Numerical Solution of Differential Equations by the Parker-Sochacki Method

A tutorial is presented which demonstrates the theory and usage of the Parker-Sochacki method of numerically solving systems of differential equations. Solutions are demonstrated for the case of projectile motion in air, and for the classical Newtonian N-body problem with mutual gravitational attraction.Comment: Added in July 2010: This tutorial has been posted since 1998 on a university web site, but has now been cited and praised in one or more refereed journals. I am therefore submitting it to the Cornell arXiv so that it may be read in response to its citations. See "Spiking neural network simulation: numerical integration with the Parker-Sochacki method:" J. Comput Neurosci, Robert D. Stewart & Wyeth Bair and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2717378

PROviding Better ACcess To ORgans: A comprehensive overview of organ‐access initiatives from the ASTS PROACTOR Task Force

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138905/1/ajt14441_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138905/2/ajt14441.pd

Microsatellite Markers for Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers are reported for 68 nuclear-encoded microsatellites developed during the past several years from genomic libraries of red drum (Sciaenops ocelwtus). All68 microsatellites were tested for reproducibility and polymorphism on a sample of five to 12 red drum; 60 of the microsatellites were found to be polymorphic. Estimates of observed and expected heterozygos- ity (gene diversity) and tests of conformity of genotypes to Hardy-Weinberg equi- librium were carried out for a subset of 31 microsatellites on a larger sample of 45 adults provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Levels of allelic and gene diversity were average relative to values observed for marine and anadromous fishes. The set of genetic markers should be useful for a variety of studies, including moni- toring and assessment of red drum stock enhancement

Investigation of the Role of TNF-α Converting Enzyme (TACE) in the Inhibition of Cell Surface and Soluble TNF-α Production by Acute Ethanol Exposure

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a fundamental role in the immune system by detecting pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) to sense host infection. Ethanol at doses relevant for humans inhibits the pathogen induced cytokine response mediated through TLRs. The current study was designed to investigate the mechanisms of this effect by determining whether ethanol inhibits TLR3 and TLR4 mediated TNF-α secretion through inhibition of transcription factor activation or post-transcriptional effects. In NF-κB reporter mice, activation of NF-κB in vivo by LPS was inhibited by ethanol (LPS alone yielded 170,000±35,300 arbitrary units of light emission; LPS plus ethanol yielded 56,120±16880, p = 0.04). Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide revealed that poly I:C- or LPS-induced secreted TNF-α is synthesized de novo, not released from cellular stores. Using real time RT-PCR, we found inhibition of LPS and poly I:C induced TNF-α gene transcription by ethanol. Using an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme (TACE), we found that shedding caused by TACE is a prerequisite for TNF-α release after pathogen challenge. Flow cytometry was used to investigate if ethanol decreases TNF-α secretion by inhibition of TACE. In cells treated with LPS, ethanol decreased both TNF-α cell surface expression and secretion. For example, 4.69±0.60% of untreated cells were positive for cell surface TNF-α, LPS increased this to 25.18±0.85%, which was inhibited by ethanol (86.8 mM) to 14.29±0.39% and increased by a TACE inhibitor to 57.88±0.62%. In contrast, cells treated with poly I:C had decreased secretion of TNF-α but not cell surface expression. There was some evidence for inhibition of TACE by ethanol in the case of LPS, but decreased TNF-α gene expression seems to be the major mechanism of ethanol action in this system

Communication Gaps Associated With Donor‐Derived Infections

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109830/1/ajt12978.pd

Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Transplantation: A Global Initiative to Develop a Core Outcome Set for Trials in Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Although advances in treatment have dramatically improved short-term graft survival and acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients, long-term graft outcomes have not substantially improved. Transplant recipients also have a considerably increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and infection, which all contribute to appreciable morbidity and premature mortality. Many trials in kidney transplantation are short-term, frequently use unvalidated surrogate endpoints, outcomes of uncertain relevance to patients and clinicians, and do not consistently measure and report key outcomes like death, graft loss, graft function, and adverse effects of therapy. This diminishes the value of trials in supporting treatment decisions that require individual-level multiple tradeoffs between graft survival and the risk of side effects, adverse events, and mortality. The Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Transplantation initiative aims to develop a core outcome set for trials in kidney transplantation that is based on the shared priorities of all stakeholders. METHODS: This will include a systematic review to identify outcomes reported in randomized trials, a Delphi survey with an international multistakeholder panel (patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, members from industry) to develop a consensus-based prioritized list of outcome domains and a consensus workshop to review and finalize the core outcome set for trials in kidney transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Developing and implementing a core outcome set to be reported, at a minimum, in all kidney transplantation trials will improve the transparency, quality, and relevance of research; to enable kidney transplant recipients and their clinicians to make better-informed treatment decisions for improved patient outcomes

Impact of Virologic Breakthrough and HBIG Regimen on Hepatitis B Recurrence After Liver Transplantation

The availability of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and several oral antiviral therapies has reduced but not eliminated hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence. We aimed to determine the rate of HBV recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in relation to virologic breakthrough pre-OLT and HBIG regimens post-OLT. Data from the NIH HBV-OLT database were analyzed. A total of 183 patients transplanted between 2001 and 2007 followed for a median of 42 months (range 1–81) post-OLT were studied. At transplant, 29% were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (+), 38.5% had HBV DNA > 5 log 10 copies/mL, 74% were receiving antiviral therapy. Twenty-five patients experienced virologic breakthrough before OLT. Post-OLT, 26%, 22%, 40% and 12% of patients received intravenous (IV) high-dose, IV low-dose, intramuscular low-dose and a finite duration of HBIG, respectively as maintenance prophylaxis. All but two patients also received antiviral therapy. Cumulative rates of HBV recurrence at 1 and 5 years were 3% and 9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that listing HBeAg status and HBV DNA level at OLT were the only factors associated with HBV recurrence. In conclusion, low rates of HBV recurrence can be accomplished with all the HBIG regimens used when combined with antiviral therapy including patients with breakthrough pre-OLT as long as rescue therapy is administered pre- and post-OLT.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79358/1/j.1600-6143.2010.03046.x.pd