cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathology of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Children

Overview: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first described to occur in children in 1983. With experience of increasing number of cases of AIDS, pathologic lesions in various organs and tissues such as lungs, brain, G.I. tract, heart, blood vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, etc. became evident in autopsy and biopsy specimens. These pathologic lesions were classified into four groups based on known or suspected pathogenesis: 1) Primary lesions due to Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) infection itself (lymph nodes, brain, etc), 2) associated lesions related to direct or indirect sequelae of HIV infection (Opportunistic infections, PLH/LIP complex, etc), 3) lesions of undetermined pathogenesis, (cardiomyopathy, arteriopathy, thrombocytopenia, nephropathy, etc), and 4) lesions of multifactorial pathogenesis (villous atrophy of intestine, thymic lesions, etc). Update: In recent years the emphasis of pathologic study is on the reactive and neoplastic proliferative disorders. These disorders include nodal and extranodal lymphoproliferative lesions (such as myoepithelial sialadenitis, malignant lymphomas, etc), smooth muscle tumors (SMTs), Kaposi's sarcoma, Human Papilloma virus associated genital lesions and miscellaneous tumors. In a recent study, it has been shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may be related to the pathogenesis of SMTs. The most recently recognized lymphoproliferative lesions include those of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of salivary glands, lungs and tonsils. The MALT lymphomas in children with AIDS are responsive to therapy and tend to take an indolent clinical course. Therefore recognition of MALT lymphomas as a distinctive lesion in pediatric AIDS is of practical importance. In view of increasing incidence of HIV and HPV infections in adolescent females seen in certain countries attention should also be focused on early detection of HPV related genital lesions so that their possible progression to intraepithelial and invasive cervical carcinoma can be prevented.
A comparative approach to multiobjective optimization of AISC thin-walled members

Optimization of structural members such as beams and columns has received increasing interest with advances in computing, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Designers pursuing multiobjective optimization are typically interested in minimizing the cost of the member while maximizing some performance metric related to load bearing capability or stress. In this study, thin-walled members listed in AISC tables were optimized in a similar manner using genetic algorithms. The influence of several objectives was considered, and emphasis was placed on providing the customer with a diverse choice of solutions. To demonstrate the approach, wide-flange I-beams and circular pipe cross-sections were examined. Multi-dimensional Pareto-fronts were obtained. Optimized cross-sections were compared to AISC beam tables. Multi-criteria decision-making techniques were used to select a preferred solution from a Pareto-front. For I-beams, improvements of 3–7% over tables were obtained and for pipes, it was 47–76%. Finally, the performance of two commonly used genetic algorithms, NSGA-II and SPEA-II, was compared using Pareto-front metrics. While SPEA-II produced several nondominated solutions, NSGA-II was shown to produce the overall superior front considering metrics presented from the literature.
A Field Test of Opportunities for Teen Dating Violence Disclosure in School-Based Relationship Education Programs.

School-based relationship education programs offer an opportunity to identify youth who are experiencing teen dating violence (TDV), support their safety, and connect them with individualized servi...
On the international investment regime: A critique from equality:

The international investment regime has come under increasing scrutiny, with several developing countries withdrawing from bilateral investment treaties in recent years. A central worry raised by c...
CT features predictive of nodal positivity at surgery in pancreatic cancer patients following neoadjuvant therapy in the setting of dual energy CT.

Evaluate utility of dual energy CT iodine material density images to identify preoperatively nodal positivity in pancreatic cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy. This IRB approved retrospective study evaluated 62 patients between 2012 and 2016 with proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, who underwent neoadjuvant therapy, tumor resection and both baseline and preoperative assessment with pancreatic multiphasic rapid switching dual energy CT. Three radiologists in consensus identified on imaging nodes > 0.5 cm in short axis, evaluated nodal morphology, size and on each phase density in HU, and concentrations on iodine material density images normalized to the aorta. Of 62 patients, 33 were N0, 20 N1, and 9 N2. Total of 145 lymph nodes were evaluated, with average number of nodes per anatomic site ranging from 1.3 (body tumors) to 5 (uncinate) versus average of 24 and 30 nodes recovered respectively at surgery. Most (N = 44) were pancreatic head tumors. For all patients, regardless of site of primary tumor, the minimum measured iodine value of all of a patient’s measured nodes taken as a group on preoperative studies, as normalized to the aorta, was significant at P = 0.041 value in differentiating N0 from N1/2 and ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.67. With a cutoff of 0.2857, sensitivity was 0.78 and specificity was 0.58, with values < 0.2857 indicative of N1/2. Node morphology and changes in nodal size weren’t statistically significant. The dual energy based minimum normalized iodine value of all nodes in the surgical field on preoperative studies has modest utility in differentiating N0 from N1/2, and generally outperformed conventional features for identifying nodal metastases.
Peripheral nervous system electrodiagnostic abnormalities in predominantly Hispanic Multiple Sclerosis patients

Abstract Background Peripheral nervous system (PNS) abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have been reported in case reports and small case series over the past several decades. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of electrodiagnostic abnormalities in patients with MS, including not only demyelinating neuropathies such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) but also axonal peripheral neuropathy and sympathetic dysfunction. Methods This is an observational, cross-sectional study with the objective of identifying the prevalence of the electrodiagnostic abnormalities in predominantly Hispanic MS patients in Miami, Florida. Electrodiagnostic data including nerve conduction study (NCS), electromyography (EMG) and sympathetic skin response (SSR) information was prospectively collected in 18 patients (16 females; 43.7±15.2 years) with a diagnosis of MS compared to 18 healthy (16 females; 39.9±11 years), age- and height-matched controls. The study was offered to all-comers in the MS Clinic over a period of 3 months, regardless of clinical suspicion for an underlying neuropathic process, in an effort to estimate the prevalence of abnormalities. Demographic data including age, sex, race/ethnicity was evaluated in addition to MS-specific characteristics including MS subtype, duration of disease, duration of therapy, clinical symptoms and laboratory data. Results There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics of patients and controls for age (p=0.4) and height (164.0±6.4 vs 162.3±4.6 centimeters; p=0.3). The mean disease duration was 106±27 months (median 107 months; range 5-336 months). The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was 2.4±1.87 (median: 2.5; range 1.0-6.5). The ethnicity of patients (15 Hispanic, 3 non-Hispanic) and controls (13 Hispanic, 5 non-Hispanic; p=0.56) was similar. The frequency of electrophysiological axonal polyneuropathy (PN) was 77.8% (14/18 patients), and 85.6% of these patients had clinical sensory symptoms. Interestingly, 1 patient had previously unrecognized CIDP. All 18 patients displayed prolonged SSR latencies consistent with autonomic dysfunction. Thirteen patients (72.2%) reported autonomic symptoms such as bladder abnormalities and blood pressure fluctuations. Conclusion The prevalence of electrodiagnostic abnormalities, especially axonal polyneuropathy, in the MS population may be higher than traditionally considered. The relationship between axonal polyneuropathy and central axonopathy in the context of neurodegeneration in MS should be further explored. Analytic studies may identify common symptomatic and pathophysiologic etiologies to further understanding and potentially guide treatment of MS subtypes with PNS involvement.
Integrating Quantitative Radiomics in De-intensification Treatment for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma.

Purpose/Objective(s) Deintensification for early-stage oropharyngeal carcinoma includes surgery +/- adjuvant radiation therapy without the use of concurrent chemotherapy. Pathologic findings of nodal extracapsular extension (ECE), however, obligate the use of postoperative concurrent chemotherapy in these patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a robust predictive model for ECE using quantitative radiomics. Materials/Methods Between 2016 and 2020, 81 patients with newly diagnosed resectable oropharyngeal carcinoma underwent upfront transoral robotic surgery and neck dissection at our institutions. In all these patients, high-resolution CT scans were done preoperatively and were concluded to have no evidence of ECE by experienced head and neck radiologists. Eight five percent of tumors were HPV-positive. Median age was 63 years. Radiomics features (107 features) from the primary and extended nodal regions (1-3 mm extension) were extracted to generate predictive models. Two feature selection approaches were evaluated: Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (MRMR) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). Logistic regression, decision tree, and random forests classifier were chosen for our analysis. Results Thirty eight percent of patients were found to have ECE in at least one of the nodes, and therefore received concurrent chemoradiation postoperatively. There was a total of 119 pathological positive nodes. Of these positive nodes, 31 nodes were found to have ECE with a ECE of less than 1 to 10mm. Five-fold stratified cross-validation was used for evaluation. A 96% accuracy (0.95 AUC, 0.96 recall) was achieved from the primary node without extension, using LDA feature selection. An improved result of 97% accuracy (0.96 AUC, 0.97 recall) was obtained with the 3mm extension. MRMR attained the maximum accuracy of 77% (0.64 AUC, 0.36 recall) with the 3mm extension. Conclusion Quantitative radiomics allows a robust prediction of ECE, thereby optimizing de-intensification therapy for oropharyngeal carcinoma.
Our Extended Family

An essay discussing how Stetson University College of Law uses student Teaching Fellows in the Research and Writing program.
Source and fate of inorganic solutes in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA: I. Low-flow discharge and major solute chemistry

Abstract The Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is an important natural resource and habitat for fisheries and wildlife. However, the Gibbon River differs from most other mountain rivers because its chemistry is affected by several geothermal sources including Norris Geyser Basin, Chocolate Pots, Gibbon Geyser Basin, Beryl Spring, and Terrace Spring. Norris Geyser Basin is one of the most dynamic geothermal areas in YNP, and the water discharging from Norris is much more acidic (pH 3) than other geothermal basins in the upper-Madison drainage (Gibbon and Firehole Rivers). Water samples and discharge data were obtained from the Gibbon River and its major tributaries near Norris Geyser Basin under the low-flow conditions of September 2006. Surface inflows from Norris Geyser Basin were sampled to identify point sources and to quantify solute loading to the Gibbon River. The source and fate of the major solutes (Ca, Mg, Na, K, SiO 2 , Cl, F, HCO 3 , SO 4 , NO 3 , and NH 4 ) in the Gibbon River were determined in this study and these results may provide an important link in understanding the health of the ecosystem and the behavior of many trace solutes. Norris Geyser Basin is the primary source of Na, K, Cl, SO 4 , and N loads (35–58%) in the Gibbon River. The largest source of HCO 3 and F is in the lower Gibbon River reach. Most of the Ca and Mg originate in the Gibbon River upstream from Norris Geyser Basin. All the major solutes behave conservatively except for NH 4 , which decreased substantially downstream from Gibbon Geyser Basin, and SiO 2 , small amounts of which precipitated on mixing of thermal drainage with the river. As much as 9–14% of the river discharge at the gage is from thermal flows during this period.
High efficiency deep UV light emitting diodes at 285 nm

In this report we present the results of a study where small junction area devices were used to increase the current density and suppress the effect of nonradiative recombination thereby achieving a record high external quantum efficiency of 0.14% for a 285 nm two AlGaN quantum well LED.
When the Host Is Smarter Than the Parasite

The wily malaria parasite has become resistant to many affordable frontline antimalarial drugs, and new drug targets are desperately needed. Reporting in a Perspective on new work ([ Zhang et al .][1]), [Goldberg][2] suggests that we look for drug targets among proteins that are shared by the host and parasite but whose synthesis is regulated in a different way. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/296/5567/545 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5567/482
Terrain influences the accurate judgement of distance

Mathematically, three-dimensional space can be represented differently by the cartesian, polar, and other coordinate systems. However, in physical sciences, the choice of representation system is restricted by the need to simplify a machine's computation while enhancing its efficiency. Does the brain, for the same reasons, 'select' the most cost-efficient way to represent the three-dimensional location of objects? As we frequently interact with objects on the common ground surface, it might be beneficial for the visual system to code an object's location using a ground-surface-based reference frame. More precisely, the brain could use a quasi-two-dimensional coordinate system (x(s), y(s)) with respect to the ground surface (s), rather than a strictly three-dimensional coordinate system (x, y, z), thus reducing coding redundancy and simplifying computations. Here we provide support for this view by studying human psychophysical performance in perceiving absolute distance and in visually directed action tasks. For example, when an object was seen on a continuous, homogeneous texture ground surface, the observer judged the distance to the object accurately. However, when similar surface information was unavailable, for example, when the object was seen across a gap in the ground, or across distinct texture regions, distance judgement was impaired.
Prior Innominate Vein Occlusion Does Not Preclude Successful Bidirectional Superior Cavopulmonary Connection

Background Low superior vena cava (SVC) blood flow has recently been identified as a marker for bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC) failure and death. Prior innominate vein occlusion is considered a significant anatomic risk factor for SCPC failure. We therefore evaluated the outcomes of infants who underwent SCPC with known upper-body venous obstruction. Methods Between February 1995 and June 2014, SCPC was carried out in 8 patients who had either a single SVC with known prior occlusion of the innominate vein (n = 6) or bilateral SVCs without a bridging vein with occlusion of one SVC (n = 2). The cause of the occlusion was an indwelling catheter in 5 patients. These patients were compared with 8 patients with normal upper-body venous drainage who underwent SCPC. Patients were evaluated for preoperative risk factors (including SVC size, pulmonary artery size, Nakata index, pulmonary vascular resistance), operative factors, and clinical outcomes to determine the impact of prior upper-body venous occlusion on SCPC failure or death. Results There were no significant differences in preoperative risk factors between the two groups, except for a significantly lower Nakata index in the study group with a trend toward smaller pulmonary artery branch size. There were no SCPC takedowns or mortalities. There was no significant difference in postoperative length of stay (median of 7 days [range, 5 to 32 days] versus 5 days [range, 4 to 32 days]; p = 0.17. Study patients had a lower mean systemic oxygen saturation at discharge, 81% versus 85% ( p = 0.05). In the study group, at a median follow-up of 42 months, 3 patients underwent successful Fontan completion and 5 are still awaiting Fontan completion. Conclusions Although patients with prior upper-body venous obstruction may have lower systemic oxygen saturations at hospital discharge, they do not demonstrate an increased SCPC failure or mortality rate. Innominate vein occlusion or its equivalent in patients with bilateral SVCs should not preclude the performance of SCPC. Physiologic rather than anatomic evaluation of preoperative systemic venous return may be more useful to predict outcome after SCPC.
Heteromeric transposase elements: generators of genomic islands across diverse bacteria.

Horizontally acquired genetic information in bacterial chromosomes accumulates in blocks termed genomic islands. Tn7-like transposons form genomic islands at a programmed insertion site in bacterial chromosomes, attTn7. Transposition involves five transposon-encoded genes (tnsABCDE) including an atypical heteromeric transposase. One transposase subunit, TnsB, is from the large family of bacterial transposases, the second, TnsA, is related to endonucleases. A regulator protein, TnsC, functions with different target site selecting proteins to recognize different targets. TnsD directs transposition into attTn7, while TnsE encourages horizontal transmission by targeting mobile plasmids. Recent work suggests that distantly related elements with heteromeric transposases exist with alternate targeting pathways that also facilitate the formation of genomic islands. Tn6230 and related elements can be found at a single position in a gene of unknown function (yhiN) in various bacteria as well as in mobile plasmids. Another group we term Tn6022-like elements form pathogenicity islands in the Acinetobacter baumannii comM gene. We find that Tn6022-like elements also appear to have an uncharacterized mechanism for provoking internal transposition and deletion events that serve as a conduit for evolving new elements. As a group, heteromeric transposase elements utilize diverse target site selection mechanisms adapted to the spread and rearrangement of genomic islands.
Growth cone configuration and advance: a time-lapse study using video-enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy.

We have analyzed the dynamics of growth cone configuration using video- enhanced contrast differential interference contrast microscopy. Regenerating neurites from NGF-treated PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons were observed in real time during their elongation and reviewed by time-lapse video recordings. This technique provided a high- resolution view of motile growth cone elements including filopodia, microspikes, lamellipodia and ruffles. On the basis of our observations, a multistage model for growth cone advance is proposed. Elongation commences with lamellipodial spreading. If the newly extended lamellipodium does not retract or lift off the substrate in the form of a ruffle, a second phase--consolidation--occurs, in which the lamellipodium thickens as it fills with cytoplasm and organelles. The consolidated area then undergoes further transformation into an area of neuritic shaft as new lamellipodia form at the leading and peripheral zones of the distal process. We never observed filopodia or microspikes contracting to propel the growth cone forward. We also noted that elongating tips generally had large varicosities within 20 micron of their leading edges. These may play a role in neurite outgrowth and in the formation of smaller, synaptic vesicle-containing varicosities. The dynamic behavior of the growth cone was under the control of NGF. Withdrawal of NGF resulted in the disappearance of motile structures and cessation of growth, while readdition of NGF triggered the rapid reappearance of these structures and the resumption of growth. The high-resolution video microscopy of living growth cones provides necessary baseline information, as well as a bioassay paradigm, for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of nerve growth.
Using support vector machines for recognizing shifts in correlated manufacturing processes

Traditional statistical process control (SPC) techniques of control charting are not applicable in many process industries due to the fact that data from these facilities are auto-correlated. Several attempts have been made in the literature to extend traditional SPC techniques to deal with auto-correlated parameters. However, these extensions pose several serious limitations. This paper demonstrates that support vector machines can be extremely effective in minimizing both type-I errors and type-II errors in these auto-correlated processes.
Navigation of the Galileo mission

An overview of the navigation of the Galileo mission is given. Predicted navigation performance for the various mission phases is discussed with particular emphasis given to the tour phase. Orbit determination strategies and resulting accuracies are discussed for various data types. In particular, the results of combining a new Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data type called Differential One-Way Range (DOR) with conventional radio and optical data types are presented. Maneuver strategy results include the effects of maneuver placement and various targeting methods on propellant consumption and delivery accuracy. Emphasis is placed on new results obtained using asymptote and split targeting.
The Cardiac Children's Hospital Early Warning Score (C-CHEWS).

Inpatient pediatric cardiovascular patients have higher rates of cardiopulmonary arrests than other hospitalized children. Pediatric early warning scoring tools have helped to provide early identification and treatment to hospitalized children experiencing deterioration thus preventing arrests from occurring. However, the tools have rarely been used and have not been validated in the pediatric cardiac population. This paper describes the modification of a pediatric early warning scoring system for cardiovascular patients, the implementation of the tool, and its companion Escalation of Care Algorithm on an inpatient pediatric cardiovascular unit.
Glucose Intolerance and Lipid Metabolic Adaptations in Response to Intrauterine and Postnatal Calorie Restriction in Male Adult Rats

Enhanced de novo lipogenesis (DNL), an adult hepatic adaption, is seen with high carbohydrate or low-fat diets. We hypothesized that ad libitum intake after prenatal calorie restriction will result in adult-onset glucose intolerance and enhanced DNL with modified lipid metabolic gene expression profile. Stable isotopes were used in 15-month-old adult male rat offspring exposed to prenatal (IUGR), pre- and postnatal (IPGR), or postnatal (PNGR) caloric restriction vs. controls (CON). IUGR vs. CON were heavier with hepatomegaly but unchanged visceral white adipose tissue (WAT), glucose intolerant with reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), pancreatic β-cell mass, and total glucose clearance rate but unsuppressed hepatic glucose production. Liver glucose transporter (Glut) 1 and DNL increased with decreased hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase but increased WAT fatty acid transport protein-1 and peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ, resistin, and visfatin gene expression. In contrast, PNGR and IPGR were lighter, had reduced visceral WAT, and were glucose tolerant with unchanged hepatic glucose production but with increased GSIS, β-cell mass, glucose clearance rate, and WAT insulin receptor. Hepatic Glut1 and DNL were also increased in lean IPGR and PNGR with increased hepatic ACC, phosphorylated ACC, and pAMPK and reduced WAT fatty acid transport protein-1, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and ACCα. We conclude the following: 1) the heavy, glucose-intolerant and insulin-resistant IUGR adult phenotype is ameliorated by postnatal caloric restriction; 2) increased DNL paralleling hepatic Glut1 is a biomarker of exposure to early caloric restriction rather than the adult metabolic status; 3) hepatic lipid enzyme expression reflects GSIS rather than DNL; and 4) WAT gene expression reflects an obesogenic vs. lean phenotype.
The Effectiveness of Skin Care Protocols for Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers (PU) remain a serious healthcare problem in the United States. This study investigated the effectiveness of a prevention and early intervention program in reducing the prevalence of pressure ulcers (i.e., the number or the percentage of persons with pressure ulcers at a given time) in a rehabilitation hospital. The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk was used to assess subjects' PU risk. Protocols were established for PU stages consistent with the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel consensus statement on pressure ulcers. Staff were educated about PUs and the specific protocols for prevention and treatment. Concurrent quarterly prevalence audits on a total of 116 patients were conducted for 1 year. An audit also was done 16 months after protocols had been established. There was a 60% decrease in pressure ulcer prevalence from the 25% baseline to the 10% found at the audit following implementation of the protocols.
Malignant mesothelioma following radiation therapy

Abstract background: Studies of the growing population of long-term survivors of cancer have led to increased recognition of the neoplastic complications of therapy. The causes of secondary malignancies are probably multifactorial, but radiation therapy and chemotherapy have certainly been implicated in the development of posttherapy neoplasia. patients and methods: A case of pleural mesothelioma after successful radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease is described with a review of radiation-associated mesotheliomas reported in the literature. In Hodgkin's disease, patients may receive radiation, chemotherapy, or combined treatment; the most common secondary malignancy is acute nonlymphocytic leukemia while sarcomas are the second most common solid tumors. conclusions: Although mesothelioma is an uncommon sarcoma, its occurrence has been documented numerous times after exposure to diagnostic or therapeutic radiation.
Vascular smooth muscle and exercise

Vascular smooth muscle is under the influence of local (metabolic, autoregulatory and endothelial), reflex (autonomic nervous system), and hormonal (norepinephrine, epinephrine, angioten‐sin, and vasopressin) regulatory mechanisms. These regulatory mechanisms interact during exercise in a coordinated manner to assure adequate tissue blood flow while maintaining arterial blood pressure. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and propose a model that analyzes the factors regulating vascular smooth muscle during exercise. Specifically, at the onset of exercise, skeletal muscle fiber activation sets in motion a series of biochemical events that increase metabolic demand and produce cellular metabolites (adenosine, H+, Pi). These metabolites have their greatest influence on vascular smooth muscle of the smallest terminal arterioles and cause relaxation. The relaxation/dilation of the terminal arteriole reduces the perfusion pressure on the upstream arterioles and the vessels relax (autoregulat...
Pricing catastrophe options with stochastic claim arrival intensity in claim time.

Abstract We model claim arrival and loss uncertainties jointly in a doubly-binomial framework to price an Asian-style catastrophe (CAT) option with a non-traded underlying loss index using the no-arbitrage martingale pricing methodology. We span these uncertainties by benchmarking to the shadow price of a one-claim bond and the premium of a reinsurance contract. We implement a stochastic time change from calendar time to claim time to more efficiently price the CAT option as a random sum – a binomial sum of claim time binomial Asian option prices. This choice of the operational time dimension allows us to incorporate different patterns of catastrophe arrivals by adjusting the claim arrival probability. We demonstrate this versatility by incorporating a mean-reverting Ornstein-Uhlenbeck intensity arrival process. Simulation results verify our model predictions and demonstrate how the claim arrival probability varies with the expected claim arrival intensity.
Tracer diffusion in F-actin and Ficoll mixtures. Toward a model for cytoplasm

We have previously reported that self-diffusion of inert tracer particles in the cytoplasm of living Swiss 3T3 cells is hindered in a size-dependent manner (Luby-Phelps, K., D.L. Taylor, and F. Lanni. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 102:2015–2022; Luby-Phelps, K., P.E. Castle, D.L. Taylor, and F. Lanni. 1987. Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84:4910–4913). Lacking a theory that completely explains our data, we are attempting to understand the molecular architecture responsible for this phenomenon by studying tracer diffusion in simple, reconstituted model systems. This report contains our findings on tracer diffusion in concentrated solutions of Ficoll 70 or Ficoll 400, in solutions of entangled F-actin filaments, and in solutions of entangled F-actin containing a background of concentrated Ficoll particles or concentrated bovine serum albumin (BSA). A series of size-fractionated fluorescein-Ficolls were used as tracer particles. By fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), we obtained the mean diffusion coefficients in a dilute, aqueous reference phase (Do), the mean diffusion coefficients in the model matrices (D), and the mean hydrodynamic radii (RH) for selected tracer fractions. For each model matrix, the results were compared with similar data obtained from living cells. As in concentrated solutions of globular proteins (Luby-Phelps et al., 1987), D/Do was not significantly size-dependent in concentrated solutions of Ficoll 400 or Ficoll 70. In contrast, D/Do decreased monotonically with increasing RH in solutions of F-actin ranging in concentration from 1 to 12 mg/ml. This size dependence was most pronounced at higher F-actin concentrations. However, the shape of the curve and the extrapolated value of D/Do in the limit, RH----O did not closely resemble the cellular data for tracers in the same size range (3 less than RH less than 30 nm). In mixtures of F-actin and Ficoll or F-actin and BSA, D/Do was well approximated by D/Do for the same concentration of F-actin alone multiplied by D/Do for the same concentrations of Ficoll or BSA alone. Based on these results, it is possible to model the submicroscopic architecture of cytoplasm in living cells as a densely entangled filament network (perhaps made up of F-actin and other filamentous structures) interpenetrated by a fluid phase crowded with globular macromolecules, which in cytoplasm would be primarily proteins.
Ciliary Regulation: Disassembly Takes the Spotlight

The mechanisms that control organelle size are poorly understood. Genetic analysis now shows that a NIMA-related kinase helps to regulate the size of cilia by activating disassembly of the cilium when it gets too long.
Ventricular Remodeling After Orthotopic Cardiac Transplantation

Objective To determine quantitative changes in ventricular chamber volumes and left ventricular mass after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Material and Methods Right ventricular and left ventricular chamber volumes and left ventricular muscle mass were quantified by electron beam computed tomography in 10 patients at 1 month and 12 months after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Results During the study period, the mean right ventricular end-diastolic volumes increased from 117 ± 26.1 cc to 143 ± 25.3 cc ( P P P P P Conclusion Significant right and left ventricular remodeling occurs between 1 month and 12 months after orthotopic cardiac transplantation, with progressive cavity dilatation but reduction in global left ventricular muscle mass. These adjustments, especially in the left ventricle, tend to reduce the volume/mass ratio by 1 year and are compatible with normalization of ventricular wall tension between the early and late scan dates. Routine clinical measurements of ejection fraction alone mask the almost parallel increases in stroke volume and end-diastolic volume during the first 12 months after orthotopic cardiac transplantation.
THE ORDAC METHOD OF MAKING AGE ADJUSTMENTS IN DATA.

Abstract Medical researchers are often faced with the need for performing an agecorrection procedure on measurements of a variable. When the form of the underlying regression function is not known, it is customary to approximate this function by a polynomial. In this paper, a method of age-correction is proposed which eliminates the need for many of the parametric assumptions that are required in procedures employing polynomial approximations of regression functions. The Ordac Method estimates the regression function by a sequence of line segments, and leads to the assignment of n ordinal scores, each of which is assigned to 1 n of the subjects being scored. The ordinal age-corrected scores are termed ‘Ordacs’, where the ‘ord’ represents ‘ordinal’, and the ‘ac’ represents ‘age-corrected’. The proposed method is applied to data from a blood pressure study, and the statistical techniques needed to analyze the adjusted data are derived and discussed.
CpG island promoter methylation and silencing of 14-3-3σ gene expression in LNCaP and Tramp-C1 prostate cancer cell lines is associated with methyl-CpG-binding protein MBD2

14-3-3σ proteins regulate numerous cellular processes that are important to cancer development. One of its biological roles involves G2 cell-cycle arrest following DNA damage. It has also been reported that the loss of 14-3-3σ expression via CpG methylation may contribute to malignant transformation by impairing the G2 cell-cycle checkpoint function, thereby allowing an accumulation of genetic defects. However, how the CpG methylation-dependent silencing mechanism works in relation to promoter methylation associated with methyl-CpG-binding proteins (MeCPs) is still unclear. To better understand the mechanism, we first examined the methylation status of the 14-3-3σ promoter-associated CpG islands and 14-3-3σ gene expression in a subset of prostate cancer cell lines using methylation-specific PCR (MSP), an HhaI-based DNA methylation assay, and reverse transcription–PCR (RT–PCR). We found that the 14-3-3σ expression is lost in LNCaP and Tramp-C1 prostate cancer cell lines and that this expression is restored after treatment with epigenetic silencing modifiers 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza) and trichostatin A (TSA). These results imply transcriptional silencing via promoter-associated CpG methylation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MBD2) is associated preferentially to the methylated CpG island in the 14-3-3σ promoter in LNCaP and Tramp-C1 cells but not in 14-3-3σ-expressing PC3 and DU145 cells, which contain an unmethylated CpG island in the 14-3-3σ promoter region. The 14-3-3σ gene silencing because of CpG methylation correlates with binding of MBD2. In addition, the activation of 14-3-3σ gene expression by a combination of 5-aza and TSA also involves the release of the MBD2 from the 14-3-3σ promoter-methylated CpG island in LNCaP and Tramp-C1 cells. Furthermore, MBD2 knockdown by siRNA stimulated 14-3-3σ expression in LNCaP cells. We also investigated whether the loss of 14-3-3σ expression in LNCaP and Tramp-C1 cells affects cell proliferation by MTT assays. Interestingly, we observed that 14-3-3σ-inactivated LNCaP and Tramp-C1 cells had markedly decreased cell proliferation and protein expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after restoration of 14-3-3σ expression with 5-aza and TSA treatment. On the other hand, the same treatment did not significantly affect 14-3-3σ-active PC3 and DU145 cells, which normally express 14-3-3σ. Finally, 14-3-3σ knockdown by siRNA resulted in increased proliferation in PC3 and DU145 cells. These findings suggest that the transcriptional silencing of the 14-3-3σ gene is caused by promoter CpG island methylation associated with MBD2, and that this may play an important role in prostate cancer progression during the invasive and metastatic stages of the disease.
Biomechanics of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Dog I. In Vitro Laxity Testing

Following an “over-the-top” reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament using fascia lata and the lateral one-third of the patellar ligament, joint instability was measured using an in vitro laxity testing device. Cranlocaudal drawer increased between zero and four weeks, then returned to initial values at 26 weeks.
“Grandma, Tell Me Another Story”: Family Narratives and Their Impact on Young Adult Development

The transmission of family stories provides insight into the personal and emotional lives of individuals, and sharing stories allows older generations to impart wisdom and family values to developing young adults. The current research explored how gender variation in content and perception of family stories differentially affected identity development in young adults. Young adults from a large northeastern private university shared a written family story about a grandparent and described how that story had impacted their values, behaviors, and identity. Three hundred twenty-five stories, from 238 women and 87 men, were qualitatively analyzed. The stories had much greater impact on young adults' values and attitudes than either their identity development or behaviors. Women shared more relationship stories, whereas men most frequently relayed humorous anecdotes. In addition, women indicated stories most often taught them to be appreciative, loving, or courageous, whereas more men shared stories that emphas...
Successful conversion to rapamycin for calcineurin inhibitor-related neurotoxicity following liver transplantation.

Abstract Introduction Neurotoxicity is a well-recognized side effect of calcineurin inhibitors. Rapamycin is considered to be significantly less neurotoxic than calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze a group of post-liver transplant patients who had been converted to rapamycin because of CNI-related neurotoxicity. Patients and methods Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed in 56 consecutive patients between April 1, 2003, and August 15, 2004. Immunosuppression was administered with tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, and corticosteroids. Results Seven patients were converted to rapamycin due to new-onset neurotoxicity or exacerbation of previous neurological symptoms secondary to CNI. None of the patients had toxic levels tacrolimus (>15 ng/mL) at the time of symptoms, which persisted despite reduction of CNI dose. The indications for conversion were: (1) peripheral neuropathy; (2) seizure; (3) metabolic encephalopathy; and (4) central pontine myelinolysis. All patients showed improvement or resolution of their neurological symptoms after conversion to rapamycin. Two patients died, the first due to a hypoxic event and the second due to central pontine myelinolysis with limited improvement and a family decision to withdraw care. There were no complications directly attributed to rapamycin. Specifically, there were no thrombotic events, wound complications, or biliary leaks. Three patients had a rejection episode that was successfully treated with pulse corticosteroids and low-dose tacrolimus (levels Conclusions Rapamycin can be safely used in OLT recipients with severe neurological symptoms ascribed to or exacerbated by CNIs. Rapamycin monotherapy may be inadequate to control rejection early after transplantation. Rapamycin can be combined with low doses of CNI to prevent rejection.
The practice of exposure assessment: a state-of-the-art review.

Each of us encounters hundreds of toxic agents everyday, without exposure and subsequent absorption (uptake) however, there is no risk of injury. Thus, exposure assessment is one of the three legs of the stool (along with toxicity assessment and dose-response assessment) upon which the practice of risk assessment rests. The field of exposure assessment has evolved out of at least 3 other disciplines over the past 50 years, including health physics, industrial hygiene, and epidemiology. Exposure assessments are a necessary component to understanding the hazard posed by exposure to naturally (e.g., aflatoxins in foods, radon in air) and nonnaturally occurring toxicants (e.g., benzene in groundwater, MTBE in air, and food additives). This article presents a thorough review of the field, including a discussion of the terminology used in exposure assessment, a description of how to quantitatively estimate dose for the major sources of exposure (food, water, air, and soil), and many of the best sources of infor...
Distribution of male and female mtDNA lineages in populations of blue mussels, Mytilus trossulus and M. galloprovincialis, along the Pacific coast of North America

Geographic variation in mitochondrial large subunit (16S) ribosomal RNA haplotypes was examined for blue mussels, Mytilus trossulus Gould, 1850 and M. galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819, sampled from ten sites along the Pacific coast of the USA in January of 1993. Using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assays we determined haplotype frequencies for both the male and female mussel mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages. Populations from Morro Bay south to San Diego, California, contained only M. galloprovincialis male and female haplotypes, while those from Arcata Bay, California, north to Port Orford, Oregon, were fixed for M. trossulus haplotypes. Populations from Monterey Bay to Bodega Bay, California, contained a mixture of M. trossulus and M. galloprovincialis haplotypes. Overall only 2 of 97 heteroplasmic individuals had a mixed M. trossulus/M. galloprovincialis mitochondrial genotype indicating that hybridization is uncommon in the populations sampled. Further, there was no evidence of extensive introgression between these mussel taxa at the level of mtDNA. This is in contrast to previously published results which suggested the significant introgression of M. trossulus haplotypes into southern populations containing primarily M. galloprovincialis nuclear genotypes. We feel the discrepancy lies in the ability of our assays to detect haplotypes corresponding to both the male and female mtDNA lineages. Potential explanations for the lack of mtDNA introgression include, low levels of backcrossing between hybrids and parental taxa, epistatic interaction between nuclear and mitochondrial genes and the breakdown of a sex-specific inheritance pattern for mtDNA in hybrids.
Aerospace Controls: The Way Forward

Summary form only given. The scope of this article is primarily aerospace engineering for military missions. Control systems engineers have made many outstanding contributions to aerospace engineering in the last few decades. The purpose of this article is to discuss the interdisciplinary challenges the controls community is facing now in the aerospace arena and the expected increased complexities in the near future. Specifically, control issues and research covering a broad range of air vehicles and space vehicles are discussed. Topics in the presentation include unmanned air vehicles, micro air vehicles, autonomous air refueling, cooperative control, human interface with autonomous systems, structural control, aerodynamic flow control, reusable space launch vehicles, air breathing propulsion engines and many others. While discussing current efforts, future research directions and control challenges are emphasized
Age-related susceptibility to 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile-induced olfactory mucosal damage.

3,3'-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) causes degeneration of the olfactory mucosa (OM) in rodents following systemic exposure. Approximately 30% of the OM degenerates in 21-day- and 10-week-old rats following a single 200 or 400 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of IDPN, whereas 100% olfactory mucosal degeneration occurred in 21-month-old rats. Age-related changes in the flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) or heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were hypothesized to be responsible for altered olfactory mucosal susceptibility to IDPN. FMO activity in OM was higher than in liver in rats up to 40 weeks of age. Western blots of OM and liver revealed no change in FMO1 protein; however, FMO2, 3, and 5 decreased in olfactory microsomes with age. FMO3 and FMO5 increased in liver microsomes with age. Heat shock protein 70 did not differ between 10-week- and 10-month-old rats in either tissue. The mechanism underlying the increased susceptibility of older rats is likely a complex interaction between the activities of one or more of the enzymes involved in IDPN metabolism in OM and liver.
The rapid solidification processing of materials: science, principles, technology, advances, and applications

The purpose of this technical manuscript is to present an explanation of rapid solidification processing in an easily understandable manner so that the technique is widely accepted and put to commercial practice by many working in the industries of materials processing and manufacturing engineering. The comprehensive review article presents a comprehensive overview of the widely accepted and used rapid solidification processes. To better, understand rapid solidification in comparison with conventional solidification, the intrinsic aspects and types of nucleation and the kinetics governing nucleation and subsequent growth of the crystal during rapid solidification are presented and discussed. The commercially viable methods for the rapid solidification processing of metal-based and even intermetallic-based composites are presented. The technically viable methods for the consolidation of rapidly solidified powders are discussed. A succinct description of notable recent advances in the technique of spray processing is presented. In the last section of this article, we highlight the key findings of selected studies in the area of rapid solidification processing of advanced metallic, intermetallics, and composite materials that have helped to advance the processing technique for emerging applications that is synchronous with advances in technology.
Efficient positive pressure ventilation with a modified Magill circuit in adults. (A preliminary study).

By modifying a Magill circuit so that the relief valve can be closed during inflation and can open during exhalation after the reservoir bag has refilled, the circuit can be used efficiently with controlled ventilation. Preliminary studies indicate predictable physiological arterial carbon dioxide levels with fresh gas flows below those normally needed with a non-rebreathing circuit.
Advances in artificial intelligence for the colour industry

The use of artificial intelligence in finding solutions to traditional and emergent colorimetric problems is reviewed. Developments in artificial intelligence are briefly discussed and some of the more prominent ideas are described. Rather than give the complete background to specific technologies that are being used, the author considers the application of these technologies. Applications relevant to practical colour measurement are considered that complement the CMC(2:1) equation.