cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lead nephropathy and gout.

Unusually high exposure to lead, industrial, or nonindustrial, remains to the present a health hazard among certain population groups. Data from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1 showed 22% of 27801 persons from 64 sampling areas had normal blood lead levels, under 10 J.tgldl, and blood level concentrations were highest among children 25 yr of age; 1.9% had elevated levels of ~ 30 mg/dl. Mean blood levels decreased with increasing age between 15 and 20 yr. The levels increased with increasing age until 45 through 54 yr; thereafter with a moderate decline in older age groups. The prevalence of increased lead in blood is highly correlated with socio-economic status of the population studied, especially so in young children from low income families . Children with poor nutritional status, those with anemia andlor vitamin D deficiency, are prone to have increased gastrointestinal absorption of lead. 2 Following absorption, lead reaches soft tissues in maximal concentration within an hour. Highest concentration of lead is found in the kidney. 3 From there, it is excreted in urine, or redistributed to other tissues, mostly to bones, also to teeth and hair. The biological half-life (T 112) of renal lead is about 1-2 days. In kidney, the concentration of lead is 50 times greater in cortex than in the medulla. The rate of urinary excretion of lead depends upon the duration of exposure , as well as the absolute body burden. 3.4
A comparison of emissive probe techniques for electric potential measurements in a complex plasma

Accurate measurements of the plasma potential is a critical challenge especially for complex plasmas such as magnetized and flowing. We compare various emissive probe techniques for measurements of the plasma potential. The measurements were conducted in a low-pressure magnetized discharge of the Hall thruster. The thruster was operated with xenon gas in subkilowatt power range and the discharge voltage range of 200–450 V. The probe was placed at the channel exit where, the electron temperature is in the range of 10 to 60 eV and the plasma potential is in the range of 50 to 250 V. The floating point method is expected to give a value ∼T e /e below the plasma potential. The experimental results are consistent with these expectations. Specifically, it is shown that the floating potential of the emissive probe is ∼2T e /e below the plasma potential. It is observed that the separation technique varies wildly and does not give a good measure of the plasma potential
Obstructive sleep apnea and obesity are associated with reduced GPR 120 plasma levels in children

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common health problem, particularly in obese children, in whom a vicious cycle of obesity and OSA interdependencies promotes increased food intake. G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR 120) is a long-chain free fatty acid (FFA) receptor that plays an important role in energy homeostasis, and protects against insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that GPR 120 levels would be reduced in children with OSA, particularly among obese children. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional prospectively recruited cohort. SETTING Academic pediatric sleep program. METHODS Two hundred twenty-six children (mean age: 7.0 ± 2.1 y) underwent overnight polysomnographic evaluation and a fasting blood draw the morning after the sleep study. In addition to lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) assays, monocyte GPR 120 expression, and plasma GPR 120 levels were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS Obese children and those with OSA had significantly lower GPR 120 monocyte expression and plasma GPR 120 levels. Furthermore, when both obesity and OSA were present, GPR 120 levels were lowest. Linear associations emerged between GPR 120 plasma levels and body mass index (BMI) z score, as well as with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO2) nadir, and respiratory arousal index (RAI), with RAI remaining statistically significant when controlling for age, ethnicity, sex, and BMI z score (P < 0.001). Similarly, HOMA-IR was significantly associated with GPR 120 levels, but neither low density lipoprotein nor high density lipoprotein cholesterol or hsCRP levels exhibited significant correlations. CONCLUSIONS G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR 120) levels are reduced in pediatric OSA and obesity (particularly when both are present) and may play a role in modulating the degree of insulin resistance. The short- and long-term significance of reduced GPR 120 relative to food intake and glycemic deregulation remains undefined.
Trapping-mediated dissociative chemisorption of ethane and propane on Ru(001)

Abstract The initial probabilities of precursor-mediated dissociative chemisorption of 13 C 2 H 6 , C 2 D 6 , C 3 H 8 , CH 3 CD 2 CH 3 and C 3 D 8 have been measured on the hexagonally close packed Ru(001) surface. The activation energies for CH bond cleavage are 9310 cal mol −1 for 13 C 2 H 6 and 9900 cal mol −1 for C 2 D 6 with respect to the bottom of the physically adsorbed well of the ethane molecule. For each isotopomer of propane, these measured activation energies are 10 430, 10 620 and 10 910 kcal mol −1 for C 3 H 8 , CH 3 CD 2 CH 3 and C 3 D 8 , respectively. For each alkane investigated the ratio of the preexponential factor for desorption relative to that of reaction is ∼ 100 due to the larger phase space available to the molecule for desorption relative to reaction. An examination of the selective activation of primary (1°) versus secondary (2°) CH bonds in propane reveals that 2° CH bond cleavage is favored energetically by 240 cal mol −1 and entropically by a factor of 2.1 over 1° bond cleavage. However, the formation of 1° Ru-propyl intermediates is favored over the formation of 2° Ru-propyl intermediates at all investigated temperatures due to the greater number of 1° CH bonds in propane compared to 2° CH bonds. The measured differences in CH versus CD bond activation for both ethane and propane are attributed to zero-point energy differences between each isotopomer and point to classical over the barrier reaction dynamics as the reaction pathway.
Resident Alveolar Macrophages Are Susceptible to and Permissive of Coxiella burnetii Infection

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a zoonotic disease with potentially life-threatening complications in humans. Inhalation of low doses of Coxiella bacteria can result in infection of the host alveolar macrophage (AM). However, it is not known whether a subset of AMs within the heterogeneous population of macrophages in the infected lung is particularly susceptible to infection. We have found that lower doses of both phase I and phase II Nine Mile C. burnetii multiply and are less readily cleared from the lungs of mice compared to higher infectious doses. We have additionally identified AM resident within the lung prior to and shortly following infection, opposed to newly recruited monocytes entering the lung during infection, as being most susceptible to infection. These resident cells remain infected up to twelve days after the onset of infection, serving as a permissive niche for the maintenance of bacterial infection. A subset of infected resident AMs undergo a distinguishing phenotypic change during the progression of infection exhibiting an increase in surface integrin CD11b expression and continued expression of the surface integrin CD11c. The low rate of phase I and II Nine Mile C. burnetii growth in murine lungs may be a direct result of the limited size of the susceptible resident AM cell population.
Continuation of equilibria and stability of slender elastic rods using an asymptotic numerical method

We present a theoretical and numerical framework to compute bifurcations of equilibria and stability of slender elastic rods. The 3D kinematics of the rod is treated in a geometrically exact way by parameterizing the position of the centerline and making use of quaternions to represent the orientation of the material frame. The equilibrium equations and the stability of their solutions are derived from the mechanical energy which takes into account the contributions due to internal moments (bending and twist), external forces and torques. Our use of quaternions allows for the equilibrium equations to be written in a quadratic form and solved efficiently with an asymptotic numerical continuation method. This finite element perturbation method gives interactive access to semi-analytical equilibrium branches, in contrast with the individual solution points obtained from classical minimization or predictor–corrector techniques. By way of example, we apply our numerics to address the specific problem of a naturally curved and heavy rod under extreme twisting and perform a detailed comparison against our own precision model experiments of this system. Excellent quantitative agreement is found between experiments and simulations for the underlying 3D buckling instabilities and the characterization of the resulting complex configurations. We believe that our framework is a powerful alternative to other methods for the computation of nonlinear equilibrium 3D shapes of rods in practical scenarios.
Omega-3 fatty acids and decidual cell prostaglandin production in response to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]; docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) on prostaglandin production and prostanoid enzyme expression in cultured decidual cells exposed to interleukin- 1β (IL-1β), a cytokine that plays a major role in inflammation. Study design Decidua was obtained from human placentas of nonlaboring patients at term cesarean delivery (N = 6) and cultured by using standard cell culture techniques. Cells were preincubated in defined media with various concentrations of vehicle, DHA, or EPA for 1 hour. IL-1β (10 ng/mL) was then added to the media, and experiments were terminated 12 hours after exposure to IL-1β. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2α concentrations in conditioned media were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES)-1, mPGES-2, and 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) expression were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Groups were compared with the use of Student t test, with significance defined as P Results Preincubation with DHA decreased prostaglandin production by up to 80% when compared with controls. DHA decreased both mPGES-1 and -2 messenger RNA expression by approximately 50% ( P = .02). Preincubation in DHA or EPA had no effect on COX-1, COX-2, and PGDH messenger RNA or protein expression. Conclusion Under conditions simulating inflammation, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids decreases PGE2 and PGF2α production in cultured decidual cells. The reduction in prostaglandin production was associated with a decreased expression of mPGES-1 and -2. These findings suggest a mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases the incidence of preterm birth in high-risk patients.
Preparation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) PET tracer [(18)F]FPEB for human use: An automated radiosynthesis and a novel one-pot synthesis of its radiolabeling precursor.

The radiotracer 3-[18F]fluoro-5-(2-pyridinylethynyl)benzonitrile, or [18F]FPEB, is a promising PET imaging agent for the metabotropic glutamate subtype 5 receptor (mGluR5). In an effort to develop a routine production method of this radiotracer for use in clinical research we adapted its radiosynthesis to an automated chemistry module. In the meanwhile, we also developed a simplified “one-pot” method for the preparation of the nitrobenzonitrile radiolabeling precursor for [18F]FPEB and its reference standard to replace the existing multi-step synthetic approach.
Thermal reactions of uranium metal, UO2, U3O8, UF4, and UO2F2 with NF3 to produce UF6

Abstract This paper demonstrates that NF3 fluorinates uranium metal, UO2, UF4, UO3, U3O8, and UO2F2·2H2O to produce the volatile UF6 at temperatures between 100 and 550 °C. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis reaction profiles are described that reflect changes in the uranium fluorination/oxidation state, physiochemical effects, and instances of discrete chemical speciation. Large differences in the onset temperatures for each system investigated implicate changes in mode of the NF3 gas–solid surface interaction. These studies also demonstrate that NF3 is a potential replacement fluorinating agent in the existing nuclear fuel cycle and in actinide volatility reprocessing.
A convenient 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition approach to pyridylpyrroles

Abstract A variety of 2-, 3-, and 4-pyridylpyrroles were synthesized in good to excellent yields via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of symmetrical and unsymmetrical munchnones and nitroalkenes. The unsymmetrical munchnones show moderate to excellent regioselectivity.
Outer arm dynein from newt lung respiratory cilia: Purification and polypeptide composition

Dyneins are multimeric ATPases that comprise the inner and outer arms of cilia and flagella. It previously has been shown that salt extraction of newt lung axonemes selectively removes > 95% of the outer arm dynein (OAD), and that the beat frequency of OAD-depleted axonemes cannot be activated as compared to controls [Hard et al., 1992: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 21:199-209]. Therefore, expression of the activated state appears to require the presence of outer dynein arms. The present study was undertaken to ascertain basic information on the structure and molecular composition of newt OAD. Populations of demembranated axonemes were extracted with 0.375 M salt. Each lung released approximately 1.4 x 10(7) axonemes during isolation, yielding approximately 120 ng of salt extractable OAD. Electron microscopy of negatively stained samples revealed that newt OAD consisted of two globular heads joined together by a Y-shaped stem, similar to sea urchin and trout sperm OAD. Each head appeared to be roughly spherical in shape, measuring approximately 17 nm in diameter. Electrophoretic analysis of whole axonemes revealed more than six dynein heavy chains when resolved in silver stained 0-8 M urea, 3-5% acrylamide gradients. Extracted OAD, either crude in high salt or purified by alloaffinity, was composed of two heavy chains. UV-induced (366 nm) photolytic cleavage at the V1 site, performed in the presence of Mg2+, vanadate, and ATP, produced four new polypeptides (M(r) 234, 232, 197, and 189 kD). Photolysis was supported by Mg2+ and Ca2+, but did not occur in the presence of Mn2+. The apparent M(r) of the dynein heavy chains was determined to lie between 430-420 kD. Eight discrete polypeptides (putative intermediate chains, IC1-IC8, M(r), 175-56 kD) copurified with the alpha- and beta-heavy chains by microtubule-alloaffinity. Based on its extraction characteristics, polypeptide composition in purified and crude samples, and structure, we conclude that this two-headed particle represents the entire newt respiratory outer arm dynein.
Polymerization of Fluorothiocarbonyl Compounds

Abstract Recently it was shown that the C[dbnd]S group in fluorothiocarbonyl compounds readily undergoes addition polymerization. This review describes polymers obtainable from such compounds as CF2[dbnd]S, CF3CF[dbnd]S, ClCF2CF[dbnd]S, HCFClCF[dbnd]S, and hexafluorothioacetone. The polymerization of CF2[dbnd]S is readily brought about in anionic systems at low temperatures, giving a high-molecular-weight poly(thiocarbonyl fluoride) with a number-average molecular weight in the range of 300,000 to 400,000. It is believed that the major portion of this polymer is composed of chains of CF3–-S—(—CF2S—)n–CF[dbnd]S. Poly(thiocarbonyl fluoride) is a highly resilient elastomer in the amorphous form but suffers the disadvantage of slow crystallization at temperatures below 35°C and concomitant loss of rubbery properties. Above 175°C it depolymerizes. Fluorothioacyl fluorides also undergo anionic polymerization, but the products are logy elastomers. Copolymers of fluorothioacyl fluorides with CF2[dbnd]S have bette...
Response of Rat Zona Glomerulosa in Experimental Nephrosis.

SummaryIn rats rendered nephrotic by repeated injections of the aminonucleoside of Puromycin, the adrenocortical glomerulosa became hypertrophied. Greatest enlargement occurred on 15th day of experiment, prior to maximal accumulation of ascitic fluid in other animals in the group. Diuresis in surviving animals occurred after glomerulosa had begun to shrink.Figure
Markov-Type Inequalities for Products of Müntz Polynomials

Let @[email protected]?(@l"j)^~"j"="0 be a sequence of distinct real numbers. The span of {x^@l^"^0, x^@l^"^1, ..., x^@l^"^n} over R is denoted by M"n(@L)@?span{x^@l^"^0, x^@l^"^1, ..., x^@l^"^n}. Elements of M"n(@L) are called Muntz polynomials. The principal result of this paper is the following Markov-type inequality for products of Muntz polynomials. [email protected]@?(@l"j)^~"j"="[email protected]@?(@c"j)^~"j"="0be increasing sequences of nonnegative real numbers. LetK(M"n(@L), M"m(@C))@[email protected]?x(pq)'(x)@?"["0"," "1"]@[email protected]?"["0"," "1"]:[email protected]?M"n(@L),[email protected]?M"m(@C).Then13((m+1)@l"n+(n+1)@c"m)=
MoLe: Motion Leaks through Smartwatch Sensors

Imagine a user typing on a laptop keyboard while wearing a smart watch. This paper asks whether motion sensors from the watch can leak information about what the user is typing. While its not surprising that some information will be leaked, the question is how much? We find that when motion signal processing is combined with patterns in English language, the leakage is substantial. Reported results show that when a user types a word $W$, it is possible to shortlist a median of 24 words, such that $W$ is in this shortlist. When the word is longer than $6$ characters, the median shortlist drops to $10$. Of course, such leaks happen without requiring any training from the user, and also under the (obvious) condition that the watch is only on the left hand. We believe this is surprising and merits awareness, especially in light of various continuous sensing apps that are emerging in the app market. Moreover, we discover additional "leaks" that can further reduce the shortlist -- we leave these exploitations to future work.
Measurement of trust in complex and dynamic systems using a quantitative approach

Abstract In highly automated inspection systems today, humans act in a supervisory capacity, i.e., monitoring the process during normal operations and intervening to take manual control when necessary to override faulty automation. Research has concluded that the intervention behavior of supervisors is based on their trust in the automation. However, several problems remain with the current trust paradigm, the most important ones concerning the ambiguity and inaccuracy of the data. An original theoretical framework relating machine properties to operator perceptions is needed. To achieve this framework, machine properties need to be mapped to these perceptions through the development of quantifiable dimensions, referred to as uncertainty. Uncertainty, unlike trust, can be easily quantified and, therefore, can be related to system properties. This research attempts to measure uncertainty using a Line Length Experiment Module that simulates a real-life automated system monitored by an inspector. The experiment tests the ability of a human inspector to identify defects relative to the machine's ability to do so, rather than trying to gauge their competencies separately and subsequently comparing them. Three levels of uncertainty, established using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, were administered in the experiment, with the users rating their trust at each level through questionnaires. The results showed that the overall trust in the system had a significant inverse relationship with the system uncertainty. Hence, the performance of hybrid systems can be improved by decreasing uncertainty, an improvement that will have an impact on quality. Relevance to industry Trust of humans in machines is important in the performance of hybrid systems. Increasing this trust will improve overall system performance of systems.
Combustion Properties of Spray Flames of Canola Methyl Ester and Diesel Blends

Canola methyl ester (CME) is a biofuel that is produced by the transesterification of canola oil; it is renewable, carbon-neutral and low in sulfur content. The objective of this study was to document the combustion characteristics of spray flames of CME and No 2 diesel (petroleum fuel) blends. Three blends with 25%, 50% and 75% volume concentration of CME were studied. The fuel was atomized and mixed with air in a heated environment at a supply equivalence ratio of 0.62. Measurements of global CO and NO emissions, inflame temperature and in-flame concentrations of combustion products were made. The near-injector homogeneous gas-phase reaction zone increased in size with the addition of CME. The global CO and NO emissions decreased with the increase in CME content in the fuel blend. The in-flame NO concentration profiles and flame temperature profiles followed similar trends, suggesting that the thermal mechanism of NO formation was dominant in these flames.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Elevated Plasma Binding Cannot Account for the Burnrelated d-Tubocurarine Hyposensitivity

Hyposensitivity to the nondepolarizing muscle relaxant d-tubocurarine (dTc) has been reported during the treatment of burn injury. The authors present here evidence obtained by the technique of equilibrium dialysis, that a 1.7-fold increase in dTc binding by plasma constituents occurs one to two weeks following burn injury, a timing which coincides with the onset of clinical hyposensitivity to dTc. Plasma drawn from burned patients at least one week post-burn exhibited a mean dTc-binding capacity of 5.7 +/- 0.9 nmol/g total protein compared to 3.4 +/- 0.7 nmol/g for normal plasma at a final free concentration of 0.5 microM (0.34 microgram/ml). Calculation suggests that increased plasma binding can account only for a fraction of the observed hyposensitivity; other unidentified factors must also be involved. The elevated binding capacity of plasma drawn from burned patients seems unrelated to any of the quantitative or gross qualitative changes in plasma protein profile reported here. Preliminary experiments with metocurine (mTc) show directional changes similar to dTc.
Treefall gaps versus forest understory as environments for a defoliating moth on a tropical forest shrub.

The moth Zunacetha annulata (Dioptidae) is a specialist on the understory shrub Hybanthus prunifolius (Violaceae) in the forest of Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. The larvae, which are capable of defoliating entire shrubs, concentrate their attack upon the small minority of H. prunifolius individuals that grow in treefall gaps. Field experiments demonstrated that larval growth rates were 37% higher, and weights at pupation 25% higher, on shrubs in gaps than on shrubs in the understory. In a common environment in the laboratory, growth rates of larvae were 23% higher on foliage taken from shrubs in gaps than on foliage from shrubs in the understory.However, larvae grown in a temperature regime simulating that of gaps did not grow faster than larvae in an understory regime, when the two groups were reared in growth chambers on foliage taken from the same shrubs. In the field, predation appeared higher in gaps: experimental groups of larvae survived at rates of 65% per day in gaps and 78% per day in the understory. Quality of foliage, and not direct effects of the environment, appears to be responsible for the observed pattern of defoliation by this moth.
Mechanisms of hypertrophic scar and contracture formation in burns

Abstract The hypertrophic scar with contracture formation begins when the integrity of the deep reticular portion of the dermis is interrupted. This wound following healing retains a bright red hue from increased vascularity. An increased number of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts move into the area and lay down collagen in an attempt to bridge the wound very much like a spider spins a web. And like a web the collagen, when allowed to come together, appears to form a tangled pattern, thereby shrinking the wound. The contracting myofibroblasts together with voluntary muscle contraction assist in this shrinkage. The fibroblasts are stimulated to produce chondroitin sulphate A, which may increase the firmness of the collagen entanglement. The hypertrophic scar and contracture formation can be markedly decreased with the use of constant pressure, splinting, and early skin grafting.
Decomposing Instrumental Product Importance to Predict Purchase Behavior

Product importance has been separated into two distinct components — enduring and instrumental — and empirical tests have been conducted regarding the relative importance of each component in explaining behavior. This article analyzes more completely the instrumental importance construct by accounting for the existence of differences in products ofa similar nature. The logit analysis is conducted on a set ofair travelers. The empirical results suggest that instrumental importance as a construct must be decomposed in order to gain a better understanding of consumer choice behavior.
Cross-sectional variation in the stock market response to accounting earnings announcements☆

Studies of the information content of accounting earnings typically assume earnings response coefficients do not vary across firms. Valuation models relating earnings to security prices, however, predict that earnings response coefficients are positively associated with revision coefficients (coefficients relating current earnings to future earnings) and negatively associated with expected rates of return. A random coefficient regression model provides evidence consistent with these predictions. This evidence has implications for interpreting multiple regression models that relate abnormal returns to unexpected earnings and other information variables.
Use of Phosphorous-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Determine Safe Timing of Chemotherapy after Hepatic Resection

ABSTRACT Liver resection induces accelerated growth of residual hepatic micro-metastases. Adjuvant chemotherapy may improve outcome if adminis-tered early after resection but may prove lethal if initiated prior tocompletion of DNA synthesis in regenerating liver. This study investigatesphosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance ( 31 P-NMR) as a noninvasivetool for measuring energy changes reflective of hepatic DNA synthesis andfor predicting safe timing of chemotherapy after 70% hepatectomy. Toevaluate metabolic changes in regenerating liver, quantitative three-dimensional 31 P-NMR was performed, using the technique of chemicalshift imaging at various time points after 70% hepatectomy in adult maleFischer rats. Animals receiving a course of 2*-deoxy-5-fluorouridine(FUDR; 100 mg/kg, i.p. four times per day 3 5), initiated at the time ofoperation, were also evaluated to observe the effects of chemotherapy onliver regeneration. Forty-eight hours after resection, hepatic nucleosidetriphosphate (NTP), which reflects ATP content, fell 37% ( P
Effect of tamoxifen on stromal protein synthesis in the human prostate.

Abstract To test the hypothesis that estrogen may have significant biological effects on the human prostate, we studied the effects of in vivo administration of tamoxifen, an antiestrogen, on human prostatic stromal protein synthesis in vitro. This was done by measuring [3H]proline incorporation in vitro in stromal cells separated enzymatically with 0.5% collagenase and trypsin from hypertrophic prostatic tissue removed at surgery. A mechanical method for separation of epithelium and stroma was attempted, but cell damage resulted in very low incorporation of [3H]proline into protein. Twelve patients were given 20 mg tamoxifen twice daily for 10 days before surgery. The serum levels of tamoxifen at the time of surgery ranged from 200–500 pmol/ml. Control tissues (14) were obtained from untreated patients. Tamoxifen decreased stromal protein synthesis, as measured by counts per min/mg protein, to approximately one third of that found in control patients (control mean, 102,428; tamoxifen-treated mean, 34,111...
Macrolide immunomodulatory effects and symptom resolution in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and acute maxillary sinusitis: a focus on clarithromycin

Bacterial respiratory tract infections are common in the primary care setting and patients often seek the assistance of a healthcare professional in order to achieve resolution of their symptoms. Antibiotic agents that offer rapid symptom relief, in addition to excellent bacteriological and clinical cure, are highly desired. Macrolides have proven to be highly effective in treating acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and acute maxillary sinusitis. In addition, immunomodulatory effects that may contribute to symptom resolution have been reported. This article reviews current literature on symptom resolution in acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and acute maxillary sinusitis, with a focus on clarithromycin, and explores the potential mechanisms that may contribute to this action.
Src-mediated morphology transition of lung cancer cells in three-dimensional organotypic culture

A fribotic tumor microenvironment promotes progression of cancer. In this study, we utilize a reconstituted basement membrane mimics Matrigel based three-dimensional organotypic culture (rBM 3-D) to investigate the mechanisms that mediate the tumor promoting effects of the fibrogenic mediators TGF-β1 and type I collagen (Col-1) on lung adenocarcinoma cells. Similar to normal alveolar epithelial cells, the well-differentiated lung adenocarcinoma cells in rBM 3-D culture undergo acinar morphogeneis that features polarized epithelial cell spheres with a single central lumen. Either TGF-β1 or Col-1 modestly distorts acinar morphogenesis. On the other hand, TGF-β1 and Col-1 synergistically induce a transition from acinar morphology into stellate morphology that is characteristic of invasive and metastatic cancer cells. Inhibition of the Src kinase activity abrogates induction of stellate morphology, activation of Akt and mTOR, and the expression of tumor promoting genes by TGF-β1 and Col-1. To a similar extent, pharmacological inhibition of mTOR abrogates the cellular responses to TGF-β1 and Col-1. In summary, we demonstrate that TGF-β1 and Col-1 promote stellate morphogenesis of lung cancer cells. Our findings further suggest that the Src-Akt-mTOR axis mediates stellate morphogenesis. These findings also indicate that rBM 3-D culture can serve as an ideal platform for swift and cost-effective screening of therapeutic candidates at the interface of the tumor and its microenvironment.
Demographic and practice characteristics of pathologists who enjoy breast tissue interpretation

Physician attributes, job satisfaction and confidence in clinical skills are associated with enhanced performance and better patient outcomes. We surveyed 252 pathologists to evaluate associations between enjoyment of breast pathology, demographic/clinical characteristics and diagnostic performance. Diagnostic performance was determined by comparing pathologist assessments of a set of 60 cases with consensus assessments of the same cases made by a panel of experienced pathologists. Eighty-three percent of study participants reported enjoying breast pathology. Pathologists who enjoy breast interpretation were more likely to review ≥10 cases/week (p = 0.003), report breast interpretation expertise (p = 0.013) and have high levels of confidence interpreting breast pathology (p < 0.001). These pathologists were less likely to report that the field was challenging (p < 0.001) and that breast cases make them more nervous than other types of pathology (p < 0.001). Enjoyment was not associated with diagnostic performance. Millions of women undergo breast biopsy annually, thus it is reassuring that although nearly a fifth of practicing pathologists who interpret breast tissue report not enjoying the field, precision is not impacted.
A deformable finite element model of the breast for predicting mechanical deformations under external perturbations.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives Live guidance during needle breast procedures is not currently possible with high-field-strength (1.5-T), superconducting magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The physician can calculate only the approximate location and extent of a tumor in the compressed patient breast before inserting the needle, and the tissue specimen removed at biopsy may not actually belong to the lesion of interest. The authors developed a virtual reality system for guiding breast biopsy with MR imaging, which uses a deformable finite element model of the breast. Materials and Methods The geometry of the model is constructed from MR data, and its mechanical properties are modeled by using a nonlinear material model. This method allows the breast to be imaged with or without mild compression before the procedure. The breast is then compressed, and the finite element model is used to predict the position of the tumor during the procedure. Three breasts of patients with cancer were imaged with and without compression. Deformable models of these breasts were built, virtually compressed, and used to predict tumor positions in the real compressed breasts. The models were also used to register MR data sets of the same patient breast imaged with different amounts of compression. Results The model is shown to predict reasonably well the displacement by plate compression of breast lesions 5 mm or larger. Conclusion A deformable model of the breast based on finite elements with nonlinear material properties can help in modeling and predicting breast deformation. The entire procedure lasts less than half an hour, making it clinically practical.
Caregiver health behavior: Review, analysis, and recommendations for research

Caring for a relative with a chronic illness is an increasingly common experience among families. Although a great deal of evidence links caregiving with adverse health outcomes, the mechanism of this relationship is unclear. One potential mediating factor that has received relatively little research attention is the health behavior patterns of caregivers. The goals of the present paper are to (a) provide a selected review and analysis of the published literature that examines caregiver health behavior, (b) highlight examples of caregiver interventions that include a health behavior component, (c) discuss self care as an appropriate framework for advancing the caregiver literature, and (d) offer recommendations for future research and for the design and evaluation of self care interventions for caregivers.
Response to microtubule-interacting agents in primary epithelial ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer constitutes nearly 4% of all cancers among women and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies in the Western world. Standard first line adjuvant chemotherapy treatments include Paclitaxel (Taxol) and platinum-based agents. Taxol, epothilone B (EpoB) and discodermolide belong to a family of anti-neoplastic agents that specifically interferes with microtubules and arrests cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Despite initial success with chemotherapy treatment, many patients relapse due to chemotherapy resistance. In vitro establishment of primary ovarian cancer cells provides a powerful tool for better understanding the mechanisms of ovarian cancer resistance. We describe the generation and characterization of primary ovarian cancer cells derived from ascites fluids of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Chemosensitivity of these cell lines to Taxol, EpoB and discodermolide was tested, and cell cycle analysis was compared to that of immortalized ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and Hey. The relationship between drug resistance and αβ-tubulin and p53 status was also investigated. All newly generated primary cancer cells were highly sensitive to the drugs. αβ-tubulin mutation was not found in any primary cell lines tested. However, one cell line that harbors p53 mutation at residue 72 (Arg to Pro) exhibits altered cell cycle profile in response to all drug treatments. Immortalized ovarian cancer cells respond differently to EpoB treatment when compared to primary ovarian cancer cells, and p53 polymorphism suggests clinical significance in the anti-tumor response in patients. The isolation and characterization of primary ovarian cancer cells from ovarian cancer patients’ specimens contribute to further understanding the nature of drug resistance to microtubule interacting agents (MIAs) currently used in clinical settings.
A Model for Training Community Mental Health Researchers and Evaluators

A description is presented of a mental health evaluation and research training program at New Mexico State University. The program trains and prepares students to serve as evaluators for community mental health centers. The curriculum consists of coursework in statistics, computer science, sociology, and the behavioral sciences, supplemented by an internship or field training experience and newly developed courses in mental health evaluation. The program provides a 24-month study period culminating in a master's degree or a 42-month study period which culminates in a Ph. D.
Tales, Tours, Tools, and Troupes: A Tiered Research Method to Inform Ubiquitous Designs for the Elderly

As the elder population continues to increase throughout the world, there is a tremendous need for technologies that will keep elders healthy and self-sufficient in their homes. Ubiquitous, smart home technologies can fulfill this role, but a thorough understanding of elders’ routines, lifestyles, and home environments is required in order to develop effective aids. This paper describes our research approach, which evolved from stories related in household interviews (‘tales’), ethnographic observation of elders’ routines and environments (‘tours’), analysis of artefacts (‘tools’) and finally interactive performances (‘troupes’) to convey and elicit feedback about the capabilities of future home technologies for the elderly. This combination of methods revealed a range of user values, behaviours, coping styles, and requirements for ubiquitous technology that would otherwise have been difficult to gather in this domain of ubiquitous, ‘invisible’ computing.
Factors that contribute to the misidentification of tyrosine nitration by shotgun proteomics

The high selectivity and throughput of tandem mass spectrometry allow for rapid identification and localization of various posttranslational protein modifications from complex mixtures by shotgun approaches. Although sequence database search algorithms provide necessary support to process the potentially enormous quantity of MS/MS spectra generated from large scale tandem mass spectrometry experiments, false positive identifications of peptide modifications may exist even after implementation of stringent identification criteria. In this report, we describe factors that lead to misinterpretation of MS/MS spectra as well as common chemical and experimental artifacts that generate false positives using the proteomics-based identification of tyrosine nitration as an example. In addition to the proposed manual validation criteria, the importance of peptide synthesis and subsequent MS/MS characterization for validation of peptide nitration demonstrated by several examples from earlier publications is also presented.
Subharmonic resonances in higher-order collision-enhanced wave mixing in a sodium-seeded flame

Collisional damping has been shown to give rise to new or “extra” resonances in four-wave-mixing processes[1–3]. We report the observation of collision-enhanced resonances in N-wave mixing in a sodium-seeded hydrogen-air flame using high-resolution (<60 MHz) pulsed lasers. Our spectra yield evidence for N as high as fourteen.
Special Topic: Optical Approaches to Neuron Function

The following five reviews present an account of the results that have been obtained using optical methods for monitoring physiological events in the nervous system. This is not to imply that optical methods have not been useful in other areas of physiology; these measurements have been reviewed else­ where (3, 5, 9, 17, 22). There are several factors that make optical methods interesting to physiolo­ gists and neuroscientists. First is the possibility of making simultaneous measurements from multiple sites. Because many different neurons in a nervous system are active during each behavior, it is obviously important to be able to monitor activity at many sites simultaneously. Similarly, different parts of a neuron may perform different functions and again it would be essential to make simultaneous observations over the whole structure of the neuron. Second, optical measurement can be made with very high time resolution. Some optical indicators of activity are known to respond to
Snow: Hydrological and Ecological Feedbacks in Forests

Water inputs to high-elevation and high-latitude ecosystems are often dominated by seasonal snow cover. Several works have investigated the processes controlling ecohydrological impacts on snow accumulation (Golding and Swanson 1978; Pomeroy and Schmidt 1993; Faria et al. 2000; Storck et al. 2002; Gelfan et al. 2004; Musselman et al. 2008), snowmelt (Liston 1999; Woo and Giesbrecht 2000; Sicart et al. 2004), and partitioning of melt into various hydrologic pathways (Molotch et al. 2009). Integrated studies involving direct measurements of governing fluxes and states are rare despite the interconnectedness of the hydrologic system. Developing improved understanding of the coupled ecohydrologic system in mountainous regions is critical as recent studies indicate that seasonal snow accumulation is declining in response to regional increases in spring air temperature (Mote et al. 2005). The impact of these changes on ecological processes remains unknown, although first-order estimates project earlier snowmelt and extended periods of water-related plant stress (Bales et al. 2006). The ecological impacts of these climatic changes may vary considerably across the landscape; e.g., across elevational and latitudinal gradients. Implications of these changes are exacerbated in some instances, particularly as pertaining to the relative contribution of snowmelt vs. rainfall with respect to total annual water availability (Serreze et al. 1999).
Effect of clonidine on the thermic effect of feeding in humans

Previous studies in humans attempting to assess the role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) have investigated the effect of oral or intravenous propranolol on TEF. This approach is potentially limited, however, because of the direct effects of propranolol on catecholamine and thyroid metabolism. In the present study we chose instead to evaluate the effect of clonidine, a centrally acting alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist that inhibits SNS outflow, on TEF and SNS activity as reflected by both plasma catecholamines and norepinephrine (NE) kinetics. The TEF and SNS response to an 800-kcal high-carbohydrate liquid meal (85% carbohydrate, 15% protein) was studied in eight healthy male subjects (27 +/- 6 yr) on two separate occasions with the subjects wearing either a clonidine or placebo skin patch for 48 h prior to study. Clonidine significantly suppressed base-line plasma NE concentration (-46%, P less than 0.01) and NE appearance rate (-47%, P = 0.01) compared with placebo, whereas there was no significant effect on epinephrine concentrations, NE clearance rate, or base-line energy expenditure. The expected increments in plasma NE and NE appearance after a meal were also reduced by 54% (P less than 0.05) and 70% (P less than 0.01) of placebo values, respectively, after clonidine. Associated with this reduced SNS response to the meal was a blunting of the expected TEF by 33% (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Optical Property Estimation in Highly Attenuating Tissue

A reflectance-based technique for measurement of tissue optical properties was investigated. Simulations and reflectance measurements of tissue phantoms were used to calibrate inverse models. Accurate estimates of phantom and ex vivo tissue optical properties were achieved.
Experiments to Relate the Mineralogy and Weathering to the Soil Properties of London Clay

The results of a detailed study are presented which investigates the effects of grain size and mineralogical variations due to depositional differences and weathering effects on the soil index properties and chemistry of an Eocene marine clay deposit, namely the London Clay Basin of England. The laboratory determined results indicate that the already well established soil index property trends which are known to occur across the London Clay Basin can be accounted for by variations in the depositional mineralogy of the clay. Study of the influence of grain size variation and weathering on the marine clay indicates that minor mineralogical and chemical changes do occur and that these give rise to consequent small changes in the geotechnical properties of the clay. The effects of this weathering are, however, essentially insignificant in comparison to the natural compositional variation within the basin. Several important quantitative relationships between the mineralogy, weathering, grain size variations, and the soil properties of London Clay are established. The relative magnitude and importance of each variable is discussed in relation to the sedimentation in the basin.
Marketing Cost Analysis: A Modularized Contribution Approach:

For managers concerned with the profitability of their various products, territories, and types of customers.
40 YEARS OF THE FONTAN OPERATION: LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF 1,052 PATIENTS

We sought to examine our institution's experience over 4 decades with the Fontan operation, and to determine factors associated with morbidity and mortality. Records of all patients who had a Fontan from 1973 - 2012 at Mayo Clinic were reviewed. A follow-up questionnaire was mailed to all patients
Analysis on the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in engine drivers

Objective To estimate the prevalence and main risk factors of hypertension in engine drivers.Methods 1 585 drivers were questioned and measured for their blood pressure,weight and height.Men above 40 years old were also measured total cholesterol,plasma triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose.Anova and logistic regression were analyzed by Excel 2003 and SPSS 10.0 package.Results The prevalence rate of hypertension was 51.86%.Anova analysis showed that hypertension was probably related to age,education,smoking,alcohol drinking,body mass index(BMI),total cholesterol,plasma triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age,alcohol drinking and BMI were all the risky factors of hypertension,their odds rates being 1.501,1.347 and 1.857 respectively.Hypercholesterolemia,hypertriglyceridemia and impaired fasting glucose were also the main influence factors in the engine drivers over 40 years old.Conclusion Engine drivers have a high prevalence of hypertension.It is important to control BMI,plasma lipid,and plasma glucose in preventing hypertension.