cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The additional burden of PTSD on functioning and depression in veterans with traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Background Many United States veterans and active military with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) also experience challenges from comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet the additional burden of PTSD is not clear. Purpose To address this knowledge gap, this study examined the relationship of PTSD to cognitive, social, and physical functioning and depressive symptoms in veterans recently diagnosed with TBI. Methods Veterans were recruited from a VA rehabilitation clinic. The Patient Competency Rating Scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale measured functioning and depression, respectively. Chart review captured PTSD diagnosis. Findings In the sample of 83 veterans, 65% had a current PTSD diagnosis. After controlling for sociodemographic variables and TBI severity, PTSD was a significant predictor of lower cognitive, social, and physical functioning and higher depressive symptomatology. Discussion Clinicians should incorporate PTSD assessment in their work with veterans with TBI. Integrated behavioral health and rehabilitation interventions that provide strategies for veterans to manage TBI symptoms and PTSD are critical.
Navigating Care From Afar: Ethical Considerations for Police Welfare Checks.

The clinical practice of contacting law enforcement to perform safety welfare checks for persons who have missed psychiatry appointments is commonly regarded as benign. However, in nonemergency sit...
Analyzing Thermal Buckling in Curvilinearly Stiffened Composite Plates with Arbitrary Shaped Cutouts Using Isogeometric Level Set Method.

In this paper we develop a new simple and effective isogeometric analysis for modeling thermal buckling of stiffened laminated composite plates with cutouts using level sets. We employ a first order shear deformation theory to approximate the displacement field of the stiffeners and the plate. Numerical modeling with a treatment of trimmed objects, such as internal cutouts in terms of NURBS-based isogeometric analysis presents several challenges, primarily due to need for using the tensor product of the NURBS basis functions. Due to this feature, the refinement operations can only be performed globally on the domain and not locally around the cutout. The new approach can overcome the drawbacks in modeling complex geometries with multiple-patches as the level sets are used to describe the internal cutouts; while the numerical integration is used only inside the physical domain. Results of parametric studies are presented which show the influence of ply orientation, size and orientation of the cutout and the position and profile of the curvilinear stiffeners. The numerical examples show high reliability and efficiency of the present method compared with other published solutions and ABAQUS.
Complications of Vaginoplasty

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in gender affirmation surgery amongst transgender and surgical communities. The rise in the demand for gender-affirming genital surgery will result in more patients seeking care for complications that can develop as a result of these surgeries. The main goal of a vaginoplasty is the construction of a perineogenital complex and vaginal canal that are both functional and feminine in appearance. Penile inversion vaginoplasty is currently the most commonly used technique. This chapter is a review of intraoperative, early, and delayed complications of penile inversion vaginoplasty. We place emphasis on complications that may present to urologists and address the evaluation and management of these conditions.
A qualitative examination of recent increases in methamphetamine use in a cohort of rural people who use drugs.

Abstract Introduction Rising rates of methamphetamine use among populations using opioids is an escalating public health concern. The purpose of this manuscript is to identify socioecologic factors driving increases in methamphetamine use among Appalachian Kentucky adults with a history of opioid use. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted among 20 Appalachian Kentuckians in the Social Network of Appalachian Peoples (SNAP) cohort who reported lifetime opioid use and past 30-day methamphetamine use. Interviews focused on initiation of methamphetamine use, factors that influence methamphetamine use at the individual, interpersonal, community and society levels. Results Participants reported using methamphetamine to self-treat underlying issues, including withdrawal from opioids, chronic pain, and emotional distress. Initiation of use was most often facilitated through their drug networks. Participants reported that methamphetamine was widely available and affordable in their community. Several participants with extensive histories of non-medical prescription opioid (NMPO) use described transitioning to methamphetamine as their drug of choice as opioids became less available in their community. Participants also reported economic distress and lack of recreational opportunities as drivers of increased methamphetamine use. Discussion Recent increases in methamphetamine use among those with a history of opioid use is facilitated by methamphetamine’s relative availability and affordability. Methamphetamine use was also highly influenced by societal factors such as economic deprivation and policies that decreased availability of NMPOs. Surging methamphetamine use exacerbates inequities in addiction care brought to light by the opioid epidemic. Interventions aimed at addressing the socioecological drivers of methamphetamine use among people who use opioids are warranted.
Heavy Trucks and Fatal Crashes: An Unresolved Dilemma

Heavy trucks are an integral part of the transportation system of the eighties. However, analyses of crashes from FARS, BMCS and North Carolina crash files indicate that heavy trucks pose great danger for occupants of vehicles with which they collide. Furthermore, during the past few years, fatal crash involvement rates have been dramatically increasing and in 1978, the rate was twice that of passenger cars. To account for the safety hazards associated with heavy trucks, three hypotheses have been suggested. Changes in design and in qualifying drivers are recommended to improve heavy truck safety.
Corrector Least Squares (CLS) Identification Algorithm for Adaptive Control

Of all the identification algorithms used in real-time applications, the recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithm and its extensions are the most popular. With most RLS implementations, severe restrictions on the system are required in order to insure the validity of the estimation, e.g., the plant parameters under investigation often are constrained to be time-invariant. The CLS method of this paper capable of identifying systems with changing parameters. The approach implements the notion of adaptation of the covariance matrix (or the gain vector) in a recursive fashion so that both fast and slow changes in dynamics of the system may be tracked with good accuracy. CLS also contains a novel data richness test, called the ratio test, to mitigate the problems of covariance blowup and parameter drift.
The renal safety of bowel preparations for colonoscopy: a comparative study of oral sodium phosphate solution and polyethylene glycol.

Summary Background Rare cases of nephrotoxicity have been reported with oral sodium phosphate solution (OSPS). Aim To evaluate whether OSPS is associated with changes in renal function. Methods A chart review performed on 311 patients who had colonoscopy at the James J. Peters VA Medical Centre prepared with either OSPS (n = 157) or polyethylene glycol (PEG) (n = 154). Patients had a baseline serum creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dL. Effect of bowel preparation on the renal function was evaluated by measuring the absolute change in levels of serum creatinine and the proportion of patients who developed a 50% or more increase above their baseline serum creatinine value. Results Oral sodium phosphate solution resulted in a slight increase in serum creatinine from 1.0 ± 0.02 to 1.1 ± 0.02 mg/dL (P = 0.07) and PEG resulted in a small decrease in serum creatinine from 1.1 ± 0.02 to 1.0 ± 0.03 mg/dL (P = 0.03). The absolute change in serum creatinine was slightly higher with OSPS than with PEG (0.04 ± 0.02 vs. −0.05 ± 0.02 mg/dL; P = 0.005). However, the proportion of patients who had a ≥50% increase above their baseline creatinine was similar (OSPS vs. PEG, 5% vs. 3%, P = 0.77). Conclusions Oral sodium phosphate solution was associated with a slight increase in serum creatinine, which was not clinically significant. Renal toxicity from OSPS appears to be minimal when used in patients with serum creatinine value <1.5 mg/dL.
Quantity and Quality of Inhaled Dose Predicts Immunopathology in Tuberculosis

Experimental animal models of tuberculosis (TB) have convincingly demonstrated that inhaled dose predicts immunopathology and survival. In contrast, the importance of inhaled dose has generally not been appreciated in TB epidemiology, clinical science, or the practice of TB control. Infectiousness of TB patients has traditionally been assessed using microscopy for acid-fast bacilli in the sputum, which should be considered only a risk factor. We have recently demonstrated that cough aerosol cultures from index cases with pulmonary TB are the best predictors of new infection among household contacts. We suggest that cough aerosols of M. tuberculosis are the best surrogates of inhaled dose, and we hypothesize that the quantity of cough aerosols is associated with TB infection versus disease. Although several factors affect the quality of infectious aerosols, we propose that the particle size distribution of cough aerosols is an important predictor of primary upper airway disease and cervical lymphadenitis and of immune responses in exposed hosts. We hypothesize that large droplet aerosols (> 5 microns) containing M. tuberculosis deposit in the upper airway and can induce immune responses without establishing infection. We suggest that this may partially explain the large proportion of humans who never develop TB disease in spite of having immunological evidence of M. tuberculosis infection (e.g. positive TST or IGRA). If these hypotheses are proven true, they would alter the current paradigm of latent TB infection and reactivation, further demonstrating the need for better biomarkers or methods of assessing TB infection and the risk of developing disease.
From Baby Steps to Leapfrog: How ``Less is More'' in Unsupervised Dependency Parsing

We present three approaches for unsupervised grammar induction that are sensitive to data complexity and apply them to Klein and Manning's Dependency Model with Valence. The first, Baby Steps, bootstraps itself via iterated learning of increasingly longer sentences and requires no initialization. This method substantially exceeds Klein and Manning's published scores and achieves 39.4% accuracy on Section 23 (all sentences) of the Wall Street Journal corpus. The second, Less is More, uses a low-complexity subset of the available data: sentences up to length 15. Focusing on fewer but simpler examples trades off quantity against ambiguity; it attains 44.1% accuracy, using the standard linguistically-informed prior and batch training, beating state-of-the-art. Leapfrog, our third heuristic, combines Less is More with Baby Steps by mixing their models of shorter sentences, then rapidly ramping up exposure to the full training set, driving up accuracy to 45.0%. These trends generalize to the Brown corpus; awareness of data complexity may improve other parsing models and unsupervised algorithms.
Understanding Factors Associated with Teacher-Directed Student Use of Technology in Elementary Classrooms: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

Analyses presented here are secondary data analyses of the Use, Support and Effect of Instructional Technology study aimed at identifying predictors of teacher-directed student use of technology (TDS) in elementary classrooms. Using data from a convenience sample of 1040 teachers nested within 81 schools in 21 Massachusetts' school districts, researchers developed a teacher-level structural equation modeling for TDS depicting relationships between and among factors associated with TDS. Researchers relied on diffusion and adoption theories as well as prior empirical evidence to specify the hypothetical model. Evidence presented here suggests that the strongest predictors of TDS are as follows: (1) teachers' experience with technology, (2) belief that technology is beneficial to meet instructional goals, (3) perceived importance of technology for teaching and that (4) experiencing obstacles with the integration of technology appears to be one deterrent to teachers using technology in the classroom. The most important finding reported here is that two of the most important factors in increasing TDS are teachers' beliefs about the benefits of technology and perceived importance of technology for teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Protection of the oral mucosa by salivary histatin‐5 against Candida albicans in an ex vivo murine model of oral infection

The oral cavity is a primary target for opportunistic infections, particularly oral candidiasis caused by Candida albicans. A commensal fungus commonly colonizing mucosal surfaces, under conditions of immune dysfunction, C. albicans can become a pathogen causing recurrent infections. Yet, the role of host oral innate immunity in the development of candidiasis is not fully elucidated. Specifically, the host salivary antimicrobial peptide histatin-5 (Hst-5) has been proposed to play a protective role in the oral cavity against C. albicans. However, investigations demonstrating its efficacy on oral tissue have been lacking. To this end, in this study, an ex vivo murine model of oral infection was developed. Viable C. albicans counts and histopathological analyses demonstrated a significant protective effect for Hst-5 on mouse oral tissue against C. albicans. More importantly, host saliva exerted a comparable anticandidal effect. However, this effect was neutralized upon treatment of saliva with proteases and C. albicans, previously shown to degrade Hst-5, indicating that Hst-5 is likely the salivary component responsible for the observed protection. Combined, the findings from this study demonstrate for the first time the efficacy of salivary Hst-5 in protecting host oral tissue against C. albicans infection, thereby affirming the therapeutic potential of this natural host peptide.
Muscular Imbalances Resulting in a Clawed Hallux

A clawed hallux is a deformity of the great toe resulting from a muscular imbalance. Using a cadaveric foot-loading frame, we quantitatively assessed the role of the peroneus longus (PL), extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) on position and pressure distribution of the first ray by simulating muscle imbalances. The experimental protocol included applying seven different combinations of simulated disproportionate loads ("overpulls") for these three muscles using midstance force values derived from the literature. This study quantified the angular change in the joints of the first ray and measured the plantar pressure beneath the head of the first metatarsal and the hallux. The results indicated that the peroneus longus was statistically the greatest contributor to the elevation of plantar pressure beneath the first metatarsal, while the EHL and FHL were primarily responsible for the angular changes resulting in the clawed hallux deformity.
Dynamic Compression Promotes Cartilage-Like Functional Properties in MSC-Seeded Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels

The specialized function of articular cartilage in distributing stresses during normal joint movement must be recapitulated in a successful engineered cartilage repair. Chondrocytes can generate in vitro cartilage constructs with mechanical properties at or near native levels [1–3] when cultured in specialized media formulations. While these advances in chondrocyte-based tissue engineering are highly instructive, the difficulty of obtaining sufficient numbers of healthy autologous chondrocytes represents a considerable challenge. To circumvent this limitation, many have evaluated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), an autologous cell type that can be expanded in vitro and with a demonstrated capacity for chondrogenic differentiation. Despite their potential, MSC-based engineered cartilage has yet to achieve functional properties comparable to those produced by chondrocytes in 3D culture [4–6].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Secretory protein trafficking: genetic and biochemical analysis.

Acute insulin secretion from stimulated pancreatic β-cells is derived from the intracellular pool of insulin secretory granules wherein insulin is packaged in a highly concentrated (and in some species, crystalline) state. Here we review experimental work, principally from our laboratory, on the question of biogenesis of mature secretory granules within the broader context of intracellular protein trafficking. Events occurring in the lumen of organelles at various stages of intracellular transport within the secretory pathway and events at the limiting membrane of newly forming secretory granules each contribute to formation of the insulin storage compartment comprising the readily releasable pool.
Review: Using company web sites to e-recruit qualified applicants: A job marketing based review of theory-based research

In their rapidly expanding attempts to use company web sites to e-recruit job applicants in a world-wide labor market, employers have often found their hiring systems to be unexpectedly overwhelmed by large numbers of applications from poorly qualified individuals. To both limit and understand this phenomenon, this article employs a job marketing perspective to organize and review contemporary theory-based studies of the effects of web site recruiting sources on job seeker attitudes and employment application behaviors. To accomplish this task, recruiting research based on theoretical elements of Realistic Job Previews (RJPs), Person-Organization (P-O) Fit, the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and signaling theory is examined in terms of its implications for the ability of companies to e-recruit high quality job applicants. Overall, results of this analysis reveal that each of these theoretical areas offer useful insights but that considerably more theory-based research is needed to assess the effect of e-recruiting sources on the attitudes and decisions of highly qualified job seekers actively engaged in the job search process.
An Improved Model for Predicting Heat Losses and Pressure Changes in Steam Injection Wells—Part 1: Model Development

Confrontation du modele presente, dans la premiere partie de l'article, aux donnees experimentales publiees dans la litterature et au modele de Farouq Ali et Earlougher. Utilisation du modele presente pour estimer les pertes de chaleur en fonction du temps, de la pression et de la vitesse d'injection de la vapeur dans le puits. Prevision de la pression en fond de puits et de la qualite de la vapeur en fonction de la vitesse et de la pression d'injection et de la profondeur du puits
Geographical and organizational distances in enterprise crowdfunding

Enterprise crowdfunding offers a series of opportunities for voluntary or unplanned collaborations within organizations. In an enterprise crowdfunding experiment, we study the influence of interpersonal attributes-in-common on collaborations. Using ideas from Homophily Theory and Social Identity Theory, we analyze attributes-in-common in terms of multiple identity facets: of geography, of formal corporate structure, and of working groups/teams. We combine quantitative and self-report data to show how each identity facet has an influence on the likelihood of voluntary collaborations, and we show their "superadditive" combination. We propose new questions for theory, and we consider how our results can lead to new features and technologies to enhance voluntary collaborations in organizations.
Oscillations of a vapour cavity in a rotating cylindrical tank

Oscillations of elongated spheroidal liquid-vapor interface in circular cylindrical tank rotating in zero gravity
Tissue deamination of l-amino acids in the teleost Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill)☆

Abstract 1. 1. Deamination of l -amino acids was determined in liver, kidney and gill tissue of the walleye ( Stizostedion vitreum ). 2. 2. l -asparagine and l -glutamine were found to be deaminated at the highest specific rates for the tissues examined. 3. 3. Results obtained suggest the liver and kidney in this species are important sites of ammonia production and gill tissue plays a minor role.
The normalization constant in (3He, α) reactions

Abstract The normalization constant in DWBA theory of (3He, α) pick-up reactions is evaluated in zero-range and local-energy approximations with the aid of realistic 3He and α-particle wave functions and a spin-dependent nucleon-nucleon interaction. The 3He ground state wave function includes a state of mixed symmetry, which we find to have little effect on N( 3 He , α) , in sharp contrast to the results of our recent (3He, d) and (3H, d) calculations. We cite evidence in support of the direct method of finding N and against Bassel's method of invoking the Schrodinger equations of the few-nucleon systems.
Communication Privacy Management in Electronic Commerce

This study applies Petronio’s Communication Privacy Management theory (CPM) to understand the tension between information disclosure and privacy within e-commerce relationships. It proposes that consumers manage their privacy concerns through decisions to reveal or conceal information about themselves in interactions with online retailers. The study investigates the degree to which privacy management strategies identified by CPM theory to regulate privacy and disclosure within interpersonal relationships, including withholding and falsifying information, as well as seeking information seeking from a relational partner, operate in the computer-mediated context of e-commerce relational transactions. Findings suggest that online consumers do erect boundaries around personal information and form rules to decide when to reveal information that are consistent with CPM theory. Overall, this study provides knowledge about privacy in online commercial transactions, serves as a basis for more directed theory construction in this arena, and has important practical and policy implications.
Correlation functions of hadron currents in the QCD vacuum calculated in lattice QCD.

Point-to-point vacuum correlation functions for spatially separated hadron currents are calculated in quenched lattice QCD on a 16[sup 3][times]24 lattice with 6/[ital g][sup 2]=5.7. The lattice data are analyzed in terms of dispersion relations, which enable us to extract physical information from small distances where asymptotic freedom is apparent to large distances where the hadronic resonances dominate. In the pseudoscalar, vector, and axial vector channels where experimental data or phenomenological information are available, semiquantitative agreement is obtained. In the nucleon and [Delta] channels, where no experimental data exist, our lattice data complement experiments. Comparison with approximations based on sum rules and interacting instantons are made, and technical details of the lattice calculation are described.
Excimer-laser-produced nanostructures in polymers

The ability of excimer lasers to modify the surface morphology and the electrical conductivity of polymers with spatial resolution on a nanometer scale has been demonstrated. Using holographic techniques with a KrF excimer laser, periodic line structures with periods ranging from 166 to 950 nm have been ablated into polyimide (Kapton) and polybenzimidazole (PBI). The nonlinear nature of laser ablation allows linewidths as small as 30 nm to be obtained, exceeding the resolution expected from linear optics. These experiments establish a new spatial resolution limit for laser ablation and illustrate the dependence of resolution on material properties. This technique has been combined with the ability to modify the electrical conductivity of polymers to produce an array of permanently electrically conducting wires in polyimide with a 0.5-μm width and a 0.9-μm period. The electrical conductivity of these submicrometer wires was greater than 1 Ω -1 cm -1 .
Modeling of the Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Abstract The similarity which exists between the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer and a wind tunnelboundary layer developing over a cold plate is illustrated. It is shown that mean flow and turbulence characteristics in the near wall region of the stratified boundary layer are well described by Monin and Obukhovssimilarity theory, and that this theory provides a good basis for modeling in the laboratory of similar characteristics of the atmospheric surface layer. Various forms of stability parameters are shown to be universallyrelated.
Functional interactions among microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs

In mammals, the vast majority of transcripts expressed are noncoding RNAs, ranging from short RNAs (including microRNAs) to long RNAs spanning up to hundreds of kb. While the actions of microRNAs as destabilizers and repressors of the translation of protein-coding transcripts (mRNAs) have been studied in detail, the influence of microRNAs on long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) function is only now coming into view. Conversely, the influence of lncRNAs upon microRNA function is also rapidly emerging. In some cases, lncRNA stability is reduced through the interaction of specific miRNAs. In other cases, lncRNAs can act as microRNA decoys, with the sequestration of microRNAs favoring expression of repressed target mRNAs. Other lncRNAs derepress gene expression by competing with miRNAs for interaction with shared target mRNAs. Finally, some lncRNAs can produce miRNAs, leading to repression of target mRNAs. These microRNA-lncRNA regulatory paradigms modulate gene expression patterns that drive major cellular processes (such as cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell death) which are central to mammalian physiologic and pathologic processes. We review and summarize the types of microRNA-lncRNA crosstalk identified to-date and discuss their influence on gene expression programs.
Tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure: a pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the role of tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure in randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials using pooled meta-analysis techniques. Methods: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials of at least 12 months duration in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure who had experienced a prior cardiovascular event or were at high cardiovascular risk were selected. A total of 10 328 patients (43 517 patient-years) from four selected trials were used for meta-analysis. Relative risk estimations were made using data pooled from the selected trials and statistical significance was determined using the Chi-squared test (two-sided alpha error <0.05). The number of patients needed to treat was also calculated. Results: Tissue ACE inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 14.9% (p = 0.022), myocardial infarction by 20.8% (p = 0.002) and the need for invasive coronary revascularization by 14% (p = 0.015) when compared to placebo. The risk of all-cause mortality also tended to be lower among patients randomized to tissue ACE inhibitors, whereas the risks of stroke and hospitalization for heart failure were not significantly affected. Treating about 65 patients with tissue ACE inhibitors for about 4.2 years would prevent one myocardial infarction, whereas treating about 85 patients would prevent one cardiovascular death. Conclusion: Pooled meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials suggests that tissue ACE inhibitors modestly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death and tend to reduce overall mortality in diabetic patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure.
Radiometric determination of cytidine 5'-triphosphate in biological materials.

Abstract A simple and sensitive radioenzymic method is described for the direct determination of cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP) in the range of 1 to 9 nmol in perchloric acid extracts of tissue. The method involves a specific conversion of CTP and [1,2- 14 C]phosphorylethanolamine to labeled CDP-ethanolamine using purified CTP:phosphorylethanolamine cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.14). The [ 14 C]CDP-ethanolamine formed is isolated on a Dowex 1-formate column taking advantage of the selectivity of borate complexing. A spectrophotometric method for determining CTP in standard solutions is also described.
Vascular endothelial growth factor in heart failure

Heart failure is a devastating condition, the progression of which culminates in a mismatch of oxygen supply and demand, with limited options for treatment. Heart failure has several underlying causes including, but not limited to, ischaemic heart disease, valvular dysfunction, and hypertensive heart disease. Dysfunctional blood vessel formation is a major problem in advanced heart failure, regardless of the aetiology. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the cornerstone cytokine involved in the formation of new vessels. A multitude of investigations, at both the preclinical and clinical levels, have garnered valuable information on the potential utility of targeting VEGF as a treatment option for heart failure. However, clinical trials of VEGF gene therapy in patients with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease have not, to date, demonstrated clinical benefit. In this Review, we outline the biological characterization of VEGF, and examine the evidence for its potential therapeutic application, including the novel concept of VEGF as adjuvant therapy to stem cell transplantation, in patients with heart failure.
Chronic rejection: the next major challenge for pancreas transplant recipients.

Objective. With newer immunosuppressive agents, acute rejection and graft loss resulting from acute rejection have become less common for pancreas transplant recipients. As long-term graft survival rates have improved, an increasing number of grafts are being lost to chronic rejection (CR). We studied the incidence of CR and identified risk factors. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed all cadaver pancreas transplants performed at the University of Minnesota between June 19, 1994, and December 31, 2002. We determined the causes of graft loss, the incidence of graft loss to CR and, using multivariate techniques, the major risk factors for CR. Results. A total of 914 cadaver pancreas transplants were performed in the following three categories: simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) (n=321), pancreas after kidney (PAK) (n=389), and pancreas transplant alone (PTA) (n=204). The mean recipient age was 41.3 years and the mean donor age was 30.1 years. Of the 914 pancreas grafts, 643 (70.3%) continue to function (mean length of follow-up, 39 months). The most common cause of graft loss was technical failure, accounting for 118 (12.9%) of the failed grafts. The second most common cause was CR, accounting for 80 (8.8%) of the failed grafts. The incidence of graft loss to CR was highest for PTA (n=23 [11.3%]) and PAK (n = 45 [11.6%]) recipients and lowest for SPK recipients (n=12 [3.7%]) (P=0.002). By multivariate analysis, the most significant risk factors for graft loss to CR were a previous episode of acute rejection (relative risk [RR]=4.41, P<0.0001), an isolated (vs. simultaneous) transplant (PAK or PTA [vs. SPK], RR=3.02, P=0.002), cytomegalovirus infection posttransplant (RR=2.41, P=0.001), a retransplant (versus primary transplant) (RR=2.27, P=0.004), and one or two (vs. zero) antigen mismatches at the B loci (RR=1.68, P=0.04). Conclusions. As short-term pancreas transplant results improve and as isolated (PAK or PTA) pancreas transplants gain in popularity, CR will become increasingly common as a cause of pancreas graft loss.
Do Genetic Susceptibility, Toll-like Receptors, and Pathogen-associated Molecular Patterns Modulate the Effects of Wear?

Background Overwhelming evidence supports the concept that wear particles are the primary initiator of aseptic loosening of orthopaedic implants. It is likely, however, that other factors modulate the biologic response to wear particles. This review focuses on three potential other factors: genetic susceptibility, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and bacterial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).
Life stress and social supports in depressed inpatients.

Abstract The presence of adequate social supports has been associated with a reduced incidence of psychological symptoms. It is unclear, however, whether the protective influence of social supports is because of a direct positive effect on psychological functioning or a stress-buffering effect. Furthermore, most research on life stress and social supports has focused on community-based rather than clinical samples. The present study attempts to clarify the relationship between life stress and social supports related to psychological symptoms in 84 adult, nonpsychotic, depressed inpatients. Subjects were categorized according to their responses on the Life Experiences Survey and the Social Supports Inventory. Subjects were then assessed using both structured interviews and self-report measures of depression and suicide potential, as well as other psychological symptoms. Although both life stress and social supports were significantly related to a variety of psychological symptoms, the interaction between t...
Intrinsic structural distortion in orthorhombic perovskite oxides

Octahedra in the orthorhombic perovskite structure are not rigid. The bond-length splitting at an octahedral site can be described by two degenerate vibration modes, the orthorhombic ${Q}_{2}$ and the tetragonal ${Q}_{3}$. A polar plot of $r=\ensuremath{\rho}={({Q}_{2}^{2}+{Q}_{2}^{2})}^{1/2}$ and $\ensuremath{\phi}={\text{tan}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}({Q}_{3}/{Q}_{2})$ has been made to map out the site distortion as a function of the rare-earth ionic size for three families, $R{\text{FeO}}_{3}$, $R{\text{VO}}_{3}$, and $R{\text{MnO}}_{3}$. The octahedral-site distortion deduced from $R{\text{FeO}}_{3}$ is found to be intrinsic to orthorhombic perovskites and to strongly bias orbital ordering and spin ordering in compounds that have the same structure.
Phylogenetic relationships and evolution of the KNOTTED class of plant homeodomain proteins

Knotted-like (KNOX) proteins constitute a group of homeodomain proteins involved in pattern formation in developing tissues of angiosperms and other green plants. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of all known KNOX proteins in order to examine their evolution. Our analyses reveal two groups of KNOX proteins, classes I and II. Dicot and monocot sequences occur in both classes, indicating that the protein classes arose prior to the origin of the monocots. A conifer (Picea) sequence is nested within class I, suggesting that there are likely to be other copies of KNOX genes in this and other conifers. The orthology of several grass genes (including Zea Kn1, ZMKN1) is strongly supported by phylogenetic and synteny analyses. However, no compelling evidence supports the hypothesis of orthology previously proposed for several dicot genes and ZMKN1. Analysis of expression patterns suggests that the ancestral KNOX gene was expressed in all plant parts and that the propensity to be downregulated in roots and leaves evolved in the class I genes.
Serotonin inhibits Na+/H+ exchange activity via 5-HT4 receptors and activation of PKCα in human intestinal epithelial cells

Background & Aims: : Increased serotonin levels have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diarrhea associated with celiac and inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of serotonin on Na + /H + exchange (NHE) activity in the human intestine have not been investigated fully. The present studies examined the acute effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on NHE activity using Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model. Methods: : Caco-2 cells were treated with 5-HT (.1 μmol/L, 1 h) and NHE activity was measured as ethyl-isopropyl-amiloride (EIPA)-sensitive 22 Na uptake. The effect of 5-HT receptor-specific agonists and antagonists was examined. The role of signaling intermediates in 5-HT-mediated effects on NHE activity was elucidated using pharmacologic inhibitors and immunoblotting. Results: : NHE activity was inhibited significantly (∼50%–75%, P max ) without any changes in apparent affinity (K m ) for the substrate Na + . NHE inhibition involved a decrease of both NHE2 and NHE3 activities. Studies using specific inhibitors and agonists showed that the effects of 5-HT were mediated by 5-HT4 receptors. 5-HT-mediated inhibition of NHE activity was dependent on phosphorylation of phospholipase C γ 1 (PLCγ1) via activation of src-kinases. Signaling pathways downstream of PLCγ1 involved increase of intracellular Ca 2+ levels and subsequent activation of protein kinase C α (PKCα). The effects of 5-HT on NHE activity were not cell-line specific because T84 cells also showed NHE inhibition. Conclusions: : A better understanding of the regulation of Na + absorption by 5-HT offers the potential for providing insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in various diarrheal and inflammatory disorders.
Teaching and Learning Recovery

Abstract Teaching recovery is recommended for inclusion in the curriculum and clinical experiences of all health professionals. Recovery is a continuum which starts with intervention and detoxification. It extends, over years, to stable, secure, or serene sobriety. Vaillant has described the necessary conditions for this process as abstinence, substitute dependencies, behavioral and medical consequences, enhanced hope and self-esteem, and social support in the form of unambivalent relationships. The easiest way to obtain these conditions in the continuing treatment of addictive disorders is to work a 12-step program of recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can serve as both a model for teaching and a source of valuable field experience in health professional education. The main components of working a 12-step program are attending meetings, choosing and participating in a home group, developing and using a phone list, and working the steps with the help of a sponsor. The recovery status exam is recommended ...
Construction of high quality Gateway™ entry libraries and their application to yeast two-hybrid for the monocot model plant Brachypodium distachyon.

Monocots, especially the temperate grasses, represent some of the most agriculturally important crops for both current food needs and future biofuel development. Because most of the agriculturally important grass species are difficult to study (e.g., they often have large, repetitive genomes and can be difficult to grow in laboratory settings), developing genetically tractable model systems is essential. Brachypodium distachyon (hereafter Brachypodium) is an emerging model system for the temperate grasses. To fully realize the potential of this model system, publicly accessible discovery tools are essential. High quality cDNA libraries that can be readily adapted for multiple downstream purposes are a needed resource. Additionally, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) libraries are an important discovery tool for protein-protein interactions and are not currently available for Brachypodium. We describe the creation of two high quality, publicly available Gateway™ cDNA entry libraries and their derived Y2H libraries for Brachypodium. The first entry library represents cloned cDNA populations from both short day (SD, 8/16-h light/dark) and long day (LD, 20/4-h light/dark) grown plants, while the second library was generated from hormone treated tissues. Both libraries have extensive genome coverage (~5 × 107 primary clones each) and average clone lengths of ~1.5 Kb. These entry libraries were then used to create two recombination-derived Y2H libraries. Initial proof-of-concept screens demonstrated that a protein with known interaction partners could readily re-isolate those partners, as well as novel interactors. Accessible community resources are a hallmark of successful biological model systems. Brachypodium has the potential to be a broadly useful model system for the grasses, but still requires many of these resources. The Gateway™ compatible entry libraries created here will facilitate studies for multiple user-defined purposes and the derived Y2H libraries can be immediately applied to large scale screening and discovery of novel protein-protein interactions. All libraries are freely available for distribution to the research community.
Qualitative analyses of communicable disease models

Abstract Deterministic communicable disease models which are initial value problems for a system of ordinary differential equations are considered, where births and deaths occur at equal rates with all newborns being susceptible. Asymptotic stability regions are determined for the equilibrium points for models involving temporary immunity, disease-related fatalities, carriers, migration, dissimilar interacting groups, and transmission by vectors. Epidemiological interpretations of all results are given.
Human Oral Mucosa and Gingiva A Unique Reservoir for Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of progenitor cells with self-renewal and multipotent differentiation potential. Aside from their regenerative role, extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that MSCs are capable of potent immunomodulatory effects on a variety of innate and adaptive immune cells. In this article, we will review recent experimental studies on the characterization of a unique population of MSCs derived from human oral mucosa and gingiva, especially their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions and their application in the treatment of several in vivo models of inflammatory diseases. The ease of isolation, accessible tissue source, and rapid ex vivo expansion, with maintenance of stable stem-cell-like phenotypes, render oral mucosa- and gingiva-derived MSCs a promising alternative cell source for MSC-based therapies.
Off-diagonal long-range order, pair distribution function, and structure factor of the ideal Fermi gas in D dimensions and Price's inequality.

The one-particle density matrix in the coordinate representation is calculated for the ideal Fermi gas in general D dimensions and a slow decay form of off-diagonal long-range order (ODLRO) is demonstrated therein. The pair distribution function and the structure factor are deduced from the one-particle density matrix. Their deviations from the classical values are viewed as a measure of the quantum phase, manifesting the existence of ODLRO. An upper bound on the structure factor due to Price [Phys. Rev. 94, 257 (1954)] is tested with our general solution and is also applied to the interacting electron gas.
Effects of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine on morphine depnendence.

The effects of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (aMpT) on the initial liability to consume oral morphine solution and on withdrawal following cessation of passive morphine administration were assessed. aMpT depressed consumption of oral morphine solution if aMpT was administered throughout a nine day period of morphine intake; when aMpT administration was stopped a day prior to presentation of morphine solution, subsequent intakte of morphine was enhanced. Following cessation of passive morphine administration, aMpT was found to ameliorate withdrawal-induced weight loss; this effect occurred to a similar extent regardless of whether aMpT was administered only during the first withdrawal day, only on days of morphine administration or during both periods of morphine administration and withdrawal. These results implicate an important role of catecholamines in addiction and dependence to morphine.
Scaling of flow separation on a pitching low aspect ratio plate

We use two different dye injection approaches, in two different water tunnels, to visualize the formation and subsequent evolution of leading-edge vortices and related separated structures, for a pitching low aspect ratio plate. The motion is a smoothed linear pitch ramp from 0° to 40° incidence, brief hold, and return to 0°, executed at reduced pitch rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.35 and about various pivot locations. All cases evince a leading edge vortex with pronounced axial flow, which leads to formation of large-scale, three-dimensional flow structures, culminating in a large vortical structure centered at the wing symmetry plane. Pitch is also compared to plunge, where the plunge-induced angle of attack is taken as the geometric pitch incidence angle, ignoring pitch-rate effects. At successively increasing values of convective time C/U, the three-dimensional patterns of the flow structure are remarkably similar for the pitching and plunging motions. The similarity of these patterns persists, though they are shifted in time, for variation of either the location of the pitching axis or the dimensionless pitch rate.
Gender and Work Values: Survey Findings from a Working-Class Sample.

Traditional propositions concerning gender roles and work values are tested, investigating empirical connections between work values and other variables such as marital status, parenting responsibilities, and age. Both men and women were most likely to select two intrinsic work values—chance to learn new things and chance to use skills and abilities. Women were more likely than men to select a high number of intrinsic values. Male-female differences in work values were found to be situational. The presence of children seemed to heighten sex differences in this working-class sample, particularly in the salience of intrinsic work values for women. Women with children were in the category most likely to select a high number of intrinsic and extrinsic work values.
Superconducting properties of V 3 Ga composite wires

Studies of the superconducting properties of V 3 Ga single filament composite wires grown by solid state reaction are presented. The three alloy compositions investigated were: V/Cu-15.4 at.% Ga, V-6.1 at.% Ga/Cu- 15.4 at.% Ga and V-9.0 at.% Ga/Cu-17.5 at.% Ga. Critical currents were measured at 4.2K in transverse magnetic fields to 175kG and transition temperature data were obtained by ac mutual inductance techniques for V 3 Ga formed at temperatures from 525°C-700°C. Growth rates for V 3 Ga were strongly influenced by alloy composition and formation temperature with more rapid growth occurring in composite wires with higher Ga contents. In addition to the more rapid growth rates obtained, a factor of 10 improvement in the critical current density (J c ) also was exhibited in V 3 Ga grown at 600°C in the V- 9.0 at.%/Cu-17.5 at.% Ga composite specimen. The best J c observed to date was 106A/cm2in a transverse magnetic field of 100kG for a wire reacted at 550°C.
A treatment planning method to avoid the larynx and eliminate the match-line in the treatment of head and neck cancer with intensity-modulated radiation therapy

Purpose This study aims to investigate a new planning method that avoids the match-line while maintaining larynx protection as in split field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and to evaluate the potential match-line dose variations with split IMRT.