cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Stress on Itch.

Abstract Purpose Psychological stress and ensuing modulation of the immune and nervous systems can have a significant impact on itch. Stress can exacerbate itch and vice versa, resulting in a vicious cycle that can greatly impair a patient's quality of life. This review summarizes the association between stress and itch, elucidates the mechanism by which these two phenomena influence one another, and explores treatment modalities that aim to reduce stress-induced itch. Methods A complete search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was completed and literature pertinent to this review was compiled. Findings Both acute and chronic stress can significantly affect itch in healthy individuals and in those diagnosed with itchy skin diseases as well as systemic diseases, thus resulting in a vicious cycle in which stress exacerbates itch and vice versa. The mechanisms by which stress induces or aggravates itch include both central and peripheral activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. Activation of these systems, in turn, affects the mast cells, keratinocytes, and nerves that secrete neuropeptides, such as substance P, nerve growth factor, acetylcholine, histamine, and itchy cytokines. A dysfunctional parasympathetic response is thought to be involved in the chronic stress/itch response. Brain structures associated with emotion, such as the limbic system and periaqueductal gray, which work on the descending facilitation of itch, play a significant role in stress-induced itch. Implications As specific brain structures are associated with stress, drug treatments targeting these areas (ie, γ-aminobutyric acid–ergic drugs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) may help to modulate itch. Stress can also be combatted using nonpharmacologic treatments such as cognitive–behavioral therapies and stress-relieving holistic approaches (eg, yoga, acupuncture).
Abstract TP388: Improved Dysphagia Screening Compliance of Stroke Patients With an Emergency Department Focus

Background and Issues: A common symptom of stroke, dysphagia leaves patients vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia and at risk for poor outcomes, mortality, and increased length of stay and healthcare...
Correlation between the levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide and coxsackie virus A6 in hand, foot and mouth disease

Objective To investigate the clinical value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in predicting the severity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children with coxsackie virus A6 (CV-A6) infection. Methods A total of 305 children with CV-A6 type HFMD admitted to Xi′an Children′s Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were divided into general group (200 cases) and severe group (105 cases) according to the severity of the disease.The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the value of plasma BNP levels to predict the severe CV-A6 HFMD.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the related factors and the severity of CV-A6 HFMD. Results Compared with the normal group, children in the severe group had statistically significant differences in WBC level, BNP level, neurological symptoms, circulatory disorders, and blood glucose levels(all P 15×109/L, blood glucose> 8.3 mmol/L, and BNP>294.85 ng/L were related to the severity of CV-A6 HFMD(OR=2.275, P=0.013; OR=6.057, P=0.028; OR=1.008, P<0.001). Conclusion BNP>294.85 ng/L is closely related to the severity of CV-A6 HFMD and has predictive value.It is an early warning factor for the severity of CV-A6 HFMD. Key words: Hand, foot and mouth disease; Coxsackie virus A6; Brain natriuretic peptide; Risk factors
‘Amit, wake up’: indigenization, gender and Taiwanese pop star Chang Hui-mei’s music

This article analyses the reinvention of the indigenous identity combined with gender critique in contemporary Taiwan. In particular, I focus on Chang Hui-mei, the most famous Taiwanese pop star wi...
Motion preserving management of unstable traumatic clivus fracture extending through bilateral occipital condyles.

Abstract We describe non-operative management a rare traumatic clival fracture extending through the bilateral occipital condyles. Clinical History: A 26-year-old female who was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle crash presented to an outside facility with difficulty speaking. Subsequent CT of the cervical spine demonstrated a fracture of the clivus with extension through the bilateral occipital condyles. She was then transferred to our hospital for further management where complete trauma survey noted multiple other injuries including traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, spinal epidural hematoma, bilateral pneumothoraces, liver laceration, bilateral upper extremity injuries, and lumbosacral fractures. Additional spinal imaging was negative for any associated vascular or spinal cord injury. Given her young age, there was a strong interest to preserve craniocervical motion and the decision was made to treat her with non-operatively with halo placement. After 18 weeks of rigid fixation, follow up imaging demonstrated completely healed fractures and at twenty-one weeks post fixation she demonstrated preserved motion of the craniocervical junction. This is a review of the literature and case report regarding this rare entity and its management.
A Patient Who Does Not Look: A Collaborative Treatment with Video Feedback

We describe a collaborative treatment of a woman in face-to-face psychoanalytic psychotherapy (with Larry Sandberg), whose persistent gaze aversion was a symptom immune to interpretive efforts. Aft...
Competitive Control with Delayed Imperfect Information

This paper studies the impact of imperfect information in online control with adversarial disturbances. In particular, we consider both delayed state feedback and inexact predictions of future disturbances. We introduce a greedy, myopic policy that yields a constant competitive ratio against the offline optimal policy with delayed feedback and inexact predictions. A special case of our result is a constant competitive policy for the case of exact predictions and no delay, a previously open problem. We also analyze the fundamental limits of online control with limited information by showing that our competitive ratio bounds for the greedy, myopic policy in the adversarial setting match (up to lower-order terms) lower bounds in the stochastic setting.
The effects of Solliquin administration on the activity and fecal cortisol production of shelter dogs

Abstract Animal shelters are often associated with high levels of stressors that can compromise welfare. Mitigating stressors or the associated distress is a priority for shelters. Given restricted time and financial resources it's important that shelters use evidence-based interventions. This study evaluated the efficacy of Solliquin (Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Science, Inc., Lancaster, SC, USA), a behavioral nutraceutical, to mitigate stress responses of dogs entering a shelter. Stress responses were quantified using fecal cortisol and activity tracking with triaxial accelerometers. For all the conditions analyzed, the Solliquin treated group had an increase in only the light rest category (P = 0.050) compared to control dogs. There were no effects on other parameters measured including deep rest.
Children’s Emotional Expressivity After Sleep Restriction Forecasts Social Problems Years Later

Sleep patterns affect children’s socioemotional functioning in ways that may predict long-term social problems. However, precise mechanisms through which these effects occur remain unexplored and thus unknown. Building on findings in adults, the current study examined whether changes in children’s facial expressions of emotion after sleep restriction predict social problems concurrently and/or longitudinally. At time 1, 37 children (mean = 9.08 years, SD = 1.3) completed in-lab emotional assessments both when rested and after two nights of sleep restriction. Participants’ parents provided reports of their child’s social problems at time 1 and approximately 2 years later (time 2; mean = 11.26 years, SD = 1.6). Children who exhibited less positive facial expressions in response to positive images after sleep restriction evidenced greater social problems longitudinally, even when controlling for earlier social problems. Results suggest that inadequate sleep may undermine children’s social functioning via alterations in emotional expression which may become more salient with age.
Practical handling of multiple objectives using evolutionary strategy for optimal placement of hydraulic fracture stages in unconventional gas reservoirs

Abstract In this article we discuss advantages and practical ways of applying Multi-objective Optimization (MOO) to the cutting-edge problem of optimal exploitation of shale gas reservoirs. We show that by a judicious selection of the number of hydraulic fracture (HF) stages, their locations along a horizontal wellbore, and HF half-length, an optimal scenario involving multiple objectives can be achieved. Our MOO approach allows weighing different production strategies in presence of multiple production and economic goals (or objectives) and offers the algorithm that gives quantitative and qualitative measures of “goodness” of the optimal production plans. We demonstrate by means of a shale play model based on the Barnett Shale that the objectives can be of economic (short- and long-term discounted net-present-values) or production (cumulative water production) nature. The framework handles objectives effectively and produces the Pareto optimal solutions without requiring the user to assign weights to each objective inside an aggregate function. For the end user such assignment can be confusing, time consuming, and sometimes not even possible.
Introduction to Contextual Inquiry

Contextual inquiry (CI) is a systematic study of people, tasks, procedures, and environments in their work places. It is a commonly used method in user-centered design as the basis for product design decisions and strategy. The method was originally described in the work of Beyer and Holzblatt. The CI research approach is seemingly casual to the study participants, but when done properly for medical device development, it involves rigorous data analysis and robust determination of the social and physical environments of the workplace through the use of tools that dissect individual task and user behaviors. For the purposes of medical device development (MDD), CI is used to create a body of information about the habits, devices, constraints, and/or systems delivery of care. The accumulated body of information can be used to determine product strategies and to assess how current devices are actually used in the field highlighting specific use patterns and behaviors. Additionally, it can be used for the purposes of optimizing existing devices, training, and a means of collaborating with users. The majority of literature available on CI methods focuses on user interaction design intended for the design of software systems.
Early Development, Temperament, and Functional Impairment in Autism and Fragile X Syndrome

We compared the developmental status, functional abilities, and temperament of 31 young boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS) who did not have autism, matched on chronological age, gender, and race, with 31 boys with autism but no FXS. Children with autism exhibited a more variable profile of development in comparison with a relatively flat profile for children with FXS. Children with autism were significantly more delayed in social skills and were rated by observers as exhibiting a greater degree of impairment in cognitive, communication, and social skills. On temperament ratings, both groups were slower to adapt, less persistent, and more withdrawing than the reference group. Boys with FXS were rated as more active than the referent group, whereas boys with autism were rated as less intense, more distractible, having a higher threshold for response, and less rhythmic than the reference group. A smaller three-group analysis compared boys with FXS, boys with autism, and boys with both FXS and autism. Children with both autism and FXS were substantially more delayed than children with autism or FXS alone.
Device trends and implications on circuit design in advanced CMOS technologies

To conciliate scaling-driven fundamental material limitations with industry evolution requirements, flexible CMOS technologies and tighter interaction between process development and circuit/system design are needed to efficiently realize systems on a chip (SoC). This paper discusses issues associated with power supply scaling, performance-leakage power optimization including dynamic body/well bias, gate dielectric scaling, mobility enhancement by strained-Si, SRAM process and design interactions, digital and analog device tradeoffs, and HV I/O considerations in advanced CMOS technologies.
Systemic hemodynamics and renal function in hemorrhaged dogs resuscitated with cross-linked hemoglobin.

Cross-linked hemoglobin (XL-Hb) infused into dogs increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) but decreases blood flow to the renal (RBF), mesenteric (MBF), and iliac (IBF) circulations. These actions d...
Teaching and Learning Guide for Cognitive Phenomenology

Cognitive phenomenology can be defined as the experience that is associated with cognitive activities, such as thinking, reasoning, and understanding. What is at issue in contemporary debates is not the existence of cognitive phenomenology, so defined, but rather its nature and theoretical significance. Debated questions about the nature of cognitive phenomenology include the following: What is the relationship between the phenomenology of cognition and the intentionality of cognition? And what is the relationship between the phenomenology of cognition and the phenomenology of perception? Debated questions about the significance of cognitive phenomenology concern its role in theories of intentionality, introspective self-knowledge, and knowledge of the external world.
Neuronal Repellent Slit2 Inhibits Dendritic Cell Migration and the Development of Immune Responses

One of the essential functions of dendritic cells is to take up Ags in peripheral tissues and migrate into secondary lymphoid organs to present Ags to lymphocytes for the induction of immune responses. Although many studies have demonstrated that the migration of dendritic cells is closely associated with the development of immune responses, little is known about factors that inhibit dendritic cell migration and control the extent of immune responses to Ag stimulation. We show that Slit2, a neuronal repellent factor, is up-regulated in the skin by allergen sensitization and down-regulates the migration of Langerhans cells. The effect is mediated by direct interaction of Slit2 with cells that express a Slit-specific receptor, Robo1. Slit2-mediated inhibition of Langerhans cell migration results in suppression of contact hypersensitivity responses. These findings provide insights into a novel mechanism by which Slit2 functions as an anti-inflammatory factor for the initiation of immune responses.
Gender Ideology in Historical Reconstruction: A Case Study from the 1930s

You are probably aware of the fact that homes are being wrecked daily due to the fact that married women are permitted to work in factories and offices in this land of ours. You and we all know that the place for a wife and mother is at home, her palace. The excuse is often brought up that the husband cannot find employment. It is the writers’ belief that if the women were expelled from places of business,…these very men would find employment. These same womens’ husbands would naturally be paid a higher salary, inasmuch as male employees demand a higher salary than females.1
On a theorem of Feingold

Abstract We discuss an extension of a theorem which is apparently due to Feingold. Both the theorem and its extension follow mutatis mutandis from the corresponding material associated with the Bauer-Fike theorem. Feingold made no claims for his result and indeed referred to it as trivial. Although it proves to be rather disappointing, an understanding of the source of its weakness is instructive and leads to related techniques which are of greater value.
Uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli: Kinetic properties and mechanism

Type I and Type II uridine phosphorylases (uridine: orthophosphate ribosyltransferase EC 2.4.2.3) axe distinguished by their pH optima (Krenitsky et al. (1965) J. Biol. Chem. 240, 1281–1286). A Type I enzyme was partially purified from Escherichia coli. The crossing pattern of the initial velocity analysis indicated that the catalytic mechanism involved the sequential addition of substrates to the enzyme. Product inhibition by uracil or by ribose 1-phosphate was linear competitive with uridine or with concentrations of phosphate below 3 mM. This indicated that the sequence of substrate addition was random rather than ordered. At concentrations of phosphate above 3 mM, product inhibition by uracil was complex. The random mechanism of this Type I enzyme contrasts with the ordered mechanism of a Type II enzyme from rat liver (Kraut, A. and Yamada, E.W. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 2021–2030).
Why the grass may not be greener on the other side: a comparison of locking vs. transactional memory

The advent of multi-core and multi-threaded processor architectures highlights the need to address the well-known shortcomings of the ubiquitous lock-based synchronization mechanisms. To this end, transactional memory has been viewed by many as a promising alternative to locking. This paper therefore presents a constructive critique of locking and transactional memory: their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
Diagnosis of Anterolateral Ankle Impingement Comparison Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Examination

We reviewed 22 patients who had arthroscopic evaluations and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies of their ankles because of chronic anterolateral ankle pain after sprains. The ability of surgeons to use the initial clinical examination to predict arthroscopically confirmed anterolateral ankle impingement was compared with the ability to predict this condition using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The patient population consisted of 15 men and 7 women who had an average age of 28 years. Five patients (23%) were intercollegiate athletes and 17 patients (77%) were recreational athletes. All patients reported previous traumas to the involved ankles, and all were seen with chronic ankle pain. Clinical examinations were used to assess ankle pain, swelling, range of motion, and stability. Anterolateral ankle impingement was confirmed in 18 patients (82%) with arthroscopic examination. Clinical examinations had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 75% for predicting impingement, and magnetic resonance imaging had a sensitivity of 39% and a specificity of 50%. The results of this study suggest that preoperative magnetic resonance imaging examination is not beneficial or cost-effective in the diagnosis of anterolateral ankle impingement; furthermore, its use may cause further delay in treatment.
Modern marine stromatolites in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas: Uncommonly common

Modern stromatolites in open marine environments, unknown until recently, are common throughout the Exuma Cays, Bahamas. They occur in three distinct settings: subtidal tidal passes, subtidal sandy embayments and intertidal beaches. These stromatolites have a relief of up to 2.5 m and occur in water depths ranging from intertidal to 10 m. Surfaces near the sediment-water interface are typically colonized by cyanobacterial mats, whereas high relief surfaces are commonly colonized by algal turf and other macroalgae such asBatophora, Acetabularia, andSargassum. The internal structure of the stromatolites is characterized by millimeter-scale lamination defined by differential lithification of agglutinated sediment. In thin section, the lithified laminae appear as micritic horizons with distinct microstructures: they consist of thin micritic crusts (20–40 μm thick) overlying layers of micritized sediment grains (200–1000 μm thick); the micritized grains are cemented at point-contacts and are trucated along a surface of intense microboring. The Exuma stromatolites are built by cyanobacterial-dominated communities. These laminated prokaryotic structures grade to unlayered thrombolites built by eukaryotic algae. The variety of sites, settings and shapes of stromatolites in the Exuma Cays present excellent opportunities for future studies of stromatolite morphogenesis.
TMA characterization of urethane elastomers, with the structure varying from chain to network

TMA has been used to investigate the thermomechanical behaviour of six series of elastomers in connection with their chemical constitution and physical structure. The elastomers, were synthesized from an NCO-terminal pre-polymer, based on oligo (ethylene adipate), 1,4-butanediol and 2,4-toluylene diisocyanate, by curing with systems of two agents: a bifunctional one (1,4-butanediol, bistethylene glycol)terephthalate, or monoethanolamine), and a trifunctional one (1,1,1-trimethylolpropane or diethanolamine). The TMA results are presented as due to the superposition of the chemical cross-linking and the physical network, formed through microphase segregation. The TMA suggests that diethanolamine unexpectedly acts as a chain extender, rather than a cross-linking agent.
Effects of devolatilization on the hydrogen isotopic composition of pelitic rocks in the contact aureole of the Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota, U.S.A.

Abstract δD-values of unmetamorphosed, chlorite plus muscovite-bearing pelitic rocks of the Virginia Formation in northeastern Minnesota range from −68 to −54‰, with H2O contents between 3.66 and 4.41 wt%. Contact metamorphism by mafic magmas of the Duluth Complex has led to devolatilization and loss of ∼2.5–3.5 wt% H2O accompanied by a decrease in whole-rock δD-values. Minerals produced during metamorphism include cordierite, biotite and, locally, orthopyroxene. Footwall hornfels at the Dunka Road Cu/1bNi deposit are characterized by δD-values between −91 and −59‰, with H2O contents between 2.52 and 1.10 wt%. Xenoliths and footwall rocks at the Babbitt Cu/1bNi deposit show a wide range in δD (−131 to −69‰) and H2O (0.50–2.63) values. Isotopic modelling of chlorite-, muscovite- and biotite-consuming reactions suggest that Rayleigh fractionation during devolatilization may account for the trend of decreasing δD and H2O content. The computations indicate that the δD and H2O data are consistent with the liberation of a fluid during contact metamorphism that contained up to 15% methane. Results are in excellent agreement with fluid compositions estimated from mineral equilibria and carbon isotopic data. The average isotopic composition of the evolved fluid is −53‰. δ D-values that are recorded in some xenoliths and footwall rocks at Babbitt may be a result of retrograde hydration and isotopic exchange with a D-depleted fluid of magmatic origin, or may reflect variations in parent rock δD-value or chlorite/muscovite ratio.
Model of c-axis resistivity of high-Tc cuprates.

We propose a simple model which accounts for the major features and systematics of experiments on the {ital c}=axis resistivity, {rho}{sub {ital c}} for La{sub 2{minus}{ital x}}Sr{sub {ital x}}CuO{sub 4}, YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+{ital x}}, and Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8}. We argue that the {ital c}-axis resistivity can be separated into contributions from in-plane dephasing and the {ital c}-axis {open_quote}{open_quote}barrier{close_quote}{close_quote} scattering processes, with the low-temperature semiconductorlike behavior of {rho}{sub {ital c}} arising from the suppression of the in-plane density of states measured by in-plane magnetic Knight shift experiments. We report on predictions for {rho}{sub {ital c}} in impurity-doped YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 6+{ital x}} materials. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Back projection reconstruction of spectroscopic NMR images from incomplete sets of projections

On presente une methode ou on utilise l'information a priori similaire pour minimiser le nombre de projections necessaires pour la reconstruction des projections d'images spectroscopiques RMN
Radiology Information for Consumers

ABSTRACT RadiologyInfo is a Web site maintained by the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America devoted to providing information about radiology. Topics include explanations of over eighty radiological procedures, careers in the field of radiology, current radiological news, safety, basic background information, and more. The information is provided in a variety of formats including text, videos, and images. RadiologyInfo is a helpful, well organized, informative, and user-friendly consumer health resource.
Who is Likely to Help and Hurt? Profiles of African American Adolescents with Prosocial and Aggressive Behavior

Prosocial behavior and aggression among children and adolescents are important indicators of social and interpersonal competence. The goal of this study was to investigate whether there are different prototypes among African American adolescents that can help explain prosocial and aggressive (relational and overt) behaviors. Also of interest was whether these profiles differed for boys and girls. The selection of independent variables (e.g., empathy, anger management, normative beliefs about aggression, and ethnic identity) was guided by an information processing model of aggression and prosocial behaviors. The sample consisted of 789 (57% female) African American adolescents between the ages of 11 and 14. Cluster analysis produced three profiles that were similar for boys and girls. These were labeled “well-adjusted,” “poorly adjusted,” and “low identity.” A fourth profile was labeled “low empathy” for girls and “poor anger management” for boys. These four clusters significantly differentiated who engaged in prosocial behavior and relational and overt aggression. Findings suggest that prevention programs may consider targeting well-adjusted youth to serve as peer modes. Additionally, programs that promote empathy, anger management, ethnic identity, and normative beliefs against aggression may be useful for reducing aggression and increasing prosocial behavior among poorly adjusted youth.
An improved method of data collection for transferrin polymorphism in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

The iron-binding protein transferrin is a highly polymorphic locus in many species of fish, and has been used for stock identification for a variety of teleost species. Allelic frequency differences for transferrin have been identified between populations of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) (Utter et al., 1970; Olin, 1984; Bartley et al., 1992). This locus has the potential to be a valuable addition to the ever-increasing number of polymorphic loci that are useful for genetic stock identification (GSI) of coho salmon. One of the drawbacks to using transferrin in stock identification surveys of fishes has been the necessity of acquiring a serum sample. Conventional procedures for genetic surveys of salmon using starch gel electrophoresis are based on muscle, heart, liver, and retinal tissue samples. Obtaining serum requires additional time, effort, and materials when collecting samples in the field. Consequently, surveys of genetic variation in coho salmon frequently lack or have incomplete data for the transferrin locus (Reisenbichler and Phelps, 1987; Wehrhahn and Powell, 1987; Bartley et al., 1992). This paper describes field and laboratory procedures we have developed to obtain transferrin data using an extract from heart tissue, ? making it unnecessary to obtain a serum sample.
Risk of Cardiovascular Disease from Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV: A Systematic Review

Background Recent studies suggest certain antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs are associated with increases in cardiovascular disease.
Comparison of four methods for testing high-level aminoglycoside resistance in enterococci.

In a prospective study the prevalence of high-level aminoglycoside resistance (MIC ≥ 2,000 µg/ml) among 62 clinically significant enterococci was investigated. A total of 105 organisms were inoculated a) onto a plate containing 2,000 µg/ml of gentamicin or streptomycin; b) into a microtube for dilution MIC determinations for gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin and streptomycin; and c) into a single tube containing 500 µg/ml of gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin or streptomycin in supplemented Mueller-Hinton broth. In addition, tubes containing 500 µg/ml of gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin or streptomycin were inoculated with five enterococcal colonies (“crude” method). For 45 of the 62 isolates, MICs of gentamicin, amikacin and tobramycin were ≤ 500 µg/ml, while 17 (27 %) showed high-level resistance. The MICs of streptomycin were ≤ 500 µg/ml for 42 of 62 isolates, and ≥ 2,000 µg/ml for 20 (32.3 %). For 8 of the 17 (47 %) isolates showing high-level gentamicin resistance, MICs of streptomycin were ≤ 500 µg/ml. There was complete agreement between the results of the plate method, the microtube dilution MIC and the tube inoculated with 105 CFU, but the crude method gave discordant results for two isolates. It is concluded that a tube containing 500 µg/ml of aminoglycoside is a simple, accurate and inexpensive method for determining high-level aminoglycoside resistance.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis through cAMP Response Element-binding Protein Phosphorylation and Increased PGC-1α Expression

Bioactive compounds reported to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis are linked to many health benefits such increased longevity, improved energy utilization, and protection from reactive oxygen species. Previously studies have shown that mice and rats fed diets lacking in pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) have reduced mitochondrial content. Therefore, we hypothesized that PQQ can induce mitochondrial biogenesis in mouse hepatocytes. Exposure of mouse Hepa1–6 cells to 10–30 μm PQQ for 24–48 h resulted in increased citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activity, Mitotracker staining, mitochondrial DNA content, and cellular oxygen respiration. The induction of this process occurred through the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a pathway known to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. PQQ exposure stimulated phosphorylation of CREB at serine 133, activated the promoter of PGC-1α, and increased PGC-1α mRNA and protein expression. PQQ did not stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis after small interfering RNA-mediated reduction in either PGC-1α or CREB expression. Consistent with activation of the PGC-1α pathway, PQQ increased nuclear respiratory factor activation (NRF-1 and NRF-2) and Tfam, TFB1M, and TFB2M mRNA expression. Moreover, PQQ protected cells from mitochondrial inhibition by rotenone, 3-nitropropionic acid, antimycin A, and sodium azide. The ability of PQQ to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis accounts in part for action of this compound and suggests that PQQ may be beneficial in diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Microsomal epoxidation in Japanese quail: induction by dietary dieldrin.

Abstract 1. 1. Dieldrin, fed at 5 ppm without toxicity to week-old Japanese quail chicks, effectively increases aldrin epoxidase activity of hepatic microsomes, but does not affect cytochrome P-140 or NADPH-neotetrazolium reductase levels. 2. 2. Levels of epoxidase, P-450 and neotetrazolium reductase do not vary significantly between three strains of quail or between the sexes. 3. 3. Epoxidase activity declines with age, whereas P-450 levels increase in maturing chicks. 4. 4. DDT, fed at 100 ppm for several months, causes depression of hepatic microsomal activities in mature quail. Ring-necked pheasants from a DDT-treated area are similarly affected.
Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Affects Endotoxin Tolerance

Pretreatment of animals with sublethal doses of endotoxin renders them tolerant to subsequent endotoxin challenge. Tissue hypoxia following infection may potentiate the immune response to injury. To evaluate the effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) on endotoxin tolerance by macrophages, adult CBA mice were pretreated with 10 μg/animal of LPS injected intraperitonealy. Five days later, animals were subjected to 16 hr of hypoxia followed by 2 hr of reoxygenation. Harvested peritoneal macrophages were cultured and either stimulated in vitro with LPS or left unstimulated. Culture supernatants collected at 2, 4, and 6 hr were assayed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF), prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2 ), and nitric oxide (NO). Control animals underwent the same procedures, but were maintained in normoxia. H/R resulted in significantly greater TNF production but significantly lower PGE 2 and NO production, P < 0.05 by ANOVA. These data suggest that LPS-induced tolerance of macrophages to the same stimulus is abated by H/R.
Adopting Moderate Alcohol Consumption in Middle Age : Subsequent Cardiovascular Events

Abstract Purpose Moderate alcohol use is part of a healthy lifestyle, yet current guidelines caution nondrinkers against starting to drink alcohol in middle age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether adopting moderate alcohol consumption in middle age would result in subsequent lower cardiovascular risk. Methods This study examined a cohort of adults aged 45-64 years participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study over a 10-year period. The primary outcome was fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular events. Results Of 7697 participants who had no history of cardiovascular disease and were nondrinkers at baseline, within a 6-year follow-up period, 6.0% began moderate alcohol consumption (2 drinks per day or fewer for men, 1 drink per day or fewer for women) and 0.4% began heavier drinking. After 4 years of follow-up, new moderate drinkers had a 38% lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease than did their persistently nondrinking counterparts. This difference persisted after adjustment for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors (odds ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.95). There was no difference in all-cause mortality between the new drinkers and persistent nondrinkers (odds ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval, 0.31-1.64). Conclusion People who newly begin consuming alcohol in middle age rarely do so beyond recommended amounts. Those who begin drinking moderately experience a relatively prompt benefit of lower rates of cardiovascular disease morbidity with no change in mortality rates after 4 years.
Intracranial placement of a new, compliant guide catheter: technical note.

OBJECTIVE We describe our initial experience with the use of a novel, compliant guide catheter designed for placement within the cranial vasculature in a series of seven patients who were treated for various intracranial pathologies. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Seven patients were deemed to have either tortuous supra-aortic, intracranial, and/or extracranial vasculature or to require additional microcatheter support as the result of lesion location. INTERVENTION The patients were treated, in part, with the 6-French Neuron delivery catheter (Penumbra, Inc., San Leandro, CA) at the authors' two institutions. The guide catheter was positioned in various distal locations within the intracranial internal carotid artery or external carotid artery. Three patients were treated for unruptured intracranial aneurysms, 2 patients for intracranial atherosclerosis, 1 patient for an arteriovenous malformation, and 1 patient for a pseudoaneurysm. CONCLUSION All lesions were successfully treated through a microcatheter advanced in a coaxial fashion through the guide catheter. There were no complications related to the positioning of the catheter. Distal intra- or extracranial placement of a specially designed, compliant guide catheter can be performed safely and may improve access and microcatheter stability in patients with tortuous vessels or difficult-to-reach lesions.
Superconducting toroidal magnet design for the G0 experiment at TJNAF

An eight coil superconducting toroidal magnetic spectrometer has been designed for the G0 experiment to be performed at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF). The toroid is designed so that the particle trajectories pass through the magnet insulating vacuum. The magnet is made of aluminum structural components with a copper stabilized indirectly cooled conductor. The toroid is 2 meters long, 4 meters outside diameter and is oriented with its major axis horizontal. This orientation allows its use as an eight fold symmetric focusing spectrometer. The SC magnet has a stored energy of 6.5 Mjoules. The design and analysis of this device are presented. The plans and status of magnet system procurement are presented.
A tissue-engineered suburethral sling in an animal model of stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE To create and evaluate the functional effects of a tissue-engineered sling in an animal model of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: a control group (C) had no intervention before the leak-point pressure (LPP) was measured; a denervated group (D) had bilateral proximal sciatic nerve transection (PSNT) and periurethral dissection with no sling placed; group S had concomitant bilateral PSNT and a suburethral sling of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) placed; and group (M) had concomitant bilateral PSNT with implantation of a tissue-engineered sling. The suburethral sling was placed via a transabdominal approach with the sling sutured to the pubic bone. Tissue-engineered slings were prepared with muscle-derived cells obtained via the pre-plate technique and subsequently seeded for 2 weeks on a SIS scaffold. Suburethral slings were implanted 2 weeks before LPP testing, using the vertical-tilt method. RESULTS Surgically placing a suburethral sling is feasible in the female rat, with few complications. LPPs from both sling groups (S and M) were not significantly different from untreated controls (C). The S, M and C groups all had significantly higher LPPs than group D. Importantly, no rat from either sling group (S and M) had signs of urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS Placing tissue-engineered slings in an animal model of SUI resulted in LPP values that were not significantly different from those in untreated control or SIS (S) groups. These data show that incorporating muscle stem cells into SIS slings does not adversely alter the advantageous mechanical properties of the SIS sling in a model of SUI, and provide the basis for future functional studies of tissue-engineered sling materials with long-term retention.
Improved electron‐beam patterning of Si with self‐assembled monolayers

A set of processes has been explored that enhances the utility of self‐assembled‐monolayer electron‐beam resists for patterning silicon. A self‐assembled monolayer resist of octadecylsiloxane was exposed using a scanning electron microscope with a 20 keV beam energy and dose of 320 μC/cm2. After the patterned monolayer was developed using ultraviolet light and ozone, it served as a wet etch mask for the underlying native oxide. Linewidths of ∼30 nm were etched in silicon using the patterned oxide as a reactive ion etch mask. The maximum etch depth achieved in silicon was 90 nm using this process.
Duration and Light-Dark Ratio of Intermittent Preadaptation as Factors Influencing Human Dark Adaptation*

The influence of intermittent preadaptation upon subsequent dark adaptation was investigated for six preadaptation durations ranging from 30 seconds to 16 minutes. The rate of intermittence was one cycle/second and four ratios of light-to-dark (plus continuous light) were used. The preadaptation intensity was 1188 mL. The resulting dark adaptation curves show that an increase in the duration of intermittent preadaptation produces an elevation in initial threshold, a prolonging of dark adaptation, and a decrease in the rate at which dark adaptation proceeds. An increase in the light-time of the light-dark ratio will affect dark adaptation in a similar manner.
A Coupled Level Set and Volume-of-Fluid Method for Computing 3D and Axisymmetric Incompressible Two-Phase Flows

We present a coupled level set/volume-of-fluid (CLSVOF) method for computing 3D and axisymmetric incompressible two-phase flows. This method combines some of the advantages of the volume-of-fluid method with the level set method to obtain a method which is generally superior to either method alone. We present direct comparisons between computations made with the CLSVOF method and computations made with the level set method, the volume-of-fluid method, and the boundary integral method. We also compare our computations to the exact solution for an oscillating ellipse due to Lamb and experimental results obtained for a rising gas bubble in liquid obtained by Hnat and Buckmaster. Our computational examples focus on flows in which surface tension forces and changes in topology are dominant features of the flow.
Partial sequencing and characterization of the tumor cell-derived collagenase stimulatory factor.

Abstract A tumor cell-derived, collagenase stimulatory factor (TCSF), previously isolated and purified from LX-1 human lung carcinoma cells and judged by immunoblotting and SDS-PAGE to contain a single protein of ~58 kDa, has been further analyzed for its biological activity and composition. Three significant new findings have been made. First, the biological activity of TCSF preparations was shown definitively to reside in the 58-kDa protein. This was achieved in two ways: (a) a polyclonal antibody was raised against the 58-kDa protein, after excision from an SDS-PAGE gel, and shown to inhibit the stimulation of fibroblast collagenase production by TCSF preparations; (b) the 58-kDa protein was eluted from a transblot of purified TCSF and shown to stimulate fibroblast collagenase production. Second, partial sequencing of the 58-kDa protein revealed no significant homologies with other known collagenase stimulatory factors. Third, purified TCSF was found, on transblotting to Immobilon, to contain a doublet of 58 kDa (TCSF1) and 54 kDa (TCSF2) proteins; the former was present in higher concentration than the latter. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the two intact proteins and of four corresponding pairs of tryptic peptides derived from the two proteins showed identity in each case, indicating that TCSF1 and TCSF2 are very similar in composition. However, TCSF1 but not TCSF2 stimulated fibroblast collagenase production, confirming that the 58-kDa protein is the major active component of TCSF preparations.
Structural and electronic properties of oxygen vacancies in cubic and antiferrodistortive phases of SrTiO 3

The structural and electronic properties of oxygen vacancy ${(V}_{\mathrm{O}})$ defects in cubic and antiferrodistortive (AFD) phases of bulk ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ are investigated using results from first principles pseudopotential calculations. By systematically increasing the supercell size from 40 to 320 atoms, we show that large supercells are necessary to investigate the structural energetics of this seemingly simple defect properly. With the increase in the supercell size, the formation energy of ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ decreases by $\ensuremath{\sim}1.3\mathrm{eV}$ due to long-ranged relaxations, and the character of the defect wave function changes from a deep to a shallow level. Calculations indicate that presence of ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ decreases the relative stability of the AFD phase over the cubic phase, consistent with recent experimental results, which find a lowering of the AFD-cubic transition temperature in samples with higher ${V}_{\mathrm{O}}$ concentrations.
Histologic cure of basal cell carcinoma treated with cryosurgery

Abstract Background Cryosurgery is a method of treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Despite numerous studies reporting excellent cure rates with cryosurgery, there are no studies in the literature that have shown a histologic cure of BCC. Objective We sought to show histologically that cryosurgery is an effective cure for well-defined, noduloulcerative BCC of the trunk and upper extremities. Methods Twelve noduloulcerative BCCs of the trunk and proximal upper extremities less than 1 cm were treated with single freeze-thaw cryosurgery using a cryoprobe apparatus with liquid nitrogen. A thermocouple needle measured temperature, with the goal to reach between −50°C and −60°C. One to 2 months later, the site was excised and examined with horizontal step sections throughout the entire tissue. Results No tissue specimens had histologic evidence of tumor. Conclusion Single freeze-thaw cryosurgery provides a histologic cure of well-defined, noduloulcerative BCCs of the trunk and extremities less than or equal to 1 cm.
Analytical electron microscopy of graphite-rich inclusions in sintered α-silicon carbide

Intragranular inclusions and multiphase regions at triple grain junctions in (B+C)-doped sintered α-SiC were investigated using analytical and high-resolution electron microscopy. Both regions were two-phase, composed of graphite and amorphous material. The triple junctions also contained pores. The amorphous regions were principally carbon and oxygen. Graphite was formed by partial transformation of the amorphous regions. Only the triple-junction regions contain typical impurities from the starting α-SiC powder, inferring that they are the main sinks for all grain-boundary/surface impurities in the material system.
Parametric study on performance of laterally loaded drilled shafts in an MSE wall

Abstract Drilled shafts are sometimes built in an MSE wall to support superstructures subjected to lateral loads. However, current design methodology isolates the interaction between drilled shafts and MSE walls, and the designs are independent. This design practice results in inappropriately designed drilled shafts and MSE walls. A three-dimensional numerical model of drilled shafts within an MSE wall was developed using FLAC3D and was calibrated with published data of a full-scale field study. Then the calibrated model was used for a parametric study to investigate the influence of various parameters on the synergistic performance of the drilled shafts and the MSE wall. The performance was assessed in terms of lateral displacement of the drilled shaft and MSE wall, the induced lateral earth pressure, and the induced strain in the geogrid. The investigated parameters in this study included the backfill material properties, the geogrid tensile stiffness and length, the distance between the drilled shaft and the MSE wall, and the length of the drilled shaft. An elastoplastic soil constitutive model, able to consider the compression and shear hardening, was used for the backfill material. The facing of the MSE wall was simulated as an assembly of discrete blocks which interacted with each other through interfaces. It was found that the properties of the backfill material, the distance between the drilled shaft and MSE wall, and the length of the drilled shaft had influence on the deflections, lateral earth pressure and strain in the geogrid. The extent of the influence varied and depended on the loads. The geogrid tensile stiffness and length did not show salient influence.