cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
N-Cadherin Mediates Axon-Aligned Process Growth and Cell–Cell Interaction in Rat Schwann Cells

The molecular mechanisms underlying the contact behavior of Schwann cells (SCs) and SC–axon association are poorly understood. SC–SC and SC–axon interactions were studied using purified adult rat SCs and cocultures of SCs with embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons. After contact of SCs with axons, SCs start to extend processes in alignment with axons. This unique alignment was quantitated using a new assay. SC–axon alignment and SC–SC band formation were disrupted in medium containing low extracellular calcium, indicating the involvement of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules. N-cadherin expression was strong in developing rat sciatic nerves but weak in adult sciatic nerves. In purified adult-derived rat SCs, N-cadherin expression was increased by mitogens (neuregulins) and decreased by high cell density. High-resolution confocal images show intense N-cadherin signals in SC process tips. Subcellular N-cadherin was accumulated in bands at intercellular junctions between SCs and was clustered at axon–SC contact sites. Blocking antibodies (rabbit and guinea pig IgG directed against the first extracellular domain of N-cadherin) and cyclic pentapeptides (including the HAV motif) were used to perturb N-cadherin function. All blocking agents reduced the number of N-cadherin-positive SC–SC junctions and perturbed axon-aligned growth of SC processes. Averaging over all N-cadherin-perturbation experiments, in controls 67–86% of SCs exhibited axon-aligned process growth, whereas in treated cultures only 41% of the SCs aligned with axons. These results are evidence that in mammals N-cadherin is important for formation of SC–SC junctions and SC process growth in alignment with axons.
Determinants of Milk Advertising Effectiveness

An analysis of the net returns to dairy farmers from generic fluid milk advertising is made in terms of the ability of advertising to increase the blend price of milk in excess of the cost of advertising. The evaluation of the economic effectiveness of generic fluid milk advertising programs extends beyond the measurement of the direct sales response to advertising. Specifically, the class I‐class II price differential and the class I utilization rate are found to be extremely important factors influencing the effectiveness of generic milk advertising programs, while the impact of the price elasticity of supply is relatively minor.
Effects of caffeine and L-PIA on rats with selective damage of the hippocampal system☆

Rats with electrolytic lesions of either the medial septum or hippocampus or with colchicine-induced lesions of the dentate granule cells produced significantly higher amounts of lever pressing as compared to controls on both V150 sec and VT50 sec reinforcement schedules. Caffeine, at doses of 3.2, 10, and 32 mg/kg, produced a dose-related decrease in operant responding for all lesioned animals while having little effect on the responding of controls. L-PIA (an adenosine analog), at doses of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.10 mg/kg, produced similar but more variable effects in some of the groups tested and did not alter the rate-reducing effects of caffeine (32 mg/kg) when given concurrently (0.05 mg/kg). Caffeine administration also appeared to coincide with a long-term decrease in response rates that continued after cessation of its administration. Explanations are advanced as to caffeine's possible mode of action in this experiment. The postulate that colchicine-induced damage of dentate granule cells might be a viable animal model of some forms of hyperactivity also is advanced. This specific lesioning procedure, by itself, produced animals which displayed significantly higher than normal levels of general activity which were also sensitive to caffeine's rate-decreasing effects.
NANOSTRUCTURED SCAFFOLDS FOR BIOLOGY AND TISSUE ENGINEERING

Cartilage defects remain one of the most challenging musculoskeletal tissues to treat owing to its poor healing capacity. The lack of sufficient clinical treatments has led to a drive in tissue engineering advancements that combine chondrogenic cells with scaffolds to aid in cartilage regeneration. Nanoscale materials are commonly used in scaffold synthesis because of their ability to mimic the size of extracellular matrix (ECM). This review focuses on the use of nanostructured scaffolds in combination with cells for cartilage tissue engineering. We detail the fabrication methods and materials used to produce nanostructured scaffolds, with a focus on nanofibers and their role in modulating cell biology. Lastly, we discuss various techniques that further functionalize the nanostructured scaffolds to enhance cellular responses.
Droplet model for autocorrelation functions in an Ising ferromagnet

The autocorrelation function of Ising spins in an ordered phase is studied via a droplet model. Only noninteracting spherical droplets are considered. The Langevin equation which describes fluctuations in the radius of a single droplet is studied in detail. A general description of the transformation to a Fokker-Planck equations and the ways in which a spectral analysis of that equation can be used to compute the autocorrelation function is given. It is shown that the eigenvalues of the Fokker-Planck operator form (1) a continuous spectrum of relaxation rates starting from zero for d = 2, (2) a continuous spectrum with a finite gap for d = 3, and (3) a discrete spectrum for d greater than 4, where d is the spatial dimensionality. Detailed solutions for various cases are presented.
Abstract LB-247: mTORC1 enhances bortezomib-induced death in TSC-null cells by a c-MYC-dependent induction of the unfolded protein response

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The ability of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib to induce apoptosis of cancer cells is influenced by a variety of signaling pathways. We have found that control of c-MYC expression by the mammalian target of rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) plays a key role in determining drug sensitivity. Bortezomib treatment of Elt3 (rat TSC2-null leiomyoma) cells, that have high mTORC1 activity, activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) and apoptosis. Both effects were prevented by pretreatment of cells with the mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, indicating mTORC1 dependence. Bortezomib also induced c-MYC expression in Elt3 cells in an mTORC1-dependent manner. c-MYC bound to the promoters of the UPR-induced transcription factors ATF4 and CHOP during bortezomib treatment. These data suggest direct involvement of an mTORC1/c-MYC-driven signaling pathway in the activation of the UPR. Consistent with this notion, overexpression of c-MYC in the presence of rapamycin was sufficient to rescue bortezomib induced CHOP and ATF4 expression, as well as apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that the induction ATF4/CHOP expression by mTORC1 via regulation of c-MYC is a major determinant in the ability of bortezomib to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. Since hypoxia and low nutrient levels in poorly vascularized tumors may contribute to down regulation of mTORC1, our data may help explain some of the difficulties in treating solid tumors with bortezomib and caution against the use of rapamycin in combination with proteasome inhibitors in cancer treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-247. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-247
Greatly enhanced soot scattering in flickering CH4/Air diffusion flames

Abstract Planar images of laser-induced flurescence from OH · radicals and elastic scattering from soot particles are presented in time-varying, laminar CH4/air diffusion flames burning in a co-flowing, axisymmetric configuration at atmospheric pressure. Acoustic forcing is used to phase lock the periodic flame flicker to the pulsed laser system operating at 10.13 Hz. For conditions where the tip of the flame is clipped, the intensity of the light scattered by the soot particles increases dramatically (by more than a factor of 7 for the maximum signals at a point) compared to a steady-state, laminar flame with the same mean fuel flow velocity. Comparison of the scattering signals integrated along the flame radius is carried out in the steady-state and time-varying flames as a function of height above the burner. Time-varying flames exhibit a larger range of combustion conditions than observed in corresponding steady-state flames, including different residence times, temperature histories, local stoichiometries, and strain and scalar dissipation rates. Thus, their investigation promises to yield new insights into a wide variety of chemistry-flowfield interactions which are prominent in turbulent combustion.
The evaluation of surface activities from adsorption isotherms and their utilization in kinetic analyses of electrode reactions

Summary The kinetic equivalence of two alternative approaches for defining the surface activity coefficients of adsorbed reactants is demonstrated. A third, commonly utilized approach, which avoids the introduction of non-unit activity coefficients is also shown to yield kinetically indistinguishable results. It is argued that the definition of surface activity utilized in a recent kinetic study involving adsorbed reactants2 was inappropriate. The effects of making a kinetic analysis of the same system using modified expressions for surface activities are described.
Spatial Analysis and Quantification of the Thermodynamic Driving Forces in Protein–Ligand Binding: Binding Site Variability

The thermodynamic driving forces behind small molecule–protein binding are still not well-understood, including the variability of those forces associated with different types of ligands in different binding pockets. To better understand these phenomena we calculate spatially resolved thermodynamic contributions of the different molecular degrees of freedom for the binding of propane and methanol to multiple pockets on the proteins Factor Xa and p38 MAP kinase. Binding thermodynamics are computed using a statistical thermodynamics based end-point method applied on a canonical ensemble comprising the protein–ligand complexes and the corresponding free states in an explicit solvent environment. Energetic and entropic contributions of water and ligand degrees of freedom computed from the configurational ensemble provide an unprecedented level of detail into the mechanisms of binding. Direct protein–ligand interaction energies play a significant role in both nonpolar and polar binding, which is comparable to ...
Long-term use of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of epilepsy

Long-term outcomes of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of epilepsy have not previously been reported. A retrospective chart review of children treated with the ketogenic diet for more than 6 years at the Johns Hopkins Hospital was performed. The response was documented at clinic visits and by telephone contacts; laboratory studies were obtained approximately every 6 to 12 months. Satisfaction and tolerability were assessed by means of a brief parental telephone questionnaire. In all, 28 patients (15 males, 13 females), currently aged 7 to 23 years, were identified. The median baseline seizure frequency per week at diet onset was 630 (range 1-1400). Diet duration ranged from 6 to 12 years; 19 remain on the diet currently. After 6 years or more, 24 children experienced a more than 90% decrease in seizures, and 22 parents reported satisfaction with the diet's efficacy. Ten children were at less than the 10th centile for height at diet initiation; this number increased to 23 at the most recent follow-up (p=0.001). Kidney stones occurred in seven children and skeletal fractures in six. After 6 years or more the mean cholesterol level was 201mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein was 54mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein was 129mg/dl, and triglycerides were 97mg/dl. Efficacy and overall tolerability for children are maintained after prolonged use of the ketogenic diet. However, side effects, such as slowed growth, kidney stones, and fractures, should be monitored closely.
Hydrogen bonding in β-nitroalcohols

Abstract Infrared absorption spectra of a series of β -nitroalcohols in solution show predominantly monomeric hydroxyl absorption and single NO 2 stretching bands, indicative of non-bonded species. Some bonding with the solvent probably occurs in chloroform and intermolecular hydrogen bonds are postulated in the solid state. Nitromethane can inhibit hydrogen bonding in alcohols but, since an excess is required for such inhibition, the absence of bonded hydroxyl absorption in β -nitroalcohols cannot be explained in the same way. Abnormal ultraviolet absorption spectra of β -nitroalcohols are due to the solvent and are discussed in terms of specific solvent effects.
Restructuring Patriarchy: The Modernization of Gender Inequality in Brazil, 1914-1940

Susan K. Besse broadens our understanding of the political by establishing the relevance of gender for the construction of state hegemony in Brazil after World War I. Restructuring Patriarchy demonstrates that the consolidation and legitimization of power by President Getulio Vargas's Estado Novo depended to a large extent on the reorganization of social relations in the private sphere. New expectations and patterns of behavior for women emerged in postwar Brazil from heated debates between men and women, housewives and career women, feminists and antifeminists, reformist professionals and conservative clerics, and industrialists and bureaucrats. But as urban middle- and upper-class women challenged patriarchal authority at home and assumed new roles in public, prominent intellectuals, professionals, and politicians defined and imposed new 'hygienic,' rational, and scientific gender norms. Thus, modernization of the gender system within Brazil's rising urban-industrial society accommodated new necessities and opportunities for women without fundamentally changing the gender inequality that underlay the larger structure of social inequality in Brazil.
Media Review: "That's Why I Chose Yale"

(2011). Media Review: 'That's Why I Chose Yale' Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice: Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 251-255.
GEONETCast Americas: vision and plans

GEONETCast Americas is a regional contribution to a developing, global, near-real-time, environmental data dissemination system in support of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems. It will be a contribution from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration whose goal is to enable enhanced dissemination, application, and exploitation of environmental data and products for the diverse societal benefits defined by the Group on Earth Observations, including agriculture, energy, health, climate, weather, disaster mitigation, biodiversity, water resources, and ecosystems. GEONETCast Americas will serve North, Central, and South Americas beginning late in 2007 using inexpensive satellite receiver stations based on Digital Video Broadcast standards and will link with similar regional environmental data dissemination systems deployed around the world.
Motivational interviewing with the older adult

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach to health behavior change and has great potential to improve medical regimen adherence among the older population. This article provides a concise summary of MI as it can be applied to geriatric patient populations. The goal is to provide readers with an overview of MI, its clinical applications within psychological and medical settings and its adaptation for use with older individuals dealing with both mental health and general medical conditions. The article also discusses how varied systemic and therapeutic contexts (e.g., biomedical vs. psychological) may affect the meaning and implementation of MI. Although published randomized controlled studies on the effects of MI in the older population are limited, the majority of such studies indicates that MI is effective in influencing change in health behaviors. As a proven, cost-efficient treatment, MI should be considered for clinical use in geriatric and primary care clinics pr...
Epoetin alfa for the treatment of cancer- and chemotherapy-related anaemia: product review and update.

Anaemia, often associated with chemotherapy, is a common and debilitating disorder in cancer patients. Recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) was introduced in the 1990s for the treatment of chemotherapy-related anaemia. Data from randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and large, non-randomised, community-based studies have demonstrated that either of the FDA-approved dosing schedules of epoetin alfa 150 – 300 U/kg three times weekly or 40,000–60,000 U/week s.c., significantly increases haemoglobin levels, reduces transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life in anaemic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy. Guidelines for the effective and safe use of epoetin alfa have been published by major oncology/haematology organisations and are reviewed in this article. Areas of recent and ongoing investigation with epoetin alfa are also covered in this review.
Solar Probe Plus: Mission design challenges and trades

Abstract NASA plans to launch the first mission to the Sun, named Solar Probe Plus, as early as 2015, after a comprehensive feasibility study that significantly changed the original Solar Probe mission concept. The original Solar Probe mission concept, based on a Jupiter gravity assist trajectory, was no longer feasible under the new guidelines given to the mission. A complete redesign of the mission was required, which called for developing alternative trajectories that excluded a flyby of Jupiter. Without the very powerful gravity assist from Jupiter it was extremely difficult to get to the Sun, so designing a trajectory to reach the Sun that is technically feasible under the new mission guidelines became a key enabler to this highly challenging mission. Mission design requirements and challenges unique to this mission are reviewed and discussed, including various mission scenarios and six different trajectory designs utilizing various planetary gravity assists that were considered. The V5GA trajectory design using five Venus gravity assists achieves a perihelion of 11.8 solar radii (RS) in 3.3 years without any deep space maneuver (DSM). The V7GA trajectory design reaches a perihelion of 9.5 RS using seven Venus gravity assists in 6.39 years without any DSM. With nine Venus gravity assists, the V9GA trajectory design shows a solar orbit at inclination as high as 37.9° from the ecliptic plane can be achieved with the time of flight of 5.8 years. Using combined Earth and Venus gravity assists, as close as 9 RS from the Sun can be achieved in less than 10 years of flight time at moderate launch C3. Ultimately the V7GA trajectory was chosen as the new baseline mission trajectory. Its design allowing for science investigation right after launch and continuing for nearly 7 years is unprecedented for interplanetary missions. The redesigned Solar Probe Plus mission is not only feasible under the new guidelines but also significantly outperforms the original mission concept in both technical implementation and scientific returns.
Soil nitrogen response to coupling cover crops with manure injection

Coupling winter small grain cover crops (CC) with manure (M) application may increase retention of manure nitrogen (N) in corn (Zea mays L.), -soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr], cropping systems. The objective of this research was to quantify soil N changes after application of liquid swine M (Sus scrofa L.) at target N rates of 112, 224, and 336 kg N ha−1 with and without a CC. A winter rye (Secale cereale L.)-oat (Avena sativa L.) CC was established prior to fall M injection. Surface soil (0–20 cm) inorganic N concentrations were quantified every week for up to 6 weeks after M application in 2005 and 2006. Soil profile (0–120 cm in 5, 20-cm depth increments) inorganic N, total N, total organic carbon and bulk density were quantified for each depth increment in the fall before M application and before the CC was killed the following spring. Surface soil inorganic N on the day of application averaged $$ 318\,{\text{mg}}\;{\text{N}}\;{\text{kg}}^{ - 1}{_{\text{soil}}} $$ in 2005 and $$ 186\,{\text{mg}}\;{\text{N}}\;{\text{kg}}^{ - 1}{_{\text{soil}} }$$ in 2006 and stabilized at $$ 150\,{\text{mg}}\;{\text{N}}\;{\text{kg}}^{ - 1}{_{\text{soil}}}$$ in both years by mid-November. Surface soil NO3-N concentrations in the M band were more than 30 times higher in the fall of 2005 than in 2006. The CC reduced surface soil NO3-N concentrations after manure application by 32% and 67% in mid- November 2005 and 2006, respectively. Manure applied at 224 kg N ha−1 without a CC had significantly more soil profile inorganic-N (480 kg N ha−1) in the spring after M application than manured soils with a CC for the 112 (298 kg N ha−1) and 224 (281 kg N ha−1) N rates, and equivalent inorganic N to the 336 (433 kg N ha−1) N rate. These results quantify the potential for cover crops to enhance manure N retention and reduce N leaching potential in farming systems utilizing manure.
Local four quark operator in $$K^0 \bar K^0 $$ mixing: The vacuum saturation estimate as an upper bound for the matrix element

By computing the imaginary part of the propagator of the local four quark operator\(O(x) = \bar s_L (x)\gamma ^\mu d_L (x)\bar s_L (x)\gamma _\mu d_L (x)\), we obtain the upper bound: with an uncertainty (outside the 1/Nc2 corrections) or order 10%. We show how it can be recovered by Laplace hadronic sum rules.
The possible role of protein degradation in altered membrane structure and function

Abstract Possible changes in membrane lipid assemetry may result in altered function with aging. Membrane proteolysis is an additional factor which must be considered, both with respect to modulation of membrane function and also as a methodological problem in analyses of membrane dynamics.
Permeate flux inflection due to concentration polarization in crossflow membrane filtration: A novel analytic approach

A convection-diffusion equation for membrane filtration is analytically solved assuming fast crossflow velocity of a simple shear flow tangential to the membrane surface. In the direction normal to the membrane surface, solute concentration varies in a partially exponential and partially power-wise manner. The permeate flux in an asymptotic limit is proportional to the inverse square root of the distance from the inlet of the membrane channel. Osmotic pressure due to retained solutes on the membrane surface controls the profile of the permeate flux, which undergoes an inflection along the tangential direction if applied pressure is more than four times the feed osmotic pressure.
Corrosion behavior of steel in concrete made with Pyrament® blended cement

Abstract The corrosion behavior of steel in reinforced concrete made using Pyrament® blended cement and having water-cement ratios of 0.25, 0.27, and 0.29 has been determined by means of electrochemical techniques such as polarization resistance. Based on tests conducted on samples continuously immersed in a 3.5% NaCl solution as well as those subjected to alternating wetting and drying conditions for three years, the concrete has provided remarkable corrosion protection to the embedded steel.
Characterization And Removal of Errors Due to Local Magnetic Anomalies In Directional Drilling

Summary Directional drilling has evolved over the last few decades to become standard operational practice in the oil and gas exploration industry. One method of steering utilizes a technique known as magnetic Measurement While Drilling (MWD). Vector measurements of geomagnetic fields along a well-bore are used to determine it orientation. This method is advantageous in that it is inexpensive and efficient. However, it can suffer from the errors caused by local magnetic anomalies such as those produced by telluric currents and magnetic geologic units. We have developed method to quantify the error associated with magnetic geologic units, and correct the drilling process for this error.
Morality and the State, Law and Legalism

tutional candidates has been left to the law to fill. The churches are either too sectarian or too morally bland, the universities too caught up in professionalism or culture wars, the journals of opinion tiresomely focussed on the religious right (the left) or assaulting politically correct liberals (the right), and political life reduced during this campaign year to nasty negative attacks on anything and everyone. That leaves the law. It is relatively free of scandal, still generally respected, national and relatively uniform in its scope, and ready to take on ethics if that is what gets served up to it for the making of decisions. It may be the best institution we have, but it is a poor substitute for moral consensus and public debate on ethics. U
A stochastic approach to solving inverse problems of biochemical networks

Advances in the development of models that can satisfactorily describe biochemical networks are extremely valuable for understanding life processes. In order to get full description of such networks, one has to solve the inverse problem, that is, estimate unknowns (rates and populations of various species) or choose models from a set of hypothesized models using experimental data. In this paper we discuss signal processing techniques for resolving the inverse problem of biochemical networks using the stochastic approach based on Bayesian theory. The proposed methods are tested in simple scenarios and the results are promising and suggest application of these methods to more complex networks.
Using visual aids to reduce speech anxiety

This study examined whether using visual aids in a public speech, delivered from manuscript, was related to lower levels of state anxiety. In essence, it was found that those who used a visual aid reported lower state anxiety than those who did not use a visual aid. The implications of this result are discussed in the conclusion of this paper.
Structural basis of C-terminal β-amyloid peptide binding by the antibody ponezumab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and characterized by the deposition and accumulation of plaques, is composed in part of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, loss of neurons, and the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles. Here, we describe ponezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, and show how it binds specifically to the carboxyl (C)-terminus of Aβ40. Ponezumab can label Aβ that is deposited in brain parenchyma found in sections from Alzheimer's disease casualties and in transgenic mouse models that overexpress Aβ. Importantly, ponezumab does not label full-length, non-cleaved amyloid precursor protein on the cell surface. The C-terminal epitope of the soluble Aβ present in the circulation appears to be available for ponezumab binding because systemic administration of ponezumab greatly elevates plasma Aβ40 levels in a dose-dependent fashion after administration to a mouse model that overexpress human Aβ. Administration of ponezumab to transgenic mice also led to a dose-dependent reduction in hippocampal amyloid load. To further explore the nature of ponezumab binding to Aβ40, we determined the X-ray crystal structure of ponezumab in complex with Aβ40 and found that the Aβ40 carboxyl moiety makes extensive contacts with ponezumab. Furthermore, the structure–function analysis supported this critical requirement for carboxy group of AβV40 in the Aβ–ponezumab interaction. These findings provide novel structural insights into the in vivo conformation of the C-terminus of Aβ40 and the brain Aβ-lowering efficacy that we observed following administration of ponezumab in transgenic mouse models.
Sweet taste: effect on cephalic phase insulin release in men.

Abstract To determine whether sweet-tasting solutions are effective elicitors of cephalic phase insulin release (CPIR) in humans, two studies were conducted using nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners as stimuli. Normal weight men sipped and spit four different solutions: water, aspartame, saccharin, and sucrose. A fifth condition involved a modified sham-feed with apple pie. The five stimuli were administered in counterbalanced order, each on a separate day. In study l, subjects tasted the stimuli for 1 min ( n = 15) and in study 2 ( n = 16), they tasted the stimuli for 3 min. Arterialized venous blood was drawn to establish a baseline and then at 1 min poststimulus, followed by every 2 min for 15 min and then every 5 min for 15 min. In both study 1 and stud) 2, no significant increases in plasma insulin were observed after subjects tasted the sweetened solutions. In contrast, significant increases in plasma insulin occurred after the modified sham-feed with both the 1 min and 3 min exposure. These results suggest that nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners in solution are not adequate stimuli for the elicitation of CPIR.
Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on proliferation and differentiation of Caco-2 cells

The effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], or calcitriol, on the proliferation and differentiation of Caco-2 cells was studied. Vitamin D receptor mRNA was detected in both pre- and postconfluent cells, and its abundance was unchanged with time and in response to calcitriol. 1,25-(OH)2D3-binding activity increased during differentiation, but there was no difference in binding between 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated and control cells. 1,25-(OH)2D3 caused a dose-dependent reduction in proliferation, as assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation and DNA content. 1,25-(OH)2D3 significantly enhanced the normal rise in alkaline phosphatase activity during differentiation and increased alkaline phosphatase mRNA abundance. In contrast, 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited the normal rise in sucrase-isomaltase activity and the corresponding mRNA level, although the inhibition occurred after the initial period of cell differentiation (> 10 days postplating). Morphological analysis demonstrated that by day 12 postplating, 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased the mean dome diameter and microvillus length and density. Although 1,25-(OH)2D3 decreases the proliferation of Caco-2 cells and enhances certain parameters of differentiation, not all brush-border hydrolases respond in a similar fashion, making it necessary to interpret with caution their individual use as markers of differentiation.
Pushing the limits of local excision for rectal cancer: transanal minimally invasive surgery for an upper rectal/rectosigmoid lesion.

Background. Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is an evolving technique for the local excision of early rectal cancers, 1 particularly for mid-rectal lesions. The approach to upper rectal lesions is significantly more challenging and prone to complications. We demonstrate TAMIS for an upper rectal/rectosigmoid lesion, with transanal repair of an intraoperative rectal/rectosigmoid perforation. Methods. The patient is an elderly male in whom colonoscopy demonstrated a large polypoid lesion of the upper rectum/rectosigmoid colon. On rigid proctoscopy, the lesion was 4 cm in size and occupied 40 % of the rectal circumference, with distal extent at 14 cm from the anal verge. Endoscopic ultrasound was consistent with TisN0 disease. Multiple attempts at endoscopic mucosal resection were unsuccessful and the patient refused radical resection. The patient underwent TAMIS with a disposable transanal access port, using our previously published stepwise technique. 2 Results. The patient successfully underwent TAMIS. Intraoperatively, a small full-thickness perforation was created proximal to the excision site and was primarily repaired. A stepwise approach to excision and repair is described. Postoperatively, the patient had low-grade fevers for which he was treated empirically with antibiotics. The fevers resolved without further intervention. Pathologic examination revealed a 3.5 cm villous adenoma with focal high-grade dysplasia, negative margins, and two negative lymph nodes. On outpatient follow-up, the patient was symptom-free and had no fevers, pain, bleeding, fecal incontinence, or genitourinary functional deficits. He is disease-free 10 months from his procedure. Conclusions. TAMIS of upper rectal lesions is technically challenging, but can be accomplished safely in wellselected patients.
Intersystem crossing in transition metal complexes

Abstract Intersystem crossing between zeroth-order states of different spin quantum numbers can be characterized as fast (≥1012 s−1) or slow. The bulk of the extant results on the fast unquenchable processes has been limited to the evaluation of efficiencies, the fraction of the initially excited molecules that undergo intersystem crossing. Cr(III) complexes have been the main systems studied. The increasing availability of sub-picosecond lasers has led to the determination of rates. Both prompt intersystem crossing which precedes thermalization and intersystem crossing from thermalized states contribute to the total efficiency, but the relative contributions of the two processes have not been determined. The magnitude of the efficiency reflects the relative rates of vibrational relaxation and prompt intersystem crossing in the Franck–Condon level, but both efficiencies and rates are available for few metal complexes. The published efficiency results are examined with a kinetic model. The relationship between the several different measures of intersystem crossing is considered. Identification of reactive states cannot be made from kinetic measurements alone. The reliability of the results is evaluated and the possible dependence on excitation wave length is judged.
A novel dyatropic rearrangement of γ-N,N-dibenzylamino α,β-dehydro N-formylamino acid esters

Abstract γ-N,N-Dibenzylamino α,β-dehydro N-formylamino acid esters of type 2 undergo a dyatropic thermal rearrangement in refluxing toluene to yield the isomeric urea derivatives 3. Evidence for a dissociation-recombination mechanism is presented.
Conformal transformations and accelerated cosmologies

A cosmological theory that predicts a late-time accelerated attractor with a constant dark matter to dark energy ratio can be said to solve the coincidence problem. Such cosmologies are naturally generated in the context of nonstandard gravity theories under conformal transformation because of the resulting couplings between scalar fields and matter. The present work examines four classes of these transformed theories and finds that only a small subset-those with a single scalar field-are capable of solving the coincidence problem.
Extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis as a cause of cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage.

We commend Cuvinciuc et al[1][1] on their recent review of nontraumatic cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage (cSAH). While not an uncommon clinical presentation, there is an overall paucity of literature on this subject, with the largest reported series by Kumar et al[2][2] comprising only 29 patients.
Acute effects of thalamic deep brain stimulation and thalamotomy on sensorimotor cortex local field potentials in essential tremor.

Abstract Objective Essential tremor (ET) is characterized by an action tremor believed to be due to excessive theta–alpha activity in the cerebello–thalamo–cortical system. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that therapeutic thalamic stimulation in patients with ET decreases theta–alpha oscillatory activity in primary motor (M1) and sensory (S1) cortices. Methods During surgical treatment of ET in 10 patients, an electrocorticography (ECoG) strip electrode was placed temporarily over the arm region of M1 and S1. Local field potentials (LFP) were recorded at rest, during a tremor-inducing posture, during acute therapeutic thalamic stimulation, and following therapeutic thalamotomy (three patients). Power spectral density (PSD) was calculated using the Fast Fourier Transform. Results At rest, alpha activity (8–13 Hz) in M1 was significantly decreased during high-frequency stimulation, while theta activity (4–8 Hz) decreased in S1. Following thalamotomy, theta and beta (13–30 Hz) was increased in M1. Induction of postural tremor reduced M1 theta, alpha and beta activity compared to the resting state. Conclusions High-frequency thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) significantly reduces alpha oscillatory activity in the primary motor cortex of patients with ET, though this change is probably not critical for therapeutic efficacy. Significance We demonstrate that ECoG can be effectively used to study the effect of subcortical stimulation on cortical oscillations.
Effect of plasma sodium on aldosterone secretion during angiotensin II stimulation in normal humans.

Studies were carried out in normal male subjects (n = 6, age 20-35 years) to determine the interaction of angiotensin II and plasma sodium on aldosterone secretion. These relations were quantified by elevation of plasma sodium with an infusion of 5% sodium chloride (4 ml/kg/30 min i.v.) with measurements of plasma aldosterone, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) over 3 hours. Two hours before sodium chloride infusion, an intravenous infusion of angiotensin II was begun at 0.5 or 5.0 ng/kg/min and continued throughout the study. Plasma potassium was maintained constant by the addition of potassium to the infusate. NaCl/KCl infusion raised plasma sodium 4 meq/l with no decreases of plasma potassium. Plasma aldosterone averaged 7 +/- 1.8 ng/dl before NaCl infusion in subjects infused with 0.5 ng angiotensin II and was not significantly reduced with sodium chloride infusion. Angiotensin II infused at 5 ng/kg/min resulted in average plasma aldosterone levels of 31 +/- 3.6 ng/dl, which sodium chloride infusion decreased to 16.6 +/- 1.3 ng/dl (p less than 0.05) in 60 minutes. Plasma aldosterone remained depressed for the remaining period of study. Plasma ANF increased from 40 to 60 pg/ml with sodium chloride infusion. We conclude that small physiological elevations of plasma sodium concentrations can signal substantial decreases of plasma aldosterone in normal human subjects in situations where plasma angiotensin II is moderately elevated. The precise mechanisms of these responses remain to be determined.
Comparison of the relative sensitivity of CT colonography and double-contrast barium enema for screen detection of colorectal polyps.

Abstract Background & Aims: In a population reflective of a screening setting, our aim was to compare the relative sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography (CT) colonography with double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) for detection of colorectal polyps and to assess the added value of double reading at CT colonography, using endoscopy as the arbiter. Methods: This prospective, blinded study comprised 837 asymptomatic persons at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer who underwent CT colonography followed by same-day DCBE. Examinations with polyps ≥5 mm in diameter were referred to colonoscopy. Results: CT colonography readers detected 56%–79% of polyps ≥10 mm in diameter. In comparison, the sensitivity at DCBE varied between 39% and 56% for the 31 polyps ≥1 cm. All of the readers detected more polyps at CT colonography than DCBE, but the difference was statistically significant for only a single reader ( P = 0.02). Relative specificity for polyps ≥10 mm on a per-patient basis ranged from 96% to 99% at CT colonography, and 99%–100% at DCBE. Doubly read CT colonography detected significantly more polyps than DCBE (81% vs. 45% for polyps ≥1 cm [ P = P ≤ 0.01]). Conclusions: Double-read CT colonography is significantly more sensitive in detecting polyps than single-read double contrast barium enema. DCBE was significantly more specific than CT colonography.
Immunomodulatory Strategies Directed Toward Tolerance of Vascularized Composite Allografts.

Background Achieving tolerance of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs) would improve the risk-to-benefit ratio in patients who undergo this life-enhancing, though not lifesaving, transplant. Kidney cotransplantation along with a short course of high-dose immunosuppression enables tolerance of heart allografts across a full major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatch. In this study, we investigated whether tolerance of VCAs across full MHC disparities could be achieved in animals already tolerant of heart and kidney allografts. Methods Miniature swine that were tolerant of heart and/or kidney allografts long term underwent transplantation of myocutaneous VCA across the same MHC barrier. Before VCA transplant, group 1 (n = 3) underwent class I-mismatched kidney transplantation; group 2 (n = 3) underwent 2 sequential class I-mismatched kidney transplantations; group 3 (n = 2) underwent haploidentical MHC-mismatched heart/kidney transplantation; and group 4 (n = 2) underwent full MHC-mismatched heart/kidney transplantation. Results All 3 animals in group 1 and 2 of 3 animals in group 2 showed skin rejection within 85 days; 1 animal in group 2 showed prolonged skin survival longer than 200 days. Animals in groups 3 and 4 showed skin rejection within 30 days and regained in vitro evidence of donor responsiveness. Conclusions This is the first preclinical study in which hearts, kidneys, and VCAs have been transplanted into the same recipient. Despite VCA rejection, tolerance of heart and kidney allografts was maintained. These results suggest that regulatory tolerance of skin is possible but not generally achieved by the same level of immunomodulation that is capable of inducing tolerance of heart and kidney allografts. Achieving tolerance of skin may require additional immunomodulatory therapies.
Modular Dynamic Model Assembly of Finite Element Models

Analytical engineering design is a global activity requiring efficient global distribution of analytical models of dynamic physical systems through computer networks. Finite Element Method (FEM) models are used globally to analyze the response of physical systems assembled from physical components. FEM models from different physical component suppliers often have geometrically incompatible meshes. This geometric incompatibility of mesh node placement typically requires component internal details in the assembly process. The modular model assembly introduced in this paper does not require such component internal details. It assembles incompatible finite element component models fast and with accuracy comparable to traditional reformulation. The proprietary geometry and material component details are not revealed during the assembly. Modular model assembly can be used to assemble distributed component models through the internet in global engineering design. Dynamic examples are provided.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Does progesterone show neuroprotective effects on traumatic brain injury through increasing phosphorylation of Akt in the hippocampus

There are currently no federally approved neuroprotective agents to treat traumatic brain injury. Progesterone, a hydrophobic steroid hormone, has been shown in recent studies to exhibit neuroprotective effects in controlled cortical impact rat models. Akt is a protein kinase known to play a role in cell signaling pathways that reduce edema, inflammation, apoptosis, and promote cell growth in the brain. This study aims to determine if progesterone modulates the phosphorylation of Akt via its threonine 308 phosphorylation site. Phosphorylation at the threonine 308 site is one of several sites responsible for activating Akt and enabling the protein kinase to carry out its neuroprotective effects. To assess the effects of progesterone on Akt phosphorylation, C57BL/6 mice were treated with progesterone (8 mg/kg) at 1 (intraperitonally), 6, 24, and 48 hours (subcutaneously) post closed-skull traumatic brain injury. The hippocampus was harvested at 72 hours post injury and prepared for western blot analysis. Traumatic brain injury caused a significant decrease in Akt phosphorylation compared to sham operation. However, mice treated with progesterone following traumatic brain injury had an increase in phosphorylation of Akt compared to traumatic brain injury vehicle. Our findings suggest that progesterone is a viable treatment option for activating neuroprotective pathways after traumatic brain injury.
Solid Phase Extraction of Sulfonamides Using Cyclobond-I Cartridges

Abstract The use of cyclobond-I solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges in the analysis of sulfonamides was investigated. an aqueous solution of sulfonamides in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 4.0) was passed through the SPE cartridge. the sulfonamides which were retained on the cartridge by formation of inclusion complexes between the sulfonamides and B-cyclodextrin were eluted with 50% aqueous methanol. the eluate was directly analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with UV detection at 265nm.
Clinical experience with flow cytometric separation of human X- and Y-chromosome bearing sperm

Numerous methods to separate human X- and Y-bearing sperm have been reported with unconfirmed separation after DNA analysis and inconsistent birth results. Successful flow cytometric separation of sperm resulting in alteration of the sex ratio of young born has been demonstrated in several animal species. Flow cytometric separation of human X- and Y-bearing sperm (MicroSort) has been confirmed after DNA analysis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Pregnancies and births have resulted from the use of MicroSort after intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Moment Equations for Waves Propagated in Random Media

We show that the partial differential equations obtained by Tatarski, Beran, and Ho for the first, second, and fourth statistical moments of a wave propagating in a random medium are special cases of a general partial differential equation satisfied by the mth moment when the refractive-index inhomogeneities are sufficiently weak. In addition, we derive moment equations that apply regardless of the strength of the inhomogeneities. The results obtained in this case are in the form of difference relations satisfied for the moments.
How Effective are Cash Transfers at Improving Nutritional Status

Summary Cash transfer programs have not always affected children’s nutritional status. We reviewed 30,000 articles relating cash transfer programs and height for age, finding 21 papers on 17 programs. Applying meta-analysis we examine the overarching relationship, finding that the programs’ average impact on height-for-age is positive, but small and not statistically significant. We evaluate many programs, child and local characteristics’ correlation with estimated outcome. Conditional programs statistically accomplish the same as unconditional. However, conditionalities not related to health or education strongly inhibit child growth. We see girls benefiting more than boys and more disadvantaged areas benefiting more.