cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abdominal coarctation increases insulin-like growth factor I mRNA levels in rat aorta

We have previously demonstrated specific insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) mRNA transcripts in cultured endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and postulated an important role for IGF I in blood vessel growth responses. The purpose of this study was to characterize IGF I gene expression in a model of aortic coarctation hypertension in the rat. This high-renin model of hypertension is associated with hyperplastic vascular responses. Northern analysis of rat aorta demonstrated four specific IGF I mRNA transcripts sized 7.6, 4.6, 1.8, and 0.9-1.2 kb. Quantitation of aortic IGF I mRNA levels by solution hybridization/RNase protection assay demonstrated induction of IGF I transcripts in the hypertensive aorta; levels more than doubled at 7 days and were still significantly elevated 21 days after coarctation. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that IGF I transcripts were localized primarily to adventitial surfaces in normotensive aorta, with minimal signal detected over vascular cells. In hypertensive aortas, there was an increase in IGF I transcripts primarily over vascular smooth muscle cells. Thus, vascular IGF I gene expression is induced in this model of high-renin hypertension. IGF I may play an important role in autocrine/paracrine-mediated vessel wall remodeling in hypertension.
β-Galactosidase production using glycerol and byproducts: Whey and residual glycerin

AbstractThe present study aimed to evaluate β-galactosidase production by liquid-state fermentation using an experimental design and response surface methodology. A culture medium containing lactose and analytical grade glycerol was formulated to maximize β-galactosidase production. The effects of the pH, lactose, and glycerol concentration on the enzyme production were studied using a Central Composite Design (CCD; 23 plus central points), followed by a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD; 23 plus axial and central points). The conditions that maximized β-galactosidase production were: lactose concentration of 20 g L−1, glycerol concentration of 60 g L−1, and pH 5.0. Under these conditions, the highest enzymatic activity was 40.7 U mL−1. Glycerol and lactose were replaced by residual glycerin and whey respectively, according to the best condition obtained in CCRD, reaching enzymatic values of 31.8 U mL−1, and thus demonstrating to be great alternative sources for β-galactosidase production.
Nitrogen balance in lambs fed low-quality brome hay and infused with differing proportions of casein in the rumen and abomasum

Twenty wether lambs (46 +/- 2 kg) fitted with ruminal and abomasal infusion catheters were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effects of differing proportions of ruminal and abomasal casein infusion on N balance in lambs fed low-quality brome hay (0.8% N, DM basis) for ad libitum intake. Wethers were infused with 0 (control) or 10.7 g/d of N from casein with ratios of ruminal:abomasal infusion of 100:0 (100R:0A), 67:33 (67R:33A), 33:67 (33R:67A), or 0:100% (0R:100A), respectively, over a 12-d period. Total N supply (hay N intake + N from casein infusion) was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein infusion than in controls. Urinary N excretion (g/d) was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein infusion than in controls. Urinary N excretion decreased as casein infusion was shifted from 100R:0A to 33R:67A and then slightly increased in lambs receiving 0R:100A (quadratic, P = 0.02). Total N excretion was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein infusion than in controls and decreased linearly (P = 0.005) as casein infusion was shifted to the abomasum. Retained N (g/d, % of N intake, and % of digested N) was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein than in controls. Retained N increased as infusion was shifted from 100R:0A to 33R:67A and then slightly decreased in lambs receiving 0R: 100A (quadratic, P < 0.07). Based on regression analysis, the predicted optimum proportion of casein infusion to maximize N retention was 68% into the abomasum. The regression suggests that supplementation with undegradable intake protein had an additional benefit over supplementation with ruminally degradable intake protein (100R:0A) and that changing the percentage of ruminally undegradable intake protein in supplemental protein from 33 to 100% resulted in minimal differences in N retention. Apparent N, DM, OM, and energy digestibility (% of intake) was greater (P < 0.03) in lambs infused with casein than controls but did not differ among casein infusion groups. These data suggest that feeding protein supplements containing a portion (greater than 0%) of the crude protein as ruminally undegradable intake protein, as compared to 100% ruminally degradable intake protein, to lambs consuming low-quality forage increases N retention and the efficiency of N utilization without influencing total-tract nutrient digestion.
Rapid Prescreening for Antiviral Agents against HIV-1 Based on Their Inhibitory Activity in Site-Directed Immunoassays. I. The V3 Loop of gp 120 as Target

The anionic triphenylmethane derivative aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) was reported to inhibit the replication and cytopathogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This antiviral ef...
Nuclear Cardiology Training

Objective: The Cardiovascular Technologist Working Group of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the Society of Nuclear Medicine-Technologist Section are interested in working to improve the skills of technologists performing nuclear cardiology by developing guidelines for training. Methods: A survey was sent to NMT educational programs to obtain information on the current status of student training. Results: While related course work is being covered, the depth is hard to assess. Clinical hours of experience vary greatly. Conclusion: Due to the extensive scope of nuclear cardiology and the amount of attention to technical detail required, training guidelines are warranted.
Is Your College Really Ready for a Crisis

Community colleges are responsible not only for the education but also for the safety and welfare of their students. That responsibility includes keeping students free from physical and psychological harm from the moment they enter the campus. In recent years, it has become distressingly apparent that colleges are not well prepared for this challenge. While most schools across the United States have an emergency management plan, many of these plans are not comprehensive and do not meet federal guidelines.
Lowered glucose utilization, phosphate uptake and reduced glutathione of erythrocytes following uretero-caval anastomosis.

Summary1. Glucose utilization, phosphate uptake and reduced glutathione content of erythrocytes are significantly lowered following uretero-caval anastomosis and contralateral nephrectomy of the dog. 2. Above biochemical changes are of the same magnitude as following bilateral nephrectomy. Thus presence of hypertrophying renal tissue without an excretory outlet is not protective toward these alterations.
Altered platelet calcium metabolism as an early predictor of increased peripheral vascular resistance and preeclampsia in urban black women.

Abstract Background. Although preeclampsia is an important and relatively common medical problem, its pathophysiology remains unresolved and the search for a biochemical marker that precedes the hemodynamic abnormalities of preeclampsia continues. We designed a study to investigate the hemodynamic changes that characterize preeclampsia and to evaluate the metabolism of platelet intracellular calcium as a possible predictor of the development of preeclampsia. Methods. Hemodynamic measurements and spectrofluorometric determinations of the levels of intracellular calcium in platelets in the basal state and after stimulation with an agonist were performed in 48 nulliparous black women during each trimester of pregnancy. The data on the 14 women (29 percent) in whom preeclampsia developed were then compared with the data on the other 34, who served as normotensive controls. Results. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the basal levels of intracellular calcium at any time. In contrast,...
Calculation for Fuzzy Load Shedding Capacity of Line Outage Based on Uncertainties

By using fuzzy sets theory and on the basis of considering generator output and load uncertainties,this paper studies calculation method for fuzzy load shedding capacity after line outage.It uses trapezoidal fuzzy numbers to describe generator output,generator availability and load uncertainties and deduces fuzzy flow calculation process of line outage.Combining overload control method based on sensitivity control,it proposes calculation method for load shedding capacity after line outage.By applying in IEEE118 node system,it proves necessity to considering uncertainties in solving load shedding capacity after line outage and application value of the above method.
Decoding Community in Pynchon's Vineland: Problematic Definitions for Readers and Characters

Vineland challenges readers to define community, since understanding character and story in the novel hinges on understanding how Pynchon represents relational human qualities. Denoting human groups, "community" associates nationality not only with municipality but also with social class, economic practice, ethnicity and religion. Denoting human quality, "community" explains ordinary life through ownership, legal rights and personal identity ("Community"). As satire, Vineland admits and rejects such standard solutions to its community code. Using conventions that blend historical references with politics and culture, Pynchon draws both collective characters, whose experiences in community express their motivation, and separative characters, who influence readers to ignore community as a buzzword or to misinterpret it as an ideal. Pynchon's references and characters thus represent Vineland's encoded definitions of community in discreet but satirically related contexts.
Heart disease in the South: III. An analysis of two hundred seventeen deaths due to arteriosclerotic heart disease

Abstract A statistical analysis of 217 deaths due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease at Charity Hospital has been presented and analyzed according to age, sex, and race. The incidence of death from arteriosclerotic heart disease was found to be higher in the white race than in the Negro race. However, death from this cause occurred at an earlier age in Negroes of this series. Of particular interest is the relatively high incidence of myocardial infarction found in the Negro race, particularly in the younger age groups. The incidence was higher in the male sex in both races. In deaths due to infarction in the white race the ratio of men to women was 3:1, in the Negro race, 1.5:1. In both races the ratio was 2.3:1.
Zebrafish Melanophores: A Model for Teaching Second Messenger Systems

Abstract A strong literature base supports the notion that active learning improves retention in the science classroom. To that end, a course was designed to allow students to develop their own experiments around a central biological question. The model system used in this particular course is control of melanosome dispersal via second messenger systems in zebrafish (Danio rerio) scales. Students start by applying agonists and antagonists to the cAMP and Ca2+ second messenger systems, and then can progress to more refined questions with the model system. This project is advantageous because it could be easily adapted to fit the needs of many different courses and ability levels; it is relatively easy to perform; it is enjoyable to teach; and students can be largely given a free reign to decide upon the design of their experiments.
The Existential Situation

“The existential point of view about reality cannot be other than that of incarnate personality.”1 The concept of existence in Marcel’s philosophy derives its significance from the metraproblematic context of the personal situation in which it is properly evoked. Viewed within that context, the concept manifests a concrete character denied it when viewed in abstract isolation from the situation to which it fundamentally refers. In Marcel’s opinion, the profound justification of the philosophies of existence has been to stress the impossibility of not taking into account, when considering an existing being, its mode of existing. Without necessarily positing the priority of existence to essence, they bring to light the misconception involved in representing the relationship between essence and existence as an inexplicable and adventitious addition of the latter to “an essence already sufficient unto itself.”2 Marcel clearly recognizes that the existential question does not arise in the same terms for things and being: there is a radical distinction between existing impersonally and existing personally. If the question, at first sight, appears less acute with reference to things — and, here we may interpolate, for persons insofar as they are treated as things -, in their regard we know less what existing might be. “‘There exists’ is said about something for which it is intended to propose a definition or the beginnings of a definition: there exists a country where... Stress is not placed upon its uniqueness, rather the reverse. On the contrary, existence in the personal sense implies ipseity, reference to lived actuality.”3
Effects of metal film thickness and gain on the coupling of organic semiconductor exciton emission to surface plasmon polaritons

Control of near-field exciton emission coupling to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is of importance for the development of efficient organic semiconductor thin-film light sources. Here, we experimentally investigate organic exciton emitter–SPP coupling in insulator–semiconductor–metal–insulator (ISMI) waveguides, containing an organic semiconducting (i.e., conjugated) polymer film on a range of Ag metal film thicknesses, as a function of optical excitation pump power and collection polarization. An increase in transverse-magnetic-polarized emission peak intensity is observed as a function of decreasing metal film thickness from ISMI waveguides at high excitation powers, suggesting more efficient emitter–SPP coupling for thinner Ag films when the polymer undergoes stimulated emission. Furthermore, emission dichroic ratio values (defined as the ratio of transverse electric to transverse magnetic polarized emission) increase when the polymer undergoes stimulated emission for thicker metal films but decrease below a certain metal film thickness. This indicates that gain in the semiconducting polymer film reduces the extent of exciton emission coupling to SPP modes for thicker metal films. However, once the metal thickness is below a critical value, gain improves exciton–SPP coupling. These results are consistent with theoretical calculations, which show that the dominant SPP mode exhibits a greater propagation length for thinner metal films, suggesting greater near-field overlap between the semiconductor film and SPP modes.
Cross-national differences in entrepreneurial activity: role of culture and institutional factors

A review of literature in entrepreneurship and public policy suggests that the level of political freedom, corruption, and education are important antecedents to the rate of entrepreneurial activity in nations. However, empirical analysis of the effect these factors have on entrepreneurial activity across nations remains ambiguous. This study proposes that the cultural context of nations moderates the effect of these factors. Consistent with this argument, it investigates the role of individualism-collectivism in moderating the effect of political freedom, corruption, and education on entrepreneurial activity across nations. Macro-level data on 84 nations is obtained from multiple reliable sources and used to test the hypotheses. Results support the theorized arguments and suggest that individualism positively moderates the effect of political freedom, negatively moderates the effect of corruption, and positively moderates the effect of education, on the rate of entrepreneurial activity across nations.
Concentration-Dependent Differential State Crosslinking of azi-Cholesterol with Human Alpha 1 Glycine Receptor using Mass Spectrometry

The glycine receptor (GlyR) belongs to a superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) that mediate fast neurotransmission. GlyR typically modulates inhibitory transmission by antagonizing membrane depolarization through anion influx. Allosteric interactions between the receptor and its lipid surroundings affect receptor function, and cholesterol is essential for pLGIC activity. Cholesterol at compositions below ∼33 mol% has negligible chemical activity. Taken together, the findings suggest that specific interactions between membrane proteins and cholesterol become significant only at concentrations above this stoichiometric threshold, while interactions at lower cholesterol levels will be primarily indicative of non-specific accessibility to the surrounding bilayer. Human α1 GlyR was purified from baculovirus infected insect cells and reconstituted in unilamellar vesicles at cholesterol:lipid ratios above and below the cholesterol activity threshold with equivalent aliquots of azi-cholesterol. State-dependent crosslinking of the resting and desensitized states was achieved by the absence and inclusion of saturating concentrations of glycine (10 mM), respectively. After photoactivation, covalently crosslinked cholesterol-GlyR were trypsinized and mass fingerprinted. Mass shifted peptides containing cholesterol were identified by ESI-Q-TOF MS, and sites of cholesterol crosslinks in peptides were refined by targeted MS/MS. Differential sites of crosslinking as a function of cholesterol concentration in both states were identified, with crosslinks found primarily in transmembrane helices and extramembranous loops of GlyR. Specific concentration-dependent sites of interaction between cholesterol and GlyR in both states were identified, highlighting sites of non-specific interactions of the receptor with its surrounding lipids, as well as potential specific cholesterol binding sites in GlyR. Differential cholesterol crosslinking patterns between resting and desensitized states were observed, highlighting state-dependent differences in GlyR lipid accessibility.
Earthquake Prediction Based on Spatio-Temporal Data Mining: An LSTM Network Approach

Earthquake prediction is a very important problem in seismology, the success of which can potentially save many human lives. Various kinds of technologies have been proposed to address this problem, such as mathematical analysis, machine learning algorithms like decision trees and support vector machines, and precursors signal study. Unfortunately, they usually do not have very good results due to the seemingly dynamic and unpredictable nature of earthquakes. In contrast, we notice that earthquakes are spatially and temporally correlated because of the crust movement. Therefore, earthquake prediction for a particular location should not be conducted only based on the history data in that location, but according to the history data in a larger area. In this paper, we employ a deep learning technique called long short-term memory (LSTM) networks to learn the spatio-temporal relationship among earthquakes in different locations and make predictions by taking advantage of that relationship. Simulation results show that the LSTM network with two-dimensional input developed in this paper is able to discover and exploit the spatio-temporal correlations among earthquakes to make better predictions than before.
Lensless computational imaging using 3D printed transparent elements

Lensless imaging systems have the potential to provide new capabilities for lower size and weight configuration than traditional imaging systems. Lensless imagers frequently utilize computational imaging techniques, which moves the complexity of the system away from optical subcomponents and into a calibration process whereby the measurement matrix is estimated. We report on the design, simulation, and prototyping of a lensless imaging system that utilizes a 3D printed optically transparent random scattering element. Development of end-to-end system simulations, which includes simulations of the calibration process, as well as the data processing algorithm used to generate an image from the raw data are presented. These simulations utilize GPU-based raytracing software, and parallelized minimization algorithms to bring complete system simulation times down to the order of seconds. Hardware prototype results are presented, and practical lessons such as the effect of sensor noise on reconstructed image quality are discussed. System performance metrics are proposed and evaluated to discuss image quality in a manner that is relatable to traditional image quality metrics. Various hardware instantiations are discussed.
Demonstration of a basic mitochondrial enrichment method to produce the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the endangered North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis )

The North Atlantic right whale is one of only three species within the Eubalaena genus, a group heavily targeted by the whaling industry prior to the twentieth century. All three species (Eubalaena australis, Eubalaena japonica and Eubalaena glacialis) are CITES listed (Appendix I), with the latter two species listed as endangered (IUCN, v 2017-1). The mitochondrial genome of the first two species have been sequenced and are publicly available, while E. glacialis was unavailable. Here we present the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of E. glacialis, while also detailing a straight forward mitochondrial enrichment method that facilitates analysis using next generation sequencing. This method simultaneously allows for efficient sequencing of the mitochondrial genome, while demonstrating quality sequence coverage that is even across the genome. This enrichment illustrates a marked improvement in sequence depth compared to that achieved when performing whole genome sequencing using a standard DNA extraction.
Twistors, Hyper-Kähler Manifolds, and Complex Moduli

A theorem of Kuranishi (Ann Math 75(2):536–577, 1962) tells us that the moduli space of complex structures on any smooth compact manifold is always locally a finite-dimensional space. Globally, however, this is simply not true; we display examples in which the moduli space contains a sequence of regions for which the local dimension tends to infinity. These examples naturally arise from the twistor theory of hyper-Kahler manifolds.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap in Breast Reconstruction: Recent Innovations in the Workhorse Flap.

Background:Surgeons employ the latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) for reconstruction of a large variety of breast cancer surgery defects, including quadrantectomy, lumpectomy, modified radical mastectomy,...
An object-oriented Bayesian network approach for establishing swine manure-borne natural estrogenic compounds budget.

A facility-wide estrogen budget model was developed to assess the excretion of natural estrogens by swine in a commercial swine farrowing concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) in North Carolina, using an object-oriented Bayesian network (OOBN) approach. The OOBN model is the combination of twelve objects of Bayesian network models, which characterize the estrogen budget flows based on the sow reproductive cycle (i.e., pre-estrus, estrus, and lactation) for the three natural estrogen types [estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3)] within each barn. This OOBN model provides a mechanism to quantify the levels of the natural estrogens and their probabilistic distributions with regard to estrogen type, waste sources such as urine, feces, and recycling lagoon slurry, and animal reproductive status. Moreover, the OOBN model allows us to assess the overall contribution of natural estrogen compounds from each operational unit of the CAFO, while accounting for the uncertainties. Results from the OOBN model indicate a rank order of lactating sows > gestating sows > breeding sows in terms of contribution of estrogen loads to the total natural estrogen budget. As to estrogen type, E1 was found as the major estrogen metabolite with the summed concentrations of urine, feces, and flushing slurry wastes exceeding 3000 ng/l > 90% of the time. As to waste sources, the flushing slurry waste was found to be a major contributor of the estrogen budget compared with urine and feces wastes from barn animals.
Exercise training for patients with coronary artery disease : cardiac rehabilitation revisited

Medically prescribed and supervised physical activity forms the keystone for cardiac rehabilitation. A patient's potential and limitations for successful participation in an active restoration programme are determined by the degree of symptomatic recovery and physiological adaptations to a standardised, multistage exercise test. Confirmation of the effects of physical activity intervention is measured by the performance of the same exercise test under near identical conditions at periodic intervals. The prescribed physical activity regimen is usually performed minimally 3 times per week in sessions which last from 30 to 60 minutes. The object is to utilise from 100 to 200 kcal per exercise session. The demonstrated benefits of regular physical activity include reduction of the systolic blood pressure and heart rate at supine rest and while performing submaximal work, an increased level of physical work capacity, reduction in the myocardial oxygen cost at rest and during performance of submaximal exercise, reduction in percentage body fat with a concomitant increase in muscle mass, and reduction in plasma triglycerides. Regular physical activity, in and of itself, does not effect a reduction in plasma cholesterol or an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol, nor does it affect such lifestyle habits as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. While contraindications to performing medically prescribed and supervised physical activity are usually restricted to the physically incapacitated patient, failure to achieve an exercise threshold for systolic blood pressure of 140mm Hg or higher is probably a contraindication. This conclusion is based on findings which indicate that treated and control patients with this physiological limitation experience the same mortality rates over 3 years. Regularly performed physical activity by coronary artery diseased patients is associated with reductions in mortality from all cardiovascular causes except sudden death. This intervention does not effect morbidity. Although the scientific evidence warrants the prudent use of physical activity for coronary artery disease patients, the case for its long term benefits remains to be proved.
Bicarbonate, Phosphate, and Ammonia Buffer Systems

Abstract: The bicarbonate buffer system is important because the concentrations of its components are independently regulated by the lungs and kidneys. The total CO2 content of blood can be estimated from the Pco2 and the plasma bicarbonate (HCO3−) concentration. The hemoglobin and bicarbonate buffer systems are the most quantitatively important buffer systems in blood. The plasma ratio of H2PO4−:HPO4 = is normally about 1:4. Cellular organic phosphate esters exist mainly in the dianionic form at physiologic pH. Inorganic phosphates are important buffers in the renal tubular filtrate. Most NH4+ destined for urinary excretion is formed in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells from the deamination of glutamine. The ammonia buffer system plays an important role in the rumen and large intestine.
Integration of a GPS receiver and a stereo-vision system in a vehicle

The US Federal Highway Administration and the Center for Mapping of The Ohio State University are developing a prototype mapping vehicle that integrates a stereo-vision system, a GPS receiver, and some other sensors, to automatically collect data of the environment of roads at highway speeds and store this information in a GIS. Thirty eight states and one Canadian province are sponsoring this effort together with NASA. In this paper we discuss the integration of the stereo-vision system with a GPS-receiver and an inertial system in a mobile workstation. The major task of the vision system is the acquisition and storage of digital image pairs once a second. The shutters of the camera are synchronized by the clock of the GPS receiver. The system will be calibrated by analytical methods using a testfield of control points. The offset between the GPS antenna and the vision system is determined by a rigorous bundle- and geodetic adjustment. Beside the storage of images the vision system is used for sequential triangulation of stereo pairs along the road, to bridge over areas without satellite signals. We also try to extract the edges of roads automatically and compute its width. As the construction of the prototype is presently ongoing, preliminary results and the configuration of the hardware are presehted.
Reading sideways: Effects of egocentric and environmental orientation in a lexical decision task.

Many image-level factors affect reading speed and comprehension, including the in-plane orientation of text. As words' angular deviation from upright increases, so do response times. Here we investigated whether these orientation effects in reading are based purely on an egocentric (retinal) reference frame, or whether there is also a contribution of the environmental reference frame. Participants completed a lexical decision task with six-letter, two-syllable words and nonwords presented at a wide range of angles, in increments of 22.5°. A control group of participants (N = 66) completed the task while sitting upright, and an experimental group (N = 43) completed the task while lying sideways on their right side. The function relating the egocentric orientation of strings to response times was symmetric for upright observers, but skewed for observers who lay sideways, with an advantage for responding to environmentally upright text. Our results suggest that sideways readers may use an oblique reference frame (similar to the perceptual upright) for mentally rotating text. We discuss implications for designing optimal text orientations in head mounted displays.
The film tensiometer

The Film Tensiometer is described. It is an instrument capable of continuous measurement of the surface tension of a solution undergoing constant changes of its surface properties. The instrument uses continuous sampling of the test solution and measures the surface tension as a function of the pull exerted on a pair of vertical rods by a thin moving liquid film supported by these rods. A variation of surface tension causes a change of the force applied to the rods, resulting in movement of one of the rods which is spring loaded. This movement is converted by a transducer to a continuously recorded electrical signal. The force produced by the film on the rods is directly proportional to the product of the surface tension times twice the film length and is nearly, independent of film width and thickness. The instrument can be calibrated to an accuracy of ± 0.5 dynes/centimeter and will detect a change of surface tension less than 0.3 dynes/centimeter. Instrument contamination has not proven to be a problem. The instrument can be easily applied to direct measurement and process control.
Serum Albumin as a Biomarker of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Chronicity

OBJECTIVES The duration of sarcoidosis is associated with a higher risk of irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Sarcoidosis shows diverse clinical presentations, which may lead to a delayed diagnosis due to lack of a specific diagnostic test. Biomarkers of sarcoidosis duration have not been previously explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted to investigate independent biomarkers of pulmonary sarcoidosis duration. RESULTS A total of 108 cases with pulmonary sarcoidosis (mean age 53.4 years; 76.9% females; average duration of sarcoidosis 12 years) were included in the study. We found significant correlation between the duration of sarcoidosis and serum albumin levels (r=-0.414, p=0.0001), sedimentation rate (r=0.375, p=0.001), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (r= 0.468, p=0.003), diffusion capacity (r=-0.334, p=0.002), and age (r=0.492, p=0.0001). A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that serum albumin levels (β=-5.242, 95% confidence interval [CI] -8.372 to -2.112, p=0.001) and age (β=0.367, 95% CI 0.164 to 0.570, p=0.001) were independent correlates of sarcoidosis duration. A receiver operating characteristics curve analysis for prediction of sarcoidosis of a >10 years duration gave an area under curve (AUC) of 0.722 (95% CI 0.620-0.824, p 10 years duration. In comparison, the patient age of 51.5 years yielded a 70.2% sensitivity and 50% specificity for predicting patients with sarcoidosis for >10 years. CONCLUSION The serum albumin level may be a biomarker of pulmonary sarcoidosis duration and chronicity of disease. Further investigations are required to confirm its predictive ability.
Caroli Disease Revisited: A Case of a Kidney Transplant Patient With Autosomal Polycystic Kidney Disease and Recurrent Episodes of Cholangitis

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder leading to end-stage renal disease more commonly in the fourth to sixth decades of life. Cyst formation in the kidneys and other organs such as the liver and pancreas is the main characteristic of this disease. A significant number of patients with PKD undergo kidney transplantation and receive significant immunosuppression, predisposing them to comorbidities such as infections and malignancies. The link between these cystic syndromes and Caroli disease (which is radiologically demonstrated as bile duct ectasia, segmental cystic dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts, with a normal common bile duct and absence of hepatic fibrosis or portal hypertension), is extremely important. Suspicion, screening, and timely diagnosis of the presence of Caroli disease in patients with PKD prior or post receiving a kidney transplant will reduce morbidity in these patients and possibly prolong both graft and patient survival. We describe a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who underwent recurrent admissions for presumed cholangitis and was eventually diagnosed with Caroli disease.
Functional Logistic Mixed-Effects Models for Learning Curves From Longitudinal Binary Data

Purpose We present functional logistic mixed-effects models (FLMEMs) for estimating population and individual-level learning curves in longitudinal experiments. Method Using functional analysis too...
Syphilitic aortitis: still a current common cause of aneurysm of the tubular portion of ascending aorta.

Abstract Aortic syphilis today is infrequently diagnosed clinically. Described herein are findings in 5 women who had resection of a fusiform aneurysm of the tubular portion of ascending aorta, and examination of the wall of the aneurysm disclosed classic features of aortic syphilis. The 5 patients were among 36 who had ascending aortic operations at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas in 2018 and early 2019. Syphilitic aneurysm in each spared the sinus portion and involved diffusely the tubular portion of ascending aorta, beginning at the sinotubular junction. The aneurysmal wall was thicker than normal because of thickening of both intima and adventitia. The latter contained foci of lymphocytes and plasmacytes and thickened and narrowed vasa vasora. The media was disrupted by fibrous scars, which weakened the integrity of the aorta. Aortitis of the tubular portion of ascending aorta in syphilis is a diffuse process, but often is mistakenly called “atherosclerosis” which, when present in this portion of aorta, can be extensive but is focal. Aortic syphilis is important to diagnose so that patients can receive antibiotic therapy to delay, prevent, or treat neurosyphilis, a common accompaniment of aortic syphilis.
Visual outcomes after traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage are not related to time or intraocular pressure.

Abstract Background The paucity of literature regarding the role of time and intraocular pressure (IOP) when treating ocular compartment syndrome (OCS) has resulted in limited guidance for emergency physicians (EP). Objectives Our goals were to investigate the ideal time frame for lateral canthotomy, to understand the relationship between IOP and visual outcome, and to determine the impact of EP performance on visual acuity (VA). Methods The study population included patients presenting over an 18-year period with traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH) treated with lateral canthotomy. Efficacy was evaluated using visual outcome and IOP. Patients were grouped by time from injury and arrival to canthotomy. Procedures completed in the emergency department (ED) and by EPs were evaluated regarding visual outcome. Results Sixty cases of RBH treated with lateral canthotomy were identified. Over two-thirds (43/60, 71.7%) were discharged with baseline vision. Lateral canthotomy lowered IOP from a median of 50.0 mmHg (IQR: 40.5, 61) preprocedure to 23.0 mmHg (IQR: 18, 27) post-procedure (p-value = 0.000001). No correlation was found between time, IOP, location, specialty of clinician, and visual outcome. Conclusion Lateral canthotomy is an effective at lowering IOP. Our data suggest that using time and IOP to predict procedural outcome is flawed. If OCS is suspected, lateral canthotomy should be considered and can be effectively performed by EPs. Neither the time of injury to ED presentation nor degree of IOP elevation should be factored into the decision of when to perform the procedure.
Fit Indices for Measurement Invariance Tests in the Thurstonian IRT Model.

This study examined whether cutoffs in fit indices suggested for traditional formats with maximum likelihood estimators can be utilized to assess model fit and to test measurement invariance when a...
Pressure effects on sulfide electrolytes for all solid-state batteries

All solid-state batteries are believed to be safer than their liquid counterparts owing to their use of nonflammable solid electrolytes. Nevertheless, unlike liquid electrolyte batteries, stack pressure is required during cycling to avoid contact losses between the electrodes and the solid electrolyte. Although recent studies have shown stack pressures to affect the capacity utilization of alloying anodes, an investigation of the effect of stack pressures on solid-state battery cyclability has not been performed so far. In this work, the effects of both initial fabrication pressure and operating stack pressure on the electrolyte's ionic conductivity and battery performance have been analyzed; the results show that initial fabrication pressure directly affects the porosity of the electrolyte and therefore the overall performance of the cell. Low operating stack pressure reduces the apparent ionic conductivity due to poor contact between the electrolyte and current collectors, but does not detrimentally affect the cyclability of solid-state batteries. These results can explain inconsistencies in the literature and provide a guideline toward standardized solid-state battery testing conditions and proper reporting benchmarks of the performance of solid-state batteries.
Synthesis and crystal structure of a heterobimetallic nickel–manganese 12-metallacrown-4 methanol disolvate monohydrate compound

The synthesis and crystal structure of the title compound [systematic name: di-μ-acetato-tetra­kis­(μ4-N,2-dioxido­benzene-1-carboximidato)hexa­methano­ltetra­manganese(III)nickel(II) methanol disolvate monohydrate], [Mn4Ni(C7H4NO3)4(C2H3O2)2(CH4O)6]·2CH4O·H2O or Ni(OAc)2[12-MCMn(III)N(shi)-4](CH3OH)6·2CH3OH·H2O, where MC is metallacrown, −OAc is acetate, and shi3− is salicyl­hydroximate, are reported. The macrocyclic metallacrown is positioned on an inversion center located on the NiII ion that resides in the central MC cavity. The macrocycle consists of an MnIII–N–O repeat unit that recurs four times to generate an overall square-shaped mol­ecule. Both the NiII and MnIII ions are six-coordinate with an octa­hedral geometry. In addition, the MnIII ions possess an elongated Jahn–Teller distortion along the z-axis of the coordination environment. The inter­stitial water mol­ecule is slightly offset from and disordered about an inversion center.
Quantum reactive scattering of O(3P)+H2 at collision energies up to 4.4 eV.

We report the results of quantum scattering calculations for the O(3P)+H2 reaction for a range of collision energies from 0.4 to 4.4 eV, important for astrophysical and atmospheric processes. The total and state-to-state reactive cross sections are calculated using a fully quantum time-independent coupled-channel approach on recent potential energy surfaces of 3 A ′ and 3 A ″ symmetry. A larger basis set than in the previous studies was used to ensure single-surface convergence at higher energies. Our results agree well with the published data at lower energies and indicate the breakdown of reduced dimensionality approach at collision energies higher than 1.5 eV. Differential cross sections and momentum transfer cross sections are also reported.
Orbital ordering in the layered perovskite material CsVF 4

In strongly correlated electronic systems, several novel physical properties are induced by the orbital degree of freedom. In particular, orbital degeneracy near the Fermi level leads to spontaneous symmetry breaking, such as the nematic state in FeSe and the orbital ordering in several perovskite systems. Here, the novel layered perovskite material ${\mathrm{CsVF}}_{4}$, with a $3{d}^{2}$ electronic configuration, was systematically studied using density-functional theory and a multiorbital Hubbard model within the Hatree-Fock approximation. Our results show that ${\mathrm{CsVF}}_{4}$ should be magnetic, with a G-type antiferromagnetic arrangement in the $ab$ plane and weak antiferromagnetic exchange along the $c$ axis, in agreement with experimental results. Driven by the Jahn-Teller distortion in the ${\mathrm{VF}}_{6}$ octahedra that shorten the $c$ axis, the system displays an interesting electron occupancy ${d}_{xy}^{1}{({d}_{xz}{d}_{yz})}^{1}$ corresponding to the lower nondegenerate ${d}_{xy}$ orbital being half-filled and the other two degenerate ${d}_{yz}$ and ${d}_{xz}$ orbitals sharing one electron per site. We show that this degeneracy is broken and a novel ${d}_{yz}$/${d}_{xz}$ staggered orbital pattern is here predicted by both the first-principles and Hubbard model calculations. This orbital ordering is driven by the electronic instability associated with degeneracy removal to lower the energy.
Genetic Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous disease featured by clonal plasma cell proliferation and genomic instability. The advent of next-generation sequencing allowed unraveling the complex genomic landscape of the disease. Several recurrent genomic aberrations including immunoglobulin genes translocations, copy number abnormalities, complex chromosomal events, transcriptomic and epigenomic deregulation, and mutations define various molecular subgroups with distinct outcomes. In this review, we describe the recurrent genomic events identified in MM impacting patients' outcome and survival. These genomic aberrations constitute new markers that could be incorporated into a prognostication model to eventually guide therapy at every stage of the disease.
Accurate measurement of dispersion data through short and narrow tubes used in very high-pressure liquid chromatography.

An original method is proposed for the accurate and reproducible measurement of the time-based dispersion properties of short L 10μL) enables a reliable measurement of the dispersion data. We confirmed that the dimensionless plot of the reduced dispersion coefficient versus the reduced linear velocity (Peclet number) depends on the aspect ratio, L/rc, of the tube, and unexpectedly also on the diffusion coefficient of the analyte. This dimensionless plot could be easily obtained for a large volume tube, which has the same aspect ratio as that of the short and narrow tube, and for the same diffusion coefficient. The dispersion data for the small volume tube are then directly extrapolated from this plot. For instance, it is found that the maximum volume variances of 75μm×30.5cm and 100μm×30.5cm prototype finger-tightened connecting tubes are 0.10 and 0.30μL(2), respectively, with an accuracy of a few percent and a precision smaller than seven percent.
Evidence for High Ω from Large Scale Structure

From velocity and galaxy density fields, the density parameter Ω, the bias parameter for structure formation and the initial density fluctuations can be derived simultaneously.
Emergency Problems: A Rapid Overview

If you have come to this section of the book after reading (or at least skimming) Chapters 1 through 13, you should be ready to use this chapter as a review. If you are here because you feel that an overview of emergency problems is the most important task for you, I bid you welcome and hope that you will have a chance to go back and review the other topics in greater depth. This single chapter cannot review each topic in depth, and it is hoped, for instance, that you will not approach the toxic reaction or overdose patient without also looking at the material in the relevant subsections of the chapters on CNS depressants, opiates, and so on (e.g., see Sections 2.2.3 and 6.2.3).
Prolactin rescues and primes autoreactive B cells directly and indirectly through dendritic cells in B6.Sle3 mice

The lupus susceptibility interval Sle3/5 confers responsiveness to prolactin in C57BL/6 (B6) mice and hyperprolactinaemia induces a lupus-like phenotype in B6.Sel3/5 mice. In this study, the immunostimulatory effects of prolactin in B6 mice containing the Sle3 portion of the Sel3/5 interval (B6.Sle3 mice) were dissected. Because of the Sle3 interval's involvement in activation of myeloid cells, the effect of dendritic cells (DCs) from prolactin-treated B6.Sle3 mice on the phenotype of B6 mice was also evaluated. B cells from prolactin-treated B6 and B6.Sle3 mice and from B6 recipients of prolactin-modulated DCs from B6.Sle3 mice were tested for DNA-reactivity and resistance to B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated apoptosis. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules on lymphocytes and myeloid cells was also evaluated. In prolactin-treated B6.Sle3 mice, transitional type 2 B cells increased while type 1 B cells decreased as a consequence of prolactin-induced resistance to BCR-mediated apoptosis leading to the survival of DNA-reactive B cells. Follicular B cells from prolactin-treated mice expressed increased levels of CD40, B7·2 and IA(b), and DCs and monocytes had higher levels of CD44 and B7·2 than placebo-treated mice. Adoptive transfer of DCs from prolactin-treated B6.Sle3 mice to B6 recipients demonstrated the intrinsic ability of prolactin-modulated DCs to induce a development of lupus-like characteristics in B6 mice. Based on these results, prolactin accelerates the breakdown of immune tolerance in B6.Sle3 mice by promoting the survival, maturation and activation of autoreactive B cells, DCs and macrophages.
How amyloid, sleep and memory connect.

In a bidirectional relationship, the sleep/wake cycle regulates amyloid-β (Aβ) levels and Aβ accumulation then disrupts sleep. A quantitative three-way model now suggests that Aβ impairs memory via its effect on sleep.