cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructure of Magnesium Oxychloride Cements

MAGNESIUM oxychloride cement was discovered1 not long after portland cement. Its high water solubility has, however, effectively curtailed its use as a construction material except for non-structural interior applications. Nevertheless, the rapid setting and hardening properties of this cement, as well as its ability to accept large amounts of different fillers (for heat and sound insulation), are useful characteristics and are of interest to cement chemists in furthering their understanding of inorganic cements.
Mate Selection and Family Business Success

An index of a family's success is the caliber of talent it manages to attract and retain through marriage. This fundamental fact in sociology, anthropology, and history has received little attention in the family business field. Parents in Western societies have two windows of opportunity to enhance long-term family success through marriage: first, before their children reach puberty, and later, after they choose spouses for themselves.
Listeria brain abscess in an immunosuppressed child

speculate that the marked elevations of" serum uric acid which occur in Reye syndrome are capable of inducing acute renal failure, particularly in patients with lactic acidosis.: It is known that uric acid and lactic acid compete for the same renal excretory mechanism, ~ and a marked increase of plasma ~aric acid would, therefore, be expected with lactic acidemia. Although we did not measure lactic acid levels in our patient, the serum anion gap [Na-(C1 + COO] on admission and prior to correction was markedly elevated. In the absence of ketosis, this probably reflects lactic acidemia. T'he glomernli and tubules in uric acid nephropathy may appear entirely normal, as in our patient or show ischemic changes" as shown by others reporting renal insufficiency associated with hepatic dysfunction.:' Renal ultrastructure in our patient (Fig. 2) demonstrated enlarged vacuoles, probably related to the cellular lysosome system, filled with membranous and floccular debris and compatible with changes found secondary to mannitol infusions."' We did not observe fatty infiltration. The renal mitochondria were not swollen or disrupted. -Iqae renal biopsy was performed one week after the diagnostic liver biopsy when the patient was in the early recovery phase of acute renal failure. Although renal failure may aggravate the clinical course of patients with acute encephalopathy and hepatic dysfunction, the prognosis appears to be determined by the encephalopathy rather than the renal failure.' :' Our
Optical Switching for a Nonlinear Directional Coupler Including the Effects of Two Photon Absorption

All-optical switching is of growing interest. However, complete all-optical switching in materials such as semiconductors has proved difficult. If the nonlinear index of refraction is utilized, there is also strong two photon absorption (TPA).[1] It has been shown that the typical soliton solutions are not valid in the presence of TPА.[2] Therefore traditional soliton switching is degraded. However we present a new coupled mode analysis which incorporates TPA and find exact solutions for which complete switching can occur. Using a coupled-mode analysis in which gain is used to offset the nonlinear loss due to TPA, we derive the set of equations for nonlinear directional couplers.
Contributions of the 8-Methyl Group to the Vibrational Normal Modes of Flavin Mononucleotide and Its 5-Methyl Semiquinone Radical

Resonance Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool to investigate flavins and flavoproteins, and a good understanding of the flavin vibrational normal modes is essential for the interpretation of the Raman spectra. Isotopic labeling is the most effective tool for the assignment of vibrational normal modes, but such studies have been limited to labeling of rings II and III of the flavin isoalloxazine ring. In this paper, we report the resonance and pre-resonance Raman spectra of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and its N5-methyl neutral radical semiquinone (5-CH 3FMN •), of which the 8-methyl group of ring I has been deuterated. The experiments indicate that the Raman bands in the low-frequency region are the most sensitive to 8-methyl deuteration. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on lumiflavin to predict the isotope shifts, which are used to assign the calculated normal modes to the Raman bands of FMN. A first assignment of the low-frequency Raman bands on the basis of isotope shif...
Pulmonary artery pressure changes during ethanol embolization procedures to treat vascular malformations: can cardiovascular collapse be predicted?

PURPOSE Ethanol has been used for embolization of vascular malformations. Cardiovascular collapse, although rare, has been reported, occurring immediately to a few hours after ethanol embolization. The pathophysiology has been theoretically attributed to direct toxicity to the cardiac conduction system or pulmonary artery (PA) vasospasm leading to cardiovascular collapse. Because of cardiovascular collapse in one patient at the authors' institution, it was standard of care at the time of this study to monitor the pulmonary artery pressures during ethanol embolization. This study was conducted to clarify the effect of ethanol on the PA pressure during these procedures. METHODS Data from 92 ethanol embolization procedures performed on 56 patients with vascular malformations between May 2001 and May 2003 are reported. PA and noninvasive cuff systemic pressures were recorded before and after each injection and also before and after the entire procedure. Upper limit for volume of ethanol used during these procedures was drawn at 1 mL/kg. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were done to study factors affecting changes in PA and systemic blood pressure. RESULTS For each injection, ethanol volume averaged 3.1 mL per injection. The systolic systemic and PA systolic pressures increased by 2.3 and 1.0 mm Hg, respectively. Amount of ethanol injected and systemic blood pressure changes were predictive of change in PA blood pressure. During the entire procedure, systemic systolic blood pressure increased by an average of 11.6 mm Hg, and PA systolic blood pressure by 5 mm Hg. Change in systemic blood pressure was a strong predictor of, and volume of ethanol was a weak predictor of, change in PA blood pressure. CONCLUSION The mild rise in PA blood pressure in the patients during ethanol embolization correlated strongly with minor elevation in systemic blood pressure throughout the procedure, which the authors believe is related to pain from the ethanol injection causing sympathetic stimulation, even when patients are under general anesthesia. The minimal rise in PA blood pressure during these procedures does not elucidate the cause of the rare complication of cardiovascular collapse during ethanol embolization.
Elevated levels of collagenase and prostaglandin e2 from synovium associated with chronic lyme arthritis

A patient with chronic Lyme arthritis and roentgenographic evidence of bony erosion underwent a synovectomy; proliferative synovium (pannus), containing aggreagates of small lymphocytes, was found adherent to eroded cartilage and bone. During 8 days in tissue culture, the synovial cells produced large amounts of collagenase and prostaglandin E2, but only low levels of both neurtral and acid proteinases. Sixty-seven percent of the lymphocytes from the synovium were T cells; 19% were B cells. Attempts to identify agent/antigen in the synovial cells were unsuccessful. Thus, the synovium of this patient, whose disease appears to be tick-transmitted, resembles that of rheumatoid arthritis. This finding further supports the hypothesis that many possible agents, including infectious ones, trigger a common pathway in synovium, which leads to joint destruction.
Isolation and partial characterization of carbonic anhydrase from erythrocytes of Meleagris gallopavo.

A soluble enzyme with carbonic anhydrase activity has been isolated from domestic turkey(Meleagris gallopavo) erythrocytes and purified by chloroformethanol precipitation, ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration on a Sephadex G-75 column. Analytical polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis showed one major and two minor bands. The specific activity for the CO2 hydration reaction was approximately 2000 Wilbur-Anderson units/mg protein at 0°C. The presence of the reducing agents 2-mercaptoethanol or dithioerythritol was required throughout the procedure. Upon removal of the 2-mercaptoethanol by dialysis the activity was lost but could be restored by addition of the reducing agent. The enzymatic activity was inhibited by acetazolamide,p-chloromercuribenzoate ando-iodosobenzoate. Esterase activity was detected withp-nitrophenylacetate as the substrate. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined as 31,000 by gel filtration and 34,000 ± 2000 with analytical ultracentrifugation. Atomic absorption spectroscopy indicated the presence of zinc in the ratio of one mole of zinc per one mole of enzyme.
Decomposition of coarse woody debris originating by clearcutting of an old-growth conifer forest

ABSTRACT Decomposition constants (k) for above-ground logs and stumps and sub-surface coarse roots originating from harvested old-growth forest (estimated age 400–600 y) were assessed by volume–density change methods along a 70-y chronosequence of clearcuts on the Wind River Ranger District, Washington, USA. Principal species sampled were Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Wood and bark tissue densities were weighted by sample fraction, adjusted for fragmentation, then regressed to determine k by tissue type for each species. After accounting for stand age, no significant differences were found between log and stump density within species, but P. menziesii decomposed more slowly (k = 0.015·y−1) than T. heterophylla (k = 0.036·y−1), a species pattern repeated both above- and below-ground. Small-diameter (1–3 cm) P. menziesii roots decomposed faster (k = 0.014·y−1) than large-diameter (3–8 cm) roots (k = 0.008·y−1), a pattern echoed by T. heterophylla roots (1–3 cm, k = 0.023·y−1; 3–8 cm, k = 0.0...
Impact of Proton Therapy to the Prostate Alone Versus the Whole Pelvis on Patient-reported Outcomes and Toxicities in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients

The Value of Dose Constraints in Minimizing Rectal Toxicity in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Threeyear Analysis of Toxicity Outcomes in 2 Prospective Trials of Image Guided Proton Therapy for Earlyand Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer N.P. Mendenhall, Z. Li, B.S. Hoppe, R.B. Marcus, W.M. Mendenhall, R.C. Nichols, C.G. Morris, C.R. Williams, J. Costa, and R. Henderson; University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, Jacksonville, FL, Division of Urology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Berberine and limonin suppress IgE production by human B cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from food-allergic patients

Abstract Background Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment for IgE-mediated food allergy. Food Allergy Herbal Formula 2 (FAHF-2) and butanol-purified FAHF-2 (B-FAHF-2) have been shown to protect against peanut-induced anaphylaxis and inhibit IgE synthesis in a murine model. Objective To determine which herbs and compounds in FAHF-2 and B-FAHF-2 suppress IgE production. Methods The effect of FAHF-2 and B-FAHF-2 on IgE production was determined using a human B-cell line (U266). Individual compounds were isolated and identified using column chromatography, liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The potency of compounds on IgE suppression were investigated using U266 cells and verified using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (n = 25) from peanut-allergic patients. Epsilon germline transcript expression was determined. Phosphorylated IκBα level was analyzed using the In-Cell Western assay. The mRNA expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3, T-box transcription factor TBX21, interferon-γ, forkhead box P3, GATA-binding protein 3, interleukin-10, and interleukin-5 also were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results FAHF-2 and B-FAHF-2 inhibited IgE production by U266 cells. B-FAHF-2 was 9 times more effective than FAHF-2. Two compounds that inhibited IgE production were isolated from Philodendron chinensis and identified as berberine and limonin. Berberine was more potent and inhibited IgE production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells by 80% at 0.62 μg/mL. Berberine significantly inhibited e-germline transcript expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Phosphorylated IκBα level was significantly suppressed and mRNA expressions of T-box transcription factor TBX21 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 were significantly increased by berberine. Conclusion Berberine and limonin mediated IgE suppression. The mechanism by which berberine modulates e-germline transcript expression might be through regulating the phosphorylated IκBα level and the expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 and T-box transcription factor TBX21. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00602160.
Ion-irradiation studies of the damage function of copper and silver

A systematic study of the damage function of both Ag and Cu has been performed by measuring resistivity increments induced by irradiation of thin-foil specimens at 6 K with several species of ions. Beam energies were selected such that the projectiles were stopped within the target. Results were compared with theoretical calculations based on a modified Kinchin-Pease damage function. The damage efficiency (ratio of experimental-to-theoretical values) is roughly unity for irradiations with H, but decreases rapidly as the projectile mass increases, which results in harder recoil spectra. For projectiles heavier than Ne, the efficiency becomes relatively constant (0.4 for Ag and 0.35 for Cu). These results indicate that deviations from the modified Kinchin-Pease model begin to occur at energies not far above the displacement threshold energy and the efficiency becomes roughly constant for recoil energies greater than a few keV. Comparison is made with damage-rate studies for other types of irradiation.
Via-adjusted microstrip launch for sub-terahertz wafer probing

A new design for a microstrip launch is proposed to improve the measurement repeatability at sub-THz frequencies. Performance improvement is achieved by adjusting the ground vias' position to the rear of the launch by which it becomes less sensitive to probe-tip placement compared to conventional launches using microstrip or co-planer waveguides. The investigation was done using HFSS, 3-D finite-element-method based electromagnetic simulation software, with tight convergence criteria to meet the required tolerances. The proposed design can be applied to other RF interfaces that required high repeatability such as pads for wire-bonds and footprints for surface-mount components, without increasing cost or compromising RF performance.
Omega oxidation of fatty acids and the pathway of 3-hydroxybutyric acid formation.

Abstract Pathways followed by the carbons of long chain fatty acids in their conversion to 3-hydroxybutyric acid were traced and the contribution of ω-oxidation to fatty acid oxidation was determined in the cellular environment where ketone body formation occurs. 1- 14 C-, 2- 14 C-, and ω- 14 C-labeled fatty acids were injected into alloxan-induced diabetic rats in ketosis. 3-Hydroxybutyric acid was isolated from their urines and degraded. About 1.2 to 1.4 times as much 14 C was found in carbon 1 as carbon 3 of 3-hydroxybutyric acid when the 1- 14 C-labeled fatty acids were injected and in carbon 2 as carbon 4 when the 2- 14 C-labeled fatty acids were injected. There was about 4 times as much incorporation into carbon 4 as carbon 2 of 3-hydroxybutyric acid formed from the ω- 14 C-labeled fatty acids. This means that 50% or more of the fatty acids were oxidized, so that the terminal two carbons of the fatty acids were converted to acetoacetyl-CoA without acetyl-CoA as an intermediate. Incorporation of 14 C into carbons 1 and 2 of the hydroxybutyric acid reflects the distribution of 14 C in acetyl-CoA. Incorporation into carbon 1 was very small when the ω- 14 C-labeled fatty acids were substrate. This means that ω-oxidation of fatty acids makes, at most, a small contribution to the formation of the acetyl-CoA pool from which acetoacetate is derived.
Congenital valvular obstruction of the posterior urethra in two brothers.

Summary A case report of two brothers is presented, both of whom had posterior urethral valvular obstruction. The younger brother's condition was confirmed by necropsy and the older sibling, whose case was discovered through direct inquiry of the mother, was determined at cystoscopy and then corrected surgically. A review of the historical background of urethral valves is given followed by a brief discussion concerning the diagnosis and management of this condition. When a young patient with a urological anomaly is found, the parents should always be questioned concerning the siblings.
Questioning Thunderstones and Arrowheads: The Problem of Recognizing and Interpreting Stone Artifacts in the Seventeenth Century

Flint arrowheads, spearheads, and axe heads made by prehistoric Europeans were generally considered before the eighteenth century to be a naturally produced stone that formed in storm clouds and fell with lightning. These stones were called ceraunia , or thunderstones, and it was not until the sixteenth century that their status as a natural phenomenon was challenged. During the seventeenth century natural historians and antiquaries began to suggest that these ceraunia were not thunderstones but ancient human artifacts. I argue that natural history museums, European contact with the stone-tool using peoples in the New World, and the close relationship between natural history and antiquarianism were critical to this reinterpretation of ceraunia. Once these objects were recognized to be ancient artifacts they could be used to investigate the earliest periods of human history from sources other than texts.
Program schemas with concurrency: execution time and hangups

A class of program schemas with concurrency is defined as a natural extension of the standard notion of sequential flow-chart-like schemas. The question is considered as to whether such a program schema may reach a premature termination (or "hangup") for some interpretation. It is shown that in general this question is undecidable; however, it is shown to be decidable for the class of free program schemas. And an algorithm for testing this property is presented with an upper time bound that grows linearly with the size of the schema.Several structural properties are shown to be equivalent to the hangup-free conditon for free schemas. And we give a method for computing the expected execution time of a program schema if the expected frequencies of choices at the branch points are known.
Structural redesign using nearly zero section reinforcements

Abstract This paper introduces the concept of Nearly Zero Section reinforcements. These reinforcements, as the same suggests, do not affect the calculated performance of the non-reinforced structure. Together with sensitivities calculated using msc/nastran , however, the reinforcement can provide valuable insight to help the designer choose effective reinforcement configurations. Sensitivity-based size optimization then facilitates the choice of appropriate cross-sectional dimensions for the choosen reinforcements to achieve desired structural performance. Two examples illustrate the method.
Selective inhibition of the effects of phorbol ester on doxorubicin resistance and P-glycoprotein by the protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) in multidrug-resistant MCF-7/Dox human breast carcinoma cells

The possible regulation of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype and P-glycoprotein by protein kinase C (PKC) was investigated in the doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant MCF-7 cell line (MCF-7/Dox). In a clonogenic assay, cells exposed to 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 1 hr were about 3-fold more resistant to Dox than were cells exposed to Dox alone. The PKC inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7, 30 microM) completely blocked the PMA-induced effect, but did not reverse the MDR phenotype. Complete down-regulation of PKC from MCF-7/Dox cells by 24-hr preincubation with PMA did not alter the degree of Dox resistance. Intracellular accumulation of [14C]Dox decreased from a baseline of 28 pmol/10(6) cells to 15 pmol/10(6) cells in the presence of 100 nM PMA. The reduced Dox accumulation in the presence of PMA was not blocked by pretreatment of cells with H7. Following a 24-hr pretreatment with PMA, the cells accumulated almost equal amounts of [14C]Dox in the absence or presence of PMA. Cells from PMA-treated colonies showed significantly higher levels of expression of P-glycoprotein when compared with those from control colonies. H7 did not affect the basal level of P-glycoprotein in cells from control colonies or PMA-induced overexpression of P-glycoprotein in cells from PMA-treated colonies. Upon stimulation with PMA (100 nM), PKC alpha and beta translocated to the cell membrane and nucleus and PKC delta and epsilon to the perinuclear membrane and the nucleus, respectively. H7 (30 microM) completely inhibited PMA-induced translocations of PKC delta and epsilon, whereas it only partially blocked the translocations of PKC alpha and beta. These results suggest that PMA appears to alter Dox resistance and intracellular Dox accumulation in a PKC-dependent manner and to induce increased expression of P-glycoprotein in MCF-7/Dox cells. Differential effects of H7 on the PMA-induced changes suggest that different isoforms of PKC may be involved in cell growth and drug accumulation processes as well as P-glycoprotein expression.
The endocrine control of protein metabolism as related to reproduction in the fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata

Abstract Females of the fly Sarcophaga bullata require a dietary source of proteins or amino acids to support egg maturation. At emergence the haemolymph protein levels were low and dropped still farther in sugar-fed females during the next 10 days. However, after meat was added to the diet the haemolymph protein concentrations rose and yolk was deposited in the eggs of these females. Ovariectomized (OV − ) females had high haemolymph protein levels and large corpora allata. Allatectomy (CA − ) after emergence prevented yolk deposition in 30 per cent of the females. Those CA − females which did not deposit yolk had low haemolymph protein levels, whereas those which did deposit yolk had high concentrations. All females CA − at pupation matured eggs and had high haemolymph protein levels. Haemolymph protein concentrations of females after the neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis were removed (NSC − ) were similar to those of unoperated females of the same age. The haemolymph of sugar-fed females and that of all males contained six proteins as shown immunologically. Meat-fed, egg-maturing females contained these six proteins plus a seventh protein (the ‘female’ protein). All seven proteins were present in the haemolymph of OV − and NSC − females as well as in those CA − females which deposited yolk. Of the CA − females which did not deposit yolk, the ‘female’ protein was absent in 64 per cent of the cases, but this protein was present in low concentration in the remaining 36 per cent. It is concluded that in Sarcophaga bullata the allatum hormone may be involved in the regulation of protein metabolism and that neurosecretion from the pars intercerebralis serves as a gonadotropin.
Parenteral vitamin B as an agent for determining the arm-to-tongue circulation time Part I

Abstract 1. 1. The arm-to-tongue circulation time using parenteral vitamin B as the test agent has been determined on fifty normal subjects. In this control group the average time was found to vary from 9.8 to 10.3 seconds for the initial and duplicate determinations, respectively. 2. 2. Similar determinations were also made on a group of fifty-two patients with cardiac disease. It was found that the circulation times determined by this method parallel the times reported for other test agents. 3. 3. The vitamin B preparation used appears to be nontoxic, has little effect upon circulatory dynamics, is readily available, is eliminated rapidly, and has an abrupt end point. The side reactions are minimal. This preparation, therefore, meets the requirements for a satisfactory agent for the determination of the arm-to-tongue circulation time. 4. 4. Studies are now being made to determine which components of the B complex are responsible for the distinctive end point.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in human immunodeficiency (HIV)-infected women.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bacteriuria in HIV- infected women versus healthy non-HIV-infected controls. Methods: A prospective cohort study was undertaken between January 1996 and March 1997. One hundred nineteen ambulatory, premenopausal women from the Women’s HIV Clinic and 191 similar non-infected Gynecology Clinic controls were recruited. Information recorded from the medical record and patient questionnaire included: age, prior history of UTI, antibiotic usage, sexual frequency, diaphragm/spermicide use, and CD4 count. A clean catch urine culture was collected on all patients. Statistical analysis was via SPSSPC. Results: The mean age of HIV-infected women was 33 vs 26 for non-infected. The mean CD4 count was 341. A prior history of UTI (mean # per lifetime) was significantly higher for HIV women (2.8) vs controls (1.8) [P = .01]. The mean weekly sexual frequency was significantly higher in HIV-negative (2.1) vs HIV-infected (1.2) [P 102 cfu/mL) was 30% in the HIV-infected vs 47% in controls. The percentage of asymptomatic bacteriuria for each range of uropathogen titer (cfu/mL) in urine was: (cfu/mL) HIV (n = 119) Non-HIV (N = 191) No Growth 70% 53% 102–103 13% 17% 103–104 11% 53% 104–105 1% 4% >105 5% 6% Chronic antibiotic usage (39% of HIV-infected vs 4% of controls) was associated with a decreased prevalence of bacteriuria, but there was not a significant difference in prevalence of bacteriuria between groups. Regardless of titer ranges of uropathogens evaluated, the prevalence of bacteriuria was not different between CD4 counts of <200 and ≥200. As compared to controls, HIV-infected individuals demonstrated shifts toward nosocomial pathogens: Enterococcus, S. aureus and non-E. coli gram-negative rods. Conclusion: The prevalence of bacteriuria was not greater in HIV-infected women versus non-HIV-infected women versus HIV non-infected controls and was not significantly affected by antibiotic usage or CD4 count. Uropathogens responsible for asymptomatic bacteriuria in HIV-infected women are different from “healthy” controls and are more representative of nosocomial flora.
Using induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate cardiac phenotypes in Timothy syndrome

Individuals with congenital or acquired prolongation of the QT interval, or long QT syndrome (LQTS), are at risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. LQTS is commonly genetic in origin but can also be caused or exacerbated by environmental factors. A missense mutation in the L-type calcium channel Ca(V)1.2 leads to LQTS in patients with Timothy syndrome. To explore the effect of the Timothy syndrome mutation on the electrical activity and contraction of human cardiomyocytes, we reprogrammed human skin cells from Timothy syndrome patients to generate induced pluripotent stem cells, and differentiated these cells into cardiomyocytes. Electrophysiological recording and calcium (Ca(2+)) imaging studies of these cells revealed irregular contraction, excess Ca(2+) influx, prolonged action potentials, irregular electrical activity and abnormal calcium transients in ventricular-like cells. We found that roscovitine, a compound that increases the voltage-dependent inactivation of Ca(V)1.2 (refs 6-8), restored the electrical and Ca(2+) signalling properties of cardiomyocytes from Timothy syndrome patients. This study provides new opportunities for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias in humans, and provides a robust assay for developing new drugs to treat these diseases.
Cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: a multicenter case-control study.

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a significantly increased risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Risk factors for developing such a complication are not well defined. We conducted a multicenter, case-control study to determine the risk factors and possible predictors for CCA in patients with PSC. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of 26 PSC patients with CCA diagnosed over a 7-year period at eight academic centers were compared with 87 patients with PSC but no CCA (controls). There was no statistically significant difference in demographics, smoking, signs or symptoms or complications of PSC, indices of disease severity (Mayo Risk score or Child-Pugh score), frequency or duration or complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), frequency of biliary surgery, or therapeutic endoscopy between the two groups. Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with CCA in patients with PSC (odds ratio: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.04-8.3). Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) was significantly higher in patients with CCA than those without (177 ± 89 and 61 ± 58 U/mL, respectively;P = .002). A serum CA 19-9 level > 100 U/mL had 75% sensitivity and 80% specificity in identifying PSC patients with CCA. In conclusion, alcohol consumption was a risk factor for having CCA in PSC patients. The indices of severity of liver disease were not associated with CCA in patients with PSC. Serum CA 19-9 appeared to have good ability to discriminate PSC patients with and without CCA.
Beneficial effects of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, FR 34235, in a chronic coronary occlusion model☆

Administration of FR 34235 reduced aortic blood pressure and increased cardiac output in anesthetized dogs with an ameroid-induced coronary artery occlusion. Following FR 34235, there was an increase in perfusion within normal myocardium and ischemic subepicardium. Ischemic zone flow to subepicardium and subendocardium were both significantly increased when aortic pressure was held at control levels. The data demonstrate marked enhancement in oxygen supply to an area distal to a chronic coronary occlusion by a new calcium antagonist, FR 34235.
Current-induced effective magnetic fields in Co ∕ Cu ∕ Co nanopillars

We present a method to measure the effective field contribution to spin-transfer-induced interactions between the magnetic layers in a bilayer nanostructure, which enables spin current effects to be distinguished from the usual charge-current-induced magnetic fields. This technique is demonstrated on submicron $\mathrm{Co}∕\mathrm{Cu}∕\mathrm{Co}$ nanopillars. The hysteresis loop of one of the magnetic layers in the bilayer is measured as a function of current while the direction of magnetization of the other layer is kept fixed, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. These measurements show a current-dependent shift of the hysteresis loop which, based on the symmetry of the magnetic response, we associate with spin transfer. The observed loop shift with applied current at room temperature is reduced in measurements at $4.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. We interpret these results both in terms of a spin-current-dependent effective activation barrier for magnetization reversal and a spin-current-dependent effective magnetic field. From data at $4.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, we estimate the magnitude of the spin-transfer-induced effective field to be $\ensuremath{\sim}1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Oe}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}∕\mathrm{A}$, about a factor of 5 less than the spin torque.
Development of subchondral cystic lesions after articular cartilage and subchondral bone damage in young horses.

The objective of this study was to determine if damage to the articular cartilage alone or articular cartilage plus subchondral bone of the distal medial femoral condyle of young, exercised horses resulted in the formation of subchondral cystic lesions. Twelve Quarter Horses (age 1-2 years), free of clinical and radiographic signs of osteochondrosis and lameness were used. In 6 horses (Group 1), a 15 times 1 mm linear full thickness defect in the articular cartilage was made arthroscopically on the weightbearing surface of the distal aspect of the medial femoral condyle. In the other 6 horses (Group 2), a 15 times 3 mm full thickness elliptical cartilage defect was made, followed by burring a 5 mm diameter, 4 mm deep hole into the subchondral bone. Three weeks after surgery, all horses were hand walked and trotted for 2 weeks and then exercised for 6 min daily, 5 days a week for the next 14 weeks on a treadmill. They were then turned onto a small paddock for 6 weeks (6 months total). The development of subchondral cystic lesions was determined using radiography. Bone activity in the femoral condyle was monitored with nuclear scintigraphy. All horses that developed subchondral cystic lesions radiographically were subjected to euthanasia for gross and histological examination of the lesions. No subchondral cystic lesions and no clinical abnormalities were detected in the horses in Group 1. Subchondral cystic lesions developed radiographically in 5 of 6 horses in (Group 2). Scintigraphic findings of horses with subchondral cystic lesions were inconsistent. Histological examination of lesions revealed variable quantities of fibrous connective tissue, fibrocartilage and bone, with evidence of bone remodelling adjacent to the subchondral cystic lesion. The results suggest that damage to articular cartilage plus subchondral bone, but not articular cartilage alone, of the distal medial femoral condyle may lead to the development of subchondral cystic lesions. These findings indicate that all subchondral cystic lesions in horses may not be osteochondrosis-type lesions and that trauma to weightbearing articular surfaces of young horses may be a predisposing factor.
Perceptual organization of apparent motion in the Ternus display

A typical Ternus display has three sequentially presented frames, in which frame 1 consists of three motion tokens, frame 2 (blank) defines the interstimulus interval, and frame 3 has similar motio...
Energy Conversion Via Pigmented Bilayer Lipid Membranes

Abstract One approach to the problem of understanding photosynthesis quantum conversion is to investigate the manner in which the thy-lakoid membrane of the chloroplast achieves many of its physio-chemical processes. Ideally, a great deal of information may be obtained from electrical measurements in the dark and in the light. This procedure entails the-placing of electrodes across the membrane, much as has been done for the nerve membrane of axons. However, such an approach is not yet feasible for most photoactive membranes owing to their tiny size. An alternative approach is to investigate experimental pigmented bilayer lipid membranes (BLM), which are very suited for studying light transduction and light-initiated redox reactions. This paper will discuss certain photoeffects observed in pigmented BLM in terms similar to those that occur at semiconductor/ metal interfaces (Schottky barriers). The pigmented BLM separating two aqueous solutions behaves as a bipolar electrode, into and from which electrons...
The role of hydrophobicity in the Ames test. The correlation of the mutagenicity of nitropolycyclic hydrocarbons with partition coefficients and molecular orbital indices

A set of 20 nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, whose mutagenicity has been determined in the Ames test, has been studied using octanol-water partition coefficients (P) as a measure of relative hydrophobicity and molecular orbital energies to account for variation in their electronic characteristics. A good structure-activity relationship was found using log P and ϵLUMO. The latter were taken from the results of ab initio calculations performed by Maynard, Pedersen, Posner, and McKinney [7] and were also calculated by the MNDO method. The dependence of mutagenicity on hydrophobicity was found to be similar to that observed for triazenes [2]. ϵLUMO values calculated by MNDO and STO-3G were found to be strongly correlated, and the role of hydrophobicity in correlating mutagenicity was not significantly affected by the molecular orbital model employed.
Isolation and partial characterization of a covalent intermediate between α-chymotrypsin and o-hydroxy-α-toluenesulfonic acid sultone

Abstract Reaction of α-chymotrypsin with o -[ 35 S]hydroxy-α-toluenesulfonic acid sultone ( I ) at pH 7 produces an intermediate which substantially decomposes over a period of 24 hr at pH 3 as determined by gel chromatography. Isolation of the intermediate at pH 3 followed by denaturation in urea, reduction of disulfide bonds, and SDS-urea gel electrophoresis resulted in separation of the three peptides which compose the enzyme. Radioactivity ( 35 S) was associated with the peptide which contains serine 195 and not with the peptide containing histidine 57. These results indicate that a covalent linkage is established between sultone I and α-chymotrypsin, presumably at serine 195.
Study of defects in wide band gap semiconductors by electron paramagnetic resonance

Abstract Defects in diamond, baron nitride and gallium nitride, grown by various deposition methods, were investigated by EPR measurements. In diamond films the observed EPR signal has a g value of 2.0028, peak-to-peak linewidth of 3–5 Gauss and spin-lattice relaxation time, at 293 K, of 10 -6 s. In boron nitride films, depending on growth conditions, the g value varies from 2.0024 to 2.0032, the peak-to-peak linewidth varies from 31 to 7 Gauss and the spin-lattice relaxation time at 293 K varies from 10 -5 to 10 -6 s. An EPR signal has not been observed in GaN films at temperatures above 100 K.
Buckling and Post-Buckling Behavior of Elliptical Plates: Part I—Analysis

A polynomial series expansion for displacements is used in conjunction with the Rayleigh-Ritz energy method to produce buckling and post-buckling stress solutions for an elliptically-shaped surface layer that has been delaminated from the main load-bearing body
Localization and functional expression of alternatively spliced forms of the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit

Abstract Recent studies have identified two alternatively spliced forms of the GABA A receptor γ 2 subunit that differ by the presence ( γ 2L ) or absence ( γ 2S ) of an eight-amino acid segment. This insert in the γ 2L isoform exists in the proposed cytoplasmic loop region, between M3 and M4, and contains a consensus sequence for phosphorylation by protein kinase C. To examine the regional distribution of this novel receptor subunit in the brain, γ 2L subunit mRNA was detected using both in situ hybridization histochemistry and and PCR amplification methods. Hybridization histochemistry with a γ 2L , subunit-specific oligonucleotide probe revealed that the γ 2L , subunit mRNA is widely distributed throughout the mouse brain. The highest levels of expression are found in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, olfactory lobe, and cerebellum. The presence of the γ 2L , subunit in these regions was confirmed using PCR. Additionally, PCR experiments detected yes subunit mRNA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus but not in the cerebellum. To examine the functional properties of the γ 2 subunit isoforms, γ 2S and γ 2L , subunit mRNAs were coexpressed with α 1 β 1 subunit mRNAs in Xenopus oocytes. These experiments indicate that the γ 2L and γ 2S subunit variants exhibit similar pharmacological properties, including the ability of both isoforms to confer diazepam sensitivity to the receptor complex. In addition, potentiation of GABA responses by pentobarbital in oocytes expressing either subunit isoform is similar. These data indicate that the presence or absence of the additional eight amino acids in the γ 2 subunit isoforms does not appear to alter the response of the GABA A receptor complex to either benzodiazepines and barbiturates at the level of protein phosphorylation present in the oocyte.
Symmetrical perfusion defects without pulmonary embolism

We report two patients with ventilation-perfusion (V-P) images that demonstrate large symmetric perfusion defects with normal chest radiographs and ventilation images who did not have pulmonary embolism (PE) by angiography. This experience suggests that patients with symmetrical V-P mismatches should not be assumed to have PE. The need for pulmonary angiography in such patients should be carefully considered.
The impact of change in volume and left-ventricular hypertrophy on left-ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in children with end-stage renal disease

Left-ventricular dyssynchrony (LVD) adversely affects systolic performance and has not been previously evaluated in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We hypothesized (1) that LVD in children with ESRD would be significantly increased compared with controls and (2) that volume load and left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) would be associated with increased LVD. This was a prospective observational study in which real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic data were acquired in 27 stable children with ESRD (13 peritoneal dialysis [PD] and 14 hemodialysis [HD]) and 29 normal controls. Data were acquired before and after an HD session. Dyssynchrony index (SDI) was defined per standard formulae and was normalized to cardiac cycle duration (SDIp). Left-ventricular mass (LVM) was obtained from M-mode echocardiography and was normalized to height2.7 (LVM index). The mean age (13.8 vs. 11.3 years) and SDI, SDIp, LVM, and LVM index were significantly greater among children with ESRD than among controls (p < 0.05). Demographics and heart rates were comparable between HD and PD subgroups, whereas SDI 16 and 12 segments, SDIp 16 segments, and LVM were significantly greater in the HD group. SDI and SDIp 16 segments improved after an HD session (p < 0.05); LVM and LVM index remained unchanged. LVD was significantly greater in patients with LVH compared with those without LVH. Children with ESRD had significant LVD and increased LVM compared with controls. Increased LVD in those undergoing HD rather than PD, as well as the improvement in synchrony after HD, suggest that volume may modulate LVD. LVD was increased in children with LVH. LVD in children with ESRD may have pathogenic implications.
Solar Collector Parameter Identification From Unsteady Data by a Discrete-Gradient Algorithm

A discrete-gradient algorithm is used to identify the parameters in a one-node and a two-node capacitance model of a flat-plate collector. Collector parameters are first obtained by a linear-least-squares fit to steady state data. These parameters, together with the collector heat capacitances, are then separately determined from unsteady data by use of the discrete-gradient algorithm with less than 10 percent deviation from the steady-state determination. All data were obtained in the indoor solar simulator at the NASA Lewis Research Center.
Colossal cages in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as selective carbon dioxide reservoirs

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, or ZIFs, are porous crystalline materials in which organic imidazolate links connect to transition metals to form a tetrahedral framework. Many different ZIF structures can be created by simply adjusting the link–link interactions. Wang et al. used this tactic to produce two new materials with structures of a scale and complexity rarely seen before. The resulting cages contain up to 264 vertices within the pore network, and are constructed from as many as 7,524 atoms. The cages can selectively capture and store carbon dioxide with high efficiency and this, combined with stability and ease of fabrication, makes giant ZIFs promising candidates for technologies aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are porous crystalline materials where organic imidazolate links connect to transition metals to form a tetrahedral framework. Intriguingly, many different ZIF structures can be created by simply adjusting the link-link interactions. Links that result in two new materials with structures of a scale and complexity rarely seen before have now been designed: huge and complex cages within the pore network contain up to 264 vertices, and are constructed from as many as 7,524 atoms. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are porous crystalline materials with tetrahedral networks that resemble those of zeolites: transition metals (Zn, Co) replace tetrahedrally coordinated atoms (for example, Si), and imidazolate links replace oxygen bridges1. A striking feature of these materials is that the structure adopted by a given ZIF is determined by link–link interactions, rather than by the structure directing agents used in zeolite synthesis2. As a result, systematic variations of linker substituents have yielded many different ZIFs that exhibit known or predicted zeolite topologies. The materials are chemically and thermally stable, yet have the long-sought-after design flexibility offered by functionalized organic links and a high density of transition metal ions1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of two porous ZIFs—ZIF-95 and ZIF-100—with structures of a scale and complexity previously unknown in zeolites8,9,10. The materials have complex cages that contain up to 264 vertices, and are constructed from as many as 7,524 atoms. As expected from the adsorption selectivity recently documented for other members of this materials family3, both ZIFs selectively capture carbon dioxide from several different gas mixtures at room temperature, with ZIF-100 capable of storing 28 litres per litre of material at standard temperature and pressure. These characteristics, combined with their high thermal and chemical stability and ease of fabrication, make ZIFs promising candidate materials for strategies aimed at ameliorating increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Living with a Machine: The Experience of the Child Who is Ventilator Dependent

While there are reports about depression in mothers caring for ventilator-dependent children in the home, little is known about the children's own perspective of living with a machine. The purpose ...
Tapping Campus Talent for the Collegiate Business Communication Course: A Guide to Guest Speakers:

Since "variety is the spice of life,"guest speakers can add an element of enthusiasm and interest in the business communication classroom. Individuals from departments as diverse as home economics, research and development, and academic computing can be approached as potential guest speakers for the undergraduate course. Experts from the campus community can be tapped to lend expertise and insights on many topics usually included in the business communication curriculum.