cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurosurgical management and prognosis of patients with glioblastoma that progresses during bevacizumab treatment.

BACKGROUND The management and prognosis of glioblastoma patients after Stupp protocol treatment and progression during bevacizumab (BV) treatment remain undefined. OBJECTIVE We compared the morbidity and survival of patients whose glioblastomas progressed during BV treatment requiring craniotomy with those of patients not treated with BV. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent craniotomy for recurrent glioblastoma from 2005 to 2009. Patients operated on for progression during BV (preoperative BV) were compared with patients receiving no BV or receiving BV after surgery (postoperative BV). Patients receiving BV preoperatively were compared with those patients whose gliobastoma progressed on BV treatment but were not operated on (no surgery). RESULTS There were 23 preoperative BV patients, 135 no BV patients, 16 postoperative BV patients, and 25 no surgery patients. Patients receiving BV preoperatively had a worse postoperative overall survival rate (hazard ratio, 3.1; P < .001) and worse postoperative progression-free survival rate (hazard ratio, 3.4, P < .001) than patients not receiving BV. Patients receiving BV preoperatively had a higher perioperative morbidity rate (44%) than patients not receiving preoperative BV (21%) (P = 0.02). Survival after diagnosis was comparable between groups (86-93 weeks, P = .9), consistent with glioblastomas developing BV evasion being not intrinsically more aggressive, but possibly BV evasion conferring a uniquely poor prognosis. No surgery patients had a shorter overall survival after progression during BV treatment compared with preoperative BV patients (hazard ratio, 3.6, P < .001). CONCLUSION Patients whose glioblastomas progress while receiving BV leading to craniotomy exhibit shorter postoperative survival and more perioperative morbidity than patients not treated with BV. Although there may be benefits to surgical debulking, the decision to pursue repeat surgery in patients in whom BV treatment failed must be balanced against the increased risk of perioperative complications.
Phenylalanine in the second membrane-spanning domain of alpha 1A-adrenergic receptor determines subtype selectivity of dihydropyridine antagonists.

The α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-AR) belong to the G-protein coupled seven-transmembrane biogenic amine receptor family. Three subtypes have been successfully cloned in the α1-adrenergic receptor family, and they share 50% identical amino acid sequences and 70% similarity. We have constructed seven chimeric receptors of the α1A-AR. Each of the chimeras contains α1D-subtype amino acid sequences within the membrane-spanning domains. Comparisons of ligand affinities with these chimeras has provided information on the importance of certain amino acid residues in determining receptor subtype specificity in the α1A- and α1D-ARs. With ligands in the dihydropyridine series, the niguldipine analog 1 was found to have respective pKi's of 9.32 ± 0.17 for α1A-AR; 6.84 ± 0.24 for α1D-AR; and 6.76 ± 0.28 for α1A/D(TM2), respectively. This trend was also exhibited by two other niguldipine analogs, 2 and 3, which had similar pKi's toward α1D-AR and α1A/D(TM2). This subtype selectivity was also maintained in the piperdine ...
Differentiation of electrical rhythms and functional specificity of the hippocampus of the rat.

Abstract Electrical activity was recorded from dorsal and ventral hippocampus and from motor cortex of the rat during acquisition and performance of a conditioned discriminated avoidance task. Comparisons of the EEGs taken during the trials indicated that the theta response in the dorsal hippocampus did not habituate, while in the ventral hippocampus, the theta response which was present at the beginning of training was replaced by desynchronization. High voltage bilateral brain stimulation applied during performance of the conditioned avoidance task suppressed performance of the response when stimulation was applied to the dorsal hippocampus or to premotor cortex, but not when applied to the ventral hippocampus. The possible inhibitory motor role of the dorsal hippocampus of the subprimate is discussed, and the analogies between the subprimate ventral hippocampus and the higher primate hippocampal formation are pointed out.
The application of direct immunofluorescence to intraoperative neurosurgical diagnosis

A diagnostic problem can occur at the time of intraoperative consultation of neurosurgical tumors as to whether the tumor is of neuroectodermal origin or whether it represents an epithelial metastasis from another site. Intraoperative diagnoses based on hematoxylin and eosin stained frozen sections are often later confirmed by immunocytochemical analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections that are not available at the time of surgery. The objective of the current study was to demonstrate that the application of direct immunofluorescence to the intraoperative diagnosis of neurosurgical tumors would provide unequivocal, and nearly immediate results. This report describes a new application of an existing technique for an optimized, rapid procedure utilizing direct immunocytochemistry with fluorescence-labeled primary antibodies to analyze surgical biopsies intraoperatively. The examination of five neurosurgical biopsies established a neuroectodermal origin of three tumors via immunolabeling for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and lack of labeling with keratin markers, whereas several metastatic lung carcinomas were identified by immunostaining for keratin, but not GFAP, markers. The results of the direct immunolabeling method were unequivocal and required only minutes. The same diagnoses were confirmed by standard immunocytochemical labeling of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections, though it required several days to obtain the results. Direct immunofluorescence using fluorescently conjugated primary antibodies is a practical and rapid method for deciding whether a neurosurgical tumor is a primary glial or an epithelial metastatic tumor in origin. It is the first reported application of the technique for this aspect of rapid neurosurgical diagnosis.
Governor John Wentworth and the American Revolution: The English Connection

John Wentworth, the last royal governor of New Hampshire, is generally agreed to have been an able, honest, and forthright leader. Given his strong personal and business ties to the colony, historians and scholars have long puzzled over why, when the American Revolution came, Wentworth broke with his family and native land to become a loyalist. Paul W. Wilderson explores this question in an engaging and readable narrative of Wentworth's life and career that challenges traditional assumptions about loyalists. Probably no governor in North America took more genuine interest or greater pride in his colony than John Wentworth. His roots were five generations deep in New Hampshire soil. As governor, he was deeply troubled by the growing rift between the colonies and Great Britain. From 1767, when he became governor, to 1775, when he left, Wentworth never agreed with colonial policies handed down at Whitehall and did not view himself as a loyalist. Why then did he abandon New Hampshire in support of British authority and imperial policies? To answer that question, Wilderson analyzes the special connection Wentworth developed with England through his distant relative, the Marquis of Rockingham. Since Wentworth had worked closely with Rockingham, then head of the British government, to repeal the Stamp Act, he believed that a compromise with the colonies was possible. Blinded to the reality that war was inevitable and the split between Britain and American irreconcilable, Wilderson argues, Wentworth left New Hampshire in 1775 fully expecting to return to his native land.
Effect of candicidin on plasma cholesterol and avian atherosclerosis.

SummaryDay-old cockerels were fed a control or a candicidin-containing diet (0.01%) with or without cholesterol in the form of whole egg powder. The birds were maintained for 18-27 months on their respective regimens and plasma cholesterol was measured at different intervals. At 6 and at 18 months cholesterol-fed birds were killed and the coronary arteries and the aorta evaluated histologically for atherosclerosis. The birds on the cholesterol-free diets were killed after 27 months and similarly evaluated. Initially, in the cholesterolfed birds, plasma cholesterol was drastically reduced below that of the controls by candicidin feeding. However, the plasma cholesterol level of the controls then decreased, and the differences in cholesterol concentration between candicidin-fed and control birds became smaller or nonexistent. No differences in plasma cholesterol occurred at any time in the cocks on the cholesterol-free diet. A lower incidence of coronary artery lesions and a lower severity and incidence of ...
C1′ and SO4″ content of atmospheric precipitation in USSR: A summary

The relative abundance of C1′ and SO4″ anions in the atmospheric precipitation of USSR is discussed in the present summary. In addition, the amounts of HCO3′, NO3′ Na·, Ca··, Mg··, and NH4 ions in the atmospheric precipitation are also presented. Review of the Russian literature indicates that the average SO4″ content of atmospheric precipitation in USSR is about twice as high as that of C1′ anion. This leads to a conclusion that the major portion of SO4″ anions is not of marine origin.
The solubility parameter of vehicles as a predictor of relative vehicle effects on the diffusion of 6-mercaptopurine

Abstract 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) is active against psoriasis when given systemically but inactive when given topically. In order to optimize the rate of delivery of 6-MP through skin, the fluxes of 6-MP from vehicles and mixtures of vehicles exhibiting solubility parameters (δv) from 7.6–23.4 cal/cm 3 ) 1 2 have been measured in diffusion cell experiments using hairless mouse skins as the membranes. For single component vehicles there was a good correlation between experimental permeability coefficients (Kp) obtained from the fluxes divided by the respective solubilities and theoretical partition coefficients (PC) obtained from: log PC = [(δv−δi)2−(δs− δi)2] Viφv2/2.3RT where δv, δi and δs are the solubility parameters of the vehicle, 6-MP and skin, respectively, Vi is the molar volume of 6-MP and ψv is the volume fraction of the vehicle. Thus, log (experimental Kp) was equal to log(theoretical PC) − 3.33. All but one of the exceptions to the correlation were observed for vehicles that were found to have decreased the relative resistance of the skin to topical absorption as determined by the degree of enhanced diffusion obtained from a second application of a solute (theophylline) in propylene glycol — a vehicle that apparently does not appreciably decrease the resistance of the skin barrier. Water as a vehicle did not appear to decrease the resistance of the skin barrier but the corresponding log(experimental Kp) value was much smaller than the log(theoretical PC) value would have predicted. This may be due to the unusual solvent properties of water. Although there was up to a 20-fold increase in 6-MP diffusion from one series of binary vehicles — oleic acid: propylene glycol — there was a clear correlation between increased diffusion and decreased relative resistance of the skin to topical absorption as determined from second application experiments.
EPR characterization of half-integer-spin iron molecule-based magnets

Abstract We report single crystal high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance studies of two recently discovered half-integer Fe7 complexes: [Fe7O3(O2CBut)9(mda)3(H2O)3] (1) and [Fe7O4(O2CPh)11(dmem)2] (2). The obtained spectra confirm spin S = 5/2 ground states for both complexes. On the basis of detailed frequency and field orientation dependent studies, we find that complex 1 is a single-molecule magnet (uniaxial zero-field-splitting parameter, D 0). The EPR linewidth for complex 1 is considerably narrower in comparison to spectra obtained for other single-molecule magnets, suggesting the possibility of reduced decoherence from nuclear spins (56Fe has no nuclear moment).
Integrated Disinfection By-Products Research: Assessing Reproductive and Developmental Risks Posed by Complex Disinfection By-Product Mixtures

This article presents a toxicologically-based risk assessment strategy for identifying the individual components or fractions of a complex mixture that are associated with its toxicity. The strategy relies on conventional component-based mixtures risk approaches such as dose addition, response addition, and analyses of interactions. Developmental toxicity data from two drinking-water concentrates containing disinfection by-products (DBP) mixtures were used to illustrate the strategy. The results of this study showed that future studies of DBP concentrates using the Chernoff-Kavlock bioassay need to consider evaluating DBP that are concentrated more than 130-fold and using a rat strain that is more sensitive to chemically-induced pregnancy loss than Sprague-Dawley rats. The results support the planned experimental design of a multigeneration reproductive and developmental study of DBP concentrates. Finally, this article discusses the need for a systematic evaluation of DBP concentrates obtained from multiple source waters and treatment types. The development of such a database could be useful in evaluating whether a specific DBP concentrate is sufficiently similar to tested combinations of source waters and treatment alternatives so that health risks for the former may be estimated using data on the latter.
Helicobacter pylori and Gastric Cancer: What can be Learned by Studying the Response of Gastric Epithelial Cells to the Infection?

The development of gastric adenocarcinoma is closely linked to chronic infection with the bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori. One Helicobacter-specific virulence factor in particular, the CagA protein, has emerged as a main effector molecule in the interaction of H. pylori with gastric epithelial cells and has been implicated in gastric carcinogenesis. This review highlights the latest insights that have been gained into the pathogenesis of the disease by transcriptional profiling approaches studying gene expression in normal gastric tissue and gastric cancer tissue from human biopsy material as well as animal models of Helicobacter infection. The potential role of CagA as a bacterial oncoprotein is also discussed.
Effect of Excess Magnesium on Vagal Inhibition and Acetylcholine Sensitivity of the Mammalian Heart in situ and in vitro

Effect of Excess Magnesium on Vagal Inhibition and Acetylcholine Sensitivity of the Mammalian Heart in situ and in vitro
Selective expression of insulin-like growth factor system components during porcine ovary follicular selection

In situ hybridization was used to map anatomical patterns of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system gene expression in the gilt ovary through the estrous cycle. IGF-I, IGF-II< and IGF-I receptor messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were coexpressed in granulosa cells of developing and dominant follicles through the follicular phase. IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNAs were selectively concentrated in healthy follicles, whereas IGF-II mRNA was found in all follicles regardless of incipient or overt atresia. IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) was not detected in the gilt ovary at any stage. IGFBP-2 mRNA was most abundant in granulosa cells of small follicles and in the ovarian vasculature regardless of cycle stage. IGFBP-2 mRNA persisted in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea. IGFBP-3 mRNA was not detected in developing follicles, but was detected in all luteal phase corpora lutea, apparently expressed by theca lutein cells. IGFBP-4 demonstrated a highly dynamic pattern of gene expression, closely tracki...
The Conversion of Rapid TCCD Nongenomic Signals to Persistent Inflammatory Effects via Select Protein Kinases in MCF10A Cells

Previously we found that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces rapid inflammatory cellular responses in MCF10A mammary epithelial cells through a distinct nongenomic pathway by activating cytosolic phospholipase A2 and Src kinase within 30 min. In the current study we investigated how such an initial, seemingly transient signaling induced by TCDD is subsequently converted into more stable long-term messages. We found that TCDD causes prolonged activation of the binding activity of nuclear proteins to the oligonucleotide probes representing consensus activator protein 1 and CCAAT enhancer binding protein response element sequences, followed by later induction of some diagnostic marker including cyclooxgenase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-2, colony stimulating factor-1, and cytochrome P450 19 (or aromatase). Blocking the early steps of the nongenomic pathway inhibits this action of TCDD. It was also found that Src kinase is mainly responsible for the increase of binding activity to the activator protein 1 probe, and another kinase, protein kinase A (PKA), is accountable for most of the increase of binding activity to the CCAAT enhancer binding protein probe. The induction of those diagnostic markers is also affected by 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (a Src kinase inhibitor) or H89 (a PKA inhibitor). These results indicate that Src kinase and PKA act as the second messengers in propagating the initial nongenomic signaling of TCDD.
Histomonas meleagridis: effect of gamma radiation on in vitro growth.

Abstract Histomonas meleagridis in DeVolt's alkaline serum medium were exposed to various dosages of gamma rays. No immediate effect of the radiation was observed. The LD50 for the organism grown 28–54 days in vitro was 400 kr, and the LD50 after 209 days of growth was 80 kR, demonstrating a definite age effect on radiosensitivity. In the experiments, an exposure of 50 kR did not influence the growth of Histomonas, when compared with the controls. Intermediate dosages (150 and 200 kR) reduced growth. A relationship was found between an extended lag phase and the level of exposure. In some irradiated groups there was an extension of the number of days during which logarithmic growth occurred. An exposure of 100 kR stimulated growth, but apparently the stimulation range was narrow; for example, exposures of 75 and 125 kR retarded growth, compared with the controls. Growth changes were transmitted to subsequent generations. Data from the subculture of exposed cultures indicated that more organisms were produced in the 100 and 150 kR groups than in the control group. Growth in the 200 kR group was comparable with that in the control group. Organisms in the 150 and 200 kR groups decreased significantly in size by 7 days after radiation. Adding nonirradiated cecal bacteria to nutrient medium increased survival of irradiated histomonads. These treated cultures could survive more than 400 kR, and many of the effects of exposure also were eliminated. DeVolt's medium was exposed to 0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 kR to determine whether irradiated media affected growth. No effect was observed with exposure to 50 kR. Growth was retarded by exposures of 100 and 200 kR and greatly retarded by 300 kR. Histomonas grown for 7 days in the medium exposed to 300 kR were significantly larger than those in the control group.
Differential regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA stability by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human in vitro differentiated macrophages

Abstract Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a highly inducible gene in macrophages by pro-inflammatory cytokines. A major mechanism for cytokine-induced COX-2 expression is stabilization of COX-2 mRNA. In this study, we examined the induction of COX-2 expression by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human primary in vitro differentiated macrophages. IL-1β (5 ng/mL) or TNF-α (1 ng/mL) induced up to an ∼40-fold increase of COX-2 mRNA in macrophages during a 2 to 2.5-hr incubation. Run-off experiments demonstrated that cytokine stimulation had only a mild effect on the COX-2 transcription rate (∼10–40% increase). The translation blocker cycloheximide (CHM) (10 mg/mL) superinduced COX-2 mRNA during 2 hr of incubation and further stabilized the COX-2 mRNA (T1/2 > 4 hr). The CHM-superinduced COX-2 mRNA was subject to a rapid degradation after removal of CHM (T1/2
Evidence for water as the product for oxygen reduction by cytochrome cd.

Abstract Evidence is presented that water is the final product of electron donation to molecular oxygen by cytochrome cd from Paracoccus denitrificans when ferrocytochrome c acts as donor to cd . Negative evidence for the accumulation of superoxide and peroxide was obtained by rate effect experiments in the presence of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. Positive evidence for water was obtained by showing a 4 to 1 stoichiometric balance for rates of electron acceptance from ferrocytochrome c to rates of donation to molecular oxygen.
An investigation of the effects of L-methionine and related metabolites on rat behavior.

l -Methionine, l -methionine plus l -serine, l -cysteine, l -serine, and betaine were tested on a modified discriminated Sidman avoidance schedule in rats. Daily injections of 250 mg/kg of these compounds were administered for at least 28 consecutive days. Schedule performance in the rat was monitored during this period and compared to preinjection saline controls. The results indicated that only methionine had significant behavior-disrupting effects. The disruption was removed by the addition of serine, suggesting that the methionine disrupting effect may have been due to one of the metabolites of methionine—homocysteine.
Genetic and epigenetic mutations of tumor suppressive genes in sporadic pituitary adenoma

Human pituitary adenomas are the most common intracranial neoplasms. Approximately 5% of them are familial adenomas. Patients with familial tumors carry germline mutations in predisposition genes, including AIP, MEN1 and PRKAR1A. These mutations are extremely rare in sporadic pituitary adenomas, which therefore are caused by different mechanisms. Multiple tumor suppressive genes linked to sporadic tumors have been identified. Their inactivation is caused by epigenetic mechanisms, mainly promoter hypermethylation, and can be placed into two groups based on their functional interaction with tumor suppressors RB or p53. The RB group includes CDKN2A, CDKN2B, CDKN2C, RB1, BMP4, CDH1, CDH13, GADD45B and GADD45G; AIP and MEN1 genes also belong to this group. The p53 group includes MEG3, MGMT, PLAGL1, RASSF1, RASSF3 and SOCS1. We propose that the tumor suppression function of these genes is mainly mediated by the RB and p53 pathways. We also discuss possible tumor suppression mechanisms for individual genes.
Surgical management of superficial siderosis.

Abstract Background context Superficial siderosis is a rare condition resulting from the presence of chronic bleeding into the subarachnoid space usually causing gait instability and deafness. The surgical management of superficial siderosis depends on localizing the source of hemorrhage. Purpose The surgical treatment of this rare condition has not been well described in the literature. We present a case illustrating the surgical treatment for superficial siderosis. Study design Case report. Patient sample The authors describe the case report of a 70-year-old gentleman with gait instability and deafness found to have an abnormal communication between the spinal epidural venous plexus and the subarachnoid space. Methods The source of hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space was identified to be a fistula in the ventral thoracic dural. A costotransversectomy approach was undertaken at the T4–T5 level to expose the fistula. The abnormal communication was patched and sealed. Results The patient's symptoms remained stable on follow-up at 15 months with no worsening of his symptoms. Conclusions Superficial siderosis is a neurologic disorder that arises from chronic hemosiderin deposition into the subarachnoid space. The progressive nature of the disease can be halted if a source of hemorrhage can be found and treated surgically.
Military defense strategies: An inspiration from game theoretic analysis of the immune defense

Based on our early studies on passive versus aggressive strategies, this paper proposes immune defense inspired game theoretic strategies for military defense. Similarities between the immune system and the military operations have been explored under a game theoretic framework and formulated as a min-max optimal control problem. This paper expands the early studies and offers detailed analysis of our predicted strategies by considering different parameter ranges. Simulation results have been presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the idea.
Deviation from the Standard of Care for Early Breast Cancer in the Elderly: What are the Consequences?

For elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer, the standards of care often are not strictly followed due to either clinician biases or patient preferences. The authors hypothesized that forgoing radiation and lymph node (LN) staging for elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer would have a negative impact on survival. From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database, 53,619 women older than 55 years with stage 1 breast cancer who underwent breast conservation surgery were identified. Analyses were performed to compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients who received the standards of care with LN sampling and radiation and those of patients who did not, with control used for confounders. To account for selection bias from covariate imbalance, propensity score matching was performed. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Older patients were less likely to receive radiation and LN sampling. These standards of care were associated with improved overall survival rates of 15.8 and 27.1 % after 10 years, respectively (p ≤ 0.0001). This survival advantage persisted after propensity score matching, with a 7.4 % higher survival rate for patients who received radiation and a 16.8 % higher survival rate for those who underwent LN staging (p < 0.0001). Lymph node sampling and radiation therapy also conferred a statistically significant improvement in breast cancer-specific survival, with 1.3 and 2.6 % lower mortality rates respectively in the radiated and LN biopsy groups (p < 0.0001). As patients age, they are less likely to receive the standard of care for stage 1 breast cancer. Even after controlling for other factors, the study showed that failure to adhere to the standards of LN sampling and radiation therapy may have a negative impact in survival.
COMPARISON OF VIDEO THORACOSCOPIC LUNG BIOPSY TO OPEN LUNG BIOPSY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Background Up to one third of patients with interstitial lung disease will require a lung biopsy for diagnosis. Open lung biopsy is generally accepted as the most reliable method of biopsy and tissue diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of video thoracoscopic lung biopsy, a minimally invasive technique, with open lung biopsy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. Methods From December 1990 to January 1992, 43 patients were referred for diagnostic lung biopsy. Twenty-two consecutive patients undergoing video thoracoscopic lung biopsy (VTLB) over a 6-month period were retrospectively studied and compared with 21 consecutive patients who had undergone open lung biopsy (OLB) in the preceding 6-month period. Results VTLB (46 ± 4 minutes) did not add to operative time when compared with OLB (38 ± 3 min, p=0.09). The same number of biopsies per patient were performed (VTLB, 1.9 ± 0.1; OLB, 2.0 ± 0.1; p=0.48), the same amount of tissue was obtained per biopsy (VTLB, 6.69 ± 0.82 cm3; OLB, 5.78 ± 0.54 cm3; p=0.36), and the diagnostic accuracy of each method was comparable (VTLB, 95 percent; OLB, 100 percent). However, patients undergoing VTLB demonstrated a significant reduction in length of pleural drainage (1.36 ± 0.25 days) and hospital stay (2.57 ± 0.46 days) relative to patients undergoing OLB (3.20 ± 0.34 days, 5.71 ± 0.63 days; p Conclusions When compared with OLB, VTLB does the following: (1) provides equivalent specimen volume; (2) achieves equal diagnostic accuracy; (3) does not add to operative time or complications; and (4) reduces the time necessary for pleural drainage and length of hospital stay. Our findings suggest that VTLB is an effective and safe alternative to OLB in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.
Stereoselective Synthesis of a 2-Bromo-6-Hydroxypurine Nucleoside

Abstract Condensation of 2-bromo-6-hydroxypurine (1) with 2-deoxy-3, 5-di-O-p-toluoyl-α-D-ribofuranosyl chloride (2) under different conditions gave stereoselective synthesis of the α-and β-anomers (3 and 4) of the fully protected 2-deoxyribonucleoside. The ratio of anomeric nucleosides was found to be dependent on solvent. Condensation in DMF led to the formation of the β-anomer in good yield (75%) which represents a significant improvement over earlier procedures. The separated α- and β-anomers (3 and 4) were identified by their NMR spectra.
Glia-dependent neurotoxicity and neuroprotection in mesencephalic cultures

Dopaminergic neurotoxicities of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were compared in rat mesencephalic cultures plated on poly-L-lysine or on glial monolayers. In the neuron-enriched cultures plated on polylysine, 6-OHDA killed 89% of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunopositive neurons, but LPS was not neurotoxic. Conversely, in mixed neuron/glial cultures, 6-OHDA killed only 27% of the TH-immunopositive neurons while LPS killed 70%. The mixed neuronal/glial mesencephalic culture offers a better in vitro model for studying possible mechanisms involved in Parkinson's disease.
Anterior Exposures of the Pediatric Spine and Posterior Pedicle Screw Instrumentation

Treatment of spinal deformities, tumors, and trauma is greatly facilitated by correctly understanding the associated anatomy. Exposure of the spine, whether with a standard posterior dissection or a technically demanding costotransversectomy, facilitates surgical treatment of all disorders. When indicated, posterior instrumentation with pedicle screws allows for maximum rigidity and stability until arthrodesis ensues. Appropriate stepwise screw placement and confirmation of placement with radiographs and triggered electromyograms allows safe use of pedicle screws at all regions of the spine, with no associated morbidity to the patient. This article focuses on the classic approaches used to access the pediatric spine and discusses modern-day pedicle screw instrumentation for spinal pediatric deformity, trauma, or tumors.
Porphyrin-induced photodynamic cross-linking of hepatic heme-binding proteins.

Abstract Three types of hepatic proteins, a heme-binding Z protein, a mixture of the glutathione S-transferases and a cytochrome P450 isozyme, were shown to be susceptible to photodynamic cross-linking and loss in antigenicity by naturally occurring porphyrins. At 50 μM, uroporphyrin caused the most and protoporphyrin the least photodecomposition. Hemopexin, a specific serum heme carrier, was photodecomposed but no cross-linking was detected. Heme and scavengers of singlet oxygen partially prevented protein photodecomposition.
Possible mass limits for quantum double galaxies

When cosmic quantum mechanics is applied to a double galaxy, the result is mass limits in order for the two galaxies to form a quantum binary system. For a non-relativistic theory (based on the Schrodinger wave equation), the mass limits are: (mg)max ≈1012M⊙ and (mg)min ≈1010M⊙. One possible consequence appears to be a Newtonian gravitational constant that varies with cosmic time, with its value larger in the cosmic past.
The Thermal Balance of the NCAR Community Climate Model

Abstract The thermal balance of the NCAR Community Climate Model is examined using the zonally averaged temperature tendency equation of the model. The perpetual January and perpetual July control simulations are used to determine the relative importance of individual dynamical and diabatic terms as a function of latitude and pressure. Although the terms calculated compare reasonably well with observational results, the principle intent of this paper is to understand the maintenance of the model’s temperature structure. This understanding is required in order to make sense of the changes introduced by various physical parameterizations which are being tested in the model. Long-term means are used so that the net dynamical and diabatic heating cancel very closely. It is found that the net dynamical and diabatic heating terms in the troposphere are generally much smaller than their individual components. There is a great deal of cancellation between the eddies and the mean meridional circulation as is expec...
Mitochondrial aconitase modification, functional inhibition, and evidence for a supramolecular complex of the TCA cycle by the renal toxicant S-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-L-cysteine.

Metabolism of the common industrial gas tetrafluoroethylene in mammals results in the formation of S-(1,1,2,2)-tetrafluoroethyl-l-cysteine (TFEC), which can be bioactivated by a mitochondrial C-S l...
A Case Report Exploring Activity Intensity in Inpatient Rehabilitation after Stroke

Background and Purpose. Inpatient rehabilitation in countries other than the United States (US) has been described as a time where patients are often not engaged in intensive physical activity. The purpose of this case report is to explore the amount and intensity of physical activity provided in inpatient rehabilitation after stroke in the US. Methods. This study presents a case report of a person admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after sustaining a first stroke. A customized data collection tracked type of activity, activity intensity and social interaction every 5 minutes during the rehabilitation day. Results. 74 percent of the day was spent in low intensity, often seated, physical activity; 14% of the day was spent resting or sleeping. Only 2.91% the day was spent in moderate or high intensity activity with a mobility focus. Conclusions. Consistent with other studies, this case report suggests a relatively low physical demand to rehabilitation delivered in inpatient stroke rehabilitation. This case begins to raise questions about optimized rehabilitation parameters for acute stroke rehabilitation.
Academic and Psychological Functioning in Late Adolescence: The Importance of School Belonging

Few researchers have considered the influence of school context, an important construct at earlier ages, on late adolescents' college adjustment. In a sample of second-semester freshmen (N = 266), the authors explored associations between a sense of school belonging and academic and psychological adjustment. Students' reports of belonging at the university as well as in high school were both significant in predicting current academic (e.g., grades, academic competence) and psychological adjustment (i.e., self-worth, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors), even after controlling for other important demographic and relationship factors. Last, the authors found that parental education (i.e., whether the participant was a first-generation college student) interacted with high school belonging in predicting externalizing problem behaviors.
Addressing tobacco-related health disparities.

Aims The aim of this review is to outline a transdisciplinary research framework for identifying, explaining and intervening to address tobacco-related health disparities (TRHD). We will show the importance of an approach that integratesthehumanlife-cycle(developmental)andtobaccoaddictioncycle(behavioral)forinterventionsthataddress group-specificvulnerabilities.Methods Theexistingempiricalknowledgebaseontobacco-relatedhealthdisparitiesis mapped onto a conceptual framework built around life-cycle and addiction cycle trajectories for disparate population groups. Findings Current knowledge about developmental trajectories of tobacco use is based on general population studies with minimal information on group differences. At the national level, early onset of tobacco use is associated with a high level of tobacco dependence, low number of quit attempts, long-term smoking history and tobacco-related health harm. These relationships cannot be assumed for all population groups: African Americans and Asian Ameri- cans typically have a later age of tobacco use onset compared to European Americans, yet health consequences of smoking are higher among African Americans but not Asian Americans. Even less is known about group differences in the temporal progression from smoking onset to daily smoking. Determining the time-frame from initial to regular smoking seems crucial for targeted secondary prevention, before the establishment of addictive tobacco use patterns. Group-specific data characterizing the duration from daily tobacco use to a quit attempt or request for cessation treatment are also scant. Conclusions A comprehensive, integrated, transdisciplinary framework is needed to guide efforts to understand tobacco-related health disparities and to increase the effectiveness of evidence-based interven- tions delivered in culturally appropriate and economically practicable ways, while optimizing the balance between demand for and access to services.
In vitro humoral immune response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to tetanus toxoid sepharose 4B.

Abstract The in vitro immune response of unfractionated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from immune donors who had not been re-immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) prior to donation was investigated. In this study we were able to stimulate PBL with tetanus toxoid coupled to Sepharose 4B (STT) for production of anti-tetanus toxoid antibody (Ab). Soluble tetanus toxoid or STT alone did not stimulate production of specific Ab. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and STT were required for optimal production of IgG and IgM antibodies specific to tetanus toxoid. Specific Ab responses were reduced in low and high concentrations of STT. Depletion of monocytes had no effect on either total IgG or specific IgG synthesis, but decreased the synthesis of both total and specific IgM. Depletion of E-rosette-forming cells decreased the production of specific Ab, suggesting T-dependency of the immune response to STT. Simultaneous production of total immunoglobulin and specific Ab by Sepharose 4B was negligible in the absence of PWM. In the presence of PWM, total immunoglobulin production was optimal, and specific anti-TT Ab production was undetectable. The specificity of the antiTT Ab was studied by absorption of the culture supernates with an STT column which removed all measurable specific Ab.
A laser frequency comb that enables radial velocity measurements with a precision of 1 cm s -1

The current count of extrasolar planets (on planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov) stands at 277, none of them Earth-like. Most were detected as a Doppler shift in stellar spectral lines, a method that 'sees' planets down to about five times the mass of the Earth. If Earth-sized planets are to be revealed by this observational approach, better Doppler shift resolution via improved spectrograph wavelength calibration will be required. A newly developed instrument, the 'astro-comb', achieves just that by adapting the laser frequency comb, a device that has revolutionized laboratory spectroscopy, to the needs of astrophysics. This involves reducing the density of comb lines, without compromising spectral resolution. A performance test of the astro-comb is reported in this issue, and in May 2008, the new device joins the search for 'exoearths' in earnest. Searches for extrasolar planets using the periodic Doppler shift of stellar spectral lines have recently achieved a precision of 60 cm s−1, sufficient to find a 5-Earth-mass planet in a Mercury-like orbit around a Sun-like star. The fabrication of an 'astro-comb' that should allow a precision as high as 1 cm s−1 in astronomical radial velocity measurements is reported Searches for extrasolar planets using the periodic Doppler shift of stellar spectral lines have recently achieved a precision of 60 cm s-1 (ref. 1), which is sufficient to find a 5-Earth-mass planet in a Mercury-like orbit around a Sun-like star. To find a 1-Earth-mass planet in an Earth-like orbit, a precision of ∼5 cm s-1 is necessary. The combination of a laser frequency comb with a Fabry–Perot filtering cavity has been suggested as a promising approach to achieve such Doppler shift resolution via improved spectrograph wavelength calibration2,3,4, with recent encouraging results5. Here we report the fabrication of such a filtered laser comb with up to 40-GHz (∼1-A) line spacing, generated from a 1-GHz repetition-rate source, without compromising long-term stability, reproducibility or spectral resolution. This wide-line-spacing comb, or ‘astro-comb’, is well matched to the resolving power of high-resolution astrophysical spectrographs. The astro-comb should allow a precision as high as 1 cm s-1 in astronomical radial velocity measurements.
Interaction of tunneling electrons with collective modes of the electrodes

Abstract The alteration of the tunneling current due to bulk electron-phonon coupling in one of the electrodes is calculated using the tunneling-Hamiltonian method. Lineshapes are presented for deformation-potential coupling to optical phonons in p-type silicon. The predicted lineshape of d 2 I/dV 2 in a metal-oxide-semiconductor junction shows deviations from the one-electron background which are symmetrical about zero bias in contrast to antisymmetrical structure predicted due to inelastic phonon creation by the tunneling electron.
Decreased balance performance in cowboy boots compared with tennis shoes

Abstract Objective: This study was conducted to examine the relative balance performance of cowboy boots versus tennis shoes when the subject was challenged with different accelerations. The end point was the highest acceleration at which the subject could maintain full foot contact with the platform for each footwear type, ie, break acceleration. Design: Crossover trial. Setting: General community. Participants: Twenty-seven healthy women, 18 to 40 years old, with shoe sizes between 6 and 9, were selected in a convenience sample after their response to posted ads in a university medical center. Intervention: Each subject was tested 3 times in the forward direction per acceleration on a Motionspec balance platform. A successful series was defined as keeping feet flat for 2 of 3 tests/level. Main Outcome Measure: The planned major outcome was the difference between the highest accelerations at which the subject was successful for each type of footwear. Results: Subjects were found to have a highest sustainable acceleration in boots 10.66 ± 6.20cm/s 2 less than the highest acceleration in shoes. A period effect was found that improved the results of the second footwear tested by 7.2 ± 6.20cm/s 2 . Conclusions: Cowboy boots have a decreased balance performance compared with tennis shoes. Further study should examine the specific features in the boot that contribute to this imbalance and examine the kinematic adaptations of the body to cowboy boots.
Electron Emission from Thoriated Tungsten

Constants of the electron emission from a monatomic layer of thorium on tungsten at temperatures from 1000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 2000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K.\char22{}The electron emission for a monatomic layer of thorium on tungsten is best represented for zero field strength by the relation $I=3{T}^{2}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{30,500}{T}}$, where $I$ is expressed in amps/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The emission was measured for different states of activation of the filament. If we let $\ensuremath{\theta}$ be the fraction of surface covered with thorium, then for $\ensuremath{\theta}l0.95$ (approximately) $log{A}_{\ensuremath{\theta}}$ varies linearly with ${b}_{\ensuremath{\theta}}$ where the emission for the given surface is represented by $I={A}_{\ensuremath{\theta}}{T}^{2}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{{b}_{\ensuremath{\theta}}}{T}}$. It is also pointed out that the emission for a monatomic film of thorium on tungsten is greater than that observed for metallic thorium.
Transient and steady rheology of polydisperse entangled melts. Predictions of a kinetic network model and data comparisons

Le modele de reseau cinetique discute anterieurement dans le contexte des systemes polymeres monodisperses et bimodal est etendu a des polymeres ayant une distribution moleculaire arbitraire
Purification and characterization of a recombinant Yersinia pestis V-F1 "Reversed" fusion protein for use as a new subunit vaccine against plague.

Abstract We previously developed a unique recombinant protein vaccine against plague composed of a fusion between the Fraction 1 capsular antigen (F1) and the V antigen. To determine if overall expression, solubility, and recovery of the F1-V fusion protein could be enhanced, we modified the original fusion. Standard recombinant DNA techniques were used to reverse the gene order such that the V antigen coding sequence was fused at its C-terminus to the N-terminus of F1. The F1 secretion signal sequence (F1S) was subsequently fused to the N-terminus of V. This new fusion protein, designated F1S-V-F1, was then co-expressed with the Y. pestis Caf1M periplasmic chaperone protein in BL21-Star Escherichia coli. Recombinant strains expressing F1-V, F1S-F1-V, or F1S-V-F1 were compared by cell fractionation, SDS–PAGE, Western blotting, and suspension immunolabelling. F1S-V-F1 exhibited enhanced solubility and secretion when co-expressed with Caf1M resulting in a recombinant protein that is processed in a similar manner to the native F1 protein. Purification of F1S-V-F1 was accomplished by anion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The purification method produced greater than 1 mg of purified soluble protein per liter of induced culture. F1S-V-F1 polymerization characteristics were comparable to the native F1. The purified F1S-V-F1 protein appeared equivalent to F1-V in its ability to be recognized by neutralizing antibodies.
Iso-halorhodopsin: a stable, 9-cis retinal containing photoproduct of halorhodopsin

Dark-adapted halorhodopsin is a mixture of 13-cis and all-trans retinal chromophoric species. It is known that illumination with blue light increases the all-trans content, and this is reversed partially by brief red illumination. We now find that extended red-light illumination produces a third spectroscopic form. Analysis of composite absorption spectra recorded during various illumination regimes yielded the spectrum for the new species, whose absorption is shifted approximately 100 nm to the blue. The isomeric composition of retinal extracted from the illuminated pigment indicates that this form contains 9-cis retinal. This species, which we name iso-halorhodopsin, is stable in the dark at room temperature for at least a day, but can be quantitatively reconverted into a mixture of all-trans and 13-cis halorhodopsin by blue-light illumination. A kinetic scheme for the isomeric interconversions was drawn up, where iso-halorhodopsin is produced from either all-trans halorhodopsin only, or both 13-cis and all-trans forms. This kind of scheme is supported by the finding that red illumination of halo-opsin reconstituted with 13-trans-locked retinal will generate iso-halorhodopsin. A similar experiment with 13-cis-locked retinal could not be done because reconstitution with this retinal analogue was not possible. The photoreaction that leads to iso-halorhodopsin can be readily demonstrated in detergent-solubilized halorhodopsin or in halorhodopsin in liposomes made from phosphatidylcholine plus phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, but only to much reduced extent in cell envelope vesicles and in halorhodopsin incorporated into liposomes made from halobacterial polar lipids.