cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondary motoneuron axons localize DM-GRASP on their fasciculated segments.

Cell surface adhesion molecules are thought to play a necessary role in axon guidance and fasciculation in the developing nervous system. We have studied a potential adhesion molecule using the zn-5 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes the surfaces of zebrafish spinal motoneurons. We show that zn-5 recognizes zebrafish DM-GRASP. DM-GRASP is a cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily that mediates homophilic adhesion and neurite outgrowth in vitro. It is necessary for correct axon routing and fasciculation in the Drosophila visual system. In zebrafish, primary motoneurons pioneer the peripheral motor nerve pathways, and the axons of secondary motoneurons follow the routes established by the primary motoneuron axons. We show that, of the two classes of zebrafish spinal motoneurons, only the later growing secondary motoneurons express DM-GRASP. The secondary motoneurons restrict DM-GRASP protein to their cell bodies and fasciculated segments of their axons. Expression of DM-GRASP is transient: The protein is present during the period of axonal growth and disappears after axons have reached their muscle targets. Thus, homophilic adhesion mediated by DM-GRASP may play a role in fasciculation of secondary motoneuron axons but not in pathfinding by the pioneer axons of the primary motoneurons or in guidance of secondary motoneuron axons to their targets. J. Comp. Neurol. 406:415–424, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alterations in 45 Ca distribution and movements in ileal longitudinal smooth muscle.

The distribution and movements of45Ca were examined in longitudinal smooth muscle isolated from guinea-pig ileum. Alterations in45Ca distribution were induced by lack of equilibration prior to45Ca incubation, decreased temperature, iodoacetic acid (IAA), decreased nonradioactive Ca++ (increased specific activity of45Ca), and increased K+, but not by acetylcholine, histamine or carbachol. Efflux of45Ca was observed as two components with half-times of about 1 and 9.5 minutes. Either substitution of K+ for Na+ or addition of 80 mM K+ to O−Ca bathing solutions decreased the washout of45Ca in a sustained manner, whereas addition of nonradioactive Ca++ elicited both transient and maintained increases. Transient effects indicate a displacement of bound45Ca; maintained increases could be attributed to a decreased reuptake of45Ca. The K+-induced decrease in45Ca efflux may result from a decreased cellular pool of available45Ca after an inward shift of bound Ca++. Absence of similar changes in45Ca fluxes after exposure to stimulatory agents indicates that intracellular release and rebinding of Ca++ may oscur without detectable changes in cellular Ca++ or45Ca fluxes.
In vitro fertilization outcomes after transfer of embryos contaminated with yeast

In this retrospective, matched-paired study, yeast in the embryo culture medium was associated with a trend toward decreased developmental competency that was more pronounced when observed early in culture. Because live births occurred after transfer of embryos in the yeast-contaminated group, we concluded that yeast contamination is not a reason to cancel embryo transfer (ET).
Signaling functions of the second-order CS: Partial reinforcement during second-order conditioning of the pigeon’s keypeck

The signaling function of the second-order CS (S2) was manipulated in second-order autoshaping by arranging a partial reinforcement schedule. S2 was paired with a well-conditioned first-order CS (SI) on a continuous reinforcement or a 25% reinforcement schedule in different groups. Schedule of reinforcement did not influence the number of S2-S1 pairings required to establish keypecking to S2. However, in the postacquisition sessions, responding to S2 was initially weaker but persisted for many more sessions on the 25% schedule than on the 100% schedule. The data indicate that S2-S1 pairings are responsible both for the acquisition of second-order keypecking to S2 and for the subsequent conversion of S2 into an inhibitory stimulus.
Quoting the Hippocratic Oath

One of the most reiterated and erroneous myths of medical history appears in the review by Julio Licinio of Howard I. Kushner's book A Cursing Brain? The Histories of Tourette Syndrome (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1999) ( Science 's Compass, 1 Oct., p. [56][1]). In the final column of this otherwise enjoyable review, Licinio parenthetically equates the Hippocratic Oath with the quote “first do no harm.” This may seem a bit of a quibble, but for the past 20 years I have fielded queries from physicians and lay researchers for the exact citation in the Hippocratic Oath of that quote. They are amazed when they can't find it in the Oath or another of the Hippocratic works, because they have seen it cited as such in reputable books and magazines. Neither those words nor that sentiment appears in any known version of the Hippocratic Oath. In Ludwig Edelstein's translation of the Greek version, the Oath does say, “I will keep them [the sick] from harm and injustice” ([1][2], p. 3). “First do no harm” is a most worthwhile rule, and I do not mean to belittle it. However, the closest Hippocrates (or any of the unknown authors of the Hippocratic corpus) came to expressing it is in the work Epidemics, book I, where it is stated, “As to diseases, make a habit of two things—to help, or at least to do no harm.” 1. [↵][3]1. L. Edelstein , Bull. Hist. Med. 1943(suppl. 1), 1 (1943). [OpenUrl][4] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.286.5437.56 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBull.%2BHist.%2BMed.%26rft.volume%253D1943%26rft.issue%253Dsuppl.%2B1%26rft.spage%253D1%26rft.atitle%253DBULL%2BHIST%2BMED%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
Quality determination of liquid-solid hydrogen mixtures

Freeze-thaw production process thermodynamic analysis to determine quality of liquid-solid hydrogen mixtures
Consent Under Pressure: The Puzzle of Third Party Coercion

Coercion by the recipient of consent renders that consent invalid. But what about when the coercive force comes from a third party, not from the person to whom consent would be proffered? In this paper I analyze how threats from a third party affect consent. I argue that, as with other cases of coercion, we should distinguish threats that render consent invalid from threats whose force is too weak to invalidate consent and threats that are legitimate. Illegitimate controlling third party threats render consent invalid just as they do in two party cases. However, knowing that the consent is invalid is not sufficient to tell the recipient of consent what she may or should do. I argue that when presented with a token of consent from someone whom she thinks is experiencing an illegitimate controlling threat, the recipient may act on that token if and only if doing so represents a reasonable joint decision for her and the victim of coercion. The appropriate action for someone faced with third party coercion therefore depends on the other options open to her and those open to the victim of coercion.
Heterogeneity of presynaptic calcium channels revealed by species differences in the sensitivity of synaptosomal 45Ca entry to ω-conotoxin

The inhibition of K+-depolarization dependent Ca influx by omega-conotoxin GVIA was compared in the frog, chick, and rat brain synaptosomes. The toxin at concentrations greater than or equal to 0.3 microM completely inhibited Ca entry in the frog and chick preparations, but was only partly effective in blocking Ca influx in the rat brain synaptosomes. In chick synaptosomes the toxin's effect was biphasic: a small component (approximately equal to 15%) of total Ca influx was inhibited by the toxin with high affinity (I50 less than 0.002 microM); a major component (approximately equal to 80%) of Ca influx was inhibited with a moderate affinity (I50 approximately equal to 0.05 microM). In rat brain synaptosomes 40% of Ca influx was inhibited by the toxin with low affinity (I50 approximately equal to 0.3 microM), and 60% of Ca influx was unaffected by the toxin concentration of up to 10 microM. These data suggest a heterogeneity of voltage-sensitive Ca channels in vertebrate brain synaptosomes.
An unsolvated lithium trihydroaluminate and the correponding trialkynylaluminates supported by an anionic triazacyclononane ligand

Reaction of the anionic tacn ligand ((tacn)H = 1,4-diisopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) with LiAlH4 in THF afforded a dimeric, unsolvated lithium trihydroaluminate, which upon treatment with terminal acetylenes HCCR (R = Ph, SiMe3) yielded the corresponding monomeric trialkynylaluminates in which one acetylide ligand bridges the Li and Al atom at the Cα atom while the two terminal acetylide ligands are coordinated to the Al atom.
Interaction of tobacco mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus protein with bovine serum albumin.

Abstract Bovine serum albumin (BSA) causes tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to crystallize at pH values where both have negative charges. The amount of albumin required to precipitate the virus varies inversely with ionic strength of added electrolyte. At pH values above 5, the precipitating power is greatest when BSA has the maximum total, positive plus negative, charge. Unlike early stages of the crystallization of TMV in ammonium sulfate-phosphate solutions, which can be reversed by lowering the temperature, the precipitation of TMV by BSA is not readily reversed by changes in temperature. The logarithm of the apparent solubility of TMV in BSA solutions, at constant ionic strength of added electrolyte, decreases linearly with increasing BSA concentration. This result and the correlation of precipitating power with total BSA charge suggest that BSA acts in the manner of a salting-out agent. The effect of BSA on the reversible entropy-driven polymerization of TMV protein (TMVP) depends on BSA concentration, pH, and ionic strength. In general, BSA promotes TMVP polymerization, and this effect increases with increasing BSA concentrations. The effect is larger at pH 6.5 than at pH 6. Even though increasing ionic strength promotes polymerization of TMVP in absence of BSA, the effect of increasing ionic strength from 0.08 to 0.18 at pH 6.5 decreases the polymerization-promoting effect of BSA. Likewise, the presence of BSA decreases the polymerization-promoting effect of ionic strength. The polymerization-promoting effect of BSA can be interpreted in terms of a process akin to salting-out. The mutual suppression of the polymerization-promoting effects of BSA and of electrolytes by each other can be partially explained in terms of salting-in of BSA.
Spatial technologies, accessibility, and the social construction of urban space

Accessibility is both an important concept, and a powerful indicator, in the understanding of the impact of spatial technologies, i.e. transportation, communication, and information technologies. However, virtually all existing measures of intra-metropolitan accessibility incorporate only transportation without considering other means of spatial interaction. In this paper, the author argues that by carefully examining the relationship between transportation and communication, it is possible to develop measures that represent urban spatial structure more completely. Based on studies of teleworking in the United States, the author presents an accessibility measure that takes into account both travel and telecommuting. A case study of employment accessibility in the Boston Metropolitan Area indicates that advances in spatial technologies may generate the dual effect of locational equalization and socio-spatial polarization. In the urban space that is increasingly technologically delineated and socially constructed, low-income workers will very likely find themselves in a more and more disadvantaged position.
The role of nursing in meeting the healthcare needs of diverse populations.

THE demographics of the United States have changed over the last several decades. More than 28 million Americans are foreign-born—up from 9.6 million in 1970. More than 44 million Americans speak a language other than English at home, and more than 300 different languages are spoken in the United St
Voices of restless (dis)continuity: The significance of travel for free black women in the Antebellum Americas

(1997). Voices of restless (dis)continuity: The significance of travel for free black women in the Antebellum Americas. Women's Studies: Vol. 26, Women and Travel, pp. 475-495.
Obstacles and Opportunities: Some Simple Economics of School Finance Reform

The rapid growth in education expenditure in a time of declining earnings and increased economic inequality presents both obstacles and opportunities for school finance reform. Opportunities are greatest for reforms that increase funding for low-achieving students, rather than schools, based on efficiency arguments. Special-education policy is one possible model for such reform. Evidence regarding school resource allocation processes and production efficiency is used to evaluate the potential impacts of increased spending on education outcomes, how much funding might be required to meet various goals, and the extent to which school restructuring strategies might improve efficiency. The author concludes that school finance reform policies may generate responses by families that offset at least some of their intended effects, and policies should be designed to minimize this problem. New research raises questions about conventional assumptions about educational production and cost, with implications for poli...
Racial Microaggressions Against Black Americans: Implications for Counseling

Racial microaggression themes were identified using a focus-group analysis of self-identified Black participants. Six categories of demeaning and invalidating messages reflected beliefs of White supremacy that were unintentionally conveyed by perpetrators. Implications for counselors and the counseling process are discussed.
Conservation of Outer Membrane Protein E among Strains of Moraxella catarrhalis

Outer membrane protein E (OMP E) is a 50-kDa protein of Moraxella catarrhalis which has several features that suggest that the protein may be an effective vaccine antigen. To assess the conservation of OMP E among strains of M. catarrhalis, 22 isolates were studied with eight monoclonal antibodies which recognize epitopes on different regions of the protein. Eighteen of 22 strains were reactive with all eight antibodies. The sequences of ompE from 16 strains of M. catarrhalis were determined, including the 4 strains which were nonreactive with selected monoclonal antibodies. Analysis of sequences indicate a high degree of conservation among strains, with sequence differences clustered in limited regions of the gene. To assess the stability of ompE during colonization of the human respiratory tract, the sequences of ompE of isolates collected from patients colonized with the same strain for 3 to 9 months were determined. The sequences remained unchanged. These results indicate that OMP E is highly conserved among strains of M. catarrhalis, and preliminary studies indicate that the gene which encodes OMP E remains stable during colonization of the human respiratory tract.
UDEC Numerical Simulation Research of Mining Overlying Strata Movement Regulation

The process of fractures developing of coal and rock and overlying strata movement is a temporal dynamic evolution process. In this paper, based on the research object a working face of a mine, using the UDEC numerical simulation software to research the movement of the working face upper strata in mining process, the results showed that the overlying strata forms "vertical three zones" in the vertical direction from bottom to top. Overlying strata above the goaf displays a fracture table with a trapezoid shape entirely; the cut side of the fracture angle is slightly larger than the working face side of the fracture angle. Numerical simulation calculation of the height of two zones will get a close consistent result to empirical formula. The conclusions have important guiding significance for reasonable arrangement of the gas exploitation.
Measurement of Late-Night Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone by LC-MS/MS to Assess Preanalytical Sample Contamination with Topical Hydrocortisone

To the Editor: Measurement of increased late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC)1 is now a mainstay in the diagnosis of endogenous Cushing syndrome (1). Patients typically sample their saliva at home and are carefully instructed to avoid using potential contaminants, such as topical creams or ointments containing hydrocortisone (authentic cortisol). Using these creams or ointments can cause preanalytical contamination of the saliva sample that cannot be distinguished from endogenous cortisol as measured by either immunoassay or liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). With endogenous cortisol production, the cortisone concentration in the saliva is usually higher than the cortisol concentration, and typically the cortisol-to-cortisone ratio is <1, owing to the transfer of cortisone from the plasma and the conversion of cortisol to cortisone by 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11-β-HSD2) in the salivary gland (2, 3). Contamination of the saliva with topical or oral hydrocortisone (cortisol) during sample collection would not be expected to increase salivary cortisone …
Bridging the gap: leveraging business intelligence tools in support of patient safety and financial effectiveness

Healthcare is increasingly dependent upon information technology (IT), but the accumulation of data has outpaced our capacity to use it to improve operating efficiency, clinical quality, and financial effectiveness. Moreover, hospitals have lagged in adopting thoughtful analytic approaches that would allow operational leaders and providers to capitalize upon existing data stores. In this manuscript, we propose a fundamental re-evaluation of strategic IT investments in healthcare, with the goal of increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving outcomes through the targeted application of health analytics. We also present three case studies that illustrate the use of health analytics to leverage pre-existing data resources to support improvements in patient safety and quality of care, to increase the accuracy of billing and collection, and support emerging health issues. We believe that such active investment in health analytics will prove essential to realizing the full promise of investments in electronic clinical systems.
Simple chip combining metric improvements for anti-jam applications

A simple characteristic metric is demonstrated to provide antijam performance gain for chip-combining. This metric makes use of likely signal and jammer characteristics. The specific application discussed is an 8-ary FSK, FH (frequency-shift-keying, frequency-hopped) system with noncoherent envelope detection and four-chip combining. Performance is calculated in the form of bit error rate (BER) vs. signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), for various jamming levels and metric adjustments. It was found that a processing gain appreciable even for small jammer-to-signal ratios (J/S), and very effective for large J/S scenarios, can be generated. >
400: Twin gestations with discordant growth are at markedly increased risk for hypospadias

sibly gestational age related. In Amniotic fluid derived cells, stem cell markers CD90, SSEA4 and TRA160 are expressed in the largest amount with CD90 being the most abundantly expressed marker. Therefore these markers might be used for identification, isolation and enrichment of amniotic fluid stem cells for potential clinical use, since amniotic fluid is widely available and non-controversial as a source of multipotent stem cells.
If they like it they can take it with them: A mixed methods look at the use of Internet-based instruction of mindfulness meditation with incarcerated youth

The most successful programming offered in juvenile justice facilities do not transfer easily back to communities to give youth the opportunity to practice intervention skills once they return home. Having this opportunity is particularly important to youth leaving state custody given that they disproportionately return to poor communities and disrupted families that both exacerbate behaviors associated with juvenile justice involvement and act as barriers to much needed services and support. With this in mind, a randomized controlled trial was used to quantitatively assess the ability of freely available Internet-based mindfulness meditation instruction to increase mindfulness in treatment youth, with weekly journals and open-ended post-test questions used to qualitatively explore the treatment experience. Findings suggest that an Internet delivery of mindfulness meditation is both engaging to incarcerated youth, helpful to them in coping with life in a juvenile justice facility, and able to increase mindfulness in youth who practice it.
Integration of the Measurement Vector Insertion Method (MVIM) with Discontinuous PWM for Enhanced Single Current Sensor Operation

The previously-introduced Measurement Vector Insertion Method (MVIM) is a promising technique for providing three-phase current measurements using a single dc-link current sensor. If MVIM is combined with discontinuous PWM (DPWM), the number of added switching events can be significantly reduced. Additional advantages include a reduction of the unmeasurable regions by as much as 50%, and improved modulator linearity in the overmodulation region. A hybrid strategy that uses DWPM in the high-modulation-index region and conventional continuous SVPWM for all lower values of modulation index is proposed in order to maximize the advantages of the DPWM algorithm while minimizing its limitations. A combination of analysis, simulation, and experimental tests is used to demonstrate the attractive performance characteristics of the proposed MVIM enhancement technique.
DNA ligases ensure fidelity by interrogating minor groove contacts

DNA ligases, found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, covalently link the 3'-hydroxyl and 5'-phosphate ends of duplex DNA segments. This reaction represents a completion step for DNA replication, repair and recombination. It is well established that ligases are sensitive to mispairs present on the 3' side of the ligase junction, but tolerant of mispairs on the 5' side. While such discrimination would increase the overall accuracy of DNA replication and repair, the mechanisms by which this fidelity is accomplished are as yet unknown. In this paper, we present the results of experiments with Tth ligase from Thermus thermophilus HB8 and a series of nucleoside analogs in which the mechanism of discrimination has been probed. Using a series of purine analogs substituted in the 2 and 6 positions, we establish that the apparent base pair geometry is much more important than relative base pair stability and that major groove contacts are of little importance. This result is further confirmed using 5-fluorouracil (FU) mispaired with guanine. At neutral pH, the FU:G mispair on the 3' side of a ligase junction is predominantly in a neutral wobble configuration and is poorly ligated. Increasing the solution pH increases the proportion of an ionized base pair approximating Watson-Crick geometry, substantially increasing the relative ligation efficiency. These results suggest that the ligase could distinguish Watson-Crick from mispaired geometry by probing the hydrogen bond acceptors present in the minor groove as has been proposed for DNA polymerases. The significance of minor groove hydrogen bonding interactions is confirmed with both Tth and T4 DNA ligases upon examination of base pairs containing the pyrimidine shape analog, difluorotoluene (DFT). Although DFT paired with adenine approximates Watson-Crick geometry, a minor groove hydrogen bond acceptor is lost. Consistent with this hypothesis, we observe that DFT-containing base pairs inhibit ligation when on the 3' side of the ligase junction. The NAD+-dependent ligase, Tth, is more sensitive to the DFT analog on the unligated strand whereas the ATP-dependent T4 ligase is more sensitive to substitutions in the template strand. Electrophoretic gel mobility-shift assays demonstrate that the Tth ligase binds poorly to oligonucleotide substrates containing analogs with altered minor groove contacts.
Single event mirroring and DRAM sense amplifier designs for improved single-event-upset performance

This paper proposes and investigates schemes for hardening the conventional CMOS cross-coupled DRAM sense amplifier to single event upset (SEU). These schemes, adapted from existing SRAM hardening techniques, are intended to harden the dynamic random access memory to bitline-mode errors during the sensing period. Simulation results indicate that a 9 k/spl Omega/ L-resistor hardening scheme provides greater than 24-fold improvement in critical charge over a significant part of the sensing period. Also proposed is a novel single event (SE) mirroring concept for SEU hardening of DRAMs. This concept has been implemented for hardening the bitlines to hits on diffusion regions connected to the lines during the highly susceptible high-impedance state of the bitlines. It is shown to result in over 26-fold improvement in the level of critical charge using a 2pF dynamic capacitive coupling. >
Biomarker discovery in endometrial carcinoma using novel proteomic methods

5034 Background: A practical serum-based screening test for endometrial and ovarian carcinomas could greatly improve their early diagnosis, but developing such a test has proved elusive. Herein, we...
The ionospheric responses to the 2011 Tohoku, 2012 Haida Gwaii, and 2010 Chile tsunamis: Effects of tsunami orientation and observation geometry

We show the ionospheric signatures of the 28 October 2012 Haida Gwaii tsunami in both the total electron content (TEC) and the airglow layer. In addition, previously reported ionospheric signatures from the 11 March 2011 Tohoku and 27 February 2010 Chile tsunamis are reexplored in comparison to the newer Haida Gwaii detections. These events provide excellent test cases in the study of tsunami-ionospheric coupling efficiency, which is most notably affected by the observation geometry, tsunami propagation direction, and background ionospheric density. A simple calculation is developed that incorporates observation geometry to predict the relative coupling efficiency. The predictions are compared to the TEC observations and limitations are discussed.
Abstract 5575: Obesity and genomic changes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Obesity is rapidly overtaking smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer, particularly in cancers of the breast and colon. In a large cohort of individuals participating in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study, a higher incidence of MDS and an increased mortality was observed in individuals with body mass index (BMI) >30 compared to those with BMI We performed genomic analyses by using next-generation targeted deep sequencing (NGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) of 62 significantly affected genes that play an important role in MDS pathogenesis. Mutations were considered individually and grouped into several functional pathways. Overweight (BMI 25-29) and obese (BMI >30) were combined in one group (BMI-H). Of 205 pts with MDS treated at our institution between 1/2000 - 1/2013, 146 (71%) were BMI-H. Interestingly, only 2 patients had BMI Overall, 74% of pts had at least one of the 62 screened mutations, the most common being: SF3B1 (17%), TET2 (17%), ASXL1 (14%), STAG2 (12%), DNMT3A (9%), U2AF1/2 (8%), GPR98 (8%), and RUNX1(7%). Mutations in IDH1/2 (5% vs. 0%), DNMT3A (11% vs. 5%), TET2 (18% vs. 14%) occurred more frequently in BMI-H, where SF3B1 (25% vs. 13%), and NRAS (7% vs. 2%) mutations were more common in BMI-N. Within functional groups, mutations in splicing machinery genes were less common in BMI-H compared to BMI-N (32% vs. 41%, p = .05) and mutations in DNA methylation genes were more common in BMI-H (20% vs. 34%, p = .02). Clonal architecture analysis points to the presence of different dominant clones between the two groups. In the dominant MDS clones, mutations in TET2 and DNMT3A were observed more frequently in pts with BMI-H, whereas mutations in SF3B1 were more frequently observed in BMI-N pts. In conclusion, overweight and obese pts with MDS have a trend for inferior survival and higher rate of progression to AML as compared to MDS pts with normal weight. Genomic differences in clonal architecture and distribution of somatic mutations were observed in the BMI-H group. Further exploration including germline mutations and previously described familial obesity genes is needed to expound on the interaction between the biology of obesity and leukemogenesis of MDS. Citation Format: Aziz Nazha, David Seastone, Hideki Makishima, Matt Kalaycio, Hetty E. Carraway, Anjali S. Advani, Ahamd Zarzour, Jennifer Carew, Aaron T. Gerds, Sudipto Mukherjee, Jaroslaw P. Maciejewski, Mikkael A. Sekeres. Obesity and genomic changes in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5575. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5575
Anorectic Effect of Chlordimeform in the American Cockroach

Chlordimeform and several other neuroactive amines were assayed for anorectic activity in starved American cockroaches, Periplaneta Americana (L.). Of 9 compounds tested, chlordimeform was the most potent, causing a 78% reduction in food consumption after a dose of 1 μg. Octopamine also was a potent anorexigenic agent, whereas the octopamine analogue isoproterenol was devoid of anorectic activity. No correlation existed between anoretic potency and either acute toxicity, monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity, or local anaesthetic activity.
Influence of Dietary Lithocholic Acid on Hepatic Lipid Transport

SummaryIntravenously administered cholesterol-fed chick serum elevated liver cholesterol levels and depressed hepatic cholesterol synthesis in recipient mice. Serum from lithocholic acid-fed chicks, although supplying a greater quantity of cholesterol than that from cholesterol-fed chicks, did not alter cholesterol levels or cholesterol synthesis in liver of recipient mice. The percentage hepatic uptake of cholesterol from serum by liver of recipient mice was significantly enhanced by administration of cholesterol-fed chick serum and was depressed in mice treated with lithocholic acid-fed chick serum. These data are interpreted to indicate that cholesterol in the serum of chicks ingesting lithocholic acid is bound in a lipoprotein complex which does not readily enter the liver cell.
Self-study program on drug information for staff pharmacists

A self-study inservice educational program on drug information resources was designed to improve staff pharmacist competence in responding to drug information requests. Pharmacists attended two introductory sessions in the drug information center (DIC) that focused on available resources and the systematic search process. Each pharmacist also spent an eight-hour work period in the DIC. Twenty-four hours of regular staff time was allowed for each pharmacist to complete a self-study manual. The manual consisted of three section: (1) discussion of selected references; (2) assignments based on common types of drug information questions; and (3) assignments that required the use of indexing and abstracting sources. Each pharmacist had to complete 50 questions during a 12-week period. The pharmacists were evaluated through pre- and post-tests and by the accuracy of answers to assignments in the manual. Six pharmacists initially participated in the program; five of them attained an average grade of more than 70 on the post-test and assignments. Three new staff pharmacists now have also completed the program. The success of the program depended on the support of pharmacy administration, as well as the motivation of the participating pharmacists. This staff development program using a self-study manual has been an effective means for improving pharmacists' use of drug information resources. The manual is flexible to accommodate differences in the rate of staff development and it is a useful training tool for new pharmacists.
In vitro inhibition of microbial methane production by 9,10-anthraquinone.

Monensin, 2,2-dichloroacetamide, and 9,10-anthraquinone were incubated for 24 h in ruminal fluid and buffer with 100:0, 50:50, and 10:90 forage-concentrate diets. Monensin (.5 ppm of the fluid) increased (P < .05) the molar proportion of propionate in the 50 and 100% forage diets but not in the high concentrate diet. At the same level of addition, 2,2-dichloroacetamide increased (P < .05) the molar proportion of propionate only in the 50:50 forage-concentrate diet. Relative to control cultures, monensin and 2,2-dichloroacetamide numerically decreased methane production in the 10 and 100% forage diets and decreased (P < .05) methane in the 50% forage diet. Hydrogen production was unaffected by treatment. Lack of an effect on fermentation end products in the high concentrate diet was probably a result of the low dose levels. In general, increasing levels of 9,10-anthraquinone (.5, 1.0, and 5.0 ppm) reduced total VFA concentration and the molar proportion of acetate, and increased propionate, butyrate and valerate. Increasing levels of 9,10-anthraquinone caused linear and quadratic decreases (P < .05) in methane production, and increases (P < .05) in hydrogen. There were no consistent effects on ammonia concentration in culture fluid from any of the compounds. In continuous culture of a 10:90 forage-concentrate diet, addition of 9,10-anthraquinone (10 ppm of the fluid/12 h) caused changes similar to those observed in batch culture with the exception of a decreased (P < .05) molar percentage of propionate, which may have been due to the high dose. The data are interpreted to indicate that 9,10-anthraquinone has the ability to alter in vitro microbial fermentation.
Managing the older patient with hypertension

In elderly patients, elevation of systolic blood pressure represents a more serious risk than elevation of diastolic blood pressure. Major trials of antihypertensive therapy in the elderly include the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, the Swedish Trial of Older Patients with Hypertension, the Medical Research Council Trial, and the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Group. Results of these trails indicate that, even for very elderly patients, reducing blood pressure reduces both morbidity and mortality from stroke and cardiac disease. Diuretics and calcium antagonists stand out as particularly efficacious in elderly hypertensive patients. beta-Adrenergic blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may be less suitable in this patient population. Studies of the effects of antihypertensive therapy on the quality of life indicate that elderly patients can easily tolerate efficacious doses of antihypertensive drugs.
Analysis of DNA Methylation by Pyrosequencing

Pyrosequencing is a technique that uses a sequencing-by-synthesis system which is designed to quantify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Artificial C/T SNP creation via bisulfite modification permits measurement of DNA methylation locally and globally in real time. Alteration in DNA methylation has been implicated in aging, as well as aging-related conditions such as cancer, as well as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and autoimmune diseases. Considering its ubiquitous presence in divergent clinical pathologies, quantitative analysis of DNA CpG methylation both globally and at individual genes helps to elucidate the regulation of genes involved in pathophysiological conditions. The ability to detect and quantify the methylation pattern of DNA has the potential to serve as an early detection marker and potential drug target for several diseases. Here, we provide a detailed technical protocol for pyrosequencing supplemented by critical information about assay design and nuances of the system that provides a strong foundation for beginners in the field.
Gene replacement method for determining conditions in which Bacillus subtilis genes are essential or dispensable for cell viability

We describe a method for determining conditions in which Bacillus subtilis genes are essential or dispensable for cell viability. This method utilizes a chloramphenicol-resistant plasmid containing a temperature-sensitive (ts) replication origin. In this method, the target gene is first cloned into the ts vector and the recombinant plasmid is used to transform wild-type B. subtilis. The second step involves transformation of the resulting strain with a linear DNA fragment containing a second antibiotic resistance marker (tet) that disrupts the gene of interest. Selection for tetracycline resistance forces a double crossover between the chromosomal and fragment-borne copies of the gene, thereby replacing the wild-type gene in the chromosome with the disrupted allele. Cells survive even if the gene is essential by virtue of the complementing plasmid. Transformants are then grown at the non-permissive temperature for plasmid replication under various growth conditions. Isolation of chloramphenicol-sensitive colonies indicates that the gene is dispensable, whereas the inability to isolate chloramphenicol-sensitive colonies indicates that the gene is essential. The general utility of this method is demonstrated by allowing disruption of mtrA and trpE under conditions that render each gene non-essential, but not under growth conditions in which each gene is essential.
Microbiome in Transplantation

Currently, there is increasing evidence of the human microbiome’s importance in human health through nutrition, maintenance of epithelial barrier linings, prevention of infection by pathogenic microbes, and attenuation of host immunity. Observations in the transplant setting indicate that the human microbiome may be particularly important, with links to important transplant outcomes such as infection, graft success, drug efficacy, and even overall survival.
Lecture videos for e-learning: current research and challenges

E-learning is an emerging new education approach that augments learning experiences by integrating multimedia and network technologies. As an integrated part of e-learning, the lecture videos captured in classrooms contain most of the instructional content. Effective use of these videos, however, remains a challenging task. This paper reviews previous research work on capturing, analyzing, indexing, and retrieval of lecture (instructional) videos, and introduces on-going research efforts related with instructional videos. This paper compares instructional video to other video genres and addresses its special issues and difficulties. We present the current challenges in content-based indexing and retrieval of instructional videos. Improving these techniques for lecture videos has significant educational and social benefits.
Concomitant Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Redo aortic valve replacement (AVR) performed simultaneously with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation carries potential for increased mortality rates. Although transcatheter AVR has ...
Bias in cervical total disc replacement trials

Cervical disc replacement (CDR) has emerged as a motion-preserving alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in selected cases. Despite favorable literature, CDR is not universally accepted because of concerns regarding bias in the existing literature. The purpose of this review is to identify the possible biases in the disc replacement literature. Recent studies that compare CDR and ACDF have demonstrated equivalent or superior outcomes, lower rates of secondary surgery, and equivalent safety at medium- and long-term follow-up. In our review, we identified four types of bias that may affect the CDR literature: publication bias, external validity, confounding bias, and financial conflicts of interest. Bias, whether intentional or unintentional, can impact the interpretation and outcome of CDR studies. Recognition of this issue is critical when utilizing the existing literature to determine the efficacy of CDR and designing future studies.
The Summer, the Tensions, and the Park

That was one of the great things about being a regular at Buttonwood Park. You could get on a team, but then you had to keep winning to keep playing. It was a very democratic system, and race didn’t matter (there were white, Cape Verdean, African-American, and Latino kids): you had to win, and then play the next five guys. Keep winning, and keep playing. Lose, and sit down and wait for the next game–if you were good enough to get picked for it.
Resistance to Extinction Following Partially Delayed Sequences of Quality and Quantity of Reward

Nine groups of albino rats were extinguished in a runway after receiving various sequences of delayed and immediate reinforcement. Reward consisted of variations in quality (alfalfa or sucrose pellets) and combinations of quality and quantity (4, 10, or 16 pellets) presented either immediately or following a 30-sec. delay. The results indicated that high quality immediate reward increased resistance to extinction, whereas low quality immediate reward decreased resistance to extinction. Additionally, low quality or small quantity delayed reward and combinations of high quality/large quantity immediate reward increased resistance to extinction. The findings provide further evidence for an extension of Capaldi’s sequential theory to include quality of reward.
The Sarbanes-Oxley debacle : what we've learned; how to fix it

This Abstract introduces the authors' new book, The Sarbanes-Oxley Debacle: What We've Learned; How to Fix It (The AEI Press 2006). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("SOX") is a colossal failure, poorly conceived and hastily enacted during a regulatory panic. Everyone now concedes that the direct compliance costs of SOX have been much greater than anticipated. While that alone should give any serious policy analyst pause, the Act's defenders press the case that SOX was worth its problems. This book demonstrates that the supporters are wrong in their assessment: Both logic and evidence make it clear that SOX was a costly mistake.
Ullmann Reaction Catalyzed by Heterogeneous Mesoporous Copper/Manganese Oxide: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Analysis

A heterogeneous copper oxide supported on mesoporous manganese oxide (meso Cu/MnOx) was explored for Ullmann-type cross-coupling reactions. An inverse micelle-templated evaporation-induced self-assembly method with in situ addition of copper was adopted to synthesize the mesoporous catalyst. Broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerability in C–O, C–N, and C–S bond formation reactions were observed using the optimized reaction conditions. The catalytic protocol was ligand free, and the catalyst was reusable without any significant loss of activity. The kinetic and Hammett analyses provided evidence for oxidative addition to a Cu(I) reaction center followed by nucleophilic addition and reductive elimination at the active copper oxide surface. Rate acceleration was observed for aryl halides with electron-withdrawing groups. The Hammett analysis determined ρ = +1.0, indicative of an oxidative addition, whereas the electronic effect in the phenol ring (ρ = −2.9) was indicative of coordination...
Structural basis of the phosphorylation-independent recognition of cyclin D1 by the SCFFBXO31 ubiquitin ligase.

Ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of cyclin D1 is associated with normal and tumor cell proliferation and survival. The SCFFBXO31 (Skp1–Cul1–Rbx1–FBXO31) ubiquitin ligase complex mediates genotoxic stress-induced cyclin D1 degradation. Previous studies have suggested that cyclin D1 levels are maintained at steady state by phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export and subsequent proteolysis in the cytoplasm. Here we present the crystal structures of the Skp1–FBXO31 complex alone and bound to a phosphorylated cyclin D1 C-terminal peptide. FBXO31 possesses a unique substrate-binding domain consisting of two β-barrel motifs, whereas cyclin D1 binds to FBXO31 by tucking its free C-terminal carboxylate tail into an open cavity of the C-terminal FBXO31 β-barrel. Biophysical and functional studies demonstrate that SCFFBXO31 is capable of recruiting and ubiquitinating cyclin D1 in a phosphorylation-independent manner. Our findings provide a conceptual framework for understanding the substrate specificity of the F-box protein FBXO31 and the mechanism of FBXO31-regulated cyclin D1 protein turnover.
Organic Mixed Valence Compounds Derived from Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbenes

Readily available room temperature stable organic mixed valence compounds are prepared by one-electron reduction of cyclic bis(iminium) salts [derived from cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes] bridged by various spacers. These compounds show characteristic intervalence charge transfer (IV-CT) bands in the near-infrared (NIR). Cyclic voltammetry, EPR, IR, UV–vis, and X-ray studies, as well as DFT calculations, show that, depending on the nature of the spacer, these mixed valence compounds range from class III to class II.
The Albano passive UHF RFID tag antenna

We present the novel “Albano” radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antenna design. Current two-dimensional tag antennas are orientation-sensitive, restricting RFID efficiency in warehouses and other RFID environments. The three-dimensional Albano tag however, radiates equally in all directions without complicating the tag labeling process. Designs of the Albano tag were simulated and optimized using Ansoft's High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS). Physical prototypes of the Albano tag were attached to air-filled boxes and tested statically to measure maximum read ranges in multiple orientations. The performance of the novel tag was measured and compared to the performance of Alien Technology's planar “I” and “Squiggle” tags. Testing showed that while the Alien tags perform extremely well in some orientations and very poorly in others, the Albano tag has a consistent maximum read range, 2–3 meters, in every direction, eliminating the orientation sensitivity experienced by planar antenna designs.
Turning students into scholars: using digital methods to teach the critical study of religion

Incorporating digital tools into Religious Studies courses provides experiences and conditions that transform students into scholars. In this essay we discuss two courses we taught in conjunction w...