cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid bladder cancer cell detection from clinical urine samples using an ultra-thin silicone membrane

Early detection of initial onset, as well as recurrence, of cancer is paramount for improved patient prognosis and human health. Cancer screening is enhanced by rapid differentiation of cancerous from non-cancerous cells which employs the inherent differences in biophysical properties. Our preliminary testing demonstrates that cell-line derived bladder cancer cells deform our <30 nm silicone membrane within an hour and induce visually distinct wrinkle patterns while cell-line derived non-cancerous cells fail to induce these wrinkle patterns. Herein, we report a platform for the rapid detection of cancerous cells from human clinical urine samples. We performed a blinded study with cells extracted from the urine of human patients suspected to have bladder cancer alongside healthy controls. Wrinkle patterns were induced specifically by the five cancer patient samples within 12 hours and not by the healthy controls. These results were independently validated by the standard diagnostic techniques cystoscopy and cytology. Thus, our ultra-thin membrane approach for cancer diagnosis appears as accurate as standard diagnostic methods while vastly more rapid, less invasive, and requiring limited expertise.
An upstream Hfq binding site in the fhlA mRNA leader region facilitates the OxyS-fhlA interaction

Background: To survive, bacteria must be able to adapt to environmental stresses. Small regulatory RNAs have been implicated as intermediates in a variety of stress-response pathways allowing dynamic gene regulation. The RNA binding protein Hfq facilitates this process in many cases, helping sRNAs base pair with their target mRNAs and initiate gene regulation. Although Hfq has been identified as a critical component in many RNPs, the manner by which Hfq controls these interactions is not known. Methodology/Principal Findings: To test the requirement of Hfq in these mRNA-sRNA complexes, the OxyS-fhlA system was used as a model. OxyS is induced in response to oxidative stress and down regulates the translation of fhlA, a gene encoding a transcriptional activator for formate metabolism. Biophysical characterization of this system previously used a minimal construct of the fhlA mRNA which inadvertently removed a critical element within the leader sequence of this mRNA that effected thermodynamics and kinetics for the interaction with Hfq. Conclusions/Significance: Herein, we report thermodynamic, kinetic and structural mapping studies during binary and ternary complex formation between Hfq, OxyS and fhlA mRNA. Hfq binds fhlA mRNA using both the proximal and distal surfaces and stimulates association kinetics between the sRNA and mRNA but remains bound to fhlA forming a ternary complex. The upstream Hfq binding element within fhlA is similar to (ARN)x elements recently identified in other mRNAs regulated by Hfq. This work leads to a kinetic model for the dynamics of these complexes and the regulation of gene expression by bacterial sRNAs.
Education Bill passes

On March 2 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing $425 million for science and mathematics education in fiscal 1984; the authorization is $350 million more than President Ronald Reagan requested in his budget proposal (Eos, February 15, 1983, p. 65). H.R. 1310 allocates $295 million to the Department of Education not only to improve precollege instruction in science and math, but to beef up foreign language training to aid in improving international communication among scientists. The bill also allots $130 million to the National Science Foundation for a variety of programs, the lion's share of which aims to upgrade research equipment at colleges and universities. It is hoped that industry will match the $100 million targeted for this program.
The Brother-Sister Questionnaire: Psychometric assessment and discrimination of well-functioning from dysfunctional relationships.

The purpose of this investigation was to document the utility of the 35-item Brother-Sister Questionnaire (BSQ), which could be used to discriminate dysfunctional from wellfunctioning sibling relationships. Two studies are reported. In the first, 202 college students were selected by self-report on prescreening questions to represent four groups: (a) high sibling-conflict victims, (b) high sibling-conflict perpetrators, (c) those with reciprocal conflict, and (d) those with low levels of conflict (a comparison group). Group classification was validated by scores on the Conflict Tactics Scale (M. A. Straus, 1979). Ss' responses to the BSQ about sibling relationships were subjected to factor analysis with varimax rotation, confirming four reliable factors: Empathy, Boundary Maintenance, Similarity, and Coercion. In the second study, 50 students who self-reported that they were abused by a sibling and 50 comparison Ss completed the BSQ. With the four factors as predictors, discriminant analyses correctly classified 82% of the abused group and 81% of the comparison group. Given these results, the BSQ is proposed as a self-report measure capable of characterizing four distinct qualities in sibling relationships. Violence between siblings has been shown to occur more frequently than either violence between parents and children or violence between spouses (Gelles & Straus, 1988; Steinmetz, 1981). In a large college student sample, 28% of the students surveyed rated the level of conflict with their siblings as much higher than in other families they knew (Graham-Bermann, Cutler, Litzenberger, & Schwartz, 1994). In a previous study of another large sample of college students, Graham-Bermann and Cutler (1992) reported that 8% felt that they had been abused by a sibling during childhood. In these two studies, Graham-Bermann and her colleagues found that individuals from high-conflict sibling dyads experienced greater levels of anxiety and depression, as well as lower levels of self-esteem, than did those from sibling dyads having less conflict. Finally, college students who felt abused by a sibling reported a lower sense of self
Seasonal Abundance of Total and Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Alabama Oysters

Recent Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreaks associated with consumption of raw shellfish in the United States focused attention on the occurrence of this organism in shellfish. From March 1999 through September 2000, paired oyster samples were collected biweekly from two shellfish-growing areas in Mobile Bay, Ala. The presence and densities of V. parahaemolyticus were determined by using DNA probes targeting the thermolabile hemolysin (tlh) and thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) genes for confirmation of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus, respectively. V. parahaemolyticus was detected in all samples with densities ranging from <10 to 12,000 g(-1). Higher V. parahaemolyticus densities were associated with higher water temperatures. Pathogenic strains were detected in 34 (21.8%) of 156 samples by direct plating or enrichment. Forty-six of 6,018 and 31 of 6,992 V. parahaemolyticus isolates from enrichments and direct plates, respectively, hybridized with the tdh probe. There was an apparent inverse relationship between water temperature and the prevalence of pathogenic strains. Pathogenic strains were of diverse serotypes, and 97% produced urease and possessed a tdh-related hemolysin (trh) gene. The O3:K6 serotype associated with pandemic spread and recent outbreaks in the United States was not detected. The efficient screening of numerous isolates by colony lift and DNA probe procedures may account for the higher prevalence of samples with tdh(+) V. parahaemolyticus than previously reported.
Effect of intracellular injection of inositol trisphosphate on cytosolic calcium and membrane currents in Aplysia neurons

Pacemaker cells of Aplysia californica display a regular bursting that results from a complex interplay of Ca(2+)-mediated conductances and a continuous influx and extrusion of Ca2+. The effect of the second messenger 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration (Cai) regulation and electrical properties was investigated in identified neurons of the abdominal ganglion (R15, L2- L4, L6). Double-barreled Ca-selective microelectrodes were used to pressure inject InsP3 and measure Cai at the same point. Brief injection of InsP3 resulted in an average increase of Cai of 9.2 +/- 10.0 microM (+/- SE; n = 14) that decayed in about 1 min. The InsP3- induced elevation of Cai increased in a dose-dependent manner and saturated when large amounts of InsP3 were injected. The InsP3-induced Cai increase was the result of mobilization from intracellular stores; Cai could be repeatedly mobilized by InsP3 in cells superfused with 0 Ca artificial seawater for more than 60 min. Following multiple injections of InsP3, there was no evidence of immediate inhibition or facilitation. the spatial nature of the InsP3-induced Cai increase was investigated by moving the double-barreled Ca-selective microelectrode tip in a stepwise manner relative to the membrane surface. The largest InsP3-induced Cai increases were measured in an area 0–80 microns from the membrane surface; some cells had their largest InsP3-induced Cai increase some 120–160 microns away from the membrane. Injection of InsP3 in a bursting neuron induced an immediate train of action potentials followed by membrane hyperpolarization and a decrease in the burst frequency. Injection of InsP3 in voltage-clamped cells induced a biphasic response: a rapid inward current followed by a more prolonged outward current; the temporal overlap of the currents was depth dependent. Injection of InsP3 or Ca2+ from a double-barreled injecting electrode induced currents that were different in waveform and time course, indicating that part of the conductance change induced by InsP3 is direct and not mediated by the mobilized Ca2+. In BAPTA [1,2-bis(2- aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′tetra-acetic acid]-loaded cells, the InsP3- induced inward current was mostly unaffected while the Ca-induced outward current was largely attenuated. The results suggest that InsP3 mobilizes Ca2+ from discrete intracellular compartments and induces distinct changes in membrane currents that seem to be independent of the Cai increase.
Birth weight in pre-eclamptic and normotensive twin pregnancies: an analysis of discordance and growth restriction

The aim of this study was to verify whether twin pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia were associated with a higher rate of inter-twin weight discordance or an increased prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates than in normotensive twin pregnancies. A 17 year retrospective study was undertaken by examining 76 twin pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and comparing them with 400 normotensive twin pregnancies. The case notes were reviewed in reference to birth weight differences, birth order, pregnancy outcome and inter-twin birth weight discordance. Statistical analyses were performed with t-test, contingency tables, regression curves, rank sum test and non-parametric survival plots. Power analysis was also carried out. Pre-eclamptic twin pregnancies were delivered at similar weeks of gestation to normotensive. They resulted in a smaller size for the second twin the earlier the delivery week, while in normotensive twin pregnancies no significant difference occurred at any week. Twin pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia showed higher rates of SGA neonates among second twins than those with normal pressure. The >25% discordance was associated with lower gestational age at delivery in each group [mean (range) 33 weeks (27-38) versus 37 (29-41), P 25% was associated with shorter gestation while the presence of SGA second twin alone was not.
Cardiotoxicity in targeted therapy for breast cancer: A study of the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS):

Purpose Cancer chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is concerning. Certain anthracyclines and targeted therapies are known to have potential for cardiotoxicity, but existing trial evidence is inadequate to understand real-world patterns of cardiotoxicity with newer targeted therapies and their common combinations with older agents. This study evaluated chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity reports for targeted therapies and their combinations in breast cancer patients. Methods The US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 2004 through September 2012 was used to summarize characteristics of reported cardiotoxicity events and their health outcomes. Disproportionality analyses with reporting odds ratios (ROR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were conducted to detect event signals using a case/non-case method for each targeted therapy and combination. Results A total of 59,739 cases of cardiotoxicity reports were identified; 937 cases identified targeted therapy as the suspect drug. Trastuzumab had the highest number of reports followed by bevacizumab and lapatinib. Proportions of reports of death and disability outcomes for each targeted therapy were approximately 20-25% of the total reports of serious events. Trastuzumab had the highest ROR as a single agent (ROR = 5.74; 95% CI = 5.29-6.23) or combination use of cyclophosphamide (ROR = 16.83; 95% CI = 13.32-21.26) or doxorubicin (ROR = 17.84; 95% CI = 13.77-23.11). Relatively low cardiotoxicity reporting rates were found with lapatinib, regardless of use with combination therapy. Conclusions Analysis of FAERS data identified signals for adverse cardiotoxicity events with targeted therapies and their combinations. Practitioners should consider factors that may increase the likelihood of cardiotoxicity when assessing treatment. Findings support continued surveillance, risk factor identification, and comparative studies.
Chip-scale thermal energy harvester using Bi2Te3

Chip-scale thermoelectric energy harvester designs based on Bi2Te3 are presented with a focus on improving power density per device area for applications exchanging heat with ambient air through a heat sink. Practical vacuum capping is found to be beneficial for improving energy density despite the additional shunt created by the bonding ring around the 10mm2 harvester chip. Optimized device performance is predicted to significantly exceed that of commercially available devices with much lower thermoelectric leg length.
Process Makes Perfect: Asking Your Target Audience What They Really Want To Know About You

Libraries often find themselves communicating programs and services to different audiences — students, faculty, donors, and the community. So what happens when you are tasked with creating a market...
Effect of Stock-Scion Interrelationships on the Transport of 32P and 45Ca in the Apple

(1958). Effect of Stock-Scion Interrelationships on the Transport of 32P and 45Ca in the Apple. Journal of Horticultural Science: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 145-152.
Identity crisis in the Soviet west

What would happen if the Baltics, Ukraine, and Belorussia had their way? Neither the Soviet leadership nor the West is prepared for real autonomy in the prosperous western republics.
THE ‘ANGIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE EVEROLIMUS-ELUTING STENT IN CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSIONS’ (ACE-CTO) STUDY

There is limited data on outcomes after implantation of second generation drug-eluting stents in coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Our study's aim is to evaluate the frequency of angiographic restenosis and clinical outcomes after implantation of the everolimus-eluting stent (EES) in CTOs
Walleye recruitment success is less resilient to warming water temperatures in lakes with abundant largemouth bass populations

Lakes respond heterogeneously to climate, with implications for fisheries management. We analyzed walleye (Sander vitreus) recruitment to age-0 in 359 lakes in Wisconsin, USA, to (i) quantify the r...
Chapter 12 – Adenosine Control of Striatal Function—Implications for the Treatment of Apathy in Basal Ganglia Disorders

The central adenosine system and adenosine receptors play a fundamental role in the modulation of striatal function. As reviewed in this chapter, this is mostly achieved by the strategic localization of different adenosine receptors heteromers in different neuronal striatal elements, mainly in the two populations of striatal efferent neurons that give rise to the “Go” and “NoGo” striatal efferent pathways, and in the corticostriatal glutamate terminals. The striatum includes different compartments that differentially process information related to the implementation and learning of reward- and punishment-guided behaviors. The main role of the ventral striatum can be synthesized as determining “whether to respond” while that of the dorsal striatum is “how to respond” to reward- and punishment-associated stimuli. The better understanding of the functional role of different striatal compartments allows a more syndromic subclassification of basal ganglia disorders with potentially significant new therapeutic approaches. As a relevant clinical example, “apathy” is a prevalent symptom in Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders, which depends mostly on dysfunction of the ventral striatal compartment. It is proposed that striatal adenosine receptor heteromers can provide important therapeutic targets for the treatment of apathy.
C. G. Jung on plagiarism in Pierre Benoît’s L’Atlantide

ABSTRACTJung explained the possible plagiaristic relationship between Henry Rider Haggard’s She and Pierre Benoit’s L’Atlantide as either cryptomnesia or archetypal inspiration, but he was misinformed about the case and unfamiliar with Benoit’s life. This essay critiques Jung’s statements about Benoit and then considers the case for plagiarism that was published in The French Quarterly in 1919–1920. Neither the typical reply – that L’Atlantide reflects the author’s African experience and historical knowledge – nor the reading of the novel that arose from Jung’s 1925 seminar adequately refutes the plagiarism charge. A depth-psychological reading of L’Atlantide shows the danger of seeking the anima archetype itself rather than experiencing the anima in a relationship with an available woman. But even if literary analogies, including the Circe myth, suggest that Haggard and Benoit may have tapped into the same archetypal vein, the novels’ similarities and verbal echoes cannot be dismissed outright.
The Double Lesion: Dual Pathology and Pathological Correlation

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the epidemiology of the double lesion and discusses the implications of coexistent temporal lobe pathology in the selection of surgical candidates, the preoperative evaluation, and operative strategy. The occurrence of the double lesion in patients with temporal lobe lesional epilepsy has ranged from 8 to 30% in clinical studies. Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) in patients with the double lesion must be differentiated from the mild decrease in hippocampal neuronal cell density that is present in most patients with temporal lobe epileptogenic lesions. The excitotoxic model based on the experimental observation that recurrent seizures result in progressive hippocampal neuronal loss and hippocampal formation atrophy is analyzed. The localization of the lesional pathology has been shown to be intimately associated with the epileptic brain tissue in most patients. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates the appropriate structural abnormalities in most patients with coexistent MTS and extra-hippocampal pathology. It is found that a worthwhile seizure reduction was achieved in more than 80% of patients with identified MTS undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy in one series.
THE HEMODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS MILRINONE THERAPY IN HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION PATIENTS ON BETA-BLOCKERS

Beta-adrenergic blockade decreases morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the efficacy of milrinone, an intravenous inodilator, in the context of concomitant beta-blockade (BB) is unclear. Patients with HFrEF who underwent
A Physician's Place in the #MeToo Movement.

I differ slightly from the others who have come forward in the #MeToo movement because, as a physician, I am legally unable to name the patient who harassed me.
Radiation therapy and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade: the clinical development of an evolving anticancer combination

Several inhibitors of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) have been approved as a form of immunotherapy for multiple cancers. Ionizing radiation therapy (RT) has been shown to enhance the priming and effector phases of the antitumor T-cell response rendering it an attractive therapy to combine with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Preclinical data support the rational combination of the 2 modalities and has paved way for the clinical development of the combination across a spectrum of cancers. In this review, we highlight the preclinical and clinical development of combined RT and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade to date. In addition to a comprehensive evaluation of available safety and efficacy data, we discuss important points of consideration in clinical trial design for this promising combination.
Electronic packaging and passive devices for low temperature space applications

In addition to the challenges of cold operation for active devices, passive devices and packaging materials exhibit changes in electrical behavior as a function of temperature. Results on the temperature dependent behavior of capacitors and substrate materials as a function of temperature and frequency to −185°C will be discussed. These properties may further change if the materials exhibit degradation due to mechanical loading. Whether the electronics are intended to operate at cold temperatures or simply survive exposure to cold temperatures, the packaging technologies between the electronics and the outside world are required to survive multiple extreme low temperature cycles, which combine the challenges of cold temperature exposure and fatigue at low temperatures. To that end, the impact of extreme low temperatures on the mechanical behavior of various key electronic packaging materials will be discussed along with experimental results obtained from several representative assemblies that have been thermally cycled or shock cycled down to −120°C or lower.
Relationship Between Plaque Echogenicity and Atherosclerosis Biomarkers

An interesting link between biomarkers and carotid plaque echogenicity has been studied over the past few years, with biomarkers representing a part of the pathophysiologic process that leads to the development of a plaque with the respective morphological characteristics. The role of cytokines, vascular calcification markers, HbA1c, MMPs, soluble CD36 and CD40 ligand, RBP 4, OxLDL, and CRP is reviewed.
2018 Report Of The President And Chair Of The Board: ASHP promotes resilience, pharmacy leadership, and technician training.

![Figure][1] It’s hard to believe that my year as ASHP president is almost over. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to serve you, ASHP, and the profession. I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues and friends, both within and outside the pharmacy world
Mechanism of fracture in sheet metal cutting processes and its effect on sheared edge stretchability

In recent years, implementation of aluminum alloys, the advanced high strength steels and ultra high strength steels (UHSS) is quickly increasing in automotive industry. However, these materials are often sensitive to sheared edge cracking if stretching along the sheared edge occurs in such processes as drawing of panels with blanked windows, stretch flanging and stretch hemming of edges of the panel. This study is dedicated to development of experimental techniques necessary to account for sheared edge condition on material formability as well as reporting the experimental results and general trends. Analysis of the hole punching process indicated that uniformity of the cutting clearance is rather difficult to maintain, especially for UHSS material where cutting forces are substantially higher than for mild steels or aluminum alloys, and stiffness of the tool starts playing critical role. Therefore, the majority of experimental studies were performed as tensile tests of samples sheared along a straight line in a dedicated trim tool where special measures were taken to achieve consistency of the die clearance. Experimental results on sheared edge stretchability of aluminum alloys similar to 6111-T4 and UHSS steel DP980 are reported. The mechanism of fracture propagation in trimming and hole punching processes is discussed in conjunction with sheared edge stretchability. The rather unique mechanism of fracture observed for trimming of UHSS DP980 steel leads to burr breaking at the final stage of the shearing process.
Development and Evaluation of a Nutrition-Centered Lifestyle Medicine Curriculum for Physician Assistant Students

US medical schools are increasingly integrating lifestyle medicine competencies into their academic programs. Yet, physician assistant (PA) academic programs have been slower to respond. We developed, implemented, and evaluated a nutrition-centered lifestyle medicine curriculum for 2nd-year PA students (n = 24). The 4-week hybrid, 2-credit hour course activities aligned with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine competencies for primary care providers and reinforced four of the Accreditation Standards for PA Education. We combined didactic lectures with weekly hands-on cooking modules from the “Health meets Food” courseware for medical students. We employed a pre-post evaluation design including a comparison group of 2nd-year PA students in a separate program. We assessed changes in personal nutrition behaviors and knowledge and confidence for counseling in nutrition, exercise/physical activity, weight, smoking, and alcohol, using the modified 5A’s framework (assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange) for lifestyle counseling. Students receiving the intervention demonstrated significantly higher gains in both knowledge and confidence for the 5A’s of nutrition counseling compared to the control group. Self-reported knowledge and confidence for the 5A’s of counseling for the other lifestyle behaviors similarly improved among the intervention group compared to the control group, but to a lesser extent. A nutrition-centered lifestyle medicine course can demonstrate PA academic program adherence to accreditation standards, while also introducing students to nutrition and lifestyle medicine competencies. Hands-on experiences that reinforce didactic instruction may maximize student knowledge and self-efficacy for implementing lifestyle medicine into their practice.
POL30 alleles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveal complexities of the cell cycle and ploidy on heterochromatin assembly

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae , transcriptional silencing at HML and HMR maintains mating-type identity. The repressive chromatin structure at these loci is replicated every cell cycle and must be re-established quickly to prevent transcription of the genes at these loci. Mutations in a component of the replisome, the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), encoded by POL30 , cause a loss of transcriptional silencing at HMR . We used an assay that captures transient losses of silencing at HML and HMR to perform extended genetic analyses of the pol30-6, pol30-8 , and pol30-79 alleles. All three alleles destabilized silencing only transiently and only in cycling cells. Whereas pol30-8 caused loss of silencing by disrupting the function of Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF-I), pol30-6 and pol30-79 acted through a separate genetic pathway but one still dependent on histone chaperones. Surprisingly, the silencing-loss phenotypes depended on ploidy but not on POL30 dosage or mating-type identity. Separately from silencing loss, the pol30-6 and pol30-79 alleles also displayed high levels of mitotic recombination in diploids. These results established that histone trafficking involving PCNA at replication forks is crucial to the maintenance of chromatin state and genome stability during DNA replication. They also raised the possibility that increased ploidy may protect chromatin states when the replisome is perturbed.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications

Abstract Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are highly customizable, nontoxic, and ideal for delivery in biomedical applications. In this chapter, we will explore what are MSNs and what are the key properties which define them. An overview on how silica nanoparticles are synthesized and what kind of pore structures have been made will be discussed. The biocompatibility, toxicity, stability, and protein corona will be explained in the context of why these properties make them ideal for medical use. A look at the variety of cargos which can be delivered using silica and how the delivery of those cargos can be controlled will be given. We will also explore what are the current medical applications of silica from imaging to drug delivery. Finally, we will review organic forms of silica nanoparticles and how changes in their structure create novel nanoparticles.
Research-to-Resource: The Importance of Aural Learning in the Strings Classroom:

String musicians put a high priority on ear training in order to be successful on their instruments. Research suggests that delaying music reading to teach by ear does not negatively affect sight-r...
Comparison of clinical and imaging findings of Hirschsprung disease versus allied Hirschsprung disease

Objective To compare the clinical and imaging findings of children with Hirschsprung’s disease and allied Hirschsprung’s disease. Methods A total of 80 children with Hirschsprung’s disease and allied Hirschsprung’s disease who were admitted to the Department of Radiology of Shanxi Children’s Hospital from September 2014 to October 2019 were selected as the subjects of this study. According to the results of pathological examination, they were divided into group A (children with Hirschsprung’s disease, n=37) and group B (children with allied Hirschsprung’s disease, n=43). The clinical data of patients in group A and group B were analyzed retrospectively. Both groups received X-ray and barium enema before pathological examination. The clinical data, X-ray and barium enema results were compared and analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in sex, mean age, gestational age, delivery mode, clinical manifestation, anal examination between the two groups (P>0.05). In group A, the proportion of transitional segment (83.78%) was significantly higher than that in group B (6.98%), the proportion of irregular contraction in group A (37.84%) was significantly lower than that in group B (88.37%), the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05); the residual sites of barium between the two groups after 24 hours of barium enema were compared, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05); the diameter of colon between the two groups was compared, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); the angle between the dilated segment and the transitional segment/spasm segment was larger in group A than that in group B (P<0.05). Conclusions The clinical data of children with Hirschsprung’s disease and allied Hirschsprung’s disease are similar, but there are significant differences between them by X-ray barium enema. Key words: Hirschsprung disease; Allied Hirschsprung disease; Clinical manifestation; Imaging findings
Pediatric snow sport injuries differ by age.

Abstract Background Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among pediatric patients. There were 13,436 injuries related to snow sports in those younger than 15 in 2015, with 4.8% requiring admission. These sports are high-risk given the potential for injury even when using protective equipment. We hypothesized that snow sport injury patterns would differ based on patient age. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 and 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. Cases of injuries were identified and analyzed using ICD-9 codes. National estimates were obtained using case weighting. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess for confounders. Results Within 745 admissions, there was a statistically significant decrease in skull/facial fractures with increasing age and a statistically significant increase in abdominal injuries with increasing age. Children in early and middle childhood were at increased odds of being hospitalized with skull/facial fractures, while older children were more likely hospitalized with abdominal injuries. Conclusions Within the pediatric snow sport population, younger children are more likely to experience head injuries, while older children are more likely to experience abdominal injuries. Further research is needed to determine the origin of this difference, and continued legislation on helmets is also necessary in reducing intracranial injuries. Level of Evidence III
Inhibition of Fatty Acid Synthase Upregulates Expression of CD36 to Sustain Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Fatty acid synthase, a key enzyme of de novo lipogenesis, is an attractive therapeutic target in cancer. The novel fatty acid synthase inhibitor, TVB-3664, shows anti-cancer activity in multiple cancers including colorectal cancer; however, it is unclear whether uptake of exogeneous fatty acids can compensate for the effect of fatty acid synthase inhibition. This study demonstrates that inhibition of fatty acid synthase selectively upregulates fatty acid translocase (CD36), a fatty acid transporter, in multiple colorectal cancer models including colorectal cancer cells with shRNA mediated knockdown of fatty acid synthase and genetically modified mouse tissues with heterozygous and homozygous deletion of fatty acid synthase. Furthermore, human colorectal cancer tissues treated with TVB-3664 show a significant and selective upregulation of CD36 mRNA. shRNA-mediated knockdown of CD36 and inhibition of CD36 via sulfosuccinimidyl oleate, a chemical inhibitor of CD36, decreased cell proliferation in vitro and reduced tumor growth in subcutaneous xenograft models. Isogenic cell populations established from patient derived xenografts and expressing high levels of CD36 show a significantly increased ability to grow tumors in vivo. The tumor-promoting effect of CD36 is associated with an increase in the levels of pAkt and survivin. Importantly, combinatorial treatment of primary and established colorectal cancer cells with TVB-3664 and sulfosuccinimidyl oleate shows a synergistic effect on cell proliferation. In summary, our study demonstrates that upregulation of CD36 expression is a potential compensatory mechanism for fatty acid synthase inhibition and that inhibition of CD36 can improve the efficacy of fatty acid synthase-targeted therapy.
Crowdsourcing the Ideal Nipple-Areolar Complex Position for Chest Masculinization Surgery.

Chest masculinization surgery is increasing in prevalence. However, the ideal location of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is unknown. Our purpose was to determine the most aesthetically favorable male NAC position for use in chest masculinization through crowdsourcing. Methods Using Adobe Photoshop CC 2017, 8 locations for the NAC were created based on previous literature descriptions. Amazon Mechanical Turk was utilized as a crowdsourcing interface-respondents were asked to rank the top 3 most favorable and least favorable images. Analysis of variance with subsequent Tukey HSD was used for a statistical comparison of favorability scores for different NAC localizations. Values were considered significant with P < 0.05. Results Eight hundred nineteen respondents participated in the survey. NAC positions of Images C (mean score = 1.9222) and A (mean score = 1.7365) received higher favorability scores than those of Images D, E, F, G, and H (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between Images C and A (C versus A: P = 0.6412). NAC localizations from Images G (mean score = -2.0353) and H (mean score = -1.6908) received lower favorability scores than Images A, B, C, D, E, and F (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between Images G and H (P = 0.2279). Conclusions Most respondents preferred Images C and A, and few favored Images G and H, suggesting that lateral NAC placement is favored over more medial localizations. Additionally, both Images C and A utilize relatively inferior NAC placements. Therefore, we recommend a location inferior and lateral to the NAC. Ultimately, NAC localization during chest masculinization will be the result of shared decision-making between the patient and the surgeon to fulfill each patient's aesthetic goals.
Gastric Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy for Treatment of Chronic Proximal Staple Line Leak Precipitated by Downstream Stenosis

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is now the most commonly performed bariatric surgery. Although considered a safe procedure, adverse events such as staple line leak in the context of sleeve stenosis can result in significant patient morbidity and health economic burden. Correction of the downstream stenosis is mandatory for closure of the staple line leak. Conventional endoscopic therapies offer high initial success rates, though ultimately a significant proportion proceed to revision surgery. Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is a novel, minimally invasive procedure which allows for a full-thickness myotomy of the stenosed segment, potentially conferring similar anatomical correction to surgical seromyotomy. We present a case of recalcitrant chronic proximal staple line leak in the context of a downstream gastric stenosis managed by G-POEM.
Defeating Unconscious Bias: The Role of a Structured, Reflective, and Interactive Workshop.

Background Unconscious or implicit biases are universal and detrimental to health care and the learning environment but can be corrected. Historical interventions used the Implicit Association Test (IAT), which may have limitations. Objective We determined the efficacy of an implicit bias training without using the IAT. Methods From April 2019 to June 2020, a 90-minute educational workshop was attended by students, residents, and faculty. The curriculum included an interactive unconscious biases presentation, videoclips using vignettes to demonstrate workplace impact of unconscious biases with strategies to counter, and reflective group discussions. The evaluation included pre- and postintervention surveys. Participants were shown images of 5 individuals and recorded first impressions regarding trustworthiness and presumed profession to unmask implicit bias. Results Of approximately 273 participants, 181 were given the survey, of which 103 (57%) completed it with significant increases from pre- to postintervention assessments for perception scores (28.87 [SEM 0.585] vs 32.73 [0.576], P < .001) and knowledge scores (5.68 [0.191] vs 7.22 [0.157], P < .001). For a White male physician covered in tattoos, only 2% correctly identified him as a physician, and 60% felt he was untrustworthy. For a smiling Black female astronaut, only 13% correctly identified her as an astronaut. For a brooding White male serial killer, 50% found him trustworthy. Conclusions An interactive unconscious bias workshop, performed without the use of an IAT, was associated with increases in perceptions and knowledge regarding implicit biases. The findings also confirmed inaccurate first impression stereotypical assumptions based on ethnicity, outward appearances, couture, and media influences.
The impact of policy timing on the spread of COVID-19

We model COVID-19 data for 89 nations and US states with a recently developed formalism that describes mathematically any pattern of growth with the minimum number of parameters. The results show that the disease has a typical duration of 18 days, with a significant increase in fatality when it lasts longer than about 4 months. Searching for correlations between "flattening of the curve" and preventive public policies, we find strong statistical evidence for the impact of the first implemented policy on decreasing the pandemic growth rate; a delay of one week in implementation nearly triples the size of the infected population, on average. Without any government action, the initial outburst still slows down after 36 days, possibly thanks to changes in public behavior in response to the pandemic toll. Stay-at-home (lockdown) was not the first policy of any sample member and we do not find statistically meaningful evidence for its added impact, similar to a recent study that employed an entirely different approach. However, lockdown was mostly imposed only shortly before the exponential rise was arrested. The possibility remains that lockdown might have shortened significantly the initial exponential rise had it been employed as first, rather than last resort.
Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Equine Asthma in Texas

Equine asthma is a common condition in horses, for which few host-related risk factors have been identified. The objective of this study was to identify host-related risk factors for the development of equine asthma. A retrospective, case-control study was performed, utilizing horses presented to the Texas A&M University, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from January 2014 December 2018. Incident cases of mild to severe equine asthma (n = 37), diagnosed clinically with cytologic support of disease were examined. For each case, two control populations were identified, including one temporal control (n = 37) and one age-matched control (n = 37). Data collected included signalment, dietary and stable management, prior medical history, metabolic status, physical examination findings, and results of cytologic evaluation via bronchoalvelolar lavage or tracheal wash. Conditional logistic regression was used to compare data on equine asthma cases with data from each set of controls. Results indicated that obesity (Body Condition Score ≥ 7) was the only statistically significant risk factor for equine asthma in this population of horses. These results may aid in identification of targets for management, prevention, and further investigation into the pathogenesis of equine asthma. Early identification and intervention of horses at risk of lower airway disease could ameliorate the impact of disease.
Issues regarding sustainable agriculture as perceived by upper level undergraduate students involved in a student managed farm at Iowa State University

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of agriculture students regarding sustainable agriculture practices, issues related to sustainable agriculture and learning/teaching processes. These students were enrolled in a capstone course that involved managing a 2000-acre operation. Fifty-seven students participated in this census study. Participants completed a survey questionnaire and a select group of students answered questions in a focus group interview. The participants in this study perceived that the sustainable agriculture movement promotes environmental concerns about farming more than economic concerns. The participants were mildly interested in learning more about practicing sustainable agriculture practices and how to use them. The participants in this study were most concerned about expansion of large farms, urban use of farmland, soil erosion, and dependence on seed and chemical companies. Overall, the participants in this study were concerned about economic, environmental and social aspects of agriculture. Participants in this study indicated that they had long-term experiences using crop rotation practices while frequently using cultivation, leguminous plants and integrated pest management practices on their farms. Participants in this study perceived that hands-on activities represent the most effective teaching and learning method. Demonstrations, field visits, face-to-face consultations and discussion represent effective methods for teaching and learning. Using a variety of teaching methods was considered effective. Family members and relatives were considered primary sources for agricultural information. Magazines, colleagues, seed and chemical companies and the Internet were frequently used sources for agricultural information. The Extension service was not perceived as a primary source of agricultural
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness remains unchanged following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements obtained with scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and scanning laser tomography (SLT). DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Twenty eyes (20 patients) undergoing LASIK were enrolled in this prospective study. SLP, OCT, and SLT examinations were performed 1 week prior to and 1 week and 4 weeks after LASIK surgery. Intraocular pressure was normal at all preoperative and postoperative examinations. SLP, OCT, and SLT mean RNFL thickness values, and SLT RNFL cross sectional area, rim area, and rim volume before and after LASIK were compared by the Student paired t test. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 39.3 ± 9.5 (SD) years (range, 28 to 62 years). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refractive error was −3.9 ± 1.9 diopters (D) (range, −1.4 to −8.00 D) and mean spherical equivalent refractive surgical correction was 3.6 ± 1.9 D (range, 1.00 to 8.50 D). Mean RNFL thicknesses obtained by SLP were thinner 1 week and 4 weeks after LASIK ( P t test), whereas mean OCT RNFL thickness and SLT RNFL thickness, RNFL cross-section area, rim area, and rim volume measurements were unchanged 1 week and 4 weeks after LASIK ( P ≥ 0.05, for all comparisons, paired t test). CONCLUSIONS: LASIK does not affect RNFL thickness. Alterations in SLP RNFL thickness measurements are due to alterations in corneal architecture rather than an actual LASIK-induced RNFL injury.
Intention‐to‐Treat: Overview

The intention-to-treat principle developed from concerns that analysis of a subset of subjects into randomized a clinical trial may provide a severely biased comparison of the study treatments, and it may not describe the expected outcome in all subjects for whom a treatment might be administered. The intention-to-treat analysis includes all subjects randomized into the study to provide a pragmatic assessment of the effects of therapy in general use, regardless of other considerations such as drug tolerability or compliance. This approach is contrasted with subset analyses, such as the “efficacy subset” that only includes the subset that tolerated the assigned agent, who were largely compliant and who completed follow-up. However, a true intention-to-treat analysis requires that all those randomized should complete follow-up and outcome assessments to the extent possible, even if no longer taking the drug, and that their outcome data should be employed in the analysis. This design is termed an intention-to-treat design. Many statistical methods provide an unbiased comparison of treatment effects when all missing observations are ignorable, assuming that no bias is introduced. However, this assumption is inherently unverifiable. Thus, the only incontrovertibly unbiased study is one in which all randomized patients are evaluated and included in the analysis, assuming that other features of the study are also unbiased. This design is the essence of the intent-to-treat philosophy. Keywords: intention-to-treat analysis; Intention-to-treat design; missing data; subset selection bias