cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Properties of Self-Assembly Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels: Insights Into Assembly Techniques

Coronary artery disease remains to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized nations. Current treatments for small diameter grafts are limited by the availability of suitable autologous vessels and high thrombogenic potential of synthetic grafts. There is a clinical need to development of tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBV) suitable for vascular by pass grafting.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
A model for the correlation of mutation rate with GC content and the origin of GC-rich isochores.

Based on the biochemical kinetics of DNA replication and mutagenesis, including misincorporation and correction, a model has been developed for studying the relationships among the mutation rate (u), the G+C content of the sequence (f), and the G+C proportion in the nucleotide precursor pool (N). Also a measure for the next-nucleotide effect, called the maximum capacity of the next-nucleotide effect (MC), has been proposed. Under the normal physiological conditions of mammalian germ cells, our results indicate: (1) the equilibrium G+C content in a sequence is approximately equal to the G+C proportion in the nucleotide precursor pool, i.e., f approximately N, which is independent of the next-nucleotide effect; (2) an inverted-V-shaped distribution of mutation rates with respect to G+C contents is predicted, when the next-nucleotide effect is week, i.e., MC approximately 1; (3) the distribution becomes flatter (i.e., inverted-U-shaped) as MC increases, but the peak at 50% GC is still observed when MC 2.8, that is, when the next-nucleotide effect becomes strong. Our results suggest that changes in the relative concentrations of nucleotide precursors can cause variations among genes both in mutation rate and in G+C content and that compositional isochores (DNA segments with a homogeneous G+C content) can arise in a genome due to differences in replication times of DNA segments.
Effects of age and sex on rat bile acid metabolism.

SummaryA study was made of the effects of age (1 through 450 days) and sex on bile acid half-lives, pool sizes, and spectra. No significant sex or age differences were found in the cholic or chenodeoxycholic pool half-lives. Chenodeoxycholic acid half-lives were considerably shorter than corresponding cholic acid half-lives in all groups (cholic acid ≅ 3.5 days; chenodeoxycholic acid ≅ 2.0 days). With respect to pool sizes, from 1 through 15 days the pools of females and males were equal in size and contained only cholic acid, possibly because the liver enzyme systems necessary for chenodeoxycholic acid synthesis had not yet developed. From 27 through 450 days, the pools of females contained major concentrations of both cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid. In contrast the male pools from 46 to 450 days contained only traces of chenodeoxycholic acid, along with cholic acid concentrations about equal to those of female rats. This lack of chenodeoxycholic acid in the male bile acid pool, which could result from...
Mouse Model for the Measurement of Virulence of Species of Campylobacter

COLLEAGUES Many animal models have been proposed for infection with Campylobacter spp. [1-6]. We have developed an animal model, using adult (18-20 g) Cox-Swiss female mice, that is inexpensive, easy to use, and representative of the human illness caused by Campylobacter. All Campylobacter strains used in this work were grown overnight with shaking in casamino acids-yeast extract (CYE) broth [7] supplemented with 10 tig of ferric chloride/ml. All cultures were incubated at 38 C in an atmosphere of 85% nitrogen, 10% carbon dioxide, and 5% oxygen; they were centrifuged at 10,000 g for 30 min and resuspended in CYE broth. Ip inoculation of mice with >106 but 106 but <109 cfu resembled human Campylobacter infections, higher doses (109 cfu) resulted in severe illness characterized by diarrhea, lachrymation, ruffled fur, shaking, and inactivity, followed by death within 48 hr. (The LD50 [8] for strain CH5 is 109 cfu.) Pretreatment of mice with 0.1 ml of 1% ferric chloride before injection of culture did not alter the LD50. Iron-injected mice given doses 108 cfu of C. jejuni, however, had a noticeably more severe diarrhea characterized by wet bottoms that were heavily soiled with sticky fecal material. Animals receiving doses <106 cfu of strain CH5 showed no symptoms of disease.
Facial trauma and 3-D reconstructive imaging: insufficiencies and correctives.

PURPOSE To address the clinical relevance of and optimal technique for 3-D CT imaging of facial trauma. METHODS Bioengineered cadaveric models were developed to enhance the concepts of LeFort. Diverse CT imaging techniques were applied to obtain optimal data sets for processing on various 3-D workstations. The fidelity of the 3-D reconstructions was determined by comparison with photographs of the cadaveric models. Optimized 3-D images were then used in conjunction with the initial 2-D data sets to assess whether additional accuracy was contributed by the 3-D images in the evaluation of modeled facial fractures. RESULTS Image definition was heavily dependent upon the specific 3-D reconstruction algorithm and the processor utilized. Orbital fractures were best imaged when 1- to 1.5-mm coronal sections were processed on an advanced 3-D workstation. The 3-D CT images resulted in additional accuracy in the 2-D CT evaluation of facial fractures in 29% of trials. CONCLUSIONS We believe that bioengineered models of facial trauma--matched with appropriate CT scanning parameters--facilitate graphically reliable 3-D reconstructive imaging. 3-D reconstructions can improve accuracy in the 2-D CT evaluation of facial trauma.
Residual sleep disturbances following PTSD treatment in active duty military personnel.

Objective Sleep disturbances, including nightmares and insomnia, are frequently reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms to persist after evidence-based PTSD treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in a sample of active duty military personnel before and after receiving therapy for PTSD in a clinical trial and to explore the associations of insomnia and nightmares with PTSD diagnosis after treatment. Method Sleep parameters were evaluated with the PTSD Checklist in 108 active duty U.S. Army soldiers who had completed at least one deployment in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and who participated in a randomized clinical trial comparing Group Cognitive Processing Therapy-Cognitive Only Version with Group Present-Centered Therapy. Results Insomnia was the most frequently reported symptom before and after treatment, with 92% reporting insomnia at baseline and 74%-80% reporting insomnia at follow-up. Nightmares were reported by 69% at baseline and by 49%-55% at follow-up. Among participants who no longer met criteria for PTSD following treatment, 57% continued to report insomnia, but only 13% continued to report nightmares. At baseline, 54% were taking sleep medications, but sleep medication use did not affect the overall results. Conclusions Insomnia was found to be one of the most prevalent and persistent problems among service members receiving PTSD treatment. Nightmares were relatively more positively responsive to treatment. For some service members with PTSD, the addition of specific treatments targeting insomnia and/or nightmares may be indicated. (PsycINFO Database Record
Scalar Plane Wave Scattering

In this chapter we consider one of the simplest non-trivial scattering problems, that of plane wave scattering from an interface. The latter separates two different fluids (or two gases, or a fluid and a gas). The problem is highly idealized since both the incident plane wave and the interface have infinite extent. Nevertheless, we will learn some very general principles from this idealization which will follow us to more complicated and realistic problems. For most of the chapter the interface is considered to be flat, although in Sect. 3.8 we briefly consider the effect of roughness.
The Nature of a Limits Thesis

With the following oft-quoted words, John Stuart Mill made the classical statement of what, in the present essay, will be called a limits thesis: [T] he sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection.… [T] he only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant…. The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right absolute, over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.1 It is clear that Mill intends to claim that there are significant limits to the legitimate use of the law. This claim has been denied by others, among them Mill’s best known contemporary critic Patrick Devlin,2 who claims that there are no theoretical limits to the kinds of behavior which properly may be prohibited by law. The position presented in this study is, in part, a limits thesis, so it is of importance to be clear at the outset as to just what is being asserted by such a claim.
[Lys 15 , Arg 16 , Leu 27 ]VIP 1-7 -GRF 8-27 -NH 2

[Lys15,Arg16,Leu27]VIP1-7-GRF8-27-NH2 is a selective vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VPAC-1) receptor agonist used as a research tool for characterizing this site …
Analysis of Temperature Variability in Medication Storage Compartments in Emergency Transport Helicopters

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the temperature in medication storage compartments in air medical helicopters was within United States Pharmacopeia (USP)-defined limits for controlled room temperature. This was a prospective study using data obtained from a continuous temperature monitoring device. A total of 4 monitors were placed within 2 medication storage locations in 2 identical helicopters. The data collection period lasted 2 weeks during the summer and winter seasons. Data retrieved from monitors were compared against USP parameters for proper medication storage. Results documented temperatures outside the acceptable range a majority of the time with temperatures above the high limit during summer and below the low limit during winter. The study determined that compartments used for medication storage frequently fell outside of the range for USP-defined limits for medication storage. Flight programs should monitor storage areas, carefully taking actions to keep medication within defined ranges.
Two barcodes encoded by the type-1 PDZ and by phospho-Ser312 regulate retromer/WASH-mediated sorting of the ß1-adrenergic receptor from endosomes to the plasma membrane.

Recycling of the majority of agonist-internalized GPCR is dependent on a type I-PDZ "barcode" in their C-tail. The recycling of wild-type (WT) s1-AR is also dependent on its default "type-1 PDZ barcode", but trafficking of the s1-AR is inhibited when PKA or its substrate serine at position 312 (Ser312) are inactivated. We tested the hypothesis that phospho-Ser312 provided a second barcode for s1-AR sorting from endosomes to the plasma membrane by determining the role of retromer/WASH complexes in s1-AR trafficking. Recycling of WT s1-AR or WT s2-AR was dependent on targeting the retromer to endosomal membranes via SNX3 and rab7a, and on complexing the retromer to the WASH pentamer via the C-tail of FAM21 (FAM21C). These maneuvers however, did not inhibit the recycling of a phospho-Ser312 s1-AR mimic ((S312D) s1-AR). Knockdown of the trans-acting PDZ protein sorting nexin27 (SNX27) inhibited the recycling of WT s1-AR and WT s2-AR, but had no effect on (S312D) s1-AR∆PDZ or on phosphorylation of WT s1-AR by PKA at Ser312. However, depletion of FKBP15, a FAM21C-binding endosomal protein, selectively inhibited WT s1-AR but not s2-AR recycling, suggesting divergence might exist in GPCR trafficking roadmaps. These results indicate that two barcodes are involved in sorting WT s1-AR out of early endosomes. The first and antecedent "barcode" was the "type-1 PDZ", followed by a second reversible "phospho-Ser312" verification "barcode". This organization allows tight regulation of s1-AR density to signaling intensity in conditions associated with aberrant s1-AR signaling such as in hypertension and heart failure.
Neuroanatomical correlates of performance in a state‐wide test of math achievement

The development of math skills is a critical component of early education and a strong indicator of later school and economic success. Recent research utilizing population-normed, standardized measures of math achievement suggest that structural and functional integrity of parietal regions, especially the intraparietal sulcus, are closely related to the development of math skills. However, it is unknown how these findings relate to in-school math learning. The present study is the first to address this issue by investigating the relationship between regional differences in grey matter (GM) volume and performance in grade-level mathematics as measured by a state-wide, school-based test of math achievement (TCAP math) in children from 3rd to 8th grade. Results show that increased GM volume in the bilateral hippocampal formation and the right inferior frontal gyrus, regions associated with learning and memory, is associated with higher TCAP math scores. Secondary analyses revealed that GM volume in the left angular gyrus had a stronger relationship to TCAP math in grades 3-4 than in grades 5-8 while the relationship between GM volume in the left inferior frontal gyrus and TCAP math was stronger for grades 5-8. These results suggest that the neuroanatomical architecture related to in-school math achievement differs from that related to math achievement measured by standardized tests, and that the most related neural structures differ as a function of grade level. We suggest, therefore, that the use of school-relevant outcome measures is critical if neuroscience is to bridge the gap to education.
Dynamic State Estimation With Model Uncertainties Using $H_\infty$ Extended Kalman Filter

When implementing Kalman filters to track system dynamic state variables, the dynamical model is assumed to be accurate. However, this assumption may not hold true as power system dynamical model is subjected to various uncertainties, such as varying generator transient reactance in different operation conditions, uncertain inputs, or noise statistics. As a result, the performance of Kalman-type filters can be degraded significantly. To bound the influence of these uncertainties, this letter proposes an $H_\infty$ extended Kalman filter (HEKF) based on the robust control theory. An approach to tune the parameter of HEKF is presented as well. Numerical results on the IEEE 39-bus system demonstrate the effectiveness of the HEKF.
Gallium nanoparticles facilitate phagosome maturation and inhibit growth of virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis in macrophages

New treatments and novel drugs are required to counter the growing problem of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Our approach against drug resistant M.tb, as well as other intracellular pathogens, is by targeted drug delivery using nanoformulations of drugs already in use, as well as drugs in development. Among the latter are gallium (III) (Ga)-based compounds. In the current work, six different types of Ga and rifampin nanoparticles were prepared in such a way as to enhance targeting of M.tb infected-macrophages. They were then tested for their ability to inhibit growth of a fully pathogenic strain (H37Rv) or a non-pathogenic strain (H37Ra) of M.tb. Encapsulating Ga in folate- or mannose-conjugated block copolymers provided sustained Ga release for 15 days and significantly inhibited M.tb growth in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Nanoformulations with dendrimers encapsulating Ga or rifampin also showed promising anti-tuberculous activity. The nanoparticles co-localized with M.tb containing phagosomes, as measured by detection of mature cathepsin D (34 kDa, lysosomal hydrogenase). They also promoted maturation of the phagosome, which would be expected to increase macrophage-mediated killing of the organism. Delivery of Ga or rifampin in the form of nanoparticles to macrophages offers a promising approach for the development of new therapeutic anti-tuberculous drugs.
Biogeography of Galápagos Land Snails

Land snails are among the earliest scientific collections recorded for the Galapagos. Although land snails have not always been the primary interest of collectors visiting the islands, material—mostly empty shells—made its way to private collections and museums in Europe and the United States, where it was described by specialists. Such prominent 19th century collectors as Hugh Cuming, Charles Darwin, and George Baur are well-known for their plant and/or animal collections, but only with respect to Cuming could it be said that mollusks exceeded or even rivaled his other interests in natural history. Despite this ancillary position among studies of the flora and fauna of the Galapagos, the land snails were the object of considerable biogeographical interest and speculation (Stearns, 1893; Dall, 1896). These speculations centered on how a remarkably diverse land snail fauna might develop on a small, arid, and extremely isolated archipelago.
Networks of genetic loci and the scientific literature

This work considers biological information graphs, networks in which nodes corre-spond to genetic loci (or “genes”) and an (undirected) edge signifies that two genes are discussed in the same article(s) in the scientific literature (“documents”). Operations that utilize the topology of these graphs can assist researchers in the scientific discovery process. For example, a shortest path between two nodes defines an ordered series of genes and documents that can be used to explore the relationship(s) between genes of interest. This work (i) describes how topologies in which edges are likely to reflect genuine relationship(s) can be constructed from human-curated corpora of genes an-notated with documents (or vice versa), and (ii) illustrates the potential of biological information graphs in synthesizing knowledge in order to formulate new hypotheses and generate novel predictions for subsequent experimental study. In particular, the well-known LocusLink corpus is used to construct a biological information graph consisting of 10,297 nodes and 21,910 edges. The large-scale statistical properties of this gene-document network suggest that it is a new example of a power-law network. The segregation of genes on the basis of species and encoded protein molecular function indicate the presence of assortativity, the preference for nodes with similar attributes to be neighbors in a network. The practical utility of a gene-document network is illustrated by using measures such as shortest paths and centrality to analyze a subset of nodes corresponding to genes implicated in aging. Each release of a curated biomedical corpus defines a particular static graph. The topology of a gene-document network changes over time as curators add and/or remove nodes and/or edges. Such a dynamic, evolving corpus provides both the foundation for analyzing the growth and behavior of large complex networks and a substrate for examining trends in biological research.
Cerebral Radiation Necrosis: An Analysis of Clinical and Quantitative Imaging and Volumetric Features.

Background Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for primary brain tumors and intracranial metastases but can occasionally precede new enhancing lesions on imaging studies that are difficult to discern between tumor recurrence (TR) and radiation necrosis (RN). The aim of this study was to identify clinical presentation and imaging patterns of RN compared with TR that may obviate the need for invasive definitive biopsy. Methods Patients who received radiation therapy and subsequently presented with a new intracranial lesion were reviewed from 2001 to 2016; 27 patients were identified with adequate records and confirmed pathology to have RN present or TR only. Patient and lesion characteristics were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Sensitivity and specificities were calculated for imaging features and quantitatively segmented lesion and edema volumes for identifying RN. Results Karnofsky performance scale score at presentation significantly predicted pathologic diagnosis on univariate analysis (P = 0.044). Radiation dosage and time from radiation therapy to lesion onset did not differ among pathologic diagnosis groups. No differences existed between RN and TR on quantitative imaging analyses. Multivariate logistic regression found higher Karnofsky performance scale score to be an independent factor associated with TR relative to RN (odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.56, P = 0.030). Conclusions Diagnostic imaging can often be inaccurate in detecting RN alone, even with quantitative volume assessment. Functional status on repeat presentation may increase the likelihood of accurate diagnosis before definitive biopsy when neuroimaging remains unclear.
Effector T Cells in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been considered a CD4 T-cell disease, primarily because of the findings that the strongest genetic risk for MS is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II locus, and that T cells play a central role in directing the immune response. The importance that the T helper (Th)1 cytokine, interferon γ (IFN-γ), and the Th17 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-17, play in MS pathogenesis is indicated by recent clinical trial data by the enhanced presence of Th1/Th17 cells in central nervous system (CNS) tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood, and by research on animal models of MS, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Although the majority of research on MS pathogenesis has centered on the role of effector CD4 T cells, accumulating data suggests that CD8 T cells may play a significant role in the human disease. In fact, in contrast to most animal models, the primary T cell found in the CNS in patients with MS, is the CD8 T cell. As patient-derived effector T cells are also resistant to mechanisms of dominant tolerance such as that induced by interaction with regulatory T cells (Tregs), their reduced response to regulation may also contribute to the unchecked effector T-cell activity in patients with MS. These concepts will be discussed below.
The impact of PD-L1 on survival and value of the immune check point inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer; proposal, policies and perspective.

The impact of programmed death receptor-ligand1 (PD-L1) on costs and value of the immune check point inhibitors (ICPI) has received minimal attention. Objectives: 1- Design a sliding scale to grade survival in 2nd-line non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 2- Compare costs and value of Nivolumab (Nivo), Atezolizumab (Atezo) and Pembrolizumab (Pembro) vs. Docetaxel (Doc). Previously reported median overall survival (OS) and prices posted by parent company were utilized. The OS gains over controls in days were graded (gr) from A+ to D. Docetaxel costs were calculated for 6–12 cycles and the ICPI for 1 year. Adverse events treatment costs (AEsTC) were reported separately. The cost/life-year gain (C/LYG) was computed as drug yearly-cost/OS gain over control in days × 360 days. The relative value of the ICPI were expressed as $100,000/C/LYG. Costs of Doc 6 cycles were $23,868, OS/gr 87/C, AEs gr ¾ > 20%, AEsTC $1978 and 6- 12 cycle C/LYG $98,764 -$197,528. Nivo, Atezo and Pembro gr ¾ were 10%. Atezolizumab OS/g were 87/B and C/LYG $551,407 improving in enriched PD-L1 to 162/A and $332,020 respectively. Pembrolizumab in PD-L1 > 1.0% demonstrated OS/g 57/C and C/LYG $659,059 improving in > 50% PD-L1 to 201/A and $186,897. PD-L1 enrichment increased RV of Nivo from 0.18 to 0.56, Atezo from 0.16 to 0.66 and Pembro from 0.15 to 0.53. Simplified methodology to grade OS and weigh value of anticancer drugs was proposed. In 2nd-line non-squamous NSCLC, value of Doc, Nivo, Atezo and Pembro regardless of PDL-1 expression were limited and modest. Enrichment of PD-L1 resulted in unprecedented OS, improved grades and enhanced value at seemingly justifiable costs.
Rumination and the mood-as-input hypothesis: Does congruence matter?

Abstract Background and objectives The mood-as-input hypothesis (MAIH), which emphasizes the role of mood and stop rules on perseverative thinking, has been extensively studied in relation to worry (Meeten & Davey, 2011). However, relatively few studies have focused on the applicability of the MAIH to depressive rumination. Consequently, two studies were conducted to further examine the potential relevance of the MAIH to depressive rumination. Methods In the first study, a sample of undergraduate students completed a rumination interview under one of four conditions, including mood (positive vs. negative) and stop rule (as-many-as can (AMA) and feel like stopping (FL)). It was anticipated that participants in the negative mood/AMA and the positive mood/FL conditions would exhibit the most persistence in the rumination interview. A second, follow-up study was conducted in which a positive rumination condition was added to examine the role of congruence between mood induction and task valence on interview performance. Results In the first study, support for predictions of the MAIH was found in the negative mood conditions but not the positive mood conditions. In the second study, as predicted, under conditions of mood congruence, the original predictions of the MAIH were supported. However, under conditions of mood incongruence, participants appeared to default to the assigned stop rule. Limitations Although the findings are promising, it is noteworthy that the sample was non-clinical. Further, this approach to studying depressive rumination may have somewhat limited ecological validity, as the research was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. Conclusions Overall, the current findings provide insight into the conditions under which depressive rumination is most likely to occur.
Search for a Neutral Weak Interaction via ν̄ e Dissociation of Deuterons

An attempt was made to observe the dissociation of the deuteron by electron antineutrinos in order to test the theory of the neutral weak-interaction current. This event could be recognized by the detection of both disintegration products, the neutron and the proton. A deuterated liquid scintillator loaded with gadolinium to provide energetic-neutron-capture $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays was used in this search. The signature for the event would be a prompt "proton" pulse followed by a coincidence between two crystals which signaled neutron capture. The crystal energy gates were set between 0.75 and 6.25 MeV, and the liquid scintillator was set for a light output equal to that produced by electrons g0.20 MeV and 0.59 MeV. During 55.5 h of runs near one of the Savannah River Plant reactors, the cross section for this process was determined to be (1.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.4)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}42}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, a limit which is to be compared with a maximum theoretical expectation of 1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}44}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and a previous experimental limit of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}40}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.
Co-Infection Patterns in Individual Ixodes scapularis Ticks Reveal Associations between Viral, Eukaryotic and Bacterial Microorganisms

Ixodes scapularis ticks harbor a variety of microorganisms, including eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses. Some of these can be transmitted to and cause disease in humans and other vertebrates. Others are not pathogenic, but may impact the ability of the tick to harbor and transmit pathogens. A growing number of studies have examined the influence of bacteria on tick vector competence but the influence of the tick virome remains less clear, despite a surge in the discovery of tick-associated viruses. In this study, we performed shotgun RNA sequencing on 112 individual adult I. scapularis collected in Wisconsin, USA. We characterized the abundance, prevalence and co-infection rates of viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms. We identified pairs of tick-infecting microorganisms whose observed co-infection rates were higher or lower than would be expected, or whose RNA levels were positively correlated in co-infected ticks. Many of these co-occurrence and correlation relationships involved two bunyaviruses, South Bay virus and blacklegged tick phlebovirus-1. These viruses were also the most prevalent microorganisms in the ticks we sampled, and had the highest average RNA levels. Evidence of associations between microbes included a positive correlation between RNA levels of South Bay virus and Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease agent. These findings contribute to the rationale for experimental studies on the impact of viruses on tick biology and vector competence.
Mechanobiology of skin diseases and wound healing

Abstract The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is constantly exposed to mechanical stress. Various skin diseases and abnormal cutaneous wound healing may be associated with the disruption of the skin's mechanical homeostasis and dysfunctional mechanotransduction. These skin disorders raging from keloid disease to diabetic skin ulcers pose a significant health-care challenge costing the economy billions of dollars every year. Recent advances in our understanding of cellular and molecular aspects of skin mechanotransduction have led to the development of various strategies to modulate the skin's mechanical environment and restore mechanical homeostasis for therapeutic applications. This chapter will discuss current mechanistic insights into the mechanobiology of the skin, how dysfunctional mechanotransduction can lead to skin diseases and abnormal wound healing, and relevant therapeutic strategies.
Case 40-2018: A 47-Year-Old Woman with Recurrent Sinusitis, Cough, and Bronchiectasis.

A Woman with Recurrent Sinusitis, Cough, and Bronchiectasis A 47-year-old woman was evaluated at the outpatient pulmonary clinic because of recurrent sinusitis with progressive cough and bronchiect...
A Real-time Electrocolonogram Monitoring and Electrical Stimulation System for Promoting Mass Peristalsis of the Colon

We have developed a real-time electrocolonogram monitoring and stimulation system to promote peristaltic movements of the colon. The system was designed to monitor electrocolonogram and apply appropriate electrical stimulation to the serosal surface of the colon in caudal direction. Stimulation parameters were determined by the stimulation controller in real time based on the measured electrocolonogram. As a proof of concept, animal experiments were performed with one mouse. We successfully monitored electrocolonogram from the colon and generated its peristaltic movement using electrical stimulation applied to the serosal surface of the colon. The results suggest that the presented system can be used to develop a closed-loop monitoring and stimulation system for a timely stimulation of colon, which will effectively promote its peristaltic movement.
Soil health indicators impacted by long-term cattle manure and inorganic fertilizer application in a corn-soybean rotation of South Dakota.

Manure impacts labile pools of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) which can influence soil microbial composition (MCC) and enzyme activities, and hence soil health. The present study was conducted to investigate the impacts of long-term dairy manure and inorganic fertilizers (INF) on soil carbon (C) as well as nitrogen (N) fractions, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure in different time horizons at planting (P), one month after planting (1MAP), and after harvesting (H) under corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. Study treatments included three manure application rates (low, phosphorus-based recommended rate; medium, nitrogen-based recommended rate; and high, the double rate of medium nitrogen based recommended rate), two INF rates (medium only nitrogen additions; and high nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and sulfur additions) and a control (no application of manure and/or inorganic fertilizer). In comparison to the INF, the dairy manure not only significantly increased chemical fractions of C and N but also impacted the enzyme activities. Average urease activity after manure was applied was shown to be 26.8% higher than it was with INF applied at planting. The β-Glucosidase activity was 6 and 14% higher with manure than it was with INF at 1MAP and harvesting, respectively. The cold-water extractable nitrogen (CWEN) was enhanced with high manure rate at all timings of sampling compared to the high fertilizer rate (53%), and CK (90%). Principal component analysis indicated that MCC under manure differed from those under the INF treatments. The total bacteria/total fungi ratio at planting was increased with the INF compared to the manure addition. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that CWEC, CWEN, and enzyme activities especially β-Glucosidase activity were the key determinants of MCC. Data from this study showed that, compared to inorganic fertilizers, manure can be beneficial in enhancing soil health indicators.
High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure and Do-Not-Intubate or Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders: A Systematic Review

Background and objectives High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen may provide tailored benefits in patients with preset treatment limitations. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of HFNC oxygen in patients with do-not-intubate (DNI) and/or do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. Methods We conducted a systematic review of interventional and observational studies. A search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to October 15, 2018. Results We included six studies evaluating 293 patients. All studies had a high risk of bias. The hospital mortality rates of patients with DNI and/or DNR orders receiving HFNC oxygen were variable and ranged from 40% to 87%. In two before and after studies, the initiation of HFNC oxygen was associated with improved oxygenation and reduced respiratory rates. One comparative study found no difference in dyspnea reduction or morphine doses between patients using HFNC oxygen versus conventional oxygen. No studies evaluated quality of life in survivors or quality of death in nonsurvivors. HFNC was generally well tolerated with few adverse events identified. Conclusions While HFNC oxygen remains a viable treatment option for hospitalized patients who have acute respiratory failure and a DNI and/or DNR order, there is a paucity of high-quality, comparative, effectiveness data to guide the usage of HFNC oxygen compared with other treatments, such as noninvasive ventilation, conventional oxygen, and palliative opioids.
The NIDDK High School Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons

Background: Increasing the pipeline of aspiring minority biomedical/health profes­sionals is a crucial component to diversifying the health science workforce. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) created the High School Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons (HS-STEP-UP) to provide introductory biomedical/biobe­havioral research experiences to promising high school students, who are traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical/biobe­havioral sciences. The program reached out to African American and Hispanic students, as well as Native American students and students from the United States Territories, Methods: HS-STEP-UP provides a stimu­lating, rigorous 8- to 10-week summer research experience for a national cohort of ~100 high school students each year; the experience is organized through four National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded coordinating centers. Typically, the program receives about 300 applications a year and about 100 students are accepted. Appli­cants are reviewed and selected based upon their online application that includes: a high school transcript, list of classes and extracur­ricular activities, two recommendation let­ters and a personal statement. The program culminates with a symposium at the NIH where students present their research and attend workshops and seminars. Results: For the 2017 and 2018 HS-STEP-UP programs, the classes included 193 students; 67% were females and 82% were underrepresented minorities. Forty eight percent of students reported a family income <$37,000/year, and 23% were from first generation college families. Ninety percent were very satisfied or satisfied with their research topic and 94% rated the end of the year symposium at NIH as excellent or very good. Only 65% were very satisfied or satisfied with their mentor matching, and 21% stated they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their mentor. All the students successfully completed their sum­mer research projects and presented their research abstracts at the symposium. All par­ticipating seniors reported attending college. Conclusion: HS-STEP-UP has been highly successful in recruiting traditionally under­represented students and supporting under­represented HS students with a reward­ing introductory experience to research. Students are overall satisfied with the program, but mentor matching needs more attention. Longer-term follow-up is needed to determine how participating in STEP UP impacts their decisions to participate in the biomedical workforce in the future. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(1):5-14; doi:10.18865/ed.30.1.5
Primary care physician's confidence and coordination regarding the survivorship care for older breast cancer survivors.

To examine primary care physician’s (PCPs) internal (confidence, training) and external (communication, receipt of survivorship care plans (SCPs)) regarding their provision of survivorship care to older breast cancer survivors A web-based questionnaire was completed individually by PCPs about their training and areas of survivorship they address under their care. A subset of survey participants was interviewed about survivorship care for older breast cancer survivors, care coordination, and areas of improvement regarding SCPs. PCPs (n = 29) had an average 13.5 years in family practice. Forty-five percent surveyed as “somewhat confident” or “not confident” evaluating and managing the late effects of cancer treatment, and 25% surveyed as “somewhat confident” or “not confident” addressing the chronic comorbidities of older breast cancer survivors. More than half of PCPs surveyed that they reach out to their patients’ oncologist “a little” or “none of the time” and that they receive SCPs “a little” or “none of the time.” Semi-structured interviews also indicated that many PCPs did not receive a SCP from their patients’ oncologists and that communication between the two providers regarding survivorship care was poor. Participants indicated that PCP confidence in providing survivorship care is lacking and that lack of training, infrequent communication with oncologists, and underutilization of SCPs may contribute to this lack of confidence. These findings provide insight into the possible need for a well-defined shared care model, which has been encouraged but not always a routine part of survivorship care in various practice settings.
Half of Rural Residents at High Risk of Serious Illness Due to COVID-19, Creating Stress on Rural Hospitals.

Purpose During the COVID-19 epidemic, it is critical to understand how the need for hospital care in rural areas aligns with the capacity across states. Methods We analyzed data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate the number of adults who have an elevated risk of serious illness if they are infected with coronavirus in metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas for each state. Study data included 430,949 survey responses representing over 255.2 million noninstitutionalized US adults. For data on hospital beds, aggregate survey data were linked to data from the 2017 Area Health Resource Files by state and metropolitan status. Findings About 50% of rural residents are at high risk for hospitalization and serious illness if they are infected with COVID-19, compared to 46.9% and 40.0% in micropolitan and metropolitan areas, respectively. In 19 states, more than 50% of rural populations are at high risk for serious illness if infected. Rural residents will generate an estimated 10% more hospitalizations for COVID-19 per capita than urban residents given equal infection rates. Conclusion More than half of rural residents are at increased risk of hospitalization and death if infected with COVID-19. Experts expect COVID-19 burden to outpace hospital capacity across the country, and rural areas are no exception. Policy makers need to consider supply chain modifications, regulatory changes, and financial assistance policies to assist rural communities in caring for people affected by COVID-19.
The Foundations of Experiential Performance Pedagogy

The editors of the volume, who were students at the University of Virginia when Victor and Edith Turner were exploring the intersection between anthropology and theater together with Richard Schechner, share personal insights as they recount how the concept of “ethnographic performance”—the performed re-creation of ethnographic subject matter—emerged and developed in the 1980s as a pedagogical tool to facilitate learning about diverse ways of being in the world. Feeling that the neoliberal turn in the late 1980s reigned in the tremendous creativity of that segment of anthropology before it had reached its full potential, they respond to the postmodern critiques of ethnographic performances with practical ways to handle concerns about cultural misappropriation, the problem of ritual and power, and human subject ethics. They conclude with Victor Turner’s observation that destruction surely awaits our species if we continue to cultivate deliberate mutual misunderstanding in the interests of power and profit. With him, they believe that we can learn from the enactment and performance of the culturally transmitted experiences of others.
The Impact of Aortic Angulation on Contemporary Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether the degree of aortic angulation (AA) affects outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using newer-generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs). Background AA ≥48° has been reported to adversely influence accurate THV deployment, procedural success, fluoroscopy time, and paravalvular leak (PVL) in patients undergoing TAVR with early generation self-expanding (SE) THVs. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted among 841 patients across all risk strata who underwent transfemoral TAVR using the balloon-expandable (BE) SAPIEN 3 or the SE CoreValve Evolut PRO from 2015 to 2020. The previously published cutoff of 48° was used to analyze procedural success and in-hospital outcomes according to THV type. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was performed to investigate the impact of AA on an in-hospital composite outcome (need for >1 THV, more than mild PVL, new permanent pacemaker implantation, stroke, and death). Results AA ≥48° did not influence outcomes in patients with BE THVs. Additionally, AA ≥48° did not influence procedural success (99.1% vs. 99.1%; p = 0.980), number of THVs used (1.02 vs. 1.04; p = 0.484), rates of more than mild PVL (0.4% vs. 0%; p = 0.486), new permanent pacemaker implantation (11.8% vs. 17.1%; p = 0.178), in-hospital stroke (3.9% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.298), or in-hospital death (0.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.980) in patients with SE THVs. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis demonstrated similar outcomes irrespective of AA, with areas under the curve of 0.5525 for SE THVs and 0.5115 for BE THVs. Conclusions AA no longer plays a role with new-generation BE or SE THVs in contemporary TAVR practice. AA ≥48° did not affect procedural success or in-hospital outcomes and should no longer be a consideration when determining THV selection.
Sound speed measurements in lithium fluoride single crystals shock compressed to 168 GPa along [100]

The shock wave response of [100] lithium fluoride (LiF) single crystals at high stresses is of long-standing interest due to their extensive use as optical windows in dynamic compression experiments. The report of melting in shock-compressed LiF single crystals between 134 and 152 GPa—based on a single sound speed datum [Liu et al., J. Appl. Phys. 117, 045901 (2015)]—was surprising because good optical transmission was previously demonstrated in LiF shock compressed to ∼200 GPa [Rigg et al., J. Appl. Phys. 116, 033515 (2014)]. To address these apparent differences, we report on plate impact experiments on [100] LiF single crystals shock compressed to 168 GPa. Wave profiles were measured using laser interferometry to determine Hugoniot states and longitudinal sound speeds in shock-compressed LiF. The measured Hugoniot states are in good agreement with those measured in previous studies. However, the measured sound speeds presented here show no evidence of melting up to 168 GPa. In particular, the abrupt drop reported previously in sound speed at 152 GPa was not observed in the present work. Our results establish a lower bound of 168 GPa for the onset of melting in shock-compressed LiF single crystals.
Effects of Ageing upon Airways Smooth Muscle Contractility

Airways smooth muscle contractility changes over the course of life. In general, airway responses to stimulatory agents are greatest in infants and children and decline progressively thereafter. Although our understanding of the numerous factors that control airways smooth muscle tone in the adult has advanced considerably in the last decade, very little is understood about the way these factors may vary with ageing.
Shock. Differential diagnosis and immediate treatment.

The inadequate circulatory profusion states collectively called shock are summarized. Shock a condition in which circulation is inadequate for normal cellular function may be classified as: 1) hypovolemic 2) septic 3) cardiogenic 4) anaphylactic 5) due to impeded blood flow 6) endocrine and 7) neurogenic. The physiologic changes common to all forms of shock are outlined and each of the 7 types of shock are discussed separately. Treatment of shock includes measurement of central venous pressure to assess the function of the right side of the heart and the need for fluid replacement. After intravenous lines are secured (techniques described) electrolyte solution is administered at a rapid rate until the central venous pressure rises 5 cm of water above the base line measurement. Use of a Foley catheter to measure urinary output an indirect measure of renal perfusion is recommended. Arterial monitoring is also widely used in care of patients in shock. Since shock is also concerned with relative cellular hypoxia oxygen should be given as soon as possible. Treatments related to particular types of shock are outlined individually with the goal of all to restore and maintain adequate cellular perfusion. Vasopressors worsen the already impaired peripheral circulation in shock and have no place in the treatment except occasionally in cardiogenic shock when their positive inotropic effect may be helpful.