cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a targeted screening program in identifying infants with positive urine toxicology screening results in a regular neonatal nursery

We compared the effectiveness in identifying infants with positive results on urine screening for drugs of abuse of a universal screening program and a tageted screening program on the basis of clinical suspicion. A carefully run tageted screening program identified 24.3% of the admissions for toxicology testing and would have found all but two of the infants with positive results.
Insulin Resistance, Ceramide Accumulation, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Human Chronic Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Background. Chronic alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is mediated by insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. Recent studies suggest that dysregulated lipid metabolism with accumulation of ceramides, together with ER stress potentiate hepatic insulin resistance and may cause steatohepatitis to progress. Objective. We examined the degree to which hepatic insulin resistance in advanced human ALD is correlated with ER stress, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and ceramide accumulation. Methods. We assessed the integrity of insulin signaling through the Akt pathway and measured proceramide and ER stress gene expression, ER stress signaling proteins, and ceramide profiles in liver tissue. Results. Chronic ALD was associated with increased expression of insulin, IGF-1, and IGF-2 receptors, impaired signaling through IGF-1R and IRS1, increased expression of multiple proceramide and ER stress genes and proteins, and higher levels of the C14, C16, C18, and C20 ceramide species relative to control. Conclusions. In human chronic ALD, persistent hepatic insulin resistance is associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism, ceramide accumulation, and striking upregulation of multiple ER stress signaling molecules. Given the role of ceramides as mediators of ER stress and insulin resistance, treatment with ceramide enzyme inhibitors may help reverse or halt progression of chronic ALD.
A helix–turn–strand structural motif common in α–β proteins

By exhaustive structural comparisons, we have found that about one-third of the α-helix–turn–β–strand polypeptides in α–β barrel domains share a common structural motif. The chief characteristics of this motif are that first, the geometry of the turn between the α-helix and the β-strand is somewhat constrained, and second, the β-strand contains a hydrophobic patch that fits into a hydrophobic pocket on the α-helix. The geometry of the turn does not seem to be a major determinant of the α–β unit, because the turns vary in length from four to six residues. However, the motif does not occur when there are few constraints on the geometry of the turn–for instance, when the turns between the α-helix and the β-strands are very long. It also occurs much less frequently in flat-sheet α–β proteins, where the topology is much less regular and the amount of twist on the sheet varies considerably more than in the barrel proteins. The motif may be one of the basic building blocks from which α–β barrels are constructed.
Quantitative Measurement of Leaf Chlorophylls by Spectrophotometry of Their Pheophytins in Aqueous Alcoholic Extracts.

Quantitative measurements of leaf chlorophylls generally utilize spectrophotometric or colorimetric assay following extraction of pigments from the tissue (3). However, all these methods require sampling of the leaf tissue, followed by extraction of the pigments. Both sampling and extracting introduce a variability into the results which may make the methods inadequate for detecting small changes in chlorophyll content. It is the purpose of this communication to evaluate the extent of the variability introduced into such methodology when assaying chlorophyll in leaves, as well as to estimate the precision of three types of instruments (2 spectrophotometers & a colorimeter) used in conjunction with these measurements. Ideally, it would be desirable to determine chlorophyll in situ, and both reflectance and transmission methods have been proposed (S. Aronoff. 1962. Dimerization of chlorophyll a in concentrated solutions. Unpublished (5). Unfortunately, these methods appear to lack the refinement necessary for detecting small differences. While spectrophotometry of solutions of chlorophylls a and b at two wavelengths permits the calculation of the concentrations of the two components individually, colorimetric measurements, using incident light of relatively broad spectral range, allows quantitative estimation of total chlorophyll only. Determination of the chlorophylls as phyllins may yield variable results arising from uncontrolled alteration of the pigments during processing of the sample and measurement. For example, pheophytinization and allomerization are encountered commonly. The method of determination of leaf chlorophylls reported here involves spectrophotometry of acidified 80 %-ethanolic leaf extracts at two wavelengths. Chlorophylls a and b are thereby measured as their pheophytins. Thus, the variability arising from manipulations involving separations, pheophytinization upon extraction, and allomerization of the chlorophylls, is minimized. Materials & Methods
Factors Used by Restaurant Customers to Predict Sanitation Levels

Approximately 60% of all meals consumed by Americans are prepared outside the home while a significant number of foodborne illnesses occur annually resulting in hospitalizations and death. Based on a sample of 920 restaurants, sanitation performance was assessed using readily available measures including overall hygiene, rest room conditions, and the sanitation habits of foodservice personnel. Fine-dining establishments were consistently among the top performers. However, buffet style restaurants performed surprisingly well and showed the least amount of variability across sanitation standards. French, Italian, and Japanese restaurants were generally among the top performers. Seating capacity and price were not significant predictors after adjusting for the type of establishment and ethnicity.
Seromucoid-levels in osteolathyrism in the rat.

SCHWARTZ1 has recently reported significant increases in mean levels of serum mucoproteins in lathyric rabbits, and has interpreted these as reflecting an increased depolymerization of ground substance. Grant, Hathorn and Gillman2 have reported increased levels of serum mucoproteins in rats made lathyric by feeding sweet pea diets. They have suggested the occurrence in these animals of an increased synthesis and discharge of mucoproteins by the liver, associated with a decreased rate of utilization of mucopolysaccharide by the aorta and other connective tissues during synthesis of new fibrillar components. Our own unpublished observations of seromucoid-levels made over a period of years in a number of series of rats in which osteolathyrism had been produced by feeding β-aminopropionitrile are not in agreement with these reports.
VAX FORTRAN to FORTRAN 77 translator

Abstract A Fortran preprocessor is described which maps VAX Fortran into standard Fortran 77. Supported extensions include long variable names, DO WHILE loops, ENDDO loop terminations, Vax Fortran tab convention, INCLUDE file processing, and a MODULE facility to limit the access of external programs to subprogram and common block names. The software is available in ‘standard’ Pascal and Software Tools Pascal form.
Fault Location Utilizing Unsynchronized Voltage Measurements During Fault

Diverse transmission line fault location methods have been proposed utilizing voltages and currents as inputs. This article develops several algorithms utilizing only the voltages, dispensing with current transformers and thus eliminating the errors caused by saturation of current transformers. The algorithms are applicable to line to ground faults, line to line faults, and line to line to ground faults. The algorithms utilize unsynchronized fault voltage measurements from two ends of a line and do not require pre-fault data. Shunt capacitances of the line are fully considered. Encouraging results have been obtained by simulation studies.
Circadian toxicology of cyclosporin

Cyclosporin (Cs), a cyclic nonpolar undecapeptide of fungal origin, has potent immunosuppressive and antiparasitic activities, and renal and hepatic toxicities, the mechanisms of which are not worked out. Many nephrotoxins and hepatotoxins are predictably more or less harmful, depending upon the circadian stage at which they are administered. In order to find treatment schedules that might damage the animal least, the toxicity of 20 mg kg-1 day-1 of Cs given intraperitoneally was studied at six different circadian stages in adult male Lewis rats. Cs toxicity was gauged by body temperature decline, body weight loss, and survival time. Rectal temperatures over a 24-hr span during the 2 days prior to the first death revealed that rats treated during darkness were 1.6 +/- 0.3 degree C cooler than vehicle-treated controls, whereas rats treated during the light span were only 0.4 +/- 0.2 degree C cooler than controls (p less than 0.01). Rats treated in darkness lost twice as much weight compared to those treated in light (20 +/- 2 versus 10 +/- 2%, p less than 0.01). Rats receiving daily Cs in the dark span lived an average of 28 +/- 5 days compared with 44 +/- 4 days for animals getting Cs during the light span (p less than 0.05). Three separate nonspecific measures of drug toxicity confirmed that there was substantial circadian stage dependence to Cs toxicity. The safest time for the drug in rats was 2 to 10 hr after lighting onset, a time when rats are usually beginning their diurnal rest and/or sleep span.
Responses of earlirose rice to iron, zinc, and BPDS when grown on calcareous soil

Abstract The Earlirose cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in calcareous Hacienda loam soil was extremely Fe deficient. The Fe deficiency was corrected by premixing 40 ppm Fe (as FeSO4) into the soil before transplanting plants. The Fe deficiency appeared to be induced by high plant levels of Cu and Mn. Addition of Zn (40 ppm as ZnSO4) intensified the Fe deficiency. The Fe addition did not overcome the effect of the Zn. BPDS (bathophenanthroline disulfonate), a chelator of Fe++, had little effect on the results.
Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and renal veins with hemorrhagic renal infarction in infancy.

Summary A review of the literature on renalvein thrombosis and infarction of the kidneys revealed that this condition usually is a complication of diarrhea in newborn infants, that it is extremely rare, and that its exact etiology is unknown. In the case which has been reported, post-mortem examination showed massive thrombosis, including the inferior vena cava, rolandic veins, and renal veins, with bilateral hemorrhagic renal infarction (Fig. 2). Hypertension in these cases is exceedingly rare, but in this case the blood pressure appeared to be elevated.
Studies of Chloroplast Development in Euglena. VI. Light Intensity as a Controlling Factor in Development.

development and chloroplast replication. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 51: 340-46. 21. SHIBATA, K. 1957. Spectroscopic studies on chlorophyll formation in intact leaves. J. Biochem. 44: 147-73. 22. SMITH, J. H. C., C. S. FRENCH, AND V. M. KOSKI. 1952. The Hill reaction: development of chloroplast activity during greening of etiolated barley leaves. Plant Physiol. 27: 212-13. 23. SMITH, J. H. C. 1954. The development of chlorophyll and 02 evolving power in etiolated barley leaves when illuminated. Plant Physiol. 29: 14348. 24. STERN, A. I., H. T. EPSTEIN, AND J. A. SCHIFF. 1964. Studies of chloroplast development in Euglena. VI. Light intensity as a controlling factor in development. Plant Physiol. 39: 226-31. 25. THOMAS, J. B. 1955. Structure and function of the chloroplast. Progr. Biophys. Biophys. Chem. 5: 109-39. 26. THOMAS, J. B. 1960. Chloroplast structure. In: Encylopedia of Plant Physiol. W. Ruhland et al. eds. Springer. Berlin, Germany. p 534-46. 27. TOLBERT, N. E. AND F. B. GAILEY. 1955. CO2 fixation by etiolated plants after exposure to white light. Plant Physiol. 30: 491-99. 28. VON WETTSTEIN, D. 1958. Formation of plastid structures. Brookhaven Symp. in Biol. 11: 13859. 29. VON WETTSTEIN, D. 1961. Nuclear and cytoplasmic factors in development of cholorplast structure and function. Can. J. Botany 39: 1537-45.
Increased risk of head tremor in women with essential tremor: Longitudinal data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project

In one cross-sectional study of a community in northern Manhattan, women with essential tremor (ET) were more likely to have head tremor than were men. In that study, patients were seen at one point in time, rather than followed longitudinally. Head tremor often develops after arm tremor, and its appearance in patients with ET may therefore be a function of duration of follow-up. In a second epidemiological study utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project, in which ET subjects were followed from disease diagnosis to death, we determined whether there was an association between female gender and head tremor. We utilized the records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to identify ET cases. Records were reviewed and clinical data abstracted by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. A second neurologist reviewed a subsample of records. There were 107 ET cases (69 women, 38 men) followed for 10.1 +/- 9.1 years from ET diagnosis to death. Head tremor was present in 37 (53.6%) women and 5 (13.2%) men (odds ratio [OR] = 7.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-21.9, P < 0.001). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, women remained at high risk for head tremor (OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 2.2-19.0, P = 0.001) independent of disease duration. We found in this longitudinal epidemiological study that women with ET were six times more likely to develop head tremor over the course of their illness than were men. The reason for the association between gender and head tremor, which has now been demonstrated in several studies, is not known, but it could reflect gender differences in the distribution of disease pathology within the brain.
Locally dependent latent trait model and the dutch identity revisited

In this paper, we propose a class of locally dependent latent trait models for responses to psychological and educational tests. Typically, item response models treat an individual's multiple response to stimuli as conditional independent given the individual's latent trait. In this paper, instead the focus is on models based on a family of conditional distributions, or kernel, that describes joint multiple item responses as a function of student latent trait, not assuming conditional independence. Specifically, we examine a hybrid kernel which comprises a component for one-way item response functions and a component for conditional associations between items given latent traits. The class of models allows the extension of item response theory to cover some new and innovative applications in psychological and educational research. An EM algorithm for marginal maximum likelihood of the hybrid kernel model is proposed. Furthermore, we delineate the relationship of the class of locally dependent models and the log-linear model by revisiting the Dutch identity (Holland, 1990).
Pharmacotherapy of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders: AReview of the Literature

Objective: Substance use disorders (SUD) are increasingly conceptualized as developing during adolescence. Moreover, adolescent SUD are viewed as one of the most difficult mental health conditions ...
Metabolic evidence of cobalamin deficiency in bone marrow cells harvested for transplantation from donors given nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide inactivates cobalamin, but clinically apparent sequelae ensue in nondeficient individuals only when exposure is prolonged. The gas is widely used in anesthesia, therefore, and is commonly given to donors during harvesting of their bone marrow cells for transplantation. The present study shows that nitrous oxide administered for only 75-120 minutes induced mild but unequivocal DNA synthetic abnormalities attributable to cobalamin deficiency in the harvested marrow cells of 4 out of 5 donors; the deoxyuridine suppression test in these 4 patients showed abnormal results more than 4 standard deviations above the reference mean. Metabolic evidence of cobalamin deficiency in cryopreserved cells diminished only slightly when they were thawed and retested 1 day later, but was no longer detectable in cells thawed and tested on the 3rd day. In contrast, cells harvested under nitrous oxide-free anesthesia in 4 subjects showed no evidence of cobalamin deficiency in the deoxyuridine suppression test. These results demonstrate that even relatively brief exposure to nitrous oxide induces cobalamin deficiency in harvested bone marrow cells, and that the cells remain metabolically impaired for more than 24 hours. Although clinical sequelae are not apparent at this time, the several potential implications of our findings indicate that the use of nitrous oxide in bone marrow transplantation needs to be evaluated further.
What does not explain the variation in the direct costs of graduate medical education.

BACKGROUND There is considerable variation in the costs of training residents across hospitals. Previous studies have reported training costs that ranged for $7,500 to $200,000 per resident, with means in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. This paper examines the factors associated with the variation in the direct costs of residency education across hospitals. METHODS Hospital costs, hospital payment rates, various cost-of-living indices, and hospital characteristics for all hospitals in the United States receiving Medicare funds for residency education in fiscal year 1991 were obtained from various public sources. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether organizational structure of residency training, specialty mix of residents, quality of training, cost of living in the geographic area, patient mix of the hospital, or other factors could explain some or all of the cost variation. RESULTS Only a small proportion of the variation in the costs of training residents or payments for residency education could be explained by the factors analyzed. CONCLUSION Much of the current variation in residency costs and payments is attributable to accounting and not structural or locational factors. Institutions looking for ways to become more efficient could compare costs of training across institutions without sophisticated adjusters. Federal policymakers should consider a national payment rate per resident to replace the current system based on hospital-specific costs. This proposal would redistribute dollars across residency programs. The proposal would affect payments for direct medical education in the Medicare program and could form the basis for payment for residency education by all payers.
Suppression by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol of lipopolysaccharide-induced and intrinsic tyrosine phosphorylation and protein expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/mL)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of four proteins (p41, p42, p77, and p82) in mouse resident peritoneal macrophages was observed using a monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody PY20 immunoblotting method. Macrophages pretreated for 3 hr with 1 μg delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/mL had decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of p77 and p82 after incubation with LPS for 30min. Simultaneous treatment of macrophages with THC (10 μg/mL) plus LPS for 30 min had a similar effect on p77 and p82 tyrosine phosphorylation. When the THC pretreatment protocol was combined with the simultaneous treatment protocol, 0.5 and 5 μg THC/mL, respectively, completely blocked LPS-induced p77 and p82 tyrosine phosphorylation. However, neither simultaneous treatment with THC nor pre- and simultaneous treatment had any effect on LPS-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p41 and p42 in macrophages. Pretreatment with 1 μg THC/mL followed by simultaneous treatment with 10μg THC/mL induced a p43 protein that showed tyrosine phosphorylation in place of p41 and p42. Further analysis of THC effects on macrophages revealed an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation as an immediate early event after THC treatment. Prolonged treatment of macrophages with THC resulted in a broad suppression of tyrosine phosphorylation and some cellular protein expression. Three cellular proteins (p65, p70, and p72) seemed most susceptible to inhibition by THC. The data suggest that suppression of tyrosine phosphorylation by THC in macrophages may be one of the mechanisms associated with inhibition of cell function, including the suppression of tumor necrosis factor-α release from macrophages.
Illegal markets and the social costs of rent-seeking

This paper argues that making goods or services illegal results in an increase in the social costs associated with rent-seeking. The increased social cost is in the form of negative externalities that result from market participants use of coercion and violence in attempts to control trade in the illegal good. Consequently, the social costs of rent-seeking will exceed the value of resources dissipated in rent-seeking competition. And, where the external costs exceed the undissipated portion of the Tullock cost, the social cost of rent-seeking is greater than the sum of Tullock and Harberger costs.
Optical joint transform correlator using high-speed holographic photopolymer film

JPL has recently developed an all-optical Joint Transform Optical Correlator (OJTC) utilizing a high-speed rewritable holographic photopolymer film (HPF) as the key real-time holographic read/write medium. The high resolution HPF has enabled the use of an off-axis holographic recording scheme that has completely eliminated the zero-order crosstalk plaguing most of the state-of-the-art OJTC systems with an on-axis recording scheme. The high sensitivity and fast erasure capability of the HPF film has made possible the real-time updatable target recognition performance of the OJTC. The OJTC system architecture, optical implementation and experimental results demonstrating fingerprint recognition are described in this paper.
The graduate student experience and subscription to the norms of science

This paper examines the normative orientations of doctoral students with respect to academic research. In particular, it analyzes the effects of graduate department structure, department climate, and students' mentoring experiences on students' subscription to the traditional norms of science and to alternative counternorms. Findings are based on data from a nationwide survey of students in chemistry, civil engineering, microbiology, and sociology. The analysis demonstrates substantial ambivalence among graduate students about the traditional norms of academic research. It also reveals significant differences in the normative orientations of U.S. and international students.
Inhibition of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping by i.c.v. and i.t. administration of saline in morphine-dependent mice

In morphine-dependent mice, s.c. and i.t. administered naloxone produced withdrawal jumping (ED50 values were i.t. = s.c.) but i.c.v. administered naloxone failed to produce dose-dependent jumping. Peak times of jumping were earliest after i.t. administration of naloxone among the three administration routes. These results suggested that the spinal site was more sensitive to naloxone than the supraspinal site. Concomitant administration of naloxone i.c.v. and i.t. did not precipitate jumping. It was found that i.c.v. and i.t. injections of saline inhibited withdrawal jumping precipitated by s.c. administered naloxone and that the i.c.v. effect was more profound than the i.t. effect. I.c.v. injection of saline also delayed the peak time of withdrawal jumping precipitated by s.c. administered naloxone. These inhibitory effects of the injection procedures may explain the difficulty of i.c.v. administered naloxone and concomitant i.c.v. + i.t. administered naloxone to precipitate jumping, and may explain the difference in the ED50 values of naloxone and the time courses of jumping.
A phosphatase holoenzyme comprised of Shoc2/Sur8 and the catalytic subunit of PP1 functions as an M-ras effector to modulate raf activity

Ras family GTPases (RFGs) are known to share many regulatory and effector proteins. How signaling and biological specificity is achieved is poorly understood. Using a proteomics approach, we have identified a complex comprised of Shoc2/Sur-8 and the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1c) as a highly specific M-Ras effector. M-Ras targets Shoc2-PP1c to stimulate Raf activity by dephosphorylating the S259 inhibitory site of Raf proteins bound to other molecules of M-Ras or Ras. Therefore, distinct RFGs, through independent effectors, can regulate different steps in the activation of Raf kinases. Shoc2 function is essential for activation of the MAPK pathway by growth factors. Furthermore, in tumor cells with Ras gene mutations, inhibition of Shoc2 expression inhibits MAPK, but not PI3K activity. We propose that the Shoc2-PP1c holoenzyme provides an attractive therapeutic target for inhibition of the MAPK pathway in cancer.
Chromatographic separation of phenols using an acrylic resin

Abstract A liquid chromatograph is described that uses gas pressure on water to force eluents through the column. A macroporous polyacrylate resin is used in conjunction with methanol-water or basis aqueous eluents for separation of mixtures of phenols. The elution characteristics of twenty-one phenols are described. Several separations of actual mixtures are shown to demonstrate the separation capabilities of this system.
Learning by Doing and Audit Quality

In this study, we present a nonstrategic, dynamic Bayesian model in which auditors' learning on the job and their choice of professional services jointly affect audit quality. While performing audits over time, auditors accumulate client-specific knowledge so that their posterior beliefs about clients are updated and become more precise (that is, precision is our surrogate for audit quality) — what we call the learning effect. In addition, auditors can enrich their knowledge accumulation by performing nonaudit services (NAS) that, in fact, may influence clients' managerial decisions — what we call the business advisory effect. This advisory effect permits auditors to anticipate and to learn about changes in clients' business models, which in turn improves their advisory capacity. These dual “learning” and “advisory” effects are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The advisory effect of NAS may increase or reduce auditors' engagement risk. We show that large professional fees can induce auditors to provide NAS that increase engagement risk and diminish audit quality. However, when NAS reduce engagement risk and increase audit quality, auditors may provide NAS without charging clients. The feature that distinguishes our study — the interdependence between the learning and advisory effects — provides new insight into the trade-off between audit fees and audit quality. Consequently, our analysis helps explain why the scope of the audit has evolved over time and why the boundaries between audit and NAS are constantly shifting. A recent example of such a shift is that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act adds control attestation to audits for public companies traded in U.S. markets.
On the Emergence of Primary Visual Perception

We propose a concise novel conceptual and biological framework for the analysis of primary visual perception (PVP) that refers to the most basic levels of our awake subjective visual experiences. Neural representations for image content elaborated within V1/V2 and the early occipitotemporal (ventral) loop remain only latent with respect to PVP until spatially localized with respect to an attending observer. This process requires more than the downstream deployment of attentional resources onto targeted neurons. Additionally, the source neurons for such processes must be linked to a neural representation subserving a first-person perspective. We hypothesize that the simultaneous emergence of both the perceptual experience of image content and the personal inference of its ownership requires the resolution of any conflicting neuronal signaling between afferent and recurrent projections within and between both the ventral and dorsal streams. The V1/V2 complex and ventral cortical areas V3 and the V4 complex together with dorsal cortical areas LIP, VIP, and 7a with additional contributions from the motion areas V5/MT (middle temporal area), FST (fundus of superior temporal area), and MST (medial superior temporal area) together with their subcortical dependencies have the physiological properties required to constitute a "posterior perceptual core" that encodes the normal primary perceptual experience of image content, space, and sense of minimal self.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 increases neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries

Background Elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) are associated with myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. PAI-1 is increased in atherosclerotic arteries and failed vein grafts. No experimental data, however, support a causal relationship between elevated PAI-1 expression and vascular lesions. Paradoxically, data generated in PAI-1 knockout mice suggest that PAI-1 might decrease lesion formation after arterial injury and that PAI-1 gene transfer might prevent restenosis. Methods and Results Using the rat carotid balloon injury model and a PAI-1-expressing adenoviral vector, we tested whether elevated arterial PAI-1 expression would alter neointima formation. Compared with control-transduced arteries, neointima formation in PAI-1-transduced arteries was initially retarded. By 14 days, however, the intimas of PAI-1-transduced arteries were significantly larger than intimas of control-transduced arteries (1.6±0.1×105 versus 1.2±0.1×105 μm2, n=18 to 19, P<0...
Successful treatment of severe endometriosis in two premenopausal women with an aromatase inhibitor.

Abstract Objective To treat severe endometriosis in premenopausal women with an aromatase inhibitor and to document the efficacy and side effects of this new treatment. Design Case report. Setting Clinical practice setting. Patient(s) Patients were premenopausal endometriosis cases confirmed by prior laparoscopy. Intervention(s) Oral administration of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole with the addition of 200-mg oral progesterone (P) capsules once daily, hs, and calcitriol 0.5 μg oral capsules twice daily. All three medications were given daily for 21 days followed by 7 days off, for a 28-day treatment cycle. Additionally, rofecoxib 12.5 mg was administered once a day continuously for the 28-day cycle. The dose could be increased to 25–50 mg daily as needed for increased pain. Six repeat 28-day cycles were planned for the treatment course depending on patient tolerance and response. Main outcome measure(s) Reduction of symptoms, elimination of endometrial implants, and improvement in fertility potential in the future. Monitoring for ovarian hyperstimulation as a side effect of aromatase inhibitor therapy. Documentation of potential symptoms or side effects when an aromatase inhibitor is used in menstruating women. Result(s) Treatment resulted in a rapid, progressive reduction in symptoms over 3 months with the maintenance of remission of symptoms for over 24 months after treatment in both cases. There was confirmation of absence of disease in one case by follow-up laparoscopy 15 months after treatment. Pregnancy was achieved in both cases after 24 months. Conclusion(s) This is the first case report of successful treatment of severe endometriosis in premenopausal women with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole combined with P, rofecoxib, and calcitriol. Treatment resulted in a rapid elimination of symptoms and was well tolerated in both cases.
Effect of enamel matrix proteins on the periodontal connective tissue‐material interface after wound healing

The periodontal ligament has the potential to regenerate a complete periodontal connective tissue attachment, starting with the deposition of cementum, on pathologically exposed root surfaces as well as several materials including titanium oxide. However, most commonly used dental materials result in a fibrous encapsulation or a chronic inflammatory response after periodontal wound healing rather than the formation of a periodontal connective tissue attachment. Recently, an extract of porcine enamel matrix (Emdogain(R), EMD) has been reported inductive of cementum formation in both in vivo and in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of EMD, when applied to materials previously reported not supportive of periodontal connective tissue formation, on the periodontal connective tissue-material interface obtained with these materials in vivo. Bilateral osteotomies were performed on the mandible of a Yucatan minipig exposing the buccal root surface of four premolars. A series of four preparations were placed in each root surface that were subsequently filled with calcium hydroxide, gutta percha, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), or left unfilled. One side, in addition, received an application of EMD prior to surgical closure. A bioabsorbable surgical barrier membrane was placed over the osteotomy sites to exclude gingival connective tissue from the wound-healing environment. The mucoperiosteal flaps were then readapted and sutured in position. The animal was euthanized 10 weeks after the procedure, block sections obtained and prepared for light microscopy. Results demonstrated complete regeneration of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament in all four teeth from the EMD-treated side. Fibers from the periodontal ligament were observed to insert into a mineralized matrix consistent with cementum on all four root preparations. In contrast, massive root resorption without regeneration of alveolar bone was found on all teeth from the side not treated with EMD. The results of this pilot study suggest that the application of EMD to material surfaces that normally do not support periodontal connective tissue attachment formation can alter the type of periodontal connective tissue interface obtained with these materials.
From servicescape to consumptionscape: a photo-elicitation study of Starbucks in the New China

A servicescape can be viewed as the frozen potential of a consumptionscape, which is unleashed when consumers “twist” the resources of its built environment for their own purposes. In this paper we explore how young, urban Chinese consumers transform the iconic global brand Starbucks into a consumptionscape through their enactment of personally meaningful experiences, roles, and identities in the setting. We employ the qualitative research methodology of photo-elicitation by having consumers record their experience in a Starbucks in Beijing through photography and later using these images as probes in a depth interview. The implications for new global servicescapes in local markets are discussed.
Stored grain insects in underground storage pits in Somalia and their control.

Seven species of stored grain pests were found infesting underground storage pits “bakars” tn the Bay Region of Somalia. These species and their relative abundance (%) in “bakars” are as follows: Alphitobius laevigatas (Fabricius) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) (3.7%), Palorus subdepressus (Wollaston) (6.1%), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (29.2%); Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Bostrichidae) (23.9%); Sitophilus oryzae (Linneaeus) (Curculionidae) (4.7%); Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Cucujidae) (32.4%); Sitotroga cerealella Oliver (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) (unsampled). The mean percentage damage by insects for the region was 10.4 and by rats was 8.4 for sorghum grain stored as heads in 100 “bakars”. Actellic, K-Othrine and Malathion, applied as a 2% dust to threshed durra sorghum grain stored in sacks above ground, provided 99.2, 99.5 and 94.5% control, respectively.
Celiac Disease Is Associated with Restless Legs Syndrome

Celiac disease may be associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) because of an association with iron deficiency. Often, RLS negatively affects quality of life but may remain undiagnosed. This study evaluated the association between celiac disease and RLS. The incidence of RLS among 85 patients with celiac disease was 35%, with a prevalence of 25% compared with 10% of spouses (P < 0.02). In 79% of patients with RLS and celiac disease, neuromuscular symptoms began during or after onset of gastrointestinal symptoms. Iron deficiency was present in 40% of celiac patients with active RLS compared with 6% of patients without RLS (P < 0.001). After 6 months of a gluten-free diet, RLS symptoms improved in 50% of 28 patients. Screening for celiac disease in patients with RLS is important since this commonly overlooked silent disease may be a correctable factor for some patients with idiopathic RLS.
Hamster hepatocytes in culture as a model for acetaminophen toxicity: Studies with inhibitors of drug metabolism

A hamster hepatocyte system was developed for use in studying the toxicity of acetaminophen (APAP). The cells were isolated and placed in culture conditions in petri dishes containing a film of collagen. Hepatocytes, after attachment to collagen, were exposed for various periods of time to different concentrations of APAP. Hepatocytes exposed to APAP exhibited concentration- and time-dependent GSH depletion followed by cytoplasmic enzyme leakage and an increase in malondialdehyde content (TBA-reactive material). These effects were reduced by the drug metabolism inhibitors metyrapone, piperonyl butoxide, and dithiocarb. Removal of APAP and its unbound metabolites from cells prior to 1.5 hr followed by culture in drug-free medium resulted in no observable damage to the cells over a 24-hr period. Removal of drug after longer exposure times followed by culture in fresh medium resulted in eventual cell damage. This finding showed that deleterious changes caused by APAP occurred over a 1.5-hr period after which eventual hepatocyte damage could not be reversed by removal of the drug. Further experiments showed that metyrapone and dithiocarb had some protective effect when added after APAP had been completely removed from damaged cells. This result indicates that these agents have a protective action separate from, and in addition to, their ability to inhibit APAP oxidation via cytochromes P-450.
Inhibition of Lecithin-Cholesterol Acyltransferase and Modification of HDL Apolipoproteins by Aldehydes

Experimental evidence suggests that aldehydes generated as a consequence of lipid peroxidation may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It is well documented that aldehydes modify LDL: however, less is known concerning the effects of aldehydes on other plasma and interstitial fluid components. In the present study, we investigated the effects of five physiologically relevant aldehydes (acetaldehyde, acrolein, hexanal, 4-hydroxynonenal [HNE], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) on two key constituents of the antiatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and HDL. Human plasma was incubated for 3 hours at 37 degrees C with each one of the five aldehydes at concentrations ranging from 0.16 to 84 mmol/L. Dose-dependent decreases in LCAT activity were observed. The short-chain (acrolein) and long-chain (HNE) alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes were the most effective LCAT inhibitors. Micromolar concentrations of these unsaturated aldehydes resulted in significant reductions in plasma LCAT activity. The short- and longer-chain saturated aldehydes acetaldehyde and hexanal and the dialdehyde MDA were considerably less effective at inhibiting LCAT than were acrolein and HNE. In addition to inhibiting LCAT, aldehydes increased HDL electrophoretic mobility and cross-linked HDL apolipoproteins. Cross-linking of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II required higher aldehyde concentrations than inhibition of LCAT. The alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes acrolein and HNE were fourfold to eightfold more effective cross-linkers of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II than the other aldehydes studied. These data suggest that products of lipid peroxidation, especially unsaturated aldehydes, may interfere with normal HDL cholesterol transport by inhibiting LCAT and modifying HDL apolipoproteins.
Transport of urea and ammonia production in the human colon.

Abstract Perfusion of the cleansed human colon was used to quantify movement of urea between the circulation and lumen, together with the amount of urea hydrolysed to ammonia in the colon. Only 2% of urea delivered to the colon by the circulation was recovered from the lumen at normal or elevated blood-urea concentrations, and only 5% of urea perfused through the colon was absorbed. Urea was not hydrolysed to recoverable ammonia when perfused through the colonic lumen, and only 0·2% of urea reaching the colonic mucosa from the circulation underwent ureolysis, as reflected by the ammonia recoverable from the lumen. Bacterial urease was responsible, because treatment with neomycin prevented accumulation of ammonia in the colonic lumen after urea was given by vein. The increased urinary and colonic outputs of urea found after neomycin was given were equivalent to the 7 g. of urea believed to be hydrolysed each 24 hours by bacterial ureases. It is therefore proposed that (1) the colon is relatively impermeable to urea; (2) urea from the circulation is hydrolysed more readily than that in the lumen; (3) colonic urease activity, although bacterial, has a mucosal or juxtamucosal location; and (4) ammonia generated from ureolysis passes to the circulation rather than the lumen of the colon by nonionic and simple ionic diffusion because of the pH and concentration gradients involved.
Moisture Convergence Using Satellite-Derived Wind Fields: A Severe Local Storm Case Study

Five-minute interval 1-km resolution SMS visible channel data were used to derive low-level wind fields by tracking small cumulus clouds on NASA's Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System. The satellite-derived wind fields were combined with surface mixing ratios to derive horizontal moisture convergence in the prestorm environment of April 24, 1975. Storms began developing in an area extending from southwest Oklahoma to eastern Tennessee 2 h subsequent to the time of the derived fields. The maximum moisture convergence was computed to be 0.0022 g/kg per sec and areas of low-level convergence of moisture were in general indicative of regions of severe storm genesis. The resultant moisture convergence fields derived from two wind sets 20 min apart were spatially consistent and reflected the mesoscale forcing of ensuing storm development. Results are discussed with regard to possible limitations in quantifying the relationship between low-level flow and between low-level flow and satellite-derived cumulus motion in an antecedent storm environment.
PDE3 inhibition in dilated cardiomyopathy: Reasons to reconsider

Abstract Background PDE3 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases have important roles in regulating cAMP- and cGMP-mediated signaling. Drugs that inhibit these enzymes raise cAMP and cGMP content in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle and increase the phosphorylation of proteins by cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PK-A and PK-G), thereby eliciting inotropic and vasodilatory responses. Methods Although these actions are beneficial acutely in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, long-term use of these agents was shown in several clinical trials to increase mortality. Several new clinical studies, however, suggest PDE3 inhibitors may be safe and effective when used in conjunction with β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, whereas new studies at the cellular and molecular levels indicate that there are several isoforms of these enzymes in cardiac and vascular myocytes that are likely to regulate cAMP content in different intracellular compartments. Conclusions Both sets of observations suggest that PDE3 inhibition may be refined to allow more selective effects on phosphorylation of PK-A substrates, possibly allowing the beneficial effects of PDE3 inhibition to be separated from the adverse long-term consequences of their use.
Supercapacitor performance characterization for renewables applications

As levels of variable renewable energy penetration increase, the variable power outputs present significant integration challenges. Traditionally, these challenges have been met with fast-acting, but expensive, dispatchable sources. A promising energy storage technology to buffer the variable power outputs is the use of supercapacitors due to their fast-acting and power dense nature, combined with their excellent cyclability. The goal of this research is to determine both the useable life of cells cycled under normal conditions, and how the cell parameters change over the course of the supercapacitor's life. Two commercial supercapacitors rated at 3000 F, purchased from a major distributor and used as received, were cycled to 25,000 cycles, and the capacitance and equivalent series resistance were monitored. As more data is obtained, models can be created to allow control systems to estimate the health and remaining life of individual supercapacitors in energy storage applications.
Mechanisms of Uranium Interactions with Hydroxyapatite: Implications for Groundwater Remediation

The speciation of U(VI) sorbed to synthetic hydroxyapatite was investigated using a combination of U LIII-edge XAS, synchrotron XRD, batch uptake measurements, and SEM-EDS. The mechanisms of U(VI) removal by apatite were determined in order to evaluate the feasibility of apatite-based in-situ permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). In batch U(VI) uptake experiments with synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA), near complete removal of dissolved uranium (>99.5%) to <0.05 μM was observed over a range of total U(VI) concentrations up to equimolar of the total P in the suspension. XRD and XAS analyses of U(VI)-reacted HA at sorbed concentrations ≤4700 ppm U(VI) suggested that uranium(VI) phosphate, hydroxide, and carbonate solids were not present at these concentrations. Fits to EXAFS spectra indicate the presence of Ca neighbors at 3.81 A. U-Ca separation, suggesting that U(VI) adsorbs to the HA surfaces as an inner-sphere complex. Uranium(VI) phosphate solid phases were not detected in HA with 4700 ppm sorbed U(VI) by ba...
Growth of the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under red and blue lasers

Abstract Red and blue lasers, holding promise as an electric light source for photosynthetic systems on account of being true monochromatic, high-power, and having high electrical-conversion efficiency, were employed in growing a green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . The laser treatments tested included: 655-nm Red; 680-nm Red; 655-nm Red+474-nm Blue and 680-nm Red+474-nm Blue. A white cold cathode lamp with spectral output similar to that of white fluorescent lamp served as control. C. reinhardtii successfully grew and divided under the 655 and 680-nm red lasers as well as under the white-light control. Supplementing either red with blue laser, however, resulted in increased algae cell count that significantly exceeded those under both red lasers and the white-light control on average by 241%.
Studies of the immunological capacity of germfree mouse radiation chimeras. III. In vitro reconstitution of the T-helper cell deficiency☆

Abstract The plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of long-term radiation induced allogeneic bone marrow chimeric (ABMC) mice has been shown to be markedly deficient. The nature of the cellular deficiency of the primary PFC response was investigated using in vitro culture techniques. Adherent spleen cells from ABMC or DBA/2 mice support equally well the development of PFC from nonadherent DBA/2 spleen cells. Nonadherent cells prepared from ABMC mice when cocultivated with DBA/2 adherent cells showed a minimal response. However, the addition of activated DBA/2 T cells to cultures containing adherent cells from DBA/2 mice and nonadherent cells from ABMC mice completely reconstituted the in vitro response to sheep erythrocytes. Therefore a cellular deficiency of the humoral immune system of ABMC mice was shown to be associated with the thymus-derived lymphocyte pool.