cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force

Importance Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a spinal curvature of 10° or more, is the most common form of scoliosis, with a prevalence of 1% to 3%. Curves progress in approximately two-thirds of patients with AIS before skeletal maturity, and large curves (>50°) may be associated with adverse health outcomes. Objective To systematically review evidence on benefits and harms of AIS screening for the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Data Sources Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, ERIC, PubMed, CINAHL, and relevant systematic reviews were searched for studies published from January 1966 to October 20, 2016; studies included in a previous USPSTF report were also reviewed. Surveillance was conducted through July 24, 2017. Study Selection Fair- and good-quality studies that evaluated the accuracy of screening children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years for AIS, the benefits of AIS treatment, the harms of AIS screening or treatment, or long-term health outcomes. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two investigators independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles and extracted data into evidence tables. Results were qualitatively summarized. Main Outcomes and Measures Health outcomes and spinal curvature in adolescence and adulthood, accuracy of screening for AIS, any harm of AIS screening or treatment. Results Fourteen studies (N = 448 276) in 26 articles were included. Accuracy of AIS screening was highest (93.8% sensitivity; 99.2% specificity) in a cohort study of a clinic-based program using forward bend test, scoliometer, and Moire topography screening (n = 306 082); accuracy was lower in cohort studies of 6 programs using fewer modalities (n = 141 161). Four controlled studies (n = 587) found evidence for benefit of bracing on curve progression compared with controls. A randomized clinical trial and a nonrandomized trial of exercise treatment (N = 184) found favorable reductions in Cobb angle of 0.67° to 4.9° in the intervention group compared with increases of 1.38° to 2.8° in the control group. Two cohort studies (n = 339) on long-term outcomes found that braced participants reported more negative treatment experience and body appearance compared with surgically treated or untreated participants. A study that combined a randomized clinical trial and cohort design (n = 242) reported harms of bracing, which included skin problems on the trunk and nonback body pains. There was no evidence on the effect of AIS screening on adult health outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance Screening can detect AIS. Bracing and possibly exercise treatment can interrupt or slow progression of curvature in adolescence. However, there is little or no evidence on long-term outcomes for AIS treated in adolescence, the association between curvature at skeletal maturity and adult health outcomes, the harms of AIS screening or treatment, or the effect of AIS screening on adult health outcomes.
Predicting the effects of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis, Buprestidae) on hardwood swamp forest structure and composition in southern Michigan1,2

Abstract Very little is known about how emerald ash borer will affect hardwood swamps, which often have a large ash component compared to upland forests. The aim of this research project was to investigate the current status of ash swamps that have become infested with emerald ash borer and make predictions about the future state of these forests. We surveyed three hardwood swamps in southern Michigan that varied in the amount of ash present (12.4%–58.8% basal area), which appears to affect how these communities will change as a result of emerald ash borer. Our analyses indicate that the two swamps with the least amount of ash will likely experience a proportional increase in surrounding trees, while structure of the site with the most ash will be altered in the future and may transition to a forest that is strongly influenced by shrub-like individuals as well as non-ash canopy trees.
Improving the Efficiency of the Mn2+/3+ Couple in Quantum Dot Solar Cells: The Role of Spin Crossover

In this study, we present the synthesis of a family of first-row transition metal redox mediators based on the bis[hydrotris(pyrazolyl)]borate manganese(II/III) (MnTp2) redox couple. Using cyclic voltammetry, the electrochemical properties and characteristic spin crossover inherent in this class of metal complexes were analyzed. From the electrochemical analysis the standard heterogeneous rate constant (ks,h) was estimated. These constants were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than other outer-sphere redox couples, such as Co(bpy)32+/3+ with ks,h values decreasing from 6.39 (± 0.7) × 10–3 cm/s in Co(bpy)3 to 1.60 (± 0.3) × 10–5 cm/s in bis[hydrotris(4-ethylpyrazolyl)]borate manganese(II/III). It was theorized that the drastic reduction in the rate of electron transfer could be used to increase the lifetimes of the injected electrons in quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Indeed, this was found to be the case with the slope of open-circuit voltage decay measurements being an order of magnitude lower ...
Babesiosis as a cause of false-positive HIV serology

This is a case of a 71-year-old homosexual man who presented with a 4-day history of fever, weakness and headaches, near syncope, nausea and poor oral intake. The patient denied recent travel or sick contacts but had significant tick bites in the last 4 weeks. A peripheral blood smear showed 0.5% parasitaemia with signet ring appearance organisms consistent with Babesia microti. Serology testing for HIV 1 and 2 by ELISA and western blot were positive. Treatment for Babesia was started and the patient improved. Repeat serology testing for HIV was negative. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of false-positive HIV serology that is associated with active babesiosis. In this case, the positive HIV serology turned negative after successful treatment of babesiosis.
Effect of Inclusion of Oral Antibiotics with Mechanical Bowel Preparation on the Risk of Clostridium Difficile Infection After Colectomy.

While the use of oral antibiotic (OA) for bowel preparation is gaining popularity, it is unknown whether it increases the risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of OA on the development of CDI after colectomy. Patients who underwent colectomy from the ACS-NSQIP data (2015 and 2016) were included. Patients who received OA as bowel preparation were compared to those who did not with respect to demographics, comorbidities, primary diagnosis, procedure type and approach, and 30-day postoperative complications. Multivariable analysis was performed to characterize the association between OA and CD infection after colectomy. A sub-group analysis was also conducted for patients who did not develop any postoperative infectious complication. Of 36,374 included patients, 18,177 (50%) received OA and 527 (1.4%) developed CDI for the whole cohort. OA group had more younger, functionally independent and obese patients with lower American Society of Anesthesiologists and wound class. Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyspnea or ventilator-dependence, congestive heart failure, disseminated cancer, bleeding disorder, and perioperative transfusion were significantly higher for non-OA group. Mechanical bowel preparation, minimally invasive surgery, conversion to open and operative duration ≥ 180 min were more prevalent in the OA group. The OA group had significantly reduced occurrence of CDI; superficial, deep, and organ space infections; wound disruption; anastomotic leak; reoperation; and infections including sepsis, septic shock, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection. On multivariable analysis, OA reduced the odds for CDI after colectomy (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = [0.5–0.8]). For patients who did not develop infectious postoperative complications, OA was associated with lower risk of CDI (OR = 0.7, CI = [0.5–0.9]). While complications, reoperation, and readmission rates were the same, postoperative ileus and hospital stay were significantly lower for those who developed CDI after receiving OA when compared to non-OA. The use of OA as bowel preparation may reduce, rather than increase, the risk of 30-day CDI after colectomy. This effect may partly be due to the other recovery advantages associated with oral antibiotics. These data further support current data recommending the use of oral antibiotics for bowel preparation before colectomy.
On Getting a Computer to Listen

Responding appropriately to matter-of-fact utterances is a common form of intelligent behavior, but specifying precisely, rather than loosely or intuitively, what takes place in even the most ordinary conversational exchanges poses formidably complex problems. The book Understanding Spoken Language is about those problems as they were faced in order to design and implement a computer system for processing spoken English discourse within a limited domain in an intelligent manner. “In an intelligent manner” is a key concept of the design. Because of it, the design, implementation and testing reported here are as germane to artificial intelligence, linguistics and psychology as they are to the sciences of signal processing and speech. In this preface we point out the complexities inherent in the undertaking and explain why they led us to develop components for representing and combining the kinds of knowledge people use when they understand what is said to them.
Prospects for Cosmic Dust Experiments on the Planned Reflight of LDEF

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF-I), which contains a number of cosmic dust experiments, is due to be launched in the spring of 1984 and recovered about a year later. Current plans call for re-fitting the LDEF spacecraft with a large area of plastic nuclear track detectors and relaunching (LDEF-II) for a flight that will last about 2 years. The main purpose of the mission is to extend primary cosmic ray abundance measurements to the actinide region. A meeting was held at Washington University in December 1983 to discuss the problems and prospects for cosmic dust experiments on LDEF-II. Most participants were drawn from the LDEF-I community of investigators. The meeting resulted in a report which treated the scientific rationale for LDEF-II dust experiments, discussed various implementation options, and concluded with a set of summary recommendations. We discussed this report and summarized the status of LDEF-II as of this meeting. It is important to note that the report serves equally well as a basis for discussion of dust experiments on future space stations.
Distributed Bayesian Detection: Parallel Fusion Network

As indicated earlier, detection networks can be organized in a number of topological structures. Among the topologies considered in the literature, the parallel fusion topology has received the most attention. In this chapter, we develop the theory of Bayesian detection for parallel fusion structures. In Section 3.2, we consider a parallel structure consisting of a number of detectors whose decisions are available locally and are not transmitted to a fusion center for decision combining. Costs of decision making are assumed to be coupled and a system wide optimization is carried out for binary and ternary hypothesis testing problems. Section 3.3 considers the design of fusion rules given the statistics of incoming decisions. Design of the parallel fusion network, consisting of a number of local detectors and a fusion center, is the subject of Section 3.4. Person-by-person optimal decision rules are derived. A number of special cases including conditionally independent local observations and identical detectors are considered. Efficient computational approaches are presented. Design of optimal parallel structures with dependent local observations is an NP-complete problem. This and other computational complexity issues are briefly considered. Finally, robust detection and nonparametric detection are discussed at the end of the chapter.
Processes in Reading Comprehension and the Teaching of Comprehension

The hickory stick may be gone (mostly), but reading remains the backbone of education. As the most important of the troika of fundamental educational subjects, reading has been of great interest to educational and cognitive psychology since their very beginnings. That interest in reading continues and is especially strong currently. Both past and present educational cognitive psychologists have and are contributing much to our understanding of reading processes.
Dietary Surveys: Surveys of Food Intake in Groups and Individuals

Dietary surveys are used for multiple purposes and range from measurement of food disappearance at the national level, to food use at the household level, to detailed multiple assessments of individual intake for linkage with health outcomes. Each of these methods has strengths and limitations, depending on the purpose of the survey.
Temperature Matters: Cellular Targets of Hyperthermia in Cancer Biology and Immunology

Recognition of the potent radiosensitizing effects of hyperthermia on cancer cells has led to extensive research aimed at identifying the effects of heat on a variety of cellular targets, including the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is a highly complex structure, the phospholipid backbone of which is loaded with proteins that facilitate the exchange of information between a cell and its environment. While most cancer research investigating the effects of hyperthermia on cellular functions has focused on “heat shock” temperatures of 42°C and above, there is increasing recognition of the fact that in actual clinical situations in which hyperthermia has proven to be beneficial, the temperatures achieved within tumors can be considerably lower. In some instances, these are within the range which is achievable during high fever or vigorous exercise (39–40°C). Thus, there is now a great need for additional research (particularly on membrane function and structure) to identify cellular mechanisms by which mild (fever-range) thermal stress could be sensitizing tumor cells to cancer therapies. Moreover, recognition of the potential for the addition of hyperthermia to improve overall survival in patients treated with radiation has led to the hypothesis that cells of the immune system (which may have evolutionarily conserved enhanced plasma membrane-dependent effector activity in response to fever-like conditions) could be among the cellular targets that are affected in the hyperthermic field of treatment. The objective of this chapter is to summarize examples of the literature on these topics, including recent publications that describe the effects of hyperthermia on immune effector and target cells, as well as research pertaining to how mild, fever-range temperatures affect the plasma membrane. The chapter will conclude by discussing current questions that remain to be answered within the field.
“Why is studying hard a violation of human rights?”: Tensions and contradictions in Korean students’ reasoning about human rights

Abstract This study investigated how Korean students apply principles of human rights to social issues in Korean and international contexts and how they differentiate between human rights and other values. Open-ended, task-based interviews were conducted with 22 high school students in Korea. Korean students were aware of human rights violations involved in any given social issues, but their explanations focused only on the principle of political and economic equality. However, Korean students showed contradictory reasoning when they pointed to human rights issues in international or Korean settings; whereas they pointed to structural oppression as the cause of human rights violations and applied universal principles of human rights in the international context, they considered individual choices and traditional values in the Korean context. This study indicates that Korean students’ understanding of human rights is influenced by a variety of contextual factors in and out of school, and it suggests that social studies educators must challenge students’ prior experiences with and ideas about human rights issues in settings outside of school.
Rapid volumetric imaging with light-sheet microscopy

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) enables both sensitive and rapid volumetric imaging, from single cells to multicellular organisms. Nevertheless, LSFM faces technological and physical limitations on the volumetric acquisition speed. We have realized that there are certain geometrical arrangements that allow lossless parallelization of the LSFM acquisition process. Thereby the volumetric acquisition rate can be increased without inducing higher amounts of phototoxicity or requiring faster detector technologies. We present two implementations of parallelized light-sheet microscopy and discuss applications that either benefit from the increased acquisition speed or improved sensitivity of these systems.
Dielectric relaxation in the mixtures: Benzonitrile and propionitrile, benzonitrile and acetonitrile, and in aniline and anisole

Dielectric relaxation of mixtures of polar molecules has not been studied extensively in contrast with solutions of polar molecules in nonpolar solvents and pure polar liquids. The initial studies on dipolar mixtures by Alexandrov and Dzhian1 and Schallamach2 involved relatively complex nonrigid molecules, and the detailed interpretation of their behavior as mixtures is vitiated by their complexity. Schallamach, in his study of the temperature-dependence of mixtures of complex molecules at low temperatures of the order of −100° C and at a single radio frequency, has come to the conclusion that the dielectric relaxation in mixtures involves the disturbance of relatively large regions in the liquids, so much so that the individuality of the two members is not significant. Studies by Denney,3 on a single mixture of alkyl halides at temperatures close to the melting points of the individual components in the audio and radio-frequency regions, seem to support Schallamach's conclusion. The present investigation of mixtures of certain nitriles is a continuation of our systematic study of mixtures of simple rigid polar molecules at microwave frequecies near room temperature.
“Now Is the Time”: Civic Learning for a Strong Democracy

Cultivating citizens for American democracy has historically been a key purpose of higher education, yet today's college students are in contact with more divergent worldviews, increasing demograph...
The Phase Abstraction for Estimating Energy Consumption and Travel Times for Electric Vehicle Route Planning

Electric Vehicle (EV) battery capacity is limited, so EV routing must trade off travel time for energy consumption, which grows quad-ratically with speed. Current multi-parameter EV routing methods assume accurate estimates of time and energy consumed, but current models for obtaining these estimates cannot capture this time-energy tradeoff in a sufficiently flexible way. We present a new approach to EV modeling that addresses such shortcomings. Conventional wisdom holds that models operating at finer time granularities yield better energy consumption estimates. We first show that such is not necessarily the case, by defining a new structuring abstraction for vehicle speed profiles called phases, which models energy consumption accurately at lower temporal granularity. We also address the challenge of generating speed profiles for planned trips with realistic variance in travel times and energy consumed. Our method combines the phase abstraction with Markov chains and kernel density estimation to learn these variations, and construct realistic vehicle speed profiles for real-world routes. Using 52 hours of driving data collected on a Nissan Leaf, we show that our model achieves a per-trip accuracy better than even that of current microscopic models and generates speed proiles that accurately model time and energy consumption at the trip level.
DeepAtom: A Framework for Protein-Ligand Binding Affinity Prediction

The cornerstone of computational drug design is the calculation of binding affinity between two biological counterparts, especially a chemical compound, i.e., a ligand, and a protein. Predicting the strength of protein-ligand binding with reasonable accuracy is critical for drug discovery. In this paper, we propose a data-driven framework named DeepAtom to accurately predict the protein-ligand binding affinity. With 3D Convolutional Neural Network (3D-CNN) architecture, DeepAtom could automatically extract binding related atomic interaction patterns from the voxelized complex structure. Compared with the other CNN based approaches, our light-weight model design effectively improves the model representational capacity, even with the limited available training data. With validation experiments on the PDBbind v.2016 benchmark and the independent Astex Diverse Set, we demonstrate that the less feature engineering dependent DeepAtom approach consistently outperforms the other state-of-the-art scoring methods. We also compile and propose a new benchmark dataset to further improve the model performances. With the new dataset as training input, DeepAtom achieves Pearson's R=0.83 and RMSE=1.23 pK units on the PDBbind v.2016 core set. The promising results demonstrate that DeepAtom models can be potentially adopted in computational drug development protocols such as molecular docking and virtual screening.
The 100-Man Killing Contest and Controversies

The 100-man killing contest between Sub-lieutenants Toshiaki Mukai (向井敏明) and Tsuyoshi Noda (野田毅) largely took place before Japanese troops reached the suburbs of Nanjing, and in comparison with the calamity and magnitude of the Nanjing Massacre, it is a relatively insignificant incident. There must have been a large number of Japanese soldiers, who, involved in killing surrendered and disarmed Chinese soldiers as well as civilians before and during the Nanjing Massacre period, had remained unidentified and were not punished after the war. However, major Japanese newspapers followed the development of the 100-man killing contest and covered it consecutively from November 30 to December 13, 1937. The publicity, which brought temporary fame and glory to the two sub-lieutenants then, provided evidence for the Allied Forces to apprehend, indict, and eventually execute them in Nanjing in 1948.
Adaptive Online k-Subspaces with Cooperative Re-Initialization

We propose a simple but principled cooperative re-initialization (CoRe) approach to k-subspaces, which also applies to k-means by viewing it as a particular case. CoRe optimizes an ensemble of identical k-subspace models and leverages their aggregate knowledge by greedily exchanging clusters throughout optimization. Further, we introduce an adaptive k-subspaces formulation with split low-rank regularization designed to adapt both the number of subspaces and their dimensions. Moreover, we present a highly scalable online algorithm based on stochastic gradient descent. In experiments on synthetic and real image data, we show that our proposed CoRe method significantly improves upon the standard probabilistic farthest insertion (i.e. k-means++) initialization approach-particularly when k is large. We further demonstrate the improved robustness of our proposed formulation, and the scalability and improved optimization performance of our SGD-based algorithm.
High-dose adenosine for treatment of refractory paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Abstract Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is one of the more common arrhythmias requiring treatment in the emergency department. Intravenous adenosine is recommended as the initial medication of choice for treatment of PSVT, given in escalating doses up to a maximum of 12 mg. With a serum half-life of less than 10 s, adenosine must be given rapidly to allow for adequate time for it to reach the heart via venous return. In over 10% of adult patients, PSVT will not be terminated with maximum doses of adenosine. We report a case of a patient requiring a higher-than recommended dose of adenosine for termination of PSVT. The patient had a history of pulmonary hypertension with resultant right heart failure at the time of presentation. We believe the higher dose of adenosine was necessary in this patient because of the impaired venous return to her right heart. This case indicates that patients with impaired venous return to the right heart may require higher-than-recommended doses of adenosine for effective termination of PSVT.
Historical and Ethical Perspectives on Vulvoplasty.

Abstract Introduction Surgical and other procedures to alter the shape of the female external genitalia, especially the labia minora, are increasingly popular and controversial worldwide. Objectives This article aims to delineate and complicate the medical and moral controversy around these vulvoplasty procedures, by describing how female genital aesthetics, their interpretation, and alteration vary over time, space, and culture. Methods The history of the Hottentot Venus is used as a pivot about which to consider current biomedical, anthropological, and ethical literatures regarding female genital appearance and its manipulation. Intersectionality describes how different systems influence each other to affect the agency of certain individuals or groups, and is therefore an ideal analytic method for biopsychosocial concerns of sex and informed consent. Results The 19th century anatomic study and display of Sarah “Saartjie” Baartman, the Hottentot Venus, defined a European vulvar ideal by demonstrating its opposite. Today, the ideal appearance of the labia minora is variable across cultures and nationalities, and various mechanical and surgical manipulations are sought or imposed upon women to bring their bodies into conformity with these ideals. Conclusion For European audiences, Baartman exemplified a stereotypical association between genital appearance, sexual availability, and accessibility as a biomedical subject. These logical linkages were a by-product of sexist, racist, and colonial ideologies that have since fallen out of favor. However, their genital effects continue to influence bioethical considerations of genitoplasty into the present day. Chubak B. Historical and Ethical Perspectives on Vulvoplasty. Sex Med Rev 2020;8:542–547.
Thomas (Thom) E. Goldstein

The young boy sat very still, eyes fixed on his shiny boots. Someone in a uniform was asking his mother questions. He heard her say, “Yes, he is sick and needs to visit a warmer climate.” The boy h...
Ocean Carbon Uptake Under Aggressive Emission Mitigation

Abstract. Nearly every nation has signed the UNFCC Paris Agreement, committing to mitigate anthropogenic carbon emissions so as to limit the global mean temperature increase above pre-industrial levels to well below 2 ∘ C, and ideally to no more than 1.5 ∘ C. A consequence of emission mitigation that has received limited attention is a reduced efficiency of the ocean carbon sink. Historically, the roughly exponential increase in atmospheric CO 2 has resulted in a proportional increase in anthropogenic carbon uptake by the ocean. We define growth of the ocean carbon sink exactly proportional to the atmospheric growth rate to be 100 % efficient. Using a model hierarchy consisting of a common reduced-form ocean carbon cycle model and the Community Earth System Model (CESM), we assess the mechanisms of future change in the efficiency of the ocean carbon sink under three emission scenarios: aggressive mitigation (1.5 ∘ C), intermediate mitigation (RCP4.5), and high emissions (RCP8.5). The reduced-form ocean carbon cycle model is tuned to emulate the global-mean behavior of the CESM and then allows for mechanistic decomposition. With intermediate or no mitigation (RCP4.5, RCP8.5), changes in efficiency through 2080 are almost entirely the result of future reductions in the carbonate buffer capacity of the ocean. Under the 1.5 ∘ C scenario, the dominant driver of efficiency decline is the ocean's reduced ability to transport anthropogenic carbon from surface to depth. As the global-mean upper-ocean gradient of anthropogenic carbon reverses sign, carbon can be re-entrained in surface waters where it slows further removal from the atmosphere. Reducing uncertainty in ocean circulation is critical to better understanding the transport of anthropogenic carbon from surface to depth and to improving quantification of its role in the future ocean carbon sink.
Calcium metabolism and breast cancer: Echoes of lactation?

Abstract Lactation requires a series of adaptations in maternal calcium and bone metabolism to ensure a steady supply of calcium to the lactating mammary gland. The alterations in systemic metabolism are accompanied by alterations in the expression of calcium receptors, channels, binding proteins, pumps and transporters in mammary epithelial cells to increase the uptake of calcium from the extracellular fluid and to transport it into milk. Intracellular calcium regulates signaling pathways that mediate changes in cell proliferation, differentiation and death and many of the molecules involved in supporting and coordinating calcium secretion into milk are re-expressed and redeployed to support malignant behavior in breast cancer cells. In this article, we review adaptations of systemic calcium homeostasis during lactation, as well as the mechanisms of milk calcium transport. We then discuss how reactivation of these pathways contributes to the pathophysiology of breast cancer.
Discrete-state stochastic kinetic models for target DNA search by proteins: Theory and experimental applications.

To perform their functions, transcription factors and DNA-repair/modifying enzymes randomly search DNA in order to locate their specific targets on DNA. Discrete-state stochastic kinetic models have been developed to explain how the efficiency of the search process is influenced by the molecular properties of proteins and DNA as well as by other factors such as molecular crowding. These theoretical models not only offer explanations on the relation of microscopic processes to macroscopic behavior of proteins, but also facilitate the analysis and interpretation of experimental data. In this review article, we provide an overview on discrete-state stochastic kinetic models and explain how these models can be applied to experimental investigations using stopped-flow, single-molecule, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and other biophysical and biochemical methods.
G-CSF promotes alloregulatory function of MDSCs through a c-Kit dependent mechanism.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that expand in inflammatory conditions including transplantation. MDSCs may be capable of controlling rejection. The critical mechanisms underlying MDSC mediated alloregulation remain unexplored. G-CSF potently stimulates MDSC expansion. We hypothesized that G-CSF-induced MDSCs use a novel mechanism to suppress T cell responses. G-CSF promoted expansion of MDSCs and enhanced their suppressive function against T cell proliferation. Gene expression analysis revealed MDSCs expanded with G-CSF upregulated immune-related genes, but downregulated proliferation-related genes when compared to naive control MDSCs. The KIT oncogene, encoding the c-Kit (CD117) transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor, was the most significantly increased in MDSCs expanded with G-CSF. c-Kit inhibition with both imatinib and monoclonal blocking antibody reduced expression of ARG-1, iNOS, PD-L1, and SAA3. Further, imatinib also reduced MDSC-mediated T cell suppression in vitro. Modulation of c-Kit activity may represent a therapeutic target for alloregulatory MDSCs.
Vaccine perceptions in a free urban clinic for underserved, uninsured adults

Abstract: Background Adult vaccine rates remain low despite public health efforts. Despite the likelihood that underserved patients face more barriers to vaccination, little is known on the perceptions underserved patients have about vaccines as a whole. Additional information could guide healthcare providers in efforts to improve adult vaccination rates in the medically underserved population. Objectives The primary objective of this survey was to assess perceived susceptibility to and severity of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) and perceived safety and effectiveness of vaccines in a medically underserved population. Methods This cross-sectional, descriptive study evaluated vaccine perceptions using a self-administered paper survey in a free clinic providing care to uninsured, low-income adults. All patients with scheduled appointments in the clinic were eligible to participate. Two Likert-type items were used to define responses regarding trust and beliefs. Level of trust was defined as: “Not at all” (1), “A little” (2), “Not sure” (3), “Some” (4), and “A lot” (5). Responses to vaccine belief items were defined as: “Strongly disagree” (1), “Disagree” (2), “Neither agree nor disagree” (3), “Agree” (4), and “Strongly agree” (5). Statistical analyses were descriptive in nature. Results Final analysis included 131 surveys. Healthcare providers were the most common patient-reported vaccine information source (73.3%) and the most trusted (median: 5). Despite clear agreement amongst respondents that vaccines are safe (median 3.94) and effective (median: 4) in adults, with similar results regarding children, results regarding personal risk from vaccine-preventable diseases were less definitive (median: 3). Conclusion Overall, survey responses in this uninsured, low-income population indicate that vaccines are perceived as safe and effective, but there is less consensus regarding the individual risk patients face from VPD. Focusing patient education on individual risk as much as overall vaccine safety and efficacy may help improve low adult vaccination rates in the medically underserved.
Immunogenicity Rates After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in People With End-stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance Adults receiving dialysis treatment have a higher likelihood of death when infected with SARS-CoV-2 than adults not receiving dialysis treatment. To date, the immune response of people receiving dialysis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has not been systematically discussed.
Immunological characterization of proteins detected by phosphotyrosine antibodies in cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus.

Abstract Phosphotyrosine antibodies were used to identify tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts. A large number of tyrosine phosphoproteins were detected. A similar set of proteins was observed in RSV-transformed murine cells. An 85,000-dalton protein, however, was present in transformed avian cells but missing in transformed murine cells. Neither the 85,000-dalton protein nor any of the other tyrosine phosphoproteins appeared to be viral structural proteins. Use of RSV mutants encoding partially deleted src gene products enabled us to identify a 60,000-dalton cellular tyrosine phosphoprotein that comigrated with wild-type pp60v-src. With the exception of calpactin I, the major tyrosine phosphoproteins detected in immunoblots appeared to be different from several previously characterized substrates of pp60v-src with similar molecular masses (ezrin, vinculin, and the fibronectin receptor).
Reproducibility of phase rotation STEAM at 3T: focus on glutathione.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the reproducibility of a very short echo time (TE) phase rotation stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence at 3T with a focus on the detection of glutathione. Methods Ten healthy subjects were scanned on two separate visits. Spectra were acquired from voxels placed in the anterior and posterior cingulates. Reproducibility was assessed using mean coefficients of variation (CVs) and mean absolute differences (ADs), and reliability was assessed using standard error of measurement (SEM) and intraclass correlations (ICCs). Phantoms containing glutathione and metabolites with overlapping resonances were scanned to test the validity of glutathione quantification. Results Excellent reproducibility as illustrated by CVs ≤8.3% and ADs ≤11.6% for both regions was obtained for glutathione and other commonly reported metabolites. Reproducibility measures for γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamine were good overall with CVs ranging from 6.4%–10.5% and ADs ranging from 8.6%–15.5% for both regions. Glutathione absolute and relative reliability were very good (SEMs ≤9.9%) and fair (ICCs = 0.42–0.51), respectively. Phantom studies demonstrated the ability to accurately detect glutathione from other metabolites with overlapping resonances with great precision (R2 = 0.99). Conclusion A very short TE phase rotation STEAM sequence proved reproducible for metabolites difficult to quantify but important for the study of psychiatric and neurological illness. Magn Reson Med 72:603–609, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Degenerate Expectation-Maximization Algorithm for Local Dimension Reduction

Dimension reduction techniques based on principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis are commonly used in statistical data analysis. The effectiveness of these methods is limited by their global nature. Recent efforts have focused on relaxing global restrictions in order to identify subsets of data that are concentrated on lower dimensional subspaces. In this paper, we propose an adaptive local dimension reduction method, called the Degenerate Expectation-Maximization Algorithm (DEM). This method is based on the finite mixture model. We demonstrate that the DEM yields significantly better results than the local PCA (LPCA) and other related methods in a variety of synthetic and real datasets. The DEM algorithm can be used in various applications ranging from clustering to information retrieval.
Scalable Multivariate Time-Series Models for Climate Informatics

The increasing volume of climate data has created the need for scientists to develop scalable data analysis tools beyond traditional techniques. Climate data not only have a massive scale but also high dimension and complex dependency structures, making the analysis task extremely challenging. Climate informatics leverages advanced algorithmic tools from data science to solve problems in climate science. This article showcases how scalable multivariate time-series models can be developed for climate change attribution, spatiotemporal analysis, and extreme value time-series analysis.
The pathochemistry of kernicterus

Abstract The stoichiometry of bilirubin-albumin interaction has been analyzed and quantitated in several recent studies, confirming that albumin binding of bilirubin obeys the law of mass action [4, 5, 14, 16, 26, 36, 43, 46, 61, 65, 73, 92, 111]. These studies provide a basis for interpreting bilirubin transport, cell uptake and toxicity from physicochemical and pharmacologic perspectives [35, 42, 58, 59]. In this report, we propose a model of the pathogenesis of kernicterus which views serum albumin and tissue as competing with each other for binding the miscible bilirubin pool. Evidence is presented to show that bilirubin normally binds reversibly to cellular membranes and certain soluble enzymes just as it does to albumin; the unbound bilirubin concentration is the driving force for both albumin and tissue binding. We propose that albumin binding is determined by the concentration of free bilirubin anion (which is essentially unaffected by physiologic pH changes), and that tissue binding is mainly determined by the concentration of free bilirubin acid (which is greatly influenced by pH). When bilirubin-tissue complexes are formed, essential cell functions may be inhibited, producing cellular acidosis, irreversible intracellular aggregation of bilirubin, and cell death. In developing this argument, we will sequentially discuss relevant features of bilirubin chemistry, the binding of bilirubin to albumin, the formation of bilirubin-tissue complexes, bilirubin toxicity, alternative viewpoints of bilirubin transport, and, finally, the implications of this model to the clinical management of jaundiced infants. It should be emphasized that this paper is an attempt to analyze bilirubin transport and toxicity using basic chemical principles; it is an extension of previously published proposals [17, 77], and will undoubtedly require further modification as additional experimental data becomes available.
Transcriptional activation of the p21(WAF1,CIP1,SDI1) gene by interleukin-6 type cytokines. A prerequisite for their pro-differentiating and anti-apoptotic effects on human osteoblastic cells

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1,CIP1,SDI1 plays a critical role in cell differentiation, and it has been shown to confer resistance to apoptosis. Based on this, and on evidence that activation of the gp130/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signal transduction pathway by interleukin (IL)-6 type cytokines promotes differentiation and prevents apoptosis in osteoblastic cells, we have investigated the possibility that p21 is a downstream effector of this signaling pathway in osteoblasts. We report that either oncostatin M (OSM) or IL-6 plus soluble IL-6 receptor increased the levels of p21 mRNA and protein in the osteoblast-like human osteosarcoma cell line MG63 and stimulated the activity of a 2.4-kilobase pair segment of the human p21 gene promoter. Further, nuclear extracts from cytokine-stimulated MG63 cells formed protein-DNA complexes with a 19-base pair nucleotide fragment of the p21 promoter containing a single STAT response element. The identity of the binding proteins as Stat3 and Stat1 was demonstrated with specific antibodies. In addition, and in support of a mediating role of STATs in the activation of the p21 promoter, overexpression of Stat3 potentiated the cytokine effect on the p21 promoter; whereas a dominant negative Stat3, or a mutation of the STAT response element on the promoter, significantly reduced the cytokine effect. Finally, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to p21 mRNA inhibited OSM-induced stimulation of alkaline phosphatase expression and antagonized the protective effect of OSM on anti-Fas-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that p21 is a downstream effector of gp130/Stat3 activation and a critical mediator of the pro-differentiating and anti-apoptotic effects of IL-6 type cytokines on human osteoblastic cells.
754-4 Proven Efficacy of Repeated Dose Intravenous Ibutilide, a Class III Antiarrhythmic Drug, for Rapid Termination of Chronic Atrial Flutter or Fibrillation: Results of a Multicenter Placebo-Controlled Study

Currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have limited efficacy for the acute, rapid, pharmacological termination of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFL). The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter study was to determine the efficacy and safety of repeated doses of intravenous ibutilide in terminating AF and AFL. Methods Two hundred forty-two evaluable patients (mean age 66.9 years, 80% male, 75% with heart disease) with sustained AF (n = 121) or AFL (n = 121) (duration 3 hrs to 45 days) were randomized into 3 groups to receive two 10-minute infusions separated by 10 minutes: placebo/placebo (n = 81); 1 mg/0.5 mg ibutilide (n = 79); 1 mg/l mg ibutilide (n = 82). The infusions were discontinued at the time of arrhythmia termination. Results The cumulative conversion efficacy after the two ibutilide infusions was greater (both p l 0.0001) than after placebo (47% vs. 2%). There was no significant difference in success rates between the two ibutilide doses (44% vs. 49%). Conversion efficacy of ibutilide was greater for AFL than AF (63% vs. 31%). In patients who failed to convert with the first infusion, the success rates after a second infusion were 2%, 27%, and 36% for placebo, 0.5 mg ibutilide and 1 mg ibutilide. The mean time to arrhythmia termination was 27 minutes after the start of the first infusion. Predictors of arrhythmia termination were arrhythmia duration and left atrial size (in AF group only). Ejection fraction, valvular disease, concomitant medications, plasma ibutilide concentration and QTc interval did not predict arrhythmia termination. Of 180 total ibutilide patients, 3 (1.7%) developed sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) requiring cardioversion and 12 (6.7%) developed nonsustained PVT during or shortly after the infusion (11 of 15 occurred during the first infusion). Conclusions Ibutilide given in repeated doses is highly effective compared to placebo in rapidly terminating chronic atrial fibrillation or flutter and under monitored conditions is a potential alternative to currently available cardioversion options.
The Pulsed Dye Laser as a Light Source for the Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Recently, the substitution of conventional light sources for fluorescence microscopy by laser system have yielded promising results. The system reported here is capable of creating fluorescent images by excitation with defined pulses of coherent light. Photographic recordings of fluorescent objects have been produced with exposures of less than 10 μsec. No significant amount of fluorescence bleaching was noted, even after illumination for 50 μsec. The laser light source holds a promise for improvement in micro-fluorometry, and is discussed with special reference to quantification in immunofluorescence.
Surface and Volume Changes in the Lens during Accommodation

I was excited by the results presented in the excellent paper by Sheppard et al.1 showing a 2.3% increase in lens volume and a decrease of 1.82% in surface during accommodation in human volunteers. I was very gratified that they acknowledged that we had predicted similar changes in human lens volume and surface based on mathematical modeling of human lens dimensions, using the Pappus theorem as well as our experimentally induced changes in lens dimensions of isolated cow lenses under conditions mimicking accommodation.2,3
Preadmission Predictors of Graduating Grade Point Average in a Professional Pharmacy Program

Background: College of pharmacy admissions committees face an important task in selecting students who will excel as practitioners. This task becomes more cumbersome as the number of applicants continues to increase. Established criteria as predictors of academic success in a pharmacy program would be valuable tools in the student admissions process. Objective: To determine which preadmission variables (eg, Pharmacy College Admission Test [PCAT] score, undergraduate grade point average [GPA], applicant interview scores) best predicted academic success for 3 consecutive college of pharmacy graduating classes. Methods: This investigation was a blinded, retrospective record review of 141 pharmacy students from the graduating classes of 2002, 2003, and 2004 at the Medical University of South Carolina. Linear regression analysis was used to model academic success (ie, graduating GPA) as predicted by demographics and preadmission performance indicators. Results: Undergraduate GPA, PCAT score, and applicant interview scores were all highly significant predictors of graduating GPA. Factors found to be not significantly related to graduating GPA were student Scholastic Assessment Test scores, education level, sex, age, and letters of reference. Conclusions: The composite PCAT, prepharmacy GPA, and applicant interview scores were significant predictors of graduation from a professional pharmacy program.
SUPPRESSION OF THE HOMOGRAFT RESPONSE BY PURINETHIOL NUCLEOSIDES.

SummaryTwo purinethiol nucleosides, α-2′-deoxythioguanosine and arabinosyl-6-mercaptopurine, suppress the homograft response in mice without producing host toxicity. Graft survivals were increased at dosage levels that, in the latter case, produced little or no inhibition of the induction of humoral antibodies.
Fusion–fission hybrids revisited

With the increasingly urgent need to find solutions to the impending energy crisis, there is growing interest within the fusion community in revisiting the concept of the fusion–fission hybrid reactor. But how soon could such reactors be realized, and could they meet the challenges of the coming century?