cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyangiitis overlap syndrome: Classification and prospective clinical experience

Ten patients were prospectively studied who had features of systemic vasculitis that could not be classified into one of the well-defined vasculitic syndromes. Since many of these syndromes had overlapping features of several distinct vasculitides, they were classified as the polyangiitis overlap syndrome. Cutaneous disease was common (nine of 10 patients) and, some patients, had been mistakenly diagnosed as "hypersensitivity" or isolated cutaneous vasculitis. The polyangiitis overlap syndrome is a systemic vasculitis, and all of the patients required therapy with cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg per day). Nine of 10 patients were also treated with corticosteroids, which were administered initially on a daily basis followed by an alternate-day regimen. A complete remission was induced in all of the patients, with a mean follow-up duration of 58.4 months. In eight of 10 patients, remission was maintained following discontinuation of cyclophosphamide. The mean duration of remission was 45.9 months, with a mean interval after discontinuation of all therapy of 22.3 months. Two patients had relapses after the immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued; however, complete remissions were reinduced following reinstitution of therapy.
Heat shock preconditioning and pretreatment with glucocorticoid antagonist RU 486 protect rat myogenic cells H9c2 against glutamate-induced cell death.

We have observed that the treatment of rat-heart derived H9c2 myoblasts for 20 h with the excitatory amino acid glutamate resulted in cell death in a dose dependent manner as determined by LDH release. The optimum cardiotoxicity was seen at 25 mM glutamate. Preconditioning with either sublethal heat shock (42°C for 30 min) or pretreatment with 500 nM of the glucocorticoid antagonist RU 486 for 24 h almost completely protected H9c2 cells against subsequent 20 h treatment with 25 mM lethal glutamate. In addition, we have observed that glutamate treatment resulted in intense nuclear localization of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in H9c2 cells as judged by the confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, pretreatment with either heat shock or RU 486 followed by glutamate treatment resulted in dramatic decrease in GR nuclear localization which was almost comparable to that observed with control untreated cells. In conclusion, we have shown for the first time using H9c2 cells that (i) protection from glutamate cardiotoxicity occurs with prior treatment with sub lethal heat shock or RU 486 and (ii) these measures down regulate the intense nuclear localization of GR induced by glutamate. The block to GR nuclear localization is likely to be involved in cardioprotective effects offered against glutamate toxicity by pretreatment with heat shock or RU 486.
The mouse tissue plasminogen activator gene 5' flanking region directs appropriate expression in development and a seizure-enhanced response in the CNS

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a secreted serine protease implicated in multiple aspects of development. In the adult rat brain, transcription of t-PA is an immediate-early response in the hippocampus following treatments that induce neuronal plasticity. To study the sequence elements that govern transcription of this gene, in situ analysis was used to define t-PA9s temporal and spatial expression pattern in midgestation embryos. Transgenic mice were then generated carrying t-PA 5′ flanking sequences linked to the E. coli lacZ gene. Constructs containing 4 kb of the flanking sequences (4.0TAMGAL) confer beta-galactosidase activity mostly to the same tissues that exhibit high levels of t-PA mRNA by in situ analysis. In 4.0TAMGAL embryos from embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) to 13.5 (E13.5), the majority of expression observed is localized to neural ectoderm-derived tissues. beta-galactosidase activity is first detected in restricted neuromeres in the midbrain and diencephalon, at E8.5 and E9.5 respectively. At E10.5, transgene expression is observed in neural crest-derived cranial nerves and dorsal root ganglia, but not placode-derived cranial nerves. From E10.5 to E13.5, beta-galactosidase activity is observed in postmitotic neurons of the midbrain, spinal cord, neural retina and the developing olfactory system. beta-galactosidase activity is also detected in areas undergoing tissue remodeling such as the pinna of the ear, whisker follicles and the limbs. In adult mice, lacZ is expressed in the hippocampus and this expression was found to be enhanced upon seizure in the giant pyramidal neurons of CA3. These results reinforce the concept that t-PA plays a role in neurogenesis and morphogenesis, and identifies the promoter region that directs its transcriptional regulation both in development and in the CNS.
Organic Contaminants in Canadian Municipal Sewage Sludge. Part I. Toxic or Endocrine-Disrupting Phenolic Compounds

The occurrence of toxic or endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO), 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), pentachlorophenol (PCP), hexachlorophene (HCP), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in 35 sewage sludge samples collected from cities across Canada is documented. Samples were extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide and the phenols were converted into their acetyl derivatives using published methods. The ethoxylates were analyzed by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The other extracts, after silica gel column cleanup, were analyzed by GC/MS in either the electron impact or negative-ion chemical ionization mode. With minor exceptions, the above-mentioned compounds were present in all samples. The levels of these contaminants varied widely in the samples. The more abundant chemicals were NP as well as its mono- and di-ethoxylates, with median concentrations of 232, 69.4, and 26.4 µg/g (dry weight), respectively. Triclosan, a common antibacterial agent, BPA, and HCP were also ubiquitous in the sludge samples, with median concentrations of 12.5, 0.45, and 0.37 µg/g, respectively. Also present, albeit at much lower concentrations, were PCP and TBBPA, with median concentrations of 27.7 and 12.4 ng/g, respectively. Except for the last two compounds, all the chemicals are components or additives in various formulations of household and industrial detergents and personal care products. The potential risk of these toxic chemicals reaching the aquatic environment as a result of land spreading of sewage sludge should be investigated.
Concomitant percutaneous treatment of aortic coarctation and associated intercostal aneurysms: pre-procedural recognition is key

Intercostal aneurysms are associated with aortic coarctation. Their aetiology is not well-understood but may be related to intrinsic vascular pathology and altered flow dynamics through the intercostal artery. We present the cases of two patients with coarctation and intercostal aneurysms. The aneurysms were recognised on pre-catheterisation imaging studies and were selectively occluded during the same procedure to treat the coarctation. There were no complications; both the patients have no residual coarctation at the most recent follow-up. Intercostal aneurysms associated with coarctation can have significant consequences including late rupture, paralysis, and even death. These aneurysms are common with an incidence of up to 40% with adult-diagnosed coarctation; one treatment plan is to treat both the coarctation and aneurysm during a single catheterisation. Pre-catheterisation CT or MRI may play a role in this strategy.
From ICTR to ICC: Learning from the ICTR Experience in Bringing Justice to Rwandans

There are good reasons to celebrate the ICTR’s achievements. Although these achievements are, however, loudly touted in international circles, their meaning remains insignificant in Rwanda. A recent survey conducted in Rwanda revealed that many Rwandans have a negative attitude toward the ICTR. One may, therefore, wonder whether this perception is justified, and to what extent the ICTR has failed to bring justice to Rwandans. This article examines the areas in which the ICTR has failed to bring justice to Rwandans, and what measures have been, or should have been taken to correct this shortcoming. Looking forward, it also examines whether the International Criminal Court [ICC] will be able to overcome the handicaps that affected the ICTR and the ICTY and what can be done to prevent them.
Low Schottky barrier on n-type Si for n-channel Schottky source/drain MOSFETs

Schottky source/drain (S/D) in Si-CMOS provide an alternative to current approaches in S/D, channel, and gate-stack engineering. The Schottky S/D PMOS has been demonstrated at a number of university and industrial laboratories. The bottleneck for the Schottky S/D NMOS is the fact that none of the common metals or metal silicides has a low enough barrier height (~0.2 eV) on n-type Si. A method to produce low Schottky barriers on n-type Si with common metals including aluminum (Al) and chromium (Cr) is reported in this paper. The interface between metal and Si(100) is engineered at the atomic scale with a monolayer of selenium (Se) to reduce the density of interface states, and the engineered interface shows inertness to chemical and electronic processes at the interface. One consequence of this electronic inertness is that the Schottky barrier is now more dependent on the metal work function. Al and Cr both have work functions very close to the Si electron affinity. It is found that the Schottky barrier of Al on Se-engineered n-type Si(100) is 0.08 eV, and that of Cr is 0.26 eV. These numbers agree well with the ideal Schottky barrier heights for Al and Cr on n-type Si(100), but are significantly different from the barrier heights known for four decades for these metals on n-type Si(100). These results bring new hope for the Schottky S/D NMOS with a metal commonly used in the Si industry.
Abstract 4070: Mutant tristetraprolin enhances growth factor downregulation and inhibition of cell growth in malignant glioma

Background: Tristetraprolin (TTP) negatively regulates short-lived mRNAs by binding to AU-rich elements in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR). A number of mRNA targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin (IL)-8, play an important role in tumor progression. We have shown previously that TTP downregulates IL-8 and VEGF in malignant glioma (MG) cells via RNA destabilization. In primary glioblastoma tumors, TTP is heavily phosphorylated which may render the protein less active. Hypothesis: We postulate that the destabilizing effect of TTP on target growth factor mRNAs is held in check by hyperphosphorylation which leads to altered subcellular localization and protein stability. Methods: Wild-type TTP and two mutant forms in which select serines were exchanged with alanines were cloned with a Flag epitope into pTRE2 and pEGFP vectors. U251 Tet On MG cells were transfected with pTRE2–TTP plasmids to produce stable clones. TTP expression was induced using doxycycline. Cellular location was assessed by fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting. Protein stability was measured by assessment of TTP levels following cycloheximide treatment. VEGF and IL-8 mRNA and protein levels were measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA. For assessment of RNA half-lives, cells were treated with actinomycin D. Cell growth, proliferation and cell viability were assessed using biochemical assays, soft agar, and Trypan Blue method. Results: Both IL-8 and VEGF mRNA levels were significantly lowered in the mutant TTP clones compared to wild-type. Half-lives of these mRNAs were also shortened, and ELISA analysis showed a correspondingly greater decrease in protein expression. There was a marked impact on cellular phenotype with greater inhibition of proliferation and loss of cell viability. A Soft agar colony formation was decreased by five-fold in mutant clones versus wild-type and a greater than ten-fold decrease versus the parent cell line. With TNF-α, there was a significant shift of mutant TTP to the nuclear compartment compared to WT TTP. Treatment with cycloheximide revealed that the WT TTP was less stable compared to dephosphorylated mutant. Conclusion: Removal of key serine residues from TTP enhances its function as an RNA destabilizer of VEGF and IL-8 mRNs and as a negative regulator of tumor cell growth in MG. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4070.
Abstract B29: Characterizing candidate breast cancer tumor suppressors: MTUS2 and LHX8

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women in the United States. As with all other cancer types, breast cancer formation is the result of alterations in tumor suppressor genes, which regulate diverse cellular activities to prevent tumor development, and oncogenes, which promote tumor formation. In this study, we further characterized two candidate breast cancer tumor suppressor genes, MTUS2 and LHX8, and their role in breast cancer development. Soft agar assays showed that the knockdown of MTUS2 and LHX8 in MCF10AT cells led to increased colony formation compared to non-silencing control. Furthermore, through q-RT-PCR analysis, we found that the relative mRNA expression of MTUS2 and LHX8 is down-regulated in a panel of breast cancer cell lines compared to the pre-malignant breast epithelial cell line MCF10AT. Finally, when we ectopically expressed MTUS2 or LHX8 in MCF7 cells it resulted in slower proliferation of the cells compared to an empty vector control. Taken together, these results provide further information concerning the roles MTUS2 and LHX8 play in breast tumorigenesis. This study implicates two breast cancer tumor suppressor genes, which can provide a unique tool for identifying novel pathways involved in the formation of breast cancer. Citation Format: Diane Fru, Victoria Ruhl, Michael R. Green. Characterizing candidate breast cancer tumor suppressors: MTUS2 and LHX8. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B29. Note: This abstract was withdrawn after the Proceedings was printed and was not presented at the conference.
Shadow Welfare: A Welfare Cadillac for Corporate America

Corporate tax expenditures are a growing problem, although most contemporary analysts of traditional welfare programs ignore this policy area. The publicity surrounding Enron highlights this expanding segment of our welfare system. Corporate tax expenditures constitute a shadow welfare state that hides behind the complexities of our tax laws. This paper describes this often-neglected segment of the American welfare state.
Intestinal cell differentiation: cellular mechanisms and the search for the perfect model focus on "involvement of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1) in intestinal epithelial cell differentiation".

the mammalian intestinal mucosa, a remarkable example of high efficiency and intricate complexity, is in a constant state of self-renewal, with complete mucosal turnover occurring every 3–5 days. Pluripotent stem cells, localized near the base of the crypt, are characterized by rapid proliferation
Observation on the intervention effect of influenza vaccination against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among elderly patients

Objective To observe the effects of influenza vaccination on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) among senior patients.Methods A total of 112 elderly patients with stable COPD were enrolled into the study,among them 54 cases served as controls.In addition to the basic conventional treatment given to all participants,58 seniors were also given flu shots.The effects of vaccination were observed for up to one year after the shot.Results Among vaccinated senior patients,the average number of acute attacks(2.91±1.70) was less and the duration of acute attack(38.78±17.63 day) was shorter compared those of controls which were 5.22±2.14 and 63±21.25 respectively;meanwhile the average number of hospitalization(1.03±0.61) and days of stay(12.36±6.32) due to acute attack were both less than that of controls(P0.01).However,there were no significant differences in terms of indicators of lung function and 6-minute walking test between the two groups(P0.05).Except for 5.17% patients who showed local reaction due to the vaccination,no systematic reverse reaction was found.Conclusions Influenza vaccination among elderly patients with COPD may lower the frequency of acute attacks and decrease the number of hospitalization times without causing any of systematic side effects.However further evaluation need to be done to make sure the effects on pulmonary function,exercise tolerance and mortality rate.
Brain-Targeting Chemical Delivery Systems and Their Cyclodextrin-Based Formulations in Light of the Contributions of Marcus E. Brewster

Here, we present a brief review of brain-targeting chemical delivery systems (CDSs) and their cyclodextrin-based formulations. It is dedicated to the memory of Marcus E. Brewster (1957-2014) and highlights those aspects where he made particularly valuable contributions. During the first two decades of his scientific career that were dedicated to these fields (1978-1997), Marcus was involved in the development of several brain-targeted redox compounds, including design, activity assays, physicochemical characterization, computational modeling of theoretical aspects, and development of cyclodextrin-based formulation for increased stability and water solubility, as well as preclinical and clinical testing. CDSs are designed to provide site-specific or site-enhanced delivery through sequential, multistep enzymatic, and chemical transformations. Brain-targeting CDSs incorporate a redox targetor that undergoes enzymatic transformation resulting in a drastic change in physicochemical properties. They can not only increase central nervous system access by making the molecule more lipophilic and enabling its diffusion through the blood-brain barrier, but they can also provide more sustained release by "locking" it behind the blood-brain barrier by subsequently converting it into a hydrophilic intermediate. The origins of the concept (Pro-2-PAM, berberine), one of the most important representative (estradiol-CDS), and the introduction of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for improved formulations are discussed in detail.
The radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) system as a diagnostic tool

Radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) was developed to improve on the intraoperative detection of malignancy. The RIGS system uses a hand-held gamma radiation detection probe to identify radioactive tissues targeted by a preadministered tumor-associated radiolabeled targeting antibody or peptide. Clinical experience with RIGS in colorectal cancer has been favorable; better intraoperative staging has provided the surgeon more information regarding the pattern of disease and individual patients. Pancreatic, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer have also been studied in clinical trials using RIGS and early results are encouraging. In the future, marked improvements with the RIGS system will be realized with the development of better targeting agents.
Conjugation fidelity and threshold in photorefractive double-phase conjugate mirrors

The double phase conjugate mirror1 (DPCM) is a unique photorefractive (PR) device in which two mutually incoherent input beams become phase conjugates of each other. In a recent paper,2 we have theoretically predicted the existence of a threshold in the conjugation fidelity. Here we show experimentally that a fidelity threshold exists and that it depends on the feature size in the conjugated images. The phase conjugate reflectivity, however, is a smooth function of the gain. Furthermore, we find that for input-beam intensity ratio other than unity, the conjugation process is asymmetric, and the steady state fidelity is improved for the stronger input beam and masked by the fanning noise for the weaker one. These results provide a deeper insight into the stimulated wave mixing process, and will be useful for understanding the limitations of device applications, such as image processors, interconnects, interferometers, and coupled-laser devices.
A Nondestructive Observation of the Mechanism of Plastic Deformation in Orthogonal Cutting

Machining introduces a large amount of plastic deformation in the workpiece material and chip. This plastic strain is nonuniform, and therefore residual stresses are induced in the workpiece surface and subsurface throughout, and slightly below, the depth of plastic deformation. Thus, residual stresses are often an undesirable but unavoidable byproduct of machining. It is known that the mechanism of plastic deformation in metal is dislocation movement.
Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Function through the Unfolded Protein Response

Publisher Summary Secreted proteins and proteins that reside on the cell surface or within the secretory pathway begin their maturation process in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER serves as a master regulator for the complex and error prone process of protein maturation, quality control, and trafficking. Furthermore, the ER must match its capacity for protein processing with the cell's dynamic need for protein synthesis, dictated by developmental and environmental cues. The ER regulates its own protein processing capacity through an inter-organelle signaling pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). This chapter highlights some of the most recently discovered roles for the UPR in normal cell physiology. Physiological studies have begun to reveal that the specific nature of the UPR's activation can be quite different for different cell types, and that the pathway's function can range from stress response to general housekeeping. During physiological instances of its activation, the UPR can be modulated on several different levels to achieve results that are fine-tuned to specific cellular contexts. Furthermore, in many physiological cases, each UPR signaling branch appears to be tuned separately. Certain physiological instances of UPR activation confirm the pathway's role as a stress response pathway that becomes active when it senses high levels of unfolded proteins in the ER. The housekeeping role of the UPR, though subtle, may be a key aspect of the UPR's physiological function. In fact, other signal transduction pathways might also serve housekeeping functions that have been overlooked due to subtle activation levels.
NO reduction by CH4 in the presence of excess O2 over Pd/sulfated zirconia catalysts

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by methane in the presence of excess oxygen has been studied on a series of Pd catalysts supported on sulfated zirconia (SZ). This support is not as sensitive to structural damage by steaming as the acidic zeolites, such as H-ZSM-5 and H-Mor. In previous studies, it was shown that this type of acidic zeolites are able to stabilize Pd 2C ions and promote high SCR activity and selectivity, which are typically not seen in Pd catalysts. In this contribution, it has been demonstrated that SZ is able to promote the NO reduction activity in a similar way to the acidic zeolites, by stabilizing Pd 2C ions that is selective for NO reduction. As in the case of acidic zeolites, the stabilization of Pd 2C ions can occur through a transfer of Pd species from particle to particle. One of the attractive features of Pd/SZ catalysts is that they are less sensitive to water and SO2 poisoning than Pd/H-ZSM-5 catalyst and exhibit higher reversibility after removal of water or SO2. ©1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The long emancipation: the demise of slavery in the United States

Over the course of his illustrious career, Ira Berlin has written some of the canonical works on the history of American slaves and free blacks, including, most notably, Many Thousands Gone and Sla...
IMPACT OF ACTIVE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE ON THE EARLY AND 1 YEAR MORTALITY OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Background: The impact of Coronary artery disease (CAD) on the outcome after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is not understood well. Finding an optimum revascularization strategy for the TAVR patients who have concomitant CAD is also an ongoing debate. We sought to evaluate the
Lender-Borrower Relationships and Loan Origination Costs

Using a recently-developed method of causal inference, this paper estimates the additional up-front loan origination costs that a small business can expect to pay when it first borrows from a new lender. I compare firms that borrow from a previously unused financial institution with firms that borrow from a financial institution with which they have a preexisting financial relationship. I estimate that firms who turn to a new financial institution can expect to pay $5,650–$6,980 more in loan closing costs than firms who return to a previously-used financial institution. Based on these findings, I argue that a central function of origination fees is to pay for the production of detailed, firm-specific information that is valuable to the lender. I study a natural quasi-experiment wherein, for a small group of firms, selection into borrowing from a new lender is close to random. Returning to the wider population of small business borrowers, I use the method of Altonji, Elder, and Taber (2002, 2005) to account for endogeneity in firms’ selection to borrow from a new financial institution. The method of Altoji, Elder, and Taber allows me to measure the degree to which a firm’s selection to borrow from a new lender is driven by unobservables that also determine closing costs, and to correct for any resulting bias. All analyses confirm that borrowing from a new financial institution causes firms to pay higher loan origination costs.
Origins of chemoreceptor curvature sorting in Escherichia coli

Bacterial chemoreceptors organize into large clusters at the cell poles. Despite a wealth of structural and biochemical information on the system’s components, it is not clear how chemoreceptor clusters are reliably targeted to the cell pole. Here, we quantify the curvature-dependent localization of chemoreceptors in live cells by artificially deforming growing cells of Escherichia coli in curved agar microchambers, and find that chemoreceptor cluster localization is highly sensitive to membrane curvature. Through analysis of multiple mutants, we conclude that curvature sensitivity is intrinsic to chemoreceptor trimers-of-dimers, and results from conformational entropy within the trimer-of-dimers geometry. We use the principles of the conformational entropy model to engineer curvature sensitivity into a series of multi-component synthetic protein complexes. When expressed in E. coli, the synthetic complexes form large polar clusters, and a complex with inverted geometry avoids the cell poles. This demonstrates the successful rational design of both polar and anti-polar clustering, and provides a synthetic platform on which to build new systems. It is unclear how bacterial chemoreceptors are reliably targeted to the cell poles. Here, Draper and Liphardt show that chemoreceptor localization is highly sensitive to membrane curvature in live bacteria, and engineer curvature sensitivity into several multi-component synthetic protein complexes.
Spectral properties of generalized eigenparameter dependent discrete Sturm-Liouville type equation

AbstractLet L denote the non-selfadjoint diﬀerence operator of second order with boundary condition generated in l2 (ℕ) bywhere {an}n∈ℕ and {bn}n∈ℕ are complex sequences, γi, βi ∈ ℂ, i = 0, 1, 2, … , p and λ is a eigenparameter. Discussing the spectral properties of L, we investigate the Jost function, spectrum, the spectral singularities, and the properties of the principal vectors corresponding to the spectral singularities of L, if.
Modeling Geographic Variation in Household Disaster Preparedness across U.S. States and Metropolitan Areas

Emerging statistical techniques, combined with the increasing accessibility of primary social survey data, can provide policy-relevant tools for understanding how perceptions and behaviors vary geo...
Surgery program directors' knowledge of opioid prescribing regulations: a survey study.

Abstract Background Opioid misuse is a public health crisis that stems in part from overprescribing by health-care providers. Surgical residents are commonly responsible for prescribing opioids at patient discharge, and residency program directors (PDs) are charged with their residents' education. Because each hospital and state has different opioid prescribing policies, we sought to assess PDs' knowledge about local controlled substance prescribing polices. Methods A survey was emailed to surgery PDs that included questions regarding residency characteristics and knowledge of state regulations. Results A total of 247 PDs were emailed with 110 (44.5%) completed responses. One hundred and four (94.5%) allow residents to prescribe outpatient opioids; one was unsure. Sixty-three (57.3%) respondents correctly answered if their state required opioid prescribing education for full licensure. Twenty-two (20.0%) were unsure if their state required opioid prescribing education for licensure. Sixty-four (58.2%) respondents answered correctly if a prescription monitor programs use is required in their state. Twenty-nine (26.4%) were unsure if a state prescription monitor programs existed. Seventy-six (69.1%) PDs answered correctly about their state's requirement for an additional registration to prescribe controlled substances; 10 (9.1%) did not know if this was required. Twenty-nine (27.9%) programs require residents to obtain individual drug enforcement agency registration; 5 (4.8%) were unsure if this was required. Conclusions Most programs allow residents to prescribe outpatient opioids. However, this survey demonstrated a considerable gap in PDs' knowledge about controlled substance regulations. Because they oversee surgical residents' education, PDs should be versed about their local policies in this matter.
Individual Discrimination on the Basis of Urine in Dogs and Wolves

The importance of olfactory communication among dogs and wolves is renowned, but human beings still rarely fathom how pervasive such communication is. A glimpse into this world is suggested by the observation that members of a typical wolf pack scent mark or inspect a scent mark once every two minutes of the day (Peters and Mech, 1975). The functions of scent marks among dogs and wolves are legion, and may well involve subtleties that humans have not yet imagined. It is however known that dogs can discriminate males from females on the basis of urine odors and that males are preferentially attracted to the odor of urine from estrous as opposed to non-estrous females (Dunbar, 1978). Both naturalistic observations of dogs and wolves and preferences of female dogs for individual males suggest the ability of individuals of both species to recognize other individuals (e.g., Mech, 1970; LeBoeuf, 1967). Such observations also suggest the importance of scent cues, and it has been shown that male dogs can distinguish between their own odor and that of another male (Dunbar and Carmichael, 1981). We are not aware, however, of any proof that individuals can discriminate two other individuals on the basis of odor cues.
Abstract 2590: Nano-exosomes with miRNA: A new therapeutic approach

Access to reliable and effective therapeutics for patients suffering from aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been clinically challenging to achieve due to lack of targetable mutations and high heterogeneity in the tumor cells. Therapeutic approaches to reduce mortality in the TNBC patient subset requires an innovative and targeted approach to drug delivery, which is presented here in the form of labeled-exosomes. In this study, we have developed a novel method to bioengineer exosomes, where an antibody is covalently bonded to a fatty acid, which is then anchored into the exosomal membrane to create labeled-exosomes. Our data demonstrate that labeled-exosomes can contain up to 700,000-fold higher miRNA concentrations and can deliver miRNA cargo with increased efficiency into MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells. Results further reveal that insertion of a specific antibody-label to the exosomal membrane significantly increases microRNA uptake into MDA-MB-231 cells, and is further enhanced in cells overexpressing that same antibody marker on their surface. The customizable bioengineering of the labeled-exosomes makes it a highly versatile tool to target cells based on surface marker expression and increase miRNA or other therapeutic cargo delivery. Most importantly, the relevancy of this model reaches far beyond its success in just TNBC cells and can also be translated to several different disease models that require specific targeting with an encapsulated miRNA or therapeutic. We believe this is a novel and exciting utilization of exosomes with a high degree of customization based on surface markers on the target cell, as well as microRNA cargo loaded into the exosome to inhibit a specific oncogene. Citation Format: Sudeepti Kuppa, Balazs Rada, Arthur Roberts, Mandi M. Murph. Nano-exosomes with miRNA: A new therapeutic approach [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2590.
Comparative outcomes of inpatients with lung collapse managed by bronchoscopic or conservative means.

Background Although the incidence and prevalence of atelectatic lung collapse is unknown, such events are common among inpatients, and there are no guidelines for optimally instituting bronchoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with complete or near-complete lung collapse managed via interventional flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy or a conservative approach. Methods Retrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to BronxCare Health System between January 2011 and October 2017 with a diagnosis of lung collapse/atelectasis. The primary outcome was radiological resolution. Timing of bronchoscopy relative to radiological resolution and mortality served as secondary outcomes. Results Of the 177 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 149 (84%) underwent bronchoscopy and 28 (16%) were managed through conservative measures only. A significantly greater number of patients in the bronchoscopy group achieved complete or near-complete resolution on chest X-ray, compared with the conservative group (p=0.007). Timing of bronchoscopy had no impact on the rate of radiological resolution, and mortality in the two groups was similar. New endobronchial malignancies were identified in 21 patients (14%). Conclusions Our data support the central role of bronchoscopy in instances of complete or near-complete lung collapse, ensuring better radiological outcomes. Judicious use of conservative management is warranted to avoid missing significant pathology. A prime consideration in this setting is obstructive malignancy.
Receptivity to Change and Modernization in Rural County Administration

This article examines and measures the impact of selected variables on the determination of rural political leaders' orientation to change and modernization of rural county government administratio...
Collagen-targeted MRI contrast agent for liver fibrosis detection

A novel MRI gadolinium-based contrast agent designed to bind with collagen, a key component in liver fibrosis progression, provides direct quantification of collagen deposition in several preclinical liver disease models. This tool could have large implications in clinical diagnosis and drug trials.
High-Resolution Manometry

Clinical evaluation and treatment for swallowing disorders has historically relied on subjective judgments of imaging studies, contributing to highly variable interpretation of physiologic events. Technologic advancements in manometry systems have introduced high-resolution manometry as a complementary assessment and treatment tool in complex pharyngeal dysphagia. This chapter will acquaint the reader with high-resolution manometry, outline the evidence supporting its use in pharyngeal dysphagia, define a practice model for clinical application, and propose neurologic conditions where high-resolution pharyngeal manometry can enhance both evaluation and treatment of neurogenic dysphagia.
Women & Equality in Iran: Law, Society and Activism

In Women & Equality in Iran, Leila Alikarami explores contemporary Iranian women’s tireless efforts towards advancing their legal rights. After providing a history of Iranian women’s activism over ...
Abstract P228: Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist And Lipophilic Statin Reduce Urinary Kidney Injury Marker 1 (Kim-1) In Female Rats Receiving L-NAME And Angiotensin II

Statins have beneficial cardiovascular effects some of which appear to be cholesterol-independent and the mechanisms for these latter effects are still unclear. Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (Ki...
Dynamic X-Ray Imaging of Additively Manufactured Reactive Components in Solid Propellants

A variety of methods have been developed to enhance solid propellant burning rates, including adjusting oxidizer particle size, changing the formulation, modifying the propellant core geometry, and...
Genetic variation and recurrent haplotypes on chromosome 6q23-25 risk locus in familial lung cancer

While lung cancer is known to be caused by environmental factors, it has also been shown to have genetic components, and the genetic etiology of lung cancer remains understudied. We previously identified a lung cancer risk locus on 6q23-25 using microsatellite data in families with a history of lung cancer. To further elucidate that signal, we performed targeted sequencing on 9 of our most strongly linked families. Two-point linkage analysis of the sequencing data revealed that the signal was heterogeneous and that different families likely had different risk variants. Three specific haplotypes were shared by some of the families: 6q25.3-26 in families 42 and 44, 6q25.2-25.3 in families 47 and 59, and 6q24.2-25.1 in families 30, 33, and 35. Region-based LOD scores and expression data identified the likely candidate genes for each haplotype overlap: ARID1B at 6q25.3, MAP3K4 at 6q26, and UTRN (6q24.1) and PHACTR2 (6q24.2). Further annotation was used to zero in on potential risk variants in those genes. All four genes are good candidate genes for lung cancer risk, having been linked to either lung cancer specifically or other cancers. However, this is the first time any of these genes has been implicated in germline risk. Functional analysis of these four genes is planned for future work.
Fullerenes and their applications

Abstract Fullerenes, the third allotropic form of carbon, have attracted considerable attention since they were first observed in 1985 and have been widely explored in the past three decades. In this chapter, we review the synthetic methods to prepare empty fullerenes as well as endohedral fullerenes; introduce the structural characteristics of fullerenes, including the isolated pentagon rule, topology, and naming according to the spiral algorithm, Stone-Wales transformations; and describe structures that have been characterized to date. In addition, general remarks about the most important aspects of the chemical reactivity, including hydrogenation, halogenation, oxidation, reduction, cycloaddition reactions, and nucleophilic, electrophilic, and radical additions are presented. Applications, such as in medical treatments and photovoltaic devices, are also systematically described.
Change management and continuous improvement for Smarter Care: A Systems Viewpoint

Patients suffer disparities, higher mortality, and unmet medical need due to communication issues with doctors in cancer care. Medical errors are also driving patients to lose trust in their healthcare providers. We need to better analyze and improve patient experience in cancer care. This paper emphasizes on the fact that all components of a complex system are interrelated and interdependent and the behavior of the system depends on these interdependencies. A healthcare system as decorticated in this article is complex and new initiatives like technology adoption are not easily embedded and accepted by all stakeholders. We use the Lean Six Sigma approach (L6S) to show how continuous improvement system thinking methods can help achieve better quality, value chain and performance in healthcare in addition to the organizations’ KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) used.
Magnetic Properties of Rare Earth Metals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the theory of the magnetic behavior of the lattice of localized moments corresponding to the unfilled 4f shells, and to a description of the relevant experimental information. It begins by describing the equilibrium magnetic arrangements, the basic model for magnetic behavior of the heavy rate earth metals, and the way in which one obtains transitions between various equilibrium magnetic arrangements within this model. The emphasis is on the theory for the excited magnetic states—that is, spin-wave-like states, and the experimental manifestations of these excited magnetic states. These topics are treated in this chapter. It discusses the theory of spin wave behavior when the equilibrium magnetic arrangement is ferromagnetic. That Part includes a discussion of the temperature dependence, as well as discussion of applied field and magnetoelastic effects. The excited magnetic state behavior for periodic moment arrangements is discussed here.
Perceptions of the coordinating center: As viewed by a project officer

Abstract From the perspective of the project officer of the multicenter, international Lipid Research Clinics Program, some salient points in evaluating a coordinating center are discussed: assessment of its needs, appraisal of its quality-control methods, determination of the appropriate balance between active/passive participation in the study, judgment of its communication skills, and estimation of its ability to enhance data analysis and publication of research results.
The Postoperative Evaluation

Different hospitals have varying models regarding medical consultation. Some medicine consult services predominantly perform preoperative evaluations; others also work in the inpatient setting providing postoperative expertise. This section is for those medical consultants who provide care postoperatively.
Blind Spots in Human Rights Coverage: Framing Violence Against the Rohingya in Myanmar/Burma

Thousands of stateless Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (also called Burma) face a humanitarian crisis since communal violence began in June 2012, displacing more than 180,000 and leading to more than 280 deaths. Yet the recent political and media opening in Myanmar has provoked celebratory headlines as eager foreigners rush in with investment ideas. These changes distract from atrocities in rural areas, as media serve as the entry point to such crises for most outsiders. This study analyzes a series of 2013 Reuters investigative reports on the Rohingya that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize, and then a series of blog posts that further the story appearing in English language transnational media. Drawing theoretically from critical human rights scholarship, this analysis provides insight not only into how human rights discourse is employed and for what potential purposes but also into the hierarchies and tensions inherent in the processes of global journalism.
Scalable Session Locking for a Distributed File System

File systems provide an interface for applications to obtain exclusive access to files, in which a process holds privileges to a file that cannot be preempted and restrict the capabilities of other processes. Local file systems do this by maintaining information about the privileges of current file sessions, and checking subsequent sessions for compatibility. Implementing exclusive access in this manner for distributed file systems degrades performance by requiring every new file session to be registered with a lock server that maintains global session state. We present two techniques for improving the performance of session management in the distributed environment. We introduce a distributed lock for managing file access, called a i>semi-preemptible lock, that allows clients to cache privileges. Under a semi-preemptible lock, a file system creates new sessions without messages to the lock manager. This improves performance by exploiting locality – the affinity of files to clients. We also present data structures and algorithms for the i>dynamic evaluation of locks that allow a distributed file system to efficiently manage arbitrarily complex locking. In this case, complex means that an object can be locked in a large number of unique modes. The combination of these techniques results in a distributed locking scheme that supports fine-grained concurrency control with low memory and message overhead and with the assurance that their locking system is correct and avoids unnecessary deadlocks.
The non-flavin redox center of the streptococcal NADH peroxidase. II. Evidence for a stabilized cysteine-sulfenic acid.

Abstract Incubation of the streptococcal NADH peroxidase with 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate under anaerobic denaturing conditions leads to the rapid incorporation of 1 eq/FAD of the aromatic thiol. Addition of dithiothreitol to the resulting conjugate, following ultrafiltration, demonstrates that a mixed disulfide has been formed. Analysis of the denatured NADH peroxidase by iso-electric focusing reveals the presence of two predominant species differing in isoelectric point by approximately 0.1 units. Preincubation with 20 mM hydrogen peroxide gives essentially complete and irreversible conversion to the more acidic species. Treatment of the native peroxidase with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide also leads to irreversible enzyme inactivation; the low extinction long wavelength absorbance associated with the enzyme as purified is lost in the process. Anaerobic dithionite and NADH titrations of the peroxide-inactivated enzyme indicate that, while the cysteinyl redox center is nonfunctional, the enzyme is still capable of forming a binary complex with NADH. We propose that the redox-active cysteinyl derivative which serves as the second redox center in the native peroxidase is a stabilized cysteine-sulfenic acid derivative of Cys42. This determination is consistent with the covalent modifications observed with both 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate and with H2O2 and is supported by mass spectrometric analysis of a chymotryptic cysteinyl peptide derived from the unmodified peroxidase.