cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyphenols from green tea prevent antineuritogenic action of Nogo-A via 67-kDa laminin receptor and hydrogen peroxide

Axonal regeneration after injury to the CNS is hampered by myelin-derived inhibitors, such as Nogo-A. Natural products, such as green tea, which are neuroprotective and safe for long-term therapy, would complement ongoing various pharmacological approaches. In this study, using nerve growth factor-differentiated neuronal-like Neuroscreen-1 cells, we show that extremely low concentrations of unfractionated green tea polyphenol mixture (GTPP) and its active ingredient, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), prevent both the neurite outgrowth-inhibiting activity and growth cone-collapsing activity of Nogo-66 (C-terminal domain of Nogo-A). Furthermore, a synergistic interaction was observed among GTPP constituents. This preventive effect was dependent on 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR) to which EGCG binds with high affinity. The antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and cell-permeable catalase abolished this preventive effect of GTPP and EGCG, suggesting the involvement of sublethal levels of H2 O2 in this process. Accordingly, exogenous sublethal concentrations of H2 O2 , added as a bolus dose (5 μM) or more effectively through a steady-state generation (1-2 μM), mimicked GTPP in counteracting the action of Nogo-66. Exogenous H2 O2 mediated this action by bypassing the requirement of 67LR. Taken together, these results show for the first time that GTPP and EGCG, acting through 67LR and elevating intracellular sublethal levels of H2 O2 , inhibit the antineuritogenic action of Nogo-A. Currently, several agents are being evaluated for overcoming axonal growth inhibitors to promote functional recovery after stroke and spinal cord injury. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), present in green tea polyphenol mixture (GTPP), prevents antineuritogenic activity of Nogo-A, a myelin-derived axonal growth inhibitor. The preventive action of EGCG involves the cell-surface-associated 67-kDa laminin receptor and H2 O2 . GTPP may complement ongoing efforts to treat neuronal injuries.>
Tunneling, decoherence, and entanglement of two spins interacting with a dissipative bath

We use numerically exact iterative path integral methods to investigate the decoherence and entanglement dynamics of a tunneling pair of two coupled qubits (spins) system interacting with a dissipative bath. We find that decoherence is generally accompanied by the destruction of entanglement, although the specifics of this destruction depend sensitively on the parameters of the Hamiltonian (qubit-qubit coupling and/or energy bias), the strength of dissipation, the temperature, and the choice of initial condition. We also observe that dissipation can in some cases generate a substantial amount of entanglement. Finally, if an entangled eigenstate exists which does not couple to the environment, the long-time entanglement can significantly exceed the value corresponding to the Boltzmann equilibrium state.
An accurate method for the determination of complex coefficients of single crystal piezoelectric resonators II: Design of measurement and experiments

For pt.I, see ibid., vol.51, no.2, p.227-37 (2004). In this paper, we present the design of measurements for single crystals by using the general results in Part I of this paper. The selection of impedance measurement or admittance measurement for both bar and plate type resonators is dependent on whether the cutting orientation 1 is parallel to or perpendicular to the electric field direction n. Two matrices A and B, which are defined in part I of this paper, are major tools used for the measurement design. For different cutting orientations, the elements in matrix A are associated with different elastic and piezoelectric constants. Matrix B reveals what vibration modes can be excited electrically and how to excite them. With the aid of matrices A and B, the design of measurement becomes straightforward. The measurement for a rhombohedral class (3 m) LiNbO/sub 3/ single crystal is used as an example to demonstrate the experiment and calculation procedures. It is found that by using either three thin bars and one plate or three plates and one thin bar we can completely characterize the complex materials constants of a LiNbO/sub 3/ single crystal.
Enhancing Surveillance of Injuries and Disease Among Agricultural Youth

ABSTRACT Public health surveillance is fundamental to monitoring trends and for planning, implementation, and evaluation of health conditions in order to develop appropriate prevention and control programs. Farms and ranches are places where work and home life intersect in a unique way where risks are shared between work, home, and leisure. Public health surveillance systems have not been adapted to include agricultural youth as a subset at high risk of injuries and illnesses. Occupational health surveillance is used to monitor work-related illnesses and injuries but most have not allowed for continuous monitoring of agricultural-related illnesses, injuries, and disability. Limited evaluation of data sets available for surveillance or periodic reporting of disease, disability, medical care utilization, and risk factors relevant for youth living and working on farms and ranches other than traumatic injuries has been published. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current most commonly used databases...
Physiological actions and clinical applications of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta).

AbstractIn the 10 years since its definition and characterization, TGF-β has come to be accepted as the prototypical multifunctional peptide growth factor. Attempts to understand its mechanism of action on cells have resulted in conceptual advances in knowledge of the contextual nature of growth factor activities. These have included modulatory effects both of sets of growth factors and of the cellular environment, including extracellular matrix (Sporn and Roberts, 1990; Nathan and Sporn, 1991). Because of the breadth of the cellular targets and activities of TGF-β it is impossible to be comprehensive in review of its physiological roles. Rather, we will cover selected aspects with emphasis on physiological roles which might ultimately find clinical application. As much as possible, we will consider in vivo roles of TGF-β in the context of the inherent complexity of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions characteristic of mixed cell populations, tissues, or organs.
The heat is off: immunosuppression for myocarditis revisited.

Non-ischaemic, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important cause of heart failure and heart transplantation, with a prevalence of 36.5 per 100 000 in the USA.1 Depending on the histological or immunohistological criteria employed, myocarditis is present in ∼10–50% of heart biopsy samples taken from patients with acute non-ischaemic DCM.2 When T cell and macrophage number are quantified by immunohistological methods or the definition of myocarditis is broadened to include expression of class II major histocompatability complex antigens and adhesion molecules, myocarditis is present in 40–50% of patients with chronic DCM.3 Of the many known causes of myocarditis, viral infection is perhaps the most important. From 25 to 40% of myocardial samples from patients with chronic, unexplained DCM contain viral genomes.4 Although a host of viruses have been implicated in myocarditis and DCM, viral infection is not always accompanied by inflammation. Experimental studies in inbred rodents suggest a model of pathogenesis of viral and post-viral myocarditis that helps to explain these clinical observations ( Figure 1 ).5 Viruses cause initial myocyte damage and elicit a robust innate immune response that includes Toll-like receptor activation, cytokines, nitric oxide expression, and the recruitment of natural killer T cells. In the days following an initial injury, antigen-specific T cells and antibodies develop as the immune reaction adapts to the specific pathogen. In many cases, the viral infection is cleared and the immune reaction downregulates with little or no lasting cardiac damage. In a minority of cases, either the virus or the inflammatory reaction persists and contributes to cardiomyopathy. However, a replication-deficient enterovirus may cause cardiomyopathy by cleavage of host cytoskeletal proteins without eliciting an immune response.6 Through molecular mimicry, a chronic immune reaction may be stimulated by host antigens such as cardiac myosin or laminin, which resemble pathogen proteins, … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 507 284 3680, Fax: +507 266 0228, Email: cooper.leslie{at}mayo.edu
A new biodegradable plastic made from starch graft poly(methyl acrylate) copolymer

A starch graft poly(methyl acrylate) copolymer was developed having grafted side chains with molecular weight of less than 500,000. This material can be easily extruded into a film which shows excellent initial tensile strength and elongation. Tensile strength, however, falls off rapidly after 70 hr of water immersion at 25°C. Starch graft poly(methyl acrylate) films show excellent susceptibility to fungal growth, some samples losing more than 40% of their weight after 22 days of incubation with Aspergillus niger. Tensile tests and scanning electron micrographs of the incubated samples, after being freed of mycelium, indicate substantial biodegradation of the starch portion of the copolymer. This material may have application as a biodegradable plastic mulch.
Functional mimicry of a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coreceptor by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody.

Interaction of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein with the primary receptor, CD4, promotes binding to a chemokine receptor, either CCR5 or CXCR4. The chemokine receptor-binding site on gp120 elicits CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies in some HIV-1-infected individuals. Like CCR5 itself, the CD4i antibody 412d exhibits a preference for CCR5-using HIV-1 strains and utilizes sulfated tyrosines to achieve binding to gp120. Here, we show that 412d binding requires the gp120 β19 strand and the base of the V3 loop, elements that are important for the binding of the CCR5 N terminus. Two gp120 residues in the V3 loop base determined 412d preference for CCR5-using HIV-1 strains. A chimeric molecule in which the 412d heavy-chain third complementarity-determining loop sequence replaces the CCR5 N terminus functioned as an efficient second receptor, selectively supporting the entry of CCR5-using HIV-1 strains. Sulfation of N-terminal tyrosines contributed to the function of this chimeric receptor. These results emphasize the close mimicry of the CCR5 N terminus by the gp120-interactive region of a naturally elicited CD4i antibody.
A Photocurable, Photoluminescent, Polycarbosilane Obtained by Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization

The synthesis and study of a novel thermosetting, blue photoluminescent, cyclolinear polycarbosilane (CLPCS) are reported. This cyclolinear polycarbosilane, in which disilacyclobutane (DSCB) rings alternate with trans-stilbene units (i.e., [−{cyclo-Si(CH3)(CH2)2Si(CH3)}−C6H4−CH═CH−C6H4−]n (S-CLPCS), was prepared by via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. The polymer showed excellent solubility in common organic solvents and blue photoemission with a high emission quantum yield (Φ ≈ 0.65). Spin-coated polymer films were thermally or photochemically cross-linked to yield tough, insoluble films, which showed no significant decrease in photoluminescence intensity relative to that of the initial polymer film prior to cross-linking. The effect of the DSCB spacers on the processability and optical properties of the polymers was investigated by preparing a series of alkylene-spaced polycarbosilane analogues and model compounds.
School Choice Policies and Practices for Students with Disabilities

A major missing piece in the current debate about school choice is the impact of these policies on students with disabilities. In this article, findings from 6 years of research on implications of school choice for students with disabilities are synthesized. We used multiple methodologies to conduct a set of 12 quantitative and qualitative studies. Participation rates, reasons for transfer, impact on students with disabilities, and school districts were investigated for three of the most popular school choice options. Students with disabilities are participating in school choice options. Their reasons for transfer are often related to special education programs and services. Findings provide needed information for policymakers, educators, parents, and students as states propose, pass, and implement school choice legislation.
Real-time view synthesis using commodity graphics hardware

We present a novel use of commodity graphics hardware that effectively combines a plane-sweeping algorithm [Collins 1996] and view synthesis in a single step for real-time, on-line 3D view synthesis. Unlike typical stereo algorithms that use image-based metrics to estimate depths, we focus on using image-based metrics to directly estimate images. Using real-time imagery from a few calibrated cameras, our method can generate new images from nearby viewpoints, without any prior geometric information or requiring any user interaction, in real time and on line.
Abundant expression of the microtubule-associated protein, ensconsin (E-MAP-115), alters the cellular response to Taxol.

Correlation between expression level of a microtubule-associated protein called ensconsin (E-MAP-115) and degree of Taxol sensitivity in several cultured cell lines prompted us to investigate potential cause-and-effect relationships between ensconsin level and Taxol action. We used human MCF-7 or HeLa cells, which are sensitive to low Taxol concentrations (LD(50) of 30-35 and 3.5 nM, respectively) to prepare stably transfected populations of cells expressing heterogeneous levels of ensconsin chimeras, either green fluorescent protein (GFP) conjugated to full-length ensconsin (GFP-Ensc) or to ensconsin's microtubule-binding domain (GFP-EMTB). Both a subjective microscopic assay, i.e., scoring fluorescence of GFP-ensconsin chimeras following Taxol treatment, and a quantitative immunobiochemical assay, i.e., measuring level of GFP-ensconsin chimera in cells surviving treatment with Taxol, showed that cells expressing higher levels of GFP-ensconsin chimera were killed more readily by Taxol concentrations approaching the LD(50). In contrast, in TC-7 cells, which are relatively insensitive to Taxol (LD(50) > 600 nM), high-level expression of GFP-EMTB conferred no significant susceptibility to killing by Taxol. However, heightening the Taxol sensitivity of GFP-EMTB-TC-7 cells by pre-incubating cells with the p-glycoprotein inhibitor, verapamil, did result in selective killing of cells highly expressing GFP-EMTB. Taken together, results obtained in MCF-7, HeLa, and TC-7 cells suggest that elevated ensconsin level bestowed a selective disadvantage upon Taxol-sensitive cells. To probe potential mechanisms by which ensconsin could alter the Taxol response, we isolated microtubules from HeLa cells that were or were not pretreated with Taxol. In vivo Taxol treatment significantly tightened microtubule-binding of ensconsin, suggesting that Taxol alters ensconsin's microtubule-binding properties and may, in turn, alter the Taxol response of the microtubules. Our data support the hypothesis that Taxol works synergistically or in concert with microtubule-binding proteins in bringing about deleterious effects on the microtubule cytoskeleton.
Inhibition of DNA replication by fish oil-treated cytoplasm is counteracted by fish oil-treated nuclear extract.

We have recently noted that cells treated with fish oil and n–3-fatty acids show slower DNA replication rates than cells treated with a control emulsion or corn oil only. However, it is not clearly understood how such an effect is induced. Fish oil and its metabolites are known to have several modulating effects on signal transduction pathways. Alternatively, they may influence DNA replication by interacting directly with nuclear components. To investigate this problem in greater detail, we have studied the kinetics of DNA synthesis in a cell-free system derived from HeLa cells. Nuclei and cytosolic extract were isolated from cells synchronized in early S phase after treatment with control emulsion, corn oil, or fish oil, respectively. The nuclei were reconstituted with cytosolic extract and a reaction mixture containing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) triphosphate to label newly synthesized DNA. The rate of DNA synthesis was measured by bivariate DNA/BrdU analysis and flow cytometry. We show that fish oil-treat...
Fixation preference tests for amblyopia: invaluable, useless, or somewhere in the middle?

T ests of fixation preference are frequently used to diagnose and manage amblyopia in preverbal children. However, their accuracy and usefulness have become the subject of considerable controversy. They have been lauded as invaluable diagnostic aids and disparaged as inaccurate, unhelpful exercises. The usefulness of these tests really depends on the setting (clinic or community) and the examiner’s purpose. The 2 main types of fixation preference tests are binocular fixation pattern for strabismic children and the induced tropia test for children with small-angle or no strabismus. For strabismic patients, binocular fixation pattern is assessed by determining the length of time that the nonpreferred eye holds fixation. A typical grading scheme is that the nonpreferred eye will not hold fixation, holds momentarily, holds for a few seconds (or to or through a blink), or alternates spontaneously. The induced tropia test, originally described as the 10 D fixation test, is usually done by holding a 10 to 20 base-down prism over 1 eye and noting whether 1 or both eyes take up fixation. In this issue of the Journal of AAPOS, Procianoy and Procianoy report results of a study to determine the accuracy of different scales of binocular fixation preference and induced tropia tests for diagnosing amblyopia in 221 strabismic patients from 6 to 38 years old. They report a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 78% among patients with strabismus $10, and they found a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 64% among subjects with deviations \10. A particularly nice aspect of their study is the use of likelihood ratios to estimate the probability of amblyopia for each grade of fixation preference. Other studies have reported very good diagnostic accuracy of fixation preference tests. Sxener and colleagues found that monocular fixation pattern had good correlation with visual acuity in subjects 3 to 27 years old. Wright and colleagues reported that the induced tropia test had a sensitivity of 100% (13/13) and a specificity of 97% (64/66) in the detection of amblyopia.
Paradoxical antifungal activity and structural observations in biofilms formed by echinocandin-resistant Candida albicans clinical isolates

Echinocandin-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans have been reported, and key-hot spot mutations in the FKS1 gene, which encodes a major glucan synthase subunit, have been identified in these (caspofungin-resistant [CAS-R]) strains. Although these mutations result in phenotypic resistance to echinocandins in planktonic cells, there is little data on antifungal susceptibilities of CAS-R C. albicans strains within biofilms. Thus, we analyzed biofilms formed by 12 C. albicans CAS-R clinical strains in which we previously identified FKS1 hot-spot mutations and compared the sessile antifungal and paradoxical activity of anidulafungin (ANID), caspofungin (CAS), and micafungin (MICA). Biofilms were formed in a 96-well static microplate model and assayed using both tetrazolium-salt reduction and crystal violet assays, as well as examination by scanning electron microscopy. We first sought to assess biofilm formation and structure in these fks1 mutants and found that the biofilm mass and metabolic activities were reduced in most of the fks1 mutants as compared with reference strain SC5314. Structural analyses revealed that the fks1 mutant biofilms were generally less dense and had a clear predominance of yeast and pseudohyphae, with unusual "pit"-like cell surface structures. We also noted that sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to ANID, CAS, and MICA were higher than planktonic MICs of all but one strain. The majority of strains demonstrated a paradoxical effect (PE) to particular echinocandins, in either planktonic or sessile forms. Overall, biofilms formed by echinocandin-resistant clinical isolates demonstrated varied PEs to echinocandins and were structurally characterized by a preponderance of yeast, pseudohyphae, and pit-like structures.
Global induced motion and visual stability in an optic flow illusion

When an expansion flow field of moving dots is overlapped by planar motion, observers perceive an illusory displacement of the focus of expansion (FOE) in the direction of the planar motion (Duffy and Wurtz, Vision Research, 1993;33:1481‐1490). The illusion may be a consequence of induced motion, wherein an induced component of motion relative to planar dots is added to the motions of expansion dots to produce the FOE shift. While such a process could be mediated by local ‘center-surround’ receptive fields, the effect could also be due to a higher level process which detects and subtracts large-field planar motion from the flow field. We probed the mechanisms underlying this illusion by adding varying amounts of rotation to the expansion stimulus, and by varying the speed and size of the planar motion field. The introduction of rotation into the stimulus produces an illusory shift in a direction perpendicular to the planar motion. Larger FOE shifts were perceived for greater speeds and sizes of planar motion fields, although the speed effect saturated at high speeds. While the illusion appears to share a common mechanism with center-surround induced motion, our results also point to involvement of a more global mechanism that subtracts coherent planar motion from the flow field. Such a process might help to maintain visual stability during eye movements. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of post-trial L-NAME administration on cocaine sensitization

This study determined if Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) administered after the cocaine-conditioning trial attenuated the development of sensitization to cocaine's locomotor-stimulating effect and secondly, determined if L-NAME blocked conditioned-locomotor activity (LMA) elicited by a saline-challenge injection. Results revealed that cocaine-injected animals (10 mg/kg, i.p.) showed enhanced locomotor activity across the three conditioning trials (all p's < .05). Cocaine-injected animals administered L-NAME (30 mg/kg, i.p.) after each conditioning trial showed a slight increase in cocaine-stimulated LMA from the first to the second conditioning trial (all p's < .05) and no further increases in LMA thereafter. A saline-challenge injection administered 72 hr after the last conditioning trial revealed that cocaine-injected animals displayed as much locomotor stimulation to a saline injection as they did during their initial exposure to cocaine on the first conditioning trial - indicating the development of cocaine-conditioned LMA. The present findings show that L-NAME administered after the cocaine-conditioning trial attenuates the development of sensitization to cocaine's locomotor-stimulating effect. The failure of L-NAME to block cocaine-conditioned LMA suggests that the pharmacological and conditioning mechanisms of sensitization can be dissociated. It is unlikely that L-NAME's effect is due to a sedative action produced by residual L-NAME since animals administered L-NAME (30 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 consecutive days exhibited a similar responsiveness to a cocaine challenge administered 3 and 10 days following the termination of L-NAME administration. These data support a role for nitric oxide's involvement in the neuroadaptive responses that result from continued stimulant administration and demonstrate the importance of conditioned drug effects.
Culture and Social Support

This article was commissioned by ADAMHA to articulate the contribution of social and behavioral sciences to mental health research. The author selected two concepts commonly used in research on eth...
Stable and efficient reduction of substrate model networks using congruence transforms

Parasitic analog-digital noise coupling has been identified as a key issue facing designers of mixed-signal integrated circuits. In particular, signal cross talk through the common chip substrate has become increasingly problematic. This paper demonstrates a new methodology for developing simulation, synthesis, and verification models to analyze the global electrical behavior of the non-ideal semiconductor substrate. RC substrate network models, which are generated via a triangular discretization method, are accurately approximated for subsequent analysis by an efficient reduction algorithm. This algorithm utilizes the well-conditioned Lanczos process to formulate Pade approximations of the network port admittance. Congruence transformations are employed to ensure stability, and to create reduced networks which are easily realizable with SPICE-compatible RC elements. For validation, the strategy has been successfully applied to several mixed-signal circuit examples.
B-type natriuretic peptide levels are not a surrogate marker for invasive hemodynamics during management of patients with severe heart failure.

Background We sought to assess the utility of serial BNP measurements in patients with severe heart failure and attempted to correlate values with invasively derived data. Methods In a retrospective study, we analyzed serial BNP levels in patients receiving hemodynamically guided therapy for severe heart failure and sought correlation with invasively derived data. Results Thirty-nine patients with New York Heart Association Class III-IV, with an ejection fraction of 35% or less, who had a pulmonary artery catheter inserted for hemodynamically tailored heart failure therapy, were identified and serial BNP measurements reviewed. BNP was estimated on admission, at 12 and 36 hours. Normally distributed variables are expressed as mean ± SD and otherwise as median ± interquartile range. Mean ejection fraction was 16% ± 6%. Mean pulmonary artery occlusion pressures (PAOP) fell with therapy and were 25 ± 7 mmHg, 18 ± 7 mmHg and 19 ± 7 mmHg at admission, 12 hours and 36 hours respectively (P < 0.05). Median BNP levels fell from 1200 ± 641 to 771 ± 803 at 12 hours and to 805 ± 771 at 36 hours (P < .001). There was no correlation between BNP and any hemodynamically derived variable. A change in BNP was not associated with a change in PAOP in any individual patient. Only 42% remained alive on medical therapy at 30 days. Conclusions In patients with severe heart failure, BNP levels do not accurately predict serial hemodynamic changes and do not obviate the need for pulmonary artery catheterization.
The Effects of Different Types of Teaching Methods and Verbal Feedback on the Performance of Beginning Readers.

Initial reading acquisition was taught to 64 kindergarten children for 11 weeks utilizing a two × two × four factorial design. The two antecedent conditions were the Lippincott (phonics — Ph) and Scott-Foresman (sight recognition — SR) Series. The two consequent conditions were positive verbal feedback following correct reading responses (R-N) and negative verbal feedback following incorrect reading responses (N-W). Four experimenter-teachers (ET) were used. Utilizing standardized tests of reading achievement, it was found that Ph produced a reading response of letter-sound combinations, whereas SR produced recognition of a limited number of words. There were no consistent differences for the variables of teacher, IQ, or sex.
What's My Place in this World? A Response to Professor Ellen Waldman's 'What Do We Tell the Children?'

Ask a child what she wants to know about her parents, and herself, and she’ll likely respond, according to her age, with something having to do with her search for meaning in life. A child, particularly one approaching young adulthood, wants to know what her origins are and what they mean for her future. The debate presented by this Wells Conference panel asked what children of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) should be told. This Article responds to Professor Ellen Waldman’s suggestions by seeking to listen to children themselves to discern their deepest needs, above all adult voices.
Harmony or Dissonance? The Good Governance Ideas of Academics and Worldly Players

This article, originally delivered as a special lecture, asks questions concerning ideas about what constitutes good corporate governance that are espoused by academics, such as financial economists and law professors, and by more worldly players such as legislators, rule makers, governance rating firms, large institutional investors, and law firms that represent corporate clients. Are there discernible trends and patterns in the views espoused by these different categories of actors, despite all the differences among individual actors within each category? I propose that there are such patterns, offer some initial thoughts about the characteristic themes and differences, and hypothesize about the reasons for the differences. At the end I reflect on what a benign policy maker interested in increasing overall social welfare might do with these observations.
Accelerated Partial-Breast Irradiation (APBI) Provides Equivalent 5 Year and 10 Year Outcomes Regardless of Molecular Subtype

Materials/Methods: 80 patients were treated according to the TARGIT-E protocol. Therefore they received breast-conserving surgery and e whenever possible e IORT with 20 Gy to the applicator surface. WBRT (whole breast radiation therapy) was only added to IORT if risk factors were evident in the final pathology report or used as an alternative when IORT was not applicable. Primary endpoint was the rate of local recurrence. Secondary endpoints were ipsior contralateral breast cancer, cancer specific and overall survival, cosmetic outcome and quality of life. All patients were treated with breast-conserving surgery. In 51% patients IORTonly was given, in 36% patients IORTwas followed by WBRTand in 13% patients no IORT was applicable. Results: With a median follow up of 20.5 months all patients were alive and no local relapse was reported. 7 SAE (serious adverse event) within 7 patients were documented, where 2 SAE had potential associations to IORT alone and 3 SAE had potential associations to IORT and WBRT. 4 of these 5 radiation related toxicities resolved after conservative treatment. In 1 case surgical revision of a cutaneous fistula was performed. No long-lasting complications occurred in patients treated with IORT only. The other 2 SAE were not radiation associated. No SUSAR (serious unexpected adverse reaction) and no grade IV or V toxicities were recorded. Conclusion: The concept of targeted intraoperative radiation therapy alone with 20 Gy applied with the Intrabeam system in elderly patients is safe and feasible. To confirm these results longer follow-up is needed. Author Disclosure: C. Neumaier: Honoraria; Carl Zeiss Meditec. G. Welzel: None. A. Keller: None. Y. Abo-Madyan: Honoraria; Merck, Carl Zeiss Meditec. E. Sperk: Honoraria; Carl Zeiss Meditec. Travel Expenses; Carl Zeiss Meditec. A. Gerhardt: None. M. Sutterlin: Honoraria; Carl Zeiss Meditec. Travel Expenses; Carl Zeiss Meditec. associate medical director; University Medical Center Mannheim. F. Wenz: Research Grant; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Elekta. Honoraria; Carl Zeiss Meditec. Travel Expenses; Carl Zeiss Meditec. medical director; University Medical Center Mannheim.
Mean and variance bounds and propagation for ill-specified random variables

Foundations, models, and algorithms are provided for identifying optimal mean and variance bounds of an ill-specified random variable. A random variable is ill-specified when at least one of its possible realizations and/or its respective probability mass is not restricted to a point but rather belongs to a set or an interval. We show that a nonexhaustive sensitivity-analysis approach does not always identify the optimal bounds. Also, a procedure for determining the mean and variance bounds of an arithmetic function of ill-specified random variables is presented. Estimates of pairwise correlation among the random variables can be incorporated into the function. The procedure is illustrated in the context of a case study in which exposure to contaminants through the inhalation pathway is modeled.
Abstract 1491: CEA interacts with TGF-β receptor and inhibits TGF-β signaling in colorectal cancers

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker for the clinical management of colorectal cancer (CRC). The elevated blood levels of CEA are associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in CRC. There is mounting evidence that CEA enhances the metastatic potential of cancer cells. CEA increases the ability of weakly metastatic CRC to colonize the liver and to develop spontaneous hematogeneous liver and lung metastases. CEA expression has also been related with resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy and to anoikis, a form of apoptosis caused by detachment from cell matrix. Yet the mechanism of CEA mediated metastasis is only partially understood. The TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta) signaling pathway contributes to tumorigenesis by controlling several biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. It has been reported that TGF-β regulates CEA transcription and secretion, however, little is known about the effects of CEA on TGF-β signaling. Aims: Based on the above facts, we focused on the influence of CEA on the TGF-β signaling in both normal cells and colorectal cancer cells. Results: Our preliminary data showed that CEA directly interacted with TGF-β receptors. Overexpression of CEA blocked TGF-β induced SMAD3 phosphorylation, SMAD3 translocation to nuclear and the downregulation of c-myc transcription. Targeting CEA with anti-CEA antibody rescued TGF-β response in CRC cell lines with elevated CEA expression, thereby restoring the inhibitory effects of TGF-β on the proliferation of these cancer cells. Finally, in animal experiment, we found that CEA enhanced survival of colorectal cancer cell in both local colonization and liver metastasis. Conclusion: Since CEA is a well-characterized tumor-associated antigen that is frequently overexpressed in tumors, specific antibodies targeting CEA have been developed as a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of tumors expressing CEA on their surface. Based on our study, it may be helpful to combine CEA antibody and TGF-β to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in some cases. 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 1491.
Abstract 3732: New aspirin analogs for targeted therapy of ER+ breast cancers with activated NFkB inflammatory pathway

Approximately 75% of breast cancers express estrogen receptor (ER), classified as either ER+ luminal A or luminal B. Five year survival rate of luminal B breast cancers is ∼50% compared to ∼95% for luminal A, making luminal B subtype a target for better understanding the mechanisms of carcinogenicity and improved therapy. Inflammation and activation of its nuclear factor NFkB, is linked clinically and epidemiologically to cancer. Activation of NFkB in a subset of ER+ cancers is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. We were the first to show synergy between ER and NFkB in a specific gene signature that highly correlates with luminal B ER+ breast cancers, suggesting a potential functional role for NFkB inhibition in this subset. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that co-targeting ER and NFkB may achieve clinical efficacy in luminal B breast cancer. To target the ER, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) was employed. To target NFkB pathway, an NSAID-based therapy would be safe and, based on epidemiological data, is suggested to be chemopreventive in breast cancer. For NFkB targeting, we characterized a family of aspirin (ASA)-based analogs (x-ASA) that also serve as pro-drugs for quinone methide formation. We found that x-ASA analogs inhibited TNFa induction of NFkB via a reporter assay in a dose-dependent fashion in MCF-7 cells, and also shut down several genes typically up-regulated by the ER-NFkB crosstalk. Next we tested the co-targeting approach in mammosphere formation assays: the combination significantly reduced overall mammosphere number and size. While the mechanisms of action remains to be elucidated, the aspirin analogs in combination with a SERM show promise in treating ER+ breast cancers with activated NFkB where standard endocrine therapy alone fails. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3732. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3732
Neotropical Genera of Deltocephalinae not included in Linnavuori's 1959 Key

Identification of New World leafhopper genera of the large subfamily Deltocephalinae is generally based on the comprehensive keys of Linnavuori (1959) for neotropical taxa and Oman (1949) for nearctic taxa north of Mexico. Linnavuori (1959) includes 107 genera, and Oman (1949) includes 142 genera; many genera occur in both faunal regions; however, other described genera are not included in either key. It is necessary to search later publications to determine specimens belonging to related genera which have been described.
Improved Synthesis of C4α- and C4β-Methyl Analogues of 2-Aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylate

An efficient and divergent synthesis of C4α- and C4β-methyl-substituted analogues of 2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 2,6-dicarboxylate, which are important tools in the study of metabotropic glutamate receptor function, has been achieved. By taking advantage of an unanticipated facial selectivity of the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane ring system, either the C4α- or C4β-methyl substituent was introduced in a highly stereoselective and high-yielding manner.
Liquid Chromatographic Determination of 2-Chloro-4-nitroaniline, 2-Naphthol, and 2,4-Dinitroaniline in D&C Red No. 36

A method is described for the determination of the intermediates and a related impurity in DC relative standard deviations were 0.8-3.4%. A survey of certified D&C Red No. 36 samples showed that the batches contained higher levels of intermediates than were determined previously by a cellulose column method in which the pigment was not dissolved.
Blue-Black or White-Gold? Early Stage Processing and the Color of 'The Dress'.

Purpose In Feb 2015 an image of a dress posted on Tumblr triggered an internet phenomenon: Is the Dress blue and black (BB) or white and gold (WG)? Many claim BB and others insist WG while the true colors are BB. The prevailing theory is that assumptions about the illuminant govern perception of the Dress with WG due to bluish lighting and BB due to yellowish. Our purpose was to determine if early stage optical, retinal and/or neural factors also impact perception of the Dress. Methods Thirty-nine subjects were categorized as BB or WG based on their initial perception of the Dress and their perception reported when viewing the Dress on iPhone 5, iPad, and 22” LCD displays. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) measured with the QuantifEye™ MPS II and visual brainwaves (VEPs) in response to brief presentations of a transparency of the Dress illuminated by a flashing light were measured on each subject and compared between BB and WG groups. Additionally, CIE chromaticity (color) and luminance (brightness) were measured from multiple areas of the Dress image to determine cone stimulation and contrast. Results Mean MPOD was higher in the WG group (0.49) vs. the BB (0.41, p = 0.04) and median values were higher as well (WG = 0.46, BB = 0.36, p = 0.03). There was no difference in VEP amplitude between groups (p > 0.85) but mean VEP latency was longer in WG (130 msec.) vs. the BB group (107 msec., p = 0.0005). Colorimetry of the Dress showed significantly greater stimulation of blue cones (contrast = 73%) vs. red and green sensitive cones (contrast = 13%). Conclusions Our findings indicate that observers with denser MPOD may be predisposed to perceive the Dress as WG due to great absorption of blue light by the macular pigment. Moreover, the novel, substantial stimulation of blue cones by the Dress may contribute to ambiguity and dichotomous perception since the blue cones are so sparse in the retina. Finally, the delayed WG VEPs indicate distinct neural processing in perception of the consistent with fMRI evidence that the WG percept is processed at higher cortical levels than the BB. These results do not fully explain the dichotomous perception of the Dress but do exemplify the need to consider early stage processing when elucidating ambiguous percepts and figures.
The consequences of air flow on the distribution of aqueous species during dielectric barrier discharge treatment of thin water layers

The desired outcomes of wet tissue treatment by dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) strongly depend on the integrated fluences of reactive species incident onto the tissue, which are determined by power, frequency and treatment time. The reactivity produced by such plasmas is often expected to be proportional to treatment time due to the accumulation of radicals in the liquid over the tissue. However, one of the typically uncontrolled parameters in DBD treatment of liquids and tissue is gas flow, which could affect the delivery of plasma produced radicals to the tissue. Gas flow can redistribute long-lived, plasma produced gas phase species prior to solvating in the liquid, while not greatly affecting the solvation of short-lived species. Gas flow can therefore potentially be a control mechanism for tailoring the fluences of reactive species to the tissue. In this paper, we report on a computational investigation of the consequences of gas flow on treatment of liquid layers covering tissue by atmospheric DBDs by up to 100 pulses. We found that gas flow (through residence time of the gas) can control the production of gas phase species requiring many collisions to form, such as reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The resulting solvation of the RNS in turn controls the production of aqueous species such as and (aq denotes an aqueous species). With the exception of O3 and O3aq, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are less sensitive to gas flow, and so OHaq and H2O2aq, are determined primarily by discharge properties.
Lumbar Medial Branch Radiofrequency Lesioning

Destruction by neurolytic agent. The term neurolytic agent includes chemical, thermal, electrical, or RF methods. CPT assignments for paravertebral facet RF ablations are the following:
Impact of experimental design on PET radiomics in predicting somatic mutation status.

Abstract Purpose PET-based radiomic features have demonstrated great promises in predicting genetic data. However, various experimental parameters can influence the feature extraction pipeline, and hence, Here, we investigated how experimental settings affect the performance of radiomic features in predicting somatic mutation status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods 348 NSCLC patients with somatic mutation testing and diagnostic PET images were included in our analysis. Radiomic feature extractions were analyzed for varying voxel sizes, filters and bin widths. 66 radiomic features were evaluated. The performance of features in predicting mutations status was assessed using the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC). The influence of experimental parameters on feature predictability was quantified as the relative difference between the minimum and maximum AUC (δ). Results The large majority of features (n = 56, 85%) were significantly predictive for EGFR mutation status (AUC ≥ 0.61). 29 radiomic features significantly predicted EGFR mutations and were robust to experimental settings with δOverall Conclusion The predictability of 29 radiomic features was robust to the choice of experimental settings; however, these settings need to be carefully chosen for all other features. The combined effect of the investigated processing methods could be substantial and must be considered. Optimized settings that will maximize the predictive performance of individual radiomic features should be investigated in the future.
Heterogeneous Ni- and Cd-Bearing Ferrihydrite Precipitation and Recrystallization on Quartz under Acidic pH Condition

Ferrihydrite, as one of the most common naturally occurring iron oxides, can sequester toxic metals through coprecipitation. In this study, using grazing-incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), the heterogeneous precipitation of pure, Ni-, and Cd- bearing ferrihydrite on quartz were quantified in 0.1 mM Fe3+ solutions in the absence and presence of 1 mM Ni2+ or Cd2+ (pH = 3.8 ± 0.1). Under acidic condition, the limited hydrolysis of metal ions resulted in their small amounts of incorporation in ferrihydrite lattices (< 0.1%), several orders of magnitude lower than those reported at neutral and alkaline pH conditions. The presence of Ni2+ or Cd2+ did not significantly affect the surface charges of either ferrihydrite pre-nucleation clusters (PNCs) or quartz surfaces. Therefore, with similar electrostatic interactions between PNCs and quartz, similar initial heterogeneous precipitation rates of pure, Ni-, and Cd- bearing ferrihydrite on quartz were observed. Later on, continuous heterogeneous nucle...
Microbial community diversity patterns are related to physical and chemical differences among temperate lakes near Beaver Island, MI

Lakes are dynamic and complex ecosystems that can be influenced by physical, chemical, and biological processes. Additionally, individual lakes are often chemically and physically distinct, even within the same geographic region. Here we show that differences in physicochemical conditions among freshwater lakes located on (and around) the same island, as well as within the water column of each lake, are significantly related to aquatic microbial community diversity. Water samples were collected over time from the surface and bottom-water within four freshwater lakes located around Beaver Island, MI within the Laurentian Great Lakes region. Three of the sampled lakes experienced seasonal lake mixing events, impacting either O2, pH, temperature, or a combination of the three. Microbial community alpha and beta diversity were assessed and individual microbial taxa were identified via high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Results demonstrated that physical and chemical variability (temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH) were significantly related to divergence in the beta diversity of surface and bottom-water microbial communities. Despite its correlation to microbial community structure in unconstrained analyses, constrained analyses demonstrated that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration was not strongly related to microbial community structure among or within lakes. Additionally, several taxa were correlated (either positively or negatively) to environmental variables, which could be related to aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms. This study highlights the measurable relationships between environmental conditions and microbial communities within freshwater temperate lakes around the same island.