cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1072: Lymphangiogenesis-inducing vaccines for melanoma treatment elicit potent tumor-specific T cell immunity and long-term tumor control

We recently demonstrated that the growth of tumor-associated lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) promotes immune infiltration in melanoma (Lund et al. 2016) and increases T cell activation following immunotherapy, resulting in strongly enhanced therapeutic efficacy (Fankhauser et a. 2017). On the other hand, tumor lymphangiogenesis is known to support cancer cell dissemination through the lymphatic route and metastasis formation. Therefore, inducing lymphangiogesis within the tumor site to boost anti-tumor immunity appears as a potentially unsafe therapeutic approach since it might also result in increased tumor metastatic potential. In this study, we sought to exploit the immune-promoting functions of lymphatics remotely from the tumor by developing a lymphangiogenesis-inducing cancer vaccine that mimics the microenvironment of a lymphangiogenic tumor. Whole-cell lymphangiogenic vaccines were generated using lethally irradiated mouse melanoma cells genetically engineered to overexpress the lymphatic-specific growth factor VEGFC, in combination with topical immune adjuvants (VEGFC vax). VEGFC vax was compared to control vaccines with identical formulation but lacking VEGFC overexpression and to a vaccine composed of GM-CSF-overexpressing tumor cells (GVAX), a vaccination approach that has been widely used in clinical studies. Upon intradermal injection in mice, VEGFC vax induced extensive lymphangiogenesis at the vaccine site and increased antigen transport to vaccine-draining lymph nodes. Analogously to what observed in lymphangiogenic tumors, we found that naive T cells significantly infiltrated lymphangiogenic vaccine sites and could undergo in situ priming and activation. Using VEGFC vaccines containing either B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells or melanoma cells obtained from tumors growing in BrafV600EPten−/- transgenic mice, we demonstrated that VEGFC vax elicits a potent tumor-specific T cell response. Importantly, VEGFC vaccination resulted in the mounting of a broad T cell immunity directed against multiple B16-F10-associated antigens. In both prophylactic and therapeutic settings, VEGFC vax provided effective tumor control and long-term protection against B16-F10 melanomas. In the present study we introduced for the first time the concept of lymphangenesis induction as a tool to increase cancer vaccine potency and we provided a proof of efficacy of lymphangiogenic vaccines in preclinical melanoma models. Citation Format: Maria Stella Sasso, Nikolaos Mitrousis, Sylvie Hauert, Priscilla S. Briquez, Yue Wang, Jun Ishihara, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Melody A. Swartz. Lymphangiogenesis-inducing vaccines for melanoma treatment elicit potent tumor-specific T cell immunity and long-term tumor control [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1072.
Learning from African American Lesbian Mothers about Conducting Research

The aim of this article is to convey lessons learned from a recent research study on Black lesbian, parented, partnered mothers and their families’ experiences, lessons that challenge the cishetero...
Predicting Postoperative Mortality After Metastatic Intraspinal Neoplasm Excision: Development of a Machine-Learning Approach.

Objective Mortality following surgical resection of spinal tumors is a devastating outcome. Naive Bayes machine learning algorithms may be leveraged in surgical planning to predict mortality. In this investigation, we use a Naive Bayes classification algorithm to predict mortality following spinal tumor excision within 30 days of surgery. Methods Patients who underwent laminectomies between 2006 and 2018 for excisions of intraspinal neoplasms were selected from the National Surgical Quality Initiative Program. Naive Bayes classifier analysis was conducted in Python. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the classifier's ability to predict mortality within 30 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in R to identify risk factors for 30-day postoperative mortality. Results In total, 2094 spine tumor surgery patients were included in the study. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.16%. The classifier yielded an AUC of 0.898, which exceeds the predictive capacity of the National Surgical Quality Initiative Program mortality probability calculator's AUC of 0.722 (P Conclusions The Naive Bayes classifier may be used to predict 30-day mortality for patients undergoing spine tumor excisions, with an increasing degree of accuracy as the model better performs by learning continuously from the input patient data. Patient outcomes can be improved by identifying high-risk populations early using the algorithm and applying that data to inform preoperative decision making, as well as patient selection and education.
Leveraging Geospatial Data Gateways to Support the Operational Application of Deep Learning Models: Vision Paper

Geospatial data providers have adopted a variety of science gateways as the primary method for accessing remote geospatial data. Early systems provided little more than a simple file transfer mechanism but over the past decade, advanced features were incorporated to allow users to retrieve data seamlessly without concern for native file formats, data resolution, or even spatial projections. However, the recent growth in Deep Learning models in the geospatial domains has exposed additional requirements for accessing geospatial repositories. In this paper we discussed the major data accessibility challenges faced by the Deep Learning community namely: (1) reproducibility of data preprocessing workflows, (2) optimizing data transfer between gateways and computational environments, and (3) minimizing local storage requirements using on-the-fly augmentation. In this paper, we present our vision of spatial data generators to act as middleware between geospatial data gateways and Deep Learning models. We propose advanced features for spatial data generators and describe how they could satisfy the data accessibility requirements of the geospatial Deep Learning community. Lastly, we argue that satisfying these data accessibility requirements will not only enhance the reproducibility of Deep Learning workflows and speed their development but will also improve the quality of training and prediction of operational Deep Learning models.
Dispersible Colloid Facilitated Release of Organic Carbon From Two Contrasting Riparian Sediments

In aqueous systems, including groundwater, nano-colloids (1-100 nm diameter) and small colloids (<450 nm diameter) provide a vast store of surfaces to which organic carbon (OC) can sorb, precluding its normal bioavailability. Because nanomaterials are ubiquitous and abundant throughout Earth systems, it is reasonable that they would play a significant role in biogeochemical cycles. As such, mineral nano-colloids (MNC) and small colloids, formed through mineral weathering and precipitation processes, are both an unaccounted-for reservoir and unquantified vector for transport of OC and nutrients and contaminants within watersheds. Water extractions and leaching experiments were conducted under 1) aerobic (ambient) and 2) anaerobic (environmental chamber) conditions for each of two contrasting riparian sediments from 1) Columbia River, Washington and 2) Tims Branch, South Carolina. Water dispersible colloid-adsorbed OC was as high as 48% of OC for Tims Branch anaerobic batch water extraction and as low as 0% for Columbia River aerobic batch water extractions. Anaerobic leaching from column experiments yielded higher colloid and OC release rates. Transmission electron microscopy with electron dispersive spectroscopy mapping revealed organic carbon associated with aggregations of nano-particulate silicate minerals and Mossbauer identified nano-particulate goethite. This exploratory study demonstrates that mineral facilitated release of OC in riparian sediments is both significant and variable between locations.
Solar panels and smart thermostats: The power duo of the residential sector?

Abstract Rising peak demand is a major cause for high emissions from the electricity sector. In this study, we investigate how different combinations of distributed energy technologies affect peak grid load, energy consumption from the grid, and emissions in the residential sector under time-varying prices. To do so, we develop an optimization framework in which households with varied amalgamations of distributed energy technologies minimize electricity costs, amortized capital, and operational costs over a year, with marginally increasing penalties for deviating from room temperature set-points. The four technologies we consider are: solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, ice cold thermal energy storage, and smart thermostats. The study also incorporates a one-parameter thermal model of the home, so that the discomfort penalties can apply to the room temperature rather than the total appliance load. Based on empirical energy consumption profiles and solar generation data from 25 homes in Austin, we find that residential customers would keep overall annual expenditure and environmental footprint low by investing in solar panels and smart thermostats. The capital costs of both storage systems are still too high to make them economically profitable investments for typical residential customers. Additionally, the Value of Solar policy disincentivizes solar customer investment in storage systems. The study also shows that, while the energetic effect of the two storage systems can be favorable or detrimental depending upon the pricing structure and the household load profile, lithium-ion batteries are the main instruments to avoid high demand charges. Thus, we recommend that, as an effective peak load control mechanism, electric utilities should offer significant rebates to encourage residential customer investment in storage systems in addition to subjecting them to demand charges.
Policy implications of standalone timing versus holistic timing of infrastructure interventions: Findings based on pavement surface roughness

Abstract Transportation agencies routinely make repair decisions in numerous contexts which include the timing of different repair treatments over an extended period. The timing policy may be characterized either by a standalone manner that maximizes the outcome or utility of individual treatments at a given time, or by a holistic manner that maximizes the utility of all treatments together within a given horizon period. This study begins with a hypothesis that the effect of the sum of treatment prescriptions may be different from the sum of the effect of individual treatment prescriptions. The paper discusses separate practical applications where each of these two situations is pertinent. The study is based on the use of surface roughness as the indicator of pavement performance, and therefore, the framework includes the development of treatment-specific treatment performance jump and performance loss models in terms of roughness. The framework also includes identification of the optimal roughness thresholds for each pavement treatment as a standalone activity, followed by a determination of the thresholds for each treatment from a holistic standpoint. The latter involves the establishment of an optimal repair schedule over the pavement life cycle and recording the resulting roughness thresholds at which each treatment is recommended for application within the optimal schedule. Then the paper presents a case study to demonstrate application of the framework, and to compare the optimal-schedule thresholds versus the stand-alone thresholds. The case study involved fourteen treatment types, two surface material types (rigid and flexible) and three road functional classes. The results suggest that in this context of highway management, the optimal triggers associated with individual standalone repair treatments are not necessarily the same (and yield inferior outcomes) compared to the application thresholds of those treatments when they are considered within an optimized life-cycle schedule. The results can provide guidance to agencies as they examine or update their current roughness thresholds for each standard treatment and their long-term condition-based or time-based repair schedules. The paper’s framework and results can also help agencies assess the consequences of deviations from a repair timing policy (delayed or hastened applications) due to lack of funds and other causes.
Post-Concussion Dizziness, Sleep Quality, and Postural Instability: A Cross-Sectional Investigation.

CONTEXT Dizziness, postural instability, and poor sleep quality are all commonly reported post-concussion and individually relate to poor outcomes. OBJECTIVE To examine sleep quality and postural stability among adolescents who did and did not report dizziness within two weeks of concussion. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Participants ages 12-18 years within 14 days of concussion (n=58, 15.2±1.8 years; 50% female; 7.1±3.1 days post-injury) and uninjured controls (n=73; 15.8±1.3 years; 42% female). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants completed pre-injury and current dizziness ratings on the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) and current sleep quality on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants also completed postural stability assessments (single/dual-task tandem gait and modified Balance Error Scoring System [mBESS]). RESULTS We grouped concussion patients into dizzy (n=21) or not dizzy (n=37) groups based on PCSI dizziness ratings: difference between current and pre-injury dizziness rating >3=dizzy; difference <3=not dizzy. The dizzy and not dizzy groups both reported significantly worse sleep quality than the control group (PSQI score: mean=9.6±3.7 vs 7.2±3.5 vs 4.3±2.6; p<0.001) upon univariable comparison. Similarly, the dizzy group performed slowest on single and dual-task tandem gait, followed by the not dizzy group, then the control group (single-task TG: mean= 27.2±11.7 sec vs 21.2±6.3 vs 14.7±3.6; p<0.001); (dual-task TG: mean=38.4±16.2 sec vs 29.9±7.2 vs 21.6±7.5; p<0.001). Both concussion groups demonstrated significantly more errors than the control group on the mBESS (mean=9.8±5.1 vs 6.9±5.8 vs 3.8±3.5; p<0.001). After controlling for total symptom severity in the multivariable model, tandem gait, but not mBESS or sleep quality, was associated with dizziness. CONCLUSION Individuals with post-concussion dizziness also demonstrated impaired tandem gait performance, while poor sleep quality was associated with total symptom severity. Identifying and treating the underlying dysfunction contributing to dizziness and postural instability may guide individualized rehabilitation strategies and facilitate recovery.
Intersecting Lines as a Means of Fraud Detection

Document examiners are frequently asked to determine whether a questioned document is fraudulent or authentic. One approach to proving or disproving fraud is to determine the order of line sequence—which of two intersecting written lines was made last. In this paper, three current techniques available for systematically examining and removing layers of writing medium to determine line sequence are compared: the stereomicroscope method, the distilled water method, and the wax lift method.
Experiences With Designing Tools for Everyday Reminiscing

Reminiscing is a valuable activity throughout the lifespan, helping people establish and maintain their identities and their relationships. Much of this happens in an everyday way, with reminiscing arising naturally out of one's experiences, thoughts, and conversations. In this article we describe work around Pensieve, a tool to support everyday, spontaneous, individual reminiscing through memory triggers—e-mailed reminders that contain snippets from content one has previously created in social media or generic questions that encourage people to reflect on their past. Through a combination of interviews, questionnaires, design activities, and a long-term deployment of Pensieve, we demonstrate the potential value of social media content such as Facebook wall posts and status updates for supporting reminiscence, the utility of systems that support spontaneous reminiscing and writing about the past, the importance of reminders to both reminiscing and lifelogging systems, and insights into people's current pr...
PUBCRAWL: protecting users and businesses from CRAWLers

Web crawlers are automated tools that browse the web to retrieve and analyze information. Although crawlers are useful tools that help users to find content on the web, they may also be malicious. Unfortunately, unauthorized (malicious) crawlers are increasingly becoming a threat for service providers because they typically collect information that attackers can abuse for spamming, phishing, or targeted attacks. In particular, social networking sites are frequent targets of malicious crawling, and there were recent cases of scraped data sold on the black market and used for blackmailing. In this paper, we introduce PUBCRAWL, a novel approach for the detection and containment of crawlers. Our detection is based on the observation that crawler traffic significantly differs from user traffic, even when many users are hidden behind a single proxy. Moreover, we present the first technique for crawler campaign attribution that discovers synchronized traffic coming from multiple hosts. Finally, we introduce a containment strategy that leverages our detection results to efficiently block crawlers while minimizing the impact on legitimate users. Our experimental results in a large, well-known social networking site (receiving tens of millions of requests per day) demonstrate that PUBCRAWL can distinguish between crawlers and users with high accuracy. We have completed our technology transfer, and the social networking site is currently running PUB-CRAWL in production.
Military medical services in the Crimea—a defence

The past becomes a jumbled and meaningless series of incidents unless placed within a relevant context. John Bennett argues that before we make rash generahsations concerning the candi‐tion of the medical services in the Crimea, we must first examine the state of contemporary civilian hospitals, which obviously practised. without wartime con‐straints. While we remember the appalling, reputation of Scutari and Florence ‘Nightingale's revolutionary impact, less well known are other innovations and preparations, such as Brunel's pre‐fabricated hospital at Renkioi and the building of rail lines specifically for casualry evacua‐tion, which the author here high‐lights. He concludes with the wish that this delicate balancing act between civilian and military medical needs should somehow be achieved, not least for the sake of the soldier.
Ultrastructural study on nuclear-cytoplasmic relationships in oocytes of the African lungfish. Protopterus aethiopicus. I. Nucleolo-cytoplasmic pathways.

Growing oocytes of Protopterus, like those of some amphibians and teleosts, show an impressive development of the nucleolar apparatus. Numerous nucleolus-like bodies establish close spatial relationships with the nuclear envelope by extending pedicels and streams of finely dispersed material towards the inner membrane.
Mammalian cells lack checkpoints for tetraploidy, aberrant centrosome number, and cytokinesis failure

Mammalian cells have been reported to have a p53-dependent tetraploidy checkpoint that blocks cell cycle progression in G1 in response to failure of cell division. In most cases where the tetraploidy checkpoint has been observed cell division was perturbed by anti-cytoskeleton drug treatments. However, other evidence argues against the existence of a tetraploidy checkpoint. Cells that have failed to divide differ from normal cells in having two nuclei, two centrosomes, a decreased surface to volume ratio, and having undergone an abortive cytokinesis. We tested each of these to determine which, if any, cause a G1 cell cycle arrest. Primary human diploid fibroblasts with intact cell cycle checkpoints were used in all experiments. Synchronized cells exhibited G1 arrest in response to division failure caused by treatment with either cytochalasin or the myosin II inhibitor blebbistatin. The role of tetraploidy, aberrant centrosome number, and increased cell size were tested by cell/cell and cell/cytoplast fusion experiments; none of these conditions resulted in G1 arrest. Instead we found that various drug treatments of the cells resulted in cellular damage, which was the likely cause of the arrest. When cytokinesis was blocked in the absence of damage-inducing drug treatments no G1 arrest was observed. We show that neither tetraploidy, aberrant centrosome number, cell size, nor failure of cytokinesis lead to G1 arrest, suggesting that there is no tetraploidy checkpoint. Rather, certain standard synchronization treatments cause damage that is the likely cause of G1 arrest. Since tetraploid cells can cycle when created with minimal manipulation, previous reports of a tetraploidy checkpoint can probably be explained by side effects of the drug treatments used to observe them.
Cognitive robots: perceptual associative memory and learning

In this position paper we attempt to derive an architecture and mechanism for perceptual associative memory and learning for software agents and cognitive robots from what is known, or believed, about the same faculties in human and other animal cognition. Based on that of the IDA model of global workspace theory, a conceptual and computational model of cognition, this architecture, together with its mechanisms, offers the real possibility of autonomous software agents and cognitive robots learning their own ontologies during a developmental period. Thus the onerous chore of designing and implementing such an ontology can be avoided.
Fungi Isolated from Flue-cured Tobacco at Time of Sale and After Storage

The fungi isolated from 100 samples of flue-cured tobacco from 12 markets in 2 tobacco belts comprised 11 genera, including 10 species of Aspergillus. The mean percentage per sample isolated from 62 samples of tobacco from Middle Belt markets was Alternaria, 40.6%; Aspergillus niger, 47.8%; Aspergillus repens, 38.0%; and Penicillium, 25.8%. The mean percentage per sample isolated from 38 samples of tobacco from Old Belt markets was Alternaria, 74.0%; Penicillium, 52.5%; Aspergillus repens, 38.0%; and Aspergillus ruber, 36.2%. Damaged (74 samples) and nondamaged (26 samples) stored tobacco yielded species of six genera of fungi, including eight species of Aspergillus. Species of Aspergillus and Penicillium were commonly isolated from both damaged and nondamaged tobacco, whereas species of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Rhizopus were isoalted more frequently from nondamaged tobacco. The fungi that occurred in the highest population in damaged tobacco were Aspergillus repens, A. niger, A. ruber, and Penicillium species.
The Effects of Cable Clustering on the Flow of Cable Programming Networks

Over the past two decades, the horizontal concentration of most media distribution markets at the national level has increased, and the same is true for the multi-channel video programming distribution (MVPD) market as well. In particular, regional concentration or clustering (the combination of geographically contiguous cable systems) in the cable TV market was typical after the 1990s, because it enabled cable operators to take advantage of the economies of scale to provide a full range of digital and broadband services. As a result, in 2008 87.5% (50.7 million) of all basic cable TV subscribers were served by cable systems within clusters, with the average size of each of those clusters consisting of 600,000 subscribers.Theoretically, clustering itself allows cable operators to offer more cable programming through economies of scale (the “pro-competitive” effect). However, when regional concentration is combined with vertical integration, the incentives of vertically integrated MSOs to favor carrying their own affiliated cable network may increase while, at the same time, the incentives to foreclose a rival network increase (the “anti-competitive” effect). Therefore, such a combination of concentration and integration may also serve to strengthen the foreclosure strategy of a vertically structured MSO. In order to empirically test the effect of cable clustering, this study analyze the carriage decisions of vertically integrated and regionally concentrated MSOs regarding affiliated or rival cable networks, primarily using a 2009 Warrens Publishing’s Television and Cable Factbook database. It was found that the vertical favoritism of vertically integrated MSOs still remains; however, the increase in regional concentration may serve to mitigate this vertical favoritism. Note: This study has not been presented or published at anywhere.Biography: Sung Wook Ji is a fixed-term assistant professor in the department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media at Michigan State University. His primary research interests center on the social and economic impact of new media technology on the media industry and its policy implications. Specifically, his research focuses on the new media technologies (Internet and IPTV) and how those technologies have changed our society from the perspective of Economics.
Development of Antimalaria Immunity in Mice Lacking Ifn-Gamma Receptor

IFN-gamma receptor deficient (IFN-gamma R-/-) mice, immunized with different developmental stages of malaria parasites, were used to define the mechanisms of protection against the various stages of this infection. IFN-gamma R-/- mice failed to develop protective immunity against Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites or liver stages, upon immunization with a single dose of irradiated sporozoites, whereas in immunized wild-type mice, parasite development was strongly inhibited. Immunized wild-type mice expressed high levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in their liver, upon challenge with viable sporozoites, whereas only background levels of iNOS were detected in immunized IFN-gamma R-/- mice. In contrast, after immunization with multiple doses of irradiated sporozoites, both IFN-gamma R-/- and wild-type mice mounted an immune response, which strongly inhibited the development of liver stage parasites. In both types of mice, protection occurred in the absence of appreciable expression of liver iNOS mRNA. As for the course of the erythrocytic phase of infection by nonlethal malaria species, P. yoelii yoelii and P. chabaudi adami, we observed only a moderately prolonged parasitemia in IFN-gamma R-/- mice compared with wild-type mice, indicating that IFN-gamma may only play a modest role in immunity against erythrocytic stages. These results indicate that IFN-gamma is the main mediator of the protective mechanism that develops first upon immunization with sporozoites. However, the nature of the anti-parasite mechanism(s) changes in the course of immunization, so that multiple immunizing doses elicit additional protective mechanisms, which are independent of IFN-gamma and its receptor.
Protective effect of vitamin E on exercise-induced oxidative damage in young and older adults.

The protective effect of vitamin E supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative damage was tested in 21 male volunteers. Nine young (22-29 yr) and 12 older (55-74 yr) sedentary male subjects parti...
Some Properties of the Delay Probability in M/M/s/s+c Systems

We look at an extension of the steady state delay probability inM/M/s/s +c systems to nonintegral number of serverss and queue capacityc, which we call GED function. We show that this function is increasing and concave in the queue capacity. We find that if c ⩾ 1, the reciprocal of the GED function is convex in the traffic intensity and the GED function is increasing in the traffic intensity ρ if ρ is below some ρ*s,c, and decreasing if ρ is greater than ρ*s,c, Moreover, ρ*s,c is increasing in the number of servers and, fors ⩾ 1, ρ*i,c=1 ⩽ p*s,c< 2.
Gastric volvulus complicating left hepatic lobectomy

A 9-month-old male infant underwent a left hepatic lobectomy for hepatoblastoma. Gastric volvulus developed postoperatively and was corrected at a second laparotomy. Although left hepatic lobectomy is not an uncommon surgical procedure, this may be the first documented case of gastric volvulus complicating such a procedure.
A comparison of several approximations to the lead time demand distribution

Abstract Several distributions have been used for approximating the lead time demand distribution in inventory systems. We compare five distributions, the normal, the logistic, the lognormal, the gamma and the Weibull for obtaining the expected number of back orders, the reorder levels to have a given protection and the optimal order quantity, reorder levels in continuous review models of ( Q, r ) type. The normal and the logistic distributions are inadequate to represent the situations where the coefficient of variation (the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean) of the lead time demand distribution is large. The lognormal, the gamma and the Weibull distributions are versatile and adequate; however the lognormal seems to be a viable candidate because of its computational simplicity.
Book Review: Partial Breast Reconstruction: Techniques in Oncoplastic Surgery

Albert Losken, MD, FACS Moustapha Hamdi, MD, PhD, FCCP, Editors. Partial Breast Reconstruction: Techniques in Oncoplastic Surgery. St. Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing, 2009 ISBN: 576262839 ![][1] This book, Partial Breast Reconstruction: Techniques in Oncoplastic Surgery , is the first of its kind. As such, it completes the spectrum of key publications on breast reconstructive surgery. The ultimate desired outcome of breast reconstructive surgery is always to provide the best disease control in concert with excellent aesthetics. With this in mind, larger partial mastectomy resections have been combined with partial mastectomy reconstruction, leading to the field of oncoplastic surgery. The concept of oncoplastic surgery has previously been more readily … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Distribution of a “mutarotase” activity in rat tissues and possible function in active transport of sugars

Abstract Homogenates of rat kidney, liver, intestine, stomach, lung, spleen, heart, brain, diaphragm and skeletal muscle were prepared both in EDTA and phosphate buffers. “Mutarotase” (EC 5.1.3.3) and lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) activity were measured on the supernatant solutions following centrifugation. Mutarotase activity was highest in those tissues capable of active sugar transport. Enzyme from 1 g kidney cortex converted 380 mg of α to β-glucose per min. There was no correlation between either mutarotase, lactate dehydrogenase activity or Q -glucose values for the tissues, suggesting that enzyme is not involved merely as a component of normal glucose metabolism. Kidney, liver and small-intestinal homogenates were separated into nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal and supernatant fractions in 0.2 M sucrose. Mutarotase activity was concentrated almost exclusively in supernatant fraction. Results are discussed in terms of a function for mutarotase protein as the hypothetical sugar “carrier” molecule of active transport theory.
Surface thermal lensing technique: a novel tool for studying contamination effects on optical components

Contamination-induced degradation of optics often leads to enhanced absorption, which presents a serious limit for many important applications, especially those associated with high power laser systems and/or large aperture components. For this reason many different techniques were developed during the last decade for weak absorption studies, which include laser calorimetry, photoacoustic spectroscopy, as well as various photothermal techniques. In this paper recent progress is presented for the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique, a novel photothermal method which is demonstrated to be an ultra-sensitive tool for monitoring contamination effects on optical components. Compared with the various conventional photothermal methods, such as the photothermal deflection technique, STL drastically reduces the experimental complexity but retains the advantages of being sensitive, accurate and non-contact, and capable of in-situ monitoring of optical absorption down to the sub-ppm level. Experimental data with emphasis on absorption measurements and contamination studies of optical thin films are presented.
Theory of Mode Separation in a Coaxial Oscillator

The problem of separating the first and third modes of oscillation in a standard coaxial oscillator is considered. It is shown that the mode separation (the difference in the settings of one of the two resonant sections for the two modes) increases with the difference between the products of terminating capacitance and characteristic impedance for the two sections. The mode separation is seen to vary quite slowly as a function of frequency.
Chimeric Antigen Receptors Combining 4-1BB and CD28 Signaling Domains Augment PI3kinase/AKT/Bcl-XL Activation and CD8+ T Cell–mediated Tumor Eradication

To enhance the strength of activation afforded by tumor antigen-specific receptors, we investigated the effect of adding combined CD28 and 4-1BB costimulatory signaling domains to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Having transferred receptors encompassing the CD28, 4-1BB, and/or CD3ζ cytoplasmic domains in primary human CD8+ T cells, we find that the P28BBz receptor, which includes all three signaling domains, is superior to receptors that only include one or two of these domains in promoting cytokine release, in vivo T-cell survival and tumor elimination following intravenous T-cell administration to tumor-bearing severe combined immunodeficient (SCID)/beige mice. Upon in vitro exposure to PSMA, the P28BBZ receptor-induced the strongest PI3Kinase/Akt activation and Bcl-XL expression, and the least apoptosis in transduced peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. These findings further support the concept of integrating optimized costimulatory properties into recombinant antigen receptors to augment the survival and function of genetically targeted T cells within the tumor microenvironment.
Redox state of glutathione and thioredoxin in differentiation and apoptosis.

Glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (Trx), the two major biological thiol-disulfide redox systems, provide overlapping but complementary functions with respect to detoxification and maintenance of the intracellular redox state. GSH, in conjunction with GSH reductase, GSH-S-transferase, glutaredoxin, and NADPH, provides protection against a wide variety of oxidants and electrophiles. Likewise, Trx provides protection against oxidative stress through its interactions with Trx reductase, peroxiredoxins, and NADPH. GSH is present in millimolar concentrations within cells, and thus has a high capacity for detoxification. Trx, on the other hand, is present in micromolar concentrations, and, therefore, has a lower capacity than GSH for detoxification and repair. However, because Trx contains two cysteines in its active site, Trx is more suited than GSH for 2-electron reduction of proteins, as occurs in the reduction of protein disulfides. Thus, the high capacity of GSH and the efficiency of Trx complement one another in maintenance of thiol-disulfide redox environments. During recent years, considerable evidence has accumulated to show that redox signaling mechanisms function in cell regulation and growth control. Agents altering GSH concentration affect transcription of detoxification enzymes, cell proliferation and apoptosis [1]. In principle, either GSH, GSH S-conjugates, GSSG or the redox state of the GSH/GSSG couple could provide a mechanistic control or signal for functional changes. Both GSH loss and GSH oxidation have been associated with increased expression of the rate-limiting enzyme of GSH synthesis, glutamate:cysteine ligase (GLCL), and several other detoxification systems, including glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (N:QR). A loss or oxidation of GSH also occurs in association with differentiation both in vitro and in vivo and during apoptosis. In contrast, increases in GSH and/or a reduction of the GSH/GSSG pool are associated with growth stimulation by nutrients and growth factors. Thus, the balance of GSH and GSSG may not only reflect oxidative stress but also may reflect changes in redox signaling and control. Less is known about how the redox state of thioredoxin is maintained and the influence of Trx redox on cellular functions. In vitro assays have clearly shown that the oxidized and reduced forms of Trx
On the Nonlinear Relationship between kobs and Reductant Mass Loading in Iron Batch Systems

A first-order relationship between reaction rate and reductant loading is commonly invoked (but rarely verified) for granular iron batch systems. In this study, a linear relationship between the pseudo-first-order rate constant (kobs) for polyhalogenated alkane reduction and iron mass loading (ρm) was only obtained when reduction appeared to be mass-transport-limited. For most alkyl polyhalides, a nonlinear relationship was observed under various experimental conditions, causing surface-area-normalized rate constants (kSA) to decrease by as much as an order of magnitude with increasing ρm. While a detailed explanation for this nonlinearity remains unclear, the reaction order in ρm (from plots of log(kobs) versus log(ρm)) approached unity as the system pH decreased, suggesting that the behavior may be linked to changes in the thickness of a passive oxide overlayer. We obtained strong linear correlations between kobs values and the concentration of aqueous iron(II) generated over a 24 h period in batch syst...
Soil-mediated effects of atmospherically deposited sulphur and nitrogen

The soil mediates both terrestrial and aquatic effects of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition in a number of ways. Atmospherically deposited S in excess of biological requirements often accumulates by SO 2- 4 adsorption onto Fe and Al oxides in highly weathered soils, causing the release of OH - , which can neutralize incoming H + , or an increase in cation exchange capacity. Atmospherically deposited N seldom exceeds biological requirements; when it does, NO - 3 is rapidly leached since no adsorption reactions analogous to those for sulphate exist. When the biological and adsorption capacities are exceeded, cation leaching is accelerated by the mobile SO 2- 4 or NO - 3 anions. The effects of this increased cation leaching must be assessed within the context of natural processes of cation removal such as leaching by internally produced carbonic, organic or (occasionally) nitric acid; natural atmospheric S inputs; and cation export by vegetation harvest. The proportion of individual cations available for leaching is regulated by soil exchange processes and biological demand, both of which tend to minimize the losses of those particular cations most tightly bound and, or, in shortest supply. The ultimate effects of atmospheric S and N deposition will be highly site-specific in nature, depending on both inherent site characteristics and amounts and duration of atmospheric inputs. Thus, benefits of S or N deposition may outweigh negative effects in some sites, whereas the reverse may be true for other sites, making broad, global generalizations hazardous.
Functional Domains of Human RAP74 Including a Masked Polymerase Binding Domain

RAP74, the large subunit of human transcription factor IIF (TFIIF), has been analyzed by deletion mutagenesis and in vitro assays to map functional domains. Tight binding to the RAP30 subunit involves amino acids between positions 1-172. Amino acids 1-205 are minimally sufficient to stimulate accurate transcription from the adenovirus major late promoter in an extract system, although C-terminal sequences contribute to activity. A partially masked RNA polymerase II binding domain has been mapped to the C-terminal region of the protein (amino acids 363-444). Sequences near the N terminus and within the central portion of RAP74 affect accessibility of this domain. Extending this domain to 363-486 creates a peptide that binds polymerase and DNA and inhibits transcription initiation in vitro from non-promoter DNA sites. This larger C-terminal domain may modify polymerase interaction with template during initiation and/or elongation of RNA chains.
Architectural Trends in the Human Normal and Bicuspid Aortic Valve Leaflet and Its Relevance to Valve Disease

The bicuspid aortic valve (AV) is the most common cardiac congenital anomaly and has been found to be a significant risk factor for developing calcific AV disease. However, the mechanisms of disease development remain unclear. In this study we quantified the structure of human normal and bicuspid leaflets in the early disease stage. From these individual leaflet maps average fiber structure maps were generated using a novel spline based technique. Interestingly, we found statistically different and consistent regional structures between the normal and bicuspid valves. The regularity in the observed microstructure was a surprising finding, especially for the pathological BAV leaflets and is an essential cornerstone of any predictive mathematical models of valve disease. In contrast, we determined that isolated valve interstitial cells from BAV leaflets show the same in vitro calcification pathways as those from the normal AV leaflets. This result suggests the VICs are not intrinsically different when isolated, and that external features, such as abnormal microstructure and altered flow may be the primary contributors in the accelerated calcification experienced by BAV patients.
Maximal local symmetry

Abstract Nature appears to gauge only a small subgroup of the available global symmetry. For a given number of fermion fields we determine the maximal simple subgroup of the global group which can be gauged so that the resulting theory is free from anomalies and bare masses.
TOWARD UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF STARK EFFECTS WHEN PROBING THE NUCLEAR HYPERFINE STATES OF ATOMIC HYDROGEN

Abstract A variation on velocity-aligned Doppler spectroscopy is used to probe the nuclear hyperfine states of atomic hydrogen resulting from the 193 nm photodissociation of HBr. By utilizing 1 + 1 resonance-enhanced ionization through the Lyman-α transition along with a novel experimental approach, one can observe the onset of Stark effects that come about because of the modest electric field present in the ionization region of the mass spectrometer. A straightforward theoretical treatment is used to address the observed behavior.
Informational Energy Flow As an Aspect of Protozoan Nutrition

SYNOPSIS The time is ripe for protozoan ecologists to begin the general evaluation of the role of food quality in the energy transformations and materials flow in food webs involving protozoa and other small organisms. Current evidence suggests that major pathways of energy flow at any particular time depend upon the matches between prey species and consumers. There are 2 components to food quality related (informational) energy flow: (a) the information present in the molecular constitution of the prey; and (b) the ability of the protozoa to recognize and use it. If the evidence obtained from trophodynamic studies of 2 marine ciliates, Uronema marinum Dujardin and Euplotes vannus Muller indicates a generalized ability of protozoa to regulate catabolic reactions to points which optimize energetic gains from their food, then it may be one of the keys to the evolutionary successes of the group.
Interprofessional education for interprofessional practice about patients' decision support/patients' decision aids.

This editorial accompanies a set of manuscripts that are devoted to a common theme: the design, implementation, and evaluation of interprofessional education programs about providing patients with ...
Management of preoperatively suspected choledocholithiasis: a decision analysis.

Background The management of symptomatic or incidentally discovered common bile duct (CBD) stones is still controversial. Of patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, 5–15% will also harbor CBD stones, and those with symptoms suggestive of choledocholithiasis will have an even higher incidence. Options for treatment include preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy (ERCP/ES) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram (LC/IOC), followed by either laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) or placement of a common bile duct double-lumen catheter with postoperative management. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the optimal management of such patients.
Excitons in Metals

It is shown that exciton states exist in metals, occurring near the interband threshold in optical absorption and substantially altering the shape and strength of the absorption edge. Their relation to the corresponding donor states is discussed.
Partitioning of Pb between volcanic glass and coexisting sanidine and plagioclase feldspars

Abstract Pb contents were determined by isotope dilution in separated glass, sanidine, and plagioclase from 18 rocks ranging in composition from basalt to rhyolite. These data indicate that Pb is partitioned into silicate melt relative to plagioclase, but is equally distributed between melt and sanidine. Plagioclase/glass distribution coefficients increase from 0.1 to 0.7 in going from basalt to rhyolite. This relationship suggests that the distribution coefficient is dependent upon bulk composition, temperature, or both. Sanidine/glass distribution coefficients are close to unity in rocks ranging in composition from quartz latite to rhyolite. The variation in Pb contents in a natural magma series from Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, indicates that minerals (olivine, plagioclase, magnetite, apatite and clinopyroxene) fractionated from these magmas all have very low crystal/liquid distribution coefficients for Pb.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF PARTIALLY DEGRADED TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS.

Abstract Electron microscopy of purified preparations of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) that had been treated with phenol revealed particles from which the protein had been stripped from one end only, particles from which the protein had been removed from both ends, particles from which protein had been removed from one or more places in the middle of the rod, and still other particles from which no protein at all had been removed. It appears, therefore, that degradation of TMV by phenol occurs in a random fashion along the virus rod. Numerous long ribonucleic acid threads were found in all preparations. Some of the partially degraded virus particles were approximately 3000 A long and 200 A wide. The exposed nucleic acid of such particles was approximately 66 A wide. Partially degraded preparations were about 1 200 as infectious as the intact virus, and when such preparations were incubated with ribonuclease the infectivity was almost completely lost.