cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 9. The Use of Growth Factors to Stimulate the Proliferation of Amniotic Fluid Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the use of growth factors to stimulate the proliferation of amniotic fluid cells. The use of amniotic fluid cells for the prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders operates under significant time constraints. These constraints derive from two sources. The first is the natural desire of the parents of the fetus to obtain an answer as rapidly as possible; the second are the medical and legal restrictions, which define the earliest time at which amniotic fluid can be safely obtained and the stage of pregnancy beyond which therapeutic abortion is no longer feasible or allowable. Two approaches to shortening the time between amniocentesis and analysis have been suggested. One is miniaturization of the system so that analysis can be performed on fewer cells. The effects of three nonhormonal growth factors on the proliferation of amniotic fluid cells have been investigated. These include the fibroblast, epidermal, and cartilage growth factors. It is found that when large numbers of amniotic fluid cells are required, the primary cultures are harvested and replated as secondary cultures. These cultures are no longer maintained under clonal conditions, and the cells are already adapted to proliferation in vitro .
Chapter 17. Antidiabetic Agents

Publisher Summary This chapter primarily intends to extend and up-date the material presented in a previous report. It emphasizes physiology and biochemistry because the significant advances in diabetes research are being made on these fronts, while progress toward new antidiabetic drugs has been slow. This emphasis also stems from a conviction that new approaches to antidiabetic therapy are most likely to come from application of new knowledge about metabolism and its regulation. A review of diabetes comprehensively treats the biochemistry and physiology underlying metabolic regulation and the way these processes are deranged in diabetes. Insulin, which is a primary antidiabetic agent, like other polypeptides, is assembled in linear fashion from the n -terminal end on a ribosomal RNA template. A few, if any, of the postulated actions of insulin have been produced in cell free systems and there remains no convincing evidence that insulin penetrates beyond the cell membrane. Although there is now strong evidence that insulin can stimulate protein synthesis independently of amino acid transport facilitation, it has not been possible to establish a direct effect of insulin on a complete cell free protein synthesizing system in vitro . The effect of insulin treatment or insulin deprivation on the animal from which the preparation is made, are readily observable.
Discovery and Protection of Sensitive Linkage Information for Online Social Networks Services

This paper investigates the problem of suppressing access to sensitive linkage information over data published by users of an online social network service. We unveil the potential threats by inferring linkage information from the user-published data, and suggest a class of data publishing schemes to enable distributed data publication by individual users but hide the sensitive information. Our hope is that this white paper shed lights on the future investigation of privacy-preserving online social network services.
Low defibrillation threshold in a patient with a dual-coil defibrillator lead implanted through a persistent left superior vena cava

Several reports have described the successful insertion of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). The implanters have used various techniques to achieve appropriate lead placement. In our case, the use of a long sheath, guided by a deflectable catheter, not only facilitated proper implantation of the lead, but also provided a unique position of the dual-coil lead. This resulted in a very low defibrillation threshold (DFT). We describe a case of a patient found to have a PLSVC at implant who after successful insertion of the ICD exhibited DFT ≤ 5 J.
Retinal pigment epithelium of the rat express CD81, the target of the anti-proliferative antibody (TAPA).

Purpose The present study focuses on the role of CD81, the target of the anti-proliferative antibody (TAPA), in the regulation of the growth of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Methods RPE of 8-day-old rat pups was cultured. The level of CD81 in the cultures was defined by immunoblot methods, and the distribution of the protein was examined using indirect immunohistochemical methods. In addition, the effects of the antibody binding were tested in culture. Results CD81 was found in all layers of the normal retina with a distinct absence of labeling in the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptors. Based on the authors' original immunohistochemical analysis, it was difficult to determine whether CD81 was expressed by RPE. By examining cultures of RPE it was demonstrated that CD81 was expressed on the surface of these cells and that it was concentrated at regions of cell-cell contact. Indirect immunohistochemical methods using a peroxidase-labeled secondary antibody in albino mice revealed heavy labeling of the RPE in the intact eye. When the AMP1 antibody (directed against the large extracellular loop of CD81) was added to cultured RPE, the mitotic activity of the cells was depressed. Conclusions CD81 was found in the normal rat retina. Previous studies demonstrated that CD81 was expressed in retinal glia, the Muller cells that span the thickness of the retina, and astrocytes found in the ganglion cell layer. The present study demonstrated that CD81 was also expressed by RPE. The dramatic effects of the AMP1 antibody and the location of CD81 at regions of cell-cell contact support the hypothesis that this molecule is part of a molecular switch controlling contact inhibition.
Numerical Relativistic Gravitational Collapse with Spatial Time Slices

In the usual flatspace hydrodynamics, there is a unique split between Eulerian and Lagrangian observers. An Eulerian observer is one at rest in space, while the Lagrangian observer is one at rest in the fluid. We can define an observer at an event in spacetime by giving his 4-velocity at that event. The path through spacetime taken by the observer is called the timeline of that observer. In flat Minkowski spacetime (the spacetime of special relativity), the Eulerian observer’s 4-velocity is exceedingly simple, because the time slices (3-spaces representing a given instant of time) are parallel flat 3-planes. Since the Eulerian observer is at rest, his 4-velocity is normal to the time slice. He is not shearing, converging, accelerating, or rotating relative to nearby Eulerian observers. In contrast, the Lagrangian observer at the same event is doing all these things, relative to nearby Lagrangian observers. While the timelines of the Lagrangian observers, following the fluid particles, are complicated curved trajectories through spacetime, the Eulerian observer’s timelines are straight and parallel to each other.
Breast carcinoma in African-American and White women: application of molecular biology to understand outcome disparities.

The excellent study reported by Jones et al. in this issue of Cancer provides an example of how advances in medical technology are allowing the oncology community to explore population-based variations in breast carcinoma epidemiology on a more scientific level. Differences in breast carcinoma incidence and mortality related to ethnic background are observed on a worldwide, international basis. The incidence is reported to be 80 per 100,000, and mortality is 20 per 100,000 in North American countries such as the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Northern European/Norwegian countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark. In contrast, incidence and mortality rates are reported to be 20 per 100,000 and 10 per 100,000, respectively, in Asian countries such as China and Korea, and in many parts of Africa. Intermediate between these two extremes are the rates noted in some European countries such as Spain and Greece, and certain South American countries such as Argentina. Numerous parallels to these differences in breast carcinoma burden related to ethnic background have been reported within the diverse population of the U.S. Confounding the study of possible ethnicityrelated variation in primary tumor biology, however, are the many coexisting differences in socioeconomic status, lifestyle, culture, and dietary habits. The largest magnitude differences in breast carcinoma outcomes within the U.S. have been observed between African-American women and white women. Breast carcinoma incidence is lower for African American women compared with white women, yet mortality rates, paradoxically, are higher. Other poorly understood features that characterize the impact of breast carcinoma on African-American women include a more advanced stage distribution and an increased prevalence of high-grade, hormone receptor-negative tumors. The age-incidence curves for breast carcinoma in African-American women and white women also differ; for women age 45 years, the incidence of breast carcinoma is higher in African-American women compared with white women. The increased poverty and noninsured rates among African Americans may explain many of the breast carcinoma disadvantages that have been documented, but they do not account readily for the entire picture. A recent meta-analysis of breast carcinoma survival 1261
New Service Development Process

Abstract To continue to grow, more and more U.S. service firms have looked overseas in recent years to find markets for their offerings. Thus, innovation in the global context has become a strategic imperative for many service firms. While the issue of how to foster service innovation has been an area of extensive research, the cross-national comparison of innovation practices particularly between developed and emerging countries has been only a nascent field of research. To address this gap in the literature we conducted a comparative study of new service development process and stages of the financial service firms in an emerging country, India, and a developed country, the United States. The results support the central argument of the article that significant cross-national differences do exist with regard to a firm's new service development process. The findings should be of value to managers faced with the tasks of selecting and managing service innovation in emerging markets, as well as those firms ...
Gideon Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2012: Growing Up Gay Today

We need to reconsider ways of thinking about queerness based on the experiences of pervasive invisibility in order to comprehend the experiences of today’s and tomorrow's kids, growing up in a culture that acknowledges queerness and does so by attempting to integrate it into the commercialized array of cultural products, niche-marketed demo slices and voting blocks. Much LGBT [pre-queer] theorizing presupposed invisibility and rare stereotypic representations as a limiting and distorting condition of growing up. What do we say now about growing up with reasonably common news and entertainment presence and with the opportunities for exploration and contact offered by the Internet? One way is to deny the meaningfulness of identity and theorize the problem away. But most kids are still experiencing isolation and vulnerability in enemy territory, and for them these admittedly problematic media images are far from trivial psychic/cultural resources.
Gas production in humans ingesting a soybean flour derived from beans naturally low in oligosaccharides

Background: Ingestion of soy products may cause excessive intestinal gas. This gas results from colonic bacterial fermentation of the indigestible oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose. which are present in high concentrations in legumes. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare gas production and gaseous symptoms in healthy volunteers after ingestion of 34 and 80 g soy flour made from either conventional soybeans or soybeans naturally low in indigestible oligosaccharides. Design: In a double-blind, randomized, crossover protocol, breath hydrogen (an indicator of carbohydrate malabsorption), flatus frequency, and abdominal symptoms were assessed after subjects ingested the soy products and after 2 control meals (rice or lactose-hydrolyzed milk). Results: The sum of breath-hydrogen concentrations for 8 h was significantly greater (P < 0.005) after 34 g conventional soy (60.4 ± 9.4 ppm) than after low-oligosaccharide soy (34.3 ± 8.1 ppm). Greater differences were observed with 80-g doses: 157.9 ± 19.4 ppm after conventional soy and 50.8 ± 6.8 ppm after low-oligosaccharide soy (P < 0.001). Flatus frequency (7.5 ± 1.9 times/12 h) was significantly greater (P = 0.039) after ingestion of 80 g conventional soy than after the control, rice meal (3.2 ± 0.8 times/12 h), whereas flatus frequency after the low-oligosaccharide soy meal (3.9 ± 0.7 times/12 h) was comparable with that after the rice meal. There were no significant differences in the severity of other abdominal symptoms. Conclusion: Soy flour derived from low-oligosaccharide soybeans resulted in less gas production than that derived from conventional soybeans.
Environmental Incubation Factors Influence Embryonic Thyroid Hormones

Abstract Thyroid hormone responses in embryonic avian species are of two types, developmental and metabolic. Many studies have characterized the developmental function of the turkey embryonic thyroid, but few have characterized the metabolic function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the response of turkey embryonic thyroid hormones to three environmental factors. We proposed that embryonic thyroids from different genetic backgrounds would respond differently to changes in maternal diet and incubation temperature. Lines of turkeys known to have different embryonic growth and survival were examined in the current study. These eggs differ in egg weight, eggshell conductance, hatchling weight and organ maturity at the time of hatching. Eggs were produced throughout a 20 wk laying period and embryos were sampled at monthly intervals. Half of the hens producing the eggs were fed additional iodide in their diets, then, subsequently, half of each dietary treatment and line combination were incubated at either 36.8 C or 37.5 C to prolong the incubation period. Embryos were sampled during the final week of incubation when thyroid hormones become elevated to effect maturation and survival functions in turkey embryos. Embryonic thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were assayed by RIA and compared among the treatments. Line, diet, and incubation period interacted to affect the levels of T4, T3 and T3 to T4 ratios in the turkey embryonic during late incubation. It was concluded that environmental factors can affect circulating thyroid hormone levels in turkey embryos, thus affecting metabolic functions, and the possibility exists to manipulate these circulating levels using environmental incubation conditions to improve hatchability.
Genuine Savings Rates in Developing Countries

In this paper, genuine savings rates in developing countries, a formal model of green national accounting demonstrates that 'genuine' saving, net saving less the value of resource depletion and environmental degradation, is a useful indicator of sustainability. Country-level and regional calculations of genuine savings are presented for the period 1970-1993. Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as the region where the greatest dissipation of wealth is occurring. After developing the basic theory of genuine savings, this paper presents empirical estimates for developing countries. These calculations account for resource depletion and carbon dioxide emissions, using consistent time series data for the period 1970-93. The paper concludes with a discussion of the policy issues raised by greener national accounting.
Comparison of two methods for measuring ammonium in solution samples

Abstract The measurement of NH4‐N in terrestrial and aquatic solutions by the commonly used automated indophenol‐blue method was compared to a new technique based on the conductimetric measurement of NH3. Average precision (2 times relative standard deviation) was 5.3% and 7.0% for the Ammonia‐Analyzer and Auto‐Analyzer, respectively. Average accuracy as determined from spike measurements was not statistically different between the Ammonia‐Analyzer (99.5%) and Auto‐Analyzer (96.2%). Although both methods predicted similar concentrations on the same sample set, the Ammonia‐Analyzer provides an alternative to NH4‐N measurement with fewer required reagents, and simpler instrumentation.
Conversion of atriopulmonary to cavopulmonary anastomosis in management of late arrhythmias and atrial thrombosis

The original atriopulmonary connection or "classic" Fontan operation is associated with several late complications such as arrhythmias, right atrial dilatation, and thromboembolism. This report describes our experience with 3 patients who presented with the acute onset of atrial arrhythmias and upon further evaluation were found to have significant hemodynamic lesions. After failing medical management, all 3 patients were treated successfully with surgical conversion of their atriopulmonary connection to a lateral tunnel cavopulmonary Fontan. The postoperative course of these patients was uneventful. However, long-term evaluation is needed to assess the efficacy of this technique in the prevention of postoperative morbidity.
Retrospective cost adaptive control for a ground tethered energy system

Ground tethered energy (GTE) systems are a promising technology for addressing the challenge of sustainable electric power production. This paper presents a GTE system that converts wind energy into electric energy by using a kite tethered to a spooling system. More specifically, this system converts the kinetic energy from the kite's motion into electric energy. In this paper, we introduce a dynamic model for the ground-tethered kite and present an adaptive controller that is effective for controlling the kite's motion. In particular, we present simulation results that demonstrate adaptive command following, where the kite system is able to harvest energy from the wind.
Spatial Variability and Persistence of Soil Moisture in Oklahoma

Using a hydrologic model to estimate daily soil moisture at 258 evaluation locations over a 30-year period, the spatial variability and persistence of soil moisture across Oklahoma is examined. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) uses readily available meteorological inputs with detailed land surface information. Spatial variability of soil moisture across Oklahoma is extremely dynamic and exhibits a remarkable range of individual characteristics due to the heterogeneous land surface. An autocorrelation analysis is used to evaluate the persistence of soil moisture at each evaluation location. In general, soil moisture across Oklahoma persists from 5 to 10 weeks in the eastern portion of Oklahoma to over 30 weeks in western Oklahoma as a result of the large-scale climatic variability of precipitation supply and evapotranspiration demand. However, the lags are not spatially coherent due to the heterogeneity of the land surface. Land surface characteristics potentially influencing the persistence of so...
Advanced Joystick Algorithms for Computer Access Tasks

Abstract Objective To compare 2 correction algorithms and 2 joysticks (a conventional movement-sensing joystick and a custom-designed isometric joystick) in computer access tasks. Design Repeated-measures, within-subject. Setting National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Participants Fifteen participants with various diagnoses including multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Wilson disease, and Parkinson disease. Methods A computer access test scenario was used to evaluate the effects of applying proportional integral derivative (PID)–based and least means–based algorithms to suppress unintentional cursor motions by users with upper extremity spasticity. Main Outcome Measures Trial completion time, reaction time, and trajectory-based measures: movement offset, movement variability, and percentage of out-of-path motion on test tracks. Results The quantitative outcome measures showed a high correlation with clinical measures for spasticity and functional independence. On small test tracks, compared to when no correction algorithms were used, both algorithms performed equally well in suppressing unintentional cursor motions. On longer test tracks, participants navigated most accurately while using the PID algorithm. Participants moved the cursor more accurately using the isometric joystick compared to the movement-sensing joystick, with only a slight increase in the task completion times. Conclusions The joysticks and the advanced correction algorithms show promise for use in wide-ranging applications as control interfaces.
Contamination of soil and groundwater by automatic transmission fluid: Site description and problem assessment

Abstract Soil and groundwater beneath a region of a manufacturing plant are contaminated with automatic transmission fluid (ATF). The extent of contamination was assessed by maximizing the use of real-time data from soil-core sampling and monitoring wells. The number, location, and depth of cores and of monitoring wells were determined during the investigation based on: (1) inspection and analysis of soil-core samples immediately after each core was taken; (2) physical and chemical measurements of core samples at the end of each day; (3) measurements in monitoring wells at several stages during the investigation. This approach differs significantly from the conventional approach of randomly placing wells through the hydrogeologic system. Soil cores were taken and monitoring wells installed at 53 locations. The perched aquifer extends to about 13 ft. and is comprised mainly of sandy materials, which have spatial heterogeneity in size distribution and hydraulic properties. About 208 000 ± 33 000 gal. of ATF has spread over an area of about 64 000 ft.2. The region of ATF contamination is comprised of three distinct and contiguous layers. The center layer is about 2.6ft. deep at its thickest point and extends to about 250ft. at its widest point. The soil in this zone is about 85% saturated with 133 000 ± 21 000 gal. of ATF, which has depressed the water table into the aquifer. The top layer is about 14in. thick and econtains about 50640 gal. of ATF held by capillary forces. The amount of ATF in this zone decreases with height above the center layer from about 85% saturation to residual saturation (20%). The amount of ATF in the deepest layer is near the residual saturation. This layer is 1.0 ± 0.5 ft. thick and has 24 500 ± 12 250 gal. ATF. This investigative approach did not spread the ATF to clean regions of the aquifer as could occur with conventional approaches, and it provided the data needed to assess the problem and to design a cleanup plan. A new approach is being used to recover the free ATF at the site.
Mapping cyclic AMP binding sites on type I and type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases using 2-substituted derivatives of cyclic AMP

Abstract Twenty-one derivatives of cyclic AMP with substituents or modification in the 2-position were examined for their ability to activate rabbit skeletal muscle type I cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PK I) and bovine heart type II cyclic AMP- dependent protein kinase (PK II). PK I had stricter steric requirements than did PK II for the binding locale on the protein kinases adjacent to the 2 position of cyclic AMP. Derivatives with substituents that caused electron withdrawal from the purine ring were better than cyclic AMP as activators of PK I, but were less active than cyclic AMP as activators of PK II.
Highly reliable 40GbE extender based on OTL3.4 parallel transmission with 1.3µm CWDM and EFEC technologies

We propose a highly reliable 40GbE extender based on OTL3.4 parallel transmission with 1.3µm CWDM and EFEC technologies. Error free transmission of a 40GbE signal over 50km SMF is successfully demonstrated.
Resonant phonon scattering in colored sodium chloride crystals

Abstract The thermal conductivity of both γ-irradiated and additively-colored sodium chloride crystals containing OH − ions has shown two prominent resonances, one at a frequency of 1.6 cm −1 and the other at 17 cm −1 . The 1.6 cm −1 resonant frequency is explained by tunneling transitions calculated from a Devonshire model. A model is proposed for the 17 cm −1 resonant frequency in which one of the chloride ions in the region of the OH − ions is replaced by a negative ion vacancy.
CORTISONE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION AND STRUCTURE

The effects of cortisone treatment on oxygen consumption, oxidative phosphorylation, and fine structure of rat liver mitochondria have been studied. Male rats weighing 125 g were treated for 6 days with 5 mg of cortisone acetate or isotonic saline. On the 7th day, sections of liver were excised and processed for light and electron microscopy. Mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation were studied with mitochondria isolated from these livers. Cortisone treatment is responsible for a 14–40% decrease in the amount of oxygen consumed per mg of mitochondrial protein when succinate, α-ketoglutarate, or β-hydroxybutyrate are used as substrates, or with ascorbate and N,N,N1,N1-tetramethyl p-phenylenediamine as electron donors. In addition, oxidative phosphorylation is uncoupled with a lowering of the P:O ratios. Randomly selected liver cells have been analyzed by quantitative morphometric techniques. The average mitochondrial volume is increased fourfold in the peripheral and midzonal regions with a commensurate decrease in the number of mitochondria per cell. These alterations are present throughout the hepatic lobule, but are most marked in midzonal cells. The total mitochondrial volume per cell and the per cent of the total cytoplasmic volume occupied by mitochondria remains relatively unaltered, as does the total amount of cristae surface per cell. While the mitochondria are enlarged, they are not "swollen." The relationships between the steroid hormone treatment and the alterations in mitochondrial function and structure are discussed.
Gender- and race-based utilization and outcomes of pulmonary artery catheterization in the setting of full-time intensivist staffing.

Background: Little is known regarding gender- or race-based differences in critical care. We investigated whether gender or race was associated with pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) utilization or with in-hospital death among patients with a PAC. A particular focus was patients with cardiogenic shock (CS), in whom guidelines recommend PAC use.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis from the coronary care unit of a large tertiary-care hospital staffed with full-time cardiac intensivists.Results: We analyzed 8845 consecutive adult patients, of whom 42.1% were women and 40.8% were black. PAC use rates were 11.3% in women and 11.5% in men (P = 0.79), and 11.3% in blacks and 11.5% in whites (P = 0.76). In CS patients, PAC use rates in women and men were 50.3% and 49.1% (P = 0.85) and in blacks and whites were 43.7% and 53.3% (P = 0.05). There was no independent association between gender or race and PAC use overall or in those with CS. Neither gender nor race was a predictor of in-hospital death in pa...
Binding of CD44 to hyaluronic acid can be induced by multiple signals and requires the CD44 cytoplasmic domain.

Abstract Human Jurkat T cells transfected with a human CD44H gene do not bind fluorescein-conjugated hyaluronic acid (F-HA). Activation of Jurkat CD44 transfectant is required for binding to F-HA. Binding can be induced by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (Mab), PMA, calcium ionophore, forskolin, or a monoclonal anti-CD44 Mab (F10-44-2). Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, inhibited both PMA-induced and anti-CD44 Mab-induced binding. In contrast, only PMA-induced binding was blocked by inhibitors of microtubule functions: colchicine or Taxol. Therefore, binding induced by PMA and anti-CD44 Mab involves different cytoskeletal proteins. The conclusion that interactions between CD44 and cytoskeletal proteins are important for binding was further supported by our observations that the cytoplasmic domain of CD44 is required for both PMA- and anti-CD44 Mab-induced binding. Jurkat CD44 mutant transfectant lacking the last 23 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain can be induced to bind F-HA. In contrast, Jurkat mutant CD44 transfectant lacking the last 57 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain was unable to bind. Collectively, these data provide supportive evidence that binding activity of CD44 is under the regulation of multiple signal pathways and requires the presence of the cytoplasmic domain.
Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Arizona: Multiple Cuticular Hydrocarbon Phenotypes Indicate Additional Taxa

Abstract Current taxonomic and biogeographical information on Reticulitermes in the United States suggests the only species found in Arizona is Reticulitermes tibialis Banks. Reticulitermes occurs naturally throughout Arizona with the exception of much of the Sonoran and Colorado deserts. Collections of Reticulitermes from disparate locations in Arizona and neighboring states were made to characterize their cuticular hydrocarbons for taxonomic purposes. We identified five phenotypes based on cuticular hydrocarbon mixtures of worker termites. The predominant hydrocarbons in AZ-A have 25 and 27 carbons in the parent chain, including 5,17-dimeC27. The late-eluting compounds are composed primarily of dienes, trienes, a homologous series of internally branched mono- and dimethylalkanes, and 5,17-dimethylalkanes. AZ-B differs from AZ-A by lacking the late-eluting dienes and trienes and by producing smaller amounts of hydrocarbons with 27 carbons in the parent chain. The cuticular hydrocarbons in AZ-C are compos...
Long-term biliary function after reconstruction of major bile duct injuries with hepaticoduodenostomy or hepaticojejunostomy

Hypothesis Normal biliary function can be achieved after reconstruction for major bile duct injuries using either hepaticoduodenostomy (HD) or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ). Design Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients requiring biliary enteric reconstructions from February 1, 1993, through January 1, 2002, for bile duct injuries. Setting Academic multispecialty referral clinic. Patients Twenty-seven consecutive patients were evaluated who underwent biliary enteric reconstruction for bile duct injury caused during cholecystectomy. Patients were reconstructed either by HD (18 patients) or HJ (9 patients). Interventions Patients' medical records were reviewed and long-term evaluations were obtained via telephone questionnaire by 2 separate observers (R.J.M. and F.T.L.). Biliary function was evaluated in all using symptoms and liver function test results. Cholangiography was obtained, if indicated clinically. These were reviewed for stricture or dilatation. Any biliary interventions were recorded. Main Outcome Measures Comparison of long-term biliary function after HD vs HJ reconstructions. Results All patients were contacted after a median postoperative time of 54 months. Excellent or good results were observed for biliary function in 25 (92%) of the 27 patients. These results were obtained regardless of the type of reconstruction—HD (18 patients) or HJ (9 patients). Conclusions We found biliary function to be normal at more than 4 years after biliary-enteric reconstruction for bile duct injury. When surgically feasible, we prefer HD to HJ.
Family Members' Knowledge about Borderline Personality Disorder: Correspondence with their Levels of Depression, Burden, Distress, and Expressed Emotion

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and generally chronic disorder that presents patients and their family members with multiple challenges. Little is currently known about how much family members of patients with BPD know about this disorder. Thirty-two family members of BPD patients were assessed for their level of knowledge about BPD. Knowledge level was then correlated with family members' burden, depression, distress, and expressed emotion. Contrary to expectation, greater knowledge about BPD was associated with higher levels of family members' burden, distress, depression, and greater hostility toward patients. These findings raise concerns about (a) the value of information family members receive about BPD and (b) the importance of the source and accuracy of the information they receive. Further research is warranted and may provide additional information to this understudied area.
What is the Best Antimicrobial Treatment for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia (Including the Role of Steroids and Statins and Other Immunomodulatory Agents)

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death from infectious diseases in the United States. The mortality rate due to severe CAP has shown little improvement over the past few years, with a rate as high as 50% mainly in patients admitted to intensive care units. Death and adverse outcomes from CAP result from a complex interplay between the pathogen and the host. Several therapies have been tested in patients with severe CAP in recent years. This article reviews recent data regarding different treatments including antimicrobials and adjunctive therapies in patients with severe CAP.
Vitamin B-6 restriction impairs fatty acid synthesis in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells

Vitamin B-6 deficiency has been reported to alter n-6 and n-3 fatty acid profiles in plasma and tissue lipids; however, the mechanisms underlying such metabolic changes remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin B-6 restriction on fatty acid profiles and fatty acid synthesis in HepG2 cells. Cells were cultured for 6 wk in media with four different vitamin B-6 concentrations (10, 20, 50, and 2,000 nM added pyridoxal, representing deficient, marginal, adequate, and supraphysiological conditions) that induced a range of steady-state cellular concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate. Total cellular lipid content was greatest in the deficient (10 nM pyridoxal) medium. The percentage of arachidonic acid and the ratio of arachidonic acid to linoleic acid in the total lipid fraction were ∼15% lower in vitamin B-6-restricted cells, which suggests that vitamin B-6 restriction affects n-6 fatty acid interconversions. Metabolic flux studies indicated significantly lower fractional synthesis rate of oleic acid and arachidonic acid at 10, 20, and 50 nM pyridoxal, whereas that of eicosapentaenoic acid was lower in the cells cultured in 10 nM pyridoxal. Additionally, relative mRNA expressions of Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases were 40–50% lower in vitamin B-6-restricted cells. Overall, these findings suggest that vitamin B-6 restriction alters unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, particularly n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis. These results and observations of changes in human plasma fatty acid profiles caused by vitamin B-6 restriction suggest a mechanism by which vitamin B-6 inadequacy influences the cardiovascular risk.
A Source Model for Induced Earthquakes at the Geysers Geothermal Reservoir

The results of a previous study on source mechanisms of small earthquakes at the Geysers geothermal reservoir in northern California are used to investigate an extended crack model for seismic events. The seismic events are characterized by their first-degree moment tensors and interpreted in terms of a model that is a combination of a shear crack and wing cracks. Solutions to both forward and inverse problems are obtained that can be used with either dynamic or static moment tensors. The model contains failure criteria, explains isotropic parts that are commonly observed in induced earthquakes, and produces estimates of crack dimensions and maximum amount of slip. Effects of fluid pressure are easily incorporated into the model as an effective stress. The model is applied to static moment tensors of 20 earthquakes that occurred during a controlled injection project in the northwest Geysers. For earthquakes in the moment magnitude range of 0.9–2.8, the model predicts shear crack radii in the range of 10–150 m, wing crack lengths in the range of 2–25 m, and maximum slips in the range of 0.3–1.1 cm. Only limited results are obtained for the time-dependence of the earthquake process, but the model is consistent with corner frequencies of the isotropic part of the moment tensor being greater than the deviatoric part and waveforms of direct p waves that become more emergent for larger events.
Changes in knee function associated with treadmill ambulation

A comparison of level walking, on a walkway and on a treadmill, was performed using ten normal subjects. Motion about the knee was measured using a triaxial electrogoniometer, and foot-floor contact patterns were recorded by means of four foot switches attached to the sole of each shoe. On the walkway, the data were collected with the subject moving at a comfortable walking speed. The treadmill was then set at the average velocity obtained on the walkway. Knee joint rotation in the coronal and transverse planes did not change significantly between the walkway and the treadmill. In the sagittal plane, significant differences were found for total motion (p less than 0.01), swing phase motion (p less than 0.01), knee position at heel strike (p less than 0.05), and maximum swing phase extension (p less than 0.01). A comparison of the foot-floor contact patterns between walkway and treadmill ambulation revealed reduced heel contact time, with an increase in toe contact while on the treadmill. It was concluded that sagittal plane knee kinematics during level treadmill walking differ significantly from level overground walking.
Neutron-Deficient Members of the A=139 Decay Chain. II. 4.5-h Pr 139

The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays emitted following the decay of 4.5-h ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{139}$ have been investigated with Ge(Li) and NaI(Tl) detectors in singles and anticoincidence configurations. Twelve transitions having the following energies (and relative intensities) were observed: 254.7 (53), 1320.0 (13), 1347.4 (\ensuremath{\equiv}100), 1375.7 (33), 1563.6 (9), 1596.6 (10), 1630.6 (70), 1653.3 (8), 1730.2 (1.6), 1818.4 (7.0), 1907.9 (3.5), and 2015.9 keV (3.0). Using energy sums and the anticoincidence results, we placed states in ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{139}$ at $0 (\frac{3}{2}+)$, 254.7 (\textonehalf{}+), $1320.0 (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2},\frac{7}{2})$, $1347.4 (\frac{7}{2}+)$, $1596.6 (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2},\frac{7}{2})$, $1630.6 (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2}+)$, $1818.4 (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2}+)$, $1907 (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2}+)$, $1984.9 (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2}+)$, and $2015.9 \mathrm{keV} (\frac{3}{2},\frac{5}{2},\frac{7}{2}+)$. The assignments were made on the basis of $log\mathrm{ft}$ values and relative photon intensities. The single particle versus collective behavior of the states is also discussed.
Quantum Statistical Theory of Laser-Stimulated Surface Processes. II. Nonequilibrium Rate of Laser Excitation and Multiphonon Relaxation.

Abstract : By means of quantum statistical theory, the laser excitation rate and multiphonon relaxation rate are calculated for species adsorbed on cold and heated surfaces. The complex frequency of Bose operators is derived from a microscopic Hamiltonian with anharmonic mode-mode coupling, which provides the origin of the non-Arrhenius form for the multi-phonon relaxation rate. The energy transfer rate due to the interference effects between the coherent laser excitation and multiphonon coupling is calculated. The nonequilibrium energy transfer rate due to the energy feedback of the heated surface is investigated via a self-consistent heat diffusion equation.
Synthesis and characterization of colloidal mercury chalcogenide quantum dots

We describe the synthesis of colloidal mercury chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) using a combination of strong Hg(II) coordinating ligands and precursor phase separation. This synthetic strategy provides a means of controlling the growth kinetics of mercury based II-VI QDs and addresses some of the problems which have heretofore made the synthesis of such compounds difficult. In particular, the simultaneous use of mercury coordinating ligands and precursor phase separation overcomes both the rapid precipitation of bulk mercury chalcogenides that occurs when only weak ligands are used and the reduction of Hg(II) when a strong ligand/high temperature combination is pursued. In the case of both HgS and HgSe this scheme has yielded one of the first examples of mercury chalcogenide QDs to date. The linear absorption/emission of HgS is size-dependent and ranges from 500 nm to 800 nm with corresponding sizes between 1 to 5 nm in diameter. For HgSe the band edge absorption/emission are also size dependent, ranging from 600 to 900 nm. The zincblende phase of both HgS and HgSe QDs is determined from wide angle x-ray diffraction experiments and reveals potentially large (band edge) spectral tunabilities for either material given their zero or slightly negative (bulk) band gaps.
Effects of apolipoprotein structure on the kinetics of apolipoprotein transfer between phospholipid vesicles

Abstract The kinetics and mechanism of transfer of 14C-labeled human apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and C-III1 between small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) have been investigated. Ion exchange chromatography was used for rapid separation of negatively charged egg phosphatidylcholine (PC)/dicetyl phosphate donor SUV containing bound 14C-labeled apoprotein from neutral egg PC acceptor SUV present in 10-fold molar excess. The transfer kinetics of these apolipoproteins at 37°C are consistent with the existence of fast, slow and apparently ‘nontransferrable’ pools of SUV-associated lipoprotein; the transfers from these pools occur on timescales of seconds (or less), minutes/hours and days/weeks, respectively. For donor SUV containing about 15 apoprotein molecules per vesicle and at a donor SUV concentration of 0.15 mg phospholipid/ml incubation mixture, the sizes of the fast kinetic pools for apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and C-III1 associated with donor SUV are 2, 10 and 11%, respectively. The sizes of the slow kinetic pools for these apolipoproteins are 16, 71 and 50%, respectively. The transfer of the various apolipoproteins from the slow kinetic pool follows first order kinetics and the half-time ( t 1 2 ) values are in the order: apo C-III1 t 1 2 of slow transfer. The differences in the kinetics of apolipoprotein transfer between SUV are consequences of the variations in the primary and secondary structures of the apolipoprotein molecules. The slow transfer of apoprotein molecules is mediated by collisions between donor and acceptor SUV; the rate is dependent on the apoprotein molecular weight with larger molecules transferring more slowly from donor SUV containing the same lipid/protein molar ratio. The hydrophobicity of the apoprotein molecule is also significant with less hydrophobic molecules transferring more rapidly. Further understanding of the differences in the kinetics of transfer of these apolipoproteins will require more knowledge of their secondary and tertiary structures.
Assessing the agreement of biomarker data in the presence of left-censoring

In many clinical biomarker studies, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) is commonly used to assess the level of agreement of a biomarker measured under two different conditions. However, measurement of a specific biomarker typically cannot provide accurate numerical values below the lower limit of detection (LLD) of the assay, which results in left-censored data. Most researchers discard the data below the LLD or apply simple data imputation methods in the presence of left-censored data, such as replacing values below the LLD with a fixed number less than or equal to the LLD. This is not statistically optimal, because it often leads to biased estimates and overestimates the precision. We describe a simple method using a bivariate normal distribution in this situation and apply SAS statistical software to arrive at the maximum likelihood (ML) estimate of the parameters and construct the estimate of the CCC. We conduct a computer simulation study to investigate the statistical properties of the ML method versus the data deletion and simple data imputation method. We also contrast the methods with real data using two urine biomarkers, Interleukin 18 and Cystatin C. The computer simulation studies confirm that the ML procedure is superior to the data deletion and simple data imputation procedures. In all of the simulated scenarios, the ML method yields the smallest relative bias and the highest percentage of the 95% confidence intervals that include the true value of the CCC. In the first simulation scenario (sample size of 100 paired data points, 25% left-censoring for both members of the pair, true CCC of 0.238), the relative bias is −1.43% for the ML method, −40.97% for the data deletion method, and it ranges between −12.94% and −21.72% for the simple data imputation methods. Similarly, when the left-censoring for one of the members of the data pairs increases from 25% to 40%, the relative bias displays the same pattern for all methods. When estimating the CCC from paired biomarker data in the presence of left-censored values, the ML method works better than data deletion and simple data imputation methods.
Midnight Rider: The Tragic Absence of Autonomy

The Journal of Mass Media Ethics publishes case studies in which scholars and media professionals outline how they would address a particular ethical problem. Cases are drawn from actual experience...
Risk Taken by the Opponent and Experience of Subject as Determinants of Imitation in a Competitive Situation.

Summary.--In order to determine whether, and under what circumstances, adultr would imitate their opponents in a competitive game situation when no feedback was given to either player, the effects of exper~mcntally manipulating the ciskiness of the opponent's strategy and the experience of S were examined. Both high- and low-risk opponents were imitated relative to a control group, but Ss' experience decreased imitation only when the opponent displayed high risk. Ironically, Ss pitted against a low-risk player evaluated their opponent more favorably and played less well themselves than did Ss in the high-risk opponent or control groups. There is evidence that, when performers know prior outcomes for their op ponents in a competitive situation, they will use this information in deciding whether to act imitatively. For example, O'Connell (1965) found that when college students performed competitively on a two-choice guessing task, they tended to imitate above the chance level if their opponent's responses were "correct" 80% of the time b~lt below the chance level if the opponent was "correct" only 20% of the time. However, relatively little appears to be known about the occurrence of imitation in sinlacions involving dyadic competition when the competitor receives no external feedback by which his performance can be evaluated. The primary purpose of the present study was to explore this issue. Additionally, since imitation may be dependent upon the experience or ability of the performer, with inexperienced observers being more likely to imitate a model than experienced ones (e.g., Deutsch & Gerard, 1955; Horowitz, 1966), half of the Ss were given a practice session while the remaining Ss were not. It was specifically predicted that the former, more experienced individuals would show less imitation of their opponents than would the completely inexperienced players.