cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of phenotypes between different vangl2 mutants demonstrates dominant effects of the Looptail mutation during hair cell development.

Experiments utilizing the Looptail mutant mouse, which harbors a missense mutation in the vangl2 gene, have been essential for studies of planar polarity and linking the function of the core planar cell polarity proteins to other developmental signals. Originally described as having dominant phenotypic traits, the molecular interactions underlying the Looptail mutant phenotype are unclear because Vangl2 protein levels are significantly reduced or absent from mutant tissues. Here we introduce a vangl2 knockout mouse and directly compare the severity of the knockout and Looptail mutant phenotypes by intercrossing the two lines and assaying the planar polarity of inner ear hair cells. Overall the vangl2 knockout phenotype is milder than the phenotype of compound mutants carrying both the Looptail and vangl2 knockout alleles. In compound mutants a greater number of hair cells are affected and changes in the orientation of individual hair cells are greater when quantified. We further demonstrate in a heterologous cell system that the protein encoded by the Looptail mutation (Vangl2S464N) disrupts delivery of Vangl1 and Vangl2 proteins to the cell surface as a result of oligomer formation between Vangl1 and Vangl2S464N, or Vangl2 and Vangl2S464N, coupled to the intracellular retention of Vangl2S464N. As a result, Vangl1 protein is missing from the apical cell surface of vestibular hair cells in Looptail mutants, but is retained at the apical cell surface of hair cells in vangl2 knockouts. Similarly the distribution of Prickle-like2, a putative Vangl2 interacting protein, is differentially affected in the two mutant lines. In summary, we provide evidence for a direct physical interaction between Vangl1 and Vangl2 through a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches and propose that this interaction underlies the dominant phenotypic traits associated with the Looptail mutation.
Hot band spectroscopy of DCBr near 0.96mum

High resolution measurements of the 20 2 (bending) hot band of the A1A′ band system of deuterobromomethylene between 10 290cm−1 and 10 540cm−1 are described. The spectra were recorded by direct absorption of a continuous-wave frequency-modulated external cavity diode laser following pulsed ultraviolet laser photolysis of deuterated bromoform. Although the bending vibrational spacings in the A1A′ state are not regular, the rotational structure in its (020) level was found to be unperturbed at the accuracy of the experimental measurements. This observation provides strong evidence that the position of the excited triplet A3 A″, state lies to higher energy, at least 1637cm−1 above the zero point level of the ground state.
ABUNDANCE OF COTTONTAILS (SYLVILAGUS) IN AN EXURBANIZING SOUTHWESTERN SAVANNA

Abstract Ranches are being converted to low-density exurban housing developments in the Southwest, with potentially significant but little studied impacts on biological diversity. We counted cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus audubonii and S. floridanus) in a grassland and in a mesquite-oak savanna in southeastern Arizona, on 48 plots evenly divided among landscapes that were grazed by livestock, or embedded in housing developments, or both, or neither. Cottontails were more abundant in exurban neighborhoods than in undeveloped areas, independent of grazing. They also were more common on ungrazed than on grazed lands, independent of development. Counts were positively correlated with the number of homes near plots. Counts also were positively correlated with height of ground cover and percent tree canopy, but only among plots in undeveloped landscapes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cottontails benefited from exurban development because of increased cover provided by structures and land...
Vasculitic neuropathy following exposure to minocycline.

Objective: To report 3 patients with minocycline-induced autoimmunity resulting in peripheral nerve vasculitis. Methods: We report 3 patients who, during minocycline treatment for acne vulgaris, developed subacute onset of pain and weakness caused by vasculitis in single and multiple mononeuropathy patterns. Results: Each patient underwent either a nerve or muscle biopsy that confirmed vasculitis. One patient additionally developed systemic symptoms (including fever, fatigue, and night sweats) and another had a posterior circulation stroke. Symptoms developed with either early or prolonged use of minocycline. Despite withdrawal of minocycline, patients needed long-term immunotherapy to gain neurologic improvement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the typical neuropathy associated with minocycline use is painful single or multiple mononeuropathy due to peripheral nerve vasculitis, which may also be accompanied by presumed CNS vasculitis (presenting as stroke).
Dietary aflatoxin-induced stunting in a novel rat model: evidence for toxin-induced liver injury and hepatic growth hormone resistance.

Dietary aflatoxin-induced stunting in a novel rat model: evidence for toxin-induced liver injury and hepatic growth hormone resistance
Penile gangrene as a sign of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

A 33-year-old African-American man with a previous medical history of type II diabetes mellitus and tobacco abuse presented to our outpatient clinic because of a penile lesion. The lesion started 1 month prior to presentation. The patient reported a history of minor injury while zipping his pants, which resulted in slight redness at the tip of his glans penis, progressing to blackish discolouration. He was sexually active with one female …
Hunter-Gatherer Lithic Economy and Settlement Systems

Intensive archaeological survey and excavation conducted in the Rio Maior region of Portuguese Estremadura has yielded a large sample of Upper Paleolithic sites. Chipped stone assemblages from technologically and typologically distinct Gravettian and Magdalenian periods exhibit both temporal and spatial variability. Valley landforms have changed little since the Early Pleistocene, which allows comparison of prehistoric land use patterns. Field survey coupled with analogy to historic gunflint workers in the nearby town of Azinheira provides insight into Late Pleistocene flint source distributions and procurement activities. Knowing these background variables is advantageous for understanding the complex dynamic between raw material selection, lithic reduction trajectories, and settlement systems. A combination of both curated and expedient technological strategies is evident in the Upper Paleolithic assemblages. By analyzing degree of planning in raw material choices and assessing economizing behavior in the reduction sequence, assem-blages are able to be interpreted as an integrated whole. This study demonstrates the importance of regional analysis not only for contributing to middle range theory, but as a method for interpreting diachronic lithic data in behaviorally significant ways.
Experimental Study of Aero-Optical Distortions in a Free Shear Layer

This paper present an experimental study of a two-dimensional shear layer to investigate the optical aberrations caused by large and small scale structures in the flow field. The experimental setup is a backward facing step with feedback actuation capabilities installed in USAFA’s subsonic wind tunnel. Time resolved pressure measurements as well as integral optical data from a Malley probe are used to correlate the flow structures identified using their velocity signature and their impact on optical distortions. We find good agreement of the growth rates of the shear layer with literature, as well as with the CFD simulations reported in a parallel paper. The optical path differences measured using a Malley probe at two step heights downstream are on the order of 0.04 m pk.
Gender differences in spousal caregiving and unmet need for care

This study investigated gender differences in spousal caregiving in a sample of 353 currently married people with cancer who were undergoing outpatient treatment. Results indicate that husbands were less likely than wives to help their sick spouses with household tasks, and husbands who helped were more likely to have other helpers, whereas wives tended to be sole caregivers. Wives provided approximately twice the hours of care that husbands provided. Women undergoing treatment who experienced high levels of morbidity received more hours of help with household tasks from nonspousal sources than men with comparable levels of morbidity, thus compensating for the deficit in hours of care provided by their husbands. At lower levels of morbidity, however, compensatory help to women was not sufficient to fill the gap in care. Women were more likely than men to report unmet need for assistance with household tasks, although not with personal care.
Abstract 5428: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzyme inhibition potentiates taxanes and doxorubicin activity in thyroid cancer cell lines

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the US. Doxorubicin, the only approved medical therapy, has limited efficacy; therefore alternative treatment options are warranted. We previously showed increased cytotoxicity when HDAC inhibitor was combined with taxanes and carboplatin in lung cancer cell lines. We now studied the combination of HDAC inhibitor and cytotoxic agents in thyroid cancer cell lines. Exponentially growing cells (Cal 62, PTC1, and BCPAP) were treated by continuous exposure for 72 hrs to vehicle or increasing concentrations of doxorubicin, paclitaxel or docetaxel ± fixed concentration of LBH589. Surviving cell fraction was estimated by sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay. IC50 concentration was determined by non-linear regression modeling of OD measurements. In a separate experiment, Western blot assay for markers of apoptosis (caspase and PARP cleavage), cell cycle regulation (p21, p27) and tubulin acetylation was performed using cell lysates from cells treated for 48 hrs with IC50 concentration of chemotherapy drugs ± LBH589. Similarly treated cells were analyzed for changes in cell cycle distribution using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Doxorubicin, docetaxel and paclitaxel showed potent nanomolar activity with up to 80% reduction in the IC50 concentrations when combined with LBH589 (paclitaxel: 0% - 70%; docetaxel: 60% - 84%; doxorubicin: 2% - 65%). Flow cytometry showed qualitative evidence for increased cell death with a 1.5 to 6-fold increase in the subG1 apoptotic cell fraction with combined doxorubicin and LBH589 versus doxorubicin alone. The increased cytotoxicity correlated with increased PARP cleavage and increased p21 protein expression; p27 induction by doxorubicin was not augmented by co-treatment with LBH589. HDAC inhibition augments in vitro cytotoxicity of microtubule and DNA-damaging agents in thyroid cancer cell lines. This combination deserves further evaluation in this disease. View this table: Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5428.
Image Postprocessing Management Technique and Clinical Application of Renal Artery Image with Multiple Spiral CT

Objective To discuss the postprocessing management of MPR,MIP,SSD AND VRT in renal angiography application in clinic and its effect assessment so that to indicate the diagnosis and treatment in clinic.Methods The materials of 80 cases who received the renal detection were analyzed in MIP,SSD,VRT,MPR with spiral CT at certain condition and compared. Results The good results obtained of 80 cases in MSCT of CTA axis scan and postprocessing.The sub-branches of 2,3,and 4 of renal artery had been clearly shown.The four methods had shared all advantages.Conclusion The MIP and VRT might be most valuable methods in postprocessing management of renal angiography.The main method should be based on MIP and compared with VRT and SSD complex comparison in clinic.
Ultrastructural Analysis of Isolate Rat Hearts after Hypothermic Storage in Organ Preservation Solution

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of Fuwai Modified Solution(FWM),Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglurate Solution(HTK) and University of Wisconsin Solution(UW) for isolated rat heart preservation.METHODS Male Wistar rats(n=20) were randomly divided into 4 groups: FWM,HTK,UW and Control group.In the Control group, hearts were harvested and immediately mounted on a Langendorff apparatus and reperfused for 1 hour.In the other three groups,the hearts were excised and stored in corresponding preservation solution(4℃) for 6 hours,and then were reperfused for 1 hour on Langendorff apparatus.At the end of the reperfusion,the changes of myocardial water content and ultrastructure were determined.RESULTS The water content in UW group was higher than Control,FWM and UW groups.No significant ultrastructural changes were found in Control and FWM groups.In contrast,myocardial structural alterations were found in HTK and UW groups.CONCLUSION Data collected from our experiment reveal that the effects of FWM solution for hypothermic preservation of isolated rat hearts are better than that of HTK and UW solutions.
Ca2+ modulation of cis-unsaturated fatty acid-induced mutant protein kinase C activity: indication of inhibitory Ca2+-binding site in protein kinase C-alpha.

The C2 domain in protein kinase C (PKC) is homologous to equivalent domains in a number of important cytoplasmic proteins. Except for its implied function in Ca 2+ and phospholipid binding, the precise role of this domain is not well understood. We examined the role of the C2 domain of PKC-α using a mutant enzyme in which 80% of this domain has been deleted. This mutant can be activated by phospholipid and diacylglycerol, but is independent of Ca 2+ . In this regard, its characteristics are similar to those of the novel PKCs (nPKCs), consistent with the notion that the C2 domain of PKC confers its Ca 2+ responsiveness. However, when the C2 deletion mutant is activated by cis -unsaturated fatty acid, the activity is strongly inhibited by Ca 2+ at micromolar concentrations. The Ca 2+ inhibition is dose-dependent and is specific to cis -unsaturated fatty acids. The deletion mutant can also be activated synergistically by diacylglycerol and cis -fatty acid, but again activation is inhibited by Ca 2+ . Our results indicate that a PKC lacking the C2 domain is Ca 2+ -responsive and there exists an additional site for Ca 2+ that modulates the sensitivity of the enzyme to cis -unsaturated fatty acid but not to diacylglycerol. This modulatory Ca 2+ -binding site appears to be suppressed by the C2 domain because the presence of the domain reverses the direction of PKC activity induced by cis- unsaturated fatty acid. These results suggest that the modulatory Ca 2+ -binding site could act as a molecular switch selective for fatty acid activation by sensing the changes in the Ca 2+ levels in a cell, serving a possible mechanism of differential activation of cPKC with a C2 domain and nPKC lacking this domain.
Identification and Screening of Individuals at Increased Risk for Pancreatic Cancer with Emphasis on Known Environmental and Genetic Factors and Hereditary Syndromes

Despite recent diagnostic and therapeutic advances, pancreatic cancer still carries a poor prognosis. Screening high-risk individuals is a relatively new concept with regards to pancreatic cancer but is an area of intense study. Significant effort has been invested in identifying risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Risk factors for pancreatic cancer can be classified into three broad categories: demographic, environmental (host), and hereditary (genetic) predisposition. This manuscript will review the risk factors and genetic syndromes associated with increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer, the role of genetic testing in the evaluation of high-risk patients, the available serologic and imaging tests that can be used to screen these individuals, and will summarize the available literature on attempts at pancreatic cancer screening to date. Image: Logo of Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah School of Medicine. Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Clinical neurophysiology of dementia.

Electroencephalography is a useful tool for differentiation of Alzheimer’s type of dementia from other, treatable dementias and also from multi-infarct dementia. It shows specific abnormalities in slow virus-induced dementias . Sensory evoked potentials appear promising as a laboratory test for the diagnosis of dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s. "Endogenous Event Related Potentials" recording should be the logical method for diagnosing and quantitating cognitive alterations. However, because of the necessity of patient’s cooperation for these tests, they are applicable only to mild cases with reasonably intact attention span. Tests of eye movements also require some degree of patient cooperation. Tests of ocular smooth pursuit correlate highly with severity of dementia in patients with Alzheimer’s, distinguishing them from normal elderly subjects and from patients with pseudodementia of depression. Scan paths show that the average eye fixation durations are longer in Alzheimer’s disease and briefer in patients with frontal lobe tumors, compared with elderly normal controls.
Adaptations to Predators and Prey

Predator-prey interactions have shaped our evolutionary lineage since long before we were human. Predation has had a profound influence on the evolution of our perceptual, emotional, cognitive, and social systems, stretching back to the origin of vertebrates. More recently, hunting has shaped the evolution of the hominin lineage, including the evolution of big brains, tool use, and cultural transmission in our genus. This chapter reviews the many influences predator-prey interactions have had on human psychology. A survey of the evolutionary history of predator-prey interactions in our lineage is followed by reviews of the influence of predator-prey interactions on various domains of human psychology including perception, foraging, emotions, learning, inference, and reasoning. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research on the influence of predator-prey interactions on human psychology and behavior. Keywords: predation; hunting; foraging; emotions; learning; cognition; evolution
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a3 defines a subset of failing pancreatic β cells in diabetic mice

Insulin-producing β cells become dedifferentiated during diabetes progression. An impaired ability to select substrates for oxidative phosphorylation, or metabolic inflexibility, initiates progression from β-cell dysfunction to β-cell dedifferentiation. The identification of pathways involved in dedifferentiation may provide clues to its reversal. Here we isolate and functionally characterize failing β cells from various experimental models of diabetes and report a striking enrichment in the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 isoform A3 (ALDH(+)) as β cells become dedifferentiated. Flow-sorted ALDH(+) islet cells demonstrate impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion, are depleted of Foxo1 and MafA, and include a Neurogenin3-positive subset. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrates that ALDH(+) cells are characterized by: (i) impaired oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial complex I, IV and V; (ii) activated RICTOR; and (iii) progenitor cell markers. We propose that impaired mitochondrial function marks the progression from metabolic inflexibility to dedifferentiation in the natural history of β-cell failure.
Adequate vitamin D status is associated with the reduced odds of prevalent diabetic retinopathy in African Americans and Caucasians

Vitamin D status has been hypothesized to protect against development of diabetic retinopathy via its anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest vitamin D favorably influences blood pressure and blood glucose control, strong risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. We examined the association between vitamin D status and prevalent diabetic retinopathy in participants with diabetes from a population-based cohort. Among participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study with diabetes at visit 3 (1993–1995), 1339 (906 Caucasians, 433 African Americans) had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (25[OH]D) concentrations assessed at visit 2 (1989–1992) and nonmydriatic retinal photographs taken at visit 3. Dietary intake of vitamin D was assessed at visit 1 (1987–1989). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for diabetic retinopathy by categories of season-adjusted 25(OH)D (<30 [referent], 30–<50, 50–<75 and ≥75 nmol/L), by quartile of vitamin D intake (IU/day), and use of vitamin D or fish oil supplements (yes/no). P for trend was estimated using continuous 25(OH)D or vitamin D intake. ORs were adjusted for race, and duration of diabetes. We further adjusted for HBA1c and hypertension to examine if 25(OH)D influenced diabetic retinopathy via its effects on either glycemic control or blood pressure. ORs (95 % CIs) for retinopathy, adjusted for race and duration, were 0.77 (0.45–1.32), 0.64 (0.37–1.10), and 0.39 (0.20–0.75), p for trend = 0.001, for participants with 25(OH)D of 30–<50, 50–<75, and ≥75 nmol/L, respectively. Further adjustment for hypertension minimally influenced results (data not show), but adjustment for HBA1c attenuated the OR among those with 25(OH)D ≥75 (0.47 [0.23–0.96], p for trend = 0.030). No statistically significant association was observed between vitamin D intake from foods or supplements and retinopathy. 25(OH)D concentrations ≥75 nmol/L were associated with lower odds of any retinopathy assessed 3 years later. We speculate this may be due in part to vitamin D’s influence on blood glucose control.
Future of the Fourth Amendment: The Problem with Privacy, Poverty and Policing

For decades, the reasonable expectation of privacy has been the primary standard by which courts have determined whether a “search” has occurred within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment. The Supreme Court’s recent decision in U.S. v. Jones, however, has reinvigorated the physical trespass doctrine’s importance when determining whether there has been a “search” triggering constitutional protection. Recognizing the unpredictability of the reasonable expectation of privacy doctrine and that doctrine’s bias against the urban poor, many scholars hope that the Jones opinion may ameliorate the class divide that has developed in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.This Article argues that while Jones has reiterated that a physical trespass may trigger Fourth Amendment protection, this holding alone will not result in any appreciable strengthening of the privacy rights of the urban poor. This Article will explain how current Fourth Amendment standards afford less protection to economically disadvantaged citizens (particularly, the urban-dwelling poor) when compared with more affluent citizens. I will also argue that this jurisprudence is largely unchanged by the Court’s recent decision in U.S. v. Jones. While this Article ultimately concludes that Jones is not the catalyst for the desperately needed doctrinal change, several extrajudicial solutions are suggested to ensure fair and just law enforcement strategies within the most vulnerable communities. Thus, the goal of this Article is not to enter the debate about whether Jones’ emphasis on trespass will increase privacy protections for the urban poor, but rather to reiterate that, due to the manner in which these communities are policed, advocates should place more emphasis on extrajudicial means to improve the privacy rights of citizens.
Relationship of LMX and Agreeableness with Emotional Exhaustion: a Mediated Moderated Model

The aim of the study is to explore that whether Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and agreeableness incite an employee to create facade of conformity (FOC) and how creation of FOC affects employee’s emotional exhaustion considering moderating effects of trust in management and employee’s emotional stability amongst four service sector organizations of Islamabad, Pakistan. Data Analysis of 303 supervisor-subordinate dyads using OLS regression found that LMX is negatively and significantly related to FOC while agreeableness is positively and significantly related to FOC. Effects of LMX on FOC are moderated by employee’s trust in management. Effect of FOC was lower among those having high degree of trust in management as compared to those who have lower degree of trust in management. FOC leads to emotional exhaustion. Moreover, effects of FOC on emotional exhaustion are moderated by employee’s emotional stability. Such that the effect of emotional exhaustion seems to be lower among those who have higher levels of emotional stability. No evidence was found that LMX and agreeableness directly affects emotional exhaustion without their effect on FOC. Based on these findings, we have discussed practical implications for managers along with limitations of the study and future directions.
Symmetrical ilial pseudofractures: A complication of chronic renal failure

A patient with chronic renal failure and progressive symmetrical ilial pseudofractures (Looser zones, Milkman's syndrome) is presented. The literature is reviewed in light of the findings in this patient, and possible mechanisms of pseudofracture formation are discussed.
A POSSIBLE BASIC METABOLIC GRADIENT

Ross Harrison has suggested that in certain tissues or organisms long, string-like, protein molecules are arranged in rows with their individual polarities adding up to produce the polarity of the tissue or the organism. This idea has been strengthened by recent studies with molecular films. Partly because the rate of rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle varies with its metabolic rate, a gradient in rate of rhythmic contraction from pylorus to colon may be dependent on a gradient in the metabolic rate of the muscle in different parts of the bowel. There is a gradient in the amount of oxygen used by, and in the catalase content of, the muscle of the bowel. The fact that the catalase gradient has been demonstrated in embryonic bowel indicates that it is basic and primary and not secondary to differences in function. There appears to be a gradient in the pH of the nervous tissue from duodenum to ileum.
Non-syndromic cardiac progeria in a patient with the rare pathogenic p.Asp300Asn variant in the LMNA gene

Mutations in LMNA gene, encoding Lamin A/C, cause a diverse array of phenotypes, collectively referred to as laminopathies. The most common manifestation is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), occurring in conjunction with variable skeletal muscle involvement but without involvement of the coronary arteries. Much less commonly, LMNA mutations cause progeroid syndromes, whereby an early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD) is the hallmark of the disease. We report a hitherto unreported compound cardiac phenotype, dubbed as “non-syndromic cardiac progeria”, in a young patient who carried a rare pathogenic variant in the LMNA gene and developed progressive degeneration of various cardiac structures, as seen in the elderly. The phenotype resembled the progeroid syndromes, except that it was restricted to the heart and did not involve other organs. The patient was a well-developed Caucasian female who presented at age 29 years with an acute myocardial infarction (MI) and was found to have extensive CAD. She had none of the conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis. She underwent coronary artery bypass surgery but continued to require multiple percutaneous coronary interventions for symptomatic obstructive coronary lesions. During the course of next 10 years, she developed mitral regurgitation, degenerative mitral and aortic valve diseases, atrial flutter, and progressive conduction defects. She died from progressive heart failure with predominant involvement of the right ventricle and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Cardiac phenotype in this young patient resembled degenerative cardiac diseases of the elderly and the progeroid syndromes. However, in contrast to the progeroid syndromes, the phenotype was restricted to the heart and did not involve other organs. Thus, the phenotype was dubbed as a non-syndromic cardiac progeria. Genetic screening of several cardiomyopathy genes, including LMNA, which is a causal gene for progeroid syndromes, led to identification of a very rare pathogenic p.Asp300Asn variant in the LMNA gene. We infer that the LMNA p.Asp300Asn mutation is pathogenic in non-syndromic cardiac progeria. Mutations involving codon 300 in the LMNA gene have been associated with progeroid syndromes involving multiple organs. Collectively, the data provide credence to the causal role of p.Asp300Asn mutation in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic cardiac progeria.
Three-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

We report three-dimensional imaging of a rare finding of Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which has been previously reported only by two-dimensional echocardiography. A fetal echocardiogram was performed at 19 weeks that showed a moderately hypoplastic left ventricle, severely hypoplastic mitral valve, a severely hypoplastic aortic valve, and a dysplastic tricuspid valve. Post Caesarean delivery at 40 weeks of gestation, a transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed the findings seen on the fetal echocardiogram. A three-dimensional echocardiogram was then performed, which demonstrated an Ebstein tricuspid valve with apical displacement of the septal leaflet, chordal attachments of the valve to the right ventricular outflow tract, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. The patient underwent a successful heart transplantation.
Ring-Opening Polymerization of Amino Acid N -Carboxyanhydrides

This chapter summarizes methods for the synthesis of polypeptides by ring-opening polymerization. Traditional and recently improved methods for polymerization of α-amino acid N -carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) are described. Use of these methods and strategies for the preparation of block and branched copolypeptides are also presented, as well as analysis of the synthetic scope of different approaches. Finally, strategies for obtaining highly functional polypeptides in pure form are detailed.
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy: A Perspective from Patients on What Matters Most (P5.450)

Objective: To identify the multitude of symptoms that impact the health and daily function of individuals with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) using a qualitative, patient-directed approach. Background: The LGMDs include over 50 different genetic conditions that result in a shared clinical phenotype. They are characterized by progressive weakness of the shoulder girdle and hip girdle. Some disorders include extra-muscular manifestations, such as joint contractures, but these are dependent on specific mutations. Studies focusing on the physical, mental and social impact of this disease from the patient’s point of view are limited. Design/Methods: Interviews with genetically confirmed LGMD patients were conducted using a semi-structured, qualitative, approach. Participants were asked to identify the symptoms and issues that have the greatest impact on their quality of life. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a qualitative framework technique. Results: Quotes were obtained from 20 patient interviews. Participants were purposively sampled from common LGMD mutations including FKRP, CAPN3, and DYSF. Symptoms of importance were identified and organized by similar topics into fourteen major themes. Themes identified as having an impact on patients’ quality of life included mobility and ambulation, ability to do activities, social performance, and emotional issues. Conclusions: There are multiple symptoms and issues that alter the lives of adults with LGMD. These symptoms affect the physical, mental, and social health of patients and may be amenable to medical intervention. Disclosure: Dr. Hunter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hatzipolakis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Heatwole has nothing to disclose. Dr. Johnson has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speakering, or other activities with AMO Pharma, AveXis and Strongbridge Pharma. Dr. Johnson has received compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurology Genetics. Dr. Johnson has received research support from Biogen Idec, Cytokinetics, AMO Pharma, AveXis and Ionis Pharmaceuticals.
P-log: refinement and a new coherency condition

This paper focuses on the investigation and improvement of knowledge representation language P-log that allows for both logical and probabilistic reasoning. We refine the definition of the language by eliminating some ambiguities and incidental decisions made in its original version and slightly modify the formal semantics to better match the intuitive meaning of the language constructs. We also define a new class of coherent (i.e., logically and probabilistically consistent) P-log programs which facilitates their construction and proofs of correctness. There are a query answering algorithm, sound for programs from this class, and a prototype implementation which, due to their size, are not included in the paper. They, however, can be found in the dissertation of the first author.
Applications of Reduced Order and Surrogate Modeling in Structural Dynamics

Despite recent advances in computational science, the adoption of computationally intensive, high-fidelity simulation models remains a challenge for many structural dynamics applications, especially those within the domain of uncertainty quantification (UQ), requiring repeated calls to a computationally intensive simulator. Reduced order and surrogate models offer an attractive alternative to circumvent this challenge. This contribution investigates how these modeling principles can be leveraged for different UQ applications. For both types of approximate models, the development of the corresponding (reduced order or surrogate) model is directly informed through simulations of the high-fidelity numerical model. The tuning of the approximate model aims to improve accuracy for the specific UQ task at hand, rather than targeting a globally accurate approximation. The specific applications discussed correspond to seismic loss estimation (for reduced order modeling) and posterior sampling for Bayesian inference (for surrogate modeling).
Detecting Emerging Infectious Diseases: An Overview of the Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats.

The Laboratory Response Network (LRN) was established in 1999 to ensure an effective laboratory response to high-priority public health threats. The LRN for biological threats (LRN-B) provides a la...
Moving from Practice‐to‐Praxis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Revealing the Value of Project7 Mindfulness Pledge©

Aim To examine the experiences of nurses and nursing assistants who participated in a mindfulness project. Background Increased demands and fewer resources have become the norm in most health care settings. As a result, health care professionals face exceptional stress in their work environments and are vulnerable to burnout and compassion fatigue. Even more distressing, many new nurses are leaving their jobs within the first two years. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine participants to discover their experience with the project. Results The major theme, a process of moving from practice to praxis, is brought forth through in-depth descriptive analysis of nine individual interviews. The process occurred through three themes: fostering self-awareness and compassion; fostering other-awareness and compassion; and compelling transformation in the unit culture. Conclusions This study develops an evidence base for incorporating and building mindfulness into health care environments at a time when there is a tremendous need for highly functioning practitioners. Implications for nursing management Nurse leaders are encouraged to examine how they can support their staff in moving from practice to praxis as a part of improving professional well-being, retention, quality and safety in health care.
Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin resistant or methicillin sensitive) can cause a wide variety of skin infections, ranging from a mild cellulitis to necrotizing fasciitis. Since the emergence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) in the 1990s, skin abscesses remain one of the most common cutaneous infections encountered in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
Pedagogical Elements: A Celebration of Romantic Teaching

For the past five years, Romantic Circles and NASSR have sponsored a pedagogy prize, choosing three to four finalists to share their pedagogy through dynamic, short presentations at an open panel d...
Deformation mechanisms of the subgranular cellular structures in selective laser melted 316L stainless steel

Abstract Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of certain alloys such as Stainless Steel yields a unique microstructure consisting of complex subgranular cell structures produced by ultra-fast cooling during solidification. Owing to the presence of these cell structures, SLM-fabricated 316L Stainless Steel displays a superior yield strength and hardness. Despite the significance of the distinctive cellular structures, their deformation characteristics and the mechanisms responsible for superior mechanical properties are not well-understood yet. In this paper, the mechanical deformation behavior of the complex cellular structures observed in the SLM-fabricated 316L Stainless Steel is investigated by performing a series of molecular dynamics simulations of uniaxial tension tests. The atomic configurations in the computational models of the cell structures are inspired by the SEM images of the microstructure of 316L Stainless Steel. The effects of compositional segregation of alloying elements, distribution of austenite and ferrite phases in the microstructure, subgranular cell sizes, and pre-existing (grown in) nano-twins on the tensile characteristics of the cellular structures are investigated. The highest yield strength is observed when the Ni concentration in the cell boundary drops very low to form a ferritic phase in the cell boundary. However, the flow stress is found to be the highest when both the cell boundary and cell interior are austenitic with higher Ni concentration in the cell interior. Moreover, governed by the initial dislocation density, the subgranular cell size has an inverse relationship with mechanical strength. Finally, the nano-twinned cells exhibit higher strength in comparison with twin-free cells as a result of the dislocation pinning at the twin boundaries. The investigation on the effect of twin spacing reveals a Hall-Petch type phenomenon in which smaller twin spacing strengthens the nano-twinned subgranular cells further.
Cost-effectiveness of Universal and Targeted Hepatitis C Virus Screening in the United States.

Importance Between 2 and 3.5 million people live with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the US, most of whom (approximately 75%) are not aware of their disease. Despite the availability of effective HCV treatment in the early stages of infection, HCV will result in thousands of deaths in the next decade in the US. Objective To investigate the cost-effectiveness of universal screening for all US adults aged 18 years or older for HCV in the US and of targeted screening of people who inject drugs. Design, Setting, and Participants This simulated economic evaluation used cohort analyses in a Markov model to perform a 10 000-participant Monte Carlo microsimulation trail to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HCV screening programs, and compared screening programs targeting people who inject drugs with universal screening of US adults age 18 years or older. Data were analyzed in December 2019. Exposures Cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Main Outcomes and Measures Cost per QALY gained. Results In a 10 000 Monte Carlo microsimulation trail that compared a baseline of individuals aged 40 years (men and women) and people who inject drugs in the US, screening and treatment for HCV were estimated to increase total costs by $10 457 per person and increase QALYs by 0.23 (approximately 3 months), providing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $45 465 per QALY. Also, universal screening and treatment for HCV are estimated to increase total costs by $2845 per person and increase QALYs by 0.01, providing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $291 277 per QALY. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that HCV screening for people who inject drugs may be a cost-effective intervention to combat HCV infection in the US, which could potentially decrease the risk of untreated HCV infection and liver-related mortality.
Authentication Study for Brain-Based Computer Interfaces Using Music Stimulations

Electroencephalography (EEG) brain signals have been used in a number of pattern recognition studies. Due to the high degree of uniqueness and inherent security, EEG-based brain signals have been considered as a potential pattern for biometrics, especially for continuous authentication. Although previous research has been conducted with different visual stimuli, music stimuli for brain signal authentication are rarely considered. One unresolved question is whether these brain signals that change over time will affect the authentication results. An EEG database with 16 volunteers has been employed in the analysis to observe any changes in brain wave patterns as well as changes in authentication rates. The data were regularly collected over a period of four months while exposed to three different genres of music.
Quebec’s Fracking Restrictions: Squandered Opportunity or Prudent Conservation?

This article first reviews key developments in the Quebec natural gas fracking timeline from initial exploratory well fracking in 2007 to the 2011 moratorium and the 2018 fracking prohibition. Next...
A comparison of artificial urinary sphincter outcomes after primary implantation and first revision surgery.

Objective The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard for severe male stress urinary incontinence, though evaluations of specific predictors for device outcomes are sparse. We sought to compare outcomes between primary and revision AUS surgery for non-infectious failures. Methods We identified 2045 consecutive AUS surgeries at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) from 1983 to 2013. Of these, 1079 were primary AUS implantations and 281 were initial revision surgeries, which comprised our study group. Device survival rates, including overall and specific rates for device infection/erosion, urethral atrophy and mechanical failure, were compared between primary AUS placements versus revision surgeries. Patient follow-up was obtained through office examination, written correspondence, or telephone correspondence. Results During the study period, 1079 (79.3%) patients had a primary AUS placement and 281 (20.7%) patients underwent a first revision surgery for mechanical failure or urethral atrophy. Patients undergoing revision surgery were found to have adverse 1- and 5-year AUS device survival on Kaplan-Meier analysis, 90% vs. 85% and 74% vs. 61%, respectively (p<0.001). Specifically, revision surgery was associated with a significantly increased cumulative incidence of explantation for device infection/urethral erosion (4.2% vs. 7.5% at 1 year; p=0.02), with similar rates of repeat surgery for mechanical failure (p=0.43) and urethral atrophy (p=0.77). Conclusions Our findings suggest a significantly higher rate of overall device failure following revision AUS surgery, which is likely secondary to an increased rate of infection/urethral erosion events.
Moving beyond Sedentarism in CKD

Physical inactivity and sedentarism are strongly associated with adverse health outcomes across multiple populations ([1][1],[2][2]). Sedentary behavior is considered a clinically important state on the low end of the physical activity continuum, representing a distinct risk marker for metabolic
Milk Production and Reproductive Performance in Postpartum Dairy Cows Diagnosed and Treated for Metritis Using a Health Monitoring Program

After calving, uterine health can be compromised by bacterial contamination that may result in metritis which lowers milk production, fertility and can be life threatening. Early treatment of metritis is justified on the basis of animal welfare and from an economical aspect of returning affected cows to their expected level of production. Postpartum (PP) health monitoring strategies are popular in many dairies because it allows the opportunity to identify sick cows early and provide therapy for metritis. However, it is not known if PP cows that undergo a health monitoring program and are diagnosed and treated for metritis have comparable reproductive performance and milk production to cows without metritis. Objectives were to determine milk production and reproductive performance in PP dairy cows diagnosed and treated for metritis using a health monitoring program.
Robustness of radiomic features of benign breast lesions and hormone receptor positive/HER2-negative cancers across DCE-MR magnet strengths.

Abstract Radiomic features extracted from breast lesion images have shown potential in diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. As medical centers transition from 1.5 T to 3.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, it is beneficial to identify potentially robust radiomic features across field strengths because images acquired at different field strengths could be used in machine learning models. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images of benign breast lesions and hormone receptor positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancers were acquired retrospectively, yielding 612 unique cases: 150 and 99 benign lesions imaged at 1.5 T and 3.0 T, and 223 and 140 HR+/HER2- cancerous lesions imaged at 1.5 T and 3.0 T, respectively. In addition, an independent set of seven lesions imaged at both field strengths, three benign lesions and four HR+/HER2- cancers, was analyzed separately. Lesions were automatically segmented using a 4D fuzzy c-means method; thirty-eight radiomic features were extracted. Feature value distributions were compared by cancer status and imaging field strength using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Features that did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference were considered to be potentially robust. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), for the task of classifying lesions as benign or HR+/HER2- cancer, was determined for each feature at each field strength. Three features were found to be both potentially robust across field strength and of high classification performance, i.e., AUCs statistically greater than 0.5 in the classification task: one shape feature (irregularity), one texture feature (sum average) and one enhancement variance kinetics features (enhancement variance increasing rate). In the demonstration set of lesions imaged at both field strengths, two of the three potentially robust features showed qualitative agreement across field strength. These findings may contribute to the development of computer-aided diagnosis models that are robust across field strength for this classification task.
Portal Vein Thrombosis in a Patient With Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Mutation and Normal Homocysteine Levels.

A 21-year-old male presented with chief complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting and was found to have portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen, which was redemonstrated on ultrasound. Thrombophilia workup was negative except that patient was heterozygous for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation. Homocysteine levels were normal. The patient was started on enoxaparin and discharged on apixaban with the plan to continue anticoagulation for at least six months. Follow-up MRI after four months showed interval improvement of the main portal vein thrombus with the use of Eliquis.