cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post-translational disulfide modifications in cell signaling--role of inter-protein, intra-protein, S-glutathionyl, and S-cysteaminyl disulfide modifications in signal transmission.

Cell signaling entails a host of post-translational modifications of effector-proteins. These modifications control signal transmission by regulating the activity, localization or half-life of the effector-protein. Prominent oxidative modifications induced by cell-signaling reactive oxygen species (ROS) are cysteinyl modifications such as S-nitrosylation, sulfenic acid and disulfide formation. Disulfides protect protein sulfhydryls against oxidative destruction and simultaneously influence cell signaling by engaging redox-regulatory sulfhydryls in effector-proteins. The types of disulfides implicated in signaling span (1) protein S-glutathionylation, e.g. as a novel mode of Ras activation through S-glutathionylation at Cys-118 in response to a hydrogen-peroxide burst, (2) intra-protein disulfides, e.g. in the regulation of the stability of the protein phosphatase Cdc25C by hydrogen-peroxide, (3) inter-protein disulfides, e.g. in the hydrogen peroxide-mediated inactivation of receptor protein-tyrosine phos...
Ultrastructural changes of female Syrian hamster cystic duct epithelium as a result of sex steroid treatment

In view of the lack of sufficient data regarding the morphology of the cystic duct and the extensive focus on the gallbladder, a preliminary examination of the cystic duct response to female sex steroid treatment was conducted to follow up a detailed ultrastructural study of the gallbladder epithelial response to a similar treatment. As observed in the gallbladder epithelium, the cystic duct epithelial cells of nulliparous Syrian hamsters demonstrate morphologic changes in response to female sex steroid treatment. Control (C) cystic duct epithelial cells are covered by short microvilli and each cell appears to exhibit a single vestigial cilium. Estrogen (E)- and estrogen + medroxyprogesterone (E + MP)-treatments induce differential duct cell morphologic changes. These changes are the result of steroid treatments in the significant decreasing sequence E > E + MP > C for nuclear volume, indentations and perinuclear lysosomal/lipofuscin bodies. Moreover E + MP-treatment results in larger cytoplasmic volume and more sloughing of apical cell excrescences than following E treatment. It is suggested that, similar to that in the gallbladder, the action of progestin is paramount in favoring cytoplasmic morphological changes in the cystic duct which, along with the alteration of mucus, cell sloughing, decreased bile acids and motility could also participate in the gallstone nucleation process as they are brought into the gallbladder with the incoming bile flow.
Structural and functional analysis of the rat testis-specific histone H1t gene.

A 6.86 kb rat genomic DNA fragment containing the testis-specific histone H1t gene and the histone H4t gene has been sequenced. S1-nuclease protection analyses of total cellular RNA from rat liver and testis showed that histone H1t mRNA was present only in testis. Examination of various highly enriched populations of rat testis cell types revealed that H1t mRNA was found exclusively in a fraction enriched in pachytene spermatocytes. When protein, DNA interactions within the proximal promoter region of the histone H1t gene were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, only minor differences were found in mobility shift patterns of the H1t promoter in assays comparing binding of nuclear proteins from pachytene spermatocytes and early spermatids. However, major differences in binding were observed upon comparing nuclear proteins from rat pachytene spermatocytes to liver. Comparison of binding patterns of rat testis, rat hepatoma H4 cells, HeLa cells, and COS-1 cells also revealed dramatic differences. Transcriptional activity of the histone H1t promoter was examined by measuring H1t promoted chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) mRNA levels in transient experession assays in transfected rat hepatoma H4 cells, HeLa cells, and COS-1 cells. These assays revealed that the histone H1t promoted CAT gene functioned poorly in HeLa cells and COS-1 cells compared to expression with the parent SV40 promoted vector pSV2CAT. The H1t promoted CAT gene apparently did not work at all in transfected rat hepatoma H4 cells, which is consistent with testis germinal cell specific expression of the histone H1t gene.
GENERAL RELATIVISTIC MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS FOR THE NUMERICAL CONSTRUCTION OF DYNAMICAL SPACETIMES

We assemble the equations of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in 3 + 1 form. These consist of the complete coupled set of Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field, Einstein's equations for the gravitational field, and the equations of relativistic MHD for a perfectly conducting ideal gas. The adopted form of the equations is suitable for evolving numerically a relativistic MHD fluid in a dynamical spacetime characterized by a strong gravitational field.
Late Pleistocene and Recent Sedimentation in Strait of Juan de Fuca: ABSTRACT

During part of the late Pleistocene (at least 14,000 years B.P.), the Strait of Juan de Fuca was occupied by a lobe of the continental ice sheet that extended from the Cascade Mountains of Washington and British Columbia on the east, to the nearshore waters of the Pacific Ocean on the west. As the front retreated, marine waters were able to re-invade the lower region, changing the type and character of sedimentation, and permitting benthic Foraminifera to migrate into the strait. The sediments of this time appear to be glacio-marine, and indicate that the fauna was able to adapt to a sedimentary environment of cold brackish waters containing vast amounts of sediment, with a few coarser sediments and cobbles supplied by berg or shelf ice. As the ice front retreated farther toward the east and north, the Strait of Juan de Fuca waters became progressively less brackish and supported a more marine fauna. Later, almost catastrophically, the environment changed from one of primary deposition to one of non-deposition or erosion. The upper part of the section and the surface sediments today are primarily coarse sand and gravel. This upper sand layer appears to lie disconformably on the underlying glacio-marine section. Measurements of the currents in the strait suggest that it is presently an area of non-deposition for fine sediments. Whether the upper sand layer in the strait represents a lag deposit after the removal of the finer fraction, or sediments added from coastal erosion, has not been determined. There is some seismic evidence, however, that Recent sediments are being shed into the strait from both sides. End_of_Article - Last_Page 452------------
Printable low-cost sensor systems for healthcare smart textiles

Smart textiles-based wearable health monitoring systems (ST-HMS) have been presented as elegant solutions to the requirements of individuals across a wide range of ages. They can be used to monitor young or elderly recuperating /convalescent patients either in hospital or at home, or they can be used by young athletes to monitor important physiological parameters to better design their training or fitness program. Business and academic interests, all over the world, have fueled a great deal of work in the development of this technology since 1990. However, two important impediments to the development of ST-HMS are:-integration of flexible electrodes, flexible sensors, signal conditioning circuits and data logging or wireless transmission devices into a seamless garment and a means to mass manufacture the same, while keeping the costs low. Roll-to-roll printing and screen printing are two low cost methods for large scale manufacturing on flexible substrates and can be extended to textiles as well. These two methods are, currently, best suited for planar structures. The sensors, integrated with wireless telemetry, facilitate development of a ST-HMS that allows for unobtrusive health monitoring. In this paper, we present our results with planar screen printable sensors based on conductive inks which can be used to monitor EKG, abdominal respiration effort, blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature. The sensor systems were calibrated, and tested for sensitivity, reliability and robustness to ensure reuse after washing cycles.
The precarious life of Thomas Pike, a colonial dancing master in Charleston and Philadelphia

(1994). The precarious life of Thomas Pike, a colonial dancing master in Charleston and Philadelphia. Dance Chronicle: Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 229-262.
Recursive algorithm, architectures and FPGA implementation of the two-dimensional discrete cosine transform

A new recursive algorithm and two types of circuit architectures are presented for the computation of the two-dimensional discrete cosine transform (2D DCT). The new algorithm permits to compute the 2D DCT by a simple procedure of the 1D recursive calculations involving only cosine coefficients. The recursive kernel for the proposed algorithm contains a small number of operations. Also, it requires a smaller number of pre-computed data compared with many of existing algorithms in the same category. The kernel can be easily implemented in a simple circuit block with a short critical delay path. In order to evaluate the performance improvement resulting from the new algorithm, an architecture for the 2D DCT designed by direct mapping from the computation structure of the proposed algorithm has been implemented in an FPGA board. The results show that the reduction of the hardware consumption can easily reach 25% and the clock frequency can increase 17% compared with a system implementing a recently reported 2D DCT recursive algorithm. For a further reduction of the hardware, another architecture has been proposed for the same 2D DCT computation. Using one recursive computation block to perform different functions, this architecture needs only approximately one-half of the hardware that is required in the first architecture, which has been confirmed by an FPGA implementation.
Surface Anchoring of Liquid Crystal Molecules on Various Substrates

Abstract Ever since Mauguin described the fabrication of liquid crystal cells by rubbing glass plates with paper to obtain uniform homogeneous alignment, scientists have been attempting to study and understand the mechanism of anchoring and the subsequent alignment of these materials on various substrates. More than 35 different methods for creating surface alignment have been reported using both organic and inorganic films as well as various mechanical treatments. In this paper, many of these methods are reviewed and categorized. The mechanism of surface anchoring involves not one but several mechanisms. The nature of the surface material, the liquid crystal structure, and the past history of the surface, all play major roles in determining the mechanism for a specific technique.
On the controllability of nonlinear systems with symmetry

Abstract Sufficient and necessary conditions are given for the controllability of nonlinear systems possesing symmetry.
Mesoscale mechanics of wood cell walls under axial strain

Trees and other woody plants are hierarchically structured to achieve a wide range of mechanical properties—necessary for their survival under various and varying loading conditions—with a narrow range of chemical composition. The hierarchical level understood to be directly responsible for modulating the longitudinal elastic modulus and yielding behavior is that of the composition of the cell walls, which consists of crystalline cellulose fibrils embedded in an amorphous matrix of hemicellulose and lignin. Here we report a simple coarse-grained model of the cellulose fibrils and hemicellulose chains to provide a bottom-up description of the mechanics. We identify the mechanical behaviors for varying fibril angles, plot force–strain relationships and compare the data with experimental results and theoretical predictions, providing insight into fundamental structure–property relations of wood. Our model shows that hemicellulose deforms in a stick-slip motion as the fibrils shear, resulting in permanent deformation without causing material damage, and leading to the characteristic softening of wood as deformation is increased. The main contribution of this work is the development of a model that can be fine-tuned and adapted to other applications. While it presents simple formulation, it can successfully describe several key phenomena, specifically the three regimes of mechanical behavior: elastic, plastic, and high-strain stiffening, as well as the dependence of modulus on the microfibril angle, and as such provides a bottom-up mechanistic approach to wood mechanics.
Comparative Study of Tread Depth Measurement Techniques

Abstract Although there are over 20 organizations in the United States engaged in tread life evaluation by average groove depth measurements, no previous attempt has been made to compare the results obtained by the variety of procedures in use. Therefore, ASTM Committee F‐9 on Tires organized an experiment in which four tires were measured at 14 laboratories representing most major tire producers and independent test houses. Each participant measured the tires following his normal practice. In several laboratories the tires were measured by each of their operators. The data show in general that there are significant differences between laboratories but none between operators within a laboratory. Precision and accuracy vary between laboratories. Practices between laboratories vary greatly with respect to the number and locations at which measurements are made. On ribbed tires, 7 of 14 measured all grooves at 10 positions in each. For snow tires, there was no most common practice.
Deamidation of Several Food Proteins Using Free and Immobilized Ca2+-Independent Microbial Transglutaminase

Enzymatic deamidation of αsl-casein was done by using Ca(2 +)-independent microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) of a variant of Streptoverticillium mobaraense. Although the amount of deamidated glutamine residues in αsl -casein was not as high as that of the case using guinea pig liver transglutaminase (GTGase), the improvements in pH-solubility and Ca(2 +)-sensitivity profile of the substrate protein were comparable to it. To do the enzymatic deamidation without chemical acylation of Lys residues of αsl- casein, several immobilized MTGase were prepared with two types of chitosan beads. Although neither αsl-casein nor β-casein was deamidated, dimethyl casein and citraconylated soy 7S globulin were deamidated by using the immobilized enzymes.
Flexibility of digestive responses in two generalist herbivores, the tortoises Geochelone carbonaria and Geochelone denticulata

To test the prediction that digestive responses digestibility, intake and passage time-of generalist herbivores vary with different diets, feeding trials were conducted in Venezuela with two sympatric tortoise species, Geochelone carbonaria and G. denticulata. Three single-species diets (two fruit, one foliage) were fed to both species. For a given diet, digestibility, mass-specific intake and passage time did not differ between the two tortoise species, nor did they vary by sex or body mass within each species. However, the digestive parameters varied for tortoises feeding on the different diets. The responses ranged from nearly abandoning cell wall fermentation and depending entirely on extraction of cell contents to relying heavily on cell wall fermentation. Therefore, these generalist herbivores have flexible digestive responses that are influenced by diet, not fixed digestive responses that limit the diet, as previously observed in other generalist herbivores. A three-part classification of herbivores (specialist, specialized mixed feeder and opportunistic mixed feeder) is suggested as an approach to understanding flexible and inflexible digestive strategies in herbivores.
Activation of human neutrophil Mac-1 by anion substitution *

Substituting the medium chloride with glucuronate or glutamate causes a rapid, 10 to 30-fold, increase in the binding of the monoclonal antibody, CBRM1/5, which recognizes the high-affinity conformation of the Mac-1 integrin. This change is reflected in functional adhesion assays that show increased adhesion to ICAM-1 coated beads. Blocking antibodies indicate that the increased adhesion is almost entirely due to Mac-1. The inhibitor NPPB (100 microM) reduces Cl(-) efflux into low Cl(-) medium by 75%, and blocks increased CBRM1/5 binding after stimulation with fMLP or TNF-alpha, but has no effect on the anion substitution induced increase in CBRM1/5 binding or adhesion to immobilized ICAM-1. Thus, changes in external anion composition, not internal chloride or increases in Cl(-) efflux, are responsible for Mac-1 activation. This effect is substantial. The percentage of Mac-1 in the high affinity state approaches 100% in glutamate and 50% in glucuronate, a far greater response than what is observed after stimulation with fMLP.
The SM Rap—Or, Here's the Rap on Self-Monitoring

We encourage our readers to submit ideas, suggestions, or manuscripts for Spotlight. This feature of Intervention focuses on a specific school program, clinic, camp, or individual concerned with special and remedial education. We would be pleased to assist our readers in developing an article for this column.—GW
Propolis Augments Apoptosis Induced by Butyrate via Targeting Cell Survival Pathways

Diet is one of the major lifestyle factors affecting incidence of colorectal cancer (CC), and despite accumulating evidence that numerous diet-derived compounds modulate CC incidence, definitive dietary recommendations are not available. We propose a strategy that could facilitate the design of dietary supplements with CC-preventive properties. Thus, nutrient combinations that are a source of apoptosis-inducers and inhibitors of compensatory cell proliferation pathways (e.g., AKT signaling) may produce high levels of programmed death in CC cells. Here we report the combined effect of butyrate, an apoptosis inducer that is produced through fermentation of fiber in the colon, and propolis, a honeybee product, on CC cells. We established that propolis increases the apoptosis of CC cells exposed to butyrate through suppression of cell survival pathways such as the AKT signaling. The programmed death of CC cells by combined exposure to butyrate and propolis is further augmented by inhibition of the JNK signaling pathway. Analyses on the contribution of the downstream targets of JNK signaling, c-JUN and JAK/STAT, to the apoptosis of butyrate/propolis-treated CC cells ascertained that JAK/STAT signaling has an anti-apoptotic role; whereas, the role of cJUN might be dependent upon regulatory cell factors. Thus, our studies ascertained that propolis augments apoptosis of butyrate-sensitive CC cells and re-sensitizes butyrate-resistant CC cells to apoptosis by suppressing AKT signaling and downregulating the JAK/STAT pathway. Future in vivo studies should evaluate the CC-preventive potential of a dietary supplement that produces high levels of colonic butyrate, propolis, and diet-derived JAK/STAT inhibitors.
Maintaining Employee Participation in Workplace Health Promotion Programs

This article examines the issue of maintaining participation in workplace health pro motion programs. The term "maintaining participation" is defined here as both continued program attendance and maintenance of recommended behaviors. The factors associated with participation and approaches to maintaining participation are reviewed. Evidence suggests that combinations of environmental and individual approaches are necessary to address the problem of maintenance. An approach to maintaining participation is sug gested that utilizes a preprogram diagnostic interview model to identify and address environmental and individual factors that may cause an employee to drop out of a program or relapse into prior behavioral patterns.
Relationship Between Pregnancy and Birth Complications and the Later Development of Learning Disabilities

The present study was an interdisciplinary, empirical study of the perinatal histories of 50 learning disabled children, aged 7 to 12 years, who had minimum neurological dysfunctions. Subjects were drawn from children whose learning disabilities had been diagnosed at the Neuro-Education Center of Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich. A normative population was used for comparative purposes.The experimental group had a significantly higher number of pregnancy and birth complications on birth records than the norm (p<.05). A pattern of significantly lower scaled scores was found on the Wechsler Arithmetic and Digit Span (p < .05), and a pattern of significantly higher scores was found on Similarities (p < .05). Academic achievement was found to be significantly below grade level in all basic academic areas, i.e., reading, mathematics, and spelling. Sight vocabulary was the only area that was normal.The epidemiologic evidence is sufficiently strong to indicate that there exists “a continuum of reproductive ins...
Single-Particle Dynamics in Electron Storage Rings with Extremely Low Emittance

Electron storage rings are widely used for high luminosity colliders, damping rings in high-energy linear colliders, and synchrotron light sources. They have become essential facilities to study high-energy physics and material and medical sciences. To further increase the luminosity of colliders or the brightness of synchrotron light sources, the beam emittance is being continually pushed downward, recently to the nanometer region. In the next decade, another order of reduction is expected. This requirement of ultra-low emittance presents many design challenges in beam dynamics, including better analysis of maps and improvement of dynamic apertures. To meet these challenges, we have refined transfer maps of common elements in storage rings and developed a new method to compute the resonance driving terms as they are built up along a beamline. The method is successfully applied to a design of PEP-X as a future light source with 100-pm emittance. As a result, we discovered many unexpected cancelations of the fourth-order resonance terms driven by sextupoles within an achromat.
Health Care Utilization among Migrant Latino Farmworkers: The Case of Skin Disease

Context: Skin diseases are common occupational illnesses for migrant farmworkers. Farmworkers face many barriers in accessing health care resources. Purpose: Framed by the Health Behavior Model, the purpose of this study was to assess health care utilization for skin disease by migrant Latino farmworkers. Methods: Three hundred and four migrant and seasonal Latino farmworkers in North Carolina were enrolled in a longitudinal study of skin disease and health care utilization over a single agricultural season. Self-reported and dermatologist-diagnosed skin condition data were collected at baseline and at up to 4 follow-up assessments. Medical visit rates were compared to national norms. Findings: Self-reported skin problems and diagnosed skin disease were common among farmworkers. However, only 34 health care visits were reported across the entire agricultural season, and none of the visits were for skin diseases. Nevertheless, self-treatment for skin conditions was common, including use of non-prescription preparations (63%), prescription products (9%), and home remedies (6%). General medical office visits were reported in 3.2% of the assessments, corresponding to 1.6 office visits per person year. Conclusions: The migrant farmworker population consists largely of young men who make little use of clinic services. Skin conditions are very common among these workers, but use of medical services for these conditions is not common. Instead, farmworkers rely primarily on self-treatment. Clinic-based studies of farmworker skin conditions will not account for most injury or disease in this population and have the potential for biased estimates.
Electronic structure and geometries of heteroatomic clusters.

The equilibrium geometries and the electronic structure of heteroatomic clusters involving alkali-metal-atom hosts and aluminum and magnesium impurity atoms have been studied using the self-consistent-field linear combination of atomic orbitals--molecular orbital method. The total energies of the clusters have been calculated by including exchange interaction within the unrestricted Hartree-Fock approximation and the correlation contribution within using the configuration interaction involving the double excitations of the valence electrons. The heteroatoms are found to have significant effect on the topology of the host clusters. The relative stabilities and ionization potentials of heteroatomic clusters exhibit odd-even alternation in agreement with experimental data. The evolution of the binding energies of the heteroatom with cluster size testifies to the delocalized nature of the electrons of the host cluster. While the energy gained in adding an additional alkali-metal atom to the existing heteroatomic cluster continues to oscillate with cluster size, the heteroatom binding energy varies monotonically.
Coherent and non-coherent receivers in 60-GHz RoF system based on passively mode-locked laser

A 60 GHz radio over fiber (RoF) system based on passively mode-locked laser diode (PMLLD) at the transmitter and envelope detection at the receiver is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. At the central station the millimeter wave is produced using a PMLLD and after being intensity modulated using external modulator propagates through single mode fiber. At the base station optical mode beating and envelope detection has been done in order to extract data. A comparison between the coherent and non-coherent detection is also presented. The theory and experimental results show that the impact of phase and frequency instability of the PMLLD on Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) for the communication system based on non-coherent detection is vanished.
Evaluation of Methods for Detecting Recombination from DNA Sequences: Empirical Data

The performance of 14 different recombination detection methods was evaluated by analyzing several empirical data sets where the presence of recombination has been suggested or where recombination is assumed to be absent. In general, recombination methods seem to be more powerful with increasing levels of divergence, but different methods showed distinct performance. Substitution methods using summary statistics gave more accurate inferences than most phylogenetic methods. However, definitive conclusions about the presence of recombination should not be derived on the basis of a single method. Performance patterns observed from the analysis of real data sets coincided very well with previous computer simulation results. Previous recombination inferences from some of the data sets analyzed here should be reconsidered. In particular, recombination in HIV-1 seems to be much more widespread than previously thought. This finding might have serious implications on vaccine development and on the reliability of previous inferences of HIV-1 evolutionary history and dynamics.
The Plastic Deformation Mechanisms, Strength, and Fracture Behavior of a Precipitation Hardened Aluminum-Lithium-Zirconium Alloy

An aluminum alloy containing 2.6wt.%Li and 0.09wt.% Zr exhibited a very low value in tensile ductility consistently prior to the peak-aged strength independent of thermal treatment. A transition was characterized by very low ductility in the slightly underaged condition up to the near peak-aged condition, then followed by a substantial increase in ductility with aging after the peak-aged treatment. In order to better understand the deformation and fracture, a scanning electron microscopy study of the fracture surfaces of Al-2.6wt.%Li-0.09wt.%Zr tensile samples solution heat treated and artificially aged was performed to relate the mechanical behavior to microstructure in the precipitation hardened Al-Li alloy. SEM analysis of the surface features and fracture morphology of the alloy was performed to understand the mechanisms of fracture in relation to the ductile to brittle transition that resulted in the alloy from precipitation hardening. TEM analysis was also performed to characterize the deformation behavior, and revealed the distribution of precipitates (both Al 3 Li (δ') and Al 3 Zr-Al 3 Li) in the microstructure at very high magnifications as well as the dislocation subgrain structure of the alloy at lower magnification. It was proposed from this study that the presence of δ' particles in the matrix promotes intense planar slip which was believed to be responsible for the ultra-low ductility prior to the peak-aged temper. Based on a detailed quantitative microscopy study, it was proposed that the increase in the ductility of the alloy after aging was a consequence of particle coarsening with aging and thus resulting in the Orowan process due to the transition from dislocation particle shearing to dislocation particle bypassing.
Resonance Raman detection of two conformers for the cyanide adduct of cytochrome c peroxidase and their pH dependence

The resonance Raman spectra of the adducts of cytochrome c peroxidase with four cyanide isotopomers (12C14N−, 13C14N−, 12C15N− and 13C15N−) are presented. The spectra reveal the presence of two conformers, an essentially linear conformer whose v(Fe—C) and δ(FeCN) modes occur at 445 cm−1 and 407 cm−1, respectively (at pH 10) and a bent conformer which exhibits two modes at 355 cm−1 and 445 cm−1 (at pH 10). At pH values below 7, the linear form v(Fe—C) shifts to ∼455 cm−1 in response to protonation of the distal histidyl imidazole (which strengthens the Fe—C bond). The stretching mode of the bent form experiences only a slight shift. This smaller shift of the bent form is consistent with the proposal that the bent form originates as a consequence of hydrogen bond formation with the off-axis proton donor group of arginine (which is protonated at both pH values). The overall spectral response to pH changes reflects interactions with the bound ligand which may be important for heterolytic bond cleavage.
Real-time, Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging with an Optimized Dye/Light Source/Camera Combination for Surgical Guidance of Prostate Cancer

Purpose: The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a surface glycoprotein overexpressed on malignant prostate cells, as well as in the neovasculature of many tumors. Recent efforts to target PSMA for imaging prostate cancer rely on suitably functionalized low-molecular-weight agents. YC-27 is a low-molecular-weight, urea-based agent that enables near-infrared (NIR) imaging of PSMA in vivo . Experimental Design: We have developed and validated a laparoscopic imaging system (including an optimized light source, LumiNIR) that is capable of imaging small tumor burdens with minimal background fluorescence in real-time laparoscopic extirpative surgery of small prostate tumor xenografts in murine and porcine models. Results: In a mouse model, we demonstrate the feasibility of using real-time NIR laparoscopic imaging to detect and surgically remove PSMA-positive xenografts. We then validate the use of our laparoscopic real-time NIR imaging system in a large animal model. Our novel light source, which is optimized for YC-27, is capable of detecting as little as 12.4 pg/mL of the compound (2.48-pg YC-27 in 200-μL agarose). Finally, in a mouse xenograft model, we demonstrate that the use of real-time NIR imaging can reduce positive surgical margins (PSM). Conclusions: These data indicate that a NIR-emitting fluorophore targeted to PSMA may allow improved surgical treatment of human prostate cancer, reduce the rate of PSMs, and alleviate the need for adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively. Clin Cancer Res; 21(4); 771–80. ©2014 AACR .
Human Cytomegalovirus pUS27 G Protein-Coupled Receptor Homologue Is Required for Efficient Spread by the Extracellular Route but Not for Direct Cell-to-Cell Spread

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes multiple G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) homologues, including pUS27, pUS28, pUL33, and pUL78. To explore the function of pUS27, we constructed pUS27-deficient derivates of two clinical isolates of HCMV. BFX-GFPstopUS27 is a FIX variant with a single base pair change in the US27 open reading frame, generating a stop codon that ablates accumulation of the GPCR homologue, and TB40/E-mCherrydlUS27 lacks the entire US27 coding region. BFX-GFPstopUS27 generated 10-fold less extracellular progeny in fibroblasts, and TB40/E-mCherrydlUS27 exhibited a similar defect in endothelial cells. The pUS27-deficient FIX derivative produced normal quantities of viral DNA and viral proteins tested, and a late virion protein was appropriately localized to the cytoplasmic assembly zone. After infection at a low multiplicity with wild-type FIX virus, neutralizing antibody reduced the accumulation of intracellular viral DNA and intracellular virions, as would be expected if the virus is limited to direct cell-to-cell spread by neutralization of extracellular virus. In contrast, the antibody had little effect on the spread of the BFX-GFPstopUS27 virus. Further, after infection at a low multiplicity, the pUS27-deficient TB40/E virus exhibited a growth defect in endothelial cells, where the clinical isolate normally generates extracellular virus, but the TB40/E derivative exhibited little defect in epithelial cells, where the wild-type virus does not produce extracellular virus. Thus, mutants lacking pUS27 rely primarily on direct cell-to-cell spread, and we conclude that the viral GCPR homologue acts at a late stage of the HCMV replication cycle to support spread of virus by the extracellular route.
Ethical Systems and Boolean Algebra

Here are the conclusions drawn from the experiment: compromise between good and evil is evaluated positively in Soviet society and negatively in American society; confrontation between good and evil is evaluated negatively in Soviet society and positively in American society.
Comparative ultrastructure of collagen fibrils in uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium

Objective To examine the ultrastructural characteristics of extracellular matrix and mature collagen fibrils in uterine leiomyomas and compare them with those in adjacent normal myometrium. Design Analysis of paired leiomyoma-myometrium in surgical specimens. Setting Research center and tertiary care center. Subject(s) Women undergoing medically indicated hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Intervention(s) None. Main outcome measure(s) Appearance and spatial orientation of the collagen fibrils in leiomyomas compared with myometrium. Result(s) Observation of specimens at ×12,500 magnification indicated that collagen fibrils were more abundant, loosely packed, and arrayed in a nonparallel manner in leiomyomas compared with myometrium. Random areas were examined at ×6,500 to ×64,000 magnification and revealed collagen fibrils of equal diameter in both leiomyomas and myometrium. However, an ordered and regular barbed appearance was present in collagen fibrils from myometrium but was lacking in leiomyomas. Conclusion(s) Leiomyomas contain an abnormal collagen fibril structure and orientation, which suggests that the well-regulated fibril formation in myometrium is altered in leiomyomas. Alterations in collagen genes may play a role in the pathogenesis of leiomyomas.
Pediatric allergy: a brief review of risk factors associated with developing allergic disease in childhood.

Objective To briefly review some of the factors that have been implicated in the causation of the increased prevalence of allergic disease in children. Data Sources MEDLINE search of original research and review articles related to the various risk factors considered responsible for the increased prevalence of allergic disease in children. Study Selection Author selected references. Conclusions It has been established that there is an increased prevalence of allergic disease, especially in children. Risk factors that are currently under investigation include: genetic atopic predisposition, early childhood allergen exposure and sensitization, occurrence of viral respiratory infections in young children, maternal smoking during pregnancy, poor dietary factors, lack of breast-feeding, childhood obesity, having a certain immunologic predisposition (Th2-prone), air pollution, and frequent immunizations in childhood. It is most likely that the occurrence of allergic disease will be found to be multifactorial.
Microfluidic chambers for monitoring leukocyte trafficking and humanized nano-proresolving medicines interactions

Leukocyte trafficking plays a critical role in determining the progress and resolution of inflammation. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the role of leukocyte activation in inflammation, dissecting the interactions between different leukocyte subpopulations during trafficking is hampered by the complexity of in vivo conditions and the lack of detail of current in vitro assays. To measure the effects of the interactions between neutrophils and monocytes migrating in response to various chemoattractants, at single-cell resolution, we developed a microfluidic platform that replicates critical features of focal inflammation sites. We integrated an elastase assay into the focal chemotactic chambers (FCCs) of our device that enabled us to distinguish between phlogistic and nonphlogistic cell recruitment. We found that lipoxin A4 and resolvin D1, in solution or incorporated into nano–proresolving medicines, reduced neutrophil and monocyte trafficking toward leukotriene B4. Lipoxin A4 also reduced the elastase release from homogenous and heterogenous mixtures of neutrophils and monocytes. Surprisingly, the effect of resolvin D1 on heterogenous mixtures was antisynergistic, resulting in a transient spike in elastase activity, which was quickly terminated, and the degraded elastin removed by the leukocytes inside the FCCs. Therefore, the microfluidic assay provides a robust platform for measuring the effect of leukocyte interactions during trafficking and for characterizing the effects of inflammation mediators.
Dietary cholecalciferol lowers the maximal activity of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets

Onyango, E. M. and Adeola, O. 2011. Dietary cholecalciferol lowers the maximal activity of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 399–404. The role of cholecalciferol and phosphorus in the regulation of intestinal mucosa phytase was investigated in White Pekin ducklings. Ninety-six 7-d-old male ducklings were grouped by weight into six blocks of four cages with four ducklings per cage. The average weights of the individual birds in the six subgroups were: 282, 270, 263, 255, 247 and 236 g, respectively. Four corn-soybean meal-based mash diets were randomly assigned to cages within each block. The four diets consisted of cholecalciferol at 0 or 75 µg kg–1 and total phosphorus at 3.6 or 7.0 (or 0.12 or 0.46 available phosphorus, respectively) g kg−1 in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Birds were fed the experimental diets for 9 d under conditions that excluded ultraviolet light. Ducklings fed diets with cholecalciferol concentration at 75 µg kg−1 of diet showed a...
Mg Implantation and Characterization of Sapphire Surfaces

Mg ion-implantation of A12O3 wafers followed by air annealing at high temperatures was investigated as a way to provide bulk doped samples for studies of Mg surface segregation and its effect on surface mass transport. SIMS was used to analyse Mg concentrations in implanted and unimplanted near-surface regions and in the bulk. It was found that the concentration of Mg decreases dramatically with depth from both surfaces of an annealed wafer and is also observed in the bulk. These observations are attributed to bulk diffusion of the Mg combined with equilibrium surface segregation. Surface mass transport associated with the (1120) surface of an A12 O3 single crystal wafer doped and equilibrated by such a method was studied by the grating decay method; the Mg doped sample showed a decay rate in air higher than that in the undoped wafer by a factor of ∼ 2.4 at 1500°C.
The Bithorax Complex

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 The BX-C Genes Are Expressed Within Parasegments 286 THE VBX DOMAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 The Effects oj Ubx Alleles 287 Mutations Affecting Sub Junctions oj the Ubx Domain.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 RNA and Protein Products oj the Ubx Domain 289 The Ubx Proteins Execute Most or All Functions oj the Ubx Domain 293 The Role oj the bxd and pbx Regions 294 Does the bxd Region Have Functions Independent oj the Ubx Unit? ... . 295 A Possible Trans-Regulatory Interaction Within the Ubx Domain 296 Role oj the abx and bx Regions 297 Gain-oj-Function Mutations in the Ubx Domain 297 Transvection ...... ........ .... ......... .. 298 THE ABDOMINAL DOMAINS . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 The Abdominal Region of the BX-C Is Composed of Two Large Domains 300 Sub functions of the abd-A and Abd-B Domains 301 Are the abd-A and Abd-B Domains Independent of One Another? ... .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . 305 Gain-oj-Function Mutations in the Abdominal Domains 306 ROLE OF THE BX-C IN INTERNAL TISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 SPATIAL REGULATION OF THE BX-C ...... . ....... . . . .. . . 309 CONCLUDING REMARKS ... . . ......... .. . ....... ... . . . 3 1 2
The Computer Aided Design Analysis and Structural Optimization of Engine Accessory Components

Analyse et optimisation des structures assistees par ordinateur de composants d'accessoires de moteurs
Does the Mutant CAG Expansion in Huntingtin mRNA Interfere with Exonucleolytic Cleavage of its First Exon

Background Silencing mutant huntingtin mRNA by RNA interference (RNAi) is a therapeutic strategy for Huntington's disease. RNAi induces specific endonucleolytic cleavage of the target HTT mRNA, followed by exonucleolytic processing of the cleaved mRNA fragments. Objectives We investigated the clearance of huntingtin mRNA cleavage products following RNAi, to find if particular huntingtin mRNA sequences persist. We especially wanted to find out if the expanded CAG increased production of a toxic mRNA species by impeding degradation of human mutant huntingtin exon 1 mRNA. Methods Mice expressing the human mutant HTT transgene with 128 CAG repeats (YAC128 mice) were injected in the striatum with self-complementary AAV9 vectors carrying a miRNA targeting exon 48 of huntingtin mRNA (scAAV-U6-miRNA-HTT-GFP). Transgenic huntingtin mRNA levels were measured in striatal lysates after two weeks. For qPCR, we used species specific primer-probe combinations that together spanned 6 positions along the open reading frame and untranslated regions of the human huntingtin mRNA. Knockdown was also measured in the liver following tail vein injection. Results Two weeks after intrastriatal administration of scAAV9-U6-miRNA-HTT-GFP, we measured transgenic mutant huntingtin in striatum using probes targeting six different sites along the huntingtin mRNA. Real time PCR showed a reduction of 29% to 36% in human HTT. There was no significant difference in knockdown measured at any of the six sites, including exon 1. In liver, we observed a more pronounced HTT mRNA knockdown of 70% to 76% relative to the untreated mice, and there were also no significant differences among sites. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that degradation is equally distributed across the human mutant huntingtin mRNA following RNAi-induced cleavage.
In utero antidepressant exposure and neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Objective To investigate the impact of in utero selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure on neurodevelopment in a cohort of preterm infants. Study Design Retrospective case control study of preterm infants ≤36 6 / 7 weeks gestation with in utero SSRI exposure. Subjects were matched to controls by gestational age, year of birth, birth weight, gender, and age at neurodevelopmental assessment. Neurodevelopment was assessed with the Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results The 19 infants with in utero SSRI exposure were similar to controls in demographic data, birth weight, and in-hospital morbidity. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) Mental Developmental Index score for study infants at 36 months was 94 ± 15 versus 91 ± 10 for controls ( p = 0.46). The mean ± SD Psychomotor Developmental Index score was also similar between groups: 79 ± 21 for study infants versus 75 ± 20 for control infants ( p = 0.72). Other neurodevelopmental outcomes were comparable. Conclusion In this cohort of preterm infants, in utero SSRI exposure was not associated with adverse neurodevelopment above the baseline risk for this degree of prematurity. Larger studies are needed to obviate the risk of a type II error.
An African American Student Networking Group in an Urban High School Experiences and Outcomes

Educational disparities are deeply entrenched in U.S. society. Our research focused on a move toward equity and investment in one Midwestern charter school via the implementation of the African American Student Network. Participants were 15 male and 15 female students in Grades 9 to 12 who participated in the network for one semester. Qualitative analysis of focus group interviews revealed that students in the network experienced safety, support, empowerment, affirmation, and connectedness. Quantitative analysis revealed that pre- and post-test grade point averages (GPAs), disciplinary referrals, and attendance trended in promising directions although there were no statistically significant differences.
Isolation and characterization of α-amylase derived from starchgrownClostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824

An extracellular α-amylase was purified to homogeneity from the culture supernatant ofClostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 grown in synthetic medium containing starch by using a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange chromatography and HPLC-gel filtration. The molecular weight of the 160-fold purified α-amylase was determined by SDS-PAGE to be 61 kDa. HPLC analysis of end-products of enzyme activity on various substrates indicated that the enzyme acted specifically in an endo-fashion on the α-1,4-glucosidic linkages. Enzyme activity was optimal over a pH range of 4.5–5.0 and temperature of 55°C, but was rapidly inactivated at higher temperatures. Addition of calcium chloride (2–5 mM) increased α-amylase activity by ca. 20%, while the addition of 19 μg ml−1 of acarbose (a differential inhibitor of amylases) resulted in 50% inhibition. TheV max andK m of α-amylase were 2.17 mg min−1 and 3.28 mg ml−1 on amylose, and 1.67 mg min−1 and 1.73 mg ml−1 on soluble starch, respectively.