cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of androstenedione by human platelets: a source of potent androgens.

The metabolism of tritium-labeled androstenedione by human platelets was studied in vitro. The following metabolites were identified: testosterone, 5α-androstane-3,17-dione, androsterone, isoandrosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and 5α-androstane-3α,17/6-diol. The rates of formation of these metabolites remained linear with time of incubation up to 2 h and with increased platelet protein concentration up to 14.6 mg/ml. Estrogens and 5/8-reduced metabolites were not formed by platelets. The major enzyme systems involved in the metabolism of androstenedione in human platelets were the 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase and 5α-reductase activities; in addition, 3α-and 3β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities were also present in these megakaryocyte fragments. Thus, it appears that platelets are a potential site of extraglandular conversion of androstenedione to potent androgens in man. It is also possible that androgens formed within the platelet may affect platelet function by regulating their sensitivity...
The serpin-proteinase complex revealed.

Two complementary studies using fluorescence energy transfer with two different serpin–enzyme pairs provide the first glimpse of a stable serpin–proteinase complex.
Spontaneous Recovery of Nonstutterers' Disfluency Following Adaptation

Each of 18 sixth-grade nonstutterers and each of 20 adult nonstutterers read a passage five times consecutively at the same hour on two successive days. The mean frequency of disfluency during each reading of the passage was determined for the subjects in each study. While the subjects in both studies exhibited the adaptation effect the first day, in neither study did they evince spontaneous recovery the second day comparable to that reported for stutterers. Several implications are discussed.
Effect of improper scan alignment on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements using stratus optical coherence tomograph

Objective: Misalignment of the Stratus optical coherence tomograph scan circle placed by the operator around the optic nerve head (ONH) during each retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) examination can a!ect the instrument reproducibility and its theoretical ability to detect true structural changes in the RNFL thickness over time. We evaluated the e!ect of scan circle placement on RNFL measurements. Design: Observational clinical study. Methods: Sixteen eyes of 8 normal participants were examined using the Stratus optical coherence tomograph Fast RNFL thickness acquisition protocol (software version 4.0.7; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). Four consecutive images were taken by the same operator with the circular scan centered on the optic nerve head. Four images each with the scan displaced superiorly, inferiorly, temporally, and nasally were also acquired. Di!erences in average and sectoral RNFL thicknesses were determined. For the centered scans, the coe"cients of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coe"cient for the average RNFL thickness measured were calculated. Results: When the average RNFL thickness of the centered scans was compared with the average RNFL thickness of the displaced scans individually using analysis of variance with posthoc analysis, no di!erence was found between the average RNFL thickness of the nasally (105.2mm), superiorly (106.2mm), or inferiorly (104.1mm) displaced scans and the centered scans (106.4mm). However, a significant di!erence (analysis of variance with Dunnett’s test: F=8.82, P<0.0001) was found between temporally displaced scans (115.8mm) and centered scans. Significant di!erences in sectoral RNFL thickness measurements were found between centered and each displaced scan. The coe"cient of variation for average RNFL thickness was 1.75% and intraclass correlation coe"cient was 0.95. Conclusions: In normal eyes, average RNFL thickness measurements are robust and similar with significant superior, inferior, and nasal scan displacement, but average RNFL thickness is greater when scans are displaced temporally. Parapapillary scan misalignment produces significant changes in RNFL assessment characterized by an increase in measured RNFL thickness in the quadrant in which the scan is closer to the disc, and a significant decrease in RNFL thickness in the quadrant in which the scan is displaced further from the optic disc.
Inelastic collisions of 2-800-eV He + and He 2 + with Mg and Zn atoms

Inelastic processes leading to excited-state formation have been studied by spectral analysis of collision-produced uv-visible-near-ir radiation for (2-800 eV) ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$ collisions with Mg and Zn atoms. Although observation of MgII radiation must result from exothermic charge transfer in the ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$-Mg system, the emission cross sections for the two observed MgII lines exhibit threshold behavior; it is suggested that production of ground-state MgIII dominates at low energy. ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$-Mg collisions yield two prominent MgII lines, the emission cross sections for which are relatively large at low energy and decrease rapidly with increasing kinetic energy. ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$-Zn collisions produce rich spectra of ZnII lines at all energies and HeI lines at elevated energies. In contrast, ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$-Zn collisions yield only a few lines with large cross sections at low energy.
Dalfampridine: A new agent for symptomatic management of multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, dosage, and place in therapy of dalfampridine are reviewed. SUMMARY Dalfampridine is a novel drug with a unique mechanism for the symptomatic management of multiple sclerosis (MS) among all classifications. Dalfampridine was approved in January 2010 to improve walking for patients with MS. Dalfampridine blocks potassium channels on demyelinated neurons and allows normal electrical conduction, thus improving locomotor difficulty. Dalfampridine is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, reaching its peak plasma concentration in 1.3 hours. Approximately 95.9% of dalfampridine and its metabolites (3-hydroxy-4-aminopyridine and 3- hydroxy-4-aminopyridine sulfate) is excreted in the urine. Dalfampridine is not an inhibitor or inducer of a major cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme; therefore, the potential for drug-drug interactions is minimal. Clinical studies have shown dalfampridine to improve walking speed. The dosage of dalfampridine varied in clinical trials, but the recommended dosage is 10 mg orally twice daily. Dalfampridine is not appropriate for patients with seizures or moderate-to-severe renal impairment. Phase III studies found that extended-release fampridine 10 mg twice daily is well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events reported in dalfampridine clinical trials were insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, and weakness. The Food and Drug Administration has required the manufacturer to have a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for dalfampridine. Ongoing trials will determine the long-term benefit of dalfampridine. CONCLUSION Dalfampridine is a potassium channel blocker that has demonstrated efficacy for improving the symptoms of MS. Several studies have demonstrated increased walking speed in patients, though high doses should be avoided due to the risk of seizures.
Verifying environmental relationships

In two experiments, subjects first learned the locations of objects in a 21 x 21 ft room and then were timed as they verified, from memory, statements about the spatial relationships of the objects to certain features (e.g., the outside walls, the center of the room, subdividing partitions). The statements were of the form “X is (not) close to (far from) F” in Experiment 1 and “X is farther from (closer to) F than Y is” in Experiment 2, where X and Y are specific objects and F is a feature. While some of the latencies varied directly with the magnitudes of the distances between objects and features named in the sentences, there were several instances in which sentences associated with equivalent distances led to different latencies or sentences associated with different distances led to equivalent latencies. The possible cognitive operations underlying the latency pattern are discussed.
NADH and flavin fluorescence responses of starved yeast cultures to substrate additions

Model experiments were performed with starved yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cultures in a batch reactor in order to develop a better understanding of NAD(P)H and flavin culture fluorescence. Fluorescence was monitored during aerobic-anaerobic-aerobic transitions and ethanol and glucose substrate addition experiments. Interpretations of the fluorescence responses obtained are provided, with consideration given to redox compartmentation and the formation of ethanol shortly after a glucose addition. An analytical spectrofluorophotometer was interfaced to a personal computer and adapted to measure fluorescence in a bioreactor. This was achieved by the use of quartz fiber-optic waveguides to convert the right-angle cuvette geometry of the analytical spectrofluorophotometer to an open-ended fluorescence probe geometry, resulting in a flexible culture fluorescence apparatus. Features of the apparatus include variable excitation and emission wavelengths, allowing for detection of NAD(P)H or flavin fluorescence, as well as small slit widths, a variable sampling rate, excitation and emission scanning capabilities, and good sensitivity.
Size effect for specific energy in grinding of silicon nitride

Abstract An investigation is reported of the `size effect' for specific energy in grinding of silicon nitride. Experimental measurements over a wide range of operating parameters using two different grit size diamond wheels show an increase in specific energy as the grit depth of cut (uncut chip thickness) is reduced. An attempt was made to account for these results by modifying an upper bound plowing model, which shows an increase in specific energy with a pyramidal tool as its semi-included angle increases. Fitting the measured specific energy to the upper bound model leads to a triangular grit cross-sectional cutting profile rounded at its tip, which can be characterized in terms of an average tip radius and semi-included angle. A plot of dimensionless specific grinding energy (specific energy divided by workpiece hardness) vs. dimensionless depth of cut (depth of cut divided by tip radius) yields a single inverse linear relationship whereby the dimensionless specific grinding energy increases steeply as the dimensionless grit depth of cut decreases below about 0.5. This would indicate that the `grit size effect' is mainly due to rounding at the abrasive cutting points.
Tissue Engineering of Functional Salivary Gland Tissue

Objectives: Treatment of conditions that lead to salivary hypofunction, such as radiation induced xerostomia, is currently limited to the administration of saliva substitutes and sialogogues. The transient effect of these medications necessitates frequent administration, and systemic side effects may be intolerable. The creation of implantable, functional salivary gland tissue from autologous glandular cells would provide a physiologic solution to this problem. We investigated the feasibility of engineering such tissue in vivo. Methods: Primary human salivary gland cells were grown, expanded, and seeded on biodegradable polymer scaffolds. A total of 48 scaffolds with cells and 16 control polymers without cells were implanted subcutaneously in athymic mice. The implants were retrieved 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the implantation for phenotypic and functional analyses. Results: Human salivary gland epithelial cells retained their phenotypic and functional characteristics at all culture stages. Histologically, formation of acinar gland-like structures was observed within the engineered tissue by 4 weeks after implantation. Immunocytochemical and Western blot analyses of the implanted tissues demonstrated the expression of human a-amylase, cytokeratins AE1/ AE3, and aquaporin-5 using cell-specific antibodies. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed the expression of human salivary type of α-amylase (σ-amylase) mRNA. The retrieved tissues demonstrated the production of human α-amylase over time using a biochemical amylase detection system.
Gout in childhood leukemia: Report of a case and concepts of etiology

Acute lymphatic leukemia in a 13-year-old Negro boy was treated with prednisone and a complete clinical and hematologic remission resulted. Treatment with 6-mercaptopurine was then begun. Eight weeks later persistent vomiting developed and he was found to have a blood urea nitrogen of 87 mg. per 100 ml., and a uric acid of 74.4 mg. per 100 ml. The only manifestation of leukemia was a hypoplastic marrow with lymphoblastic infiltration. Hot, red, swollen exquisitely tender joints developed which responded dramatically to colchicine. When gout occurs during hematologic disorders it is usually thought to be secondary in nature. However, we consider primary gout a more reasonable diagnosis in this case for the following reasons: 1. Gout and severe hyperuricemia did not develop during the early steroid therapy when tissue breakdown was maximal. 2. Gout complicating the treatment of leukemia in childhood is extremely rare. 3. 6-MP may stimulate pathways of de novo uric acid synthesis.
Nonprofit Virtual Accountability: An Index and Its Application

This article introduces the Nonprofit Virtual Accountability Index (NPVAI) as a tool for nonprofits to strategically plan their online accountability, as well as for researchers to empirically anal...
Evaluation of the local vasodilator effect of acetyl-beta-methylcholine chloride (mecholyl) by iontophoresis

Abstract 1. 1. The vasodilating action of mecholyl by iontophoresis was studied in the forearm, leg, and foot of nine normal subjects by means of the venous occlusion plethysmographic method. 2. 2. It was found that this procedure immediately produced a significant increase in the rate of blood flow in the forearm and foot, which continued for some time after the treatment was terminated. The effect upon the leg was less marked. 3. 3. The increase in flow was considered to be primarily the result of vasodilatation of cutaneous blood vessels, those in the muscles probably contributing little if at all to the effect.
De Humani Corporis Fabrica Surgical Revolution

De Humani Corporis Fabrica (1543), by the Belgian anatomy master Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), represents one of the most advanced surgical revolutions in history. The creation of an anatomy book that carefully and systematically introduced the structure of the human body in a way that was truthful to the findings of human dissection had never been accomplished before. No one challenged Galen's teachings as Vesalius did. De Humani Corporis Fabrica offered to the surgeon's world new knowledge and a systematic approach to human anatomy. The novel concepts and perspectives introduced by Vesalius constituted a real surgical revolution worthy of study in the annals of surgery.
Immunophenotyping in the classification of acute leukemia in adults: interpretation of multiple lineage reactivity

Fifty-nine adult patients with acute leukemia were classified using a combination of the French-American-British (FAB) criteria and characterization by immunophenotyping using flow cytometric study. The authors identified 51 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia and eight with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This procedure permitted lineage assignment in leukemias that otherwise might have been unclassifiable. In addition, the authors demonstrated that the leukemic blasts of 29% of patients with myeloblastic disease exhibited one or more T-cell antigens on their surface. The use of immunophenotyping has greatly enhanced the authors' ability to correctly identify the lineage of acute leukemias. The data, however, must be interpreted with caution with respect to diagnosing acute mixed lineage leukemias and must be integrated with the morphologic and cytochemical evaluation of traditional classification schemes. The possible significance of T-cell markers in myeloblastic leukemia is discussed.
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) in clinical practice: a primary care experience.

Background: The Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure placed increased emphasis on lifestyle modification for the prevention and management of hypertension. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-fat dairy foods, with reduced saturated and total fats, was found in clinical trials to lower blood pressure substantially and significantly. The DASH diet appears appropriate for use in the primary care setting, although it is unknown whether results will mirror those found in clinical trial. Methods: A review of the literature of successful physician-based dietary interventions and of the Stages of Change model as it applies to dietary behavior was completed. Some changes needed to adapt the DASH diet to the outpatient family practice setting were identified and implemented among a predominantly non-Caucasian (56%), female (61%) population. The most common concerns and diagnoses among this population are essential hypertension, diabetes, and general medical examination. Results: Under study conditions, DASH reported that patients experienced an average reduction of 6 mmHg systolic and 3 mmHg diastolic blood pressure. Results were better in those with high blood pressure—systolic dropped by 11 mmHg and diastolic dropped by 6 mmHg. This reduction occurred within 2 weeks of starting the plan. Our clinical experience matches these published results. Conclusions: The DASH diet can be used successfully by patients in the primary care setting to lower blood pressure. The challenge of incorporating this intervention into primary care by more practitioners remains. The challenges for the patient and provider to sustain lifestyle modifications are formidable and also continuing.
Chronic cholinesterase inhibition does not modify amygdaloid kindling.

Abstract The consequences of chronic cholinesterase inhibition during kindling were examined to further evaluate the importance of cholinergic function in kindling development and maintenance. Inhibition of brain and serum cholinesterases of as much as 80% were produced by the daily administration of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg parathion. The degrees in inhibition attained had no significant effects upon the rate or expression of kindling.
Electrocatalysts for O2 reduction

The proposed mechanisms for O2 reduction on various catalysts are discussed, taking into account the possible role of superoxide radicals, hydogen peroxide and adsorbed dioxygen. Particular attention is focused on O2 reduction on carbon and graphite (both with and without surface modifications), the anomalous temperature dependence of the Tafel slope for O2 reduction on Pt, transition metal macrocycles and heat treated macrocycles. The latter offer considerable promise as O2 reduction catalysts combining high activity with good stability.
Epidermal growth factor receptor levels in mouse mammary glands in various physiological states.

Experiments were undertaken to demonstrate and characterize specific receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in mammary glands of female BALB/c mice in various physiological states. The results of an in vitro desaturation technique are also presented which allow estimation of the total EGF-binding sites per mg membrane protein. Binding of the ligand [125I]iodo-EGF is both time and temperature dependent. Maximum binding to the membrane is achieved after 6 h of incubation with [128I]iodo-EGF at 23 C. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding using membrane preparations of mammary glands from virgin mice yields two classes of high affinity receptors with Kd values of 0.8 ±0.1 and 5.0 ± 0.4 × 10−10 M and receptor concentrations of 10 ± 1.2 and 23.5 ± 2 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Membrane preparations of mammary tissues from cycling, gestating, and lactating mice were used to correlate cellular receptor levels to the physiological state of the animal. Beginning at weaning, there is a constant decrease ...
Differential presynaptic modulation of excitatory and inhibitory autaptic currents in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Abstract Short-term synaptic plasticity has an important role in higher cortical function. Hyperpolarization may effect a form of short-term plasticity by promoting recovery from sodium channel inactivation or by activating axonal A-type potassium channels. To determine whether one or both processes occur, we examined the effect of hyperpolarizing prepulses on autaptic currents in cultured postnatal rat hippocampal neurons. As expected of enhanced recovery from sodium channel inactivation, hyperpolarizing prepulses reversibly increased fast excitatory autaptic currents (eacs) mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs), slow eacs mediated by N-methyl- d -aspartate receptors (NMDARs), and inhibitory autaptic currents (iacs) mediated by γ-aminobutyric acidA receptors (GABAARs). Hyperpolarizing prepulses augmented nearly all fast and slow eacs but only half of the iacs. This change occurred without a change in autaptic current kinetics. Of note, hyperpolarizing prepulses did not significantly reduce autaptic currents in any neuron studied. The rapidly dissociating competitive antagonists kynurenate and l -2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (LAPV) inhibited fast and slow eacs, respectively, to the same extent with and without a hyperpolarizing prepulse. In addition, hyperpolarizing prepulses revealed a slow eac even after the slow eac evoked without a prepulse was completely blocked by the open channel blocker, (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK-801). Finally, hyperpolarizing prepulses did not alter currents evoked by exogenous applications of glutamate and GABA. These findings suggest that hyperpolarizing prepulses preferentially enhance eacs over iacs, and that they do so, in part, by overcoming conduction block or by activating silent synapses.
Alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure: a meta-analysis

AbstractBackground: Heart failure is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with high treatment costs. Identifying modifiable determinants of heart failure may help in prevention. Alcohol consumption has emerged as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Although many studies have suggested a positive association between heavy drinking and cardiomyopathy, the association between infrequent or light-to-moderate drinking and heart failure risk has been less conclusive. Purpose: To examine the relation between various levels of alcohol intake and incident heart failure. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of 6 studies obtained through a PubMed literature search. Alcohol drinkers were classified as never, former, and current drinkers of 0.1 to 0.9, 1 to 7, 8 to 14, and > 14 drinks per week. Results: Compared with never drinkers, the pooled relative risks were 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90–1.51) for former drinkers, 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83–0.98), 0.80 (95% CI, 0.73–0.88), 0...
The impedance of stainless-steel electrodes.

The resistive and capacitive properties of stainless-steel electrodes in contact with saline solutions of various concentrations were investigated over a frequency range extending from 20 to 10 kHz by using a variable-length conductivity cell. With a low current density, the series-equivalent resistance and capacitance of a single electrode-electrolyte interface were found to vary almost inversely as the square root of frequency. In the frequency range studied, it was found that the reactance was very nearly equal to the resistance and both varied almost inversely as the square root of the frequency, verifying Warburg's postulate. When current density was increased, resistance decreased and capacitance increased at all frequencies studied; the change in each was most apparent in the low frequency region. As a consequence, it can be stated that the impedance of an electrode-electrolyte interface decreases with increasing current density.
Regulation of body mass and management of childhood overweight.

Obesity has become an increasingly important public health problem. Recent evidence suggests that obesity has become a close second to tobacco use as a preventable cause of death in the United States. During the past decade an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adolescents has been observed. The association of type 2 diabetes and obesity is well established and most adolescents with type 2 diabetes have body mass index (BMI) in a range that would already be considered obese in an adult. Childhood overweight is also associated with the atherosclerotic process. In the Bogalusa autopsy study, Berenson et al. found that the extent of fatty streaks and fibrous plaques in the aorta and coronary arteries was associated with BMI. There are three modalities currently available for the treatment of overweight in children and adolescents, including behavioral approaches, pharmacologic approaches, and surgical approaches. Surgical intervention may be considered if the BMI 40 kg/m2 and a severe medical comorbidity including type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea or pseudotumor cerebri, or if the BMI is 50 kg/m2 and comorbid conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or the metabolic syndrome are present. Behavioral intervention is usually made by a psychologist, behavioral therapist, dietician, or exercise physiologist. There is evidence that the effect of behavioral therapy for weight loss in childhood will be longer lasting than that seen in adults.
Cyclic AMP and Platelet Function

MOST of the present understanding of the functions of blood platelets has developed in the past decade, although platelets were first described a century ago. Attention to their role in the body's ...
Quantum effects in charmonium formation and signatures of a quark-gluon plasma

Abstract We consider initial conditions of a heavy charmed quark-antiquark pair produced in a spacetime region whose size is much less than that of an isolated bound state. This situation is of Interest for studying the effects of a QCD plasma phase possibly produced in heavy-ion collisions at high energy. The time evolution of such a system is studied, assuming that the quarks initially propagate as free particles to simulate the screened potential in the plasma phase. Due to the small initial size of the quark wave packets, large relativistic momentum components play an important part in the evolved spatial distributions. This feature produces significant changes to the classical description of such systems in which sharp particle trajectories and formation times are employed. To highlight this difference, we use a simple one-dimensional model to follow the evolution of the system during the plasma phase alone. The results indicate that only when such a procedure is carried through the entire time history of the system using realistic physical parameters can one have confidence that experiments are revealing some signature of bound state formation which is characteristic of the existence of a plasma phase.
Analysis of the reinforcing and subjective effects of different doses of nitrous oxide using a free-choice procedure

Abstract The reinforcing and subjective effects of five doses of nitrous oxide (0, 10, 20, 30, 40% N 2 O in O 2 ) were studied in 20 non-drug-abusers using a free-choice procedure. During each of five sessions, subjects sampled a dose of N 2 O and 100% O 2 (placebo) for 10 min each. Later they chose nine times, once every 5 min, among N 2 O (e.g. ‘Agent A’), placebo (e.g. ‘Agent B’), or a no-drug option. Mean preference ratios (N 2 O choices/[N 2 O choices+placebo choices]) and total N 2 O choice increased with increasing N 2 O dose. Individual preference ratios suggested that at least one active dose of N 2 O functioned as a reinforcer in 80% of subjects, and the doses that functioned as reinforcers varied across subjects. N 2 O choice was positively correlated with end-of-session and post-session ratings of N 2 O liking and of wanting to inhale N 2 O again, but not with ratings of those effects during sampling. Placebo was chosen significantly less than the no-drug option, even though both were 100% O 2 . More robust reinforcing effects of N 2 O were observed in this subject population than in previous studies. Choice data emphasize the importance of examining a range of doses, and of examining those effects within-subject, when assessing reinforcing effects of drugs. Inclusion of the no-drug option eliminated the ‘forced’ choice of placebo, making preference ratios easier to interpret than in previous, forced-choice procedures. Reinforcing effects were more correlated with subjective effects assessed after the session than with subjective effects obtained while subjects were under the influence of the drug.
Identification and characterization of six new alternatively spliced variants of the human μ opioid receptor gene, Oprm

Abstract The μ opioid receptor plays an important role in mediating the actions of morphine and morphine-like drugs. Receptor binding and a wide range of pharmacological studies have proposed several μ receptor subtypes, but only one μ opioid receptor ( Oprm ) gene has been isolated. Like the mouse and rat, the human Oprm gene undergoes alternative splicing. In the present studies, we have identified and characterized six new splice variants from the human Oprm gene using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction strategy, yielding a total of 10 human splice variants of the μ opioid receptor MOR-1. All the variants identified contained exons 1, 2 and 3, but differed from MOR-1 itself and each other by splicing downstream from exon 3, resulting in different amino acid sequences. Northern blot analysis demonstrated expression of the variant mRNAs. Receptor binding assays established that these variants belonged to the μ opioid receptor family with limited differences in μ opioid ligand affinities and selectivity. However, adenylyl cyclase and [ 35 S]GTPγS binding assays revealed major differences in both potency and efficacy among these variants. The dissociation between binding affinity, potency and efficacy for the opioids among these variants may provide insights into the wide range of opioid responses among these agents observed clinically and opens new avenues in designing selective drugs based upon their efficacy and potency rather simple binding affinity.
Accumulation of cyclin B1, activation of cyclin B1-dependent kinase and induction of programmed cell death in human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells treated with taxol

Cyclin B1 plays a critical role in regulating cell-cycle progression from G2 through M phase (including exit from M phase). In this study, we investigated the relationship between taxol-induced M-phase arrest, disruption of the cyclin B1-regulation pathway and apoptosis in KB cells. Continuous exposure of KB cells to 0.5 microg/ml taxol caused mitotic arrest and >90% cell death at 48 hr. Mitotic blockade peaked at 24 hr, with 68% of cells in mitosis at that time compared with 3% at baseline, and decreased thereafter. Apoptosis assessed by morphological changes and DNA ladder fragmentation was a later event, peaking at 48 hr (later time points were not studied). Taxol also caused an increase in cyclin B1 accumulation, as assessed by Western blot analysis, and stimulated cyclin B1-dependent kinase. Cyclin B1 accumulation and kinase stimulation peaked at 12 and 24 hr, respectively, at which times they were 5-fold and 90-fold higher than in control untreated cells. These effects decreased thereafter. All taxol-induced cellular effects were abrogated by the protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and actinomycin D. In contrast, the endonuclease inhibitors aurintricarboxilic acid and zinc markedly inhibited taxol-induced DNA ladder fragmentation without altering taxol-induced cell-cycle arrest, cyclin B1 accumulation, activation of cyclin B1 kinase activity and cytotoxicity. We conclude that taxol-induced stimulation of cyclin B1-dependent kinase activity parallels mitotic arrest, is more pronounced than mitotic arrest and precedes the induction of programmed cell death.
Hepatitis B vaccination in correctional health care workers

Background Data on bloodborne pathogen risk among health care workers (HCWs) employed in the correctional setting are sparse, even though the prevalence of bloodborne infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), among inmates is high. To address this, we determined prevalence and correlates of hepatitis B virus vaccination status in correctional health care workers (CHCWs) employed in 3 state correctional health care facilities. Methods A confidential, self-administered cross-sectional survey was performed. Results Four hundred eleven (69.8%) of 588 eligible participants completed the survey. Of these, 264 (64.2%) reported receiving a primary hepatitis B (HB) vaccine series. Vaccination rates varied by state and by job category. Parenteral exposures were not uncommon; 8.6% (n = 24) of clinical CHCWs and 2.0% (n = 7) of nonclinical CHCWs reported one or more needlesticks in the 6-month period prior to the study. Among clinical staff, vaccination correlated with licensure (RN or MD) and race (white) and in nonclinical staff with history of close contact with HBV infected inmates and with needlestick injury. Conclusion Although the HB vaccination rate among CHCWs was generally high, given their potential risk of exposure to HBV, universal vaccination should be encouraged and should include those nonclinicians with job duties that may involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
Capacity and reliability analyses with applications to power quality

The deregulation of energy markets, the ongoing advances in communication networks, the proliferation of intelligent metering and protective power devices, and the standardization of software/hardware interfaces are creating a dramatic shift in the way facilities acquire and utilize information about their power usage. The currently available power management systems gather a vast amount of information in the form of power usage, voltages, currents, and their time-dependent waveforms from a variety of devices (for example, circuit breakers, transformers, energy and power quality meters, protective relays, programmable logic controllers, motor control centers). What is lacking is an information processing and decision support infrastructure to harness this voluminous information into usable operational and management knowledge to handle the health of their equipment and power quality, minimize downtime and outages, and to optimize operations to improve productivity. This paper considers the problem of evaluating the capacity and reliability analyses of power systems with very high availability requirements (e.g., systems providing energy to data centers and communication networks with desired availability of up to 0.9999999). The real-time capacity and margin analysis helps operators to plan for additional loads and to schedule repair/replacement activities. The reliability analysis, based on computationally efficient sum of disjoint products, enables analysts to decide the optimum levels of redundancy, aids operators in prioritizing the maintenance options for a given budget and monitoring the system for capacity margin. The resulting analytical and software tool is demonstrated on a sample data center.
The moral permissibility of killing a ‘material aggressor’ in self-defense

L'A. envisage la question: Est-il moralement permissible pour un agent de prendre la vie d'une autre personne qui serait l'agresseur materiel de cet agent afin de sauver sa propre vie quand la personne n'est pas moralement responsable de la menace injuste qui pese sur l'agent? La reponse est non.
Architecture of an image capable, web-based, electronic medical record

With each medical center department creating and maintaining its own patient care-related data, nursing and house staff may find it confusing to log into all the information systems necessary to achieve a global perspective of the patient’s state. The Medical Information Network Database application provides a logically centralized Worldwide Web viewing application for the physically distributed data. In addition to coordinating data displays for histories, laboratories, pathology, radiology, and discharge summaries, the application can be configured to apply rule sets to the data and remind caregivers of follow-up tests or of possible reactions to treatment protocols. The viewing client runs on any HTML 2.0-compliant browser, although certain applet enhancements (notably for viewing radiological images) require a browser with Java abilities. With this “thin client” approach, the application can be configured to coexist with other applications (such as a PACS viewer), thus centralizing information and reducing the overall number of computers in the medical center.
Periodic response to periodic forcing of the Droop equations for phytoplankton growth

The dynamics of a phytoplankton population growing in a chemostat under a periodic supply of nutrients is investigated with the model proposed by Droop. This model differs from the well-known Monod equations by incorporating nutrient storage by the cells. In spite of its nonlinearity and the time delays introduced by an internal nutrient pool, the model predicts a simple response to a periodic nutrient supply. The population is shown to oscillate with the same frequency as the forcing. To prove the existence of a periodic solution local and global bifurcation results are used. This work establishes a basis on which to evaluate experimental data against the model as a representation of the nutrient-phytoplankton interaction when nutrients fluctuate.
Effects of Ochratoxin A Alone and in Combination with Citrinin on Kidney Function of Single Comb White Leghorn Pullets

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the acute effects of ochratoxin A (OA) on pullet renal function, and to determine if the diuretic effects of citrinin are altered by acute ochratoxicosis. Birds were injected intramuscularly with a 1-mg/mL solution of OA at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight for 2 consecutive days. Control birds received an equal volume injection of the OA carrier vehicle (100% ethanol). On the 3rd day, birds were anesthetized and prepared for renal function studies. Following 30 min of control urine and plasma collection, an intravenous infusion containing 400 ppm citrinin was initiated, and urine and plasma were collected for an additional 70 min. The OA alone caused an increase in manure moisture and increased hematocrits (hemoconcentration), but direct effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow rate/GFR, para-aminohippuric acid clearance (CPAH), free water clearance (FWC), and electrolye excretion (Na, K, Ca, P) were not consistently demonstrated. The OA may cause hemoconcentration by causing a subtle increase in urine flow (diuresis), or by increasing intestinal water loss (diarrhea). Citrinin infusion caused increased urine flow rate, increased urine flow rate/GFR, increased FWC, increased Na excretion, and decreased urine osmolality. Pretreatment with OA attenuated these effects of citrinin, presumably due to renal compensation for the OA-induced hemoconcentration. Citrinin and OA do not appear to have additive diuretic effects during the first 48 h of toxin exposure.
Topological equivalents to n-permutability*

In [4], Gumm showed that any T0 topological algebra in an n-permutable variety is T1. In this paper we show that Gumm's result in fact characterizes those varieties which are n-permutable for some n. We also give some additional topological properties which also characterize n-permutable varieties.
Charge dynamics and bending actuation in Aquivion membrane swelled with ionic liquids

Abstract The actuation strain and speed of ionic electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators are mainly determined by the charge transport through the actuators and excess ion storage near the electrodes. We employ a recently developed theory on ion transport and storage to investigate the charge dynamics of short side chain Aquivion® (Hyflon®) membranes with different uptakes of ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMI-Tf). The results reveal the existence of a critical uptake of ionic liquids above which the membrane exhibits a high ionic conductivity (σ > 5 × 10−2 mS/cm). Especially, we investigate the charge dynamics under voltages which are in the range for practical device operation (∼1 V and higher). The results show that the ionic conductivity, ionic mobility, and mobile ion concentration do not change with the applied voltage below 1 V (and for σ below 4 V). The results also show that bending actuation of the Aquivion membrane with 40wt% EMI-Tf is much larger than that of Nafion, indicating that the shorter flexible side chains improve the electromechanical coupling between the excess ions and the membrane backbones, while not affecting the actuation speed.
Dynamic neural network-based global output feedback tracking control for uncertain second-order nonlinear systems

A methodology for dynamic neural network (DNN) observer-based output feedback control of uncertain nonlinear systems with bounded disturbances is developed. The DNN-based observer works in conjunction with a dynamic filter for state estimation using only output measurements during on-line operation. A sliding mode term is added to the DNN structure to robustly account for exogenous disturbances and reconstruction errors. Weight update laws for the DNN, based on estimation, tracking errors, and filter output are proposed which guarantee global asymptotic regulation of the estimation error. A combination of a neural network feedforward term, along with estimated state feedback and sliding mode terms yields a global asymptotic tracking result. The developed method yields the first output feedback technique simultaneously achieving global asymptotic tracking and global asymptotic estimation of unmeasurable states for the class of uncertain nonlinear systems with bounded disturbances.
On-line viscometry combined with gel permeation chromatography. I. Instrumental calibration and testing with linear polymers

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was combined with flow time measurements on the eluent to provide both the distribution of hydrodynamic volumes and the distribution of intrinsic viscosities in linear polymers. Standard polystyrene samples were used to establish a universal hydrodynamic volume calibration as well as the zone spreading and viscometer transfer line tailing parameters. Viscometry data are particularly helpful in establishing the zone spreading parameters and the calibration curve at very high molecular weights. The results were applied to measurements on samples of linear polybutadiene and polyvinyl acetate. Agreement between values of Mw from GPC with those obtained by light scattering confirmed the universal calibration principle.
Advanced practice nurses in nephrology

With the growing shortage of nephrologists and the increasing number of end-stage renal disease patients, collaborative practice arrangements between nephrologists and advanced practice nurses (APNs) are becoming more common. This report addresses both the credentials and scope of practice of nephrology APNs. Because the APN role in nephrology is multifaceted, role responsibilities in the nephrology office, chronic dialysis unit, and acute care setting are outlined. Nephrologists and APNs have overlapping scopes of practice, and practicing collaboratively allows each health care professional to use their strengths maximally. Barriers to practice and reimbursement issues are discussed. Documentation needed to enter into collaborative practice is delineated. This includes collaborative practice agreements, scope of practice statements, prescribing protocols, hospital credentialing, and dialysis facility credentialing. The goal of the collaborative practice model is to improve traditional patient care and delivery of services. The APN's role complements that of the nephrologist and offers a unique, holistic approach to the quality of patient care that is needed in the current health care environment.
Chromosomal sex in gonadal dysgenesis (ovarian agenesis): relationship to male pseudohermaphrodism and theories of human sex differentiation.

CONSIDERABLE knowledge has been accumulated concerning the factors affecting sex differentiation in vertebrates. In man, however, most of our information is inferential, based largely on the observations experimental embryologists in other species. Controversy and debate have focused principally on the relative role of genetic influences and the embryonic gonads in the differentiation of the genital ducts and the external genitalia. The demonstration by Jost in the rabbit (1), and Raynaud and Frilley in the mouse (2), that early removal or destruction of the fetal gonads led invariably to female development of the ducts and genitalia, emphasized the importance of the embryonic testes in counteracting the inherent tendency of the fetus to feminize. Individuals with the syndrome of “ovarian agenesis” had always been considered to be females. In 1950 Wilkins (3) and Jost (4), recognizing the clinical significance of these animal experiments, predicted that some patients with this disorder should be chromosom...
Slow exchange model of nonrigid rotational motion in RNA for combined solid-state and solution NMR studies.

Functional RNA molecules are conformationally dynamic and sample a multitude of dynamic modes over a wide range of frequencies. Thus, a comprehensive description of RNA dynamics requires the inclusion of a broad range of motions across multiple dynamic rates which must be derived from multiple spectroscopies. Here we describe a slow conformational exchange theoretical approach to combining the description of local motions in RNA that occur in the ns-μs window and are detected by solid-state NMR with non-rigid rotational motion of the HIV-1 TAR RNA in solution as observed by solution NMR. This theoretical model unifies the experimental results generated by solution and solid-state NMR and provides a comprehensive view of the dynamics of HIV-1 TAR RNA, a well-known paradigm of an RNA where function requires extensive conformational rearrangements. This methodology provides a quantitative atomic level view of the amplitudes and rates of the local and collective displacements of the TAR RNA molecule, and provides directly motional parameters for the conformational capture hypothesis of this classical RNA-ligand interaction.
Magnetic resonance imaging of para-articular and ectopic ganglia

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging in (1) improving preoperative identification of soft tissue ganglia and in (2) enhancing management by defining their origins, attachments, and extensions. Magnetic resonance images of 17 ganglia were evaluated for intrinsic signal, internal structure, overall shape, and relationship to joints and tendon sheaths using a Philips 0.5 Tesla superconductive magnet with receiver dedicated surface coils. Magnetic resonance imaging proved particularly well suited to delineating soft tissue ganglia and characterizing several of their distinctive diagnostic features which are not optimally imaged by other modalities such as computed tomography and ultrasound.
Bernard Berelson: Behavioral scientist

Bernard Berelson (1912–1979) was trained as a librarian and wrote two important books on reading and readers, but his major contributions to the behavioral sciences were in the fields of communications research, voting studies, and population. He virtually created the term “behavioral sciences” and he was principally responsible for the establishment of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Stanford, California. His energy and intelligence and his belief both in the importance of behavioral empiricism and the ethical and moral dimensions of behavioral research have left an enduring legacy.