cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loss of Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts does not affect myofibroblast differentiation or cardiac repair after myocardial infarction

Abstract In response to myocardial infarction (MI), quiescent cardiac fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts mediating tissue repair in the infarcted area. One of the most widely accepted markers of myofibroblast differentiation is the expression of Acta2 which encodes smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMαA) that is assembled into stress fibers. However, the requirement of Acta2 in the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts and its role in post-MI cardiac repair were still not known. To answer these questions, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible cardiac fibroblastspecific Acta2 knockout mouse line. Surprisingly, mice that lacked Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts had a normal survival rate after MI. Moreover, Acta2 deletion did not affect the function or overall histology of infarcted hearts. No difference was detected in the proliferation, migration, or contractility between WT cardiac fibroblasts and Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts. Additional analysis identified that Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts had a normal total filamentous actin level and total actin level. Acta2 deletion caused a unique compensatory increase in the transcription level of Actg2 and a possible increase in the protein abundance of cytoplasmic actin isoforms. In conclusion, SMαA stress fibers are not required for myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts or the post-MI cardiac repair, and the increase in the expression of non-SMαA actin isoforms and the functional redundancy between actin isoforms are likely able to compensate for the loss of Acta2 in cardiac myofibroblasts.
Child maltreatment and the development of psychopathology: The role of developmental timing and chronicity.

Abstract Background The effects of child maltreatment (CM) on psychopathology are well-established, yet the complex effects of timing and chronicity of maltreatment exposure on the development of psychopathology are still unclear. Objective To elucidate developmental pathways from distinct dimensions of CM (chronicity and timing) to psychopathology during emerging adulthood using data from a longitudinal, multi-method study. Participants and setting Children with and without maltreatment exposure were recruited at wave 1 (ages 10–12) to participate in a research summer camp. At wave 2, participants were recontacted during emerging adulthood (ages 18–22). The current study includes 391 participants (51.3% female; 77.5% Black, 11.3% white, 7.4% Hispanic, 3.8% other race). Methods Timing and chronicity of maltreatment exposures were coded from child protective services records using the Maltreatment Classification System. Childhood internalizing and externalizing symptoms were assessed using child- and camp counselor-report. Emerging adults completed self-report questionnaires and were interviewed about their current and past symptoms of psychopathology. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate direct and indirect links between childhood maltreatment dimensions (chronicity and timing) to adult psychopathology via childhood internalizing and externalizing. Results Child maltreatment experiences that spanned several developmental periods, including both early and later childhood stages, predicted a cascade of both internalizing and externalizing symptoms in childhood that eventuated in greater symptoms of anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder in emerging adulthood. Conclusions Results suggest that chronic childhood maltreatment exposure is associated with multifinality in psychopathology presentations that can be detected in childhood and extend into emerging adulthood. Early prevention and intervention efforts to promote positive and safe parenting are essential to decrease the burden of mental health symptoms conferred by chronic maltreatment exposures on individuals, families, and public health systems.
Stroke Disparities Across Racial and other Minorities: Results from the “All of Us” Research Program (5031)

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that cerebrovascular disease disproportionately affects minorities in the “All of Us” cohort. Background: “All of US” is a revolutionary research program that aims to collect and publicly share health data from one million Americans. One of its main goals is to accelerate research in minority populations traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research. Design/Methods: We evaluated the first data release of “All of Us.” Inclusion criteria were age >18 years and consent to provide electronic health record (EHR) data and biological samples. Upon enrollment, participants completed several baseline surveys, including demographics and past medical history. We first conducted a cross-sectional analysis combining survey and EHR data to estimate the stroke prevalence upon enrollment. We subsequently used EHR data and time-to-event analysis via cox proportional hazards modeling to evaluate differences in stroke incidence. All analyses were performed in a secure informatic work space provided by the NIH. Results: The current “All of Us” cohort includes 224,143 participants, including 142,673 (64%) who answered the past medical history survey and provided EHR data. Minority groups included blacks (n=27,838), Hispanics (n=26,886), and persons who are older (n=14,445), disabled (n=14,321), uninsured (n=26,158), have low income (n=51,203) or belong to a sexual/gender minority (LGBTQIA+, n=17,646). There were 3,605 (2.5%) prevalent strokes. Stroke prevalence was significantly higher in several minority groups, including blacks and persons who are older, disabled and have low income (all p Conclusions: Among Americans enrolled in “All of Us,” several minority groups have a disproportionately higher burden of stroke. The All of Us program provides a powerful tool to accelerate research focused on minorities and close the gap in knowledge that leads to significant health disparities. Disclosure: Julian Acosta has nothing to disclose. Ms. Leasure has nothing to disclose. Cameron Both has nothing to disclose. Dr. Szejko has nothing to disclose. Victor Torres-Lopez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Ceribell. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Zoll. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for NControl. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Bard. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Hyperfine. Dr. Sheth has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Falcone has nothing to disclose.
Expression of the Serratia marcescens lipoproteins gene in Escherichia coli.

The lipoprotein gene (lpp) of Serratia marcescens was cloned in a lambda phage vector (K. Nakamura and M. Inouye, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77: 1369-1373, 1980). This lpp gene was recloned in plasmid vectors pBR322 and pSC101. When a lipoprotein-deficient (lpp) mutant of Escherichia coli was transformed with pBR322 carrying the S. marcescens lpp gene, cells became nonleaky for ribonuclease, resistant to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and sensitive to globomycin. The lipoprotein was found exclusively in the outer membrane fraction. These results indicate that the S. marcescens lipoprotein was normally secreted across the cytoplasmic membrane, modified, and assembled in the E. coli outer membrane. The amount of the free-form lipoprotein produced in this system was three times higher than that produced in lpp + C. coli cells, whereas there was no difference in the amount of the bound-form lipoprotein. On the other hand, lpp E. coli cells which harbored pSC101 carrying the S. marcescens lpp gene produced only one-third of the free-form lipoprotein produced in lpp E. coli cells which harbored pSC101 carrying the E. coli lpp gene. One of the major factors causing this difference in efficiency of gene expression between the lpp genes of S. marcescens and E. coli appears to be a deletion mutation at the transcription termination region found in the cloned S. marcescens lpp gene. The functional half-life of the S. marcescens lpp messenger ribonucleic acid in E. coli was found to be found half that of the E. coli lpp messenger ribonucleic acid.
Levetiracetam Pharmacokinetics in a Patient Receiving Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration and Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Levetiracetam is a first-line therapy for seizures in critically ill patients because of its clinical efficacy, minimal drug interactions, and wide therapeutic window. The primary mechanism of levetiracetam clearance is renal, and the drug has a low molecular weight. It is hydrophilic and exhibits minimal protein binding. Thus it is expected that levetiracetam will be removed by continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), with limited clearance by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We describe the case of a 67-year-old man who was admitted to the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit after cardiac arrest and initiation of venoarterial ECMO. His course was complicated by multiorgan dysfunction including acute renal failure requiring CVVH. On hospital day 6, intravenous levetiracetam, at a loading dose of 2000 mg followed by a maintenance dose of 1000 mg every 12 hours, was initiated for new-onset seizures. The volume of distribution was 0.65 L/kg, and clearance was measured with peak (ranging from 26.5-39.8 μg/ml) and trough (ranging from 13.9-18.2 μg/ml) concentrations. Elimination half-life ranged from 8.7-10.1 hours. Renal dysfunction reduces levetiracetam clearance, and dosage reductions are recommended to prevent accumulation. Current CVVH dosing recommendations are based on predicted removal without clinical data. The volume of distribution and clearance in this case were similar to those of a normal healthy patient. Based on these results, we recommend considering an initial levetiracetam dose of 1000 mg every 12 hours for patients receiving CVVH, with dosage adjustments based on therapeutic drug monitoring.
Diesel Fuel Consumption during Field Operations

Direct energy expenses (diesel, gasoline, propane, electricity) total more than $1 billion annually for Iowa’s farmers. Farm management techniques such as adjusting tractor gear and throttle settings, reducing tillage depths, and monitoring tractor tire inflation pressures can reduce diesel fuel consumption for row crop production. This study is being conducted over multiple years to measure the effects of energy management techniques on tractor fuel consumption during spring and fall field operations.
An opto-electro-mechanical phase shifter

We demonstrate an opto-electro-mechanical phase shifter. A suspended microbridge is electrostatically actuated to strongly-interact with a weakly-confined waveguide mode. The resulting effective index tuning substantially exceeds that achievable with thermo-optic and electro-optic approaches.
Uniqueness of a recently proposed U(1) gauge extension

Consider the addition of a right-handed SU(2) fermion multiplet (with neither color nor hypercharge) to each family of quarks and leptons. The resultant theory admits a new U(1) gauge symmetry only if the additional multiplet is a singlet $N_R$, which corresponds to the well-known case of $U(1)_{B-L}$, or a triplet $(\Sigma^+, \Sigma^0, \Sigma^-)$, which corresponds to the proposal of hep-ph/0112232. This disproves the assertion that the latter is somehow a ``trivial'' or ``expected'' discovery.
Rapid Semiautomated Screening and Processing of Urine Specimens

A rapid urine culture procedure was evaluated in which positive urines were detected by using light-scatter photometry (Autobac). Specimens were analyzed at 3, 5, and 6 h. Specimens detected as positive at 3 h were then further evaluated by a direct 3-h susceptibility procedure (Autobac) and by a 4-h identification procedure (Micro-ID). Of 949 specimens, 175 had >105 colony-forming units per ml by colony count. Of these latter specimens, 75.4% had been detected by 3 h, and 95.4% were detected by 6 h. Of specimens positive by Autobac at 3 h, 96% (95.7%) had >105 colony-forming units per ml. If pure by Gram stain, those positive specimens were inoculated to direct susceptibility and identification systems. When direct Autobac susceptibilities were compared with the standard Autobac method done from the plate the following day, discrepancy rates were 1.3% very major, 2.1% major, and 7.4% total. The direct identifications were 94% (94.2%) correct when using the Micro-ID manual and a collection of octal patterns unique to this system, in which urine/broth culture inoculum was employed instead of the usual organism colony suspension. Those urine specimens negative after screening at 3 h were evaluated at 5 and 6 h, and an additional 126 specimens were detected as positive. These were then processed by routine plate inoculation, due to the limitations of the work day. By 6 h, 95.4% of specimens with >105 colony-forming units per ml were detected. The 4.6% false-negative results consisted of patients on antibiotics, or slowly growing bacteria suspected of being distal urethral contaminants. Thus, 83.5% of the urine cultures received by 9:00 a.m. (10.6% 3-h positives and 72.9% negative at 6 h) could be evaluated and reported within one 8-h work day.
Quantum chromodynamics gives all the nuclear forces in saturated nuclei and predicts the saturation itself

Abstract I derive from QCD the saturation of nuclear forces, the repulsive nuclear core, and the potential between nucleons in saturated nuclei, including, for the first time, the “inverted” spin-orbit coupling, the origin of “space symmetry” and the pairing force. The relative stability of nuclear matter, compared to neutron matter, is demonstrated. I assume only that the nucleons overlap significantly in nuclei, and that the quark mass parameter appropriate for QCD calculations at nuclear densities is m q ≈ 0( 1 3 m N ) . The dominant features of the potential, such as strength and saturating nature of the central force, correct sign and order of magnitude of the spin-orbit coupling, are derived independently of the details of the quark wave functions. Less important terms (for saturated nuclei) such as spin-spin interaction and tensor force appear, but require knowledge of quark wave functions for accurate evaluation.
THE TRILL OF THE CHASE: EASTERN CHIPMUNKS CALL TO WARN KIN

The trill vocalization is given by eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) when being pursued by a predator. To examine the adaptive significance of this vocalization, we assessed the effects of sex, age, and distance from the burrow on the occurrence of the call. Chipmunks were released either 10 or 100 m from their burrow and chased by an experimenter to simulate a terrestrial predator. We found that adult females trill more often when released 10 m from their burrow (67% of 24 chases) than when released 100 m from their burrow (14% of 21 chases). Adult males, on the other hand, showed no significant difference in their probability of trilling based on the distance from their burrows (45% of 20 chases at 10 m and 55% of 20 chases at 100 m). Adult females trilled more than adult males when released 10 m from their burrow (67% compared with 45%) but less than males when released 100 m from their burrow (14% compared with 55%). Juvenile females only trilled when released 10 m from their burrows (45% of 11 chases), and juvenile males did not trill at all. We attributed sex, age, and location differences in giving the trill vocalization to the effects of kin selection on antipredator behavior.
High-Level Direct Expression of Semi-Synthetic Human Interleukin-6 in Escherichia coli and Production of N-Terminus Met-Free Product

We have developed a direct expression system for high-level production of recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) in Escherichia coli. In this system, (i) the natural N-terminal coding region of the hIL-6 gene was replaced by a synthetic sequence containing A-T rich codons, (ii) dual Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequences were employed, (iii) an A-T rich segment was inserted in front of the initiation codon to avoid putative mRNA secondary structure in the region and (iv) the natural amber termination codon of the hIL-6 gene was changed to an ocher stop codon. The hlL-6 polypeptide, synthesized at a high level, formed cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. After refolding, the N-terminal methionine was removed by aminopeptidase-P in vitro. The purified recombinant hIL-6 had B-cell differentiation activity equivalent to natural IL-6 from a human T-cell culture.
Colloidal crystal templating of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous solids: materials for photonics and beyond

Abstract This review discusses strategies for the synthesis of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) solids (inverse opals) by colloidal crystal templating. Compositions of 3DOM structures include simple and ternary oxides, chalcogenides, non-metallic and metallic elements, hybrid organo-silicates, and polymers. A wide range of 3DOM synthesis techniques, including sol–gel chemistry, polymerization, salt-precipitation and chemical conversion, chemical vapor deposition, spray pyrolysis, ion spraying, laser spraying, nanocrystal deposition and sintering, oxide and salt reduction, electrodeposition, electroless deposition, fabrication from core-shell spheres, and patterning methods, as well as templating using inverse opal molds to produce new opal compositions are reviewed. Potential uses of 3DOM solids, including photonic crystal, optical, catalytic, and bioglass applications are briefly discussed.
Temperature structure of nongray planetary atmospheres

Abstract To reduce by several orders of magnitude the number of frequency points needed in calculating net fluxes for molecular atmospheres, transmission average opacities are introduced. A power-law representation of these broad-band opacities is suggested for paths at constant pressure and temperature and generalized to nonhomogeneous paths. These broad-band opacities fail to obey the rules of superposition and as a result there is a greater tendency toward convective instability. Approximate formulas are developed for the temperature gradient near the bottom of a cloud layer and at large depths within an atmosphere. Finally, equations are presented to obtain the distribution of solar energy deposition within a planetary atmosphere, which exhibits scattering and absorption by gas molecules, cloud aerosols, and the ground. Such information is needed to find the amount of net thermal flux at any level of the atmosphere.
Reinsertion of accidentally removed tunneled central venous catheter via the existing subcutaneous tract.

Background. A technique for reinsertion of an inadvertently removed tunneled central venous catheter is presented. A 6-year-old boy with short-gut syndrome caused by necrotizing enterocolitis accidentally removed his tunneled central venous catheter. Materials and methods. The existing subcutaneous catheter tract was recanalized using a hydrophilic guidewire and 5-French end-hole catheter with the child unter conscious sedation, and a new catheter was placed over a guidewire. Results. This obviated the need for a new venipuncture and creation of a new subcutaneous tunnel, which are performed under general anesthesia in our hospital.
Proton uptake and release are rate-limiting steps in the photocycle of the bacteriorhodopsin mutant E204Q.

In the absence of the putative proton release group, E204, the second half of the photocycle of the E204Q mutant of bacteriorhodopsin is slowed down more than 10-fold compared to the wild type. The effects of pH and D2O on the M decay and O formation rates in E204Q suggest that proton uptake occurs concurrently with the N ↔ O transition, possibly coupled with the thermal reisomerization of the retinal. Hence, one of the rate-limiting steps in the slow E204Q photocycle is proton uptake from the outside medium, coincident with the decay of the slow component of M (the N ↔ O transition). The second rate-limiting step is the long lifetime of decay of the O state, due to a high activation barrier for the deprotonation of D85 in the O → bR step of the E204Q photocycle. Addition of the weakly acidic anions azide, cyanate, or formate accelerates the decay of the O intermediate, and restores the total photocycling time to that observed in the wild-type pigment, by accelerating the deprotonation of D85. We also fin...
Field-scale moisture estimates using COSMOS sensors: A validation study with temporary networks and Leaf-Area-Indices

Summary The COsmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (COSMOS) is a new and innovative method for estimating surface and near-surface soil moisture at large (∼700 m) scales. This system accounts for liquid water within its measurement volume. Many of the sites used in the early validation of the system had low and stable vegetation water content. It is necessary to perform validation of COSMOS in a landscape with a significant change in vegetation water content to estimate its impact on the COSMOS estimate, and potentially, correct the estimate to account for the dynamic vegetation cover. A COSMOS station was installed in Beltsville, MD in the spring of 2012, within the domain of a long-term experimental station on USDA property. This station has a large array of soil moisture sensors in profile across the field, which is approximately 700 m in diameter. Frequent estimates of Leaf Area Index (LAI) were made throughout the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons (May through September). COSMOS readings, with a simple linear adjustment, were able to produce estimates of area-weighted averages of the existing in situ network with root-mean-squared-errors (RMSE) of soil-water content well below 0.04 m3/m3 and with additional modeling to account for Leaf Area Index (LAI) values, RMSE values less than 0.03 m3/m3 were achieved.
The U.S. Supreme Court Myth, Diffuse Support, Specific Support, and Legitimacy

Legitimacy exists when citizens comply with governmental edicts despite substantive disapproval. Attribution of legitimacy may proceed from at least three antecedents: subscription to a "judicial m...
Estimating Annualized Riparian Buffer Costs for the Harpeth River Watershed

Water pollution from nonpoint sources is increasingly a focal point for efforts to reduce water quality impairments. These efforts often require or subsidize riparian buffer strips. However, the costs of these buffer strips are not always well understood. This article estimates the annualized costs of establishing and maintaining 45.7-meter (150-feet) riparian buffer strips on all agricultural land adjoining a waterway in Tennessee's Harpeth River watershed. A mandatory requirement for buffer strips of this width would result in 4,955 hectares (12,245 acres) of buffer strips at an annualized cost of $1 .3 million. A supply curve for buffer strips is also constructed. Since the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA), largely unregulated nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution have contributed to an increasing share of the nation's water quality problems (Copeland). While the amount of agricultural land in the United States has remained relatively constant over the past thirty years, agricultural production has increased because of technological advances and increasingly fertilizer-intensive agricultural practices. These fertilizerintensive practices have been a major contributor to a threefold increase in the nitrate load in the Mississippi River entering the Gulf of Mexico (Greenhalgh and Sauer). When the states and territories surveyed the nation's rivers and streams, they found 39% of the segments surveyed impaired for one or more uses. Agriculture was listed as a contributor to 48% of these impairments - more than twice as much as any other source (USEPA 2002).
Surface concentration measurement of a spreading monolayer film using a displacement current technique

There are numerous techniques for measuring surface concentration of monolayer films. While most techniques are suitable only for stationary films, a novel technique is examined for its feasibility in measuring the concentration of a polar monolayer during the spreading of the film. Measurement of the concentration of an octadecanol monolayer while spreading over a water surface is demonstrated with a displacement current measurement technique in conjunction with Wilhelmy plate measurements of the surface pressure. It was found that the displacement current technique can easily measure changes in the film concentration well below those detectable by the Wilhelmy plate. A “gaseous” film region was observed ahead of the leading edge detectable by the Wilhelmy plate. This film region has not been previously reported in the literature. Furthermore, the film front appears to diffuse during the spreading process. Surfactant concentration behavior during spreading is useful for examining and developing models of surface tension driven flows.
Treatment of material creep and nonlinearities in flexible multibody dynamics

This paper addresses the modeling of the generalized active forces resulting from deformable bodies when subjected to high temperature conditions, elastic-plastic deformations, creep effects, and material nonlinearities. The effects of elastic-plastic deformations are studied making use of the nonlinear stress-strain relationship and the geometrical stiffness concepts. Creep conditions resulting from high temperature are studied through several proposed models. Materials nonlinearities for isotropic and composites are accounted for by their tangential elasticity matrix. A general procedure used in the study of multibody systems dynamics with elastic-plastic bodies depicting the characteristics mentioned is developed. This includes an explicit formulation of the equations of motion using Kane`s equations, finite element method, continuum mechanics, and modal coordinate reduction techniques. A numerical simulation of a flexible robotic arm with a prescribed angular velocity subject to high temperature conditions is analyzed. The effects of creep are discussed.
Paradoxical Reduction in Tissue Hydration with Weight Gain in Neonatal Rabbit Pups

Summary: We measured body hydration of healthy, term rabbit pups at birth and 72 hr of age. In addition, we measured hydration of individual tissues: skin, skeletal muscle, liver, and brain. At birth, the hydration of lean body mass, skin, and skeletal muscle, expressed as cc water per g fat-free dry weight (FFDW) was inversely proportional to birth weight. Low birth weight animals were significantly better hydrated than their larger littermates. During the first 72 hr of life, the nursing pups gained an average 31.39% of birth weight. Simultaneously, lean body hydration decreased by 23% (5.48 to 4.86 cc/g FFDW). The hydration change varied substantially among organs. The greatest loss occurred in skin (24%). Skeletal muscle lost 5.8%, and the brain lost 3.1%. When hydration at 72 hr was compared to weight gain and by inference fluid intake, a paradoxical result was obtained. Lean body, skin, and skeletal muscle hydration was inversely related to weight gain. The animals that gained the most weight retained the least water. In contrast, the hydration of brain and liver was significantly higher in animals that gained the most weight. We conclude that the newborn rabbit is endowed with a reservoir of fluid at birth, predominantly stored in skin and skeletal muscle. The rate of release of this store depends on fluid intake. It is rapidly lost if ample fluid intake is provided. In conditions of restricted fluid intake, the release is substantially slower. Speculation: At least two processes regulate tissue hydration in the newborn rabbit. The first, a function of growth, is responsible for the progressive accretion of intracellular water during gestation and postnatal development. It is illustrated by the increase in tissue hydration of brain and liver in well-nourished pups during the first 72 hr of life. The second process may be under hormonal regulation on a time scale of hr to days. It accounts for the relatively high level of tissue hydration at birth, and provides a supply of water and sodium to maintain plasma volume during the first days of life, thereby preventing dehydration during this period of variable fluid intake.
Interference alignment by motion

Recent years have witnessed increasing interest in interference alignment which has been demonstrated to deliver gains for wireless networks both analytically and empirically. Typically, interference alignment is achieved by having a MIMO sender precode its transmission to align it at the receiver. In this paper, we show, for the first time, that interference alignment can be achieved via motion, and works even for single-antenna transmitters. Specifically, this alignment can be achieved purely by sliding the receiver's antenna. Interestingly, the amount of antenna displacement is of the order of one inch which makes it practical to incorporate into recent sliding antennas available on the market. We implemented our design on USRPs and demonstrated that it can deliver 1.98× throughput gains over 802.11n in networks with both single-antenna and multi- antenna nodes.
The hydrolysis of α-and β-hexopyranosyl phosphates

Abstract The hydrolysis of the anomeric pairs of the aldopyranosyl phosphates of d -glucose, d -mannose, d -galactose, and l -fucose was studied over the pH range of 1-6. The hydrolysis of the acidic “neutral” species is strongly influenced by the structure of the pyranosyl group. The presence of axial hydroxyl groups, or of the electron donating methyl group on C-5 (as in l -fucose), greatly enhances the rate of hydrolysis relative to that of d -glucopyranosyl phosphate. In contrast, the hydrolysis of the monoanionic species is mainly influenced by the anomeric configuration, the β anomers of the pyranosyl phosphates being hydrolysed 3-7 times as fast as the α anomers.
Treatment of amblyopia: toward a patient-specific treatment plan

Treatment for unilateral amblyopia has two principal components: refractive correction by spectacles and occlusion of the fellow eye. Until recently, knowledge of the dose–response for occlusion by patching was very sparse and, consequently, prescribed doses of treatment varied from 10 min per day, up to full time. Recent clinical trials concerning the effectiveness of occlusion by patching and atropine penalization have provided us with an evidence base on which to prescribe treatment appropriately. This article aims to summarize recent work on treatment for amblyopia and discuss the treatment options, providing the possible treatment plans available to the clinician.
Testing Transition State Theory on Kac-Zwanzig Model

A variant of the Kac-Zwanzig model is used to test the prediction of transition state theory (TST) and variational transition state theory (VTST). The model describes the evolution of a distinguished particle moving in a double-well external potential and coupled to N free particles through linear springs. While the Kac-Zwanzig model is deterministic, under appropriate choice of the model parameters the evolution of the distinguished particle can be approximated by a two-state Markov chain whose transition rate constants can be computed exactly in suitable limit. Here, these transition rate constants are compared with the predictions of TST and VTST. It is shown that the application of TST with a naive (albeit natural) choice of dividing surface leads to the wrong prediction of the transition rate constants. This is due to crossings of the dividing surface that do not correspond to actual transition events. However, optimizing over the dividing surface within VTST allows one to eliminate completely these spurious crossings, and therefore derive the correct transition rate constants for the model. The reasons why VTST is successful in this model are discussed, which allows one to speculate on the reliability of VTST in more complicated systems.
Hepatitis C viral infection after liver transplantation.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is the most common in- dication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States and Europe. In contrast to other indications for LT, HCV re- currence after LT is nearly universal. Death and allograft fail- ure (much of it due to HCV recurrence) are more common in this population versus HCVrecipients 1 (Fig. 1). The nat- ural history of HCV disease is accelerated in the posttrans- plant setting and leads to cirrhosis in 10% to 25% of these patients within 5 to 10 years. 2 Once cirrhosis has developed, complications are common: the rate of decompensated dis- ease is greater than 40% within 1 year, and the survival rate 1 year after decompensation is less than 50%. 2 The delicate immune balance required to prevent both rejection and rapid HCV recurrence remains elusive, and measures to prevent and control recurrent HCV with antiviral therapy have been disappointing. In the future, strategies for eradicating the vi- rus in pre-LT and post-LT settings with novel therapeutics will be crucial to improving outcomes. nosuppression in recent years has been implicated in the lack of improvements in the posttransplant outcomes of HCV patients. In addition, the conclusive diagnosis of rejec- tion in the setting of HCV remains challenging. The treat- ment of acute rejection has been associated with diminished survival in HCV þ recipients but not in HCVrecipients. 7 Because the impact of immunosuppression on HCV recur- rence is most pronounced when high-intensity regimens are used to combat acute rejection, 8-11 mild acute rejection is now treated frequently via the modulation of the baseline immunosuppression without bolus steroids or anti-lympho- cyte antibodies. A recent study also suggested a negative impact of rapid fluctuations in immunosuppression as patients with slow prednisone tapering experienced a lower incidence of severe HCV recurrence at 1 year in comparison with historical controls (29% versus 48%). 12 Steroid-free reg-
Calcific myonecrosis: a unique presentation in the upper extremity

Calcific myonecrosis is a rare and latent condition characterized by a dystrophic calcified lesion that can present 10-64 years following initial trauma. Of the 25 cases documented in English world literature, all have occurred in the lower extremity exclusively. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with a painless enlarging left forearm mass that was subsequently diagnosed as calcific myonecrosis. Awareness of this lesion arising outside of the lower extremity is important to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention and patient reassurance.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Pregnane Derivatives as Inhibitors of Human Testicular 17α-Hydroxylase/C17,20-Lyase†,‡

The pregnene derivatives with modifications at the 17,20-side chain and D-ring were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of human testicular 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase. The results demonstrate that compounds which have 20-substituents with moderate to strong dipole properties, such as 20-oxime (3, 20), 20β-ol (24, 30), and 20β-carboxaldehyde (27), are potent inhibitors of this enzyme complex. The 20-substituents with hydrophobic property were devoid of inhibitory activity, e.g., the dimethylhydrazones 8 and 9. The 16-ene together with 20-oxime (20) showed the most potent inhibition of this enzyme complex, whereas 17(20)-ene modification as in 17(20)-ene-20-carbonitrile (14) did not increase activity in comparison to the 20β-carbonitrile (16). The bioisostere of 27 with 20-aza (19) also reduced the inhibitory activity. The results showed that isomeric configurations at the 20-position of some steroidal compounds are important factors which influence the potency of the inhibition significantly (e.g., 2...
Neuropsychological changes in a large sample of liver transplant candidates.

One-hundred forty-eight pre-liver transplant candidates completed a psychological interview and brief neuropsychological testing. Assessment measures included the Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Status, Shipley Institute of Living Scale, Trail Making Test Parts A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B), and the Folstein Mini Mental State Exam. Participants in our sample scored in the Below Average range of functioning (mean score = 100; SD = 10) on measures of memory (mean = 89.51, SD = 17.43), attention (mean = 87.62, SD = 17.23), and spatial perception (mean = 88.69, SD = 20.39). Scores reflected moderate to severe impairment in organization and processing speed (TMT-B completion time in seconds: mean = 137.22, SD = 88.64). Controlling for the effects of prior education, MELD scores were strongly correlated with poorer performance on immediate and delayed memory subtests (both P 10) experienced significantly greater difficulty with executive functioning (P < .05) and delayed memory (P < .05) than those with lower MELD scores. Thorough evaluations of cognitive functioning are needed pretransplant to identify and treat cases of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy before daily functioning becomes significantly impaired.
Axonal protein synthesizing activity during the early outgrowth period following neurotomy

Abstract Axonal protein synthesizing activity in the rabbit hypoglossal nerve was assayed in vitro 12–96 hr following unilateral nerve transection. Microscopic samples of myelin-free axons from the central stump region and a more proximal region were analyzed directly for total protein content and corresponding radioactivity using microchemical methods. Fifteen to 21 hr following transection, there was a doubling of protein content in axons from the proximal stump region, and a delayed increase in axons located more proximally. These findings were consistent with the reported damming of cytoplasmic debris within axons following nerve injury. At the same time intervals, there was a greater than 20-fold increase in protein synthesizing activity, normalized to axonal protein content of zero-hr control nerve. With [ 3 H] Leucine incorporation into axonal protein, almost complete inhibition by cycloheximide but not by chloramphenicol occurred. The results show that there is a phase of rapid local axonal protein synthesis in the region of nerve injury which is induced after a latent period of 12–15 hr following transection, and which peaks at 18 hr. This phase is almost completed by 24 hr, and is followed by a phase of elevated protein synthesis which is about twice that of control and constant through 96 hr after transection.
Too cheap to chug: frugality as a buffer against college-student drinking

Beyond its probable effect on preventing financial problems, frugality may contribute to consumer well-being in other ways. Using survey data collected from American undergraduates, in this paper we demonstrate that frugality is negatively associated with several types of alcohol use. These relationships hold even when sex and impulsivity are controlled. To further substantiate the link between frugality and college-student drinking, we confirmed that typical amount spent on alcohol mediates the relations between frugality and each type of drinking we assessed. These results are consistent with suggestions that young adults' drinking-related choices are subject to price considerations and that policy makers may be able to leverage such considerations to prevent excessive drinking. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1808 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GER) LARYNGOMALACIA (LA) AND HYPERREACTIVE AIRWAYS (HRA) IN CHILDREN - A NEW TRIAD

Twenty seven of 77 (35%) children with laryngomalacia by flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy had associated GER by combined continuous esophageal pH study, barium swallow and esophagoscopy. In addition, all 27 children had HRA by clinical and bronchoscopic criteria. Theopbylline therapy was discontinued 24 hours prior to esophageal pH study achieving serum theophylline levels>5mcg/cc Four children underwent diagnostic bronchial lavage which was positive for lipid-laden-alveolar macrophages by oil-red-O-stain technique. All others had only bronchial wall edema, hyperemia and excessive bronchial secretions. There were 22 males (81.5%) and 5 females (18.5%), mean age of 8.8 month (range 2 months - 26 months). During the 5 year study we identified 225 children with various diagnoses of upper airway obstruction (UAO) utilizing the Olympus BF 3C4 pediatric flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (PFFB). Therefore, the unique combination of GER, LA and HRA represents an incidence of 12% (27/225) among our patients with documented UAO. The results of our study suggest: (1) The complex of GER, LA and HRA may represent an altered balance of mechanical forces within the large airways which is vagally mediated by irritantcough receptors and provoked by aspiration. (2) PFFB is a useful tool in documenting this relationship. (3) Lipid-laden-alveolar macrophages by PFFB may explain the direct relationship between GER and HRA in some children.
Organic topological insulators in organometallic lattices

Topological insulators are a recently discovered class of materials having insulating bulk electronic states but conducting boundary states distinguished by nontrivial topology. So far, several generations of topological insulators have been theoretically predicted and experimentally confirmed, all based on inorganic materials. Here, based on first-principles calculations, we predict a family of two-dimensional organic topological insulators made of organometallic lattices. Designed by assembling molecular building blocks of triphenyl-metal compounds with strong spin-orbit coupling into a hexagonal lattice, this new classes of organic topological insulators are shown to exhibit nontrivial topological edge states that are robust against significant lattice strain. We envision that organic topological insulators will greatly broaden the scientific and technological impact of topological insulators. Topological insulators are bulk insulators with conductive boundary states, and until now have been based only on inorganic materials. Wang et al.use first-principles calculations to predict a class of organic topological insulators based on organometallic lattices exhibiting robust topological edge states.
Thrombosis in unusual sites of the lower extremity veins.

Background Thrombosis in unusual locations in the lower extremity veins has not been assessed. These veins are not imaged routinely and therefore information about them is lacking. Methods This study was designed to evaluate the natural history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in unusual sites. Patients with DVT in all thigh veins but the femoral vein were included. Patients with thrombi in any other vein in the first examination and those with history of DVT were excluded. Duplex ultrasound (DU) examination was performed to exclude thrombosis in the lower extremity in patients with signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolism and also in high-risk, asymptomatic patients. All veins from the distal external iliac vein to the lower calf were imaged. The deep femoral, femoropopliteal, lateral thigh, sciatic, and muscular thigh veins were examined. These patients were followed at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and yearly thereafter, for thrombus propagation, resolution, and reflux. Results Among the 15,850 DU performed in the vascular laboratory at Loyola University Medical Center, in a 10-year period to rule out DVT, 2568 (16.2%) were positive and 14 cases (7 males, 0.54% among the patients with DVT and 0.088% among the entire population) involved thromboses in unusual locations. Ten cases involved the left lower extremity and four the right. The unusual DVT cases were associated with medical and surgical conditions or were idiopathic in 11 patients, whereas three had Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS). The veins involved in the first group of patients were the deep femoral (8), the femoropopliteal (2), and the deep external pudendal (1). The patients with KTS had involvement of muscular thigh veins (1), and the lateral thigh vein and the sciatic vein (2). Thrombi propagation with extension to the common femoral vein was seen in four of the 14 patients: two from the deep femoral vein, one from the femoropopliteal vein, and one from the deep external pudendal vein. There were two incidences of pulmonary embolism (PE) one of which was fatal. At final follow-up, two patients developed recurrent DVT and nine had signs and symptoms of chronic venous disease. Conclusions The involvement of the studied veins in DVT is extremely rare. Thrombosis in these veins can follow the natural course of thrombosis in the more usual locations and is associated with lethal incidences of PE. Therefore, the association of these veins with all the grave sequelae of thromboembolic disease suggests that inclusion of these veins in routine lower extremity duplex scans would be beneficial.
PHOSPHORUS PENTACHLORIDE REACTIONS WITH CONJUGATED CARBONYL COMPOUNDS AND CONJUGATED OLEFINS

Abstract Phosphorus pentachloride was reacted with conjugated aromatic and carbonyl compounds. The conjugated aromatic compounds were cis and trans stilbene, and the carbonyl compounds were diphenylketene and 2,3,4,5,-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene. Two solvents used for these reactions were 1,1,2,2-tetrachlorethane and methylene chloride. Phosphorus pentachloride can dissociate into phosphorus trichloride and chlorine and our results indicated this was the reaction mechanism for phosphorus pentachloride reacting with 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylcyclopentadiene. With stilbene, cis and trans, the mechanism with phosphorus pentachloride was the sp3d2 octahedral complex mechanism. With diphenylketene the mechanism was the dissociation of phosphorus pentachloride into the phosphorus tetrachloro cation and the phosphorus hexachloro anion.
Instability and concentration in the distribution of wealth

Abstract We consider a setup in which infinitely lived households face idiosyncratic investment risk and show that in this case the equilibrium distribution of wealth becomes increasingly right-skewed over time until wealth concentrates entirely at the top. The households in our setup are identical in terms of their patience and their abilities, and we assume that there are no redistributive mechanisms—neither explicit in the form of government tax or fiscal policies, nor implicit in the form of limited intergenerational transfers. Our results demonstrate that the presence of such redistributive mechanisms alone ensures the stability of the distribution of wealth over time.
Identification of the Promoter of Human Carbonyl Reductase 3 (CBR3) and Impact of Common Promoter Polymorphisms on Hepatic CBR3 mRNA Expression

Recent studies suggest that polymorphisms in human carbonyl reductase 3 (CBR3) influence the pharmacodynamics of doxorubicin. First, we sought to identify the promoter of CBR3. Next, we examined whether two CBR3 promoter polymorphisms (CBR3 -725T>C and CBR3 -326T>A) dictate promoter activity and hepatic CBR3 mRNA levels. The promoter activities of CBR3 reporter constructs were investigated in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. CBR3 mRNA levels were documented in 95 liver samples from white (n = 62) and black (n = 33) donors. Genotype-phenotype correlation analyses were used to determine the impact of the CBR3 -725T>C and CBR3 -326T>A polymorphisms on hepatic CBR3 mRNA levels. We identified the promoter of human CBR3. Liver samples from black donors showed higher relative CBR3 mRNA levels than samples from whites (CBR3 mRNAblacks = 3.0 ± 3.1 relative fold vs. CBR3 mRNAwhites = 1.6 ± 1.5 relative fold, p = 0.021). The variant -725C and -326A alleles did not modify the gene reporter activities of engineered CBR3 promoter constructs. In line, hepatic CBR3 mRNA levels were not associated with CBR3 -725T>C and CBR3 -326T>A genotype status. These studies provide the first insights into the regulation and variable hepatic expression of polymorphic CBR3.