cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IN VITRO T LYMPHOPOIESIS : A MODEL SYSTEM FOR STEM CELL GENE THERAPY FOR AIDS

Stable introduction of therapeutic genes into hematopoietic stem cells has the potential to reconstitute immunity in individuals with HIV infection. However, many important questions regarding the safety and efficacy of this approach remain unanswered and may be addressed in a non-human primate model. To facilitate evaluation of expression of foreign genes in T cells derived from transduced hematopoietic progenitor cells, we have established a culture system that supports the differentiation of rhesus macaque and human CD34+ bone marrow derived cells into mature T cells. Thymic stromal monolayers were prepared from the adherent cell fraction of collagenase digested fetal or neonatal thymus. After 10-14 days, purified rhesus CD34+ bone marrow-derived cells cultured on thymic stromal monolayers yielded CD3+CD4+CD8+, CD3+CD4+CD8-, and CD3+CD4-CD8+ cells. Following stimulation with mitogens, these T cells derived from CD34+ cells could be expanded over 1,000-fold and maintained in culture for up to 20 weeks. We next evaluated the ability of rhesus CD34+ cells transduced with a retroviral vector containing the marker gene neo to undergo in vitro T cell differentiation. CD34+ cells transduced in the presence of bone marrow stroma and then cultured on rhesus thymic stroma resulted in T cells containing the retroviral marker gene. These studies should facilitate both in vitro and in vivo studies of hematopoietic stem cell therapeutic strategies for AIDS.
Glucocorticoid Receptors are Localized to Dendritic Spines and Influence Local Actin Signaling

Glucocorticoids affect learning and memory but the cellular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The present studies tested if the stress-responsive glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is present and regulated within dendritic spines, and influences local signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. In hippocampal field CA1, 13 % of synapses contained GR-immunoreactivity. Three-dimensional reconstructions of CA1 dendrites showed that GR aggregates are present in both spine heads and necks. Consonant with evidence that GRα mRNA associates with the translation regulator Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), spine GR levels were rapidly increased by group 1 mGluR activation and reduced in mice lacking FMRP. Treatment of cultured hippocampal slices with the GR agonist dexamethasone rapidly (15-30 min) increased total levels of phosphorylated (p) Cofilin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, proteins that regulate actin polymerization and stability. Dexamethasone treatment of adult hippocampal slices also increased numbers of PSD95+ spines containing pERK1/2, but reduced numbers of pCofilin-immunoreactive spines. Dexamethasone-induced increases in synaptic pERK1/2 were blocked by the GR antagonist RU-486. These results demonstrate that GRs are present in hippocampal spines where they mediate acute glucocorticoid effects on local spine signaling. Through effects on these actin regulatory pathways, GRs are positioned to exert acute effects on synaptic plasticity.
Dynamics of ATP-induced Calcium Signaling in Single Mouse Thymocytes

Extracellular ATP (ATPo) elicits a robust change in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in fura-2–loaded mouse thymocytes. Most thymocytes (60%) exposed to ATPo exhibited a biphasic rise in [Ca2+]i; [Ca2+]i rose slowly at first to a mean value of 260 nM after 163 s and then increased rapidly to a peak level of 735 nM. In many cells, a declining plateau, which lasted for more than 10 min, followed the crest in [Ca2+]i. Experiments performed in the absence of extracellular [Ca2+]o abolished the rise in thymocyte [Ca2+]i, indicating that Ca2+ influx, rather than the release of stored Ca2+, is stimulated by ATPo. ATPo- mediated Ca2+ influx was potentiated as the [Mg2+]o was reduced, confirming that ATP4− is the active agonist form. In the absence of Mg2+o, 3′-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (BzATP) proved to be the most effective agonist of those tested. The rank order of potency for adenine nucleotides was BzATP4−>ATP4−>MgATP2−>ADP3−, suggesting purinoreceptors of the P2X7/P2Z class mediate the ATPo response. Phenotyping experiments illustrate that both immature (CD4−CD8−, CD4+CD8+) and mature (CD4+CD8−, CD4−CD8+) thymocyte populations respond to ATP. Further separation of the double-positive population by size revealed that the ATPo-mediated [Ca2+]i response was much more pronounced in large (actively dividing) than in small (terminally differentiated) CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. We conclude that thymocytes vary in sensitivity to ATPo depending upon the degree of maturation and suggest that ATPo may be involved in processes that control cellular differentiation within the thymus.
Molecular dynamics simulation of fractal aggregate diffusion

f, as is often assumed by investigators simulating Brownian aggregation of fractal aggregates. The ratio of hydrodynamic radius to radius of gyration is computed and shown to be independent of mass for aggregates of fixed fractal dimension, thus enabling an estimate of the diffusion coefficient for a fractal aggregate based on its radius of gyration.
Caldesmon and thin-filament regulation of muscle contraction.

Smooth muscle contraction is regulated by phosphorylation of myosin and also possibly by the actin associated protein, caldesmon. The properties of caldesmon are discussed and compared with those of tropomyosin-troponin, the well characterized actin-based regulatory system of striated muscle. Caldesmon functions quite differently from tropomyosin-troponin. Under relaxing conditions tropomyosin-troponin does not affect the binding of myosin subfragment-1 to actin. In contrast, caldesmon strongly inhibits the binding of subfragment-1 to actin in the presence of ATP. This inhibition of binding parallels the decrease in ATPase activity that occurs as the caldesmon concentration is increased. Caldesmon has the opposite effect on the two headed myosin subfragment, heavy meromyosin. The apparent binding of skeletal heavy meromyosin increases slightly as the caldesmon concentration is increased, although the rate of ATP hydrolysis is inhibited. It is suggested that in the presence of caldesmon, myosin·ATP does not bind to the productive actin binding site but interacts with a distinct site on actin-caldesmon. This could lead to both an inhibition of ATP hydrolysis and an inrease in resting stiffness of relaxed smooth muscle.
The California Idea and American Higher Education: 1850 to the 1960 Master Plan

Throughout the twentieth century, public universities were established across the United States at a dizzying pace, transforming the scope and purpose of American higher education. Leading the way was California, with its internationally renowned network of public colleges and universities. This book is the first comprehensive history of California's pioneering efforts to create an expansive and high-quality system of public higher education. The author traces the social, political, and economic forces that established and funded an innovative, uniquely tiered, and geographically dispersed network of public campuses in California. This influential model for higher education, "The California Idea," created an organizational structure that combined the promise of broad access to public higher education with a desire to develop institutions of high academic quality. Following the story from early statehood through to the politics and economic forces that eventually resulted in the 1960 California Master Plan for Higher Education, The California Idea and American Higher Education offers a carefully crafted history of public higher education.
Bead lightning and the pinch effect

Abstract A new explanation for the phenomenon of bead lightning is proposed. Under special conditions the pinch effect generates radial modulation periodically along the lightning column. The radial modulation causes the lightning column to deform into a “string of sausages.” The strongly pinched regions are visually very bright; the weakly pinched regions appear dark in comparison.
Symptom-focused management for African American women with Type 2 diabetes: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of an in-home, nurse-delivered, symptom-focused teaching/counseling intervention with older rural African American women who have type 2 diabetes. Forty-one participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the comparison group. Participants in the intervention showed statistically significant improvement in their medication, diet, home glucose monitoring self-care practices, perceptions of quality of life, and distress from symptoms. Both groups evidenced improvement of HbA1c levels. The intervention group achieved greater improvement, but the difference was not statistically significant. Participant satisfaction was high. Further studies should look into the cost of the intervention, as compared with that of usual care, and its long-term effects.
Intracerebrally injected monohydroxy and other C24 steroid acids as demyelinating agents in the guinea pig

Sodium salts of lithocholic acid (3α-hydroxy-5β-cholanoic acid), 5β-cholanoic acid, Δ5-cholenoic acid and 3-keto-5β-cholanoic acid injected intracerebrally into guinea pigs in doses of 1 mg or higher produced periventricular demyelination. 24-14C-sodium lithocholate was rapidly released from the brain (only traces remained 2 hr after injection) if injected in quantities ranging from 2 μg to 5 mg. This rapid elimination is believed to account for the relatively high dose of lithocholate required for producing demyelination, and may also account for the limited demyelinating capacity of the other acids injected intracerebrally.
On the role of hadronic interactions in giant air showers

Abstract We present an efficient hybrid method to simulate the longitudinal development of ultra-high energy air showers, accounting in detail for muon production and fluctuations. Applying this hybrid method to the simulation of extensive air showers with QGSJET and SIBYLL, the predictions of the two hadronic interaction models are discussed in light of their importance for the longitudinal shower profile and muon production.
Sulfate distribution in a multi-basin, saline lake

Devils Lake in northeastern North Dakota (USA) is a terminal lake of glacial origin with a substantial sulfate content. Since 1940, the lake water level has risen over 13.5m and salinity has decreased. Devils Lake consists of a series of interconnected basins with sulfate concentration increasing in an eastward direction from 450mg/l in West Bay to 3000mg/l in East Devils Lake. Using sulfate as a tracer and linking measurements of specific conductance with observed time series of water surface elevations, wind, and water velocity, this paper illustrates the magnitude and dynamics of mass transport and exchange processes between the multiple basins of Devils Lake. Measurements show small horizontal salinity gradients within the lake basins, but large salinity gradients in some of the exchange zones connecting basins. Vertical salinity gradients were observed in small basins and near exchange zones with strong horizontal salinity differentials. These instances of vertical stratification were associated with buoyancy driven exchange flows and wind sheltering. Exchange flow velocities between selected basins were correlated with wind direction and speed. Interbasin exchange flows were found to reverse direction frequently in response to the prevailing wind direction. Flow direction frequencies in one specific exchange zone were 31% west to east, 48% east to west, and 21% bidirectional (stratified). At the lake level observed in 2000, time averaged, measured interbasin exchange flow rates were 30--40m3/s compared to tributary inflow rates to the lake of 3--9m3/s.
Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadienylgallium amide compounds as potential single source precursors to GaN

Abstract The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and single crystal X-ray structures of [(η5-C5Me4H)2Ga(μ2-NH2)] (1), [(η5-C5Me5)2Ga(μ2-NH2)]2 (2), [(η5-C5Me5)Ga(Cl)(μ2-NH2)]3 (4), [(η5-C5Me5)2Ga(μ2-N(H)Et)]2 (5) are described. Preliminary studies of the thermal and photochemical decomposition of compound 2 were performed to evaluate its suitability as single source precursors to GaN.
Path integral calculation of entanglement probabilities for bound macromolecules

Abstract The path integral for an entangled macromolecule chain in two dimensions is calculated. The entanglement probabilities for a bound macromolecule so reached coincide with Wiegel's results obtained by solving a differential equation.
Applications of the lie algebraic formulas of Baker, Campbell, Hausdorff, and Zassenhaus to the calculation of explicit solutions of partial differential equations

Abstract We apply Lie algebraic methods of the type developed by Baker, Campbell, Hausdorff, and Zassenhaus to the initial value and eigenvalue problems for certain special classes of partial differential operators which have many important applications in the physical sciences. We obtain detailed information about these operators including explicit formulas for the solutions of the problems of interest. We have also produced a computer program to do most of the intermediate algebraic computations.
Independence of genetic influences on body size, daily intake, and meal patterns of humans

Abstract Body size and daily and meal trient intakes have been shown to be affected by heredity. The present study investigated the independence of the heritability of overall daily intake from body size, meal intake from overall daily intakes, and meal macronutrient intake from meal size. Previously collected 7-day food intake diary data obtained from 109 identical and 86 fraternal adult twin pairs, who lived separately, were reanalyzed. A series of linear structural models were fit, using maximum likelihood estimation, to the identical and fraternal twin covariance matrices for the body size, overall intake, and meal intake. Gender and age were used as additional covariates. The results suggest that 96% of the variance in height and 85% of the variance in weight are due to heredity. They also indicate that from 25% to 50% of the variance in daily food intake and from 22% to 48% of the variance in average meal size is due to genetic influence independent of the body size, gender, and age of the individual. Furthermore, they indicate that from 18% to 42% of the variance in average meal size is due to genetic influences independent of the overall daily intake, gender, and age of the individual. On the other hand, the influence of heredity on the macronutrient composition of the meals was found to result, for the most part, secondarily from the genetic influence on overall meal size. These results strongly suggest that there are separate genetic influences on body size, overall intake, and meal intake that have interacting influences on one another. This indicates that inheritance has profound effects on body size and nutrient intake that are so salient and potent that they can be detected, independent of one another, in the spontaneous intake patterns of normal adult humans in their natural environments.
The Core of Ure2p Prion Fibrils Is Formed by the N-Terminal Segment in a Parallel Cross-β Structure: Evidence from Solid-State NMR

Abstract Intracellular fibril formation by Ure2p produces the non-Mendelian genetic element [URE3] in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, making Ure2p a prion protein. We show that solid-state NMR spectra of full-length Ure2p fibrils, seeded with infectious prions from a specific [URE3] strain and labeled with uniformly 15N–13C-enriched Ile, include strong, sharp signals from Ile residues in the globular C-terminal domain (CTD) with both helical and nonhelical 13C chemical shifts. Treatment with proteinase K eliminates these CTD signals, leaving only nonhelical signals from the Gln-rich and Asn-rich N-terminal segment, which are also observed in the solid-state NMR spectra of Ile-labeled fibrils formed by residues 1–89 of Ure2p. Thus, the N-terminal segment, or “prion domain” (PD), forms the fibril core, while CTD units are located outside the core. We additionally show that, after proteinase K treatment, Ile-labeled Ure2p fibrils formed without prion seeding exhibit a broader set of solid-state NMR signals than do prion-seeded fibrils, consistent with the idea that structural variations within the PD core account for prion strains. Measurements of 13C–13C magnetic dipole–dipole couplings among 13C-labeled Ile carbonyl sites in full-length Ure2p fibrils support an in-register parallel β-sheet structure for the PD core of Ure2p fibrils. Finally, we show that a model in which CTD units are attached rigidly to the parallel β-sheet core is consistent with steric constraints.
Evidence of Handling Mortality of Adult Chum Salmon Caused by Fish Wheel Capture in the Yukon River, Alaska

Abstract From 1996 to 1998, marked fish from a mark–recapture experiment were used to examine potential effects of fish wheel capture, handling, and tagging on adult chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta in the Yukon River, Alaska. Four fish wheels equipped with live holding boxes were used to capture fish, two at the marking site and two at the recapture site. During the 3 years of the study we annually marked 8,513–18,632 fish with individually numbered spaghetti tags; annual tag returns external to the mark–recapture experiment (not by project fish wheels) ranged from 594 to 1,007. Individual salmon were captured from one to four times in the four project fish wheels used in the mark–recapture experiment. Tag returns, interviews, carcass surveys, and data from other management projects indicated that the proportion of fish with marks decreased as distance from the marking site increased. Nine possible explanations for these observations were considered, but fish mortality associated with capture and handling a...
Coulomb excitation by 45 MeV alpha particles

The effect of Coulomb excitation on inelastic scattering is most pronounced at small angles. Because of the large number of partial waves necessary to perform the DWBA analysis of smallangle data, this effect has not been carefully examined. Recent expansion of the distorted wave code DWUCK [1] to include 102 partial waves has made it possible to analyse at small angles the inelastic scattering of 45 MeV a particles from 140Ce and 208pb. The 45 MeV a-particle beam from the University of Michigan cyclotron was transported to the scattering chamber through two beam preparation magnets which have an intermediate focus; this arrangement provided a well-focused, well-resolved beam on the target without the use of slits in the scattering chamber, thus greatly reducing the background at small angles. The scattered particles were magnetically analysed and detected either in nuclear emulsions or with a position sensitive detector. The 208pb target (enriched to 99.3%) was 800 pg/cm 2 thick and the thicknesses of the natural cerium targets (88.5% 140Ce) ranged from 300 to 1000 # g/cm 2. The 1.66 MeV 3- level in the impurity 142Ce was not clearly resolved from the stronger group corresponding to the 1.597 MeV 2 + level in 140Ce. From a highresolution spectrum it was determined that the intensity of the 3- level in 142Ce was 14% of the intensity of the 2.464 MeV 3" level in 140Ce. If one assumes that the two 3- angular distributions are identical, the intensity of the 2 + level in 140Ce can be separated from that of the cl oselying 3- 1 evel in 142Ce. The DWBA calculations for the inelastic scat
An overview and comparative analysis of singing on the nest in North American birds

Bird song is used to defend territories and attract mates and tends to make the singer conspicuous. Singing on the nest (SOTN) has been mentioned since 1904 but has remained largely unexplored. Thi...
A retrospective analysis of toxicity studies in dogs and impact on the chronic reference dose for conventional pesticide chemicals

Prior to October 2007, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required both 13-week and 1-year studies in Beagle dogs be submitted in support of registration for pesticides. Following an extensive retrospective analysis, we (the authors) determined that the 1-year toxicity dog study should be eliminated as a requirement for pesticide registration. The present work presents this retrospective analysis of results from 13-week and 1-year dog studies for 110 conventional pesticide chemicals, representing more than 50 classes of pesticides. The data were evaluated to determine if the 13-week dog study, in addition to the long-term studies in two rodent species (mice and rats), were sufficient for the identification of no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) for the derivation of chronic reference doses (RfD). Only pesticides with adequate 13-week and 1-year duration studies were included in the present evaluation. Toxicity endpoints and dose-response data from 13-week and 1-year studies were compared. The analysis showed that 70 of the 110 pesticides had similar critical effects regardless of duration and had NOAELs and LOAELs within a difference of 1.5-fold of each other. For the remaining 40 pesticides, 31 had lower NOAELs and LOAELs in the 1-year study, primarily due to dose selection and spacing. In only 2% of the cases were additional toxic effects identified in the 1-year study that were not observed in the 13-week study and/or in the rodent studies. In 8% of the cases, the 1-year dog had a lower NOAEL and/or LOAEL than the 13-week study, but there would have been no regulatory impact if the 1-year dog study had not been performed because adequate data were available from the other required studies. A dog toxicity study beyond 13-weeks does not have significant impact on the derivation of a chronic RfD for pesticide risk assessment.
PERTS: A prototyping environment for real-time systems

PERTS is a prototyping environment for real-time systems. It contains schedulers and resource access protocols for time-critical applications, together with a comprehensive set of tools for the analysis, validation, and evaluation of real-time systems built on the scheduling paradigms supported by these building blocks. This paper describes the underlying models of real-time systems supported by PERTS, as well as its capabilities and intended use. A key component is the schedulability analyzer. The basic version of this system of tools supports the validation and evaluation of real-time systems built on the framework of the periodic-task model. This system of tools is now available. >
The Impact of At-Large Elections on the Representation of Blacks and Hispanics

Political scientists have long been interested in the link between election structures and the representation of interest. Here we examine one such link, that between local election structures and minority representation. Research of the middle and late 1970s revealed that at-large city council election procedures resulted in a dramatic underrepresentation of blacks and some underrepresentation of Hispanics. Now a revisionist position claims that at-large elections no longer have this detrimental effect on minority representation, if needed they ever did. In this paper we examine this controversial link by assessing the impact of at-large and district elections on the representation of blacks and Hispanics using varied methodologies and 1988 data. We find that although at-large elections represent blacks much better than a decade ago, there is still a small gap between the representation afforded by at-large and district systems. On the other hand, the impact of local election structures on Hispanic repre...
ISSUES IN ADJUSTING FOR COVARIATES ARISING POSTRANDOMIZATION IN CLINICAL TRIALS

While there is broad consensus on analytic techniques for adjusting for covariates at baseline, the situation for covariates arising postrandomization is considerably more difficult. Examples include the level of patient “compliance” measured through pill counts and other biochemical markers, the occurrence of missing data over patient followup, and early withdrawal from medication. The “intention-to-treat” (ITT) principle requires that all randomized patients be included in all analyses irrespective of their confounder experience. This approach, however, seems at odds with good scientific method and is a considerable source of friction with medical investigators. In this paper, we review the interpretation of this analysis strategy and suggest that the statistical community has been careless in its interpretation of these results. We outline a conservative strategy that is consistent with ITT principles. Nevertheless, any analysis that adjusts for these covariates must be considered speculative in nature and followed by a properly designed confirmatory study. For this reason, we argue that these analyses are of greater relevance early in a drug development program.
The Role of Hybrid Construction Techniques on Sealed Moisture Levels

Residual gas analysis techniques are employed to measure the moisture in sealed hybrid packages as a function of substrate attach material, vacuum bake time and sequence, and sealing procedure. It is shown that, when room atmospheric exposure is eliminated following the vacuum bake-out, moisture levels of less than 1000 ppm may be achieved for modest bake times and solder substrate attach techniques. Suitable moisture levels were achieved for epoxy attached substrates only when seam sealing procedures were employed.
Stephen H. Davis – 70, and counting

Celebrating the occasion of his 70th birthday, observations are offered on the life and technical contributions of Stephen H. Davis, Editor of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics .
Identification of parameters by the distribution of the minimum: The tri-variate normal case with negative correlations

Let X"1,X"2,X"3 be a 3-variate normal vector with zero means and a non-singular co-variance matrix @S, where for i j, @S"i"[email protected]?0. It is shown here that it is then possible to determine the three variances and the three correlations based only on the knowledge of the density of the minimum X"1,X"2,X"3. Our method consists of careful determination and analysis of the asymptotic orders of various bivariate tail probabilities.
Fatalities involving acetaminophen combination products reported to United States poison centers.

AbstractContext. Deaths from overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) combination medications are reported, yet the individual ingredients are not well examined as individual putative causes of death. Objective. To examine the individual contribution of APAP or other ingredient(s) to fatalities resulting from ingestion of APAP combination products reported to poison centers. Materials and methods. A search in the United States (US) National Poison Data System between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2009 (10 years) was conducted. Only fatal cases determined by American Association of Poison Control Centers Fatality Review team to be caused by ingestion of one or more APAP combination products were included. The fatality abstract narrative for each case was obtained. Each narrative abstract was rated independently by four reviewers and putative cause of death was determined to be APAP, ‘other ingredient’ or ‘unable to determine’. Fleiss’ Kappa test was utilized to assess interrater agreement. Results. Three hundred ...
An ink-jet-deposited passive component process for RFID

An all ink-jet-deposited process capable of creating high-quality passive devices suitable for an RFID front-end is described. Gold nanocrystals are printed to create conductive lines with sheet resistance as low as 23 m/spl Omega/ per square. Optimal printing conditions are found for polyimide dielectric layers and films as thin as 340 nm are produced. These results are used to create spiral inductors, interconnect, and parallel plate capacitors.
Equivalent circuit validation of a prototype flux concentrator for ILC positron matching

A pulsed normal conducting flux concentrator is an optional scheme of the ILC positron source adiabatic matching device (AMD). In order to facilitate the design of flux concentrator based AMD, an equivalent circuit model was proposed. A prototype flux concentrator was built and tested to validate the model. Good agreement was obtained between the measurement results and simulations based on the model.
Sensation and Signaling of α-Ketoglutarate and Adenylylate Energy Charge by the Escherichia coli PII Signal Transduction Protein Require Cooperation of the Three Ligand-Binding Sites within the PII Trimer

PII proteins are sensors of α-ketoglutarate and adenylylate energy charge that regulate signal transduction proteins, metabolic enzymes, and permeases involved in nitrogen assimilation. Here, purified Escherichia coli PII and two of its receptors, ATase and NRII, were used to study the mechanisms of sensation by PII. We assembled heterotrimeric forms of PII from wild-type and mutant subunits, which allowed us to assess the role of the three binding sites for α-ketoglutarate and adenylylate nucleotide in the PII trimer. Signaling of α-ketoglutarate and adenylylate energy charge by these heterotrimeric PII proteins required multiple binding sites for these effectors, and the ligand-binding sites on different subunits could influence the function of a single subunit interacting with a receptor, implying communication between PII subunits. Wild-type and heterotrimeric forms of PII were also used to examine the effects of α-ketoglutarate and ADP on PII activation of the adenylyltransferase (AT) activity of ATa...
Myeloid Cell-Derived Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Attenuates Inflammation in Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Induced Kidney Injury

Renal fibrosis and inflammation are associated with hypoxia, and tissue pO(2) plays a central role in modulating the progression of chronic kidney disease. Key mediators of cellular adaptation to hypoxia are hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 and -2. In the kidney, they are expressed in a cell type-specific manner; to what degree activation of each homolog modulates renal fibrogenesis and inflammation has not been established. To address this issue, we used Cre-loxP recombination to activate or to delete both Hif-1 and Hif-2 either globally or cell type specifically in myeloid cells. Global activation of Hif suppressed inflammation and fibrogenesis in mice subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction, whereas activation of Hif in myeloid cells suppressed inflammation only. Suppression of inflammatory cell infiltration was associated with downregulation of CC chemokine receptors in renal macrophages. Conversely, global deletion or myeloid-specific inactivation of Hif promoted inflammation. Furthermore, prolonged hypoxia suppressed the expression of multiple inflammatory molecules in noninjured kidneys. Collectively, we provide experimental evidence that hypoxia and/or myeloid cell-specific HIF activation attenuates renal inflammation associated with chronic kidney injury.
Nano/micro-mechanical and tribological characterization of Ar, C, N, and Ne ion-implanted Si

Ion implantation has been widely used to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of single crystalline silicon, an essential material for the semiconductor industry. In this study, the effects of four different ion implantations, Ar, C, N, and Ne ions, on the mechanical and tribological properties of single crystal Si were investigated at both the nanoscale and the microscale. Nanoindentation and microindentation were used to measure the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of ion-implanted Si. Nano and micro scratch and wear tests were performed to study the tribological behaviors of different ion-implanted Si. The relationship between the mechanical properties and tribological behavior and the damage mechanism of scratch and wear were also discussed.
HIV Infection Risk Behaviors and Methadone Treatment: Client-Reported HIV Infection in a Follow-up Study of Injecting Drug Users in New England

There is wide variation in reported risk factors for HIV incidence among injecting drug users by community. Available HIV seroprevalence and incidence data indicate that nearly 60% of HIV infection is associated with injecting drug use in Connecticut and 48% in Massachusetts. Using 12-month follow-up data on 354 initially HIV-negative New England (Massachusetts and Connecticut) methadone treatment clients, we assessed the association between baseline drug use practices, sexual behavior, partner behaviors, and client-reported HIV infection during follow-up. Variables that predicted client-reported positive HIV antibody test results were modeled by Cox proportional hazards regression. HIV infection among those tested was 14.2 per 100 person years (PY) [95% Confidence interval (CI) = 9.5 to 21.3]. For each injection the relative risk (RR) was 1.1 (95% CI = 1.1 to 1.2), for males 3.0 (95% CI = 1.2 to 7.3), for blacks 5.0 (95% CI = 1.6 to 15.5), for Hispanics 3.6 (95% CI = 1.2 to 10.5). Men who used more than ...
Effect of saccadic adaptation on sequences of saccades

Accuracy of saccadic eye movements is maintained thanks to adaptation mechanisms. The adaptive lengthening and shortening of reactive and voluntary saccades rely on partially separate neural substrates. Although in daily-life we mostly perform sequences of saccades, the effect of saccadic adaptation has been mainly evaluated on single saccades. Here, sequences of two saccades were recorded before and after adaptation of rightward saccades. In 4 separate sessions, reactive and voluntary saccades were adaptively shortened or lengthened. We found that the second saccade of the sequence always remained accurate and compensated for the adaptive changes of the first rightward saccade size. This finding suggests that adaptation loci are upstream of the site where the efference copy involved in sequence planning originates.
Asthma and COPD Agents

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are disorders of airway inflammation that are characterized by airflow obstruction. These disease entities demonstrate similar spirometric characteristics including FEV1/FVC <70 % and FEV1 <80 %, with asthma demonstrating reversibility of obstruction with bronchodilator therapy [1, 2]. There is much overlap in the pharmacologic management between asthma and COPD. In both diseases, acute attacks may be treated with inhaled and intravenous β2 agonists, inhaled anticholinergics, and systemic corticosteroids, while chronic management can be accomplished with inhaled agents (short- and long-acting β2 agonists, anticholinergics, or glucocorticoids) or methylxanthines. Chronic management of asthmatic patients can also include mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene modifiers, and immunomodulators, while that of COPD patients may include PDE-4 inhibitors. A brief summary of the impact of anesthetic agents on the patient with asthma is included.
Quilt pattern inspired engineering: Efficient manufacturing of shelter topologies

Abstract Lightweight, thermally insulated, temporary shelters are essential for disaster relief and military operations. To minimize cost and increase sustainability, it is advantageous to reduce wasted material in manufacturing these shelters. This paper investigates quilt patterns – designs of interlocking geometric shapes – as inspiration for structural topologies that can be manufactured from flat sheets with minimal wasted material (shape interfaces serve as cut and fold lines). A series of quilt-inspired concepts based on established quilt patterns are developed into structural topologies using shape grammar rules. The detailed finite element analysis and design of three concepts is presented. To achieve a lightweight, thermally insulated design, the structures are comprised of sandwich panels (fiber-reinforced polymer faces and a foam core). The performance of each design is compared to an existing rigid wall shelter, demonstrating the efficacy of quilt-inspired forms. This paper is the first investigation of quilting as inspiration for structural systems.
Implications of acetaldehyde-derived DNA adducts for understanding alcohol-related carcinogenesis.

Among various potential mechanisms that could explain alcohol carcinogenicity, the metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde represents an obvious possible mechanism, at least in some tissues. The fundamental principle of genotoxic carcinogenesis is the formation of mutagenic DNA adducts in proliferating cells. If not repaired, these adducts can result in mutations during DNA replication, which are passed on to cells during mitosis. Consistent with a genotoxic mechanism, acetaldehyde does react with DNA to form a variety of different types of DNA adducts. In this chapter we will focus more specifically on N 2-ethylidene-deoxyguanosine (N2-ethylidene-dG), the major DNA adduct formed from the reaction of acetaldehyde with DNA and specifically highlight recent data on the measurement of this DNA adduct in the human body after alcohol exposure. Because results are of particular biological relevance for alcohol-related cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), we will also discuss the histology and cytology of the UADT, with the goal of placing the adduct data in the relevant cellular context for mechanistic interpretation. Furthermore, we will discuss the sources and concentrations of acetaldehyde and ethanol in different cell types during alcohol consumption in humans. Finally, in the last part of the chapter, we will critically evaluate the concept of carcinogenic levels of acetaldehyde, which has been raised in the literature, and discuss how data from acetaldehyde genotoxicity are and can be utilized in physiologically based models to evaluate exposure risk.
Examples Where We Actually Learn Something about Nuclear Structure from Medium Energy Experiments

I shall comment on experiments that have been done at Bates, Sendai, Lampf, Gatchina and Saclay and probably several other places.
Prototype Recycle GC System with Cold-Trap Inlet, Photoionization Detector, and Isobaric Switching

Systemes permettant d'obtenir plusieurs chromatogramines du meme echantillon apres piegeage et reinjection de l'eluat
Influence of Nonessential L-Amino Acids on Growth of Rats Fed High Levels of Essential L-Amino Acids

SummaryWeanling rats were fed purified L-amino acid diets containing high levels of essential L-amino acids (EAA) to determine the effect of nonessential amino acids (NEAA) on growth. Observations were made also on the liver composition and plasma amino nitrogen (PAN) levels. A diet containing high levels of only the EAA resulted in poor growth (3.8 g/day), as compared with a casein diet (5.6 g/day). However, when six NEAA were added to this amino acid diet, growth rate (5.2 g/day) and food efficiency were significantly improved. Proline added singly caused a significant growth improvement; on the other hand, glycine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, serine, or urea did not significantly improve the growth rate.
A decade's experience with balloon catheter tamponade for the emergency control of hemorrhage

Background:Balloon catheter tamponade is a valuable technique for arresting exsanguinating hemorrhage. Indications include (1) inaccessible major vascular injuries, (2) large cardiac injuries, and (3) deep solid organ parenchymal bleeding. Published literature is limited to small case series. The pr
THE COANDA EFFECT: HIDING THE TRUE ETIOLOGY OF HEART FAILURE

A 65 y/o tall, well-built male with treated hypertension presented to the hospital with 8 month history of worsening shortness of breath and multiple hospitalizations for heart failure symptoms. Echocardiogram showed normal LV and RV function, Grade I diastolic dysfunction, moderate LV thickness,
Variables associated with the decreased risk of intraventricular haemorrhage in a large sample of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

Objective Prematurity and other risk factors are associated with the development of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Conversely, further analysis can determine what characteristics might be associated with a decreased risk of IVH. Study design By using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes from data obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 2000 to 2009, we identified a large number of cases of RDS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified potential variables associated with decreased risk of IVH. Result Our cohort included 194 621 neonates with RDS, of whom 20 386 (10.5%) developed IVH. Variables associated with decreased risk of both all grades of IVH and severe IVH only included infant of diabetic mother (IDM) status (OR 0.62 (0.54 to 0.70), p Conclusions Previous associations with IVH such as lower birth weight were confirmed. However, infants in whom new variables such as IDM status were present were less likely to develop all IVH grades. Further analysis of these potential protective variables is necessary to better understand the pathophysiology of IVH.
155 THE CYCLIC ADENOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE RESPONSE ELEMENT BINDING PROTEIN REGULATES HEMATOPOIETIC PROGENITOR CELL PROLIFERATION AND MYELOID ENGRAFTMENT

Purpose The cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor that regulates gene expression in a variety of cell types and promotes cell proliferation and survival. We previously reported that more than 60% of AML patients overexpressed CREB in the bone marrow. To understand the role of CREB in myelopoiesis, we generated transgenic mice in which CREB is overexpressed in myeloid cells. We analyzed the hematopoietic progenitor cells from CREB transgenic mice in methylcellulose colony and bone marrow transplantation assays. Methods Bone marrow cells obtained from hMRP8-CREB transgenic mice were plated in methylcellulose containing IL-3, IL-6, and SCF. After 14 days the colonies were counted and analyzed using FACs and cytospin preparations. Bone marrow cells (4 ×106) from CREB transgenic mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated wild type C57/BL6 recipient mice. Peripheral blood counts were obtained every 4 weeks and FACs analysis was performed. Results CREB transgenic mice showed evidence of monocytosis, compared to age-matched littermate controls. Bone marrow cells from CREB transgenic mice formed robust colonies earlier and had increased numbers of colony forming units (CFU-GM). Bone marrow from CREB transgenic mice also had evidence of more immature myeloid cells compared to controls. We observed a 10-fold increase in the numbers of bone marrow progenitor cells from CREB transgenic mice (two different founder lines) compared to controls when cultured in the absence of cytokines. In bone marrow transplant experiments, mice transplanted with CREB transgenic mouse bone marrow had signs of earlier myeloid engraftment at 6 weeks following transplantation compared to controls. Recipients of CREB transgenic bone marrow showed increased monocytes and neutrophils in the peripheral blood with a corresponding increase in Mac-1+, Gr-1+ cell populations. The lymphocyte count was significantly lower in mice transplanted with CREB transgenic bone marrow compared to controls. Conclusions Our results suggest that CREB plays a critical role in the regulation of normal myelopoiesis and hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation.
Temporal distribution of equine arteritis virus in respiratory mucosa, tissues and body fluids of horses infected by inhalation.

SUMMARY Horses exposed to aerosols containing the virulent Bucyrus strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV) developed a high febrile response, lymphopenia and, usually, severe signs of disease. Virus was recovered from the serum for as long as the nth day after exposure, from the nasopharynx up to the 14th day and from the huffy coat up to the 19th or terminal day of the experiment. Quantitative determinations of the viral content of various tissues and fluids collected from 18 horses serially sacrificed or succumbing to infection from 1 to 19 days after exposure indicated that the cells initially infected were those of the lung, followed by the bronchial lymph nodes from which the virus was disseminated throughout the body by the circulatory system. Virus was generally present throughout the body by the 3rd day and persisted in high concentrations, especially in the lymph nodes and organs for 9 days after which it diminished, except in kidney and urine, where it remained at a high level until the 19th or terminal day of the experiment.
Radionuclide Imaging of Musculoskeletal Infection: A Review

There are numerous imaging tests for diagnosing musculoskeletal infection. Radiographs are routinely performed, because even when not diagnostic, they provide an anatomic overview of the region of interest that could influence subsequent procedure selection and interpretation. MRI is sensitive and provides superb anatomic detail. Bone scintigraphy accurately diagnoses osteomyelitis in bones not affected by underlying conditions. (67)Ga is used primarily for spondylodiskitis. Although in vitro labeled leukocyte imaging is the radionuclide test of choice for complicating osteomyelitis such as diabetic pedal osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infection, it is not useful for spondylodiskitis. Antigranulocyte antibodies and antibody fragments have limitations and are not widely available. (111)In-biotin is useful for spondylodiskitis. Radiolabeled synthetic fragments of the antimicrobial peptide ubiquicidin are promising infection-specific agents. (18)F-FDG is the radiopharmaceutical of choice for spondylodiskitis. Its role in diabetic pedal osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infection is not established. Preliminary data suggest (68)Ga may be useful in musculoskeletal infection. (124)I-fialuridine initially showed promise as an infection-specific radiopharmaceutical, but subsequent investigations were disappointing. The development of PET/CT and SPECT/CT imaging systems, which combine anatomic and functional imaging, has revolutionized diagnostic imaging. These hybrid systems are redefining the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected or known infection and inflammation by improving diagnostic accuracy and influencing patient management.
Pathogen Reduction Capabilities of Freeze/Thaw Sludge Conditioning

Freeze/thaw conditioning of sludges has been shown to be an effective and economical method of sludge dewatering especially for areas where natural freezing is possible. Freeze treatment dehydrates the sludge particles by freezing the water associated to the floc and upon thawing an easily drainable granular type of material is obtained. The solid content of the freeze/thawed sludge from specially designed freezing beds ranges from 30% to as high as 60%. Pathogen reduction capacity of freeze/thaw conditioning has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study is to determine the variables affecting the pathogen reduction in freeze/thaw sludge conditioning. Previous research has shown that freezing rate, time in the frozen state, and temperature all influence the condition of the freeze/thawed sludge, and these are chosen to be the independent variables of the research. The three microorganisms- salmonella, fecal coliforms and plaque forming units for viruses-are chosen to be the dependent variables, since they best represent the other pathogenic microorganisms. Three different rates, four different temperatures and three different times of freezing are tested for their effects on the reduction of the three selected microorganisms. Results indicate that all of the parameters, time, rate and temperature of freezing have significant effects on the reduction of the indicator microorganisms.
Design and Evaluation of Hail Suppression Experiments

A number of field hail suppression experiments have been conducted over the past quarter of a century. A review of these experiments suggests that little information of basic scientific value appears to have been produced by these efforts. It is believed that this situation can be improved upon through better design, implementation and evaluation of field hail suppression experiments. A number of components of a properly designed field hail suppression experiment are presented and discussed. Suggestions are offered on how to accomplish these tasks.