cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-acting neuromuscular paralysis without concurrent sedation in emergency care

Abstract Objective Neuromuscular paralysis without sedation is an avoidable medical error with negative psychologic and potentially physiologic consequences. We determine the frequency of long-acting paralysis without concurrent sedation among patients intubated in our emergency department (ED) or before arrival. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study from July 2007 to August 2009. We chose this time interval because in 2006, our institution developed a multidisciplinary plan designed to improve care of intubated patients. We identified all mechanically ventilated patients using billing codes. We reviewed all records to identify use of long-acting neuromuscular blocking agents. We captured data on patient characteristics and location of intubation, using a standardized data collection form. We report bivariate risk ratios to quantify associations with lack of concurrent sedation. A priori, we defined concurrent sedation as administration of any sedative during the 60 minutes preceding and the 15 minutes after administration of the long-acting paralytic. Results Over the 26-month period of study, 292 patients received a long-acting paralytic. Of the 212 available for analysis, 39 (18%) did not receive concurrent sedation. Every decade of age increased the risk of paralysis without concurrent sedation by 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.4). Paralysis for intubation (vs for transport or ventilation management) increased the odds of no sedation by 2.1 (95% CI, 1.2-3.7). No other covariates predicted nonsedation. Conclusion Absence of concurrent sedation was common among patients receiving long-acting neuromuscular paralysis before arrival or at our ED, despite implementation of a guideline to improve practice.
DRUG INDUCED PHOSPHOLIPIDOSIS: AN ACQUIRED LYSOSOMAL STORAGE DISORDER

There is a strong association between lysosome enzyme deficiencies and monogenic disorders resulting in lysosomal storage disease. Of the more than 75 characterized lysosomal proteins, two thirds are directly linked to inherited diseases of metabolism. Only one lysosomal storage disease, Niemann-Pick disease, is associated with impaired phospholipid metabolism. However, other phospholipases are found in the lysosome but remain poorly characterized. A recent exception is lysosomal phospholipase A2 (group XV phospholipase A2). Although no inherited disorder of lysosomal phospholipid metabolism has yet been associated with a loss of function of this lipase, this enzyme may be a target for an acquired form of lysosomal storage, drug induced phospholipidosis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.
Dinuclear and Tetranuclear Gold-Nitrogen Complexes. Solvent Influences on Oxidation and Nuclearity of Gold Guanidinate Derivatives

The sodium salt of the Hhpp ligand, Hhpp = 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine, a 6,6 bicyclic, guanidine system, reacts with (THT)AuCl (THT = tetrahydrothiophene) in THF or CH2Cl2 to form the Au(II) complex, [Au2(hpp)2Cl2]. The Au(II) complex forms either by oxidation with solvents such as CH2Cl2 or disproportionation of Au(I) with concomitant Au(0) formation. The reaction in ethanol gives the colorless tetranuclear Au(I) complex, [Au4(hpp)4]. The tbo ligand, Htbo = 1,4,6-triazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-ene a bicyclic 5,5 guanidine system, behaved differently from the hpp ligand, and only the colorless tetranuclear gold complex, [Au4(tbo)4], formed in THF, CH2Cl2, or ethanol. The X-ray structure of the oxidized species, [Au2(hpp)2Cl2], shows a Au(II)−Au(II) distance of 2.4752(9) A, the shortest gold−gold bond reported prior to the characterization here of the [(PhCOO)6Au4(hpp)2Ag2], Au(II)−Au(II) = 2.4473(19) A. A preliminary description of the formation of this material, obtained by reacting [A...
Filipino Self-Help and Peacemaking Strategies: A View from the Mindanao Hinterland

Building upon field research, two predictably allied features of Philippine society are explored: the time-honored patterns of neighborhood or village cooperation (self-help) long associated with Filipino culture and character, and the continuing emergence of citizen volunteer security organizations. A variety of informal features of self-help are described along with variously formalized and official networks of social control. How these security and peacemaking activities fluctuate but persist in a turbulent socio-political setting is discussed.
Electroretinogram Interpretation in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

The authors report electroretinogram (ERG) data from the initial clinic visit of 39 patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). No patient had signs of neovascular complications or had received treatment at the time of the ERG examination. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare effectiveness of the 4 ERG parameters (Rmax, Log K, b/a wave ratio, and 30 Hz implicit time) in separating those patients who went on to iris neovascularization from those who did not. Rmax is the maximum saturated b-wave amplitude and Log K is the half saturation constant of the Naka-Rushton curve fit to the intensity response data. Discriminant scores, derived using multiple discriminant analysis, were calculated for the total patient groups, CRVO eye alone, and intereye difference. These scores also were compared with the four individual ERG parameters using ROC analysis. Parameters based on amplitude of ERG response, Rmax, and b/a wave ratio are as effective predictors of neovascular response as those interpreted as indicators of retinal sensitivity, such as 30Hz implicit time or Log K. The authors present evidence that loss of b-wave amplitude is not necessarily associated with irreversible loss of inner retinal function.
Peripheral antinociceptive effects of low doses of naloxone in an in vivo and in vitro model of trigeminal nociception

Abstract Naloxone has been used to antagonize opioid effects for many years, even though at low doses it can exert antinociceptive effects. This ‘paradoxical’ analgesia has been detected after systemic administration of naloxone given alone or in combination with opioid drugs. In the present study, we investigated possible peripheral antinociceptive effects of low doses of naloxone using both an in vivo and in vitro model of trigeminal nociception. Low doses of naloxone injected locally into the rat wiskerpad elicited antinociceptive activity in the rat orofacial formalin test. The block of primary afferents with local administration of capsaicin suggested that naloxone acts both directly on sensory neurons and indirectly, by modulating the inflammatory component of the second phase of formalin test. Naloxone analgesia is maintained in rats made tolerant to the μ-receptor agonist DAMGO, suggesting the involvement of δ- and κ-opioid receptors. Subsequently, the effects of very low doses of naloxone were tested in primary cultures of rat trigeminal neurons activated with bradykinin, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of action underlying naloxone antinociceptive effects. Naloxone inhibited bradykinin-evoked CGRP release in two different experimental paradigms, i.e. primed and unprimed cultures, acting at the level of δ- and κ-opioids receptors. These results suggest that low doses of naloxone can directly modulate the activation of the trigeminal neurons by modulating the activity of specific opioid receptors, and this effect may be clinically relevant in combined therapies where an increased analgesic effect is sought through the potentiation of peripheral mechanisms.
Gingival fluid in relation to tooth mobility and occlusal interferences.

E X P E R I M E N T A L E V I D E N C E suggests that the flow of gingival fluid may be related to: clinical gingival inflammation, 1 , 6 , 7 1 8 histologic gingival inflammation, 9 , 1 0 , 11,18 pocket depth, mechanical stimulation or toothbrushi n g , 8 , 1 9 , 2 0 , 2 1 chewing, 1 7 , 2 0 , 2 2 , d i e t , 9 , 1 2 , 2 3 , 2 4 intracrevicular scraping, 2 1 scaling, 1 0 sex hormones, 2 5 2 9 enzymes, 3 0 , 3 1 histamine, 8 , 3 2 circadian periodicity, 3 3 restorative procedures, 4 , 3 5 and wound heal ing . 3 6 , 3 7 It is obvious that the results can vary with the method of sampling the gingival fluid. In normal gingivae it is apparently easy to obtain fluid samples when the paper strips are inserted into the crevice, but fluid is seldom obtained when the strips are placed just at the or i f ice . 7 , 3 2
[M+11]+. and [M+11]−. ions in the nitrogen positive and negative ion chemical ionization mass spectra of aromatic amines

The N2 negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectra of aniline, aminonaphthalenes, aminobiphenyls and aminoanthracenes show an unexpected addition appearing at [M + 11]−˙. This addition is also observed in the N2 positive chemical ionization (PCI) mass spectra. An ion at [M – 15]− is found in the NICI spectra of aminoaromatics such as aniline, 1- and 2-aminonaphthalene and 1- and 2-aminoanthracene. Ion formation was studied using labeled reagents, variation of ion source pressure and temperature and examination of ion chromatograms. These experiments indicate that the [M + 11]−˙, [M – 15]−˙ and [M + 11]+˙ ions result from the ionization of analytes altered by surface-assisted reactions. Experiments with 15N2, [15N] aniline, [2,3,4,5,6-2H5] aniline and [13C6] aniline show that the [M + 11]−˙ ion corresponds to [M + N – 3H]−˙. The added nitrogen originates from the N2 buffer gas and the addition occurs with loss of one ring and two amino group hydrogens. Fragmentation patterns in the N2 PCI mass spectrum of aniline suggest that the neutral product of the surface-assisted reaction is 1,4-dicyanobuta-1,3-diene. Experiments with diamino-substituted aromatics show analogous reactions resulting in the formation of [M – 4H]−˙ ions for aromatics with ortho-amino groups. Experiments with methylsubstituted aminoaromatics indicate that unsubstituted sites ortho to the amino group facilitate nitrogen addition, and that methyl groups provide additional sites for nitrogen addition.
Activation of the cytoplasmic c-Abl tyrosine kinase by reactive oxygen species.

The ubiquitously expressed c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase localizes to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. The nuclear form of c-Abl is activated in the cellular response to genotoxic stress. Here we show that cytoplasmic c-Abl is activated by oxidative stress. The results also demonstrate that mitochondrial cytochrome c is released in the cellular response to H2O2 and that this effect is mediated by a c-Abl-dependent mechanism. In concert with these results, we show that H2O2-induced apoptosis is attenuated in c-Abl-deficient cells. These findings demonstrate that cytoplasmic c-Abl is involved in the apoptotic response of cells to oxidative stress.
In-place differential file compression of nonaligned files with applications to file distribution, backups, and string similarity

We consider in-place differential file compression; that is, compressing a file T of size n with respect to an existing file S of size m, where decompression is in-place by overwriting S with T, using at most MAX(m,n)+O(1) space. In previous work we presented the IPSW algorithm (in-place sliding window). IPSW is fast and the compression achieved compares well with other existing methods, including those that are not in-place. IPSW is most effective when S and T are reasonably well aligned (most large common substrings occur in approximately the same order). Here we present a preprocessing step for string alignment that can be employed when the encoder determines significant gains will be achieved.
Methods for identifying and assessing groups in health behavioral research

Methods to study groups developed in other fields have much to contribute to the study of health behavior, including alcohol and substance use. This paper surveys group methods in order to demonstrate how attention to group levels of analysis can provide new insights about the context and causes of health behavior. The first major section of this paper focuses on the influences on health behavior associated with "naturally occurring groups" such as peer networks, families, workplaces, neighborhoods, churches, treatment groups and residential settings. Different aspects of group influence are discussed in terms of seven different features of social groups: history, structure, function, resources, process, norms and climate. The second major part of this paper is concerned with methods to identify meaningful subgroups in heterogeneous samples. Following an overview of taxonomic methods to identify and assign cases to groups, we highlight the potential for these methods to help address a number of fundamental theoretical problems in health behavioral research, including: describing cultural diversity, distinguishing response sets in survey research, controlling error in outcomes scores related to baseline differences, tracking trajectories of change, and revealing interactions among determinants of health behavior. The third and final section of the paper highlights specific applications of taxonomic and group-influence methodologies in intervention research, including design and analysis of randomized trials, studies of existing treatment settings and group-level variables involved in translational research.
Regulation of the mpt Operon in Listeria innocua by the ManR Protein

The phosphotransferase system regulation domain (PRD)-containing activator, ManR, is required for glucose-controlled transcription of the mannose permease two (mpt) operon in Listeria innocua. His-871 in ManR PRD-II is needed for mpt repression in glucose-free media. His-506 in PRD-I is needed for mpt induction by glucose.
Energy metabolism of protozoa without mitochondria.

INTRODUCTION .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... ..... . . . . . . . . . . GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS . GLyCOLySIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . METABOLISM OF PYRUVATE BY DECARBOXYLATION . Oxidation of Pyruvate to Acetyl Coenzyme A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Acetate ai1d Butyrate Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethanol Formation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELECTRON TRANSFER . General Comments and Electron Carriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transfer of Electrons to Organic Acceptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . �::����,:���������. :::::: : : : : : ::::: : : : : : : : : :: ::::: : : : : : : : : : : : ::::::::::: : : : : : : : : : : : : :::: : : : : : : : Reduction of Nitro-Derivatives Active Against Anaerobic Microorganisms . . . . . . . . . . . HYDROGENOSOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . ... ..... .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . EVOLUTIONARY CONSIDERATIONS . CONCLUSIONS .
3-Dimensional Echocardiography and Its Role in Preoperative Mitral Valve Evaluation

Echocardiography plays a key role in the preoperative evaluation of mitral valve disease. 3-dimensional echocardiography is a relatively new development that is being used more and more frequently in the evaluation of these patients. This article reviews the available literature comparing the use of this new technology to classic techniques in the assessment of mitral valve pathology. The authors also review some of the novel insights learned from 3-dimensional echocardiography and how they may be used in surgical decision making and planning.
DIFFUSIVITY OF STARCHY ENDOSPERM AND BRAN OF FRESH AND REWETTED RICE

Mathematical equations based on Fick's law of diffusion were used to model the thin-layer drying of rewetted white and brown rice. Diffusivities of the starchy endosperm and bran were determined by minimizing the sum of squared deviations between the theoretically predicted and observed drying curves. Diffusion coefficients calculated for the rewetted materials were compared to those reported for fresh materials and found to be statistically equivalent. Volumetric data for white and brown rice were collected for use in specifying the mathematical models.
Differential roles of kinesin and dynein in translocation of neurofilaments into axonal neurites

Neurofilament (NF) subunits translocate within axons as short NFs, non-filamentous punctate structures (‘puncta’) and diffuse material that might comprise individual subunits and/or oligomers. Transport of NFs into and along axons is mediated by the microtubule (MT) motor proteins kinesin and dynein. Despite being characterized as a retrograde motor, dynein nevertheless participates in anterograde NF transport through associating with long MTs or the actin cortex through its cargo domain; relatively shorter MTs associated with the motor domain are then propelled in an anterograde direction, along with any linked NFs. Here, we show that inhibition of dynein function, through dynamitin overexpression or intracellular delivery of anti-dynein antibody, selectively reduced delivery of GFP-tagged short NFs into the axonal hillock, with a corresponding increase in the delivery of puncta, suggesting that dynein selectively delivered short NFs into axonal neurites. Nocodazole-mediated depletion of short MTs had the same effect. By contrast, intracellular delivery of anti-kinesin antibody inhibited anterograde transport of short NFs and puncta to an equal extent. These findings suggest that anterograde axonal transport of linear NFs is more dependent upon association with translocating MTs (which are themselves translocated by dynein) than is transport of NF puncta or oligomers.
Enhanced broadband performance of thick CP patch antennas: A novel annular gap capacitor design

Traditional probe-fed CP patch antennas are attractive design candidates due to their simplicity and intuitive design strategy, but unfortunately they suffer from narrow axial ratio (AR) and S 11 bandwidths (<;2%). In this paper, we enhance the AR-S 11 bandwidth through the utilization of thick substrates in combination with a novel annular gap capacitor to compensate for the feed reactance. Without the annular gap, thick substrates can increase the AR bandwidth, but the impedance matching within this band is severely degraded due to the inductive feed reactance. This paper demonstrates the annular gap design on the popular truncated corner patch antenna, although the annular gap concept can be easily applied to other traditional CP patch designs. A design prototype is demonstrated, with a measured AR-S 11 bandwidth of 5% for a substrate height of 0.08λ 0 . To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first time that an annular gap in conjunction with thick substrates has been used to enhance the AR-S 11 bandwidth of CP patches.
Facial and dental alterations according to the breathing pattern

There is controversy in the literature about possible interaction of the respiratory mode with the facial and dental structures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to perform a longitudinal assessment of the changes in facial and dental structures in Angle's Class II, division 1 malocclusion individuals, divided according to the respiratory pattern (predominantly nasal or mouth), at two distinct moments of craniofacial development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pogonium and nose measurements were made on the lateral cephalometric tracings (LS'-Pog', LS'-B', B'-Pog', Pog'-PogTeg', Line NB, Pog-NB, N'-Prn, Prn-NPog, N-Prn-Sn, Prn-Sn-LS). Dental measurements were made on the plaster models (distances between the tips of the canine cusps and the tips of mesial cusps of the first molars) of 40 individuals aged 10 to 14 years (moment 1) and 13 to 16 years (moment 2), 23 being nose breathers (NB) and 17 being predominantly mouth breathers (MB). RESULTS: The Student's-t test and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures were applied to indicate differences between the mean values of these variables according to the moments and/or respiratory mode. CONCLUSIONS: There were alterations in the facial measurements, without interference of the breathing pattern. However, the breathing pattern infuenced dental alterations.
Management of substance abuse

1. Caroline J. Barangan, MD* 2. Elizabeth M. Alderman, MD† 1. *Fellow, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics 2. †Associate Professor, Clinical Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Characterize the degree of use of illicit substances among adolescents. 2. Describe the most important treatment of substance abuse among adolescents. 3. Discuss the process required to make a diagnosis of substance abuse. 4. Explain the appropriate use of laboratory tests in the management of substance abuse. 5. Delineate the conditions for referral for treatment of an adolescent who is abusing drugs. Substance abuse among adolescents continues to be a serious problem. It affects all age groups, including the newborn of the addicted mother, the preadolescent exposed to various forms of drug use through the media, and the adolescent who is experimenting or addicted. Pediatricians can make a difference in the lives of all who are affected by substance abuse. First, they have an important responsibility in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of substance abuse. This should be fulfilled at every routine office visit with the preadolescent and adolescent and at prenatal visits with expectant parent(s). Second, they are role models and sources of information and support to patients and their families. Third, they can be leaders in their communities by participating in prevention programs that provide education in the schools. Some pediatricians may avoid dealing with this issue because they feel that they are not sufficiently knowledgeable. Many may be uncomfortable with this topic because they fear alienating the patient or the family. Some also may be in denial that substance abuse could be a problem in their patients. Because it is well known that the patterns of lifetime substance abuse are established during adolescence, the necessity of becoming educated in its management is apparent. To manage substance abuse properly in the individual patient, it is important to know about the epidemiology of cigarette, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Two national surveys often are …
Decomposition-Based Assembly Synthesis for Maximum Structural Strength and Modularity

This study presents a systematic decomposition process to carry out assembly synthesis as a tool during the conceptual design phase of a product. Two configurations obtained by structural topology optimization are decomposed automatically into assemblies consisting of multiple members with simpler geometries. Generating topology graphs for both products, the search for an optimal decomposition can then be posed as a graph partitioning problem. Considering the complexity and the corresponding computational overhead of the problem, a steady-state genetic algorithm is employed as the optimization method. The final objective function attempts to find a solution that brings about two structures with maximum structural strength, maximum assemblability, and one or more components that can be shared by both products. The software implementation is carried out and a bicycle frame design problem is solved using the procedure. It is observed that the algorithm manages to find an acceptable solution, allowing the commonality of one component in both end products and still maintaining a good structural strength and assemblability.
What Is in a Name? How Biomedical Language May Derail Patient Understanding of Hypertension

Despite major advances in treating hypertension, >50% of all individuals diagnosed with the condition remain in poor control. A fundamental issue may be that patients may not fully understand the meaning of the term hypertension or its cause, leading to poor adherence to medications and limiting other effective self-management behaviors. We posit that the word hypertension itself may contribute to these misunderstandings, particularly in regards to the role of stress in causing hypertension, which thus suggests stress management as a primary strategy for control. The word hypertension is often interpreted by patients to mean too much tension. In conjunction with cultural framings of stress causing high blood pressure, many patients turn to stress management to control their hypertension. The word hypertension can thus cause patients to think of it as more of a psychological than physiological condition, thus discounting the value of antihypertensive medications and interfering with medication adherence. We therefore suggest that clinicians reconsider the use of the term hypertension and the ways in which they explain the condition to patients. Reorienting the language to the more patient-centered term of high blood pressure may help patients better understand the condition and to more readily embrace the available efficacious therapies.
Modelling a discrete spatial response using generalized linear mixed models: Application to Lyme disease vectors

Predicting disease risk by identifying environmental factors responsible for the geographical distribution of disease vectors can help target control strategies and optimize preventive measures. In this study we present a hierarchical approach to model the distribution of Lyme disease ticks as a function of environmental factors. We use the Poisson framework natural for count data while allowing for spatial correlations. To help identify environmental factors that best explain tick abundance, we develop an intuitive procedure for covariate selection in the spatial context. These methods could be useful in analysing effects of environmental and climatological changes on the distribution of disease vectors, and the spatial extrapolation of vector abundance under such scenarios.
North Korea in 2010: Provocations and Succession

The North killed 50 South Koreans in two audacious strikes, revved up its nuclear programs, and prepared for a third generation of Kim family rule. At the same time, a tight embrace of China still means hardship and hunger for millions of North Koreans.
Anxiety and control in African American families.

ANXIETY AND CONTROL IN AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES L. Kevin Chapman September I, 2006 To investigate the effects of anxiety and ethnicity on parental control as well as the effects ethnicity, anxiety, and parental control have on child diagnostic severity, anxious African American and Caucasian families were compared. Sixty-nine parent-child dyads completed the study. Forty-two mothers in the sample suffered from an anxiety disorder whereas twenty-seven mothers did not meet criteria for any current or past psychopathology. Parent-child dyads were videotaped as they completed two mildly stressful tasks together. Parental and child behaviors during the interactions were coded to obtain an objective measure of parents' behavior. Data were reduced to produce four behavioral composites one of which, "overcontrolling," was used to assess objective ratings of parental control. Subjective parental control was assessed by two self-report measures of parenting behaviors. Four hierarchical linear regressions were conducted. It was hypothesized that parental anxiety would predict high control in Caucasian families whereas parental anxiety would predict low parental control in African American families.
The great imitator: Psychosis that responded to penicillin

Human immunodeficiency virus infection has been associated with an increased incidence of syphilis and faster progression to later stages, namely neurosyphilis. Despite the well-known association of syphilis with psychiatric manifestations, it is often missed in the initial workup. We report a case
Do tumor and ventricular volume predict the need for postresection shunting in colloid cyst patients

OBJECTIVE Many colloid cyst patients present with obstructive hydrocephalus that resolves after resection of the cyst. However, a proportion of patients with these cysts will require cerebrospinal fluid shunting after tumor resection, despite resolution of the obstruction at the foramina of Monro. The goal of this study was to determine if colloid cyst size or preoperative ventricular volume predicted the need for postresection shunting. METHODS In a retrospective study design, ICD-9 codes 742.2 (colloid cyst) and 348.0 (brain cyst) were used to identify patients who had undergone resection of a colloid cyst at the University of Florida over the last 20 years. Preoperative imaging (CT or MRI) with a stereotactic software program developed at the University of Florida was used to measure volumes of the colloid cyst and the lateral ventricles. The relationships among ventricular volume, colloid cyst volume, and postoperative shunting were analyzed. RESULTS The number of patients included in the study was 67, and their mean age was 37.7 years. Forty percent of the patients were female. Overall, 49.2% of the patients had a transcallosal approach, 35.8% a transcortical approach, and 14.9% an endoscope-assisted surgery. Mean preoperative ventricular volume was 76.5 cc in patients who never received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and 98.1 cc in those who were eventually treated with a VPS (p = 0.305). Patients with a postoperative VPS had an initial mean colloid cyst volume of 1.8 cc compared with 0.9 cc in patients without a VPS postoperatively (p = 0.019). Patients with colloid cysts larger than 0.6 cc (1-cm diameter) had a 12.8 increased odds of needing a VPS postoperatively (95% CI 1.81-275). CONCLUSIONS Larger colloid cysts are associated with an increased need for postresection shunting independent of preoperative ventricular size. Prospective studies of patients with colloid cysts are necessary to further identify risks of permanent hydrocephalus.
On Political Theory and Political Action

This paper is a revision of the Presidential Address delivered to the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Los Angeles, California, September 10, 1970. It identifies nine aspects of political theories: storage and retrieval of memories; assistance to insight; simplification of knowledge; heuristic effectiveness; self-critical cognition; normative awareness of values; scientifically testable knowledge; pragmatic skills; and wisdom, or second-order knowledge of what contexts are worth choosing—a wisdom subject to the possibility of radical restructuring. These nine aspects of theory form an integrated production cycle of knowledge. “Scientific” and “humanistic” political theorists need each other to understand the central task of politics: the collective self-determination of societies. To appraise this steering performance of political systems, large amounts of empirical data as indicators of social performance are indispensable. Political science has grown in knowledge of cases, data, research methods, and sensitivity to problems of disadvantaged groups and of the individual. It is learning to recognize qualities and patterns, verify the limited truth content of theories, and be more critical of its societies and of itself. It needs to increase research on implementation of insights, on positive proposals for reform, changes in political wisdom, and on the abolition of poverty and large-scale war. For these tasks, cognitive contributions from political theory are indispensable; working to make them remains a moral commitment.
Identification of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Response Elements in the Human Transforming Growth Factor β2 Gene†

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is one of the most abundant growth factors secreted by bone cells, and regulation of TGF-beta expression is crucial for bone development and growth. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3) inhibits human osteoblast and keratinocyte growth by increasing TGF-beta2 secretion and synthesis. To examine the mechanism by which 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 regulates TGF-beta 2 transcription in osteoblasts, we ligated segments of the human TGF-beta 2 promoter 5' of a growth hormone reporter gene in a growth hormone reporter plasmid and examined the effects of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 administration on the expression of growth hormone in cells transfected with such chimeric promoter-reporter plasmids. The promoter region extending from -973 to +68 bp of the transcription start site elicited a 7-fold increase in reporter gene activity in transiently transfected osteoblasts after 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 treatment, whereas the region from -553 to +68 bp of the transcription start site showed no response following 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Transfection of osteoblasts with reporter plasmids containing TGF-beta 2 promoter DNA from -869 to -658 bp revealed a 3.8-fold increase in reporter gene activity. DNA fragments from this region (-743 to -676 bp and -786 to -728 bp) ligated into reporter plasmids also showed increases in reporter activity. Gel retardation assay experiments showed that DNA fragments from -774 to -735 bp and -714 to -675 bp both formed a DNA-protein complex with bacterially expressed human retinoic acid X receptor alpha (RXR alpha) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) and with nuclear extracts from human bone cells. Addition of a vitamin D receptor antibody to reactions containing the aforesaid DNA fragments and bone cell nuclear extract resulted in further retardation of the mobility of the DNA-protein complex (super-shifting). Removal of two putative direct repeat DNA fragments in this region abolished VDR-RXR alpha-vitamin D response element complex formation. The TGF-beta 2 promoter contains two imperfect direct repeat DNA sequences: TGTAGAACAAGTAGA and AATGAAGTTGGTGGA that mediate the effect of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3.
Getting at the Heart of Central Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

Nearly 2 billion adults and 42 million children are either obese or overweight worldwide. In the United States, a staggering 36% of all adults are obese.1 Obesity is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF).2 Obesity and weight gain are associated with increases in left ventricular (LV) mass, amplification of age-related LV stiffening, and worsening LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction—effects that are strikingly similar to what is seen in patients with the clinical syndrome of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).3–14 See Article by Selvaraj et al Obesity has direct and indirect effects on the heart, including increases in myocardial load related to plasma volume expansion, worsening arterial hypertension, and increased aortic stiffness.2 There may be direct effects from obesity on cardiomyocytes, metabolic changes in substrate availability and cellular respiration that affect cardiac function, and altered patterns of gene expression driven by proinflammatory signaling pathways and loss of nitric oxide signaling.2,12 To complicate matters, recent studies have shown that not all fat is the same, as central adiposity seems to carry even more harmful effects on myocardial function.7,9,15–19 However, it has been difficult to discern how much of this correlation is specific to central adiposity, common to all obesity, or is secondary to the myriad of other factors that are associated with obesity, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, renal dysfunction, …
[Epidemiology of confirmed and suspected norovirus outbreaks in Shanghai, 2010-2014].

Objective To understand the epidemiologic characteristics of confirmed and suspected norovirus outbreaks in Shanghai during 2010-2014. Methods The investigation reports of confirmed and suspected norovirus outbreaks in Shanghai from 2010 to 2014 were analyzed. Results A total of 80 norovirus outbreaks, involving 2 399 cases, were reported during this period, and the overall attack rate was 4.17%. The median of the outbreak duration was 4.5 days and the incidence peaked 2 days later averagely for an outbreak. The outbreaks mainly occurred in autumn and winter, 53 outbreaks occurred during October-February, accounting for 66.25%. Seventy five outbreaks occurred in schools, child care settings and nursing houses, accounting for 93.75%. The attack rates in hospitalized patients and the elders in nursing houses were higher than those in pre-school and school aged children, the differences were statistically significant (χ2=683.12, P<0.01). The attack rates in medical staff and nurses in hospitals and nursing houses or staff in pre-schools and schools were lower. Vomiting, the main clinical symptom, occurred in 1 900 cases (79.20%), diarrhea and fever developed in 694 cases (28.93% ) and 364 cases (15.17% ) respectively. The differences were statistically significant (χ2=2 251.48, P<0.01). The outbreaks were mainly caused by short common exposures and contact with cases. Conclusion The surveillance for norovirus infection should be strengthened in hospitals, schools and others with the crowed during autumn-winter. The protection of risk population should be enhanced. Key words: Norovirus; Outbreak; Epidemiology
Discussion of "Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice in Basic Statistical Process Monitoring"

We congratulate Professor William H. Woodall on his thorough articulation of both the reasons behind the gap between theory and practice and also his recommended solutions for bridging this gap in ...
The Connection Between Thwarted Belongingness, Alcohol Consumption, Suicidal, and Homicidal Ideation in a Criminal Justice Sample.

BACKGROUND: To determine if thwarted belongingness in combination with frequent alcohol use increased suicidal and homicidal ideation when known predictors were controlled for (eg, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, drug use, race, sex, age, and employment status). METHOD: This study utilized an archival database. Participants were 574 individuals at an outpatient substance abuse treatment facility who were under community corrections supervision. The average age was 34.5 (SD = 10.9) years; there were 371 (64.6%) men and 287 (50.0%) Black participants. Data were originally gathered from face-to-face interviews with the participants by their case manager or an intake specialist when they entered treatment. Self-reported suicidal and homicidal ideation was used as a dependent variable in unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regressions to determine the influence of thwarted belongingness and frequent alcohol use. RESULTS: Thwarted belongingness alone (ie, without frequent alcohol use) was associated with risk for suicidal ideation, and was approaching significance for homicidal ideation. The combination of thwarted belongingness and frequent alcohol use was associated with the greatest risk for suicidal and homicidal ideation. Cocaine use and employment status were also identified as significant predictors for suicidal and homicidal ideation in the fully adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Thwarted belongingness in combination with frequent alcohol use seems to have a large and meaningful relationship with both suicidal and homicidal ideation. Additional research is needed to better understand the relationship between alcohol, thwarted belongingness, and outcomes such as suicide and homicide. Language: en
Non-human Primate Schlafen11 Inhibits Production of Both Host and Viral Proteins

Schlafen11 (encoded by the SLFN11 gene) has been shown to inhibit the accumulation of HIV-1 proteins. We show that the SLFN11 gene is under positive selection in simian primates and is species-specific in its activity against HIV-1. The activity of human Schlafen11 is relatively weak compared to that of some other primate versions of this protein, with the versions encoded by chimpanzee, orangutan, gibbon, and marmoset being particularly potent inhibitors of HIV-1 protein production. Interestingly, we find that Schlafen11 is functional in the absence of infection and reduces protein production from certain non-viral (GFP) and even host (Vinculin and GAPDH) transcripts. This suggests that Schlafen11 may just generally block protein production from non-codon optimized transcripts. Because Schlafen11 is an interferon-stimulated gene with a broad ability to inhibit protein production from many host and viral transcripts, its role may be to create a general antiviral state in the cell. Interestingly, the strong inhibitors such as marmoset Schlafen11 consistently block protein production better than weak primate Schlafen11 proteins, regardless of the virus or host target being analyzed. Further, we show that the residues to which species-specific differences in Schlafen11 potency map are distinct from residues that have been targeted by positive selection. We speculate that the positive selection of SLFN11 could have been driven by a number of different factors, including interaction with one or more viral antagonists that have yet to be identified.
The Role of Echocardiography in the Assessment of Ventricular Septal Rupture Postmyocardial Infarction

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare life-threatening mechanical complication secondary to acute myocardial infarction that usually occurs 2 to 8 days after infarction and frequently precipitates cardiogenic shock. The mortality rate for VSR has been reported to be between 41% and 80%; therefore, immediate surgical intervention should be considered. Furthermore, VSR is a complication of 0.17% to 0.31% of patients who present with an anterior myocardial infarction. Because of the rarity of this pathology, the role of transthoracic echocardiographic investigation will help to improve what is already considered a poor prognosis for these types of patients. This case study illustrates how transthoracic echocardiography plays an essential role in the rapid assessment and diagnosis of VSR in clinical practice.
Utility-Based Scheduling of (m,k)-firm Real-Time Tasks - New Empirical Results

The concept of a firm real-time task implies the notion of a firm deadline that should not be missed by the jobs of this task. If a deadline miss occurs, the concerned job yields no value to the system. For some applications domains, this restrictive notion can be relaxed. For example, robust control systems can tolerate that single executions of a control loop miss their deadlines, and still yield an acceptable behaviour. Thus, systems can be developed under more optimistic assumptions, e.g. by allowing overloads. However, care must be taken that deadline misses do not accumulate. This restriction can be expressed by the model of (m,k)-firm real-time tasks that require that from any k consecutive jobs at least m are executed successfully. In this article, we extend our prior work on the MKU scheduling heuristic. MKU uses history-cognisant utility functions as means for making decisions in overload situations. We present new theoretical results on MKU and on other schedulers for (m,k)-firm real-time tasks. Based on extensive simulations, we assess the performance of these schedulers. The results allow us to identify task set characteristics that can be used as guidelines for choosing a scheduler for a concrete use case.
Dispersion of the resonant second order nonlinearity in 2D semiconductors probed by femtosecond continuum pulses

We demonstrate an effective microspectroscopy technique by tracing the dispersion of second order nonlinear susceptibility (χ(2)) in a monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2). The χ(2) dispersion obtained with better than 3 meV photon energy resolution showed peak value being within 6.3-8.4×10-19 m2/V range. We estimate the fundamental bandgap to be at 2.2 eV. Sub-structure in the χ(2) dispersion reveals a contribution to the nonlinearity due to exciton transitions with exciton binding energy estimated to be at 0.7 eV.
The Effects of Labor and Product Market Reforms: The Role of Macroeconomic Conditions and Policies

The paper estimates the dynamic macroeconomic effects of labor and product market reforms on output, employment and productivity, and explores how these vary with prevailing macroeconomic conditions and policies. We apply a local projection method to a new dataset of major country- and country-sector-level reform shocks in various areas of labor market institutions and product market regulation covering 26 advanced economies over the past four decades. Product market reforms are found to raise productivity and output, but gains materialize only slowly. The impact of labor market reforms is primarily on employment, but it varies across types of reforms and depends on overall business cycle conditions—unlike that of product market reforms. Reductions in labor tax wedges and increases in public spending on active labor market policies have larger effects during periods of slack, in part because they usually entail some degree of fiscal stimulus. In contrast, reforms to employment protection arrangements and unemployment benefit systems have positive effects in good times, but can become contractionary in periods of slack. The economy’s response to such reforms is significantly improved when they are accompanied by fiscal or monetary stimulus.
Tapping the RNA world for therapeutics.

A recent revolution in RNA biology has led to the identification of new RNA classes with unanticipated functions, new types of RNA modifications, an unexpected multiplicity of alternative transcripts and widespread transcription of extragenic regions. This development in basic RNA biology has spawned a corresponding revolution in RNA-based strategies to generate new types of therapeutics. Here, I review RNA-based drug design and discuss barriers to broader applications and possible ways to overcome them. Because they target nucleic acids rather than proteins, RNA-based drugs promise to greatly extend the domain of ‘druggable’ targets beyond what can be achieved with small molecules and biologics.
Disproportionate Amino Acid Diets and Anorexic Responses in Rats: The Role(s) of Limbic Brain Areas and Noradrenergic and Serotoninergic Systems

The role of protein and amino acids in the control of food intake has long been of interest. As early as 1931, Rose (1) stated that an amino acid deficiency was synonymous with a reduction in food intake. Indeed, along with energy, each of the macronutrients in turn has been considered to have the primary role in hypotheses about the control of feeding behavior. The “Aminostatic” theory has gained few adherents, and it is acknowledged that diets with balanced protein content between approximately 15 and 30 or 35% have little or no effect on feeding. However, reductions in food intake and dietary avoidance are reliably found with diets that: 1, have a protein content outside the 15–35% range, 2, contain an excess of one or more amino acids, 3, are devoid of one or more amino acids, or 4, induce an amino acid imbalance. The food intake depression that occurs with amino acid imbalance will be the focus of the studies to be discussed here.
Insomnia symptoms and memory problems in adult survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

10575Background: Adult survivors of childhood cancer are at-risk of developing sleep and cognitive problems. No studies have examined the contribution of insomnia symptoms to cognitive function in ...