cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Results of a phase II study of sirolimus and cyclophosphamide in patients with advanced sarcoma

Abstract Background Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been demonstrated in sarcoma. Trials using mTOR inhibitor in sarcoma have shown low objective response rates but progression-free survival (PFS) rates suggest cytostatic effects. The combination of sirolimus and cyclophosphamide demonstrated synergistic anti-sarcoma activity in preclinical models; therefore, we conducted a phase II trial of sirolimus and cyclophosphamide in patients with advanced sarcoma. Methods Patients received 4 mg sirolimus daily and 200 mg cyclophosphamide d1-7 and 15-21 every 28 days. The primary objective was to estimate the 24-week PFS rate with a target of ⩾25%. Patients were followed for World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria tumour response by imaging every 8 weeks. Serum levels of sirolimus, lipids and vascular endothelial growth factor were measured. Tumour tissue was analysed for mTOR, S6 ribosomal protein and cytochrome P450 3A4/5 by quantitative immunofluorescence. Results Forty-nine eligible patients were enrolled from September 2008 to December 2009. Patients received a median of four cycles of therapy. Starting doses of drugs were tolerated in 79%. One patient achieved partial tumour response, 10 were progression-free for ⩾24 weeks and two completed 12 cycles of treatment. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) were 3.4 and 9.9 months, respectively. Serious adverse events attributed to therapy occurred in 11% and included infection, pneumonitis and thrombosis. Hypertriglyceridaemia from treatment and lower tumour phosphorylated-mTOR are associated with longer survival. Conclusions Sirolimus and cyclophosphamide were tolerated by the majority of patients. About 20% of patients had stable sarcoma for at least 6 months but objective tumour response was infrequent.
TOXICITY OF PURE HEXACHLOROBENZENE AND HCB‐CONTAMINATED PORK TO CATS

Swine were fed a diet containing hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in order to generate contaminated pork which was subsequently cooked and fed to female cats. Feeding the fresh weight equivalent of 50 g cooked pork/day/cat (1 < mg HCB/kg/day) caused marginal weight loss. Oral dosing with 10 mg/kg/day purified HCB resulted in significant weight loss, mild anemia, neutropenia and hepatomegaly. Using the residue of HCB accumulating in the cat adipose tissue as the criterion, the low doses in the pork were absorbed and retained about five times more effectively than the larger oral bolus.
Abstract 1009: Leptin induces Src/Gbr2/Gab2/STAT3 activation and Rac-1 crosstalk to regulate VEGF/VEGFR2 in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Leptin and its receptor, OB-R, are overexpressed in cancer cells and their levels correlate to worse prognosis of cancer patients. Leptin is an important inducer of VEGF/VEGFR2 in breast cancer under normoxia through the activation of several signaling pathways and HIF-1α/NFκB/SP1. However, the specific mechanisms of leptin-mediated regulation of VEGF/VEGFR2 genes are still partially unknown. VEGF/VEGFR2 directly regulates tumor angiogenesis and also works as an essential autocrine/paracrine process for cancer cell proliferation and survival. We have previously shown that disruption of leptin signaling with our novel antagonists, PEG-LPrAs, significantly impaired the growth of breast tumors and reduced the levels of VEGF/VEGFR2. We hypothesize that leptin regulation of VEGF/VEGFR2 in breast cancer involves the activation of Src and Gbr2/Gab2/STAT3 and crosstalk to Rho-GTPases. Methods: To test this hypothesis, VEGF/VEGFR2 expression and activation of signaling intermediaries were determined in mouse and human breast cancer cells challenged with leptin as well as genetic and pharmacologic kinase inhibitors. Results: Inhibition of JAK2 partially reduced leptin-induced pSTAT3 levels but increased VEGF protein and mRNA. Moreover, leptin-induced pSTAT3 was related to Src and Gab2. Inhibition of Src increased leptin-induced VEGF and dramatically reduced VEGFR2. Rac1 inhibition also abrogated leptin-induced pSTAT3 and decreased pGab2 and VEGF/VEGFR2 levels. Conclusions: Leptin activation of Rac1 upregulates VEGF/VEGFR2 and promotes a negative feed-back, which downregulates leptin activation of Src/Gbr2/Gab2/STAT3. In addition, leptin activation of Src/Gbr2/Gab2 and Rac1 are needed for the induction of VEGFR2. These data suggest a high complexity of signaling crosstalk is involved in leptin regulation of pro-angiogenic factors and breast cancer growth. Therefore, PEG-LPrA combined with inhibitors for leptin-sensitive regulatory signaling partners could provide novel multiple target therapies for breast cancer. This could be of paramount importance for the higher risk patients: obese and postmenopausal women who show highest leptin levels. Our proposed studies could also be relevant to patients having the very aggressive and difficult to treat triple negative breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1009. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1009
Comparison of Quality Characteristics of Selected Yellow-and White-fleshed Peach Cultivars

Physical, chemical and sensory characteristics and volatile constituents of five yellow-and six white-fleshed peach cultivars were compared. The soluble solids/titratable acidity ratios were significantly higher and the Minolta “b” values were significantly lower for white-fleshed than for yellow-fleshed cultivars. Shelf life of white-fleshed fruit equalled that of yellow-fleshed fruit. Amounts of five compounds that contribute significantly to typical peach aroma were significantly higher in white-fleshed than in yellow-fleshed peaches. Generally, flesh color showed little influence on hedonic scores, peach impact and sweet/sour balance.
Echinoderm toxins—II. Animalizing action in sea urchin development

Abstract Lyophilized extracts of the whole sea stars, Pisaster ochraceous , Pisaster brevispinus , and Asterias forbesi , and extracts of the tube feet of Asterias forbesi , were tested for their effects on sperm motility, and unfertilized and fertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata . The effects of these toxins were compared with those previously reported for holothurin, from the Bahamian sea cucumber, Actinopyga agassizi , for the extracts of the Pacific sunburst sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides , and for the red webbed sea star, Patiria miniata . Sperms were immobilized and unfertilized eggs severely cytolyzed at relatively weak concentrations. Developmental modifications, characterized as animalization (ectodermization) were obtained with all of the toxins tested. The high surface activities, structural configuration, and the presence of sugars and sulfate in these toxins contribute to their solubility, penetrability, and affinity for cellular constituents. These properties undoubtedly play important roles in provoking animalization in the developing sea urchin.
Toxicological Evaluation of the Cardiotonic Isomazole in the Dog

Abstract Acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity studies were conducted in dogs with the new vasodilator/cardiotonic drug isomazole (IMZ) to support, in part, clinical investigations of this agent in humans. Single oral doses of IMZ of 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg given to English pointer dogs (2/dose) caused a marked drop in systemic blood pressure and reflex-induced increases in heart rate to values well over 200 beats per minute. These responses were maintained for 12 to 22 hr depending on the dose given. One of the dogs receiving 100 mg/kg died at 4.5 hr postdose. Results of subchronic (3 months) and chronic (1 year) studies in beagle dogs (4/sex/dose group), in which measurable plasma levels of the drug and its metabolites were found, indicated that IMZ did not produce any discernible adverse findings when given in doses up to 16 mg/kg, other than expected cardiotoxic effects. The plasma t 1 2 of IMZ at 16 mg/kg increased to between 4 and 8 hr from 2 hr noted at lower doses. In the 1-year study, at all doses and in both sexes, plasma levels of IMZ declined over the first month, stabilizing (at the 2 and 6 mg/kg doses) thereafter for the duration of the study. At the high dose of 16 mg/kg, after 1 year plasma levels of IMZ exceeded (females) or equaled (males) the 1-month values. At peak plasma levels of IMZ (2 hr postdose), plasma levels of parent drug increased linearly with the dose. The cardiotoxic effects consisted of substantial postdose increases in heart rate throughout the course of treatment (5 mg/kg and above), significant increases in heart weight (6 mg/kg and above), and multifocal myocardial fibrosis (6 mg/kg and above). There was a decline in basal heart rate at doses of 12.5 mg/kg and higher. The results of these studies demonstrated that repeated IMZ administration, as expected, was cardiotoxic to the dog, a species relatively sensitive to the pharmacological activity and hemodynamic changes induced by vasodilator/cardiotonic drugs. The no-effect dose level for cardiotoxicity in the repeated dose studies was considered to be 2 mg/kg, the lowest dose tested.
BACnetTM: a standard communication infrastructure for intelligent buildings

Abstract Intelligent buildings require integration of a variety of computer-based building automation and control system products that are usually made by different manufacturers. The exchange of information among these devices is critical to the successful operation of the building systems. Proprietary approaches to providing this communication have created great challenges for system integrators and hampered the development of intelligent building technology. Even though digital automation and control technology has been widely available for more than a decade and islands of automation are common, intelligent buildings with integrated building services are still more of a promise than a reality. BACnet TM 1 is a standard communication protocol for building automation and control networks developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE, Standard 135–1995: BACnet TM —A Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers. Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1995). BACnet TM provides the communication infrastructure needed to integrate products made by different vendors and to integrate building services that are now independent. This paper describes the main features of the BACnet TM protocol and early experience implementing it.
Gene transfer systems and molecular cloning in group N Streptococci: A review

Abstract Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid of group N streptococci codes for a wide variety of important metabolic properties associated with dairy fermentations. The increasing knowledge of the genetics of these bacteria has created exciting possibilities for genetically constructing improved starter strains. A review of current literature is presented on the genetics of group N streptococci, especially the development and implications of gene transfer and molecular cloning systems for further genetic studies and for strain improvement. Functional properties of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid and gene transfer systems, which include transduction, conjugation, transformation, and protoplast fusion, are reviewed and followed by a discussion of recent advances in gene cloning.
Cellular mechanisms governing synapse formation: lessons from identified neurons in culture

The accessibility of embryonic and adult neurons within invertebrate nervous systems has made them excellent subjects for neurobiological study. The ability to readily identify individual neurons, together with their great capacity for regeneration, has been especially beneficial to investigations of synapse formation and the specificity of neuronal connectivity. Many invertebrate neurons survive for long periods following isolation into primary cell culture. In addition, they readily extend new neuritic arbors and form electrical and chemical connections at sites of contact. Thus, cell culture approaches have allowed neuroscientists greater access to, and resolution of, events underlying neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis. Studies of identified neuromuscular synapses ofHelisoma have determined a number of signaling mechanisms involved in transsynaptic communication at sites of neuron-target contact. At these sites, both anterograde and retrograde signals regulate the transformation of growth cones into functional presynaptic terminals. We have found that specific muscle targets induce both global and local changes in neurotransmitter secretion and intracellular calcium handling. Here we review recent studies of culturedHelisoma synapses and discuss the mechanisms thought to govern chemical synapse formation in these identified neurons and those of other invertebrate species.
Beauveria bassiana as a pathogen of Scolytus multistriatus.

This muscardine fungus was the organism most frequently encountered in a survey for pathogens of the smaller European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus Marsh., and was found in larvae from five widely separated areas in Connecticut. Up to 6.5% of overwintering larvae in trees cut from city streets were infected, but under certain environmental conditions the fungus may be much more effective in killing the beetles. In one epizootic caused by this fungus, 97% of larvae were killed in the bark of trees in a shady grove, less than 4% in nearby trees standing in the open. In controlled laboratory experiments the fungus killed up to 99% of the larvae in 5 days. Pupae and adults were also susceptible, though adults were slightly less so than larvae.
Volume and surface area estimates using tomographic data

Imaging modalities such as computerized tomography, emission tomography, and ultrasound have facilitated the acquisition of objective numerical data describing internal organs or structures. The algorithm presented utilizes the tomographic data of those imaging modalities. The surface of an object is approximated by means of a polyhedron with triangular faces and minimal surface area. The volume and surface area of the approximating polyhedron are used to approximate the volume and surface area of the organ. This model provides an analytic description of the object from which other properties may be calculated. Incidentally, it also allows the object to be visualized from any vantage point using the methods of computer graphics.
The equivalence of predictions from universal kriging and intrinsic random-function kriging

A proof is provided that the predictions obtained from kriging based on intrinsic random functions of orderk are identical to those obtained from anappropriate universal kriging model. This is a theoretical result based on known variability measures. It does not imply that people performing traditional universal kriging will get the same predictions as those using intrinsic random functions, because traditionally these methods differ in how variability is modeled. For intrinsic random functions, the same proof shows that predictions do not depend on the specific choice of the generalized covariance function. It is argued that the choice between these methods is really one of modeling and estimating the variability in the data.
Limited feedback design for the spatially correlated multi-antenna broadcast channel

The broadcast problem with multiple antennas at the transmitter end and a single antenna at each user is studied in this work. A low-complexity transmitter architecture where linear beamforming is used to convey information to the users, and multi-user interference is treated as noise at the receiver unit of each user is considered. The vector channels that connect the transmitter to the users are assumed to be spatially correlated. The goal of this work is the design of a low-rate limited feedback framework to improve the achievable sum-rate of the system relative to a baseline scenario where only correlation information is known at the transmitter. While prior work considers either a codebook structure that is designed for spatially uncorrelated channels or for spatially correlated point-to-point systems, it is argued here that a “good” codebook design should incorporate a statistical version of the interference structure that is seen at each user. Further, instead of feeding back the codeword index that is best aligned to the user's channel vector, the index that maximizes an estimate of the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio as perceived by the user is fed back. It is shown via numerical results that the proposed framework results in a substantial performance improvement over existing schemes across a large family of spatial correlation and across a practically relevant operating regime.
The politics of flatland

A version of the median-voter theorem holds for two-dimensional spatial models in which voters regard the two dimensions as economic goods or goodlike activities and in which the set of feasible outcomes is constrained by budget or technology. Although mathematically trivial, this fact has widespread analytical uses. After arguing that our two-dimensional model, with its stability property, fits a number of important and general policy areas, we use our analysis to address some prominent theoretical issues.
The vanadium-oxygen system: Phase relations in the vanadium-rich region below 1200 °C

Abstract Alloy specimens in the high-vanadium region of the vanadium-oxygen system were prepared by the reaction of high-purity vanadium foil and oxygen. The system was studied by X-ray and metallographic examination of quenched specimens, by differential thermal analysis (D.T.A.), and by high-temperature X-ray. Solubility was determined as a function of temperature at equilibrium pressure. Equilibrium pressures were not measured. The solubility of oxygen in α-vanadium — 1.1 wt.% at 250 °C, 1.3 wt.% at 400 °C, 2.8 wt.% at 1000 °C, and 3.5 wt.% at 1200 °C—was found to be higher than previously reported. Retention of the high-temperature structure of α-vanadium by quenching is dependent upon the oxygen content and the quench rate. The α-phase cannot be retained above 2.1 wt.% oxygen even when water quenched from 1000 °C. A peritectoid transformation was found at about 510 °C between 2.2 and 4.2 wt.% oxygen. The peritectoid phase, V 9 O (s.s.), has a composition range at 400 °C of 2.9 to 3.9 wt.% oxygen. A martensite structure results from water quenching α-vanadium alloys having oxygen contents from about 2.2 to 3 wt.%. The martensite transforms to the stable V 9 O upon reheating to temperatures in the range 200 °–250 °C. β-vanadium has a composition range at 1000 °C from 4.3 to slightly over 10 wt.% oxygen.
A robust relay node placement heuristic for structurally damaged wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) can increase the efficiency of many real-life applications through the collaboration of thousands of miniaturized sensors which can be deployed unattended in inhospitable environments. Due to the harsh surroundings and violent nature of the applications, the network sometimes suffers a large scale damage that involves many nodes and would thus create multiple disjoint partitions. This paper investigates a strategy for recovering from such damage through the placement of relay nodes and promotes a novel approach. The proposed approach opts to re-establish connectivity using the least number of relays while ensuring certain quality in the formed topology. Unlike contemporary schemes that form a minimum spanning tree among the isolated segments, the proposed approach establishes a topology that resembles a spider web, for which the segments are situated at the perimeter. Such a topology not only exhibits stronger connectivity than a minimum spanning tree but also achieves better sensor coverage and enables balanced distribution of traffic load among the employed relays. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed recovery algorithm.
College students' perceptions of campus sustainability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether or not there are differences between college students in Alabama and Hawaii based on three questions: are students concerned about the present/future? What do students know about sustainability? Who is responsible for sustainability?Design/methodology/approach – Two approaches were used to address these questions. First, a summary of sustainability efforts at universities in Alabama and Hawaii is provided. Second, a random sample of 406 undergraduate students at two universities in Alabama (n=258) and at a community college in Hawaii (n=148) were surveyed.Findings – The data indicate that sustainable programs and practices are being implemented on a number of college campuses in Alabama and in Hawaii. Students surveyed in both states are concerned about wasteful consumption and pollution. Respondents' were similar in their self‐assessed knowledge about sustainability. Respondents were also similar in their views about who is responsible for susta...
On the Relationship between Stratiform Low Cloud Cover and Lower-Tropospheric Stability

Abstract Observations in subtropical regions show that stratiform low cloud cover is well correlated with the lower-troposphere stability (LTS), defined as the difference in potential temperature θ between the 700-hPa level and the surface. The LTS can be regarded as a measure of the strength of the inversion that caps the planetary boundary layer (PBL). A stronger inversion is more effective at trapping moisture within the marine boundary layer (MBL), permitting greater cloud cover. This paper presents a new formulation, called the estimated inversion strength (EIS), to estimate the strength of the PBL inversion given the temperatures at 700 hPa and at the surface. The EIS accounts for the general observation that the free-tropospheric temperature profile is often close to a moist adiabat and its lapse rate is strongly temperature dependent. Therefore, for a given LTS, the EIS is greater at colder temperatures. It is demonstrated that while the seasonal cycles of LTS and low cloud cover fraction (CF) are...
Hybrid system simulation with SimEvents

Abstract A new simulation product for hybrid systems is described, which combines a time-driven component and an event-driven component (SimEvents). Some of the key issues arising in designing such simulation environments are also discussed.
Satellite Photograph Presents First Comprehensive View of Local Wind: The Santa Ana

The photograph of the 1 January 1973 Santa Ana wind condition reveals local atmospheric dynamics rarely recorded on satellite imagery. The Santa Ana wind implies very specific weather conditions for the Los Angeles coastal lowland. Destructive land uses, in part, provided the material visible in the dust plumes.
Vibrational Spectrum of the Lumi Intermediate in the Room Temperature Rhodopsin Photo-Reaction

The vibrational spectrum (650-1750 cm(-1)) of the lumi-rhodopsin (lumi) intermediate formed in the microsecond time regime of the room-temperature rhodopsin (RhRT) photoreaction is measured for the first time using picosecond time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (PTR/CARS). The vibrational spectrum of lumi is recorded 2.5 micros after the 3-ps, 500-nm excitation of RhRT. Complementary to Fourier transform infrared spectra recorded at Rh sample temperatures low enough to freeze lumi, these PTR/CARS results provide the first detailed view of the vibrational degrees of freedom of room-temperature lumi (lumiRT) through the identification of 21 bands. The exceptionally low intensity (compared to those observed in bathoRT) of the hydrogen out-of-plane (HOOP) bands, the moderate intensity and absolute positions of C-C stretching bands, and the presence of high-intensity C==C stretching bands suggest that lumiRT contains an almost planar (nontwisting), all-trans retinal geometry. Independently, the 944-cm(-1) position of the most intense HOOP band implies that a resonance coupling exists between the out-of-plane retinal vibrations and at least one group among the amino acids comprising the retinal binding pocket. The formation of lumiRT, monitored via PTR/CARS spectra recorded on the nanosecond time scale, can be associated with the decay of the blue-shifted intermediate (BSI(RT)) formed in equilibrium with the bathoRT intermediate. PTR/CARS spectra measured at a 210-ns delay contain distinct vibrational features attributable to BSI(RT), which suggest that the all-trans retinal in both BSI(RT) and lumiRT is strongly coupled to part of the retinal binding pocket. With regard to the energy storage/transduction mechanism in RhRT, these results support the hypothesis that during the formation of lumiRT, the majority of the photon energy absorbed by RhRT transfers to the apoprotein opsin.
A problem of punic morphology : the third person singular feminine of the suffixing conjugation with affixed object pronoun

L'A. veut demontrer que l'analyse participiale developpee par Rollig de nkst et qbt dans l'expression des souhaits en phenicien-punique est incorrecte ; leur morphologie est compatible avec celle du seul exemple inconteste de conjugaison suffixale de troisieme personne du singulier avec un pronom objet affixe
Permeability and gating of lens gap junction channels incorporated into liposomes.

The lens junction protein (MIP26), and its trypsin cleavage product (MIP21), isolated from calf fiber cells, are incorporated into liposomes and the permeability and gating of the resulting channels are studied spectrophotometrically by an osmotic swelling assay. Liposomes incorporated with either protein and loaded with Dextran T-10 swell when placed in isotonic or hypertonic KC1, sucrose or polyethyleneglycol (PEG), indicating the presence of channels permeable to molecules as large as MW 1500. In the absence of calmodulin (CaM), the permeability of either MIP26 or MIP21 channels is not altered by Ca++. On the contrary, MIP26-CaM channels reversibly close in the presence of Ca-H-(10−5 M). Preliminary experiments show channel closure with lowered pH (5.5) as well. While MIP26-CaM channels close to all the permeants tested, MIP21-CaM channels close only partially with Ca++, becoming impermeable to large probes (PEG) while remaining permeable to sucrose and KC1. This indicates that the trypsin-cleaved C-te...
An equivalent focused reflector feed in place of any generalised defocused or extended feed

A procedure is presented whereby generalised reflector feeds with near-field and/or defocused properties can be replaced by an equivalent point-source feed located at the origin. The equivalent feed induces identical reflector currents and consequently yields identical scattered fields. Thus all physical optics reflector analysis can be carried out in terms of a focused point-source illumination function.
Very long gauge length fiber optic seismic event detectors

Integrating fiber optic sensors offer the potential to monitor large spatial extends due to their geometric flexibility. To date, this potential has not been widely exploited. By increasing the length of an integrating fiber optic sensor, its gain and/or gauge length can be increased. In addition, by configuring the sensor to a spatial distribution of some parameter field of interest, the antenna gain of the sensor will provide selectivity for that particular distribution. In this paper we analyze the application of very long gauge length integrating fiber optic sensors to high sensitivity/highly directional seismic sensing. The ability to focus a seismic sensor on particular faults or locations such as underground nuclear test sties offers the potential of enhanced warning of impending earthquakes or detection of the occurrence of nuclear device testing. We provide an analysis of the application of very long gauge sensing to seismic detection and presents some experimental results demonstrating antenna gain.
17β-hydroxy-C19-steroid dehydrogenase activity of dog prostate, solubilization and partial purification and characterization

The DPN and TPN 17β-hydroxy-Cl9-steroid dehydrogenase activity of the microsomal fraction of dog prostate was maximally solubilized by 0.2 percent sodium desoxycholate and 0.02 percent Duponol. Triton-X100 only partially solubilized the enzyme activity. The solubilized dehydrogenase activity was precipitated by streptomycin but not by Mg++ or after hydrolysis with RNase. It was sedimented between 30 to 60 percent (NH4)2 SO4. The final product was soluble in 0.2 M sodium phosphate pH 7.2 to give a 100-fold purification with only a 35 percent loss in total activity. The ratio of the DPN- and TPN-linked activities remained constant, approximately 2.6. The purified enzyme demonstrated an optimum pH of 10.1 for the DPN- and 10.1 for the TPNlinked activities. The Km for the DPN- and TPN-linked activities was 3.3 × 10−4 M. Androsterone and dehydroepiandrosterone were ineffective as substrates, and etiocholan-17β-ol,3-one elicited only 35 percent of the activity of testosterone. The DPN- and TPN-linked activities were gradually decreased by heat and were completely inactivated at 58° for 15 minutes.
Managing the complications of cirrhosis

The 3 major and potentially fatal complications of cirrhosis of the liver result from portal hypertension and include variceal bleeding, ascites, and encephalopathy. The cause of other complications, eg, thyroid dysfunction and hepatopulmonary syndrome, is uncertain. Several recent advances have occurred in the treatment of varices. However, treatment of ascites is still primarily confined to achieving a negative sodium balance, and therapy for encephalopathy centers on the use of lactulose. Although effective therapy may be available for most complications of cirrhosis, a major complication indicates a poor long-term prognosis. Liver transplantation is the only effective long-term treatment of complications due to cirrhosis.
A staging system for malignant melanoma.

The American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging and End Results Reporting has developed a classification system for staging malignant melanoma. Based on the TNM classification system of the International Union Against Cancer, the American system uses information derived from over 1700 cases. Characteristics including level of invasion, thickness of penetration, nodal involvement, and incidence of metastases are considered and rules for classification are included.
Tropospheric scattering of twilight N2+ emission

Abstract Rayleigh scattering by the troposphere is found to have a serious effect on measurements of the 3914 A band of N2+ in the twilight atmosphere. A model of the N2+ emission is constructed for the whole twilight atmosphere. Numerical integration of the sky brightness tables of Coulson, Dane and Sekera (1960) gives an almost exact treatment of scattered light. The twilight observations are reproduced satisfactorily by including this effect. Thus, photoionization is sufficient to explain the abundance of N2+ in the twilight.
Invitations to Love: Literacy, Love Letters, and Social Change in Nepal.

Invitations to Love: Literacy, Love Letters, and Social Change in Nepal. Laura M. Ahearn .Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press,2001. vii. 295 pp., photographs, tables, notes, references, index.
Image Gently: a campaign to reduce children's and adolescents' risk for cancer during adulthood.

Abstract Recently, the Cancer Prevention Across the Lifespan workgroup at the Centers for Disease Control held a workshop entitled "Identifying Opportunities for Cancer Prevention During Pre-Adolescence and Adolescence." With the goal of raising awareness and developing community and policy interventions to decrease risk factors for cancer, one session highlighted the danger of ionizing radiation exposure from diagnostic medical imaging. This session focused on the Image Gently campaign, which is a multidisciplinary partnership focused on increasing awareness, developing education materials, and advocating for children to protect them from unnecessary radiation. Such protection is important because emerging data suggest that preadolescents and adolescents may be at increased risk for future malignancy if they are exposed to radiation from diagnostic imaging. Many health care practitioners may not understand how to decrease children's radiation exposure; the goals of Image Gently are to increase all stakeholders' understanding of these risks and to encourage radiation reduction strategies. Clearly, diagnostic imaging is an important and necessary tool for certain medical care. Image Gently advocates methods to reduce the use of unnecessary ionizing radiation by sharing best practices of imaging protocols for children and using alternative imaging that avoids ionizing radiation. This article summarizes our recent presentation on Image Gently to this workgroup: It focuses on the risks for preadolescents and adolescents and on strategies to minimize these risks.
A Technique for Endograft Relining of a Type IV Endoleak Using a Surgeon-Modified Internal Gate

Type IV endoleaks represent a rare etiology of late endograft failure; however, depending on the location, they can be extremely challenging to repair with endovascular solutions. We present a method of endograft relining that preserves antegrade limb perfusion, avoids extra-anatomic reconstructions, and ensures complete endograft exclusion.
Effects of cold storage on the function and morphology of isolated urinary bladder in rat

Aims We investigated the effects of 24- and 48-hr storage at 4°C in Krebs solution on the function and morphology of isolated, rat urinary bladders. Methods Strips of bladder were obtained from eight male Sprague–Dawley rats. Six strips were harvested from each bladder and randomized to storage for 24 or 48 hr at 4°C in Krebs solution or examination immediately after harvest. Contractile responses of the strips to potassium chloride (KCl), electric field stimulation (EFS), adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and carbamylcholine (CCh) were assessed. Histological examination of the bladder strips was performed. The pO2, pCO2, and pH of the solution in each storage container were measured at each storage time point. Results Cold storage induced a significant decrease in the amplitude of contraction in response to KCl and EFS after 24 or 48 hr of storage compared with control. The response of the bladder strips to ATP and CCh was significantly reduced after 48-hr storage compared with control, but not 24-hr storage. The pO2 and pCO2 decreased after cold storage. The pH increased after 24 hr of storage and remained stable between 24 and 48 hr of storage. Histological evaluation of the strips showed tissue swelling after 24 and 48 hr of storage. Conclusions These results suggest that the morphology and function of bladder strips stored for 24 to 48 hr at 4°C in Krebs solution undergo significant changes. Further studies are needed to assess the allowable time for storage of bladder tissue. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Studies on the physiological variation between tropical and temperate zone fiddler crabs of the genus Uca. VIII. the rate of metabolic adaptation to temperature in tissues of Uca rapax from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Abstract The rate of metabolic adaptation to temperature has been determined for the supra-oesophageal ganglion (SEG) and muscle tissue from fiddler crabs, Uca rapax , from Florida, Puerto Rico, and Santos, Brazil. Rates of metabolic adaptation have also been determined for gill and mid-gut gland of U. rapax from Florida and Santos, Brazil. All data are based on studies on tissues from summer animals. Metabolic rates were measured on tissues from crabs that were warm-acclimated to 25° C, from crabs cold-acclimated to 15° C for one day, and on crabs cold-acclimated for seven days. Rates and patterns of metabolic adaptation differ with the tissue being used, the temperature at which the rate is being determined and the population of crabs. Muscle tissue (the most responsive of the tissues studied) has a relatively consistent response to temperature change, i.e., by day one, there was an undershoot response, by day seven, a marked over-shoot response. If the SEG showed significant change in metabolic rate, the change was an undershoot response. Gill tended to have an overshoot response by day one, but the day seven response could not be generalized. Mid-gut was variable in response after one day and seven days of cold-acclimation. According to Prosser's scheme of classification of metabolic adaptation, each tissue had a distinctive pattern; this was not always the same after seven days of cold-acclimation as it was after day one. There was no apparent correlation between the response of the tissue and the response of the whole organism to temperature change.
Osgood and Suci's measure of pattern similarity andQ-technique factor analysis

The purpose of this article is to show that a relationship can be established between Osgood and Suci'sD based on raw scores and scores obtained from factor analysis data without equalizing the means and variances of each individual's set of scores.
Formiminoglutamicaciduria in humans with megaloblastic anemia: diminution by methionine or glycine.

SummaryFive patients with megaloblastic anemia due to Vit. B12 and/or folic acid deficiency who excreted abnormally large quantities of formiminoglutamic acid (FGA) after a 20 g oral L-histidine · HCl load were studied. FGA excretion was markedly reduced in all 4 subjects given 20 g DL-methionine and in both subjects given 20 g glycine together with L-histidine · HCl. Of 3 subjects given 20 g DL-serine, one showed no reduction in FGA excretion and 2 showed moderate reduction.
c-myc, c-fos, and c-myb gene expression in human pituitary adenomas.

The possible roles of certain oncogenes in the development of pituitary tumors has not been investigated. We have examined the expression of c-myc, c-fos, and c-myb in a number of human pituitary tumors by ribonuclease protection assays, as these oncogenes have been implicated to have roles in the pathogenesis of other human tumors (12, 13, 15, 16). In several tumors examined (9 of 30) c-myc was expressed at levels 4-9 times greater than the level detected in normal postmortem pituitary. Although a larger percentage of negative immunohistochemical-staining tumors overexpressed c-myc, c-myc over-expression was not limited to this group of tumors. c-Fos was overexpressed in 1 of 30 tumors examined at a level 5.8-fold higher than that detected in normal postmortem pituitary. This tumor stained positive for ACTH by immunohistochemistry and was considered highly aggressive, demonstrating invasion beyond the sella turcica; however, when other ACTH-staining and invasive pituitary tumors were examined, no abnorma...
Concurrent acute brain infarcts in patients with monocular visual loss.

Objective Embolism from a proximal source to the retinal circulation could be a sign of embolism from the same source to the hemispheric circulation. We sought to determine the frequency of acute brain infarcts on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with monocular visual loss of presumed ischemic origin (MVL).
A comparison of zooplankton patterns in the California Current and North Pacific Central Gyre

This study compares the small-scale (100's to 1000's of meters) horizontal spatial distribution of zooplankton from stations in the California Current (29°N; 118°W) and in the North Pacific Central Gyre (31°N; 155°W). Patterns were inferred from the spacing of vertical tows and the variability in abundance of 15 taxonomic categories caught in these tows. In the California Current, 4 tows were taken at random positions within 2000 m of a drogue or fixed geographic position and 4 replicate tows were taken at the drougue or the fixed point. Four series of these 8 tows were taken around noon and midnight during two days. At the Central Gyre station, two similar series (one day and one night) were taken while following a drogue. Estimates of the scale of structure based on comparisons of replicate and random tow variability suggest that aggregated patterns in the Central Gyre are larger than a few hundred meters, while the California Current structures may be less than 100 m in size. Day-night changes in patch size were not apparent in either area. Evidence for multispecies patches was found only for the Central Gyre station. Replication samples in both areas gave more consistent measures of community structure (relative proportions of species) than the random tows. Similarity of community structure decreased with increasing distance between tows being compared. The decrease was much greater for the California Current station, a further indication of smaller patch size in this area. Diurnal changes in community structure occurred in both areas.
Interference rejection using the time-dependent constant modulus algorithm (CMA) and the hybrid CMA/spectral correlation discriminator

Two new blind adaptive filtering algorithms for interference rejection using time-dependent filtering structures are presented. The time-dependent structure allows the adaptive filter to outperform the conventional adaptive filter implemented with a time-independent structure for filtering of cyclostationary communication signals. At the same time, the blind adaption algorithms allow the filters to operate without the use of an external training signal. The first algorithm applies the CMA to an unconstrained time-dependent filtering structure. The second algorithm applies the CMA to a spectral correlation discriminator, which is constrained to select signals with unique spectral correlation characteristics. Using computer simulations, it is shown that the blind time-dependent filtering algorithms can provide mean-square errors (MSEs) and bit error rates (BERs) that are significantly lower than the MSEs and BERs provided using conventional time-independent adaptive filters. It is also shown that these processors can outperform the nonblind training-sequence directed time-independent adaptive filter. >
Lessons Learned From the 2nd American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation's Equine Laminitis Research Workshop

In two short days, presentations and discussions of varied topics ranged from inflammation, vascular, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance to biomechanics and chronic pain management. What we learned is that there is much information being generated on the topic of LAMINITIS, and all the various pieces of the puzzle serve as the template for the answers to the many questions that loom surrounding this disease. The ‘‘World Cafe’’ posed a special opportunity to delve into 10 important questions that guides a plan for future funding needs and a timetable to accomplish our vision ‘‘To Conquer Laminitis by 2020!’’ The 2004 AAEP and 2007 Havemeyer Foundation meetings served as the initial springboard to a diversity of topics, and the 2009 workshop represents the most comprehensive coverage on laminitis research and related subjects of the equine foot. While the progress has been great, we still have a long, long way to go. Our goal to eradicate laminitis by 2020 parallels modern medicine’s approach to the conquering of human ailments such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is indeed a complex endeavor that requires great patience as well as endless hard work over an extended period. As I pause to summarize our current progress and what we learned during the second Laminitis Research Workshop, we continually develop and refine our vision for the future. By focusing on laminitis, many insights and developments continue to occur that improve our abilities to deal with all aspects of the equine foot and with this–improved equine care. Doing this sets precedents and methods of research, treatment, and compassionate care that serve as an example for human and veterinary medicine for all species. We nevertheless wrestle with some fundamental questions about the disease, such as is laminitis a metabolic derangement relating to insulin resistance or pars intermedia dysfunction?.an inflammatory condition?..nutritional problem?..vascular and endothelial dysfunction?..biomechanical failure of the suspensory apparatus of the distal phalanx?..a genetic flaw that predisposes some horses to be at an increased risk for the disease vs. others? It is clear that more research is
α-Synuclein Aggregates Interfere with Parkin Solubility and Distribution ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF PARKINSON DISEASE

Parkinson disease (PD) belongs to a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders with movement alterations, cognitive impairment, and α-synuclein accumulation in cortical and subcortical regions. Jointly, these disorders are denominated Lewy body disease. Mutations in the parkin gene are the most common cause of familial parkinsonism, and a growing number of studies have shown that stress factors associated with sporadic PD promote parkin accumulation in the insoluble fraction. α-Synuclein and parkin accumulation and mutations in these genes have been associated with familial PD. To investigate whether α-synuclein accumulation might be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders by interfering with parkin solubility, synuclein-transfected neuronal cells were transduced with lentiviral vectors expressing parkin. Challenging neurons with proteasome inhibitors or amyloid-β resulted in accumulation of insoluble parkin and, to a lesser extent, α-tubulin. Similarly to neurons in the brains of patients with Lewy body disease, in co-transduced cells α-synuclein and parkin colocalized and co-immunoprecipitated. These effects resulted in decreased parkin and α-tubulin ubiquitination, accumulation of insoluble parkin, and cytoskeletal alterations with reduced neurite outgrowth. Taken together, accumulation of α-synuclein might contribute to the pathogenesis of PD and other Lewy body diseases by promoting alterations in parkin and tubulin solubility, which in turn might compromise neural function by damaging the neuronal cytoskeleton. These studies provide a new perspective on the potential nature of pathogenic α-synuclein and parkin interactions in Parkinson disease.
Comment: Vibrational spectra and conformational stability of n‐butane

A study of the vibrational spectrum of gaseous n-butane was recently presented in this journal [J. R. Durig et al., J. Raman Spectrosc. 22, 683 (1991)]. From the temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum, the enthalpy difference between the trans and gauche conformers was found to be ca 375 cm−1 (1072 cal mol−1). In a recent absolute intensity study of gaseous n-butane [W. F. Murphy et al., J. Phys. Chem. 95, 1124 (1991)], a relative conformer abundance was determined which corresponds to an energy difference of 690 cal mol−1 (241 cm−1). The latter result confirms several other recent determinations of this quantity. Concerns regarding the validity of the temperature dependence method are presented, and the preference for the lower value of the enthalpy difference is defended.
Carbohydrates, invertase activity, growth and dimorphism inSporisorium reilianum

Sporisorium reilianum, the fungus that causes sorghum head smut, was grown with sucrose, lactose, trehalose or raffinose in liquid suspension or on a solid medium. Liquid culture media were analyzed for hydrolysis products of these carbohydrates to determine extracellular enzyme activity of the fungus. Increased amounts of glucose and fructose in the culture medium ofS. reilianum grown with sucrose or raffinose indicated that invertase (β-fructofuranosidase, 3.2.1.26) activity was present. No evidence of extracellular galactosidase or trehalase activity was found. Enhanced sporidial colony formation on carbohydrates that can be hydrolyzed to hexoses, and specific forms of mycelial growth on lactose, trehalose or on a carbohydrate-deficient medium might suggest that mycelial growth is a way of foraging for food sources. However, the rapid and profuse mycelial growth on the host cell wall glycoprotein appears to be in response to abundant food supply (probably of a different type). Therefore availability of different kinds of carbon sources in the environment of the growing fungus might determine dimorphism and associated pathogenesis byS. reilianum.