cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging of Zn2+ Release from Pancreatic β-Cells at the Level of Single Exocytotic Events

Regulated secretion of Zn2+ from isolated pancreatic β-cells was imaged using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. In the method, β-cells were incubated in a solution containing the novel fluorescent Zn2+ indicator FluoZin-3. Zn2+ released from the cells reacted with the dye to form a fluorescent product, which was detected by the confocal microscope. The new dye is much brighter than Zinquin, previously used for this application, allowing detection limits of 10−40 nM and temporal resolution of 16 ms/image. The high temporal resolution allowed imaging of isolated fluorescent transients that occurred at the edge of the cells following stimulation with 20 mM glucose or 40 mM K+. Fluorescent transients took 16−50 ms to reach a peak from the initial rise and returned to baseline after 170 ± 50 ms (n = 78 transients from 15 cells). It was concluded that the transients correspond to detection of exocytotic release of Zn2+. Analysis of the temporal and spatial dispersion of the transients indicates that the relea...
Tidal variability in the ionospheric dynamo region

[1] The seasonal and interannual variability of migrating (Sun-synchronous) and nonmigrating solar atmospheric tides at altitudes between 100 and 116 km are investigated using temperature measurements made with the SABER instrument on the TIMED spacecraft during 2002–2006. Quasi-biennial variations of order ±10–15% in migrating diurnal and semidiurnal tidal amplitudes are found, presumably due to modulation by the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) as the tides propagate from their troposphere and stratospheric sources to the lower thermosphere. A number of nonmigrating tidal components are found that have the potential to produce significant longitudinal variability of the total tidal fields. The most prominent of these, i.e., those that appear at amplitudes of order 5–10 K in a 5-year mean climatology, include the zonally symmetric (s = 0) diurnal tide (D0); the eastward propagating diurnal and semidiurnal tides with zonal wave numbers s = −2 (DE2 and SE2) and s = −3 (DE3 and SE3); and the following westward propagating waves: diurnal s = 2 (DW2); semidiurnal s = 1 (SW1), s = 3 (SW3), and s = 4 (SW4); and terdiurnal s = 5 (TW5). These waves can be plausibly accounted for by nonlinear interaction between migrating tidal components and stationary planetary waves with s = 1 or s = 2 or by longitudinal variations of tropospheric thermal forcing. Additional waves that occur during some years or undergo phase cancellation within construction of a 5-year climatology include DW5, SE1, SE4, SW6, TE1, TW1, and TW7. It is anticipated that the winds that accompany all of these waves in the 100–170 km region will impose longitudinal variability in the electric fields produced through the ionospheric dynamo mechanism, thereby modulating vertical motion of the equatorial ionosphere and the concomitant plasma densities. In addition to the wave-4 modulation of the equatorial ionosphere that has recently been discovered and replicated in modeling studies, the waves revealed here will generate wave-1 (SW1, SW3, D0, DW2), wave-2 (SW4, TW1), wave-3 (DE2, SE1), wave-4 (DE3, SE2, DW5, SW6, TE1, TW7), wave-5 (SE3), and wave-6 (SE4) components of this ionospheric variability, depending on year and time of year. However, the absolute and relative efficiencies with which these waves produce electric fields remains to be determined.
Interannual Cloud-Cover Variations in the Contiguous United States

Abstract Using data from sunshine recorders in the contiguous United States, the mean interannual cloud-cover variations at 103 locations are calculated. A typical location has a mean absolute year-to-year variation in cloud cover of 3.94%, which corresponds to a variation of about 14 overcast days per year and to about a 2.8% variation of the annual mean global insolation. As a consequence of these natural variations, it will take about 30 years of sampling to determine the annual mean cloud cover to an accuracy of 1% with 95% confidence. Regional year-to-year variations are smaller than those at individual locations; and, for the contiguous United States as a whole, it averages 1.2%. Theory suggests that on hemispheric and global scales the interannual variations in total cloud cover are very small, being of the order of a few tenths of a percent.
Sparrows increase their rates of tissue and whole-body protein synthesis during the annual molt

Abstract Avian molt is a period of adult growth involving mainly the deposition of keratins. The energy contained in newly synthesized plumage is small compared with the energy expended for molt, resulting in a low energetic efficiency for keratin deposition (as low as 3%). We measured the fractional synthesis rates (FSR) of tissue and whole-body protein in molting and non-molting sparrows using the “flooding dose” method to determine if part of the energetic cost of avian molt might be accounted for by an accelerated rate of whole-body protein turnover. Molting sparrows had significantly higher FSR of protein in liver, muscle, and whole-body (excluding the integument) throughtout the 24 hr cycle compared with values for non-molting sparrows. In absolute terms, molting sparrows synthesized daily 260 mg of body protein (excluding keratins) above that synthesized by non-molting sparrows. The daily increase in whole-body protein synthesis in molting birds equaled at least 3.5-fold the amount of protein synthesized and deposited as keratin per day (75 mg) during the most intensive phase of molt. This accelerated rate of whole-body protein synthesis undoubtedly contributes significantly to the energetic costs of molt.
MOLECULAR DETERMINANTS OF IMMUNOGENICITY OF T-INDEPENDENT ANTIGENS IN YOUNG MICE

The basis for the impaired antibody (Ab) response of young children to polysaccharide antigens (Ag) is unexplained. A series of dinitrophenyl (DNP)-substituted polyacrylamide (PA) molecules was synthesized to allow comparison of molecular requirements for immunogenicity of polysaccharide-like (T-independent) Ags in young vs adult mice (1-12 wks old). Three DNP-PA Ags were studied which varied in mol. wt. (60, 430, 2000 kD) but had similar hapten density (1 DNP/50 PA monomers). Dose-response relationships and kinetics of both IgM and IgG anti-DNP Ab responses were measured. We conclude that: (a) 60 kD DNP-PA was not immunogenic at any dose in any mouse, (b) Ab responses to 430 kD DNP-PA increased with age up to 10-12 wks when adult maximum levels were achieved, (c) 2000 kD DNP-PA was more immunogenic in every age group than 430 kD DNP-PA. In fact, the response to the 2000 kD polymer in 5 wk old mice was equivalent to the maximum adult response to the 430 kD polymer, (d) 60 kD DNP-PA inhibited the response to optimally immunogenic doses of 430 kD Ags. Inhibition was greatest in youngest mice. These studies suggest that one strategy to improve immunogenicity of polysaccharide vaccines in young children might involve selective depletion of smaller mol. wt. material ( 1000kD) (Supported by grants from NIH and American Lung Association.)
Effects of the amount of acquisition and contextual generalization on the renewal of instrumental behavior after extinction

Four experiments with rat subjects examined the role of context during the extinction of instrumental (free-operant) behavior. In all experiments, leverpressing was first reinforced on a variable-interval 30-s schedule and then extinguished before being tested in the extinction and renewal contexts. The results identified three important variables affecting the renewal effect after instrumental extinction. First, ABA and ABC forms of renewal were strengthened by increasing the amount of acquisition training. This suggests that the strength of the association learned during acquisition, or the final level of performance, influences the degree of renewal after extinction. The effect of the amount of training was modulated by the second factor, the degrees of generalization from the acquisition and extinction contexts to the test context. The third variable was acquisition training in multiple contexts, which was shown to strengthen ABC renewal. Methodological, theoretical, and practical implications are discussed.
Negative Wake and Velocity of a Bubble Rising in a Viscoelastic Fluid

A three-dimensional finite element based numerical method is used to simulate the rise of a bubble in a viscoelastic fluid modeled by the Oldroyd-B model. The rise velocity is studied as a function of the bubble volume on a log-log plot. The dependence of rise velocity on the bubble shape and the viscoelastic properties of the ambient fluid are also investigated. In simulations, rather than a jump in the rise velocity at a critical volume as observed in experiments, we find that there is a steep, but continuous, change in the rise velocity over a very small range of bubble volumes. Interestingly, this steep increase in the rise velocity is exaggerated when a parameter, which is a measure of the polymer concentration, is increased, while keeping the zeroshear viscosity fixed. The wake is ‘negative’ in the sense that the direction of fluid velocity behind the bubble for this parameter range is the opposite of that for a Newtonian fluid.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
An improved algorithm for mixed-radix conversion of residue numbers

Abstract The mixed-radix representation of a residue number with respect to n moduli can be computed in O(n2) arithmetic operations. We present a new algorithm based on the partitioning of the moduli set into q disjoint subsets, such that the product of the moduli in each subset is less than the largest positive integer representable by the computer. We show that the new algorithm requires less than O(n2) arithmetic steps whenever the number of subsets is strictly less than n. In case the partitioning produces equal-size subsets and q = √n, only O(n1.5) arithmetic steps are required. Experiments performed on a scientific workstation indicate significant speedup even for small values of n.
Results of clean intermittent catheterization for children with neurogenic bladders

Abstract Forty-nine patients were placed on a regimen of clean intermittent catheterization one to four years prior to this review. The children were intermittently catheterized, and a silver nitrate solution 1:1000 was instilled after each catheterization. Nurse practitioners, and community and school personnel contributed to the management. Twenty-one patients were continent with anticholinergics, and 18 also required alpha-adrenergic agents. Eighty-eight per cent were essentially bacteriuria free, 65 per cent were essentially infection free, and forty-nine per cent were totally continent. The remaining 25 had mild incontinence. Eleven had clearances below 85 mm/min with 8 reverting to normal on therapy. Nine had reflux prior to the study and one improved. In 8 patients reflux developed during therapy; 4 had severe reflux which required ureteral reimplantation. The results demonstrated that a clean intermittent catheterization program is feasible in a rural setting and that a genitourinary irrigant does decrease bacteriuria.
The Mechanism of Action of Estrogen in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Clues From Hormone Levels

Abstract Background Estrogen therapy plays a role in the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), although the mechanism of action is not fully known. This current analysis reports the relationship of change in adrenal androgen levels and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response in patients with CRPC treated with estrogen therapy. Patients and Methods Hormone levels were measured for patients with CRPC treated in a multicenter phase II trial of 2 estrogen-containing compounds, the herbal supplement PC-SPES and diethylstilbestrol (DES), with known efficacy in CRPC. Patients with castrate levels of testosterone were randomized to initially receive either PC-SPES 960 mg t.i.d. or DES 3 mg/day. Levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, estrone, sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), and androstenedione were obtained at baseline and at 12-week intervals until disease progression. Hormone levels were obtained for 38 patients, 20 treated with PC-SPES and 18 treated with DES. Results Significant declines between baseline and 12 weeks of treatment were observed in levels of serum testosterone (P 5-fold (P 50% decline in PSA level. There was no significant difference between treatment groups or between responders and nonresponders in baseline distributions for any of the hormones. At follow-up, 73% of the responders had a decline in the level of DHEA-S compared with 41% of the nonresponders, resulting in a difference in the distribution of the percent change between the subsets (Mann-Whitney test: P = .03). Conversely, 64% of the responders compared with 30% of the nonresponders experienced an increase in DHT, with differing distributions of percent change (P = .02). Conclusion Androgens decline in response to estrogen therapy. A decline in DHEA-S and a rise in DHT are both associated with a decline in PSA while patients receive estrogen therapy.
SU-E-J-109: Accurate Contour Transfer Between Different Image Modalities Using a Hybrid Deformable Image Registration and Fuzzy Connected Image Segmentation Method.

Purpose: To develop and evaluate a tool that can improve the accuracy of contour transfer between different image modalities under challenging conditions of low image contrast and large image deformation, comparing to a few commonly used methods, for radiation treatment planning. Methods: The software tool includes the following steps and functionalities: (1) accepting input of images of different modalities, (2) converting existing contours on reference images (e.g., MRI) into delineated volumes and adjusting the intensity within the volumes to match target images (e.g., CT) intensity distribution for enhanced similarity metric, (3) registering reference and target images using appropriate deformable registration algorithms (e.g., B‐spline, demons) and generate deformed contours, (4) mapping the deformed volumes on target images, calculating mean, variance, and center of mass as the initialization parameters for consecutive fuzzy connectedness (FC) image segmentation on target images, (5) generate affinity map from FC segmentation, (6) achieving final contours by modifying the deformed contours using the affinity map with a gradient distance weighting algorithm. The tool was tested with the CT and MR images of four pancreatic cancer patients acquired at the same respiration phase to minimize motion distortion. Dice's Coefficient was calculated against direct delineation on target image. Contours generated by various methods, including rigid transfer, auto‐segmentation, deformable only transfer and proposed method, were compared. Results: Fuzzy connected image segmentation needs careful parameter initialization and user involvement. Automatic contour transfer by multi‐modality deformable registration leads up to 10% of accuracy improvement over the rigid transfer. Two extra proposed steps of adjusting intensity distribution and modifying the deformed contour with affinity map improve the transfer accuracy further to 14% averagely. Conclusions: Deformable image registration aided by contrast adjustment and fuzzy connectedness segmentation improves the contour transfer accuracy between multi‐modality images, particularly with large deformation and low image contrast.
Frequency of pathogen occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility among community-acquired respiratory tract infections in the respiratory surveillance program study: microbiology from the medical office practice environment.

Abstract Continuing problems of antimicrobial resistance have prompted the initiation of several surveillance programs. Few, if any, of these programs focus on community-acquired respiratory tract infections seen in routine office-based practices. The Respiratory Surveillance Program (RESP; 1999–2000) in 674 community-based physician office practices in the United States determined the frequency of potential bacterial pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , and Moraxella catarrhalis in patients diagnosed clinically with community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and sinusitis throughout all 9 US census/geographic regions. Susceptibility to the penicillins (ampicillin, penicillin), oral cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones (gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin), macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin), tetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was determined by reference methods. Patients were required to have a culturable focus of infection, and specimens were immediately sent to a reference laboratory. Among 22,689 total specimens (610 community-acquired pneumonia, 4,779 acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, 16,213 sinusitis, 1,087 other), H influenzae was the most commonly isolated organism from patients with community-acquired pneumonia (38%) and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (35%) in all nine geographic regions. S pneumoniae was isolated in 18% of community-acquired pneumonia cases, 13% of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis cases, and 11% of sinusitis cases. M catarrhalis was most commonly isolated from the nasopharynx of patients with sinusitis (29%). High-level resistance to penicillin (2 μg/mL or greater; 16% overall) and the macrolides (32% to 35%) among S pneumoniae varied both with site of infection and with geographic region. The greatest resistance was observed among isolates from the nasopharynx of patients with sinusitis and from patients from the East South Central or South Atlantic regions of the United States. Although the susceptibility of H influenzae and M catarrhalis to the tested antimicrobials did not vary with the type of infection, β-lactamase-mediated resistance to ampicillin among H influenzae ranged from 15% in New England to 32% in the East South Central region. The fluoroquinolones were highly active against these cultured isolates from community-acquired respiratory tract infection patients, with >99% of all S pneumoniae , H influenzae , and M catarrhalis strains susceptible to gatifloxacin (MIC 90 , 0.5 μg/mL) and levofloxacin (MIC 90 , 2 μg/mL). The extended-spectrum fluoroquinolones appear well suited for community-acquired respiratory tract infection therapy, including pathogens other than pneumococcus, H influenzae , and M catarrhalis .
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF TERBIUM METAL

Results of magnetic measurements on metallic terbium over the temperature range from 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 375\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and in fields ranging from 50 oersteds to 18 000 oersteds are reported. The metal is found to have a paramagnetic Curie point of 237\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Tests with fields of from 50 to 800 oe indicate an order-to-disorder transition at approximately 230\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K which is evidently a N\'eel point. It appears that terbium has a weakly bound antiferromagnetic ordering for temperatures between 218\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 230\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, this ordering being gradually changed to ferromagnetic in fields exceeding 200 oe. Below 218\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K the metal is ferromagnetic. The magneton numbers obtained from the paramagnetic susceptibility measurements and from the extrapolated ferromagnetic saturation moment are in good agreement with values calculated for the free ion.
Androgen receptor expression is inversely correlated with pathologic tumor stage in bladder cancer

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, and to assess whether its expression correlated with pathologic tumor stage. TCC of the bladder is three times more common in males than in females. The origin of this sex difference in incidence is unknown. Methods We evaluated tumor specimens from 49 consecutive patients treated for TCC of the bladder at our institution between July 2002 and June 2003. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a monoclonal mouse anti-AR antibody on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of tumors obtained from transurethral resection, radical cystectomy, or resection of metastases. Specimens were assessed for AR expression, and, in tumors that demonstrated AR staining, the percentage of nuclei that stained positive was recorded. Results Of the 49 tumors, 26 (53.1%) expressed the AR. The percentage of tumors that expressed the AR decreased with increasing pathologic stage, from 88.9% of pTa lesions to 0% of pT3 tumors. Overall, 75% of superficial tumors (pTa + pT1 + carcinoma in situ) expressed the AR compared with 21.4% of invasive tumors (pT2 + pT3; P = 0.002). In addition, among AR-expressing tumors, the mean percentage of nuclei that stained positive for the AR was significantly greater in pTa tumors (62.5%) than in pT1 (31%) or pT2 (20%) tumors (P = 0.005). Conclusions We found a decrease in AR protein expression in tumors with increased pathologic stage. Our data suggest that the loss of AR expression is associated with invasive bladder cancer.
Diagnostic significance for coronary artery disease of abnormal Q waves in the “lateral” electrocardiographic leads

Abstract To determine the diagnostic significance for coronary artery disease of abnormally large Q waves in leads I, aVL, V 5 and V 6 —the “lateral” electrocardiographic leads—the electrocardiograms of 240 patients who had undergone cardiac catheterization were studied. First, the electrocardiograms of 99 subjects proved normal by cardiac catheterization (group 1) were studied to determine the values of the durations of Q waves in leads I, aVL, V 5 and V 6 that should be exceeded to be considered abnormal. These values were 30, 30, 20 and 25 ms, respectively. Then, 67 patients were identified who had abnormal Q waves in at least 1 of these leads (group 2) and 74 patients with at least 1 angiographic abnormality but without abnormal Q waves in any of these leads (group 3). Group 2 had generally more extensive left ventricular disease and a higher prevalence of anterior, inferior and apical healed myocardial infarction (MI) than group 3. However, compared with group 3, group 2 had lower prevalences of significant narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply the left ventricular lateral wall. Within group 2, abnormal Q waves in leads I and aVL (traditionally designated high lateral MI) were associated with anterior as well as apical MI, and abnormal Q waves in leads V 5 and V 6 (traditionally designated anterolateral MI) were associated with inferior as well as apical MI. Thus, abnormal Q waves in leads I, aVL, V 5 and V 6 tend to reflect apical rather than lateral MI and the term anterolateral MI is especially misleading.
Deuteron quadrupole coupling constants and relaxation times for the isomeric contiguously 13C 2H-labeled cyclohexenes

The deuteron quadrupole coupling constants (QD's) have been determined for a mixture of isomeric monodeuterocyclohexenes (containing a low level of 13C enrichment in the CD bonds) from the 2H NMR spectrum in nematic phase. The measured QD's are: 213.6± 2.5, 179.9± 2.9, and 178.8±E 3.0 kHz for the vinyl, allyl, and homoallyl deuterium-substituted species, respectively. Employing these QD values and spin-lattice relaxation times (T1's), it is concluded that reorientation of cyclohexene perpendicular to the molecular (pseudo)-plane is ca. twice as rapid as out-of-plane reorientation.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligands Inhibit IGF-II and Adipokine Stimulated Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation

Obesity increases human cancer risk and the risk for cancer recurrence. Adipocytes secrete paracrine factors termed adipokines that stimulate signaling in cancer cells that induce proliferation. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays roles in tumorigenesis, is regulated by exogenous lipophilic chemicals, and has been explored as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Whether exogenous AHR ligands modulate adipokine stimulated breast cancer cell proliferation has not been investigated. We provide evidence that adipocytes secrete insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) at levels that stimulate the proliferation of human estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cells. Using highly specific AHR ligands and AHR short interfering RNA (AHR-siRNA), we show that specific ligand-activated AHR inhibits adipocyte secretome and IGF-2-stimulated breast cancer cell proliferation. We also report that a highly specific AHR agonist significantly (P < 0.05) inhibits the expression of E2F1, CCND1 (known as Cyclin D1), MYB, SRC, JAK2, and JUND in breast cancer cells. Collectively, these data suggest that drugs that target the AHR may be useful for treating cancer in human obesity.
Factors associated with continued alcohol use in adolescent pregnancy

Background Prenatal exposure to alcohol has been associated with adverse perinaraI outcomes. Although as many as 1 in 2 adolescents drink alcohol at some point in pregnancy rates of continued alcohol use during adolescent pregnancy are consistently lower than pre-pregnancy use rates. Methods To identify factors that differentiate pregnant adolescents who quit drinking alcohol from those who continue, we interviewed 483 patients ≤ 17 years of age at their first prenatal visit to the University Adolescent Obstetric Clinic between January 1992 and December 1994. A structured questionnaire elicited information on demographic and reproductive characteristics; health endangering behaviors, including the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drugs, and attempts to inflict self-injury; peer, partner and parental substance use; and depressive symptoms (BDI). Medical charts were reviewed and data entered into a computerized data base by a trained research assistant. Results 385 pregnant adolescents (80%) denied using alcohol since their last menstrual period and were removed from subsequent analyses. Of the 98 adolescents who stated they had consumed alcohol since becoming pregnant, 46 (47%) had done so in the last 30 days (continuers) while 52 (53%) denied recent alcohol use (quitters). Adolescents who denied current alcohol use were more likely to be in school (74% vs. 51%; p = .00), and to report that their own mother had her first baby as a teenager (44% vs. 28%; p = .05). Those who continued to drink alcohol reported more lifetime drinking episodes (p = .00), started drinking alcohol at younger ages (13.8 vs. 14.5 years; p = .00), and were more likely to report recent tobacco (37% vs. 11%; p = .00) or marijuana (32% vs. 8%; p = .00) use. 13% of those who continued to use alcohol admitted to having drank 5 or more drinks in a row within the last 2 weeks. Adolescents who continued to drink alcohol were also more likely to be depressed (P = .01); to have tried to inflict self-injury (p = .01); to report that one or more parents currently used alcohol (p = ,01), cocaine (p = .0l) or other illegal drugs (P = .00), or lo report that their friends used alcohol (p = .04), marijuana (p = ,03), and other illegl drugs (p = .00). Planned nature of the pregnancy, marital or employment status and household composition did not differentiate between adolescents who continued versus quit drinking alcohol in pregnancy. Conclusion These data strongly suggest that patient responses to questions about depression, parental and peer substance use, and age at first alcohol use may be used by clinicians as markers to identify adolescents who are at especially high risk of continued alcohol use in pregnancy.
The interaction of motor, memory, and emotional dysfunction in Wilson's disease ☆ ☆☆

Measures of the degree of motor, psychiatric, and declarative memory disability were made in neurologically impaired and neurologically asymptomatic patients with Wilson's disease. All three types of disability were significantly greater in the neurologically impaired than in the asymptomatic patients. There was no significant interaction between these disabilities in the impaired patients suggesting that motor, psychiatric, and memory symptoms are three relatively independent sequelae of the copper-induced central nervous system (CNS) damage that underlies Wilson's disease.
Bay K 8644 enhances Ca2+ channel activities in embryonic chick heart cells without prolongation of open times

The effects of the Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K 8644, on the slow (L-type) Ca2+ channels was examined in young (3-day-old) embryonic chick heart cells, which naturally exhibit long-lasting openings. Bay K 8644 (5 microM) increased (a) the peak amplitude of the ensemble-averaged current by 3.9 +/- 0.9-fold (mean +/- S.E.) and (b) the maximal number of simultaneous opening from 2.6 +/- 0.4 to 4.4 +/- 0.9. Bay K 8644 had no effect on the unitary conductance (27 pS in control), and relatively little effect in the open-close kinetic analysis. The mean open times were 4.2 ms and 5.2 ms, in control and Bay K 8644, respectively. These results suggest that the agonistic effect of Bay K 8644 involves a mechanism other than open-time prolongation, such as activation of silent channels.
The effect of mutations in the uvrD cistron of Escherichia coli on repair resynthesis

The resynthesis step of the excision repair pathway has been examined in Escherichia coli K12 strains isogenic except for mutations in the uvrD cistron. Strains mutant at the uvrD3, uvrD101, uvrE156, and recL152 loci exhibited slight but distinct differences in their response to ultraviolet radiation. The repair capacity of the uvrD101 mutant was given special attention. Repair resynthesis in this mutant was saturated at fluences greater than about 20 J/m2. Isopycnic analysis of repaired deoxyribonucleic acid from this strain revealed a two-fold increase over its wild-type counterpart in the amount of repair replication performed after a dose of 15 J/m2. Sedimentation velocity analysis of DNA after selective photolysis of bromouracil-containing repaired regions showed that the uvrD101 mutation exerted its primary effect on the long-patch component of excision repair. The uvrD101 mutant performed long-patch repair at a larger number of sites than the number repaired by this mode in the wild-type strain; these patches were more extensive in length than the long-patch component in wild-type.
Variability in pulmonary function following rapid altitude ascent to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station.

The impact of acute altitude exposure on pulmonary function is variable. A large inter-individual variability in the changes in forced expiratory flows (FEFs) is reported with acute exposure to altitude, which is suggested to represent an interaction between several factors influencing bronchial tone such as changes in gas density, catecholamine stimulation, and mild interstitial edema. This study examined the association between FEF variability, acute mountain sickness (AMS) and various blood markers affecting bronchial tone (endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), catecholamines, angiotensin II) in 102 individuals rapidly transported to the South Pole (2835 m). The mean FEF between 25 and 75% (FEF25–75) and blood markers were recorded at sea level and after the second night at altitude. AMS was assessed using Lake Louise questionnaires. FEF25–75 increased by an average of 12% with changes ranging from −26 to +59% from sea level to altitude. On the second day, AMS incidence was 36% and was higher in individuals with increases in FEF25–75 (41 vs. 22%, P = 0.05). Ascent to altitude induced an increase in endothelin-1 levels, with greater levels observed in individuals with decreased FEF25–75. Epinephrine levels increased with ascent to altitude and the response was six times larger in individuals with decreased FEF25–75. Greater levels of endothelin-1 in individuals with decreased FEF25–75 suggest a response consistent with pulmonary hypertension and/or mild interstitial edema, while epinephrine may be upregulated in these individuals to clear lung fluid through stimulation of β2-adrenergic receptors.
Correlations between θ 13 and θ 23 in a very long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment

A very long baseline experiment, with $L/E$ of $1.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ m/MeV, has been proposed as the ideal means to measure ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$, including its sign, for neutrino energies less than 50 MeV. Higher energies require consideration of the Earth MSW effect. Approximating a constant density mantle, we examine the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ oscillation channels at very long baselines with particular focus upon the deviation of ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{23}$ from maximal mixing and the sign of ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$. It is demonstrated that measurements of these oscillation channels in this region are sensitive to ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$, including its sign, and to ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{23}$, including its octant, with a significant correlation between the value of ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$ and the difference of ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{23}$ from maximal mixing.
The rate of bulk flow from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface

Tripeptides containing the acceptor sequence for Asn-linked glycosylation (Asn-X-Ser/Thr) were added to CHO and HepG2 cells. The tripeptides were glycosylated in the ER and then secreted into the medium, via the Golgi complex in which the oligosaccharide chains were processed. The half-time for secretion, approximately 10 min, was faster than that of known proteins transported through the same pathway. Since much evidence suggests that oligosaccharide chains are not signals for transport, it appears that no signal is necessary for rapid and efficient transport from the ER to the Golgi, or from the Golgi to the cell surface. Rather, it appears that proteins retained as permanent residents en route through the ER-Golgi transport pathway must contain specific retention signals.
Erythrocyte transport function in cystic fibrosis.

Extract: ATPase activity and monovalent cation transport were examined in erythrocytes (RBC) of subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF). The RBC membrane (Ga2+)ATPase activity of homozygous patients and obligate heterozygotes was indistinguishable from that of normal control subjects. This was true similarly for total, ouabain-sensitive, and ouabain-insensitive (Na+-K+)ATPase. Total, ouabain-sensitive, and ouabain-insensitive 24Na+ transport were normal in CF cells. Ouabain-induced Na+ accumulation was similar in CF and normal RBG. Measurements of K+ transport in CF RBC were, likewise, normal. We conclude that intrinsic ATPase and monovalent cation transport functions are normal in CF RBC. We were unable to confirm several abnormalities in these cells reported previously. The GF RBC is not helpful in defining a transport abnormality in that entity. Speculation: These studies document normal intrinsic transport function in RBC of patients with CF. There have been recent reports of an abnormal serum factor in patients with CF. This factor might be involved in the production of a transport defect in CF. Further studies are indicated to determine whether CF plasma contains a factor capable of altering membrane transport functions of normal RBC.
Development of an Instrument to Assess Parent–College Child Communication Regarding Alcohol Use Behaviors

Background: Past research suggests that parent–child communication can serve as protective factors to reduce alcohol misuse among college-aged children. Purpose: This article presents the methodology used and preliminary findings for developing and validating an instrument to assess parent–college student communication regarding alcohol use. During November 2011, a convenience sample of 208 parents of students attending a large, southeastern university was recruited to participate. Methods: A rigorous process of test development was used to develop and test a 47-item instrument. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to investigate desired variable measurement of the underlying constructs for selected items. Results: EFA findings revealed that items measured 3 factors, including constructs from social cognitive theory, self-efficacy of parents to communicate with child, and outcome expectations. Moreover, the results support reliability of these items to measure self-efficacy and outcome expectations ...
Comparing Alternative Biometric Models with and without Gene-by-Measured Environment Interaction in Behavior Genetic Designs: Statistical Operating Characteristics

To extend Purcell’s well known ACE model in testing gene by measured environment interactions (GxM) in behavior genetic designs, Rathouz et al. considered a broader class of models for quantifying and testing such interactions. Only a sub-group of these extended models have been investigated for their statistical operating characteristics by Van Hulle et al. due to lack of closed form likelihood. With an estimation procedure developed using numerical techniques in a companion paper, we study statistical operating characteristics of these extended models, especially those with non-linear effects. Type I error analysis shows the likelihood ratio test for GxM to be conservative in testing models extended from the bivariate Cholesky model, and to be liberal for models extended from the bivariate correlated factors model. Parameter estimation for all models is very good, with little bias exhibited for most models and parameters. Comparisons among alternative models under various simulated conditions show that it is relatively more difficult to confirm the existence of gene by environment interactions versus to detect non-linear effects which exclude such interactions.
Vapor Treatment of Electrospray Droplets: Evidence for the Folding of Initially Denatured Proteins on the Sub-Millisecond Time-Scale

The exposure of electrospray droplets generated from either highly acidic or highly basic solutions to basic or acidic vapors, respectively, admitted into the counter-current drying gas, has been shown to lead to significant changes in the observed charge state distributions of proteins. In both cases, distributions of charge states changed from relatively high charge states, indicative of largely denatured proteins, to lower charge state distributions that are more consistent with native protein conformations. Ubiquitin, cytochrome c, myoglobin, and carbonic anhydrase were used as model systems. In some cases, bimodal distributions were observed that are not noted under any solution pH conditions. The extent to which changes in charge state distributions occur depends upon the initial solution pH and the pKa or pKb of the acidic or basic reagent, respectively. The evolution of charged droplets in the sampling region of the mass spectrometer inlet aperture, where the vapor exposure takes place, occurs within roughly 1 ms. The observed changes in the spectra, therefore, are a function of the magnitude of the pH change as well as the rates at which the proteins can respond to this change. The exposure of electrospray droplets in this fashion may provide means for accessing transient folding states for further characterization by mass spectrometry.
Differential susceptibility epidemic models

We formulate compartmental differential susceptibility (DS) susceptible-infective-removed (SIR) models by dividing the susceptible population into multiple subgroups according to the susceptibility of individuals in each group. We analyze the impact of disease-induced mortality in the situations where the number of contacts per individual is either constant or proportional to the total population. We derive an explicit formula for the reproductive number of infection for each model by investigating the local stability of the infection-free equilibrium. We further prove that the infection-free equilibrium of each model is globally asymptotically stable by qualitative analysis of the dynamics of the model system and by utilizing an appropriately chosen Liapunov function. We show that if the reproductive number is greater than one, then there exists a unique endemic equilibrium for all of the DS models studied in this paper. We prove that the endemic equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable for the models with no disease-induced mortality and the models with contact numbers proportional to the total population. We also provide sufficient conditions for the stability of the endemic equilibrium for other situations. We briefly discuss applications of the DS models to optimal vaccine strategies and the connections between the DS models and predator-prey models with multiple prey populations or host-parasitic interaction models with multiple hosts are also given.
The Religious Roots of Ernest L. Boyer's Educational Vision: A Theology of Public Pietism

The educational theories and policies promoted by Ernest L. Boyer (1928–1995), who served as chancellor of the SUNY system, U.S. Commissioner (Secretary) of Education, and president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, were significantly influenced by his affiliations with the Brethren in Christ Church and the Society of Friends (Quakers) even though he rarely spoke about his faith publicly. Drawing on Anabaptist, pietistic, and apophatic (silence-oriented) theological traditions, Boyer's public career demonstrated a service-focused convictional theology that could be termed “public pietism.” Boyer's educational philosophy focused on human connectedness and called for all citizens to be active participants in improving their communities by living out nonsectarian “consensus virtues.” While Boyer was a strong proponent of the separation of church and state, his public service was imbued with deeply held Christian values.
The Effect of Serum on the Activity of the Polymorpho-nuclear Leukocytes of the Guinea Pig

The present investigation was undertaken to study the relationships of serum to ameboid motion of leukocytes. It also seemed desirable to determine to what extent the phagocytic process was correlated with changes in pseudopod formation and motility. To accomplish these purposes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes were observed in living, unstained preparations with the aid f darkfield illumination, temperature being maintained at 37 C. Studies were made both with and without the addition of phagocytizable particles. In this manner opsonic effects could be ruled out.
Preparation and in vivo evaluation of a dry powder for inhalation of capreomycin.

To develop an aerosol system for efficient local lung delivery of a tuberculostatic drug. The antibiotic, capreomycin sulfate, was spray dried to form a dry powder aerosol. The chemical content and physical properties of resulting particles were assessed under various storage conditions. Plasma concentrations of capreomycin after insufflation into guinea pigs were evaluated at three doses, and compared to IV and IM administration of a capreomycin solution. Dry powder aerosols containing capreomycin were formulated to enable efficient delivery of large drug masses to the lungs of guinea pigs. Aerosols loaded with 73% CS were shown to possess good aerosolization properties and physical–chemical stability for up to 3 months at room temperature. Upon insufflation into guinea pigs, the amount of CS reaching the bloodstream was significantly lower compared to IV or IM administration, but resulted in a significantly longer drug half-life. The results indicate that large doses of capreomycin in dry powder form can be efficiently delivered to the lungs of guinea pigs, which may result in high local drug exposure but significantly reduced systemic exposure as suggested by plasma concentrations in the present studies. These systems have considerable potential to provide more effective therapy for MDR-TB
Generalized two-parameter equation of growth

Abstract We considered the general growth equation y′ = ayα + byβ that encompasses the well-known growth equations by Bertalanffy and Verhulst-Pearl (logistic) as special cases. The solutions of this equation for some values of α and/or β can be found in the literature. Here we present the general solution for any real α and β and discuss its behavior. We found that the generalized Gompertz growth equation y′ = ayα + byα ln y and its solution could be considered a limiting case of the general growth equation and its solution, respectively. Thus, all three classical growth models (Bertalanffy, logistic, and Gompertz) are nested within the general model. This nesting relationship makes it possible to compare statistically the applicability of models to data.
Memory and social skill in schizophrenia : the role of gender

The relationship between social skill and memory was examined in a group of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. There were few or no differences between male and female patients in history of the illness, symptomatology, memory, other cognitive factors, or social skill. Despite the absence of differences, impaired memory was related to poorer social skills for the women, but not the men. Reanalysis of data on social skill and memory from an earlier study (Mueser et al., 1991) revealed a similar pattern of results. The findings suggest that the contribution of cognitive factors to impaired social competence in schizophrenia may differ in men and women. Alternatively, the results may reflect sampling bias, whereby more severely ill women are studied than men, relative to their respective populations.
Breaking the chain : How grandparents moderate the transmission of maternal depression to their grandchildren

Drawing on family systems theory, this study examined whether social cohesion with grandparents moder- ated the intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms from mothers to their adolescent and young adult children. We analyzed data from 2,280 grandchildren and their mothers who participated in two waves of the Na- tional Survey of Families and Households. Results revealed that grandchildren who were least integrated with their grandparents resembled their mothers in the severity of depressive symptoms. Grandchildren who were more inte- grated with their grandparents bore no such resemblance. We conclude that grandparents are consequential family actors who, by conditioning parent-child dynamics, influence the long-term emotional well-being of their grandchil- dren. Results are discussed in terms of intergenerational interdependence and the untapped resource that older adults represent.
Does the Big-5 relate to jealousy, or infidelity reactions?

Two studies explored whether or not personal experiences of romantic jealousy relate to individual differences in personality by means of the Big Five model of personality. Study 1 examined how scores on the Interpersonal Jealousy Scale relate to the Big 5 dimensions of personality. Seventy-one participants were administered the Interpersonal Adjective Scale Revised: Big Five version (IASR-B5; Trapnell & Wiggins, 1990), the Interpersonal Jealousy Scale (IJS; Mathes & Severa, 1981), and a shortened version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Strahan & Gerbasi, 1972). Study 2 examined how reactions to emotional and sexual infidelity relate to the Big-5 dimensions of personality. Seventy-seven participants were administered the IASR-B5 and MarloweCrowne Social Desirability Scale, as well as infidelity scenarios that described either an emotional or sexual infidelity situation (Wiederman & Kendall, 1999). Exploratory hypotheses suggesting that Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness to experience might be predictors of: jealousy (Study 1), and reactions to a partner’s commission of sexual and emotional infidelity (Study 2) were not confirmed. The Big-5 dimensions of personality were not related to jealousy scores or reactions to infidelity. The implications of these findings are discussed.