cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral May-Thurner syndrome refractory to iliac aneurysm repair.

Abstract Venous complications of iliac artery aneurysms are rare. We report the case of bilateral iliac aneurysms that resulted in iliac vein outflow obstruction despite endovascular aneurysm repair. In our patient, bilateral iliac vein stenting resulted in symptom resolution.
Chemical hypoxia triggers apoptosis of cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes: modulation by calcium-regulated proteases and protein kinases.

Myocardial infarctions and stroke arise primarily as a result of hypoxia/ischemia-induced cell injury. However, the molecular mechanism of cardiac cell death due to hypoxia has not been elucidated. We showed here that chemical hypoxia induced by 1 mM azide triggered apoptosis of isolated neonatal rat ventricular cardiac myocytes but had no effect on cardiac fibroblasts. The azide-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis could be characterized by a reversible initiation phase (0-6 h after azide exposure) during which cytosolic ATP levels remained little affected. This was followed by an irreversible execution phase (12-18 h) exhibiting prominent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, cell membrane leakage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased calpain messenger RNA. Blocking extracellular calcium influx or intracellular calcium release was each effective in suppressing myocyte apoptosis. Cell death was also found to be mediated by calcium sensitive signal transduction events based on the use of specific antagonists. Consistent with the induction of calpain expression during apoptosis, blocking de novo protein synthesis and calpain activity inhibited cell death. These regulatory features coupled with the ease of the cell system suggest that the myocyte apoptosis model described here should be useful in the study of events leading to the demise of the myocardium.
The Primate Isolation Call: A Comparison with Precocial Birds and Non-primate Mammals

Evolution took a major turn when mammals first walked the Earth. Reptilian infants typically develop within the egg to be self-sufficient at hatching. Most mammalian infants, however, require their mother for warmth and sustenance during their earliest developmental period, and will die if they fail to receive these life-sustaining gifts. Infant birds, like reptiles, hatch from eggs, but for most species, they are fed and cared for by one or both parents until they can fend for themselves. As with mammals, infant birds depend on a caregiver to survive during their earliest developmental period. It should not be surprising, then, that infant birds and mammals have evolved vocal signals to alert their caregiver should the infant become separated from its nest or caregiver. With birds, the best developed of these so-called “separation calls” or “isolation calls” appear to be in precocial species, where the chicks can locomote soon after birth and get their food by foraging with the mother. This sometimes results in occasions when the chicks become separated from the mother, hence the adaptive value for auditory signals to efficiently bring about reunion. In some species, these separation calls continue into adulthood. For example, in the Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus), adults use the separation call in the same way as chicks do, namely when a covey becomes separated (Baker and Bailey, 1987a). As is the case for a number ofmammalian species (discussed below), Bobwhite Quail can recognize their covey mates based on the auditory information in their separation calls (Baker and Bailey, 1987b). In other species (e.g., the Japanese quail, Coturnix), the neonatal isolation call of chicks matures into “crowing,” a call associated with reproduction (Takeuchi et al., 1996).
Occupational and Non-Occupational Injuries in the United States Army: Focus on Gender

Background The differences in occupational and non-occupational injuries between military men and women have not been documented. This study compares occupational and non-occupational injuries between male and female United States Army soldiers by examining injury hospitalization rates and characteristics. Methods The U.S. Army's Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database was searched for hospitalizations with ICD-9-CM codes for injury (800–959.9) between 1992 and 2002. Injury rates were calculated using yearly U.S. Army population data and compared using rate ratios. Injury characteristics were compared among categories of the Trauma Code (on duty; off duty; scheduled training, schemes, and exercises), stratified by gender. Results Included in this analysis were 792 women for an injury hospitalization rate of 11.0 per 1000 individuals (95% confidence interval [CI]=8.5–13.5) and 4879 men for a rate of 15.5 per 1000 individuals (95% CI=14.0–16.9). While women had significantly more injuries during scheduled training, schemes, and exercises than men ( p p =0.002), although these injuries were not more severe (average Injury Severity Score=3.5 for men vs average ISS for women=3.5, p =0.79). There was no difference between the genders in the percent of injuries that occurred off duty; however, men were more likely to get injured due to sports and athletics ( p =0.001) and due to fighting ( p =0.017) while off duty compared to women. Conclusions Injury prevention messages for military personnel should focus on reducing risk factors for both on- and off-duty injuries.
Breast cancer in adolescents and young adults

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of adolescents and young adult (AYA) women aged 15 to 39 years, accounting for 5.6% of all invasive breast cancer in women. In comparison with older women, AYAs are more likely to have familial cancer predisposition genes, larger breast tumors, unfavorable biological characteristics, distant metastatic disease at diagnosis, and adverse outcome. Endocrine therapy and some chemotherapy recommendations differ between young and older women. AYAs require coordinated multidisciplinary care, treatment regimens that minimize late effects such as premature menopause and osteoporosis, and proactive management of psychological and sexual health during and after cancer treatment.
Estimation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mortality Using Aspartate Aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with cirrhosis are high-risk for invasive procedures. Identification of those at risk may prevent complications and allow more informed decision-making. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) is a measure of cirrhosis that we hypothesize predicts survival and may estimate HCC mortality. Methods: Institutional retrospective study of all HCC patients. Demographics and labs [bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), creatinine, AST and platelets] were recorded at the date-of-diagnosis to calculate APRI and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (MELD). Poor survival was defined as death within 30-days from diagnosis. Models were created to determine predictors of death within 30-days and overall survival. Results: A total of 829 patients comprised this study and Conclusions: The APRI is an innovative marker of cirrhosis and survival for HCC patients. APRI provides additional prognostic information regarding the severity of cirrhosis and external validation is needed to determine clinical utility.
The association between fair value measurements and banks' discretionary accounting choices

Abstract This study examines the association between fair value measurements and banks' discretionary loan loss provisions using regulatory financial data from 2009 to 2016 for a sample of U.S. public bank holding companies. I find that banks recognizing larger proportions of fair value assets and liabilities based on level 2 and level 3 inputs are associated with lower discretionary loan loss provisions. However, there is no significant association between level 1 fair value assets and liabilities and discretionary loan loss provisions. When pre-managed earnings are lower, banks with larger proportions of level 2 and level 3 fair value assets and liabilities report smaller discretionary loan loss provisions to inflate earnings. Banks reporting larger proportions of level 2 and level 3 fair value assets and liabilities are more likely to use discretionary loan loss provisions to beat earnings benchmarks and manage tier one capital ratios. Overall, the results support the proposition that fair value assets and liabilities based on level 2 and level 3 inputs are less transparent and are subject to more discretion regarding loan loss provisions.
Female Embodiment, Contradiction, and Ethos Negotiations in Genevieve Stebbins’s Late Nineteenth-Century Statue-Posing Arguments

This essay examines the work of Genevieve Stebbins (1857-1934), an author, teacher, and proponent of the ideas of French acting and vocal instructor Francois Delsarte. Specifically, I examine Stebb...
Microfluidic device for expedited tumor growth towards drug evaluation

Patient derived organoids have emerged as robust preclinical models for screening anti-cancer therapeutics. Current 2D culturing methods do not provide physiological responses to therapeutics, therefore 3D models are being developed to better reproduce physiological responses. 3D culturing however often requires large initial cell populations and one week to one month to grow tumors ready for therapeutic testing. As a solution a 3D culturing system has been developed capable of producing physiologically relevant tumors in an expedited fashion while only requiring a small number of initial cancer cells. A bi-layer microfluidic system capable of facilitating active convective nutrient supply to populations of cancer cells facilitates expedited growth of cancer cells when starting with populations as small as 8 cells. The system has been shown to function well with adherent and non-adherent cell types by expediting cell growth by a factor ranging from 1.27 to 4.76 greater than growth under static conditions. Utilizing such an approach has enable to formation of tumors ready for therapeutic screening within 3 days and the ability to perform therapeutic screening within the microfluidic system is demonstrated. A mathematical model has been developed which allows for adjustments to be made to the dynamic delivery of nutrients in order to efficiently use culture media without excessive waste. We believe this work to be the first attempt to grow cancers in an expedited fashion utilizing only a convective nutrient supply within a microfluidic system which also facilitates on-device therapeutic screening. The developed microfluidic system and cancer growth method have the potential to offer improved drug screening for patients in clinical settings.
Biochemistry and metabolism of Toxoplasma gondii: purine and pyrimidine acquisition in Toxoplasma gondii and other Apicomplexa

Abstract As obligate intracellular protozoa, Toxoplasma gondii and other Apicomplexa must acquire nutrients from their host cells for replication. Amongst the most important nutrients are nucleobases and nucleosides that form the essential building blocks for nucleic acids and molecules required for energy metabolism. There is a diverse repertoire of purine and pyrimidine pathways in the Apicomplexa. This diversity in metabolic pathways reflects the availability of essential nutrients in the particular host-cell niches occupied by the Apicomplexa, and the strategies used to generate purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. All Apicomplexa are unable to make purines de novo and must salvage purines from their hosts. The ability to make pyrimidines de novo and to salvage pyrimidines from the host varies between the different apicomplexan parasites. This chapter reviews our current knowledge of purine and pyrimidine metabolic pathways for three major Apicomplexa of importance in human disease: Plasmodium species, Cryptosporidium species, and T. gondii.
Two paths to finding the pitchfork bifurcation in motivation dynamics

We perform two different model reduction techniques on a dynamical system recently used to develop mechanisms for switching between low-level control vector fields. Both techniques result in the same reduced model which is shown to be a one-parameter unfolding of the supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. The first technique uses singular perturbation to reduce the original two-dimensional system to a one-dimensional system whose vector field is a rational polynomial. The second technique uses the Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction to find another one-dimensional system. In a singular limit analogous to that of the first technique, the Lyapunov-Schmidt reduced dynamics are identical to the rational polynomial found directly through singular perturbation. A nonlinear time scaling argument then shows that the rational polynomial is equivalent to a normal form for the unfolding of the pitchfork.
Mitochondrial pyruvate and fatty acid flux modulate MICU1-dependent control of MCU activity

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle converts the end products of glycolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation into the reducing equivalents NADH and FADH2 Although mitochondrial matrix uptake of Ca2+ enhances ATP production, it remains unclear whether deprivation of mitochondrial TCA substrates alters mitochondrial Ca2+ flux. We investigated the effect of TCA cycle substrates on MCU-mediated mitochondrial matrix uptake of Ca2+, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and autophagic flux. Inhibition of glycolysis, mitochondrial pyruvate transport, or mitochondrial fatty acid transport triggered expression of the MCU gatekeeper MICU1 but not the MCU core subunit. Knockdown of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) isoforms or expression of the dominant negative mutant MPC1R97W resulted in increased MICU1 protein abundance and inhibition of MCU-mediated mitochondrial matrix uptake of Ca2+ We also found that genetic ablation of MPC1 in hepatocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts resulted in reduced resting matrix Ca2+, likely because of increased MICU1 expression, but resulted in changes in mitochondrial morphology. TCA cycle substrate-dependent MICU1 expression was mediated by the transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1). Blocking mitochondrial pyruvate or fatty acid flux was linked to increased autophagy marker abundance. These studies reveal a mechanism that controls the MCU-mediated Ca2+ flux machinery and that depends on TCA cycle substrate availability. This mechanism generates a metabolic homeostatic circuit that protects cells from bioenergetic crisis and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload during periods of nutrient stress.
A Fatal Case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a Patient With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been exponentially increasing everyday. It is important to recognize the comorbidities and risk factors associated with this highly contagious and serious disease that has caused thousands of deaths worldwide. Patients with certain conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and chronic lung diseases have been reported to develop serious complications from COVID-19. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease that is more prevalent in the elderly population, the same group that are more susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19. Our literature search did not reveal any review about COVID-19 in IPF patients. We report a patient with IPF who was exposed to COVID-19 from her spouse and died from its complications. This case would help to raise the awareness among IPF patients to follow the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in a pediatric patient with epistaxis and hypoxemia

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT; also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) is an inherited vascular disorder with a spectrum of clinical manifestations depending on lesion distribution. Epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectasia, and gastrointestinal bleeding are most common. Patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are at serious risk of cerebral embolic stroke and abscess due to paradoxical embolism, indicating the need for early diagnosis and intervention. Herein, we report a 14-year-old boy who presented to his pediatrician's office with hypoxemia and personal history of epistaxis, family history of HHT, and radiologic workup demonstrating pulmonary and cerebral arteriovenous malformations. He was diagnosed with HHT and treated by endovascular embolization.
Tissue-Based Biosensors

Biosensors based on tissue structures in living animals can be used to detect and measure hormones, drugs, and toxins. The potential use of tissue-based biosensors extends to such diverse fields of biomedical science as physiology, pharmacology, and biodefense. In general, tissue-based biosensors can be formed from genetically modified cells or by direct genetic modification in order to introduce biosensor proteins into a tissue in the animal. Biosensor cells transduce the concentration of the molecule being detected into a physical signal, which can be precisely measured. Biophotonics provides the most versatile basis for tissue-based biosensors. Light output from biosensor cells can be in the form of fluorescence or bioluminescence, and, of these two, bioluminescence offers advantages of not requiring an input source of light and having a more favorable signal to noise ratio in living animals than fluorescence. Protein-protein interactions can be used to detect almost any molecule, by means of fusion proteins that can be used to generate resonance energy transfer. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) has the potential to be used for the measurement of a wide variety of molecules in living animals. Two examples are discussed here: a tissue-based biosensor for the hormone vasopressin, and a biosensor for rapamycin, both based on BRET. The possible extension of tissue-based biosensors to human subjects will require solutions to several problems, particularly the mode of detection of the physical output, and demonstration of the safety of the genetic modifications needed to introduce biosensor proteins into cells in vivo.
Defining the Super Massive Transfusion in US and Coalition Forces during Combat Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq

Introduction: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable death on the battlefield. After hemorrhage control, the resuscitation with blood products is essential to restore circulating volume and prevent coagulopathy. While massive transfusion (MT) occurs frequently after major trauma, it remains unclear who the subset of casualties is that define a super massive transfusion which would require mobilization of additional resources. We seek to determine what defines a super MT as this would help allocate resources. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a previously described dataset from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. In this analysis, we isolated US and Coalition casualties that received at least 1 unit of packed red cells or whole blood. To describe the super MT, we sought the top quartile of total products administered within the first 24 hours. Results: Out of the 28222 casualties within our dataset, we identified 2204 US military and 498 Coalition that met inclusion for this analysis. The median number of total products administered within the first 24 hours was 16 with 39 total product units at the 75th percentile, which included 691 casualties. Of those in the super MT group, their median injury severity score was higher (29 versus 18, p Conclusions: In our dataset, we identified the top 25th percentile of total product administration within the first 24 hours at 39 total product units. More data is needed to define this population early in their clinical course to better mobile resources early when needed. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Chromosomal localization of Ewing sarcoma EWSR1/FLI1 protein promotes the induction of aneuploidy.

Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric bone cancer that expresses the chimeric protein EWSR1/FLI1. We previously demonstrated that EWSR1/FLI1 impairs the localization of Aurora B kinase to the midzone (the midline structure located between segregating chromosomes) during anaphase. While localization of Aurora B is essential for faithful cell division, it is unknown whether interference with midzone organization by EWSR1/FLI1 induces aneuploidy. To address this, we generated stable Tet-on inducible cell lines with EWSR1/FLI1, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to integrate the transgene at the safe-harbor AAVS1 locus in DLD-1 cells. Induced cells expressing EWSR1/FLI1 displayed an increased incidence of aberrant localization of Aurora B, and greater levels of aneuploidy, compared with noninduced cells. Furthermore, the expression of EWSR1/FLI1-T79A, containing a threonine (Thr) to alanine (Ala) substitution at amino acid 79, failed to induce these phenotypes, indicating that Thr 79 is critical for EWSR1/FLI1 interference with mitosis. In contrast, the phosphomimetic mutant EWSR1/FLI1-T79D (Thr to aspartic acid (Asp)) retained the high activity as wild-type EWSR1/FLI1. Together, these findings suggest that phosphorylation of EWSR1/FLI1 at Thr 79 promotes the colocalization of EWSR1/FLI1 and Aurora B on the chromosomes during prophase and metaphase and, in addition, impairs the localization of Aurora B during anaphase, leading to induction of aneuploidy. This is the first demonstration of the mechanism for EWSR1/FLI1-dependent induction of aneuploidy associated with mitotic dysfunction and the identification of the phosphorylation of the Thr 79 of EWSR1/FLI1 as a critical residue required for this induction.
Policy space, polarities, and regimes

This chapter outlines some conjunctural and developmental aspects of Japanese macroeconomy over the long run. It then connects the chronology to a hypothesized picture of a shifting policy space and shifting policy polarities within it. A regime is a middle-range, temporal construct identifying a relatively stable configuration of policy rules that lasts for one or more decades. It highlights positive and negative policies. The early modern Japanese state, is extended to include its stipendiary retainers and their households. Kokueki policies in the domainal states were institutional innovations that tended to persist through conjunctural phases of budgetary expansion and retrenchment. The policy space is, like the social field within which it is embedded, a field of struggles, and the struggle is the generative force that constitutes the policy space. The approach taken directs attention more to the medium-term back-and-forth swings of policy through which longer-term developments unfold. Keywords: Japanese; Kokueki ; polarities; policy space; regime
Electro-Optic Imaging of THz Beams

The use of terahertz (THz) beams for imaging applications was first demonstrated by Hu and Nuss. We report on an alternative method for real-time terahertz (THz) imaging applications. By illuminating an electro-optic crystal with a THz beam and an optical readout beam, then detecting the optical beam with a linear diode array or a CCD camera, we achieved time-resolved ID or 2D images of pulsed far-infrared radiation. The temporal and spatial resolution of this imaging system are mainly limited by the laser pulse duration and the diffraction limit of the THz beam, respectively.
Analytical Methods for Application to Sensor Networks for Lighting Control

AbstractThis paper describes a data processing and evaluation framework for application to a lighting control sensor network. Many buildings include systems to detect occupancy and control building services. Current systems use single measurement points to detect occupancy, and there can be significant uncertainty associated with the measurement of occupancy. More effective occupancy measurement and control are provided by sensor networks. A sensor network reduces uncertainty because data from more than one detector provides converging information concerning space occupancy. While a network of sensors reduces the uncertainty associated with individual sensor measurements, the utility of a sensor network for control depends on the analysis techniques applied to the data stream, and the ability of these techniques to produce results that better correspond to occupancy than current systems. Eight data processing algorithms are described: logical functions (OR, AND, & MAJORITY); moving average; rule-based rea...
(Mis)Appropriations of Gadamer in Qualitative Research: A Husserlian Critique (Part 1)

Within the Husserlian phenomenological philosophical tradition, description and interpretation co-exist. However, teaching the practice of phenomenological psychological research requires careful articulation of the differences between a descriptive and an interpretive relationship to what is provided by qualitative data. If as researchers we neglect the epistemological foundations of our work or avoid working through difficult methodological issues, then our work invites dismissal as inadequate science, undermining the effort to strongly establish psychology along qualitative lines. The first article in this two-part discussion provides a Husserlian investigation of the meaning of ‘method’ for psychology as a human science. This investigation is undertaken in the light of some researchers’ appropriations of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics in the service of non-methodical praxes. The second article will address some implications of the attempt to structure qualitative psychological research along ‘Gadamerian’ lines, taking seriously the references to Gadamer’s work made by researchers such as Van Manen and Smith.
The Standard Model of T‐Cell Receptor Function: A Critical Reassessment

The Standard Model of T-cell receptor (TCR) function is the distillation of many views. Here we provide a summary that is intended to capture the flavour of the whole, without assigning particular blame, or credit, to any one part. The Standard Model is based on the notion of a single TCR-combining site that sums the binding contributions of MHC and peptide to produce a single signal to the T cell. How this signal is interpreted can vary with the state of the T cell. A growing number of creaks in the tweaks needed to maintain the Standard Model suggest that it may be timely to make a critical reassessment of the facts and their interpretation. The result of this effort has been to uncover a long-overlooked fact that T cells do not recognize hybrid class II major histocompatibility complex alleles; they recognize only those haplotypes directly associated with each α- or β- subunit of class II. Our attempts to tweak the Standard Model to deal with lack of recognition of hybrid class II alleles led us, by surprise, to a quite different framework with which to view TCR function.
Anomalous Right Vertebral Artery Originating from the Aortic Arch Distal to the Left Subclavian Artery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective: Present a case report of an anomalous originof the right vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch distal to the left subclavian along with a review of cases reported to date in the literature.Methods: Provide background information on this rare anomaly, present the case report, review the literature and previous case reports, and discuss the underlying embryologic development of this anomaly along with its significance.Results: We report a 54year old man presenting with a subarachnoid hemorrhage referred for diagnostic cerebral arteriography who was found to have an anomalous origin of the right vertebral artery originating from the aortic arch distal to the left subclavian artery in conjunction with a bovine arch. We also report 13 previously reported cases along with their other associated variant anatomy. Conclusions: Based uponour present case and previously documented cases to date, this anomaly is a rare and important finding. An understanding of aberrant anatomy and its embryologic basis is paramount to avoiding inadvertent vascular injury during diagnostic cerebral angiography. Therefore this abnormality must be considered if selective vertebral artery catheterization is difficult or unsuccessful.
Cytogenetics of the South American DROSOPHILA MULLERI Complex: The MARTENSIS Cluster. More Interspecific Sharing of Inversions.

ABSTRACT Three Drosophila mulleri complex species have been found to be endemic to the cactus regions of northern South America. The three species are morphologically distinct, and no hybridization between species has been found in either the laboratory or nature. An analysis of their salivary gland chromosomes revealed that they evolved from a single cytological population, subspecies F of the ancestor of the D. mulleri complex, and comprise a cluster of sister species that are homozygous for inversions not found elsewhere. Within the martensis cluster are also found several inversions that are unique for these species, but have segregated out among the three species. Thus 2f 2 is found in martensis and starmeri, but not in uniseta, while 2t 6 , 3v and 3w are found in starmeri and uniseta, but not in martensis. This is analogous to the situation found within the remainder of the mulleri complex species, all the members of which share homozygosity for six other inversions. An interpretation of the cytological evolution of the martensis cluster is proposed.
Hybrid imaging with 99mTc-WBC SPECT/CT to monitor the effect of therapy in diabetic foot osteomyelitis

This study sought to assess the utility of monitoring response to treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) with Tc-99m WBC-labelled single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. This is a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients with DFO with sequential Tc-99m WBC-labelled SPECT/CT imaging. Radiologic findings of osteomyelitis were evaluated and imaging results were correlated with clinical outcomes subtracted from chart review. Successful treatment of osteomyelitis was defined by wound healing and/or lack of re-admission for bone infection of the same site within 1 year. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of SPECT/CT to determine osteomyelitis treatment remission were 90%, 56%, 69% and 83%, respectively. Tc-99m WBC-labelled SPECT/CT imaging may be useful to help determine treatment outcomes for DFO.
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension and ECMO

In Reply.— Although it is difficult to compare the perinatal patient population in Israel directly with that in the US, the Jerusalem experience with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is encouraging and consistent with that of a number of centers here. Definitive data on this subject are not currently available, but there is considerable indirect evidence, such as that of Bruckheimer and Eidelman, to support the view that babies born at large centers with comprehensive perinatal services are less likely to require ECMO and, therefore, that some of the need for ECMO may be preventable.
LOCALIZATION OF CYTOPLASMIC NUCLEIC ACID DURING GROWTH AND ENCYSTMENT OF ENTAMOEBA INVADENS.

With a modified color-translating ultraviolet microscope, the distribution of material showing an absorption maximum at 265 mµ was studied in samples from whole cultures of Entamoeba invadens at intervals during growth and from cysts allowed to mature under controlled conditions. Absorption by the cytoplasm in general gradually increased as trophozoites approached the period of maximum encystment. In late trophozoites and precystic forms, the absorbing material was concentrated into small bodies which coalesced to form large crystalloids of very high specific absorption. Maximum crystallization occurred in early cysts, where cytochemical tests have shown the large crystalloids to be ribonucleoprotein. Electron micrographs show that the crystalloids are composed of particles 200 to 300 A in diameter. During cyst maturation the amount of absorbing material per cyst is not visibly reduced, but the large bodies fragment into smaller units until finally there is only a very high diffuse absorption over the entire cyst. From these and other results the hypothesis is advanced that the large crystalloids ("chromatoid bodies") are a manifestation of a special parasite-host adaptive mechanism; ribonucleoprotein is synthesized under favorable conditions, crystallized in the resistant cyst stage, and dispersed in the newly excysted amebae thereby enabling them to establish themselves in a new host by a period of quick growth.
POLONIUM ISOTOPES PRODUCED WITH HIGH ENERGY PARTICLES

We have investigated four new isotopes of polonium produced from bismuth and lead by high energy spallation and have studied their decay products, which include three new lead and bismuth activities. The mass assignments are made by the identification of known activities as decay products. Some of the properties of these new isotopes are as follows:
Exporting kernel page caching for efficient user-level I/O

The modern file system is still implemented in the kernel, and is statically linked with other kernel components. This architecture has brought performance and efficient integration with memory management. However kernel development is slow and modern storage systems must support an array of features, including distribution across a network, tagging, searching, deduplication, checksumming, snap-shotting, file pre-allocation, real time I/O guarantees for media, and more. To move complex components into user-level however will require an efficient mechanism for handling page faulting and zero-copy caching, write ordering, synchronous flushes, interaction with the kernel page write-back thread, and secure shared memory. We implement such a system, and experiment with a user-level object store built on top. Our object store is a complete re-design of the traditional storage stack and demonstrates the efficiency of our technique, and the flexibility it grants to user-level storage systems. Our current prototype file system incurs between a 1% and 6% overhead on the default native file system Ext3 for in-cache system workloads. Where the native kernel file system design has traditionally found its primary motivation. For update and insert intensive metadata workloads that are out-of-cache, we perform 39 times better than the native Ext3 file system, while still performing only 2 times worse on out-of-cache random lookups.
Empiric warfarin dose adjustment with prednisone therapy. A randomized, controlled trial

Typically, the international normalized ratio (INR) is monitored and warfarin dose adjusted, if necessary, to correct non-therapeutic INR after interacting medications, like prednisone, are initiated during warfarin therapy. Preemptively adjusting the warfarin dose is another approach. To evaluate the utility of preemptive warfarin dosage adjustment for preventing non-therapeutic INR following prednisone-warfarin co-administration. Patients were randomized to either a preemptive warfarin dose reduction between 10 and 20% (intervention) or reactive warfarin dose adjustment (control) within 72 h of warfarin-prednisone co-administration. Subjects received a follow-up INR within 7 days. Primary outcome was the occurrence of follow-up INR ≥ 1 point over the INR goal range upper limit. Secondary outcomes included INR control, purchases of prescription vitamin K, and warfarin-associated adverse events in the 30 days after prednisone initiation. Twenty and 17 patients comprised the intervention and control groups. The intervention group’s warfarin dose was reduced by a median of 11.8%. More control patients (n = 5) experienced an INR ≥ 1 point over the INR goal range upper limit compared to intervention (n = 2); however, the actual difference (29.4 vs.10.0%) was not statistically significant (P = 0.21). A higher percentage of intervention patients had a subtherapeutic follow-up INR compared to control (40 vs. 5.9%, P = 0.02). One patient from each group experienced warfarin-associated bleeding. No thromboembolic complications or vitamin K purchases were observed. For patients initiating prednisone therapy, preemptive warfarin dose reduction resulted in a non-significant reduction in supratherapeutic INR but increased the likelihood of subtherapeutic INR compared to INR monitoring with reactive warfarin dose adjustment.
Rule curves for irrigation drawdown and kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) egg to fry survival

Abstract The survival of kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) eggs and pre-emergent fry in the shoreline spawning areas of Banks Lake, Washington State, U.S.A., is reduced by annual drawdown of the reservoir. Kokanee salmon spawn exclusively along steep talus shorelines during the months of October and November. No suitable spawning streams enter the lake and nearly all water is pumped into this irrigation reservoir from lake Roosevelt on the Columbia River. Preferred spawning depths range from 1.5–4.6 m; however, when large populations were present, spawning was observed to 13.7 m. Fry emergence was estimated at depth intervals from conical trap catches deployed in an array over a major spawning area in the reservoir. Emergence occurred from late March to early June; however, the timing of maximum emergence shifted from 28 April to 10 May during three consecutive years due to changes in the thermal regimes during incubation. The relationships between the depth range of spawning area, timing of spawning, egg incubation and fry emergence, and the spring reservoir drawdown for 1977, 1978 and 1979 were analyzed graphically. Rule curves defining rate and magnitude of reservoir drawdown to achieve 75% fry emergence were developed. These rule curves can be used to determine a water management strategy for natural kokanee salmon production or to estimate the loss when exceeded.
Absorption and metabolism of rutin and quercetin in the rabbit.

Abstract The metabolic fate of orally administered rutin or its aglycone, quercetin, has been investigated in rabbits. Evidence for the absorption and metabolism of these compounds is based upon the urinary excretion of degradation products. One of these products has been isolated and identified as 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. The amount isolated accounts for at least 2 5 per cent of the quercetin administered.
The hydrological cycle and its influence on climate

The current theoretical and observational understanding of the roles of the hydrological cycle in the climate system and its intimate connection to the energy cycle is evaluated. An attempt is made to show why the hydrological cycle has emerged as the central element in studies of climate change and to anticipate the main advances expected in modeling and observations in the coming decade.
Silicon-Based Life in the Solar System

A plot involving life forms based on silicon is the staple of many science-fiction television series and novels. The idea of this being a reality has piqued the interest of scientists to explore whether silicon-based life may actually exist in extraterrestrial environments. On earth, we know that carbon is the main building block of life, however what if life outside of our terrestrial world did not depend on carbon-based biomolecules? In this communication, the possibilities of extraterrestrial life being based on silicon will be discussed.
Mixed Small Cell and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Seventeen (10 percent) of 176 patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung seen at this hospital since 1976 proved to have mixed small-cell and non-small-cell tumors. The presence of a mixed lung cancer was established prior to chemotherapy or irradiation in nine patients. Eight were initially diagnosed as pure small-cell carcinoma but proved to have a mixed tumor at either surgery or autopsy. Of the 17 patients, eight received chemotherapy, and four had a partial response. Six of the 40 autopsies performed on patients with small-cell lung cancer demonstrated intrathoracic tumor which was histologically mixed. Extrathoracic metastases in these patients were heterogeneous and included pure small-cell, pure non-small-cell, and mixed histologic type. We conclude that mixed small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancers are relatively frequent and carry important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Clinical management of patients with small-cell lung cancer should therefore be flexible and tailored to the potential for histologic diversity. Mixed lung cancer in previously untreated patients suggests a common endodermal origin for small-cell and non-small-cell pulmonary tumors.
Peptide Lv augments L-type voltage-gated calcium channels through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling

We previously identified peptide Lv, a novel bioactive peptide that enhances the activity of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (L-VGCCs) in cone photoreceptors. In this study, we verified that peptide Lv was able to augment L-VGCC currents in cardiomyocytes, as well as promote proliferation of endothelial cells. We used a proteomics approach to determine the specific receptors and binding partners of peptide Lv and found that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) interacted with peptide Lv. Peptide Lv treatment in embryonic cardiomyocytes stimulated tyrosine autophosphorylation of VEGFR2 and activated its downstream signaling. Peptide Lv activity was blocked by DMH4, a VEGFR2 specific blocker, but not by SCH202676, an allosteric inhibitor of G protein-coupled receptors, suggesting that the activity of peptide Lv was mediated through VEGFR2 signaling. Inhibition of VEGFR tyrosine kinase or its downstream signaling molecules abolished the augmentation of L-VGCCs elicited by peptide Lv in cardiomyocytes. In addition, peptide Lv promoted cell proliferation of cultured human endothelial cells. Calcium entry through L-VGCCs is essential for excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes. Since peptide Lv was able to augment L-VGCCs through activation of VEGF signaling in cardiomyocytes and promote proliferation of endothelial cells, peptide Lv may play an important role in regulating the cardiovascular system.
Crystal Axes in Recent and Fossil Adult Echinoids Indicate Trophic Mode in Larval Development

The type of larval development in echinoids (Phylum Echinodermata) was found to determine crystal patterns in adult apical skeletal plates. This relation between larvae and adults will allow fossil species to be examined to determine the effects of developmental mode on evolutionary patterns, such as species longevity and speciation rate. Independent tests of hypotheses of such patterns now shown among fossil mollusks with and without feeding larvae can thus be performed.
Use of Hand Carried Ultrasound, B-type Natriuretic Peptide, and Clinical Assessment in Identifying Abnormal Left Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients Referred for Right Heart Catheterization

Abstract Background The estimation of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) remains a critical component in the management of patients with known or suspected acute heart failure syndromes. Although right heart catheterization (RHC) remains the gold standard, several noninvasive parameters, including clinical assessment, B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP), and echocardiography can approximate LVFP. We sought to use a combination of these measures to noninvasively predict high or low LVFP in a population referred for RHC. Methods and Results The study consisted of validation of hand-carried ultrasound (HCU)-derived measurement of mitral E/E′ against standard echocardiograms in 50 patients, as well as direct comparison of jugular venous pressure (JVP), a clinical congestion score, HCU-derived E/E′ and maximum inferior vena cava diameter (IVCmax), and BNP with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in another 50 patients. The mean age was 61 years, ejection fraction 40%, JVP 9 cm, BNP 948 pg/mL, IVCmax 2.1 cm, E/E′ 13, and PCWP 21. All parameters performed well in determining PCWP ≥15 mm Hg, with clinical score performing the worst (area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve [AUC] 0.74), and IVCmax performing the best (AUC 0.89). JVP, in combination with HCU-derived parameters and BNP performed better than any of the individual tests alone (AUC 0.97 for combination of all 3). Conclusions Clinical score, JVP, HCU indices, and BNP perform well at identifying patients with a PCWP ≥15 mm Hg. Use of these indices alone or in combination can be used to identify and potentially monitor patients with high LVFP in the inpatient and outpatient settings.
Effect of high-intensity strength-training on functional measures of balance ability in balance-impaired older adults.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 10-week, high-intensity strength-training program targeting key lower extremity muscles for the purpose of improving postural control in balance-impaired older adults. Methods A quasi-experimental, delayed entry controlled design was used to evaluate balance ability in balance-impaired older adults after participation in 10 weeks of high-intensity strength training focused on the quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles. Participants were evaluated using validated clinical measures of functional balance ability: the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go, and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale. Results After strength training, the exercisers were significantly stronger than the control subjects. They improved significantly on the Berg Balance Scale (P = .030) from a mean score of 48.8 ± 2.4 of 56 before training to 51.2 ± 4.3 of 56 after training. The Timed Up and Go (P = .045) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (P = .038) also improved significantly in the experimental group. These changes are associated with a decrease in fall risk. Conclusions High-intensity strength training can safely and effectively strengthen lower extremity muscles in balance-impaired older adults, resulting in significant improvements in functional balance ability and decreased fall risk.
Prairie Linen and Lace

The purpose of this researched design was to create a fashionable garment that featured original bobbin lace, flax thread and Belgium linen (flax) batiste and could be worn by a range of ages to ev...
High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Cognitive Function and Mortality in a U.S. National Cohort

Low levels of both high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and cognitive function are associated with increased mortality risk. HDL plays an important role in brain metabolism. We test the hypotheses that the relative protective effect of high HDL level as related to mortality is greater in persons with impaired cognitive function than in others. Data were analyzed from a longitudinal mortality follow-up study of 4911 American men and women aged 60 years and over examined in 1988-1994 followed an average 8.5 yr. Measurements at baseline included HDL, a short index of cognitive function (SICF), socio-demographics, health status, and self-reported leisure-time physical activity. In proportional hazards regression analysis, no significant interaction of HDL with cognitive function was found (p = 0.08); there was a significant age-SICF interaction. After stratifying by age and adjusting for confounding by multiple variables, independent associations of HDL and SICF score with survival were strongest among the oldest persons. Consistent with its association with HDL, cognitive function and survival, controlling in addition for physical activity reduced the associations. In a nationwide cohort of older Americans, analyses demonstrated a lower risk of death independent of confounders among those high HDL and SICF scores, strongest among the oldest persons.