepts for its tokamak designs and has performed extensive analyses to optimize their thermal and structural performance. Because of the high divertor operating temperatures and the low ductility of tungsten, thermal creep and fracture will be important failure mechanisms to consider. This paper presents a series of finite element analyses addressing the viable operating ranges of these tungsten plate divertor concepts with respect to creep and fracture. For fracture, the J-integral, a path-independent contour integral that estimates the strain energy release rate for a crack of assumed geometry, is used to address crack propagation. Elliptical surface cracks are introduced both inside and outside the coolant channel, and steady-state calculations are carried out for both full-power and cold shutdown conditions. It is determined that the critical crack is on the inside of the coolant channel with the highest stress intensities at full-p...
Language and Group Processes: An Integrative, Interdisciplinary Review:

This article reviews research that examines the use of language in small interacting groups and teams. We propose a model of group inputs (e.g., status), processes and emergent states (e.g., cohesi...
Using the SWAT Model in Intensively Managed Irrigated Watersheds: Model Modification and Application

AbstractThe Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a well-established modeling tool for simulating hydrologic processes in watershed systems. However, SWAT often does not perform well in highly m...
Ranking the Technology and Innovation Journals: An Empirical Study of Faculty Perceptions

Journals rankings are important because such rankings are used for employment and evaluation purposes and affect scholars’ decisions about where to publish their research. The purpose of this study...
An Automated Text-Messaging Platform for Enhanced Retention and Data Collection in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort: Cohort Management Platform Analysis.

Background: Traditional methods for recruiting and maintaining contact with participants in cohort studies include print-based correspondence, which can be unidirectional, labor intensive, and slow. Leveraging technology can substantially enhance communication, maintain engagement of study participants in cohort studies, and facilitate data collection on a range of outcomes. Objective: This paper provides an overview of the development process and design of a cohort management platform (CMP) used in the Newborn Epigenetic STudy (NEST), a large longitudinal birth cohort study. Methods: The platform uses short message service (SMS) text messaging to facilitate interactive communication with participants; it also semiautomatically performs many recruitment and retention procedures typically completed by research assistants over the course of multiple study follow-up visits. Results: Since February 2016, 302 participants have consented to enrollment in the platform and 162 have enrolled with active engagement in the system. Daily reminders are being used to help improve adherence to the study’s accelerometer wear protocol. At the time of this report, 213 participants in our follow-up study who were also registered to use the CMP were eligible for the accelerometer protocol. Preliminary data show that texters (138/213, 64.8%), when compared to nontexters (75/213, 35.2%), had significantly longer average accelerometer-wearing hours (165.6 hours, SD 56.5, vs 145.3 hours, SD 58.5, P=.01) when instructed to wear the devices for 1 full week. Conclusions: This platform can serve as a model for enhancing communication and engagement with longitudinal study cohorts, especially those involved in studies assessing environmental exposures.
microRNA-Mediated Tumor–Microbiota Metabolic Interactions in Colorectal Cancer

Worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have shown that the gut microbiota may have a major influence on human health, including CRC. Nonetheless, how the gut microbiota interacts with tumor cells in CRC patients is largely unknown. Studies have shown that the microbiota fills in a variety of niche metabolic pathways that the host does not possess. For example, the microbiota produces butyrate, which provides the colon's epithelial cells with about 70% of their energy needs. The typically fast proliferation of tumor cells in CRC patients drastically alters the tumor's nutrient microenvironment. Those alterations correspond to the microbiota composition and functional changes. In tumor cells, a central mediator of metabolic changes is the aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we explored recent insights into metabolic interactions between the microbiota and tumor cells in CRC pathobiology, focusing on the role of miRNAs. These observations support our view that miRNAs may also serve as mediators of the metabolites' effects.
170 Comparing the performance of two interferon-gamma release assays in autoimmune skin disease patients: a prospective study

Background Autoimmune skin disease patients are standardly screened for tuberculosis via interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) prior to starting new immunosuppressive drugs or enrolling in clinical trials. Two commercial IGRAs, T-SPOT.TB and QuantiFERON-Tb Gold (QFT-G), are reported as either determinate (positive or negative) or indeterminate. Both tests utilize similar immunoenzymatic reactions for interferon-gamma detection, but differ in its quantification. Though the QFT-G is more widely used, studies have demonstrated that the T-SPOT.TB has lower rates of indeterminate results in immunosuppressed patients, and thus may prevent a delay in the initiation of necessary therapies or enrollment in clinical trials. The newest generation of QFT-G, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), has not been compared to the T-SPOT.TB in this patient population. We aim to investigate the performance of both the T-SPOT.TB and QFT-Plus, as indeterminate results represent a major barrier to receiving appropriate treatment in autoimmune skin disease patients. Methods This ongoing prospective study included 48 patients seen at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Venous blood samples were collected from patients and underwent tuberculosis screening with QFT-Plus and T-SPOT.TB IGRAs. The proportions of indeterminate and determinate (positive and/or negative) results among the two tests were compared. Results In the study population of 48 patients, 29% had a primary diagnosis of cutaneous lupus (n=14). There were 2 indeterminate results with the QFT-Plus and no indeterminate results with T-SPOT.TB. There was also one positive result that was seen with both the QFT-Plus and T-SPOT.TB. All patients with a primary diagnosis of cutaneous lupus had negative results for both QFT-Plus and T-SPOT.TB. Using a one-tailed Fischer test, there was no statistical significance when comparing QFT-Plus and T-SPOT.TB in autoimmune skin disease patients (p=0.25). Conclusions In this prospective study, the T-SPOT.TB had fewer indeterminate results compared to the QFT-Plus. Though this finding was not statistically significant, it is clinically important as indeterminate results preclude autoimmune skin disease patients from receiving necessary treatment. Compared to previous studies on the older generation of the QFT-G test, the QFT-Plus showed improvement in reducing the amount of indeterminate results. Despite this, we suggest using the T-SPOT.TB in tuberculosis screening for autoimmune skin disease patients who have an indeterminant QFT-G or QFT-Plus, as this test did not display any indeterminate results. The results of this study are limited by the small sample size. Funding Source(s): This project was supported by Oxford Immunotec, Inc.
Diné kinship as a framework for conserving native tree species in climate change

Climate change affects all ecosystems but despite increasing recognition for the needs to integrate Indigenous knowledge with modern climate science, the epistemological differences between the two make it challenging. In this study, we present how Indigenous belief and knowledge system can frame the application of a modeling tool (Climate-Forest Vegetation Simulator). We focus on managing forest ecosystem services of the Dine (Navajo) Nation as a case study. Most Dine tribal members depend directly on the land for their livelihoods and cultural traditions. The forest plays a vital role in Dine livelihoods through social, cultural, spiritual, subsistence, and economic factors. We simulated forest dynamics over time under alternative climate change scenarios and management strategies to identify forest management strategies that will maintain future ecosystem services. We initialized the Climate-Forest Vegetation Simulator model with data from permanent plots and site-specific growth models under multiple management systems (no-management, thinning, burning, and assisted migration planting) and different climate scenarios (no-climate-change, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0). Projections of climate change show average losses of basal area by over 65% by 2105, a shift in tree species composition to drier-adapted species, and a decrease in species diversity. While substantial forest loss was inevitable under the warming climate scenarios, the modeling framework allowed us to evaluate the management treatments, including planting, for conserving multiple tree species in mixed conifer forests, thus providing an anchor for biodiversity. We presented the modeling results and management implications and discuss how they can complement Dine kinship concepts. Our approach is a useful step for framing modern science with Indigenous Knowledge and for developing improved strategies to sustain natural resources and livelihoods.
An Incentive Scheme for Sensor Fusion With Strategic Sensors

Distributed estimation that recruits potentially large groups of humans to collect data about a phenomenon of interest has emerged as a paradigm applicable to a broad range of detection and estimation tasks. However, it also presents a number of challenges especially with regard to user participation and data quality, since the data resources may be strategic human agents instead of physical sensors. We consider a static estimation problem in which an estimator collects data from self-interested agents. Since it incurs cost to participate, mechanisms to incentivize the agents to collect and transmit data of desired quality are needed. Agents are strategic in the sense that they can take measurements with different levels of accuracy by expending different levels of effort. They may also misreport their information in order to obtain greater compensation, if possible. With both the measurements from the agents and their accuracy unknown to the estimator, we design incentive mechanisms that encourage desired behavior from strategic agents. Specifically, we solve an optimization problem at the estimator which minimizes the expected total compensation to the agents while guaranteeing a specified quality of the global estimate.