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Ultramafic rocks are rare on Earth's surface but can provide important insights into crust and mantle evolution. The recently discovered Broughton Arm Peridotite in the mountains of central Fiordland is exposed as two 75-150 m wide by several hundred metres-long harzburgite-dunite lobes encased sequentially in hornblendite, amphibolite and then quartzofeldspathic gneiss. On the basis of the refractory harzburgitic-dunitic composition and the bulk rock Mg# (86-87) lower than most mantle peridotites, the peridotite is interpreted to have an igneous cumulate rather than an exhumed mantle peridotite origin. The marginal hornblendite and amphibolite and internal pods of edenite-diopside rock may represent metasomatised peridotite. The Broughton Arm Peridotite has been metamorphosed twice. The first event generated an anhydrous assemblage comprising olivine (Mg# = 79.4-92.8), enstatite and Cr-magnetite. This assemblage has been overprinted by an anastomosing weak to pervasive mylonitic foliation of Mg-chlorite, tremolite ± serpentinite ± talc. The age of the anhydrous assemblage is unknown but suspected from regional data to be Early Carboniferous. A titanite 208Pb/238U lower intercept age of 105.6 ± 6.8 Ma in the host Deep Cove Gneiss is correlated with the peridotite hydration-deformation event. The proximity of the Early Cretaceous (≥ 114 Ma) Western Fiordland Orthogneiss to the east, west and north means that the Broughton Arm Peridotite and surrounding rocks may have recrystallised within the extensional Doubtful Sound Shear Zone, which elsewhere is an up to several hundred meter-wide shear zone active at c. 110-100 Ma separating Western Fiordland Orthogneiss from Deep Cove Gneiss. The Broughton Arm Peridotite therefore preserves a history that involves emplacement in the Early Paleozoic, penetrative anhydrous metamorphism in the Early Carboniferous, and hydration and recrystallisation during regional extensional tectonism in the Early Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

miR-210 is a key regulator of response to hypoxia. Pheochromocytomas (PCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) with germline SDHx or VHL mutations have pseudohypoxic gene expression signatures. We hypothesised that PC/PGLs containing SDHx or VHL mutations, and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs),would overexpressmiR- 210 relative to non-SDH or -VHL-mutated counterparts. miR-210 was analysed by quantitative PCR in i) 39 PC/PGLs, according to genotype (one SDHA, five SDHB, seven VHL, three NF1, seven RET, 15 sporadic, one unknown) and pathology (18 benign, eight atypical, 11 malignant, two unknown); ii) 18 GISTs, according to SDHB immunoreactivity (nine SDH-deficient and nine SDHproficient) and iii) two novel SDHB-mutant neurosphere cell lines.miR-210 was higher in SDHx- or VHL-mutated PC/PGLs (7.6-fold) compared with tumours without SDHx or VHL mutations (P=0.0016).miR-210was higher inmalignant than in unequivocally benign PC/PGLs (P=0.05), but significancewas lost when benign and atypical tumours were combined (P=0.08). Inmultivariate analysis, elevated miR-210 was significantly associated with SDHx or VHL mutation, but not with malignancy. In GISTs, miR-210 was higher in SDH-deficient (median 2.58) compared with SDHproficient tumours (median 0.60; P=0.0078).miR-210 was higher in patient-derived neurosphere cell lines containing SDHB mutations (6.5-fold increase) compared with normal controls, in normoxic conditions (P<0.01). Furthermore, siRNA-knockdownof SDHB in HEK293 cells increased miR-210 by 2.7-fold (P=0.001) under normoxia. Overall, our results suggest that SDH deficiency in PC, PGL and GISTs inducesmiR-210 expression and substantiates the role of aberrant hypoxic-type cellular responses in the development of these tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which determines the mechanical property degradation and trabecular damage following mechanical testing of interbody fusion devices (IFD), and to evaluate their relationship on the interface geometry. The study measures the damage in 24 vertebral pairs implanted with bilateral hexahedral or cylindrical IFDs which were subjected to either 2.5% or 1% compressive strain. Results show that the entire specimen has histologic damage near the bone-implant interface.

The present study examines the viscoelastic behavior of cancellous bone at low strains and the effects of damage on this viscoelastic behavior. It provides experimental evidence of interaction between stress relaxation behavior and the effect of accumulated damage. The results suggest that damage is at least orthotropic in trabecular bone specimens under uniaxial loading. Simple linear models of viscoelasticity described the time-dependent stress-strain behavior at low strains before and after specimen damage, although better fits of these models were obtained prior to damage. Modeling the observed changes in relaxation times with damage accumulation appears necessary to successfully predict the post-damage viscoelastic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objectives/hypothesis:: Pediatric oropharyngeal trauma (OPT) is a common injury in children with rare, but at times severe complications including carotid injury and dissection of air/micro-organisms into the deep tissues of the neck or chest. Cervical CT scan with contrast (CT angiography (CTA)) is nearly universally available and may enhance the evaluation of OPT patients by screening for these potentially devastating complications. Study design:: Retrospective record review, systematic review of the literature. Methods:: Twenty-three patients diagnosed with OPT from 1997 to 2003 at Boston Children''s Hospital were identified by database review. Records were reviewed for site and mechanism of injury, use of diagnostic studies, management, and outcomes. Results were compared to previously published reports. The current literature was reviewed to assess the level of evidence pertaining to the evaluation of OPT patients with CT scan. An extrapolation was made to the general trauma literature to further evaluate the ability of CT angiography to detect carotid injury. Results:: Demographics and mechanism of injury in the current series were unchanged from previous reports. CT demonstrated superior detection and localization of free air. Systematic review of OPT literature revealed data on the use of CT scan as evaluation tool were lacking. Extrapolations to the trauma literature strongly indicate helical CTA has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting carotid injury. Conclusions:: Pediatric oropharyngeal trauma is a common injury with rare, but severe complications. The routine use of CT scan with contrast may assist in the evaluation of these patients to detect injuries that could lead to severe complications. Collection of prospective data on the ability of CT scan to detect carotid injuries is needed but may not be feasible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A numerical procedure was implemented for the three-dimensional shape optimization of femoral component of total hip replacements. An algorithm was developed for defining the component geometry in terms of longitudinal and cross-sectional shape variables. The three-dimensional design model was combined with a non-linear 3-D finite element analysis and a numerical optimization procedure. An idealized femoral geometry and a frictional contact were used for bone-implant interfaces. The design objective was to reduce the shear stresses and the relative motion between implant and the surrounding bone along the interface region. The general trend in all design optimization was to produce a somewhat bulky implant with a more rectangular cross section. The outcome was more strongly affected by interface condition than choice of objective function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposes a model for coding pollen size in reference to phylogeny using examples from the Ebenaceae. Using conventional statistical procedures coupled with data visualization and Monte Carlo simulation; Attempting to address the problems of character state delimitation in pollen morphology; Coding of the four genera into three character states for pollen size.

Investigates maternal and paternal age and other maternal reproductive factors in relationship to the daughter's risk of breast cancer using the Utah Population Database. Ascertaining of diagnoses through the National Cancer Institute; Selection of case patients; Reproductive variables used.

Examines whether dietary factors including beta carotene and retinol are associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer in nonsmoking men and women. Weighted sum of the monthly frequencies of consumption of food items; Consumption of green vegetables; Reduction of risk of lung cancer.

Objectives. Each case of a continuous series of invasive cervical cancer cases was studied with a structured review procedure conducted by an expert panel to asses the reason that it was not detected before it became invasive. Methods. All cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in a 5-year period among Connecticut residents were identified; a screening history and screening outcome were obtained for 72% (481 of 664). Results. Two hundred fifty women (51.9%) had suboptimal screening. One hundred thirty-seven women (28.5%) had never had a screening test, and their mean age was greater than that of the rest of the study population (64.5 year vs 46.5 years). Of the 344 women who had ever had a Pap test, 113 (32.8%) had their last Pap test 5 or more years before their diagnosis of invasive cancer; 52 (15.1%) were not followed up properly; 33 (9.6%) had their last smear misread as normal; and 118 (34.3%) developed cervical cancer within 3 yeas of their last Pap test. Conclusions. Physicians, nurses, and other care providers need to ensure that woman have timely and accurate screening with proper follow-up, make increased efforts to reach older women, and improve quality control of Pap smear readings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Possible associations between selected natality variables and malocclusion were investigated, using birth certificates and clinical examination records of 1,413 high school children in New York state. A significant association was demonstrated between season of birth and the subsequent presence of malocclusion; an excess of children with occlusal disorders were born in the second quarter of the year (April-June). This observation, together with the relatively high prevalence of malocclusion in the population, suggests that adverse environmental factors during the pre- and perinatal period may occur more frequently than was previously believed and may be important in the development of occlusal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the association of congenital heart disease (CHD) and prenatal exposure to exogenous sex hormones. Gestational histories of several infants with CHD; Classification of cases of CHD according to specific defect and system; Investigation of hormone exposure among patients.

The article reflects on the issue about the relation of stress with the development of cancer, or if stress can really cause cancer. It believes that the ecological correlation between the accident that caused environmental release of what appears to have been a small amount of radiation into the air is important in a number of direct and indirect ways.

Abstract: Stiffness degradation and strength degradation are often measured to monitor and characterize the effects of damage accumulation in bone. Based on evidence that these properties could be affected by not only damage magnitude but also test conditions, the present study investigated the effect of hold condition and recovery time on measures of tensile damage. Machined human femoral cortical bone specimens were subjected to tensile tests consisting of a pre-damage diagnostic loading cycle, a damage loading cycle and post-damage cycle. Controlled variables were recovery time (1, 10, and 100min) and hold condition (zero load or zero strain) after the damage cycle. Damage measures were calculated as the ratio of each post-damage cycle to the pre-damage value for loading modulus, secant modulus, unloading modulus, stress relaxation and strain (stress) recovery at 1min post-diagnostic time. The damage cycle caused reductions in all measures, and some measures varied with recovery time and hold condition. Apparent modulus degradation for both hold conditions decreased with recovery time. Stress relaxation was unaffected by recovery time for both hold conditions. Zero-strain hold conditions resulted in lower values for degradation of modulus and change of relaxation. Stress or strain recovery after the damage cycle was evident through 100min, but 90% of the recovery occurred within 10min. The results demonstrate that choice of test conditions can influence the apparent magnitude of damage effects. They also indicate that 10min recovery time was sufficient to stabilize most measures of the damage state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Considering effects of physiological factors in failure of total hip arthroplasty, a numerical procedure was implemented for the three-dimesional (3D) shape optimization of femoral component of total hip replacements on the basis of remodeling objective functions. Design variables are the shape parameters, which define the femoral component geometry. The 3D design model was incorporated with 3D finite element analysis and a numerical optimization procedure. The main optimization goal was to reduce the potential for change of the bone morphology and to keep it close to the normal condition of an intact femur, by changing the geometry of the implant. Both local and global remodeling goals were examined. The results suggest a much more slender implant than is normally used would be required to minimize the remodeling potential. The results also demonstrated that the outcomes are indeed sensitive to whether the remodeling goal is treated as local or global. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of a mastoid subperiosteal abscess has traditionally required mastoidectomy. With the improvement of antibiotic therapy current literature supports the treatment of uncomplicated acute mastoiditis with myringotomy and intravenous antibiotics. Treatment of a mastoid subperiosteal abscess with tympanostomy tube insertion, intravenous antibiotics, and postauricular incision and drainage of the abscess avoids the morbidity and potential complications of mastoid surgery in young children. Three patients diagnosed with a mastoid subperiosteal abscess were managed in this way. The outcome of their treatment has been documented with lengthy otologic follow-up. Complete resolution of the acute infectious process was achieved in all cases with no evidence of recurrent disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

(1) The demographic behaviour of two Viola species (V. fimbriatula and V. lanceolata) from open clearings is reported and compared with that of three woodland species. (2) Measurements were made of the size of the seedbank in the soil, germination, number and growth of seedlings numbers of pre-reproductive and reproductive ramets, and fecundity over five years. Seedling growth seed weight and number leaf production and grazing losses and investment in reproductive structures were also studied. (3) Seed banks of the clearing species were larger by a factor of five than those of the forest species. All showed plasticity in many characteristics but the clearing species produced more seeds per plant and lighter seeds. Clearing species grew faster than forest species. Irrespective of habitat, rhizomatous species produced more seed than stoloniferous species. (4) Conclusions are drawn from the entire series of papers Viola populations appear to be demographically unstable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study describe the epidemiology of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) among infants born during 1974 to upstate New York residents. Birth certificate characteristics for 184 SIDS cases are compared with those of 417 infants dying from other causes in the same age range. 7-365 days, The results confirm the following as infant risk factors: fall or winter birth, low birthweight for gestational age, twin birth, and live birth order three or more. Maternal risk factors include: age under 20, abnormal uterine bleeding during pregnancy, late initiation of prenatal care, < 12 years of education and single marital status. The increased risk for mothers who first gave birth in their teens and for second-born twins has not been previously reported. The evidence that SIDS babies are small for gestational age, that twins, especially the second born. and babies whose mothers experienced abnormal uterine bleeding during pregnancy are all at increased risk of SIDS suggests that perinatal stress leading to hypoxia, is one of the components that determine the risk of SIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite preclinical success, monotherapies targeting EGFR or cyclin D1-CDK4/6 in Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have shown a limited clinical outcome. Here, we aimed to determine the combined effect of palbociclib (CDK4/6) and afatinib (panEGFR) inhibitors as an effective strategy to target HNSCC. Using TCGA-HNSCC co-expression analysis, we found that patients with high EGFR and cyclin D1 expression showed enrichment of gene clusters associated with cell-growth, glycolysis, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition processes. Phosphorylated S6 (p-S6), a downstream effector of EGFR and cyclin D1-CDK4/6 signalling, showed a progressive increase from normal oral tissues to leukoplakia and frank malignancy, and associated with poor outcome of the patients. This increased p-S6 expression was drastically reduced after combination treatment with afatinib and palbociclib in the cell lines and mouse models, suggesting its utiliy as a prognostic marker in HNSCC. Combination treatment also reduced the cell growth and induced cell senescence via increasing reactive oxygen species with concurrent ablation of glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Finally, our findings in sub-cutaneous and genetically engineered mouse model (K14-CreERtam;LSL-KrasG12D/+;Trp53R172H/+) studies showed a significant reduction in the tumor growth and delayed tumor progression after combination treatment. This study collectively demonstrates that dual targeting may be a critical therapeutic strategy in blocking tumor progression via inducing metabolic alteration and warrants clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African Americans (AA) with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) have a worse disease prognosis than White patients despite adjusting for socio-economic factors, suggesting the potential biological contribution. Therefore, we investigated the genomic and immunological components that drive the differential tumor biology among race. We utilized the cancer genome atlas and cancer digital archive of HNSCC patients (1992-2013) for our study. We found that AA patients with HNSCC had a higher frequency of mutation compared to Whites in the key driver genes-P53, FAT1, CASP8 and HRAS. AA tumors also exhibited lower intratumoral infiltration of effector immune cells (CD8+, γδT, resting memory CD4+ and activated memory CD4+ T cells) with shorter survival than Whites. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes demonstrated distinct gene clusters between AA and White patients with unique signaling pathway enrichments. Connectivity map analysis identified drugs (Neratinib and Selumetinib) that target aberrant PI3K/RAS/MEK signaling and may reduce racial disparity in therapy response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Resource drilling was undertaken over the Tampia Gold Project, Western Australia. • Resource and mineral potential models were also developed over the project area. • The ability of both models to predict mineralisation in a 10 × 10 m grid was tested. • Using the mineral potential model to build domains improved the resource model. A 3D mineral potential model was developed for the Tampia Gold Project in Western Australia to help constrain resource estimation, understand the distribution of gold grades from the resource estimation techniques with respect to geological and physiochemical continuity, and predict the location of new gold mineralisation for future exploration drilling to expand the gold resource at Tampia. The 3D mineral potential model was generated using predictive maps based on a local granulite-facies orogenic gold mineral system model. These were generated from regional scale data and data collected during a 40 m by 40 m resource drilling programme, and included lithology, structure, rock property data and geochemical data. The predictive capacity of each map was tested for the spatial correlation with training data from high grade gold drill intersections, using the weights of evidence technique. There were 44 predictive maps created that can be used as proxies to map the physical and chemical processes active in the orogenic mineral system at Tampia. Of these, 11 were chosen for the final model that had the highest spatial correlation with the training data and did not duplicate map patterns. A closely spaced infill drilling programme was subsequently undertaken over an area where the post probability results indicated high and continuous probability for gold mineralisation, while the resource model estimated less continuous and lower grade gold mineralisation. This infill drilling aimed to compare the gold continuity at a 10 m by 10 m drill spacing with the resource estimate gold grades and post probability distribution developed from 40 m by 40 m spaced resource drilling. The results from the 10 m by 10 m spaced drilling were thereby used to test the performance of both the resource and prospectivity models, and assess the utility of mineral potential modelling for use in developing geological domains to constrain resource estimation. Results from the first phase of infill drilling, which only covers 4% of the total model area, confirm the continuity of the post probability values and suggests that the mineral potential model predicts the location and distribution of gold mineralisation within the area drilled. The results were also better and more continuous than predicted by the resource estimate. Importantly, these results confirm that geological and physiochemical controls on gold mineralisation can be numerically measured and mapped at the scale of an orebody. This allows mineral potential modelling to be considered as an option to constrain and help inform the results of geostatistical techniques used in resource estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer, with high morbidity and mortality. Racial disparity in HNSCC is observed between African Americans (AAs) and whites, effecting both overall and 5-year survival, with worse prognosis for AAs. In addition to socio-economic status and demographic factors, many epidemiological studies have also identified factors including coexisting human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, primary tumor location, and a variety of somatic mutations that contribute to the prognostic incongruities in HNSCC patients among AAs and whites. Recent research also suggests HPV-induced dysregulation of tumor metabolism and immune microenvironment as the major regulators of HNSCC patient prognosis. Outcomes of several preclinical and clinical studies on targeted therapeutics warrant the need to elucidate the inherent mechanistic and population-based disparities underlying patient responses. This review systematically reports the underlying reasons for inconsistency in disease prognosis and therapy responses among HNSCC patients from different racial populations. The focus of this review is twofold: aside from discussing the causes of racial disparity, we also seek to identify the consequences of such disparity in terms of HPV infection and its associated mutational, metabolic, and immune landscapes. Considering the clinical impact of differential patient outcomes among AA and white populations, understanding the underlying cause of this disparity may pave the way for novel precision therapy for HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the USA and around the world. Although the current synthetic inhibitors used in targeted therapies have improved patient prognosis, toxicity and development of resistance to these agents remain a challenge. Plant-derived natural products and their derivatives have historically been used to treat various diseases, including cancer. Several leading chemotherapeutic agents are directly or indirectly based on botanical natural products. Beyond these important drugs, however, a number of crude herbal or botanical preparations have also shown promising utility for cancer and other disorders. One such natural resource is derived from certain plants of the family Annonaceae, which are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Among the best known of these is Annona muricata, also known as soursop, graviola or guanabana. Extracts from the fruit, bark, seeds, roots and leaves of graviola, along with several other Annonaceous species, have been extensively investigated for anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Phytochemical studies have identified the acetogenins, a class of bioactive polyketide-derived constituents, from the extracts of Annonaceous species, and dozens of these compounds are present in different parts of graviola. This review summarizes current literature on the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanism of these constituents from A.muricata against cancer and many non-malignant diseases. Based on available data, there is good evidence that these long-used plants could have both chemopreventive and therapeutic potential. Appropriate attention to safety studies will be important to assess their effectiveness on various diseases caused or promoted by inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is commonly performed for childhood OSA syndrome (OSAS), but little is known about prognosis without treatment.Methods: The Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT) randomized 50% of eligible children with OSAS to a control arm (watchful waiting), with 7-month follow-up symptom inventories, physical examinations, and polysomnography. Polysomnographic and symptomatic resolution were defined respectively by an apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) <2 and obstructive apnea index (OAI) <1 and by an OSAS symptom score (Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire [PSQ]) < 0.33 with ≥ 25% improvement from baseline.Results: After 194 children aged 5 to 9 years underwent 7 months of watchful waiting, 82 (42%) no longer met polysomnographic criteria for OSAS. Baseline predictors of resolution included lower AHI, better oxygen saturation, smaller waist circumference or percentile, higher-positioned soft palate, smaller neck circumference, and non-black race (each P < .05). Among these, the independent predictors were lower AHI and waist circumference percentile < 90%. Among 167 children with baseline PSQ scores ≥ 0.33, only 25 (15%) experienced symptomatic resolution. Baseline predictors were low PSQ and PSQ snoring subscale scores; absence of habitual snoring, loud snoring, observed apneas, or a household smoker; higher quality of life; fewer attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms; and female sex. Only lower PSQ and snoring scores were independent predictors.Conclusions: Many candidates for AT no longer have OSAS on polysomnography after 7 months of watchful waiting, whereas meaningful improvement in symptoms is not common. In practice, a baseline low AHI and normal waist circumference, or low PSQ and snoring score, may help identify an opportunity to avoid AT.Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00560859; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial dysfunction, due to mutations of the gene encoding succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), has been implicated in the development of adrenal phaeochromocytomas, sympathetic and parasympathetic paragangliomas, renal cell carcinomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumours and more recently pituitary tumours. Underlying mechanisms behind germline SDH subunit B (SDHB) mutations and their associated risk of disease are not clear. To investigate genotype-phenotype correlation of SDH subunit B (SDHB) variants, a homology model for human SDH was developed from a crystallographic structure. SDHB mutations were mapped, and biochemical effects of these mutations were predicted in silico. Results of structural modelling indicated that many mutations within SDHB are predicted to cause either failure of functional SDHB expression (p.Arg27*, p.Arg90*, c.88delC and c.311delAinsGG), or disruption of the electron path (p.Cys101Tyr, p.Pro197Arg and p.Arg242His). GFP-tagged WT SDHB and mutant SDHB constructs were transfected (HEK293) to determine biological outcomes of these mutants in vitro. According to in silico predictions, specific SDHB mutations resulted in impaired mitochondrial localisation and/or SDH enzymatic activity. These results indicated strong genotype-functional correlation for SDHB variants. This study reveals new insights into the effects of SDHB mutations and the power of structural modelling in predicting biological consequences. We predict that our functional assessment of SDHB mutations will serve to better define specific consequences for SDH activity as well as to provide a much needed assay to distinguish pathogenic mutations from benign variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high precision photometry of Kepler-41, a giant planet in a 1.86 day orbit around a G6V star that was recently confirmed through radial velocity measurements.We have developed a new method to confirm giant planets solely from the photometric light curve, and we apply this method herein to Kepler-41 to establish the validity of this technique.We generate a full phase photometric model by including the primary and secondary transits, ellipsoidal variations, Doppler beaming, and reflected/emitted light from the planet. Third light contamination scenarios that can mimic a planetary transit signal are simulated by injecting a full range of dilution values into the model, and we re-fit each diluted light curve model to the light curve. The resulting constraints on the maximum occultation depth and stellar density combined with stellar evolution models rules out stellar blends and provides a measurement of the planet's mass, size, and temperature. We expect about two dozen Kepler giant planets can be confirmed via this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To review the characteristic microbiology of the paranasal sinuses in patients with cystic fibrosis who undergo endoscopic sinus surgery. To examine the subtypes of organisms cultured from the maxillary sinuses and determine their sensitivity to antibiotic therapy. Study design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertiary care children''s hospital. Methods: Sinus cultures were obtained from 51 patients with cystic fibrosis during endoscopic sinus procedures between 2000 and 2004 at a tertiary care children''s hospital. A retrospective chart review was undertaken to obtain culture and sensitivity data of the sinus contents. Results: The most common bacteria isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (71%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA) (27%), Haemophilus influenzae (21%), Staphylococcus non-aureus (16%) and Streptococcus viridans (12%). Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis were rarely isolated (2% and 0% respectively). Twenty-nine percent of the patients with cultures positive for PSA were of the mucoid variant. Only one patient had culture positive Escherichia coli. Antibiotic resistance among the more common organisms cultured from the sinus samples is also listed. Conclusion: Staph. aureus is the most common isolate in the sinuses of this pediatric CF population followed by P. aeruginosa and H. influenzae. Although many isolates are pansensitive, some isolates are panresistant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of endoscopic management of subglottic stenosis both as a primary and as an adjunctive treatment in the pediatric population. Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric patients with subglottic stenosis undergoing endoscopic airway procedures at a tertiary care pediatric medical center. Outcomes were assessed by systematic review to determine the success and failure of the endoscopic approach. Results: Forty patients (22 male, 18 female) underwent endoscopic interventions for a diagnosis of subglottic airway stenosis between 2003 and 2006. Age ranged from 22 days old to 20 years old. Recorded degree of subglottic stenosis ranged from 10% to 99%. Fifty-three percent (21/40) had a history of prematurity, and 40% (16/40) had secondary airway diagnoses. Twenty-four patients underwent an endoscopic intervention initially (including laser or dilation, with or without topical mitomycin treatment), including four patients who underwent tracheostomy prior to the first endoscopic intervention. Sixteen underwent laryngotracheoplasty initially, including ten patients who underwent tracheostomy prior to the laryngotracheoplasty. Endoscopic treatment resulted in resolution of symptoms, and/or decannulation, and no further need for an open procedure in 58% of patients. Of the 24 patients undergoing endoscopic interventions initially, 14 patients underwent two or more endoscopic interventions, and 10 patients subsequently required tracheostomy or laryngotracheoplasty. When endoscopic procedures were used as an adjunct to laryngotracheoplasty, 60% (12/20) had resolution of symptoms, underwent decannulation, and did not require tracheostomy or revision laryngotracheoplasty. Conclusions: The endoscopic approach can be successful in the management of properly selected patients with subglottic stenosis, either as the initial treatment modality or as an adjunctive treatment in cases of re-stenosis after open airway surgery. The likelihood of success with a minimally invasive procedure as the primary treatment decreases with worsening initial grade of subglottic stenosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

DELLA proteins are nuclear-localized negative regulators of gibberellin signaling found ubiquitously throughout higher plants. Dominant dwarfing mutations of DELLA proteins have been primarily responsible for the dramatic increases in harvest index of the ‘green revolution’. Maize contains two genetic loci encoding DELLA proteins, dwarf plant8 (d8) and dwarf plant 9 (d9). The d8 gene and three of its dominant dwarfing alleles have been previously characterized at the molecular level. Almost 20 years after the initial description of the mutant, this investigation represents the first molecular characterization of d9 and its gibberellin-insensitive mutant, D9-1. We have molecularly, subcellularly and phenotypically characterized the gene products of five maize DELLA alleles in transgenic Arabidopsis. In dissecting the molecular differences in D9-1, a critical residue for normal DELLA function has been uncovered, corresponding to E600 of the D9 protein. The gibberellin-insensitive D9-1 was found to produce dwarfing and, notably, earlier flowering in Arabidopsis. Conversely, overexpression of the D9-1 allele delayed flowering in transgenic maize, while overexpression of the d9 allele led to earlier flowering. These results corroborate findings that DELLA proteins are at the crux of many plant developmental pathways and suggest differing mechanisms of flowering time control by DELLAs in maize and Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Probabilistic analyses allow the effect of uncertainty in system parameters on predicted model performance measures to be determined. Furthermore, using performance functions to describe a failure event, the probability of failure can be quantified. The effect of three-dimensional prosthesis shape optimization on the probabilistic response and failure probability of a cemented hip prosthesis system is investigated. Random variables include joint and muscle loading, cortical and cancellous bone and PMMA bone cement elastic properties, and strength parameters describing failure of the bone cement and the prosthesis–bone cement interface. Several performance functions describing the bone cement and prosthesis–cement interface are used to compute the probability of failure. When evaluated deterministically, most performance functions indicated a safe design, with the exception of interface tensile failure. However, when evaluated probabilistically, finite probabilities of failure were computed, some significant. The most likely mode of failure before shape optimization was prosthesis–bone cement interface tensile failure with a predicted probability of failure of 97.9%. Deterministic prosthesis shape optimization reduced the probability of failure for all performance functions and reduced prosthesis–bone cement interface tensile failure by 31.7%. Probability sensitivity factors indicate that the uncertainty in the joint loading, cement strength, and implant–cement interface strength have the greatest effect on the computed probability of failure. Implant shape optimization results in a more robust implant design that is less sensitive to uncertainties in joint loading, which cannot be easily controlled, and more sensitive to cement and interface properties, which are easier to modify. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. To endeavor to explain why some graduates of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy develop sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) whereas others do not, to study the variability seen in the degree of SNHL, to attempt to explain why some graduates with SNHL experience progressive worsening whereas others do not, and to describe the time course of the onset of SNHL on the basis of identified risk factors. Design. A retrospective chart review with proportional-hazards regression analysis to identify specific risk factors for SNHL from a list of patient and treatment variables. Setting. Children's Hospital Boston, a pediatric tertiary-care facility and ECMO center. Patients. Neonatal ECMO graduates born in 1986 - 1994 who survived to discharge and underwent audiologic evaluations (n = 111) and a random sample of ECMO graduates who survived to discharge and did not undergo audiologic evaluations (n = 30). Outcome Measures. Audiologic data, including the presence or absence of SNHL, the severity of SNHL at the most recent evaluation, the stability or progressive worsening of hearing (with the first evaluation compared with the most recent evaluation), and the occurrence of delayed-onset SNHL. Results. Twenty-nine (26%) of 111 ECMO graduates who underwent audiologic testing had SNHL at the last evaluation. Of these 29 subjects with SNHL, 21 (72%) had progressive SNHL, of whom 14 (48%) had delayed-onset SNHL. The age of identification of SNHL ranged from 4 months to 8 years 11 months. Factors identified with proportional-hazards regression analyses as being associated significantly with the time to onset of SNHL were a primary diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (hazard ratio: 2.60), length of ECMO therapy (hazard ratio: 7.18), and number of days children received aminoglycoside antibiotics (hazard ratio: 5.56). Kaplan-Meier "time-to-event" curves were constructed to illustrate the time course of onset of SNHL... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies have reported that young women with breast cancer face increased risk of early mortality if their first child was male rather than female. An immunological mechanism has been suggested. We sought to confirm these results in a larger, historical cohort study of 223 parous women who were aged <45 years at breast cancer diagnosis during 1983–1987. Subjects were identified through the Maine Cancer Registry. Follow-up data were obtained from hospitals, physicians, and death certificates. Reproductive history data were obtained from the next of kin of the deceased women, birth certificates, physicians, hospitals, and lastly, subjects. With a 7-year follow-up, multivariate modeling found a lower mortality risk in women with a male first child (hazard ratio [HR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.81, log-rank comparison). The survival advantage remained for at least 13 years in women with a male firstborn. Thus, previous studies were not confirmed. Mortality risk in young women with breast cancer is not increased by having borne a male first child rather than a female first child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the health effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins and furans from an electrical transformer fire in Binghamton, New York. Analysis of blood samples; Relationship between serum PCB concentrations and levels of liver enzymes and lipids; Description of aromatic hydrocarbons.

The Kepler Mission was designed to identify and characterize transiting planets in the Kepler Field of View and to determine their occurrence rates. Emphasis was placed on identification of Earth-size planets orbiting in the Habitable Zone of their host stars. Science data were acquired for a period of four years. Long-cadence data with 29.4 min sampling were obtained for ∼200,000 individual stellar targets in at least one observing quarter in the primary Kepler Mission. Light curves for target stars are extracted in the Kepler Science Data Processing Pipeline, and are searched for transiting planet signatures. A Threshold Crossing Event is generated in the transit search for targets where the transit detection threshold is exceeded and transit consistency checks are satisfied. These targets are subjected to further scrutiny in the Data Validation (DV) component of the Pipeline. Transiting planet candidates are characterized in DV, and light curves are searched for additional planets after transit signatures are modeled and removed. A suite of diagnostic tests is performed on all candidates to aid in discrimination between genuine transiting planets and instrumental or astrophysical false positives. Data products are generated per target and planet candidate to document and display transiting planet model fit and diagnostic test results. These products are exported to the Exoplanet Archive at the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, and are available to the community. We describe the DV architecture and diagnostic tests, and provide a brief overview of the data products. Transiting planet modeling and the search for multiple planets on individual targets are described in a companion paper. The final revision of the Kepler Pipeline code base is available to the general public through GitHub. The Kepler Pipeline has also been modified to support the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Mission which is expected to commence in 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the deviations of transit times from a linear ephemeris for the Kepler Objects of Interest (KOI) through quarter six of science data. We conduct two statistical tests for all KOIs and a related statistical test for all pairs of KOIs in multi-transiting systems. These tests identify several systems which show potentially interesting transit timing variations (TTVs). Strong TTV systems have been valuable for the confirmation of planets and their mass measurements. Many of the systems identified in this study should prove fruitful for detailed TTV studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]