cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ischemic changes on rubidium-82 positron emission tomography imaging are associated with left ventricular functional and volumetric change independent of metabolic properties and echocardiographic functional variables in ischemic cardiomyopathy

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging allows identification of stress-induced ischemia and myocardial viability in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. We assessed the left ventricular (LV) functional response to vasodilator stress in patients with advanced ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing pharmacologic stress (PET) perfusion and metabolic imaging. Additionally, we aimed to determine if mitral regurgitation (MR), right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and diastolic function influenced the observed LV responses to pharmacologic stress. In 161 patients (81% men; 65 ± 13 years), PET and echocardiography were performed within a week for noninvasive evaluation of myocardial ischemia and viability (scored using 17-segment model), as well as ventricular and valvular function. Patients were stratified based on ischemic defects in any segments versus hibernation/scar defects only. The LV volumes, EF by gating and transient ischemic dilatation (TID) index were generated automatically. Wall thickening (WT) scores were determined visually. The subgroup with reversible/ischemic segments on PET imaging (N = 55) exhibited greater end-systolic (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) enlargement during stress (13 ± 22 and 16 ± 43 ml increase respectively, vs. 0 ± 18 ml [P < 0.0001] and 2 ± 24 ml [P = 0.01]), a decrease in LVEF during stress (mean −3% vs. +2%), and greater TID indices (mean 1.13 ± 0.18 vs. 1.02 ± 0.12) compared to hibernation/scar only (N = 92). In addition, mean WT scores during stress declined significantly only in the ischemic subgroup (P < 0.0001 for regional LAD, non-LAD and global wall thickening scores). The prevalence and the severity of MR and RV dysfunction did not differ between groups. By univariate analysis, global and LAD territory segmental ischemia, global sum stress score (SSS), TID index, resting EF, ESV enlargement during stress, as well as global WT changes correlated with post-stress LVEF decline. Multivariate predictors included SSS, resting LVEF, and ESV change. Ischemic changes on vasodilator PET imaging are associated with global LV functional decline and volumetric dilatation, presumably due to stunning effect. Severity of RV dysfunction and MR had limited impact on the above changes.
Nutritional effects of dihydroxystearic acid in rats.

Two matching groups of weanling male albino rats were fed a purified diet containing 5% dihydroxystearic acid. All animals survived until they were killed; the first group was sacrificed at age 150 days and the second at 305 days. Fecal fat analyses showed that at least 80% of the ingested dihydroxystearic acid was not exereted. Growth was depressed during the first four weeks; this was followed by a period of rapid weight inerease. The weight of the epididymal fat pads indicated depression of neutral fat deposition. Livers and adrenals were relatively heavy in the group killed earlier and essentially normal in those killed later. This and the eventual weight increase showed that the rats adapted themselves to the intake of the material. Gas liquid chromatography carried out on the methyl ethers of the epididymal fat did not reveal the presence of dihydroxystearic acid. The fatty acid composition of the lipids of serum, kidney, liver and epididymal fat was determined on the methyl esters of the lipid extracts.
Making Russia Multicultural Kazan at Its Millennium and Beyond

Putin may be more willing than imagined to buy into Tatarstan's bottom-up form of federalism, which emphasizes the culturally plural nature of the Russian Federation.
The cockroach integument: PAS-positive granules and their possible relationship with phenol storage

Abstract Biochemical studies on the epidermal cell extracts of Periplaneta americana (L.) in various stages of the moult have shown the occasional presence of the diphenol, N -acetyl dopamine. Ultrastructural examination of the integument shows the localization of a PAS-positive material in granules even after the deletion of glycogen. In view of these data it has been postulated that diphenols are stored in the epidermal cells after hydrolysis of the old cuticle. The role of these probable deposits is discussed in relation to the moulting process.
Height measurements of surface features with the scanning electron microscope

Abstract A technique has been developed whereby the vertical dimension of a topological feature may be measured in situ in the scanning electron microscope. The technique, which consists of relating objective lens current to focal point location, is reproducible over the range 0–5 mm to an accuracy of ±0.08 mm. The utility of the technique is demonstrated by measuring fiber pull-out lengths from a boron-aluminum composite fracture surface. Results are compared to those obtained by light optical microscopy.
The Semantics of Verbs in the Dissolution and Development of Language

Evidence of the dissolution (DL) of verbs was examined in the written logs kept daily for 4 ½ years by a woman (Mrs. W) who suffered from cerebral atrophy of unknown origin. Results were compared w...
Nuclear RNA Is Spliced in the Absence of Poly(A) Addition

Abstract Splicing of newly formed nuclear RNA transcripts has been demonstrated during adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) mRNA formation in HeLa cells in the presence of "cordycepin," 3′ deoxyadenosine, a drug that stops poly(A) addition to nuclear RNA. Nuclear RNA prepared from Ad2-infected cells after a 30 min label time in the presence or absence of 3′ deoxyadenosine was hybridized to and eluted from Ad2 DNA sequences in the transcription units of region E1b and region E2. The nuclear RNA from the 3′ dA-treated cells did not contain poly(A) but did contain Ad2-specific molecules ∼200 to 250 bases shorter than the spliced mRNAs of the control infected cells. In addition, the ∼2 kb RNA from Ad2 region E2 was shown to have sequences that lie more than 3.5 kb apart on the DNA, suggesting that correct cutting and splicing of the primary transcript in the absence of poly(A) synthesis had occurred. Therefore, although poly(A) addition usually precedes splicing during mRNA formation, poly(A) is not required for splicing.
The rat posterior pituitary contains a potent prolactin-releasing factor: studies with perifused anterior pituitary cells.

We previously reported that removal of the posterior pituitary abolished the suckling-induced rise in plasma PRL. This suggested that the posterior pituitary contains a PRL-releasing factor (PRF). Using perifused anterior pituitary cells, the objectives of this study were 1) to examine whether the posterior pituitary contains PRF activity as compared to the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), and 2) to determine to what extent substances known to be present in the posterior pituitary and/or MBH contribute to this activity. Anterior pituitary cells, attached to Cytodex beads, were perifused with medium 199. Tissues were extracted with acid, lyophilized, and reconstituted in medium 199. Tissue extracts and synthetic compounds were introduced to the cells in short pulses. Fractions were collected and analyzed for PRL, LH, and GH by RIA. Posterior pituitary extracts contained a potent substance(s) which stimulated PRL release in a concentrationdependent manner, but did not alter LH secretion. As little as 1% of ...
Insulin‐Like growth factor I and protein kinase C activation stimulate pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation through separate but synergistic pathways

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) hyperplasia is an important component of vascular remodeling in chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. The mechanisms underlying SMC proliferation in the remodeling process are poorly understood, but may involve insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). This study investigates the potential proliferative effects of IGF-I on SMC cultured from the pulmonary arteries (PA) of neonatal calves. We hypothesized that IGF-I stimulates PA SMC proliferation through a protein kinase C (PKC)-independent pathway, but that PKC activation would augment this proliferative response. Incorporation of 3H-thymidine was used as an index of cellular proliferation, and was correlated with subsequent changes in cell counts. Under serum-free conditions, IGF-I (100 ng/ml) induced a 6-fold increase in thymidine incorporation by quiescent PA SMC. This stimulation was not blocked by dihydrosphingosine, an inhibitor of PKC activation. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (1 nM), a membrane-permeable PKC activator, induced a 12-fold increase in thymidine incorporation which was 70% inhibited by dihydrosphingosine. Co-incubation with IGF-I and PMA caused a 60-fold increase in thymidine incorporation, which was 30% inhibited by dihydrosphingosine. This synergistic increase in thymidine incorporation was associated with a subsequent significant increase in cell number. PKC-downregulated cells (1,000 nM PMA x 30 hr) proliferated in response to IGF-I but not PMA, and did not demonstrate synergism with the combination of IGF-I and PMA. The threshold concentrations of IGF-I and PMA for synergism were approximately 1 ng/ml and 1 pM, respectively. We conclude that IGF-I stimulates neonatal PA SMC proliferation via a PKC-independent pathway, and that trace amounts of PKC activators are capable of synergistically augmenting this response. We speculate that the synergistic stimulation of SMC proliferation by IGF-I and PKC activators may play an important role in hypertensive pulmonary vascular remodeling.
A comparison of passerine foraging habits in two tidal marshes of different salinity

Foraging habits of dominant passerine species of the Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge, SC, were compared in freshwater and brackish marshes. Temporal or spatial partitioning was evaluated using discriminant function analysis of the distribution among feeding time, foraging height, marsh elevation zone, and plant-type habitat variables by red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), boat-tailed grackles (Quiscalus major), long-billed marsh wrens (Cistothorus palustris), and common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas). Marsh elevation zone and plant type often occurred together as significant variables due to the zonal distribution of marsh plants, especially in the freshwater marsh. Likewise, foraging height often occurred as a significant variable along with plant type due to the dependence of foraging height on plant type and location of preferred food on a plant species. Partitioning of habitat variables was observed more frequently in the brackish marsh when compared with the freshwater marsh. Lower diversity of plant species and food items, combined with a greater zonation of plant communities in the brackish marsh, is proposed to account for the differences observed between the two marshes. Differences in community structure and scale of partitioning between the freshwater and brackish marsh also suggest that the brackish marsh may be more advantageous to generalist species contrasted with specialists. We postulate that conversion of freshwater marshes to brackish marshes, as might be caused by hydrologic alterations, ground-water withdrawal, or global sea-level rise, may create conditions that would favor generalist species.
The rapid separation of aflatoxins on silica gel coated glass cylinders

A chromatographic method is described for the separation of aflatoxins on silica gel coated glass cylinders prepared with a chloroformacetone slurry. This can be done in 35–40 min compared with more than 2 hr for thin layer chromatography (TLC). This method is more rapid, economical and its sensitivity is comparable to TLC.
GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to characterize activities of an Albuquerque based organization called the SouthWest Organizing Project. Aligning with other people of color, Chicanos in the Southwest connect to a national and international movement for environmental and economic justice to tackle the negative impacts of global restructuring. This paper presents issues and strategies regarding the expansion of Intel Corporation, the poisoning in high tech employment, anti-NAFTA position, inadequate infrastructure, and the placement of a courthouse in a long-standing community. Armed with knowledge, oppositional consciousness, principled strategies, and a politics of engagement, environmental justice activists are inserting themselves into questions of international economic integration, local economic development, neighborhood change including issues of gentrification, infrastructure, tax abatements, natural resource management, zoing, and an array of development issues.
The impact of county-level radiation oncologist density on prostate cancer mortality in the United States.

The distribution of radiation oncologists across the United States varies significantly among geographic regions. Accompanying these variations exist geographic variations in prostate cancer mortality. Prostate cancer outcomes have been linked to variations in urologist density, however, the impact of geographic variation in the radiation oncologist workforce and prostate cancer mortality has yet to be investigated. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of increasing radiation oncologist density on regional prostate cancer mortality. Using county-level prostate cancer mortality data from the National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control as well as physician workforce and health system data from the Area Resource File a regression model was built for prostate cancer mortality controlling for categorized radiation oncologist density, urologist density, county socioeconomic factors and pre-existing health system infrastructure. There was statistically significant reduction in prostate cancer mortality (3.91–5.45% reduction in mortality) in counties with at least 1 radiation oncologist compared with counties lacking radiation oncologists. However, increasing the density of radiation oncologists beyond 1 per 100 000 residents did not yield statistically significant incremental reductions in prostate cancer mortality. The presence of at least one radiation oncologist is associated with significant reductions in prostate cancer mortality within that county. However, the incremental benefit of increasing radiation oncologist density exhibits a plateau effect providing marginal benefit. In order to optimize outcomes a geographically aware policy, which addresses the size and distribution of the workforce, must be in place in order prevent geographic disparities in prostate cancer mortality.
Student ratings of accounting instructors a search for important determinants

Abstract Student ratings of accounting instructors are commonly used in determining promotion, tenure, salary, and merit increases. This paper reports the results of a study conducted to determine which attributes (factors) of teaching behavior are especially important in explaining the overall rating of accounting instructors. Two factors, teacher presentation and grading system, had a significant influence on, and were highly correlated to, the overall instructor evaluation. Instructors interested in improving student satisfaction should, therefore, ascribe higher priority to those two factors of teaching behavior. As a result, student satisfaction of the course and the instructor should increase.
Anatomical substages of stage III Hodgkin's disease: implications for staging, therapy, and experimental design.

Twenty-three patients with pathologic stage I11 Hodgkin's disease were classified with respect to the presence or absence of symptoms (111-A, 111-B), the presence or absence of splenic involvement (IIIS+, 111s-) and anatomic substage-the extent of disease within the abdomen (1111, 111,). Stage 111, disease included disease limited to the upper abdomen, i.e., spleen, splenic node, celiac node, andor portal node. All other more extensive disease was classified as stage II12. Symptoms and splenic involvement did not predict either disease-free survival or survival. However, 5 year actuarial disease-free survival was significantly better in 111, patients as compared to 111, patients (77% vs. 13%, p < .001). Eight of nine stage 111, patients receiving total nodal radiotherapy alone relapsed. When considered along the previous studies of anatomic substage, these findings suggest that patients in stage 111, and 111, should receive different therapeutic approaches. Analysis of therapeutic results in stage I11 patients must consider anatomic substage. Cancer 42:429-436. 1978. E OPTIMAL TREATMENT OF patients with T stage 111 Hodgkin's disease has not been established, as radiotherapy al~ne,'~,'~
Remote Communication System for Transmission Line Monitoring Based on CMA

This paper studied application of fiber-optic and wireless communication technology in remote communication system for transmission line based on CMA and proposed the typical design scheme for different applications. The design of CMA which realized monitoring data centralized and upload had been given. The remote communication system used OPGW communication scheme had been constructed and run well, which has important significance for the construction of transmission line monitoring system.
The Aharonov-Bohm effect: Still a thought-provoking experiment

In the Aharonov-Bohm effect, electromagnetic potentials alter the two-slit interference pattern formed by an electron beam. We discuss here a curious feature of this effect, namely that, even though the interference pattern changes, none of its moments are shifted.
Glenoid labrum ossification and mechanical restriction of joint motion: extraosseous manifestations of melorheostosis.

We report a case of a 47-year-old man who presented with progressive loss of motion and pain in the right shoulder. Radiographs of the shoulder demonstrated dense ossification in the glenoid and humeral head with extension into the periarticular soft tissues. CT and MRI scans confirmed the radiographic findings and also revealed ossification of the glenoid labrum. A radiographic diagnosis of melorheostosis, an uncommon benign sclerosing bone dysplasia, was made. Because of the patient’s severe symptomatology, he underwent total shoulder arthroplasty. Histological analysis of the resected masses was consistent with melorheostosis with a few areas covered by a cartilage cap. This case illustrates several uncommon but important features of melorheostosis, including mechanical obstruction of joint motion requiring joint replacement, ossification of the glenoid labrum, and cartilage-covering portions of the intra-articular masses, not to be confused with cartilage-producing tumors.
Microtubule inhibitors block the morphological changes induced in Drosophila blood cells by a parasitoid wasp factor.

The shape change ofDrosophila melanogaster blood cells (lamellocytes) from discoidal to bipolar that is caused by a factor from the female parasitoidLeptopilina heterotoma is blocked by the tubulin inhibitors vinblastine and vincristine in vitro. The actin inhibitor, cytochalasin B, causes arborization ofDrosophila lamellocytes and acts synergistically with the wasp factor to alter lamellocyte morphology. Lamellocyte arborization induced by cytochalasin B is blocked by simultaneous treatment with vinblastine. These observations indicate that the changes in lamellocyte shape induced by both the wasp factor and cytochalasin B require microtubule assembly.
Polynomial regression interval-valued fuzzy systems

In recent years, the type-2 fuzzy sets theory has been used to model and minimize the effects of uncertainties in rule-base fuzzy logic system (FLS). In order to make the type-2 FLS reasonable and reliable, a new simple and novel statistical method to decide interval-valued fuzzy membership functions and probability type reduce reasoning method for the interval-valued FLS are developed. We have implemented the proposed non-linear (polynomial regression) statistical interval-valued type-2 FLS to perform smart washing machine control. The results show that our quadratic statistical method is more robust to design a reliable type-2 FLS and also can be extend to polynomial model.
A Comparative Study of the Storage Carbohydrate Granules from Euglena (Euglenida) and Pavlova (Prymnesiida)

ABSTRACT The storage carbohydrate granules from Euglena and Pavlova were compared by light and electron microscopy. Freezeetch studies demonstrated that while both types of granules are crystalline, they have different structures. The elemental microfibril of the euglenoid granule measures 4 nm, and the elemental striation of the granule from Pavlova is 22 nm. The granules each have a unique X-ray diffraction pattern. The storage carbohydrate granules from Pavlova are not the same as paramyton, and the term “paramylon” should be reserved for the euglenoid storage carbohydrate.
Ultrasound-guided zygapophysial nerve and joint injection

Diagnostic and therapeutic lumbar zygapophysial (facet) nerve and joint interventions are probably the most commonly performed injections in pain management, and routine fluoroscopy guidance is required. Imaging is necessary to ensure precise needle position and to exclude an intravascular injection. Because the procedure is considered a low-risk intervention, use of ultrasound (US) guidance is thought to be an attractive alternative to fluoroscopy mainly because the former renders no ionizing radiation to the patient and medical personnel. In addition US-guided procedures are essentially “office-based” and do not require a radiology suite or operating room.
Tilting at windmills no longer: a data-driven discussion of DTC DNA ancestry tests.

Discussions about direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA ancestry tests have to date been based primarily on conjectures, speculation, and anecdotes, despite the industry being more than a decade old. Representative, empirical data on consumer characteristics; motivations and expectations for testing; intended uses for the information; understanding of results; and behavioral and psychological reactions to the tests are absent. Although the 2010 American Society of Human Genetics white paper clarifies the number and some general characteristics of companies marketing and selling DNA ancestry tests, additional data about the industry’s practices have been unavailable. To promote a data-driven discussion of the DNA ancestry testing industry, we conducted a systematic investigation to identify companies selling DNA ancestry tests and conducted an empirical study of the industry’s practices using data collected from each company’s website. Here, we present a wealth of data, including an updated directory of companies, marketing slogans, product types and names, range of prices, diversity of reporting and representing results, noted benefits and limitations of testing, and a host of website practices. The tremendous diversity of tests, information, and practices of companies in the DNA ancestry sector should be considered when policies for best practice guidelines or regulatory oversight are being developed. Genet Med 2012:14(6):586–593
Protein catabolism: activities of three proteolytic enzymes in a synchronized L5178Y mouse leukemic cell line.

Exponential L5178Y cells had the following proteolytic activities (in μg pronase equivalents per hour per mg protein): general proteolytic (azocoll substrate), 120; cathepsin, 42; trypsin, 21; there was no detectable collagenase activity. The general proteolytic activity was distributed as a double peak enzyme with peaks in M and mid-S. Cathepsin was distributed as a double peak enzyme with a narrow peak in mid-S and high activity in M. Trypsin was distributed in a pattern which was described as either a double peak enzyme or as a continuous enzyme with depressions of activity occurring in early S and G2.
High Ki‐67 proliferative index predicts disease specific survival in patients with high‐risk soft tissue sarcomas

BACKGROUND Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are heterogeneous neoplasms that have variable clinical outcome. Several clinical parameters and few molecular markers, including Ki-67 proliferative index, have been shown to correlate with patient prognosis. To the authors' knowledge, no definitive report exists to identify one molecular marker that can be analyzed easily in a clinical setting and that predicts survival in a cohort of patients with high-risk STS of identical clinical characteristics but variable outcome. METHODS The influence of clinical prognostic factors was eliminated by selecting two patient groups with identical high-risk characteristics: large (> 10 cm), high-grade, deep, completely resected primary extremity STS (n = 47). Patients in the first group remained disease free (no evidence of disease [NED]) after primary tumor treatment (n = 19), whereas patients in the second group subsequently died of disease (DOD; n = 28). Triplicate 0.6-mm core biopsies from defined morphologic areas of paraffin embedded primary tumors were assembled on a tissue microarray and analyzed by immunohistochemistry with the MIB-1 antibody, and Ki-67 proliferative indices were correlated with patient outcome. RESULTS High Ki-67 proliferative index, defined as greater than 30% tumor cells showing nuclear immunoreactivity, was significantly more frequent in the DOD group than in the NED group and was associated with tumor-related mortality (P = 0.02). This marker identifies an especially aggressive malignant phenotype within a cohort of high-risk tumors that is based on well established clinical and pathologic parameters alone and is easy to use in a clinical setting. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of these data and previous reports, high Ki-67 proliferative index is suggested as a significant factor for predicting the prognosis of patients with high-risk STS and should be evaluated prospectively based on clinical trials. Cancer 2001;92:869–74. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Management of Complicated Biliary‐Tract Disease in Geriatric Patients*

: The surgical complications of biliary-tract disease are discussed in relation to a study comprising 18 cases of cholecystoduodenal fistula, 6 cases of gallstone ileus, and representative cases of gallstones, pancreatitis and suppurative cholangitis. The average age of the patients was 67 years. The findings led to the following conclusions: 1) age is an important factor in the increased risk in these complicated cases, but with careful management, surgery can be successful; 2) acute cholecystitis usually can be treated conservatively in aged patients, but all too often the patients ignore the recommendation for an elective operation and are later admitted to the hospital with complications that demand emergency surgery; 3) this sequence of events applies particularly to patients with biliary calculi, who should undergo an elective operation before more serious complications develop. Had our patients been operated on earlier, the surgical risk would have been minimal and the complications would have been prevented.
Application of a VLSI Vector Quantization Processor to Real-Time Speech Coding

The major obstacle which has limited the use of Vector Quantization (VQ) for real-time speech coding is the computationally demanding codebook-search algorithm. The essential task of this algorithm, pattern matching, has several properties which make it amenable to VLSI realization using a highly concurrent processor architecture. A VLSI pattern-matching chip provides the essential building-block for a specialpurpose codebook-search processor (CSP). The CSP can serve as a generic architecture for a variety of VQ-based speech coding applications. This paper reports on a working VQ processor for speech coding based on a first generation VLSI chip that efficiently performs the essential pattern-matching operation needed for the codebook-search process. Furthermore, the CSP architecture, using this chip, has been successfully incorporated into a compact single-board Vector PCM implementation which operates at rates between 7 and 18 kbits/s. A real-time Adaptive Vector Predictive Coder system using the CSP and augmented by a TMS-32010 programmable signal processor has been designed and recently implemented. We describe the structure of these two VQ coders and present experimental results obtained using the single-board Vector PCM coder.
Regional changes in elastic fiber organization and transforming growth factor β signaling in aortas from a mouse model of marfan syndrome

In Marfan Syndrome (MFS), development of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) is characterized by degeneration of the medial layer of the aorta, including fragmentation and loss of elastic fibers, phenotypic changes in the smooth muscle cells, and an increase in the active form of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), which is thought to play a major role in development and progression of the aneurysm. We hypothesized that regional difference in elastic fiber fragmentation contributes to TGFβ activation and hence the localization of aneurysm formation. The fibrillin-1-deficient mgR/mgR mouse model of MFS was used to investigate regional changes in elastin fiber fragmentation, TGFβ activation and changes in gene expression as compared to wild-type littermates. Knockdown of Smad 2 and Smad 3 with shRNA was used to determine the role of the specific transcription factors in gene regulation in aortic smooth muscle cells. We show increased elastin fiber fragmentation in the regions associated with aneurysm formation and altered TGFβ signaling in these regions. Differential effects of Smad 2 and Smad 3 were observed in cultured smooth muscle cells by shRNA-mediated knockdown of expression of these transcription factors. Differential signaling through Smad 2 and Smad 3 in regions of active vascular remodeling likely contribute to aneurysm formation in the mgR/mgR model of MFS. Increased elastin fiber fragmentation in these regions is associated with these changes as compared to other regions of the thoracic aorta and may contribute to the changes in TGFβ signaling in these regions.
Effect of external pressure on particle bed effective thermal conductivity

Abstract Accurate prediction of the thermomechanical responses of particle beds in fusion blankets depends strongly on the availability of experimental data on their thermal properties as a function of the blanket operating conditions. In this study, a series of experiments was conducted to measure the effective conductivity and interface conductance of singe-size aluminum, beryllium and lithium zirconate particle beds as a function of applied external load in the range 0–1.6 MPa. Experiments were carried out with both helium and air as cover gas over a range of pressure 30–760 Torr. In both aluminum and beryllium beds, as the applied load was increased to 1.5 MPa, the effective thermal conductivity increased by a factor of ∼ 3–7 in an air cover gas, and a factor of ∼ 2–3 in helium. With 1.2 mm lithium zirconate particles and air as the cover gas, changes in the bed thermal conductivity when the applied load was varied in the range of 0–1.6 MPa were small and within the experimental error. The increase in the interface conductance values with applied external load shows variations similar to those of the thermal conductivity.
Inhibition of drug-induced Fas ligand transcription and apoptosis by Bcl-XL.

Fas/Fas ligand system triggers apoptosis in many cell types. Bcl-XL overexpresion antagonizes Fas/Fas ligand-mediated cell death. The mechanism by which Bcl-XL influences Fas-mediated cell death is unclear. We have found that microtubule-damaging drugs (e.g. Paclitaxel) induce apoptosis in a Fas/FasL-dependent manner. Inhibition of Fas/FasL pathway by anti-FasL antibody, mutant Fas or a dominant negative FADD blocks paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Paclitaxel induced apoptosis through activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-3. Overexpression of Bcl-XL leads to inhibition of paclitaxel-induced FasL expression and apoptosis. Bcl-XL prevents the nuclear translocation of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T lymphocytes) by inhibiting the activation of calcineurin, a calcium-dependent phosphatase that must dephosphorylate NFAT for it to move to the nucleus. The loop domain in Bcl-XL can suppress the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-XL and may be a target for regulatory post-translational modifications. Upon phosphorylation, Bcl-XL loses its ability to bind with calcineurin. Without NFAT nuclear translocation, the FasL gene is not transcribed. Thus, paclitaxel and other drugs that disturb microtubule function kill cells, at least in part, through the induction of FasL, and Bcl-XL-mediated resistance to these agents is related to failure to induce FasL expression.
Quantum Semiconductor Devices

The construction of a quantum electronics technology will involve a concentrated effort in basic device physics, advanced fabrication, and novel architectures. The basic physics on which devices in this technology will probably operate are quantum size effects and quantum mechanical tunneling, considerably different from conventional devices. Structures which exhibit these effects have been demonstrated. The realization of the basic devices in this technology is underway. The prototype architectures in this technology must exploit strong local device coupling, and are known as "cellular automata". The need of such architectures is driven by the need to eliminate interconnects, and is natural for "quantum-coupled devices". This revolutionary approach in both device and architecture is inherent in the desire to scale far beyond present VSLI.
Lactococcus lactis Lytic Bacteriophages of the P335 Group Are Inhibited by Overexpression of a Truncated CI Repressor

Bacteriophages continue to be a significant economic problem for the dairy industry. While naturally occurring defenses, the rotation of starter cultures, and improved sanitation measures have been used to combat the problem, phages continue to evolve to overcome host defense mechanisms. The P335 group, one of three major phage groups that remain problematic for Lactococcus lactis in dairy fermentations, includes both lytic and temperate members (21). Sequence homologies have revealed close links and evidence of DNA exchanges between lytic and temperate P335 phages (3, 8, 9, 12, 20, 28, 33, 37, 44, 46). Furthermore, new, recombinant lytic phages have been recovered after acquisition of chromosomal DNA regions from their lactococcal hosts (3, 12, 33). The lactococcal bacteriophage φ31 is a small-isometric-headed, cohesive-ended, lytic phage of the P335 group with a double-stranded DNA genome of 31.9 kb (1). Sequencing over 14.3 kb of phage φ31 has defined the following gene clusters: a locus involved in sensitivity to the phage resistance mechanism AbiA (10); a late promoter region and a transcriptional activator of the promoter (11, 37, 44-46); the phage replication module (28, 35); part of the lysis module (28); and a genetic switch region (28). The genetic switch region encodes two divergent promoters, P1 and P2, and homologues to cI and cro genes of temperate phages shown in Fig. ​Fig.1A.1A. Open reading frame (ORF) 238, downstream of the cro gene, has amino acid-level homology to putative antirepressors from the temperate L. lactis phage TP901-1 and Streptococcus thermophilus phage TP-J34. Lack of an integrase gene and an attachment site explains the lytic life cycle of phage φ31 (28). The objective of the present study was to investigate the functionality of the phage φ31 CI repressor and determine whether or not the repressor could be constitutively overexpressed in L. lactis to retard infection by phages of the P335 group. Interestingly, the CI repressor of this obligatorily lytic phage failed to provide superinfection immunity when cloned and expressed from a medium-copy-number vector. This finding was unexpected, as most CI-like repressors, expressed from one gene copy in an integrated prophage, will retard superinfecting phage. Truncated versions of CI were highly effective and acted, surprisingly, across many different phages of the P335 group. FIG. 1. (A) Organization of the genetic switch region of phage φ31. (B) Sequence of the cI gene of φ31showing the translated cI ORF and divergent promoters P1 and P2. Arrows indicate the direction of the promoters (the −10 and −35 ...
Recent Advances and Emerging Technology in the Surgical Management of BPH-Related Voiding Dysfunction

As transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) continues to be the standard of care to alleviate voiding dysfunction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), novel techniques are being addressed to promote operative efficacy and long-term results for improved voiding. This review addresses recent literature over the past year on various transurethral technologies and procedures as well as the developing practice of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) to improve lower urinary tract symptoms in the setting of BPH. The transurethral technologies include bipolarity, which has come to the forefront in the resection of large prostates as it reduces the risk of TUR syndrome, and plasmakinetic enucleation and diode laser enucleation which have both recently been demonstrated to improve tissue resection for larger prostate glands. The Oyster Procedure, described below, is a specific method of adenoma resection which has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of large obstructing prostates. HoLEP, which has been established as an effective tool for large prostates, has now been described to be useful in patients requiring retreatment of LUTS secondary to BPH. Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has recently come to the forefront of a minimally invasive alternative to TURP with a reduction of symptoms and recovery time in patients who have had unsuccessful or refractory treatments for LUTS. While TURP aids in improving voiding dysfunction, it is known to affect sexual function. New implants, such as those explained in the UroLift procedure below, can improve LUTS while preserving sexual function. Finally, The GreenLight laser prostatectomy has now been demonstrated to be safe and effective in an office setting with conscious sedation, thereby reducing surgical risk with anesthesia for those with comorbidities. The studies discussed in this review focus on improving procedures for treating larger prostates, prostates with prior surgical interventions or refractory BPH, patients who wish to maintain sexual function, and assessing interventions for the elderly and those with comorbidities. As new technologies continue to expand, their use among both novice and experienced surgeons will be vital to advancing the treatments for BPH.
VITAMIN ASSAY BY MICROBIAL AND PROTOZOAN ORGANISMS: RESPONSE TO VITAMIN CONCENTRATION, INCUBATION TIME AND ASSAY VESSEL SIZE

Standard vitamin calibration curves for the microbiological determination of thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B1 2, biotin, niacin and pantothenic acid were prepared to determine the minimal and maximal vitamin concentrations that may be assayed by various microorganisms and protozoa, and to determine the incubation periods required for the growth response of the microbial vitamin assays to stabilize. The effect of assay vessel size on growth of Tetrahymena pyriformis was also determined. Vitamin assays using Tetrahymena pyrijkmis were shown to have wider concentration limits than those of bacteria and yeast. Analyses based on Ochromonas danica and Ochromonas malhamensis possessed approximately equal vitamin concentration limits when compared to corresponding bacterial assay methods. Accepted vitamin assay methodology using microorganisms terminate vitamin assays when the growth response has stabilized. This study indicated that some test organisms such as Lactobacillus viridescens, (thiamine), Lactobacillus casei (riboflavin) and Saccharomyces uvarum (vitamin B6) do not achieve a point of stable response, thus requiring a defined incubation period. Tetrahymena pyriformis growth was depressed by use of small diameter assay vessels. Optimum response of this organism requires the use of flasks in which assay media, when dispensed, will have a large surface to volume ratio.
Impaired Integrity of DNA After Recovery From Inflammation Causes Persistent Dysfunction of Colonic Smooth Muscle

Background & Aims Patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are in remission and those who developed irritable bowel syndrome after enteric infection continue to have symptoms of diarrhea or constipation in the absence of overt inflammation, indicating motility dysfunction. We investigated whether oxidative stress during inflammation impairs integrity of the promoter of Cacna1c , which encodes the pore-forming α 1C subunit of Ca v 1.2b calcium channels. Methods We used long-extension polymerase chain reaction to evaluate DNA integrity in tissues from distal colons of rats; trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid was used to induce inflammation. Results The H 2 O 2 increased in the muscularis externa 1–7 days after inflammation was induced with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. The oxidative stress significantly impaired DNA integrity in 2 specific segments of the Cacna1c promoter: −506 to −260 and −2193 to −1542. The impairment peaked at day 3 and recovered partially by day 7 after induction of inflammation; expression of the products of Cacna1c followed a similar time course. Oxidative stress suppressed the expression of nuclear factor-erythroid-2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), an important regulator of anti-oxidant proteins. Intraperitoneal administration of sulforaphane significantly reversed the suppression of Nrf2, oxidative damage in the promoter of Cacna1c , and suppression of Cacna1c on day 7 of inflammation. The inflammation subsided completely by 56 days after inflammation was induced; however, impairment of DNA integrity, expression of Nrf2 and Cacna1c , and smooth muscle reactivity to acetylcholine remained suppressed at this time point. Conclusions Oxidative stress during inflammation impairs the integrity of the promoter of Cacna1c ; impairment persists partially after inflammation has subsided. Reduced transcription of Cacna1c contributes to smooth muscle dysfunction in the absence of inflammation.
Short-term temporal variation in population structure of two harpacticoid copepods, Zausodes arenicolus and Paradactylopodia brevicornis

Aspects of the population biology of two harpacticoid copepod species [Zausodes arenicolus Wilson and Paradactylopodia brevicornis (Claus)] living in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, were studied on time scales of hours to days during November 1983. Fluctuations in population agestructure, adult sex-ratio, and proportion of ovigerous females were determined for these two species in a control plot and in an experimental plot defaunated by raking. For both species, immigrants into the defaunated plot differed significantly from conspecifics in the control plot in all characteristics examined. The disturbed plot contained a larger proportion of young juveniles of both species compared to the unmanipulated site after 4 h but not after 8 h. In Z. arenicolus, adult males returned to the experimental plot more quickly than adult females. For both species, rapid and significant changes in population age-structure, adult sex-ratio, and the proportion of adult females with eggs occurred within the control plot. It is suggested that this variation was too large and occurred too rapidly to be accounted for solely by in situ processes in the absence of large-scale immigration and/or emigration of individuals. Potential implications of these results for population studies of harpacticoid copepods and other benthic invertebrates are discussed.
Coat protein and symptom specification in tobacco rattle virus.

Abstract In a hybrid tobacco rattle virus comprising “short” and “long” particles derived from 2 strains with distinctive antigenicity and coat protein composition, serological testing and chemical analysis confirmed that coat protein was completely specified by short-particle RNA. In contrast, the symptomatology of the hybrid confirmed that functions modifying symptoms were located in both short and long particles. The hybrid was only about one-tenth as productive as the parent strains, and was far more difficult to induce in vivo than hybrids between serologically related strains. No evidence of phenotypic mixing was obtained in infections in which the hybrid virus was present along with short particles from the parent virus from which its long particle complement was derived.
Diffusion of binary mixtures of CF4 and n-alkanes in faujasite

Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binary mixtures of CF4 and either methane, ethane, butane, hexane, octane, or decane were studied in the zeolite faujasite. The results were analyzed to obtain the structural and transport properties of the system, primarily self-diffusivities and molecule sitings within the zeolite. The scaling of self-diffusivity with mixture composition was not pronounced for a given system and may be explained in terms of available volume and molecular mobility. Evidence of clustering of similar molecules was observed in systems with the longer alkane species. For methane–CF4 mixtures, the mutual transport diffusion coefficients were also calculated for equimolax mixtures. In all cases, the main-term transport diffusivities had larger values than their self-diffusivity counterparts. The cross-term diffusivities were an order of magnitude smaller than the main-term diffusivities. The main-term CF4 diffusivity and both cross-term diffusivities increased with loading, while the main-term methane diffusivity decreased with loading. The challenges involved in calculating the transport diffusivities for binary systems are discussed.
Methotrexate-induced congenital malformations.

The case of an infant born after the unsuccessful abortifacient use of methotrexate is reported. The resulting multiple congenital anomalies included absence of the frontal bone, synostosis of the lambdoid and coronal sutures, multiple anomalous ribs, unusual facies, and absence of digits on the left foot with only one digit on the right foot. Mental and motor development was normal, but growth was markedly retarded. The clinical data are compared with 7 other reported cases. The high incidence of cranial anomalies is noted.
Approximations to the Average Run Length in Cumulative Sum Control Charts

An approximation to the average run length for cumulative sum control charts is derived using the analogy between this procedure and the sequential probability ratio test for normal observations. This approximation is also derived by using a Brownian motion approximation to the cumulative sum. The Brownian motion approximation does not require the normality assumption. The analytical expression for the average run length obtained from the approximation is then used to determine the optimal choice of parameters to minimize the average run length at a specified deviation flom control, subject to a fixed average run length when in control.
Lymphocyte adhesive interactions with cultured parotid salivary gland epithelial cells from rats

Cellular interactions control lymphocyte localization within salivary gland tissues and contribute to the immune defense of oral surfaces. We examined lymphocyte adherence to cultured parotid cells using an in vitro assay and found good correlation with previously reported binding to parotid gland frozen sections. Thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) bound to parotid cells in greater numbers than thymocytes (74 vs 11 cells/mm2). B cells showed preferential adherence compared to T cells (75% vs 28%). TDL binding was inhibited by sodium azide or cytochalasin B (60% and 80%, respectively). EDTA inhibition (63%) was restored by replacing calcium (9%) but not magnesium (65%). Binding was inhibited by fucoidin or phosphomannan (approximately 70%). Fibronectin peptides had no effect. Culture supernatants were inhibitory for TDL adherence (60%), suggesting that molecules involved in lymphocyte localization may be shed and that parotid cell cultures will be useful for ligand isolation and characterization.