cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeted expression of HGF/SF in mouse mammary epithelium leads to metastatic adenosquamous carcinomas through the activation of multiple signal transduction pathways

Overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also called scatter factor (SF), and its receptor c-Met are associated with poor prognosis for cancer patients. In particular, breast cancer cells can produce HGF that acts in a paracrine as well as in an autocrine manner. Therefore, HGF and c-Met are putative targets for cancer therapy. To explore HGF/c-Met signaling in breast cancer, we have generated transgenic mice expressing HGF specifically in mammary epithelium under the transcriptional control of the whey acidic protein (WAP) gene promoter. WAP-HGF transgenic females developed hyperplastic ductal trees and multifocal invasive tumors after several pregnancies, some of which progressed to lung metastases. Tumors produced HGF and displayed phosphorylated c-Met, which correlated with increased Akt as well as c-myc activation. A high growth rate, as demonstrated by Ki67 nuclear antigen staining, and a lack of progesterone receptor were characteristic of the tumors. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed areas of osteopontin (Opn) expression in WAP-HGF tumors and lung metastases in agreement with a previously reported role for Opn in invasive growth. We suggest that these mice may serve as a new breast cancer model for the evaluation of the effects of unscheduled HGF expression in breast cancer.
Effects of ovariectomy and hypervitaminosis A on lysosomes of the rat conceptus.

This report is concerned with some biochemical effects of ovariectomy and hypervitaminosis A on cell organelles, with particular emphasis on the lysosomes, of embryos, yolk sacs, and placental labyrinths of 13-day pregnant rats. The two parameters considered were lysosomal stability and the distribution of enzymes in fractions obtained by differential centrifugation. Lysosomal stability was determined by measuring (1) the amount of “free” enzyme activity, i.e., the amount of enzyme in the cytoplasmic extracts of the three tissues measured in the presence of isotonic sucrose and (2) the amount of “nonsedimentable” enzyme. Excess vitamin A produced no change in the latency of acid phosphatase or β-glucuronidase in any of the tissues when compared with controls. Following ovariectomy there was marked labilization of both enzymes in embryos, increased labilization of β-glucuronidase in placentas, and little change in yolk sacs. The distributions of the lysosomal enzymes in control fractions were not the same in the three tissues, indicating differences in size, shape, and/or density of the lysosomes. There was no change in the distribution of reference enzymes after hypervitaminosis A. Ovariectomy produced increased solubilization of β-glucuronidase in the three tissues and a lesser increase in soluble acid phosphatase in embryos, indicating lack of uniformity in the lysosomes.
Variational study of dilute Bose condensate in a harmonic trap

A two-parameter trial condensate wave function is used to find an approximate variational solution to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation forN0 condensed bosons in an isotropic harmonic trap with oscillator lengthd0 and interacting through a repulsive two-body scattering lengtha>0. The dimensionless parameterN0 ≡ N0a/d characterizes the effect of the interparticle interactions, withOpen image in new window1 for an ideal gas andOpen image in new window1 for a strongly interacting system (the Thomas-Fermi limit). The trial function interpolates smoothly between these two limits, and the three separate contributions (kinetic energy, trap potential energy, and two-body interaction energy) to the variational condensate energy and the condensate chemical potential are determined parametrically for any value ofN0, along with illustrative numerical values. The straightforward generalization to an anisotropic harmonic trap is considered briefly.
Ghrelin and growth hormone: Story in reverse

The current epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the face of a surfeit of calories contrasts the natural selection to survive famine that confronted our ancestors. The report in PNAS by Zhao et al. (1) shows that ghrelin is an important hormone in this process. By studying mice under severe caloric restriction, they show that knockout (KO) of the enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), necessary to convert ghrelin to its active form, manifests the first clear phenotype seen in KO of ghrelin activity; ghrelin is necessary for triggering the growth-hormone (GH) response to nutritional deprivation that prevents hypoglycemia and death.
Effect of n-3 fatty acids on free tryptophan and exercise fatigue

Free tryptophan (Trp), which is augmented by liberated free fatty acids (FFA) from adipose tissue, can induce mental fatigue via serotonin during exercise. Since an attenuation in FFA has been observed with omega-3 fatty acid (n-3fa) use, our purpose was to examine the effect of n-3fa supplementation on free Trp availability and exercise fatigue. Ten recreationally trained men (n=5) and women (n=5), with maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)of 51.6 (3.0) and 44.3 (1.4) ml kg−1 min−1, respectively, were studied on two occasions following an overnight fast, before and after n-3fa supplementation (4 g day−1 for 4 weeks). The exercise trials consisted of a 75-min treadmill run at 60% VO2max followed immediately by a high-intensity incremental bout to fatigue. Measurements included exercise monitors, plasma volume (PV), triglycerides (TG), FFA, glycerol, lactate, and glucose. Free Trp and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) were measured and correlated with time to fatigue; all blood variables were corrected for PV. Free Trp, lactate, glucose, FFA, and glycerol were not significantly different between trials, but TG (P<0.001) and the free Trp/BCAA ratio were significantly lower after n-3fa use [1.76 (0.18)×10-2 μg ml−1] versus before supplementation [2.17 (0.22), P=0.033]. There was a non-significant increase in time to fatigue after supplementation [10.2 (0.3) min] versus before n-3fa use [9.7 (0.2), P=0.068], and a tendency for higher BCAA levels after supplementation, P=0.068. However, neither free Trp nor the free Trp/BCAA ratio significantly predicted time to fatigue. In conclusion, n-3fa supplementation did not diminish free Trp concentrations or significantly improve endurance performance during a maximal bout of exercise.
Catalytic oxidation: I. The oxidation of ethylene over Pd and PdAu alloys

Abstract The gross kinetics for the oxidation of ethylene were determined over Pd and PdAu alloys in a steady-state flow reactor and in a recirculating reactor in which the products were stripped with each pass. The partial oxidation products over Pd included acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acetaldehyde, and (a trace) ethylene oxide. Initial selectivity for partial oxidation varied between 25 and 45%, depending upon reaction conditions; steady-state values fell in the range, 6–25%. Both the total rate and selectivity increased with O 2 pressure. The rates of both total and partial oxidation passed through maxima near 5 Torr with varying C 2 H 4 pressure, changing from first-order at lower pressures to negative-order at higher. The apparent activation energy, based on initial rate data was 20 ± 2 kcal/mole for both complete and partial oxidation, but was 30 ± 2 kcal/mole for steady-state measurements. The difference may reflect effects of poisoning by products. When small amounts of acetaldehyde- 14 C were added to the reaction, 80% of the radioactivity was recovered in the acetic acid and 10% as CO 2 . Added ethylene oxide- 14 C was recovered unreacted. The C 2 H 4 reacted about 1.4 times faster than C 2 D 4 . Scrambling in the unreacted ethylenes during oxidation of equimolar mixtures was minimal at low ethylene pressures. No 16 O 18 O was found when mixtures of 16 O 2 and 18 O 2 were used to oxidize ethylene, but the isotopic distribution in the product CO 2 was near equilibrium. The PdAu alloys were much less active than pure Pd and much more active than Au. The selectivity, however, went through a maximum (~50%) near 20% Pd. A similar maximum was found for fast O 2 chemisorption.
AIDS prevention and condom availability in an urban school system: facilitating factors and programme challenges:

This paper reports on a three-year evaluation of the implementation of the New York City AIDS Education and Condom Availability Program in the public high schools. Data were obtained in a sample of 12 representative high schools from surveys, interviews and focus groups with school administrators and students. The paper identifies and describes six key facilitating factors associated with variations in level of implementation: strength of the AIDS team, characteristics of AIDS team members, support of school principals, involvement of related school-based programmes, support of parents, and AIDS lessons. The paper also identifies and describes five major factors that inhibited programme use: programme quality, concerns about confidentiality, embarrassment, negative attitudes toward condoms, and relationship issues. Implications of these facilitating factors and programme challenges for con dom-availability programmes are discussed. Public high schools in cities with high HIV prevalence can play a key role...
Pretransplant pulmonary function tests predict risk of mortality following fractionated total body irradiation and allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant.

Purpose: To determine the value of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) done before peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) in predicting mortality after total body irradiation (TBI) performed with or without dose reduction to the lung. Methods and Materials: From 1997 to 2004, 146 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies received fractionated TBI before PBSCT. With regimen A ( n = 85), patients were treated without lung dose reduction to 13.6 gray (Gy). In regimen B ( n = 35), total body dose was decreased to 12 Gy (1.5 Gy twice per day for 4 days) and lung dose was limited to 9 Gy by use of lung shielding. In regimen C ( n = 26), lung dose was reduced to 6 Gy. All patients received PFTs before treatment, 90 days after treatment, and annually. Results: Median follow-up was 44 months (range, 12–90 months). Sixty-one patients had combined ventilation/diffusion capacity deficits defined as both a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ) and a diffusion capacity of carbon dioxide (DLCO) p = 0.042). Conclusion: Among those with combined ventilation/diffusion capacity deficits, lung dose reduction during TBI significantly improved survival.
Defect reduction methodology in the lithography module

One of the challenges facing the implementation of DUV and advanced in-line lithography processes in production is that of maintaining low defect density in order to minimize the impact on yield. Yield depends on the complex interaction between design, CD and overlay control, films, electrical parameters. As the geometries shrink and the chip size increase, defect reduction becomes increasingly important. Defect density is just as important as critical dimension and overlay metrology in the development and implementation of lithography processes. Achieving and maintaining low- defect density lithography processes necessary for sub- quarter micron technologies requires a defect reduction methodology that quickly detects critical defects, reduces yield-limiting excursions and minimizes cost. This methodology encompasses test and product-wafer inspections combined with a careful selection of the defect inspection tool. Automated Defect Classification cuts the time to results: it facilitates defect source isolation and excursion control enabling an easy implementation of SPC limits by critical defect types. A sampling strategy that balances the cost due to inspection vs. cost due to defect excursions is required.
Structural and Electronic Factors in Heterolytic Cleavage: Formation of the Co(I) Intermediate in the Corrinoid/Iron-Sulfur Protein from Clostridium thermoaceticum

We have completed the first direct structural characterization of an enzyme-bound four-coordinate Co(I) intermediate, in this case for the corrinoid/iron-sulfur protein (C/Fe-SP) from Clostridium thermoaceticum. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray edge spectroscopy of the active Co(I) state of the C/Fe-SP indicates a four-coordinate (distorted) square-planar structure where the best fit gives average Co-N(equatorial) distances of 1.87 +/- 0.01 A, corresponding to 4.2 +/- 0.3 ligands. The X-ray edge spectrum of Co(I) C/Fe-SP contains a moderate intensity 1s-4p + "shake-down" (SD) transition and no 1s-3d peak (where SD transitions are indicative of square-planar geometries). X-ray edge results for the methyl-Co(III) form, reported earlier [Wirt, M. D., Kumar, M., Ragsdale, S. W., & Chance, M. R. (1993) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115, 2146-2150], are consistent with a base-off methylcobamide structure. The absence of a ligated 5-methoxybenzimidazole base in the methyl-Co(III) state is important since the base-off form is predicted to predispose the Co-C bond toward heterolytic cleavage to form the four-coordinate Co(I) species concurrent with methyl transfer. Additionally, we have examined first-derivative X-ray edge spectra of Co(I) C/Fe-SP, relative to edge spectra of a cobalt foil, as an indicator of effective nuclear charge on cobalt. The Co(I) C/Fe-SP edge position at 7720.5 +/- 0.3 eV is less than, but very close to, the value seen for the corresponding free Co(I) cobalamin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Slow potential shifts following cerebellar stimulation.

Abstract DC potentials were recorded from the surface of the cerebral hemispheres and in the nucleus ventralis lateralis of the thalamus during seizuring states and non-seizuring states, and the influence of cerebellar stimulation was exerted upon this cerebral steady potential state. 1. 1. Confirmation is given to previous observations: ( a ) that there is a trend toward positivity then a negative shift during a cerebral seizure, and ( b ) that cerebellar stimulation can alter the duration of a cerebral seizure. 2. 2. Cerebellar stimulation can alter the DC potential of the “resting” cerebrum. 3. 3. Fast cerebellar stimulation (300/sec.) is more effective than slow stimulation in altering the cerebral SP. 4. 4. During cerebral seizure, cerebellar stimulation can not only alter the electrocorticogram of the seizure but also modify the SP shift.
Hormonal control of male horn length dimorphism in the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Male dung beetles (Onthophagus taurus) facultatively produce a pair of horns that extend from the base of the head: males growing larger than a threshold body size develop long horns, whereas males that do not achieve this size grow only rudimentary horns or no horns at all. Here we characterize the postembryonic development of these beetles, and begin to explore the hormonal regulation of horn growth. Using radioimmune assays to compare the ecdysteroid titers of horned males, hornless males, and females, we identify a small pulse of ecdysteroid which is present in both hornless males and females, but not in horned males. In addition, we identify a brief period near the end of the final (third) larval instar when topical applications of the juvenile hormone analog methoprene can switch the morphology of developing males. Small, normally hornless, males receiving methoprene during this sensitive period were induced to produce horns in 80% of the cases. We summarize this information in two models for the hormonal control of male dimorphism in horn length.
Solubilization as a Separation Process

Abstract In this paper a separation process for hydrocarbon molecules is suggested, based on solubilization in aqueous solutions by surfactant micelles. A molecular thermodynamic approach to solubilization is formulated which relates the extent of solubilization and the selectivity to the structure and properties of the surfactant and of the solubilizate molecules. An evaluation of the solubilization characteristics of benzene and hexane in aqueous solutions of non-ionic octyl glucoside, anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate and cationic cetyl pyridinium chloride is made and solubilization phase diagrams for the above systems are constructed. These diagrams indicate the formation of micelles at concentrations which are lower than the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant alone. The calculations predict, for all three surfactants, preferential solubilization of (aromatic) benzene compared to (aliphatic) n-alkanes. The preferential solubilization of benzene is caused by its smaller molecular volume and ...
Mixed Oxidant Corrosion in Nonequilibrium Gasifier Environments

The major use of high-temperature steel alloys in gasifiers is in heat exchangers for cooling hot syngas, consisting mainly of CO and H2 with lesser amounts of H2O and CO2 and minor quantities of H2S and HCl. Metal temperatures range from 250 to 600°C, gas temperatures from 250 to 1200°C. Because of rapid cooling the composition of the gas does not change with temperature. Therefore the gas is not in equilibrium at the metal surface. Calculations show that such gases have lower oxygen and sulfur pressures than equilibrated gases at the same temperature. This makes the results of previous laboratory studies less appropriate for predicting mixed oxidant corrosion in gasifiers. For this reason the present study was carried out using nonequilibrium gas mixtures, similar to gases, produced in entrained-slagging gasifiers. Most corrosion experiments were carried out at 540°C, as this is a common temperature for superheaters and hot-gas cleanup systems. Iron-base model alloys containing 35% Ni, 20% Cr, and various minor alloying additions were studied. Three corrosion regimes were identified over the range of conditions studied, depending on the sulfur-to-oxygen pressure ratio of the gas and the alloy composition. At high PS2/PO2 ratios a somewhat protective FeCr2S4 scale formed on all alloys. Below this layer internal oxidation and sulfidation occurred at a slow rate. At lower PS2/PO2 ratios nonprotective Fe(Ni, Cr)S external scales formed. These allow rapid internal oxidation of the chromium in the alloy, resulting in high corrosion rates. Under the same conditions very low corrosion rates are obtained when silicon is added to the alloy, because the presence of SiO2 precipitates makes the internal-oxidation layer protective. Thus, the same corrosion model is operative in all three corrosion regimes: external sulfidation of iron and nickel, together with internal oxidation of chromium and other strong-oxide formers.
Lovastatin ameliorates the development of glomerulosclerosis and uremia in experimental nephrotic syndrome.

The nephrotic syndrome was induced in uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats using repeated injections of puromycin and protamine sulfate. Preliminary studies demonstrated that the administration of lovastatin (4 mg/kg body weight [BW] subcutaneously [SC] daily) was effective at lowering plasma cholesterol over a 63-day period, although not to normal values. Subsequently, two groups of rats that had been made nephrotic were studied; one group (n = 8) received lovastatin, the other (n = 9) received the vehicle alone. Blood and urine collections were made at days 0, 23, and 60. Clearance studies and renal histology were obtained at day 60. Lovastatin-treated rats had significantly lower cholesterol at day 23 and 60 than vehicle-treated rats (270.5 ± 39.7 v 501.7 ± 81.9 and 148.2 ± 10.7 v 268.2 ± 40.8 mg/dL, P v 55.8 ± 9.6 mmol/L (blood urea nitrogen [BUN] 51.2 ± 11.5 v 156.2 ± 27.0 mg/dL, P v 0.82 ± 0.41 mL/min/kg BW, P v 8.33% ± 3.33%, P
Malic and Citric Acids in Pickling Cucumbers

The content of major organic acids in pickling cucumbers has been determined. Malic acid was found to be the major organic acid in commercial size pickling cucumbers. The concentration among a group of six cultivars ranged from 0.2–0.3% on a fresh weight basis. Malic acid was present in all parts of the fruit. The highest concentration was in the outer 3 mm of the mesocarp, followed by the endocarp, the inner mesocarp, and the exocarp. During enlargement and maturation of cucumbers, citric acid became the principal organic acid, reaching levels in excess of 1% on a wet weight basis in the endocarp. This large accumulation of citric acid is the probable cause of the decline in endocarp pH during fruit maturation.
The nascent recovery of the Georges Bank haddock stock

World-wide many fish stocks have been depleted by overfishing. In this study, we describe the nascent recovery of the Georges Bank haddock stock. This mainstay of the New England groundfish fishery was overfished for decades prior to mid-1990s and experienced long-term declines in spawning biomass and recruitment. The stock was considered to have collapsed in the early-1990s when a lawsuit by the Conservation Law Foundation led the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to take actions to cease overfishing and to recover Georges Bank haddock and other groundfish stocks. Under restrictive management measures, stock size increased 10-fold from 1995 to 2005. In 2003, an exceptionally abundant year class (YC) was produced. Although this YC may rebuild the haddock stock to pre-1930s abundance if properly fished, monitoring changes in life history parameters and recruitment will be important for sustaining stock recovery. Mean weights and sizes at age of adult haddock have decreased in recent years, and compensatory responses of haddock growth and recruitment to changes in stock density are assessed. We discuss some remaining challenges to managing this recovering transboundary resource in a dynamic multispecies fishery.
Enhancement of Antigen-Specific Immunoglobulin G Production in Mice by Co-Administration of L-Cystine and L-Theanine

Supplementation with both cystine and glutamic acid increases the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), which has a marked effect on immune cell function, as compared with supplementation with either amino acid alone in human macrophages in vitro. As dietary glutamic acid is metabolized during intestinal transport, oral administration of L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide), which is metabolized to glutamic acid mainly in the liver, may act as a glutamic acid donor in vivo. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of oral administration of L-cystine and/or L-theanine on GSH levels and immune responses. Co-administration of L-cystine (200 mg/kg) and L-theanine (80 mg/kg) for 11 days before immunization significantly increased the levels of total GSH in the liver 6 hr after immunization as compared with the levels in control mice. To examine the effects of administration of L-cystine and/or L-theanine on the balance of T helper (Th) 1/Th2 cell responses, the serum ratios of the Th1 cytokine, interferon (IFN)-γ, and the Th2 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-10, were investigated. At 24 hr after immunization, co-administration significantly increased the IL-10/IFN-γ ratio compared with the ratios of the control and single-administration mice. Furthermore, co-administration before primary immunization significantly enhanced serum antigen-specific IgG levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that co-administration of L-cystine and L-theanine enhances antigen-specific IgG production partly through augmentation of GSH levels and Th2-mediated responses.
A Method of Increasing the Sensibility of the Dolezalek Type Electrometer; And a Direct Reading “Null” Circuit

In connection with some studies being made on the scattering of electrons by gases, we have found ourselves in need of a means of measuring currents over a range of several orders of magnitudes. The method developed below has been found so satisfactory and convenient, that it is thought, perhaps, to be of general interest.The scheme makes use of a Dolezalek electrometer, of comparatively rugged construction, which has been slightly modified to increase its sensibility. This instrument is used as an element in a null circuit that is direct reading, and that can be adjusted electrically to cover a wide range of orders of magnitude of current.
Dissecting functional cooperation among protein subunits in archaeal RNase P, a catalytic ribonucleoprotein complex

RNase P catalyzes the Mg(2)(+)-dependent 5'-maturation of precursor tRNAs. Biochemical studies on the bacterial holoenzyme, composed of one catalytic RNase P RNA (RPR) and one RNase P protein (RPP), have helped understand the pleiotropic roles (including substrate/Mg(2+) binding) by which a protein could facilitate RNA catalysis. As a model for uncovering the functional coordination among multiple proteins that aid an RNA catalyst, we use archaeal RNase P, which comprises one catalytic RPR and at least four RPPs. Exploiting our previous finding that these archaeal RPPs function as two binary RPP complexes (POP5•RPP30 and RPP21•RPP29), we prepared recombinant RPP pairs from three archaea and established interchangeability of subunits through homologous/heterologous assemblies. Our finding that archaeal POP5•RPP30 reconstituted with bacterial and organellar RPRs suggests functional overlap of this binary complex with the bacterial RPP and highlights their shared recognition of a phylogenetically-conserved RPR catalytic core, whose minimal attributes we further defined through deletion mutagenesis. Moreover, single-turnover kinetic studies revealed that while POP5•RPP30 is solely responsible for enhancing the RPR's rate of precursor tRNA cleavage (by 60-fold), RPP21•RPP29 contributes to increased substrate affinity (by 16-fold). Collectively, these studies provide new perspectives on the functioning and evolution of an ancient, catalytic ribonucleoprotein.
Preparation and characterization of mesostructured polymer-functionalized sol-gel-derived thin films

Abstract The present study attempts to incorporate methacrylate-based polymers into ordered lamellar organic/inorganic nanocomposite films composed of alternating SiO 2 /polymer layers. The films are prepared by dip-coating from a solution containing the monomers and silica precursors, thus leading to composite lamellar mesostructured materials through evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). A polymerizable coupling agent is added to covalently link the polymers to the silica matrix. The final polymer/SiO 2 hybrid material is obtained by a separate free-radical polymerization step, initiated by UV exposure or thermal treatment. Using trimethoxy(7-octen-1-yl)silane as a coupling agent, a procedure was established that preserved the mesostructure and maintained the swelling properties of the polymers, while acrylate-based coupling agents lead to a significant distortion of the film mesostructure. Structure and composition of the films were studied by X-ray diffraction, NMR and IR.
Targeting Genomic Alterations in Squamous Cell Lung Cancer

Squamous cell lung cancer causes approximately 400,000 deaths worldwide per year. Identification of specific molecular alterations, such as activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4/anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusions have led to significant therapeutic gains in patients with adenocarcinoma. However, meaningful therapeutic gains based on the molecular pathobiology of squamous cell lung cancer have not yet been realized. A comprehensive genomic characterization of 178 cases of squamous cell lung cancer has recently been reported. Squamous cell lung cancer appears to be characterized by a broader and more complex group of genomic alterations than adenocarcinoma. In this review, potentially targetable genes or pathways in squamous cell lung cancer are emphasized in relation to available therapeutic agents in development or active clinical trials. This organization of data will provide a framework for development for clinical investigation. Squamous cell lung cancer appears to be characterized by not only driver mutations in candidate genes but also gene copy number alterations resulting in tumor proliferation and survival. Better understanding of these genetic alterations and their use as therapeutic targets will require broad collaboration between industry, government, the cooperative groups, and academic institutions with the ultimate goal of rapid translation of scientific advancement to patient benefit.
Consequences of knocking out BMP signaling in the mouse

During the past two decades, a significant amount of data has been accumulated revealing the intriguing functions of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in all aspects of embryonic development and organogenesis. Numerous genes encoding BMPs, BMP receptors, and their downstream signal transducers have been mutated in the mouse through targeted mutagenesis. This review focuses on what is known about the role of BMP signaling in gastrulation, mesoderm formation, left-right asymmetry, neural patterning, skeletal and limb development, organogenesis, and gametogenesis as revealed by BMP-signaling mutants.
Adjusting planning guidelines for cardiac-care units☆

Abstract The principal concern of this paper is the development of procedures for adjusting the criteria currently being used for federally-legislated health planning activities. These procedures would enable the planner to account for the demographic, geographic and health-system conditions which cause variations in the need for health-care services in local communities. A case-mix method, hospital chart-abstract data and demographic, geographic and health-system data from New Jersey were used to: create a list of diagnoses eligible for treatment in a Cardiac-Care Unit (CCU); select a sample of hospitals for study, and conduct a step-wise regression analysis of CCU utilization in these hospitals. It was concluded that CCU utilization was affected by factors such as the in-hospital availability of CCU beds, the type of hospital, CCU-patients' clinical severity, and the availability of ambulances and mobile intensive care units. Procedures for adjusting planning criteria to account for local conditions have yet to be developed. However, a method for using the types of results presented in this paper to develop such adjustment procedures was presented and illustrated. It is recommended that this method be used to create such adjustment procedures for the planning criteria for all hospital services and hence to assist Health Systems Agencies in rationalizing the distribution of our hospital care.
Synthesis of an inhibitor of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase

Abstract The 2-vinyl dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate 1 was synthesized and tested for inhibition of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase. The carbon skeleton was prepared by acylation of a methionine imine with N-methoxy-N-methyl palmitamide. The vinyl group was generated by thermal sulfoxide elimination. Reduction of both carbonyl groups and deprotection gave 2-vinyl dihydrosphingosine. The phosphate group was introduced by means of bis(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropyl-phosphoramidite as monofunctional phosphitylation reagent.
Collective interaction of QCD strings and early stages of high multiplicity pA collisions

We study the early stages of ``central'' $pA$ and peripheral $AA$ collisions. Several observables indicate that at a sufficiently large number of participant nucleons the system undergoes a transition into a new ``explosive'' regime. By defining a string-string interaction through the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ meson exchange and performing molecular dynamics simulation, we argue that one should expect a strong collective implosion of the multistring ``spaghetti'' state, creating significant compression of the system in the transverse plane. Another consequence is the collectivization of the ``$\ensuremath{\sigma}$ clouds'' of all strings into a chirally symmetric fireball. We find that these effects happen provided the number of strings ${N}_{s}g30$ or so, as only such a number can compensate a small $\ensuremath{\sigma}$-string coupling. These findings should help us to understand the subsequent explosive behavior observed for the particle multiplicities roughly corresponding to this number of strings.
Digital Filters For The Detection Of Resolved And Unresolved Targets Embedded In Infrared (IR) Scenes

By applying the concept of analogue matched filtering to spatially correlated background scenes and making the assumption that they are characterized by a first order Markov process, a simple but powerful digital filter is derived. Direct inspection of this filter results in some useful insights into the process of spatial filtering. The usefulness of this filter is further demonstrated by showing its clutter reduction capability on a set of five measured infrared scenes representing a wide variety of terrain and weather conditions. Also, matched digital filters are obtained directly for each of the five measured scenes making no assumption about the spectral content of the backgrounds. Although the resulting filters sometimes differ in form from those obtained using the first order Markov process assumption, their performance is shown to be nearly identical, proving that this assumption provides a useful model for IR backgrounds. Finally, a technique is developed to construct matched filters to detect resolved targets whose size and intensity distributions are known only statistically. Examples of such targets are constructed and the clutter reduction properties of these filters are quantitatively evaluated.
Efficient preparation of glycoprotein hormones lacking an α-subunit oligosaccharide

The oligosaccharide on alpha-subunit loop 2 (alpha 2) is needed for full glycoprotein hormone efficacy. Efforts to prepare glycoprotein hormone antagonists usually involve removing the alpha 2 oligosaccharide and are hampered by its requirement for efficient heterodimer secretion from mammalian cells. Here we show that hormones lacking this oligosaccharide can be produced by treating them at low pH to dissociate the heterodimer and permitting the subunits to re-associate in the presence of peptide N-glycosidase F (PNGase F). Re-assembly of human choriogonadotropin, human follitropin, and bovine lutropin occurred rapidly and efficiently following removal of the alpha 2 oligosaccharide by PNGase F. Consequently, virtually all heterodimers formed in the presence of this enzyme lacked this oligosaccharide. These findings support the notion that heterodimer assembly in vitro occurs by a threading mechanism that is impeded by the presence of the alpha 2 oligosaccharide. This procedure should facilitate the study of glycoprotein hormone structure and function.
Review of positron annihilation spectroscopy studies of rubber with carbon black filler

Positron annihilation lifetime spectra have been measured for rubber polymers with carbon black (CB) fillers as a function of temperature, sulfur concentration, type of CB fillers and type of polymer. The purpose of the study is to understand how the CB fillers and other components of the vulcanized composite affect the positron lifetime in polymer materials. The polymer samples to be studied include natural rubber (NR) with different sulfur concentration, Sn-SSBR either unloaded or loaded with CB N115 or N762, both vulcanized and unvulcanized Duradene 706 samples. The results show that CB fillers have no effect on the ortho-positronium lifetime but decrease the intensity of ortho-positronium; and the decrease in intensity depends on the type of CB. On the other hand both ortho-positronium lifetime and intensity decrease as a function of sulfur concentration.
A Multi-tiered Architecture for Content Retrieval in Mobile Peer-to-Peer Networks

In this paper, we address content retrieval in Mobile Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networks. We design a multi-tiered architecture for content retrieval, where at Tier 1, we design a protocol for content similarity governed by a parametera that trades accuracy with search overhead. At Tier 2, we introduce a novel concept called Chained Bloom Filters and design a protocol where popular search items are linked with popular content at each node in an efficient manner for subsequent retrieval. Extensive analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques.
Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy: A pseudolymphomatous benign disorder.Analysis of 34 cases

Thirty-four cases of sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) are analyzed. Most of the cases involved Negro children and were characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy, which was often bilateral, painless, and of massive proportions. Other lymph node groups were sometimes involved. Fever, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and hypergammaglobulinemia were common features. The involved lymph nodes showed pericapsular fibrosis; dilation of sinuses; presence of numerous intrasinusal histiocytes with abundant clear cytoplasm, occasionally multinucleated, foamy or atypical; and large collectiions of plasma cells. A striking and constant finding was the presence of many lymphocytes and other hematopoietic cells within the cytoplasm of the sinus histiocytes. The diease characteristically followed a protracted clinicl course, with eventual spontaneous regression of the lymphadenopathy and total recovery in most cases. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. In this regard, the most likely possibilities include a specfic infectious process and a status resulting from an immunologic deficit.
An Introduction to Geriatrics for First‐Year Medical Students

OBJECTIVE: To prepare medical students to better serve their older patients while raising awareness of geriatrics as a career choice. DESIGN: To determine the impact of a new educational program, attitudinal assessments were administered to the group before and after participation in the program and to a comparison group of nonintervention students. SETTING: University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and three first-year medical students. MEASUREMENTS: Student response on a scale of one to six regarding four constructs: attitudes and beliefs about providing medical care for older people, knowledge and beliefs about aging, interest in pursuing clinical geriatrics, and interest in pursuing aging research. RESULTS: Four factors were consistently formed in the analysis process: beliefs about physical decline; comfort with older people; beliefs about career opportunities; and interest in geriatric research. The intervention group made significant gains in two areas: comfort with older people and understanding of physical decline in aging. Two new factors emerged in post-test data. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the program was mixed. Although awareness of geriatrics and comfort with older people was increased, there was little change in career aspirations. Students in the program increased their awareness of physical decline in old age, setting the stage for teaching them about the physician's role with regard to function, and learned that geriatrics is a low-status specialty. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:782–787, 2001.
Verification of Surface Temperature Forecasts from the National Digital Forecast Database over the Western United States

Abstract Experimental gridded forecasts of surface temperature issued by National Weather Service offices in the western United States during the 2003/04 winter season (18 November 2003–29 February 2004) are evaluated relative to surface observations and gridded analyses. The 5-km horizontal resolution gridded forecasts issued at 0000 UTC for forecast lead times at 12-h intervals from 12 to 168 h were obtained from the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD). Forecast accuracy and skill are determined relative to observations at over 3000 locations archived by MesoWest. Forecast quality is also determined relative to Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) analyses at 20-km resolution that are interpolated to the 5-km NDFD grid as well as objective analyses obtained from the Advanced Regional Prediction System Data Assimilation System that rely upon the MesoWest observations and RUC analyses. For the West as a whole, the experimental temperature forecasts issued at 0000 UTC during the 2003/04 winter season exhibit ski...
Down-regulation of heat shock protein 70 improves arsenic trioxide and 17-DMAG effects on constitutive signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activity

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been shown to be constitutively active in approximately 50% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and is associated with worse outcome. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) synergizes with the heat shock protein (HSP) 90 inhibitor, 17-DMAG, to down-regulate STAT3 activity. However, both agents up-regulate HSP70, an anti-apoptotic protein. We therefore examined whether down-regulating HSP70 with short interference (si) RNA will affect ATO and 17-DMAG effects on constitutive STAT3 activity. A semi-mechanistic pharmacodynamic model was used to characterize concentration–effect relationships of ATO and 17-DMAG effects on constitutive STAT3 activity and HSP70 expression with or without siRNA against HSP70 in a cell line model. Treatment with siRNA for HSP70 resulted in a stronger degree of synergism on down-regulation of STAT3 activity by ATO and 17-DMAG. However, treatment with siRNA for HSP70 resulted in less synergism on up-regulation of HSP70 by the two drugs. Down-regulation of HSP70 improves ATO and 17-DMAG effects on constitutive STAT3 activity. These results further provide a basis for studying the combined role of ATO with a HSP90 inhibitor such as 17-DMAG in AML with constitutive STAT3 activity.
Commissioning of a power system stabiliser using a dynamic signal analyser

This paper describes the commissioning of a digital power system stabiliser (PSS) at Connaught Bridge Power Station in Malaysia using an HP 35665A dynamic signal analyser (DSA). A brief description of the digital PSS and the commissioning procedure adopted is reported. Some of the results obtained are presented and these highlight the effectiveness of the procedure to achieve a significant improvement in the dynamic stability of the generating unit. Finally, the advantages of the procedure are summarized. The digital PSS described in this paper is an improved version of an earlier design of White and Zachariah (1989). It is a sophisticated microprocessor-based digital equipment which has been designed using standard off-the-shelf hardware wherever possible. The heart of the system is a 32 bit MC68030 microprocessor which executes the PSS software. The PSS uses the 'OS-9' operating system to perform all routine 'house-keeping' jobs associated with a software based system. An industrial version of the OS-9 operating system is used in the PSS which is compact and well suited for real-time control applications. The PSS software is written in the high level language 'Pascal' which makes the software easy to read and easy to maintain. A sample frequency of 100 Hz has been used in the PSS which is adequate for stabilising even the fastest local mode oscillations. >
Effects of serotonin (5-HT)1A and 5-HT2A receptor agonists on schedule-controlled responding in rats: drug combination studies.

Indirect-acting serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists (e.g., selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors [SSRI]) stimulate multiple 5-HT receptors, although the role of particular receptors as well as interaction(s) among different receptors in the therapeutic effects of SSRIs is not fully understood. Relatively few studies have systematically examined direct-acting agonists in combination. This study examined the 5-HT1A receptor agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin hydrochloride (8-OH-DPAT; 0.01–10.0 mg/kg) and 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl-4-fluoro-4-([(5-methyl-6-methylamino-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-methyl)-piperidin-1-yl-methanone (F13714; 0.01–1.0 mg/kg) and the 5-HT2A receptor agonists 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM; 0.32–10.0 mg/kg) and dipropyltryptamine (DPT; 1.0–32.0 mg/kg), alone and in combination, in rats responding under a fixed ratio schedule of food presentation. When administered alone, each drug decreased the rate of responding in a dose-related manner with the potency order being F13714 > 8-OH-DPAT > DOM > DPT. WAY100635 (5-HT1A receptor antagonist; 0.01–0.1 mg/kg) attenuated the rate-decreasing effects of 8-OH-DPAT and F13714 while MDL100907 (5-HT2A receptor antagonist; 0.01–0.1 mg/kg) attenuated the rate-decreasing effects of DOM and DPT. Dose addition analysis showed that the interaction between 8-OH-DPAT and F13714, as well as the interaction between DOM and DPT, was additive. In contrast, the interaction between 8-OH-DPAT and DOM, as well as the interaction between F13714 and DOM, was infra-additive. This study shows that for some dose combinations, agonist actions at one 5-HT receptor subtype attenuate agonist actions at another 5-HT receptor subtype; thus, the combined neuropharmacological actions and therapeutic effects of indirect-acting agonists are not likely to be adequately characterized by examining in isolation activity at particular 5-HT receptor subtypes.
Identifying opportunities for exploiting cross-layer interactions in adaptive wireless systems

The flexibility of cognitive and software-defined radio heralds an opportunity for researchers to reexamine how network protocol layers operate with respect to providing quality of service aware transmission among wireless nodes. This opportunity is enhanced by the continued development of spectrally responsive devices-ones that can detect and respond to changes in the radio frequency environment. Present wireless network protocols define reliability and other performance-related tasks narrowly within layers. For example, the frame size employed on 802.11 can substantially influence the throughput, delay, and jitter experienced by an application, but there is no simple way to adapt this parameter. Furthermore, while the data link layer of 802.11 provides error detection capabilities across a link, it does not specify additional features, such as forward error correction schemes, nor does it provide a means for throttling retransmissions at the transport layer (currently, the data link and transport layer can function counterproductively with respect to reliability). This paper presents an analysis of the interaction of physical, data link, and network layer parameters with respect to throughput, bit error rate, delay, and jitter. The goal of this analysis is to identify opportunities where system designers might exploit cross-layer interactions to improve the performance of Voice over IP (VoIP), instant messaging (IM), and file transfer applications.
Local stability of nonequilibrium phases.

The relative structural stability of the transition metals and their alloys for a tetragonal deformation is investigated. Total energy calculations demonstrate that the nonequilibrium cubic structures are [ital locally] [ital unstable] with respect to this deformation mode at low temperatures, i.e., the cubic elastic constants ([ital c][sub 11][minus][ital c][sub 12]) are negative. Thus, these phases are not appropriate reference states for alloy phase diagram constructs and if such phases do occur at high temperature, the local stability must be due in large part to entropy contributions to the free energy.
Relationship of cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage and early childhood neurologic handicaps

The outcome in 198 surviving very-low-birth-weight (less than 1501 gm) infants with and without cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage was compared to determine whether CVH is associated with early childhood developmental or neuromotor handicaps. Major handicaps were noted in 10% of the infants without and 28% of the infants with CVH. Among the infants with CVH, a major handicap was present in 9% with grade 1, 11% with grade 2, 36% with grade 3, and 76% with grade 4 CVH. Infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus had the same incidence of major handicaps (59%) as did comparable infants with no hydrocephalus (57%). Our data indicate that grades 1 and 2 CVH do not increase an infant's risk for major handicaps, and there is a direct relationship of grades 3 and 4 CVH and major handicaps.