cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coarctation-Associated Aneurysms: A Localized Disease or Diffuse Aortopathy

Background We evaluated the occurrence and treatment of aortic aneurysms in coarctation patients. Methods During 1962 to 2011, 943 cases of coarctation were repaired. Aortic aneurysms were identified in 55 patients (5.8%). Forty-eight had prior coarctation repair (median 23 years earlier, interquartile range 18 to 26 years). Forty-two aneurysms were found in the descending thoracic aorta (76.4%), 18 in the ascending aorta (32.7%), 8 in the left subclavian artery (14.5%), and 1 each (1.8%) in the abdominal aorta, iliac artery, and innominate artery. Twenty-three patients (41.8%) had multiple aneurysms. Twenty-five patients (45.4%) had a bicuspid aortic valve. Results Fifty-three patients' aneurysms were treated surgically. Thirty-five (66.0%) had descending thoracic aortic repair, of whom 11 had aorto-left subclavian bypass. Aortic cross-clamping alone was used in 23 patients, left heart bypass in 4, and circulatory arrest in 8. Eleven patients underwent endovascular repair (20.8%). Proximal aortic aneurysms were repaired in 7 patients (13.2%); 1 had simultaneous antegrade endostent delivery. Four patients had ascending-to-descending aortic bypass (7.3%). Concomitant valve-sparing root repair was performed in 2 patients, Bentall in 4, aortic valve replacement in 3, and coronary artery bypass in 1. One 30-day death occurred (1.9%). Three patients (5.7%) had transient neurologic deficits, 2 (3.8%) required tracheostomy, and 11 (20.8%) had vocal cord paralysis. Conclusions Coarctation is a marker for aortic aneurysm formation in adults and merits long-term surveillance. Anatomic complexity and associated conditions can complicate the surgical repair. Various open, extra-anatomic, and endovascular techniques may be used.
Thermodynamic analysis of chemical compatibility of ceramic reinforcement materials with niobium aluminides

Chemical compatibility of several reinforcement materials with three niobium aluminides, Nb3Al, Nb2Al, and NbAl3, were examined from thermodynamic considerations. The reinforcement materials considered in this study include carbides, borides, nitrides, oxides, silicides, and Engel-Brewer compounds. Thermodynamics of the Nb-Al system were reviewed and activities of Nb and Al were derived at desired calculation temperatures. Criteria for chemical compatibility between the reinforcement material and Nb-Al compounds have been defined and several chemically compatible reinforcement materials have been identified.
Dissecting the JGA: new functions for JG cells?

juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, which are renin-secreting, specialized smooth muscle cells (also known as granular myoepithelial cells), are located within the wall of the afferent arteriole near the point where it enters the glomerulus ([12][1]). JG cells are therefore intimate members of the
What case discussions reveal about teacher thinking

Drawing on sociocultural theories, this qualitative study examined teacher thinking during case discussions in two university content literacy courses. The participants were 30 students in an undergraduate preservice course and 10 practicing teachers in an inservice course at the Masters' level. Data took the form of transcripts of case discussions and debriefing sessions, field notes, focus-group interviews, and individual interviews. Our purpose was to understand the sociocultural and semiotic tools preservice and inservice teachers used to mediate and construct images and issues of teaching and learning literacy. Both differences and similarities were found between the two groups of teachers. First, the tools used by the preservice teachers included their experience as students, theory and course texts from university classes, and role-playing activities used during case discussions; in contrast, the inservice teachers drew predominantly on their teaching experience and consequently became emotionally involved in the cases. Second, both groups viewed teaching as a technical act. However, because the inservice teachers were more aware of the constraints that limited teachers' actions, their images of teaching were far more complex than those of the preservice teachers. Third, both groups were concerned about the diversity of students' needs and abilities and viewed knowledge and ability as “fixed.” Also interesting is what teachers did not talk about—issues of ethnicity, class, or gender were never raised. In addition, teachers did not question the school curriculum or their assumptions about teaching, knowledge, and ability. Thus, although we found that case teaching has the potential to help teachers reflect on practice and explore important issues in teaching, we argue that cases and case discussions must be carefully crafted as tools to highlight and challenge these assumptions.
Poetic license in the Buddhist Sanskrit Verses of the Upālipariprcchā

L'A. analyse la variabilite des elements poetiques et metriques de l'Upālipariprcchā, exemple d'une tentative de preservation d'elements de textes anciens en sanskrit bouddhique. La technique metrique utilisee par l'auteur anonyme de l'Upālipariprcchā est identique a celle rencontree dans les vers en pāli. Les formes hybrides de grammaire sanskrite presentes dans les vers sont caracteristiques du style de l'auteur, qui respecte les elements de la metrique dodhaka, et de son approche personnelle du sanskrit
Singular solutions in the optimal control of lumped- and distributed-parameter systems

Abstract The necessary conditions for a singular optimal subarc in both lumped- and distributed-parameter systems are derived in this paper. Consideration is given to the synthesis of optimal trajectories when such singularities exist. Computational results are presented for a number of systems including the plug-flow tubular reactor to show that such a synthesis can be carried out. A combination of direct search and steepest ascent methods prove quite feasible as a computational tool for handling such optimal systems.
Dilemmas of autonomy and happiness Harry Brighouse on subjective wellbeing and education

Harry Brighouse has advanced an intriguing set of arguments about the place of human flourishing in liberal educational theory. In his book On Education, Brighouse argues that autonomy can be justified instrumentally because it promotes flourishing. He links flourishing to the psychological concept of `subjective wellbeing' and he spells out the implications of subjective wellbeing research for educational policy. Each of these moves, while promising, raises questions. It is unclear how the instrumental justification for autonomy is a political improvement for liberalism over other justifications, and the link between autonomy and flourishing can be questioned on empirical grounds. In addition, a focus on subjective wellbeing may be irrelevant to the central ethical considerations relating to education and economic growth. Finally, the use of social science research on subjective wellbeing may present problems if it is used to construct educational policies around the `central tendencies' of large populat...
Response to Letter to the Editor A Practical Guide to Concentrated Insulin for Pharmacists

The letter to the editor presents some valuable additional information on the use of U-500 insulin. As described in our review, directions regarding the use of U-500 insulin should include units and volume, regardless of the syringe being used. As the letter indicates, regular U-100 syringes can be used safely in patients administering U-500 insulin, with adequate education by a certified diabetes educator, pharmacist, or other specialized health care professional. As stated in the letter and our review, the patient must be able to describe the insulin dose in units and in volume for the syringe of use. While U-100 insulin syringes can be used safely for the administration of U-500 insulin, there still may be some confusion among patients. Tuberculin or volumetric syringes can still be used as an option for the administration of U-500 insulin, especially in situations where insurance payment is not a problem, such as managed care systems and the federal government. The letter discusses additional information about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of U-500 insulin. To provide further clarification, U-500 insulin allows for a decreased volume of administration and fewer injections, which may ultimately lead to better glycemic control and patient satisfaction. There are no randomized controlled trials comparing U-500 insulin with other types of insulin. A majority of the available evidence is based on opinions and retrospective data from clinical settings. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, U-500 insulin has an extended prandial action with basal activity, allowing it to be administered prior to meals. The letter brings up additional literature to support the use of U-500 insulin in a hospital setting. The article published by Samaan et al provides additional guidelines for the use of U-500 insulin in an institutional setting. All institutions should have a policy with U-500 insulin. Emphasis on the word ‘‘concentrated’’ should be highlighted in the policies as described by Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). There are other important components of institutional policies regarding U-500 insulin that should be noted, including monitoring of glucose levels and protocols for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. The tool developed by Samaan et al utilizes a unit-per-unit conversion technique. It should be noted that other publications on U-500 insulin provide other information for the initial conversion. From selected publications, examples of conversions include unit-per-unit, 20% dose reduction in insulin to prevent hypoglycemia, and 20% dose increase in insulin in uncontrolled hyperglycemia. The letter case study follows a unit-per-unit conversion and accounts for the concentration of U-500 insulin by dividing by 5. This produces the same result as our review without rounding. The letter provides an example of appropriate directions when using a U-100 insulin syringe. We appreciate the feedback and additional insight from the readers of the Journal of Pharmacy Practice.
On Regression-Based Stopping Times

We study approaches that fit a linear combination of basis functions to the continuation value function of an optimal stopping problem and then employ a greedy policy based on the resulting approximation. We argue that computing weights to maximize expected payoff of the greedy policy or to minimize expected squared-error with respect to an invariant measure is intractable. On the other hand, certain versions of approximate value iteration lead to policies competitive with those that would result from optimizing the latter objective.
STUDIES ON THE MODE OF ACTION OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN III. SITE OF TOXIN ACTION IN CELL-FREE EXTRACTS

Extracts from HeLa cells treated with excess diphtheria toxin for several hours, until all protein synthesis has been arrested, are still able to stimulate the poly U-directed incorporation of phenylalanine into polypeptides at a moderate rate. Activity may be restored to normal levels or above by addition of a soluble enzyme fraction containing transferase II. Our results are in agreement with those of Collier who has recently shown that toxin inactivates transferase II in extracts from rabbit reticulocytes. We have further demonstrated that amino acid incorporation in extracts from intoxicated HeLa cells is limited by their transferase II content whereas, in extracts from normal cells, it is the ribosomes and to a lesser extent sRNA that are limiting. We have found that only soluble transferase II is inactivated by toxin; the ribosome-bound enzyme is resistant.
The neoglycoprotein mannose–bovine serum albumin, but not progesterone, activates T-type calcium channels in human spermatozoa

The neoglycoproteins alpha-D-mannose-bovine serum albumin (mannose-BSA) and N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosamine-BSA (glucNAc-BSA) were shown to rapidly increase intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in human spermatozoa. The increase in [Ca2+]i induced by these neoglycoproteins accounts for the known ability of these compounds to induce the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa. Our data support the hypothesis that mannose-BSA, but not progesterone, activates T-type Ca2+ channels in human spermatozoa for the following reasons: (i) the capacity of mannose-BSA to increase [Ca2+]i was inhibited by the specific T-type Ca2+ channel blocker mibefradil (IC50 = 10(-6) mol/l) while progesterone was not inhibited by 10(-5) M mibefradil; (ii) the effect of mannose-BSA to elevate [Ca2+]i was inhibited more potently by Ni2+ (IC50 = 0.1 mmol/l) than Cd2+ (IC50 = 0.5 mmol/l), whereas the effect of progesterone to elevate [Ca2+]i was inhibited equally by Ni2+ and Cd2+ (IC50 = 0.25 mmol/l); (iii) the effects of mannose-BSA and progesterone to increase [Ca2+]i were greater than additive. These data support the idea that mannose-BSA and progesterone were activating distinct Ca2+ channels, one of which was a T-type Ca2+ channel activated by mannose-BSA whereas the Ca2+ channel that was activated by progesterone has yet to be defined at the molecular level.
Status of Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC) in 2012

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for bladder cancer is increasingly becoming popular in specialist centres around the world. RARC has the advantage of being minimally invasive and also the dexterity of the instruments allow reconstruction such as ileal conduit urinary diversion or neobladder formation. Starting from the initial series demonstrating the feasibility of RARC and extended pelvic lymph node dissection, we now have mature series demonstrating equal oncological and functional outcomes in the medium term follow-up. In addition, literature suggests decreased hospital stay, less blood loss equating to less blood transfusion and a trend towards decreased complications as well. In the near future we would anticipate further refinement and reduced operating times with increased benefits for the patient undergoing RARC.
PIAS1 selectively inhibits interferon-inducible genes and is important in innate immunity

Interferon (IFN) activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway to regulate immune responses. The protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) family has been suggested to negatively regulate STAT signaling. To understand the physiological function of PIAS1, we generated Pias1−/− mice. Using PIAS1-deficient cells, we show that PIAS1 selectively regulates a subset of IFN-γ- or IFN-β-inducible genes by interfering with the recruitment of STAT1 to the gene promoter. The antiviral activity of IFN-γ or IFN-β was consistently enhanced by Pias1 disruption. Pias1−/− mice showed increased protection against pathogenic infection. Our data indicate that PIAS1 is a physiologically important negative regulator of STAT1 and suggest that PIAS1 is critical for the IFN-γ- or IFN-β-mediated innate immune responses.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Acute Lung Injury: Role of Paracrine Soluble Factors†‡§

Morbidity and mortality have declined only modestly in patients with clinical acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), despite extensive research into the pathophysiology. Current treatment remains primarily supportive with lung-protective ventilation and a fluid conservative strategy. Pharmacologic therapies that reduce the severity of lung injury in preclinical models have not yet been translated to effective clinical treatment options. Consequently, further research in trans-lational therapies is needed. Cell-based therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one attractive new therapeutic approach. MSCs have the capacity to secrete multiple paracrine factors that can regulate endothelial and epithelial permeability, decrease inflammation, enhance tissue repair, and inhibit bacterial growth. This review will focus on recent studies, which support the potential therapeutic use of MSCs in ALI/ARDS, with an emphasis on the role of paracrine soluble factors.
Secretion of medullipin I by isolated kidneys perfused under elevated pressure.

SUMMARY 1. Medullipin I (Med I) is a hormone extracted from renal papillae and its renomedullary interstitial cells (RIC). Med I is stimulated by elevation of the renal artery perfusion pressure. 2. When isolated normal rat kidneys were perfused either with oxygenated blood or with 5% albumin bubbled with O2 at elevated perfusion pressures, Med I appeared to be secreted into the renal venous effluent (RVE). Addition of Tween 20, treatment of the assay rat with SKF 525A, inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 and removal of the liver from the systemic circulation prevented vasodepression of both the RVE and extracted Med I. The lipid in the RVE gave the same dose–response as extracted Med I. 3. Lowering the renal artery perfusion pressure below normal inhibited the secretion of Med I. As the perfusion pressure was elevated Med I secretion appeared to increase. 4. Previous observations and the present study support the view that the renin–angiotensin system and the Medullipin system are double feedback systems involved in blood pressure control.
Pollen analysis of marine sediments off the Washington coast

Abstract Pollen diagrams of postglacial sediments from the continental terrace off the Washington coast reveal trends similar to those observed in continental sections of postglacial age from the Pacific Northwest and appear sufficient for correlation with terrestrial deposits. The absolute pollen frequency (APF) varies from 3000 to 15000 grains/g. Maximum number of pollen grains (500–800/cm 2 /year) accumulated during the Hypsithermal.
Hadronic deformation energy. II. Two-nucleon interaction

The MIT bag model for hadrons is treated in the static cavity approximation. The adiabatic deformation of a six-quark hadron with quantum numbers of the deuteron is studied in a configuration which permits the separation of two triplets with quantum numbers of the neutron and proton. The energy of the system is computed to second order in the gluon coupling and presented as a function of two choices of a single collective variable: a separation parameter for the nucleons and the baryonic quadrupole moment. The present study considers only interactions at short and intermediate range in a state with nuclear spins aligned in parallel along the deformation axis. It does not treat effects depending on nucleon momenta. The energy, when expressed in terms of a nuclear separation parameter, exhibits a soft repulsive core at short range due to a color-magnetic gluon interaction, and strong attraction in intermediate range due to a color-electric interaction.
Against zero-dimensional material objects (and other bare particulars)

A modus tollens against zero-dimensional material objects is presented from the premises (i) that if there are zero-dimensional material objects then there are bare particulars, and (ii) that there are no bare particulars. The argument for the first premise proceeds by elimination. First, bare particular theory and bundle theory are motivated as the most appealing theories of property exemplification. It is then argued that the bundle theorist’s Ockhamism ought to lead her to reject spatiotemporally located zero-dimensional property instances. Finally, it is argued that since she must accept such instances if she accepts zero-dimensional material object bundles, she ought to avoid the latter. This leaves bare particular theory as the default view of zero-dimensional material objects. The argument for the second premise invokes the thesis that the exemplification of at least one sparse property is a prerequisite for the existence of any particular. It is argued from Humean considerations that bare particulars fail this prerequisite.
The Computers Are Coming, the Computers Are Coming: A Study of Human-Computer Social Interaction.

The proliferation of computers in schools, offices, retail establishments and homes suggests that computers are already affecting the way we work, learn, and live. As programs are developed which enable these machines to perform in a more humanlike manner, obscuring the line between human and machine, we may become less and less willing to take the risk of revealing something about ourselves to anything other than a neutral piece of machinery. This study addressed a fundamental question: Are people more willing to disclose personal information to a computer or to a person? Forty individuals responded to requests for intimate or nonintimate personal information from a computer or another person. It was predicted and found that personal disclosure was greater to a computer on highly intimate issues. Personal disclosure is vital for enlightened self-development, friendship formation, and physical and psychological health. These findings suggest that computers deserve careful consideration as powerful psychological and social agents prior to inviting them into our lives. As consumer and family researchers, home economists are in an advantageous position to recognize, understand, and mold the influence computers will have on us.
A morphometric comparison of the changes in the laryngeal skeleton associated with invasion by tumor and by external‐beam radiation

Patterns of cartilage invasion by squamous carcinoma were examined in 40 laryngectomy specimens with particular reference to selective involvement of ossified cartilage. The study determines whether external radiation administered at therapeutic levels to the human larynx has selective effects on the osteoclast cell population and subsequent bone resorption. Radiated and nonirradiated tissues were compared as were cases with and without laryngeal framework involvement by cancer. Morphologic changes in ossified laryngeal cartilage showed that invasion is a largely indirect process dominated by local bone destruction with osteoclasts operating in front of the advancing tumor. Morphometric studies indicate that framework invasion correlates significantly with both increased numbers of osteoclasts and increased bone resorption. An original finding here was that radiation therapy resulted in similarly increased osteoclast activity among cases without framework involvement by cancer. In these cases radiation appeared to act independently of tumor in producing osteoclast activation.
Immunotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy of malignant disease with BCG and nonviable mycobacterial fractions

The administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) has been associated with restoration of general immunocompetence, augmentation of specific tumor immunity, activation of local and regional host defense mechanisms, and stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system. There is evidence that antigens from a variety of unrelated tumors are shared with, or are similar to, antigens in BCG. However, it is uncertain whether this cross-reactivity is the basis for the antitumor activity of BCG. Numerous studies emphasize the importance of regional effects of immunotherapy. They suggest a two-step mechanism for antitumor activity that involves recognition of BCG by host defense mechanisms, followed by activation and mobilization of macrophages by specifically produced lymphokines. The several nonviable derivatives of BCG have activity comparable to BCG without many of the problems associated with viable BCG. An optimal, completely standardized BCG preparation has not yet been produced.
Comparison of complex effluent treatability in different bench scale microbial electrolysis cells.

A range of wastewaters and substrates were examined using mini microbial electrolysis cells (mini MECs) to see if they could be used to predict the performance of larger-scale cube MECs. COD removals and coulombic efficiencies corresponded well between the two reactor designs for individual samples, with 66–92% of COD removed for all samples. Current generation was consistent between the reactor types for acetate (AC) and fermentation effluent (FE) samples, but less consistent with industrial (IW) and domestic wastewaters (DW). Hydrogen was recovered from all samples in cube MECs, but gas composition and volume varied significantly between samples. Evidence for direct conversion of substrate to methane was observed with two of the industrial wastewater samples (IW-1 and IW-3). Overall, mini MECs provided organic treatment data that corresponded well with larger scale reactor results, and therefore it was concluded that they can be a useful platform for screening wastewater sources.
Soluble Amyloid Precursor Protein Induces Rapid Neural Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer tremendous potential for not only treating neurological disorders but also for their ability to serve as vital reagents to model and investigate human disease. To further our understanding of a key protein involved in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis, we stably overexpressed amyloid precursor protein (APP) in hESCs. Remarkably, we found that APP overexpression in hESCs caused a rapid and robust differentiation of pluripotent stem cells toward a neural fate. Despite maintenance in standard hESC media, up to 80% of cells expressed the neural stem cell marker nestin, and 65% exhibited the more mature neural marker β-3 tubulin within just 5 days of passaging. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the effects of APP on neural differentiation, we examined the proteolysis of APP and performed both gain of function and loss of function experiments. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the N-terminal secreted soluble forms of APP (in particular sAPPβ) robustly drive neural differentiation of hESCs. Our findings not only reveal a novel and intriguing role for APP in neural lineage commitment but also identify a straightforward and rapid approach to generate large numbers of neurons from human embryonic stem cells. These novel APP-hESC lines represent a valuable tool to investigate the potential role of APP in development and neurodegeneration and allow for insights into physiological functions of this protein.
Caesarius of Arles : the making of a Christian community in late antique Gaul

This book studies the processes by which the pagan Roman empire was transformed into the Christian middle ages. Drawing on the perspectives of social history, archaeology and anthropology, it focuses on the strategies of Bishop Caesarius of Arles (AD 470–542) to promote Christian values, practices and beliefs among the pagans, Jews and Christians of southern France, and on the resistance provoked by his efforts among the population. This is the first book in English about Caesarius, and the only book to discuss southern Gaul during the sixth century. It examines afresh the crucial years of continuity, disruption, and profound change which followed the end of the Roman empire in the west, and the effects of Caesarius' programme under the later Merovingians and Carolingians.
Expectancies for drinking and excessive drinking among Mexican Americans and non-hispanic whites

This study was designed to identify the expectancies held by Mexican Americans toward the drinking of alcoholic beverages as well as toward excessive drinking. Random samples of 534 Mexican American and 616 non-Hispanic White residents of San Jose, California and of San Antonio, Texas were interviewed over the telephone. Mexican Americans were found to have unique expectancies toward drinking of alcoholic beverages and toward excessive drinking that differed from those held by non-Hispanic Whites. In addition, Mexican Americans expected the various outcomes in greater proportion than non-Hispanic Whites and the Mexican American respondents classified as high in acculturation tended to respond in a manner similar to that of non-Hispanic White respondents. Multivariate analyses of variance with common (across ethnic groups) factor scales with ethnicity, gender, and drinking status as independent variables showed main effects for drinking status and for ethnicity. The group differences in expectancies identified here support the need for culturally appropriate interventions that target group-specific beliefs.
Calcareous Nannofossil Paleobiogeography of the Cretaceous Greenhorn Sea: ABSTRACT

Two distinctive, laterally traceable bentonite beds were used to construct two isochronous time slices through the marine sediments of the Upper Cretaceous Greenhorn cyclothem of the United States Western Interior basin. Calcareous nannofossil assemblages from these time slices were examined from more than 40 outcrop localities. Nannofossil presence and assemblage diversity and composition were statistically analyzed to examine the paleooceanographic conditions within the basin. The lower time slice (X bentonite) is at the stratigraphic horizon which approximately corresponds to the time at which free communication between the basin and open oceanic systems first occurred. The most striking trend in the nannofossil distribution is delineated by the presence or absence of nannofossils. The presence of common to abundant nannofossils in the center of the basin (i.e., near the hingeline of the basin) and the absence of nannofossils from the eastern and western basin margins indicate that open marine conditions conducive to significant standing crops of calcareous phytoplankton occurred only in a narrow, centrally located zone. Conditions at the basin margins were probably unsuitable for large populations due to environmental instability. Evidence indicates that atznaueria barnasae was the most ecologically tolerant form. The upper time slice (HL-3 bentonite) samples the nannofossil distributions at a point at or near the maximum transgression of the Greenhorn Sea. Similar, basinward increases in diversity and abundance are evidence but more subtly expressed. Paleolatitudinal differences in diversity and the relative abundances of some taxa indicate contributions from both tropical and boreal oceanic water masses. End_of_Article - Last_Page 538------------
Defining Philosophy of Communication: Difference and Identity

This article defines philosophy of communication as an emerging option in the doing of qualitative research in communication, differentiating its identity from philosophy proper. Philosophy of communication, in its commitment to questions of meaning and understanding, illuminates communicative understanding and meaning in the engagement of qualitative research in communication.
Amanita gemmata, a non-host-specific mycorrhizal fungus of Arctostaphylos manzanita.

(1980). Amanita Gemmata, A Non-Host-Specific Mycorrhizal Fungus of Arctostaphylos Manzanita. Mycologia: Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 435-439.
Abstract 561: Establishment and characterization of matched pairs of human prostate stromal cells to study cancer-stromal interaction

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Prostate stromal cells may play binary roles in the process of prostate cancer development. Being the first to be encountered by infiltrating prostate cancer cells, prostate stromal cells form the first defense line against prostate cancer progression and metastasis. On the other hand, interaction between prostate cancer and stromal cells may facilitate the formation of a tumor microenvironment favoring cancer cell growth and survival. To establish an experimental system for studying the interaction between cancer and stromal cells, we isolated three matched pairs of normal and cancer-associated human prostate stromal cells. The specimens were from three prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine. From each prostate, a cube of prostate tissue was dissected from a histologically normal region distal to the tumor, and another cube was dissected from a cancer-affected zone. Live cells in single cell preparation were cultured in low density for isolation of stromal clones. In contrast to the LNCaP prostate cancer cells, the isolated prostate stromal clones exhibited large fibroblastic morphology with slow growth rate. Growth and survival of the stromal clones were not affected by androgens and were highly resistant to serum starvation. In contrast to the normal counterparts, the cancer-associated stromal clones exhibited differentiated survival ability, as determined by colony formation assay following serum starvation. In direct co-culture, the prostate stromal cells inhibited growth of the LNCaP cells and made the production of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) less sensitive to androgen deprivation. Importantly in co-culture experiments, the stromal cells protected some LNCaP prostate cancer cells from death by serum starvation, and cancer-associated stromal clones showed more protection. The surviving LNCaP clones showed features of androgen-independent PSA expression similar to the lineage-related androgen-independent C4-2 cells, suggesting that cancer cells acquired increased malignancy through interaction with the stromal cells. The results from this study indicate that matched stromal cell pairs may serve as models for comparative analysis of molecular changes in the tumor microenvironment. These cells can also be used in co-culture with prostate cancer cells to simulate cancer-stromal interaction in the tumor microenvironment in order to define the role of prostate stromal cells in prostate cancer progression and metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 561.
Estrogen administered at final milk removal accelerates involution of bovine mammary gland

Abstract To evaluate whether estrogen hastened involution of mammary tissue, Holstein cows were injected with 4ml of ethanol excipient (n = 21) or 15mg of estradiol-17 β (n = 23) on each of the 4 d that preceded final milk removal. Dates of final milk removal (d 0) were designated as 60 d prior to expected dates of calving. Milk volumes were recorded, and samples were collected prior to the first and fourth injections. During the dry period, each mammary quarter within the cow was sampled once to collect secretions on dates that correspond to d 0, 3, 11, and 25 or 1, 7, 18, and 30 of the dry period. Milk synthesis and secretion declined abruptly because of treatment. The decreased concentrations of α-lactalbumin, lactose, citrate, and potassium in secretions of controls, as well as the increased somatic cells, protein, lactoferrin, and sodium, occurred earlier in secretions from treated cows. These shifts of approximately 6 d, relative to days dry, suggested that exogenous estradiol increased the involution rate of mammary tissue.
Hierarchical solution of network flow problems

Given a network flow problem and a partition of its nodes into disjoint sets, we provide an aggregation-disaggregation procedure that reformulates the problem as the union of network flow subproblems. Each subproblem either involves nodes in a set and their induced arcs or involves nodes and arcs between a pair of node sets. We present a hierarchical solution procedure, based on ficitious play of a two-person game, that solves each of the subproblems separately at each iteration, retains network structure of each of the subproblems across iterations, generates upper and lower bounds to the objective function value at each iteration, and converges asymptotically to the global optimal solution. We apply the algorithms to a logistics planning model involving uncapacitated transportation problems and provide computational results for problem reformulations based on two different partitions. When the procedure is initialized with a good initial solution, we observe excellent convergence rates for the optimality gap across iterations. We also discuss relationships between our approach and Benders' decomposition and provide an example comparing the objective function values of solutions generated by the two approaches.
Perspectives on TRP Channel Structure and the TRPA1 Puzzle

The purpose of the Perspectives in General Physiology is to provide a forum where scientific uncertainties or controversies can be discussed in an authoritative, yet open, manner. The Perspectives are solicited by the editors—often based on recommendations by members of the editorial advisory
Synthesis and evaluation of 4′-5′-dehydro-5′-fluoroaristeromycins as S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase inhibitors

Abstract 4′,5′-Dehydro-5′-fluoro analogs of aristeromycin were synthesized and shown to be potent inhibitors of recombinant rat liver AdoHcy hydrolase.
Estrogen activates rapid signaling in the brain: Role of estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β in neurons and glia

The aging process is known to coincide with a decline in circulating sex hormone levels in both men and women. Due to an increase in the average lifespan, a growing number of post-menopausal women are now receiving hormone therapy for extended periods of time. Recent findings of the Women's Health Initiative, however, have called into question the benefits of long-term hormone therapy for treating symptoms of menopause. The results of this study are still being evaluated, but it is clear that a better understanding of the molecular effects of estradiol is needed in order to develop new estrogenic compounds that activate specific mechanisms but lack adverse side effects. Traditionally, the effects of estradiol treatment have been ascribed to changes in gene expression, namely transcription at estrogen response elements. This review focuses on emerging information that estradiol can also activate a repertoire of membrane-initiated signaling pathways and that these rapid signaling events lead to functional changes at the cellular level. The various types of cells in the brain can respond differently to estradiol treatment based on the signaling properties of the cell, as well as which receptor, estrogen receptor alpha and/or estrogen receptor beta, is expressed. Taken together, these findings suggest that the estradiol-induced activation of membrane-initiated signaling pathways occurs in a cell-type specific manner and can differentially influence how the cells respond to various insults.
A macrophage LPS-inducible early gene encodes the murine homologue of IP-10.

Abstract Recently, we have isolated and characterized a set of cDNA clones which encode lipopolysaccharide-inducible proteins in murine peritoneal macrophages. Here, we report the sequence and identification of one of these cDNAs previously termed C7. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame encoding a predicted polypeptide composed of 98 amino acids, which contained a 21 amino acid residue signal peptide, indicating approximately 9 kDa of mature protein. The deduced protein sequence showed homology (67% identity, 77% considering conservative amino acid changes) with the human INFγ-inducible gene IP-10, a member of the recently described superfamily of chemotactic and mitogenic proteins which includes platelet factor 4, monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (NAF, NAP-1, IL-8), and MGSA/gro/KC. Thus C7 would appear to represent the murine homologue of the human IP-10 gene or a very closely related gene.
Specific Directions of Longitudinal Wave Propagation in Anisotropic Media

Plane elastic waves can be propagated in every direction of an unbounded elastic medium. It is known that associated with each direction there are three independent waves, the displacements of which form a mutually orthogonal set. In general none of the three displacement vectors coincides with the vector of the normal to the wave front, that is, in general that waves are neigher longitudinal nor transverse. The purpose of this paper is to find specific directions in a medium of given anisotropy, along which the displacement of one of the three possible waves is exactly parallel to the direction of wave propagation. A method is developed which leads to the complete set of such "longitudinal" directions, if the matrix of the elastic coefficients is known.The method is applied to several groups of crystal symmetry, namely to the trigonal, hexagonal, tetragonal, and cubic systems, and the general conditions are established under which pure longitudinal waves exist. For $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ quartz, for example, the numerical calculation shows that there are five such distinct directions, not counting the ones which are equivalent by symmetry properties.As a by-product of the results, special conditions between the elastic constants are obtained under which longitudinal waves could be propagated in any direction in a hypothetical anisotropic medium fulfilling these conditions. Owing to their relation to an early investigation by G. Green in 1839, the latter are called specialized Green's conditions.
Intestinal epithelia activate anti-viral signaling via intracellular sensing of rotavirus structural components

Rotavirus (RV), a leading cause of severe diarrhea, primarily infects intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) causing self-limiting illness. To better understand innate immunity to RV, we sought to define the extent to which IEC activation of anti-viral responses required viral replication or could be recapitulated by inactivated RV or its components. Using model human intestinal epithelia, we observed that RV-induced activation of signaling events and gene expression typically associated with viral infection was largely mimicked by administration of ultraviolet (UV)-inactivated RV. Use of anti-interferon (IFN) neutralizing antibodies revealed that such replication-independent anti-viral gene expression required type I IFN signaling. In contrast, RV-induction of nuclear factor-κB-mediated interleukin-8 expression was dependent on viral replication. The anti-viral gene expression induced by UV-RV was not significantly recapitulated by RV RNA or RV virus-like particles although the latter could enter IEC. Together, these results suggest that RV proteins mediate viral entry into epithelial cells leading to intracellular detection of RV RNA that generates an anti-viral response.
Protective Factors in American Indian Communities and Adolescent Violence

With their distinct cultural heritage and rural boundaries, American Indian reservation communities offer a unique opportunity to explore protective factors that help buffer adolescents from potential risk behaviors such as violence. Prior published research on Indian communities has not explored three potential protective factors for violence-parental monitoring of adolescents and friends, adolescents' self-efficacy to avoid fighting, and adolescents' interest in learning more about their traditional culture. This paper explores the relationship between these factors and reduced risk of reported violence. In 1998, 630 American Indian students in grades 6-12 were surveyed in five Midwestern, rural Indian reservation schools. Path analysis was used to identify the direct and indirect association of the three potential protective factors with reduced violence behavior. There were significant gender differences both in perceived parental monitoring and in adolescents' self-efficacy. For female adolescents, parental monitoring had the strongest inverse relationship with female adolescents' involvement in violence. Female adolescents' self-efficacy and their interest in learning more about their culture were also inversely associated with violence and therefore potentially important protectors. Male adolescents who reported more interest in learning the tribe's culture had better self-efficacy to avoid violence. However, self-efficacy did not successfully predict their reported involvement in peer violence. These findings support exploring gender differences, parental monitoring, self-efficacy training as well as cultural elements in future violence intervention studies. Further investigation is needed to identify protective factors for risk behaviors among male adolescents and test the generalizability to non-reservation based adolescents.
Calibrating a model of the decision to move.

A previously published paper established that neither the cumulative-inertia hypothesis nor the independent-trials models were adequate explanations of observed mobility rates for individuals with different prior residential histories (Clark and Huff, 1977). An alternative model of the probability of moving incorporated the independent-trials model and cumulative inertia as special cases (Huff and Clark, 1978). In the present paper the model is restated, calibrated, and tested with a sample of household-mobility data from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tests of the deterministic and stochastic versions of the model indicate that both versions adequately reproduce the residential-history trees.
MECHANISM OF THE PARALYSING ACTION OF PIPERAZINE ON ASCARIS MUSCLE.

Abstract The effects of piperazine on Ascaris muscle cells have been investigated with electrophysiological techniques. These cells have an average resting potential of about 30 mV interrupted by rhythmic spikes of myogenic origin (1 to 7 spikes/sec). With piperazine (10-3, w/v), the average resting potential increases above 40 mV and the pacemaker activity is suppressed. These changes are similar to those temporarily produced in the same cells by the electrical stimulation of inhibitory nerve fibres. Electrophoretic application of piperazine to different areas of the muscle cells shows that this drug hyperpolarizes their membrane only when applied to the region where both excitatory and inhibitory neuromuscular synapses are located. The degree of muscle hyperpolarization induced by piperazine depends upon the extracellular chloride concentration, decreasing when a fraction of the chloride ions is replaced by the larger, supposedly nonpenetrating, sulphate anions. Piperazine may, therefore, be regarded as a pharmacological analogue of a natural inhibitory transmitter.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Surface Area Changes of Faceted Particles

An equation is derived that describes the influence of particle size and shape on the free energies of particles of anisotropic specific surface free energies. When the specific surface free energy is isotropic, the general equation reduces directly to the Gibbs-Thomson equation for the chemical potential of spherical drops and predicts the accepted driving force for neck growth between two spherical particles. The general equation is also used to obtain equations for the chemical potentials of particles of non-equilibrium shapes and to derive alternate rate equations for different possible rate-controlling steps of mass transport when faceted [100] ridge/channel arrays etched into a [100] single-crystal surface decrease in depth to reduce the surface free energy. Edge free energies are suggested to sometimes play important roles in determining the sequence of shape changes that occur when particles of non-equilibrium shapes and to derive alternate rate equations for different possible rate-controlling steps of mass transport when faceted [100] ridge/channel arrays etched into a [100] single-crystal surface decrease in depth to reduce the surface free energy. Edge free energies are suggested to sometime play important roles in determining the sequence of shape changes that occur when particles of non-equilibrium shapes are annealed.