cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and properties of human transferrin C and a slow moving genetic variant.

Abstract Human transferrin C and a genetic variant found by a starch gel electrophoresis screening program were purified and compared structurally. Isolation combined two bulk fractionations, with the use of rivanol and ammonium sulfate, with the more selective procedures of Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and diethylaminoethyl Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography. Transferrin C and the variant were separated during the latter. The product obtained was homogeneous in the ultracentrifuge (s20,w = 5.1 S), in free boundary electrophoresis at several pH values (mobility = -3.03 and -3.63 units for apo- and ferritransferrins C, respectively, in pH 8.6 Veronal; isoelectric point, pI, of apotransferrin C = 5.5), in immunoelectrophoresis, and in starch gel electrophoresis. Amino acid analyses agreed with published data but failed to reveal differences between the two varieties. The peptide map of the Caucasian variant D-G.F. contains all the peptide spots seen in the map from transferrin C and a single additional spot not seen in the latter. The peptide is neutral at pH 6.5 and fails to stain for arginine, histidine, or tyrosine. This variant peptide is assumed to arise from one of two overlapping peptides, from the unresolved "core," or from a peptide produced from two distinct parts of the molecule.
Perinatal morbidity associated with late preterm deliveries compared with deliveries between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation.

ObjectiveTo estimate the risk of short-term complications in neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks by week of gestation.DesignThis is a retrospective cohort study.SettingDeliveries in 2005 in the United States of America.PopulationSingleton live births between 34 and 40 weeks gestational age.MethodsGestational age was subgrouped into 34, 35, 36 and 37–40 completed weeks. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression models, with 37–40 weeks gestational age designated as referent.Main Outcome MeasuresPerinatal morbidities, including 5-minute Apgar scores, hyaline membrane disease, neonatal sepsis/antibiotics use, and admission to the intensive care unit.ResultsThere were 175,112 neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks in 2005. Compared to neonates born between 37 and 40 weeks, neonates born at 34 weeks had higher odds of 5-minute Apgar 6 hours (aOR=9.78 [8.99–10.6]) and antibiotics use (aOR=9.00 [8.43–9.60]). Neonates born at 35 weeks were similarly at risk of morbidity, with higher odds of 5-minute Apgar 6 hours (aOR 5.53 [5.11–5.99] and NICU admission (aOR 11.3 [11.0–11.7). Further, neonates born at 36 weeks remain at higher risk of morbidity compared to deliveries at 37–40 weeks.ConclusionsWhile the risk of undesirable neonatal outcomes decreases with increasing gestational age, the risk of neonatal complications in late preterm births remains higher compared to infants delivered at 37–40 weeks gestation.
Modulation of sensory input to the spinal cord by presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors

Sensory input from peripheral nerves to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord is mediated by a variety of agents released by the central terminals of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. These include, but are not limited to, amino acids, especially glutamate, peptides and purines. The unraveling of the mechanisms of synaptic transmission by central terminals of DRG neurons has to take into account various ways in which the message from the periphery can be modulated at the level of the first central synapse. These include postsynaptic and presynaptic mechanisms. Homomeric and heteromeric complexes of receptor subunits for the different transmitters released by DRG neurons and interneurons, clustered at the postsynaptic site of central synapses, can be expressed in different combinations and their rate of insertion into the postsynaptic membrane is activity-regulated. Inhibitory mechanisms are an important part of central modulation, especially via presynaptic inhibition, currently believed to involve GABA released by inhibitory intrinsic neurons. Recent work has established the occurrence of another way by which sensory input can be modulated, i.e. the expression of presynaptic ionotropic and metabotropic receptors in central terminals of DRG neurons. Microscopic evidence for the expression, in these terminals, of various subunits of ionotropic glutamate receptors documents the selective expression of glutamate receptors in functionally different DRG afferents. Electrophysiological and pharmacological data suggest that activation of presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors in central terminals of DRG neurons may result in inhibition of release of glutamate by the same terminals. Glutamate activating presynaptic receptors may spill over from the same or adjacent synapses, or may be released by processes of astroglial cells surrounding synaptic terminals. The wide expression of presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors, especially in superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, where Adelta- and C fibers terminate, provides an additional or alternative mechanism, besides GABA-mediated presynaptic inhibition, for the modulation of glutamate release by these fibers. Since, however, presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors are also expressed in terminals of GABAergic intrinsic interneurons, a decrease of GABA release resulting from activation of these receptors in the same laminae, may also play a role in central sensitization and hyperalgesia.
Case 164: Funicular type of spermatic cord hydrocele.

Differentiation of funicular hydrocele from simple scrotal hydrocele with US is essential, as the management of these entities is different.
Fabrication and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite-Magnesium Composite Thin Films on Magnesium Plates for Implant Applications

Hydroxyapatite (HA)-magnesium (Mg) composite thin films were grown on magnesium substrates using a multitarget pulsed laser deposition technique. The microstructural and corrosion properties of HA-Mg composite thin films were investigated using methods such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis, and potentiodynamic polarization. While the XRD studies have indicated the amorphous nature of the HA-Mg composite coating, SEM and EDX studies have shown that the composite films are stoichiometric. The potentiodynamic polarization study indicates that the corrosion of magnesium decreases with increase in the hydroxyapatite content in the composite film. The corrosion potential (Ecorr) and corrosion current density (Icorr) for the uncoated magnesium, 30HA-70Mg, and 50HA-50Mg coated magnesium are −1.59, −1.57, −1.54 V and 1.21×10−5, 1.38×10−6, 2.52×10−7 A/cm2, respectively. Preliminary cytotoxicity test conducted on the samples shows no adverse effect on human bone marrow stromal cells. The advantage of the composite coatings is the realization of adjustable corrosion and biological properties by a simple maneuvering of composition which in turn is realized by changing the number of laser pulses on a respective target.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Radiation-induced ignition of condensed fuels in a ceiling fire including effects of radiation blockage

Abstract Effects of thermal radiation blockage due to an absorbing-emitting layer formed below the ceiling on ignition of the floor materials are studied. The analysis employs a relatively simple but realistic model under one-dimensional and quasi-steady-state conditions. Calculated ignition delay times compare favorably with experimental data and temperature histories of the floor influenced by radiation blockage are obtained. Generally valid relationships between ignition delay times and radiative heat fluxes are obtained for typical polymer fuels such as PMMA and PS, and the applicability of the present analysis is discussed.
Phylogenomic Analysis of the Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase Gene Family in Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda L.)

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a key enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway. PAL genes are less extensively studied in gymnosperms than angiosperms. Our interest in the PAL genes in Pinus taeda stems from their potential role in pine defense mechanisms. Despite the number of characterized gymnosperm PAL genes, the functional diversity of these and the extensive transcriptome data available for Pinus taeda, only one PAL gene had been characterized in P. taeda. Here, we present an extensive phylogenomics analysis of the PAL gene family in P. taeda including identification of five distinct paralogs. Assembly coverage and expression profiles are variable among the five PAL genes in P. taeda. A phylogenetic analysis revealed a unique evolutionary history for the PAL genes in gymnosperms including origin of a distinct "gymnosperm" PAL gene clade. A reconciliation method was used to map ancestral duplication events and lineage-specific duplication. Molecular evolutionary analysis of the gymnosperm genes showed shifts in selective constraints following gene duplications.
Responses of mesothoracic motor neurons to giant interneuron stimulation in the cockroach

1. During wind-evoked turning in the cockroach the mesothoracic (T2) legs tend to move in antiphase with the ipsilateral metathoracic (T3) legs, although this relationship is not absolute. 2. Intracellular stimulation of giant interneurons coupled with extracellular records from leg nerves 6Br4 and 5r1 indicate some substantial differences between the responses in T2 and those in T3. 3. In T2 there is a predominance of depressor outputs for all dGIs, whereas, in T3 the biases between dGIs are more balanced. Thus, taking the responses of all dGIs into consideration, levator and depressor motor neurons should be equally excited in T3 but not in T2. 4. Also, in T2 there is more variability in the responses than in T3. Although most motor responses in T2 involve initial depressor activity, some cases were found for each dGI in which levator activity consistently preceded depressor activation and some cases where both sets of motor neurons responded essentially at the same time. 5. These data suggest that, in response to GI activity, more factors may be involved in determining the direction of leg movement in T2 than in T3.
Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis

The expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor (uPAR) correlates with the malignant phenotype of various cancers. The soluble form of uPAR (s-uPAR) is present in the circulation of cancer patients, but the role of s-uPAR in endothelial cell migration is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the role of tumor-associated s-uPAR on endothelial cell motility and angiogenesis. Here, we present evidence that tumor-associated s-uPAR augments the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). When grown on tumor-conditioned medium, the membrane fraction of HUVECs had increased localization of s-uPAR onto its cell membrane. Colocalization studies for GM1 ganglioside receptor and uPAR further demonstrated s-uPAR recruitment onto lipid rafts of HUVECs. Immunoblot analysis for uPAR in lipid raft fractions confirmed s-uPAR recruiting onto HUVECs' membrane. Further, s-uPAR induced Rac1-mediated cell migration while either function-blocking uPAR antibodies or dominant-negative mutant Rac1 expression in HUVECs-mitigated s-uPAR-enhanced cell migration. In addition, orthotopic implantation of uPAR-overexpressing cells resulted in a significant increase in circulating s-uPAR in blood serum and invasive nature of tumor and tumor vasculature in mice. Collectively, this data provide insight into tumor-associated s-uPAR-directed migration of endothelial cells and its subsequent influence on tumor angiogenesis.
Studies on the nucleus of giant cells of Micrococcus cryophilus

The minimum haploid chromosome number of Micrococcus cryophilus is two. The chromosomes have been identified at two successive nuclear divisions on the basis ot their relative lengths. Giant cells of M. cryophilus are considered to be diploid and to arise by some form of cellular and nuclear fusion. In the course of two nuclear divisions, they give rise to four haploid cells.
Uniformity in the strong convergence of self-adjoint operators

The purpose of this note is to give a consequence of a theorem of Rellich [3, p. 6841. Rellich showed that if a sequence of self-adjoint operators H, over a Hilbert space H converges strongly to the self-adjoint operator H in the generalized sense, then the resolutions of the identity E,(X) of H, converge strongly to the resolution of the identity E(h) of H for all h which are not point eigenvalues of H. We will show that the convergence of i?,(h) x to E(h) x is in fact uniform in h for all vectors x belonging to the continuous subspace of the operator H. This result is analogous to a theorem in probability theory, sometimes known as Polya’s theorem, which states that if a sequence of distribution functions F,(x) converges weakly to a continuous distribution function F(x) then the convergence is uniform [1 , p. 2681.
Myo‐Inositol Turnover in the Intact Rat Brain: Increased Production after d‐Amphetamine

Apparent turnover of myo-inositol in the brain of urethane-anesthetized rats was estimated in vivo from the rate of appearance of endogenous myo-inositol in the cerebroventricular compartment. Ventricular-cisternal perfusion technique combined with isotope dilution of [14C]myo-inositol was used to determine the rate of appearance of brain-produced myo-inositol and its modification by d-amphetamine. A mean value of 0.75 nmol/min was obtained for the rate of appearance in the cerebroventricular system. A dose-dependent increase in this rate was seen after the administration of d-amphetamine. The endogenous removal of myo-inositol from the perfusate was also studied and found to be mediated in part by a saturable transport system that was not influenced by d-amphetamine. The rate of entry of myo-inositol from blood to the cerebroventricular system was very low and accounted for only 2% of the total rate of appearance, indicating that the majority of myo-inositol in the rat cerebroventricular fluid originates in the brain.
Education's Stake In The Optics Industry

The stake that those involved in optics education programs have in the optics industry is discussed, and suggestions are made regarding desired outcomes that will help ensure the survival of these programs. Suggestions are also made for actions that should be taken to attain the desired outcomes.
Facilitating youth self-change through school-based intervention

Abstract Early interventions for youth with high rates of alcohol use have often suffered from lack of willing participation due to negative stereotypes about treatment and the impression that alcohol interventions are not developmentally relevant for adolescents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based voluntary secondary intervention for alcohol use (Project Options). 1254 high school students (55% girls; M age = 15.9, SD = 1.2) with a history of lifetime drinking completed survey measures after the first year of Project Options in 3 schools. These results suggest that the intervention was successful in recruiting high-frequency drinkers into the intervention as well as facilitating attempts to cut down or quit alcohol use in this group of adolescents. This study provides preliminary support for a consumer-based approach to alcohol intervention and design and use of voluntary secondary interventions in a school-based population.
Friedman versus hayek on private money: Review essay☆

Abstract ‘Few areas of economic activity can claim as long and unanimous a record of agreement on the appropriateness of governmental intervention as the supply of money.’ - Benjamin Klein (1974 , p. 423)
10-TW femtosecond laser plasma facility

The availability of ultrashort (100 fs) high intensity lasers capable of producing focused intensities in excess of 1018 W/cm2 provides many new opportunities in studying the interaction of radiation with matter. We describe a new laser plasma facility constructed around a Cr:LiSAF laser system currently capable of output energies of approximately 1 J in times of approximately 100 fs. This facility will be directed initially towards basic studies of the interaction of intense ultrashort laser pulses with dense plasmas, and the generation and application of intense hard x-ray point sources. The laser system we have developed for this facility, uses the new solid- state laser material, Cr:LiSAF. This material has many advantages for the generation of intense ultrashort laser pulses. The spectral gain bandwidth is sufficiently broad for the amplification of pulses shorter than 100 fs in duration. Its florescence lifetime is long enough to permit the use of conventional flashlamp pumping, and its emission cross- section is such that it provides small signal gains high enough to allow its use in high powered chirped pulsed amplification laser architectures. The material can now be fabricated into laser rods up to 25 mm in diameter with low scattering losses and its Cr concentrations can be varied to optimize the small signal gain for specific pump cavities. These factors taken together allow the design of a 100 fs high intensity oscillator-laser system that is simpler in architecture than those based on Ti:sapphire or KrF. Moreover the use of Cr:LiSAF laser crystal elements should enable the generation of much higher powers. In principle as high as 1 PW should be achievable with a laboratory with this approach. Modifications currently being implemented onto our Cr:LiSAF laser system include improvements to pulse contrast, energy extraction, beam uniformity and focusability. The system will soon be incorporated with a 52- port precision target chamber that will be equipped with a broad array of x ray and plasma diagnostics. Several research programs are being designed around this facility. Two of these programs, those relating to the use of hard x rays for the analysis of shock phenomena in solids and the general physics of extremely high magnetic fields are presented.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Labor of Listening

This exercise is designed to illustrate how challenging it is to listen. Although listening is an activity that people use more than speaking, reading, or writing, it is typically not afforded the same level of instruction and focus (Adler & Rodman, 2011). In addition, humans are subject to such continual and diverse stimuli; most do not even realize that they are poor listeners and that listening is hard. Students in particular spend the majority of their time in situations where listening is the primary activity they are engaging in and is key to their success, yet talk is the skill often more privileged than listening and explicitly taught. In this activity, students will take part in a class exercise that contrasts listening for information and listening for enjoyment, yet they are not aware of it until the activity has been completed and class discussion and debriefing has taken place. They will be able to recognize their behaviors and emotions when faced with paying attention to unfamiliar material.
Effects of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor on potential normal granulocyte donors

BACKGROUND: The use of granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (G–CSF) to increase the granulocyte count and the yield from leukapheresis in normal donors is leading to renewed interest in granulocyte transfusion. Therefore, it is important to understand the side effects of G–CSF. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied the effect of G–CSF on peripheral blood counts and recorded the side effects experienced 24 hours after an injection of G–CSF in normal subjects donating peripheral blood progenitor cells for research. RESULTS: Following administration of G–CSF to 261 donors, the neutrophil count increased to 20.6 to 24.5 × 109 per μL depending on the dose of G–CSF. This represented a 6.2 to 7.4-fold increase over the neutrophil count before G–CSF administration. Of all donors, 69 percent experienced one or more side effects. The most common effects were: muscle and bone pain, headache, fatigue, and nausea. There was a relationship between the dose of G–CSF and the likelihood of experiencing a side effect. Most side effects were mild, but about 75 percent of donors took analgesics because of them. CONCLUSIONS: In a granulocyte donation program involving G–CSF stimulation, about two-thirds of donors would experience one or more side effects, but these would usually be mild and well tolerated.
An Evaluation of Population Estimates in Florida: April 1, 2000

The housing unit (HU) method is the most commonly used method for making small-area population estimates in the United States. These estimates are used for a wide variety of budgeting, planning, and analytical purposes. Given their importance, periodic evaluations of their accuracy are essential. In this article, we evaluate the accuracy of a set of HU population estimates for counties and subcounty areas in Florida, as of April 1, 2000. We investigate the influence of differences in population size and growth rate on estimation errors; compare the accuracy of several alternative techniques for estimating each of the major components of the HU method; compare the accuracy of 2000 estimates with that of estimates produced in 1980 and 1990; compare the accuracy of HU population estimates with that of estimates derived from other estimation methods; consider the role of professional judgment and the use of averaging in the construction of population estimates; and explore the impact of controlling one set of estimates to another. Our results confirm a number of findings that have been reported before and provide empirical evidence on several issues that have received little attention in the literature. We conclude with several observations regarding future directions in population estimation research.
Control and room temperature optimization of energy efficient buildings

The building sector consumes a large part of the energy used in the United States and is responsible for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. It is therefore economically and environmentally important to reduce the building energy consumption to realize massive energy savings. In this paper, a method to control room temperature in buildings is proposed. The approach is based on a distributed parameter model represented by a three dimensional (3D) heat equation in a room with heater/cooler located at ceiling. The latter is resolved using finite element methods, and results in a model for room temperature with thousands of states. The latter is not amenable to control design. A reduced order model of only few states is then derived using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD). A Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) is computed based on the reduced model, and applied to the full order model to control room temperature.
Mechanistic studies of the radical SAM enzyme spore photoproduct lyase (SPL).

Abstract Spore photoproduct lyase (SPL) repairs a special thymine dimer 5-thyminyl-5,6-dihydrothymine, which is commonly called spore photoproduct or SP at the bacterial early germination phase. SP is the exclusive DNA photo-damage product in bacterial endospores; its generation and swift repair by SPL are responsible for the spores' extremely high UV resistance. The early in vivo studies suggested that SPL utilizes a direct reversal strategy to repair the SP in the absence of light. The research in the past decade further established SPL as a radical SAM enzyme, which utilizes a tri-cysteine CXXXCXXC motif to harbor a [4Fe–4S] cluster. At the 1 + oxidation state, the cluster provides an electron to the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which binds to the cluster in a bidentate manner as the fourth and fifth ligands, to reductively cleave the C S bond associated with the sulfonium ion in SAM, generating a reactive 5′-deoxyadenosyl (5′-dA) radical. This 5′-dA radical abstracts the proR hydrogen atom from the C6 carbon of SP to initiate the repair process; the resulting SP radical subsequently fragments to generate a putative thymine methyl radical, which accepts a back-donated H atom to yield the repaired TpT. SAM is suggested to be regenerated at the end of each catalytic cycle; and only a catalytic amount of SAM is needed in the SPL reaction. The H atom source for the back donation step is suggested to be a cysteine residue (C141 in Bacillus subtilis SPL), and the H-atom transfer reaction leaves a thiyl radical behind on the protein. This thiyl radical thus must participate in the SAM regeneration process; however how the thiyl radical abstracts an H atom from the 5′-dA to regenerate SAM is unknown. This paper reviews and discusses the history and the latest progress in the mechanistic elucidation of SPL. Despite some recent breakthroughs, more questions are raised in the mechanistic understanding of this intriguing DNA repair enzyme. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Radical SAM enzymes and Radical Enzymology.
Acceleration waves in elastic materials with two temperatures

Abstract In this paper, the general propagation condition for acceleration waves is derived for a class of elastic heat conductors with two distinct temperatures. The results show that the wave velocity is always greater than in the single-temperature theory and that every wave is homentropic.
Positive Postoperative CEA is a Strong Predictor of Recurrence for Patients After Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Background The role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in surveillance and follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer continues to be debated. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of postoperative CEA as a predictor of recurrence for patients with resected colorectal liver metastases (CLM).
Characterization and annealing of high-stroke monolithic gold MEMS deformable mirror for adaptive optics

Adaptive optics for the next generation of extremely large telescopes (30 - 50 meter diameter primary mirrors) requires high-stroke (10 microns), high-order (100x100) deformable mirrors at lower-cost than current technology. Lowering the cost while improving the performance of deformable mirrors is possible using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. In this paper the fabrication and testing of an array of high-stroke gold MEMS X-beam actuators attached to a continuous gold facesheet will be described. Both the actuator and the facesheet were fabricated monolithically in gold plated onto a thermally matched ceramic-glass substrate (WMS-15) using a high-aspect ratio fabrication process. Continuous facesheets that are deformed due to stress gradients have been annealed at high temperature and for an extended amount of time. The facesheet was flattened to the point where features such as etch holes and support post topography were easily distinguishable. Initial root-mean-square (RMS) topography at center of facesheet attached to a 16x16 X-beam actuator array with 1mm pitch was measured to be ~13.8μm. After annealing, the surface topography was measured to be ~1.0μm.
Microchips: The Illustrated Hitchhiker’s Guide to Analytical Microchips. Larry J. Kricka. Washington, DC: AACC Press, 2002, 104 pp., $25.00 ($20.00 AACC members), softcover. ISBN 1-890883-75-1.

Before there is a need to write a “Hitchhiker’s Guide” to nanotechnology for the clinical laboratory, the majority of us still pipetting by hand and extracting samples from 10-mL tubes of blood need this primer. Importantly, the current state of the art is with “microchips”. This compendium of colorful images and short text descriptions offers an overview and the necessary vocabulary to understand the volume of papers now being written about miniaturization technology for the clinical laboratory. However, it is my view that there is also a need to offer some context to these exciting new diagnostic tools: presently, microchips have very limited utility in making diagnoses, and the reason is simple—many of these devices do not work that well. The term “analytical microchips” embraces a host of technologies that have in common their generally small dimensions, similar principles of manufacturing, and the …
Dynesthetic and dentogenic concept revisited.

: The dynesthetic and dentogenic concept, when applied, provides a more natural, harmonious prosthesis, which not only is desired by patients, but also is a quality of care they deserve. Outstanding esthetics can be achieved by simple guidelines, using tooth molds specifically sculpted for males and females, arranging prosthetic teeth to correspond with personality and age and sculpting the matrix (visible denture base) with more natural contours. There is no reason for edentulous individuals to be provided with care of any less quality than that available with other procedures, such as crowns, bridges, veneers, or implant restorations. Providing this upscale product can be rewarding and satisfying to patient and operator alike. This concept produces superior results no matter what posterior occlusal scheme is employed but, in the opinion of the author, works best when used in conjunction with a noninterceptive linear occlusion approach (not to be confused with lingualized occlusion), which precludes anterior contact. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dentogenics provides an approach to esthetics in prosthodontics that enables the dentist to create a restoration in harmony with the patient's objective personality. This concept considers gender, I age, and personality to restore the patient's dignity and unique individuality that has been missing in far too many prostheses.
Mechanical Analysis of Explanted Saline-filled Breast Implants Exposed to Betadine Pocket Irrigation

Background: Because of concerns that exposure to povidone-iodine (Betadine) may lead to early breast implant failure, the Food and Drug Administration announced in 2000 that any contact between implants and Betadine is contraindicated. The evidence cited by the Food and Drug Administration primarily referred to Betadine added to saline implant filler solution and not to povidone-iodine used for pocket irrigation. Objective: Thirteen explanted Mentor saline solution-filled devices that had been exposed to Betadine pocket irrigation during implantation were studied for any loss of implant shell integrity. Methods: The 13 explants had been in place 1 week to 55 months, and none had intraluminal Betadine exposure. Twelve of the 13 explants were intact when removed, and one had leaked through the anterior valve. All were examined for any signs of patch-shell delamination. The mechanical properties of tensile strength, percent elongation, force-to-break, tear resistance, and patch bond strength were also measured. Results: No shell delamination or disruption of the sealing patch bond was found in any of the 13 explants placed in Betadine-irrigated pockets. In addition, the measured mechanical properties of the explants exceeded American Society for Testing and Materials requirements, with the exception of the textured explants (n = 2), which failed to meet the minimum elongation standards. Conclusions: We found no evidence of patch or shell delamination in Mentor implants that had extraluminal contact with Betadine irrigation and were later explanted. We believe that the lower mechanical properties of the two textured implants are probably related to the texturing process rather than to Betadine pocket irritation.
Membrane Association via an Amino-terminal Amphipathic Helix Is Required for the Cellular Organization and Function of RNase II

The subcellular localization of the exoribonuclease RNase II is not known despite the advanced biochemical characterization of the enzyme. Here we report that RNase II is organized into cellular structures that appear to coil around the Escherichia coli cell periphery and that RNase II is associated with the cytoplasmic membrane by its amino-terminal amphipathic helix. The helix also acts as an autonomous transplantable membrane binding domain capable of directing normally cytoplasmic proteins to the membrane. Assembly of the organized cellular structures of RNase II required the RNase II amphipathic membrane binding domain. Co-immunoprecipitation of the protein from cell extracts indicated that RNase II interacts with itself. The RNase II self-interaction and the ability of the protein to assemble into organized cellular structures required the membrane binding domain. The ability of RNase II to maintain cell viability in the absence of the exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase was markedly diminished when the RNase II cellular structures were lost due to changes in the amphipathicity of the amino-terminal helix, suggesting that membrane association and assembly of RNase II into organized cellular structures play an important role in the normal function of the protein within the bacterial cell.
Effects of ampholyte concentration on protein behavior in on-chip isoelectric focusing.

The effects of mobility corrections on carrier ampholytes are studied at various ampholyte concentrations to understand protein behavior during IEF. IEF simulations are conducted in the presence of 25 biprotic carrier ampholytes within a pH range of 6-9 after applying the Onsager-Debye-Huckel correction to the carrier ampholytes. Two model proteins with ten charge states but without ionic strength corrections are allowed to focus under an electric field of 300 V/cm in a 1 cm long channel. The IEF simulation results show that higher ionic strengths (50 - 100 mM) cause significant changes in the transient movement as well as the final focused profiles of both ampholytes and proteins. The time required for a single, well-defined peak to form increases with ionic strength when Onsager corrections are applied to the carrier ampholytes. For a particular ampholyte concentration, the space-averaged conductivity does not change during the final focusing stage, but the magnitude of space averaged conductivity is different for different ampholyte concentration. The simulation results also reveal that at steady-state ionic strength profiles remain flat throughout the channel except at the locations of proteins where a significant change in ampholyte concentration is obtained.
Evidence that Anti-Type VII Collagen Antibodies Are Pathogenic and Responsible for the Clinical, Histological, and Immunological Features of Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by autoantibodies to type VII (anchoring fibril) collagen. Therefore, it is a prototypic autoimmune disease defined by a well-known autoantigen and autoantibody. In this study, we injected hairless immune competent mice with purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction of serum from rabbits immunized with the non-collagenous amino-terminal domain (NC1) of human type VII collagen, the domain known to contain immunodominant epitopes. As a control, identical mice were injected with the IgG fraction of serum from non-immunized rabbits. Mice injected with immune IgG developed subepidermal skin blisters and erosions, IgG deposits at the epidermal-dermal junction of their skin, and circulating anti-NC1 antibodies in their serum-all features reminiscent of patients with EBA. Similar concentrations of control IgG purified from normal rabbits did not induce disease in the mice. These findings strongly suggest that autoantibodies that recognize human type VII collagen in EBA are pathogenic. This murine model, with features similar to the clinical, histological, and immunological features of EBA, will be useful for the fine dissection of immunopathogenic mechanisms in EBA and for the development of new therapeutic interventions.
Bone marrow regeneration from cortex following segmental fractionated irradiation

Abstract Following fractionated, segmental irradiation, of long bones at doses from 2000 to 5000 rad, bone marrow regeneration occurs first in the cortex and along the endosteum with the central marrow cavity being repopulated in a centripetal fashion. When the radiation is fractionated at a rate of 200 rad daily and 1000 rad weekly, the time course of regeneration is dose dependent, and involves equally the myeloid and erythroid compartments. With 2000 and 3000 rad, cortical regeneration is first observed at three months post-irradiation; while with doses of 4000–5000 rad, cortical recovery does not occur before 6 months. The identification of cortex as the site of initial recovery following fractionated, segmental irradiation explains the discrepancy between 59 Fe uptake, as a measure of erythropoiesis, and medullary bone marrow hypocellularity. In addition, the present studies support the concept that bone marrow regeneration following segmental irradiation occurs by heterotypic conversion of uncommitted mesenchymal cells resident in the cortex and not by circulating stem cell repopulation.
Human Ciliary Epithelium as a Source of Synthesis and Secretion of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Neovascular Glaucoma

Importance Retinal ischemia–induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leads to endothelial proliferation of the anterior segment, resulting in neovascular glaucoma. Objective To investigate the ciliary epithelium as a possible source of VEGF in human eyes enucleated for intractable neovascular glaucoma. Design, Setting, and Participants In this proof-of-concept, laboratory-based study, 16 human enucleated eyes (8 with neovascular glaucoma and 8 as controls) were investigated. Main Outcomes and Measures Presence of VEGF by immunohistochemical analysis (VEGF protein) and in situ hybridization (VEGF messenger RNA). Results In eyes with neovascular glaucoma, strong VEGF immunoreaction in the nonpigmented epithelial cells of the ciliary processes and in the retina was noted. In situ hybridization for VEGF messenger RNA revealed a similar pattern, with positive stain results only in eyes with neovascular glaucoma. A minimal amount of VEGF immunostaining was seen in control eyes. Conclusions and Relevance The nonpigmented ciliary epithelium is an important site of VEGF synthesis in patients with neovascular glaucoma. The ciliary epithelium may represent an additional focus of treatment in the management of neovascular glaucoma, especially in eyes that are nonresponsive to panretinal photocoagulation.
Intimidation and Communication A Case Study of the Challenger Accident

At the urging of managers from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center on the night before the fatal launch of the Challenger, the managers at Thiokol reconsidered their judgment not to launch the next...
Activity of lipo-cyclic γ-AApeptides against biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Antibiotic resistant bacterial infection is currently a serious public concern. Their ability to form biofilms further complicates the treatment. Herein we investigated the activity of lipo-cyclic γ-AApeptides against both planktonic cells and biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in comparison to those of the conventional antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Our results suggest that these lipo-cyclic γ-AApeptides exhibit comparable or enhanced performance compared to ciprofloxacin in the prevention of biofilm formation for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, providing a potential alternative treatment and prevention for indwelling device-related infections.
Accurate modeling of the hybrid hash join algorithm

The join of two relations is an important operation in database systems. It occurs frequently in relational queries, and join performance is a significant factor in overall system performance. Cost models for join algorithms are used by query optimizers to choose efficient query execution strategies. This paper presents an efficient analytical model of an important join method, the hybrid hash join algorithm, that captures several key features of the algorithm's performance—including its intra-operator parallelism, interference between disk reads and writes, caching of disk pages, and placement of data on disk(s). Validation of the model against a detailed simulation of a database system shows that the response time estimates produced by the model are quite accurate.
Characterizing the Surface Topography of Viable Cartilage Explants: A Novel Application of the Scanning White Light Interferometer

Surface topography is an important parameter that affects friction, lubrication and wear of contacting materials. Articular cartilage has a very distinct topography allowing transport of nutritious fluid under elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions [1]. Topographical measurements are a prerequisite for ex-vivo explant cultures which have become increasingly popular in the field of mechanobiology. Recently, several laboratories established wear tests [2, 3] to evaluate artificial cartilage repair materials intended to articulate against natural cartilage. Stylus profilometry, originally used in 1986 to establish that surface topography is a valuable indicator of cartilage health [1], remains the dominant technique for determining cartilage topography [4] despite significant shortcomings. Contact-based and slow, it can mar the surface and negatively impact tissue viability. However, to understand the underlying damage mechanism(s) it would be of utmost importance to monitor changes in surface topography during wear testing of viable tissue.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Photonics: Charge of the light brigade

The latest study of fluorescence in nanowires shows that it can be controlled by electric fields. This finding suggests the presence of mobile charge carriers, which could be useful for designing nanoelectronic devices.
Homology and evolution of the opercular series in the loricarioid catfishes (Pisces: Siluroidei)

Aspects of the morphology of the opercular region of siluroids (catfishes) were examined to determine the homologies of the opercular bones of loricarioid catfishes, a diverse monophyletic neotropical group. Homology of the component structures was inferred by examination of three criteria: (1) functional relations to the jaw abduction mechanism of primitive halecostome fishes; (2) positional relations to the bones of the suspensorium and the path of the preopercular laterosensory canal; and (3) pattern of development of the preopercular canal and lateral cheek plates of loricarioid catfishes. The majority of siluroids have lost one or more of the preopercular canal exit branches to the skin surface present in most primitive siluroids. A number of specializations of the canal pathway and components of the opercular series have occurred in loricariids. Trichomycterids have the preopercular canal reduced to a short branch from the pterotic. Callichthyids share the presence of a preopercular canal with primitive siluroids, but have lost the communication of the canal between the preopercle and pterotic bones. Callichthyids and scoloplacids share one additional loss of a preopercle exit. The second of two subopercular elements of astroblepids is homologous with the interhyal. Astroblepids and loricariids have lost one additional preopercle exit, the interoperculo-mandibular ligament and the corresponding biomechanical couple for lower jaw abduction. Loricariids have probably lost the interopercle as well. These derived features of loricariids and astroblepids are viewed as specializations for a particular feeding behaviour: scraping algae and detritus from the substratum.
A new species of Tetrapolipus (Acari:Podapolipidae) from Nicsara sp. (Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae)

Abstract Tetrapolipus nicsarae n. sp. (Acari:Podapolipidae) is described from Nicsara sp. (Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae) from the Republic of Palau. This is the first world record of Podapolipidae from the family Tettigoniidae.
Fully refocused gradient recalled echo (FRGRE): factors affecting flow and motion sensitivity in cardiac MRI.

The Fully Refocused Gradient Recalled Echo (FRGRE) magnetic resonance pulse sequence, previously reported as True FISP, was implemented and reported on a GE Signa CV/i 1.5T scanner. The purpose of this research was to optimize the pulse sequence design and scanning parameters to improve image quality for cardiac applications. A 2-D, multi-slice, multi-phase, breathold, segmented k-space, prospectively gated FRGRE sequence was implemented with TE and TR values as short as 0.9 and 3.0 msec, respectively. Pulse sequence design changes were investigated theoretically in terms of moment calculations and by assessing the quality of long- and short-axis cardiac images. The most influential scanning parameter for the improvement of image quality was both a short TR and TE. Placement of the z gradient rephaser immediately before the slice select gradient reduced the accumulated moments and improved image quality. Increasing the slice thickness from 3 to 8–10 mm significantly reduced flow artifact. The number of vi...
CT of the Equine Head: Technical Considerations, Anatomical Guide, and Selected Diseases

CT of the equine head is an established imaging technique. It is used routinely in the academic setting and, as CT scanners have become more affordable, is being used more often in private practice. CT is considered more effective than survey radiography in depicting the complex anatomy of the nasal cavity and calvarium, as it eliminates superimposition of overlying structures such as the bones forming the brain case and nasal cavity. The normal CT appearance of the head and nasal cavity as well as the CT features of common diseases affecting the brain, dental arcades, and sinuses are well described in the literature. The examination requires general anesthesia and hence takes longer than survey radiographs. As with any other imaging modality, it is most effective when is performed to answer specific questions generated by the clinical examination. Though costs of facilities and CT equipment are higher than survey radiography, the benefit derived from the accurate assessment of a given pathological process of the head makes this modality an effective addition to the equine practice. This chapter reviews the technical considerations associated with the procedure. It also provides an anatomical atlas of the area as well as a discussion of common diseases to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the technique. A complete list of references is also included for the reader who wants to obtain a deeper understanding of the technique and its capabilities.