cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Body mass index, comorbidities, and hormonal factors in relation to meningioma in an ethnically diverse population: the Multiethnic Cohort.

Background Meningioma is the most common intracranial tumor in the US and its etiology remains poorly understood. Meningioma has been predominantly studied among white populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of anthropometric, comorbidity, and hormonal factors with meningioma in an ethnically diverse population. Methods A nested case-control analysis was performed within the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). Meningioma cases were identified via linkage with Medicare and the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Hospital Discharge data and were matched to up to 10 controls. Anthropometric, comorbidities, physical activity level, and hormonal factors at baseline based on questionnaires were evaluated for association with meningioma. Results A total of 894 cases and 8918 matched controls were included in this study. Increasing body mass index (BMI) (P-trend = 0.041) and weight increases since age 21 (P-trend = 0.0052) were positively associated with meningioma. Hormonal factors including oral contraceptive use (odds ratio [OR]: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.01-1.51) and estrogen hormonal therapy use (per 5 years, OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.15) were associated with meningioma risk. Hypertension was positively associated with meningioma (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09-1.47), with individuals who reported a history of both hypertension and diabetes showing a stronger association (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.17-2.03). The tests for heterogeneity across race/ethnicity were not statistically significant (P heterogeneity ≥ 0.17); however, the association of BMI with meningioma was mainly observed in Japanese Americans (P-trend = 0.0036) and hypertension in Japanese Americans (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.17-2.27) and Native Hawaiians (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.02-3.40). Conclusion Obesity, hormonal factors, and hypertension were associated with meningioma in an ethnically diverse population.
Temperature-Dependent Expression of a CFP-YFP FRET Diacylglycerol Sensor Enables Multiple-Read Screening for Compounds That Affect C1 Domains.

Intramolecular CFP-YFP fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensors expressed in cells are powerful research tools but have seen relatively little use in screening. We exploited the discov...
Comment on the paper “Generation and reduction of bulk nanobubbles by ultrasonic irradiation” by Keiji Yasuda, Hodaka Matsushima, and Yoshiyuki Asakura, Chemical Engineering Science 195 (2019) 455–461

Abstract Comment is provided on some doubtful results included in the published paper, Yasuda et al. (2019).
Crystal structure of 4-methyl-N-(4-methyl-benz-yl)benzene-sulfonamide.

The title compound, C15H17NO2S, was synthesized via a substitution reaction between 4-methyl­benzyl­amine and p-toluene­sulfonyl chloride. In the crystal, N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules, forming ribbons running along the b-axis direction. One of the aromatic rings hosts two inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­actions that link these hydrogen-bonded ribbons into a three-dimensional network.
An Activity Centered Approach to Nonvisual Computer Interaction

In this work, we apply an activity theory lens to analyze nonvisual computing for blind and low-vision computer users. Our analysis indicates major challenges for users in translating the activities they are working towards into specific tasks to be completed in a system comprehensible manner. Specifically, blind and low-vision students learning to use accessible technologies struggled with organizing their activities, tracking the history and status of their operations, and understanding how the system was acting underneath these interactions. We discuss how activity-centered design can be applied to nonvisual interfaces to better match user behavior in a computational system.
Developing a Passion for Learning: An Interview With Dr. David Rose:

Dr. David Rose is perhaps best known for his connection to the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) and as a main and driving force behind the collection of instructional, assistive, and ac...
Cortical astrocytes regulate ethanol consumption and intoxication in mice

Astrocytes are fundamental building blocks of the central nervous system. Their dysfunction has been implicated in many psychiatric disorders, including alcohol use disorder, yet our understanding of their functional role in ethanol intoxication and consumption is very limited. Astrocytes regulate behavior through multiple intracellular signaling pathways, including G-protein coupled-receptor (GPCR)-mediated calcium signals. To test the hypothesis that GPCR-induced calcium signaling is also involved in the behavioral effects of ethanol, we expressed astrocyte-specific excitatory DREADDs in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice. Activating Gq-GPCR signaling in PFC astrocytes increased drinking in ethanol-naive mice, but not in mice with a history of ethanol drinking. In contrast, reducing calcium signaling with an astrocyte-specific calcium extruder reduced ethanol intake. Cortical astrocyte calcium signaling also altered the acute stimulatory and sedative-hypnotic effects of ethanol. Astrocyte-specific Gq-DREADD activation increased both the locomotor-activating effects of low dose ethanol and the sedative-hypnotic effects of a high dose, while reduced astrocyte calcium signaling diminished sensitivity to the hypnotic effects. In addition, we found that adenosine A1 receptors were required for astrocyte calcium activation to increase ethanol sedation. These results support integral roles for PFC astrocytes in the behavioral actions of ethanol that are due, at least in part, to adenosine receptor activation.
Abstract CT116: A phase I study of ribociclib plus everolimus in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma refractory to chemotherapy

Background: Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPC) has a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 2.9%. CDK4/6 is often deregulated in mPC due to loss of CDKN2A via homozygous deletion or epigenetic silencing, resulting in the loss of the p16INK4a protein that naturally inhibits CDK4/6. CDK4/6 inactivates the retinoblastoma protein (RB), allowing E2F family transcription factors to promote cell cycle progression. Inhibitors of CDK4/6 have been ineffective as single agents in part due to Ras-mediated activation of alternate signaling pathways including the PI3K-mTOR pathway. We have shown that co-inhibition of the CDK4/6 and mTOR pathways suppresses growth in mPC patient-derived xenografts. Methods: The combination of ribociclib (RIBO; a CDK4/6 inhibitor) and everolimus (EVE; an mTOR inhibitor) was investigated in a phase I, third-line study in patients (pts) with mPC and disease progression on 5-fluorouracil- and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimens. A 3+3 design was used to test the safety of RIBO (250 or 300 mg daily on days 1-21) and fixed-dose EVE (2.5 mg daily on days 1-28) every 28 days. Secondary endpoints were median progression-free survival (mPFS), median overall survival (mOS), overall response rate by RECIST 1.1, and safety. Correlative studies included assessing the pharmacodynamic effects on the RB pathway using pre- and on-treatment tumor biopsies. Results: Twelve pts were enrolled between 2017 and 2019. One dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade 3 rash was seen in a pt at the 250 mg dose level, so the 250 mg level was expanded. Six pts were treated at each dose level, and no other DLTs were seen. The recommended phase 2 dose was RIBO 300 mg. mPFS was 1.8 months (95% CI (0.6, 2.1)), and mOS was 3.7 months (95% CI (2.3, 5.6)). No clinical responses were seen. Three pts (25%) had stable disease at 8 weeks. There was a significant (> 50% on average) decrease in expression of CDK4/6 regulated genes (e.g. BIRC5, CCNA2, STMN1, TOP2A) in pre- vs. post-treatment tumor samples (N = 6, p Citation Format: Benjamin Adam Weinberg, Hongkun Wang, Agnieszka K. Witkiewicz, John L. Marshall, Aiwu R. He, Erik S. Knudsen, Michael J. Pishvaian. A phase I study of ribociclib plus everolimus in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma refractory to chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT116.
Abstract 2697: Single cell RNA sequencing and tumor cell heterogeneity in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

Tumor cell heterogeneity has been strongly implicated in metastatic progression of solid tumors such as breast cancer, leading to resistance and recurrence. We hypothesize that inhibiting metastasis will reduce tumor cell heterogeneity and thereby increase therapeutic sensitivity. To test this hypothesis, we expressed the metastasis suppressor Raf Kinase Inhibitory Protein (RKIP or PEBP1) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells as a means of comparing the variation in gene expression between individual cells in metastatic versus non-metastatic tumors. Xenograft tumors with or without exogenous RKIP expression were dissociated into single cell suspensions. We removed mouse as well as dead cells, and the remaining cells were loaded onto a microfluidic device (Fluidigm C1) for separation and library preparation. For each condition we performed three independent experiments yielding a total of 1569 cells. Initially, we performed controls to ensure that differences were not due to batch effects, cell cycle stage or sample quality. Clustering of single cells across all samples indicated that gene expression profiles are similar, confirming reproducibility. Gene ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes between cells with and without RKIP overexpression reveals gene sets that are important in tumor cell transitions from metastatic to non-metastatic states. These data will allow us to specifically test whether metastatic tumors are more heterogeneous than non-metastatic tumors in TNBC. Citation Format: Dongbo Yang, Christopher Dann, Sebastian Pott, Marsha Rosner. Single cell RNA sequencing and tumor cell heterogeneity in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2697.
Financing Buprenorphine Treatment in Primary Care: A Microsimulation Model

PURPOSE We sought to determine the financial impact to primary care practices of alternative strategies for offering buprenorphine-based treatment for opioid use disorder. METHODS We interviewed 20 practice managers and identified 4 approaches to delivering buprenorphine-based treatment via primary care practice that differed in physician and nurse responsibilities. We used a microsimulation model to estimate how practice variations in patient type, payer, revenue, and cost across primary care practices nationwide would affect cost and revenue implications for each approach for the following types of practices: federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), non-FQHCs in urban high-poverty areas, non-FQHCs in rural high-poverty areas, and practices outside of high-poverty areas. RESULTS The 4 approaches to buprenorphine-based treatment included physician-led visits with nurse-led logistical support; nurse-led visits with physician oversight; shared visits; and solo prescribing by physician alone. Net practice revenues would be expected to increase after introduction of any of the 4 approaches by $18,000 to $70,000 per full-time physician in the first year across practice type. Yet physician-led visits and shared medical appointments, both of which relied on nurse care managers, consistently produced the greatest net revenues ($29,000-$70,000 per physician in the first year). To ensure positive net revenues with any approach, providers would need to maintain at least 9 patients in treatment, with a no-show rate of CONCLUSIONS Using a simulation model, we estimate that many types of primary care practices could financially sustain buprenorphine-based treatment if demand and no-show rate requirements are met, but a nurse care manager–based approach might be the most sustainable.
Empowering the Clinical Research Coordinator in Academic Medical Centers

Abstract Objective To identify factors associated with job satisfaction and retention, we surveyed a large cohort of clinical research coordinators (CRCs). In recent years, the clinical research coordinator has changed from a semi-permanent role to one that has a high turnover rate. The CRCs are integral to clinical research and instability in this role can cause patient stress and increase the burden on clinical teams through unnecessary delegation of resources toward hiring and retraining new talent. The cultural shift toward CRCs as a temporary position may be driven by the perspective that the role positions an individual for other health care careers, but understanding what influences low retention rates are necessary. Methods A survey containing 13 multiple choice or open-ended and 32 Likert scale questions was distributed to previous and current CRCs using REDCap. The questionnaires were self-administered and completed over a 12-month period between October 11, 2017, and September 16, 2018. Results A total of 85 CRCs completed the study. From the 32 potential predictors of retention, we investigated 9 significant predictors: salary, work setting, understanding the role, level of CRC, understanding protocol development, actively engaged principal investigator (PI), having a collaborative role with PI, feeling respected by PI, and having a close relationship with PI. Adequate salary, greater respect, collaboration, and engagement from the PI were significantly associated with higher retention. Surprisingly, greater workload and lack of opportunity for professional growth were not associated with retention. Conclusion The CRCs who feel respected and engaged by the PI and are adequately compensated are more likely to have higher job satisfaction and retention.
Implementation of a Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Risk Algorithm to Inform Appropriate Downstream Invasive Testing and Treatment.

Background: To risk stratify patients undergoing single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) in accordance with appropriate use criteria for referral to coro...
P394 Benefits of a VBIC to both patients and the local health economy

Introduction Virtual Biologics and Immunosuppressives Clinics (VBICs) assess inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who are on biologics with a view to optimising treatments whilst also delivering cost savings through the withdrawal of high cost drugs. Darent Valley Hospital(DVH) is a district general hospital without an IBD Nurse. A VBIC was set up for the 1st time in July 2019 to assess the 112 patients on infliximab(IFX) to reassess patients’ treatment regularly but also with a view to demonstrating how an IBD nurse could be utilised to deliver cost savings. Methods Patients were assessed in VBIC by 2 IBD consultants, a pharmacy technician and an IBD administrator and categorised into 5 groups based on their recent investigations: to continue biologics, to reassess before offering withdrawal, to switch, to dose-escalate, or dose de-escalate. Letters were written to the patients’ consultant advising next management. Patients were analysed for: the group that they were assigned to, whether next management was performed and the number of patients offered withdrawal. Potential cost savings were estimated on the assumption that patients in the ‘reassess before offering withdrawal’ category, were likely to be in remission and would agree to withdraw. Costs were based on the price of IFX being £120/100 mg vial. Results 63 patients were analysed (62% male, 59% with Crohn’s, 41% on concomitant therapy, 13% had previous loss of response to adalimumab). The mean duration patients had been on IFX was 40 months (SD 32, range 1–140 months) and the mean time to their last disease assessment was 19 months (SD 15, range 1–69 months) of whom 33% were in remission at that time. Of the 40 (63%) patients in the ‘reassess before offering withdrawal’ category only 11 had all the investigations proposed by VBIC performed (see figure 1); only 5(8%) patients were withdrawn. If all patients in this category had been withdrawn, the savings would have been £162,480 in the 1st year and £324,960 in the 2nd year. Of the remaining 23 patients analysed, 3 were switched biologic, 5 were dose-escalated, 1 was de-escalated and 14 continued at their current dose. Overall, 19% of all the patients had subtherapeutic drug levels. Conclusions Before VBIC, a significant proportion of our patients had neither been reassessed regularly, nor offered withdrawn when in remission. However, although our VBIC was able to optimise therapy for some patients, it was unable to deliver the predicted cost savings. The reason for this was that it relied on the consultant in charge of the patient’s care performing the next management step; an issue that having an IBD nurse would resolve.
RRANN: a hardware implementation of the backpropagation algorithm using reconfigurable FPGAs

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are an excellent technology for implementing neural networking hardware. This paper presents the run-time reconfiguration artificial neural network (RRANN). RRANN is a hardware implementation of the backpropagation algorithm that is extremely scalable and makes efficient use of FPGA resources. One key feature is RRANN's ability to exploit parallelism in all stages of the backpropagation algorithm including the stage where errors are propagated backward through the network. This architecture has been designed and implemented on Xilinx XC3090 FPGAs, and its performance has been measured. >
Book Review of Market Liquidity: Asset Pricing, Risk, and Crises by Yakov Amihud, Haim Mendelson, and Lasse Heje Pedersen

This is a book review of Market Liquidity: Asset Pricing, Risk, and Crises by Yakov Amihud, Haim Mendelson, and Lasse Heje Pedersen.
AutoSurvey: current integration and the AutoSurvey Planner

Introduces AutoSurvey, an environmentally adaptive approach to hydrographic surveys, and explains how this new technology can benefit the industry. Also the paper describes the platforms it has been tested on, and describes the current integration effort of AutoSurvey into NAVOCEANO's Integrated Survey System, ISS-60. The AutoSurvey Planner, a new project being developed to bring AutoSurvey functionality to survey planners, is introduced. Results of various simulation runs are presented that demonstrate AutoSurvey's ability to dramatically reduce survey time.
Nuclear matrix targeting of the protein kinase CK2 signal as a common downstream response to androgen or growth factor stimulation of prostate cancer cells

Protein kinase CK2, a messenger-independent serine/threonine kinase, has been implicated in cell growth. Androgenic stimulus in rat prostate modulates its association with nuclear matrix (NM) and chromatin. Because the growth of human prostate carcinoma cells is influenced by androgens and/or growth factors, we determined the nature of CK2 signaling in the NM in response to androgen and growth factor stimuli. Androgen-sensitive LNCaP and androgen-insensitive PC-3 cells were cultured in media to regulate their growth in the presence of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) or growth factors (epidermal growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factor α). The activity of CK2 was measured in the cytosolic and NM fractions isolated from these cells after treatment with growth stimuli. The changes in CK2 in various fractions were also confirmed by immunoblotting with a specific antibody. LNCaP cells responded to both 5α-DHT and growth factors for growth. The presence of these agents in the culture medium evoked a translocation of CK2 to the NM from the cytosol. The PC-3 cells did not respond to 5α-DHT for growth but did respond to growth factors. Under these conditions, there was also a translocation of CK2 to the NM concomitant with a decrease in the cytosolic fraction. These results suggest that CK2 translocation to the NM occurs in response to various growth stimuli in cells in culture. Thus, CK2 is a common downstream signal transducer in response to diverse growth stimuli that may relate to the pathobiology of prostate cancer cells.
Abstract 4067: TRPM7 channels regulate glioma stem cell through STAT3 and Notch signaling pathways

A small fraction of cancer stem cells (CSC) initiate and maintain tumors thus driving glioma tumorigenesis and are responsible for resistance to classical chemo- and radio-therapies. It is desirable to identify signaling pathways related to CSC to develop novel therapies to selectively target them. TRPM7 is a ubiquitous Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ permeable ion channel which contains a serine/threonine kinase. Recent studies have demonstrated that TRPM7 plays an important role in the growth and proliferation of various tumor cells. To determine the possibility of an interaction among TRPM7, Notch, STAT3 and the ALDH1 signaling in the context of brain tumors, we investigated the effects of TRPM7 pathway activation on glioma cells and stem-like cells derived from them. Methods: 1) We analyzed human stem cell signaling pathways using real time RT 2 Profile PCR arrays in the A172 glioma cells upon TRPM7 gene silencing. 2) We then examined Notch and STAT3 pathway activation, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 family, mitochondrial (ALDH1) and CD133 expressions in parental and glioma stem cell (GSC) populations using quantitative real time-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorence images. 3) We conducted a ChIP analysis to examine the effects of STAT3 on ALDH1 promoter by introducing constitutive STAT3 (caSTAT3) and dominant STAT3 (dnSTAT3) into A172 cells. 4) Finally, we examined the role of TRPM7 in glioma cell migration and invasion using transwell invasion assay and wound healing assay. Results: 1) RT 2 Profile PCR arrays showed that TRPM7 gene silencing down-regulated genes (≥2 fold-change) involved in Notch pathway [Notch1, Jagged 1(JAG1) and Delta-like 1, Drosophila (DLL1)], Wnt pathway, Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 1(WNT1) and ALDH1. 2) STAT3 activation and Notch1 expression were decreased in response to TRPM7 silencing. 3) Notch-regulated genes including Notch1, Hey2, JAG1, and Survivin as well as ALDH1 were significantly expressed higher in spheroid glioma CSCs when compared with monolayer cultures. 4) ALDH1 promoter activity was activated by STAT3 in A172 cells. 5) Knockdown of TRPM7 inhibited migration and invasion of A172 cells. Conclusions: TRPM7 activates JAK2/STAT3 and/or Notch signaling pathways and leads to increased cell proliferation and migration. These findings for the first time demonstrate that TRPM7 (1) activates a previously unrecognized STAT3→ALDH1 pathway, and (2) promotes the induction of ALDH1 activity in glioma cells. (This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grant numbers NIH R01NS047506, R01NS066027, UL1 RR025008, U54 RR026137, AHA 0840132N, and ALZ IIRG-10-173350.) Citation Format: Mingli Liu, Koichi Inoue, Tiandong Leng, Shanchun Guo, Zhigang Xiong. TRPM7 channels regulate glioma stem cell through STAT3 and Notch signaling pathways. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4067. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4067
Synthesis of Alpha‐Halo Ethers from Symmetric Acetals and in Situ Methoxymethylation of an Alcohol

Dimethoxymethane Zinc bromide Acetyl chloride Chloromethyl methyl ether Alpha-Phenethyl alcohol Diisopropylethylamine 1-Methoxy-1-phenylethane Keywords: alpha halo ethers; methoxymethylation; acetals; OSHA carcinogen; exchange reactions; zinc catalyst; acid halides; alkylation; aliphatic acetals; waste disposal
Effects of chronic ethanol feeding on enzymes of rat brain and liver mitochondria.

Abstract The effect of ethanol feeding for 21 days on the activities of enzymes intimately associated with rat liver and brain mitochondrial membranes was studied. Ethanol feeding did not result in any significant changes in the activities of enzymes located in the mitochondria as follows: monoamine oxidase in the outer membrane, α-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase in the outer side of the inner membrane, succinate dehydrogenase in the inner side of the inner membrane and malate dehydrogenase in the matrix. By contrast there were significant increases in microsomal cytochrome P-450, b5, aniline hydroxylase and NADPH dependent ethanol oxidizing activity. This study shows that ethanol feeding which produces microsomal enzyme induction does not result in significant changes in mitochondrial membrane associated enzymes.
DNA replication and the early to late transition in adenovirus infection

Expression of the late genes of adenovirus is only detectable after virus DNA synthesis has occurred. Using a superinfection protocol, we show that replication of the template per se is required for expression of late regions L2--L5 (mapping to the right of position 39) and that the accumulation of early gene products does not suffice. This regulation is probably exerted at the level of transcription rather than by control of processing or selective stabilization of late mRNA or its precursors. The promoter-proximal late gene block L1, however, appears to be subject to processing control. At early times a single member of this gene family (tripartite leader plus coordinates 29--39, encoding the 52,55K polypeptide pair) is expressed, whereas at late times an additional, differently spliced mRNA species is generated from this region (tripartite leader plus coordinates 34--39, encoding polypeptide IIIa).
Thoracic impairments and shoulder pain: which came first?

Invited commentary on: ‘The Effect of Thoracic Manipulation on Shoulder Pain: A Regional Interdependence Model’, Sueki et al.Shoulder pain is a significant problem. In the year 2000, the direct cos...
A new hope: novel therapeutic approaches to treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with defects in TP53

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is an indolent B-cell malignancy with heterogeneous outcomes. Chromosomal abnormalities in CLL are predictive of the natural disease course; del(11q) and del(17p) are recognized as high risk genetic lesions. Del(17p) is associated with an impaired function of TP53, a key tumour suppressor, and is particularly problematic. Such patients respond poorly to chemo-immunotherapy and have significantly shorter survival compared to patients with standard and low-risk cytogenetics. While TP53 pathway defects are rare at initial diagnosis, their frequency increases in relapsed CLL. Until very recently, this group of patients represented an unmet clinical need with few therapeutic options. However, the advent of targeted therapies has expanded the drug armamentarium and introduced new hope for these highly refractory patients. Agents that target B-cell receptor signalling, BH3-mimetics and others induce apoptosis of the neoplastic B-cells in a TP53-independent manner. Their use in the clinic is associated with remarkable activity in patients with del(17p). In this review we discuss the frequency and clinical significance of del(17p) and genetic mutations leading to disrupted TP53, the putative role of other TP53 homologues, and the results of key clinical trials involving both conventional chemotherapy and novel agents.
Tu1454 Safety of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) of Large Sessile Colon Polyps: Size and Location Matters

demands from health authorities and the public regarding physician training in general. There are however very little actual quantitative data regarding the contribution of simulator training to the early learning curve of novice endoscopists. Objective The aim of this study therefore was to assess the performance of novice endoscopists during patient-based colonoscopy after intensive and prolonged training on a virtual reality endoscopy simulator.DesignTrainees without any endoscopic experience were included in the study. They were divided into two groups. The simulator-training program consisted of either 50 or 100 virtual-reality colonoscopies on the GI Mentor II simulator (Simbionix, Israel). After 10, 30 and 50 virtual colonoscopies in the first group and after 20, 60 and 100 virtual colonoscopies in the second group, trainees were assessed both simulator-based (SBA) and patient-based (PBA). At each PBA 2 single-handed colonoscopies were performed with a 20-minute time limit. Objective assessment consisted of the time to reach the cecum, or the maximum distance from the anal verge after fully straightening the colonoscope. Subjective assessment was done by two independent expert endoscopists using tri-split video assessment including camera view, endoscope view, and ScopeGuide magnetic imaging view. Results Eighteen novices participated in the study. All participants completed virtual training and assessments. The mean cecal intubation time on the SBA improved from baseline 7.08 to 2.08 minutes at completion of the training (P 0.007). Colonic insertion depth during PBA improved from 37 to 60 cm (P 0.002). The learning effect of simulator training slowed down after 60 simulator colonoscopies. The cecum was intubated 4 times by 3 novices, during 2nd PBA (n 1), and during the final PBA (n 3) (P 0.11). Subjective PBA demonstrated a general increase in the efficiency of movements, instrument handling and planned endoscopy. Measured on a 5 point scale, performance significantly improved from 1.67 to 2.20 (P 0.02) Conclusion Virtual reality training on the GI Mentor II simulator leads to a significant improvement of performance on the simulator itself and -more importantlyto significantly improved performances during patient-based colonoscopy. This study is the first to demonstrate the rationale for intensive simulator training in the early learning curve of novices performing colonoscopy.
Transanal one-stage soave procedure for infants with Hirschsprung's disease☆

Abstract Purpose : Many centers perform a one-stage pull-through procedure for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) diagnosed in infancy. The authors have developed a one-stage pullthrough procedure using a transanal approach that eliminates the need for intraabdominal dissection. Methods : Nine children aged 3 weeks to 18 months with biopsy-proven HD underwent a transanal pull-through procedure over a 13-month period. A rectal mucosectomy was performed starting 0.5 cm proximal to the dentate line, and extending proximally to the level of the intraperitoneal rectum. In the first eight children, intraperitoneal position was confirmed with a laparoscope placed through a 3- to 5-mm port in the base of the umbilicus. The muscular sleeve was divided circumferentially to allow full-thickness mobilization of the rectosigmoid junction. Manual transanal traction permitted direct visualization and division of mesenteric vessels with transanal mobilization above the transition zone. Ganglion cells were confirmed by frozen section, and the bowel was transected. The rectal muscular cuff was divided longitudinally, and the anastomosis was completed. The laparoscope confirmed orientation and adequate hemostasis. In a ninth patient, the identical procedure was performed, but with the laparoscope used only for confirmation at the end of the procedure. Results : Operative time, including frozen sections, averaged 194 minutes (range, 169 to 250 minutes), and the average length of bowel resected was 12 cm (range, 7.5 to 22 cm). Four of the nine patients were discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1, four on POD 2, and one patient with Down's syndrome was discharged on POD 6. Median follow-up was 6 months (range, 3 to 14 months). One death occurred 2.5 months postoperatively secondary to sudden infant death syndrome. Complications included postoperative apnea spells (n = 1), mild enterocolitis (n = 2), constipation (n = 1), anastomotic stricture (n = 1), and muscular cuff narrowing (n = 1); each responded to nonoperative management. Stool output has ranged from four to eight per day. Conclusion : A one-stage pull-through for HD can be performed successfully using a transanal approach without intraperitoneal dissection. This procedure is associated with excellent clinical results and permits early postoperative feeding, early hospital discharge, and no visible scars.
Milk Protein Polymorphisms in California Dairy Cattle

Abstract Milk samples from 1454 first lactation heifers were collected from five breeds of cattle in a representative sampling of the California dairy cattle population. Samples were phenotyped for α s1 -casein, β-casein, κ-casein, and β-lactoglobulin using PAGE. Lactation yields for milk, fat, and protein were available on 1166 heifers. Genetic linkage of the casein loci and the relationship between milk protein genotypes and production parameters (milk, fat and protein yield, fat and protein percentage) was investigated. Gene frequencies were similar to those found in other studies of the American dairy cattle population. Linkage was found between β-casein and κ-casein in four of the five breeds and between β-casein and α s1 -casein in the Jersey breed. Casein haplotypes BBB and CA 3 A (α s1 -, β-, κ-casein respectively) occurred in the Holstein population more often than would be expected from a random combination of the alleles. Least squares analysis of the production data indicated that the only significant effect was that of κ-casein genotype on protein yield; the highest yields were obtained for the BB genotype.
Molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from employees, children, and environmental surfaces in Iowa child daycare facilities

Background Infectious agents have the potential to thrive in child daycare facilities. Asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus carriage is a risk factor for developing infection and contributes to transmission. Methods We collected swabs from 110 employees, 111 unexposed adults, 81 children, and 214 environmental surfaces at 11 Iowa daycare facilities. S aureus isolates were characterized using antibiotic resistance profiles and Staphylococcal protein A typing. Staphylococcal protein A types were grouped into cluster complexes using the Based Upon Repeat Pattern algorithm. Results All isolates (from 38 employees, 37 unexposed adults, 16 children, and 19 surfaces) were characterized. Daycare employees were more likely to carry erythromycin-resistant S aureus than unexposed adults (odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-12.7; P = .033). Isolates were genetically heterogeneous, although isolates from employees appeared more clonal than those from unexposed adults. Strains associated with ST8 were identified in 5 daycare facilities and 3 unexposed adults. Conclusions S aureus isolates collected from employees, children, and surfaces of daycare facilities are genetically heterogeneous, but contain strains associated with community-associated methicillin-resistant S aureus . This suggests that daycare facilities can serve as reservoirs for community-associated methicillin-resistant S aureus and facilitate genetic exchange. Employees may be at increased risk of carrying antibiotic-resistant strains, indicating more research is necessary into this occupational group.
A joint polling and contention based opportunistic scheduling algorithm with fairness constraint

Opportunistic schedulers improve the network capacity by allocating the network resources to users with good link qualities. A drawback of these schedulers is that they deprive the remaining users from receiving a fair share of the network resources, or violate their quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. Fair schedulers on the other hand impose a degree of fairness by allocating the network resources to the users in a weighted manner. However, majority of the existing fair algorithms do not impose the same degree of fairness in heterogenous networks. Furthermore, majority of these algorithms require full feedback from all users in order to make a scheduling decision. In this paper, we propose a scheduling algorithm that reduces the feedback overhead, and thus the scheduling delay, while maintaining a degree of fairness in heterogeneous wireless networks. To impose a degree of fairness, the scheduler prioritizes a set of starved users and allocates the network resource to the user (starved) with the best link quality. To reduce the feedback overhead, the scheduler requests users to feedback their link qualities in a joint polling and contention manner. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm attains the highest degree of fairness while reducing the overall feedback load when compared to other well known fair and greedy algorithms. Furthermore, we show that a trade-off exits between the attainable degree of fairness and the scheduling delay, and hence, the scheduler should strike a balance between fairness and delay depending on the network priority.
Rapid Filter Paper Assay for the Dextransucrase Activity from Streptococcus mutans

A convenient, sensitive, and reliable assay for the conversion of radiolabeled sucrose to alcohol-insoluble dextran by the Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase has been developed.
Heat-to-Heat Variations in Creep-Rupture Properties of Annealed 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo Steel

In this study, the creep and creep-rupture properties of 13 heats of annealed 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo steel were determined at 510 and 566/sup 0/C (950 and 1050/sup 0/F). The microstructures of all heats were primarily polygonal ferrite (75-80 percent); the balance was mostly bainite with 1-2 percent pearlite and scattered carbides. At each temperature the results indicated considerable data scatter for the high-stress (short rupture life) tests. As the stress was lowered, the creep and stress-rupture properties converged, which resulted in a decrease in the data scatter. Much of the variation and change in the properties could be attributed to the carbide precipitation reactions that occur in the steel.
Adult Criminality among Formerly Hospitalized Child Psychiatric Patients

Abstract Among 170 preadolescent children (138 males, 32 females) admitted to the University of Iowa Psychiatric Hospital between 1970 and 1983, 23 males (17%), had adult prison records at follow-up in 1990. Assaultive behavior in childhood predicted adult imprisonment (odds ratio=4.96, 95% confidence interval 1.8 − 13.8, p = 0.002), as did criminality in a biological parent (odds ratio=4.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3 − 12.4, p=0.015). Diagnosis, including conduct disorder, was not correlated with outcome. Among these young children, male gender, violence, and parental criminality identified persons at high risk for adult imprisonment. Psychiatric hospitalization in childhood is a risk factor for adult disturbance, including sociopathy. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1993, 32, 3:568–576.
A Quantum Mechanically Derived All-Atom Force Field for Pyranose Oligosaccharides. AMBER* Parameters and Free Energy Simulations

In this paper we extend our previously reported parameterization of carbohydrates to an all-atom AMBER-like force field suitable for modeling oligosaccharides. Parameters were developed from ab initio calculations on small model systems having structures characteristic of 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-glycosidic linkages and monosaccharides to give a complete parameter set for pyranose mono- and oligosaccharides. The accuracy of the parameter set was assessed by free energy calculations on various simple sugars and disaccharides. Solvent effects were included using the GB/SA continuum model for water. The sampling problem was solved for these systems by the recently described MC/SD and MC(JBW)/SD simulation methods that facilitate interconversion of conformational states. MC(JBW)/SD simulations were used to calculate anomeric free energies for tetrahydropyran derivatives and monosaccharides. All simulations rapidly converged to values in good agreement with the experimental results. MC/SD simulations were used to s...
Astrophysics: assortment in the Galaxy.

Observations of star clusters in the Milky Way defy the view that the constituents of these systems are almost invariably chemically alike. The outlying clusters could be the tattered relics of once larger systems.
Behavior of the Solutions of the Differential Equation y&129;&338;+qyp=r

Some results concerning boundedness and asymptotic properties of the solutions of the differential equation (I)y+q(x)yp ˭ r(x),p an odd positive integer, are obtained, Particular emphasis is given to the investigation of the behavior of the solutions of equation (I) when the quotient ruq is monotonic.
Warping time for more effective real-time crowdsourcing

In this paper, we introduce the idea of "warping time" to improve crowd performance on the difficult task of captioning speech in real-time. Prior work has shown that the crowd can collectively caption speech in real-time by merging the partial results of multiple workers. Because non-expert workers cannot keep up with natural speaking rates, the task is frustrating and prone to errors as workers buffer what they hear to type later. The TimeWarp approach automatically increases and decreases the speed of speech playback systematically across individual workers who caption only the periods played at reduced speed. Studies with 139 remote crowd workers and 24 local participants show that this approach improves median coverage (14.8%), precision (11.2%), and per-word latency (19.1%). Warping time may also help crowds outperform individuals on other difficult real-time performance tasks.
The preparation of ribose-free 'artificial dinucleotides': A new approach to molecular recognition?

The synthesis of the cytosine-guanine linked dimer1, and its symmetric guanine-guanine analogue2 are described. Compound1 is the first homogeneous ribose-free system to be prepared and characterized in which molecular recognition by complementary guanine-cytosine base-pairing might be possible. It is thus prototypical of a new and potentially large class of ‘artificial oligonucleotides’.
3D Motion of DNA-Au Nanoconjugates in Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy

Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can probe and visualize dynamic events with structural or functional details at the nanoscale in a liquid medium. Earlier efforts have focused on the growth and transformation kinetics of hard material systems, relying on their stability under electron beam. Our recently developed graphene liquid cell technique pushed the spatial resolution of such imaging to the atomic scale but still focused on growth trajectories of metallic nanocrystals. Here, we adopt this technique to imaging three-dimensional (3D) dynamics of soft materials instead, double strand (dsDNA) connecting Au nanocrystals as one example, at nanometer resolution. We demonstrate first that a graphene liquid cell can seal an aqueous sample solution of a lower vapor pressure than previously investigated well against the high vacuum in TEM. Then, from quantitative analysis of real time nanocrystal trajectories, we show that the status and configuration of dsDNA dictate the motions of linked nanocrystals throughout the imaging time of minutes. This sustained connecting ability of dsDNA enables this unprecedented continuous imaging of its dynamics via TEM. Furthermore, the inert graphene surface minimizes sample-substrate interaction and allows the whole nanostructure to rotate freely in the liquid environment; we thus develop and implement the reconstruction of 3D configuration and motions of the nanostructure from the series of 2D projected TEM images captured while it rotates. In addition to further proving the nanoconjugate structural stability, this reconstruction demonstrates 3D dynamic imaging by TEM beyond its conventional use in seeing a flattened and dry sample. Altogether, we foresee the new and exciting use of graphene liquid cell TEM in imaging 3D biomolecular transformations or interaction dynamics at nanometer resolution.
Adsorption/Reduction of NO2 on Graphite Oxide/Iron Composites

Adsorption of NO2 and the retention of NO (the product of NO2 reduction by carbon) on the materials prepared from iron acetato complex and its mixture with graphite oxide were studied. The surface ...
Bulbocavernosus reflex studies and autonomic testing in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction

The electrophysiologic evaluation of patients with erectile dysfunction presents an important diagnostic challenge. The bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) latency has been commonly used to evaluate these disorders. However, it is a measure of somatic penile innervation, whereas erection is primarily dependent on autonomic function. We evaluated 195 men with erectile dysfunction over a 3 year period. Each had electrophysiologic studies, nerve conduction studies and a BCR. BCR studies were abnormal in only 7%, of which most had diabetes or pelvic trauma. The BCR was the sole electrophysiologic abnormality in only 2%. Autonomic testing (AT) was additionally performed in 19 diabetic and 23 non-diabetic patients. This included sympathetic skin responses and measurement of the Valsalva ratio and heart rate variability with 6/min breathing. In the diabetic group, AT was positive in 63%, and most often was the sole abnormality. The bulbocavernosus reflex is relatively insensitive in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. Brief autonomic testing may provide valuable additional data, particularly in diabetics.
Modification of the Silver Proteinate Impregnation Technique for Protozoa and Cultured Nerve Cells

Silver impregnation with silver-protein compounds is widely used for staining tissue sections and cell cultures. Some authors report that the results obtained with these methods have not always been reproducible because the reagent's composition varies according to the manufacturer. To avoid this problem in the method described in this paper, a silver proteinate, produced in our own laboratory is used. Although our method is based on Bodian's, the modifications we have made allows its use for both free-living cells (protozoa) and cells grown in culture (nerve cells). The significant modifications are 1) different fixation, 2) postfixation with Cajal's for-mol-bromide, 3) changes in the duration of the impregnation steps technique and 4) elimination of metallic copper. The method reported here enables us to use silver proteinate whenever we require it and to control the composition of the silver proteinate. This technique can be used for cells cultured in either plastic or glass.
On successive minima and the Absolute Siegel's Lemma

We prove a new bound on the product of the nth successive minimum of an automorphism of GL(N,kA) and the (N−n+1)th successive minimum of its dual, extending a classical inequality of K. Mahler for polar lattices to the geometry of numbers over the adeles. As a corollary we derive the Absolute Siegel's Lemma in Q¯ as stated by D. Roy and J.L. Thunder.
Understanding Simple Asynchronous Evolutionary Algorithms

In many applications of evolutionary algorithms, the time required to evaluate the fitness of individuals is long and variable. When the variance in individual evaluation times is non-negligible, traditional, synchronous master-slave EAs incur idle time in CPU resources. An asynchronous approach to parallelization of EAs promises to eliminate idle time and thereby to reduce the amount of wall-clock time it takes to solve a problem. However, the behavior of asynchronous evolutionary algorithms is not well understood. In particular, it is not clear exactly how much faster the asynchronous algorithm will tend to run, or whether its evolutionary trajectory may follow a sub-optimal search path that cancels out the promised benefits. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of simple asynchronous EA performance in terms of speed and problem-solving ability.