cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Drug Interactions with Zidovudine. I: Probenecid and Zidovudine in Monkeys

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of a drug interaction between zidovudine (AZT) and probenecid was conducted in monkeys. Six animals received 20 mg/kg of AZT as single intragastric (ig) and iv doses in the absence and presence of 50 mg/kg of probenecid administered ig. Plasma concentrations of AZT and its 5'-glucuronide metabolite (AZTG) were quantitated for 12 h by HPLC. Amounts of AZT and AZTG in urine were also measured, as were probenecid plasma concentrations. Non-compartmental methods were used to obtain pharmacokinetic parameters for AZT and AZTG. In the presence of probenecid, the total clearance of AZT decreased by 50%, renal clearance decreased, and elimination half-life increased. The volume of distribution at steady-state and systemic bioavailability of AZT were not significantly altered by probenecid. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curves and terminal half-lives of AZTG were increased, and renal clearances of AZTG were decreased. The alterations in AZT and AZTG pharmacokinetic parameters are consistent with inhibition of metabolism and renal tubular secretion by probenecid. Since AZT was administered by both oral and iv routes, clearance, volume of distribution, and bioavailability parameters were independently determined. Based on data reported for humans on the zidovudine-probenecid interaction, monkeys appear to be appropriate animal models for the evaluation of zidovudine drug interactions.
Permanence of visual perimetry deficits in monocularly and binocularly deprived cats.

Abstract (1) Monocularly (MD) and binocularly deprived (BD) cats were tested to determine the permanence of previously described behavioral deficits on a visual perimetry test. Three group I MD cats and 2 group I BD cats had both eyes open as adults for up to 2 years before testing. At a similar time before testing, 2 group II MD cats had a reverse-suture operation (deprived eye open, non-deprived eye shut), and 2 group II BD cats had the right eye open. (2) Group I cats showed no recovery from previously described deficits. The MD cats had a normal visual field for the non-deprived eye (from 45° contralateral to 90° ipsilateral), but with the deprived eye responded only to objects in the monocular segment (60°–90° ipsilateral) while ignoring objects throughout the binocular segment (45° contralateral-45° ipsilateral). The BD cats with each eye responded to objects only in the ipsilateral hemifield, ignoring the contralateral 45° field of view. (3) Group II cats with the open, deprived eye had deficits identical to the above indicating that lack of usage of the non-deprived eye resulted in no improvement of visual field for the deprived eye. The group II BD cats, when monocularly tested 4 h after opening of the left eye, displayed visual behavior similar to that seen for the right eye. (4) Given the techniques used in this experiment, it is concluded that MD and BD cats develop permanently reduced visual fields as a result of their early visual deprivation.
Photodynamic therapy in the management of metastatic cutaneous adenocarcinomas: case reports from phase 1/2 studies using tin ethyl etiopurpurin (SnET2).

Background and Objectives: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a photoreactive purpurin, tin ethyl etiopurpurin (SnET2, Purlytin⌖, Miravant Medical Technologies, Santa Barbara, CA), was investigated as a treatment for cutaneous metastatic disease that had failed other treatment options. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Three patients with biopsy-proven metastatic adenocarcinoma of the skin were treated with a single dose of the study drug. Twenty-four hours later, the patients were exposed to a laser light at 664 nm in multiple light fields. Patients were followed for 6 months for safety, efficacy, recurrence, and palliative response. Results After PDT with SnET2, complete response was observed in all 13 treated lesions in three patients, with no evidence of recurrence at any treated site at the 6-month follow-up. Two patients subsequently died of distant metastatic disease. One patient with local chest wall recurrence after mastectomy was disease-free 24 months after PDT. Conclusions PDT with SnET2 could be an effective treatment in locally advanced metastatic carcinoma of the skin. J. Surg. Oncol. 1998:67:121–125. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New Corporate Practice, New Classroom Pedagogy: Toward a Redefinition of Management Communication.

Just as the challenge in a global economy is to develop new frameworks and then communicate them effectively, our challenge is to prepare students for negotiating wholly new communication challenges. Communication is much more than expressing the content of other "real" business disciplines clearly. Language and image have become a crucial part of creating and managing contemporary corporate culture; thus, we must expand the teaching of man agerial communication to include corporate communication. To describe "communication," we must also employ words such as "critical thinking" and "flexibility." Communication is integral to the process of problem solving in the team-oriented workplace.
Pegylated IFN- α sensitizes melanoma cells to chemotherapy and causes premature senescence in endothelial cells by IRF-1-mediated signaling

Pegylated interferon-α2b (pIFN-α) is an integral part of the drug regimen currently employed against melanoma. Interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) has an important role in the transcriptional regulation of the IFN response, cell cycle and apoptosis. We have studied pIFN-α-induced responses when combined with the chemotherapy agent, vinblastine (VBL), in tumor and endothelial cell lines and the connection to IRF-1 signaling. Levels of IRF-1/IRF-2 protein expression were found to be decreased in tumor versus normal tissues. pIFN-α induced IRF-1 signaling in human melanoma (M14) and endothelial (EA.hy926) cells and enhanced cell death when combined with VBL. Upon combined IFN-α and VBL treatment, p21 expression, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and activated Bak levels were increased in M14 cells. An increase in p21 and cyclin D1 expression occurred in EA.hy926 cells after 6 h of treatment with pIFN-α, which dissipated by 24 h. This biphasic response, characteristic of cellular senescence, was more pronounced upon combined treatment. Exposure of the EA.hy926 cells to pIFN-α was associated with an enlarged, multinucleated, β-galactosidase-positive senescent phenotype. The overall therapeutic mechanism of IFN-α combined with chemotherapy may be due to both direct tumor cell death via IRF-1 signaling and by premature senescence of endothelial cells and subsequent effects on angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment.
Doubly stochastic matrices whose squares decrease the permanent

It is shown that if A is doubly stochastic and if each of P and Q is a permutation matrix such that then necessarily per A2 per A. Necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the eigenvalues of A and the ranks of A and A2 are given which insure strict inequality.
The thermoviscoplastic response of polycrystalline tungsten in compression

Abstract The thermomechanical response of commercially pure polycrystalline tungsten was investigated over a wide range of strain rates and temperatures. The material was examined in two forms: one an equiaxed recrystallized microstructure and the other a heavily deformed extruded microstructure that was loaded in compression along the extrusion axis. Low strain rate (10 −3 –10 0 s −1 ) compression experiments were conducted on an MTS servohydraulic load frame equipped with an infra-red furnace capable of sustaining specimen temperatures in excess of 600°C. High strain rate (10 3 –10 4 s −1 ) experiments were performed on a compression Kolsky bar equipped with an infra-red heating system capable of developing specimen temperatures as high as 800°C. Pressure–shear plate impact experiments were used to obtain shear stress versus shear strain curves at very high rates (∼10 4 –10 5 s −1 ). The recrystallized material was able to sustain very substantial plastic deformations in compression (at room temperature), with a flow stress that appears to be rate-dependent. Intergranular microcracks were developed during the compressive deformations. Under quasi-static loadings a few relatively large axial splitting cracks were formed, while under dynamic loadings a very large number of small, uniformly distributed microcracks (that did not link up to form macrocracks) were developed. The rate of nucleation of microcracks increased dramatically with strain rate. The extruded tungsten is also able to sustain large plastic deformations in compression, with a flow stress that increases with the rate of deformation. The strain hardening of the extruded material is lower than that of the recrystallized material, and is relatively insensitive to the strain rate. High-temperature experiments at low and high strain rates show that the strain hardening is also insensitive to the temperature over this temperature range. The flow stress is shown to be strongly temperature-dependent at low homologous temperatures.
Gli3/Spop Multivalent Interactions are Concentration-Dependent

It has been recently shown that many ubiquitin ligase substrates have multiple weak degrons instead of one strong one. These substrates are largely disordered, which allows for access to each degron. The biological function of these multiple degrons is unclear. Gli3, an intrinsically disordered, zinc-finger-containing transcription factor, is an effector of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Gli3 degradation is mediated by the E3 cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP). SPOP binding motifs within Gli3 were identified by peptide microarray analysis and Gli3 was found to potentially have >70 binding motifs. Each SPOP monomer binds a single SBC motif, implying the abundance of motifs serves a function other than stoichiometric binding. SPOP itself is capable of forming concentration-dependent, dynamic oligomeric complexes. In this study, biophysical and structural techniques were used to characterize the oligomeric properties of SPOP and how binding of a multivalent Gli3 substrate affects these properties. Preliminary results suggest that individual degrons have similar weak binding affinities, with no site preferentially bound. Results also show that there is a concentration threshold for interactions between Gli3 and SPOP to occur. Further studies will continue to investigate this concentration-dependence and assess how this mechanism of binding may regulate Gli3 function and correct Hh signal transduction.
Detection of cathodoluminescence of Giemsa stain and its applications.

Giemsa stain shows an intense and durable cathodoluminescence (CL) when studied at 20–30 kV with a quartz transmission light pipe–photomultiplier system in a scanning electron microscope. Clear CL images of Giemsa‐stained chromatin, nuclei, and chromosomes were recorded at low electron does (approximately 10−5–10−4 C/cm2). Careful and control experiments have suggested that true cathodoluminescence of Giemsa has been recorded. The CL emission of Giemsa is attributable to one of its ingredients, eosin‐y, whose bromine molecules apparently act as radiation scavengers.
The rat's long-term preference for complexity in its environment

Locomotor, resting, and feeding responses to four levels of environmental complexity were measured in a two-phase study. In a long-term free-choice testing situation (ad-lib phase), subjects (N = 20) demonstrated a marked preference for high complexity during “day” conditions. This preference, present in the patterns of resting and locomotor behavior, was partially preserved under “night” conditions. The patterns of feeding behavior were essentially independent of complexity preference. The same subjects in the discrete trial phase of the study chose high complexity most often in a four-choice testing situation. The apparent preference for high environmental complexity was interpreted as a shelter/relaxation seeking response elicited by the number or complexity of elements in the complexity area. Complexity seemed to reduce the arousal level of the subject, arguing against current arousal hypotheses which suggest that complex stimuli are attractive because of their arousal-inducing qualities.
A practical approach to porcelain repair

A technique for repairing fractured porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations has been presented. Mechanical retention on the coping must be created. The porcelain is beveled, acid etched, and treated with silane. The metal is masked with a mix of unfilled resin and the corresponding shade of porcelain opaque powder. Then, the surface is rebuilt with a microfilled resin (or a mixture of microfilled and composite resin) and finished by conventional methods, giving special attention to the adjustment of occlusion.
Creep and microstructure of magnesium-aluminum-calcium based alloys

This article describes the creep and microstructure of Mg-Al-Ca-based magnesium alloys (designated as ACX alloys, where A stands for aluminum; C for calcium; and X for strontium or silicon) developed for automotive powertrain applications. Important creep parameters, i.e., secondary creep rate and creep strength, for the new alloys are reported. Creep properties of the new alloys are significantly better than those of the AE42 (Mg-4 pct* Al-2 pct RE**) alloy, which is the benchmark creep-resistant magnesium die-casting alloy. Creep mechanisms for different temperature/stress regimes are proposed. A ternary intermetallic phase, (Mg,Al)2Ca, was identified in the microstructure of the ACX alloys and is proposed to be responsible for the improved creep resistance of the alloys.
Three-Dimensional Lattice Logic Circuits, Part II: Formal Methods

This paper introduces formal algebraic methods for the design of three- dimensional (3D) lattice circuits that were discussed in the first part of my article. New regular 3D logic circuits are introduced, where the application of ternary de- compositions into regular three-dimensional lattice circuits is shown. Lattice circuits represent an important class of regular logic circuits that allow for local interconnec- tions, predictable timing, fast fault localization, and self-repair. The introduced design methods can be used for the automatic design of logic circuits in 3D for applications and future technologies that require such topologies.
SLX-1 is required for maintaining genomic integrity and promoting meiotic noncrossovers in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline.

Although the SLX4 complex, which includes structure-specific nucleases such as XPF, MUS81, and SLX1, plays important roles in the repair of several kinds of DNA damage, the function of SLX1 in the germline remains unknown. Here we characterized the endonuclease activities of the Caenorhabditis elegans SLX-1-HIM-18/SLX-4 complex co-purified from human 293T cells and determined SLX-1 germline function via analysis of slx-1(tm2644) mutants. SLX-1 shows a HIM-18/SLX-4–dependent endonuclease activity toward replication forks, 5′-flaps, and Holliday junctions. slx-1 mutants exhibit hypersensitivity to UV, nitrogen mustard, and camptothecin, but not gamma irradiation. Consistent with a role in DNA repair, recombination intermediates accumulate in both mitotic and meiotic germ cells in slx-1 mutants. Importantly, meiotic crossover distribution, but not crossover frequency, is altered on chromosomes in slx-1 mutants compared to wild type. This alteration is not due to changes in either the levels or distribution of double-strand breaks (DSBs) along chromosomes. We propose that SLX-1 is required for repair at stalled or collapsed replication forks, interstrand crosslink repair, and nucleotide excision repair during mitosis. Moreover, we hypothesize that SLX-1 regulates the crossover landscape during meiosis by acting as a noncrossover-promoting factor in a subset of DSBs.
High resolution measurements of the ruby R1 line at low temperatures

Abstract A high resolution, resonance fluorescence technique is described which can overcome macroscopic strain broadening effects on the inhomogeneous lineshape of zero phonon lines. A linewidth of 1.21 GHz (fwhm) was observed for the ruby R1 line at 15 K.
Does the Source Matter in the Communication of Anti-Smoking Messages to Youth?:

This study examined ethnicity as a moderator of exposure to sources of anti-smoking communication and behavioral intentions among adolescents who have never tried smoking (i.e., never smokers) and those who previously experimented with smoking but are not yet regular smokers (i.e., experimental smokers). Responses from 1700 African American, Latino, and White youth who completed the Virginia Youth Tobacco Survey from September 2007 through April 2008 were analyzed. Ethnicity and smoking status moderated the association between exposure to sources of anti-tobacco communication and adolescents' intentions to smoke. For never smokers, media exposure was related to lower behavioral intentions among African Americans. For experimental smokers, exposure to both media and to health professionals was associated with lower intentions among African Americans. Exposure to parental anti-smoking communication was associated with reduced intentions among White adolescents. These findings suggest that prevention for smo...
Optical Filters to Exclude Non-Doppler-Shifted Light in Fast Velocimetry

We frequently measure velocity-time histories of dynamic experiments. In some, the Doppler-shifted light is often weak compared to non-shifted light reflected from stationary surfaces and imperfections in components. With our Fabry-Perot (FP) based systems which handle multiple frequencies, data is lost where the fringes coincide; if we had used an intensity-measuring VISAR system, it would probably fail. We designed a facility for doing experiments under such conditions by selectively eliminating most of the non-shifted light. Our first filter excluded non-shifted light by a factor of 300 when manually tuned, and by 150 when run in an auto-tuning mode. It used a single 50 mm diameter FP as the filter with a spacing of 1.65 mm and reflectivities of 77%, and filters five channels prior to use in one of our 5-beam velocimeters. One use of the filter system was to embed optical fibers in long sections of explosives to make continuous detonation velocity-time histories. We have carried out many such tests with this filter, and two without. A special single-beam filter was constructed with a 40% efficiency for shifted light that rejected non-shifted light by 4 million times, with a bandpass of a few GHz.
Dynamic analysis of piles and pile groups embedded in non‐homogeneous soils

A hybrid boundary element formulation for the steady state analysis of piles and pile groups embedded in a soil stratum in which the modulus increases linearly with depth is presented. The piles are represented by compressible columns or flexible beams and the soil as a hysteretic, layered medium. The explicit Green's function corresponding to dynamic loads in the interior of a layered stratum, developed earlier by Kausel is used in the study. The governing differential equations for the pile domain are solved for a distributed periodic loading intensity and those for the soil domain by a system of boundary elements at the pile-soil interface. These are then assembled into a system of algebraic equations by satisfying interface equilibrium and compatibility. The results of the analysis have been compared against those from alternative formulations, e.g. finite elements, and confirm the accuracy of the proposed formulation. Representative results for single piles and pile groups are presented. (Author/TRRL)
Targeted disruption of nebulette protein expression alters cardiac myofibril assembly and function.

Abstract To evaluate nebulette's role in cardiac myofibrils, cardiomyocytes expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)–nebulette constructs were monitored for their ability to contract and myofilament protein distribution was analyzed. Cells expressing full-length GFP–nebulette appear unaffected and exhibit normal beating frequencies. Expression of the GFP linker and SH3 results in loss of the endogenous nebulette and tropomyosin; however, Z-line and thick filaments are undisturbed. Cells expressing either of these domains have dramatically reduced beating frequencies, consistent with the loss of thin filament proteins. This loss was inhibited by the addition of protease inhibitors during culturing. The GFP repeat domain disrupts both myofibrillogenesis and contraction in spreading cardiomyocytes, whereas introduction of this protein into well-spread cardiomyocytes results in localization at the Z-line and a 50% reduction in beating frequency. Ultimately, these cells form bundles containing the GFP repeat and many myofilament proteins. Interestingly, butanedione monoxime inhibition of contraction inhibited the formation of these bundles. These results show that the GFP–nebulette domains have a dominant-negative effect on the distribution and function of the sarcomeric proteins. Taken together with the observation that nebulette colocalizes with α-actinin in the pre-, nascent, and mature myofibrils, our data demonstrate the importance of this cardiac-specific nebulin isoform in myofibril organization and function.
Disturbance of ILS Localizer Signals by Reflections from Large Hangers

An equation giving the disturbance of ILS localizer signals by reflections from a flat hangar wall is derived, and a computer program for performing the required calculations is discussed. Results calculated for a hypothetical case are presented.
Impaired angiogenesis and altered Notch signaling in mice overexpressing endothelial Egfl7

Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (Egfl7) is important for regulating tubulogenesis in zebrafish, but its role in mammals remains unresolved. We show here that endothelial overexpression of Egfl7 in transgenic mice leads to partial lethality, hemorrhaging, and altered cardiac morphogenesis. These defects are accompanied by abnormal vascular patterning and remodeling in both the embryonic and postnatal vasculature. Egfl7 overexpression in the neonatal retina results in a hyperangiogenic response, and EGFL7 knockdown in human primary endothelial cells suppresses endothelial cell proliferation, sprouting, and migration. These phenotypes are reminiscent of Notch inhibition. In addition, our results show that EGFL7 and endothelial-specific NOTCH physically interact in vivo and strongly suggest that Egfl7 antagonizes Notch in both the postnatal retina and in primary endothelial cells. Specifically, Egfl7 inhibits Notch reporter activity and down-regulates the level of Notch target genes when overexpressed. In conclusion, we have uncovered a critical role for Egfl7 in vascular development and have shown that some of these functions are mediated through modulation of Notch signaling.
Development of a biochemistry laboratory course with a project‐oriented goal

A new course for undergraduate biochemistry laboratory has been developed in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The course is innovative pedagogically by giving students a set of relevant skills for biochemical research and then allowing them to apply those skills in designing and performing the procedures for a research-like project. The course content focuses on the pharmacologically important enzyme β-lactamase, which is involved in the hydrolysis of antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins. Specifically, each student designs and performs site-directed mutagenesis of the enzyme β-lactamase and analyzes the effect of mutation on the catalytic function of the enzyme by an enzyme assay. This unique and valuable research experience greatly enhances their understanding of scientific reasoning and the research process. Evaluation of the progress also indicates successful linkage of skill-building and student-directed activities even for students with no prior experience.
The Differential and Contingent Impact of Concurrency on New Product Development Project Performance: A Holistic Examination*

This article comprehensively examines how the four facets of new product development (NPD) concurrency, consisting of process and product concurrency groupings, influence NPD project performance under the five contextual conditions of (i) location of product in family stream, (ii) project size, (iii) stage in the product life cycle, (iv) innovativeness of the product, and (v) predictability of market demand. Using data from a large sample of NPD projects in multiple industries, there is support for this hypothesized four-faceted structure of concurrency, consisting of process and product concurrency groupings, thereby contributing new knowledge to the concurrency literature. All four facets of concurrency display a contingent impact on NPD project performance, even though individual effects vary according to the specific contextual variable under consideration. In particular, the process concurrency facet of dynamic iterative routines was universally effective across all five contextual variables, while the product concurrency facet of cross-functional coordination was effective in significantly influencing at least one NPD project measure. This article also reports similar, but less strong, contingency patterns, with respect to the process concurrency facet of the implementation of downstream coordination and the product concurrency facet of the use of computer-based integrated design tools. Theoretical and practical implications of our results are also offered.
Colorectal complications of external beam radiation versus brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

Abstract Background Although radiation therapy plays a central role in the management of prostate cancer, complications remain a troubling byproduct. We sought to determine the prevalence and significance of colorectal complications after external beam radiation (EBRT) versus brachytherapy (BT) for prostate cancer. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing EBRT or BT for prostate cancer from January 1999 to October 2005. Toxicities were graded using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scoring system or the modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer grading criteria. Results A total of 183 patients underwent EBRT and 50 patients underwent BT with a mean follow-up period of 39 months. BT was associated with significantly less acute (6% vs 43.5%) and late toxicities (2% vs 21.8%; both P Conclusions Despite its relative safety, radiation therapy for prostate cancer has a significant incidence of colorectal complications. Overall, BT has a significantly lower incidence of acute and late toxicities than EBRT.
Dye-sensitized solar cells using laser processing techniques

Laser processing techniques, such as laser direct-write (LDW) and laser sintering, have been used to deposit mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO2 (nc-TiO2) films for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. LDW enables the fabrication of conformal structures containing metals, ceramics, polymers and composites on rigid and flexible substrates without the use of masks or additional patterning techniques. The transferred material maintains a porous, high surface area structure that is ideally suited for dye-sensitized solar cells. In this experiment, a pulsed UV laser (355nm) is used to forward transfer a paste of commercial TiO2 nanopowder (P25) onto transparent conducting electrodes on flexible polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and rigid glass substrates. For the cells based on flexible PET substrates, the transferred TiO2 layers were sintered using an in-situ laser to improve electron paths without damaging PET substrates. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of laser processing techniques to produce nc-TiO2 films (~10 μm thickness) on glass for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (Voc = 690 mV, Jsc = 8.7 mA/cm2, ff = 0.67, η = 4.0 % at 100 mW/cm2). This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research.
Studies on the relatedness of herpes viruses through DNA-RNA hybridization.

Abstract DNA · RNA hybridization was employed to investigate homology between three strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (herpes virus-1; oral isolates), two strains of herpes simplex virus type 2 (herpes virus-2; genital isolates, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and pseudorabies.virus. Saturation hybridization demonstrated essentially complete homology between the three strains of herpes virus-1, and between the two strains of herpes virus-2, and indicated a maximum of 40% homology between herpes virus-1 and -2. These procedures also indicated that pseudorabies virus and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus have no significant genetic relatedness to each other or to the two herpes simplex viruses. Competition hybridization demonstrated 8% homology between pseudorabies virus and herpes virus-1.
A passion of the soul: an introduction to pain for consciousness researchers.

Pain is an important focus for consciousness research because it is an avenue for exploring somatic awareness, emotion, and the genesis of subjectivity. In principle, pain is awareness of tissue trauma, but pain can occur in the absence of identifiable injury, and sometimes substantive tissue injury produces no pain. The purpose of this paper is to help bridge pain research and consciousness studies. It reviews the basic sensory neurophysiology associated with tissue injury, including transduction, transmission, modulation, and central representation. In addition, it highlights the central mechanisms for the emotional aspects of pain, demonstrating the physiological link between tissue trauma and mechanisms of emotional arousal. Finally, we discuss several current issues in the field of pain research that bear on central issues in consciousness studies, such as sickness and sense of self.
Differential expression of opioid receptor genes in human lymphoid cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes

The existence of receptors for opioid compounds on cells of the immune system has long been hypothesized, but has been very difficult to demonstrate unequivocally. We have used reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to obtain cDNA clones from the human MOLT-4 and CEM-3 T-leukemic cell lines which are nearly identical to portions of the delta and kappa opioid receptor cDNAs recently isolated from human brain and placenta, respectively. Northern analyses with riboprobes derived from the delta and kappa opioid receptor clones indicate these sequences are expressed at low levels in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and in several human lymphoid cell lines. Sequences corresponding to the mu opioid receptor cDNA were not detected in this study. The results suggest that delta and kappa opioid receptors may be responsible for mediating some direct effects of opioids in immune cells.
Travelling wave solutions for the MKdV-sine-Gordon and the MKdV-sinh-Gordon equations by using a variable separated ODE method

In this work we formally derive exact travelling wave solutions for the modified KdV-sine-Gordon (MKdV-sine-Gordon) equation and the modified KdV-sinh-Gordon equation (MKdV-sinh-Gordon). The proposed analysis depends mainly on a variable separated ODE method. Two distinct sets of exact solitary wave solutions, that possess distinct physical structures, are formally derived for each equation. The derived solutions include others' results and introduce entirely new solutions.
Autoradiographic localization of calcium channel antagonist receptors in rat brain with [3H]nitrendipine.

Abstract In vitro autoradiographic techniques have been used to localize [3H]nitrendipine binding sites in the rat brain. The superficial cerebral cortex, the ventral, lateral and posterior nuclei of the thalamus, the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, the substantia nigra and the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb, all contain high densities of silver grains. The level of binding sites are greatly reduced in areas low in synaptic connections. The corpus callosum, the alveus hippocampi and the dorsal commissure of the fornix all lack specific grains, as does the lateral olfactory tract of theolfactory bulb. Specific silver grains are not found in the habenula or the hypothalamus. Grains are not associated with blood vessels profiles. The discrete localizations of [3H]nitrendipine bindings sites suggest a specific synaptic role.
Vitamin D-deficiency and post-fracture changes in lower extremity function and falls in women with hip fractures.

Summary We determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and lower extremity function in women with hip fractures. Women with extremely low vitamin D levels had reduced lower extremity muscle function and increased falls 1 year later. Ensuring vitamin D sufficiency after a hip fracture may improve function and reduce falls.
EFFECT OF IMPURITIES ON THE RHEOLOGY OF TWO KAOLINS

Two kaolins were given five successive processing steps designed to remove a number of impurities: (1) removal of nonclay and soluble fractions; (2) removal of organic material; (3) removal of iron oxides; (4) removal of allophane; and (5) removal of three- layer lattice minerals. After each of these steps, consistency curves were obtained for each of the clays at both 6.5 and 9.0 pH on slurries containing up to 50 weight % solids.
Grid- and dummy-cluster-based learning of normal and intrusive clusters for computer intrusion detection

As an important part of information security, computer intrusion detection aims at capturing intrusive activities occurring in computer and network systems. Many existing signature recognition techniques for intrusion detection cannot handle huge amounts of complex data from computer and network systems to detect intrusions in a scalable, incremental manner. This paper presents an application of an innovative data-mining algorithm—CCAS—to intrusion detection through intrusion signature recognition. CCAS provides a scalable, incremental procedure to learn clusters of different classes (i.e. normal and intrusive classes) from historic training data of normal and intrusive activities in computer and network systems. These clusters of normal and intrusive computer activities are used to classify observed data of computer activities for intrusion detection. Two different methods of learning clusters are developed, tested and compared: grid based and dummy-cluster based. Training and testing data are computer audit data produced by the Basic Security Module of a Solaris operating system to record activities in a UNIX-based host machine. The two methods of CCAS are tested using four different input orders of training data points to examine the robustness (sensitivity) of these methods to the input order of training data points. The detection performance and robustness of both CCAS methods are analyzed. The testing results show that different input orders of training data have a certain impact on the performance of both methods. The impact on the performance of CCAS based on dummy clusters is more significant when all normal data are presented first, before attack data in the training data set. CCAS based on dummy clusters produces a better performance than grid-based CCAS for three of the four input orders, and in overall produces fewer clusters and thus requires less computation time in clustering and classification for intrusion detection. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunoregulatory activity of culture-induced suppressor macrophages

Abstract Rat splenic cells precultured in vitro for 5 days exhibited marked suppressive activity on the secondary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to a Gross virus-induced lymphoma. Suppressive activity was produced by macrophages (MO) rather than lymphocytes and as low as 1% MO content was sufficient to achieve completely inhibited CTL responses. Aspirin, indomethacin, and d,l -6-chloro-2-methylcarbazole-2-acetic acid prevented cultured splenic MO from exerting their inhibitory effect, thereby suggesting a role for prostaglandins in suppression. Events which occurred within the first 24 to 48 hr of the CTL response were susceptible to the suppressive action of MO since normal CTL responses were obtained if suppressive MO were added later than Day 2 or if indomethacin was added within the first 24 to 48 hr of culture. Two processes of lymphocyte activation, namely blast transformation and DNA synthesis, were inhibited in the presence of suppressive MO. However, suppression of these processes did not result in the loss of CTL progenitor cells since CTL responses that were inhibited in the presence of suppressive MO proceeded normally following their removal.
Letter to the editor: Acetabular retroversion in military recruits with femoral neck stress fractures.

(RE: Kuhn KM, Riccio AI, Saldua NS, Acetabular Retroversion in Military Recruits with Femoral Neck Stress Fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468:846–851.) The authors certify that they, or any members of their immediate families, have no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR ® or the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®.
Computation of large molecules with the hartree-fock model.

Abstract The usual way to compute Hartree-Fock type functions for molecules is by an expansion of the one-electron functions (molecular orbitals) in a linear combination of analytical functions (LCAO-MO-SCF, linear combination of atomic orbitals—Molecular Orbital—Self Consistent field). The expansion coefficients are obtained variationally. This technique requires the computation of several multicenter two-electron integrals (representing the electron-electron interaction) proportional to the fourth power of the basis set size. There are several types of basis sets; the Gaussian type introduced by S. F. Boys is used herein. Since it requires from a minimum of 10 (or 15) Gaussian-type functions to about 25 (or 30) Gaussian functions to describe a second-row atom in a molecule, the fourth power dependency of the basis set has been the de facto bottleneck of quantum chemical computations in the last decade. In this paper, the concept is introduced of a “dynamical” basis set, which allows for drastic computational simplifications while retaining full numerical accuracy. Examples are given that show that computational saving in computer time of more than a factor of one hundred is achieved and that large basis sets (up to the order of several hundred Gaussian functions per molecule) can be used routinely. It is noted that the limitation in the Hartree-Fock energy (correlation energy error) can be easily computed by use of a statistical model introduced by Wigner for solid-state systems in 1934. Thus, large molecules can now be simulated by computational techniques without reverting to semi-empirical parameterization and without requiring enormous computational time and storage.
Electrooxidation pathways of simple alcohols at platinum in pure nonaqueous and concentrated aqueous environments as studied by real-time ftir spectroscopy

The products formed from the thin-layer voltammetric electrooxidation of methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol on platinum under anhydrous conditions and in concentrated acidic aqueous solutions are examined by means of real-time FTIR spectroscopy. For anhydrous methanol and ethanol in 0.1 M LiClO4, 1,1-dimethoxymethane and 1,1-diethoxyethane, respectively, constituted the major products along with methyl formate in the former case, as deduced from their characteristic infrared vibrational features. No adsorbed CO, nor CO2 product, were formed from either solvent in the absence of water, although the addition of solution CO yielded high CO coverages as discerned from the characteristic potential-dependent C-O vibration at ca 2070–2090 cm−. Addition of even small proportions (20–30%) of aqueous HClO4 yielded marked changes in the electrooxidation kinetics and mechanisms, as discerned quantitatively from the potential- (and time-) dependent vibrational band intensities. For methanol under such conditions, dimethoxymethane ceases to be formed and adsorbed CO and product CO2 appear in increasing quantities as the water content increases. Methyl formate, however, remains as a significant product down to methanol concentrations of about 0.2 M. Addition of acidified water to ethanol also yields adsorbed CO, although the CO2 produced arises chiefly from electrooxidation of only the initially adsorbed CO layer. Substantial quantities of acetaldehyde are also formed, the extent of further electrooxidation to acetic acid increasing as the aqueous ethanol concentration is decreased. Electrooxidation of isopropanol yields only acetone in both anhydrous and aqueous environments. In the presence of nitrate ions under anhydrous conditions, however, electrooxidation of all three alcohols yield nitrate ester coupling products.
Stuttering inhibition via visual feedback at normal and fast speech rates.

Background: Immediate and drastic reductions in stuttering are found when speech is produced in conjunction with a variety of second signals (for example, auditory choral speech and its permutations, and delayed auditory feedback). Initially, researchers suggested a decreased speech rate as a plausible explanation for the reduction in stuttering as people who stutter produced speech under second signals. However, this explanation was refuted by research findings that demonstrated reductions in stuttering at both normal and fast speech rates under second signals. Recent studies have also demonstrated significant reductions in stuttering from second signals delivered via the visual modality. However, the question as to whether stuttering can be substantially reduced at normal and fast speech rates under visual speech feedback conditions has yet to be answered.Aims: The current study investigated stuttering frequency reduction at normal and fast speech rates across different visual speech feedback conditions...
Abelian-primitive partial words

Abstract In this paper we count the number of abelian-primitive partial words of a given length over a given alphabet size, which are partial words that are not abelian powers. Partial words are sequences that may have undefined positions called holes. This combinatorial problem was considered recently for full words (those without holes). It turns out that, even for the full word case, it is a nontrivial problem as opposed to the counting of the number of primitive full words, well-known to be easily derived using the Mobius function.
Mechanical thrombectomy devices for endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke: Duke stroke center experience

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy devices are gaining popularity in large vessel occlusions where chemical thrombolysis is usually futile. MERCI, Multi-MERCI, Penumbra and SWIFT trails have elevated the status of mechanical thrombectomy from being a complementary treatment modality to mainstream stroke intervention. The aim of this study was to compare our immediate recanalization rates with available mechanical devices. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review from March 2009 to August 2012 was performed on patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion. Cases where IATPA and/or balloon angioplasty was performed without mechanical thrombectomy were excluded from the study. Recanalization rates were assessed immediately post-procedure by follow-up angiography. TICI scores were used to quantify the extent of recanalization and the residual clot burden. Results: Twenty two procedures were performed on 20 patients using Merci (MER):5; Penumbra (PEN):11; Solitaire-FR (SOL):6. Two patients underwent intervention using both Merci and Penumbra devices. The M:F ratio was 1.2:1. The most common vascular territory involved was the right MCA (9/20) followed by left MCA (5/20), left ICA (2/20), basilar (3/20) and vertebral arteries (1/20). The average door to needle time was 210 minutes [MER: 184.4; PEN: 249.2; SOL: 162]. Additional procedures were performed in 63.4% (14/22) of the patients [MER: 80% (4/5); PEN: 72.7% (8/11) and SOL: 33.3% (2/6)]. Vasospasm was observed in MER: 20% (1/5); PEN: 9.1% (1/11); SOL: 0% (0/6)]. Complete recanalization was achieved in 59.1% (13/22) [MER: 40% (2/5); PEN: 45.5% (5/11); SOL: 100% (6/6)]. The rate of complete recanalization was statistically significant for the Solitaire group vs. the MERCI group ( P=0.0062) as well as the Penumbra group (0.0025). The average pre-procedure TICI was 0.4 [MER: 0.6; PEN: 0.3; SOL: 0.3], while the average post-procedure TICI was 2.5 [MER: 2.4; PEN: 2.3; SOL: 3.0]. Conclusions: The study reveals a higher rate of angiographic recanalization using the Solitaire-FR device, requiring a lesser number of passes and other associated procedures as compared to MERCI and Penumbra. Thus, Stentrievers (Solitaire-FR) are advantageous in faster device delivery and quick flow restoration. However, future prospective randomized large trials are required to confirm these early results.
Microwave spectrum of ethyl hypochlorite

Abstract The microwave spectrum of ethyl hypochlorite has been analyzed in detail in the region of 20–60 GHz. Observed transitions for C2H5O35Cl in the ground state have been fit to a Hamiltonian model which includes p4 centrifugal distortion terms. The lowest vibrationally excited state of C2H5O35Cl and the ground state and lowest vibrationally excited state of C2H5O37Cl were analyzed with a rigid rotor model. This lowest vibrational mode lies at 125 ± 23 cm−1 and is most likely the torsional motion about the CO bond. The dipole moment has been measured and found to have two nonzero components; μa = 1.623 ± 0.010 D, μb = 1.097 ± 0.005 D. No A-E torsional splittings were observed in either the ground state or the v = 1 state implying a lower limit for the barrier to internal rotation of ∼3.0 kcal/mole. Ethyl hypochlorite was synthesized in the waveguide by the reaction of chlorine nitrate with ethanol.
Prevention of Weight Gain through the Holidays

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To test whether a liquid meal replacement plan can prevent weight gain during the holidays. It is a commonly held belief that Americans gain weight over the holidays (Thanksgiving to New Years), even though reliable data on holiday weight changes does not appear in recent literature. Retention of even small amounts of weight following every holiday season could contribute significantly to overall weight gain. The objective of this study was to apply a maintenance strategy which involved exchanging two regular meals with a commercial liquid meal replacement for each holiday eating event, such as parties and dinners, from Dec 15 to Jan 15. Male and female subjects (Ss) selected from a university population included staff, faculty, and students 25-60 years old Ss were randomized into treatment (N=27) and control (N=31) groups and matched by weight using a BMI of >27 for overweight. All Ss were given a baseline questionnaire designed to determine weight loss history including questions about their usual holiday weight gain. Ss reported to the clinic for a fasted morning weigh-in at the start and finish of the 4 week period. Control Ss tracked their holiday meals while treatment Ss tracked meal replacements, body weight, holiday-related eating events, and the perceived effectiveness of seven weight maintenance statements. Treatment Ss consumed an average of 16.3±7.8 meal replacement beverages during the study period. Treatment Ss lost 0.06+2.81bs while control Ss gamed 1.36±2.6 lbs (p