cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-Dependent Effects of Central Vasopressin Administration on Cold-Induced Vasogenic Edema in Cats

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) containing neurons within the hypothalamus project to multiple extrahypophyseal sites (Buijs 1978). These neurons may participate in the regulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production/absorption (Liszczak et al. 1986; Noto et al. 1979), intracranial pressure (ICP) (Seckl and Lightman 1987), cerebral capillary permeability (Raichle and Grubb 1978), and brain water accumulation (Doczi et al. 1982). The authors have previously demonstrated that pharmacologic doses of intraventricular AVP increase the amount of cold-induced vasogenic edema measured 24 hr after lesion placement in cats (Reeder et al. 1986). Similar experiments examining edema spread 6 and 16 hr after lesioning were performed to clarify the time-course of this effect.
Identification of an Impurity in Commercial Sources of the Tomato Glycoalkaloid Tomatine

Three commercial sources of tomatine showed 2 peaks of approximately equal size when determined by liquid chromatography (LC). Analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) showed one LC peak having an [M + H] ion at 1035, which corresponds to tomatine. The other peak had an [M + H] ion at 1033, which indicates a tomatine-like molecule that has tomatidenol for the aglycone instead of tomatidine or solasodine. Ultraviolet data support a delta C-5-C-6 double bond in the aglycone. LC of tomatine hydrolysate indicated the presence of tomatidine and tomatidenol and the absence of solasodine. Thus, the impurity was dehydrotomatine. Purity calculations based on mass spectral data showed that the tomatine standards were 80% pure.
Rapid detection of coronary artery stenoses with real-time perfusion echocardiography during regadenoson stress.

Background— Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography permits the detection of myocardial perfusion abnormalities during stress echocardiography, which may improve the accuracy of the test in detecting coronary artery stenoses. We hypothesized that this technique could be used after a bolus injection of the selective A2A receptor agonist regadenoson to rapidly and safely detect coronary artery stenoses. Methods and Results— In 100 patients referred for quantitative coronary angiography, real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed during a continuous intravenous infusion of 3% Definity at baseline and at 2-minute intervals for up to 6 minutes after a regadenoson bolus injection (400 μg). Myocardial perfusion was assessed by examination of myocardial contrast replenishment after brief high mechanical index impulses. A perfusion defect was defined as a delay (>2 seconds) in myocardial contrast replenishment in 2 contiguous segments. Wall motion was also analyzed. The overall sensitivity/specificity/accuracy for myocardial perfusion analysis in detecting a >50% diameter stenosis was 80%/74%/78%, whereas for wall motion analysis it was 60%/72%/66% ( P <0.001 for differences in sensitivity). Sensitivity for myocardial perfusion analysis was highest on images obtained during the first 2 minutes after regadenoson bolus ( P <0.001 compared with wall motion), whereas wall motion sensitivity was highest at the 4-to-6–minute period after the bolus. No significant side effects occurred after regadenoson bolus injection. Conclusions— Regadenoson real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography appears to be a feasible, safe, and rapid noninvasive method for the detection of significant coronary artery stenoses. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov][1]. Unique identifier: NCT0087369. [1]: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Chana Orloff: A modern Jewish woman sculptor of the School of Paris

Chana Orloff (1888–1968), a Ukrainian-born artist who emigrated to France in 1910 by way of Palestine, was one of the most important Jewish artists of the School of Paris and a pioneering woman in the early Israeli art world, yet her story has been marginalized in both the narratives of European modernism and the history of Israeli art. I propose that Orloff's biography and artistic production, particularly her sculpted portraits of Jewish friends and colleagues in Paris between the two World Wars, demonstrate how diaspora, gender, and displacement play a critical role in a revised narrative of twentieth-century modern art. I argue that Orloff's work offers a compelling visual counter-discourse to prevailing negative stereotypes of Jewish identity in European visual culture. During a time when many emigre artists wished to distance themselves from their Jewish identity in light of widespread anti-Semitic and xenophobic beliefs that their work contributed to the “decline” of French culture, Orloff proudly ...
Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

A type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma/leukemia caused by infection with human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) usually affects adults, with a mean age of 58 years, but with a wide age range. The male to female ratio is 1.5:1. Most patients with ATLL live in areas endemic for HTLV-1 infection, including Southwestern Japan, the Caribbean basin, and parts of coastal South America and Central Africa. This distribution of disease has been hypothesized to be linked to naval commerce routes in earlier centuries, involving Africa and other countries, with the virus probably crossing into humans initially in Africa. In endemic areas, there is a long latency between HTLV-I infection and onset of ATLL. Therefore, HTLV-1 infection is thought to occur early in life. In Japan, 2.5 % of HTLV-I carriers may develop ATLL. Sporadic cases of ATLL are also reported. ATLL therefore can occur rarely in North America and Europe in the absence of a travel history to an endemic area. HTLV-1 infection is also associated with other diseases in endemic regions including uveitis, lymphadenopathy, and a syndrome known as tropical spastic paraparesis.
Hairy Root Composite Plant Systems in Root-Microbe Interaction Research

Plant-associated microbes are key determinants of plant health and productivity. Research on model plant species has helped discover fundamental plant mechanisms that determine the outcomes of these microbial interactions. However, the species-specific nature of several key plant-microbe interactions necessitates research in non-model plant species. A major bottleneck for research on non-model species is the lack of efficient transformation methods. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root composite plant system is a transformative tool that has enabled a multitude of transgenic approaches to be efficiently used in non-model species. This chapter provides a snapshot of research using key examples to highlight how the tool had helped advance the frontier of root-microbe interaction research focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, nodulation, pathogen responses, and microbiome research. Limitations of and recent developments in hairy root composite plant systems are also discussed.
Structure of the c- myc Gene and its Transcription

The c-myc gene belongs to a family of related genes that encode for the Myc proteins: c-Myc, L-Myc, N-Myc and s-Myc. L-myc was identified as a highly expressed gene in human lung cancer.1 N-myc gene is found with amplified copy number in human neuroblastoma.2 A rat gene, s-myc, was cloned via homology with c-myc.3 Intriguingly, studies of s-myc suggest that it suppresses neoplastic transformation.4,5 All Myc family members share conserved sequences in the N-terminal region of the protein. At least two conserved boxes have been recognized and termed Myc box I (amino acids 55–65 of c-Myc) and Myc box II (amino acids 122–144 of c-Myc).
Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions and the Properties of Nuclear Matter Under Extreme Conditions

The two main issues I will discuss in these lectures are the nature of extended nuclear matter at extremely high energy densities, and how, by means of ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions in the laboratory, one can create matter at high densities, and thus have the opportunity to learn about its properties experimentally. To set the scale of nuclear energy densities let us note that the total energy in a nucleus in its ground state is essentially the rest mass density of the nucleons. Since nuclear matter has a density ρnmof order 0.16 nucleons/fm 3 and the nuclear mass is of order 940 MeV, the rest mass density is of order 0.15 Gev/fm 3. This energy density is large compared with the scale of low-energy spectroscopy, involving energy densities of order Mev/fm3. The question we are interested in is how we expect nuclear matter to act when we raise its energy density to the range of 1 — 10 Gev/fm 3 say. What, for example, are its principal degrees of freedom, its thermodynamic properties, and its quantum chromodynamic properties?
q-Binomial Coefficients and Linear Algebra over Finite Fields

In this chapter we explain an important combinatorial meaning of the q-binomial coefficients.
Questions 51–60

This chapter illustrates a variety of different scenarios of rheumatic disease in succinct question and answer format. It contains ten complex cases with potentially unusual diagnoses designed to stimulate thought and further reading in this rapidly evolving specialty.
A Pilot Study of an Unobtrusive Bed-Based Sleep Quality Monitor for Severely Disabled Autistic Children*

The link between daytime performance and sleep quality for severely disabled autistic children is not entirely understood. This paper presents nighttime data collected from a child with severe disabilities during a three-night pilot study conducted at Heartspring, Wichita, KS, using a bed-based system capable of unobtrusively tracking parameters for sleep quality assessment. The 'average sample correlation coefficient signal-to-noise ratio' is compared for ballistocardiograms acquired using four electromechanical film sensors versus four load cell sensors. The “best” signal or sensing modality depends on the subject's sleeping position. These results affirm the importance of a bed system that is robust in its ability to track sleep quality accurately regardless of sleeping position.
School of Enrollment and Perceptions of Life Satisfaction among Adolescents Experiencing Substance Use Disorders

Purpose: This study continues to build evidence for the effectiveness of Recovery High Schools as a continuing care intervention for youth experiencing substance use disorders. The study examined a...
Peoplemeter Technologies and the Biometric Turn in Audience Measurement

Between 1980 and 1995, audience measurement companies, including Audits of Great Britain (AGB), Nielsen, Percy, and Arbitron, competed to develop peoplemeter technologies, ranging from remote contr...
Association of neuronal repair biomarkers with delirium among survivors of critical illness.

Abstract Purpose Delirium is prevalent but with unclear pathogenesis. Neuronal injury repair pathways may be protective. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of neuronal repair biomarkers would be associated with decreased delirium in critically ill patients. Materials and methods We performed a nested study of hospital survivors within a prospective cohort that enrolled patients within 72 h of respiratory failure or shock. We measured plasma concentrations of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal-esterase-L1 (UCHL1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from blood collected at enrollment. Delirium was assessed twice daily using the CAM-ICU. Multivariable regression was used to examine the associations between biomarkers and delirium prevalence/duration, adjusting for covariates and interactions with age and IL-6 plasma concentration. Results We included 427 patients with a median age of 59 years (IQR 48–69) and APACHE II score of 25 (IQR 19–30). Higher plasma concentration of UCHL1 on admission was independently associated with lower prevalence of delirium (p = .04) but not associated with duration of delirium (p = .06). BDNF plasma concentration was not associated with prevalence (p = .26) or duration of delirium (p = .36). Conclusions During critical illness, higher UCHL1 plasma concentration is associated with lower prevalence of delirium; BDNF plasma concentration is not associated with delirium. Clinical trial number: NCT00392795 ; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00392795
40 – An Overview of Atherosclerosis

Publisher Summary Atherosclerosis is a global disorder and accounts for almost half the annual mortality in the western world. It often remains clinically silent until it causes end organ damage resulting in stroke, ischemic heart disease, or peripheral vascular insufficiency of the extremities. The distribution of atherosclerosis in the vascular tree is fairly characteristic. The aorta is involved more extensively and earlier than other vessels and the abdominal aorta is more widely involved than the aortic arch or the thoracic aorta. The pulmonary arteries, the renal arteries, and the mesenteric arteries are the least susceptible. Lower limb vessels are more often affected than the upper limb vessels. Fatty streaks, which are the earliest lesion of atherosclerosis, can be seen in the aorta in infancy or early childhood. Epidemiological studies have shown a high degree of association between atherosclerosis and elevated lipids. The ratio of total cholesterol to high-density cholesterol is an important factor in predicting risk. Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induces endothelial injury, and increases the adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium. LDL is oxidatively modified by endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. Oxidation of LDL leads to increased collagen production and progression of atherosclerosis.
Southern Ocean calcification controls the global distribution of alkalinity

Biological processes in Southern Ocean surface waters have widespread impacts on global productivity and oceanic CO2 storage. Here, we demonstrate that biological calcification in the Southern Ocea...
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Central Nervous System Pharmacokinetics of CDK4/6 Inhibitors to Guide Selection of Drug and Dosing Regimen for Brain Cancer Treatment.

A better understanding of the human central nervous system (CNS) pharmacokinetics is critical to the selection of the right drug and refinement of dosing regimen for more effective treatment of primary and metastatic brain cancer. Using the physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling approach, we systematically compared the CNS pharmacokinetics of three cyclin D-cyclin dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors (ribociclib, palbociclib, and abemaciclib) in patients with cancer. A PBPK model platform was developed and verified for predicting plasma and CNS pharmacokinetics. Target engagement ratio (TER), defined as the ratio of the average steady-state unbound drug brain concentration to the in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) for CDK4/6 inhibition, was used as a crude predictor of efficacy. As compared with ribociclib and palbociclib, abemaciclib penetrated into the human brain to a larger extent, but at a slower rate, and was retained in the brain longer. Following the standard dosing regimens, the predicted CDK4/6 TERs were 26/5.2 for abemaciclib, 2.4/0.62 for ribociclib, and 0.36/0.27 for palbociclib. Simulations suggested that abemaciclib achieved comparable TERs following twice daily or daily dosing; ribociclib may sufficiently inhibit both CDK4 and CDK6 at the maximum tolerated dose; whereas, palbociclib achieved TERs < 0.5 even at a dose 50% higher than the standard dose. In conclusion, the PBPK modeling, supported by available preclinical and clinical evidence, suggests that abemaciclib is the best CDK4/6 inhibitor for brain cancer treatment, whereas palbociclib is not recommended. The model refined dosing regimen is 300 mg daily on a 4-weeks-on schedule for abemaciclib, and 900 mg daily on a 3-weeks-on/1-week-off schedule for ribociclib.
Failing Law Schools, by Brian Z. Tamanaha: A Review

This review of Brian Tamanaha's Failing Law Schools argues that the book has considerable strengths and is a must read for anyone interested in contemporary legal education, but also has serious shortcomings and suggests reforms of questionable desirability. The burden of the review's argument is (1) Tamanaha's analysis is insufficiently sociological. Confounding cost-related problems facing law schools and peculiar to them with problems confronting higher education generally and hence unlikely to be correctable by law schools acting on their own. (2) It similarly ignores the degree to which changes in the law and the legal profession have placed new and costly demands on legal education. (3) Tamanaha's suggestion that legal education be reduced to 2 years to cut costs puts the cost horse before the educational cart and has little to commend it.
Ocular Surface Potential Difference Measured in Human Subjects to Study Ocular Surface Ion Transport.

Author(s): Pasricha, Neel D; Smith, Alex J; Levin, Marc H; Schallhorn, Julie M; Verkman, Alan S | Abstract: PurposeThe epithelium lining the ocular surface, which includes corneal and conjunctival epithelia, expresses the prosecretory chloride channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the proabsorptive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Here, methodology was established to measure the millivolt (mV) potential differences at the ocular surface, called ocular surface potential difference (OSPD), in human subjects produced by ion transport.MethodsOSPD was measured in human subjects in which a fluid-filled measuring electrode contacted a fluid pool created by eversion of the lateral lower eyelid, with a reference electrode placed subcutaneously in the forearm. Through the use of a high-impedance voltmeter, OSPD was measured continuously over 10 to 15 minutes in response to a series of perfusate fluid exchanges.ResultsBaseline OSPD (± SEM) in six normal human subjects was -21.3 ± 3.6 mV. OSPD depolarized by 1.7 ± 0.6 mV following the addition of the ENaC inhibitor amiloride, hyperpolarized by 6.8 ± 1.5 mV with a zero chloride solution, and further hyperpolarized by 15.9 ± 1.6 mV following CFTR activation by isoproterenol. The isoproterenol-induced hyperpolarization was absent in two cystic fibrosis subjects lacking functional CFTR. OSPD measurement produced minimal epithelial injury.ConclusionsOur results establish the feasibility and safety of OSPD measurement in humans and demonstrate robust CFTR activity, albeit minimal ENaC activity, at the ocular surface. OSPD measurement may be broadly applicable to investigate fluid transport mechanisms and test drug candidates to treat ocular surface disorders.Translational relevanceTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first measurement of the electrical potential generated by the ocular surface epithelium in human subjects, offering a new approach to study ocular surface function and health.
Restoration of motor learning in a mouse model of Rett syndrome following long-term treatment with a novel small-molecule activator of TrkB.

ABSTRACT Reduced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and impaired activation of the BDNF receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB; also known as Ntrk2), are thought to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Previous studies from this and other laboratories have shown that enhancing BDNF expression and/or TrkB activation in Mecp2-deficient mouse models of RTT can ameliorate or reverse abnormal neurological phenotypes that mimic human RTT symptoms. The present study reports on the preclinical efficacy of a novel, small-molecule, non-peptide TrkB partial agonist, PTX-BD4-3, in heterozygous female Mecp2 mutant mice, a well-established RTT model that recapitulates the genetic mosaicism of the human disease. PTX-BD4-3 exhibited specificity for TrkB in cell-based assays of neurotrophin receptor activation and neuronal cell survival and in in vitro receptor binding assays. PTX-BD4-3 also activated TrkB following systemic administration to wild-type and Mecp2 mutant mice and was rapidly cleared from the brain and plasma with a half-life of ∼2 h. Chronic intermittent treatment of Mecp2 mutants with a low dose of PTX-BD4-3 (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, once every 3 days for 8 weeks) reversed deficits in two core RTT symptom domains – respiration and motor control – and symptom rescue was maintained for at least 24 h after the last dose. Together, these data indicate that significant clinically relevant benefit can be achieved in a mouse model of RTT with a chronic intermittent, low-dose treatment paradigm targeting the neurotrophin receptor TrkB.
Differences in Access to Outpatient Care in the State of Ohio for an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Patient.

Purpose To evaluate the impact of either Medicaid or private insurance on securing an appointment in an outpatient orthopaedic clinic and to determine waiting periods until an appointment as well as the relationship between population metrics and access to care. Methods A total of 88 clinics were called. There were 2 fictitious patients, one with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and the other with a medial meniscus injury, with each calling as having Medicaid or private insurance. Clinic responses were recorded for whether an appointment could be made, when it was scheduled, and with what provider. Results A total of 32 of 88 (36.4%) of the clinics scheduled an appointment for the Medicaid patient reporting an ACL injury versus 71 of 88 (80.6%) of the clinics that scheduled an appointment for the same patient with private insurance. A total of 34 of 88 (38.6%) of the clinics scheduled an appointment for the Medicaid patient reporting a medial meniscus injury versus 71 of 88 (80.6%) of the clinics that scheduled an appointment for the same patient with private insurance. Mean waiting period for ACL patients with Medicaid was 8.6 days and 4.5 days for patients with private insurance, whereas medial meniscus patients with Medicaid was 7.7 days and 5.4 days for patients with private insurance. In total, 60 of the 66 (90.9%) patients with Medicaid who received an appointment were scheduled to see the orthopaedic surgeon (30 in both ACL and medial meniscus groups). In total, 126 (71.6%) patients with Medicaid and 34 (19.3%) patients with private insurance of the 176 encounters faced barriers to scheduling an appointment. Rural communities were associated with appointment acceptance for patients with Medicaid (P < .05), and patients with private insurance had successful appointment scheduling in all community types (P < .05). Conclusions This study suggests that patients with Medicaid are less likely to receive orthopaedic care for multiple sports medicine injuries, are more likely to encounter barriers, and endure longer waiting periods. There are different patterns of insurance acceptance according to population metrics. Clinical Relevance Serves as a baseline evaluation of the difference in access to health care that may be impacted by increases in Medicaid coverage and/or changes in government policies.
Operando X-ray Tomography Imaging of Solid-State Electrolyte Response to Li Evolution under Realistic Operating Conditions

Solid-state Li-ion conductors are a next-generation battery technology that are particularly promising for electric vehicles, offering the capacitive benefits of Li metal anodes with nonflammable e...
Family Conundrums with Psychiatric Medication: An Inquiry into Experiences, Beliefs, and Desires

Research with families of people with serious mental illness consistently shows that the concerns and conundrums about their loved one’s medication are among those most centrally voiced. The inquiry here relied on an anonymous cross-sectional survey of attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of family members (N = 339) specifically related to psychiatric medication use. A latent profile analysis yielded two categories of respondents: those “skeptical of the medical model,” which represented 43% of the survey respondents, and those “supportive of the medical model,” which represented 57% of the survey respondents. Data from open-ended questions suggests families crave inclusion and wish providers would more radically embrace both collaboration and balance in their approach to medication maintenance. The hope of this research is to help mental health providers be more responsive and compassionate in their work with families of people with serious mental illness, especially as it relates to psychiatric medication.
Risk factor identification and predictive models for central line requirements for patients on vasopressors.

Vasopressors are ubiquitous in intensive care units. While central venous catheters are the preferred route of infusion, recent evidence suggests peripheral administration may be safe for short, si...
The importance of transitions for hatching success and brood mortality in the barnacle Chthamalus fragilis under laboratory conditions

Most organisms experience ontogenescence (high and decreasing mortality from conception to the age of maturity) in spite of the clear evolutionary disadvantage of dying prior to reproducing. One hypothesis that may help to explain the prevalence and persistence of ontogenescence is the Transitional Timing Hypothesis, which states that developmental transitions are dangerous and concentrated in the earliest phases of life (e.g., hatching or birth). This study's goal was to examine the transitional dangers of early development and hatching in the barnacle Chthamalus fragilis. Barnacle egg lamellae were monitored for 2 weeks after extraction from their parents, and all hatching events were recorded along with whether each hatched larva was a successful swimmer or not. The total number of eggs that failed to hatch from each egg lamella was also determined. Results showed significant brood mortality prior to hatching as well as a large proportion of newly-hatched larvae that were unable to swim well. There was also a clear pattern in the timing of hatching events from egg lamellae. However, there was no effect of delayed hatching on either hatching success or swimming ability of larvae. The high proportion of non-hatching and poor-swimming larvae lend support to the Transitional Timing Hypothesis, suggesting that early developmental stages and hatching in barnacles (and probably other organisms, too) are potentially dangerous transitional events that cannot be avoided and should be taken into account when studying the population ecology of these species.
Congenital Rod Disease Further Evidence of Innervational Abnormalities as the Basis for the Clinicopathologic Features

Abstract Clinical, histochemical and electron-microscopic data are presented on 2 children with congenital rod disease (rod or nemaline myopathy). Histochemical studies showed Type I fiber predominance and fiber subtyping in the first patient indicating an innervational defect. Postmortem examination in the second patient revealed absence of spinal cord motor neurones and corresponding neurogenic muscle atrophy suggesting a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy. The first case may have represented an innervational abnormality of early intrauterine life that had become static: the second case, the tenth reported fatal case, suggested that denervation was progressive. The authors suggest that the basic defect in both cases was neurogenic in nature and that the rod phenomenon may be non-specific.
Is psychological essentialism an inherent feature of human cognition

Recent evidence shows that psychological essentialism is neither a universal nor stable feature of human cognition. The extent to which people report essentialist intuitions varies enormously across cultures and education levels, and is also influenced by subtle, normatively irrelevant contextual manipulations. These results challenge the notion that the human mind is "fitted" with a built-in inherence heuristic that produces essentialist intuitions.
Indices of aortic stiffness in mice

Ascending aortic input impedance spectra and pressure augmentation index was determined in young (8-month) and old (29-month) mice to see if arterial stiffening occurred with age in mice as it does in humans. Pressure and blood velocity signals measured simultaneously from the same location in the ascending aorta of a mouse were used to determine input impedance spectra (DC-10 harmonics). The first minimum of the impedance modulus shifted from the 2nd harmonic in young mice to the 4th harmonic in old mice. Characteristic impedance (estimated as average of 2nd to 10th harmonic) was significantly higher in old mice (mean/spl plusmn/SEM, 471/spl plusmn/62 vs. 299110 dynes-s/cm/sup 3/, p<0.05). Pulse pressure and augmentation index, determined from the aortic pressure signals were also higher in old mice: pulse pressure (42/spl plusmn/2.2 vs. 29/spl plusmn/4.9 mmHg, p<0.05) and augmentation index (37/spl plusmn/5 vs. 14/spl plusmn/2 %, p<0.005). These results are similar to the findings reported in humans and confirm that mice may be used as models of age-related vascular stiffening.
ATAXIN-2 (ATXN2) Regulates RGS8 Expression Via RNA Interaction (P1.045)

OBJECTIVE: Tight control of RNA metabolism is fundamental for eukaryotic cells and deregulation of RNA processing contributes to numerous human diseases. Ataxin-2 contains Like-Sm (LSm) domains known to bind RNA as observed for other LSm domain proteins supporting a role for ATXN2 in RNA metabolism. However, the role of ataxin-2 in RNA processing and specific RNA targets remains to be identified. BACKGROUND: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant disorder with progressive degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells caused by expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in ataxin-2 (ATXN2). Gene expression alteration is the earliest pathogenic nature in SCA2 disease, suggesting that dysregulated gene expressions caused by the expression of mutant ataxin2 contribute in developing the pathology of SCA2. DESIGN/METHODS: Deep RNA sequencing-based expression profiling of wildtype and ATXN2 Q127 mouse cerebella (Hansen et al, 2013) and precipitation of ATXN2 RNA complexes. RESULTS: Based upon sequencing analyses in cerebella of ATXN2 Q127 mice, we found Rgs8 (regulator of G-protein signaling 8) expression was decreased significantly. RGS8 is a member of the regulator of G protein signaling family and is widely expressed in the Purkinje cell dendrites and cell bodies. Downregulation of Rgs8 was recapitulated in human cell culture expressing mutant ATXN2. To gain insight into the function of ataxin2 in RNA processing, RNA immunoprecipitation study revealed interaction of ATXN2 with RGS8 mRNA, but interaction of mutant ATXN2 was reduced compared with wt ATXN2. CONCLUSIONS: Mutant ATXN2 reduced RGS8 mRNA steady-state levels, and RGS protein levels to an even greater extent. As we showed interaction of ATXN2 and RGS8 mRNA, our data support a role for ATXN2 in mRNA translation. As knockout of the related RGS6 causes severe ataxia in mice, our results implicate RGS family members in the pathogenesis of polyQ-mediated neurodegeneration in SCA2 and point to new therapeutic targets. Study Supported by: Grants RO1NS33123 and RC4NS073009 from the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to SMP. Disclosure: Dr. Paul has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dansithong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation for activities with Athena Diagnostics. Dr. Pulst has received license or royalty payments from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
An Efficient, Easily Constructed Cell Homogenizing Press

An easily constructed, highly efficient cell homogenizing press is described which should be available to laboratories at moderate cost. The press allows the preparation of homogenates from up to 20 g of packed cell paste in a single batch without danger of damage to the press. Cell breakage and recovery of cell homogenates is accomplished at temperatures which maintain the material in the frozen state. The press may be assembled, disassembled, and cleaned with minimal effort. Images
Cucurbitaceae (Vine Crops)

The Cucurbitaceae or vine crop family is a distinct family without any close relatives and includes many important vegetables such as cucumber, melon, watermelon, squash, pumpkin and gourds. Plants within Cucurbitaceae consist of 95 genera classified into 15 tribes. Cucurbits are trailing or vining tendril-bearing annual plants. The plants are mostly monoecious with separate male and female flowers and require various insect, especially bees for pollination. The fruit come in various shapes and sizes, of which the pumpkin plants produce some of the largest known fruits among flowering plants and are often used in contests. Gourd fruits are used for preparing food, making musical instruments, containers and other decorative pieces. Watermelon is considered the most popular among the cucurbits whose delicious fruit are widely consumed throughout the world. Key Concepts Cucumber, watermelon, melon, pumpkin, squash and gourds belong to the family Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbits are mainly trailing or vining tendril-bearing annual plants. Cucurbit plants are mostly monoecious, that is, they have separate male and female flowers. Pumpkin plants produce some of the largest know fruits among flowering plants. Watermelon is the most popular cucurbit and its delicious fruits are consumed worldwide. The red pigment responsible for watermelon flesh colour is an anticancer agent. Watermelon fruit have more lycopene than tomato. Bottle gourds are considered to be some of the earliest domesticated plant species. Keywords: cucurbits; watermelon; gourds; cucumber; melon; squash
Candida albicans- and Candida stellatoidea-specific DNA fragment.

DNA was isolated from whole cells of Candida albicans and digested with MspI restriction enzyme. In addition to the expected large number of low-molecular-weight DNA pieces resulting from the digestion, multiple high-molecular-weight (greater than 3.0 kilobase pairs) fragments were generated by this enzyme, which cleaves DNA at CCGG sequences. Some of these fragments appeared highly repeated. An MspI fragment which was similar in size to one of the repeat elements (2.9 kilobase pairs) was cloned into the ClaI site of the plasmid vector pBR322 and replicated in a suitable Escherichia coli host strain. The candidal fragment was radiolabeled and used to probe Southern blots of DNA from several Candida species, various other fungi, and mouse and human cells. Only DNA from C. albicans and a strain of Candida stellatoidea was found to contain sequences of significant homology for hybridization. The cloned fragment may possibly be of use as a DNA probe for detection of the presence of C. albicans. Images
Cavity-enhanced emission from a dye-coated microsphere.

We have observed whispering gallery modes in the inelastic emission from a 9.8 µm polystyrene bead coated with a monolayer of AlexaFluor 488 dye. Using a separate near-IR trapping laser and an Ar+ excitation laser enables us to isolate and study a single dye-coated bead in a colloidal suspension without causing any bead damage.
Effect of antiserum to bovine somatotropin on ornithine decarboxylase activity of liver, kidney, and brain of young male rats.

The effect of specific neutralization of endogenous somatotropin by antisera to bovine somatotropin on the ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver, adrenal, brain, kidney, and testes of 21-day-old immature male rats has been studied. Results show that the ornithine decarboxylase activity in the liver, kidney, and brain is markedly decreased. However, no effect on the enzyme activity in the adrenal and testes occurs.
Vimentin contributes to changes in chondrocyte stiffness in osteoarthritis

Actin and tubulin cytoskeletal components are studied extensively in chondrocytes, but less is known about vimentin intermediate filaments. In other cell types, vimentin is a determinant of cell stiffness and disruption of vimentin networks weakens the mechanical integrity of cells. Changes in vimentin organization correlate with osteoarthritis progression, but the functional consequences of these changes remain undetermined in chondrocytes. The objective of this study was to compare the contribution of vimentin to the mechanical stiffness of primary human chondrocytes isolated from normal versus osteoarthritic cartilage. Chondrocytes were embedded in alginate and vimentin networks disrupted with acrylamide. Constructs were imaged while subjected to 20% nominal strain on a confocal microscope stage, and the aspect ratios of approximately 1,900 cells were measured. Cytosolic stiffness was estimated with a finite element model, and live-cell imaging of GFP-vimentin was used to further analyze the nature of vimentin disruption. Vimentin in normal chondrocytes formed an inner cage-like network that was substantially stiffer than the rest of the cytosol and contributed significantly to overall cellular stiffness. Disruption of vimentin reduced stiffness approximately 2.8-fold in normal chondrocytes. In contrast, osteoarthritic chondrocytes were less stiff and less affected by vimentin disruption. This 3D experimental system revealed contributions of vimentin to chondrocyte stiffness previously not apparent, and correlated changes in vimentin-based chondrocyte stiffness with osteoarthritis.
Circadian activity rhythms in BALB/c mice: A weakly‐coupled circadian system?

Abstract Inbred mouse strains differ in the expression of free‐running circadian activity rhythms. Although previous studies have suggested that BALB/c mice fail to display coherent rhythmicity under constant light, these studies presented only averaged data, and not individual animals’ activity patterns. In the present study, wheel‐running activity rhythms were monitored from individual BALB/c mice during long‐term exposure to constant red light All mice displayed dramatic lability of circadian activity rhythms, characterized by spontaneous alterations in both free‐running period and rhythm coherence. These results suggest that the circadian system in this strain is composed of a population of weakly‐coupled circadian oscillators.
The effect of zinc on stallion sperm motility

Understanding the control of sperm motility in the horse may help to improve the success of equine in vitro fertilization. In humans, zinc (Zn) is found in high concentrations in the seminal plasma, and has been shown to block the sperm proton channel HVCN1. This effect prevents intracellular alkalinization and is thought to help regulate sperm motility. The aim of our study was to measure Zn levels in stallion reproductive fluids and tissues and to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Zn on equine sperm motility parameters. Zinc levels were measured through flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Average Zn concentrations (n 1⁄4 5 stallions) in serum, seminal plasma and epididymal fluidwere 8 mM, 24 mMand 87 mM respectively. Within tissues of the internal reproductive tract (n 1⁄4 2 stallions), the highest values for Zn were found in the bulbourethral glands (841 mM) and the lowest in the prostate (261 mM). The various tissue components of the testis contained 214 to 229 mM Zn. In a fractionated ejaculate (n 1⁄4 1 stallion), Zn concentrations were lowest in the pre-sperm fraction (1.8 mM) and highest in the sperm-rich fraction (35 mM). To assess the effect of Zn on sperm motility, ejaculates were collected from 3 fertile stallions, and sperm were washed and incubated in modified Whitten’s media at pH 7.1 to 7.4, with 0, 10, 50, 100 or 500 mM of ZnCl2, at 38 C in humidified air for 30 min. Five motility parameters (total motility (TMOT), progressive motility (PMOT), average-path velocity (VAP), curvilinear
Quantitation of anions at parts-per-trillion levels in semiconductor pure water by means of a laboratory ion chromatograph

In the analysis of grab samples for parts-per-trillion (w/w) levels of anions, the most difficult challenge is eliminating contamination sources. This paper discusses the steps taken to identify and deal with these problems. Areas addressed include instrument configuration and assembly, preparation of standards, analysis of standards, and water purification. Precision and accuracy data from the system are given. A Dionex 4000i unit was utilized for all work.
A new gas-phase combustion synthesis process for pure metals, alloys, and ceramics

Many high purity materials can be synthesized by a self-sustaining gas-phase flame for example: photovoltaic silicon; advanced fuels (e.g., boron); refractory metals (e.g., titanium, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium and niobium); and ceramics (e.g., silicon carbide, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide, titanium boride, and zirconium boride). Reactive metals, e.g., sodium or magnesium, combined with metal halides or mixtures of halides react hypergolically to produce the desired product as an aerosol and the by-product, reactive metal halide, in the gas phase. The key to the success of the process is the separation of the product from the by-product. This has been achieved by a novel supersonic impaction technique. The reaction products are expanded through a nozzle to produce a supersonic stream which is caused to impact a surface to produce a shock wave. The particles, unable to make the sharp turn behind the shock wave along with the gas, impact the surface where they are collected either as a solid, liquid, or powder, depending upon the surface configuration and temperature. The process has been examined thermodynamically for a large number of systems, and it has been demonstrated experimentally for silicon at 1.5 kg/h and yields exceeding 90%. Product purity is very high because of self-purification mechanisms inherent in the process.
The photon counting histogram in fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy.

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is generally used to obtain information about the number of fluorescent particles in a small volume and the diffusion coefficient from the autocorrelation function of the fluorescence signal. Here we demonstrate that photon counting histogram (PCH) analysis constitutes a novel tool for extracting quantities from fluorescence fluctuation data, i.e., the measured photon counts per molecule and the average number of molecules within the observation volume. The photon counting histogram of fluorescence fluctuation experiments, in which few molecules are present in the excitation volume, exhibits a super-Poissonian behavior. The additional broadening of the PCH compared to a Poisson distribution is due to fluorescence intensity fluctuations. For diffusing particles these intensity fluctuations are caused by an inhomogeneous excitation profile and the fluctuations in the number of particles in the observation volume. The quantitative relationship between the detected photon counts and the fluorescence intensity reaching the detector is given by Mandel's formula. Based on this equation and considering the fluorescence intensity distribution in the two-photon excitation volume, a theoretical expression for the PCH as a function of the number of molecules in the excitation volume is derived. For a single molecular species two parameters are sufficient to characterize the histogram completely, namely the average number of molecules within the observation volume and the detected photon counts per molecule per sampling time epsilon. The PCH for multiple molecular species, on the other hand, is generated by successively convoluting the photon counting distribution of each species with the others. The influence of the excitation profile upon the photon counting statistics for two relevant point spread functions (PSFs), the three-dimensional Gaussian PSF conventionally employed in confocal detection and the square of the Gaussian-Lorentzian PSF for two photon excitation, is explicitly treated. Measured photon counting distributions obtained with a two-photon excitation source agree, within experimental error with the theoretical PCHs calculated for the square of a Gaussian-Lorentzian beam profile. We demonstrate and discuss the influence of the average number of particles within the observation volume and the detected photon counts per molecule per sampling interval upon the super-Poissonian character of the photon counting distribution.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Symptom Domains in Twins and Siblings with Autism

Clarifying the sources of variation among autism symptom domains is important to the identification of homogenous subgroups for molecular genetic studies. This study explored the genetic and environmental bases of nonverbal communication and social interaction, two symptom domains that have also been related to treatment response, in 1294 child and adolescent twins and siblings with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange under the age of 18. Twin/sibling resemblance was assessed through correlations and behavior genetic modeling of Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) nonverbal communication and social scores. Variation in these phenotypes was explained by additive genetic, dominant genetic, and unique environmental factors with no evidence for shared environmental factors. Broad heritability estimates were higher for nonverbal communication (45%) than social interaction (28%). Nonverbal communication and social scores were partially accounted for by the same underlying genetic and environmental factors. Gender differences were not supported. These results add to information on familial resemblance of these symptom domains based on correlational methods, and this study is one of the first to apply behavioral genetic modeling to a PDD population. The results have implications for molecular genetics as well as treatment.
Developmental methoxychlor exposure affects multiple reproductive parameters and ovarian folliculogenesis and gene expression in adult rats.

Methoxychlor (MXC) is an organochlorine pesticide with estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, and anti-androgenic properties. To investigate whether transient developmental exposure to MXC could cause adult ovarian dysfunction, we exposed Fischer rats to 20 {mu}g/kg/day (low dose; environmentally relevant dose) or 100 mg/kg/day (high dose) MXC between 19 days post coitum and postnatal day 7. Multiple reproductive parameters, serum hormone levels, and ovarian morphology and molecular markers were examined from prepubertal through adult stages. High dose MXC accelerated pubertal onset and first estrus, reduced litter size, and increased irregular cyclicity (P < 0.05). MXC reduced superovulatory response to exogenous gonadotropins in prepubertal females (P < 0.05). Rats exposed to high dose MXC had increasing irregular estrous cyclicity beginning at 4 months of age, with all animals showing abnormal cycles by 6 months. High dose MXC reduced serum progesterone, but increased luteinizing hormone (LH). Follicular composition analysis revealed an increase in the percentage of preantral and early antral follicles and a reduction in the percentage of corpora lutea in high dose MXC-treated ovaries (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining and quantification of the staining intensity showed that estrogen receptor {beta} was reduced by high dose MXC while anti-Mullerian hormone was upregulated by both low- andmore » high dose MXC in preantral and early antral follicles (P < 0.05). High dose MXC significantly reduced LH receptor expression in large antral follicles (P < 0.01), and down-regulated cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage. These results demonstrated that developmental MXC exposure results in reduced ovulation and fertility and premature aging, possibly by altering ovarian gene expression and folliculogenesis.« less