cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CX3CL1-CX3CR1 interaction prevents carbon tetrachloride-induced liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice.

Chronic liver disease is associated with hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Chemokines and chemokine receptors are key factors for the migration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and noninflammatory cells such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The expression of CX3CR1 and its ligand, CX3CL1, is up-regulated in chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis C. However, the precise role of CX3CR1 in the liver is still unclear. Here we investigated the role of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 interaction in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced liver inflammation and fibrosis model. CX3CR1 was dominantly expressed in Kupffer cells in the liver. In contrast, the main source of CX3CL1 was HSCs. Mice deficient in CX3CR1 showed significant increases in inflammatory cell recruitment and cytokine production [including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; macrophage inflammatory protein 1β; and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted (RANTES)] after CCl4 treatment versus wild-type (WT) mice. This suggested that CX3CR1 signaling prevented liver inflammation. Kupffer cells in CX3CR1-deficient mice after CCl4 treatment showed increased expression of TNF-α and transforming growth factor β and reduced expression of the anti-inflammatory markers interleukin-10 (IL-10) and arginase-1. Coculture experiments showed that HSCs experienced significantly greater activation by Kupffer cells from CCl4-treated CX3CR1-deficient mice versus WT mice. Indeed, augmented fibrosis was observed in CX3CR1-deficient mice versus WT mice after CCl4 treatment. Finally, CX3CL1 treatment induced the expression of IL-10 and arginase-1 in WT cultured Kupffer cells through CX3CR1, which in turn suppressed HSC activation. Conclusion: The CX3CL1-CX3CR1 interaction inhibits inflammatory properties in Kupffer cells/macrophages and results in decreased liver inflammation and fibrosis. (Hepatology 2010)
Discussion of the effects of benzoquinolizines and ring-substituted aralkylamines on serotonin metabolism.

Publisher Summary The biochemistry and pharmacology of synthetic benzoquinolizines and ring-substituted aralkylamines points out two facts, which are pertinent to their mode of action: (1) structurally unrelated drugs, which impair the intraneuronal storage of both indolealkyl and catecholamines, thus increasing the levels of their deaminated metabolites, evoke the typical reserpine like syndrome and (2) inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and blockers of the amine-concentrating mechanism in the cell membrane of the adrenergic neuron, such as the tricyclic antidepressants, antagonize and even “reverse” the reserpine like syndrome. The availability of free catecholamines rather than that of indolealkylamines at central effector sites are essential for the antagonism of benzoquinolizines by both MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. MAO inhibitors also prevent the depletion of brain monoamines by the reserpinelike benzoquinolizines. This interaction of MAO inhibitors with reserpinelike drugs is described in this chapter.
Axel Mobility Platform for Steep Terrain Excursions and Sampling on Planetary Surfaces

The recent discovery of bright new deposits in two crater gullies on Mars suggests that water still flows in brief spurts on Mars. In this paper, we will present the Axel rover (Figure 1) that was developed to access and sample such deposits on the inside of steep crater walls. Axel is a tethered rover that can be a payload on a lander or a larger rover. The primary features of Axel are its minimal complexity and robustness to the treacherous terrain of sites that are of scientific interest. Using a symmetrical design with three actuators, Axel is capable of operating upside down and right side up, enabling it to descend over crater promontories. With its actuated trailing link, Axel can operate on both flat and sloped terrains. Using a sampling device mounted on the trailing link, Axel can collect and store terrain samples and return to its host platform for detailed scientific sample analysis. We will present our preliminary results that demonstrated Axel's ability to traverse both flat and sloped rocky terrain including 90deg vertical cliffs and collecting soil samples on slopes ranging from 10deg - 40deg in the JPL Mars Yard.
Public Health Surveillance Meets Translational Informatics: A Desiderata:

“Public health surveillance (PHS) is the ongoing and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data regarding a health-related event for use in public health action to r...
Fire intensity, fire severity and burn severity: a brief review and suggested usage

Several recent papers have suggested replacing the terminology of fire intensity and fire severity. Part of the problem with fire intensity is that it is sometimes used incorrectly to describe fire effects, when in fact it is justifiably restricted to measures of energy output. Increasingly, the term has created confusion because some authors have restricted its usage to a single measure of energy output referred to as fireline intensity. This metric is most useful in understanding fire behavior in forests, but is too narrow to fully capture the multitude of ways fire energy affects ecosystems. Fire intensity represents the energy released during various phases of a fire, and different metrics such as reaction intensity, fireline intensity, temperature, heating duration and radiant energy are useful for different purposes. Fire severity, and the related term burn severity, have created considerable confusion because of recent changes in their usage. Some authors have justified this by contending that fire severity is defined broadly as ecosystem impacts from fire and thus is open to individual interpretation. However, empirical studies have defined fire severity operationally as the loss of or change in organic matter aboveground and belowground, although the precise metric varies with management needs. Confusion arises because fire or burn severity is sometimes defined so that it also includes ecosystem responses. Ecosystem responses include soil erosion, vegetation regeneration, restoration of community structure, faunal recolonization, and a plethora of related response variables. Although some ecosystem responses are correlated with measures of fire or burn severity, many important ecosystem processes have either not been demonstrated to be predicted by severity indices or have been shown in some vegetation types to be unrelated to severity. This is a critical issue because fire or burn severity are readily measurable parameters, both on the ground and with remote sensing, yet ecosystem responses are of most interest to resource managers.
Serological Responses to Mycoplasma synoviae in Chickens Infected with Virulent or Avirulent Strains of Marek’s Disease Virus

The pathogenicity and immunosuppressive capability of five strains of Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDHV) was examined. Three of the strains (ALA, MISS, NCS) were isolated from flocks experiencing vaccine breaks while the other two strains (GA, HN) represented prototype virulent and avirulent viruses. Pathogenicity of MDHV strains was evaluated on their ability to cause mortality, their ability to cause gross or microscopic lesions, and the median latent period to death (MLPD) for each strain. Antibody responses to Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) were tested by the serum plate agglutination and hemagglutination inhibition tests. Chicks infected with the virulent strains of MDHV had greater mortality, greater lesion incidence, and shorter MLPD that did chicks infected with the avirulent HN strain. Infection with virulent strains reduced the antibody response to MS and caused severe bursal lesions. Chicks infected with the avirulent HN strain exhibited a slight immunosuppression, but they had no evidence of bursal destruction.
Backbone and side–chain heteronuclear resonance assignments and hyperfine NMR shifts in horse cytochrome c

The [H26N, H33N] mutant of horse heart cytochrome c was expressed in E. coli during growth on isotopically enriched minimal media. Complete resonance assignments of both the diamagnetic reduced (spin zero) and paramagnetic oxidized (spin (1/2)) states of the protein were obtained using standard triple resonance and total correlation spectroscopy using the previously determined (1)H chemical shifts of the wild-type protein as a guide. The correspondence of chemical shifts between the wild type and the mutant protein is excellent, indicating that they have nearly identical structures. The expanded library of chemical shifts for both redox states in both proteins allowed the refinement of the electron spin g-tensor of the oxidized states. The g-tensors of the oxidized states of the wild-type and [H26N, H33N] mutant proteins are closely similar, indicating that the subtle details of the ligand fields are nearly identical. The refined g-tensors were then used to probe for redox-dependent structure change in the two proteins.
Interpretability of PET/CT imaging in head and neck cancer patients following composite mandibular resection and osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction.

Background. We investigated positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scanning following segmental resections and osteocutaneous free-flap reconstruction. The interpretability of PET/CT imaging with healing osteotomies and reconstruction hardware was analyzed. Methods. Patient scans within 18 months of surgery were interpreted for malignancy. Interpretations were compared with clinical data to determine sensitivity/specificity. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were determined for bony controls, osteot- omies, and tumors and were analyzed using paired t test. Results. Fifteen scans were visually interpreted, 13 under- went SUV analysis. Reconstruction hardware did not interfere with interpretability. Sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 86%, respectively. Osteotomy sites averaged 25% higher SUVs compared with bony controls (vs sternum p ¼ .003, vs mandible p ¼ .008). Tumor SUVs were higher than osteotomies (p ¼ .023) and controls (vs sternum p ¼ .013, vs mandible p ¼ .025). Conclusion. Although osteotomies were characterized by an increased fluorodeoxyglucose signal, scan interpretability was unimpaired. Our study suggests that PET/CT imaging can be utilized to survey free-flap patients at acceptable levels of
Prevalence of HLA antibodies in transfused patients with and without red cell antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Multiply transfused patients are at increased risk of developing red cell (RBC) antibodies, as well as antibodies to HLA. Although pretransfusion testing screens for RBC antibodies, no such testing is routinely performed for HLA antibodies. Determining which patients are more likely to make HLA antibodies may be important for patients undergoing elective surgery where platelets (PLTs) may be required. It is hypothesized that patients with RBC alloantibodies may be more likely to have HLA antibodies than previously transfused patients without RBC antibodies. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood was collected from 53 adult male surgical patients with RBC alloantibodies and a control group of 69 similar male patients with a history of previous transfusions but no evidence of RBC alloimmunization. The samples were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G Class I HLA antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Of the 53 samples from patients with RBC alloantibodies, 12 (22.6%) also had HLA antibodies, whereas only 7 (10.1%) of the 69 patients in the control group had HLA antibodies (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference between the rates of HLA alloimmunization in male patients with RBC antibodies versus multiply transfused patients without RBC antibodies. Screening for HLA antibodies may be warranted in patients with RBC alloantibodies who might require PLT transfusion support for elective surgery.
Transverse particle acceleration and diffusion in a planetary magnetic field

A general model of particle acceleration by plasma waves coupled with adiabatic radial diffusion in a planetary magnetic field is developed. The model assumes that a spectrum of lower hybird waves is present to resonantly accelerate ions transverse to the magnetic field. The steady state Green's function for the combined radial diffusion and wave acceleration equation is found in terms of a series expansion. The results provide a rigorous demonstration of how a quasi-Maxwellian distribution function is formed in the absence of particle collisons and elucidate the nature of turbulent heating of magnetospheric plasmas. The solution is applied to the magnetosphere of Neptune for which a number of examples are given illustrating how the spectrum of pickup N(+) ions from Triton evolves.
Influence of mannan and glucan on complement activation and C3 binding by Candida albicans.

The complement system is important for host resistance to hematogenously disseminated candidiasis. However, modulation of complement activation by cell wall components of Candida albicans has not been characterized. Although intact yeast display mannan on the surface, glucan, typically located in the interior, becomes exposed during C. albicans infection. We show here the distinct effects of mannan and glucan on complement activation and opsonophagocytosis. Previous studies showed that intact cells are resistant to initiation of complement activation through the alternative pathway, and antimannan antibody reverses this resistance via an Fc-independent mechanism. The present study shows that this mannan-dependent resistance can be overcome by periodate-borohydride conversion of mannose polysaccharides to polyalcohols; cells treated with periodate-borohydride initiate the alternative pathway without the need for antibody. These observations identify an inhibitory role for intact mannan in complement activation. Next, removal of the surface-displayed mannan by acid treatment of periodate-borohydride cells exposes glucan. Glucan-displaying cells or purified β-glucan initiate the alternative pathway when incubated with the purified proteins of the alternative pathway alone, suggesting that C. albicans glucan is a natural activator of the alternative pathway. Finally, ingestion of mannan-displaying cells by human neutrophils requires anti-mannan antibody, whereas ingestion of glucan-displaying cells requires complement. These results demonstrate a contrasting requirement of natural antibody and complement for opsonophagocytosis of C. albicans cells displaying mannan or glucan. Thus, differential surface expression of mannan and glucan may influence recognition of C. albicans by the complement system.
Method to assemble and integrate biochemical pathways into the chloroplast genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Recombinant protein expression in the chloroplasts of green algae has recently become more routine; however, the heterologous expression of multiple proteins or complete biosynthetic pathways remains a significant challenge. Here, we show that a modified DNA Assembler approach can be used to rapidly assemble multiple-gene biosynthetic pathways in yeast and then integrate these assembled pathways at a site-specific location in the chloroplast genome of the microalgal species Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. As a proof of concept, this method was used to successfully integrate and functionally express up to three reporter proteins (AphA6, AadA, and GFP) in the chloroplast of C. reinhardtii. An analysis of the relative gene expression of the engineered strains showed significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of the reporter genes and thus highlights the importance of proper promoter/untranslated region selection when constructing a target pathway. This new method represents a useful genetic tool in the construction and integration of complex biochemical pathways into the chloroplast genome of microalgae and should aid current efforts to engineer algae for biofuels production and other desirable natural products. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2896–2903. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi-Verifier Signatures

Multi-verifier signatures generalize public-key signatures to a secret-key setting. Just like public-key signatures, these signatures are both transferable and secure under arbitrary (unbounded) adaptive chosen-message attacks. In contrast to public-key signature schemes, however, we exhibit practical constructions of multi-verifier signature schemes that are provably secure and are based only on pseudorandom functions in the plain model without any random oracles.
Hacker's mentality: integrating games and hacking to build it fluency among middle school students

The power of technology lies in its ability to enhance our ingenuity to innovate and solve problems. However, this power is mute if an individual cannot bend technology to serve their needs. The author describes a game environment that facilitates middle school students' abilities to manipulate technology by engaging students in the practice of hacking.
Initial Characterization of the Hemolysin Stachylysin from Stachybotrys chartarum

ABSTRACT Stachybotrys chartarum is a toxigenic fungus that has been associated with human health concerns, including pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis. This fungus produces a hemolysin, stachylysin, which in its apparent monomeric form has a molecular mass of 11,920 Da as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry. However, it appears to form polydispersed aggregates, which confounds understanding of the actual hemolytically active form. Exhaustive dialysis or heat treatment at 60°C for 30 min inactivated stachylysin. Stachylysin is composed of about 40% nonpolar amino acids and contains two cysteine residues. Purified stachylysin required more than 6 h to begin lysing sheep erythrocytes, but by 48 h, lysis was complete. Stachylysin also formed pores in sheep erythrocyte membranes.
Z-source inverter

This paper presents an impedance-source (or impedance-fed) power converter (abbreviated as Z-source converter) and its control method for implementing DC-to-AC, AC-to-DC, AC-to-AC, and DC-to-DC power conversion. The Z-source converter employs a unique impedance network (or circuit) to couple the converter main circuit to the power source, thus providing unique features that cannot be obtained in the traditional voltage-source (or voltage-fed) and current-source (or current-fed) converters where a capacitor and inductor are used, respectively. The Z-source converter overcomes the conceptual and theoretical barriers and limitations of the traditional voltage-source converter (abbreviated as V-source converter) and current-source converter (abbreviated as I-source converter) and provides a novel power conversion concept. The Z-source concept can be applied to all DC-to-AC, AC-to-DC, AC-to-AC, and DC-to-DC power conversion. To describe the operating principle and control, this paper focuses on an example: a Z-source inverter for DC-AC power conversion needed in fuel cell applications. Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the new features.
Induction and viability of tetraploids in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations are threatened by introduction of invasive species, habitat loss, and habitat degradation in their native range and are a problem invasive species in...
Electrically Small, Millimeter Wave Dual Band Meta-Resonator Antennas

A meta-resonator antenna is one in which a metamaterial resonator is the radiating element of the antenna. In this paper, meta-resonator antennas are developed using multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramics techniques. A pair of split-ring resonators (SRR) is used as the radiating element of the antenna. The two SRRs have different resonance frequencies due to the opposite placement of the gaps and the antenna can operate at both frequencies. Other multiband antennas can be designed by adding different metamaterial resonators. No matching network is required since feeding is by inductive/capacitive coupling. The size of the meta-resonator antenna is 10% of a conventional microstrip antenna. The electrical size (ka) of the antenna is 0.386, the bandwidth is 2%, gain is 3.76 dB and efficiency is 71%. An omnidirectional meta-resonator antenna is designed by removing the ground plane and by using a microstrip line as the feed line. The feed line can also serve as a monopole antenna if desired. The radiation pattern, efficiency and gain of the omnidirectional meta-resonator antenna are similar to those of a monopole antenna.
On exploring inter-iteration parallelism within rate-balanced multirate multidimensional DSP algorithms

Although the notion of the parallelism in multidimensional applications has existed for a long time, it is so far unknown what the bound (if any) of inter-iteration parallelism in multirate multidimensional digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms is, and whether the maximum inter-iteration parallelism can be achieved for arbitrary multirate data flow algorithms. This paper explores the bound of inter-iteration parallelism within rate-balanced multirate multidimensional DSP algorithms and proves that this parallelism can always be achieved in hardware system given the availability of a large number of processors and the interconnections between them.
The Academic Quality of Public School Teachers: An Analysis of Entry and Exit Behavior.

The authors investigate how the labor market decisions of recent college graduates, new teachers, and employers affect the academic quality of the teaching workforce in public schools. They use a rich longitudinal data set of Missouri college graduates and public school teachers to examine the behavior of college graduates concerning an initial decision to secure certification and teach in a public school, and subsequent decisions as to whether to continue. They find that college graduates with above-average ACTscores tend not to select into teaching, however, the effect is most pronounced for elementary school teachers. At any level of academic achievement, women are far more likely than men to teach, however, the relative aversion of high-ability women to teaching is at least as great as that of men. High-ability men and women who do enter public school teaching are more likely to leave than their less talented counterparts. Examination of non-teaching earnings for exiting teachers finds little evidence that high-ability teachers are leaving for higher pay. The results also highlight very different mobility patterns by teaching field. For both men and women, the attrition of math and science teachers with high ACTscores is greater than in other teaching fields. Finally, peer group effects may be a factor explaining female exit behavior. Controlling for own ACT, high-ability women who work with low-ability colleagues are more likely to exit.
Bioelectrical Stimulation for the Reduction of Inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the primary inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The current therapy aims at decreasing inflammation and reducing symptoms. This typically requires immune suppression by steroids, thiopurines, methotrexate, or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. Patients may be unreceptive to medical therapy, and some may discontinue the treatment due to adverse effects. Noninvasive, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is currently used as a treatment for depression and epilepsy, and it is being investigated for the treatment of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, migraines, and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of splenic and vagus nerve functions in the inflammatory process through the production of certain cytokines. We hypothesize that using transcutaneous VNS via the auricular afferent branch could achieve a selective anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal wall. This review examines the possibility of using vagal stimulators as a therapy for IBD. This could open the door to novel treatments for numerous vagally mediated diseases characterized by poor responses to current therapies.
The Classic Metaphyseal Lesion and Traumatic Injury

It is widely accepted that the classic metaphyseal lesion (CML) is a traumatic lesion, strongly associated with abuse in infants. Nevertheless, various non-traumatic origins for CMLs continue to be suggested in medical and legal settings. No studies to date systematically describe the association of CMLs with other traumatic injuries. The primary objective of this study is to examine the association of CMLs with other traumatic injuries in a large data set of children evaluated for physical abuse. This was a retrospectively planned secondary analysis of data from a prospective, observational study of children <120 months of age who underwent evaluation by a child abuse physician. For this secondary analysis, we identified all children ≤12 months of age with an identified CML and determined the number and type of additional injuries identified. Descriptive analysis was used to report frequency of additional traumatic injuries. Among 2,890 subjects, 119 (4.1%) were identified as having a CML. Of these, 100 (84.0%) had at least one additional (non-CML) fracture. Thirty-three (27.7%) had traumatic brain injury. Nearly half (43.7%) of children had cutaneous injuries. Oropharyngeal injuries were found in 12 (10.1%) children. Abdominal/thoracic injuries were also found in 12 (10.1%) children. In all, 95.8% of children with a CML had at least one additional injury; one in four children had three or more categories of injury. CMLs identified in young children are strongly associated with traumatic injuries. Identification of a CML in a young child should prompt a thorough evaluation for physical abuse.
Investigation into Wear Behavior of Cu-Al Coating on Titanium alloy under Fretting Fatigue

Fretting tests were conducted with either no fatigue load or with fatigue load to investigate the effect of contact load and contact size. Accumulated dissipated energy versus wear volume data showed a linear relationship regardless of fatigue loading condition on specimen with the smaller pad size. However, two separate linear relationships were observed based on the fatigue loading condition with the larger pad size, such that a relatively more dissipated energy was required for a certain amount of wear with fatigue load on the specimen. The linear relationship between the accumulated dissipated energy and wear volume for both pad sizes extended from partial to gross slip regimes and was not affected by the applied contact load.
As She Lay Dying: How I Fought To Stop Medical Errors From Killing My Mom

A woman with cancer dies after receiving poor care for an infection. Her physician-son calls on the health system to involve patients and families in improving safety.
Progression of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Formation on Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon anodes based on an alloy reaction with lithium have a large theoretical specific capacity making them an appealing candidate for use in lithium-ion batteries. A major factor influencing the power cyclability and cycle life of the battery is the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. In this work, the progression of SEI formation on hydrogenated amorphous Si (a-Si:H) anodes is determined as a function of applied electrochemical potential during the first charging cycle by combining cyclic voltammetry measurements with detailed surface chemical analysis. During this first lithiation cycle, the SEI layer begins to form at 1.8 V by decomposition of the LiPF6 electrolyte to LiF, LixPFy, and PFy. The SEI layer, with LiF as the major species, continues to form upon further charging and forms a nonuniform layer on the surface of the electrode. At 0.4 V the Li atoms begin to penetrate the a-Si:H network, and upon full charging at 0.0 V, the anode itself is comprised in part by Si–Li, Si...
Catabolism of ascorbic acid by animal tissues.

SummaryThe catabolism of ascorbic acid in animal tissues has been studied using rat and guinea pig liver homogenates in vitro. It has been shown that ascorbic acid is oxidized to its dehydro form by a heat-stable, non-enzymatic factor in the insoluble portion of liver. Dehydroascorbic acid is then further degraded beyond the diketogulonic acid stage by an enzyme system in the soluble portion of the liver.
Spatial simulations of a confined supersonic shear layer at two density ratios

Spatial 2-D simulations of a confined shear layer are carried out for two density ratios using a second order TVD scheme. The density ratios are chosen based on the linear stability results of Peroomian and Kelly[l]. For both sets of parameters, only the acoustic instability modes exist. Solutions of the steady compressible boundary layer equations which are taken to be functions of the cross-stream direction only are used to initialize the computational box. For the first case, formation of strong shock-expansion structures are observed within the flowfield. The acceleration and rotation of the lower part of these structures due to the generation of vorticity near the walls increase the magnitude of the pressure change near the lower wall, causing a blowing effect from the wall which improves the entrainment process. For the higher density ratio, some interesting phenomena such as generation of Kelvin-Helmholtz type structures in the subsonic portion and compression-expansion waves in the supersonic portion of the shear layer were observed. Also, the fundamental mode was observed to saturate quickly and then, after a long plateau, was observed to grow again.
Association of coagulation function indexes and critical illness scoring in newborns with sepsis

Objective To explore the relationship between coagulation function indexes and critical illness scoring in newborns with sepsis. Methods The data of sepsis occurrence in 93 newborns hospitalized in Luohe Second People's Hospital during January 2010 and December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the neonatal critical illness scoring,93 newborns were assigned into 3groups: non- critical illness group,critical illness group and very critical illness group. The platelets( PLT) count,activation part thromoplastin time( APTT),prothrombin time( PT),thrombin time( TT),fibrinogen( FIB),antithrombinⅢ( AT-Ⅲ),protein C( PC)and D- dimer( DD) in the blood were tested after admission or 72 h after treatment. Statistical analysis was made of the indexes of coagulation function among the 3 groups,and the dynamic changing process of coagulation function were compared before and after treatment. Results Compared with the non- critical illness group,PLT,AT-Ⅲ and PC of other groups were significantly lower( P 0. 05),while APTT,PT,TT,DD and FIB were significantly raised. However,the differences in PT,APTT,TT and FIB were not significant( P 0. 05) in the critical illness group and very critical illness group. After the treatment,the PLT,AT-Ⅲ and PC of all groups were significantly higher( P 0. 05),while APTT,PT,TT,DD and FIB were significantly lower. Conclusion The abnormal coagulation function was intimately correlated with the critical score,disease progression and prognosis of newborns with sepsis.
Survey of the serology and AIDS-related risk behavior among drug users in Wenzhou city

Objective:To understand AIDS-related risk behavior characteristics and the status of the infection of HIV,TP,HBV,HCV,to provide the evidences for control strategies and measures of these diseases.Methods: A cross-sectional survey for drug users from the compulsory detoxification center in Wenzhou was carried out with anonymous questionnaires and venous blood test.Results: Drug users mainly concentrated on population aged 20~39 years(86.10%),91.56%% of them received education below junior or middle school education.The proportion of injection drug users was 39.45%,among which 10.06% shared needles with other drug users.25.31% of the drug users ever occurred commercial sexual behavior,only 24.51% of them using condom every time.The positive rates of HIV,HBV,HCV and TP were 0.50%,16.87%,55.09%,9.68%,respectively.Conclusion: Many risk factors existed in drug users,such as sharing syringes and commercial sexual behaviors.Drug users were the bridge for spread of AIDS/STD,who should be strengthened propaganda and education and behavioral intervention.
Epileptic encephalopathy de novo GABRB mutations impair γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function

Objective The Epi4K Consortium recently identified 4 de novo mutations in the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA ) receptor β3 subunit gene GABRB3 and 1 in the β1 subunit gene GABRB1 in children with one of the epileptic encephalopathies (EEs) Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and infantile spasms (IS). Because the etiology of EEs is often unknown, we determined the impact of GABRB mutations on GABAA receptor function and biogenesis. Methods GABAA receptor α1 and γ2L subunits were coexpressed with wild-type and/or mutant β3 or β1 subunits in HEK 293T cells. Currents were measured using whole cell and single channel patch clamp techniques. Surface and total expression levels were measured using flow cytometry. Potential structural perturbations in mutant GABAA receptors were explored using structural modeling. Results LGS-associated GABRB3(D120N, E180G, Y302C) mutations located at β+ subunit interfaces reduced whole cell currents by decreasing single channel open probability without loss of surface receptors. In contrast, IS-associated GABRB3(N110D) and GABRB1(F246S) mutations at β- subunit interfaces produced minor changes in whole cell current peak amplitude but altered current deactivation by decreasing or increasing single channel burst duration, respectively. GABRB3(E180G) and GABRB1(F246S) mutations also produced spontaneous channel openings. Interpretation All 5 de novo GABRB mutations impaired GABAA receptor function by rearranging conserved structural domains, supporting their role in EEs. The primary effect of LGS-associated mutations was reduced GABA-evoked peak current amplitudes, whereas the major impact of IS-associated mutations was on current kinetic properties. Despite lack of association with epilepsy syndromes, our results suggest GABRB1 as a candidate human epilepsy gene. Ann Neurol 2016;79:806-825.
Isolation and long-term maintenance of adult rat hepatocytes in culture.

Long-term and stable hepatocyte culture systems have a wide variety of uses, both in basic science and in the development of hepatocyte-based applications. In most cases, long-term cultures of hepatocytes are superior to traditional cultures in collagen-coated dishes, which only transiently express a low level of liver-specific function during the first wk in culture (1,2). The collagen sandwich provides a system capable of maintaining long term and stable function of hepatocytes with which to study liver physiology (3,4). This system is now used along with several other long-term hepatocyte culture techniques that have been developed since the mid 1970s. These other methods include the use of special extracellular matrix (ECM) materials, such as an extract from the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma grown in mice [5] (under the commercial appellations of Matrigel and Biomatrix, Biomedical Technologies, Stoughton, MA), co-culture with mesenchymal, endothelial, or epithelial cells (6-8), special culture media (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide supplementation or arginine-free formulas), and culture at high seeding densities. In the context of studying liver physiology and morphogenesis of the liver plate, the sandwich culture system appears to be particularly well-suited, since it exhibits in vivo-like ECM geometry, has relatively flexible medium requirements, and individual cell morphology and structure can be easily visualized. One disadvantage, however, is that, in current practice, the ECM layer on top of the cells may present a transport barrier that can slow down the exchange of nutrients, products, and chemical signals with the bulk of the medium.
Design and Comparison of Large Vessel Stents: Balloon Expandable and Self-Expanding Peripheral Arterial Stents

Endovascular stenting has evolved over the last 50 years since its inception into the framework of management of vascular atherosclerotic disease. Stent design has evolved as lesion complexity has increased. Nevertheless, certain first principles regarding stent design have been recapitulated time and again with every iteration of endovascular stents. This article reviews principles of endovascular stent design and compares and contrasts key aspects of balloon expandable and self-expanding stents.
Water Solubility of Plutonium and Uranium Compounds and Residues at TA-55

Understanding the water solubility of plutonium and uranium compounds and residues at TA-55 is necessary to provide a technical basis for appropriate criticality safety, safety basis and accountability controls. Individual compound solubility was determined using published solubility data and solution thermodynamic modeling. Residue solubility was estimated using a combination of published technical reports and process knowledge of constituent compounds. The scope of materials considered includes all compounds and residues at TA-55 as of March 2016 that contain Pu-239 or U-235 where any single item in the facility has more than 500 g of nuclear material. This analysis indicates that the following materials are not appreciably soluble in water: plutonium dioxide (IDC=C21), plutonium phosphate (IDC=C66), plutonium tetrafluoride (IDC=C80), plutonium filter residue (IDC=R26), plutonium hydroxide precipitate (IDC=R41), plutonium DOR salt (IDC=R42), plutonium incinerator ash (IDC=R47), uranium carbide (IDC=C13), uranium dioxide (IDC=C21), U3O8 (IDC=C88), and uranium filter residue (IDC=R26). This analysis also indicates that the following materials are soluble in water: plutonium chloride (IDC=C19) and uranium nitrate (IDC=C52). Equilibrium calculations suggest that PuOCl is water soluble under certain conditions, but some plutonium processing reports indicate that it is insoluble when present in electrorefining residues (R65). Plutonium molten salt extraction residues (IDC=R83) contain significantmore » quantities of PuCl3, and are expected to be soluble in water. The solubility of the following plutonium residues is indeterminate due to conflicting reports, insufficient process knowledge or process-dependent composition: calcium salt (IDC=R09), electrorefining salt (IDC=R65), salt (IDC=R71), silica (IDC=R73) and sweepings/screenings (IDC=R78). Solution thermodynamic modeling also indicates that fire suppression water buffered with a commercially-available phosphate buffer would significantly reduce the solubility of PuCl3 by the precipitation of PuPO4.« less
Elevated Serum Ras Levels in Patients with LGL Leukemia.

Abstract Background: Ras is a GDP/GTP binding G protein that acts as a molecular switch converting signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and protein synthesis. Activation of ras oncogenes has been identified in a variety of cancers, including 30% of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is a clonal T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder associated with chronic neutropenia, anemia, or autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum ras levels in patients with LGL leukemia. Methods: A novel ras p21 ELISA (Oncogene Science/Bayer HealthCare) employing two monoclonal antibodies was utilized to quantify ras levels in baseline serum obtained from 32 patients with LGL leukemia. A control group of 48 healthy subjects was also used to establish a cutoff for the upper limit of normal for serum ras levels. A 95% non-parametric cut-off was used to determine significant differences in the frequency of elevated serum ras levels in control vs. LGL leukemia patients. Results: The median serum ras level in the 48 healthy control subjects was 125 pg/mL, with a 5% to 95% range of 50–422 pg/mL. The upper limit of normal for serum ras was defined as 422 pg/mL, as determined using the 95 % non-parametric cut-off. In the LGL leukemia patient group, 19 of 32 patients (59 %) had elevated baseline serum ras levels (median 484 pg/mL) (p=0.0001) when utilizing the healthy control upper limit of normal cut-off value. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the majority of LGL leukemia patients have significantly elevated serum ras levels when compared to healthy controls. Serum ras should be evaluated as a potential biomarker in larger leukemia trials, especially for response to treatment with inhibitors of the ras signaling pathway.
Cyclin A2 Plays a Critical Role Not Only in Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem Cells, but Also in Non-Self-Renewing Proliferation of Lymphoid Progenitors.

Abstract 381 Cyclins are regulatory subunits of cyclin-dependent kinase, and are important components of cell cycle engine. The A-type cyclin is generally the S-phase cyclin. Mammalian cells express two A-type cyclins, including cyclin A1 that is exclusively expressed in the testis, and cyclin A2 whose expression is ubiquitous. We have recently reported that cyclin A2 is not required for fibroblast proliferation but it is indispensable in maintenance of self-renewal of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) (Cell 138 2009). The question is whether cyclin A2 plays a role in proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors downstream of the HSC. Here we further assessed the requirement of A-type cyclin in non-self-renewing hematopoietic progenitors. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that cyclin A2 was expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, but its expression level is highest in lymphoid-committed progenitor stages of both T and B cell lineages. Thus, in order to test the role of cylin A2 in early lymphopoiesis, we crossed cyclin A2 floxed mice with Rag1-Cre knock-in mice. Rag1 expression is initiated at the preproB to the proB stages, and the DN1-DN3 stages in the thymus, while their proliferation is dependent at least upon pre-BCR or pre-TCR signal at these stages. Interestingly, the Rag1-Cre cyclin A2 floxed/floxed mice were viable, and have normal numbers of HSCs and myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow. They, however, displayed severe reduction of T and B cell numbers that were only 1/100 - 1/10 of wild-type controls; the number of common lymphoid progenitor was unchanged, but there were almost complete loss of proB and preB cells. Similarly, all thymic T cell progenitor compartments such as CD4-CD8- double negative, and CD4+CD8+ double positive populations were severely reduced. These findings clearly demonstrate that cyclin A2 is indispensable not only for self-renewal of HSCs, but also for proliferation of T and B cell progenitors. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Risk assessment, risk management, and prevention of acute vascular events

South Asians have a very high incidence of cardiometabolic diseases such as hypertension, central abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In spite of the fact that common risk factors associated with these clinical conditions are known, we do not have point-of-care assays, to monitor the disease of the vessels, and the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy. We have a window of opportunity to develop three-dimensional ultrasound methodologies, to monitor the subclinical atherosclerosis, altered flow velocities of regional vascular beds, as well as plaque progression and regression in the major vessels. We also have opportunities to develop state-of-the-art methodologies for monitoring the efficacy or otherwise of antiplatelet therapies. In this overview, we share our views and strategies for the development of affordable medical technologies in India, for monitoring vessel wall pathology as well as for better management of antiplatelet therapies.
Self-Rotation-Induced Propulsion of a Leidenfrost Drop on a Ratchet

A Leidenfrost drop is capable of self-propelling on a ratchet, which consists of asymmetric teeth. In this work, the corresponding movements were first experimentally investigated. Because the detected motion could not be interpreted using existing propulsive mechanisms, a new propulsive mechanism was then developed, followed by force analysis using a scaling law.
Sociodemographic, Toxicological, and Lifestyle Characteristics of Seat Belt Users in a Nationally Representative Sample of US High School Students: Results from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Background Seat belts prevent death and serious injury in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), but in 2015, 47% of drivers ages 15 to 19 who died in a crash were unrestrained. Attempts to increase teenage belt use have included high-visibility enforcement (e.g. primary seat belt laws and graduated driver licensing), but limited research exists regarding lifestyle behaviors associated with regular belt use among young drivers. The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviors associated with regular seat belt use among US high school students. Methods Data were used from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2015 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a nationally representative sample of US high school students. The YRBS assessed seat belt use as a passenger and other lifestyle behaviors during the 30 days before the survey, for 15,561 high school students. Seat belt use was coded into a dichotomous variable (regular/always v. irregular). Chi-square tests examined bivariate associations between regular seat belt use, demographic variables, and the prevalence of the following healthy lifestyle behaviors: hours of sleep, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, illegal prescription drug use, physical activity, and regular vegetable and water consumption. Results The prevalence of regular seat belt use during the 30 days before the survey was 61%. Regular belt use was more prevalent in males (χ2=3.97; degrees of freedom=1; p=.046), positively associated with age (χ2=43.82; df=6; p Conclusions High school students who reported regularly wearing their seat belts were mostly male, older, White, and had no alcohol or drug use. This study also suggests that a diverse range of healthy lifestyle behaviors are associated with a higher proportion of regular seat belt use. Encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors in students, particularly those who drive, may positively influence traffic safety behaviors, including regular seat belt use.
Universal deformation rings and self-injective Nakayama algebras

Abstract Let k be a field and let Λ be an indecomposable finite dimensional k-algebra such that there is a stable equivalence of Morita type between Λ and a self-injective split basic Nakayama algebra over k. We show that every indecomposable finitely generated Λ-module V has a universal deformation ring R ( Λ , V ) and we describe R ( Λ , V ) explicitly as a quotient ring of a power series ring over k in finitely many variables. This result applies in particular to Brauer tree algebras , and hence to p-modular blocks of finite groups with cyclic defect groups.