cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synchronous thyroid pathology in patients presenting with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Abstract Background Thyroid and parathyroid pathology may coexist; classically, this is described in multiple endocrine neoplasia. Other nonsyndromic scenarios result in pathologies of these endocrine organs coexisting. This can create a challenge in the clinical decision making and management of these patients. It is optimal to deal with both problems in one operative procedure, if surgery is required. Methods A retrospective review of cases of synchronous thyroid and parathyroid pathology that were managed surgically over a 3-year period by a single endocrine surgeon at a single university medical center. Results Seventeen cases of synchronous thyroid and parathyroid disease were discovered. All required surgical management of thyroid and parathyroid conditions. Reasons included removal of thyroid goiter for access to an adenoma, worrisome thyroid lesions coexistent with a parathyroid adenoma, and an intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma. Cases of incidental discovery of a second endocrine condition while the first was evaluated will be reported. Conclusions A head and neck endocrine surgeon needs to be aware of the possible coexistence of thyroid and parathyroid pathologies so that, when encountered, they can be safely and efficiently managed in a single procedure.
Evaluation of Products and Application Procedures for Mitigating Dust in Temperate Climates

An evaluation of commercial dust palliatives was conducted to determine their effectiveness in mitigating fugitive dust on roads in temperate climates. Several types of dust palliatives were tested, including polymer emulsions, a polysaccharide solution, a calcium chloride solution, and synthetic fluids. Each product was placed in an individual test section; application rates ranged from 1.8 to 3.6 L/m2 with a topical or an admix construction method (grade, spray, till, compact, spray). Water-soluble products were diluted by using one part product and three parts water. Test sections were constructed and observed for 220 days to monitor product performance. Test sections were located along training routes at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and were subjected to heavy military truck and tracked vehicle traffic. Data from stationary and mobile particle collectors were analyzed to determine the ability of each product to suppress dust for extended periods. Nuclear density tests were performed to monitor soil moi...
Prednisolone Disposition in Cushingoid and Noncushingoid Kidney Transplant Patients

Little information is available on the disposition of prednisolone in kidney transplant patients and whether correlations exist between the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic or toxic effects of this drug. The present study was designed to determine the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone in six non-cushingoid and six cushingoid transplant recipients. The elimination half-lives were not significantly different in the non-cushingoid and cushingoid patients (2.8 us. 3.3 h). However, other pharmacokinetic parameters were significantly lower in the cushingoid group: plasma clearance (147 us. 82 ml/min) and volume of distribution (32 us. 20 liters). In addition, the availability of prednisolone after oral prednisone administration was considerably variable (overall range, 27–108%) and was not significantly different between the two groups. Thus, in kidney transplant patients it appears that the plasma clearance and volume of distribution of prednisolone may distinguish between noncushingoid and cushingoid patients.
Imaging of the central nervous system in child abuse: A computer-aided instructional program

This article describes a computer-aided instructional program dealing with diagnosis and classification of central nervous system injuries seen in child abuse. Cases were selected to demonstrate the spectrum of central nervous system injury seen in child abuse, with emphasis on features which can be used to help distinguish child abuse from accidental trauma. A review of the temporal changes of hematomas as seen by magnetic resonance imaging is also provided. Completion of the program requires 25–30 minutes. Free copies of the program may be obtained by contacting the authors.
Noise voltage in Josephson junctions

Abstract We show the theoretical prediction of voltage across Josephson junctions due to thermal noise currents to be in reasonable agreement with experiments in which noise currents of variable “temperature” were produced by the radiation of a gas discharge.
Crystal structures of two N-methyltriphenylphosphoranimines: triphenylphosphine-N-methylimine borane, Ph3PN(CH3)BH3 and N,N-dimethylaminotriphenylphosphonium tetrafluoroborate, [Ph3PN(CH3)2]+BF4−

Abstract X-ray crystal structure determinations of two N-methyltriphenylphosphoranimines, Ph3PN(CH3)BH3 (1) and [Ph3PN(CH3)2]+BF4− (2), were carried out to determine the effects of π-bonding between P and N in triphenylphosphoranimines, Ph3PNR, as a function of formal chargeon the N atom. Crystals of 1 are monoclinic, space group P2 1 /n with a = 11.370(2), b = 10.507(2), c = 14.360(4) A and β = 91.47(2)° with Z = 4. Bond lengths of interest are: PN 1.605(3), NB 1.583(5), NC 1.456(5), average PC(phenyl) 1.805(3) A. Bond angles of interest are: PNC 124.2(2), PNB 120.7(2), CNB 114.6(3), average CPC 106.8(5), average CPN of 112.0(5)°. Crystals of 2 are monoclinic, space group P2 1 /c with a = 16.379(3), b = 16.777(2), c = 14.481(2) A and β = 94.41(1)° with Z = 8 (2 molecules per asymmetric unit). Average bond lengths of interest are: PN 1.626(4), PC(phenyl) 1.795(7), NC 1.442(13) A. Average bond angles are: CPC 109(2), CPN 110(2), PNC 123(3), CNC 112.8(4)°. The longer PC distances, the shorter PN distance and smaller CPC angles in 1 compared to 2 are consistent with changes in the s-character around the P atoms.
Children's perceptions of the risk of sexual abuse

Research to date has not examined children's perceptions of the risk of sexual abuse, and how those perceptions change following participation in a prevention program. This study assessed children's current perceptions of the risk of sexual abuse, changes in children's perceptions of risk after participation in a sexual abuse prevention program, and age differences in children's beliefs about risk. The findings indicate that children's already high perceptions of the risk of sexual abuse increased after participation in a prevention program, and that their predictions of abuse by strangers increased after the program. However, children's predictions of the likelihood of sexual abuse in specific videotaped scenarios was quite low. Younger children had lower perceptions of risk than older children and their perceptions of the likelihood of abuse in the videotaped scenarios remained lower than the perceptions of older children even after the intervention program. In addition, children perceived differences in the risk-levels of various situations, but the factors they used to discriminate risk were not necessarily related to real risks. The findings are discussed in relation to the larger issue of how children's perceptions of the risk of sexual abuse are related to the goals of prevention programs.
Experimental Separation of Sensory and Motor Functions in Pea Tendrils

When illuminated pea tendrils from light-grown plants are rubbed on their abaxial side, they rapidly coil in a spiral fashion. If similar tendrils are held in the dark for 3 days and then rubbed, however, they will not coil until they are subsequently illuminated. They can remain uncoiled in the dark for as long as 2 hours after stimulation, and will still coil immediately when they are illuminated. Tendrils that are rubbed and held at 25 degrees C will coil, but those treated at 5 degrees or 10 degrees C will not. However, tendrils rubbed at 25 degrees C and kept from coiling for an hour at 5 degrees C, will immediately coil when restored to the higher temperature. These observations are interpreted to imply separation of sensory and motor functions.
Research Note: Induced Molt Increases Eggshell Quality and Calbindin-D28k Content of Eggshell Gland and Duodenum of Aging Hens

Abstract Aged laying hens, which were induced to molt by fasting to a 30% loss of their original body weight or by administration of a diet containing 2% zinc as zinc oxide, experienced reproductive involution and cessation of egg production. Both of the molting treatments resulted in improvement of eggshell density by time of oviposition of the 10th egg after the return to egg production postmolt. Both molting treatments significantly increased the amount of calbindin in the shell gland and duodenum of molted hens as compared with control hens at the 10th egg after return to egg production postmolt.
Massive Transfusion in the Intensive Care Unit

The transfusion of blood components is a frequent oc currence in intensive care units. Transfusion therapy demands not only a greater ability to meet the needs of acutely ill patients with an enlarging variety of blood components, but also an increasing awareness of previ ously recognized and newly discovered hazards of blood transfusion. Use of the more commonly adminis tered blood components is reviewed, and problems per tinent to the large-volume massively or multiply trans fused patient are discussed.
Both Oral Metronidazole and Oral Vancomycin Promote Persistent Overgrowth of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci during Treatment of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease

For treatment of mild to moderate Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), oral metronidazole has been recommended as the preferred agent, in part due to concern that vancomycin may be more likely to promote colonization by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). We performed a prospective observational study to examine the effects of oral metronidazole or vancomycin treatment of CDAD on acquisition and concentration of VRE stool colonization. Before, during, and after 90 courses of CDAD therapy, stool samples were cultured for VRE, and the concentrations were quantified. Eighty-seven subjects (97%) had received antibiotics within the past month. For 56 treatment courses in which preexisting VRE colonization was present, metronidazole (n = 37 courses) and vancomycin (n = 19 courses), each promoted persistent VRE overgrowth during therapy, and the concentration decreased significantly in both groups by ∼2 weeks after completion of treatment (P <0.049). For 34 treatment courses in which baseline cultures were negative for VRE, new detection of VRE stool colonization occurred during 3 (14%) of the 22 courses of metronidazole and 1 (8%) of the 12 courses of vancomycin (P = 1.0). These results demonstrate that both oral metronidazole and oral vancomycin promote the overgrowth of VRE during treatment of CDAD. New CDAD treatments are needed that are less likely to disrupt the intestinal microflora and promote overgrowth of healthcare-associated pathogens.
Experiments on soft x-ray laser development in a tabletop capillary discharge

The possibility of achieving soft X-ray amplification by collisional recombination in a capillary discharge plasma is being investigated. The results of the soft X-ray spectroscopy study of carbon capillary plasmas excited by a 40 kV, 108 ns FWHM discharge are discussed. The first spectra corresponding to a fast 25 ns FWHM, 600 kV discharge are also reported.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spacecraft wall design for increased protection against penetration by orbital debris impacts

All orbiting spacecraft are susceptible to impacts by meteoroids and pieces of orbital space debris. These impacts occur at extremely high speeds and can damage flight-critical systems, which can in turn lead to catastrophic failure of the spacecraft. The design of a spacecraft for a long-duration mission into the meteoroid and space debris environment must include adequate protection against perforation of pressurized components by such impacts. This paper presents the results of an investigation into the perforation resistance of dual-wall structural systems fabricated with monolithic bumper plates and with corrugated bumper plates of equal weight. A comparative analysis of the impact damage in dual-wall systems with corrugated bumper specimens and that in dual-wall specimens with monolithic bumpers of similar weight is performed to determine the advantages and disadvantages of employing corrugated bumpers in structural wall systems for long-duration spacecraft. The analysis indicates that a significant increase in perforation protection can be achieved if a monolithic bumper is replaced by a corrugated bumper of equal weight. The parameters of the corrugations in the corrugated bumper plates are optimized in a manner that minimizes the potential for the creation of ricochet debris in the event of an oblique hypervelocity impact. Several design examples using the optimization scheme are presented and discussed.
Metabolic derangements in nonmodulating hypertension

A positive association exists between insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, specifically salt-sensitive hypertension. A subgroup of salt-sensitive normal and high renin hypertensives called nonmodulators (NM) manifest an inability to modulate the adrenal and renal blood flow responses to a change in dietary sodium. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the NM subgroup would be insulin resistant and dyslipidemic when compared with normal and high renin hypertensives, in whom modulation is intact (M). Forty-six nondiabetic hypertensive individuals were evaluated and their modulation status defined by either renal or adrenal criteria. Fasting blood was drawn for measurement of several metabolic factors. Since the NM group had a greater body mass index (BMI) it was subdivided into a “lean” subgroup that matched the BMI of the M group. The fasting insulin levels in both the total NM and lean NM groups was significantly higher than in the M group ( P =.013 and .04, respectively). There were no differences in age, blood pressure, or plasma/serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, or potassium. NM had elevated fasting insulin levels compared to M, compatible with an insulin resistant state, but this insulin resistance was not accompanied by higher lipid levels, suggesting that dyslipidemia and insulin resistance are dissociable in the hypertensive population.
Identifying the killer in cystic fibrosis

Understanding the genetic defects underlying cystic fibrosis is only half the battle. Identifying the specific bacterium infecting CF patients is just as important (pages 661–666).
Cryo-electron microscopy of S1-decorated actin filaments

Abstract We have applied techniques for cryo-electron microscopy, combined with image processing, to both S1-decorated native thin filaments and S1-decorated actin filaments. In our reconstruction the actin subunit has a prolate ellipsoid shape and is composed of two domains. The long axis of the monomer lies roughly perpendicular to the filament axis. The myosin head (S1) approaches the actin filament tangentially, the major interaction being with the outermost domain of actin. To distinguish the position of tropomyosin unambiguously in our map, we compared the maps from decorated thin filaments with those from decorated actin filaments. Our difference map clearly shows a peak corresponding to the position of tropomyosin; tropomyosin is bound to the inner domain of actin just in front of the myosin binding site at a radius of about 40 A. As a first step toward looking at the actomyosin structure in a state other than rigor, we examined S1 crosslinked to actin filaments by the zero-length crosslinker EDC in the presence of ATP and after pPDM bridging of the reactive thiols of S1. S1 molecules of the crosslinked complexes in the presence of ATP and after pPDM treatment appear dramatically different from those in rigor. The S1s appear more disordered and no longer assume the characteristic rigor 45° angle with the actin filaments.
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes (HIPS-CM's): An Expression Model System for Investigating Cardiac Channelopathies

Background and rationale:Until recently the study of dysfunctional ion channels in their native environment was only possible by using transgenic animal models, which do not recapitulate human physiology. Here, we have investigated the use of hiPS-CM's as a model system for investigating cardiac channelopathies, specifically long QT Syndrome-9 (LQT9) causing Cav3 mutation (F97C-Cav3).Methods:Commercially available hiPS-CM's were obtained from Cellular Dynamic International. hiPS-CM's were infected with WT-Cav3 or F97C-Cav3 and studied with standard patch-clamp techniques.Results:Using HEK293 cells and in rat myocytes we previously reported that LQT9 causing mutations did not affect peak-sodium current (INa-P), but increased late-sodium current (INa-L). In the HEK293 heterologous cell system we transfected the key components nNOS, α1-syntrophin and WT-Cav3/F97C-Cav3 to elucidate mechanism. To investigate the use of hiPS-CM's as a model, we infected hiPS-CM's with WT-Cav3/F97C-Cav3. We report that, INa-p was unchanged (A&B) but report an increase in INa-L (C&D).Conclusion:hiPS-CM's are a relevant physiologic expression model system to study cardiac channelopathies that recapitulates the native environment of a human ventricular myocyte.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Exploring Histidine Conformations in the M2 Channel Lumen of the Influenza A Virus at Neutral pH via Molecular Simulations.

The pH-regulated M2 proton channel from the influenza A virus has a His-tetrad in its transmembrane (TM) domain that is essential for proton conduction. At neutral pH, the tetrad has been observed in two distinct configurations, the “His-box” and “dimer-of-dimers”, with similar backbone structures suggesting competing models for proton conduction. Here, we propose that both conformations can play a role. In support of this hypothesis, we used molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory to simulate the M2-TM domain and force-field-based simulations to estimate the relevant free-energy barriers. Both configurations are stable on accessible simulation time scales, and transitions between them occur faster than the millisecond time scale of proton conduction. Moreover, the deprotonation energy is too high for spontaneous conduction, consistent with their occurrence in the low-current regime. Our computations support a multiconfiguration model with different population levels, thereby con...
An improved enzymic hydrolysis of collagen.

Abstract A peptidase mixture was prepared from hog-kidney microsomes which contained aminopeptidase, prolidase, prolinase, carboxypeptidase-P, and X-prolyl-aminopeptidase activity. The sequential addition of collagenase, papain, and the peptidase mixture to collagen samples resulted in the hydrolysis of 90% of the peptide bonds. The unhydrolyzed fraction was accounted for by the recovery of 40 residues of prolyl-hydroxyproline, 1.6 residues of hydroxylysine-carbohydrate compounds, and 4–5 residues of α-linked glutamyl-hydroxyproline per 1000 total residues. Correcting the amino acid analysis of the enzyme hydrolysate for these unhydrolyzed residues resulted in an amino acid analysis equivalent to an acid hydrolysate of the enzymic hydrolysate which, in turn, is equivalent to an acid hydrolysate of the original collagen sample. These data indicate that there is no detectable contamination by the enzymes. A non-destructive hydrolysis is now available for use in the search for unusual linkages in collagen.
Mu-opioid signaling modulates biphasic expression of TrkB and IκBα genes and neurite outgrowth in differentiating and differentiated human neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract Chronic opioid exposure leads to changes in gene expression (functional changes), resulting in structural changes in neural circuits that are linked to eventually behavioral changes. Little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how such changes occur. In this study, we found that mu-opioid [ d -Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) and morphine exposure led to dynamic changes in neural differentiation- and growth-associated genes, IκBα and NTRK2 (TrkB), in differentiating and differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-PCR) analysis revealed that binding of NF-κB/p65 to the IκBα promoter in living cells was temporally altered when the cells were exposed to morphine. The changes in gene expression correlated with the changes in neurite length of the RA-differentiating and RA-differentiated neuron-like cells. Our findings for the first time showed that TrkB signaling and NF-κB/IκBα signaling temporally correlated with each other in response to single-dose and repeated mu-opioid treatment in differentiating and differentiated human neuron-like cells. The findings from this human cell study in vitro indicate that both relatively high single-dose and chronic opioid exposure may induce the structural changes in the developing human brain and the adult brain by altering the expression of neuronal differentiation- and neurite outgrowth-related genes IκBa and TrkB in vivo.
Predicting the equilibrium protein folding pathway: structure-based analysis of staphylococcal nuclease.

The equilibrium folding pathway of staphylococcal nucleas (SNase) has been approximated using a statistical thermodynamic formalism that utilizes the high-resolution structure of the native state as a template to generate a large ensemble of partially folded states. Close to 400,000 different states ranging from the native to the completely unfolded states were included in the analysis. The probability of each state was estimated using an empirical structural parametrization of the folding energetics. It is shown that this formalism predicts accurately the stability of the protein, the cooperativity of the folding/unfolding transition observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or urea denaturation and the thermodynamic parameters for unfolding. More importantly, this formalism provides a quantitative account of the experimental hydrogen exchange protection factors measured under native conditions for SNase. These results suggest that the computer-generated distribution of states approximates well the ensemble of conformations existing in solution. Furthermore, this formalism represents the first model capable of quantitatively predicting within a unified framework the probability distribution of states seen under native conditions and its change upon unfolding. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Desmoplasia and neurotropism. Prognostic variables in patients with stage I melanoma.

Background. Desmoplastic melanomas with and without neurotropism are thought to be more clinically aggressive than other melanomas of comparable thickness. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of desmoplasia and neurotropism in Patients with Stage I cutaneous melanoma completely excised at the initial presentation of disease and prospectively studied for a minimum of 8 years. Methods. Desmoplasia and neurotropism were evaluated as single prognostic predictors in survival outcome of cutaneous Stage I melanomas and as variables in the University of Pennsylvania Pigmented Lesion Study Group 8-year survival model for Stage I melanoma. In addition, the clinical presentation and follow-up of melanomas with desmoplasia and/or neurotropism was compared with that of other types of cutaneous Stage I melanoma in patients also followed for a minimum of 8 years. Results. Neurotropism was associated with a statistically significant decrease in survival in patients with melanomas with desmoplasia. A decrease in survival also was observed in other types of melanoma with neurotropism, but the difference was not statistically significant. Melanomas with neurotropism had a statistically significant increase in local recurrence. Desmoplasia was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in survival. Conclusion. Desmoplasia is not associated with a statistically significant decrease in the prognosis of patients with primary cutaneous Stage I melanoma. The more clinically aggressive behavior of desmoplastic melanomas observed in previous studies may be secondary to initial misdiagnosis and/or inadequate margin assessment of these lesions. Neurotropism, however, is associated with a statistically significant decrease in survival in patients with desmoplastic melanomas and is most likely associated with decreased reduces patient survival in other melanoma types. Neurotropism is also related to an increase in the frequency of local recurrence of melanoma. Cancer 1995; 76:2242–7.
Characteristics of Career Achievement: Perceptions of African‐American Corporate Executives

African American corporate business executives employed in black owned and operated businesses were studied with the purpose of developing profiles and identifying their perceptions of the importance of professional characteristics and career activities to their career achievement.The typical African American corporate executive in this study held the position of chief executive officer or vice president, was male, had a mother as a female primary care giver, had a father as a male primary care giver, had primary care givers who were very supportive of career decisions and goals, had earned a bachelor’s degree, and had a male mentor.With regard to perceptions, the typical African American corporate executive believed that communicating in writing and speaking was “crucial” to his/her career achievement; believed that setting goals was “crucial” to his/her career achievement; believed that adjusting to new situations was “crucial” to his/her career achievement; and believed that developing and strengthenin...
Using Set-Based Heading to Improve Mobile Agent Movement

Cover time measures the time (or number of steps) required for a mobile agent to visit each node in a network (graph) at least once. A short cover time is important for search or foraging applications that require mobile agents to quickly inspect or monitor nodes in a network, such as providing situational awareness or security. Speed can be achieved if details about the graph are known or if the agent maintains a history of visited nodes, however, these requirements may not be feasible for agents with limited resources, they are difficult in dynamic graph topologies, and they do not easily scale to large networks. This paper introduces a set-based form of heading (directional bias) that allows an agent to more efficiently explore any connected graph, static or dynamic. When deciding the next node to visit, agents are discouraged from visiting nodes that neighbor both their previous and current locations. Modifying a traditional movement method, e.g., random walk, with this concept encourages an agent to move toward nodes that are less likely to have been previously visited, reducing cover time. Simulation results with grid, scale-free, and minimum distance graphs demonstrate heading can consistently reduce cover time as compared to non-heading movement techniques.
Projected Interference Fringes in Holographic Interferometry

Large surface movements can be conveniently measured with holographic interferometry by using a moire technique. A comparison grid is produced at the test surface by projecting onto it parallel interference fringes. Reconstruction of the surface shows a moire fringe pattern formed by the product of the holographically generated fringes and the projected grid. If the spatial frequency of the grid is within a certain range, the moire fringes are appreciably coarser than either the holographic fringes or the grid. A measurement of the moire fringe spacing and orientation allows determination of the form of the holographic fringes and, hence, surface deformations can be calculated. This method can be used to extend the range of holographic interferometry by at least an order of magnitude.
Three-Dimensional Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation of Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve Flow Dynamics

The wall shear stress induced by the leaflet motion during the valve-closing phase has been implicated with thrombus initiation with prosthetic valves. Detailed flow dynamic analysis in the vicinity of the leaflets and the housing during the valve-closure phase is of interest in understanding this relationship. A three-dimensional unsteady flow analysis past bileaflet valve prosthesis in the mitral position is presented incorporating a fluid-structure interaction algorithm for leaflet motion during the valve-closing phase. Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method is employed for incorporating the leaflet motion. The forces exerted by the fluid on the leaflets are computed and applied to the leaflet equation of motion to predict the leaflet position. Relatively large velocities are computed in the valve clearance region between the valve housing and the leaflet edge with the resulting relatively large wall shear stresses at the leaflet edge during the impact-rebound duration. Negative pressure transients are computed on the surface of the leaflets on the atrial side of the valve, with larger magnitudes at the leaflet edge during the closing and rebound as well. Vortical flow development is observed on the inflow (atrial) side during the valve impact-rebound phase in a location central to the leaflet and away from the clearance region where cavitation bubbles have been visualized in previously reported experimental studies.
Evidence bearing on the origin of infraspecific disjunction inSophora gypsophila (Fabaceae)

Morphometrical, cytological, chemical and ecological data are presented concerning the origin of infraspecific disjunction inSophora gypsophila, its 2 varieties, var.gypsophila and var.guadalupensis, being known from only 2 very local sites which are separated by approximately 300 km. It is concluded that the populations are remnants of a much more widespread, highly variable sib of Wisconsin time.
A hypothesis why “early intervention” in cerebral palsy might be useful

The question whether initiating treatment of cerebral palsy in infancy gives better results than therapy initiated later in childhood has been raised and is being debated. It is unlikely that a double-blind study can be arranged to settle this controversy. Experiences gained from management of congenital amputees, observations of copying behavior of small infants, and the relative ease of requiring other motor skills in very young normal children suggest that critical ages influence the quality of motor performances. The acquisition of accent in learning one's first or second language also depends in age of learning and copying that language. These observations strongly suggest the hypothesis that early sensory input affects motor programming also in children with cerebral palsy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy after the learning curve: what should we expect?

The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the late 1980s was accompanied an increase in common bile duct (CBD) injuries. This retrospective analysis of 2,005 cholecystectomies performed at a single institution investigates the factors that have contributed to a record of zero CBD injuries in 1,674 consecutive LC. The medical records of 1,285 consecutive patients operated on from 7 July 1996 to 6 June 2003 were obtained. We also examined the peer review records of an additional 720 LC performed between 1 January 1990 and 7 July 1996. There were no CBD injuries among 1,674 consecutive LC patients spanning the period since 1990. Of the 954 patients who underwent LC since 1996, six had a cystic duct leak and five had a duct of Luschka leak. Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was performed in 20.2% of cases (n = 193/954). Seventy of 157 patients who underwent cholangiography alone demonstrated one or more stones in the CBD (44.6%). In 40 patients (58.0%), endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) was uniformly successful in clearing intraoperatively identified stones. In36.2% of cases, the stones were removed via laparoscopic CBD exploration (CBDE) (n = 25). In 5.8% of positive cases, the stones were removed via open CBDE (n = 4). Among 761 patients who did not undergo IOC, seven patients (0.92%) returned to the hospital for retained stones. Three of these patients had elevated liver function tests (LFT) preoperatively (1.3%) and four had normal LFT (1.1%). Injuries of the CBD can be avoided by performing an extensive dissection of the triangle of Calot and by developing a critical view of the operative field to ensure the patient’s safety during LC. If all LFT are normal and IOC is not performed, the occurrence of clinically significant stones postoperatively is minimal; in this group, only four patients had retained stones. Thus, in the face of normal LFT, routine IOC is unnecessary for a low CBD injury rate, and a return to the hospital for retained bile duct stones is rarely required, regardless of the number of times ductal stones are found on routine cholangiography. This implies that the significance of the stones discovered at IOC is questionable in most cases, thereby providing an argument against routine cholangiography. Most discovered CBD stones can be treated by ERCP, thus obviating the need for the T-tube drainage associated with CBDE. The 21st century finds LC to be a mature and safe surgical procedure.
Validation of Maritime Rainfall Retrievals from the TRMM Microwave Radiometer

Abstract This study compares the surface rainfall retrieved from the Goddard profiling (GPROF; version 5) algorithm with Kwajalein ground-based radar (KR) observations at 0.1°, 0.25°, and 1° resolutions. Comparisons of the GPROF-retrieved rainfall with KR observations for 178 overpasses show that GPROF overestimated surface rainfall with respect to the KR by 16%. Power spectral density comparisons between GPROF and KR rain maps at 0.1° resolution show that GPROF-retrieved rain maps are less spatially variable at wavelengths less than 50 km in the mean, suggesting that GPROF rainy areas are smoother and more spatially extensive than those observed by the KR. Sensitivity of rainfall retrievals to the melting layer and the impact of 85-GHz channels were tested. This study introduced Klaassen's melting-layer parameterization into the GPROF algorithm that reduced the GPROF-retrieved rainfall amount by 7.5%. Considering the poor correlation between upper-level ice amounts and surface rainfall, this study only e...
Analysis of Smart Mobile Applications for Healthcare under Dynamic Context Changes

Smart mobile medical computing systems (SMDCSes), e.g., mobile medical applications use context information from the environment to provide useful and often critical healthcare services such as continuous monitoring and control of blood glucose levels by infusion of insulin. Given the unsupervised nature of operation of SMDCSes, context changes that are unaccounted for can cause unprecedented faults leading to violation of requirements such as safety, energy sustainability and reliability. Analysis of SMDCSes for testing requirements violations necessitates consideration of context dependent interactions between the SMDCS software, represented by discrete operating modes and its environment, represented by non-linear partial differential equations over space and time. An intractable number of context change sequence and lack of closed form solutions to differential equations makes the requirements analysis of SMDCSes a challenging task. This paper proposes a novel technique to analyze SMDCSes taking into account the dynamic changes in the context and the constant interaction of the computing systems with the physical environment. To show the usage of the technique, Ayushman pervasive health monitoring system is considered as an example SMDCS. Analytical results show that practices considered healthy for a person such as mobility may not be beneficial when an SMDCS is controlling health.
Mating frequency, within‐colony relatedness and male production in a yellow jacket wasp, Dolichovespula arenaria

We examined the mating frequencies of queens in a social wasp, Dolichovespula arenaria (Vespinae) using DNA microsatellites. Five of the seven colonies supported the hypothesis of single mating by queens. The other two colonies supported two and three matings, with effective paternity of 1.48 and 1.91. Mean worker relatedness was 0.77 +/- 0.09. In two of the four male-containing colonies, all were likely progeny of the queen. In the other two colonies workers produced 8 and 14% of the male wasps. Overall, 94.3% of the male wasps were likely progeny of the queen. These patterns are consistent with published studies of vespine wasps.
Management of hypertension in patients with obstructive airway disease.

T he past three decades have seen remarkable progress in the development of effective antihypertensive agents. In no other area of drug research, except perhaps the antibacterials, has there been such notable success. The availability of several new classes of antihypertensive agents has allowed for effective control of hypertension without some of the serious side effects, including mental changes and postural hypotension, that were seen with older agents. Currently available antihypertensive agents may be classified into two groups depending on whether they act by decreasing cardiac output or by lowering the peripheral vascular resistance (Table 1). The most important agents that act primarily by decreasing cardiac output are the �3-adrenergic antagonists. Agents that act primarily to reduce peripheral vascular resistance include the a-adrenergic blocking agents, the central a-adrenergic inhibitors, the direct smooth muscle relaxants, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. Calcium inhibitors are listed in Table 1 as direct smooth muscle relaxants, although verapamil and diltiazem also slow intracardiac conduction and may decrease heart rate. While not yet approved as antihypertensive agents in this country, they are commonly used for this purpose. Diuretics decrease both cardiac output and peripheral resistance. 13-ADRENERGIC ANTAGONISTS
Childhood Poisoning Involving Transdermal Nicotine Patches

Objective. To describe the circum- stances, medical complications, and outcomes of children exposed to a transdermal nicotine patch (TNP). Design. Prospective case series; postmarketing sur- veillance study over a 24-month period. Setting. Thirty-four United States poison centers. Patients. Children 0 to 15 years old exposed to a TNP. Interventions. None. Outcome Measures. Exposure circumstances, symp- toms and signs of toxicity, complications, disposition, and hospital length of stay. Results. Reports were received concerning 36 expo- sures to TNP in children younger than 16 years old (mean: 3 years old). Eighteen of these TNP exposures were dermal; 18 additional children had bitten, chewed, or swallowed part of a patch. All four commercial brands of TNP were represented; no brand was associated with more symptoms or an increased severity of illness. Four- teen children (39%) developed symptoms, including gas- trointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdom- inal pain), weakness, dizziness, or localized rashes. Occurrence of symptoms after a dermal exposure to a TNP was associated with an estimated nicotine dose .10 mg ( .01 mg/kg body weight). Ten children were seen in the emergency department; two were admitted overnight. All recovered fully. Conclusions. In this series, unintentional exposures to TNPs among young children usually involved used patches, were transient (<20 minutes duration), and re- quired only skin decontamination and supportive care. Continued monitoring of inadvertent childhood exposures to TNPs is recommended to confirm these observations. Pediatrics 1997;99(5). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/ content/full/99/5/e4; nicotine, poisoning, transdermal nico- tine patch, overdose, pediatric poisoning, intoxication.
Thrombin selectively engages LIM kinase 1 and slingshot-1L phosphatase to regulate NF-κB activation and endothelial cell inflammation

Endothelial cell (EC) inflammation is a central event in the pathogenesis of many pulmonary diseases such as acute lung injury and its more severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome. Alterations in actin cytoskeleton are shown to be crucial for NF-κB regulation and EC inflammation. Previously, we have described a role of actin binding protein cofilin in mediating cytoskeletal alterations essential for NF-κB activation and EC inflammation. The present study describes a dynamic mechanism in which LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1), a cofilin kinase, and slingshot-1Long (SSH-1L), a cofilin phosphatase, are engaged by procoagulant and proinflammatory mediator thrombin to regulate these responses. Our data show that knockdown of LIMK1 destabilizes whereas knockdown of SSH-1L stabilizes the actin filaments through modulation of cofilin phosphorylation; however, in either case thrombin-induced NF-κB activity and expression of its target genes (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) is inhibited. Further mechanistic analyses reveal that knockdown of LIMK1 or SSH-1L each attenuates nuclear translocation and thereby DNA binding of RelA/p65. In addition, LIMK1 or SSH-1L depletion inhibited RelA/p65 phosphorylation at Ser536, a critical event conferring transcriptional competency to the bound NF-κB. However, unlike SSH-1L, LIMK1 knockdown also impairs the release of RelA/p65 by blocking IKKβ-dependent phosphorylation/degradation of IκBα. Interestingly, LIMK1 or SSH-1L depletion failed to inhibit TNF-α-induced RelA/p65 nuclear translocation and proinflammatory gene expression. Thus this study provides evidence for a novel role of LIMK1 and SSH-1L in selectively regulating EC inflammation associated with intravascular coagulation.
Clonal Response to Ethanol of Proliferating Rat Hepatoma Cells in Vitro

We have grown HTC cells (ascites variant of Morris hepatoma 7288c) in spinner cultures in the presence of various concentrations of ethanol, both in short-term incubations and in chronically exposed cultures. In short-term exposures cell proliferation is decreased in a dose-related fashion, falling to approximately 25% of control values at 35 mM ethanol. In refed cultures maintained at ethanol concentrations gradually increased to 17 mM, there is an initial decrease in proliferation followed by stabilization. Comparison of the growth patterns of cells chronically exposed to ethanol with the growth patterns of uncloned naive cells suggests the presence of both ethanol-sensitive and -resistant HTC cell clones. Preliminary cloning experiments have been successful in demonstrating that HTC clones do exist which have widely varying responses to ethanol. Clones have been isolated which are growth-inhibited by low concentrations of ethanol whereas others are resistant or even stimulated in the same concentration range. The critical differences between ethanol-sensitive and -resistant HTC cells are currently unknown, but the general phenomenon of clonal selection during chronic ethanol exposure is of interest in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related diseases.
Mechanistic inquiry into decrease in probability of defibrillation success with increase in complexity of preshock reentrant activity.

Energy requirements for successful antiarrhythmia shocks are arrhythmia specific. However, it remains unclear why the probability of shock success decreases with increasing arrhythmia complexity. T...
A Longitudinal Investigation of the Development of Attention and Distractibility

We longitudinally investigated the development of endogenous control of attention in 2 types of tasks that involve competition for attentional focus at 7, 9, and 31 months of age. At all 3 sessions, children participated in a multiple object free play task and a distractibility task. The results revealed both developmental differences and continuity of attentional skills. There was clear evidence of stability in distractibility between 9 and 31 months, and infant distractibility measures were related to toddler attention in the multiple object free play task. The results are discussed in terms of the development of endogenous control of attention and the underlying processes that may guide stability in attentional control.
Chemosensory responses and foraging behavior of the seastar Pycnopodia helianthoides

Chemical cues released by damaged or dead organisms can affect how and where benthic organisms feed. These cues may cause predators to act as opportunistic scavengers in lieu of their normal predatory role. A scavenger, as defined in this study, is an organism that consumes damaged and/or dead organisms. In-situ experiments were performed to determine how the seastar Pycnopodia helianthoides (Brandt) reacts in the presence of chemical cues from one of its prey species, the butter clam Saxidomus giganteus (Deshayes), using both intact and damaged individuals. The results of these experiments suggest that P. helianthoides use their chemosensory abilities to locate damaged/dead prey. The role of current in propagating chemical cues was paramount in this foraging activity. P. helianthoides chose damaged prey over live prey even when live prey was encountered en route to the damaged individual. This study suggests that chemical cues emitted from damaged or dead individuals may cause significant changes in foraging tactics of key predators, thus altering food-web dynamics.
Optical Rotatory and Circular Dichroic Scattering

Optical effects are observed in regularly dyed crystals that serve to mimic optical rotation and circular dichroism by rotating the azimuth and increasing the ellipticity of linearly polarized light traversing the samples. However, these effects to which we give the names optical rotatory scattering and circular dichroic scattering do not transform upon rotation of the sample like intrinsic optical rotation and intrinsic circular dichroism. We ascribe this behavior to new scattering consequences that arise here in crystals of K2SO4 containing oriented azo dyes that have been arranged and overgrown in particular growth sectors. Requisite for the apparent optical rotation and circular dichroism is a bias in the inclination of the induced dipoles with respect to the principal light propagation modes of the medium. This unique situation is a consequence of the anisotropy of growth that is unlikely to occur in other dye-doped systems such as polymers or liquid crystals.
Kierkegaard and Counseling for Individuality

Not too long ago existentialism was considered largely an atheistic philosophy. Today many disciplines are considering the philosophy for its positive attributes. One of the more recent areas to be influenced by existentialism seems to be that of individual counseling, as indicated by the appearance of numerous journal articles within the last few years. One of the more prominent writers in the school of existentialism, Soren Kierkegaard, sometimes called the “father of existentialism,” seems to have been speaking to the modern day counselor as he attempted to describe the process and climate wherein such characteristics as individuality are fostered.
Evaluation of base‐stock policies in multiechelon inventory systems with state‐dependent demands part I: State‐independent policies

We consider a two-echelon inventory system where the exogenous demands occur only at the retailer locations, and the demand rates are functions of an underlying continuous-time Markov chain. This underlying process may represent, for example, general economic conditions, the number of active users in the system, et cetera. Each retailer location follows a base-stock policy that is independent of the process. However, the warehouse (central depot) follows a state-dependent base-stock policy. We develop a procedure to compute the exact steady-state customer-delay distribution for both the warehouse and the retailer locations.