cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of detrusor and urethral smooth muscle in women with urinary incontinence

Abstract Objective: We performed a quantitative study to determine whether mixed urinary incontinence was associated with any ultrastructural changes in detrusor and urethral smooth muscle. Study Design: Detrusor and urethral smooth muscle biopsy specimens were obtained at the time of laparotomy from 5 women aged 35 to 65 years with mixed urinary incontinence and from a control group of 5 continent women. Smooth muscle morphologic characteristics were assessed from a systematic random sample of electron micrographs. A further 16 urethral biopsy specimens were similarly analyzed to confirm the findings of the initial study. Results: The electron-dense portion of the sarcolemma was smaller in urethral biopsy specimens taken from patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency than in those from control subjects (χ 2 (1) = 4.9; P = .027). No other morphologic characteristics were unique to patients with incontinence. Conclusions: Our study suggests that focal adhesion architecture is decreased in urethral smooth muscle of patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:879-84.)
Risk Factors for Cystic Periventricular Leukomalacia in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants † 1232

Cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) occurs most commonly in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW, <1500 gm) infants and is associated with poor developmental outcome. Ischemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PVL and recently intrapartum magnesium sulfate (MAG) treatment has been suggested to be neuroprotective; however, clinically relevant risk factors and preventive measures for PVL in VLBW infants remain unclear. We performed a retrospective, matched case-control study of the predictors of PVL in all infants <1500 gm BW from 6/90 to 12/95, during which early and late sonographic screening was routine. We studied anteparum, intrapartum, and postnatal factors, concentrating on vascular, respiratory, and infectious factors, and on intrapartum MAG exposure. We identified 1417 VLBW infants and 54 cases of cystic PVL (inc. 3.8%) and matched 54 controls with normal sonograms (latest at least 30 days) for ±150 gm BW and date of birth. Controls and cases were similar in mean BW (978±234 vs 945±250gm) and gestational age (28±2 wks). PVL cases were more likely to be outborn (37% vs 19%), to have a rapid(≤3 hrs) period from rupture of membranes (ROM) to birth (62% vs 41%), to have a patent ductus arteriousus (60% vs 37%), and to have a higher max PaCO2 in the first 72 hrs (55±16 vs 48±16) and were less likely to have pre-eclampsia (4%vs 15%) (all P≤0.05). The proportions of any intrapartum MAG, tocolytic MAG, steroid use, chorioamnionitis, SGA, RDS, and indomethacin use were similar. When controlled for indomethacin use, MAG use, PaCO2, and delivery location, a logistic regression model determined that predictors for PVL were as in Table. We conclude that PDA and rapid labor course are risk factors for PVL and that pre-eclampsia is more important than MAG use in reducing brain injury.
A New Newton's Law of Cooling?

Several physiologists confuse Fourier9s law of animal heat flow with Newton9s law of cooling. A critique of this error in 1932 remained ineffective. In 1969 Molnar tested Newton9s cooling law. In 1971 Strunk found Newtonian cooling unrealistic for animals. Unfortunately, he called the Fourier formulation of animal heat flow, requiring post-Newtonian observations, a "contemporary Newtonian law of cooling."
Estimating Interrater Agreement with the Average Deviation Index: A User’s Guide:

The authors present guidelines for establishing a useful range for interrater agreement and a cutoff for acceptable interrater agreement when using Burke, Finkelstein, and Dusig’s average deviation (AD) index as well as critical values for tests of statistical significance with the AD index. Under the assumption that judges respond randomly to an item or set of items in a measure, the authors show that a criterion for acceptable interrater agreement or practical significance when using the AD index can be approximated as c/6, where c is the number of response options for a Likert-type item. The resulting values of 0.8, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 are discussed as standards for acceptable interrater agreement when using the AD index with 5-, 7-, 9-, and 11-point items, respectively. Using similar logic, the AD agreement index and interpretive standard are generalized to the case of a response scale that involves percentages or proportions, rather than discrete categories, or at the other extreme, the assessment of i...
Semi-annual Variation in Thermospheric Density

KING-HELE1 has reported a semi-annual variation in thermospheric density at about 190 km with a maximum to minimum ratio of 1.45. Cook's hypothesis2 that the semi-annual variation is caused by the modulation of the helium content of the lower thermosphere, originally coined to account for the variation at 1,100 km, clearly cannot be applied to explain changes at 190 km. The reconciliation between theory and observation is in essentially the same state as it was a year ago. There is the hypothesis of Anderson3 that the semi-annual variation results from a migration of the perigee points of the satellites studied with latitude in such a manner that the drag at perigee is small when over the winter pole which is supposed to be cold (and of lower density than the equatorial regions). Debate is continuing about Anderson's hypothesis4,5 and no doubt the issue can be resolved when sufficient values of density for a wide range of perigee latitudes and over all seasons are available, such as the simultaneous changes at 190 and 1,100 km. Anderson quotes as support my colleagues' computations6, which show a cold winter pole. The influence of motions, however, was neglected in these computations and it has recently been shown that the influence of vertical motions is quite substantial (ref. 7 and unpublished work of R. E. Dickinson, C. P. Lagos and R. E. Newell). Satellite drag observations by Jacchia8 and Keating and Prior9 show higher densities over the winter pole than over the summer pole. Jacchia and Slowey10 could reduce—but not eliminate—the effect by manipulating parameters in their model; indeed, the effect was predicted before observation11 and seems to increase with altitude as expected from theory.
Process, Not Product: Less Than Meets the Eye

The phrase "process, not product" has now risen to the heights, or perhaps sunk to the depths, of the great buzzwords of TESOL's past: It is the "communicative competence" of the mid-1980s. Though initially offering fresh insight into an important area of teaching, it has now been miscast as a complete theory of writing; its adherents spread its gospel with religious zeal, and those who fail to pay homage to it in any paper or discussion on writing are ostracized; indeed, it has reached the point where, to quote Tallulah Bankhead, "there is less here than meets the eye .. ." The uncritical acceptance of this approach is attested to by the fact that discussions of its shortcomings are almost nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, before anyone fully embraces this approach, the following points should be considered:
An Environmental Androgen, 17β-Trenbolone, Affects Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity and Reproductive Tissues in Male Mice

Recently, a growth promoter for farm animals, trenbolone acetate, was identified as an environmental androgen that potentially affects reproduction. Because androgens also suppress immunity, it was hypothesized that an active metabolite of trenbolone acetate, 17β-trenbolone (TB), might impair immune responses. Castrated adult CD-1 mice were injected daily with either one of two different doses of 17β-trenbolone (TB), testosterone propionate (TP), or corn oil (vehicle). The antigen-specific immune response was assessed by measuring delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses. Reproductive response was assessed by measuring reproductive tissue mass and determining testosterone concentrations. Mice treated with TB or TP displayed larger reproductive tissue mass than males treated with corn oil. Furthermore, males exposed to the highest dose of TB displayed a reduced DTH response compared to vehicle-treated animals. In comparison, TP, at a similar dose, only minimally reduced the DTH response. These data su...
Maternal Clofibrate Administration Amplifies Fetal Peroxisomes

ABSTRACT: To study the effects of peroxisome proliferators on fetal biogenesis, 400 mg/kg oral clofibrate was administered to pregnant mice beginning at d 6 of gestation. Maternal/fetal tissues from three separate experiments were harvested between gestational d 13 and 19 and maternal/fetal tissues were assayed for peroxisomal matrix, membrane-associated, and integral membrane proteins. By comparison to control pregnancies that received vehicle only, clofibrate produced a 4− to 5-fold increase in the levels of peroxisomal membrane protein 70, a 1.5− to 2-fold increase of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) sp act, and a 1.2− to 1.8-fold increase of catalase sp act in fetal liver of 19 d gestation. Fetal liver endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes were also amplified as visualized by electron microscopy. Clofibrate exhibited maximal effects on maternal tissues by 6 d of oral treatment with increases in peroxisomal membrane protein 70 occurring most clearly in maternal liver; DHAP-AT activity was increased in maternal liver, kidney, and brain but not in lung. Slight increases in DHAP-AT activities were evident in fetal brain, lung, and placenta as compared with the greater increases in liver and kidney. There was a general increase in peroxisomal proteins between 13 and 19 gestational d in all fetal tissues except placenta, and the effect of clofibrate was evident by gestational d 13 in lung and placenta. Minimal changes in the activities of acid phosphatase (lysosomal enzyme) or glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (microsomal enzyme) were observed in maternal or fetal tissues although the latter enzyme was increased 10–30% by clofibrate in maternal brain, fetal lung, and placenta. The degree of amplification peroxisomal membrane portion 70 > DHAP-AT > catalase observed in several tissues after clofibrate treatment is consistent with a similar order in the sequence of peroxisomal assembly. The ability to manipulate fetal peroxisomes by maternal pharmacology provides a potentially useful system for studying the regulation of peroxisomal biogenesis.
Using a hook plate as alternate fixation for fifth metatarsal base fracture

he poor vascular supply of the ﬁfth metatarsal and itscontribution to delayed union and nonunion has been doc-umented (1). This has led to a variety of proposed methodsfor ﬁxation of fractures involving the ﬁfth metatarsal. In-tramedullary screw ﬁxation may become difﬁcult to achievewith cystic bone or with a ﬁfth metatarsal base that iscomminuted (2–4). When this occurs, a hook plate is usefulto achieve reduction of fracture fragments with some degreeof compression.Myerson (5) and Hansen (6) have described the use of thehook plate. Myerson (5) described using this plate for thepurchase of the distal aspect of the ﬁbula in ankle fractures.Hansen (6) described its use for reduction of fragmentsinvolving pilon fractures. The hook plate serves to purchasea distal fragment and to reduce it to the diaphyseal aspect ofthe bone. We describe a technique using the hook plate foropen reduction and ﬁxation of ﬁfth metatarsal base frac-tures.After dissection to the base of the ﬁfth metatarsal, thebone may be noted to be soft and cystic. In addition, fracturelines may be observed intraoperatively that may not havebeen noticed on radiographs. When this occurs, intramed-ullary screw ﬁxation or a one-third tubular plate can beunsatisfactory in providing stabilization of the fracture frag-ments. However, the one-third tubular plate can be alteredto form a hook with the proximal portion of the plate (Figs.1 and 2). The proximal hook can then be placed proximally
Isonucleosides with Exocyclic Methylene Groups

Synthesis of isonucleosides 13, 14, 16, and 17, bearing an exocyclic methylidene group at the sugar moiety, starting from a 3-keto sugar is described. The keto compound was converted to the methylene-sugar 10b (Scheme 1), which was coupled with nucleobases by means of the Mitsunobu reaction. The coupling reaction with adenine and 8-azaadenine produced both the N9- and N3-nucleosides (see 13 and 14, resp.; Scheme 2). The structures of 13a and 14a were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray data. Synthesis of the pyrimidine compounds was also approached from the β-amino sugar 20 that was prepared using a Gabriel-synthesis methodology (Scheme 3).
CNTRICS Final Task Selection: Control of Attention

The construct of attention has many facets that have been examined in human and animal research and in healthy and psychiatrically disordered conditions. The Cognitive Neuroscience Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (CNTRICS) group concluded that control of attention-the processes that guide selection of task-relevant inputs-is particularly impaired in schizophrenia and could profit from further work with refined measurement tools. Thus, nominations for cognitive tasks that provide discrete measures of control of attention were sought and were then evaluated at the third CNTRICS meeting for their promise for future use in treatment development. This article describes the 5 nominated measures and their strengths and weaknesses for cognitive neuroscience work relevant to treatment development. Two paradigms, Guided Search and the Distractor Condition Sustained Attention Task, were viewed as having the greatest immediate promise for development into tools for treatment research in schizophrenia and are described in more detail by their nominators.
Cocaethylene (Ethylcocaine) Detection during Toxicological Screening of a University Medical Center Patient Population

was incorporated into this laboratory's urine toxicological screening protocol more than 1 year ago. During a 1-year period, 451 urine specimens tested positive for benzoylecgonine (BE) and/or cocaine (COC) and/or CE using a combination of thin-layer chromatography with enzyme immunoassay confirmation. CE was detected in 57 urine specimens. Blood ethanol (EtOH) analysis was available for 37 of these cases, and the mean concentration (1320 mg/L) was significantly higher than that found in 117 blood EtOH assays performed for the CE-negative patients (630 rag/L) (p < .01). In two instances, CF was noted in urine in the absence of EtOH in the corresponding blood. Without exception, CE, when present in urine, was always detected with both BE and COC. Most of the time, no other drugs were found. In one instance, CE was present in the urine of a neonate but was not detected in that of its mother. Demographic and analytical findings are presented for both CEpositive and CE-negative cases.
Copper(I) Iodide–Tributylphosphine

[28132-72-1] C48H108Cu4I4P4 (MW 1571.08) InChI = 1S/4C12H27P.4Cu.4HI/c4*1-4-7-10-13(11-8-5-2)12-9-6-3;;;;;;;;/h4*4-12H2,1-3H3;;;;;4*1H/q;;;;4*+1;;;;/p-4 InChIKey = IFHVEPAWVSZETD-UHFFFAOYSA-J (promoter for conjugate addition of alkyl (vinyl, etc.) lithium reagents to α,β-unsaturated ketones and related compounds; preformed copper–phosphorus compound (occasionally generated in situ) to stabilize and solubilize organocoppers whose conjugate addition is facilitated by the use of a phosphorus auxiliary;1 also used to effect oxidative coupling2) Alternate Name: tetrakis[iodo(tri-n-butylphosphine)copper(I)]. Physical Data: mp 75 °C; d (at 78 °C) 1.390 g cm−3; decomposition to CuI and tributylphosphine at 200–210 °C/0.01 mmHg. Solubility: sol chloroform, benzene, toluene, and ethyl ether; moderately sol ethanol, 2-propanol, and water. Preparative Methods: generated in situ or prepared either via the reaction of Copper(I) Iodide with freshly distilled Tri-n-butylphosphine3a or with copper(I) iodide dissolved in saturated aqueous Potassium Iodide and stirred with tri-n-butylphosphine.3b Purification: may be recrystallized from ethanol–2-propanol and air dried.3 Analysis of Reagent Purity: decomposed by heating with Na2CO3 and residue treated with HNO3; dissolved in water, sulfuric acid added, and Cu determined by electrolytic reduction;3 1H NMR spectra4 and electronic absorption and emission spectra have been studied.5 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: toxicity data unavailable. Unless refrigerated it decomposes in several days at rt to a viscous syrup;3 use in a fume hood.
Ancient DNA confirms a local origin of domesticated chenopod in eastern North America

Domesticated chenopod was an important starchy seed crop in eastern North America before the rise of maize agriculture. Domesticated chenopod first appeared in North America during the fourth millennium B.P., however its wild progenitor and site of domestication remain unresolved. Archaeological evidence suggests a local domestication in the Eastern Woodlands, while morphological similarities with modern Mexican cultivars indicate a possible introduction from Mesoamerica. To distinguish between these two scenarios, we isolate chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) from modern and archaeological North American chenopods sampled from across their geographic range. Our results demonstrate that the chenopod grown in the Eastern Woodlands was locally-derived, indicating that independent domestication events gave rise to the ancient eastern North American and modern Mexican cultivars. These results strengthen the argument for an entirely native pre-maize crop complex with chenopod as a major component.
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: a commentary

A series of recently published articles by a group of Austrian, German and American neuropathologists have proposed the existence of several different pathogenetic pathways in multiple sclerosis (MS). These studies were based on both biopsy and autopsy material. A review of the available published clinical, imaging and cerebrospinal fluid data suggest that some the cases used in those studies were more probably instances of disseminated encephalomyelitis rather than MS. This has serious implications regarding the specificity and significance of the findings in regard to MS pathogenesis. The specific myelinoclastic sequence and the variable clinical course of MS are determined by the individual's genetic endowment and immunologic history. Regardless of pathogenetic pathway and clinical course, the final pathologic picture of MS is always the same. The MS brain is genetically programmed to produce a unique, pathognomonic change, the plaque with sharply demarcated borders.
Infantile hypotonia with failure to thrive.

Background: Pompe disease is a lysosomal glycogen storage disease (GSDII) characterized by deficiency of acid glucosidase, resulting in lysosomal glycogen accumulation in multiple tissues, with cardiac and skeletal muscles being the most seriously affected. It manifests itself as a spectrum in multiple age groups including infancy, childhood and adulthood.
Characterizing spatial redundant manipulator singularities

A general methodology for the classification of kinematically redundant spatial manipulator singular configurations is presented. The singular configurations are classified based on the possibility of reconfiguration into a nonsingular posture using self-motion. For one degree-of-freedom redundancy manipulators, an alignment condition is introduced, and methods from dynamical systems analysis and the center manifold theorem are used to characterize singularities. >
Optimizing dietary amino acid patterns at various levels of crude protein for cats

EXPANDED ABSTRACT Experiments with rats (Heger 1990, Stucki and Harper 1962), chicks (Bedford and Summers 1985, Stucki and Harper 1961), turkeys (Bedford and Summers 1988) and pigs (Wang and Fuller 1989) have shown optimal growth rates when the dietary essential amino acid (EAA) 3 nitrogen to total nitrogen (E:T) ratios were between 0.4 and 0.65. It has been consistently found that diets containing only EAA (E:T 5 1.0) yield poor growth rates. Taylor et al. (1996) showed that in kittens fed diets that contain EAA as the sole source of nitrogen [E:T 5 1.0, with the EAA pattern proportionate to the NRC requirements (NRC 1986)], weight loss results. Plasma amino acid concentrations of methionine (and possibly arginine) suggested toxicities of these amino acids. Also, marked depressions in the concentrations of proline and asparagine suggested that these amino acids might be conditionally essential. A near-maximal growth rate for the group receiving all EAA (E:T 5 1.0) was achieved when methionine and arginine were limited to not more than 2.25 times the NRC requirements. No response was obtained with proline and/or asparagine supplementation to the all-EAA diet or when these two amino acids were removed from the control diet. Thus asparagine and proline are clearly dispensable under all conditions tested thus far. These results suggest that the poor growth rates recorded in other species given only EAA (E:T 5 1.0) diets are the result of an intolerance of one or more EAA, rather than a metabolic inability of animals to synthesize dispensable amino acids (DAA) at a rate fast enough for rapid growth, as previously suggested by Harper (1974). Here we report the results of weight gains of kittens fed a wide range of crude protein (CP) levels at various E:T ratios in which excesses of essential amino acids that depress weight gains were avoided. Materials and methods. A control purified diet (CD) was
Comparison of branching CORDIC implementations

We compare implementations of Duprat and Muller's branching CORDIC and Phatak's double step branching (DSB)-CORDIC algorithms for sine and cosine evaluation. For reference we also report on classical CORDIC implementations for the same wordlengths. We have also implemented double stepping in the classical algorithm and report on the performance of this method. CORDIC evaluation of sine and cosine includes two parts, the zeroer and the rotator. We discuss implementation issues related to the minimization of the delay of each iteration of the algorithm (including delays for both the zeroer as well the rotator). We then examine hybrid methods that select the components from different algorithms (such as a DSB zeroer together with a classical rotator or vice versa).
Differential activation of adrenal, renal, and lumbar sympathetic nerves following stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla of the rat.

Under acute and chronic conditions, the sympathetic nervous system can be activated in a differential and even selective manner. Activation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) has been impl...
Outliers, influence functions, and robust portfolio optimization

Portfolio optimization and calculation of the efficient frontier requires estimation of the covariance matrix and mean vector for the portfolio returns as a fundamental step. It is almost universal that portfolio optimization is carried out based on the classical covariance matrix and vector sample mean estimates, which are maximum-likelihood estimates when the returns have a joint Gaussian distribution. However, financial returns are often strongly non-Gaussian in character, and exhibit multivariate outliers. Thus the Gaussian maximum likelihood rationale is not very convincing. Furthermore, it is well-known in the statistical literature that the classical covariance matrix estimate and sample means can be very greatly influenced by a small fraction of outliers. See for example, Gnanadesikan, and Kettenring (1972), Devlin, Gnanadesikan and Kettenring (1975, 1981), and Hampel et al. (1986). Thus, optimal portfolio weights and the efficient frontier can be greatly influenced by a small fraction of outliers in the returns. This fact appears to have been largely overlooked in the finance literature on portfolio optimization.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Management of Upper Ureteral Stricture: Size of Stent

AbstractPurpose: We determined the optimal size (6F versus 14/7F) of stent after endoscopic surgery based on clinical data.Materials and Methods: Between 1989 and 1993 we performed percutaneous endopyelotomy and endoureterotomy in 40 cases of ureteropelvic junction or upper ureteral strictures. The causes of stricture were primary in 20 cases, tuberculosis in 9, previous operation in 6 and others in 5. After endoscopic management we placed 6F internal stents in 25 patients (13 in primary and 12 in secondary cases) or 14/7F endopyelotomy stents in 15 patients (7 in primary and 8 in secondary cases) for 6 to 8 weeks (average 54.2 days). Coexisting stones or infundibular strictures were managed simultaneously. All patients have been followed for a minimum of 7 months postoperatively (range 7 to 55, average 38).Results: Overall success rate was 84 percent (92.3 percent in primary and 75 percent in secondary cases) with the 6F stent and 93.3 percent (85.7 percent in primary and 100 percent in secondary cases) ...
Joule-heating dependence of carbon nanofiber resistance

To assess their potential for interconnect applications, the interplay between electrical and thermal transport in carbon nanofibers (CNFs) under high-current stresses is examined. Electrical properties of CNFs bridging tungsten-deposited gold electrodes are measured. Average voltage is recorded as a function of current in each current stress cycle, and the resulting average resistance is shown to decrease with increasing stressing current. This finding reveals an important effect of Joule heating on the resistance of carbon nanostructures.
Quantitative Detection ofVibrio vulnificus in Shellfish by Competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction

Quantitative detection of V. vulnificus in shellfish via competitive PCR was herein developed. We designed a forward primer, a reverse primer and a hybrid forward primer based on the V. vulnificus specific hemolysin gene (vvh), which was used to amplify target DNA and an internal competitive PCR standard. The specificity of the primers for V. vulnificus was proven by gel electrophoresis. The detection sensitivity for V. vulnificus was 220 CFU per PCR reaction with cells from a pure culture and 270 CFU/g of tissue without enrichment. After 10 hours of enrichment at 37° C the minimum detection level was reduced to 7 CFU/g of tissue.
Aerobic biodegradation of strychnine alkaloid rodenticide in soil

Abstract An aerobic soil biodegradation study was conducted with strychnine alkaloid to evaluate loss of the parent compound (non-radiolabeled) from sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils during 2 months of incubation, and to detect non-volatile products which occurred during this period. The biologically active soil samples were treated with the strychnine alkaloid to yield an overall concentration of 10 ppm. The treated samples and controls were held in an environmental chamber under dark conditions at a temperature of 25°C and a soil moisture content of 75% of field capacity. Eight sampling periods were chosen; at each time interval, three treated samples and a control were selected for strychnine extraction and analysis using high performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC u.v. ) at a wavelength of 254 nm. Degradation of strychnine in both the sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils occurred in three distinct phases, which included a lag phase, a rapid loss phase and a leveling off or soil binding phase. It is believed that the lag phase may have been due to a microbial adaptation period combined with soil sorption. Approximately 50% of the strychnine was lost from the sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils in 24 and 27 days, respectively. Within a period of 33–40 days, about 90% of the strychnine had dissipated from both soils. The appearance of a degradation product occurred early in the study (day 7) and reached a maximum concentration at either day 14 (sandy loam) or day 21 (sandy clay loam). The initial degradates of strychnine are believed to be polar compounds with strong sorption characteristics. A discussion is presented in this paper of these possible products, together with a mechanism by which strychnine is theorized to have degraded in the soils.
E-government, cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism: a population at risk

E-government provides citizens with greater access, better service, and more political accountability. With the ongoing introduction of technology for e-government initiatives comes increased exposures and risk, especially for cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism. Several of the more important initiatives put forth by the government to protect the public are discussed.
The Sole Indexicality of Pain: How Attitudes Towards the Elderly Erect Barriers to Pain Management

No one believes that the elderly are not entitled to adequate pain management. Yet the evidence shows that the elderly generally do not receive adequate pain management. This paper attempts to address this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary approach. The thesis is that because pain is solely indexical, that is, that it cannot be confirmed through objective diagnostic instrumentation, social and historical attitudes towards the elderly are largely responsible for shaping and informing treatment modalities to pain management. This paper examines these forces, as well as the legal and regulatory barriers to providing adequate pain management for the elderly. The paper concludes that a shift in attitudes is the most promising means to ameliorating the severity of the problem.
Interaction of TAPBPR, a tapasin homolog, with MHC-I molecules promotes peptide editing

Peptide loading of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules is central to antigen presentation, self-tolerance, and CD8+ T-cell activation. TAP binding protein, related (TAPBPR), a widely expressed tapasin homolog, is not part of the classical MHC-I peptide-loading complex (PLC). Using recombinant MHC-I molecules, we show that TAPBPR binds HLA-A*02:01 and several other MHC-I molecules that are either peptide-free or loaded with low-affinity peptides. Fluorescence polarization experiments establish that TAPBPR augments peptide binding by MHC-I. The TAPBPR/MHC-I interaction is reversed by specific peptides, related to their affinity. Mutational and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies confirm the structural similarities of TAPBPR with tapasin. These results support a role of TAPBPR in stabilizing peptide-receptive conformation(s) of MHC-I, permitting peptide editing.
Saving Life and Limb: Multidisciplinary Management of Complex Penetrating Trauma.

This Spectacular Case Session, in its 11th year, was presented by the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS) at the 2015 Clinical Congress meeting. This session presented 7 multidisciplinary cases from RAS members out of nearly 150 submitted from members located all over the world. The presentations were followed by discussions between residents and panelists, who challenged each other with reviews of procedures and processes for patient care. Audio files of the discussions of each case are included as Supplemental Materials.
Planarian brain regeneration as a model system for developmental neurotoxicology

Freshwater planarians, famous for their regenerative prowess, have long been recognized as a valuable in vivo animal model to study the effects of chemical exposure. In this review, we summarize the current techniques and tools used in the literature to assess toxicity in the planarian system. We focus on the planarian's particular amenability for neurotoxicology and neuroregeneration studies, owing to the planarian's unique ability to regenerate a centralized nervous system. Zooming in from the organismal to the molecular level, we show that planarians offer a repertoire of morphological and behavioral readouts while also being amenable to mechanistic studies of compound toxicity. Finally, we discuss the open challenges and opportunities for planarian brain regeneration to become an important model system for modern toxicology.
Prediction of Radon-222 Phase Behavior by Monte Carlo Simulation

Histogram-reweighting Monte Carlo simulations in the grand canonical ensemble are used to determine saturated liquid and vapor densities, vapor pressures, heats of vaporization, and compressibility factors for radon-222 from the normal boiling point to the critical point. An optimized intermolecular potential is developed by fitting parameters to reproduce experimental vapor pressures and the critical temperature. Vapor pressures are reproduced by simulation to within 2.2% of experiment, while the critical temperature and normal boiling point are reproduced exactly within the combined uncertainty of simulation and experimental data. The predictions of simulation are used to evaluate the reliability of reported experimental liquid densities, and those predicted by equations of state. While the predictions of simulation are in agreement with equations of state for the liquid density, significant differences are observed between the predictions of simulation and experiment. These results suggest that previou...
Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Dogs With Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage: 55 Cases (1999–2001)

Fifty-five dogs received packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions for gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage during a 26-month period (1999 to 2001), accounting for 11.7% of the PRBC transfusions in that time. Thirty-nine (61%) dogs had an intestinal pathology (primary or secondary) as the cause of GI hemorrhage, including intestinal masses, gastroenteritis, hepatic disease, and renal disease. Nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was found frequently in dogs with GI hemorrhage. Sixteen (39%) dogs were identified as having immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) and associated GI hemorrhage. Dogs with IMT received more transfusions of PRBC than nonIMT dogs (P<0.03) and received a significantly larger total volume of PRBC (P<0.01) during hospitalization.
Spinal Cord Injuries in Children and Adolescents: A Review

This introductory review provides an overview of pediatric-onset spinal cord injury, emphasizing unique clinical and epidemiologic features, pathophysiology, medical and musculoskeletal complications, and psychosocial and management issues. Developmental factors influence the approach to bowel and bladder programs, mobility, patient education, and management of complications. Rehabilitation goals must be set for each developmental stage, with the final goal being that of a satisfying and productive adult life.
Current role of body MRI in pediatric oncology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the imaging of children with non-central nervous system malignancies, and it is increasingly replacing or complementing CT in many cases. MRI has several advantages over CT, including superior contrast resolution as well as superior tissue characterization with the use of novel pulse sequences and functional or organ-specific contrast agents. In addition, the lack of ionizing radiation - an important consideration in children - allows for multiphase dynamic post-contrast imaging, which can be useful for lesion detection and characterization. Several challenges remain in the performance of MRI in pediatric oncology patients, including the frequent need for sedation or anesthesia in young children because of long imaging times, as well as the suboptimal imaging of the lungs in the evaluation for pulmonary metastatic disease. However, despite these challenges, with continued improvements in MRI image quality and the development of novel sequences, contrast agents and quantitative imaging techniques, MRI is expected to play an ever increasing role in the imaging of pediatric oncology patients.
Comments on Beatty

I find myself, as a commentator on John Beatty’s paper, in the unhappy position of agreeing with everything he says both great and small. My only recourse is to expand on what he has said, expressing myself in certain instances somewhat more polemically and less judiciously.
ROCK inhibitor reduces Myc-induced apoptosis and mediates immortalization of human keratinocytes

// Aleksandra Dakic 1, 2 , Kyle DiVito 3 , Shuang Fang 1, 2 , Frank Suprynowicz 1, 2 , Anirudh Gaur 3 , Xin Li 4 , Nancy Palechor-Ceron 1, 2 , Vera Simic 1, 2 , Sujata Choudhury 1, 2 , Songtao Yu 1, 2 , Cynthia M. Simbulan-Rosenthal 3 , Dean Rosenthal 3 , Richard Schlegel 1, 2 , Xuefeng Liu 1, 2 1 Department of Pathology, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC 20057, USA 2 Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC 20057, USA 3 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC 20057, USA 4 Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC 20057, USA Correspondence to: Xuefeng Liu, email: xuefeng.liu@georgetown.edu Keywords: Myc, ROCK, cytoskeleton, apoptosis, telomerase Received: May 04, 2016 Accepted: August 11, 2016 Published: August 20, 2016 ABSTRACT The Myc/Max/Mad network plays a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis and c-Myc is overexpressed in many cancers, including HPV-positive cervical cancer cell lines. Despite the tolerance of cervical cancer keratinocytes to high Myc expression, we found that the solitary transduction of the Myc gene into primary cervical and foreskin keratinocytes induced rapid cell death. These findings suggested that the anti-apoptotic activity of E7 in cervical cancer cells might be responsible for negating the apoptotic activity of over-expressed Myc. Indeed, our earlier in vitro studies demonstrated that Myc and E7 synergize in the immortalization of keratinocytes. Since we previously postulated that E7 and the ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, were members of the same functional pathway in cell immortalization, we tested whether Y-27632 would inhibit apoptosis induced by the over-expression of Myc. Our findings indicate that Y-27632 rapidly inhibited Myc-induced membrane blebbing and cellular apoptosis and, more generally, functioned as an inhibitor of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of cell death. Most important, Y-27632 cooperated with Myc to immortalize keratinocytes efficiently, indicating that apoptosis is a major barrier to Myc-induced immortalization of keratinocytes. The anti-apoptotic activity of Y-27632 correlated with a reduction in p53 serine 15 phosphorylation and the consequent reduction in the expression of downstream target genes p21 and DAPK1, two genes involved in the induction of cell death.
Positive surgical margins: How to self-evaluate and improve

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) has become the most common approach to radical prostatectomy (RP) in the United States. Positive surgical margin status (PSM) is a significant predictor of biochemical recurrence after RP and has implications in quality and cost of care. RALRP is a heterogeneous procedure and refinement in surgical technique may decrease PSM and improve oncologic outcomes. We provide an overview of mechanisms by which surgeons can improve their incidence of surgical margin positivity.
Daily emotional stress reactivity in emerging adulthood: temporal stability and its predictors.

ABSTRACTBackground & Objectives: Emotional reactivity to stress is associated with both mental and physical health and has been assumed to be a stable feature of the person. However, recent evidence suggests that the within-person association between stress and negative affect (i.e., affective stress-reactivity) may increase over time and in times of high stress, at least in older adult populations. The objective of the current study was to examine the across-time stability of stress-reactivity in a younger sample – emerging adulthood – and examine neuroticism, overall stress, social support and life events as potential moderators of stability.Design & Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 540, mean age = 18.76 years) participated in a measurement burst design, completing a 30-day daily diary annually for four years. Moderators were assessed once at every burst, while negative affect and stress were assessed daily via a secure website.Results & Conclusions: Findings suggest a relatively high degree of rank...
Dandelion extract suppresses reactive oxidative species and inflammasome in intestinal epithelial cells

Abstract Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) has received increasing attention in western countries due to its health beneficial properties and pharmaceutical functions. In the current study, we evaluated compounds extracted from different parts of dandelion. Dandelion leaf had the highest, while root had the lowest level of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Using HPLC, eleven phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified, among which chicoric acid was the main component in all parts of dandelion. Consistent with the total content of phenolics and flavonoids, leaf extract had the highest total antioxidant and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. Dandelion leaf extract at 400 μg/ml suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HT-29 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide, equivalent to the ROS scavenging activity of 20 μg/ml of pure chicoric acid. Importantly, both leaf extract and chicoric acid mitigated inflammatory signaling NF-κB p65 and cyclooxygenase-2 activity induced by lipopolysaccharide, demonstrated by suppressed LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and caspase-1 activity, as well as NLRP3 inflammasome–mediated interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion. In conclusion, dandelion extract inhibited inflammasome activation through ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity; and chicoric acid, a major component of dandelion, is mainly responsible for the beneficial effects.
ZAP70 Expression by Immunohistochemistry Correlates with IgVH Mutation Status in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Predicts Time to Progression, but Survival Is Decreased in p53-Positive CLL, Regardless of ZAP70 Expression.

Abstract Background: IgVH mutation status (IgVH MS) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is accepted as a powerful prognostic indicator, however, this test is not widely available. Therefore, ZAP70 expression, first described as a surrogate for IgVH MS, but also described as an independent prognostic marker, is more commonly used. ZAP70 expression can by detected by flow cytometry or immunohistochemical staining (IHC) methods, but the optimal detection method is controversial. Though cytogenetic abnormalities of 17p in CLL have been reported as a poor prognostic indicator when compared to other abnormalities, the prognostic effect of p53 expression by CLL has not been well described, nor has it's utility in combination with ZAP70 expression been reported. Methods: The bone marrow specimens from 2 cohorts of CLL patients (pts), specifically 208 pts uniformly treated with FCR between 11/99–01/04 and 349 CLL pts entered in the Low Risk FISH (LRF) study (no 11q or 17p FISH abnormalities) between 1/04 - 05/07, were evaluated for ZAP70 expression by IHC. IgVH MS was available for 61/208 FCR pts and all LRF study pts. The FCR group was evaluable for complete response (CR) and CR duration. 215 LRF study pts were evaluable for time to first treatment and 114 pts were evaluable for response to either FCR-type therapy (74pts) or rituximab-based therapy (40pts). 193 BM specimens from the FCR cohort were also studied for p53 expression by IHC staining. Results: IgVH MS showed good concordance (80%) with ZAP70 IHC expression(table 1). The time to first therapy for the LRF cohort was 18% v 43% at 18 months for ZAP70+ versus ZAP70− CLL pts (p=0.0001). However ZAP70 IHC did not predict response in either the FCR cohort (n= 208) or the LRF cohort (n=114). In 193 FCR pts, a significant correlation between p53 expression and overall survival, regardless of ZAP70 expression, was seen (p Conclusions: ZAP70 IHC expression shows good correlation with IgVH MS for the pooled cohorts. ZAP70 IHC expression has additional value in predicting time to first therapy and time to progression, but does not have an impact on CR rate. The decreased CR duration is due to the ZAP70 relationship with IgVH MS. When ZAP70 and p53 expression are combined, decreased survival is seen in pts with p53+ CLL, regardless of ZAP70 expression. SH status in combined cohorts (N=410) versus ZAP70 expression by IHC Combined cohorts N=410 IHC ZAP− IHC ZAP+ IgVH MS Mutated 178 39 Unmutated 42 151 Sensitivity 78%; Specificity 82% Download : Download high-res image (76KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure Download : Download high-res image (71KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Size-dependent plastic deformation of twinned nanopillars in body-centered cubic tungsten

Compared with face-centered cubic metals, twinned nanopillars in body-centered cubic (BCC) systems are much less explored partly due to the more complicated plastic deformation behavior and a lack of reliable interatomic potentials for the latter. In this paper, the fault energies predicted by two semi-empirical interatomic potentials in BCC tungsten (W) are first benchmarked against density functional theory calculations. Then, the more accurate potential is employed in large scale molecular dynamics simulations of tensile and compressive loading of twinned nanopillars in BCC W with different cross sectional shapes and sizes. A single crystal, a twinned crystal, and single crystalline nanopillars are also studied as references. Analyses of the stress-strain response and defect nucleation reveal a strong tension-compression asymmetry and a weak pillar size dependence in the yield strength. Under both tensile and compressive loading, plastic deformation in the twinned nanopillars is dominated by dislocatio...
The optical spectrum and magnetic properties of TmFeO3 in the single-ion model

Abstract The optical absorption spectrum of trivalent thulium in the orthoferrite is reported as a function of temperature, magnetic field, and photon polarization. Transitions are shown to be electric dipole. Singlet states of the ground multiplet are found at 0, 17·5, 39, and 70cm−1; their representation labels, characteristic of the low symmetry C1h site of the thulium ion, are A′, A′, A″, and A″ respectively. The form of the single-ion Hamiltonian matrices describing the applied and molecular field perturbations on these crystal field states is derived and is used to account for Zeeman splittings. The size of molecular field interactions is estimated from the breakdown of selection rules. Single-ion contributions to the temperature-dependent magnetization and anisotropy are derived on the basis of the optical data and are shown to be compatible with experiment.
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SIN FRONTERAS: MESTICISMO AND ECOPOETICS IN FRANCISCO X. ALARCÓN’S ANIMAL POEMS OF THE IGUAZÚ

Francisco X. Alarcon’s Animal Poems of the Iguazu / Animalario del Iguazu (2013) successfully represents a milestone in its author’s career, as it brings together stylistic choices and philosophical concepts that he had developed in earlier works for adult and children readers. In particular, and working from an animal-rights, posthumanist context, Alarcon fleshes out the notions of ecopoetics and mesticismo , a neologism he coined to blend mysticism with mestizaje. Through those concepts, the author invites his readers to imagine a borderless continent, thus challenging hierarchical divisions and dominant discourses in children’s entertainment. In their stead, Alarcon advocates for a reclamation of Mesoamerican thought and practices as a pathway to developing positive images of linguistic and cultural diversity, ecological awareness, and new ways of reading and living.
Endoscopic Techniques for Enteral Access

Tools and techniques for enteral access have changed dramatically in large part due to advancements in the fields of endoscopy, laparoscopy, and radiology. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is now the standard of gastric feeding access since its development by Gauderer and Ponsky in 1980. The percutaneous endoscopic technique allows for safe and feasible access without the need for general anesthesia or laparotomy in the majority of patients. Using the principles of this initial innovation, minimally invasive methods to access the gastrointestinal tract have expanded tremendously. In this chapter, we outline the evolution of minimally invasive tools and techniques for enteral access.