cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibition in Cutaneous Wound Healing and Allergic Contact Hypersensitivity

Normal wounds can heal by secondary intention (epidermal migration to cover a denuded surface) or by approximation of the wound edges (e.g., suturing). In healing by secondary intention, epidermis-derived MMPs are important. Keratinocyte migration begins within 3-6 hr post injury, as basal cells detach from underlying basal lamina and encounter a dermal substratum rich in type I collagen. Cell contact with type I collagen in vitro stimulates collagenase-1 expression, which is mediated by the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin, the major keratinocyte collagen-binding receptor. Collagenase-1 activity alone is necessary and sufficient for keratinocyte migration over a collagen subsurface. Stromelysins-1 and -2 are also found in the epidermis of normal acute wounds. Stromelysin-2 co-localizes with collagenase-1 and may facilitate cell migration over non-collagenous matrices of the dermis. In contrast, stromelysin-1 is expressed by keratinocytes behind the migrating front and which remain on basal lamina, i.e., the proliferative cell population. Studies with stromelysin-1-deficient mice that suggest this MMP plays a role in keratinocyte detachment from underlying basement membrane to initiate cell migration. In chronic ulcers, MMP levels are markedly elevated, in contrast to their precise temporal and spatial expression in acute wounds. Both collagenase-1 and stromelysin-1 are found in fibroblasts underlying the nonhealing epithelium, and stromelysin-1 expression is especially prominent. Two key questions underlie the use of MMP inhibitors and wound healing: (1) will these agents impair normal reepithelialization in wounds that heal by secondary intention; and (2) can MMP inhibitors be effective therapy for chronic ulcers? The answer to neither is known. Batimastat and marimastat appear not to interfere with normal wound healing, but only in sutured surgical wounds, a situation in which MMP expression has practically no role. We also show the first example of an in vivo immune response, contact hypersensitivity, which is dependent upon MMP activity. Using gene-deficient mice, we demonstrate that stromylysin-1 (MMP-3) is required for sensitization, whereas gelatinase B (MMP-9) is required for timely resolution of the reaction to antigenic challenge.
Contamination of Transvenous Pacemaker Leads Due to Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Infection: A Report of 2 Cases

Catheter-related bacteremia is a frequent complication associated with the use of tunneled hemodialysis catheters. Catheter-related bacteremia can lead to metastasis of infection to other sites. This article presents 2 patients with transvenous pacemakers (placed >2 years ago) who were receiving long-term hemodialysis therapy using tunneled hemodialysis catheters. Both were admitted to the hospital with catheter-related bacteremia. Blood cultures showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in both cases. Transesophageal echocardiography was negative for the presence of valvular endocarditis, but showed lead-associated vegetation in both cases. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated, and both the tunneled hemodialysis catheters and cardiac devices were removed by a cardiothoracic surgeon. The catheter tip and leads cultures showed MRSA in both cases. After resolution of bacteremia, both patients received an epicardial cardiac device. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 6 weeks. Renal physicians providing dialysis therapy should be aware that catheter-related bacteremia could cause contamination of transvenous pacemaker leads. Because catheter-related bacteremia is a frequent complication, epicardial leads might be considered as an alternative route to provide cardiac support to catheter-consigned patients. Epicardial leads do not navigate through the central veins, lie in the path of blood flow, or cause central venous stenosis.
Hemodynamic responses to a community-based Tai Chi exercise intervention in ethnic Chinese adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among older adults worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and North America. In the United States (US), CVD is also the leading cause of death among Asian–Americans. Physical activity has been shown to reduce CVD risk factors. Reduction in blood pressure (BP) in response to Tai Chi (TC) exercise in persons with CVD risk factors have been reported, though not in ethnic Chinese living in the US.Aim: Hemodynamic responses to a 12-week community-based TC exercise intervention among ethnic Chinese with CVD risk factors were examined.Methods: Quasi-experimental design. Ethnic Chinese > 45 years old with at least 1 major CVD risk factor, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, attended a TC intervention three times a week for 12 weeks. A 2-min step-in-place test assessed aerobic endurance. BP and heart rate were measured at rest, and within 1-min after the step-test. Data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks.Results: A total of 39 subjects (6...
Central nervous system facilitation and increased pain

I strongly agree with Howard Fields that there is a faciiitatory component to pain modulation. There are now many reports showing that stimulation of descending fibers in the dorsolateral funiculus produces facilitatory effects (see McMahon and Wall12 for bibliography). In addition, there are many reports of descending facilitatory effects produced by stimulation of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the rostra1 ventromedial medulla (RIM). ‘~‘xJ~‘~~‘~ In our own studies in the awake monkey (see DubneT for bibliography), the responses of medullary dorsal horn neurons to noxious stimuli were enhanced by the monkey’s selective attention to behaviorally relevant stimuli. These neurons encode features of noxious stimuli such as intensity, location, and quality. Such stimuli activate dorsal horn neurons irrespective of the behavioral state of the animal (waking, anesthetized), but the responses are facilitated when the stimulus is relevant to the monkey’s successful completion of a behavioral task. However, there also are facilitatory responses of these neurons that appear to be independent of the features of the stimulus, but instead encode events that are part of the behavioral task. This facilitation occurs in response to the presentation of a cue, signalling to the monkey that a trial may be initiated. The facilitation also occurs when the monkey is preparing to respond to a relevant stimulus. These facilitatory effects are absent outside of the behavioral task. As quoted by Fields, “neuronal responsiveness . . . may be dependent entirely on the behavioral context within which a sensory signal is received.” It is likely that such behavioral modulation originates
Stallion karyotype variability and lack of association with abortion: A case reprot

Karyotype analysis was done on a stallion that impregnated 23 mares during the 1991 breeding season, of which 14 aborted between 2 and 4 mo fo gestation. Lymphocytes examined contained a 64,XY complement of normal appearing sex chromosomes and autosomes, except for slight dimorphism of the centric heterochromatin of chromosome No. 1. A skin biopsy was procured form the stallion for karyotype analysis, and the stallion was bred to 11 mares. Three mares were detected pregnant 16, 35, 45 d after breeding. The fetuses were recovered transcervically using curved intestinal forceps 47 (n=2) and 49 (n=1) d after breeding. Fetal tissue was rinsed and packed in culture media, transported overnight in a chilled container, cultured by standard tissue culture techniques, and prepared for karyotype analysis. No abnormalities were found in standard karyotypes from those cultures. One fetal karyotype revealed slight dimorphism of the heterochromatin of chromosome No. 1. Chromosome spreads obtained from the stallion's skin biopsy revealed a normal karyotype with no difference in the amount of heterochromatin present in No. 1 chromosomes. During the 1992 breeding season, the stallion impregnated 23 of 25 mares bred. Only 1 mare aborted, at 8 mo of gestation. Apparently, the amount of heterochromatin of No. 1 horse chromosomes can vary, and caution should be used in diagnosing this as a cause of pregnancy failure.
In-line holographic particle image velocimetry for turbulent flows.

A holographic system has been developed to measure the velocity field in three-dimensional flow regions. The system records the position of small tracer particles on two in-line holograms of the flow obtained simultaneously. Two exposures are recorded on each hologram. The flow velocity is derived from the displacement of the particles between exposures. A general design procedure is described for selecting the particle diameter and the concentration on the basis of the configuration of the flow facility and the resolution characteristics of the holographic imaging system. The system was implemented in a 2 ft × 2 ft (1 ft = 30.48 cm) water channel to measure the velocity field in a turbulent free-surface jet. The spatial resolution of the system is 1 mm, and the field of view is 100 mm, approximately. Measurements performed with this system are compared with results reported in the literature and are found to be in good agreement.
Behavioral and biochemical evidence for a functional role of excitatory amino acids in the median raphe nucleus

Abstract Recent experiments have suggested the existence of excitatory amino acid (EEAA)-containing afferents to the median raphe nucleus. In the present study we investigated the functional significance of EAAs in the median raphe (MR) by examining the behavioral and biochemical effects of intra-raphe injections of EAA antagonists. Injections of kynurenic acid, γ-glutamylglycine, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (2-APV) and 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (2-APH) into the median raphe resulted in marked hyperactivity. In contrast to the effect of 2-APV and 2-APH, intra-raphe injections of the homologues of these compounds with 4,6 or 8 carbon atoms, which have a lower affinity for excitatory amino acid receptors, were without significant effects on activity. Additionally, the effects of 2-APV were shown to be stereospecific to the active D -isomer further suggesting receptor mediation of the effect. Injections of EAA antagonists into the dorsal raphe nucleus or the ventral tegmental area were much less effective in increasing activity than were injections into the MR, suggesting anatomical specificity of the effect. Injections of 2-APB into the median raphe were also shown to result in a reduction of serotonin metabolism within the hippocampus and an increase in dopamine metabolism within the nucleus accumbens and the magnitude of both of these effects was positively correlated with the behavioral responses to the injections. These findings suggest that cells within the median raphe may be subject to a tonic excitation exerted through EAA receptors.
Effects of surfactants on wave-induced drainage of foam and emulsion films

It is well established that the plane-parallel models of foam and emulsion films underestimate the velocity of film thinning by up to several orders of magnitude and show an incorrect dependence of thinning velocity on film radius. A new theory of film thinning has been previously formulated for tangentially immobile films [12, 13], and shows that the reason for this discrepancy is the neglect of experimentally observed finite amplitude surface waves. For thin films of relatively large radii (> 1o−2 cm), the pumping of the fluid generated by oscillations of the surface waves, provides the dominant contribution to film thinning velocity. The present hydrodynamic model includes the effects of surfactants (Marangoni-Gibbs-effect, surface viscosity and surface diffusion) and surface waves on thinning velocity. As in the case of a tangentially immobile film, it is concluded that the thinning velocity varies inversely with less than the first power of the film radius, and not with the square of the film radius, as predicted by the plane-parallel models of thin film. Also, the velocity of thinning is found to be up to several orders of magnitudes larger than that evaluated from the plane-parallel models. The influence of waves in enhancing the thinning velocity is found to be most significant for a tangentially immobile film and this effect decreases by a factor of up to 3, with a decrease in surface elasticity and surface viscosity.
Morocco's 1995 association agreement with the European Union

In the years from 1992 to 1995, the European Union developed and proposed to the 12 non‐EU Mediterranean countries a new generation of association agreements, including free‐trade zones, increased financial help, and close cooperation in a variety of sectors. Of the Mediterranean ‘Twelve’, Morocco was the first country approached by the EU to begin discussions. The path to an eventual accord on a new association agreement between Morocco and the EU, however, was long and difficult. The process of intermittent negotiations went through several phases and lasted three‐and‐a‐half years, from the spring of 1992 to the autumm of 1995. The two parties had serious differences over an issue of great importance to Rabat: access for Moroccan agricultural products to the EU market. During 1994–95, a period when negotiations for an association agreement were in trouble over issues of substance, the EU was eager to negotiate a new fisheries agreement with Rabat to assure continued access for Spain's large fishing flee...
A continuous-flow moisture detector

MOISTURE is one of the main foes of electric apparatus. In liquid-filled apparatus such as transformers, excessive moisture in the liquid can be a reflection of a similar situation in the solid insulation. The problem of detecting accurately these minute quantities of water in the liquid is an extremely important one and has received considerable attention in the past.
Institutionalizing sustainability: an empirical study of corporate registration and commitment to the United Nations global compact guidelines

Abstract Drawing upon institutional and stakeholder theories, we explore the ‘causal’ mechanisms of institutionalization and their influence on Sustainable Development initiatives. To test our arguments, we study the registration patterns of 394 large corporations from 12 Western European and Latin American countries into the United Nations Global Compact. Results indicate that the normative and mimetic mechanisms of institutionalization (i.e., academe and peer influence) are better indicators of Sustainable Development initiatives than the coercive one (i.e., government regulation). The implications of these findings are consequential if SD practices continue as an ethical choice, and not a mandated obligation, for corporate decision makers.
Two separate unintentional fatalities with the same revolver

We report 2 deaths and 1 injury that resulted from 2 separate unintentional discharges of the same Ruger Blackhawk revolver. One discharge was a consequence of careless firearm handling combined with a slip during a decocking procedure unique to certain hammer-action firearms. The second discharge occurred when the firearm was dropped and was the result of a combination of firearm design and a lack of knowledge regarding the safe handling of this type of revolver. The second death may have been prevented by the timely intervention of a health care or law enforcement professional at the time of the first unintentional discharge. Physicians who become knowledgeable about the functioning of different types of firearms and how they can malfunction may help promote the safe and responsible use of firearms among their patients.
Adaptive hybrid grid methods

An adaptive refinement and redistribution method is presented for use on hybrid grids composed of prismatic, pyramidal and tetrahedral elements. The combined refinement and redistribution scheme minimizes the computational time and memory required for the solver and maximizes the numerical accuracy. Grid refinement is achieved via a priori source placement and also solution based splitting of the edges of the grid elements. The prismatic and pyramidal elements are divided directionally and the tetrahedral elements may be refined isotropically or directionally. The prismatic grid redistribution scheme attracts or repels points that are close to the wall surface so as to better capture boundary layers. A method is developed to place newly created boundary nodes on the actual splined surface instead of the previous discretized surface. This ensures that the grid refinement always represents the geometric model accurately. Several examples are presented to demonstrate the a priori source placement, the solution based grid refinement and the prismatic grid redistribution.
High-Resolution X-Ray Image of the Hydrogen-deficient Planetary Nebula Abell 30

Abell 30 is the brighter of only two planetary nebulae that show extended X-ray emission. Our recent ROSAT high-resolution imager observation of A30 reveals a central source at a 4 σ level and emission knots at a 2 σ level. These emission features are within the same region as the H-deficient knots and filaments resolved in a previous HST WFPC2 [O III] image. The ROSAT position of the X-ray peak is offset by 28 from the HST position of the central star of A30. Since the ROSAT pointing may be uncertain by up to 10'', we assume that the X-ray peak is aligned with the central star. The two brighter X-ray emission knots then become aligned with prominent [O III] features in the nebula. Ground-based echelle observations and HST WFPC2 images of A30 reveal a bipolar pair of knots and a clumpy expanding disk. The morphology and velocity structure of the bipolar knots and disk show evidence of the stellar wind ablating the knots and clumps. An efficient mixing of the shocked stellar wind and the ablated material is needed to produce the low plasma temperature, 4.5 × 105 K, and the high electron density, ~1000 cm-3, derived from the observed X-ray flux and spectral distribution.
Combined modality therapy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer remains one of the deadliest gastrointestinal malignancies. Single modality therapy for esophageal cancer usually consists of surgery or radiation therapy. Despite wide ranges in survival rates reported for the two modalities, recent analyses suggest that each offers a 5-year survival of approximately 6%. Surgery plus radiation therapy has been evaluated in a number of studies; results have been equivocal, with response and survival rates similar to those of single modality therapy. Some studies evaluating chemotherapy followed by surgery have resulted in improved partial response rates (17%-57%), with median survival similar to single modality treatment. In two randomized trials, the combination of chemotherapy and surgery was not superior to single modality therapy in terms of response and survival. Because the results of these trials are not in agreement, analysis of results from the recently completed Intergroup study, which compared surgery alone to surgery plus cisplatin/fluorouracil, are eagerly awaited. Studies of radiation plus chemotherapy have shown decreases in both local and distant disease recurrence. Trimodality therapy (surgery plus radiation plus chemotherapy) with a variety of schedules also has been explored. Results suggest that surgery may not be of added benefit to radiation plus chemotherapy; however, a direct comparison of trimodality therapy versus chemotherapy plus radiation has not been performed. Numerous questions remain regarding the most efficacious treatment of nonmetastatic esophageal cancer, and further study is required to identify the ideal treatment.
Resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8A catalyzes release of Gαi-GTP and nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) from NuMA/LGN/Gαi-GDP complexes

Resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase (Ric) 8A is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates certain G protein α-subunits. Genetic studies in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster have placed RIC-8 in a previously uncharacterized G protein signaling pathway that regulates centrosome movements during cell division. Components of this pathway include G protein subunits of the Gαi class, GPR or GoLoco domain-containing proteins, RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) proteins, and accessory factors. These proteins interact to regulate microtubule pulling forces during mitotic movement of chromosomes. It is unclear how the GTP-binding and hydrolysis cycle of Gαi functions in the context of this pathway. In mammals, the GoLoco domain-containing protein LGN (GPSM2), the LGN- and microtubule-binding nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA), and Gαi regulate a similar process. We find that mammalian Ric-8A dissociates Gαi-GDP/LGN/NuMA complexes catalytically, releasing activated Gαi-GTP in vitro. Ric-8A-stimulated activation of Gαi caused concomitant liberation of NuMA from LGN. We conclude that Ric-8A efficiently utilizes GoLoco/Gαi-GDP complexes as substrates in vitro and suggest that Ric-8A-stimulated release of Gαi-GTP and/or NuMA regulates the microtubule pulling forces on centrosomes during cell division.
A note on the product form solutions of multiclass closed queueing networks with blocking

Abstract Closed queueing networks with blocking have been shown to have product form equilibrium distributions in special cases. Viewing networks with reversible routing as truncated processes, some of the results presented in the context of single class networks are shown to hold with multiple classes and BCMP type nodes.
The X-Ray View of Ultrafast Nanomagnetism

Femtosecond x-ray pulses from synchrotrons and free electron lasers are used to probe angular momentum dynamics in magnetic materials. Such studies reveal how optical excitation can be used to controle magnetic interactions on microscopic length and timescales.
The interdomain motions in myosin subfragment 1

The interdomain motions in myosin subfragment 1 (S1) were studied by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence of tryptophan residues and N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphtyl)ethylenediamine (AEDANS) attached to Cys178 of alkali light chain 1 (A1) exchanged into S1. The efficiency of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from tryptophan residues of motor domain to AEDANS at A1 decreased dramatically after addition of ATP to S1A1-AEDANS. The efficiency of FRET calculated from the crystal structure of chicken S1 corresponded to the experimental one measured in the presence of ATP. The results showed that AEDANS at Cys178 of A1 became more mobile and distant from the motor domain of S1 upon ATP binding. These findings led to the suggestion that a release of the products of ATP hydrolysis and power stroke might be associated with movement of light chain-binding domain towards the N-terminal domain of S1.
Atypical background somatic mutant frequencies at the HPRT locus in children and adults with Down syndrome

Abstract People with Down syndrome are 10–30 fold more likely to develop leukemia than the normal population. To date, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. We have previously demonstrated that the spontaneous somatic mutant frequency (Mf) at a reporter gene, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase ( HPRT ), from a normal population showed a strict age dependency with an exponential increase in Mf from birth to late adolescents with a subsequent linear 2—5% increase per year in adults. In this study, we compared HPRT Mf in children and adults with Down syndrome using the HPRT T-cell cloning assay. We determined the Mf at the HPRT locus in 27 subjects with Down syndrome from ages 6 months to 53.4 years. Results demonstrated that background somatic Mf at the HPRT locus in children and adults with Down syndrome are not dependent on age as seen in a normal control population. Results also show that adults with Down syndrome have a significantly lower Mf than normal adults, and that children with Down syndrome have a significantly higher Mf than normal children, although the latter appears to be due to a decreased cloning efficiency (CE). These observations demonstrate that the frequency of spontaneous somatic mutations in children and adults with Down syndrome are atypical compared to normal controls, and suggest that the genetic mechanisms associated with background somatic mutational events in children and adults with Down syndrome may be different.
The effects of maternal corticosterone levels on offspring behavior in fast- and slow-growth garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans)

During embryonic development, viviparous offspring are exposed to maternally circulating hormones. Maternal stress increases offspring exposure to corticosterone and this hormonal exposure has the potential to influence developmental, morphological and behavioral traits of the resulting offspring. We treated pregnant female garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) with low levels of corticosterone after determining both natural corticosterone levels in the field and pre-treatment levels upon arrival in the lab. Additional measurements of plasma corticosterone were taken at days 1, 5, and 10 during the 10-day exposure, which occurred during the last third of gestation (of 4-month gestation). These pregnant snakes were from replicate populations of fast- and slow-growth ecotypes occurring in Northern California, with concomitant short and long lifespans. Field corticosterone levels of pregnant females of the slow-growth ecotype were an order of magnitude higher than fast-growth dams. In the laboratory, corticosterone levels increased over the 10 days of corticosterone manipulation for animals of both ecotypes, and reached similar plateaus for both control and treated dams. Despite similar plasma corticosterone levels in treated and control mothers, corticosterone-treated dams produced more stillborn offspring and exhibited higher total reproductive failure than control dams. At one month of age, offspring from fast-growth females had higher plasma corticosterone levels than offspring from slow-growth females, which is opposite the maternal pattern. Offspring from corticosterone-treated mothers, although unaffected in their slither speed, exhibited changes in escape behaviors and morphology that were dependent upon maternal ecotype. Offspring from corticosterone-treated fast-growth females exhibited less anti-predator reversal behavior; offspring from corticosterone-treated slow-growth females exhibited less anti-predator tail lashing behavior.
Husbands’ and Wives’ Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms: Longitudinal Findings from the Cardiovascular Health Study

When examining older adults’ health behaviors and psychological health, it is important to consider the social context. The purpose of this study was to examine in older adult marriages whether each spouse’s physical activity predicted changes in their own (actor effects) and their partner’s (partner effects) depressive symptoms. Gender differences were also examined. Each spouse within 1260 married couples (at baseline) in the Cardiovascular Health Study completed self-report measures at wave 1 (1989–1990), wave 3 (1992–1993), and wave 7 (1996–1997). Dyadic path analyses were performed. Husbands’ physical activity significantly predicted own decreased depressive symptoms (actor effect). For both spouses, own physical activity did not significantly predict the spouse’s depressive symptoms (partner effects). However, husbands’ physical activity and depressive symptoms predicted wives’ physical activity and depressive symptoms (partner effects), respectively. Depressive symptoms did not predict physical activity. Findings suggest that husbands’ physical activity is particularly influential for older married couples’ psychological health.
THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: NATIONAL OIL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN, SUBPART J PRODUCT SCHEDULE (40 CFR 300.900)

ABSTRACT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) manages the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan Final Rule, Subpart J Product Schedule (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 300.900), which lists dispersants, surface-washing agents (SWAs), bioremediation agents, surface-collecting agents, and miscellaneous oil spill control agents that may be used in response to oil spills on land and on or near waters of the United States, depending on the product and its proper application. Over the last few years, alternative oil spill response methods have been gaining in acceptance and use in the field among first responders, industry, state and federal agencies, Congress, and the entire oil spill response community. EPA sets policy and guidance for the proper use and authority to use these products. Manufacturers and vendors of these products have become more aware of this acceptance evidenced by the frequency that EPA is contacted to provide information on the listing process and ...
61-Year-Old Man With Recurrent Spells

61-year-old man presented with acute dysarthria, weakness, and clumsiness of his left hand. Symptoms lasted 10 minutes and resolved completely. The patient denied having any other associated symptoms. He had a 40-pack-year history of cigarette smoking, controlled hy­ pertension, hypercholesterolemia, migraine headache, aor­ tic stenosis, and coronary artery bypass grafting after a myocardial infarction 16 years previously. His coronary artery disease was stable, and he denied having any prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The patient took 325 mg of aspirin daily. Findings on general physical and neurologic examinations were normal except for a grade 2/6 aortic stenosis murmur. Carotid duplex ultrasonography demonstrated a 60% to 79% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) that was 2.0 em distal to the common carotid artery bifurcation, with minimal disease of the left ICA. Three-vessel cerebral angiography confirmed the high-grade right ICA stenosis (Figure 1, A). Findings on head computed tomography and brain mag­ netic resonance imaging were normal. Laboratory tests yielded a normal complete blood cell count, glucose level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, prothrombin time, and acti­ vated partial thromboplastin time. 1. Which one ofthe following is the most likely cause of this patient's spell? a. Focal seizure b. Symptomatic right ICA distribution TIA c. Symptomatic left lCA distribution TIA d. Complicated migraine e. Hypoglycemia
Geographic Thought: A Critical Introduction

Tim Cresswell. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013. viii and 290 pp., maps, photos, diagrams, references, glossary, index. $44.95 paper (ISBN 978-1-4051-6939-4); $89.95 cloth (ISBN 970-1-4051-6940-0)...
AROUSABILITY AND EYE COLOR: A TEST OF WORTHY'S HYPOTHESIS '

As a test of the hypothesis that eye color is related to reactivity, we measured the relationships between scores on the Arousal Predisposition Scale and two measures of eye color. Our data did not support this hypothesis.
Bandwidth-aware reconfigurable cache design with hybrid memory technologies

In chip-multiprocessor (CMP) designs, limited memory bandwidth is a potential bottleneck of the system performance. New memory technologies, such as spin-torque-transfer memory (STT-RAM), resistive memory (RRAM), and embedded DRAM (eDRAM), are promising on-chip memory solutions for CMPs. In this paper, we propose a bandwidth-aware re-configurable cache hierarchy (BARCH) with hybrid memory technologies. BARCH consists of a hybrid cache hierarchy, a reconfiguration mechanism, and a statistical prediction engine. Our hybrid cache hierarchy chooses different memory technologies to configure each level so that the bandwidth provided by the overall hierarchy is optimized. Furthermore, we present a reconfiguration mechanism to dynamically adapt the cache space of each level based on the predicted bandwidth demands of different applications, which is guaranteed by our prediction engine. We evaluate the system performance gain obtained by our method with a set of multithreaded and multiprogrammed applications. Compared to traditional SRAM-based cache designs, our proposed design improves the system throughput by 58% and 14% for multithreaded and multiprogrammed applications, respectively.1
Mathematics of cell motility: have we got its number?

Mathematical and computational modeling is rapidly becoming an essential research technique complementing traditional experimental biological methods. However, lack of standard modeling methods, difficulties of translating biological phenomena into mathematical language, and differences in biological and mathematical mentalities continue to hinder the scientific progress. Here we focus on one area—cell motility—characterized by an unusually high modeling activity, largely due to a vast amount of quantitative, biophysical data, ‘modular’ character of motility, and pioneering vision of the area’s experimental leaders. In this review, after brief introduction to biology of cell movements, we discuss quantitative models of actin dynamics, protrusion, adhesion, contraction, and cell shape and movement that made an impact on the process of biological discovery. We also comment on modeling approaches and open questions.
AlGaN/GaN HFET devices on SiC grown by ammonia-MBE with high f/sub T/ and f/sub MAX/

AlGaN/GaN HFET layers were grown by ammonia-MBE on SiC substrates. Fabricated devices showed excellent characteristics: a maximum drain current density > 1.25 A/mm, maximum transconductance of 250 mS/mm, f/sub T/ of 103 GHz and f/sub MAX/ of 170 GHz were measured for devices with 0.13 /spl mu/m gate length. These are the highest ever reported for material grown by ammonia-MBE.
Product induction of glycerol kinase in Escherichia coli.

Glycerol kinase can be induced in Escherichia coli K12 when the cells are grown in the presence of either glycerol or L -α-glycerophosphate. A mutant has been obtained which is capable of producing a protein immunochemically indistinguishable from crystallized glycerol kinase, but which has very slight enzymic activity. In this mutant, the cross-reacting protein is inducible by L -α-glycerophosphate but not by glycerol. It is, therefore, concluded that in wild-type cells the induction of the kinase by glycerol depends on its conversion to the phosphory-lated compound by the small amount of the kinase which is present in non-induced cells.
Quinuclidines as selective agonists for alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Abstract The α7 subtype of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) was targeted for the design of selective agonists deriving from the quinuclidine scaffold. Arylidene groups at the 3-position and N-methyl quinuclidine were found to be selective agonists with EC50s of 1.5 and 40 μM, respectively.
Lyotropic effect in surface charge, electrokinetics, and coagulation of a hematite dispersion

Potentiometric, electrokinetic, and coagulation experiments with a rutile dispersion in the pH region above the point of zero charge exhibit an “inverse” lyotropic sequence for counterions: Li+>K+>Cs+. The potentiometric and electrokinetic data were interpreted by a surface complexation model assuming the Stern-Gouy-Chapman structure of the interfacial layer, which yielded the values of inner layer capacitances,C, and the intrinsic equilibrium constants,Kass0, characterizing the specificity of each counterion. These parameters were used to explain the order of lyotropic sequences in the adsorption, coagulation, and electrokinetic phenomena.
Fixation and staining of F-actin and microfilaments using tannic acid

A method employing tannic acid additives in glutaraldehyde fixatives followed by heavy metal postfixation has been used to negatively stain F-actin of muscle and actin-like microfilaments of nonmuscle cells in situ . This technique is potentially useful for ultrastructure research on microfilaments, especially in cases where these structures may be closely associated with, and thus obscured by, other elements of the cell. Analysis of the diameters of different kinds of filaments after fixation with tannic acid has shown that isolated actin filaments and microfilaments of stress fibers in BALB/3T3 fibroblasts appear to have about the same diameter, but they have smaller diameters than thin filaments of muscle. These results have been interpreted as a reflection of the molecular composition of these different kinds of filaments.
Linfopoyesis temprana en médula ósea adulta

Development of lymphoid cells from hematopoietic stem cells is an ordered process where multiple alternate lineage potentials are gradually lost and lineage commitment is coincident with gain of specialized functions. Over the last few years remarkable advances have been made in characterizing primitive progenitors that initiate the lymphoid program, and patterns of transcriptional activity controlling lineage fate decisions during normal hematopoiesis, but less is known about environmental signals that may influence the differentiation pathway stability. This review discusses the current knowledge with relevance to hierarchy and early events in lymphopoiesis and their relationship to hematopoietic microenvironment.
A randomized multi-institutional crossover comparison of the GlideScope® Cobalt Video laryngoscope to the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope in a Pierre Robin manikin.

Summary Background The GlideScope Cobalt Video laryngoscope is being used more often in children with challenging laryngoscopy. There are, however, no pediatric trials comparing it to flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, the current accepted gold standard. This preliminary manikin study compares the first-attempt intubation success of the GlideScope Cobalt video laryngoscope to the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope when performed by attending pediatric anesthesiologists at two major pediatric centers. Methods This prospective randomized, crossover study evaluated 120 attempts (60 with each study device) to intubate the AirSim Pierre Robin manikin (PRM) with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and video laryngoscopy (VL). Attending pediatric anesthesiologists from two quaternary pediatric centers were eligible to participate. Each attending anesthesiologist randomly performed a single tracheal intubation attempt with one of the study devices followed by the alternate method. The primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate of tracheal intubation. Blinding was not feasible. We hypothesized that first-attempt success would be higher with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Results Thirty anesthesiologists from each center were randomized to use one of the study devices followed by the alternate method. We analyzed all participants' data. There was no overall difference in first-attempt success between VL and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (88.3% vs 85% respectively, P = 0.59). There were significant institutional differences in first-attempt success using VL (76.7% vs 100%). Conclusions There was no difference in first-attempt success of tracheal intubation using VL vs fiberoptic bronchoscopy when performed by attending anesthesiologists at two large pediatric centers. However, institutional differences exist in success rates with VL across the two centers. Results from single-center device evaluations should be verified by multi-center evaluations. A significant proportion of attending anesthesiologists lack experience with advanced airway devices; targeted education may enhance intubation success and patient safety.
Innovative uses from carbon adsorption of heavy metals from plating wastewaters: I. Activated carbon polishing treatment

Activated carbon treatment as a polishing step following either metal hydroxide or metal sulfide precipitation has been shown to be effective for removal of residual zinc, cadmium, and excess sulfide from plating wastewaters. When hydroxide precipitation is employed, the use of activated carbon allows significantly lower effuent metal concentrations to be achieved; the residual zinc and cadmium concentrations were reduced in excess of 70% with the use of activated carbon following hydroxide precipitation. In the absence of chelating agents and other interferences, removal of zinc exceeded 70% and sulfide removal exceeded 50% over the pH range of 7 to 10 by employing the activated carbon polishing step. With 100 mg/l of ammonia or cyanide (acting as interferences) present, zinc removal following sulfide precipitation was typically reduced 50%. For waters high in sulfides, removals exceeded 74%. The activated carbon polishing step shows great promise as a treatment alternative to minimize the potential for H2S gas evolution and the concern for sulfide toxicity associated with sulfide precipitation of heavy metals.
Action of tributyltin on enzymes of four bacteria

The effect of tributyltin (TBT) was examined on six enzymes in intact cells and in cytosol and wall/membrane fractions of four bacteria. The organisms' TBT resistance varied over 2,400-fold : Pseudomonas putida TBT-6 > Pseudomonas sp. BP-4 > Bacillus sp. Me-I > Bacillus sp. MC-24S. TBT is not a general toxicant for enzymes since β-galactosidase, glucose dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were not affected by it. ATPase was detected in cells of all four organisms but not in their cell fractions ; it was inhibited by TBT in cells of Bacillus sp. MC-24S. In intact cells and the membrane fraction, TBT stimulated NADH oxidase at low levels and inhibited it at higher levels, and the more resistant organisms had a higher threshold concentration. In Pseudomonas sp. BP-4, TBT had no effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in cells, but inhibited it in the cytosol fraction. TBT did not affect the periplasmic alkaline phosphatase, which was present in the two Pseudomonas spp. The results support the conclusion that the cell membrane is a site of action of TBT, but that it can also act in the cytoplasm, for the cytosolic enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was stimulated in cells of Bacillus sp. MC-24S. Enzymes requiring free sulfhydryl groups were inhibited. The patterns of enzyme sensitivity to TBT suggest there may be two resistance mechanisms among these four organisms.
Neural Contribution to Interdigestive Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure Phenomena in the Conscious Opossum

The genesis of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in anesthetized opossums is a myogenic phenomenon without excitatory neural input. The mechanism responsible for generating phasic LES pressure phenomena in unanesthetized opossums, however, is not established. In this study, we evaluated the effects of potential pharmacological antagonists on LES pressure phenomena in unanesthetized opossums. We also compared LES responses to pharmacological excitatory agonists in anesthetized and unanesthetized animals. In awake animals the LES exhibited substantial tone as well as characteristic phasic activity. The tonic, or basal, LES pressure did not change during cycling of the migratory motor complex (MMC). However, atropine, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, and hexamethonium abolished the phasic, MMC-related LES contractions while having no effect on basal pressure. Pirenzepine, prazosin, propranolol, pyrdamine, naloxone, and haloperidol did not affect either phasic or tonic LES pressure phenomena. Anesthesia substantially reduced the excitatory LES response to motilin but not to bethanechol, cholecystokinin-octapeptide, pentagastrin, or phenylephrine. The results suggest that phasic LES contractions related to the MMC cycle are mediated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves with nicotinic ganglionic transmission. Basal LES tone, however, is maintained by a myogenic phenomenon. Anesthesia reduces excitatory LES responses induced by motilin, which acts via excitatory nerves, but has no effect on excitatory responses induced by agents that act mainly or exclusively on LES smooth muscle.
Inter-relationship of cytokine production and NOS2 expression in microglia

Under normal conditions, glial cells provide neurotrophic support, but can contribute to damage during neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Once activated, glia produce and release inflammatory mediators and potentially neurotoxic substances (including cytokines, NO, and prostanoids) whose interactions could lead to sustained inflammation. We investigated the relationship between cytokine production and NO release using enriched cultures of rat microglia. Preliminary data suggest that low concentrations of endotoxin LPS (1–10 ng/mL) activated microglia by a complex mechanism involving NFκB activation, cAMP increase and PKA activation, and IL-1β production and release. We characterized this system using pharmacological activators and inhibitors of NFκB and PKA, and IL-1rα to reduce IL-1β effects. Norepinephrine (NE) dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced NOS2 expression and NO generation, via activation of β-2 adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) and elevation of cAMP. Similarly, NE dose-dependently blocked LPS-dependent IL-1β production. The addition of PKA inhibitors did not reverse the suppressive effects of NE on NO production, but did reverse its effects on IL-1β. Addition of IL-1rα also reduced NO production, and exogenous IL-1β reversed the inhibitory effects of NE. These data suggest that effects of NE on LPS-dependent NO release is, at least in part, mediated by blocking of IL-1β secretion. At the same time, results with inhibitors suggest that PKA activation is necessary for LPS effects. Together, these results point to the existence of autocrine and paracrine regulatory mechanisms of microglia activation. The relationship between cytokines and NO could be an important mechanism of sustained and disruptive microglia activation.
Effect of structural phase transitions on the magnetic properties of sodium superoxide

Abstract The dramatic temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and Electron Spin Resonance in sodium superoxides between 77 and 300 K is attributed to various structural phase transitions. One of our important observations is a switchover from a weak ferromagnetically coupled 3-dimensional system to a strong antiferromagnetically coupled 1-dimensional system with decreasing temperature. There is no magnetic ordering.
Single Amino Acid Changes Can Influence Titer, Heparin Binding, and Tissue Tropism in Different Adeno-Associated Virus Serotypes

Despite the high degree of sequence homology between adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 1 and 6 capsids (99.2%), these viruses have different liver transduction profiles when tested as vectors. Examination of the six amino acid residues that differ between AAV1 and AAV6 revealed that a lysine-to-glutamate change (K531E) suppresses the heparin binding ability of AAV6. In addition, the same mutation in AAV6 reduces transgene expression to levels similar to those achieved with AAV1 in HepG2 cells in vitro and in mouse liver following portal vein administration. In corollary, the converse E531K mutation in AAV1 imparts heparin binding ability and increases transduction efficiency. Extraction of vector genomes from liver tissue suggests that the lysine 531 residue assists in preferential transduction of parenchymal cells by AAV6 vectors in comparison with AAV1. Lysine 531 is unique to AAV6 among other known AAV serotypes and is located in a basic cluster near the spikes that surround the icosahedral threefold axes of the AAV capsid. Similar to studies with autonomous parvoviruses, this study describes the first example of single amino acid changes that can explain differential phenotypes such as viral titer, receptor binding, and tissue tropism exhibited by closely related AAV serotypes. In particular, a single lysine residue appears to provide the critical minimum charged surface required for interacting with heparin through electrostatic interaction and simultaneously plays an unrelated yet critical role in the liver tropism of AAV6 vectors.