cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma protein is associated with G2 arrest in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma (Rb) gene product binds critical transcription factors, leading to G1 arrest in a number of conditions, including following DNA damage. We have previously shown that irradiated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESSC) cells undergo predominantly G2 arrest, with increases in inhibitors of Rb phosphorylation. We thus hypothesized that this G2 arrest would be accompanied by increases in hypophosphorylated Rb protein (pRb). We sequenced the Rb genes of three human ESSC lines (KYSE) following reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of exons A-E. Western gels were performed on protein extracts for pRb. Cells were irradiated at 6 Gy, and protein was extracted at 6 h. ELISA was used to measure hypophosphorylated pRb in radiated versus control cells. Student's t test was used to compare results. All lines had wild-type Rb genes. Western gels confirmed the presence of pRb. There were significant increases in hypophosphorylated pRb in all three lines following irradiation (no line with less than a 100% increase). We have thus shown that irradiation-induced G2 arrest occurs in association with wild-type Rb genes and that there is associated hypophosphorylation of pRb. This supports our data describing a further role for other G1 mediators, such as p21, in G2 arrest. Further investigations into therapies to expoit this cell cycle checkpoint are warranted and planned.
Theory of the First-Order Magnetic Phase Change in U O 2

A simple model accounts semiquantitatively for the first-order magnetic phase change observed recently in U${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ by Frazer, Shirane, Cox, and Olsen. The model assumes that the electronic structure of the paramagnetic ${\mathrm{U}}^{4+}$ ion consists of a nonmagnetic singlet ground state and a low-lying magnetic triplet, and that only bilinear isotropic exchange interactions are present. In a molecular-field theory the triplet is split by an internal field proportional to the magnetization. If the molecular field is sufficiently strong, one of the components of the triplet will lie, in the magnetic state, below the singlet, and a self-consistent magnetic solution is obtained at $T=0$. Increasing the temperature causes the magnetization to be reduced, and the low-lying component of the triplet is raised in energy. It is shown that a "catastrophe" may occur at some critical temperature so that the magnetization is reduced discontinuously to zero. It is also found that, depending on the ratio of the singlet-triplet energy difference to the molecular-field splitting of the triplet, one obtains either no magnetic ordering, a first-order phase change, or a second-order transition.
Dilemmas in Intensive Care Medicine: An Ethical and Legal Analysis:

The high-technology medicine available in today's intensive care setting not only provides near miraculous benefits for some patients, but it also creates new and troublesome ethical and legal dilemmas for patients and practitioners. Standards for access to and discharge from the intensive care unit, "do not resuscitate" orders, determination of death, organ retrieval, advanced directives, decision-making capacity, and substantive and procedural guidelines for termination of treatment in incompetent patients are among the problems. Those issues, along with the emerging question of withholding nutrition and fluids, are discussed in this article.
Receptor interacting protein‐2 contributes to host defense against Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection

The Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), an emerging tick-borne infectious disease occurring worldwide. HGA is generally self-limiting; however, the underlying mechanisms, particularly the innate immune pathways that mediate the immune clearance of A. phagocytophilum, are less understood. We herein report an unexpected role for Receptor interacting protein-2 (Rip2), the adaptor protein for the Nod-like receptors (NLRs), Nod1/Nod2, in the host immune response against A. phagocytophilum infection. Although A. phagocytophilum genome is reported to lack the genes encoding the known ligands of Nod1 and Nod2, its infection upregulated the transcription of Rip2 in human primary neutrophils. Our results revealed that Rip2-deficient mice had significantly higher bacterial load than wild-type controls throughout the infection period. In addition, the Rip2-deficient mice took strikingly longer duration to clear A. phagocytophilum infection. Detailed analysis identified that interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin (IL)-18 but not IL-12, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and KC response were diminished in A. phagocytophilum-challenged Rip2-deficient mice. Together, these results revealed that Rip2 plays important roles in the immune control of A. phagocytophilum and may contribute to our understanding of the host response to Rickettsiales.
Utilization of the guanylyltransferase and methyltransferases of vaccinia virus to modify and identify the 5'-terminals of heterologous RNA species.

Abstract Enzymes extracted from purified vaccinia virus particles were used to catalyze the guanylylation (i.e. capping) and/or methylation of heterologous RNA species containing two or three phosphates or the structure m 7 G(5′)pppN at their 5′-terminals. This procedure provides a novel and specific method of labeling the 5′-terminals with [ α-32 P]GTP or S-adenosyl-[methyl- 3 H]methionine. Analysis of the RNAs of satellite tobacco necrosis virus and tobacco mosaic virus that were modified in this manner indicated that the original 5′-terminal sequences were (p)ppApGpPy and m 7 G(5′)pppGpU, respectively, which were enzymatically converted to m 7 G(5′)pppA m pGpPy and m 7 G(5′)pppG m pU.
Physicians' assessment of deficiencies and desire for training in adolescent care.

Over the past decade, there has been growing awareness among medical educators and care providers of the deficits in the training of primary care physicians to meet the health care needs of adolescents. The study reported here is the first national survey of primary care physicians' perceptions of their competency in dealing with adolescents' health concerns. In the survey, 351 internists, family practitioners, and pediatricians rated their competency in 19 areas of adolescent health care. Approximately three-quarters or more of the internists indicated deficits in all 19 areas. In areas related to gynecologic concerns, more pediatricians reported deficits than family physicians; but more family physicians than pediatricians reported deficiencies in managing acute conditions of youth (growth and developmental problems, endocrinopathies, school-based problems, and chronic illnesses). All physicians indicated deficiencies in dealing with high-risk health behaviors: eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, homosexuality, and delinquency. Finally, more than 45 percent of the physicians overall reported deficiencies in areas related to social and/or emotional concerns, including suicide, depression, and family conflicts. Despite these acknowledged deficits, most of the primary care physicians did not indicate adolescents to be the least desirable age group with which to work. However, few of the physicians expressed a desire to improve their skills. Overall, in none of the 19 areas did more than 30 percent of the physicians who had reported deficiencies in an area express interest in improving their competency. Language: en
Residual frequency autocorrelation as an indicator of non-linearity

Abstract A new temporal analysis approach using discrete frequency models has recently been introduced by the authors. These models relate the steady-state output of non-linear vibrating systems at each frequency to the excitation at that frequency and the output at other frequencies. The discrete frequency modeling approach is used here to derive an experimental frequency domain indicator function for non-linear vibrations. These indicator functions are autocorrelation functions of residuals from multiple input, multiple output frequency response function estimates. Unlike ordinary spectral coherence functions, which only indicate input–output linearity locally at a single frequency, the autocorrelation functions relate the error at each frequency to the errors at frequencies across the frequency band of interest. This feature enables residual autocorrelation functions to distinguish between system non-linearities and bias errors localized in frequency. Non-linearities in a simulated single-degree-of-freedom system, an analog computer system, and a complicated multiple-degree-of-freedom system are detected using the new indicator function.
On an electron diffraction study of the structures of anthraquinone and anthracene

Abstract The molecular structures of gaseous anthraquinone and anthracene have been studied by electron diffraction at nozzle tip temperatures of about 160°C and 135°C, respectively. Each molecule has D 2h symmetry to within experimental error. Anthraquinone resembles two benzene rings linked by ketone bridges with the bond distances ( r a ) and bond angle given by r (CH) = 1.087(4) A, r(CO) = 1.220(2) A, r (C 9 C 11 )= 1.499(2) A, r (C 1 C 11 ) = r (C 1 C 2 ) = r (C 2 C 3 ) = r (C 11 C 12 )= 1.400(2) A, ∠C 12 C 10 C 13 = 117.4(4)°, ∠C1C11C12= 120.1(2)°. For anthracene the bond lengths (r a ) and the bond angles are r (CH) = 1.085 A (assumed), r(C 9 C 11 ) = 1.392(6) A, r (C 11 C 1 ) = 1.437(4) A, r (C 1 C 2 ) = 1.397(4) A, r (C 2 C 3 ) = 1.422(16) A, r (C 11 C 12 .)= 1.437(4) A, ∠C 12 .C 10 C 13 = 112(1)°, ∠C 1 , C 11 C 12 = 118.8(6)°.
Mass Spectrometric Studies of Cocaine Disposition in Animals and Humans Using Stable Isotope-Labeled Analogues

Ion cluster technique in conjunction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the identification and quantitation major metabolites cocaine (1a) in rat and humans. In a typical experiment, a female rat weighing 250 gm was intraperitoneally administered a 20-mg/kg mixture 1a, NCD3 cocaine (1b), OCD3 cocaine (1c), and 4T2 cocaine (1d). The urine was collected, extracted with organic solvents, and separated into several fractions using TLC and HPLC techniques. Tritium radioactivity in a metabolically stable position in 1d was useful in the separation metabolites, while the deuterium labeled 1(b+c), creating an artificial isotopic cluster, provided specific identification metabolites by mass spectrometric interpretation. Norcocaine (2), benzoylnorecgonine (3), N-hydroxynorcocaine (4), methylecgonidine (5), benzoylecgonine (11), ecgonine methyl ester (9), hydroxycocaine (7), hydroxymethoxycocaine (10), and dimethoxyhydroxycocaine (6) were found to be the major metabolites of 1a in the rat urine as well as in plasma. The whole brain analysis showed significant amounts of unmetabolized 1a and 2, and minor concentrations of 9, 5, 7, and 10, and traces of 6. Some of these metabolites have been reported earlier by us as well as other investigators and are unequivocally confirmed in this work. Unmetabolized 1a, its pharmacologically active metabolite 2, and other major metabolites were quantitated in the rat brain, plasma, and urine using stable isotope-labeled analogues as internal standards and selected ion monitoring (SIM) mass spectrometry. The pharmacokinetic profiles of 1a and 2 indicate half-lives <20 min in the brain and plasma. These data are in good agreement with widely reported short-lived behavioral effects cocaine. The ion cluster methodology developed for the animal studies was successfully used in the identification metabolic pathways of cocaine in humans. Several human urine samples were analyzed using GC-MS and SIM procedures, and the metabolic profile in humans was found to be similar to the one in rat.
Cooperation and Fairness for Slotted Aloha

Wireless access based on slotted Aloha with selfish users may result in very inefficient use of the system resources. To impose cooperation and fairness in such systems, we propose an optimal pricing strategy, based on which the service provider can regulate the overall network behavior. As the users' utility incorporates the price paid for using the spectrum, by striving to improve their own performance, the users act to optimize the overall network performance. Our analysis is based on a game theoretic framework, and we consider both the simple collision model for packet reception, as well as multipacket reception capabilities for the physical layer. The proposed pricing strategy enforces fairness under the constraint of an equal access probability.
Electrothermal tapered capillary hyper jet focused-injection plasma source concept

Tapered capillaries operating in the confined controlled arc regime have the advantage of producing focused hyper plasma jets useful for ignition of electrothermal-chemical ETC systems, at peak kinetic temperatures in the range of 14,000–21,000K (∼1.2–1.8eV) and considerable jet pressures of 10–70MPa for input discharge current of 20–30kA over a short pulse length 100–150μs. A tapered geometry made of Lexan polycarbonate with 16.8mm inlet and 8.8mm outlet radii produces a plasma jet with a plasma temperature of 14,253K (1.23eV) at a peak bulk velocity of 4.027km/s with a 10.38MPa exit pressure, and a total ablated mass of 10.56mg. Reducing the tapering to 12.6mm inlet and 6.6mm outlet radii produces a plasma jet with 16,382K (1.411eV) at a bulk velocity of 4.34 km/s with 23.27mg ablated mass. Further reduction in the tapering to 8.4mm inlet and 4.4mm outlet radii produces a plasma jet with 20,954K (1.8eV) at a bulk velocity of 4.89km/s with 70.78MPa exit pressure, and total ablated mass of 15.09mg. The preliminary study shows that the narrow tapering angle produces higher pressure, temperature, velocity and more ablated mass. Radiant heat flux at the taper exit varies from 2.2GW/m2 at the wider tapers to 6.24GW/m2 for the narrower taper.
Effects of water stress on the water relations of Phaseolus vulgaris and the drought resistant Phaseolus acutifolius

The tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius Gray var. latifolius), a drought resistant species, was compared under water stress conditions with the more drought susceptible P. vulgaris L. cvs Pinto and White Half Runner (WHR). In order to better understand the basis for the superior drought resistance of tepary, this study was designed to determine the relationships among leaf water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential, and relative water content (RWC). Plants were prestressed by withholding irrigation water. These stress pretreatments changed the relation between leaf water potential and relative water content of both species so that prestressed plants had lower water potentials than controls at the same leaf RWC. Tepary had lower water potentials at given RWC levels than Pinto or WHR; this can account for part of the superior resistance of tepary. In all genotypes, prestressed plants maintained osmotic potentials approximately 0.2 MPa lower than controls. Tepary reached osmotic potentials that were significantly lower (0.15 to 0.25 MPa) than Pinto or WHR. Both control and prestressed tepary plants had 0.05 to 0.25 MPa more turgor than Pinto or WHR at RWC values between 65 and 80%. Both prestressed and control tepary plants had greater elasticity (a lower elastic modulus) than Pinto or WHR. This greater turgor of tepary at low RWC values could be caused by several factors including greater tissue elasticity, active accumulation of solutes, or greater solute concentration. Tepary had significantly lower osmotic potentials than the P. vulgaris cultivars, but there was little difference in osmotic potential between Pinto and WHR. Knowledge of differences in osmotic and turgor potentials among and within species could be useful in breeding for drought resistance in Phaseolus.
Terahertz gain in a SiGe/Si quantum staircase utilizing the heavy-hole inverted effective mass

Modeling and design studies show that a strain-balanced Si1−xGex/Si superlattice on Si1−yGey-buffered Si can be engineered to give an inverted effective mass HH2 subband adjacent to HH1, thereby enabling a 77 K edge-emitting electrically pumped p–i–p quantum staircase laser for THz emission at energies below the 37 meV Ge–Ge optical phonon energy. Analysis of hole-phonon scattering, lifetimes, matrix elements, and hole populations indicates that a gain of 450 cm−1 will be feasible at f=7.3 THz during 1.7 kA/cm2 current injection.
Developing and Implementing a Moodle-Ares Integration for Physical and Electronic Reserves at a Small Liberal Arts College

Reacting to the popularity of reserves and as part of an ongoing merger of circulation, interlibrary loan, and reserves into a fully integrated access services department, DePauw University purchased and implemented Atlas Systems’ Ares reserves software. As part of that implementation, a campus programmer designed interface integration between Moodle, the campus course management software, and Ares. Despite setbacks and complications along the way, the implementation was successful; both faculty and students have provided positive feedback, and staff members are able to process material faster and more accurately. We hope to deepen Ares's integration with both Moodle and with our integrated library system and public catalog as time goes on.
Central administration of the opioid antagonist, LY255582, decreases short- and long-term food intake in rats.

Abstract A variety of opioid antagonists have been reported to decrease short-term food intake, but few appear to reduce long-term intake. In the present study we evaluated the effect of a relatively new class of opioid antagonists, 3,4-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperidines, on short-term and long-term food intake after central administration. We also evaluated their affinities for the μ and κ opioid receptor sites in synaptosomal membranes derived from rat whole brain tissue (minus cerebellum) and guinea-pig cortex, respectively. The affinities for the μ receptor sites were LY255582 > LY217273 > LY256897 > naloxone > LY227444. The affinities for the κ receptor sites were LY255582 > LY256897 = LY217273 > LY227444. LY255582 reduced food intake up to 24 h after a single intraventricular injection. Doses as low as 1 μg of LY255582 decreased food intake for up to 4 h. All other drugs were much less powerful. Naloxone and LY256897 only decreased food intake after injection of the 100 μg dose. LY227444 and LY217273 failed to decrease intake at all doses tested. LY255582 (100 μg) decreased food intake over a 7 day period when injected intraventricularly once per day. The body weight of the rats also decreased during the 7 day period. Upon cessation of drug administration body weights and food intake approached control levels. Thus, LY255582 appears to be a very potent and long-acting anorectic agent which may be useful in the treatment of obesity. The μ and κ binding profile of the phenylpiperidines does not seem to clearly correlate with their anorectic activity.
The functional and structural homology of ribosomal protein S7 of E. coli strains K and MRE600.

The 30S ribosomal protein S7 purified from E. coli MRE600 displaces specifically and stoichiometrically the endogenous K-S7 protein when it is added to a reconstitution system containing total K strain 30S protein and 16S RNA. The S7 proteins from the two strains have been shown to contain a group of common trypic peptides and to crossreact immunologically. Therefore, the 30S ribosomal protein S7 from E. coli K strain and MRE600 are functionally and structurally homologous despite differences in amino acid composition, molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility.
Trends and differentials in the spacing of births.

En comparacion con las tendencias anteriores a la Segunda Guerra Mundial, las mujeres de los Estados Unidos tienenahora su primerhijo dentro de un intervalo mas breve luego desu matrimonio, su segundo hijo en una fecha mas cercana a la del primero y el tercer hijo en fecha mas cercana a la del segundo. Tanto los datos defecundidad quepresentan las tabulaciones de la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos como la investigacion de 1960 sobre Crecimiento de la Familia de los Estados Unidos muestran esios resultados. Esto constituye un virajecompleto conrespecio a la tendencia que predominaba conanterioridad a la Segunda Guerra Mundial y especialmente conrespecto al periodo de la depresion economica de la decada de 1930. Los datos de la encuesta sobre Crecimiento de la Familia de los Estados Unidoe suministran conocimientos adicionales respecto a esie fenomeno: (a) Ocurre entre parejas de todos los niveles socioeconomicos; (b) en general, las personas de posicion socio-economica mas alta tienen hijos a intervalos mayores que aquellas de posicion socio-economica mas baja, y los Protestantes tienen hijosa intervalos mas largos quelos Catolicos. El reciente cambio ha tenido el efecto de disminuir eetas diferencias; (c) esta tendencia haciauna reduccion de los intervalos ha ocurrido enforma voluntaria, ya queotros datos obtenidos a traves de la encuesta indican que un alto porcentaje da las perejas tienen conocimiento completo y experiencia en el uso de metodos anticonceptivos.
Effect of the serine-borate complex on the relative ability of leukotriene C4, D4 and E4 to inhibit lung and brain [3H]leukotriene D4 and [3H]leukotriene C4 binding: Demonstration of the agonists' potency order for leukotriene D4 and leukotriene C4 receptors

To define the potency order of the leukotrienes for inhibition of [3H] leukotriene D4 and [3H]leukotriene C4 binding, we investigated leukotriene C4, D4 and E4 competition with and without the serine-borate complex in guinea pig lung and brain homogenates. Without it, the rank order of their potency for inhibition of lung [3H]leukotriene D4 or [3H]leukotriene C4 binding was leukotriene C4 = leukotriene D4 > leukotriene E4. Presence of the complex altered the potency order for both competition studies: for the [3H]leukotriene D4 competition it was leukotriene D4 > leukotriene E4 = leukotriene C4 and for the [3H]leukotriene C4 competition it was leukotriene C4 ≫ leukotriene D4 ≥ leukotriene E4.
Alpha-methylphenylalanine, a new inducer of chronic hyperphenylalaninemia in sucling rats

alpha-Methylphenylalanine reduces the phenylalanine hydroxylase activity of rat liver by 75 percent. Daily injections of this substance (plus phenylalanine) into rats from the 3rd to 15th day of age had no obvious toxic effects, and maintained a plasma concentration of phenylalanine comparable to that of phenylketonuric subjects.
A low-profile Archimedean spiral antenna using an EBG ground plane

This letter presents the implementation of electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structures with an inherently wide-band Archimedean spiral antenna. The EBG structure is designed to emulate a perfect magnetic conductor. The combination of technologies produces a low-profile and wide-band antenna. Utilization of an EBG structure offers an antenna height reduction of more than 69%, including the thickness of the EBG structure, compared to the traditional /spl lambda//4 cavity backed implementation of spiral antennas. Specifically, this approach allows the spiral antenna to maintain a considerable fraction (71 %) of its designed inherent broad-band behavior with no loss to its directive gain. In addition, the presented design offers full scalability.
A study of multimedia applications in education and training

Abstract This paper discusses the emergence of multimedia, its characteristics and advantages. Some of the different applications of multimedia in the field of education and training are cited, and the promising future outlook of multimedia is being examined.
Four-dimensional versus 3-dimensional computed tomographic planning for gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Abstract Purpose This study compares dosimetric parameters of 4-dimensional (4D) and 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) planning for gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in an attempt to identify any potential benefit of 4DCT planning. Methods and Materials We identified 18 patients who received definitive 4DCT radiation planning from September 2006 to September 2011 for gastric MALT lymphoma at our institution. In addition to the kidneys and liver, we contoured an internal target volume (ITV) and static clinical target volume (sCTV) for each patient based on the 4D and 3D images, respectively, to develop 3D conformal radiation plans. Using the static and motion plans, we measured the volume of ITV covered by at least 95% of the prescribed dose (V95), the minimum dose received by 95% of the ITV (D95), and the volume of organs receiving at least 20 Gy or 30 Gy (V20 or V30). Results Volumes of the ITV, motion liver, left kidney, and right kidney were significantly larger than their static counterparts. The static plan significantly lowered the ITV V95 and D95 compared with the motion plan. However, this undercoverage was significantly associated with the superior-inferior (SI) respiratory excursions. A V95 of >98% was observed in 92% of patients with SI excursions 15 mm ( P = .02). When compared with the motion plan, the static plan also significantly lowered the liver V30 and left kidney V20. Conclusions The 3DCT planning can result in undercoverage of the ITV and altered estimation of doses to normal structures. However, in patients with limited respiratory excursions (
Culture and Acculturation Influences on Palestinian Perceptions of Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Patient cultural backgrounds strongly influence decision-making processes and outcomes in genetic counseling. The present study investigated influences of culture and acculturation on prenatal decision making processes of native Palestinians and Palestinian Americans. Seventeen native Palestinians and 14 first-generation, Palestinian Americans were interviewed and asked to imagine themselves as patients in hypothetical premarital and prenatal situations. Five major issues were investigated: 1) Influence of family history of an inherited condition on pre-marital decisions; 2) Perceptions of non-directive genetic counselor statements regarding options; 3) Role of gender in prenatal decisions; 4) Gender differences in emotional expression; and 5) Role of family and society in prenatal decisions. Several similarities and differences in native Palestinian and Palestinian American responses were obtained. Similarities appear to be due to common cultural roots, while differences may be due to acculturation. Practice and research recommendations are provided.
THIRTY STUDIES INVOLVING THE "SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE INVENTORY": WHAT CONFIDENCE CAN WE HAVE IN THIS INSTRUMENT?

Professor Munby (1983) makes the assertion in his article that the conceptual validity of the SAI is, at best, suspect. With this point I must concur. Indeed, the author’s modification of Wilson’s (1 967) categorization of statement type to develop a conceptual analysis of the SAI is an intellectually creative and viable approach to examining the validity of an instrument. However, I believe that the legitimate issues and problems raised by the author’s scheme bring to light a more fundamental validity problem with much of the attitudinal research conducted in
Functional analysis of erythrocyte determinants of Plasmodium infection

The Plasmodium falciparum parasite is an obligate intracellular pathogen whose invasion and remodelling of the human erythrocyte results in the clinical manifestations of malarial disease. The functional analysis of erythrocyte determinants of invasion and growth is a relatively unexplored frontier in malaria research, encompassing studies of natural variation of the erythrocyte, as well as genomic, biochemical and chemical biological and transgenic approaches. These studies have allowed the functional analysis of the erythrocyte in vitro, resulting in the discovery of critical erythrocyte determinants of Plasmodium infection. Here, we will focus on the varied approaches used for the study of the erythrocyte in Plasmodium infection, with a particular emphasis on erythrocyte invasion.
Development of the aging cell surface: concanavalin A-mediated intercellular binding and the distribution of binding sites with progressive subcultivation of human embryo fibroblasts.

External surfaces of early and late passage human embryo fibroblasts were reacted with concanavalin A to determine whether quantitative and qualitative variations in receptor sites develop with increased serial subcultivation. Comparative analyses of direct con A binding to cell surfaces; lectin-mediated cell-to-cell binding and agglutination; and ultrastructural distribution of con A receptor sites were made on the surfaces of both cell groups. Subtle variations were observed in the patterns of intercellular binding between early and late passage cells as assayed by both agglutination and the binding of cells in suspension to substrate-attached monolayers. However, no major differences in the total number of binding sites per cell were expressed on the external surfaces of either group. Hemocyanin-labeled binding sites tended to be more clustered on membranes of late passage cells in contrast to more homogeneous patterns of distribution in early passage specimens. These observations suggest that variations in binding patterns are not the result of changes in numbers of binding sites but may be the result of alterations in the concerted actions of numerous factors which include cell surface topography (e.g. villous projections) and the relative distribution of lectin binding sites on the cell periphery.
Xenotransplantation: application of disease resistance.

SUMMARY 1. Organ transplantation is now clinically routine for patients with end-stage organ failure. One major limitation in transplantation is chronic rejection involving the loss of the graft despite the use of immunosuppressive agents. Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) chimerism, achieved through bone marrow transplantation (BMT), induces donor-specific tolerance to transplanted organs and prevents chronic rejection. 2. A second major limitation to organ transplantation is the donor shortage. Xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs between different species, would have the ability to increase the availability of donor organs. 3. Current immunosuppressive therapies do not prevent the rejection of xenografts. Therefore, the only reliable method for achieving donor-specific tolerance to xenografts may require HSC chimerism. 4. In order to justify the use of BMT to induce transplantation tolerance in patients with non-life-threatening diseases, the morbidity and mortality associated with current conditioning regimens must be addressed. 5. The use of partial conditioning regimens to promote engraftment of xenogeneic HSC and the development of donor-specific tolerance may eventually make xenotransplantation in humans a clinical reality. 6. Additional advantages of xenotransplantation are the ability to genetically engineer the donor xenograft and resistance of some xenografts to infection by human viruses because of the species specificity of most viruses. 7. The clinical application of disease resistance for HIV and hepatitis B virus is the focus of the present review.
“Decorating” Cells with Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Proteins - What Color Suits Your Experiment Best?

A key aspect of simultaneous multicolor single molecule real-time (SMRT) imaging in the living cell is choosing the appropriate combinations of fluorescent proteins (FPs). Although ample information is available on fluorescent brightness, photo-stability, pH sensitivity and natural oligomerization state of FPs, interpolating published data into performance in live human cell experiments is difficult. Ultimately the effort of re-cloning of genetic constructs and advanced quantitative analysis to determine the most suitable FP favor the use of suboptimal label combinations. However, the use of high power to excite fluoresphores often results in shorter observation times, higher photo-damage and possibly the induction of ‘stress’ reaction by the cell. To determine the best FP combination for multicolor imaging relies on not only obvious factors like optimal spectral separation, best photostability and highest brightness but also the amount of excitation power needed to generate sufficient signal at minimal background noise level which could come from live cell autofluorescence, cross-talk between different channels and cross-excitation of FP.We tested 36 different FPs in a parameter space specific to their suitability in live cell multicolor single molecule imaging. Particular attention was paid to biased subcellular localization effects and performance of the FPs for labeling of dynamic (soluble FP & diffusive fusion protein), labeling of confined molecules (nuclear pore marker on nuclear envelope), the amount of fluorescence signal under low excitation power imaging conditions and cross excitation and cross emission at non-maximal photon output.We present different sets of FPs for different labeling purposes and discuss possible protocols for testing and specifying FP performance in low light live cell imaging conditions.
Word stems as cues in recall and completion tasks

Subjects tend to complete word stems to form words to which they have recently been exposed. These priming effects in word-stem completion are compared to cued recall, where subjects are asked to recall list items and are given word stems as cues. Intentionality of learning and duration of rehearsal affected recall performance but not the magnitude of priming in word-stem completion. However, cued recall and word-stem tasks did not exhibit stochastic independence: performance on one task was strongly related to performance on the other. These results are inconsistent with extreme accounts that would attribute performance on these tasks either to entirely separate systems or to an identical set of processes.
PARTICIPATION AND EXEGESIS: RESPONSE TO CATHERINE PICKSTOCK

This essay pursues Catherine Pickstock’s “metaphysical-epistemological” insights but in a “metaphysical-hermeneutical” direction. In particular, Pickstock’s case for a fourteenth-century break from the metaphysics/epistemology of “participated-in perfections” receives further plausibility by looking at the movement away from patristic-medieval biblical interpretation. Drawing upon the work of Matthew L. Lamb in particular, the essay argues that nominalist metaphysical rejection of participation led to time and history being understood no longer primarily as a participatory and teleological conversatio Dei but instead now as a strictly linear (autonomous) continuum of distinct moments. “History” thus understood proved difficult to square with patristic-medieval biblical interpretation, which gradually became unintelligible to many as a “mystical” zone cut off from the “conceptual” realm of facts. As an example of the resources available in such patristic-medieval biblical interpretation, the essay treats Aquinas’s exegesis of John 3:27–36.
Dopamine transporter trafficking: rapid response on demand

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a primary determinant of the concentration of dopamine in the synapse and is involved in a number of psychiatric and neurological diseases. The transporter actively takes up its physiological substrate, dopamine, when it is on the surface of the plasmalemmal membrane, but the concentration of DAT in the membrane is highly regulated by substrate. Substrates initially, and very rapidly, recruit more DAT into the membrane for greater function, but continued presence of substrate downregulates the activity of DAT and even membrane DAT content. This biphasic regulation is orchestrated by numerous signal transduction mechanisms, including a palette of protein kinases. Understanding the mechanisms of rapid regulation of DAT could provide new therapeutic strategies to improve transporter function and modulate responses to its more notorious substrates, amphetamine and methamphetamine.
Hyperspectral imaging using rotational spectrotomography

Hyperspectral imaging can be a powerful tool for remote sensing of geologic, biologic, and ocean surfaces of atmospheres, and of rocket plumes. A hyperspectral imager provides a 3D (two spatial and one spectral) description from a sequence of 2D images. Common hyperspectral approaches using narrow band filters or imaging spectrometers are inefficient because photons outside the filter passband or the slit area are not detected. A new imaging technique called spectro-tomography collects all available photons and relies on computer tomography to reconstruct the 3D data cube of the image. A rotational spectro-tomographic (RST) imager is designed with a wide aperture, objective-grating camera, that is rotated in steps around its optical axis. The 2D projections of the object are analyzed using methods based on Fourier transforms. Both direct Fourier methods and filter-backprojection algorithms have been developed for 3D tomographic analysis. Numerical methods are employed to simulate and reconstruct a broad spectrum object with 64 spectral bands and 64 X 64 spatial resolution elements. For this example, the photon flux at the detector of the RST imager is 64 times that of a conventional spectral imager. The rotational spectro-tomographic imager has applications to detection of natural and artificial atmospheric emissions where large photon through-put is required.
The binding of phloridzin to the isolated luminal membrane of the renal proximal tubule

Abstract The binding of [3H]ploridzin by isolated luminal membranes of the rabbit proximal tubule and by slices of rabbit kidney cortex was studied. Kinetic analyses of the relationship between the concentration of phloridizin in the incubation medium and the binding of phloridzin to the membrane indicated two distinct classes of receptors sites. One class, comprising high affinity sites, reached saturation at 20–25 μM phloridzin, had a K(phloridzin) of 8 μM, and 8·10+2 nmoles interacted with 1 mg of brush border protein. The other class, comprising low affinity sites, had a K(phloridzin) of 2.5 mM, and the number of binding sites was 1.25 nmoles/mg Na+ was required for the binding of phloridzin at the high affinity sites. Na+ decreased the apparent Ki for phloridzin; the apparent V of binding was not altered. Binding at the low affinity sites was independent of Na+. Ca2+ was necessary for maximal binding at the high affinity sites. Binding of phloridzin at high affinity sites was more sensitive to N-ethylmalcimide and mersalyl than was binding at low affinity sites. Binding at high affinity sites, but not at low affinity sites, was temperature dependent. d -Glucose was a competitive inhibitor of the high affinity binding of phloridzin. The apparent K1 was 1 mM. D -Glucoe inhibited non-competitively at the low affinity sites. l -Glucose had no influence on phloridzin binding. Phloretin was a competitive inhibitor of high affinity phloridzin binding with an apparent Ki of 16 μM. Phloretin inhibited low affinity bindings of phloridizin non-competitively. Binding of phloridzin at high affinity sites was completely reversible. Binding at low affinity sites was only partially reversed. Phloridzin bound at high affinity sites on the brush border was displaced by phloridzin and phloretin but not by d -glucose. The mechanism of the high affinity binding of phloridzin was distinguished from that of the initial interaction of d -glucose with the membrane. Binding of phloridzin required Na+, whereas the interaction of d -glucose with the membranes had a prominent Na+-independent component. Intact renal cells in cortical slices accumulated phloridzin. The uptake did not saturate, was Na+ independent, and was not competitively inhibited by sugars. These characteristics resemble those for the low affinity binding of phloridzin by isolated membranes. It is suggested that low affinity binding may represent an initial binding followed by uptake of the glycoside into membrane vesicles.
Resistance to therapy in mature palmerston north mice treated with cyclophosphamide or hydrocortisone sodium succinate

Inbred Palmerston North (PN) mice are a newly recognized model of systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study PN mice with established autoimmune disease were treated until death with cyclophosphamide (8 mg/kg/day) or hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg/day). These doses had previously been found to prevent or suppress disease in another lupus model, the NZB/NZW mouse. In the PN strain, autoantibodies, severity of glomerulonephritis, and longevity were not influenced by treatment. Furthermore, the incidence of neoplasms was not increased in PN mice receiving prolonged therapy with immunosuppressive drugs. Unlike NZB/NZW mice, PN mice were resistant to the effects of Cyclophosphamide and hydrocortisone.
Hardware support for high-priority traffic in VLSI communication switches

Abstract Interconnection networks used in large multiprocessors and multicomputers are composed of small n × n switches. The architecture of these switches is critical for achieving high-bandwidth low-latency interprocessor communication. Low-latency communication is particularly important for interprocessor traffic generated for devices that operate under real-time constraints, as well as certain other system activities, such as exception handling. In order to meet this requirement, it may be necessary to provide special support for such high-priority traffic in many multiprocessor and multicomputer systems. We discuss the design of n × n switches that can be used to construct communication networks that provide low-latency communication for high-priority traffic. We focus on the design of the internal buffers, specifically on buffers where storage is statically or dynamically partitioned between normal traffic and high-priority traffic and where packets can be handled in non-FIFO order. We evaluate alternative designs and configurations in the context of a multistage interconnection network. Our simulations show that a slightly modified version of the recently introduced dynamically allocated multi-queue buffer can provide superior support for high-priority traffic, at a relatively low cost.
Necrotizing fasciitis caused by Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas Hydrophila is a gram-negative bacillus commonly found in soil, sewage, and fresh or brackish water in many parts of the United States. In healthy people, the most common clinical manifestations attributed to Aeromonas are diarrhea and soft tissue infections. In people with suppressed immune systems or liver disease, A hydrophila can cause meningitis, endocarditis, peritonitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, or septicemia. We present the first known case of fulminant necrotizing fasciitis from A hydrophila that is not associated with trauma, liver disease, or immunosuppression.
Mechanism for the development of anisotropic grain boundary character distributions during normal grain growth

Grain boundaries in polycrystalline magnesia-doped alumina and yttrium aluminum garnet were classified as growing in area or shrinking in area on the basis of topology and curvature considerations. Measurements of dihedral angles at grain boundary thermal grooves were used to determine that the energies of the growing boundaries are, on average, lower than the energies of the shrinking boundaries. The observations also show that the length of a boundary is inversely correlated to its energy. The findings suggest that anisotropic grain boundary character distributions, which influence the properties of polycrystals, develop because higher-energy grain boundaries are preferentially eliminated from the network during grain growth.
A biometrical genetic analysis of ethanol response in selectively bred Long-Sleep and Short-Sleep mice

A classical Mendelian cross was derived from Long-Sleep (LS) and Short-Sleep (SS) mice, lines selectively bred for differences in response to hypnotic doses of ethanol (ETOH). Biometrical genetic procedures applied to the selection phenotype, namely, duration of the ETOH-induced loss of the righting reflex, suggest that a simple additive genetic system controls this depressant response. Sex differences were present in the Mendelian cross generations that had the longest duration responses. An estimate of the number of loci differentiated by the selection was nine. Blood ethanol levels at the time of regaining the righting reflex in the seven genotypes of the Mendelian cross showed that the selection operated solely by changing tissue sensitivity to ethanol.
Catalysis of the reduction of dioxygen by poly(xylylviologen) coatings on graphite electrodes

Abstract At graphite electrodes coated with poly(xylylviologen), PXV, the reduction of dioxygen to hydrogen peroxide proceeds at potentials somewhat more positive than those where the reduction occurs at uncoated electrodes. Coated electrodes were used as rotating disks to evaluate the kinetics of the reduction. The data indicate that only one to two monolayers of the PXV coatings participate in the catalysis. Electrons can be delivered from the electrode surface to the catalytically active viologen sites rapidly enough for the catalytic current to be limited by the rate of the cross reaction between viologen radical cations and dioxygen. The rate constant for this heterogeneous reaction at the polymer—electrolyte interface was estimated to be ca. 106 M−1s−1.
Isolation and Characterization of Intestinal Epithelial Cells from Normal and SIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Impairment of intestinal epithelial barriers contributes to the progression of HIV/SIV infection and leads to generalized HIV-induced immune-cell activation during chronic infection. Rhesus macaques are the major animal model for studying HIV pathogenesis. However, detailed characterization of isolated rhesus epithelial cells (ECs) from intestinal tissues is not well defined. It is also not well documented whether isolated ECs had any other cell contaminants from intestinal tissues during the time of processing that might hamper interpretation of EC preparations or cultures. In this study, we identify and characterize ECs based on flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry methods using various enzymatic and mechanical isolation techniques to enrich ECs from intestinal tissues. This study shows that normal healthy ECs differentially express HLA-DR, CD23, CD27, CD90, CD95 and IL-10R markers. Early apoptosis and upregulation of ICAM-1 and HLA-DR in intestinal ECs are thought to be the key features in SIV mediated enteropathy. The data suggest that intestinal ECs might be playing an important role in mucosal immune responses by regulating the expression of different important regulatory and adhesion molecules and their function.
Comparison of receptors for Clostridium perfringens type A and cholera enterotoxins in isolated rabbit intestinal brush border membranes.

Abstract The rabbit intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) receptors for Clostridium perfringens type A (CPE) and cholera (CT) enterotoxins were compared. Initial studies characterized binding of 125I-CPE to isolated BBMs as specific, saturable, and irreversible. BBMs appear to contain a single type of CPE binding site. Protease pretreatment of BBMs strongly reduced subsequent specific binding of 125I-CPE but not 125I-CT, while neuraminidase pretreatment had little effect on binding of either enterotoxin. Proteases did not significantly release pre-bound 125I-CPE. Preincubation of CPE with an affinity-purified preparation containing a previously identified (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.112, 105–1099) CPE-binding protein resulted in reduced specific binding of 125I-CPE and an inhibition of CPE biologic activity. Similar experiments showed that CPE-binding protein had no effect on CT binding or biologic activity. Gangliosides had no significant effect on specific binding or biologic activity of CPE but reduced CT binding and biologic activity. Lipids, including gangliosides, separated by thin layer chromatography specifically bound CT but not CPE. Preincubation of BBMs with CT did not reduce subsequent binding of 125I-CPE; conversely, prebound CPE did not affect subsequent 125I-CT binding. These results strongly suggest that CPE does not share the CT BBM receptor ganglioside GM1, and support a role for the CPE-binding protein in CPE binding.