cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
p53 inhibits DNA replication in vitro in a DNA-binding-dependent manner

The p53 tumor suppressor gene product is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that is necessary for the G1 arrest of many cell types. Consistent with its role as a cell cycle checkpoint factor, p53 has been shown to be capable of both transcriptional activation and repression. Here we show a new potential role for p53 as a DNA-binding-dependent regulator of DNA replication. Constructs containing multiple copies of the ribosomal gene cluster (RGC) p53 binding site cloned on the late side of the polyomavirus origin were used in in vitro replication assays. In the presence of p53, the replication of these constructs was strongly inhibited, while the replication of constructs containing a mutant version of the RGC site was not affected by p53. Several tumor-derived mutant p53 proteins were unable to inhibit replication of the construct with wild-type RGC sites. Additionally, the transactivator GAL4-VP16 was unable to inhibit replication of a construct containing GAL4 binding sites adjacent to the polyomavirus origin. We also show that the inhibition by p53 can occur from sites cloned as far as 600 bp from the origin. Preincubation experiments suggest that p53 inhibits replication at a step mediated by ATP, possibly by inhibiting the binding of polyomavirus T antigen to the core origin. The presence of an endogenous p53 binding site in the polyomavirus origin suggests potential mechanisms for the observed inhibition.
40Ar/39Ar dating of Ordovician K-bentonites in Laurentia and Baltoscandia

Several Ordovician K-bentonites occurring widely in eastern North America and western Europe were dated using the 40Ar/39Ar technique to test previously suggested inter-continental correlations. The three thickest and most widespread bentonites – Deicke, Millbrig (North America) and Kinnekulle (Sweden and Denmark) – were examined. Single-grain analyses of phenocrystic biotites yield 100% concordant plateau ages of 449.8±2.3 Ma (2σ internal error) (Deicke), 448.0±2.0 Ma (Millbrig) and 454.8±2.0 Ma (Kinnekulle in Sweden). The altered biotites from the Denmark Kinnekulle sample show discordant age spectra with highly variable plateau ages being most likely caused by recoil redistribution of Ar isotopes between biotite and interlayer secondary alteration products during neutron irradiation. Such recoil artifacts are likely evident in previously published 40Ar/39Ar data for these units, causing bias towards spuriously old ages. In such cases where intragrain alteration is evident and discordant age spectra are common, geologically meaningless plateau ages may be obtained which are less accurate than integrated ages, hence a 100% concordance criterion for acceptance is useful. The inconsistent 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemical contrasts between the North American and Swedish bentonites imply distinct volcanic episodes, and preclude a specific correlation between the Millbrig and Kinnekulle K-bentonites. The precise 40Ar/39Ar ages indicate a minimum duration of 7±3 Myr for the Diplograptus multidens graptolite biozone. In comparison with previous U/Pb data, the results are useful for quantifying the bias (ca. 1%) between current calibrations of the 40Ar/39Ar and U/Pb geochronometric systems. This bias is most likely due to errors related to 40K decay constants and neutron fluence monitors used in 40Ar/39Ar dating.
Influence of Macrolide Susceptibility on Efficacies of Clarithromycin and Azithromycin against Streptococcus pneumoniae in a Murine Lung Infection Model

We evaluated the activities of clarithromycin and azithromycin against 19 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae using a neutropenic lung infection model. The isolates included five susceptible isolates (clarithromycin and azithromycin MICs, ≤0.12 μg/ml), nine isolates exhibiting low-level, mefA-mediated resistance (clarithromycin and azithromycin MICs, 0.5 to 32 μg/ml), and five isolates expressing high-level, ermB-mediated macrolide resistance (clarithromycin and azithromycin MICs, ≥64 μg/ml). Infected mice were administered either saline (control), clarithromycin (4, 40, or 200 mg/kg of body weight twice daily or 200 mg/kg once daily), or azithromycin (4, 40, or 200 mg/kg once daily or 40 mg/kg twice daily) by oral gavage for 72 h. Mortality was assessed at regular intervals for 10 days, and survival in each group was compared to that of untreated controls. Animals infected with susceptible isolates demonstrated significant improvement in survival compared to the controls following treatment with either agent at doses of ≥40 mg/kg. In contrast, none of the regimens improved the survival of animals infected with isolates exhibiting high-level macrolide resistance. Among mice infected with strains expressing low-level resistance, significant improvement in survival compared to the controls was noted among isolates treated with clarithromycin at 40 (seven of nine isolates) and 200 (nine of nine isolates) mg/kg twice a day and with azithromycin at 40 (one of nine isolates) and 200 (three of nine isolates) mg/kg once a day. Animals infected with isolates of S. pneumoniae exhibiting low-level, mefA-mediated macrolide resistance responded to treatment with clarithromycin at rates similar to those observed among mice infected with fully susceptible isolates.
Nitric oxide as a target of complementary and alternative medicines to prevent and treat inflammation and cancer

Nitric oxide (NO) and associated reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are involved in many physiological functions. There has been an ongoing debate to whether RNS can inhibit or perpetuate chronic inflammation and associated carcinogenesis. Although the final outcome depends on the genetic make-up of its target, the surrounding microenvironment, the activity and localization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, and overall levels of NO/RNS, evidence is accumulating that in general, RNS drive inflammation and cancers associated with inflammation. To this end, many complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) that work in chemoprevention associated with chronic inflammation, are inhibitors of excessive NO observed in inflammatory conditions. Here, we review recent literature outlining a role of NO/RNS in chronic inflammation and cancer, and point toward NO as one of several targets for the success of CAMs in treating chronic inflammation and cancer associated with this inflammation.
Integration of Materials and Device Research Enabled by Wafer Bonding and Layer Transfer

Wafer bonding and layer transfer technology has emerged as a versatile approach for integrated research and development of materials and devices. It does not only provide a flexible way to prepare integrated materials but also breaks the barrier between materials science and device engineering since it appears to be one of the fundamental technologies for 3-D device fabrication and for integration of partially or fully processed dissimilar functional layers. The device performance can be significantly enhanced when both sides of device layers can be processed such as in the double gate CMOS and in HBTs. The processed device layers can be considered as unique materials layers and can also be integrated. The integration of dissimilar integrated circuits provides a promising solution to realize micro-systems or system on a 3-D chip in which multi-functional layers are interconnected (3-D SOC). The main issues are to develop methods that form strong bond between required materials at low temperatures and to cut the device layer without compromising the device integrity by using VLSI compatible processes. The advances in low temperature bonding of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicon, compound semiconductors and other materials in ambient are reviewed, and application examples are discussed.
Quality-aware scheduling metrics for adaptive sensor networks

Quality of service in sensor networks is a difficult problem due to unpredictable environment noise, unreliable network communication and varying requirements for wide varieties of applications. In this paper, we present fundamental quality of information metrics using signal-to-noise ratio. These metrics address information quality under varying sensing environments, noise and network bandwidth, and are completely application independent. We use these metrics to develop a quality-aware scheduling system (QSS) which exploits cross-layer control of sensors to effectively schedule data sensing and forwarding. Particularly, we develop and evaluate several QSS scheduling mechanisms: passive, reactive and perceptive. These mechanisms can adapt to environment noise and bandwidth variation by dynamically changing sensor rates. Our results indicate that our QSS is a novel and effective approach to improve the QoS for sensor networks.
Integration of irrigation district personnel with canal automation projects

Canal companies are adapting automation equipment to assist in the management of their canal systems and provide water to users at a near constant flow rate. Many of these canal companies have been motivated out of need to meet the water demands of their customers while limiting flow rate and depth fluctuations. Several canal automation schemes have been successful, while a few systems have had problems. After studying 179 canal automation projects, key points have been identified that contribute to the success of the automation systems. The most important factor is that the automation system has the support of the board of directors and the management personal. Other factors include a supportive automation company, use of simple, understandable sensors, and reliable equipment.
Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Secondary to Metastatic Relapse of Breast Cancer

We describe the case of a 53-year-old woman with a history of localized breast cancer who presented with flank pain and was found to have new-onset obstruction of the left ureteropelvic junction. Although initially believed to be unrelated to her history of prior malignancy, intraoperative assessment of tissue from the ureteropelvic junction during planned laparoscopic pyeloplasty revealed urothelial infiltration by carcinoma of breast origin.
Homicide against women in the workplace

OBJECTIVES: To examine the nature and magnitude of violence against women in the workplace. METHOD: Data from the National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities surveillance system were analyzed for the 13-year period, 1980 to 1992. Employment information was coded from industry and occupation narratives taken from the death certificates. Rates were calculated using annual average employment data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. RESULTS: From 1980 to 1992, 2,001 women and 7,935 men were victims of work-related homicides, for rates of 0.32 and 1.01 per 100,000 female and male workers, respectively. The majority of female homicide victims were employed in two industries-retail trade (46%) and services (22%). The highest risk industry was grocery stores (1.74 per 100,000 workers), followed by eating and drinking establishments, hotels and motels, and justice and public order. CONCLUSIONS: The findings presented here are consistent with previous research indicating that homicide is the leading cause of occupational injury death for women, but that women are at lower risk than their male counterparts. Homicide played a major role in sales and service, sectors that have increased over the last several decades and in which future growth is predicted. Feasible and effective prevention strategies to reduce the risk of work-related homicides must be developed and implemented. Language: en
Common and distinct modulation of electrophysiological indices of feedback processing by autistic and psychopathic traits

Both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and psychopathy are primarily characterized by social dysfunction; overlapping phenotypic features may reflect altered function in common brain mechanisms. The current study examined the degree to which neural response to social and nonsocial feedback is modulated by autistic versus psychopathic traits in a sample of typically developing adults (N = 31, 11 males, 18-52 years). Event-related potentials were recorded whilst participants completed a behavioral task and received feedback on task performance. Both autistic and psychopathic traits were associated with alterations in the neural correlates of feedback processing. Sensitivity to specific forms of feedback (social, nonsocial, positively valenced, negatively valenced) differed between the two traits. Autistic traits were associated with decreased sensitivity to social feedback. In contrast, the antisocial domain of psychopathic traits was associated with an overall decrease in sensitivity to feedback, and the interpersonal manipulation domain was associated with preserved processing of positively valenced feedback. Results suggest distinct alterations within specific mechanisms of feedback processing may underlie similar difficulties in social behavior.
Collocation of hydrological and biological attenuation of nitrate in an urban stream

The hydrologic and biogeochemical processes that control nutrient export in urban streams are not well understood. Attenuation can occur by tributary dilution, groundwater discharge, and biological processing both in the water column and the hyporheic zone. A wastewater treatment plant on Pennypack Creek, an urban stream near Philadelphia, PA, provided high nitrate concentrations for analysis of downstream attenuation processes. Longitudinal sampling for an 8‐km reach revealed decreases in nitrate concentration of 2 mg l⁻¹ at high flow and 4.5 mg l⁻¹ during low flow. During high flow, δ¹⁵N‐NO₃ increased from 9.5 to 10.5‰ and during low flow increased from 10.1 to 11.1‰. Two reaches were sampled at fine spatial intervals (approximately 200 m) to better identify attenuation processes. Mixing analysis indicated that groundwater discharge and biological processing both control nitrate concentration and isotope signatures. However, fine‐scaled sampling did not reveal spatially discrete zones; instead, these processes were occurring simultaneously. While both processes attenuate nitrate, they have opposite isotope signatures, which may have muted changes in δ¹⁵N‐NO₃. At high flow, a decrease in Cl/NO₃ ratios helped distinguish groundwater discharge occurring along both finely sampled reaches. At low flow, biological processing seemed to be occurring more extensively, but the δ¹⁵N‐NO₃ signature was not consistent with either a single process or a sequential combination of groundwater dilution and biological nitrate attenuation. The collocation of processes makes it more difficult to assess biological processing hot spots and predict how urbanization and subsequent stream restoration influence nitrate attenuation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geotechnical, Hydrogeologic and Vegetation Data Package for 200-UW-1 Waste Site Engineered Surface Barrier Design

Fluor Hanford (FH) is designing and assessing the performance of engineered barriers for final closure of 200-UW-1 waste sites. Engineered barriers must minimize the intrusion and water, plants and animals into the underlying waste to provide protection for human health and the environment. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed Subsurface Transport Over Multiple Phases (STOMP) simulator is being used to optimize the performance of candidate barriers. Simulating barrier performance involves computation of mass and energy transfer within a soil-atmosphere-vegetation continuum and requires a variety of input parameters, some of which are more readily available than others. Required input includes parameter values for the geotechnical, physical, hydraulic, and thermal properties of the materials comprising the barrier and the structural fill on which it will be constructed as well as parameters to allow simulation of plant effects. This report provides a data package of the required parameters as well as the technical basis, rationale and methodology used to obtain the parameter values.
Zone electrophoresis of cerebrospinal fluid proteins in starch gel.

Summary1. A method for separation of cerebrospinal fluid proteins by electrophoresis in starch gel is presented, and its advantages and limitations are discussed. 2. In normal spinal fluid 10 to 12 protein fractions are observed. These correspond to serum proteins in the same individual but are present in different relative concentrations. In a number of cerebrospinal fluids from patients with neurologic diseases, considerable alterations of protein patterns were noted. Some examples of the type of abnormalities which may be encountered are illustrated. 3. In some of these pathologic specimens protein fractions were found, which we have not yet seen in serum or in normal spinal fluid. These have been designated as “fast gamma”and third and fourth prealbumins. 4. A method for concurrently staining lipoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid and serum has been described.
Perceived neighborhood problems are associated with shorter telomere length in African American women.

Abstract Objectives African Americans (AA) experience higher levels of stress related to living in racially segregated and poor neighborhoods. However, little is known about the associations between perceived neighborhood environments and cellular aging among adult AA. This study examined whether perceived neighborhood environments were associated with telomere length (TL) in AA after adjustment for individual-level risk factors. Methods The analysis included 158 women and 75 men AA aged 30–55 years from the Morehouse School of Medicine Study. Relative TL (T/S ratio) was measured from peripheral blood leukocytes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the associations of perceived neighborhood social cohesion, problems, and overall unfavorable perceptions with log-TL. Results Women had significantly longer TL than men (0.59 vs. 0.54, p = 0.012). After controlling for sociodemographic, and biomedical and psychosocial factors, a 1-SD increase in perceived neighborhood problems was associated with 7.3% shorter TL in women (Mean Difference [MD] = −0.073 (Standard Error = 0.03), p = 0.012). Overall unfavorable perception of neighborhood was also associated with 5.9% shorter TL among women (MD = −0.059(0.03), p = 0.023). Better perceived social cohesion were associated with 2.4% longer TL, but did not reach statistical significance (MD = 0.024(0.02), p = 0.218). No association was observed between perceived neighborhood environments and TL in men. Conclusions Our findings suggest that perceived neighborhood environments may be predictive of cellular aging in AA women even after accounting for individual-level risk factors. Additional research with a larger sample is needed to determine whether perceived neighborhood environments are causally related to TL.
Separation of 2 glutamic-oxalacetic transaminases by paper electrophoresis.

SummaryBy use of paper electrophoresis of crude extracts of heart and liver, 2 fractions with GOT activity were obtained, one of which migrated toward the anode and showed the known characteristics of serum GOT, while the other migrated toward the cathode and exhibited different affinities for both α-ketoglutarate and L-aspartate.
Propagation of salivary gland virus of the mouse in tissue cultures.

Summary and ConclusionsCytologic changes including large intranuclear inclusions were produced in cultures of mouse tissue inoculated with salivary gland material from mice infected with the salivary gland virus. They also occurred in 2 serial subcultures. The large intranuclear inclusions resembled those occurring in cells of the mouse salivary gland. Further evidence that the mouse salivary gland virus has been propagated in serial passages in cultures derived from mouse embryonic tissue is as follows. After 3 serial passages of the infective agent in the cultures the salivary gland virus disease, as characterized by specific intranuclear inclusions, has been reproduced in the salivary glands of mice by intraperitoneal inoculation of the supernatant fluids from the cultures. Also the infective titers of supernatant fluids withdrawn from cultures at intervals have been determined by titrations in mice. The results of the titrations, together with the calculated dilutions of the original inocula effected ...
Life Cycle Assessment of Biofuels from Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction: The Upstream and Downstream Factors Affecting Regulatory Compliance

Life-cycle greenhouse gas (LC-GHG) emissions are a principal metric used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether a biofuel qualifies under the U.S. EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). This paper identifies important factors in the quantification of LC-GHG of algae-derived diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline, using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) as a case study for algal biofuels. The results indicate that, under certain conditions, algae biofuels produced using HTL offer an over 50% reduction in LC-GHG emissions compared to their petroleum counterparts and would thus qualify as advanced biofuel and biomass-based biodiesel under RSF2. However, the results are sensitive to several upstream and downstream factors, specifically the CO2 supply chains used in feedstock production and the fuels that are produced using these algal feedstocks, respectively. Upstream processes for the production of algae include supplying gas or liquid phase CO2 to maintain culture viability, which is unlike ...
Alcohol Use, Depression, and High-Risk Occupations Among Young Adults in the Ukraine.

This study examined alcohol consumption in relation to anxiety, depression, and involvement with high risk occupations (HRO; e.g., coal miners), among young adults in the Ukraine (aged 18-25) (N = 192; 60.9% male; 100% Caucasian). Participants were grouped on the basis of drinking status: (1) current drinkers (CDs; n = 132) or (2) nondrinkers (NDs; n = 60). Questionnaires assessed frequency of alcohol use, motives for drinking, problem identification, as well as anxiety and depression (i.e., Hamilton scales). Bivariate analyses showed that CDs were more likely than NDs to be single, have a HRO, and have greater anxiety and depression; for example, 91.7% of CDs had a HRO as compared to 56.7% of NDs. Drinking status was not significantly related to age or gender. Among CDs, common motives for use included: to reduce anxiety and fears (60.6%), because my friends use alcohol (75.0%), to fight stress (78.8%), and to increase self-esteem (64.4%). Among CDs, past month drinking days were: 25% 1-2 days, 37.9% 3-7 days, 25% 8-21 days, and 12.1% 22-30 days. Regarding problem identification, 29.5% reported not having a problem, 34.8% reported possibly having a problem, 21.9% reported having a problem but not needing help, and 13.6% reported having a problem/needing help. Young adults involved in HRO may be a particularly high risk population given increased likelihood of alcohol use, anxiety, and depression. Early intervention strategies that incorporate motivational interviewing approaches to address coping and social motives for use may be beneficial to address substance use and mental health problems.
Direct synthesis of ploy(L-lactic acid) by melt polycondensation

The melt polycondensation of L-lactic acid was studied.The effects of oligomerizaton conditions,catalyst,reaction temperature and time were discussed.The structure of poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA) was characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR. The polydispersity(Mw/Mn) of polymer was determined by GPC.The results indicated that SnCl2-TSA with equal mol ratio was the best catalyst and the optimum concentration of SnCl2 was about 0.4wt%.The oligomerization and complete dissolution of catalyst in oligomer(OLLA) was helpful to get higher molecular weight PLLA.Under the optimum reaction conditions,such as optimal catalyst,165 ℃ and vacuum level of 0.095 MPa,PLLA with an Mη about 65000 was obtained in 8 h,when the polymer climbing with the agitation rod.
Testicular Tumors in 2 Families

Testicular cancers in closely related family members are rare. We herein report the second incidence of pure seminoma occurring in a father and son. The increased risk of malignant tumors developing in the undescended testis is well established. We also describe the second reported incidence of testicular cancers occurring in 2 non-twin brothers, in which 1 of the cancers developed in an undescended testis.
The embryo-forming potencies of the young chick blastoderm.

In an attempt to find a part of the young chick blastoderm which would not develop into an embryo when explanted and would therefore be suitable to serve as a reacting system in embryonic induction studies, a procedure was developed, the results of which are interesting in their own right. The blastoderm (unincubated or after up to 5 hr. of incubation) was explanted with its lower surface up on an egg extract culture medium (Spratt & Haas, 1960 a ) and what was thought to be its posterior side marked with carmine powder. A semicircular area located centrally to the marginal zone was cut out of the anterior half and explanted in an inverted position on the culture medium (Textfig. 1). On the basis of earlier experiments (Spratt & Haas, 1906 b ) it was believed that this area would probably lack any autonomous developmental tendencies. Both the operated blastoderm and isolated piece were incubated for 3–4 days before fixation.
The Oregon Nearshore Research Inventory project: The importance of science and the scientific community as stakeholders in marine spatial planning

Abstract The purpose of Oregon’s Nearshore Research Inventory (NRI) project was to understand the geographic use of ocean space by the marine science community in order to include the information in Oregon’s marine spatial planning (MSP) process. Spatial data and attributes about the geographic use of Oregon’s ocean and coast by marine scientists were inventoried and mapped; including information about the geographic distribution of research, research timelines, and the people and institutions that conduct scientific research. The results of the NRI interviews show that the scientific community conducts research in twenty percent of the nearshore grid cells used in the Oregon’s Territorial Sea amendment process. These results show that ocean space is used by the scientific community, and therefore, should be recognized as a use of ocean space in the MSP process. As new uses, such as wave energy extraction, are proposed along coastlines and in the ocean, MSP can be used as a tool to reduce conflict and find compatible uses of ocean and coastal space. A major benefit of the scientific community’s use of ocean and coastal space is that it results in data that can be used to inform ecosystem-based management decisions. Interruptions in long-term scientific research and monitoring as a result of ocean space use conflicts could limit the availability of information for use in future management decisions. While considering tradeoffs in the MSP process, decision makers need to recognize and account for the value of scientific space as a use of the ocean.
Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome Transcriptional Regulation of HLA Class II Expression

Coordinate regulation of HLA class II gene expression during development and induction of class II genes by factors such as γ-interferon suggests that common transacting factors control expression of the entire complex. Bare lymphocyte syndrome (BLS), a form of lethal combined immunodeficiency, characterized by the simultaneous loss of expression of class II antigens may result from mutations of such transacting factors rather than from independent mutations in several individual MHC genes (1). Furthermore, BLS has been shown by pedigree analysis in several families to be an autosomal recessive disorder not linked to the MHC(2). We have derived Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines from the peripheral blood of two BLS patients. These cell lines express normal levels of B-cell differentiation antigens, but no HLA class II (T. Small, personal communication). No transcription of class II RNAs was found, with the exception of DQ in one patient line. Analysis of proteins binding to the DR promoters indicated that a sequence found in a complex in normal B-cell lines was not bound it the BLS lines, suggesting that at least one “transacting factor” is missing or altered in the BLS cell lines. This could be the basis for the lack of HLA class II transcription in this disease.
Multimedia over wireless broadband

The rapid growth of wireless broadband networking infrastructures, such as 3G and 3.5G, WLAN and WLAN-mesh, and WiMAX, makes available multimedia (audio and video) information and entertainment (“infotainment”) in our lives anytime, anywhere, on any device. However, wireless multimedia delivery faces several challenges, such as a high error rate, bandwidth variation and limitation, battery power limitation, and so on. Take, for example, the voice over IP (VoIP) and video streaming applications, which are quite mature in wireline infrastructure. At the same time, wireless broadband based on WLAN and WiMAX is also becoming widespread. While these wireless networks were not designed with real-time multimedia communication services in mind, their widespread availability and low cost makes them an inviting solution for adding mobility to these communication services. The major issue is how to achieve a wireless broadband system which can deliver real-time interactive multimedia smoothly and still satisfy the QoS metrics typically used to define the quality of a VoIP or video conferencing session, e.g., the one-way delay, jitter, packet loss rate, and throughput (see Section 7.2). Advances in media coding over wireless networks are governed by two dominant rules [1]. One is the well-known Moore's law, which states that computing power doubles every 18 months. Moore's law certainly applies to media codec evolution, and there have been huge advances in technology in the ten years since the adoption of MPEG-2. The second governing principle is the huge bandwidth gap (one or two orders of magnitude) between wireless and wired networks. This bandwidth gap demands that coding technologies must achieve efficient compact representation of media data over wireless networks.
Flat Epithelial Atypia: Upgrade Rates and Risk-Stratification Approach to Support Informed Decision Making

Background Our aim was to determine upgrade rates of pure flat epithelial atypia (FEA) to malignancy and higher-risk lesions and to identify patients with FEA at low risk for upgrade. Study Design Medical chart review from 2007 to 2016 identified 208 consecutive patients with pure FEA diagnosed by image-guided core needle biopsy who underwent surgical excision (96.2% [200 of 208]) or had at least 2 years of imaging follow-up (3.8% [8 of 208]). Medical records were reviewed for risk factors and surgical outcomes. Results Overall upgrade rate of FEA to malignancy was 2.4% (5 of 208). All 5 upgraded cases were ductal carcinoma in situ at operation. The upgrade rate to atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, or atypical lobular hyperplasia was 29.8% (62 of 208). The FEA lesions in patients with a genetic mutation were more likely to upgrade to malignancy than FEA lesions in patients without a genetic mutation (33.3% [1 of 3] vs 2.0% [4 of 205]; p Conclusions The overall risk of upgrade of FEA to malignancy is low at 2.4%; however, the upgrade rate to a higher-risk lesion is nearly 30%. Surveillance rather than surgical excision of FEA can be a reasonable option for patients without a genetic mutation who opt against chemoprevention.
The effects of COL-3 and lLetrozole on cell growth and death in three human breast cancer cell lines

421 As part of a larger collaborative study, experiments were designed to evaluate the in vitro effects of Letrozole (Novartis) (an aromatase inhibitor), COL-3 (CollaGenex) (a protease inhibitor) and the combination of the two drugs on the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MBA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 obtained from the ATCC (new evidence suggests that MDA-MB-435 is derived from a melanoma, J. Ellison et. al., J Clin Pathol: Mol Pathol 2002; 55: 294-299). The MCF-7 cell line is an estrogen receptor positive cell line and the MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines are estrogen receptor negative. Preliminary experiments were performed to determine the optimal growth inhibitory dose of each drug (125μg/ml and 10μg/ml, respectively) and the doubling time of each cell line. During the log phase portion of growth, the MDA-MB-435 cells had a doubling time of 23.44 hours, the MDA-MB-231 cells doubled every 39.90 hours, and the MCF-7 cells showed a much slower doubling time of 60.44 hours. Cellular proliferation experiments were performed for each cell line using 104 cells/well. The combination of COL-3 and letrozole and COL-3 alone statistically inhibited cell growth when compared to controls for all three cell lines. Letrozole alone statistically inhibited cell growth for the MCF-7 and MDA-MB 435 cell lines. However, experiments to determine if apoptosis was responsible for the observed inhibition of growth showed only the MDA-MB-435 cells in the combination of drugs to have a statistically significant increase in cytoplasmic histone-associated-DNA fragments when compared to the cells grown in just medium. The results of these studies will eventually be combined with in vivo studies using the same cell lines in SCID mice in hopes of improving the treatment for human breast cancer.
The borders of Dominicanidad: race, nation, and the archives of contradiction

In, The Borders of Dominicanidad: Race, Nation, and the Archives of Contradiction, Lorgia Garcia-Pena presents stories, narratives, and speech acts that are integral parts of Dominican history and ...
On research in mathematical economics

I come to applied mathematics via economic theory, and it is difficult for me to obtain a global view, sufficiently removed from my current research interests, to single out the most promising directions for the future. It may be more productive to point the reader to the handbooks referenced below where the subject, as contemporaneously conceived, is collectively surveyed. I ought also point to a recent (1991) issue of The Economic Journal in which a distinguished subset of economists speculate on the shape of the discipline of economics in the next hundred years.
Agglutination testing for human erythrocyte product in the rhesus macaque.

INTRODUCTION There has been interest in using human blood products in nonhuman primate models of trauma to supplement human studies and to provide evidence to guide novel trauma resuscitation strategies. The compatibility of human RBCs has not been extensively studied in nonhuman primate species. METHODS Whole blood samples were collected from five healthy, nontransfused, not previously pregnant Chinese-bred rhesus macaques. The whole blood was centrifuged, and the plasma was decanted from each sample. Group O-negative human RBCs were mixed with the plasma from the rhesus macaque monkeys. Compatibility testing was performed by an immediate spin test and polyspecific and monospecific anti-human globulin (AHG) tests in glass tubes. RESULTS Immediate spin testing revealed three out of five plasma samples (60%) from rhesus macaques caused at least 1+ agglutination with the human RBCs. Polyspecific anti-human globulin (AHG) tests demonstrated that two of five plasma samples (40%) from rhesus macaques caused at least 1+ agglutination with the human RBC, while the monospecific AHG testing revealed that the incompatibility was caused by C3d, not IgG. CONCLUSION Human RBCs are not compatible with the plasma of some, but not all, Chinese-bred rhesus macaques.
Infusing an international online learning experience into the curriculum: a united states and Mexico collaboration

Globally competent people have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to understand and to find lasting solutions to global issues and problems using multiples perspectives. They understand interdependence and interconnectedness of the global systems, cultures and communicate effectively with different people around the world. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how an international online learning experience enhances our awareness of different perspectives and cultural diversity, the challenges facing humanity and the world, and our role as globally competent citizens. In particular, this paper discusses the design and implementation of an international online learning experience to promote global learning between two higher education students in the United States and Mexico. The paper uses global competency as the pedagogical framework for teaching and promoting global learning within the context of global competency.
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis diagnosed within 5 years following ACL reconstruction

The purpose was to calculate the incidence of osteoarthritis in individuals following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) in a large, national database and to examine the risk factors associated with OA development. A commercially available insurance database was queried to identify new diagnoses of knee OA in patients with ACLR. The cumulative incidence of knee OA diagnoses in patients after ACLR was calculated and stratified by time from reconstruction. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression to describe factors associated with a new OA diagnosis including age, sex, BMI, meniscus involvement, osteochondral graft use, and tobacco use. A total of 10,565 patients with ACLR were identified that did not have an existing diagnosis of OA, 517 of which had a documented new diagnosis of knee OA 5 years after ACL reconstruction. When stratified by follow-up time points, the incidence of a new OA diagnosis within 6 months was 2.3%; within a 1-year follow-up was 4.1%; within 2 years, follow-up was 6.2%, within 3 years, follow-up was 8.4%; within 4 years, follow-up was 10.4%; and within 5 years, follow-up was 12.3%. Risk factors for new OA diagnoses were age (OR 2.44, P < 0.001), sex (OR 1.2, P = 0.002), obesity (OR 1.4, P < 0.001), tobacco use (OR = 1.3, P = 0.001), and meniscal involvement (OR 1.2, P = 0.005). Approximately 12% of patients presenting within 5 years following ACLR are diagnosed with OA. Demographic factors associated with an increased risk of a diagnosis of PTOA within 5 years after ACLR are age, sex, BMI, tobacco use, and concomitant meniscal surgery. Clinicians should be cognizant of these risk factors to develop risk profiles in patients with the common goal to achieve optimal long-term outcomes after ACLR. III.
Case 15-2019: A 55-Year-Old Man with Jaundice.

A Man with Jaundice A 55-year-old man with a history of opioid use disorder and hepatitis C virus infection presented to the hospital with jaundice. The alanine aminotransferase level was 2698 U pe...
The end of military-techno Pax Americana? Washington’s strategic responses to Chinese AI-enabled military technology

This article uses the international relations (IR) ‘polarity’ concept as a lens to view the shifting great power dynamics in artificial intelligence (AI) and related enabling technologies. The arti...
Opioid prescribing practices in a pediatric burn tertiary care facility: Is it time to change?

Abstract Opioids are the mainstay therapy in burned adults. Little data in the pediatric burn population exists that elucidates opioid prescribing practices. The primary purpose of this report is to quantify opioid and non-opioid analgesic use in pediatric burn patients admitted to a tertiary referral burn center. A retrospective audit of hospital charts and discharge records for patients
Bringing Proverbs to Policy: Classical Economics, Proverbial Wisdom, and Applications for Welfare Policy

Economists have had tremendous influence in designing antipoverty programs in both Great Britain and America over the last 200 years. However, today’s economic experts have lost some respect for the wisdom of non-experts, or ordinary people, that was held in high regard by their intellectual forerunners. This article argues that the antipoverty programs designed by experts would be improved by the incorporating the wisdom of ordinary people. Classical economists from Adam Smith (the founder of modern economics) to John Stuart Mill (“the most influential English language philosopher of the nineteenth century” according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) believed that experts should pay close attention to the wisdom of ordinary people that is captured in proverbs, or proverbial wisdom. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a proverb is a “short piece of advice” whereas wisdom is “knowledge or experience that develops within a society or period”. We can think of proverbial wisdom as advice that represents practical knowledge. In other words, proverbial wisdom is similar to aggregated anecdotal evidence that has been passed between people across time. The primary difference between economic experts today and non-experts is that experts see the world through formal models, whereas non-experts use the summation of experiences. A measure of these experiences (for instance, the experience of the median person or even the median voter) are transmittable through proverbial wisdom. The public policies of poor relief since the 1800s have been driven by debates over expert models and not debates between models and proverbial wisdom. Put another way, the rise in the expert has led to the fall of proverbial wisdom. Proverbs, as the reflection of human experience, could help to avoid injustice by guiding a system of heuristics to help with judging morality. For both Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill, the “Golden Rule” which they attributed to Jesus Christ, was especially meaningful in this regard. However, reliance the proverbs without the application of reason was not only unwise, but equivalent to idolatry. This article covers the “rise of the welfare expert” and the development of antipoverty policy in both Great Britain and the United States since the 1500s. The article also covers the use of proverbs in classical economics. Finally, the article concludes by making recommendations on how antipoverty might be improved in the United States.
The Health and Readiness of Service Members: ACEs to PACEs

INTRODUCTION Over the past three decades, a growing research base has emerged around the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the biological, psychological, social, and relational health and development of children and adults. More recently, the role of ACEs has been researched with military service members. The purpose of this article was to provide a brief description of ACEs and an overview of the key tenets of the theory of toxic stress as well as a snapshot of ACEs and protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) research with active duty personnel. METHODS Ninety-seven active duty personnel completed the study including questions pertaining to demographics, adverse childhood experiences, adult adverse experiences, and PACEs survey. RESULTS Significant findings pertaining to ACEs and PACEs were found by service member's sex and rank, with higher ACE scores for men and enlisted service members. CONCLUSIONS The contrast by rank and sex in relation to ACEs punctuates the need for attention to ACEs and protective factors among early career service members in order to promote sustainable careers in the military.
CHAPTER 24 – Topological Groups

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an investigation of some aspects of the theory of topological groups that may intrigue the set-theoretic topologist. Every topological group which satisfies the T0 separation property is a completely regular, Hausdorff space. The chapter presents a theorem that states that every compact topological group is dyadic. This chapter also describes cardinal invariants. It further explores the three aspects of a hypothesized locally compact topological group G: (1) the Haar measure of G, (2) the class of homomorphisms from G to a circle group, and (3) the relation between these two. It discusses whether every subset of G is measurable and whether every subgroup is measurable in such a scenario.
Interpretation of the Complex Melanoma Pathology Report

An ambiguous pathologic report can present a clinical dilemma to the treating surgeon. We describe lesions ranging from the potentially benign to the likely malignant. Correctly identifying features associated with higher-risk lesions has proven challenging given the overall good prognosis and low rate of events. An appropriate treatment plan generally requires discussion between the surgeon and an experienced dermatopathologist. When clinically indicated, additional testing may be used to further support or refute a diagnosis of melanoma. The indications for these techniques, the data to support their use, and the strengths and weakness of each are reviewed.
Abstract 4053: Mucin 5ac as a potential therapeutic target for KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with more than 140,000 deaths per year. One of the main types of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) being the most prominent subtype and is mainly due to oncogenic mutations like KRAS, which offers limited and unsuccessful treatments. The mucus barrier produced by mucins, particularly Mucin 5ac (Muc5ac) which is mainly expressed by lung epithelial cells, is essential for airway homeostasis. However, its overproduction can promote respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is known to increase the risk of lung cancer by 3-10 fold. We have previously shown that Muc5ac is commonly expressed in patients with KRAS-driven LUAD and is associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, we found that lack of Muc5ac (genetic deletion) in mice with LUAD either induced chemically by urethane or genetically engineered with mutant KRAS presented with significantly reduced tumor burden. Therefore, we sought a translational approach by inhibiting Muc5ac in our KRAS-driven lung cancer mutant mouse model using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) against Muc5ac and hypothesized that the administration of this drug would result in decreased Muc5ac mRNA expression and reduced tumor burden. This was tested by intrapharyngeal administration of either ASO (5mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) twice a week to a cohort of six-week-old KRASG12D mutant mice for a total duration of eight weeks. Our results showed a 5-fold decrease in Muc5ac mRNA expression and a 42% reduction in overall tumor burden when compared to age and sex matched control mice. Additionally, analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed a predominance of macrophages with significant downregulation of the protumorigenic M2 type macrophage polarization markers Fizz1 and Arg1 as well as significant upregulation of TNF-a, which suggests a mechanism mediated by direct tumor cytotoxic activity or apoptosis associated with a reduction in macrophage mediated immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In conclusion, our study suggests that administration of Muc5ac ASO effectively inhibits mucin production and ameliorates tumor progression, which ultimately could provide insight in both treatments and prevention against KRAS-driven LUAD. Citation Format: Walter V. Velasco Torrez, Shanshan Deng, Marco A. Ramos-Castaneda, Segundo W. Del Aguila-Soto, Seyed Moghaddam. Mucin 5ac as a potential therapeutic target for KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4053.