cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
δ2 opioid receptor subtype on human vascular endothelium uncouples morphine stimulated nitric oxide release

Abstract We demonstrate the presence of both δ and μ opioid receptors on the endothelium of human saphenous vein and internal thoracic artery. Displacement analysis revealed that a variety of opioid peptides were found to be ineffective in displacing specifically bound 3 H dihydromorphine and only δ 2 ligands were effective in regard to 3 H Ala 2 -met 5 enkephalinamide (DAMA), indicating the presence of μ 3 and δ 2 opioid receptor sites, respectively. Confirming the presence of both μ and δ sites we demonstrated positive immunostaining with anti-δ and anti-μ receptor antibodies. Exposure of these vessels to DAMA significantly enhances granulocyte adherence ( P −6 M morphine. Unlike morphine, DAMA did not stimulate nitric oxide from either blood vessel and human granulocytes. Additionally, DAMA preadministered before morphine exposure to the endothelium or granulocytes, inhibited the morphine-stimulated release of NO in a dose-dependent manner. The data indicate that opioid peptides and opiate alkaloids regulate endothelial function in an antagonistic manner thereby influencing the microvascular environment.
Second order differential equations with rational coefficients

The authors exhibit two linearly independent real solutions, fl and f2 , to w" + Hw = 0 such that fif2 is transcendental, fl and f2 have only real zeros and poles and H is a nonconstant rational function. This shows the sharpness of a recent result of Hellerstein and Rossi. Some related results are also proved.
Relation of left ventricular dilation during acute myocardial infarction to systolic performance, diastolic dysfunction, infarct size and location

The quantification of left ventricular (LV) volumes and assessment of their relation to systolic and diastolic dysfunction, infarct size and anatomic location were performed in 54 patients with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Blood pool radionuclide angiography was used to assess LV end-diastolic, end-systolic, and stroke volume indexes, ejection fraction and peak diastolic filling rate. Infarct size was estimated from plasma MB creatine kinase activity. Substantial LV dilation occurred within the initial 24 hours of AMI. The peak diastolic filing rate was low, even in those patients with a normal ejection fraction. In comparison with inferior AMI (n = 25), patients with anterior AMI (n = 29) had a larger end-diastolic volume index (105 ± 8 vs 81 ± 4 ml/m2, p < 0.01) and end-systolic volume index (64 ± 7 vs 37 ± 4 ml/m2, p < 0.001), but similar stroke volume index (41 ± 3 vs 43 ± 2 ml/m2, difference not significant). No significant relation was noted between infarct size estimated by MB creatine kinase and any volumetric index. On repeat study (day 10 after AMI), end-diastolic and endsystolic volume indexes increased further (p < 0.05 vs day 1) but ejection fraction and peak diastolic filling rate were unchanged. It was concluded that: (1) LV dilation occurs within hours of AMI in both inferior and anterior AMI, but is more marked in the latter; (2) significant LV diastolic dysfunction is the rule, even in patients with preserved LV systolic function; and (3) LV dilation is an early compensatory mechanism that maintains normal stroke volume, even in patients with severely reduced LV function.
A new serum-based assay for fat cell-binding immunoglobulins: application to the detection of the thyrotropin receptor antibodies of Graves' disease.

In an accompanying report, we describe a new test for detecting and quantitating those immunoglobulins G (IgG) related to the presence of hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease. In this procedure, an immunoprecipitate formed between the test IgG and antiserum against the Fc portion of the human IgG is incubated with 125I-labeled solubilized guinea pig fat cell membranes (SFCM*). The proportion of added 125Ibound to the immunoprecipitate is a measure of fat cell-binding IgG (FBI) in the test preparation.In this report we describe an improvement of the basic technique that permitted its use with serum. Here, the test specimen of serum was allowed to interact with anti-Fc IgG coupled to beads of Sepharose-4B. SFCM* were then added, and the test proceeded as in the IgG-based procedure. Serum FBI values were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by bovine (b) TSH and, with lesser potency, by other glycoprotein hormones (bLH, bFSH, and hCG). Further, in experiments with sera and their corresponding IgG fractions fro...
An early transient decrease in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate upon stimulation of rabbit platelets with acetylglycerylether phosphorylcholine (platelet activating factor)

Abstract Washed rabbit platelets labeled with [ 3 H]inositol were stimulated with AGEPC (1- O -alkyl-2-acetyl- sn -glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine) (5 × 10 −10 m ) for various time periods. Within 5 s of the mixing of these platelets with AGEPC, an approximately 25% decrease in the [ 3 H]TPI (phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate) was evident; immediately thereafter the radioactivity in TPI increased. These labeled platelets treated with various concentrations of AGEPC for only 5 s indicated a characteristic dose-related decrease in [ 3 H]TPI. Radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate also appeared to increase after AGEPC-induced stimulation of platelets. Interestingly, within 15 s a 15 to 20% decrease in [ 3 H]PI (phosphatidylinositol) and an increase in [ 3 H]lysoPI was observed. However, [ 3 H]lysoPI could be related only to one-third of the decrease in [ 3 H]PI. LysoGEPC (lyso-1- O -alkyl- sn -glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine), which is ineffective in the activation of platelets, was unable to cause any changes in the phosphoinositides. The fact that the status of TPI was influenced in a time- and dose-dependent manner and the rapidity with which these changes take place suggest that this inositol phospholipid may be associated closely with the early processes which accompany the interaction of AGEPC with platelets.
Roles of the Envelope Proteins in the Amplification of Covalently Closed Circular DNA and Completion of Synthesis of the Plus-Strand DNA in Hepatitis B Virus

Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the nuclear form of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is synthesized by repair of the relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome. Initially, cccDNA is derived from RC DNA from the infecting virion, but additional copies of cccDNA are derived from newly synthesized RC DNA molecules in a process termed intracellular amplification. It has been shown that the large viral envelope protein limits the intracellular amplification of cccDNA for duck hepatitis B virus. The role of the envelope proteins in regulating the amplification of cccDNA in HBV is not well characterized. The present report demonstrates regulation of synthesis of cccDNA by the envelope proteins of HBV. Ablation of expression of the envelope proteins led to an increase (>6-fold) in the level of cccDNA. Subsequent restoration of envelope protein expression led to a decrease (>50%) in the level of cccDNA, which inversely correlated with the level of the envelope proteins. We found that the expression of L protein alone or in combination with M and/or S proteins led to a decrease in cccDNA levels, indicating that L contributes to the regulation of cccDNA. Coexpression of L and M led to greater regulation than either L alone or L and S. Coexpression of all three envelope proteins was also found to limit completion of plus-strand DNA synthesis, and the degree of this effect correlated with the level of the proteins and virion secretion.
Using the Cartesian Discrete Ordinates Code DORT for Assembly-Level Calculations

AbstractFor the sake of a high-fidelity representation of the curved surfaces characteristic of fuel pins, the standard reactor design process employs the method of collision probabilities (CP), the method of characteristics (MOC), or unstructured-grid discrete ordinates (SN) transport solvers for assembly-level calculations. In this work we provide a proof of principle using highly simplified assembly configurations that an approximate staircased representation of the fuel pin’s circumference via an orthogonal mesh is accurate enough for reactor physics computations. For the purpose of comparing the performance of these approaches, we employ the orthogonal-grid SN code DORT and the lattice code DRAGON (CP and MOC) to perform k-eigenvalue-type computations for both a boiling water reactor (BWR) and pressurized water reactor (PWR) test assembly. In the framework of a computational model refinement study, the multiplication factor and the fission source distribution are computed and compared to a high-fidel...
On the requirement and mode of action of long-chain aldehydes during bacterial bioluminescence.

— We have reinvestigated the role of aldehyde in bacterial bioluminescence relative to its absolute requirement for light emission. We have found that aldehyde is an absolute requirement for light emission at 25°C as well as in the frozen state (—3° to — 9°C). As found by earlier workers, certain luciferase preparations isolated from Ph. Jischeri do not appear to require aldehyde for bioluminescence from the frozen state. We can now attribute this behavior to contaminating levels of aldehyde in those preparations. The results suggest that reactant puddling exist in the frozen state in which micro regions of liquid form within the ice crystals resulting in enormous increases in reactant concentration.
Random walks in the U.K. pound/ U.S. dollar exchange rates

Abstract Since the adoption of flexible exchange rates in the early 1970s, tests of foreign exchange rate efficiency have abounded and can be categorized into three main approaches. The first approach is to examine exchange rates in an arbitrage context to determine if they are out of parity with interest rates or other exchange rates. The second approach to efficiency testing concerns the ability of forward exchange rates to predict corresponding future spot rates. The third approach to exchange rate efficiency testing is to examine exchange rates as a time series to determine whether or not they follow a random walk. This paper follows the third approach to exchange rate efficiency testing. Efficiency testing of exchange rates under the null hypothesis of the random walk is a natural progression in the research of exchange rate determination. This paper shows that the random walk hypothesis is not rejected for the £/$ annual real exchange rate. Although the £/$ annual real exchange rate has mean reverting tendencies due to PPP, frequent and strong shocks to the nominal exchange rate assure that the series follows a random walk since these shocks directly influence real exchange rates. The random walk hypothesis is also not rejected for the £/$ monthly nominal exchange rate, making profitable trading schemes between the currencies unlikely. Both conclusions are consistent in that a random walk in nominal exchange rates should lead to a random walk in real exchange rates.
Mechanism of LiF interlayer for electron injection

Despite its wide application in devices, the mechanism of improvement induced by the LiF insertion layer remains controversial and to be fully resolved. We report our study of the interface formation when gold or Al is deposited onto 5 a LiF covered Alq using X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (XPS, UPS). We found that initial Au deposition produced a small shift of energy levels toward higher binding energy, which was reversed by subsequent Au coverages. The energy level positions finally reach those of the pristine Alq, resulting in a flat-band situation in the interface region. This is in sharp contrast to the Al/LiF/Alq interface, where ~1 eV downward shift of the energy levels substantially reduces the electron injection barrier. The observation of the overall flat-band condition in the interface region explains well why for thin LiF interlayer, the metal overlayer material is critical for the improvement of charge injection. As we observed here for Au, the low reactivity of the deposited metal atoms do not result in substantial n-doping of the Alq in the interface region, in contrast to more reactive metals like Al and Mg that can cause substantial n-doping of Alq, signified by the ~1 eV energy level shifts toward higher BE and emergence of the gap state, and reduce the electron injection barrier as a result.
Distance Constraints for Tree Network Multifacility Location Problems

We consider the problem of finding locations for new facilities in an imbedded tree network with respect to existing facilities, with upper bounds imposed on distances between all pairs of facilities. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions, termed separation conditions, for the distance constraints to be consistent. We find string models useful in obtaining insight into the conditions. These separation conditions involve shortest paths through an associated network that has as arc lengths the upper bounds on pair-wise facility distances. Also, we give an algorithm that constructs a feasible solution to the distance constraints if one exists. As an application of the separation conditions, we solve a multifacility minimax location problem. Most of the results obtained in this paper are also true when distances are Tchebyshev between facilities in Rp, p â¥ 1, or are rectilinear between facilities in R2. Further, the results of this paper should be useful in addressing "nonlinear" minimax location problems and multiobjective, multifacility location problems.
Transfer function computation for generalized n-dimensional systems

Abstract A new algorithm is presented for the determination of the coefficients of an n -dimensional ( n -D) transfer function. The n -D state-space system is described by the n -D Fornasini–Marchesini models. The proposed algorithm is theoretically attractive and computationally fast and it is based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT). A step-by-step example is given to illustrate the application of the proposed algorithm.
Thermal conductivity and accommodation coefficient of spin-polarized atomic-hydrogen gas

The thermal conductivity of a spin-polarized atomic-hydrogen gas and its accommodation coefficient on saturated superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ films have been determined experimentally using a cell comprised of coaxial cylinders. The thermal conductivity was measured for temperatures 0.3T0.4 K and for magnetic fields 4.00H7.00 T. The value of the thermal conductivity for spin-polarized hydrogen is 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ W/K m for T=0.3 K and H=7.00 T. The measured thermal conductivity is independent of the applied magnetic field, and its magnitude and temperature dependence are in agreement with ab initio calculations for a paramagnetic Bose gas model. No evidence for anomalous transport due to thermal fluctuations in the gas magnetization has been observed. The accommodation coefficient for spin-polarized hydrogen upon saturated superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ films for 0.2T0.4 K and 3.00H7.00 T was found to be independent of the applied magnetic field and to be given by the expression ${\mathit{a}}_{\mathit{c}}$=(0.56\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06)T. This value is in agreement with previous measurements of the accommodation and sticking coefficients.
Synthesis and Characterization of Rhenium(VI) cis-Dioxo Complexes and Examination of Their Redox Chemistry.

Reaction of rhenium(V)−oxo−halo−triflate complexes (HB(pz)3)ReO(X)OTf (1, X = Cl, Br, I) with 1 equiv of pyridine N-oxide forms rare d1 rhenium(VI) cis-dioxo compounds (HB(pz)3)ReO2X (2, X = Cl, Br, I). This reaction likely occurs by initial formation of the d0 rhenium(VII) dioxo cation (HB(pz)3)ReO2X+ by oxygen atom transfer, followed by a rapid one electron reduction. The chloride derivative 2a has been characterized by an X-ray crystal structure. The d1 dioxo compounds are fairly stable, disproportionating slowly to (HB(pz)3)ReO3 and (HB(pz)3)ReOX2. Electrochemical oxidations of (HB(pz)3)ReO2X to Re(VII) cations are reversible and are at remarkably high potentials (E1/2 = 0.93 V vs Cp2Fe+/0 in acetonitrile for 2a). When Me2SO is used as the oxidant instead of pyridine N-oxide, the Re(V) adducts [(HB(pz)3)ReO(X)(OSMe2)][OTf] (5) are formed by triflate displacement. These complexes reversibly lose SMe2 (for 5a, k = 3.3(4) × 10-6 s-1 at 297 K in CD2Cl2), as shown by isotope exchange experiments. The inter...
VEGF enhancement of osteoclast survival and bone resorption involves VEGF receptor-2 signaling and beta3-integrin

VEGF dependent angiogenesis is required for normal bone development and has been implicated in cancer metastasis to bone. These processes, while dependent on osteoclastic bone resorption, are reportedly mediated by endothelial cells, stromal osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and/or tumor cells. We demonstrate here that VEGF treatment of purified murine bone marrow osteoclast precursors directly enhances their survival, differentiation into mature osteoclasts, and resorptive activity. The actions of VEGF on mature osteoclasts principally involve the receptor VEGFR2 (Flk1, KDR), and the receptor signaling utilizes both the PI3-kinase-->Akt and MEK-->ERK pathways. Increased osteoclast survival and resorptive activity is correlated with VEGF-dependent phosphorylation of multiple downstream targets of activated Akt [glycogen synthase kinase, GSK-3beta; forkhead transcription factor, FKHR; and the Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death, Bad (Ser136)] and activated ERK1/2 [ribosomal S6 kinase, p90RSK; and Bad (Ser112)]. Expression of the VEGFR2 gene increases 20-fold during the 6 day in vitro differentiation of mature osteoclasts from mononuclear precursors, while alternate receptors VEGFR1 and neuropilin-1, decrease 30- and 3-fold respectively. Additionally, VEGF enhancement of osteoclast survival is diminished in cells prepared from beta3 integrin-deficient mice, thus associating VEGF signaling in osteoclasts with their attachment to extracellular matrix. Our results indicate that VEGF directly targets osteoclasts, thereby playing a novel role in bone development, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis.
Relationships among Race, Education, Criminal Thinking, and Recidivism Moderator and Mediator Effects

Moderator and mediator relationships linking variables from three different theoretical traditions-race (subcultural theory), education (life-course theory), and criminal thinking (social learning theory)-and recidivism were examined in 1,101 released male federal prison inmates. Preliminary regression analyses indicated that racial status (White, Black, Hispanic) moderated the relationship between criminal thinking, as measured by the General Criminal Thinking (GCT) score of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), and recidivism. Further analysis, however, revealed that it was not racial status, per se, that moderated the relationship between the PICTS and recidivism, but educational attainment. Whereas the PICTS was largely effective in predicting recidivism in inmates with 12 or more years of education, it was largely ineffective in predicting recidivism in inmates with fewer than 12 years of education. When education and the GCT score were compared as possible mediators of the race-recidivism relationship only the GCT successfully mediated this relationship. Sensitivity testing showed that the GCT mediating effect was moderately robust to violations of the sequential ignorability assumption on which causal mediation analysis rests. Moderator and mediator analyses are potentially important avenues through which theoretical constructs can be integrated and assessment strategies devised.
An Improved HPLC Procedure for Domoic Acid Analysis in Seafood

Abstract A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure was developed for the determination of domoic acid (DA) in seafood, including on-line sample purification. Unpurified aqueous methanol extracts of tissue samples were partially purified with a cyano precolumn cartridge. Separation was performed on a reverse-phase C-18 column with gradient elution, and UV detection. UV spectra were acquired for confirmation. Analyte recoveries from 89% to 100% were obtained for a variety of tissues. The detection limit with confirmation by UV spectrum was 0.1 μg/g. The method eliminates the use of a manual sample cleanup step. In contrast to other published procedures, the method is insensitive to NaCl, which maybe present at high concentrations in some seafood samples. Further, tryptophan does not interfere.
Colorectal Histology Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Local Failure in Lung Metastases Treated With Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy

Purpose Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) is increasingly used to treat lung oligometastases. We set out to determine the safety and efficacy of this approach and to identify factors associated with outcomes. Methods and Materials We conducted a retrospective study of patients treated with SABR for metastatic lung tumors at our institution from 2003 to 2014. We assessed the association between various patient and treatment factors with local failure (LF), progression, subsequent treatment, systemic treatment, and overall survival (OS), using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results We identified 122 tumors in 77 patients meeting inclusion criteria for this study. Median follow-up was 22 months. The 12- and 24-month cumulative incidence rates of LF were 8.7% and 16.2%, respectively; the 24-month cumulative incidence rates of progression, subsequent treatment, and subsequent systemic treatment were 75.2%, 64.5%, and 35.1%, respectively. Twenty-four-month OS was 74.6%, and median OS was 36 months. Colorectal metastases had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of LF at 12 and 24 months (25.5% and 42.2%, respectively), than all other histologies (4.4% and 9.9%, respectively; P 10 ) of 10 of ≥100 Gy were 62.5% and 16.7%, respectively ( P =.08). Toxicity was minimal, with only a single grade 3 or higher event observed. Conclusions SABR for metastatic lung tumors appears to be safe and effective with excellent local control, treatment-free intervals, and OS. An exception is metastases from colorectal cancer, which have a high LF rate consistent with a radioresistant phenotype, suggesting a potential role for dose escalation.
Robot-Centric Activity Prediction from First-Person Videos: What Will They Do to Me?

In this paper, we present a core technology to enable robot recognition of human activities during human-robot interactions. In particular, we propose a methodology for early recognition of activities from robot-centric videos (i.e., first-person videos) obtained from a robot's viewpoint during its interaction with humans. Early recognition, which is also known as activity prediction, is an ability to infer an ongoing activity at its early stage. We present an algorithm to recognize human activities targeting the camera from streaming videos, enabling the robot to predict intended activities of the interacting person as early as possible and take fast reactions to such activities (e.g., avoiding harmful events targeting itself before they actually occur). We introduce the novel concept of'onset' that efficiently summarizes pre-activity observations, and design a recognition approach to consider event history in addition to visual features from first-person videos. We propose to represent an onset using a cascade histogram of time series gradients, and we describe a novel algorithmic setup to take advantage of such onset for early recognition of activities. The experimental results clearly illustrate that the proposed concept of onset enables better/earlier recognition of human activities from first-person videos collected with a robot. Categories and Subject Descriptors I.2.10 [Artificial Intelligence]: Vision and Scene Understanding–video analysis; I.4.8 [Image Processing and Computer Vision]: Scene Analysis-motion; I.2.9 [Artificial Intelligence]: Robotics–sensors
Probing the DNA sequence specificity of Escherichia coli RECA protein

Escherichia coli RecA protein catalyzes the central DNA strand-exchange step of homologous recombination, which is essential for the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. In this reaction, RecA first polymerizes on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to form a right-handed helical filament with one monomer per 3 nt of ssDNA. RecA generally binds to any sequence of ssDNA but has a preference for GT-rich sequences, as found in the recombination hot spot Chi (5'-GCTGGTGG-3'). When this sequence is located within an oligonucleotide, binding of RecA is phased relative to it, with a periodicity of three nucleotides. This implies that there are three separate nucleotide-binding sites within a RecA monomer that may exhibit preferences for the four different nucleotides. Here we have used a RecA coprotease assay to further probe the ssDNA sequence specificity of E.coli RecA protein. The extent of self-cleavage of a lambda repressor fragment in the presence of RecA, ADP-AlF4 and 64 different trinucleotide-repeating 15mer oligonucleotides was determined. The coprotease activity of RecA is strongly dependent on the ssDNA sequence, with TGG-repeating sequences giving by far the highest coprotease activity, and GC and AT-rich sequences the lowest. For selected trinucleotide-repeating sequences, the DNA-dependent ATPase and DNA-binding activities of RecA were also determined. The DNA-binding and coprotease activities of RecA have the same sequence dependence, which is essentially opposite to that of the ATPase activity of RecA. The implications with regard to the biological mechanism of RecA are discussed.
Retrospective analysis of mercury content in feathers of birds collected from the state of Michigan (1895–2007)

Museum specimens were used to analyze temporal trends in feather mercury (Hg) concentrations in birds collected from the state of Michigan between the years 1895 and 2007. Hg was measured in flank and secondary feathers from three species of birds that breed in the Great Lakes region; common terns (n = 32), great blue herons (n = 35), and herring gulls (n = 35). More than 90% of the Hg in feathers should be organic, but some of the heron and gull feathers collected prior to 1936 showed evidence of contamination with inorganic Hg, likely from museum preservatives. The data presented here therefore consist of organic Hg in pre-1936 samples and total Hg in post-1936 samples. Insufficient tissue was available from terns to assess organic Hg content. Mean Hg concentrations ranged from 2.9 ± 2.5 μg/g Hg in tern flank feathers to 12.4 ± 10.6 μg/g Hg in gull flank feathers. No linear trend of Hg contamination over time was detected in herons and gulls. Though a significant decrease was noted for terns, these data are presented with caution given the strong likelihood that earlier samples were preserved with inorganic mercury. When data were separated into 30-year intervals, Hg content in heron and gull feathers collected from birds sampled between 1920 and 1949 were consistently highest but not to a level of statistical significance. For example, Hg concentrations in gull secondary feathers collected in the second time interval (1920–1949) were 11.5 ± 7.8. This value was 67% higher than the first time interval (1890–1919), 44% higher than the third interval (1950–1979), and 187% higher than the fourth interval (1980–2009). Studies on Great Lakes sediments also showed greatest Hg accumulations in the mid-twentieth century. Through the use of museum specimens, these results present a unique snapshot of Hg concentrations in Great Lakes biota in the early part of the twentieth century.
Isolation and characterization of insulin-like growth factor I (somatomedin-C) from cultures of fetal rat calvariae.

Cultured bones have been shown to secrete local regulators of bone remodeling, such as β2-microglobulin, transforming growth factor-β, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF), but the IGF secreted has not been characterized. In the present study, IGF from medium conditioned by 21-day-old fetal rat calvariae was isolated and characterized. IGF was purified using dialysis, gel filtration, and reverse phase HPLC. Amino acid composition was compatible with that of IGF I (somatomedin- C), and amino-terminal sequence analysis revealed homology with IGF-I. The concentration of IGF-I in the calvarial culture medium was 1 nM and was suppressed by cycloheximide. Calvaria- derived rat IGF I at 20 nM stimulated DNA and collagen synthesis by 42% and 26%, respectively, in monolayer cultures of osteoblast-rich rat parietal bone cells. This study indicates that locally produced IGF-I regulates bone formation in cultures of 21-day-old fetal rat calvariae. (Endocrinology 122: 22–27, 1988)
Toward an Integrated Ceramic Micro-Membrane Network: Effect of Ethanol Reformate on Palladium Membranes

Our research group has developed a cartridge-based, ceramic microchannel system capable of integrating multiple unique chemical processes within a single monolithic system, for rapid heat and mass transfer. In this manuscript, the authors report on the performance of palladium thin films incorporated within this ceramic microchannel system and their chemical compatibility with ethanol reforming chemistry. A dense, ∼9-μm-thick palladium membrane for hydrogen purification from ethanol reformate was developed on a cordierite extruded ceramic support coated with successive alumina layers, and its compatibility was investigated via exposure to carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, water, and ethanol. The hydrogen permeability was determined to be 1.73 × 10−9 mol m−1 s−1 Pa−0.5 at 350 °C with an activation energy of 7.3 kJ mol−1 over the range 350−550 °C. Exposure to carbon dioxide and oxygen had no effect on hydrogen permeation, while carbon monoxide and water exposure resulted in a 12% and 14% decrease in ...
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of the Galα1,3Gal High Affinity Lectin from the Mushroom Marasmius oreades

The purification and unique carbohydrate binding properties, including blood group B-specific agglutination and preferential binding to Galα1,3Gal-containing sugar epitopes, of theMarasmius oreades agglutinin (MOA) are reported in an accompanying paper (Winter, H. C., Mostafapour, K., and Goldstein, I. J. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 14996–15001). Here we describe the cloning, characterization, and expression of MOA. MOA was digested with trypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N, and the peptide fragments were purified by high performance liquid chromatography. Amino acid sequence data were obtained for eight peptides. Using oligonucleotides deduced from the peptide sequences for a reverse transcriptase-PCR, a 41-base pair cDNA was obtained. The 41-base pair fragment allowed the generation a full-length cDNA using 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends. MOA cDNA encodes a protein of 293 amino acids that contains a ricin domain. These carbohydrate binding domains were first described in subunits of bacterial toxins and are also commonly found in polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. Whereas these proteins are known to display a variety of sugar binding specificities, none to date are known to share MOA's high affinity for Galα1,3Gal and Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc. Recombinantly expressed and purified MOA retains the specificity and affinity observed with the native protein. This study provides the basis for analyzing the underlying cause for the unusual binding specificity of MOA.
Elongation Factor SII Contacts the 3′-End of RNA in the RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complex

Abstract Elongation factor SII (also known as TFIIS) is an RNA polymerase II binding protein that allows bypass of template arrest sites by activating a nascent RNA cleavage reaction. Here we show that SII contacts the 3′-end of nascent RNA within an RNA polymerase II elongation complex as detected by photoaffinity labeling. Photocross-linking was dependent upon the presence of SII, incorporation of 4-thio-UMP into RNA, and irradiation and was sensitive to treatment by RNase and proteinase. A transcriptionally active mutant of SII lacking the first 130 amino acids was also cross-linked to the nascent RNA, but SII from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is inactive in concert with mammalian RNA polymerase II, failed to become photoaffinity labeled. SII-RNA contact was not detected after a labeled oligoribonucleotide was released from the complex by nascent RNA cleavage, demonstrating that this interaction takes place between elongation complex-associated but not free RNA. This shows that the 3′-end of RNA is near the SII binding site on RNA polymerase II and suggests that SII may activate the intrinsic RNA hydrolysis activity by positioning the transcript in the enzyme's active site.
'Exponential peeling' of ventilatory transients following inhalation of 5, 6 and 7% CO2.

Abstract The ‘exponential peeling’ technique has been applied to minute ventilation and tidal volume transients occurring after the abrupt removal of 7,6 and 5% CO 2 in inspired air. These transients, in many cases, were found to be composed of three exponential components, each contributing to the total ventilatory response and each having individual time responses. Gelfand and Lambertsen (1973) have attributed these components to the peripheral chemoreceptors as a group and to two central chemoreceptors. Statistical analysis to determine the constancy of the contribution of the three components over the the range of CO 2 values studied showed that, although the values for each at the different stimulus levels were not significantly different, the great subject-to-subject variation in the data precluded a firm conclusion about the constancy of the components. Because of a number of considerations it was concluded that exponential peeling of respiratory transients following abrupt removal of CO 2 inhalation is not a satisfactory way to approach the problem of the numbers, relative contributions and time responses of the various receptor groups comprising the respiratory controller.
Rhode Islanders' attitudes towards the development of a statewide genetic biobank

Aims: To explore the attitudes of a voluntary subset of Rhode Island residents towards the potential development of a large, prospective, population-based study of sudden cardiac arrest, which will include a biobank to store blood for future biochemical and molecular analyses. Methods: A mailed survey and focus groups. Results: Survey respondents and focus group participants indicated willingness to provide biospecimens, medical history and personal lifestyle information, and to undergo medical tests. Both datasets included multiple concerns regarding long-term storage of biospecimens and personal information, and the need of potential biobank participants for detailed information regarding study protocols and oversight. Conclusion: A biobank has high potential for successful participant recruitment in Rhode Island if preceded by preparatory steps of public engagement and transparent mechanisms of addressing the population’s concerns and questions.
Management of Massive Pulmonary Embolism

A 63-year-old woman was transferred to Brigham and Women’s Hospital with massive saddle pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosed by chest CT scan. She was being treated at a suburban hospital for ulcerative colitis manifested by 10 episodes of bloody diarrhea daily. The diagnosis of PE was suspected when she suffered sudden onset of syncope and hypotension, followed by arterial oxygen desaturation and tachycardia. Echocardiography showed an extremely dilated right ventricle with septal flattening. At Brigham and Women’s Hospital, she underwent urgent cardiac catheterization. The mixed venous oxygen saturation percentage was in the 50s. Manual injection of contrast agent into the main pulmonary artery confirmed massive bilateral PE. A Gunther Tulip (Cook, Inc) vena caval filter was placed just below the renal veins, and she was taken to the operating room, where she underwent successful emergency pulmonary embolectomy (Figure 1). Figure 1. This pulmonary embolectomy specimen measures 11×6×1.5 cm in aggregate. Massive PE is life-threatening. Some patients may present with abrupt onset of critical illness, and others may suffer stuttering but progressive clinical deterioration despite therapeutic levels of anticoagulation. In the International Cooperative Pulmonary Embolism Registry (ICOPER) of 2454 consecutive patients from 7 countries,1 4.2% had massive PE. In the United States, ≈150 000 patients per year are diagnosed with acute PE,2 resulting in thousands of recognized deaths annually from massive PE. Many additional deaths occur each year in the United States as a result of undiagnosed massive PE that is mistaken for acute myocardial infarction or ventricular arrhythmia. The principal criteria for categorizing PE as massive are arterial hypotension and cardiogenic shock. Arterial hypotension is defined as a systolic arterial pressure <90 mm Hg or a drop in systolic arterial pressure of at least 40 mm Hg for at least 15 minutes.3 Shock is manifested by tissue hypoperfusion …
Safe food from a consumer perspective

Abstract Food-safety experts believe that contaminated food causes up to 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations and 5000 deaths each year in the US alone. These estimates underline the fact that foodborne-illnesses pose a significant public-health burden. CSPI recommends strengthening the safety of the food supply by setting farm and animal production food-safety standards, by improving Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) implementation, especially by the US Food and Drug Administration, and finally, by streamlining food-safety policy and regulation. Having several federal agencies with distinct responsibilities for food safety regulation has resulted in inconsistent food safety standards. The US regulatory structure is fragmented and not well equipped to meet current challenges facing the food-safety system. Instead, CSPI calls for a single food safety agency that maximizes allocation of resources resulting in a more rational system of food safety regulation. Legislation establishing a single, independent food-safety agency has been pending in the US Congress since 1997.
Fetal cardiac arrhythmia detection and in utero therapy

The human fetal heart develops arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in response to ischemia, inflammation, electrolyte disturbances, altered load states, structural defects, inherited genetic conditions, and many other causes. Yet sinus rhythm is present without altered rate or rhythm in some of the most serious electrophysiological diseases, which makes detection of diseases of the fetal conduction system challenging in the absence of magnetocardiographic or electrocardiographic recording techniques. Life-threatening changes in QRS or QT intervals can be completely unrecognized if heart rate is the only feature to be altered. For many fetal arrhythmias, echocardiography alone can assess important clinical parameters for diagnosis. Appropriate treatment of the fetus requires awareness of arrhythmia characteristics, mechanisms, and potential associations. Criteria to define fetal bradycardia specific to gestational age are now available and may allow detection of ion channelopathies, which are associated with fetal and neonatal bradycardia. Ectopic beats, once thought to be entirely benign, are now recognized to have important pathologic associations. Fetal tachyarrhythmias can now be defined precisely for mechanism-specific therapy and for subsequent monitoring of response. This article reviews the current and future diagnostic techniques and pharmacologic treatments for fetal arrhythmia.
Cardiac Surgery in Renal Transplant Recipients: Experience from Washington Hospital Center

Background The number of renal transplant survivors requiring surgical treatment for cardiovascular diseases is increasing. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the outcomes of renal transplant recipients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods Fifty-seven renal transplant recipients whose cardiac surgery was performed between 1987 and 2004, and whose allograft was functioning at the time of cardiac surgery, were identified. We analyzed postoperative mortality and morbidity as well as late mortality. Results Among 57 patients, 70.2% had hypertension, 54.4% diabetes, and 28.1% poor left ventricular function (ejection fraction Conclusions Infection control and renal protection should be stressed to ensure the safety of cardiac surgery in this patient group, while preoperative renal insufficiency, mitral valve disease, and left ventricular dysfunction are associated with early adverse outcomes. In the renal transplant recipients undergoing an isolated CABG, avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass and use of arterial grafts might lead to better outcomes.
Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Motifs Required for Elongation of a Telomeric Substrate

The reverse transcriptase telomerase copies an internal RNA template to synthesize telomeric simple-sequence repeats. In the cellular context, telomerase must elongate its few intended substrates (authentic chromosome ends) without spurious activity on other potential substrates (chromosome ends created by damage, repair, or recombination). Many mechanisms have been proposed to account for the biological substrate specificity of telomerase, with most models focusing on protein-protein interactions between telomerase and telomeric chromatin. Telomerase activity assays testing the elongation of model oligonucleotide substrates have revealed that in addition to hybridization with the RNA template, optimal DNA substrates also engage telomerase protein-based interaction sites. The physiological significance of these non-template interaction sites has not been established. We used in vivo reconstitution to assemble telomerase enzymes with variant telomerase reverse transcriptase proteins. Several telomerase enzyme variants retained a wild-type level of catalytic function in vitro when assayed using an artificial sequence substrate but exhibited reduced activity on a more physiological telomeric-sequence substrate. Telomerases that demonstrated this defect in telomeric substrate usage in vitro also failed to support telomere length maintenance in vivo. Our findings suggest that non-template interactions of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein with telomeric DNA play a critical role in supporting telomerase function on its appropriate cellular substrates.
Partly versus Completely Out of Your Mind: Effects of Incubation and Distraction on Resolving Fixation

Incubation has long been proposed as a mechanism in creative problem solving (Wallas, 1926). A new trial-by-trial method for observing incubation effects was used to compare the forgetting fixation hypothesis with the conscious work hypothesis. Two experiments examined the effects of incubation on initially unsolved Remote Associates Test (RAT) problems. Following exposure to misleading clues designed to induce initial fixation on RAT problems, versus no clues, participants were retested on problems either immediately after their first attempt (no-incubation), or after a 40-second incubation period. Resolution of initially unsolved RAT problems (fixated versus non-fixated) was examined as a function of complete interruption (Experiment 1) or partial distraction (Experiment 2). An incubation effect, that is, better resolution of initially unsolved problems retested after a delay rather than retesting immediately, was seen only in Experiment 1, in which unsolved problems were completely removed from sight. Furthermore, an incubation effect was found only for initially fixated problems, and not for problems that were not accompanied by misleading clues. The results are consistent with the forgetting fixation hypothesis (Smith & Blankenship, 1989), which states that putting unsolved problems completely out of mind allows initial fixation to dissipate, and the results indicate that the opportunity for some conscious work during incubation periods may not be optimal for resolving fixation.
Thin Film Reaction Investigation By Backscattering Spectroscopy - W Marker Study Of Pd 2 Ge Formation

Evaporated W ≈ N 3A thick has been used as a diffusion marker during the growth of Pd2Ge. Pd films ≈ 1200A thick were vacuum deposited onto Ge substrates and annealed in vacuum at temperatures between 230 to 260'C for various times to form the Pd2Ge layer. MeV 4He backscattering spectrometry has been used to determine the marker displacement and Pd2Ge thickness. We find that Pd is the dominant diffusing species, making up about 2/3 of the total atomic transport. We have also measured the Pd2Ge growth kinetics in this temperature range. We find growth to be proportional to square root of time, i.e. diffusion limited, with an activation energy of 1.08 0.05eV . Thus we find the reaction of Pd with Ge to form Pd2Ge is very similar to the reaction of Pd with Si to form Pd2Si.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Typicality within well defined categories in aphasia

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the nature of category typicality in well defined categories in patients with aphasia: (a) an online category verification experiment, and (b) a naming treatment experiment. Results of the online category verification experiment illustrated that atypical shapes were consistently more difficult to judge than typical examples and other atypical examples (females, body parts). Results of the treatment experiment showed that training atypical examples of shapes and their semantic features resulted in generalization to naming of typical examples of the category in two patients. Training typical examples and their semantic features, however, did not result in generalization to atypical examples in one participant.
Risk factors for hematoma after thyroidectomy: results from the nationwide inpatient sample.

Background Hematoma after thyroidectomy is a potentially lethal complication. We sought to evaluate risk factors for hematoma formation using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We hypothesized that certain risk factors could be identified and that this information would be useful to surgeons. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for patients who underwent thyroidectomy from 1998 to 2010. Bivariate analysis was used to compare patients with and without hematoma. Logistic regression was performed to identify important predictors of hematoma. Results There were 150,012 patients. The rate of hematoma was 1.25%. Female sex and high-volume hospitals were important for decreased hematoma risk (odds ratio 0.61[0.54–0.69] and 0.71 [0.56–0.83], respectively). Black race, age >45 years, inflammatory thyroid disease, partial thyroidectomy, chronic kidney disease, and bleeding disorders increased the risk of hematoma (odds ratio 1.37, 1.44, 1.59, 1.69, 1.8, 3.38; respectively). Overall mortality was 0.32% for the entire group and 1.34% in patients with postoperative hematoma (P Conclusion We identified risk factors associated with postoperative hematoma after thyroidectomy. Such information should be useful for surgeons for predicting patients at risk for this potentially lethal complication.
Relating pore shape to the non-linear response of periodic elastomeric structures

Abstract By introducing a periodic array of pores in an elastic matrix, instabilities with wavelengths that are of the order of the size of the microstructure can be triggered. Interestingly, these instabilities can be utilized to design a novel class of responsive materials. Possible applications include materials with unusual properties such as negative Poisson's ratio, phononic and photonic switches and colorful and reconfigurable displays. Although shape plays an important role in the design and performance of periodic materials, so far only the non-linear response of structures with circular and elliptical pores has been investigated and the effect of the pore shape on the structural response has not yet been explored. Here, we numerically explore the effect of pore shape on the non-linear response of a square array of pores in an elastomeric matrix. Our results show that pore shape can be used effectively to design material with desired properties and to control attractive features of soft porous systems, such as their stiffness, critical strain and negative Poisson's ratio.