cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of acetylcholine and carbachol on bovine corneal endothelial cells in vitro

Abstract Purpose: To assess the relative cytotoxicity of Miochol® (1% acetylcholine and mannitol), Miostat® (0.01% carbachol, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium salts), and their individual components using in vitro models of bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCECs). Setting: Laboratories of the Departments of Ophthalmology and Physiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. Methods: The study was divided into four experiments. Experiment 1 used a confluent model to compare the relative cytotoxicity of Miochol and Miostat on BCECs following short-term exposure. In Experiments 2, 3, and 4, the proliferation model (preconfluent BCECs) was used to detect the possible cytotoxicity of individual components in the commercial preparations of the miotics; i.e., the preconfluent BCECs were exposed to buffered salt solutions containing mannitol (1 %, 3%, and 4%), acetylcholine (0.5%, 1 %, and 2%), or carbachol (0.1 %, 0.5%, and 1 %) for 3 hours. Results: Confluent BCECs exposed to Miochol for 30 minutes underwent necrosis and degeneration, while those treated with Miostat did not show any morphological changes. None of the tested solutions except 2% acetylcholine and 1 % carbachol caused observable changes in the nuclear densities of BCECs at 24, 72, 120, and 168 hours. Conclusion: The major components of Miochol (acetylcholine and mannitol) were found to be nontoxic; the cytotoxicity of the preparation was possibly due to the lack of an appropriate balanced salt solution. These findings may influence the selection of a miotic for use during intraocular surgery.
Pediatric injury prevention : Preparing residents for patient counseling

Objectives: To describe counseling practices on injury prevention and barriers to patient counseling by pediatric residents and determine whether education about injury prevention or use of educational aids promotes this activity in resident ambulatory practices. Design: Cross-sectional mail survey. Setting: Accredited US pediatric residency programs. Participants: Pediatric chief residents. Main Outcome Measure: Reported frequencies of patient counseling performed on various injury prevention topics. Results: All residents reported that they were expected to educate patients and families about injury prevention in the continuity clinic setting. Almost all residents (98.5%) reported that they counseled on at least 1 injury prevention topic. On all topics except for poisoning prevention, residents were most likely to counsel patients and families on those topics about which they had received education. Additionally, those residents familiar with the American Academy of Pediatrics The Injury Prevention Program included more injury prevention topics in their counseling repertoire ( P =.01). The most frequently identified barriers to counseling included lack of information about the topic and lack of time in the visit. Conclusions: Most pediatric residents counsel their patients and families on a variety of injury prevention topics. This activity is promoted by the education offered during residency training. Focused efforts should be made to educate residents about those injury topics not being taught and to address counseling barriers with educational interventions that promote prevention counseling during patient visits. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151:1039-1043
Formation of filamentous carbon during methane decomposition over Co–MgO catalysts

Abstract The carbon formation during methane decomposition was investigated at 900 °C over the 48 wt% Co–MgO catalysts as a function of the calcination temperature T c used in their preparation. Examination of the carbonaceous deposits by transmission electron microscopy revealed three kinds of structures: shapeless tangles, shell-like materials, and carbon filaments. In another set of experiments, the structural characteristics of the calcined catalysts were investigated using temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Co 3 O 4 , Co 2 MgO 4 , and (Co, Mg)O (solid solution of CoO and MgO) were identified for T c ≤700 °C, Co 3 O 4 and (Co, Mg)O for T c =800 °C and only (Co, Mg)O for T c =900 °C. It was found that the metal particles originated from the reduction of the solid solution favored the formation of filamentous carbon. A possible explanation is proposed.
Effect of solid phase heat transfer and wall deposition on crystal growth in physical vapor transport ampoules

A numerical investigation of binary component, convective/diffusive physical vapor transport in cylindrical ampoules is presented. We specifically examine the effects of (1) conduction heat transfer within the crystal, and (2) deposition of the vapor onto the ampoule side walls, on the growth rates and growth uniformity of the crystal. A two-dimensional numerical model of heat and mass transfer within the crystal and vapor regions of the ampoule is developed. Calculations are performed for H2I2 transport systems in unit and zero gravity conditions. Results indicate that the latent heat release from the depositing vapor can significantly affect the interface temperature distribution of finite-thickness crystals. Depending on the thermal boundary conditions at the crystal side walls, heat transfer within the crystal can either increase or decrease the uniformity of mass flux at the interface. The predicted transport conditions under which heat transfer has a controlling role on crystal growth are consistent with a simplified, one-dimensional analysis of combined heat and mass transfer in PVT ampoules. Calculation results also reveal that deposition of the vapor onto the side walls of the ampoule can lead to highly nonuniform distributions of mass flux at the crystal interface. Furthermore, side wall deposition can result in buoyant recirculation even when the ampoule is oriented in a convectively stable configuration. This phenomenon can result in interface flux distributions that are considerably different than those obtained under zero gravity environments for the same model conditions.
Costs of Wells and Pumpsa

The use of this material will give an estimate of the well and pump costs for projects requiring a given capacity. This is intended only as an instrument for establishing orders of magnitude as a basis for comparisons, and of course does not substitute for detailed engineering studies. Well cost data were analyzed for three categories according to the aquifer tapped: sand and gravel, shallow bedrock, and deep sandstone. In the sand and gravel category, tubular and gravel packed wells finished in the glacial materials above bedrock were considered separately.
Aged human muscle demonstrates an altered gene expression profile consistent with an impaired response to exercise

Abstract The gene expression profile of skeletal muscle from healthy older (62–75 years old) compared with younger (20–34 years old) men demonstrated elevated expression of genes typical of a stress or damage response, and decreased expression of a gene encoding a DNA repair/cell cycle checkpoint protein. Although the expression of these genes was relatively unaffected by a single bout of resistance exercise in older men, acute exercise altered gene expression in younger men such that post-exercise gene expression in younger men was similar to baseline gene expression in older men. The lack of response of muscle from older subjects to resistance exercise was also apparent in the expression of the inflammatory response gene IL-1β, which did not differ between the age groups at baseline, but increased within 24 h of the exercise bout only in younger subjects. Other genes with potentially important roles in the adaptation of muscle to exercise, specifically in the processes of angiogenesis and cell proliferation, showed a similar response to exercise in older compared with younger subjects. Only one gene encoding the multifunctional, early growth response transcription factor EGR-1, showed an opposite pattern of expression in response to exercise, acutely decreasing in younger and increasing in older subjects. These results may provide a molecular basis for the inherent variability in the response of muscle from older as compared with younger individuals to resistance training.
The binding of Mn2+ and ADP to myosin

The metal ion requirement of myosin-ADP binding was investigated by use of Mn2+. Mn2+ binds to two sets of noninteracting sites on myosin which are characterized by affinity constants of 10(6) and 10(3), M(-1) at 0.016 M KCl concentration. The maximum number of sites is 2 for the high affinity and 20-25 for the low affinity set. Binding of Mn2+ to the high affinity sites increases the affinity of ADP binding to myosin. F-actin inhibits ADP binding (Kiely, B., and Martonosi, A., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 172: 158-170 [1969]), but even at F-actin concentrations much higher than that required to saturate the actin binding sites of myosin or its proteolytic fragments, significant ADP binding remained. The actin insensitive portion of ADP binding was inhibited by 10(-4) M inorganic pyrophosphate or ATP. The results are discussed on the basis of a model in which actin and ADP bind to myosin at distinct but interacting sites.
Interannual variability of the Azores Current strength and eddy energy in relation to atmospheric forcing

[1] Spaceborne observations of sea surface topography have revealed a significant interannual variability of the Azores Current strength and eddy energy. The objective of this paper is to establish the relationship between these variations and atmospheric forcing over the subtropical North Atlantic. Based on satellite altimetry, hydrography, and atmospheric reanalysis products, it is demonstrated that the interannual variability of the Azores Current eastward velocity and eddy energy may be driven by the adjustment of the ocean to the strength of westerly and trade winds, modulated by the North Atlantic Oscillation. Surface intensification (frontogenesis), which is mainly due to the wind-driven meridional Ekman current convergence, is found significant, but not sufficient to explain the observed interannual variability of the Azores Current strength.
Hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy as an alternative to traditional laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy.

The benefits of laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (LDN) are well described, while similar data on hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (HALDN) are lacking. We compare hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy with open donor nephrectomy. One hundred consecutive hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (10/98–8/01) donor/recipient pairs were compared to 50 open donor nephrectomy pairs (8/97– 1/00). Mean donor weights were similar (179.6 ± 40.8 vs. 167.4 ± 30.3 lb; p = NS), while donor age was greater among hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (38.2 ± 9.5 vs. 31.2 ± 7.8 year; p < 0.01). Right nephrectomies was fewer in hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy [17/100 (17%) vs. 22/50 (44%); p < 0.05]. Operative time for hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (3.9 ± 0.7 vs. 2.9 ± 0.5 h; p < 0.01) was longer; however, return to diet (6.9 ± 2.8 vs. 25.6 ± 6.1 h; p < 0.01), narcotics requirement (17.9 ± 6.3 vs. 56.3 ± 6.4 h; p < 0.01) and length of stay (51.7 ± 22.2 vs. 129.6 ± 65.7 h; p < 0.01) were less than open donor nephrectomy. Costs were similar ($11 072 vs. 10 840). Graft function and 1-week Cr of 1.4 ± 0.9 vs. 1.6 ± 1.1 g/dL (p = NS) were similar. With the introduction of HALDN, our laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy program has increased by 20%. Thus, similar to traditional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy provides advantages over open donor nephrectomy without increasing costs.
Does suspicion of prostate cancer on integrated T2 and diffusion-weighted MRI predict more adverse pathology on radical prostatectomy?

Objective To determine whether suspicion for tumor on prostate MRI incorporating T2-weighted imaging (T2-WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) predicts more adverse pathology on radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods From 2007 to 2009, 154 patients underwent 1.5 Tesla pelvic-phased-array magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate that included T2-WI and DWI before RP. MRI examinations were retrospectively reviewed and grouped by degree of suspicion for tumor: no suspicion for tumor (NST, n = 15), equivocal suspicion for tumor (EST, n = 60), or strong suspicion for tumor (SST, n = 79). The NST/EST groups were combined and compared to the SST group. Preoperative variables were used to assemble a multivariate model. Outcomes reflective of adverse pathology included primary Gleason grade ≥4, pathologic stage ≥T3 (≥pT3), and tumor upgrading. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients meeting eligibility criteria for active surveillance (n = 55). For this analysis, the NST group was compared to the EST/SST groups. Results SST status was associated with adverse preoperative risk factors for aggressive disease. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant association between SST and primary Gleason ≥4 pathology and stage ≥pT3 ( P P = .01). Conclusion Increased tumor suspicion on T2-WI/DWI MRI is indicative of adverse pathology on RP. These findings suggest a role for MRI in pretreatment risk assessment.
Evaluation and management of patients with inhalation injury

Inhalation injury, present in approximately one third of burned patients treated at burn centers, increases mortality by a maximum of 20% in relation to age and extent of burn. The development of animal models of inhalation injury has made possible the identification of both the airway and vascular responses evoked by smoke inhalation. Inflammatory occlusion of terminal bronchioles and necrosis of the endobronchial mucosa render the airway and pulmonary parenchyma susceptible to infection and the resulting pneumonitis further increases mortality. Early diagnosis, best achieved by endoscopic bronchoscopy and 133xeon ventilation perfusion scan, permits timely application of high-frequency ventilation that appears to reduce the incidence of pneumonia and to decrease mortality. Pharmacologic agents give promise of ameliorating the deleterious changes of the vasculature. The recent advances in understanding inhalation injury have identified the research needed to further improve patient salvage.
Regional Marginal Costs and Cost Savings from Economies of Scale in Municipal Waste Treatment: An Application to the Chesapeake Bay Region

Marginal costs of removing effluent from waste treatment facilities are defined under different assumptions about regulatory policies. Marginal costs are different under a policy of uniform treatment for all plants compared to a least-cost policy, where different plants treat at different levels. The cost savings under these alternative policies are compared for river basins of the Chesapeake Bay when there are economies of scale in treatment costs. Current regulations for treatment plants in the Bay, which are not entirely uniform, are also compared to both the uniform and least-cost solutions. The potential savings from a least-cost policy are substantial for some basins.
Human prealbumin fraction: effects on cell-mediated immunity and tumor rejection.

Abstract The effect of human prealbumin fraction on allogenic cell-mediated immunity in primary sensitization cultures of murine spleen cells was studied by 3H-thymidine uptake and specific 51Cr release assays. Prealbumin caused a dose-dependent augmentation of these responses. Human serum albumin, bovine serum albumin, and calf-thymosin fraction 5 had little effect. Prealbumin was active when added on day 0 or 1 but not thereafter. Prealbumin added to effector cells from immunized mice did not change their lytic activity. Prealbumin, but not human serum albumin or thymosin fraction 5, augmented secondary cell-mediated immunity in culture after primary immunization in mice. A slow growing mammary tumor line, which originated as a spontaneous mammary tumor in a DBA/2a HaDD breeder mouse, initially grows in 100% of DBA/2J mice but is then rejected in 10–20% of them. When prealbumin (50 μg/day) was given subcutaneously for 2 weeks to DBA/2J mice and the tumor implanted 2 weeks later, 78% of the mice rejected the tumor and were then resistant to a rechallenge.
Modeling Flow and Pollutant Removal of Wet Detention Pond Treating Stormwater Runoff

A mathematical model of pollutant removal by wet ponds was developed based on the mass balance principle and the release.storage equation. The release.storage equation can be linear or nonlinear depending on the wet pond shape and the spillway crest features. If the exponent index of the storage relationship (\id) is equal to the index of the outflow equation (\ib), the wet pond hydrological routing model is linear. Otherwise, the model is nonlinear. Substituting the release–storage equation into the continuity equation produces a nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE). A Runge–Kutta method was used to solve the resulting nonlinear ODE. When the ratio of indexes \id/\ib=2/3, the hydrologic wet pond model reduces to a special case that leads to an implicit analytical solution. The pollutant removal and flow routing models were tested with data obtained from an actual wet pond for treating highway runoff. The predicted flow discharges and pollutant concentrations compared well with the observed data.
a Theory of Air Drainage.

Abstract The equation of motion is derived for a compressible fluid cooling at the bottom by contact with a radiating surface of uniform slope and large extent. During the early stages the drainage velocity is found to vary periodically about an equilibrium value. The equilibrium value is proportional to the net outgoing radiation from the ground, and is inversely proportional to the height to which cooling extends and to the slope of the ground. The rate at which equilibrium is attained depends upon the assumed form of the frictional force. In the absence of detailed observations of drainage velocities, it is concluded tentatively that the assumption of a frictional force which is proportional to the square of the velocity gives fairly realistic results.
Thiols, gold-thiols, zinc-thiols and the redox state of hemoglobin

Abstract The β subunit of human hemoglobin can be oxidized site-specifically through β-Cys-93 by Cu(II)(His) 2 . A series of thiol ligands, gold thiols and zinc(II) inhibit this oxidation. The thiol inhibitors formed a transient ternary intermediate involving Cu(I) with consequent inhibition of electron transfer from the Fe(II)-heme. The intermediate led to the formation of a disulfide at the β-Cys-93 site. The most effective thiols achieved maximum inhibition at one equivalent per β heme. Gold thiols and zinc complexes inhibited heme oxidation by competing with the Cu(II)(His) 2 for the β-Cys-93 site.
Recoding of semantic and acoustic information in short-term memory

A probe recognition task requiring either identity, homophone, or synonym recognition was used to test an acoustic-to-semantic recoding hypothesis which had been suggested as an alternative explanation of a previous demonstration of semantic encoding in STM. With synonym recognition, conditions were compared where identical acoustic inputs were provided but in one condition a semantic relationship existed between the probe word and one of the list words while such a relationship did not exist in the other condition. The recoding hypothesis was not supported as the false-alarm rate in the latter condition remained at chance level.
Current status of chronic hemodialysis

Abstract Long-term hemodialysis as practiced either at well established hospital centers or in qualified home dialysis programs has been shown capable of restoring useful life in the majority of selected patients with advanced renal failure. Excessive cost and scarcity of trained personnel remain the major deterrents to broadening its application to an estimated 40,000 uremic patients by 1973. Cost reduction through home dialysis, continued technical innovations and more adequate financing mechanisms consistent with current concepts of comprehensive health care offer realistic hope that this valuable prodduct of clinical research will reach its full potential in the benefit of mankind.
Effect of initiation feature on microstructure-scale fatigue crack propagation in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu

Abstract High fidelity measurements of constituent particle or corrosion topography nucleated fatigue crack growth rates (da/dN) are established for 7075-T651 in humid air. Values of microstructure-scale da/dN are determined by microscopy of programmed load-induced crack surface markers, rather than surface-only measurements. Both pristine and corroded specimen da/dN from various applied stress levels are successfully correlated using continuum-elastic stress intensity (ΔK or ΔK and Kmax) or dislocation-based (Bilby–Cottrell–Swindon) crack tip opening displacement (cyclic ϕ and ϕmax), with the former accounting for the gradient of elastic stress concentration due to the initiating feature. Values of da/dN vary by an order of magnitude at each fixed driving force due to microstructural influences that result in a locally irregular crack front. Grain-scale models using stress intensity closure or slip-based crystal plasticity do not capture experimental da/dN variability. Due to an inadequate mechanistic basis, mechanics-inspired models of da/dN do not predict multiple growth regimes that are typical of environment enhanced cracking. An elastic ΔK-based description of long crack da/dN data for a given alloy-environment can be transformed to a continuum elastic–plastic ϕc basis to provide a mean crack growth rate description. Coupling mean rates with a statistical description of microstructure sensitive variability, and dislocation or crystal plasticity-finite element modeling of component ϕc for non-continuum cracking, will enhance prognosis in the MSC regime.
Improving Patient Satisfaction by Addressing Same Day Surgery Wait Times

Wait times in same day surgery can create added stress to patients who are already anxious. Perianesthesia nurses understand the importance of patient satisfaction as they continually return to the bedside, answer questions, and meet patients' needs. Nursing interventions to involve the patient and family can help decrease stress and dissatisfaction that occur when the patient is not updated about time changes. Defining quality care can be difficult when consumers and providers view things differently. Frequently, patients associate hospital stay satisfaction with the respect nurses demonstrate for their needs. Timeliness regarding surgical times is an important aspect when meeting consumers' care expectations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the problems patients might have with surgical wait times and to suggest ways to enhance patient satisfaction.
Direct Enzymatic Conversion of Lactose in Milk to Acid

Commercial production of acidified dairy products depends on a fermentative conversion of lactose to lactic acid, a multi-enzyme process. This slow and complicated biological process naturally tends to have disadvantages such as susceptibility to contamination and variation in acid formation; and production difficulties like starter preparation, inflexible equipment requirements, and scheduling. In 1965, we originally suggested that some of these problems in milk acidification might be overcome by using an oxidoreductase enzyme (6). At the time several enzymes were known with the capability of converting monoand disaccharides in the presence of oxygen to a lactone, followed bv spontaneous hydrolysis to the corresponding aldobionic acid. Thus, it appeared feasible that enzymatic conversion of lactose in milk directly to acid could provide an alternative method for acidification. Enzymes capable of oxidizing lactose, galactose, or glucose have been isolated and studied, but applications to milk acidification have not been considered. For example, hexose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.5) was found in the marine red alga lridophycus flaccidum (1); a glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.10) was isolated from Bacterium anitratum (3); a lactose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99) was separated from lactose-adapted cells of Pseudomonas graveolens (5); and glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.8.4) from Aspergillus niger has been available as a commercial food-grade enzyme for over 20 yr (8). Our initial studies with enzymatic conversion of lactose to acid indicated that the hydrolyzed sugar, as glucose and galactose, could be utilized to acidify milk to pH 4.5 to 5.0 (7). However, a source of oxygen to provide uniform distribution throughout milk was an essential factor to provide a uniform rate of reaction. The combination of hydrogen peroxide
Systems analysis of genetic variation in MPTP neurotoxicity in mice

We analyzed genetic variation in severity of neuronal damage using the known dopaminergic neurotoxicant, MPTP, as a prototypical chemical denervation agent. Male mice from ten members of the BXD family of recombinant inbred strains received 12.5 mg/kg MPTP s.c. (vs. saline) and 48 h later brains were taken for multiple related biochemical analyses. Striatal dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, DOPAC and HVA, and serotonin and its metabolite, 5-HIAAA, were analyzed by HPLC. DA turnover was assessed using DOPAC/DA and HVA/DA ratios. Striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), glial fibrilary acidic protein (GFAP), and iron content in ventral midbrain were quantified. All dopamine measures, as well as TH and GFAP, demonstrated wide, genotype-dependent differences in response to MPTP. Serotonin was largely unaffected. Principal components analysis (PC) on difference values, saline minus MPTP, for DA, DOPAC, HVA, and TH, yielded a dominant principal component. The PC trait residuals for each genotype were compared against complementary expression data for striatum of the same strains. Three transcripts representing Mtap2, Lancl 1, and Kansl1l were highly correlated with the PC, as was the difference score, MPTP minus saline for GFAP. This systems approach to the study of environmental neurotoxicants holds promise to define individual genetic differences that contribute to variability in susceptibility to risk factors for diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
The phantom menace [software development]

In this world, the real phantom menace is the seductive idea that you can construct an optimal, engineering like process for developing high-quality software products. It's this idea that gets the ball rolling toward the stultifying "filling in" to which my treasured notion of methodological excellence succumbed so long ago. It's what threatens to steal the vitality from agile development organizations, to turn them into stodgy corporate IT department clones. A big part of the problem is with our analogies-the patterns to which we aspire. Is software development really like manufacturing? Is it really like engineering? Maybe we need some new patterns.
Aneurysm of the body of the left atrium presenting with chest pain

A patient with aneurysm of the body of the left atrium presenting with angina pectoris and mild congestive heart failure, but completely normal coronary arteriograms, is reported. A diverticulum seen in the left ventricular angiogram, read as a ventricular diverticulum, was found at surgery to be an aneurysm of the body of the left atrium. The possible etiologies and complications of the left atrial aneurysm are briefly discussed.
Numeric chromosomal abnormalities in small lymphocytic and transformed large cell lymphomas detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization of fine-needle aspiration biopsies.

BACKGROUND Chromosomal abnormalities in some lymphomas are associated with a poor prognosis. Trisomy 12 and deletions of chromosome 13 have been described in small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). To determine whether chromosomal aberrations could be detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs), we analyzed and compared specimens from seven patients with SLL and nine patients with a history of SLL that had transformed to large cell lymphoma. METHODS DNA probes specific to chromosome 12 and the chromosome 13/RB-1 gene locus were used for in situ hybridization on interphase cell nuclei. The cytologic features, ploidy, proliferation index, and conventional cytogenetic analysis findings were correlated with the FISH results. RESULTS Trisomy 12 was detected in 2 (29%) of the 7 cases of SLL and 2 (22%) of the 9 cases of transformed large cell lymphoma. Deletion of chromosome 13/RB-1 was present in 3 (43%) of 7 cases of SLL and 3 (33%) of 9 cases of transformed large cell lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that interphase cytogenetic analysis by FISH is feasible on FNAB specimens. Trisomy 12 and deletions of chromosome 13/RB-1 were present in some cases of SLL and transformed large cell lymphoma, and the presence of these chromosomal abnormalities did not correlate with transformation to a higher grade of lymphoma. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2000;90:126–32. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Cell-cycle regulation of yeast histone mRNA

Abstract The levels of H2A and H2B mRNAs as a function of cell-cycle stage were determined by hybridization methods. The analysis was extended to H3 and H4 mRNAs by in vitro translation. Cells were partitioned into cell-cycle stages either by centrifugal elutriation or by G1 synchronization with the yeast mating pheromone, α factor. The data lead to the following conclusions. First, histone mRNA can be detected in significant quantities only in S-phase cells. Second, the point of maximal accumulation of histone mRNA is not coincident with the point of maximal DNA synthesis; rather, histone mRNA begins accumulating very early in S, reaching a maximum when less than one half of the DNA has replicated. From this point in the cell cycle the histone mRNA levels decrease, reaching basal levels at the end of S. Third, in spite of the fact that the rate of histone mRNA accumulation is not coincident with the rate of DNA synthesis, the two processes are coupled; inhibition of DNA synthesis results in an extremely rapid disappearance of histone mRNA that is much shorter than the normal histone mRNA half-life. Fourth, there is no visible accumulation of mRNA precursors at any cell-cycle stage. We can conclude that, in yeast, histone mRNA levels are tightly and coordinately regulated throughout cell division and that this regulation most likely occurs at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. We also show that the two genetically unlinked H2B genes present in yeast are both expressed at comparable levels and are regulated. The regulation is probably sequence-specific, since genes in close proximity to the histones are not subject to cell-cycle control.
The impact of communication barriers on diagnostic confidence and ancillary testing in the emergency department.

Abstract Background: Communication barriers (CBs) compromise the diagnostic power of the medical interview and may result in increased reliance on diagnostic tests or incorrect test ordering. The prevalence and degree to which these barriers affect diagnosis, testing, and treatment are unknown. Study Objectives: To quantify and characterize CBs encountered in the Emergency Department (ED), and assess the effect of CBs on initial diagnosis and perceived reliance on ancillary testing. Methods: This was a prospective survey completed by emergency physicians after initial adult patient encounters. CB severity, diagnostic confidence, and reliance on ancillary testing were quantified on a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from least (0) to most (100). Results: Data were collected on 417 ED patient encounters. CBs were reported in 46%; with a mean severity of 50 mm on a 100-mm VAS with endpoints of "perfect communication and "no communication." Language was the most commonly reported form of CB (28%). More than one CB was identified in 6%. The 100-mm VAS rating of diagnostic confidence was lower in patients with perceived CBs (64 mm) vs. those without CBs (80 mm), p p
Integrin αDβ2, an adhesion receptor up-regulated on macrophage foam cells, exhibits multiligand-binding properties

Integrin αDβ2, the most recently discovered member of the β2 subfamily of integrin adhesion receptors, is up-regulated on macrophage foam cells. Although other members of the subfamily have been subjects of extensive research, the recognition specificity and the molecular basis for αDβ2 ligand binding remain unknown. Based on the high extent of structural homology between αDβ2 and the major myeloid-cell-specific integrin αMβ2 (Mac-1), noted for its capacity to bind multiple ligands, we considered that the 2 integrins have similar recognition specificity. In this study, using recombinant and natural αDβ2-expressing cells, we demonstrate that αDβ2 supports adhesion and migration to many extracellular matrix proteins in a fashion similar to αMβ2. Consistent with these data, the recombinant αDI-domain of the receptor bound selected ligands. The binding was activation-dependent because the αDI-domain with its C-terminal α7 helix truncated, but not the form with the C-terminal part extended, bound ligands. When the αDI-domain segment Lys244-Lys260 (highly homologous to its αMI-domain counterpart Lys245-Arg261 responsible for αMβ2 multiligand-binding properties) was inserted into the mono-specific αLI-domain, the chimeric protein bound many ligands with affinities similar to those of wild-type αDI-domain. These results establish integrin αDβ2 as a multiligand receptor and indicate that the mechanism whereby αDβ2 exhibits broad ligand specificity resembles that used by αMβ2, the most promiscuous member of the integrin family.
T cell exhaustion and Interleukin 2 downregulation

T cells reactive to tumor antigens and viral antigens lose their reactivity when exposed to the antigen-rich environment of a larger tumor bed or viral load. Such non-responsive T cells are termed exhausted. T cell exhaustion affects both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. T cell exhaustion is attributed to the functional impairment of T cells to produce cytokines, of which the most important may be Interleukin 2 (IL2). IL2 performs functions critical for the elimination of cancer cells and virus infected cells. In one such function, IL2 promotes CD8+ T cell and natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activities. Other functions include regulating naive T cell differentiation into Th1 and Th2 subsets upon exposure to antigens. Thus, the signaling pathways contributing to T cell exhaustion could be linked to the signaling pathways contributing to IL2 loss. This review will discuss the process of T cell exhaustion and the signaling pathways that could be contributing to T cell exhaustion.
Special Section on the 2013 International Conference on Microelectronic Test Structures (ICMTS)

This special section is devoted to the 2013 International Conference on Microelectronic Test Structures (ICMTS). Since 1988, the conference is held annually, alternating the locations by a three-year cycle in the USA, Europe and Asia. Test structures are indispensable for the characterization and development of any microelectronic devices and processes. The conference provides a unique forum for designers and users of test structures in all areas of microelectronics, to discuss recent developments and future directions.
Experiential Avoidance and Saving Cognitions in the Prediction of Hoarding Symptoms

The cognitive-behavioral approach to hoarding implicates dysfunctional beliefs about possessions (i.e., “saving cognitions”). Acquiring and saving possessions can be conceptualized as avoidance behaviors that prevent feeling the distress provoked by such beliefs in certain situations (e.g., discarding). Experiential avoidance (EA) involves an unwillingness to endure upsetting emotions, thoughts, memories, and other private experiences, and deliberate efforts to control or escape from them. EA has been investigated in several clinical disorders, but to date little investigation of the role of EA in hoarding has been made. The present study examined EA in the prediction of hoarding symptoms. A large sample of unscreened undergraduates completed measures of EA, saving cognitions, and hoarding symptoms. EA predicted the acquisition and clutter components of hoarding even after controlling for saving cognitions and general distress. However, EA was not uniquely associated with the difficulty discarding component of hoarding. Implications for future research are discussed.
Quantum transition state theory

Abstract We derive and discuss upper bound, of transition state form, to the quantum rate constant for bimolecular reactions.
Sensitive analysis of plasma physostigmine levels using dual-cell electrochemistry in the redox mode

A column liquid chromatographic method using dual-electrode, redox electrochemical detection has been developed for measuring plasma and cerebrospinal fluid physostigmine levels. The method is suitable for detecting drug levels in a geriatric population following oral ingestion of sustained-release physostigmine preparations and for determining the pharmacokinetics of these preparations in biological fluids.
Instantaneous frequency and amplitude modulation of EEG in the hippocampus reveals state dependent temporal structure

EEG and LFP activity reflect the dynamic and organized interactions of neural ensembles; therefore, it may be possible to use the features of brain rhythms to determine the computational state of a neuronal network. When neuronal networks are activated, physical principles predict that the frequency content of the field potential should reflect the network state, per se, and ergo the state transition. A novel way for characterizing brain states is by quantifying the temporal structure of AM and FM activity (change in amplitude and frequency over time) for brain rhythms of interest. The concept of AM and FM, in the quantitative sense, is virtually unexplored in systems neuroscience. This is not surprising considering estimation of FM activity requires fine temporal and precise estimation of instantaneous frequency. For AM activity, the absolute value of the Hilbert transform is sufficient. Here, we outline a practical pole tracking algorithm which uses a Kalman filter for univariate AR processes to estimate instantaneous frequency. We demonstrate the filter performance using simulated chirp and real EEG/LFP data recorded from the rat hippocampus; and show that AM/FM activity in EEG/LFP is temporally structured and dependent on behavioral and cognitive state. This algorithm has the potential to be a practical tool for characterizing fundamental structure in electrophysiology data and classifying computational states in the brain.
Quantification of breast tissue index from MR data using fuzzy clustering

The study objective was to develop a segmentation technique to quantify breast tissue and total breast volume from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to obtain a breast tissue index (BTI) related to breast density. Our goal is to quantify MR breast density to improve breast cancer risk assessment for certain high-risk populations for whom mammography is of limited usefulness due to high breast density. A semi-automatic 3D segmentation technique was implemented based on a fuzzy c-means technique (FCM) to segment fibroglandular tissue from fat in the breast images. After validation on a phantom, our FCM technique was first used to test the breast tissue measures reproducibility in two consecutive MR examinations of the same patients. The technique was then applied to measure the BTI on 10 high-risk patients. Results of BTI obtained with the semi-automated FCM method were compared with BTI results for the same patients using two other techniques, manual delineation and global threshold. BTI measures correlated well with mammographic densities (Pearson coefficients r = 0.78 using MR manual delineation, and r = 0.75 using MR FCM). The breast tissue index could therefore become a common measure for future studies of using noncontrast MRI data.
Hydroperoxide metabolism in trout gill tissue: effect of glutathione on lipoxygenase products generated from arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.

Abstract The generation of oxygenated products from arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid by the n − 9 lipoxygenase of trout gill was monitored as a function of substrate concentration and added glutathione. In the absence of added glutathione up to 50% of the substrate consumed by the lipoxygenase was ultimately converted non-enzymatically to trihydroxy derivatives of the initial n − 9 hydroperoxide enzyme product. The presence of added glutathione progressively increased conversion of the respective fatty acid hydroperoxides to the n − 9 monohydroxy derivatives of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids while concomitantly decreasing the yield of trihydroxy derivatives, consistent with its role as a cosubstrate in the peroxidase reaction. The stability and net turnover of the lipoxygenase were also significantly improved by the addition of glutathione. The relative distribution of monohydroxy and trihydroxy products from either arachidonic acid or docosahexaenoic acid were similarly affected and equally sensitive to the glutathione concentration. These data suggest that in animals, the hydroperoxides of n − 6 and n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids generated by lipoxygenases are equally metabolized by the peroxide scavenging capabilities of the tissue.
Flow Characteristics of Tip Injection on Compressor Rotating Spike via Time-Accurate Simulation

The performance of gas turbine engines is often limited by compressor stall. Steady tip injection stall control technologies have demonstrated their effectiveness to increase the stable operating range of gas turbine engine compressors. To help understand the fluid mechanic processes of stall with and without stall control and how stall is mitigated by stall control technology, the establishment of a capability to simulate the flow details leading to stall would be extremely helpful. This paper presents results of the simulations of a high- speed single-stage axial compressor. These simulations show the evolution of rotating instabilities and range extension as a result of tip injection. The simulations are time-accurate simulations of the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations encompassing the full-annulus grid and are executed using high-performance parallel computing. Computed compressor characteristics are compared to experimental data. The general flow features of the compressor with and without tip injection at the onset of stall are presented using time- accurate pressure traces and visualized by a novel disturbance cell concept.
Fitness biasing to produce adaptive gaits for hexapod robots

Anytime learning with fitness biasing was shown in an earlier work to be an effective tool for learning leg cycles for a hexapod robot. This learning system was capable of adapting to changes in the environment. Although the leg cycles were appropriate for rougher terrain, the gaits produced with them by a standard genetic algorithm were not capable of bearing the robot's load. In this paper, we present the use of anytime learning with fitness biasing to improve the gaits produced by allowing the learning system to adapt to unforeseen changes in the environment and the robot's capabilities. Training and tests were done in simulation, with the resultant gaits tested on the actual robot.
Prevalence of traumatic brain injury in juvenile offenders: A meta-analysis

Studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among adult populations demonstrate that such injuries can lead to aggressive behaviors. Related findings suggest that incarcerated individuals have high rates of brain injuries. Such studies suggest that traumatic brain injury may be related to the etiology and recidivism of criminal behavior. Relatively few studies have examined the prevalence of TBI using a delinquent juvenile sample. In order to assess the relationship between TBI and juvenile offender status, the current study used meta-analytic techniques to examine the odds of having a TBI among juvenile offenders. Across 9 studies, we found that approximately 30% of juvenile offenders have sustained a previous brain injury. Across 5 studies that used a control group, a calculated summary odds ratio of 3.37 suggests that juvenile offenders are significantly more likely to have a TBI compared to controls. Results suggest that the rate of TBIs within the juvenile offender population is significant and that there may be a relationship between TBIs and juvenile criminal behavior.
Do social self-efficacy and self-esteem moderate the relationship between peer victimization and academic performance?

Victimization by peers has been associated with low academic performance and internalizing problems. Still, not all students who experience peer victimization report a reduction in performance. The current study examines the potential protective nature of self-esteem and social self-efficacy in the relationship between peer victimization and academic performance. A sample of 231 middle school students participated. Schools reported academic performance and students completed self-report questionnaires. The ability of social self-efficacy and self-esteem in aiding academic and emotional resilience was explored as possible mediating and moderating variables using hierarchical regressions. Results supported the conclusion that the interaction of self-efficacy and self-esteem may moderate the relationship between peer victimization and academic performance. Those with above average social self-efficacy reported lower peer victimization and depression as well as higher academic performance. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Toward intelligent decision support for pharmaceutical product development

Developing pharmaceutical product formulation in a timely manner and ensuring quality is a complex process that requires a systematic, science-based approach. Information from various categories, including properties of the drug substance and excipients, interactions between materials, unit operations, and equipment is gathered. Knowledge in different forms, including heuristics, decision trees, correlations, and first-principle models is applied. Decisions regarding processing routes, choice of excipients, and equipment sizing are made based on this information and knowledge. In this work, we report on the development of a software infrastructure to assist formulation scientists in managing the information, capturing the knowledge, and providing intelligent decision support for pharmaceutical product formulation.