cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Ran Cysteine 112 Oxidation by Pervanadate Regulates Its Binding to Keratins

We used a proteomic approach to identify proteins that associate with keratins 8 or 18 (K8/K18) in a pervanadate-dependent manner. Pervanadate triggers Ran-K8/K18 binding and a gel-migration-shift of Ran from 25 to 27 kDa, which does not occur upon exposure to H2O2 or vanadate or if pervanadate is excluded during cell solubilization. Generation of 27-kDa Ran is not related to hyperphosphorylation, is heat-insensitive, but occurs upon conversion of Ran cysteines to cysteic acid. The pervanadate-mediated Ran cysteine --> cysteic acid oxidation and its related gel migration shift affects other proteins including actin. Mutation of the three Ran cysteines (Cys-85, -112, and -120) showed that Ran Cys-112 oxidation generates 27-kDa Ran and accounts for its keratin binding. Proteasome inhibition accentuates Ran-keratin binding after cell exposure to pervanadate. Therefore, cell-free exposure to pervanadate causes cysteine to cysteic acid oxidation of Ran and several other proteins and Ran-K8/K18 association. In cells, stabilization of oxidized Ran by proteasome inhibition promotes Ran-keratin interaction. Keratin sequestration of oxidized Ran may provide a back-up protective mechanism in some cases of oxidative injury.
Analysis of the 1H NMR spectrumof DI-n-Butyl-2,2-d2-bis-(triphenylphospine)platinum(II)

Abstract The deuterium-decoupled 1 H NMR spectrum of di-n-butyl-2,2- d 2 -bis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(II) (I) has been analyzed.
Generalized pseudoinverses of matrix valued functions

We define the pseudoinverse (resp. a generalized pseudoinverse) of a matrix-valued functionF to be the functionF x such that, for each λ in the domain ofF, F x (λ) is the inverse (resp. a generalized inverse) of the matrixF(λ). We derive a state space formula for a generalized pseudoinverse of a rational matrix function without a pole or zero at infinity. This derivation makes use of the theorem characterizing the factorization of a nonregular rational matrix functionW in terms of the decomposition of the state space of a realization ofW. We also give a formula for a generalized pseudoinverse of an arbitrary rational matrix function in the form of a centered realization. We indicate some applications of generalized pseudoinverses of matrix valued functions.
The second-order nonlinear optical properties of β-barium metaborate: A semiempirical theoretical investigation

Abstract The frequency dependent second-order hyperpolarizability tensor is computed for the metaborate ion using conventional perturbation theory with variably-sized state basis sets generated by CNDO/S, CNDO/S-CI, as well as INDO/2-CI. The principal source of the second-order nonlinear response arises from oxygen-to-boron charge-transfer states. A two (excited) state model is shown to be sufficient to calculate β in both the CNDO/S and CNDO/S-CI methods. The second-order susceptibility of the crystal is deduced using the “oriented gas” model for the ions in the crystal structure. The results compare well with those from second-harmonic generation experiments of Chen et al.
CALCIUM TRANSPORT MECHANISMS OF CRUSTACEAN HEPATOPANCREATIC MITOCHONDRIA

Mechanisms of calcium transport across crustacean hepatopancreatic mitochondrial membranes were investigated in the Atlantic lobster, Homarus americanus. Hepatopancreatic mitochondria were purified by combining methods developed for isolation of these organelles from mammalian and crustacean tissues involving the incorporation of differential centrifugation and Percoll-gradient centrifugation. Enrichment of the preparation was assessed using purification of enzyme markers and electron microscopic examination. Pure hepatopancreatic mitochondria displayed 45Ca2+ uptake by an apparent electrogenic, ruthenium red-inhibited (Ki = 1000 ± 137 nM), transport process that was sensitive to cytoplasmic pH and heavy metals such as Zn2+. 45Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria took place by an apparent diltiazem-inhibited, electroneutral, 2Na+/1Ca2+ antiporter and an apparent diltiazem-insensitive 2H+/1Ca2+ antiporter. One or both antiporters were capable of exchanging preloaded 45Ca2+ for external Zn2+. The apparent uptake protein did not display saturation kinetics over the concentration range selected, but was specifically inhibited by ruthenium red, strongly suggesting the occurrence of a mammal-like uniporter protein in these crustacean mitochondria. These apparent uptake and efflux transport systems are discussed with regard to calcium storage during the molt cycle and the role they may play in heavy metal detoxification. J. Exp. Zool. 283:147–159, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Some quantitative investigations of the binding to and the displacement of bishydroxycoumarin from human serum albumin

Abstract The binding of dicumarol to human serum albumin fraction V has been investigated at lower drug-to-albumin ratios than in previous investigations by a circular dichroic technique. Two sites having binding constants of 2.9 × 10 6 M −1 and 1.9 × 10 5 M −1 were capable of inducing optical activity into the dicumarol. A wide range of acidic drugs was found to compete with dicumarol for these binding sites. The binding constant for chlorphenoxy-2-methylpropionate (from clofibrate) at the primary binding site of dicumarol and of warfarin was calculated from the displacement data.
Thermal annealing in irradiated garnet films

Effects of thermal annealing on the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy field, H A , of irradiated bubble garnet materials have been measured. Techniques of ferrimagnetic resonance (FMR) and stripe lattice resonance (SLR) were used in measuring changes in H A as a function of annealing temperature. The annealing temperature (T A ) was varied from 20 to 800 C. We find that H A changes in magnitude by as much as 1000 Oe and also changes from negative to positive value as the annealing temperature is increased from room temperature. For T A A is proportional to the irradiation dosage level.
Diabetes and its impact on health-related quality of life: a life table analysis

To investigate the health burden of diabetes and determine its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a population with a high prevalence of chronic conditions. A representative sample of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) was used to estimate prevalence of diabetes and mean health utility index (HUI), a utility-based measure of HRQOL. Diabetes-deleted life expectancy (LE) and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) were derived to measure HRQOL. Diabetic individuals comprised 6.8% of the sample and accounted for 14% of total deaths from 2001 to 2005. Life Expectancy at age 15 was 61.3 years for men and 66.7 years for women, of which 53.0 and 57.0 years, respectively, were spent with perfect health (86.4 and 85.5%). Eliminating diabetes would extend both the overall LE and HALE for men by 1.3 and 1.4 years, and women by 2.0 and 1.7 years, respectively. People with diabetes had a significantly lower HRQOL than people without diabetes (mean HUI: 0.78 vs. 0.88, P < 0.01). The burden of illness from diabetes in NL is considerable. Using cause-eliminated LE and HALE provides a robust approach for assessing HRQOL that may have important implications for diabetes surveillance, prevention, and management strategies.
Star Is Required for Neuronal Differentiation in the Drosophila Retina and Displays Dosage-Sensitive Interactions with Ras1

The photoreceptor cells R8, R2, and R5 are the first cells to initiate neuronal differentiation in the Drosophila eye imaginal disc. We have shown previously that these three cells require Star gene function for proper ommatidial assembly. Due to the embryonic lethality associated with mutations in Star, we have analyzed the consequence of loss of Star function in mosaic eye imaginal discs. Presumptive R8, R2, and R5 cells that lack Star function fail to differentiate neuronally and die a few hours later. Enhancer trap insertions reveal that Star expression in the eye disc is restricted to the developing R8, R2, and R5 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that Star is required for the reception of a signal and/or the execution of a developmental program that leads to the neuronal differentiation of R8, R2, and R5. Star is also required for the formation of wing veins and is expressed in developing veins, suggesting that at least partially overlapping pathways may operate during photoreceptor cell differentiation and wing vein formation. The role of Star in cell-cell signaling is supported by the observation of genetic interactions between Star and mutations that reduce signaling through both sevenless and the Drosophila EGF-receptor homologue, including Ras1 and Son of sevenless.
Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 with High Rate Capability Synthesized via a Novel Gel-Combustion Method

Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 material with high rate capability was synthesized by a novel gel-combustion method using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a polymer chelating agent and a fuel. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used to study the structure, morphology and element distribution of the Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 material. XRD analysis showed that all samples were α-NaFeO2 structure and Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 prepared at 900 °C had the highest c/a of 4.977 indicating the highest layered-ness. EDS scan demonstrated that the precursor was homogeneous. SEM images indicated all samples were well crystallized. Charge and discharge tests showed all samples had good rate capability. Among them, Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 prepared at 900 °C had the highest capacity and the best rate capability. It delivered 162.1 mAh•g−1 at 0.25 C between 2.5 and 4.3 V and the capacity retention was about 81% compared to that of 0.25C rate.
Immunotherapy of tumors with α2-macroglobulin-antigen complexes pre-formed in vivo.

The cell surface receptor CD91/LRP-1 binds to immunogenic heat shock proteins (HSP) and α2M ligands to elicit T cell immune responses. In order to generate specific immune responses, the peptides chaperoned by HSPs or α2M are cross-presented on MHC molecules to T cells. While the immunogenic HSPs naturally chaperone peptides within cells and can be purified as an intact HSP-peptide complex, the peptides have had to be complexed artificially to α2M in previous studies. Here, we show that immunogenic α2M-peptide complexes can be isolated from the blood of tumor-bearing mice without further experimental manipulation in vitro demonstrating the natural association of tumor antigens with α2M. The naturally formed immunogenic α2M-peptide complexes are effective in prophylaxis and therapy of cancer in mouse models. We investigate the mechanisms of cross-presentation of associated peptides and co-stimulation by APCs that interact with α2M. These data have implications for vaccine design in immunotherapy of cancer and infectious disease.
Alarm Response of Diadema antillarum

Diadema antillarum possesses a sensitive escape response to juices of crushed conspecific sea urchins. Stimulation usually results in urchins moving rapidly downcurrent. Strong species specificity of the response suggests that it is an adaptation to reduce predation. Diadema antillarum also responds with a running response to contact with Cassis tuberosa, a known predator.
Effect of internal field on the birefringence of polyethylene crystals and on the anisotropy of polymer chains. I. Birefringence effects

Values of the anisotropy of polarizability of methylene groups deduced from the refractive indexes of n-paraffin crystals differ appreciably from those obtained from gas- or liquid-phase measurements. The differences is attributed to the erroneous application of the Lorenz—Lorentz internal field to the anisotropic n-paraffin crystal. A more detailed calculation of the internal field is carried out by detailed summation of the dipolar field over an idealized n-paraffin crystal in which the molecular chains are replaced by anisotropic rods. With reasonable values of parameters and assumed crystal shape, the discrepancy in polarizability anisotropy is resolved.
Effects of neuromuscular blockers on carnosine levels in rat skeletal muscle

A 30-min treatment with neuromuscular blocking doses of either physostigmine or d-tubocurarine was associated with a 44% or 36% (respectively) reduction in rat skeletal muscle carnosine levels in vivo.
Evaluations of the Spheroidal Particle Model for Describing Cloud Radar Depolarization Ratios of Ice Hydrometeors

AbstractInformation on ice cloud particle nonsphericity is important for many practical applications ranging from modeling the cloud radiation impact to remote sensing of hydrometeor microphysical properties. Scanning cloud radars, which often measure depolarization ratio as a sole polarization variable, can provide a means for retrieving this information. The applicability of a spheroidal particle model (i.e., a regular ellipsoid that has two principal axes of the same length) is evaluated for describing depolarization properties of ice particles. It is shown that this simple model, which uses an aspect ratio as a single parameter characterizing particle nonsphericity, explains reasonably well the scatter of slant 45° linear depolarization ratio (SLDR) measurements versus direct estimates of the zenith direction backscatter enhancement observed during the Storm Peak Laboratory Cloud Property Validation Experiment (StormVEx) with the scanning W-band cloud radar (SWACR). Observed SLDR elevation angle patte...
Bright single photon emission from a quantum dot in a circular dielectric grating

We demonstrate a single photon source based on a single quantum dot in a circular grating microcavity and measure a collection efficiency of 10%. Tradeoffs between suppressed multi-photon probability and Purcell enhancement are investigated.
Treatment of radial and ulnar artery pseudoaneurysms using percutaneous thrombin injection

Pseudoaneurysm formation is a recognized complication of arterial catheterization or traumatic arterial disruption, which may lead to considerable morbidity. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection has been shown to be effective in the treatment of peripheral pseudoaneurysms; however, its application in the management of radial or ulnar artery pseudoaneurysms has not been well established. Arterial thrombosis and distal embolization are concerns when treating a pseudoaneurysm involving a small vessel. We performed successful ultrasound-guided thrombin injection of a 3-cm radial artery and a 2.5-cm ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm resulting from arterial catheterization and missed arterial trauma, respectively. Radial artery recannalization occurred 28 days after the procedure whereas the ulnar artery remained patent throughout the observation period.
The effects of disjunct sampling and averaging time on maximum mean wind speeds

Conventionally, the 50-year wind is calculated on basis of the annual maxima of consecutive 10-min averages. Very often, however, the averages are saved with a temporal spacing of several hours. We call it disjunct sampling. It may also happen that the wind speeds are averaged over a longer time period before being saved. In either case, the extreme wind will be underestimated. This paper investigates the effects of the disjunct sampling interval and the averaging time on the attenuation of the extreme wind estimation by means of a simple theoretical approach as well as measurements. The measurements include climates dominated by extratropical lows, as well as more complicated, wind climate types. For both, the investigations are done for omni-directional and sector-wise situations. The theory assumes the time series is a Gaussian Markov chain and it performs adequately for sites in the extratropical regions. The sector-wise situation is more complicated. The attenuation of the extreme mean winds for a sector shows a dependency on the frequency of occurrence from that sector.
America's Declining Industrial Competitiveness: Protectionism, the Marketplace and the State

A rising protectionist tide is threatening to undermine the domestic political foundation necessary to sustain America's liberal trade posture through the 1980s. U.S. trade officials and recent administrations remain committed to a liberal trade order, but severe crises in key economic sectors of the economy, regionally concentrated in the traditional industrial region of the country, are cutting the ground from beneath them internationally and domestically.
The relationship between second-year medical students' OSCE scores and USMLE Step 1 scores

The relationship between objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and standardized tests is not well known. We linked second-year medical students' physical diagnosis OSCE scores from 199...
New Statistical Learning Methods for Estimating Optimal Dynamic Treatment Regimes

Dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs) are sequential decision rules for individual patients that can adapt over time to an evolving illness. The goal is to accommodate heterogeneity among patients and find the DTR which will produce the best long-term outcome if implemented. We introduce two new statistical learning methods for estimating the optimal DTR, termed backward outcome weighted learning (BOWL), and simultaneous outcome weighted learning (SOWL). These approaches convert individualized treatment selection into an either sequential or simultaneous classification problem, and can thus be applied by modifying existing machine learning techniques. The proposed methods are based on directly maximizing over all DTRs a nonparametric estimator of the expected long-term outcome; this is fundamentally different than regression-based methods, for example, Q-learning, which indirectly attempt such maximization and rely heavily on the correctness of postulated regression models. We prove that the resulting rules ar...
Estimating the electron energy distribution during ionospheric modification from spectrographic airglow measurements

[1] The electron energy distribution during an Fregion ionospheric modification experiment at the HAARP facility near Gakona, Alaska, is inferred from spectrographic airglow emission data. Emission lines at 630.0, 557.7, and 844.6 nm are considered along with the absence of detectable emissions at 427.8 nm. Estimating the electron energy distribution function from the airglow data is a problem in classical linear inverse theory. We describe an augmented version of the method of Backus and Gilbert which we use to invert the data. The method optimizes the model resolution, the precision of the mapping between the actual electron energy distribution and its estimate. Here, the method has also been augmented so as to limit the model prediction error. Model estimates of the suprathermal electron energy distribution versus energy and altitude are incorporated in the inverse problem formulation as representer functions. Our methodology indicates a heater-induced electron energy distribution with a broad peak near 5 eV that decreases approximately exponentially by 30 dB between 5–50 eV.
Regression analysis in a spatial-temporal context: Least squares, generalized least squares, and the use of the bootstrap

In many ecological studies, data are collected at different locations over time, with interest in building a regression model for how one variable depends on its past values and current values of a predictor variable. Our motivation is an example in vestigating the effects of mouse populations on the level of gypsy moth populations within a model accounting for the previous year’s gypsy moth values. With such data, the error term will of ten contain autocorrelationover time as well as contemporaneouscorrelation over series at a fixed time. A common approach in practice is the use of simple least squares or the use of two-stage generalized least squares. The standard errors and tests that are typically used either ignore the correlationin the errorsor, if they do account for the errorstructure, ignore the uncertainty that comes from estimating the correlation structure. There are also con cerns regarding bias in the estimated coefficients and variance/correlation parameters. We in vestigate these issues mainly in the context of our example, which invol ves 8 location and 10 years of data, relying on simulations due to the absence of exact small-sample results. Among other results, we find the potential for gross underestimation of the standard errors of the coefficients with the use of standard generalized least squares methods. A bootstrap method is developed for this context, applied to the example, and evaluated via simulations. The bootstrap estimates of standard errors performed rather well in the settings we examined, supporting the use of the bootstrap in the analysis of our example and suggesting the potential of the bootstrap more generally.
Spatially restricted microRNA directs leaf polarity through ARGONAUTE1

Gene regulation by RNA interference requires the functions of the PAZ domain protein Argonaute. In plants, mutations in ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) are associated with distinctive developmental defects that suggest a role for microRNA (miRNA) in organ polarity. Potential targets of miRNA regulation are the homeodomain/leucine zipper genes PHABULOSA (PHB) and PHAVOLUTA (PHV). These genes are expressed in a polar fashion in leaf primordia and are required for adaxial cell fate. Here we show that a 21-nucleotide miRNA that directs cleavage of PHB/PHV messenger RNA accumulates first in the embryonic meristem, and then in the abaxial domain of the developing leaf. miRNA distribution is disrupted by mutations in AGO1, indicating that AGO1 affects the regulation of miRNA. In addition, interactions between homeodomain/leucine zipper genes and an allelic series of ago1 indicate that miRNA acts as a signal to specify leaf polarity.
The Role of excited-state topology in three-body dissociation of sym-triazine.

Molecular fragmentation into three products poses an analytical challenge to theory and experiment alike. We used translational spectroscopy and high-level ab initio calculations to explore the highly debated three-body dissociation of sym-triazine to three hydrogen cyanide molecules. Dissociation was induced by charge exchange between the sym-triazine radical cation and cesium. Calculated state energies and electronic couplings suggest that reduction initially produces a population of sym-triazine partitioned between the 3s Rydberg and π* ← n electronically excited manifolds. Analysis of the topology of these manifolds, along with momentum correlation in the dissociation products, suggests that a conical intersection of two potential energy surfaces in the 3s Rydberg manifold leads to stepwise dissociation, whereas a four-fold glancing intersection in the π* ← n manifold leads to a symmetric concerted reaction.
The cost of living in the membrane: A case study of hydrophobic mismatch for the multi-segment protein LeuT

Many observations of the role of the membrane in the function and organization of transmembrane (TM) proteins have been explained in terms of hydrophobic mismatch between the membrane and the inserted protein. For a quantitative investigation of this mechanism in the lipid-protein interactions of functionally relevant conformations adopted by a multi-TM segment protein, the bacterial leucine transporter (LeuT), we employed a novel method, Continuum-Molecular Dynamics (CTMD), that quantifies the energetics of hydrophobic mismatch by combining the elastic continuum theory of membrane deformations with an atomistic level description of the radially asymmetric membrane-protein interface from MD simulations. LeuT has been serving as a model for structure-function studies of the mammalian neurotransmitter:sodium symporters (NSSs), such as the dopamine and serotonin transporters, which are the subject of intense research in the field of neurotransmission. The membrane models in which LeuT was embedded for these studies were composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid, or 3:1 mixture of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG) lipids. The results show that deformation of the host membrane alone is not sufficient to alleviate the hydrophobic mismatch at specific residues of LeuT. The calculations reveal significant membrane thinning and water penetration due to the specific local polar environment produced by the charged K288 of TM7 in LeuT, that is membrane-facing deep inside the hydrophobic milieu of the membrane. This significant perturbation is shown to result in unfavorable polar-hydrophobic interactions at neighboring hydrophobic residues in TM1a and TM7. We show that all the effects attributed to the K288 residue (membrane thinning, water penetration, and the unfavorable polar-hydrophobic interactions at TM1a and TM7), are abolished in calculations with the K288A mutant. The involvement of hydrophobic mismatch is somewhat different in the functionally distinct conformations (outward-open, occluded, inward-open) of LeuT, and the differences are shown to connect to structural elements (e.g., TM1a) known to play key roles in transport. This finding suggests a mechanistic hypothesis for the enhanced transport activity observed for the K288A mutant, suggesting that the unfavorable hydrophobic-hydrophilic interactions hinder the motion of TM1a in the functionally relevant conformational transition to the inward-open state. Various extents of such unfavorable interactions, involving exposure to the lipid environment of adjacent hydrophobic and polar residues, are common in multi-segment transmembrane proteins, and must be considered to affect functionally relevant conformational transitions.
Physiological Adaptations in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Crayfish

SYNOPSIS. Crayfish are the dominant macrocrustacean in many aquatic ecosystems and are the largest crustacean aquacultural industry in the United States, yet we know relatively little about their preferred and nutritionally important foods, as well as their ability to utilize those foods. This review focuses on the ability of crayfish to detect foods, reduce food particle size, digest macronutrients and the control of those functions. Of particular interest are the enzymatic capabilities of crayfish, especially trypsin, an alkaline protease, cellulase, muramidase, and possibly chitinase and chitobiase. The coordinated neural control of crayfish food location, ingestion and movement has been well documented, while hormonal control mechanisms have not. The conclusion we must draw from our current state of knowledge is that crayfish have ample abilities to taste and locate potential foods and enzymatic adaptations developed in crayfish that allow use of many of the foods they encounter in a benthic aquatic environment; other adaptations are lacking or have not been elucidated.
New estimates of the benefits of vehicle emissions regulation

Abstract This paper estimates the social benefits of environmental regulation by examining the used vehicle emissions testing program. I present evidence that the Illinois program has lowered county ozone and carbon monoxide levels but not by enough to pass a cost-benefit test.
Buckling analysis of fully anisotropic plates containing cutouts and elastically restrained edges

An analysis is developed which combines the Ritz and collocation methods for the stability solution of an anisotropic plate with a cutout and elastically restrained edges. Results are presented which agree closely with experiment for isotropic and orthotropic materials. Results are also given for restrained anisotropic plates with circular holes loaded in compression and shear. Difference is noted in the critical buckling loads between displacement and stress loaded panels as hole size is increased. Clamping is also seen to affect the trends in buckling associated with hole size.
The Stanford Superconducting Recyclotron

With four orbits of recirculation, the HEPL superconducting recyclotron is expected to provide a high duty factor (> 70%) electron beam at 300 MeV by 1982. At present the beam has been recirculated twice and extracted. To date, maximum energy has been 156 MeV with best energy resolution (FWHM) 0.018%. The dependence of beam breakup starting currents on orbit optics has been investigated. Installation of the components for the third and fourth orbits will be completed this year.
Parent and Adolescent Relationships in Japan and the United States

The success of any society depends upon how well parents perform their role. Mothers and fathers living in technological cultures believe this task becomes more difficult and less satisfying when children reach adolescence. Confusion over ways in which family relationships should change is confirmed by many adolescents who report that parents do not understand them. Education for parents should consist of knowledge that is sequenced to match the development of their children from birth through adolescence. One step toward achieving this goal involves finding out the strengths and learning needs of parents as perceived by themselves and adolescents. Specifically, (a) How well do parents communicate with their children? (b) How well do parents manage time? (c) How well do parents teach what is expected of them? (d) How well do parents cope with frustrations? (e) How satisfied are parents with their role? and, (f) How well do parents know the needs of individual children? Responses to these questions are nee...
Trichomonas vaginalis and early evolving DNA and protein sequences of the CDC2/28 protein kinase family

The human sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is a representative of one of the three earliest evolving eukaryotic lineages. We investigated whether T. vaginalis has DNA sequences and peptides related to cell division control molecules universal among yeasts and higher eukaryotes. A T. vaginalis cell division control (CDC2/28) homologue was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. The absolute similarity with other CDC2/28 genes was 47%, with conservative replacement similarity of 67%. Western blots demonstrated a single T. vaginalis peptide reactive with antiserum to the PSTAIRE peptide, an expressed component of CDC2/28 genes in higher eukaryotes. Although eukaryotic, T. vaginalis has properties similar to those of bacteria and is the earliest evolving eukaryote reported to possess CDC2/28 DNA and peptide homologues. These observations suggest that the molecular origins of cell division control in eukaryotes preceded mitochondria, 28S ribosomes and regulated glycolysis.
From the editors' desk: Confronting costs of care at the end of life

Most experts agree that the current rate of rise of health care costs is unsustainable. The good news, however, is that there is an emerging consensus among policymakers over what needs to be done: realign financial incentives; reinvigorate primary care; support more informed, patient-centered decision making; develop a more robust evidence base of comparative effectiveness; create standards for electronic health records; invest in public health. In addition, many feel that excessive tests, consultations, and procedures in the last year of life contribute not only to higher costs but to diminished quality of care. However, these concerns were caricatured by conservative pundits and politicians, who portrayed hospital ethics boards as “death panels” and ultimately ensured that end-of life care was exiled from the health care reform agenda.
Carbogen gas and radiotherapy outcomes in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer hypoxia is associated with inferior prognosis and resistance to treatment. The use of androgen deprivation therapy, both prior to and during radiotherapy, may exacerbate underlying hypoxia. Whilst larger radiation doses per fraction may achieve therapeutic gain, this is balanced by the reduced opportunity for re-oxygenation to take place during the course of treatment. Improving the underlying hypoxic tumour environment may therefore improve the treatment outcomes. Strategies to combat tumour hypoxia, with particular focus on the use of carbogen gas breathing concurrently with radiotherapy, is the subject of this review.
Functional characteristics of a modified immunoglobulin preparation for intravenous administration: summary of studies of opsonic and protective activity against group B streptococci.

Group B streptococci (GBS) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborn babies, despite antibiotic therapy. Recent studies suggest that phagocytosis and killing of GBS is ineffective due to a deficiency in anti-GBS antibody. Using an opsonophagocytic bacterial assay and a suckling rat model of GBS sepsis, we analyzed a modified human immunoglobulin for opsonic and protective antibody. Immune globulin (IGIV) prepared for intravenous use (Gamimune®, Cutter Laboratories, Inc.) was highly protective in this experimental GBS model. Using the opsonophagocytic assay, antibody activity to several strains of types Ia, II, and III GBS were also demonstrated with IGIV. To ensure that the IGIV activity was in fact antibody, globulin from IGIV was isolated and analyzed. Purified IgG retained opsonic activityin vitro and also provided protection in experimental GBS disease. Variation in the quantity of IgG necessary for protection was observed in different GBS strains. Since IGIV has opsonic and protective activity against several strains and serotypes of GBS, its intravenous administration may provide a valuable adjunct to standard antibiotic therapy for neonatal GBS infections.
Solubilization, partial purification and characterization of rat liver microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase

Abstract The diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20) activity of rat liver microsomes was solubilized with deoxycholate, cholate, and Triton X-100. The cholate-solubilized activity proved to be more stable than the deoxycholate-solubilized activity. Cholate caused less interference with the diacylglycerol acyltransferase assay than Triton X-100. The cholate-solubilized activity was purified 3- to 4-fold by Sepharose 4B chromatography, and could be separated from most of the cholate-solubilized protein by centrifugation in a 10–20% sucrose gradient. The gradient purification led to an overall purification of 9-fold with a recovery of 80%. The gradient fractions were analyzed for protein, RNA, and phospholipid content as well as for several enzyme activities of glycerolipid biosynthesis. The partially purified fractions were delipidated and activity was stimulated 5-fold by the addition of sonicated microsomal phospholipids. The soluble, gradient-purified diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was strongly dependent on added magnesium.
The Impact of a Drug Safety Warning on Discussions between Doctors and Their Patients; the Case of Rosiglitazone

The goal of this study was to track the influence of a highly publicized report on discussions between doctors and their patients and prescribing decisions made in response to concerns about potential medication adverse side effects. This was a retrospective analysis of a primary care network’s electronic medical record database. From a diabetes registry of 12, 246 patients, 329 were identified as taking rosiglitazone prior to the June 14, 2007 release of an article in the New England Journal of Medicine; the article suggesting an increased risk of myocardial events. The entire content of all office visits, telephone messages, and medication lists for each patient were reviewed over a 2-year period subsequent to the article’s publication. Doctor/patient discussions regarding concerns for rosiglitazone were catalogued including the physician’s treatment recommendations. There were documented discussions on rosiglitazone’s potential adverse side effects for 64 patients; 19.5 percent of this population. All of the discussions occurred between June 15 and October 30, 2007. Of the entire group, 59.3 percent (N = 195) remained on rosiglitazone. For those advised to continue rosiglitazone, the provider indicated that he/she wanted more data before determining if the drug was not safe or discounted the validity of the safety concerns. For those advised to discontinue rosiglitazone, 112 (83.6 percent) were placed on pioglitazone. An article suggesting potential adverse effects of rosiglitazone resulted in a documented discussion in 19.5 percent of patients on this medication. These findings suggest an awareness of this publication by patients, presumably derived from media reports. However, an awareness of this concern did not result in a substantial change in practice.The majority of patients remained on rosiglitazone. The content of these discussions suggest that most physicians’ recommended waiting for more published data before considering a change. While many factors influence physician’s prescribing behavior, this study demonstrates how a highly publicized report influences the doctor/ patient dialogue.
ESD protection in a mixed-voltage interface and multirail disconnected power grid environment in 0.50- and 0.25-/spl mu/m channel length CMOS technologies

On-chip ESD protection for semiconductor chips with mixed-voltage interface applications and internal multiple power bus architecture is discussed. ESD robustness in shallow trench isolation 0.50- and 0.25-/spl mu/m channel-length CMOS technologies is demonstrated using novel ESD structures. >
Psychosocial Effects of Physical and Verbal Abuse in Postmenopausal Women

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological effects of physical and verbal abuse in a cohort of older women. METHODS This observational cohort study was conducted at 40 clinical sites nationwide that are part of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study. We surveyed 93,676 women aged 50 to 79 years using the mental health subscales and the combined mental component summary (MCS) score of the RAND Medical Outcomes Study 36-item instrument. RESULTS At baseline, women reporting exposure to physical abuse only, verbal abuse only, or both physical and verbal abuse had a greater number of depressive symptoms (1.6,1.6, and 3 more symptoms, respectively) and lower MCS scores (4.6, 5.4, and 8.1 lower scores, respectively) than women not reporting abuse. Compared with women who had no exposure to abuse, women had a greater increase in the number of depressive symptoms when they reported a 3-year incident exposure to physical abuse only (0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.21 to 0.60), verbal abuse only (0.18; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.24), or both physical and verbal abuse (0.15; 95% CI, −0.05 to 0.36); and they had a decrease in MCS scores when they reported a 3-year incident exposure to physical abuse only (−1.12; 95% CI, −2.45 to 0.12), verbal abuse only (−0.55; 95% CI, −0.75 to −0.34), and both physical and verbal abuse (−0.44; 95% CI, −1.11 to −0.22) even after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. CONCLUSION Exposure to abuse in older, functionally independent women is associated with poorer mental health. The persistence of these findings suggests that clinicians need to consider abuse exposure in their older female patients who have depressive symptoms. Clinicians caring for older women should identify women at risk for physical and verbal abuse and intervene appropriately.
A Runtime Environment for Supporting Research in Resilient HPC System Software a Tools

The high-performance computing (HPC) community continues to increase the size and complexity of hardware platforms that support advanced scientific workloads. The runtime environment (RTE) is a crucial layer in the software stack for these large-scale systems. The RTE manages the interface between the operating system and the application running in parallel on the machine. The deployment of applications and tools on large-scale HPC computing systems requires the RTE to manage process creation in a scalable manner, support sparse connectivity, and provide fault tolerance. We have developed a new RTE that provides a basis for building distributed execution environments and developing tools for HPC to aid research in system software and resilience. This paper describes the software architecture of the Scalable runTime Component Infrastructure (STCI), which is intended to provide a complete infrastructure for scalable start-up and management of many processes in large-scale HPC systems. We highlight features of the current implementation, which is provided as a system library that allows developers to easily use and integrate STCI in their tools and/or applications. The motivation for this work has been to support ongoing research activities in fault-tolerance for large-scale systems. We discuss the advantages of the modular framework employed and describe two use cases that demonstrate its capabilities: (i) an alternate runtime for a Message Passing Interface (MPI) stack, and (ii) a distributed control and communication substrate for a fault-injection tool.
Searching for differentially expressed gene combinations

We propose 'CorScor', a novel approach for identifying gene pairs with joint differential expression. This is defined as a situation with good phenotype discrimination in the bivariate, but not in the two marginal distributions. CorScor can be used to detect phenotype-related dependencies and interactions among genes. Our easily interpretable approach is scalable to current microarray dimensions and yields promising results on several cancer-gene-expression datasets.
Inhibitory effects of insulin on GABAA currents modulated by the GABAA alpha subunit.

Insulin, when co-applied with GABA, can cause an inhibition of the induced current at GABAA receptors. This study investigated that inhibitory effect of insulin at a variety of receptor isoforms, concentrating on a1, a2 and a4 containing receptors. Various isoforms were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and currents determined using two-electrode voltage clamp. Submaximal GABA currents at all isoforms studied were inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of insulin. At a2 and a4 containing forms, insulin could inhibit maximal GABA currents. The ability to inhibit maximal currents, and the general potency and effects at submaximal currents paralleled the number of potential MAPK sites on the a subunits. The differences in insulin inhibition of GABA currents at different a containing GABAA receptors could be important in autocrine and paracrine control of hormone secretion in the pancreas, and in control of reward and food intake circuits of the brain.
The National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed and its Initial Development

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration are developing the National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed (N-WEST), an experimental facility for characterizing the performance of wireless systems and the dependence of their performance on components, subsystems, modulation, propagation, interference, and other factors. N-WEST will distribute its data widely among its participants with the intention that they will come to compatible conclusions on technical grounds and thereby to consensus regarding appropriate operational standards and component specifications. N-WEST will focus much of its early effort on broadband wireless access in the millimeter-waves bands, particularly on the 28-31 GHz Local Multipoint Distribution Service auctioned to the private sector in early 1998.
Serum activity induces Schwann cell proliferation in vitro.

The present series of experiments demonstrate that a polypeptide activity present in rat serum induces a proliferative response in cultured rat Schwann cells. Schwann cells in multi-well tissue culture plates were incubated in medium containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and serial dilutions of normal rat serum, and control preparations were incubated in the same culture medium without rat serum. Rates of cell proliferation were assayed by measuring DNA incorporation of tritiated thymidine using liquid scintillation counting. A prominent dose-dependent proliferative response was observed among Schwann cells incubated with rat serum and rat plasma dilutions as compared to controls; this activity is abolished by heat inactivation and by proteolytic digestion, and was not affected by dialysis against a cellulose ester membrane that excludes molecules larger than 10,000 daltons. In contrast, no increase in DNA uptake of tritiated thymidine was observed when astrocyte and oligodendrocyte cultures were incubated with serial dilutions of rat serum. No proliferative effect was observed when rat Schwann cells were incubated with a dilution of standard adult bovine serum. These results suggest there is an intravascular plasma polypeptide with a molecular weight greater than 10,000 daltons that specifically stimulates Schwann cell proliferation, and it is proposed that this factor may be the mitogen responsible for the Schwann cell proliferative response known to occur after nerve injury. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis B surface antigen- and tetanus toxoid-specific clonal expansion of CD4+ cells in vitro determined by TCRBV CDR3 length and nucleotide sequence.

We demonstrate activation of primary human TCRBV-specific CD4+ cells in vitro towards hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and tetanus toxoid (TT) without the use of cell lines, clones or added cytokines. By multiplex PCR analysis and spectratyping, antigen-activated cells exhibited clonal T cell receptor expansion within specific and limited TCRBV families. The expanded CD4+ T cells were CD45RO+. Three of four unrelated HBsAg responders showed CD4+ expansion within the TCRBV16 family. The response comprised predominantly single CDR3 sequences in all three donors and was completely monoclonal in one of them. However, the CDR3 lengths and sequences differed among the responders. Clonality induced by HBsAg in TCRBV16 was specific, reproducible and distinct from that induced by TT in terms of sequence, nucleotide addition and diversity (BD) or junctional (BJ) element usage. Thus, for the first time, we show monoclonal or oligoclonal expansion of primary human CD4+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro in response to nominal protein antigen without manipulations utilizing exogenous IL-2. The ability to induce monoclonal/ oligoclonal responses to HBsAg now permits motif identification studies for determining the T cell role in non-responsiveness to the HBsAg vaccine.
Noninvasive Assessment of Tumor Microenvironment Using Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 18F-Fluoromisonidazole Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Neck Nodal Metastases

Purpose To assess noninvasively the tumor microenvironment of neck nodal metastases in patients with head-and-neck cancer by investigating the relationship between tumor perfusion measured using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and hypoxia measured by 18 F-fluoromisonidazole ( 18 F-FMISO) positron emission tomography (PET). Methods and Materials Thirteen newly diagnosed head-and-neck cancer patients with metastatic neck nodes underwent DCE-MRI and 18 F-FMISO PET imaging before chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The matched regions of interests from both modalities were analyzed. To examine the correlations between DCE-MRI parameters and standard uptake value (SUV) measurements from 18 F-FMISO PET, the nonparametric Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated. Furthermore, DCE-MRI parameters were compared between nodes with 18 F-FMISO uptake and nodes with no 18 F-FMISO uptake using Mann-Whitney U tests. Results For the 13 patients, a total of 18 nodes were analyzed. The nodal size strongly correlated with the 18 F-FMISO SUV ( ρ = 0.74, p ep (redistribution rate constant) value ( ρ = −0.58, p = 0.042) and the 18 F-FMISO SUV. Hypoxic nodes (moderate to severe 18 F-FMISO uptake) had significantly lower median K trans (volume transfer constant) ( p = 0.049) and median k ep ( p = 0.027) values than did nonhypoxic nodes (no 18 F-FMISO uptake). Conclusion This initial evaluation of the preliminary results support the hypothesis that in metastatic neck lymph nodes, hypoxic nodes are poorly perfused (i.e., have significantly lower K trans and k ep values) compared with nonhypoxic nodes.