We observed an alteration in cellular morphology and a decrease in membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells after treatment with EGCG or Zn(2+). The proportion of EGCG incorporated into ALK inhibitor liposomes treated with the mixture of EGCG and Zn(2+) at the ratio of 1:1 was 90.57%, which was significantly higher than that treated with EGCG alone (30.33%). Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies and

determination of fatty acids showed that the effects of EGCG on the membrane fluidity of LNCaP were decreased by Zn(2+). EGCG accelerated the accumulation of zinc in the mitochondria and cytosol as observed by atomic absorption spectrometer.

These results show that EGCG interacted with cell membrane, decreased the membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells, and accelerated zinc accumulation in the mitochondria and cytosol, which could be the mechanism by which EGCG inhibits proliferation of LNCaP cells. In addition, high concentrations of Zn(2+) could attenuate the actions elicited by EGCG.”
“Study Design. Retrospective case study of 13 primary malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) ofthe spine.

Objective. To analyze the clinic, S3I-201 clinical trial radiologic, histologic, and prognostic features of 13 cases with the MFH of the spine.

Summary of Background

Data. MFH, a soft tissue sarcoma, rarely occurs at the spine. Only sporadical cases have been reported in the English literature concerning the clinical and prognostic features of the primary MFH at the spine.

Methods. Between January 1999 and December 2006, 13 cases with

primary MFH of the spine were treated in the authors’ spine center. Clinical history, radiographic, see more surgery resection, and pathologic features were recorded. The patients were followed up regarding their local recurrence and survivals. The 17 cases with primary MFH at the spine in the literature were reviewed.

Results. Paraspinal or epidural mass at multiple spinal levels developed in 11 cases, with osteolytic destruction in all 13 cases. The tumor size averaged on 10.4 cm in greatest dimension. Metastases occurred in 10 of 13 cases. Compared with the 14 +/- 0.60-months median survival of the debulking surgeries in seven cases, the median survival of the en bloc resection in six cases was 25 +/- 6.12 months (P = 0.009). The median survival was 8.7 months in 10 cases of the literature group, with 30% 1-year survival and 6.7% 2-year survival, respectively; while the median survival was 18.0 months in the authors’ series, with 92.3% 1-year survival and 38.5% 2-year survival, respectively. The 5-year survival was between 25% and 69% in the extremities of MFH, but it was 28% in the head and neck and 26.7% in the abdominal cavity, compared with 7.7% in the spine in the authors’ series.

Conclusion. The MFH of the spine tends to extensively invade paraspinal structures at multiple spinal levels, with aggressive osteolytic destruction in the vertebrae, resulting to local huge mass, radiculopathy, and myelopathy.

0001). SF-36 scores varied by indicators of clinical severity, with greater impairment observed for more severe degrees of clinical activity (all p < 0.0001). FACIT-Fatigue scores correlated significantly with SF-36 scores (r = 0.42 to 0.74; all p < 0.0001) and varied by clinical severity (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The SF-36 is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure

of health-related quality of life and the FACIT-Fatigue is a brief and psychometrically sound measure of the effects of fatigue on patients with AS. These PROs may be useful in evaluating effectiveness of new treatments for AS.”
“Until recently, the last common ancestor of African apes and humans was presumed to resemble living chimpanzees and bonobos. This was frequently extended to their locomotor pattern leading to the presumption that knuckle-walking was a likely ancestral pattern, requiring bipedality buy GSK2399872A to have emerged as a modification of their bent-hip-bent-knee gait used during erect walking. Research on the development and anatomy of the vertebral column, coupled with new revelations find more from

the fossil record (in particular, Ardipithecus ramidus), now demonstrate that these presumptions have been in error. Reassessment of the potential pathway to early hominid bipedality now reveals an entirely novel sequence of likely morphological events leading to the emergence of upright walking.”
“The risk of recurrent ischemic stroke after presumed perinatal stroke and the risk factors for such recurrence are rarely reported. Here, we present an adolescent with a history of presumed perinatal stroke who presented with arterial ischemic stroke recurrence at the age of 15 years. Hereditary thrombophilia

screening performed at the time Pexidartinib of his stroke recurrence demonstrated protein S deficiency. No evidence-based consensus guidelines on thrombophilia screening in children with presumed perinatal stroke exist, nor has the role of secondary prophylaxis been addressed. There is a risk of stroke recurrence after presumed perinatal stroke, and routine thrombophilia screening may identify those children who are at higher risk for recurrence and who might therefore benefit from secondary prophylaxis. Clear guidelines should be developed to standardize investigations and management of children with presumed perinatal ischemic stroke.”
“The case of a 32-year-old Caucasian female with multi-drug resistant HIV-1 subtype B infection treated with a salvage regimen including maraviroc, raltegravir, etravirine and unboosted saquinavir who started atovaquone/ proguanil prophylaxis, is reported. The potential interactions between atovaquone/proguanil and these anti-retroviral drugs are investigated. Pharmacokinetic analyses documented a marked increase in etravirine and saquinavir plasma concentrations (+55% and +274%, respectively), but not in raltegravir and maraviroc plasma concentrations.

(Obstet Gynecol 2012;119:472-5) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31822da6a4″
“Unintentional

injury accounts for 40 percent of childhood deaths annually, most commonly from motor vehicle crashes. The proper use of child restraints is the most effective strategy to prevent injury or death. Motor vehicle restraint guidelines have recently been revised to an age-based system that delays the progression in type of restraint GSI-IX clinical trial for most children. Strategies to prevent suffocation in children include using appropriate bedding, positioning babies on their backs to sleep, and removing items from the sleep and play environment that could potentially entrap or entangle the child. Fencing that isolates a swimming pool from the yard and surrounding area and “”touch”" adult supervision (i.e., an adult is in the water and able to reach and grab a child) have been shown to be most effective in preventing drownings. Swimming lessons are recommended for children older than four years. Poison prevention STA-9090 price programs have been shown to improve prevention behavior among caregivers, but may not decrease poisoning incidence. Syrup of ipecac is not recommended. Smoke detector maintenance, a home escape plan, and educating children about how to respond during a fire emergency are effective strategies for preventing fire injuries or death. Fall injuries

may be reduced by not using walkers for infants and toddlers or bunk beds for children six years and younger. Consistent helmet use while bicycling reduces head and brain injuries. Although direct counseling by physicians appears to improve some parental safety behaviors, its effect on reducing childhood injuries is uncertain. Community-based interventions can be effective in high-risk populations. (Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(7):502-509. Copyright (c) 2013 American Academy of Family Physicians.)”
“The use of staplers for thoracic

surgery has been widely accepted and regarded as a AZD1480 concentration safe procedure. However, adverse events (AEs) of stapling are occasionally experienced. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the AEs of stapling in pulmonary vascular surgery.

A retrospective multi-institutional review was conducted by the 29 institutions of the Central Japan Lung Cancer Surgery Study Group. All staplings of the pulmonary artery (PA) and vein in thoracic surgery were reviewed during the research period.

Stapling of the PA and vein was performed 3393 times. The total number of AEs related to stapling was nine (0.27%). Eight events occurred intraoperatively and one occurred immediately after the operation. Intraoperative AE occurred more frequently than postoperative AE. AE in the PA occurred more frequently than in the pulmonary vein. The intraoperative AEs were oozing (n = 3), stapling failure (n = 2), laceration of the peripheral vasculature at compression (n = 2) and technical injury of the vasculature at insertion (n = 1).

This finding assists the beekeeper in formulating precise product descriptions for communication and creation Selisistat in vivo of recognition of the products sensory uniqueness in their promotion strategy of the honeys towards the consumers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose The aims of this study were to compare the usefulness and reliability of integrated whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

with those of contrast-enhanced multidetector CT during regular follow-up in patients after initial treatment of ovarian cancer, to assess the impact of FDG-PET/CT on the confirmation of recurrence, restaging, and clinical management of patients, and to determine the incremental information provided by PET/CT.

Methods A retrospective review was performed on 19 ovarian cancer patients who underwent a total of 30 FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT scans. The following information was obtained: the clinical information of the patients; the results of FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT, particularly with regard to the impact on the diagnosis

of recurrence; information on the localization and number of diseases; and the impact on subsequent clinical management.

Results Both FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT had very high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of recurrent ovarian cancer. Contrast-enhanced multidetector CT was considered the more accurate imaging modality for detecting recurrence, whereas FDG-PET/CT check details was proven more effective for detecting large numbers of small lesions. When comparing the impact on the choice of a management plan, both FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT were found to be significantly effective at predicting the locations of recurrence.

Conclusions Both integrated FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT are sensitive surveillance modalities for the detection of recurrent ovarian cancer; the use of both modalities aids decisions on treatment plans and may ultimately have a favorable impact on prognosis. However, contrast-enhanced

multidetector CT is recommended for the regular follow-up for ovarian cancer patients after initial treatment.”
“BACKGROUND: It is a matter of great importance in a donation LB-100 order after cardiac death to attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) related to the inevitable warm ischemic time.

METHODS: Donor dogs were rendered cardiac-dead and left at room temperature. The dogs were allocated into 2 groups: the beta-2 group (n = 5) received an aerosolized beta-2 adrenoreceptor agonist (procaterol, 350 mu g) and ventilation with 100% oxygen for 60 minutes starting at 240 minutes after cardiac arrest, and the control group (n = 6) received an aerosolized control solvent with the ventilation. Lungs were recovered 300 minutes after cardiac arrest.

There seems to be ample room for improvement in implementing the guidelines. Probably, patient tailored interventions and a multisiciplinary and multimodality approach can support this improvement. Journal of Human Hypertension (2010) 24, 561-567; doi:10.1038/jhh.2010.26; published online 15 April 2010″
“We investigate the electronic properties of semimetallic (12,0) carbon nanotubes in the presence of a variety of monovacancy, divacancy, and hexavacancy defects, by using first principle density functional theory combined buy DAPT with nonequilibrium Green’s function technique. We show that defect states related to the vacancies hybridize with the extended states of the nanotubes to modify the band

edge, and change the energy gap. As a consequence, the nanotube conductance is not a monotonic function of the defect size and geometry. Paradoxically, tetravacancy and hexavacancy nanotubes have higher conductance than divacancy nanotubes, which is due to the presence of midgap states originating from the defect, thereby enhancing the conductance. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3573782]“
“Consumption Z-VAD-FMK clinical trial of flavanol-containing cocoa products has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP), but the minimum dose required to reduce BP is not known. This study aimed to examine the effect of three different doses of cocoa flavanols (CF) on 24-h mean arterial BP. Twenty four hour

ambulatory BP (24-ABP) monitoring was performed in 32 men and 20 postmenopausal women with untreated mild hypertension (seated clinic BP >130/85 and <160/100 mm Hg). Participants were randomized and instructed to consume daily a reconstituted cocoa beverage containing 33, 372, 712 or 1052 mg day(-1) of CF for 6 weeks in a double-blind, parallel comparison. Seated clinic

BP and 24-h ABP were measured at 0, 3 and 6 weeks. Seated clinic BP did not BAY 73-4506 inhibitor change during the study period. There were significant reductions in 24-h systolic (5.3 +/- 5.1 mm Hg; P = 0.001), diastolic (3 +/- 3.2 mm Hg; P = 0.002) and mean arterial BP (3.8 +/- 3.2 mm Hg; P = 0.0004) at the 1052 mg day(-1) CF only. No reduction in BP was seen at any other dose. No evidence of dose-response was seen in this experiment. The highest dose of 1052 mg CF per day was found to significantly lower BP. These results support previous evidence for CF to lower BP, however more research is needed to establish the most effective dose and food matrix. Journal of Human Hypertension (2010) 24, 568-576; doi:10.1038/jhh.2009.105; published online 21 January 2010″
“The structural patterns of periodic cellular materials play an important role in their properties. Here, we investigate how these patterns transform dramatically under external stimuli in simple periodic cellular structures that include a nanotube bundle and a millimeter-size plastic straw bundle.

9-48% and 35.3-40%, respectively. Furthermore, the viscosity of waste frying oil was reduced to the extent of 9.4-12.8%. RF-plasma-treated PES membranes appeared to improve the regeneration of waste frying oils and allow these oils to be used for either repeated frying operations or biodiesel

production. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 3402-3411, Selleck AG-881 2012″
“Objective

To study the accuracy and value of immediate wet preparation (WP) procedure on effusion and washing cytologic specimens.

Study Design

Two hundred specimens were identified over 3 months in our cytology laboratory, including 102 pleural effusion, 9 peritoneal effusion, 28 pelvic see more washing and 11 pericardial fluid specimens. WP slides were prepared, stained with toluidine blue (TB) and evaluated. Findings were reported as negative, suspicious or positive fir malignant cells. For negative specimens, the remaining prepared slides were stained together. For suspicious or positive interpretation,

slides were stained separately. Accuracy and additional benefits from this immediate triage step were studied.

Results

Interpretation of slides resulted in 152 negative, 34 positive and 14 suspicious for malignancy. Analysis for additional values resulted in immediate interpretation relayed to clinicians, additional fluid centrifuged for adequate sediment CBL0137 in vitro in samples with scant cellularity, selection of bloody specimens for acid washing procedures, selection of

cases to optimize cell block preparation when pivotal histologic evaluation or immunohistochemistry was anticipated and selection of cases for potentially needed ancillary studies. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were high.

Conclusion

WP using the TB is accurate, sensitive and highly specific and has considerable value beyond segregating potential neoplastic cases. (Acta Cytol 2009;53:71-76)”
“Although the majority of metastatic ovarian tumors arise within the female genital tract, squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is a rare form of metastases to the bilateral ovaries by endometrial and transtubal spreading.

A 53-year-old woman was referred to the oncology clinic with postmenopausal bleeding. On vaginal examination, a 3 cm tumor arising from the cervix was inspected. Multiple cervical biopsies and endocervical curettage revealed large cell, non-keratinized squamous cell cervix carcinoma. Radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. Bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes were also removed. The final pathology report revealed endometrial, focal myometrial, bilateral tubal mucosal, fimbrial and bilateral ovarian squamous cell carcinoma involvement. Pelvic and para-aortic nodes were free from metastases.

Lameness evaluations were conducted through post-injection hour (PIH) 8 (at which time arthroscopic removal of synovium and articular biopsies was done), and at PIH 240. Arthrocentesis collection of synovial fluid occurred between PIH 0 and 48. An arthroscopic examination at PIH 8 included synovium and articular cartilage biopsies for gene expression analysis.

Results: Synovial fluid analysis indicated that single injections of reIL-1 beta or LPS increased synovial white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil count, total protein, prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) concentrations and general matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity relative to control joints through PIH 8. Injections of either reIL-113 1 beta or LPS increased

mRNA expression for MMP-1 Adavosertib cost and a disintegrin and metalloprotease

with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 in synovium and for MMP-1, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5 Gamma-secretase inhibitor in articular cartilage collected at PIH 8 compared to saline injections.

Conclusion: Injections of reIL-1 beta into equine carpal joints resulted in a transient inflammatory response that was similar in severity to the LPS injection, causing increased expression of certain deleterious mediators in joint tissues at 8 h. Given that IL-1 beta is a known critical mediator of traumatic arthritis and OA, this humane and temporary model may be useful in evaluating therapeutics that act against early stages of joint disease. (C) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Information on contaminant bioaccessibility has been recognized by researchers, legislators and regulators as a decision-support tool for contaminated land assessment and has been subject to interest and discussion at both national and international levels. A sustainable, proportionate and risk-based approach to contaminated land management has been adopted by contaminated land regimes throughout the world. While this approach guides national and international priorities, its practical implementation in many countries, including the United Kingdom, is reliant upon local authorities. Here,

we present an investigation into the views of local authorities in England and Wales regarding the practical application of bioaccessibility Fedratinib and constraints associated with its implementation. The research involved an online survey followed by semi-structured interviews with selected respondents. A majority of survey respondents (70%) perceived bioaccessibility to be a useful tool that facilitates contaminated land management. However, 76% of participants indicated a need for more information regarding bioaccessibility as well as emphasising a need for more research into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Lack of statutory guidance was indicated by 78% of respondents as the main factor hampering the use of bioaccessibility data in regulatory decision-making. Divergence of policy-maker and local regulator perceptions of bioaccessibility was also indicated by the respondents.

Results: 1865 adolescents were AZD0530 included in the analysis. Differences between racial/ethnic groups for rates of preterm delivery,

cesarean delivery and gestational diabetes were statistically significant at p < 0.05. African Americans had lower odds of preterm delivery (OR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.38-0.90]) and gestational diabetes (OR = 0.17, 95% CI [0.05-0.55]) than White adolescents. White adolescents had increased odds of cesarean delivery compared to African-American (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.48-0.98]), Latina (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.41-0.94]) and Asian adolescents (OR = 0.41, 95% CI [0.25-0.68]). Although not statistically significant, White adolescents also had higher odds of low Apgar score. In the multivariate analysis, non-White adolescents continued to have improved outcomes, except in the case of low birth weight.

Conclusions: African-American,

Asian and Latina adolescents may have similar or decreased risk of obstetric complications compared to White adolescents.”
“Purpose of review

To review the current literature of sterile bone inflammation in childhood and to evaluate the evidence for clinical care including diagnostic methods and treatment.

Recent GSI-IX clinical trial findings

Chronic noninfectious osteomyelitis includes several different entities marked by sterile bone inflammation associated with histologic evidence of a predominant neutrophil infiltration in the absence of autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells, some of which are associated with a genetic mutation. Whole body MRI is helpful in detecting asymptomatic lesions. Initial treatment with NSAIDs is usually sufficient to control symptoms as the bone heals. However, if the lesions persist and do not respond to first-line treatment, or involve the spine or hip, treatment with bisphosphonate will usually lead to a resolution of symptoms. Rarely, treatment with anti-TNF agents is required.

Summary

This review summarizes recent information on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of disorders involving sterile bone inflammation in childhood. It also addresses the evolving differential diagnosis for autoinflammatory

disorders that include sterile LY3039478 bone inflammation and presents a treatment algorithm for management.”
“In this study, a rapid and efficient concentrating procedure that can be Used for detecting viruses in vegetables was developed. The Sabin strain of poliovirus type I was used to evaluate the efficiency of virus recovery. The procedure included: (a) elution with 0.25 M threonine-0.3 M NaCl pH 9.5; (b) polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 precipitation; (c) chloroform extraction; (d) 2(nd) PEG precipitation; (f) RNA extraction; (g) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with semi-nested PCR. The overall recoveries by elution/concentration were 29.0% from cabbage and 13.7% from lettuce.

In ARIC, the model closely estimated the observed WC (median difference:

-0.34 cm for men, +3.94 cm for women), correctly classifying 86.1% of ARIC subjects with respect to abdominal obesity and 91.5% to 99.5% as to cardiometabolic risk. The model is generalizable to Caucasian and African-American adult populations because it was constructed from data on a large, population-based sample of men and women in the United States, and then validated in a population with a larger representation of African-Americans.

Conclusions: The model accurately estimates WC and identifies cardiometabolic risk. It should be useful for health care practitioners and public health officials who wish to identify individuals and populations at risk for cardiometabolic disease when WC data are unavailable.”
“Poststroke depression GDC-0994 clinical trial (PSD) in elderly patients has been considered the most common neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke up to 6-24 months after stroke onset. When depression appears within days after stroke onset, it is likely to remit, whereas depression at 3 months is likely to be sustained for 1 year. One of the major problems posed by elderly stroke patients is how to identify and optimally manage PSD. This review provides insight to identification and management of depression in elderly stroke patients. Depression following stroke is less likely to include dysphoria and more

likely characterized BEZ235 manufacturer by vegetative signs and symptoms compared with other forms of late-life depression, and clinicians should rely more on nonsomatic symptoms

rather than somatic symptoms. Evaluation and diagnosis of depression among elderly stroke patients are more complex due to vague symptoms of depression, overlapping signs and symptoms of stroke and depression, lack of properly trained health care personnel, and insufficient assessment tools for proper diagnosis. Major goals of treatment are see more to reduce depressive symptoms, improve mood and quality of life, and reduce the risk of medical complications including relapse. Antidepressants (ADs) are generally not indicated in mild forms because the balance of benefit and risk is not satisfactory in elderly stroke patients. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the first choice of PSD treatment in elderly patients due to their lower potential for drug interaction and side effects, which are more common with tricyclic ADs. Recently, stimulant medications have emerged as promising new therapeutic interventions for PSD and are now the subject of rigorous clinical trials. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be useful, and electroconvulsive therapy is available for patients with severe refractory PSD.”
“Purpose of the reviewPosttransplantation mineral and bone disorder (MBD) is an important issue in the care of children after kidney transplantation (KTx) resulting in increased comorbidity, for example, bone pain, fractures, growth failure, and vascular calcifications.

MR imaging and PET/CT may be useful as subsequent examinations when the patient is suspected of having

the lesion at CT. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“Using diffusion tensor imaging tractography and color-coded anisotropy map quantification, we investigated asymmetry of the arcuate fasciculus to determine language laterality in children and compared it with the Wada test. Arcuate fasciculus volume and fractional anisotropy were measured after tractography. We also quantified the fiber orientation distribution in the arcuate fasciculus region, ie, the fraction of arcuate fasciculus fibers oriented in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. A Laterality Index was calculated for each of the measured parameters. Volumetric analysis of the arcuate fasciculus showed asymmetry favoring the language dominant hemisphere (P = .02), while fractional anisotropy showed no significant asymmetry (P = .07). The mean anteroposterior and AG-120 research buy mediolateral components on the language dominant side were significantly higher than on the nondominant side (P = .003 and .002, respectively). The Laterality Index values were concordant with the Wada test results except for 1 case. Fractional anisotropy also falsely lateralized language in 1 case.”
“The metal-nonmetal Selleck AZD4547 interface plays a critical role in modern

electronic and energy conversion devices. For example, metal-nonmetal multilayered structures have recently been proposed as promising materials for solid-state thermionic devices, which could potentially achieve an efficiency that might not be feasible for metals or semiconductors alone. In this work, the effective thermal conductivity of a metal-nonmetal multilayered system (superlattices) is studied using the two-temperature model of heat conduction. By defining the total interfacial thermal resistance, which strongly depends on the electron-phonon coupling factor, it is shown that the thermal conductivity of the system has a simple interpretation as the sum of thermal resistances in series. The role of the electron-phonon coupling and the phonon-phonon

interfacial thermal resistance on the total interfacial thermal resistance SB202190 clinical trial is discussed. The derived analytical expressions show that the effective thermal conductivity of the multilayered structure is, remarkably, determined by the ratio between the thickness of the metal layers and their intrinsic electron-phonon coupling length. It is demonstrated that the effective thermal conductivity of the metal-nonmetal system can be smaller, equal to, or larger than the thermal conductivity of the nonmetal layer, depending on the length of the metal layer. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3585824]“
“Purpose: To analyze the imaging features of small (<= 3 cm) solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs) seen at multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (CT) in comparison with those of larger SPTs.