cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) Diet Slows Cognitive Decline After Stroke

This study sought to determine if the MIND diet (a hybrid of the Mediterranean and Dash diets, with modifications based on the science of nutrition and the brain), is effective in preventing cognitive decline after stroke. We analyzed 106 participants of a community cohort study who had completed a diet assessment and two or more annual cognitive assessments and who also had a clinical history of stroke. Cognition in five cognitive domains was assessed using structured clinical evaluations that included a battery of 19 cognitive tests. MIND diet scores were computed using a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary components of the MIND diet included whole grains, leafy greens and other vegetables, berries, beans, nuts, lean meats, fish, poultry, and olive oil and reduced consumption of cheese, butter, fried foods, and sweets. MIND diet scores were modeled in tertiles. The influence of baseline MIND score on change in a global cognitive function measure and in the five cognitive domains was assessed using linear mixed models adjusted for age and other potential confounders. With adjustment for age, sex, education, APOE-e4, caloric intake, smoking, and participation in cognitive and physical activities, the top vs lowest tertiles of MIND diet scores had a slower rate of global cognitive decline (β =.08; CI = 0.0074, 0.156) over an average of 5.9 years of follow-up. High adherence to the MIND diet was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline after stroke.
Uremic metabolites impair skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics through disruption of the electron transport system and matrix dehydrogenase activity

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to increased skeletal muscle fatigue, weakness, and atrophy. Previous work has implicated mitochondria within the skeletal muscle as a mediator of muscle dysfunct...
On a generalization of the Jensen-Shannon divergence

The Jensen-Shannon divergence is a renown bounded symmetrization of the Kullback-Leibler divergence which does not require probability densities to have matching supports. In this paper, we introduce a vector-skew generalization of the scalar $\alpha$-Jensen-Bregman divergences and derive thereof the vector-skew $\alpha$-Jensen-Shannon divergences. We study the properties of these novel divergences and show how to build parametric families of symmetric Jensen-Shannon-type divergences. Finally, we report an iterative algorithm to numerically compute the Jensen-Shannon-type centroids for a set of probability densities belonging to a mixture family: This includes the case of the Jensen-Shannon centroid of a set of categorical distributions or normalized histograms.
Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 and cross-assembly phage (crAssphage) from wastewater to monitor coronavirus transmission within communities

Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has become an attractive tool for combating the spread of COVID-19 by assessing the presence or levels of the virus shed in a population. However, the methods to quantify viral RNA and to link those quantities to the level of infection within the community vary. In this study, we sought to identify and optimize scalable methods for recovery of viral nucleic acids from wastewater and attempted to use a constitutive member of the gut virome, human-specific crAssphage, to help account for unknown levels of SARS-CoV-2 decay and dilution in the wastewater infrastructure. Results suggest that ultracentrifugation of a small volume of wastewater through a 50% sucrose cushion followed by total nucleic acid extraction yielded quantifiable virus in an area with a modest number of COVID-19 cases. Further, the ratio of log10(SARS-CoV-2):log10(crAssphage) appears to be associated with the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in the Syracuse, NY area. In areas where ultracentrifuges are available, these methods may be used to link SARS-CoV-2 quantities in wastewater to levels of transmission within communities with sewer service.
How Neoliberalism Shapes the Role and Responsibility of Faculty Members for Eliminating Sexual Violence

Little is known about the ways in which faculty members understand their role and responsibility in addressing sexual violence and how they engage in sexual violence education efforts. This qualita...
The cost-effectiveness and budget impact of ibalizumab-uiyk for adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection in the United States

Ibalizumab-uiyk (ibalizumab) is a first-in-class, long-acting, postattachment HIV-1 inhibitor for adults with multidrug-resistant (MDR) HIV-1 infection. This analysis examines the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of ibalizumab treatment for this difficult-to-treat population in the United States. A Markov model followed cohorts of adults with MDR HIV-1 infection through two final lines of antiretroviral therapy: ibalizumab + optimized background therapy (OBT) or OBT alone followed by nonsuppressive therapy. Model inputs were based on ibalizumab clinical trial data, market uptake projections, and published literature, with costs in 2019 dollars. The cost-effectiveness analysis assessed costs and health outcomes from a health care sector perspective for individuals receiving ibalizumab + OBT versus OBT alone over a lifetime time horizon. The budget-impact analysis estimated the impact on payer budgets of the introduction of ibalizumab over 3 years for a hypothetical commercial health plan. Compared with individuals receiving OBT alone, individuals receiving ibalizumab + OBT incurred higher costs but lived longer, healthier lives, with an incremental cost of $133,040 per QALY gained. For a hypothetical commercial health plan with 1 million members, the introduction of ibalizumab + OBT was estimated to increase budgets by $217,260, $385,245, and $560,310 ($0.018, $0.032, and $0.047 per member per month) in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. These results were found to be robust in sensitivity and scenario analyses. Ibalizumab may represent a cost-effective and affordable option to improve health outcomes for individuals with MDR HIV-1 infection.
Differential effects from cognitive rehabilitation and high-definition tDCS in posterior cortical atrophy: A single-case experimental design

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by visual-perceptual deficits, which impact daily life. Recent research has focused on non-pharmacological techniques to ameliorate these deficits, with the most common being cognitive rehabilitation. The present study investigates the differential effects of high definition-transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and cognitive rehabilitation in a single-case experimental design with two separate experimental phases in a patient with PCA. Experimental Phase 1 consisted of 10 sessions of HD-tDCS targeting the pre-SMA/dACC and Phase 2 consisted of 10 sessions of cognitive rehabilitation. Normed and standardized scores from figure copy and recall tests served as the primary outcome measures for visuospatial processing. The participant showed no immediate or long-term changes in visuospatial measures following HD-tDCS intervention. However, cognitive rehabilitation showed immediate improvement in visuospatial memory (figure recall) and clinically significant improvement in visuospatial construction (figure copy). Visuospatial construction gains remained in the low average range in the 10-week follow-up while visuospatial memory returned to baseline. Results indicated differential effects between HD-tDCS and cognitive rehabilitation with cognitive rehabilitation showing clinically significant improvement in primary outcome measures with sustained improvement in the long-term follow-up measure. Additional research is warranted to confirm these effects.
Effect of Atrioventricular Dyssynchrony on Impella Hemodynamics: Mechanism and Its Clinical Implications

The physiologic importance of atrial systole and atrioventricular (AV) synchrony in maintaining cardiac performance is well established. However, the role of AV synchrony in maintaining adequate Impella output has not been fully evaluated. Despite the common belief that AV dyssynchrony does not affect Impella output, given that Impella is a continuous flow device, recent reports indicate that AV dyssynchrony can lead to low Impella output in patients with cardiogenic shock complicated by complete heart block. Temporary transvenous pacing without establishing AV synchrony may fail to improve Impella hemodynamics; therefore, understanding the mechanism of low Impella output in AV dyssynchrony and promptly restoring AV synchrony may improve Impella output in such cases and lead to better outcomes.
New earliest Paleocene (Puercan) periptychid ‘condylarths’ from the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming, USA

An earliest Paleocene (Puercan) locality in the China Butte Member of the Fort Union Formation in the Great Divide Basin (GDB) of Wyoming contains a diverse mammalian faunal assemblage, including a...
Treatment of model error in subsurface flow history matching using a data-space method

Abstract Subsurface flow models are inherently imperfect, and the associated model error can lead to unreliable flow predictions. In this work, we introduce treatments for model error in a data-space inversion (DSI) framework. DSI is a history matching procedure that constructs posterior flow predictions (for quantities of interest) directly, within a Bayesian setting, using a large set of prior-model flow simulation results and observed data. The model error considered in this work derives from the use of upscaled/coarsened surrogate models for the prior-model flow simulations required by DSI. Our error treatment entails the simulation of a set of corresponding pairs of fine and upscaled models. These results are used to construct a principal component analysis (PCA) representation of error. A linear regression approach is introduced to capture the coupled nature of the coarse-scale simulation output and model error. To construct posterior DSI predictions, a joint inversion on coarse-scale simulation data and model error is performed using an ensemble smoother with multiple data assimilation. Both the prior simulation data and error terms are parameterized using PCA-based procedures. Results are presented for two-phase flow in 3D channelized geomodels. The corrected prior and DSI posterior results are compared to reference results generated from fine-scale simulations. Comparisons are presented for flow statistics, Mahalanobis distance, and relative error for multiple (synthetic) true models. The coupled model error treatment is shown to provide highly accurate prior results and posterior predictions that agree closely with reference results. Significant improvement relative to uncorrected coarse models is observed. The treatments developed here can be used to represent error from many different sources in a variety of subsurface flow settings.
Energy based modeling of ionic polymer metal composite actuators dedicated to the control of flexible structures

This paper deals with the control-oriented energy-based modeling of ionic polymer metal composite patches using multiscale infinite dimensional port-Hamiltonian formulations and Lagrange multipliers. Inspired by the work of Gou Nishida et al. 2012, but considering different assumptions, this paper focuses on the constraints arising from the coupling between the polymer gel and the compliant mechanical structure of the actuator, under the quasi-static mechanical assumption for the gel, leading to a constrained port Hamiltonian system. The geometric structure of the overall system and the associated energy balance are derived. The proposed energy-based model of the IPMC actuator allows deriving controllers via energy-based control design methods with a clear physical interpretation. The proposed actuator model is further discretized in space using a structure preserving finite difference method. The Lagrange multipliers are eliminated using coordinate projections. Simulations are compared with experimental results. With proper discretization numbers, our model is consistent with the physical system. Finally, Lagrange multipliers are exploited to connect the actuator to a 2-dimensional flexible structure stemming from the modeling of a flexible endoscope.
Histological Abnormalities in Intestinal and Extra Intestinal Tissues of ApcMin/+ Mouse with or without Folate Deficiency

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 1979 Germ-line mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene have been linked to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an autosomal dominantly inherited human disease that predisposes to colon cancer. ApcMin/+ mice (Min), heterozygous for the Apc gene mutation, a nonsense mutation at codon 850, progressively develop intestinal tumors in a manner that is analogous to that observed in patients with FAP,,. Folate, a water-soluble B vitamin and important cofactor in 1-carbon transfer, is an important nutritional factor that may modulate the development of colorectal cancer. Folate intake protects against colorectal cancer and enhances the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. In this present study, we studied the effects of Apc gene mutation and folate intake on the pathology of intestinal and extra-intestinal tissues. Compared with normal C57BL/6 (B6) mice, increased splenic hematopoiesis occurs in the Min mice, indicated by splenomegaly, increased red pulp cellularity and splenic megakaryocytes. Splenic histo-pathology demonstrates decreased lymphoid follicle number (the white pulp) along with significant CD3 positive T cell depletion within the spleens of the Min mice. Lymphoid follicle depletion was also observed in both the small intestine and colon of the Min mice. Extra intestinal tissues were also affected in the Min mice with testicles showing a decreased number of the secondary spermatides and spermatozoa as well as more degenerated Leydig cells. In both strains, folate deficiency has significant effects upon the small intestinal villus and the number of primary and growing follicles in ovaries in contrast to the mice fed with normal diet. In the Min mice, folate deficiency increases splenic hematopoiesis and lymphoid depletion as reflected by further increased splenomegaly and number of splenic megakaryocytes and decreased number of splenic and intestinal lymphoid follicles. In summary, the Apc gene mutation causes increased splenic hematopoiesis, lymphoid depletion in the spleen and intestine, and abnormalities of male reproductive tissues at 12 weeks of age. Folate deficiency further increases abnormal splenic hematopoiesis and lymphoid depletion caused by Apc gene mutation.
Host Seeking, by Parasitoids

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how parasitoids seek their hosts. The chemicals produced by insect hosts that serve as cues to parasitoids are kairomones because the parasitoid exploits them to the host's detriment. Usage and context are important here. A sex pheromone may be beneficial in the context of reproduction to attract a male moth to a female, but if a parasitoid cues on this chemical, the substance also functions in the context of interactions between hosts and parasitoids as a kairomone. A female parasitoid may find herself far from potential hosts. This could occur if the host stage she emerges from is different from the one attacked. Also, many parasitoid females have a preoviposition period before eggs are ready to be laid. During this interval of a few days to several weeks, the parasitoid may leave the vicinity of the host to mate and obtain nourishment. For example, the ichneumonid wasp, Pimpla ruficollis , is a parasitoid of the European pine shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana . Yet for the first few weeks of her adult life, she is repelled by the odor of pine, and thus avoids the forest where the host is located. As a consequence, the initial stage in host seeking in many parasitoids is to search for locations where the host is likely to occur. Parasitoids often respond to general stimuli such as light, humidity, or vegetation form, leading them to meadows, forests, swamps, ponds, soil, or different vegetation strata. These behaviors considerably narrow the areas that must be actually searched for hosts.
Global Total Nonsurgical Rejuvenation: Lasers and Light-Based Systems in Combination with Dermal Fillers and Botulinum Toxins

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses global total nonsurgical rejuvenation. Total global nonsurgical restoration employs the three “R”s—resurfacing, relaxation, and refilling. Resurfacing employs nonablative, fractional nonablative, fractional ablative, and ablative modalities. The nature of the device to be employed for resurfacing depends on the extent of anomalies of the facial canvas. Relaxation employs botulinum toxin A on both the upper and lower face. Refilling employs dermal fillers, sometimes used in combination with each other. While monotherapy of all these modalities shows impressive clinical outcomes, the best patient satisfaction is achieved when these modalities are used in combination, as they each address anomalies in a complementary fashion. The trend in device-based rejuvenation is to employ devices, which produce clinically significant results with reduction in recovery and side effects. Hence, photorejuvenation and fractional resurfacing predominate devices for the facial canvas. The trend in dermal fillers is to enhance longevity and address global volume loss, often requiring different classes of dermal fillers used in combination to accomplish these goals. The trend in botulinum toxins complements these therapies by addressing dynamic rhytids in a global fashion. Therefore, with the combination of devices, fillers, and botulinum toxins, total nonsurgical restoration can be accomplished.
Evolution of wave dispersion in periodic structures with increasing amplitude of corrugation

Computer simulations using the electromagnetic code HFSS show that increasing the amplitude of the periodic corrugation of slow wave structures (SWSs) leads to expanding stopbands and decreasing the maximal frequency in the first passband of a wave. Results of further increasing the amplitude decrease the cut-off frequency and result in the appearance of a backward wave in the phase interval of hd = (0 − π) (here d is the period of corrugation and h is the wavenumber). It is pertinent to note that in this case the usual interpretation of stopbands and passbands as bands of Bragg reflection or Bragg mode conversion becomes incorrect. It is also incorrect to interpret passbands and cut-off frequencies as the minimal frequencies for wave propagation. We found that backward waves appear not only in periodic systems with small period with respect to the wavelength as in metamaterial SWSs, but also in systems with large period that we demonstrate for sinusoidal and rectangular profiles of periodic corrugations. Above all, we found that cut-off frequencies for TM modes (frequencies that correspond to phases (2n+1)π, where n is the number of positive and negative spatial harmonics including n=0 on the dispersion diagram) decrease with increasing amplitude of corrugation, which is also a typical characteristic of metamaterial SWSs.
Deformation of olivine, and the application to lunar and planetary interiors

A new type of deformation mechanism map is presented for olivine using constitutive relationships for four different flow processes. It is demonstrated that Harper-Dorn creep may be an important process in mantle rheology, especially at low stress levels.
An Automatic Sampling System for Respiratory Gases and Respiratory Response of Irradiated Citrus Fruits

SUMMARY: An automatic continuous-flow sampling system for monitoring respiratory gas was developed. Continuous airflow at constant pressure and temperature was pumped through 24 chambers. The airflow was regulated by needle valves connected to 3-way solenoids which sequentially switched the sample to a CO2 infrared analyzer and recorder. A timing cycle was selected so that each sample was analyzed every 3 hr. The recorder was calibrated to read directly in percent CO2. Results were expressed as ml CO2/kg product/hr. The system was used to determine the respiratory activity of irradiated and nonirradiated citrus fruits. Irradiated fruits exhibited marked increases in CO2 production reaching a maximum 1-2 days after treatment then gradually declining. Waxing limited the production of CO2 especially with irradiated fruits. All fruits were treated with sulfanilamide to prevent post irradiation infection by mold.
MEK5/ERK5 Signaling Suppresses Estrogen Receptor Expression and Promotes Hormone-Independent Tumorigenesis

Endocrine resistance and metastatic progression are primary causes of treatment failure in breast cancer. While mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are known to promote ligand-independent cell growth, the role of the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in the progression of clinical breast carcinoma remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated increased ERK5 activation in 30 of 39 (76.9%) clinical tumor samples, as well as across breast cancer cell systems. Overexpression of MEK5 in MCF-7 cells promoted both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo and conferred endocrine therapy resistance to previously sensitive breast cancer cells. Expression of MEK5 suppressed estrogen receptor (ER)α, but not ER-β protein levels, and abrogated downstream estrogen response element (ERE) transcriptional activity and ER-mediated gene transcription. Global gene expression changes associated with upregulation of MEK5 included increased activation of ER-α independent growth signaling pathways and promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Taken together, our findings show that the MEK5-ERK5 pathway mediates progression to an ER(−), mesenchymal and endocrine therapy resistant phenotype. Given the need for new clinical therapeutic targets, our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in breast cancer.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Al-doped ZnO Films: Effect of Grain Orientation on Conductivity

Al-doped ZnO (AZO) films were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on borosilicate glass and sapphire(0001) substrates. The Al composition of the films was varied from 1% to 4% by controlling the ratio of Zn:Al pulses. Film resistivity was measured as a function of Al content and the substrate temperature used for ALD deposition. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed on the films, showing a reduction in lattice parameter, as a function of Al concentration, indicating that Al3+ ions occupy substitutional sites in the ZnO lattice. The resistivity of films deposited on sapphire substrates (7.7 × 10−4 Ω cm) was lower than that on glass (3.0 × 10−3 Ω cm), because of the formation of textured grains with the c-axis aligned with respect to the sapphire surface, as confirmed by XRD. The surface morphology of the films on glass and sapphire was compared using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed similar grain sizes on each substrate, suggesting that the dif...
Ethnicity and the risk of development of Crohn's disease of the ileal pouch

Abstract Background A system-wide, multi-ethnicity study on Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch, including Indian American (IA) patients has not been conducted. Aim To compare the frequency of subsequent development of CD of the pouch for African-American (AA), Hispanic-American (HA), IA and Caucasian patients with ulcerative (UC) undergoing ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Methods In this historical cohort study from our Pouch Registry, patients with restorative proctocolectomy and IPAA for IBD with identifiable, self-declared racial background (i.e. AA, HA, IA or Caucasian) were included. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors for CD of the pouch. Results The study included 235 patients: AA (N = 26), HA (N = 37), IA (N = 22) and randomly selected Caucasian (N = 150) controls. Greater number of HA and Caucasians had a history of smoking than IA (27.3% and 27.0% vs. 0; p = 0.007). Caucasians and HA were also more likely to have a family history of IBD than IA or AA (25% vs. 27% vs. 5% vs. 4%; p = 0.016.) IA less frequently had extensive colitis before colectomy than Caucasians (71.4% vs. 94.0%; p = 0.004) and more frequently required anti-TNF biologics than HA (22.7% vs. 0; p = 0.016). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, AA (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1365.8, p = 0.004) and Caucasians (OR = 11.1, 95% CI: 1.4, 1427.2, p = 0.015) had a higher risk of developing CD of the pouch than IA. However, the event-free survival was not significantly different between the groups on Cox regression analysis, presumably due to the sample size. Conclusion Racial background may be associated with different risk for the development of CD of the pouch for patients with IBD undergoing IPAA.
Estradiol and progesterone influencel-5-hydroxytryptophan-induced myoclonus in male guinea pigs: Sex differences in serotonin-steroid interactions

Abstract The effects of castration in males and sex differences in the effects of estradiol and progesterone on l -5-hydroxytryptophan ( l -5-HTP)-induced myoclonus in guinea pigs were examined. Castration had no effect on l -5-HTP-induced myoclonus in males. There were sex differences in sensitivity to l -5-HTP. In the absence of steroids, l -5-HTP-induced myoclonus was higher in gonadectomized males than females. A low dose of estradiol benzoate (EB; 3.5 μg) given 46 h before l -5-HTP (100 mg/kg) enhanced myoclonus in gonadectomized females but not males. However, at a higher dose of EB (10 μg) and a lower dose of l -5-HTP (80 mg/kg), myoclonic responding was enhanced in males. These findings indicate that estradiol has a similar effect on l -5-HTP-induced myoclonus in males and females, but do not rule out the possibility of sex differences in sensitivity to l -5-HTP when both sexes are given estradiol priming. When l -5-HTP was given 6 h after 0.5 mg progesterone in estradiol-primed males, myoclonus was enhanced. Progesterone treatment reverses the facilitative effect of EB on l -5-HTP-induced myoclonus in females. Therefore, progesterone has opposite effects on l -5-HTP-induced myoclonus in males and females. These findings were discussed with respect to the interaction of steroids and 5-HT transmission in the regulation of steroid-dependent reproductive behavior.
MEMS-based sensing and algorithm development for fall detection and gait analysis

Falls by the elderly are highly detrimental to health, frequently resulting in injury, high medical costs, and even death. Using a MEMS-based sensing system, algorithms are being developed for detecting falls and monitoring the gait of elderly and disabled persons. In this study, wireless sensors utilize Zigbee protocols were incorporated into planar shoe insoles and a waist mounted device. The insole contains four sensors to measure pressure applied by the foot. A MEMS based tri-axial accelerometer is embedded in the insert and a second one is utilized by the waist mounted device. The primary fall detection algorithm is derived from the waist accelerometer. The differential acceleration is calculated from samples received in 1.5s time intervals. This differential acceleration provides the quantification via an energy index. From this index one may ascertain different gait and identify fall events. Once a pre-determined index threshold is exceeded, the algorithm will classify an event as a fall or a stumble. The secondary algorithm is derived from frequency analysis techniques. The analysis consists of wavelet transforms conducted on the waist accelerometer data. The insole pressure data is then used to underline discrepancies in the transforms, providing more accurate data for classifying gait and/or detecting falls. The range of the transform amplitude in the fourth iteration of a Daubechies-6 transform was found sufficient to detect and classify fall events.
The effect of six prostaglandins, prostacyclin and iloprost on generation of superoxide anions by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by zymosan or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine.

Abstract Prostaglandins (PG) E 2 , E 1 , 6-keto-E 1 and D 2 at concentrations of 0.15−0.80 μM inhibited by 25% the generation of superoxide anions (O − 2 ) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The potency of that inhibition by either PGD 2 or PGE 1 was the same when zymosan was used as a stimulator whereas PGE 2 and 6-keto-PGE 1 were by 13 and 21 times less potent inhibitors of O − 2 ) in zymosan-stimulated as compared to FMLP-activated PMNs. PGF 2α inhibited the generation of O − 2 by activated PMNs only when used at the highest concentration studied (30 μM). Prostacyclin, 6-keto-PGF 1α and Iloprost (a carbacyclin analogue of prostacyclin) at concentrations up to 30 μM showed no significant inhibition of O − 2 in human PMNs stimulated either with FMLP or with zymosan. It is concluded that PGD 2 and PGEs use a common basic mechanism for inhibition of the generation of O − 2 by PMNs activated with FMLP or zymosan. PGD 2 is most generously furnished with these properties. In addition to this basic mechanism PGE 2 and 6-keto-PGE 1 abrogate the FMLP-induced response by occupation of formyl peptide receptor of PMNs. It is hypothesised that inhibition of the generation of O − 2 in PMNs and, possibly, in other cells by PGD 2 , PGE 2 and by products of prostacyclin biotransformation might be responsible for their cytoprotective action in myocardial infarction, stroke, liver damage and peripheral vascular disease.
Social influences on reproductive physiology and ethology of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Abstract The statements below are restricted to heterosexual pairs of domesticated strains provided with suitable nest boxes under the conditions of this study unless otherwise stated. 1. 1) The effects of being able to hear the Loud Warble of other males appears to stimulate males to warble more than they would otherwise. This also seems to stimulate, or be associated with, continued sperm production (i.e. availability of sperm upon milking) and oviposition. 2. (2) The effects of being able to see or being able to hear other pairs are associated with significantly heavier testes and vasa deferentia . 3. (3) The opportunity to hear large amounts of warbling from other pairs seems to inhibit female receptivity to male precopulatory behaviour, as measured by the number of times females solicited for or engaged in copulation per hour. The opportunnity to hear other males warbling seems to stimulate more males to perform extensive precopulatory behaviour, thus, perhaps, in the long run helping to offset the decreased female receptivity also produced. The opportunity to see but not hear others appears to stimulate reproductive activities in both members of a pair as compared to neither being able to see nor hear others. The opportunity to hear other pairs seems more stimulating in this regard than being only able to see other pairs. 4. (4) The opportunity to see other pairs appears to stimulate female's nest box activities; however, the opportunity to see and hear other females is less effective in unpaired females than also being able to hear male vocalizations. The opportunity to see others seems more stimulating to all reproductive activities than not being able to see or hear other pairs.
Rate and pattern of migration of lineally-related olfactory bulb interneurons generated postnatally in the subventricular zone of the rat.

A spatially discrete region of the anterior part of the postnatal telencephalic subventricular zone, referred to as the SVZa generates vast numbers of lineally-related neurons destined for the olfactory bulb (Luskin, 1993). The cells originating in the SVZa migrate to the olfactory bulb along a highly restricted pathway which is in a direction orthogonal to the orientation of radial glial fibers. In this study we analysed the number, distribution, orientation and rate of migration of SVZa-derived cells as they approach the olfactory bulb. In order to track the SVZa-derived cells, a retroviral lineage tracer, encoding the reporter gene E. coli β-galactosidase (lacZ) was injected precisely into the rat SVZa at postnatal day 1 (P1)
Radiofrequency Ablation of Idiopathic Left Anterior Fascicular Tachycardia

Left Anterior Fascicular Tachycardia. Introduction: A 45-year-old man with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) having a right bundle branch block configuration with right-axis deviation underwent au electrophysiologic test. Methods and Results: Mapping demonstrated a site on the auterobasal wall of the left ventricle where there was an excellent pace map and an endocardial activation time of -20 msec, hut radiofrequency catheter ablation at this site was unsuccessful. At a nearby site, a presumed Purkinje potential preceded the QRS complex by 30 msec during VT and sinus rhythm, and catheter ablation was effective despite a poor pace map and an endocardial ventricular activation time of zero. Conclusion: Idiopathic VT with a right bundle branch configuration and right-axis deviation may originate in the area of the left anterior fascicle. A potential presumed to represent a Purkinje potential may he more helpful than endocardial ventricular activation mapping or pace mapping in guiding ablation of this type of VT.
Colon diseases: MR evaluation using combined T2-weighted single-shot echo train spin-echo and gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient-echo sequences.

The aim of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance (MR) appearances of diseases of the stomach using combined T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo, T2-weighted single-shot echo train spin-echo and gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient-echo sequences. All patients with gastric diseases who underwent combined T2-weighted single-shot echo train spin-echo and gadolinium-enhanced conventional and fat-suppressed spoiled gradient-echo imaging between October 1, 1996 and March 1, 1999, and who had histological or other imaging proof of disease, were included in this study. This patient population was comprised of 40 patients with subsequently proven gastric abnormalities, including malignant tumors (25) or benign disease (15). The MRI sequences included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and early and late gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient-echo (SGE) images. Evaluation was made of the following parameters: a) the ability to detect the disease process on MRI, by comparing the original prospective MR reports with the records of the pathology department; b) the MR appearance of a variety of gastric diseases; and c) the sequences that most clearly demonstrated abnormalities by retrospective review of the MR studies. MR images demonstrated 22 of 25 malignant tumors. Evaluation of the extent of the tumor was correctly shown in 22 of 25 tumors. Small-volume tumor (one patient with gastric adenocarcinoma, and one patient with lymphoma) and coexistent infiltrative adenocarcinoma and gastritis (one patient) rendered demonstration of tumor poor on MR images in three patients. Tumors were mildly hypointense on T1-weighted images and mildly hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Tumors enhanced in a heterogeneous fashion compared with background stomach wall, but they ranged from hypointense to hyperintense on early and late post-gadolinium SGE images. Regarding benign diseases, the changes of gastritis were evident in three of four cases. Gastritis appeared as increased mucosal enhancement that ranged from moderate to intense on early and late post-gadolinium SGE images. Imaging findings of the various entities are described in greater detail in the text. MR findings in a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases of the stomach are described. Neoplastic diseases were consistently observed in most cases; however, small tumors and tumors coexistent with inflammatory changes were poorly evaluated. The changes of gastritis were demonstrated as increased enhancement of the gastric wall. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 10:950–960, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solution-phase adsorption of 1-pyrenebutyric acid using single-wall carbon nanotubes

The time-dependent adsorption of 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBA) from an aqueous solution onto single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is analyzed experimentally based upon relative changes in optical absorption spectra for PBA and modeled on the basis of mass transport theory. A linear dependence at short time (≤3 h) is observed for PBA adsorption onto SWCNTs as a function of PBA concentration and solution temperature between 20 and 70 °C. Equilibrium data after 78 days obeys a Langmuir isotherm, and suggests strongly favorable adsorption of PBA onto SWCNTs at low solution concentrations (<1 μg/mL) with a maximum adsorption of 0.27 mg PBA/mg SWCNT, the highest reported amount for a chemical species and SWCNTs to date. A mass transport model is also developed to correlate the experimental results into physical parameters, including the product of the mass transfer coefficient, K, and the specific surface area of SWCNTs, Ŝ, which equals 0.0066 mL/mg min at 20 °C. This approach is coupled with the adsorption measurements as a function of temperature to determine the Arrhenius activation energy for the PBA–SWCNT system, which equals 20.3 kJ/mol and is consistent with a physisorption process. The model and experiments combine to fully describe the kinetic response of PBA onto SWCNTs from an aqueous solution and demonstrate the utility of this framework in studying adsorption applications for SWCNTs with organic compounds.
Developmental history and reproduction of Spalangia cameroni parasite of synanthropic flies.

The developmental life history of Spalangia cameroni Perkins is presented, with observations on physiology of ovum formation, and sperm translocation through the male reproductive system. Pertinent aspects treated in detail are host-feeding and selection, oviposition, superparasitization, length of developmental stages, oocyte development, ovisorption, and sperm activation. Of particular interest are the interinvolvement of host-feeding and oviposition, the high moisture requirement for embryonic development, the 100+ feeding punctures made by a larva, the prolongation of female pupal development with respect to the male, the deposition of partially resorbed eggs, the discovery of 2 chambers in the seminal vesicle, and the short time that the testes function.
Unequal group variances in the fixed-effects one-way analysis of variance: a Bayesian sidelight.

Abstract : The effect of inequality of variance on the standard F-tests for one-way and two-way analysis of variance classification has been examined previously. Certain results found by Box for the one-way classification are examined. A Bayesian analysis is shown to throw light on the consequences of Box's work in a given experimental situation.
Modest a priori knowledge and justification

Critique de la these de la modestie defendue par P. Manfredi dans l'article precedent. Distinguant les croyances justifiees de maniere a priori des croyances vraies issues de processus non-empiriques, l'A. montre que l'objection de P. Kitcher contre la these de la modestie n'est pas suffisante pour fournir une explication de la justification a priori dans ce contexte.
Changes in world ocean nitrate availability through the 20th century

Abstract Conceptual models linking climate change with fluctuations in fish population abundances are based on how cyclic patterns in air–sea interactions influence pelagic food web dynamics. The effect of changing mixed layer dynamics on phytoplankton light and nutrient exposure is a prominent focal point in the overall mechanism. The Extended Reconstruction (ER) of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) version one (ERSSTv1) and version two (ERSSTv2) monthly time series from 1854 to 2003, interpreted with the aid of a historically based global Nitrate Depletion Temperature (NDT) climatology, provide a qualitative tool for examining relative temporal and spatial patterns in nitrate availability in normal salinity areas of the world ocean. After an analysis of local NDT variability at four time series stations demonstrated temporal stability compared to SST, [SST–NDT] as a Nitrate Availability Index (NAI) was calculated for April (boreal spring or austral fall) and October (boreal fall and austral spring) for the whole ERSSTv1 data set and for selected years of the ERSSTv2 data set using the global NDT climatology. The more negative the NAI difference, the greater the expected surface nitrate. The more positive the NAI difference, the greater the intensity of temperature stratification between the surface and the nitracline and thus the less likely that nitrate mixed to the surface. The records from April and October both showed that decreased nitrate availability, defined by both smaller negative NAI differences and larger positive NAI differences, generally though not universally occurred throughout the 20th century in association with global warming. The greatest decreases in nitrate availability occurred in two warming events in the time periods 1909–1937 and 1977–present in the Northern Hemisphere and 1926–1937 and 1950–1990 in the Southern Hemisphere. Different areas of the world ocean were affected in each warming event. Prominent exceptions in the ERSSTv1 analysis where 20th century nitrate availability actually increased in at least one season were in western parts of the South Indian, the North Pacific, the equatorial Pacific, the South Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the South Atlantic and in eastern parts of the South Pacific and South Atlantic. The ERSSTv2 analysis also showed increased 20th century nitrate availability in the eastern subarctic Pacific. The nitrate availability trends resulting from the present analysis agree with various literature reports on regional changes in plant nutrient availability, on increased occurrences of harmful algal blooms often associated with dinoflagellates that are better able to access subsurface nitrate pools, and on decadal changes in marine fisheries. They also raise concerns about the resilience of historical patterns of pelagic community structure and function in response to a warming trend continuing into the 21st century.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Early Enteral Fat Supplement and Fish Oil to Promote Intestinal Adaptation in Premature Infants with an Enterostomy

Objective To test the hypothesis that early enteral supplementing fat and fish oil decreases the duration of parenteral nutrition (PN) and increases enteral nutrition (EN) before bowel reanastomosis in premature infants with an enterostomy. Study design Premature infants ( t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results There were no differences in the duration of PN, ostomy output, and weight gain between the 2 groups before reanastomosis. However, supplemented infants received less intravenous lipid, had greater EN intake, and lower conjugated bilirubin before reanastomosis, and they also received greater total calorie, had fewer sepsis evaluations and less exposure to antibiotics and central venous catheters before reanastomosis, and had greater weight and length gain after reanastomosis (all P Conclusion Early enteral feeding of a fat supplement and fish oil was associated with decreased exposure to intravenous lipid, increased EN intake, and reduced conjugated bilirubin before reanastomosis and improved weight and length gain after reanastomosis in premature infants with an enterostomy.
Bacterial Protease Treatment of Natural Rubber Latex Alters Its Primary Immunogenicity in a Mouse Model of Sensitization

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether enzyme-treated (ET)-NRL is less immunogenic than untreated NRL in a BALB/c mouse model of primary in vivo sensitization following repeated subcutaneous injections with the aqueous phase of ammoniated NRL or ET-NRL. Mice immunized with NRL produced IgE against NRL and ET-NRL, indicating that protease treatment did not completely destroy IgE antibody epitopes. In contrast, ET-NRL-immunized mice did not produce IgE against either NRL or ET-NRL, suggesting that enzyme treatment reduced the number of antigenic polypeptides associated with NRL below the threshold for sensitization. Thelper-lymphocytes from NRL-immunized mice proliferated and produced IL-4 when stimulated in vitro with polypeptides from NRL, but not ET-NRL. In contrast, Thelper-lymphocytes from ET-NRL-immunized mice were nonresponsive to ET-NRL or NRL. We conclude that lack of IgE production by ET-NRL-immunized mice is likely related to a lack of T-cell help in the form of IL-4, rather than enzyme digestion of IgE antibody epitopes. These data indicate that there is an immunologic rationale for production of enzyme-treated NRL-containing medical devices.
Target cell heterogeneity in murine leukemia virus infection. II. Demonstration of Friend leukemia-virus-permissive and non-permissive subsets of splenic T cells.

The permissiveness of normal splenic lymphocytes to Friend murine leukemia virus was determined by enumeration of cells producing infectious MuLV following infection with Friend virus in vitro. The infection was enhanced greatly in the presence of mitogens in the culture medium. The number of infected cells in cultures stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide increased progressively between days 1 and 7 whereas in cultures with concanavalin A, the number of infected cells reached a maximum on days 3–4 post infection and then declined to the level observed in unstimulated cultures. The con-A-enhanced infection was absent in cultures of splenocytes from nude mice but was present in cultures from nude mice implanted with thymus glands 6 weeks or more before use as donors of spleen cells. The cells permissive to MuLV upon con-A stimulation segregated in the nylon-wool-adherent fraction (together with B cells involved in the LPS-dependent infection) whereas the nylon-non-adherent fraction, containing approximately 90% T cells, was refractory to in vitro infection. The con-A-dependent infectious centers were inhibited by cytotoxic treatment with anti-Thy 1.2 antibody plus complement. These results indicate the existence of two subpopulations of splenic T cells, a major nylon-non-adherent and a minor, nylon-adherent subpopulation, which are, respectively, non-permissive and permissive to MuLV-Friend.
CRYPTOPERIDINIOPSIS BRODYI GEN. ET SP. NOV. (DINOPHYCEAE), A SMALL LIGHTLY ARMORED DINOFLAGELLATE IN THE PFIESTERIACEAE1

A new genus and species of heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Cryptoperidiniopsis brodyi gen. et sp. nov., are described. This new species commonly occurs in estuaries from Florida to Maryland, and is often associated with Pfiesteria piscicida Steidinger et Burkholder, Pseudopfiesteria shumwayae (Glasgow et Burkholder) Litaker et al., and Karlodinium veneficum (Ballantine) J. Larsen, as well as other small (<20 μm) heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates. C. brodyi gen. et sp. nov. feeds myzocytotically on pigmented microalgae and other microorganisms. The genus and species have the enhanced Kofoidian plate formula of Po, cp, X, 5', 0a, 6", 6c, PC, 5+ s, 5"', 0p, and 2"" and are assigned to the order Peridiniales and the family Pfiesteriaceae. Because the Pfiesteriaceae comprise small species and are difficult to differentiate by light microscopy, C. brodyi gen. et sp. nov. can be easily misidentified.