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The article explores how chromatin conformation regulates gene expression and remodeling of chromatin structure as essential to guarantee proper cell function. It discusses the use of high-density photo activated localization microscopy and deep learning to obtain temporally resolved super-resolution images of chromatin in living cells.

• This paper investigates convolutional neural networks on large agricultural datasets. • Synthetic dataset bootstrapping and empirical dataset fine-tuning is researched. • Plant parts can be recognized on a per-pixel level. • We show only a small annotated empirical dataset of 30 images is required. • A large synthetic dataset for bootstrapping improves performance. A current bottleneck of state-of-the-art machine learning methods for image segmentation in agriculture, e.g. convolutional neural networks (CNNs), is the requirement of large manually annotated datasets on a per-pixel level. In this paper, we investigated how related synthetic images can be used to bootstrap CNNs for successful learning as compared to other learning strategies. We hypothesise that a small manually annotated empirical dataset is sufficient for fine-tuning a synthetically bootstrapped CNN. Furthermore we investigated (i) multiple deep learning architectures, (ii) the correlation between synthetic and empirical dataset size on part segmentation performance, (iii) the effect of post-processing using conditional random fields (CRF) and (iv) the generalisation performance on other related datasets. For this we have performed 7 experiments using the Capsicum annuum (bell or sweet pepper) dataset containing 50 empirical and 10,500 synthetic images with 7 pixel-level annotated part classes. Results confirmed our hypothesis that only 30 empirical images were required to obtain the highest performance on all 7 classes (mean IOU = 0.40) when a CNN was bootstrapped on related synthetic data. Furthermore we found optimal empirical performance when a VGG-16 network was modified to include à trous spatial pyramid pooling. Adding CRF only improved performance on the synthetic data. Training binary classifiers did not improve results. We have found a positive correlation between dataset size and performance. For the synthetic dataset, learning stabilises around 3000 images. Generalisation to other related datasets proved possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the application of silicon micromachining technology to fabricate free-standing YBCO structures for low-thermal-mass bolometer devices. Details on the experiment; Results of the study; Conclusions.

This paper provides synthesis methods for large-scale semantic image segmentation datasets of agricultural scenes with the objective to bridge the gap between state-of-the art computer vision performance and that of computer vision in the agricultural robotics domain. We propose a novel methodology to generate renders of random meshes of plants based on empirical measurements, including the automated generation per-pixel class and depth labels for multiple plant parts. A running example is given of Capsicum annuum (sweet or bell pepper) in a high-tech greenhouse. A synthetic dataset of 10,500 images was rendered through Blender, using scenes with 42 procedurally generated plant models with randomised plant parameters. These parameters were based on 21 empirically measured plant properties at 115 positions on 15 plant stems. Fruit models were obtained by 3D scanning and plant part textures were gathered photographically. As reference dataset for modelling and evaluate segmentation performance, 750 empirical images of 50 plants were collected in a greenhouse from multiple angles and distances using image acquisition hardware of a sweet pepper harvest robot prototype. We hypothesised high similarity between synthetic images and empirical images, which we showed by analysing and comparing both sets qualitatively and quantitatively. The sets and models are publicly released with the intention to allow performance comparisons between agricultural computer vision methods, to obtain feedback for modelling improvements and to gain further validations on usability of synthetic bootstrapping and empirical fine-tuning. Finally, we provide a brief perspective on our hypothesis that related synthetic dataset bootstrapping and empirical fine-tuning can be used for improved learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) guidelines for the performance of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)1. It mentions that higher field strength ( 3-T MRI) which is currently not recommended for in-vivo fetal imaging is quite safe as no safety concerns have been scientifically proven with respect to 3 T compared with 1.5 T for fetal imaging, as long as the MRI scanner is operated in `normal mode' .

The purpose of this study was to assess the one-year efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) administered by general practitioners in a primary care community clinic in rural South Africa. We performed an observational cohort study of 675 treatment-naïve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients (including 66 children) who began HAART at least 12 months prior to the data analyses. Throughout treatment, the CD4+ T-cell count (percentage of CD4+ T-cells in children) and plasma HIV-RNA level were determined and the patient’s weight was recorded. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were viral suppression, immunological response, and weight gain. One year after the start of HAART, 100 of the 675 (15%) patients were lost to follow-up and 119 patients (18%), including six children, died. Mortality was highest during the first few months of treatment. Based on an on-treatment analysis at one year after the start of therapy, 83% of adults and 71% of children had a viral load <400 copies/ml; the viral load was <50 copies/ml in 70% of adults and 61% of children. At one year, the mean CD4+ T-cell count in adults had increased by 236/mm3, and the mean body mass index (BMI) had increased by 3.5 kg/m2. In children, the mean CD4% had increased by 17.6. A low Karnofsky score and a low baseline CD4+ T-cell count were independently associated with death. In addition to these factors, a low baseline BMI and gender were predictive of a poor immunological outcome. Our study shows that adequately monitored HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) care administered by general practitioners and their staff is feasible and leads to good results in a rural, primary care center in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to achieve even better results, early mortality should be reduced and efforts should be made to start HAART earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present the realization of high-resolution holographic microscopy using the original Gabor geometry and imaging with radiation in the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) spectral region. Synchrotron VUV radiation with a wavelength of 13.8nm was focused on a small pinhole generating a highly divergent light cone suitable for digital in-line holography. Objects of different thickness and materials have been used to test the imaging properties of holographic microscopy in the VUV wavelength range. The effective numerical aperture was limited by the illuminated area of the detector, yielding a theoretical resolution below 1μm and an experimental one of approximately 1μm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Knowledge about the possible role of phospholipase C (PLC) activity of microbial pathogens in the development of disease is increasing. Recently attention has focused on investigating PLC activity elaborated by Helicobacter pylori, but the role of this enzyme in H. pylori pathogenesis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to correlate PLC-activity of H. pylori on the basis of the cagA status with the clinical diagnosis of the patients. Materials and methods Helicobacter pylori was isolated from patients with gastritis (G; n = 38), duodenal ulcer (DU; n = 15), gastric ulcer (GU; n = 11) and gastric cancer (GC; n = 12). Polymerase chain reaction primers DZ3/R009 which amplified a 1350-bp fragment were used to detect the cagA gene. PLC activity was determined using p-nitrophenylphosphorylcholine as substrate. Results Of the strains, 60% were cagA[sup +] and 40% were cagA[sup -]. All strains showed PLC activity (2·20 ± 0·91 U mg[sup -1] protein). PLC activity showed no association with the cagA status: cagA[sup +] (2·21 ± 1·03 U mg[sup -1] protein), cagA[sup -] (2·18 ± 0·79 U mg[sup -1] protein). Patients with GU had the highest PLC activity (2·77 ± 1·26 U mg[sup -1] protein) and patients with GC had the lowest activity (1·8 ± 0·57 U mg[sup -1] protein). Conclusions Although PLC activity was present in all strains tested, it may only have pathological importance in patients with GU. However, the extent of PLC activity was independent of the presence of the cagA gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced immunogenicity has been reported following transfection of a variety of immunogenic tumors with the B7.1 co-stimulatory molecule. The purpose of the present study was to determine if transfection of a weakly immunogenic rat brain tumor, the F98 glioma, with the gene encoding B7.1 could enhance its immunogenicity. F98 cells were transfected with a plasmid containing the B7.1 gene, and stable transfectants (F98/B7.1) were obtained. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed the expression of B7.1 and MHC class I antigens on the cell surface. To investigate the effects of B7.1 expression on the tumorigenicity of the F98 glioma, Fischer rats were implanted intracerebrally with either F98 (wild-type) or F98/B7.1 transfected cells. No significant differences in survival times were noted. Mean survival times of 21.8 and 24.0 days were observed for the respective groups at a challenge dose of 10³ cells. These differences in survival time were not significant. To determine if expression of B7.1 enhanced the immunogenicity of the F98 glioma, rats were vaccinated weekly for 3 weeks with 10[sup 7] mitomycin C-treated F98 or F98/B7.1 cells injected subcutaneously and then challenged intracerebrally with F98 cells 1 week later. Unvaccinated animals or those that received wild-type F98 cells as a vaccine had a survival time (mean ± s.d.) of 22.3 ± 1.5 days following tumor challenge versus 20.0 ± 1.7 days for rats that had been vaccinated with F98/B7.1. Although we recognize that it might be possible to design more effective vaccination regimes, nevertheless, our data indicate that transfection of the B7.1 gene into the F98 rat glioma did not enhance its immunogenicity, and that other approaches will be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the rationale for expanding child welfare decision making criteria by adding longer-term outcomes and the likelihood that children will eventually generate social benefits. Policies that govern child welfare services; Application of the concept of permanency planning in child welfare services; Discussion on the concept of family continuity; Influence of the concepts of attachment and bonding on child welfare services.

The agglutinating activity of lectins from the seeds of Sophora japonica and Canavalia ensiformis (concanavalin A) with human and murine erythrocytes and lymphocytes have been compared to one another and related to the mitogenic and immunosuppressive properties of these purified proteins. The S. japonica lectin, which demonstrates blood group specificity, is more active than concanavalin A with human erythrocytes, but has a much lower reactivity than concanavalin A with murine red blood cells. Ficin treatment of human erythrocytes results in an increase in agglutinability by both lectins as well as causing the appearance of S. japonica lectin receptors on type O cells. Treatment of murine erythrocytes with ficin alone or followed by β-galactosidase causes the cells to be more reactive with concanavalin A. β-Galactosidase alone has no observable affect on the cells. In contrast, the agglutinability of cells by the S. japonica lectin increases after ficin treatment but is not affected by β-galactosidase treatment either after or in the absence of ficinization. Murine lymphocytes react with both lectins in a manner paralleling the agglutination patterns of murine erythrocytes. The S. japonica lectin appears to be devoid of mitogenic and immuno-suppressive activity, in contrast to concanavalin A which suppresses the T helper-dependent antibody response to sheep erythrocytes. These results are discussed in terms of the types of lectin receptors on lymphocytes related to agglutination, induction of blastogenesis and immunosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the minor seminaries in Chile. Vocational perseverance may be measured by comparing the total number of pupils in a minor seminary for one five year period with the total number of students in the corresponding novitiate or major seminary for a five year period. If perseverance in vocations were perfect, that is, if 100 percent of the seminarians were to go on to the priesthood, people should find that all those in the second or novitiate stage had been through the first or minor seminary age. The perseverance average in Chile for the period 1935-1939 to the period 1940-1944 is approximately 12 percent, increasing slightly in the following period from 1940-1944 to the period 1945-1949 when it reaches approximately 15 percent. As can be seen, the average of perseverance of the students, who go on from the minor seminary to the novitiate in the whole of Chile during the different five-year periods analyzed, is low, since only approximately ten out of every one hundred carry on. The small number of students on each course makes it inevitable that the instruction received in minor seminaries leaves much to be desired. It is impossible to get a good teaching staff for so few students, particularly with regard to the final years of secondary education.

• This paper proposes method to improve the realism of synthetic agricultural images. • These images can be used for machine learning. • The paper shows that image features of synthetic images can be made more realistic. • 7 Experiments were executed to see the effect on improved learning. • Using translated images indeed provided for better plant part recognition. In this paper we report on improving part segmentation performance for robotic vision using convolutional neural networks by optimising the visual realism of synthetic agricultural images. In Part I, a cycle consistent generative adversarial network was applied to synthetic and empirical images with the objective to generate more realistic synthetic images by translating them to the empirical domain. We hypothesise that plant part image features (e.g. color, texture) become more similar to the empirical domain after translation of the synthetic images. Results confirm this with an improved mean color distribution correlation with the empirical data prior of 0.62 and post translation of 0.90. Furthermore, the mean image features of contrast, homogeneity, energy and entropy moved closer to the empirical mean, post translation. In Part II, 7 experiments were performed using convolutional neural networks with different combinations of synthetic, synthetic translated to empirical and empirical images. We hypothesise that the translated images can be used for (i) improved learning of empirical images, and (ii) that learning without any fine-tuning with empirical images is improved by bootstrapping with translated images over bootstrapping with synthetic images. Results confirm our hypotheses in Part II. First a maximum intersection-over-union performance was achieved of 0.52 when bootstrapping with translated images and fine-tuning with empirical images; an 8% increase compared to only using synthetic images. Second, training without any empirical fine-tuning resulted in an average IOU of 0.31; a 55% performance increase over previous methods that only used synthetic images. The key contribution of this paper to robotic vision is to provide supporting evidence that domain adaptation can be successfully used to translate and improve synthetic data to the real empirical domain that results in improved segmentation learning whilst lowering the dependency on manually annotated data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a frequently occurring comorbidity of HIV infection. Evidence suggests this condition starts subclinical before a progression to a symptomatic stage. Blood oxygenated level dependent (BOLD) fMRI has shown to be a sensitive tool to detect abnormal brain function in an early stage and might therefore be useful to evaluate the effect of HIV infection on brain function. An extensive literature search was performed in June 2015. Eligibility criteria for included studies were as follows: (1) conducting with HIV-positive patients, (2) using BOLD fMRI, and (3) including a HIV-negative control group. A total of 19 studies were included in the review including 931 participants. Differences in activation between HIV-positive and -negative participants were found when testing multiple domains, i.e., attention, (working) memory, and especially executive functioning. Overall, HIV-positive patients showed hyperactivation in task-related brain regions despite equal performances as controls. Task performance was degraded only for the most complex tasks. A few studies investigated the effect of aging on fMRI, and most of them found no interaction with HIV infection. Only three studies evaluated the effect of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on functional data suggesting an increase in activation with the use of cART. fMRI is a sensitive instrument to detect subtle cognitive changes in HIV patients. Open questions remain regarding the effects of cART on fMRI and the effects of aging on fMRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Positive family environments are crucial in promoting children's emotional and behavioural well-being, and may also buffer development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD). ADHD is highly heritable, but psychosocial factors in the family environment, particularly family cohesion and communication, may mediate genetic predispositions. The purpose of the current study is to examine the mediating influence of the adoptive family environment between pre-adoptive risk factors and youths' ADHD symptomatology at 14 years post adoption. Methods The data used in this study were obtained from the fourth wave of the California Long-Range Adoption Study ( CLAS) ( n = 449). Using structural equation modelling ( SEM), family sense of coherence and family adaptability were tested as possible mediators between environmental and biological predictors and ADHD symptomatology. Predictors included birthweight, gender, age at adoption, adoption from foster care, transracial adoption status, ethnicity and having a previous diagnosis of ADHD. Results Results show that, while adoption from foster care is negatively associated with family functioning, higher family cohesion and adaptability mediate this influence on children's ADHD symptomatology. Older age of adoption directly predicts greater ADHD symptoms with no mediating influence of the family environment. Conclusions The mediating influence of the family environment between children's risk factors and ADHD symptoms suggests that family intervention strategies may be helpful in improving adopted children's outcomes. Once children are adopted, targeting family communication patterns and dynamics may be an additional part of developing an evidence-based, post-adoption services toolkit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of cancer depends on the selective delivery of a sufficient number of boron-10 (10B) atoms to individual tumour cells. Cell killing results from the 10B (n, α)7Li neutron capture and fission reactions that occur if a sufficient number of 10B atoms are localized in the tumour cells. Intranuclear 10B localization enhances the efficiency of cell killing via damage to the DNA. The net cellular content of 10B atoms reflects both bound and free pools of boron in individual tumour cells. The assessment of these pools, delivered by a boron delivery agent, currently cannot be made at subcellular-scale resolution by clinically applicable techniques such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, a secondary ion mass spectrometry based imaging instrument, aCAMECAIMS3f ion microscope, capable of 500 nm spatial resolution was employed. Cryogenically prepared cultured human T98G glioblastoma cells were evaluated for boron uptake and retention of two delivery agents. The first, L-p-boronophenylalanine (BPA), has been used clinically for BNCT of high-grade gliomas, recurrent tumours of the head and neck region and melanomas. The second, a boron analogue of an unnatural amino acid, 1-amino-3-borono-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (cis-ABCPC), has been studied in rodent glioma and melanoma models by quantification of boron in the nucleus and cytoplasm of individual tumour cells. The bound and free pools of boron were assessed by exposure of cells to boron-free nutrient medium. Both BPA and cis-ABCPC delivered almost 70% of the pool of boron in the free or loosely bound form to the nucleus and cytoplasm of human glioblastoma cells. This free pool of boron could be easily mobilized out of the cell and was in some sort of equilibrium with extracellular boron. In the case of BPA, the intracellular free pool of boron also was affected by the presence of phenylalanine in the nutrient medium. This suggests that itmight be advantageous if patients were placed on a low phenylalanine diet prior to the initiation of BNCT. Since BPA currently is used clinically for BNCT, our observations may have direct relevance to future clinical studies utilizing this agent and provides support for individualized treatment planning regimens rather than the use of fixed BPA infusion protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports on the transistor design of high-speed SiGe HBTs with low parasitic resistances and capacitances. Elevated extrinsic base regions and a low-resistance collector design were integrated in a SiGe:C BiCMOS technology to simultaneously minimize base and collector resistances and base-collector capacitance. This technology features CML ring oscillator delays of 3.6ps per stage for HBTs with f T/f max values of 190/243GHz and a BVCEO of 1.9V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Exploratory analyses of the genotype compositions of BG B, however, did not reveal a pattern suggesting causality (Table 1), and BG B has not been described consistently as risk factor for severe COVID-19 courses [2,4]. Blood group A epitopes do not facilitate entry of SARS-CoV-2 Keywords: ABO blood groups; blood group A1; blood group A2; COVID-19 EN ABO blood groups blood group A1 blood group A2 COVID-19 223 226 4 07/05/21 20210701 NES 210701 Keypoint The risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 was slightly higher for individuals with blood group A versus O but did not differ between blood groups A SB 1 sb versus A SB 2 sb . ABO blood groups, blood group A1, blood group A2, COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

Shallow Sb and As junctions have been investigated with regard to their applicability in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. Replacing As source/drain extensions by Sb with the same implanted depth facilitates the formation of about 20 nm shallower junctions and even lower sheet resistance. This is due to the absence of transient enhanced diffusion effects and less dose loss for Sb. Sb source/drain extensions with a final junction depth of 40 nm and a sheet resistance of 320 Ω/sq have been integrated in a standard CMOS process with 130 nm gate length. The same low leakage current level is demonstrated for Sb and As extensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mixed signal on-chip solutions for space applications and high energy physics experiments require high voltage RF-LDMOS transistors with sufficient ruggedness against ionizing radiation and single event burnout. We report on a novel hardening by design approach for radiation tolerant integrated RF NLDMOS transistors confirmed by single event burn out (SEB) and total ionizing dose (TID) radiation tests. In order to substantially decrease TID induced leakage currents the shallow trench isolation (STI) of MOS transistors was replaced by narrow junction isolated regions. For a significant increase of the SEB onset voltage a cascode arrangement consisting of an isolated NMOS and NLDMOS was chosen. The floating NMOS-drain/NLDMOS-source node in the cascode arrangement is always reverse biased which efficiently avoids a turn-on of the parasitic npn bipolar transistor. The rad-hard isolated NMOS/NLDMOS cascode features a breakdown voltage BVDS > 50 V, a maximum cut off frequency f T = 5 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency f MAX = 14 GHz. In comparison with standard NLDMOS transistors the isolated NMOS/NLDMOS cascode device shows an increase of the SEB onset voltage from 14V to 30V at a linear energy transfer LET of 67.7 MeVcm2/mg and a negligible increase of source drain leakage currents up to a TID of 1.5 Mrad after irradiation with a 60Co source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Neoadjuvant therapy has been investigated for localized and locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) but no standard of care exists. Combination cetuximab/gemcitabine/radiotherapy demonstrates encouraging preclinical activity in PDAC. We investigated cetuximab with twice-weekly gemcitabine and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with localized or locally advanced PDAC. Experimental design Treatment consisted of cetuximab load at 400 mg/m2 followed by cetuximab 250 mg/m2 weekly and gemcitabine 50 mg/m2 twice-weekly given concurrently with IMRT to 54 Gy. Following therapy, patients were considered for resection. Results Thirty-seven patients were enrolled with 33 assessable for response. Ten patients (30%) manifested partial response and 20 (61%) manifested stable disease by RECIST. Twenty-five patients (76%) underwent resection, including 18/23 previously borderline and 3/6 previously unresectable tumors. Twenty-three (92%) of these had negative surgical margins. Pathology revealed that 24% of resected tumors had grade III/IV tumor kill, including two pathological complete responses (8%). Median survival was 24.3 months in resected patients. Outcome did not vary by epidermal growth factor receptor status. Conclusions Neoadjuvant therapy with cetuximab/gemcitabine/IMRT is tolerable and active in PDAC. Margin-negative resection rates are high and some locally advanced tumors can be downstaged to allow for complete resection with encouraging survival. Pathological complete responses can occur. This combination warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of congenital diarrhea in fetuses. It says that after evaluating the MRI examinations and fetal ultrasound of four fetuses, the provisional diagnosis was compared with the amniotic fluid biochemistry, then with the neonatal stool characteristics. The results show that the gathering of MRI findings provides an accurate prenatal diagnosis of congenital diarrhea.

Boron measurements at subcellular scale are essential in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of cancer as the nuclear localization of boron-10 atoms can enhance the effectiveness of killing individual tumour cells. Since tumours contain a heterogeneous population of cells in interphase as well as in the M phase (mitotic division) of the cell cycle, it is important to evaluate the subcellular distribution of boron in both phases. In this work, the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) based imaging technique of ion microscopy was used to quantitatively image boron from two BNCT agents, clinically used p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and 3-[4-( o-carboran-1-yl)butyl]thymidine (N4), in mitotic metaphase and interphase human glioblastoma T98G cells. N4 belongs to a class of experimental BNCT agents, designated 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs), which presumably accumulate selectively in cancer cells due to a process referred to as kinase-mediated trapping (KMT). The cells were exposed to BPA for 1 h and N4 for 2 h. A CAMECA IMS-3f SIMS ion microscope instrument capable of producing isotopic images with 500 nm spatial resolution was used in the study. Observations were made in cryogenically prepared fast frozen, and freeze-fractured, freeze-dried cells. Three discernible subcellular regions were studied: the nucleus, a characteristic mitochondria-rich perinuclear cytoplasmic region, and the remaining cytoplasm in interphase T98G cells. In metaphase cells, the chromosomes and the cytoplasm were studied for boron localization. Intracellular concentrations of potassium and sodium also were measured in each cell in which the subcellular boron concentrations were imaged. Since the healthy cells maintain a K/Na ratio of approximately 10 due to the presence of Na-K-ATPase in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells, these measurements provided validation for cryogenic sample preparation and indicated the analysis healthy, well preserved cells. The BPA-treated interphase cells revealed significantly lower concentrations of boron in the perinuclear mitochondria-rich cytoplasmic region as compared to the remaining cytoplasm and the nucleus, which were not significantly different from each other. In contrast, the BPA-treated metaphase cells revealed significantly lower concentration of boron in their chromosomes than cytoplasm. In addition, the cytoplasm of metaphase cells contained significantly less boron than the cytoplasm of interphase cells. These observations provide valuable information on the reduced uptake of boron from BPA in mitotic cells for BPA-mediated BNCT. SIMS observations on N4 revealed that boron was distributed throughout the interphase and mitotic cells, including the chromosomes. The presence of boron in chromosomes of metaphase cells treated with N4 is indicative of a possible incorporation of this thymidine analogue into DNA. The 3-D SIMS imaging approach for the analysis of mitotic cells shown in this work should be equally feasible to the evaluation of other BNCT agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a process technology for cost-effective integration of low-power flash memories into a 0.25μm, high performance SiGe:C RF-BiCMOS process. Only four additional lithographic steps are used on top of the baseline BiCMOS process, leading to in total 23 mask levels for the BiCMOS/embedded flash process. Uniform-channel Fowler–Nordheim programmable and erasable stacked-gate cells, suitable for medium density (∼Mbit) memories, are demonstrated. Peripheral high-voltage transistors, with >10V breakdown voltage, are integrated without additional mask steps on top of the flash cell integration. The flash memory integration is modular and has negligible impact on the original CMOS and HBT device parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the population impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) on pneumococcal-related diseases, including pneumonia and otitis media. METHODS: Using administrative data from Tennessee Medicaid and 3 commercial insurance plans in upstate New York, we measured annual rates of medical visits for pneumococcal-related diseases (pneumococcal and nonspecific pneumonia and invasive disease; otitis media) and pneumococcal-unrelated diseases (other acute respiratory illnesses). Disease rates before (1995-2000 in Tennessee; 1998-2000 in New York) and after (2000-2002) PCV licensure were calculated for children aged <2 years (eligible for PCV) and those 3 to 5 years (not routinely given PCV). Because annual variations should affect both age groups similarly and vaccine-related outcomes should preferentially decline in younger children, ratios (<2:3-5 years) of disease rates before and after PCV licensure were compared. Expected disease rates were calculated for children aged <2 years in each postvaccine year. The difference between observed and expected disease rates was the estimated vaccine effect. RESULTS: In 2001-2002, there were 67 380 and 9485 child-years of observation for Tennessee and New York children aged <2 years, respectively. We observed fewer visits for pneumonia and invasive disease per 1000 children than expected in both regions: 20 fewer emergency department or outpatient visits in Tennessee and 33 fewer outpatient visits in New York. Otitis media visits declined by 118 and 430 per 1000 children in Tennessee and New York, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adding PCV to the childhood immunization schedule was associated with a 10-fold greater reduction in pneumonia and a 100-fold greater reduction in otitis media than the previously reported reduction in culture-confirmed invasive pneumococcal diseases of 1.3 episodes per 1000 children aged <2 years. Although additional studies are needed to confirm the impact of routine immunization with PCV on pneumococcal-related disease, these results suggest that its impact is substantially greater than the effects on invasive disease alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-doped SiGe (SiGe:C) bipolar devices have been developed and integrated in to a 0.25 μm CMOS platform. The resulting SiGe:C BiCMOS technology offers a wide spectrum of active and passive devices for wireless and wired communication systems. A high-performance variant of the bipolar transistor has been derived from the standard transistors by reduction of some transistor dimensions. With these alterations, fT and fmax of the bipolar transistors reaches 120 and 140 GHz, respectively. Circuit applications of the devices are demonstrated. Static and dynamic divider circuits have a maximum input frequency of 62 and 72 GHz, respectively. Integrated LC oscillators with frequencies up to 60 GHz are also demonstrated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The extent of symptomatology related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was examined in a statewide sample of adopted youth, aged 4-18 years (n = 808). The use of normed questionnaires in a nonclinical sample decreased biases associated with past research on adopted children. According to parental report, a striking number of the youth qualified as manifesting significant symptom levels of externalizing behavior problems: 21% met symptom cutoffs for ADHD (with or without ODD) and 20% met criteria for ODD (with or without ADHD), for a combined total of 29% of the sample. A number of parent-reported, preadoptive risk factors distinguished these groups from one another and from the nonexternalizing youth. The clearest associated factors included histories of preadoption abuse/neglect, later age of adoption, prenatal drug exposure, and placement in multiple foster homes prior to adoption. We discuss implications regarding both etiology and current controversies surrounding the disproportionate levels of behavioral difficulties in adopted youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study measured the number of childhood vaccinations delivered at health department clinics (HDCs) before and after changes in vaccine financing in 1994, and it assessed the impact of changes in financing on HDC operations. METHODS: We measured the number of vaccination doses administered annually at all 57 HDCs in New York State between 1991 and 1996, before and after the financing changes. Interviews of HDC personnel assessed the impact of financing changes. A secondary study measured trends in Pennsylvania and California. RESULTS: HDC vaccinations for preschool children in New York State declined slightly prior to the financing changes (6%-8% between 1991 and 1993) but declined markedly thereafter (53%-56% between 1993 and 1996). According to nearly two thirds of New York State's HDCs, the primary cause for this decline was the vaccine-financing changes. HDC vaccinations for preschool children in Pennsylvania declined by 12% between 1991 and 1993 and by 56% between 1993 and 1997. HDC vaccinations for polio-containing vaccines in California declined by 31% between 1993 and 1997. CONCLUSIONS: Substantially fewer vaccinations have been administered at HDCs since changes in vaccine financing, thereby keeping preschool children in their primary care medical homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Efforts to understand the mechanisms that govern how immunodominant T‐cell epitopes are selected from protein antigens have focused mostly on differences in the efficiency of processing and presentation of peptide/major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complexes by antigen‐presenting cells, while little attention has been directed at the role of the T‐cell repertoire. In this report, the influence of the T‐cell repertoire on immunodominance was investigated using transgenic mice that express the β chain from a T‐cell receptor specific for a cryptic Ek restricted epitope of hen‐egg lysozyme, HEL85‐96. In these mice, the frequency of HEL85‐96‐specific T‐cell precursors is increased 10–20‐fold over non‐transgenic mice. Transgenic mice respond as well as non‐transgenic controls to intact HEL, even though they respond poorly or not at all to a variety of other antigens, including the dominant H‐2k restricted epitopes of HEL. Following immunization with native HEL, the only HEL peptide that could recall a response in vitro in the transgenic mice was HEL85‐96. Therefore, this normally cryptic epitope is the sole immunodominant epitope in the transgenic mice, and this alteration in immune response is due solely to an increase in the frequency of specific T‐cell precursors. An analysis of four additional H‐2k restricted cryptic epitopes of HEL suggests that three are similarly limited by T‐cell frequency, and that only one is consistent with a defect in efficient antigen presentation. This indicates that there are at least two different types of cryptic epitopes, one in which crypticity is caused by inefficient processing or presentation, and another in which the frequency of specific T‐cell progenitors is limiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjustment outcomes of 224 transracial and inracial adoptees were investigated using data collected over 17 years. Findings reveal an association between adoptees' outcomes and their race, gender, and adoptive family structure. Placement history was not significant. Implications for policy and practice are discussed, as are future directions for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the year-to-year variation of mite antigen density (Der p I, Der f I) in dust from mattresses and the relevance of residential factors for antigen load, information derived from an epidemiologic study including two surveys carried out in the households of a cohort of elementary school children (n = 1291) was analysed. When considering residences with measurements taken in both years in question (n = 1050), rank-correlation indicated a predominance of stability for both antigens (Der p I: rs = 0 82, P = 0 0001; Der f I: rs = 0 72, P = 0 0001). Using multiple regression analyses, significant associations between antigen concentrations and a variety of residential factors were found. Use of a blanket of animal hair, use of a cover or underblanket, wet spots in the bedroom, higher relative humidity and a low storey level were significantly associated with increased concentrations of Der p I, whereas inverse relationships between this antigen and room temperature, number of persons per m2 as well as use of underfloor heating were seen. Regarding Der f I, older mattresses, use of a cover or underblanket, higher weight of sampled dust, high educational level and higher ratio of inhabitants per m' were significantly associated with increased concentrations of the antigen. On the other hand, lower Der f I concentrations were found when interior sprung mattresses were used and when the mattress was ‘treated regularly’. In conclusion, two measurements, 1 year apart from each other, show that stability of mite antigen concentrations predominated. Our data suggest that allergic patients should be advised against living in lower storeys and damp homes and to use a newer or encased mattress and to give preference to a residence with underfloor heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of T-cell-receptor β-chain diversity to the T-cell antigen-specific repertoire was investigated using single-chain T-cell-receptor transgenic mice. Animals that express the rearranged β-chain gene from a T hybridoma with specificity for a hen egg lysozyme peptide, designated HEL(85–96) were analysed for their ability to respond to a panel of diverse antigens. Transgenic mice exhibited a significantly elevated response to HEL(85–96) which was shown to be due to an increased frequency of HEL(85–96)-specific T-cell progenitors. This increased frequency of specific progenitors resulted in the ability of transgenic mice to respond to the peptide in the absence of antigen priming. Conversely, transgenic mice failed to respond to any other antigen tested. Furthermore, this apparent deficiency was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of antigen-specific T-cell progenitors in transgenic mice. Surprisingly, the ability to launch an alloresponse was unaffected by the exclusive expression of the transgene-derived β-chain. These results indicate that β-chain diversity is crucial for the ability of the T-cell population to elicit a rapid and robust response to the profusion of different antigen/major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ligands potentially encountered by an individual. Furthermore, these results suggest a lesser role for β-chain diversity in contributing to allorecognition, and support a model in which the direct recognition of peptide-mediated conformational MHC forms is the major contributor to the alloreactive response exhibited by the majority of T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of pre-existing anti-herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) immunity on HSV-1 vector-mediated gene transfer to glioma cells was analyzed in this gene marking study using intracranial D74 gliomas in syngeneic Fischer rats. The HSV-1 mutant virus used, hrR3, is defective in ribonucleotide reductase and bears the marker genes E. coli lacZ and HSV-1 thymidine kinase (HSVtk). Initial marker gene expression in tumors 12 h after direct virus injection was reduced in immunized animals to about 15% of that in nonimmunized animals. Marker gene expression in both sets stayed at initial levels for 2 days after intratumoral injection and declined markedly on day 5. Inflammatory infiltrates in the tumor were more prominent in HSV-1-immunized, as compared with nonimmunized animals, at 12 and 24 h, but appeared similar at 2–5 days after injection. By day 10, the immune reaction had subsided in immunized animals and macrophages remained only in nonimmunized animals. In conclusion, gene transfer to brain tumors using a HSV-1 vector was greatly reduced, but not competely abolished, under pre-immunization conditions. Pre-existing antibodies to HSV-1 may also serve a positive role in providing an increased margin of safety in intracranial application of HSV-1 vectors by limiting spread of the virus within the brain and to other tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the study Over the last decade, a massive roll-out of antiretroviral drugs in resource-limited settings has taken place. In general, good virological responses on first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) are achieved in most HIV-infected patients residing there. Still, a growing number of patients experience virological failure over time, resulting in an increasing need for second-line regimens []. This study describes the clinical, immunological and virological efficacy of protease inhibitor (PI)-based second-line ART in a clinic in rural South Africa. Methods An observational cohort study was performed on 210 patients (including 39 children) who initiated PI-based second-line ART at least 12 months prior to data collection. Biannual clinical, immunological and virological monitoring was performed. Primary endpoints were adequate virological response (HIV-RNA<400 copies/ml), full virological suppression (HIV-RNA<50 copies/ml), virological failure (HIV-RNA>1000 after initial virological response) and on-going viremia (HIV-RNA never<400 copies/ml for more than six months). Data were analyzed by an on-treatment (OT) and intention-to-treat (ITT) approach. Results Median duration of follow-up after switch to second-line treatment was 21 months [IQR 14-37]. 150/210 patients (71%, ITT) were in care and on treatment at the end of follow-up and 16/210 (8%, ITT) had died. After twelve months, an adequate virological response was seen in 106/143 patients (74%, OT), of which 86/143 (60%, OT) experienced full virological suppression and 20/143 (14%, OT) showed persisting low-level viremia (HIV-RNA between 50 and 400 copies/ml). Furthermore, virological responses remained stable after 24 months of second-line ART. Virological efficacy was similar amongst adult and pediatric patients. Median increase in CD4 counts from switch until end of follow-up was 145 cells/mm3 [IQR 1-397] in adults. As in first-line ART, we observed a lack of correlation between virological treatment failure and WHO-defined immunological failure in PI-based therapy. Conclusions Promising virological outcomes are achieved with PI-based, second-line antiretroviral therapy in adult and pediatric patients in rural South Africa. Results were sustainable during the two-year follow-up period with a high retention rate, although persisting low-level viremia occurred in a subset of patients. The observed viro-immunological dissociation emphasizes the need for virological monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Normal values of relaxation times of human placenta at 1.5 Tesla," by C.J. Vance and colleagues, is presented.

CONTEXT: An overarching national health goal of Healthy People 2010 is to eliminate disparities in leading health care indicators including immunizations. Disparities in US childhood immunization rates persist, with inner-city, black, and Hispanic children having lower rates. Although practice or clinic-based interventions, such as patient reminder/recall systems, have been found to improve immunization rates in specific settings, there is little evidence that those site-based interventions can reduce disparities in immunization rates at the community level. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a community-wide reminder, recall, and outreach (RRO) system for childhood immunizations on known disparities in immunization rates between inner-city versus suburban populations and among white, black, and Hispanic children within an entire county. SETTING: Monroe County, New York (birth cohort: 10 000, total population: 750 000), which includes the city of Rochester. Three geographic regions within the county were compared: the inner city of Rochester, which contains the greatest concentration of poverty (among 2-year-old children, 64% have Medicaid); the rest of the city of Rochester (38% have Medicaid); and the suburbs of the county (8% have Medicaid). INTERVENTIONS: An RRO system was implemented in 8 city practices in 1995 (covering 64% of inner-city children) and was expanded to 10 city practices by 1999 (covering 74% of inner-city children, 61% of rest-of-city children, and 9% of suburban children). The RRO intervention involved lay community-based outreach workers who were assigned to city practices to track immunization rates of all 0- to 2-year-olds, and to provide a staged intervention with increasing intensity depending on the degree to which children were behind in immunizations (tracking for all children, mail, or telephone reminders for most children, assistance with transportation or scheduling for some children, and home visits for 5% of children who were most behind in immunizations and who faced complex barriers). STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Three separate cohorts of 0- to 2-year-old children were assessed-those residing in the county in 1993, 1996, and 1999. STUDY DESIGN: Immunization rates were measured for each geographic region in Monroe County at 3 time periods: before the implementation of a systematic RRO system (1993), during early phases of implementation of the RRO system (1996), and after implementation of the RRO system in 10 city practices (1999). Immunization rates were compared for children living in the 3 geographic regions, and for white, black, and Hispanic children. Immunization rates were measured by the same methodology in each of the 3 time periods. A denominator of children was obtained by merging patient lists from the practice files of most pediatric and family medicine practices in the county (covering 85% to 89% of county children). A random sample of children (>500 from the suburbs and >1200 from the city for each sampling period) was then selected for medical chart review at practices to determine demographic characteristics (including race and ethnicity) and immunization rates. City children were oversampled to allow detection of effects by geographic region and race. Rates for the 3 geographic regions and for the entire county were determined using Stata to adjust for the clustered sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immunization rates at 12 and 24 months for recommended vaccines (4 diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis:3 polio:1 measles-mumps-rubella: > or =1 Haemophilus influenzae type b on or after 12 months of age). RESULTS: DISPARITIES BY GEOGRAPHIC REGION: Baseline immunization rates (1993) for 24-month-olds were as follows: inner city (55%), rest of city (64%), and suburbs (73%), with an 18% difference in rates between the inner city and suburbs. By 1996, immunization rates rose faster in the inner city (+21% points) than in the suburbs (+14% points) so that the difference in rates between the inner city and suburbs had narrowed to 11%. In 1999, rates were similar across geographic regions: inner city (84%), rest of city (81%), and suburbs (88%), with a 4% difference between the inner city and suburbs. DISPARITIES BY RACE AND ETHNICITY: Immunization rates were available in 1996 and 1999 by race and ethnicity. Twenty-four-month immunization rates in 1996 showed disparities: white (89%), black (76%), and Hispanic (74%), with a 13% difference between rates for white and black children and a 15% difference between white and Hispanic children. In 1999, rates were similar across the groups: white (88%), black (81%), and Hispanic (87%), with a 7% difference between rates for white and black children, and a 1% difference between white and Hispanic children. CONCLUSIONS: A community-wide intervention of patient RRO raised childhood immunization rates in the inner city of Rochester and was associated with marked reductions in disparities in immunization rates between inner-city and suburban children and among racial and ethnic minority populations. By targeting a relatively manageable number of primary care practices that serve city children and using an effective strategy to increase immunization rates in each practice, it is possible to eliminate disparities in immunizations for vulnerable children. [Abstract for this article also available on page XXXX of printed version. Full article available at http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/110/5/e58] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]