cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced clopidogrel metabolism in a multiethnic population: prevalence and rates of recurrent cerebrovascular events.

Background Concern has recently been raised over the possibility of a reduced efficacy of clopidogrel because of genetic variations in cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 19 (CYP2C19) metabolism. A black box warning from the US Food and Drug Administration recommends that all patients be tested. It has been estimated that approximately 3% (range 2-14%) of the population are poor metabolizers, but few data are available for cerebrovascular patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency and effects of variability in CYP2C19 metabolism in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods A retrospective review of all patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) tested for the clopidogrel CYP2C19 genotype was performed, with a collection of data including race/ethnicity, CYP2C19 status, and the presence of recurrent vascular events. Results A total of 53 cerebrovascular patients were tested, consisting of 5.7% poor (n = 3), 26.4% intermediate (n = 14), 62.3% extensive (n = 33), 3.8% indeterminate (n = 2), and 1.9% “mixed ultra rapid and poor” (n = 1) metabolizers. Only 10 of 38 white patients (26.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.42) were intermediate or poor metabolizers, compared with 7 of 15 (46.7%; 95% CI 0.25-0.70) nonwhites. Of 43 patients treated with clopidogrel, 3 of 27 extensive metabolizers (11.1%; 95% CI 0.04-0.28) had recurrent cerebrovascular events compared with 33.3% of intermediate metabolizers (4/12; 95% CI 0.14-0.61) and 50% of poor metabolizers (1/2; 95% CI 0.09-0.90). Conclusions These data suggest that the proportion of poor/intermediate clopidogrel metabolizers in cerebrovascular patients is comparable to cardiovascular studies and these patients may have an increased risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events. Routine CYP2C19 testing may be warranted.
On-line assessment of ventricular function by automatic boundary detection and ultrasonic backscatter imaging.

Abstract To provide an approach suitable for on-line analysis of ventricular function, a conventional two-dimensional ultrasound imaging system was modified to detect and track blood-tissue interfaces in real time based on their quantitative acoustic properties. This modification permitted on-line display of the left ventricular cavity area, fractional area change, volumes and ejection fraction on a beat by beat basis. Images were obtained from 54 patients and 12 normal subjects with broad ranges of ventricular dimensions and systolic function. On-line measurements of cavity areas were compared with off-line measurements of cavity areas (analysis of videotaped conventional images). Left ventricular cavity areas measured on-line from short-axis views correlated closely with off-line views as did areas from apical views. On-line fractional area change correlated well with ejection fraction calculated off-line. More than 70% of patients could be studied adequately with the approach developed. Thus, automatic boundary detection based on quantitative assessment of tissue acoustic properties permits on-line quantitation of ventricular cavity areas and indexes of function.
Solution of a Model Boltzmann Equation via Steepest Descent in the 2-Wasserstein Metric

We study a model Boltzmann equation closely related to the BGK equation using a steepest-descent method in the Wasserstein metric, and prove global existence of energy-and momentum-conserving solutions. We also show that the solutions converge to the manifold of local Maxwellians in the large-time limit, and obtain other information on the behavior of the solutions. We show how the Wasserstein metric is natural for this problem because it is adapted to the study of both the free streaming and the ‘‘collisions’’.
Self-locking analysis in closed kinematic chains

Self-locking analysis in closed kinematic chains is sometimes likened to kinematic singularity analysis, especially when mechanisms are characterized by more than one degree of freedom. Although in singular configurations a mechanism is obviously locked-up since joint constraint reactions and friction forces rise to infinity, this approach identifies only a condition sufficient for self-locking, while the phenomenon actually occurs in a larger domain, the size of which depends on the values of friction coefficients. The paper proposes a definition of self-locking for multi degrees of freedom mechanisms and presents an algorithm for computing the geometrical locus that corresponds to a specific self-locking configuration. This methodology is then demonstrated on a simple parallel kinematic mechanism with two degrees of freedom.
Inability of β‐amyloid (25–35) to bind to central nervous system neurokinin 1 receptors

β-Amyloid (1–40) has recently been shown to exhibit both neurotoxic and neurotrophic properties. The putatively active moiety is β-(25–35), which has a structural homology to the human tachykinin substance P. Substance P, which preferentially binds to neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), has been shown to block the neurotoxic effects of β-amyloid (1–40). These data suggest that effects of β-amyloid may be mediated by an NK1 receptor-mediated process. However, in the present study, we demonstrate that β-(25–35) is unable to competitively inhibit the binding of 0.15 nM 125I-substance P from rat CNS NK1 receptors. Therefore, the mechanisms of action of β-amyloid neurotoxic effects are probably not to be mediated through a NK1 receptor-mediated process. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A spatial simulation model of the Peru upwelling ecosystem

Abstract A two-dimensional model of the upwelling ecosystem off Punta San Juan, Peru, relates the input of nitrate, silicate, and phosphate to the nitrogen biomass of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish, as regulated by light over depths of 0 to 50 m from 0 to 50 km off the coast. Estimates of water circulation, nutrient uptake, diel migration, grazing stress, and herbivore excretion from a March–April 1969 cruise used to formulate a simulation model of the austral autumn ecosystem. A second set of data, taken in the same place in autumn three years earlier, is used to test the model. Data from a June 1969 cruise to the same area are used to test the response of the autumn model to winter upwelling. The roles of spatial heterogeneity, food chain efficiency, and their possible interseasonal relationships are discussed in the context of previous estimates of clupeid yield of the Peruvian upwelling ecosystem.
Minimizing Epidermal Damage In Laser Coagulation Of Superficial Blood Vessels

Laser surgery has become the most frequently used treatment for cutaneous vascular malformations. Unfortunately, using the continuous wave lasers such as the argon and argon tunable dye lasers has resulted in a fairly high risk of scarring, ranging from 5-30% compared to the pulsed light from the flashlamp-pumped dye laser. The flashlamp-pumped dye laser was designed to coagulate vessels about 100 microns in diameter. It is not effective in closing vessels much larger than this. For this reason it is important to have a modality that makes the closure of larger vessels possible without scarring. It is possible to minimize epidermal temperature rise in response to continuous wave light application by the use of a 100 micron spot size focused on the vessel tissue which will restrict coagulation to the vessels. Skin surface temperatures were measured using a thermocouple. When coherent light was delivered from an argon (514 nm) and argon tunable dye (577 nm) lasers, a 100 micron spot power of 0.1 watt and one second exposures were used, the mean skin surface temperature rise was 6 ± 2 degrees celsius. By contrast, a 1000 micron spot, power of 1 watt and one second exposure resulted in a mean temperature rise of 20 ± 2 degrees celsius. These measurements were confirmed using an Inframetrics thermal camera. Treatment of portwine stains using this technique has substantially reduced the incidence of post-laser scarring.
Optical properties of semiconductors with the Coulomb potential fluctuation: case of co-doped ZnSe:(N,Cl)

We discuss properties of cw and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) as well as photoluminescence excitation (PLE) from co-doped ZnSe:Cl,N samples. These samples are characterized by the presence of the potential fluctuations due to charged donors and acceptors. We compare intensity dependent cw PL with the theory and find a good agreement. We also find that the material parameters obtained from cw PL and time-resolved PL agree well.
Corticosterone-induced isolated cleft palate in A-J mice.

Corticosterone was administered sc daily on days 11–14 to pregnant A/J female mice, 5 mg producing 80% isolated cleft palate, 2.5 mg, 31%, and 1.25 mg, 6%. The prenatal death rate was not increased by corticosterone in litters with surviving offspring but did result in an increased frequency of totally resorbed litters. Among fetuses treated with corticosterone there was a dose related increase in hemorrhagic pigmentation of the fetal sac. Damage to the fetal sac by corticosteroids may be a basis for their teratogenic action.
Spin-flip induced magnetoresistance in positionally disordered organic solids.

A model for magnetoresistance in positionally disordered organic materials is presented and solved using percolation theory. The model describes the effects of spin dynamics on hopping transport by considering changes in the effective density of hopping sites, a key quantity determining the properties of percolative transport. Faster spin-flip transitions open up ``spin-blocked'' pathways to become viable conduction channels and hence produce magnetoresistance. Features of this percolative magnetoresistance can be found analytically in several regimes, and agree with previous measurements, including the sensitive dependence of the magnetic-field dependence of the magnetoresistance on the ratio of the carrier hopping time to the hyperfine-induced carrier spin precession time. Studies of magnetoresistance in known systems with controllable positional disorder would provide an additional stringent test of this theory.
The postnatal development of the pelage and ventral gland of the male gerbil.

The postnatal development of the pelage and ventral gland of male Mongolian gerbils ranging from newborn to 86 days of age was studied. The development of the gerbil pelage follows a pattern similar to that observed for other rodents. The length of the dorsal and ventral skin juvenile hair cycle was found to be 26 to 28 days with a 15 to 18 day anagen and a ten to 11 day catagen and telogen. Hair follicles in the ventral gland began growth ten days later than those of the general pelage and secondary follicles budded from the sides of primary follicles. The ventral gland area differed from the general pelage in that it lacked a panniculus carnosus. The ventral gland is a complex of pilosebaceous glands which, in the adult, fill the entire hypodermis. The length and width of the pilosebaceous canals of the gland units are greater than those of the dorsum. The period of telogen of the hair follicles in the ventral gland is very short. The mid-ventral gland of the male gerbil appears to be a secondary sexual characteristic.
Brief communication: Bone trabeculae are visible on periapical images.

Abstract It is traditionally believed that the radiographic image of bone striae is a reflection of the trabecular pattern of cancellous bone. Results of a 1999 paper by Cavalcanti et al. 1 contradicted this paradigm, suggesting that the intraoral radiographic image of trabecular pattern in the mandible reflects the morphology of the endosteal surface of the cortical bone, rather than that of cancellous bone. Here, we conduct a simple experiment to assess the contribution of dry mandibular cancellous bone to the image of trabecular pattern seen on intraoral films. Standardized periapical-type radiographs centered on the same region of interest of a dry human mandible were acquired before and after removal of the buccal, then of both cortical plates, together with the endosteal cortical-trabecular bone interface. One oral and maxillofacial radiologist and 4 oral and maxillofacial radiology residents blindly assessed the presence or absence of bone striations on the acquired images. We find that bone striations are visible on periapical-type images of dry human mandibles in the absence of one or both cortical plates, and that their pattern is similar to that seen in the image of the intact specimen. We conclude that cancellous bone contributes significantly to the image of trabecular bone in dry human mandibles.
Pt Nanoparticles@Photoactive Metal–Organic Frameworks: Efficient Hydrogen Evolution via Synergistic Photoexcitation and Electron Injection

Pt nanoparticles of 2–3 nm and 5–6 nm in diameter were loaded into stable, porous, and phosphorescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs 1 and 2) built from [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+-derived dicarboxylate ligands (L1 and L2) and Zr6(μ3-O)4(μ3-OH)4(carboxylate)12 secondary building units, via MOF-mediated photoreduction of K2PtCl4. The resulting Pt@MOF assemblies serve as effective photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution by synergistic photoexcitation of the MOF frameworks and electron injection into the Pt nanoparticles. Pt@2 gave a turnover number of 7000, approximately five times the value afforded by the homogeneous control, and could be readily recycled and reused.
Negative-U Properties for Point Defects in Silicon

Experimental evidence is presented in support of a recent suggestion by Baraff, Kane, and Schl\"uter that the isolated lattice vacancy in silicon is an Anderson negative-$U$ system. The second donor level (+/++) (of charge state + if defect level is occupied by an electron; ++, if unoccupied) is located at ${E}_{v}+0.13$ eV, above a first donor level (0/+) at ${E}_{v}+0.05$ eV. Evidence is presented that interstitial boron has negative-$U$ properties with a single donor level (0/+) at ${E}_{c}\ensuremath{-}0.13$ eV, above a single acceptor level (-/0) at ${E}_{c}\ensuremath{-}0.45$ eV.
Coverage and site distribution effects in the desorption of carbon monoxide from sulfur-covered Ni(100)

Static and time resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies were combined with threshold temperature programmed desorption studies to examine the effects of adsorbed sulfur on the kinetics of CO desorption from Ni(100). The appearance of new desorption states upon the addition of sulfur to Ni(100) can be attributed to the occupation of four-fold hollow and modified bridge-bonded species produced by the presence of sulfur. The observed kinetics of desorption from these surfaces is very sensitive to the initial binding site distribution of the adsorbed CO. Adsorbing at 100 K without anneal leads to a reduction in the measured desorption energy, except at the highest sulfur coverages studied. Apparently, relaxation of the adsorbed phase from a nonequilibrium distribution among sites on the surface during temperature programmed desorption is incomplete, leading to stronger repulsive interactions on the average and reduced desorption energies following adsorption at low temperature.
Determining relative error bounds for the CVBEM

Abstract The Complex Variable Boundary Element Methods provides a measure of relative error which can be utilized to subsequently reduce the error or provide information for further modeling analysis. By maximizing the relative error norm on each boundary element, a bound on the total relative error for each boundary element can be evaluated. This bound can be utilized to test CVBEM convergence, to analyze the effects of additional boundary nodal points in reducing the modeling error, and to evaluate the sensitivity of resulting modeling error within a boundary element from the error produced in another boundary element as a function of geometric distance.
University Evolution Education: The Effect of Evolution Instruction on Biology Majors’ Content Knowledge, Attitude Toward Evolution, and Theistic Position

Issues regarding understanding of evolution and resistance to evolution education in the United States are of key importance to biology educators at all levels. While research has measured student views toward evolution at single points in time, few studies have been published investigating whether views of college seniors are any different than first-year students in the same degree program. Additionally, students choosing to major in biological sciences have largely been overlooked, as if their acceptance of evolution is assumed. This study investigated the understanding of evolution and attitude toward evolution held by students majoring in biological science during their first and fourth years in a public research university. Participants included students in a first-year introductory biology course intended for biological science majors and graduating seniors earning degrees in either biology or genetics. The portion of the survey reported here consisted of quantitative measures of students’ understanding of core concepts of evolution and their attitude toward evolution. The results indicate that students’ understanding of particular evolutionary concepts is significantly higher among seniors, but their attitude toward evolution is only slightly improved compared to their first-year student peers. When comparing first-year students and seniors, students’ theistic position was not significantly different.
Nonlinear response and thermomechanochemical degradation of a urethane elastomer

We have studied the failure of a urethane elastomer due to cyclic compressive loading, using loading frequencies and specimen sizes for which internal heat generation is an important factor. The eventual failures were generally manifest by internal cracks growing transverse to the loading direction. A variety of experimental analyses indicate that this failure is primarily thermal, in that the temperature rise due to viscous dissipation eventually leads to a melting of the hard segment domains which act to reinforce the material. No strong indication of thermal or thermomechanical bond scission was obtained, although a progressive reduction in the rubbery modulus was noted.
Detection of Cognitive Malingering or Suboptimal Effort in Defendants Undergoing Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations

The present study evaluated the usefulness of two popular tests of cognitive malingering in a real-life forensic setting. Only 25 of 166 defendants referred for competency to stand trial evaluations claimed to have memory problems. Compared with the rest of the defendants, these individuals had a significantly higher incidence of affective disorders and lower incidence of psychotic disorders. Almost half failed both the Rey 15-Item Test (RFT) and the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), and 64% failed one or both. Seven of the eight suspected malingerers diagnosed with psychotic disorders failed both the RFT and TOMM. The incidence of psychotic disorders was significantly higher in those who failed the RFT than those who passed and somewhat higher in those who failed the TOMM than those who passed. The possibility that some defendants scored below the recommended cutoff scores because of intellectual limitations or concentration problems stemming from their psychotic illness is discussed.
ANTENATAL PHENOBARBITAL FOR PREVENTION OF NEONATAL INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

Eighteen mothers in premature labor <35 week gestation were enrolled in a study to evaluate the effect of antenatal phenobarbital(PB) in preventing neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage.Mothers were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups; the treatment group received 500 mg PB administered intravenously.Maternal and cord blood PB levels were measured at delivery. Echoencephalograms were performed on days 3 and 14 and hemorrhage graded as mild, moderate and severe.
Feasibility of using constructed treatment wetlands for municipal wastewater treatment in the Bogotá Savannah, Colombia

The main water bodies in the Bogota Savannah have been seriously polluted due to the mismanagement of domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastewater. While there are a number of wastewater treatment facilities in the region, most do not function properly. There is a great need for inexpensive and sustainable wastewater treatment systems that are not technologically sophisticated and that do not require intensive management. The main goal of this study was to quantify the performance and sustainability of treatment wetlands and existing wastewater treatment systems in this region. Using data from the literature, a treatment wetland model was developed, which focused on pollutant removal. The modeled performance was compared to a system of waste stabilization ponds and a sequencing batch reactor. The three systems were subject to cost analysis and an emergy evaluation, leading to the assessment of indicators of cost-benefit for comparison. The economic analysis suggested that the net annual cost of the treatment wetland was US$ 14,672, compared to US$ 14,201 for the stabilization ponds and US$ 54,887 for the batch reactor. The emergy evaluations show that the ponds have the lowest annual emergy flow (6.65 + 16 sej/yr), followed by the constructed wetland (2.88E+17 sej/yr) and the batch reactor (8.86E+17 sej/yr). These results were combined to estimate treatment ratios (contaminants removed per lifetime cost, and contaminants removed per total emergy), cost ratios (cost per volume of water, annual cost per capita, and construction cost per capita), and emergy ratios (treatment yield, renewable emergy, lifetime emprice, construction emprice, non-renewable emergy, empower density, environmental loading, total emergy per volume of water, and emergy per capita).
Zinc-induced metallothionein and copper metabolism in intestinal mucosa, liver, and kidney of rats

Abstract Large doses of parenteral zinc (Zn) and/or the feeding of high Zn diets to animals or humans for long periods affects copper (Cu) metabolism. Previous work suggests that Zn-induced metallothionein (MT) in intestinal epithelial cells binds Cu and inhibits its absorption. This study was designed to determine the effects of treating rats with high dietary or parenteral Zn on Cu metabolism and its relationship to MT in the intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney. Six-week-old male rats were fed for one week a control diet containing 42 mg Zn and 6 mg Cu/kg. They were then divided into three groups. One group continued to receive the control diet while another received a similar diet containing 560 mg Zn/kg. A third group, fed the control diet, received a subcutaneous dose of 90 mg Zn/kg body weight every 2–3 days for the duration of the experiment. Rats from each group were killed on days 7 and 14. Low Cu status in Zn-treated rats was indicated by lower than normal serum Cu concentration, serum ceruloplasmin activity, low liver and kidney Cu concentrations and low cytochrome C oxidase activity. None of these changes, however, were related to an increase in Cu as a result of Zn-induced MT in the intestinal epithelial cell. Instead, as the MT concentrations rose, Cu concentration decreased. This study suggests that the effects of high Zn treatment on Cu status are not the result of the long-held theory that Zn-induced intestinal MT sequesters Cu and prevents its passage to the circulation. Instead, it may be caused by a direct effect of high lumenal Zn concentrations on Cu transport into the epithelial cell.
A dynamic-optimization model of foreign borrowing: A case study of Thailand

Abstract This article assesses alternative foreign-borrowing strategies for Thailand using a medium-term dynamic optimization model. The model has five sectors: rubber, other agriculture, manufacturing, services, and construction. All markets clear with endogenous domestic prices. The model solution is a set of annual borrowing and investment levels, which through a general-equilibrium system determine domestic output, trade flows, and consumption, and that are chosen so as to maximize welfare. This model is applied to an analysis of the historical strategy taken by Thailand between 1975 and 1981. We find that Thailand may indeed have overborrowed toward the end of the 1970s and attribute the divergence of the actual and the optimal borrowing paths partly to inaccurate expectations on the timing and duration of shocks and partly to government policies that distorted market forces. The analysis suggests that robust foreign-borrowing stratergies should be based on an understanding of the structure of the economy, its flexibility in adjusting to shocks, on expectations of future events, and on lender's behavior. The endogenous and simultaneous nature of the interactions of key macrovariables cannot be overemphasized. Thus, the borrowing strategy must be made consistent with fiscal, monetary, and commercial policies.
Enhancing Radiotherapy With Genetically Engineered Viruses

Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been used to treat a variety of tumors to improve local control and overall survival. Gene therapy strategies represent a novel means to further improve the therapeutic ratio of ionizing radiation. Cancer gene therapy strategies in clinical trials include the use of replication-defective shuttle vectors to deliver exogenous genes and replication-competent oncolytic viruses. This review focuses on these approaches in the context of radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy. In the shuttle vector approach, exogenous gene products that enhance ionizing radiation-mediated tumor cell destruction have been selected. Moreover, the expression of exogenous genes encoding therapeutic proteins can be regulated through the use of ionizing radiation-enhanced promoters. Also, genetically engineered attenuated replication-competent viruses have been investigated in clinical trials. Preclinical data indicate that ionizing radiation interacts with replication-competent oncolytic viruses to enhance viral replication and tumor destruction. Here, we review the background preclinical and current clinical data utilizing gene therapy with radiotherapy.
Application of an Optical Beam Condenser for UV-Vis Spectral Studies on Monoclinic LnPO4 Single Crystals:

The application of an optical beam condenser was made for the purpose of measuring Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, τλ, on single crystals of monoclinic lanthanide orthophosphates, LnPO4. Intensity parameters were calculated from absorbance data obtained with the beam condenser on crystals having cross sections and pathlengths in the range of 3.0 to 5.0 mm2 and 0.4 to 0.8 mm, respectively. Interpretation of the results related to the environment of the lanthanide ion as well as the crystal structure is presented.
Melt motion in a Czochralski puller with a weak transverse magnetic field

Abstract The melt motion in a Czochralski silicon crystal puller with a uniform transverse magnetic field is intrinsically three-dimensional. When the magnetic field is relatively weak, the motion consists of an axisymmetric base solution, plus two perturbations which behave as sin 2θ and cos 2θ, neglecting terms which are proportional to the fourth power of the magnetic field strength. A 700 G magnetic field stabilizes a melt motion which is unsteady without a magnetic field. As the strength of the magnetic field increases, the magnitudes of the axial and radial velocities increase to maxima at some field strength above 1000 G. This contrasts with an axial magnetic field for which the axial and radial velocities always decrease as the field strength increases. We estimate that 1500 G is the maximum field strength for which our weak-field asymptotic solution is valid.
Conservation, Displacement and Livelihoods. The Consequences of the Eviction for Pastoralists Moved from the Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania

In northeast Tanzania there is a moderate-sized game reserve with many birds and a superabundance of beetles (Map 1). It is called Mkomazi. It attracts few tourists and little revenue, but it has been the subject of controversy within Tanzania and internationally. The reserve has long been contested by people who wished to use it and those promoting the interest of wildlife, who wanted it restored as a wildlife sanctuary. In the late 1980s the wildlife interests prevailed; large numbers of people, many of them pastoralists, were evicted from the reserve. Mkomazi is another example to add to the catalogue of lost East African pastures, and in particular, another case of land lost to conservation. What are the effects of such evictions? The incidents of land loss to conservation, and the history and politics of struggles over them, are well recorded; but surprisingly there is little material that deals with the practical changes that result. In this paper I examine some of the consequences of eviction from Mkomazi. I focus on the changes resulting to the livestock economy at the district and household level; then I consider the opposition to the moves and international reports about them. I argue here that eviction and loss of grazing land had a detrimental effect on the livestock economy, and that livelihoods have changed as a result. The livelihood changes serve to underline the resilience of rural peoples’ response to impoverishment.
Abnormalities of detrusor and sphincter function in multiple sclerosis.

Summary Bladder and urethral function was studied in 52 patients with multiple sclerosis using gascystometry combined with sphincter electromyography. 96% of the patients showed abnormalities of either detrusor or sphincter function. The abnormal patterns discovered indicated demyelinating lesions in the corticospinal as well as in the reticulospinal tract. Urgency and urge-incontinence were the predominant symptoms, whereas no signs of involvement of the upper urinary tract was found. The use of gas-cystometry provides a fast and differentiated method for assessment of the detrusor function.
Cure of mice bearing a late-stage, highly metastatic, drug-resistant tumor by adoptive chemoimmunotherapy

We show here that in contrast to BALB/c mice bearing a late-stage, large MOPC-315 plasmacytoma, BALB/c mice bearing a late-stage, large RPC-5 plasmacytoma were not cured by cyclophosphamide therapy (15, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg). However, most BALB/c mice bearing a late-stage RPC-5 tumor were cured by cyclophosphamide therapy (100 mg/kg) in conjunction with adoptive immunotherapy using tumor-infiltrated spleen cells (TISpC) that had been cultured with inactivated RPC-5 tumor cells plus polyethylene glycol 6000, even though this protocol was not effective for the therapy of mice bearing a barely palpable, early-stage RPC-5 tumor. Only a few of the mice that were cured of a late-stage RPC-5 tumor following adoptive chemoimmunotherapy (ACIT) were resistant to a subsequent challenge with RPC-5 tumor cells. However, the challenged mice that had developed progressively growing tumors could then be cured by cyclophosphamide alone when the tumor became large, even though this treatment was not curative for mice bearing a tumor of similar size but not previously treated by ACIT. Thus, the cure by ACIT of BALB/c mice bearing a lethal, late-stage RPC-5 tumor with extensive metastases provides a novel experimental tumor model for investigating the mechanisms by which a chemotherapeutic drug and adoptive cellular immunotherapy can cooperate in causing the complete regression of a large tumor load.
Factors Associated With External and Internal Lymphedema in Patients With Head-and-Neck Cancer

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the presence of secondary external and internal lymphedema in patients with head-and-neck cancer (HNC). Methods and Materials The sample included 81 patients ≥3 months after HNC treatment. Physical and endoscopic examinations were conducted to determine if participants had external, internal, and/or combined head-and-neck lymphedema. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with the presence of lymphedema. Results The following factors were statistically significantly associated with presence of lymphedema: ( 1 ) location of tumor associated with presence of external ( P =.009) and combined lymphedema ( P =.032); ( 2 ) time since end of HNC treatment associated with presence of external ( P =.004) and combined lymphedema ( P =.005); ( 3 ) total dosage of radiation therapy ( P =.010) and days of radiation ( P =.017) associated with the presence of combined lymphedema; ( 4 ) radiation status of surgical bed was associated with the presence of internal lymphedema, including surgery with postoperative radiation ( P =.030) and (salvage) surgery in the irradiated field ( P =.008); and ( 5 ) number of treatment modalities associated with external ( P =.002), internal ( P =.039), and combined lymphedema ( P =.004). No demographic, health behavior-related, or comorbidity factors were associated with the presence of lymphedema in the sample. Conclusions Select tumor and treatment parameters are associated with increased occurrence of lymphedema in patients with HNC. Larger and longitudinal studies are needed to identify adjusted effects and causative risk factors contributing to the development of lymphedema in patients with HNC.
The Technical Aspects of Laparoscopic Repair of Diaphragmatic Defects in Neonates and Infants

Purpose: To present our experience with minimally invasive surgery for central and left-sided diaphragmatic defects in the neonate and infants.Methods: For congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the laparoscopic technique is helped by a port position well out in the left flank, a hitch stitch to hold the posterior muscle shelf forward during the repair, and the patient positioned with the head up and the left side rotated well forwards. For hemi-diaphragmatic palsy, in addition, two rows of plication could be achieved only after the left lobe of the liver had been detached from the diaphragm. For Morgagni hernia, the defect was closed with muscle-to-muscle sutures, with the patient supine.Results: Four patients, ranging in age from a neonate to 18 months, underwent successful primary laparoscopic repair of one Morgagni hernia, one hemi-diaphragmatic palsy, and two diaphragmatic hernias. Presenting symptoms ranged from minor, to one neonate requiring ventilatory support. The maximum length of stay after su...
On the History of Lacunes, Etat criblé, and the White Matter Lesions of Vascular Dementia

The history of lesions associated with vascular dementia (17th to 19th century) is reviewed. Recognition of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke types dates back to the 17th century; however, at that time
Comparison of Saline Contrast and Color Doppler Echocardiography in the Detection of Right to Left Atrial Shunt in Newborn Infants

Comparison of Saline Contrast and Color Doppler Echocardiography in the Detection of Right to Left Atrial Shunt in Newborn Infants
Synthesis and structural characterization of the molecular loop [cis-Mo2(N,N′-di-p-anisylformamidinate)2]2(O2C–CHCCH–CO2)2

Abstract A new molecular loop composed of two quadruply bonded Mo2(DAniF)2 units (DAniF=N,N′-di-p-anisylformamidinate) linked by two chiral allene-1,3-dicarboxylate anions has been prepared from the reaction of [cis-Mo2(DAniF)2(MeCN)4](BF4)2 with the bis(tetraethylammonium) salt of allene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid. This compound, [cis-Mo2(DAniF)2]2(O2C–CHCCH–CO2)2 (1), has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and by 1H NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The molecule possesses a center of inversion and hence is meso. There is only weak electronic coupling between the two Mo2 4+ units as revealed by electrochemical measurements.
The susceptibility of monkey kidney cells to poliovirus in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract A comparison of the reaction to poliovirus by kidney cells in vivo and in vitro showed that the kidneys of rhesus or cynomolgus monkeys failed to support the multiplication of Y-SK virus when inoculated in vivo , but cells from these kidneys were highly susceptible in vitro . This is in contrast to the cells of capuchin monkeys which were resistant in vitro as well as in vivo . The inoculation of monkeys with cortisone did not enhance their in vivo susceptibility to virus. There was also no significant difference in the susceptibility of cultures derived from such animals as compared with those from control animals. The inoculation of the kidneys of living animals with virus suspended in trypsin also did not increase the susceptibility of the kidneys in vivo . The in vitro sensitivity of the susceptible kidney cells from animals inoculated in vivo was shown also by the fact that in several instances, when virus could not be detected in the supernatant fluids of kidney homogenates, virus could usually be found in cultures made from the other kidneys of these animals. Cells from the kidneys of a rhesus monkey inoculated 24 hours previously were plated by the plaque technique to determine the number of infectious centers. The number of plaques obtained by titration of a portion of these cells disrupted by homogenization was not significantly different. This was interpreted to mean that virus was not growing in the cells in vivo even to a limited extent but that virus was most likely adsorbed to the cells during the process of trypsinization.
Smoking and the Asian American workforce in the National Latino and Asian American Study

Background Smoking among the Asian American workforce has not been extensively researched. This study examines smoking prevalence among a nationally representative sample of Asian Americans with an emphasis on occupational classification. Methods Cross-sectional data come from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine smoking prevalence by occupation, gender, and nativity, among 1,528 participants self-identifying as in the labor force. Results Blue collar workers reported the highest smoking prevalence (32%) followed by unemployed (19%), other (17%), service (14%), and white collar (10%). Among both employed males and females, blue collar workers had the highest prevalence (45% and 18%, respectively). By nativity, smoking was highest among blue collar workers for immigrants (25%) and highest among the unemployed for U.S. born (16%). Blue collar employment was significantly associated with being a current smoker (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.23–5.16; P < 0.05) controlling for demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnic group, nativity, etc.). Conclusions Findings reveal that smoking differs by occupation among Asian Americans. Future research should examine factors explaining differences while considering gender and nativity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:171–178 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Uniaxial strain in molecular nanowires: A case study of β-phase polyfluorenes

The response of flexible organic semiconducting fluorene nanowires to structural manipulation and adsorption-induced uniaxial strain is investigated using first-principles methods. In agreement with experiments, the calculated shifts in transition energies of strained planar fluorenes do not lead to a molecular phase change but are modified according to whether deformations promote or suppress conjugation along the backbone. We identify two energetically identical modes for compressing the molecule, which cause shifts in opposite directions, depending on the impact of the deformation on the strength of conjugation. We also consider surface adsorption as a practical means for inducing strain. Although the polymer can be linearly extended through mismatch with the surface lattice, properties are likely to be dominated by local compressed regions.
Gelatinization Profiles of Peruvian Carrot, Cocoyam and Potato Starches as Measured with the Brabender Viscoamylograph, Rapid Visco-Analyzer, and Differential Scanning Calorimeter

The high starch content of underground storage organs of the tropical plants Peruvian carrot (Arracaccia xanthorrhiza B.) and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) are an unexploited source of food and industrial starches. Some of their functional properties were determined using the Brabender Viscoamylograph (BV), Rapid Visco-Analyzer (RVA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). BV and RVA pasting properties compared well for all three starches; gelatinization temperature ranges determined by DSC were lower than their BV and RVA counterparts. All starches formed clear pastes. The lower viscosities of Peruvian carrot and cocoyam pastes than that of potato starch suggest they might have applications in food systems requiring clarity at high solids concentrations.
Preparation of the octahedral d(6) amido complex TpRu(CO)(PPh(3))(NHPh) (Tp = Hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate): solid-state structural characterization and reactivity.

The reaction of TpRu(CO)(PPh3)(OTf) (2) with LiNHPh affords the amido complex TpRu(CO)(PPh3)(NHPh) (3) in 88% isolated yield. The amido complex 3 has been characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and a solid-state X-ray diffraction study. Variable temperature NMR studies have revealed a rotational barrier around the ruthenium−amido nitrogen bond of 3 of 12 kcal/mol (transformation of the major isomer to the minor isomer). The solid-state structure of 3 discloses a pyramidal amido moiety. Heating benzene solutions of the amido complex 3 and 1,4-cyclohexadiene or 9,10-dihydroanthracene results in no observable reaction. Reaction of complex 2 with excess aniline yields [TpRu(CO)(PPh3)(NH2Ph)][OTf] (4).
Spatial distribution and redistribution of immigrants in the metropolitan United States, 1980 and 1990.

"Using data from the 1980 and 1990 5 percent [U.S.] Public Use Microdata Samples, I compare the settlement patterns and reasons for migration among foreign-born cohorts.... Although it is not possible to follow individuals over the two periods, aggregate changes in group location and migration patterns can be evaluated. Both period (differences associated with migration over time) and cohort (differences in migration behavior across arrival cohorts within a particular period) effects can be modeled. Of interest are the distribution, redistribution, and magnitude of change in the immigrant settlement system, along with why these adjustments occur for the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Results indicate that arrival cohorts of different vintages show contrasting responses to the determinants of settlement and migration behavior, although the overall distribution of the foreign-born population changed little over the two census periods."
Plasmid Replicon Typing of Commensal and Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates

Despite the critical role of plasmids in horizontal gene transfer, few studies have characterized plasmid relatedness among different bacterial populations. Recently, a multiplex PCR replicon typing protocol was developed for classification of plasmids occurring in members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Here, a simplified version of this replicon typing procedure which requires only three multiplex panels to identify 18 plasmid replicons is described. This method was used to screen 1,015 Escherichia coli isolates of avian, human, and poultry meat origin for plasmid replicon types. Additionally, the isolates were assessed for their content of several colicin-associated genes. Overall, a high degree of plasmid variability was observed, with 221 different profiles occurring among the 1,015 isolates examined. IncFIB plasmids were the most common type identified, regardless of the source type of E. coli. IncFIB plasmids occurred significantly more often in avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and retail poultry E. coli (RPEC) than in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and avian and human fecal commensal E. coli isolates (AFEC and HFEC, respectively). APEC and RPEC were also significantly more likely than UPEC, HFEC, and AFEC to possess the colicin-associated genes cvaC, cbi, and/or cma in conjunction with one or more plasmid replicons. The results suggest that E. coli isolates contaminating retail poultry are notably similar to APEC with regard to plasmid profiles, with both generally containing multiple plasmid replicon types in conjunction with colicin-related genes. In contrast, UPEC and human and avian commensal E. coli isolates generally lack the plasmid replicons and colicin-related genes seen in APEC and RPEC, suggesting limited dissemination of such plasmids among these bacterial populations.
Monomerization as a prerequisite for intramolecular cleavage and shedding of the thyrotropin receptor.

The TSH receptor (TSHR) undergoes intramolecular cleavage of the ectodomain yielding a two-subunit structure on the cell surface. Subsequently, the TSHR ectodomains (the -o r Asubunits) are shed from the cell surface. In this study we first confirmed TSHR -subunit shedding from tagged-TSHR transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. We found that TSH exacerbatedthisphenomenonofTSHRsubunitshedding.The 125 I-TSH cross-linking technique has been suggested as useful in the assessment of dynamic changes in TSHR processing. In our hands this technique did not detect any enhancement of cleavage by TSH. However, we found that the cross-linking method had an inherent insensitivity for studying receptor dynamics as exhibited by its inability to detect even major degrees of TSHR down-regulation. We, therefore, used a cellbased, double-antibody, flow cytometric immunoassay to quantitate TSHR cleavage in real time. We then found that different lines of Chinese hamster ovary TSHR cells, when treated with TSH, showed a time- and dose-dependent increase in TSHR cleavage in addition to ectodomain shedding. We previously reported that monoclonal TSHR stimulating antibody (MS-1) did not always act like TSH. In particular, MS-1didnotenhanceTSHRcleavage.However,whenweused the Fab fragment of MS-1, we were able to induce cleavage in a similar time frame to TSH. These results suggested that the intact bivalent antibody immobilized the TSHRs in their multimeric state and inhibited intramolecular cleavage. In support of these observations, fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching measurements demonstrated a greater increase in TSHR mobility with MS-1 Fab fragments than with the intact MS-1 IgG. In conclusion, these data indicated that monomer formation from multimeric TSHRs might be an important requirement for TSHR cleavage and TSHR ectodomain shedding. (Endocrinology 145: 5580–5588, 2004)
Finding Genes in DNA Using Decision Trees and Dynamic Programming

This study demonstrates the use of decision tree classifiers as the basis for a general gene-finding system. The system uses a dynamic programming algorithm that finds the optimal segmentation of a DNA sequence into coding and non-coding regions (exons and introns). The optimality property is dependent on a separate scoring function that takes a subsequence and assigns to it a score reflecting the probability that the sequence is an exon. In this study, the scoring functions were sets of decision trees and rules that were combined to give the probability estimate. Experimental results on a newly collected database of human DNA sequences are encouraging, and some new observations about the structure of classifiers for the gene-finding problem have emerged from this study. We also provide descriptions of a new probability chain model that produces very accurate filters to find donor and acceptor sites.