cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of interferon action studies on the mechanism of interferon-mediated inhibition of reovirus messenger RNA translation in cell-free protein synthesis systems from mouse ascites tumor cells

Abstract The biochemical mechanism of the interferon-mediated inhibition of reovirus messenger RNA translation in cell-free extracts prepared from mouse ascites tumor cells was investigated. The following results were obtained: (1) Cell-free extracts from interferon-treated cells catalyze the formation of methionyl-X initiation dipeptides in response to reovirus mRNA at a rate and extent only slightly less than that of extracts from untreated cells. Under conditions where the overall translation in vitro of reovirus mRNA is inhibited by 75% or more, the formation of methionyl-X initiation dipeptides is inhibited much less, about 30%. (2) Neither methionyl-X initiation dipeptide formation nor overall translation of reovirus mRNA is significantly affected by the addition of either S -adenosyl- l -methionine or S -adenosyl- l -homocysteine to cell-free systems prepared from either interferon-treated or untreated cells. (3) Reovirus mRNA synthesized in vitro in the presence of S -adenosyl- l -methionine is translated slightly more efficiently than either reovirus mRNA synthesized in the presence of S -adenosyl- l -homocysteine or reovirus mRNA synthesized in the absence of both S -adenosyl- l -methionine and S -adenosyl- l -homocysteine by cell-free systems prepared from untreated ascites cells; by contrast, all of the reovirus mRNA preparations were translated very poorly by cell-free systems prepared from interferon-treated cells. (4) Exogenously added mouse ascites cell transfer RNA partially reverses the inhibition of viral mRNA translation in vitro catalyzed by cell-free systems prepared from interferon-treated cells in response to reovirus mRNA synthesized in the absence or in the presence of either S -adenosyl- l -methionine or S -adenosyl- l -homocysteine. Yeast and rat liver tRNA as well as tRNA from two prokaryotes, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis , do not significantly stimulate viral mRNA translation in the interferon-treated cell-free system. Translation catalyzed by untreated control extracts is not dependent upon the addition of tRNA. (5) Reovirus [ 32 P]mRNA recovered from interferon-treated cell-free protein synthesis systems after 15-min incubation possesses a profile similar to that of mRNA recovered from untreated control systems when analyzed by polyacrylamide-agarose-urea gel electrophoresis. These results indicate that the interferon-mediated inhibition of viral mRNA translation in vitro is exerted at a step of polypeptide chain biosynthesis which is subsequent to formation of the first peptide bond and which either directly or indirectly involves the participation of transfer RNA.
Body-tracking camera control for demonstration videos

A large community of users creates and shares how-to videos online. Many of these videos show demonstrations of physical tasks, such as fixing a machine, assembling furniture, or demonstrating dance steps. It is often difficult for the authors of these videos to control camera focus, view, and position while performing their tasks. To help authors produce videos, we introduce Kinectograph, a recording device that automatically pans and tilts to follow specific body parts, e.g., hands, of a user in a video. It utilizes a Kinect depth sensor to track skeletal data and adjusts the camera angle via a 2D pan-tilt gimbal mount. Users control and configure Kinectograph through a tablet application with real-time video preview. An informal user study suggests that users prefer to record and share videos with Kinectograph, as it enables authors to focus on performing their demonstration tasks.
Human internal clocks

The Circadian System of Man. By R. A. Wever. Pp.276. (Springer: Berlin, Heidelberg and New York, 1979.) DM98; $53.90.
Developing a strategy for magnetospheric research

This article seeks a new strategy for magnetospheric research in an era of reduced funding. It appears here because Eos is the main communication forum of the space physics and aeronomy community. While readers from other AGU sections may find it somewhat technical they might also look at what is being attempted and consider whether a similar reevaluation would be appropriate for their own fields. Perhaps some already have ideas in that direction and might present them in Eos in a similar format.
Hadron production from resonance decay in relativistic collisions

Abstract A statistical model for decay and formation of heavy hadronic resonances is formulated. The resonance properties become increasingly uncertain with increasing resonance mass. Drawing on analogy with the situation in low-energy nuclear physics, we employ the Weisskopf approach to the resonance processes. In the large-mass limit, the density of resonance states in mass is governed by a universal Hagedorn-like temperature T H . As resonances decay, progressively more and more numerous lighter states get populated. For T H ≃ 170 MeV , the model describes data for the hadron yield ratios at the RHIC and SPS energies under the extreme assumption of a single heavy resonance giving rise to measured yields.
Relationships between language and gesture in normally developing and late-talking toddlers.

Seventeen toddlers with specific expressive language delay (14 boys and 3 girls between 18 and 33 months of age) were compared to two control groups, one matched for language production and the oth...
A short-term pharmacodynamic model for monitoring aggrecanase activity: injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in rats and assessment of aggrecan neoepitope release in synovial fluid using novel ELISAs

Summary Objective To develop a short-term in vivo model in rats, with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) readout for specific aggrecanase-cleaved aggrecan fragments, to facilitate testing of aggrecanase inhibitors. Methods Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), a metabolic inhibitor, was injected into the right knee joint of male Lewis rats and the release of aggrecanase-cleaved fragments of aggrecan containing the NITEGE or ARGN neoepitope was measured in the synovial fluid at 7 days post MIA injection using novel ELISAs. The ELISAs utilize a commercial antibody directed against the hyaluronic-acid binding region (HABR) of aggrecan, in combination with either an α-NITEGE antibody (NITEGE ELISA) or an α-ARGS/BC3 antibody (ARGS ELISA), to detect aggrecanase-cleavage of aggrecan within the interglobular domain (IGD). Aggrecan fragments present in in vitro digests, in cytokine-treated cartilage explant culture supernatants and in rat synovial fluid lavage samples were detected and quantified using the two ELISAs. Small molecule inhibitors of aggrecanase activity were dosed orally on days 3–7 to determine their ability to inhibit MIA-induced generation of the NITEGE and ARGN neoepitopes measured in the rat synovial fluid. Results The NITEGE assay was shown to specifically detect the N-terminal fragment of aggrecan comprising the G1 domain and the NITEGE neoepitope sequence. This assay can readily measure aggrecanase-cleaved bovine, human and rat aggrecan without the need for deglycosylation. The ARGS assay specifically detects C-terminal fragments of aggrecan comprising the ARGS/ARGN neoepitope and the G2 domain. Keratan sulfate (KS) residues of aggrecan interfere with this ELISA, and hence this assay works well with native rat articular cartilage aggrecan (that lacks KS residues) and with deglycosylated bovine and human aggrecan. Injection of MIA into the rat knee joints resulted in a time-dependent increase in the release of aggrecanase-cleaved aggrecan fragments into the synovial fluid and treatment with an aggrecanase inhibitor resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the generation of these neoepitopes. Conclusions We have established a short-term in vivo model in rats that involves measurement of synovial fluid biomarkers that are dependent on aggrecanase activity in the joint. The short duration of the model combined with the mechanistic biomarker readout makes it very useful for the initial in vivo screening of aggrecanase inhibitors prior to testing them in time and resource-intensive disease models of osteoarthritis (OA).
Control of Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), with Steinernema carpocapsae: Effects of Supplemental Wetting and Pupation Site on Infection Rate

Abstract Infection of cocooned codling moth ( cydia pomonella ) larvae by the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae was studied in three field experiments. Factors that varied within or between experiments included method of application, type of substrate containing cocooned larvae, time when nematodes were applied, seasonal effects, and supplemental wetting before or after nematode application. Conventional air-blast sprayer applications of 0.5–5.0 million infective juveniles (IJs)/tree in fall resulted in ca. 30% mortality of larvae in cardboard trap bands, whereas hand-gun application (2 million IJs/tree) produced mortality of ca. 70%. Application in the evening caused higher larval mortality than application in the morning when no supplemental wetting was used after treatments. Morning and evening applications caused equivalent larval mortality when a postwetting treatment was included. In a trial conducted in midsummer, supplemental wetting, either before or after hand-gun application of 1 million IJs/tree, enhanced nematode-produced mortality. Mortality approached 100% if both pre- and postwetting was used. Larvae in exposed cocoons on apple wood were infected at a higher rate (86%) than those on wood in less exposed positions (73%) or in nonperforated cardboard (72%). Mortality rates for larvae in perforated cardboard were intermediate (77%). Application volumes used to deliver nematodes slightly enhanced infection rate of larvae in some substrates but not others. In one trial, parasitism of codling moth by the wasp Mastrus ridibundus (Ichneumonidae) was negatively correlated with nematode infection of codling moth larvae. Dissections showed that ca. 10% of larvae infected by nematodes had been attacked by the wasp.
Optimal linearization in holography.

Optimal linearization in holography is studied from the nonlinear system theory point of view. A generalized optimal linearization method for a physical photographic emulsion is presented. A generalized first-order amplitude transmittance (i.e., the generalized transfer function) with respect to the input irradiance is determined. The application of this optimal linearization technique toward a simple point object hologram is demonstrated, and the extension of this linearized procedure for a more complicated object is also discussed. Finally, it is concluded that, instead of restricting the holographic recording in the linear region of the T-E curve of the photographic emulsion, it is possible to obtain the optimum first-order diffraction image. If the nonlinearity of the holographic recording is weak, it is possible to define a linearization such that it will not be possible to perceive the nonlinear distortion.
730. T Cell Responses to AAV Vector Capsid in Normal Donors and Subjects Who Have Undergone Liver-Directed AAV-Mediated Gene Transfer

In a Phase I/II study of gene transfer for hemophilia B, an adeno-associated viral vector serotype 2 (AAV-2) was introduced into the liver of human subjects and therapeutic levels of transgene expression (up to 11% of normal) were reached. However, the duration of gene expression was limited; four weeks after infusion, levels of circulating factor IX (F.IX) began to decline, and returned to baseline by week 10. This phenomenon was accompanied by a mild, self-limited, increase in liver enzymes. After a similar phenomenon was observed in another patient, the clinical trial was halted. We hypothesized that T cells directed towards AAV capsid antigens harbored by transduced hepatocytes were activated and these mediated destruction of the transduced hepaotocytes, thereby causing loss of transgene expression and a transient transaminitis. We used IFN|[gamma]| ELISpot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a subject in the clinical study, combined with bioinformatics tools for the prediction of MHC class I binders, to define an MHC Class I-restricted T cell epitope for an HLA type common in the general population (B|[ast]|0702). We then designed pentamers in which five peptide-loaded MHC class I molecules are linked to a fluorochrome to detect and study AAV-specific B|[ast]|0702-restricted CD8+ T cells. Indeed, in the HLA B|[ast]|0702 subject who developed transaminitis after vector infusion, AAV-specific CD8+ T cells were detected by pentamer staining of PBMCs up to two years later. In contrast, we have not detected AAV-specific CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of normal donors, though after several rounds of ex vivo stimulation with AAV capsid or peptide epitopes, we have been able to enrich a population of AAV-specific T cells, suggesting that AAV-specific T cells exist in the T cell memory pool. Functional assays on expanded AAV-specific T cells have demonstrated that these T cells specifically produced IFN|[gamma]| upon detection of AAV antigen and specifically lyse target cells presenting antigen in the context of the HLA B|[ast]|0702. These data provide direct evidence that humans mount a cytotoxic immune response to AAV capsid proteins, and that a contracted pool of AAV-specific T cells can remain as memory T cells in normal donors. Thus, re-activation of an AAV-specific T cell response may account for the limited duration of transgene expression that we observed in our clinical study. Moreover, the use of alternate serotypes may not easily avoid this immune response, as T cells from subjects infused with AAV-2 showed functional responses to AAV-1 and AAV-8-derived peptides by both cytokine production and killing assays, and T cells from normal donors that were expanded with an AAV-2 derived epitope also cross-react with the homologous epitope from AAV-5 by pentamer staining. We conclude that the use of immunomodulatory therapy may be a better approach to achieving durable transgene expression in the setting of AAV-mediated gene therapy.
Emerging strategies for failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Second only to the problem of restenosis, abrupt closure during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) represents a significant procedural complication. Of the 200,000 PTCA procedures performed in the United States in 1987, abrupt closure occurred in approximately 10,000 patients-resulting in triage to emergency coronary artery bypass surgery in >6,000 patients and >l,OOO deaths.1-3 Current approaches to this problem have been limited. After intracoronary nitroglycerin is given, intracoronary or intravenous thrombolytic therapy has been used in some cases. However, spasm or thrombosis is very rarely the principal cause of abrupt closure. Typically, the inciting event is a complex intimal tear. Definite establishment of the etiology is confounded by the lack of adequate angiographic distinction between thrombus and dissection; our methods for decision-making under these circumstances are relatively crude. A standard approach, which has evolved empirically to “tack up” the tear, is the use of prolonged inflations (2 to 5 minutes), with a larger balloon dilatation catheter (0.5-mm size increase) at low pressure (3 to 5 atmospheres).4 The direct intracoronary administration of propranolol or fluorinated hydrocarbons has increased our capacity to prolong inflations by virtue of a decelerated induction of myocardial ischemia. v Combined with these various pharmacologic interventions, this overall “t.ack up” strategy appears to represent the best current approach to the management of abrupt closure.
The Future of Nursing: Implications for Childbirth Educators

In this column, the editor of The Journal of Perinatal Education discusses the Institute of Medicine’s 2011 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, and its implications for childbirth educators. The editor also describes the contents of this issue, which offer a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth.
Transient Response of Laminated, Bimodular-Material, Composite Rectangular Plates

The paper presents a finite-element analysis of the transient behavior of fiber-reinforced, single-layer and two-layer cross-ply rectangular plates of bimodular materials (i.e., materials whose linear elastic properties are dif ferent depending on whether the fiber-direction strains are tensile or com pressive). To validate the finite element results, a closed-form solution is also presented for a rectangular plate with all edges simply-supported without in- plane restraint (along the edge) and tangential rotation and subjected to sud denly applied sinusoidally distributed normal pressure. The time behavior of the transverse loading is arbitrary (e.g., step loading, impulse loading, etc.). Numerical results for transverse deflection and locations of the 'neutral sur face' as functions of time are presented for two bimodular materials. The finite element solutions agree very closely with the closed-form solutions.
68-Year-Old Man With Chronic Cough and Weight Loss

© 2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research A 68-year-old man presented to the pulmonary clinic at Mayo Clinic for evaluation of chronic cough and weight loss. He had a medical history of stroke, insomnia, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, spontaneous left-sided pneumothorax, and pneumonia. He had been in good health until experiencing a left pontine stroke in 2006, which caused transient right-sided weakness and dysphagia. Although these symptoms resolved, a cough continued for 18 months before evaluation. Findings on chest radiography and a pulmonary function test were normal 5 months before evaluation. The cough had recently become productive, and the sputum was occasionally red. The patient thought the cough was worse when he was in certain positions. His cough was not triggered by exertion or fumes. He denied sinus disease, postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux, and asthma. He had never been a smoker. He had no relevant chemical, occupational, or animal exposures. He reported fever, chills, and a weight loss of 13.6 kg (30 lbs) during the previous 2 months. One month before evaluation, he developed hemoptysis. He was found to have a pleural effusion and was treated for pneumonia at another hospital. Cultures from a bronchoscopy and thoracentesis were reportedly negative. He did not complete the antibiotic course because of mucocutaneous candidiasis.
Downstream Targets of Dopamine Receptor D3 Activation in the Mouse Pancreatic β-Cells

We have shown that dopamine modulates a negative feedback control of insulin secretion from mouse islets by activating the dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3). Receptor activation causes a dose-dependent reduction of the frequency of glucose-triggered intracellular calcium oscillations, which correlates with the observed decrease of insulin secretion. Although it is known that DRD3 can inhibit adenylate cyclase (AC), activate potassium channels, and inhibit calcium channels, the downstream molecular targets of the DRD3 signal transduction cascade in the islet are still unknown. The goal of this study is to identify the main signaling pathway mediating the DRD3-driven inhibition of insulin secretion. Preliminary data suggests that DRD3 signaling in β-cells proceeds through modulation of ion channels rather than by inhibition of AC.We used patch clamp to study the effect of dopamine on the ion channels. Based on these experiments we selected molecular targets to investigate further. We have tagged fluorescent proteins on to the Gβγ complex of the heterotrimeric G protein, and also on to candidate-target ion channels. This allows us to use quantitative fluorescence analysis tools to measure the changes in protein-protein interaction before and after pharmacological stimulation of DRD3. Data is analyzed using a spatial intensity distribution analysis (Godin, A. G. et al., PNAS, 2011) to detect protein interactions in live cells and fixed samples. This analysis allow us to compare results from cell lines overexpressing our proteins of interest with the results from native pancreatic islets from mice and human donors where immuno-staining techniques can be used to label the proteins under investigation.The information gained will help us understand how pancreatic islets regulate insulin secretion. Moreover, this signaling pathway could potentially be exploited to design effectors of insulin secretion as a treatment for type-2 diabetes.
Hypothalamic galanin-like immunoreactivity and its gene expression in relation to circulating corticosterone.

Abstract The neuropeptide galanin (GAL), which exists in dense concentrations within the hypothalamus, has physiological actions which are neuroendocrine in nature. In light of evidence showing GAL to alter the release of the adrenal steroid, corticosterone (CORT), a possible effect of this steroid on GAL gene expression and peptide production in discrete hypothalamic and brainstem sites was investigated. Using radioimmunoassay and in situ hybridization techniques, this peptide was examined in rats that had received SHAM surgery, adrenalectomy (ADX) and ADX + CORT replacement. The results showed a clear, site-specific change in GAL in relation to circulating CORT. A loss of CORT after ADX caused a dramatic decline in GAL peptide and mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus and peptide levels in the median eminence, with no change occurring in other hypothalamic areas. In the brainstem, a similar change was detected in the dorsal raphe nucleus but not the locus coeruleus. The GAL peptide and mRNA levels in these specific brain areas of ADX rats was restored by CORT replacement, which had no impact on GAL in other brain sites. These findings demonstrate that CORT's impact on brain GAL is highly site specific, possibly determined by local concentrations of steroid receptors.
Pathways for Knowledge: How Companies Learn Through People

AbstractMany reports state that an organization may be more successful if the company exhibits a high level of learning. Learning and storage of the knowledge gained is of great importance to this end. Where do the people within RD 2) more than half of all company knowledge transmission flows verbally and informally through ad hoc channels, giving evidence that the communication means has changed greatly over t...
Influence of Two-Step Austempering Process on the Fracture Toughness of a Low Carbon Low Alloy (LCLA) Steel

In this investigation a new low carbon and low alloy (LCLA) (Third generation AHSS) steel with exceptional combination of yield strength and fracture toughness has been developed. The steel has been processed using a novel two step austempering process. The investigation also examined the influence of a two-step austempering process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of this steel. Test results show that by two-step austempering process significant improvement in yield strength and fracture toughness can be obtained in this steel.
Levels and Growth of Specific and General Norms for Nonviolence among Middle School Students.

This study examined the levels and growth of specific and general normative beliefs about nonviolence (called norms for nonviolence). The sample consisted of 1,254 middle school students from four metropolitan areas who participated in the control condition of the Multisite Violence Prevention Project. We predicted that the association and endorsement of specific and general norms for nonviolence would strengthen over time, levels and growth of norms for nonviolence would be moderated by gender and ethnicity, and norms for nonviolence would be related to youths' behaviors. Linear mixed models found that levels and direction of growth in specific and general norms varied as a function of gender, age, and ethnicity, providing partial support for our hypotheses. Specific and general norms for nonviolence were also consistently positively related to students' social skills and negatively related to students' aggressive behavior. Implications for understanding adolescent development are discussed.
Vector bundles over Dold manifolds

This paper determines the possible Stiefel{Whitney classes for vector bundles over Dold manifolds.
Atmospheric Structure Deduced from Routine Nimbus 6 Satellite Data

Abstract The qualities of various data deduced from temperatures and dew points inferred from Nimbus 6 High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) and Scanning Microwave Spectrometer (SCAMS) radiances are assessed by comparison with similar data from weighted means of the rawinsonde observations (raobs) that bracketed the time of the satellite orbit across the east central United State for a case study on 25 August 1975. With notable exceptions, the HIRS-SCAMS temperature profiles are fairly good approximations of the weighted-mean raob profiles; those exceptions occur near the surface and near the tropopause. There are large discrepancies between the two sets of dew-point profiles at all levels that lead to questionable determination of precipitable water from satellite information. Thicknesses of layers suffer largest discrepancies at highest levels. Airmass stability may be appraised fairly reliably in regions of marked stability, much less dependably in unstable areas. There was no obvious corre...
Oxygen binding to hemocyanin: a resonance Raman spectroscopic study.

Abstract Oxygenation of hemocyanin gives rise to resonance Raman peaks at 742 and 282 cm−1. The 742 cm−1 peak which is in resonance with the 575 nm charge transfer band shifts to 704 cm−1 when 18O2 is substituted for 16O2. Our results establish that the bound oxygen is in the form of peroxide (O22−). The 282 cm−1 peak which is in resonance with the 340 nm optical transition is insensitive to isotopic substitution, suggesting that the 282 cm−1 peak corresponds to a vibration involving the magnetically-coupled Cu(II)··Cu(II) centers.
Biology of breast preneoplasia

The literature dealing with mammary cancer and the presence of the identifiable preneoplastic lesions in the mammary gland of several species has been reviewed. A discrete morphologically identifiable lesion with a high malignant potential is considered preneoplastic. Lobuloalveolar lesions have been identified in the human mammary gland which fit most of the criteria for preneoplasia. The lesions, hyperplastic atypical lobules, are multicentric, have a high statistical association with breast cancer and demonstrate a morphological progression through dysplasia to frank carcinoma. Other breast lesions have a high statistical association but no morphological progression can be seen and their neoplastic potential remains unknown. The significance of these correlations is enhanced by the occurrence of homologous breast lesions in outbred and inbred animal models. Statistical correlation with breast cancer and aberrant morphology has been accepted as presumptive evidence of preneoplasia in some animals. Definitive proof of the neoplastic potential has been obtained in rodent models by transplantation of the suspected lesions and their subsequent development into cancers. Although a strong morphological and statistical analogy exists between the human and animal models, the causes and biological potential of the human lesions await experimental proof.
Psychological Mechanisms of Pain and Analgesia

Abstract by Donald D. Price, IASP Press, 1999. $69.00 (xiii 1 248 pages) ISBN 0 931092 29 9
The cost-effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus screening in pregnancy ☆ ☆☆ ★

Abstract OBJECTIVE: My purpose was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening for human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy as part of a protocol in which zidovudine was used to reduce the risk of vertical transmission. STUDY DESIGN: This mathematic model used decision analysis to calculate the marginal cost-effectiveness of screening for human immunodeficiency virus in pregnancy and treating human immunodeficiency virus - positive women with zidovudine. Cost and probability assumptions were drawn from a literature review. Sensitivity analyses were performed for important costs and probabilities. RESULTS: When baseline cost and probability assumptions were used, the marginal cost-effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus screening was $436,927 when the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in the population was low (0.00075) and $198,510 when the prevalence was average (0.0015). Above a prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus of 0.009, testing is both cheaper and more effective than not testing. Of the cost variables examined, the charge for a negative testing sequence had the greatest impact on cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Human immunodeficiency virus testing in pregnancy is cost-effective in populations in which the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus exceeds 9 per 1000 population. Depending on how individual lives saved are valued, screening may also be warranted in populations with lower prevalences of infection. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1996;174:716-21.)
Common polymorphism in interleukin 6 influences survival of women with ovarian and peritoneal carcinoma

Abstract Objectives. The IL6 −174 promoter polymorphism impacts serum cytokine levels through transcriptional regulation. The objective of our study was to determine if −174 IL6 genotype influences survival in ovarian cancer. Methods. The IL6 −174 polymorphism was assessed by direct DNA sequencing in lymphocyte DNA from 160 women with invasive ovarian, or peritoneal cancers. IL6 levels were measured in ascites and plasma in a subset of cases using colorimetric sandwich ELISA procedure. Overall survival was calculated according to the method of Kaplan and Meier. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the significance of individual variables in multivariate analysis. Chi-square or Fishers Exact was used to assess the significance of contingency tables. Results. The IL6 −174 genotype frequencies of CC (19%), CG (50%), and GG (31%) were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and were similar to published frequencies in Caucasian controls. There were no associations with IL6 −174 genotype and age, stage or optimal cytoreduction. Stage had a significant impact on survival ( p =0.003). The IL6 −174 GG genotype was significantly associated with longer overall survival (median 131 months) compared to CC or CG (median 28 months, p =0.0007). In cox regression analysis using the covariates genotype ( p =0.006) and stage ( p =0.02), both were independently significant. Furthermore, there was no association found between IL6 levels in ascites or plasma, and genotype, stage, or overall survival. Conclusions. The IL6 −174 GG genotype has a strong, independent, and favorable impact on survival for women with ovarian, and peritoneal carcinoma.
The steric course of hydrogenation of delta4 and delta5 steroids.

Bei der katalytischen Hydrierung von Steroiden mit Doppelbindung in 4-Stellung entstehen uberwiegend A/B-cis-Verbindungen, wahrend Doppelbindung in 5 vor allem A/B-trans liefert. Dieser Unterschied wird mit Hilfe der Konstellationsanalyse erklart: die als Zwischenformen angenommenen Komplexe aus Substrat, Wasserstoff und Katalysator weisen unterschiedliche sterische Hinderung auf.
Assessment of stigma associated with tuberculosis in Mexico.

Stigma associated with tuberculosis (TB) has been identified as a major barrier to health care and quality of life in TB management.1 Stigma is a social process that exists when elements of labeling, stereotyping, separation, loss of status, and discrimination occur in a power situation that allows them.2,3 Falk distinguishes between two types of stigmatization conditions based on the ‘cause or root’: ‘existential’ is when the individual did not cause the stigma or has little or no control over it, and ‘achieved’ is when a person earns the stigma because of conduct or because the individual contributed to attaining it.4 Stigma is increasingly recognized as having a major impact on public health interventions and a tendency to produce social inequality.5,6 Occasionally, the impact of stigma is positive, especially when individuals being stigmatized successfully adopt an ‘empowerment’ model as opposed to a ‘coping’ model.7 Stigma and fear of discrimination usually lead to delay in seeking health services, prolonged risk of transmission, poorer adherence and increased risk of disability, and drug resistance, with women bearing the highest burden of avoiding behaviors.8,9 Stigma and discrimination are created by multiple forces, including a lack of understanding of the disease, myths about transmission, prejudice, irresponsible media reporting, and the link between the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and TB, as well as a fear of relating the illness to disability and death.3,10 Prejudice and discrimination by health personnel or society may result in isolation and decreased self-esteem of the individual affected by TB, thereby impeding that person's potential for empowerment.11,12 Stigma and discrimination related to TB can take different forms and are manifested at different levels — societal, community and individual — and in different contexts. Health stigma remains a difficult concept to measure. It involves interaction between those who are healthy and those who are infected or appear to be infected.13,14
Partial amino acid sequences of several globin chains from the sockeye salmon, Oncorhychus nerka

Abstract 1. 1. Partial amino acid sequences for several sockeye salmon hemoglobin β-chains have been determined and compared to several other fish β-chain sequences. 2. 2. A 90% homology exists between the sockeye cathodal (Cl) β-chain and the trout Hb 1 β-chain for residues 1–19. 3. 3. The sockeye salmon anodal (A1-3) β-chain is virtually identical to the trout HB IV β-chain for the first 55 amino acid residues. 4. 4. The α-chains of the socskeye salmon appear to be acetylated at the N-terminal position and about 0.6% of the sockeye hemoglobin is glycosylated.
Compton imaging with thick Si and CZT detectors

Abstract A Compton imaging telescope has been constructed using a 0.2 cm thick Silicon (Si) detector of active area 9.0×9.0 cm 2 and a pixelated Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detector of dimensions 2.0×2.0×0.5 cm 3 . The Si detector is double sided with 64 strips per side in two orthogonal directions. The CZT detector has 64 pixels of pitch 0.25 cm. We used several ASICs (32 channel) to read out both detectors. A 137 Cs source was used in the study. The energy deposited in the Si and CZT detectors and the points of interaction of the γ-ray in both detectors were read out. We varied the position of the source as well as the vertical separation between the Si and CZT detectors and measured the angular resolution of the source image for the different configurations. The best angular resolution (1 σ ) was 2.4°. Monte Carlo simulations were run for similar detector configurations and agree with the experimental results.
Nanosecond feeding times: Evidence for high-spin isomerism near A = 75 and 100

Abstract The generalized centroid shift method has been applied to heavy-ion reactions. In several even-even nuclei, delayed components in the lowest yrast transitions were revealed indicating the existence of high-spin nanosecond isomers. The longest delay was measured in 106 Cd where new discrete isomers were found.
986-79 Identification of Coronary Artery Disease and Assessment of Prognosis in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure: Role of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography

The evaluation of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a diagnostic challenge. Most non-invasive testing strategies have been hampered by suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, thus necessitating an invasive evaluation with coronary angiography (angio). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic implications of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients with CRF. Between 1/92 and 10/93, 97 consecutive patients underwent DSE for risk assessment prior to listing for renal transplantation. There were 61 males and 36 females with an average age of 47 +/- 12 years (range 21 to 69). There was an average of 3 cardiac risk factors/pt. DSE was positive in 29/97 (30%) patients. A total of 28 patients underwent angio (23 with positive DSE); 22 had CAD. DSE had a sensitivity of 95.7% (91.6% for single vessel, 100% for ≥ two vessel CAD) and specificity of 85.7%. Follow-up after DSE averaged 12 +/- 6.4 months. During this time 6 patients died (1 of cardiac causes). DSE revealed inducible ischemia in four, two of whom had multivessel CAD. No patient with a normal DSE had a cardiac event and only 2 died of any cause. A normal DSE identified a low risk population with a 97% probability of being free of cardiac complications or any death during follow-up. Renal transplantation was accomplished in 25 patients (mean age 44.7 ± 12.5 years). DSE was positive in 7 of these, 6 of whom underwent angio; all of whom had CAD. Four of these underwent intervention prior to clearance for transplant, two with single vessel CAD were managed medically without complications. No cardiac complications occurred in transplanted patients with normal DSE or after successful intervention. We conclude that DSE is a feasible and accurate technique for detecting CAD and assessing prognosis in patients with CRF. A normal DSE identifies a very low risk subset with a 97% 1 year event free survival and an abnormal DSE is an accurate marker of CAD in this patient population.
Does oxirene exist? A theoretical inquiry involving the coupled-cluster method

Abstract The oxirene isomer of C2H2O has been characterized at three levels of ab initio quantum-mechanical theory. At all three levels, oxirene is shown to be a genuine minimum on the respective C2H2O potential energy hypersurfaces. However, the steep decrease in the predicted ring-deformation vibrational frequency (to 262 cm− with the double-zeta-plus-polarization basis set, single-and double-excitation coupled-cluster method) as a function of level of theory leaves open the possibility that oxirene may be a transition state for the degenerate rearrangement of ketene.
The effects of visual and verbal information on attitudes and purchase intentions in internet shopping

The present study investigated how different product presentation formats (visual vs. verbal) influence consumer attitudes toward product and purchase intentions in Internet shopping. The overall results from two Web experiments simulating Internet apparel shopping showed that both visual and verbal information had significant effects on affective and cognitive attitudes toward apparel products, but only verbal information had a significant effect on purchase intention. Though the superiority of visual information was predicted based on prior literature, the results of the study supported verbal superiority. This finding provides an important implication for Internet retailers who tend to pay more attention to visual product presentation. Although visual product presentation is also found to be important, detailed product descriptions are critical to positively influence consumer shopping experience in Internet shopping. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal assessment of aortic root dilation and valvular anomalies in hypermobile and classic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Objectives To delineate the prevalence of cardiac findings in hypermobile and classic Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and provide longitudinal analysis of aortic root growth. Study design A retrospective chart review was conducted, and data were analyzed for cross-sectional prevalence of aortic dilation and valvular anomalies. The clinical implications of aortic root growth were determined by assessment of progression of aortic root measurements over time and clinical symptoms. Results Patients whose first echocardiogram was obtained in late childhood or adulthood were less likely to have aortic dilation ( P P = .0143). No patient with a normal aortic root in childhood had development of dilation in adulthood. Fifteen of the 252 patients (6.0%) had mitral valve prolapse (MVP), although only one patient (0.4%) had MVP that was mild to moderate. Conclusions Although aortic root size and MVP are increased in patients with these types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, they tend to be of little clinical consequence. Echocardiography may still be warranted as part of cardiovascular assessment, but decreased frequency of screening is recommended especially in symptom-free adults.
Vitamin C and acute physiological responses to cigarette smoking

Abstract Ascorbic acid (AA) and sugar placeboes (S) were administered double-blind to 62 male and female subjects (18–24 yr). Groups received either a single dose of 400 mg or 1200 mg AA or S prior to testing. During testing, subjects were required to smoke two cigarettes within ten minutes. Before and after smoking values were obtained for resting heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), forced vital capacity, one-second forced expiratory volume and maximal flow rate. Smoking adversely affected all parameters measured. Four-hundred mg AA resulted in a significantly smaller increase in systolic BP following smoking. However, 1200 mg AA resulted in significantly larger increases in diastolic BP and HR. Effects of AA on HR and BP were more pronounced in females than in males. No differences in lung function were seen with AA supplementation. Results of the study suggest a dose-response effect of AA administration on HR and BP following smoking.
Levels of Analysis in Interdisciplinary Child Assessment

The levels of analysis approach to assessment is based on the general principle that any given mental or behavioral act can be analyzed at multiple levels, which range from the molecular and cellular structure of the brain, through neural events within specific brain systems, to formal structural properties of cognitive or behavioral functions. In accommodating this approach, assessments that utilize findings from multiple disciplines should: (a) describe a child at the educational, cognitive/linguistic, social/emotional, and neurological/medical levels; (b) identify those levels that may be placing constraints on other levels; and (c) determine those levels at which meaningful interventions can take place. In contrast to other approaches that focus on the personality and group dynamics of interdisciplinary teams, this position paper emphasizes the contribution of the paradigm (training and experience) of each discipline represented on a team.
Ceftibuten: a review of antimicrobial activity, spectrum and other microbiologic features.

Ceftibuten is a new, orally administered cephalosporin with exceptional beta-lactamase stability and potency against commonly isolated Gram-negative pathogens. More than 90% of recent Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates were inhibited by 16 micrograms/ml) to ceftibuten. Enteritis-producing bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli and Yersinia were very ceftibuten-susceptible (MIC50 < or = 0.13 microgram/ml). Fastidious Gram-negative species causing respiratory tract or genital infections had very low ceftibuten MICs, including beta-lactamase-positive Haemophilus influenzae (MIC90 0.06 to 2 micrograms/ml), Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC90 0.25 to 4 micrograms/ml), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MIC90 0.015 to 0.5 microgram/ml). Beta-hemolytic streptococci and penicillin-susceptible pneumococci were also inhibited by ceftibuten. Staphylococci, enterococci, Pseudomonas species and Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria were generally resistant to ceftibuten. Ceftibuten has demonstrated bactericidal activity against susceptible pathogens, has high affinity for several lethal penicillin-binding proteins and possesses stability to common plasmid- or chromosomal-mediated beta-lactamases, including those enzymes that hydrolyze parenteral third generation cephalosporins. The microbiologic features for ceftibuten indicate its clinical potential as chemotherapy for community-acquired respiratory tract infections.
Disappearance rates of exogenous and endogenous ACTH from rat plasma measured by bioassay and radioimmunoassay

The disappearance rates of ACTH in rat plasma were measured by both radioimmunoassay and bioassay. αh-ACTH (Li) was the standard in both assays. αh-ACTH (Li) (50 mU) given intravenously disappeared with a half time of 2.9 min by bioassay and 4.1 min by radioimmunoassay. Endogenous ACTH in stressed 14-day adrenalectomized rats had a t12 of 1.7 min by bioassay and 3.6 min by radioimmunoassay. Intact stressed rats showed a similar decrease in ACTH as measured by radioimmunoassay with a half-life of 4.1 min. In all cases the decay curve was biphasic when determined immunologically, the second portion being longer than the first. It is possible that ACTH fragments that are biologically inactive appear in rat plasma under conditions of increased ACTH output.
Metabolism of symmetrical dialkyl ethers by Acinetobacter sp. HO1-N

The growth of Acinetobacter species HO1-N on a homologous series of dialkyl ethers yielded characteristic cellular and extracellular ether fatty acids. Microbial growth on diheptyl ether resulted in the appearance of 7-n-heptoxy-1-n-heptanoic acid as a cellular fatty acid and 2-n-heptoxy-1-acetic acid as the sole extracellular fatty acid. The oxidation of dinonyl ether and didecyl ether by Acinetobacter resulted in the extracellular accumulation of 2-n-nonoxy-acetic acid and 2-n-decoxy-1-acetic acid, respectively. The 16-carbon ether fatty acid, 6-n-decoxy-1-n-hexanoic acid, was identified as a major cellular fatty acid in didecyl ether-grown cells. The extracellular ether fatty acids accumulated in an inverse relationship to the disappearance of the dialkyl ether and appeared to represent end products of metabolism. The carbon and energy required for cellular growth and metabolism resided in the terminal 5-carbons of diheptyl ether, 7-carbons of dinonyl ether and 8-carbons of didecyl ether. Glutarate, adipate, pimelate and suberate were identified from cells grown at the expense of diheptyl, dioctyl, dinonyl and didecyl ether, respectively, suggesting a role for dibasic acids as metabolic intermediates. A new and novel mechanism for the metabolism of symmetrical dialkyl ethers is suggested. Terminal methyl group oxidation of the dialkyl ether results in the formation of an alkoxy-fatty acid followed by an internal carbon-carbon scission reaction 2-carbons removed from the oxygen atom. The resulting endproducts are alkoxyacetic acid and the corresponding dibasic acid.