cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The importance of transurethral resection of bladder tumor in the management of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review of novel technologies.

Purpose: Transurethral bladder tumor resection is one of the most commonly performed procedures by practicing urologists for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. There is wide variation in the technique and quality of transurethral bladder tumor resection among urologists. This is the first and critically important diagnostic and staging tool in the management of bladder cancer, which is a potentially lethal malignancy and the most costly urological malignancy to manage. In this review we provide an evidence-based rationale for the incorporation of novel technologies for transurethral resection of bladder tumor in the setting of previously set standards.Materials and Methods: A systematic MEDLINE®/PubMed®, Cochrane Library and Ovid MEDLINE® search was performed using 2 separate search queries. The MEDLINE/PubMed search was performed using the key words “transurethral resection bladder tumor,” filtering the search to include studies published within the last 5 years, E...
Neuroattenuation of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus through Picornaviral Internal Ribosome Entry Sites

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is potent and a highly promising agent for the treatment of cancer. However, translation of VSV oncolytic virotherapy into the clinic is being hindered by its inherent neurotoxicity. It has been demonstrated that selected picornaviral internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements possess restricted activity in neuronal tissues. We therefore sought to determine whether the picornavirus IRES could be engineered into VSV to attenuate its neuropathogenicity. We have used IRES elements from human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV2) and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to control the translation of the matrix gene (M), which plays a major role in VSV virulence. In vitro studies revealed slowed growth kinetics of IRES-controlled VSVs in most of the cell lines tested. However, in vivo studies explicitly demonstrated that IRES elements of HRV2 and FMDV severely attenuated the neurovirulence of VSV without perturbing its oncolytic potency.
Utility of lumbar puncture in diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

To determine the significance of lumbar puncture in diagnosis of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 116 consecutive patients diagnosed with VKH. Two additional patients who presented with acute VKH were included in the analysis. Demographic characteristics, including gender, age, and ethnicity, were extracted from the medical record. The stage of disease at presentation was documented. Pertinent laboratory results and diagnostic procedures such as lumbar puncture, fluorescein angiography, and echography that contributed to the diagnosis of VKH were collected. Lumbar puncture results for 10 patients were available. Eight of these patients presented with pleocytosis consistent with a diagnosis of VKH. Clinical features and fluorescein angiography confirmed the diagnosis in these patients. Both of the patients who did not exhibit cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis presented with headache, vision loss, and bilateral uveitis. Fluorescein angiography disclosed multiple foci of leakage at the retinal pigment epithelium level with accumulation of dye under the retina and disc leakage, confirming diagnosis of VKH. The utility of lumbar puncture as a diagnostic criterion for VKH should be re-evaluated given that clinical features and fluorescein angiography alone often support the diagnosis. The inherent risks and complications associated with the procedure must prompt the clinician to reserve this evaluation for atypical presentations.
Pressure-dependence of etch rate in O2 discharges

Abstract To describe the etch behavior in O 2 discharges, a mathematical model for the etching of silicon dioxide in CF 4 discharges was adapted. At low pressures the etch rate is limited by the flux of oxygen atoms to the surface and their reactive sticking coefficient on the surface. The oxygen atom flux was related to the density of oxygen atoms in the bulk plasma. The etch rate in the low pressure regime was then derived as a function of the oxygen pressure using the mathematical forms of the oxygen atom density and the reactive sticking coefficient as a function of the pressure found in the previous work. The predicted etch rate agreed well with that of photoresist and carbon films provided in the literature: the pressure divided by the etch rate is linear to the pressure squared, as predicted. At high pressures, the etch rate is limited by the ion energy flux to the surface, which depends on the ratio of the rate coefficient for ionization to that for dissociative attachment. The ion energy flux was shown to decrease monotonically with the pressure, and the data reported in the literature yielded an empirical relation that the ion energy flux is inversely proportional to the pressure squared.
Nitric oxide attenuates beryllium-induced IFNγ responses in chronic beryllium disease: Evidence for mechanisms independent of IL-18

In chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a granulomatous lung disease characterized by hypersensitivity to beryllium salts (BE), BE challenge of bronchoalveolar lavage cells induces IFNgamma. Although nitric oxide (NO) is elevated in CBD airways, the effects of NO on CBD IFNgamma responses are unknown. Here we report that BE-stimulated IFNgamma production in CBD lavage cells was markedly reduced (74%) by the NO generator DETA NONOate. Investigation of IFNgamma-stimulatory cytokine involvement indicated that lavage cell IL-18 was significantly increased (fourfold) by BE and reduced (64%) by DETA NONOate but IL-12 was undetectable. IL-18 production was caspase-1-dependent but caspase 1 inhibition reduced IFNgamma only partially (43%). Specific antibody depletion of lavage cell IL-18 yielded marginal reduction (19%) of IFNgamma. Data are the first to show that: (1) BE stimulates IL-18 as well as IFNgamma in CBD; (2) BE cytokine responses are NO-sensitive; and (3) NO down-regulation of IFNgamma involves other sites in addition to IL-18.
Exploring cultural difference through translating children's literature

This article is descriptive in nature, presenting a student-faculty project in which participants translated a short children’s story from German into English in order to explore the cultural embeddedness of language and the hermeneutic nature of translation. By reflecting on issues surrounding the translation of children’s literature and by imitating the situation of a professional translator, project participants gained insight into the workings of language and the complexities associated with translation.
Abstract 2882: CREB inhibition attenuates MM tumor growth and drug resistance

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Malignant mesothelioma (MM) has a poor prognosis because of its difficult diagnosis and chemoresistance. We have shown previously that cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is constitutively activated (phosphorylated) in MM cells and tissue arrays as compared to mesothelial cells or benign lesions. Moreover, inhibition of CREB results in increased Doxorubicin (Dox)-induced apoptosis by attenuation of prosurvival genes, Bcl2 and BclxL. Using intraperitoneal and subcutaneous SCID xenograft mice models injected with shCREB (CREB inhibited) human MM cells (Hmeso), we show that CREB inhibition significantly attenuates tumor growth in both models. In addition, CREB inhibition also results in additional decreases in tumor size after treatment with Dox (0.5mg/kg, ip, 3 times a wk for 6 wks), suggesting a role of CREB in drug resistance. TUNEL staining on tumor sections showed increased cell death in CREB-inhibited tumors. Assessment of human cytokine levels by Bioplex analysis in peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) of tumor-bearing mice showed that CREB inhibition significantly attenuated levels of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, MCP1, IFN-gamma, IP-10 and RANTES. Dox treatment per se increased levels of several cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, IP-10, MIP-1B, RANTES), however, in the presence of shCREB, these levels were significantly decreased after Dox treatment. Other cytokine levels like bFGF, IFN-gamma, MCP1 and VEGF were reduced following Dox treatment, and further decreases were observed in CREB inhibited (shCREB) tumors. Microarray analysis performed on shCREB-Hmeso cells in vitro showed several fold decreases in various tumorigenesis- related genes including PAK7, Calbindin 1, TIE-2, MCAM, CD24, CCL-5, c-Met, v-kit, MMP2, IL-6, and snail homolog 2 as compared to shControl-Hmeso cells. In addition, increases in mRNA levels of phosphatases, Dachund homolog, and Caspase-1 were also observed following CREB inhibition. The patterns of gene expression and cytokine release by shCREB suggest that CREB affects tumor growth by regulating proliferation/survival, angiogenesis, migration and apoptosis. In addition, we also show that inhibition of CREB expression renders MM tumors more susceptible to Dox. This study is supported by National Cancer Institute grant PO1CA114047 and a grant from the Vermont Genetics Network (VGN). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2882. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2882
Improvement of Cardiac Function in Mouse Myocardial Infarction after Transplantation of Epigenetically-Modified Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells

Objective To study usefulness of bone marrow progenitor cells (BPCs) epigenetically altered by chromatin modifying agents in mediating heart repair after myocardial infarction in mice. Methods and Results We tested the therapeutic efficacy of bone marrow progenitor cells treated with the clinically-used chromatin modifying agents Trichostatin A (TSA, histone deacetylase inhibitor) and 5Aza-2-deoxycytidine (Aza, DNA methylation inhibitor) in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Treatment of BPCs with Aza and TSA induced expression of pluripotent genes Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and thereafter culturing these cells in defined cardiac myocyte-conditioned medium resulted in their differentiation into cardiomyocyte progenitors and subsequently into cardiac myocytes. Their transition was deduced by expression of repertoire of markers: Nkx2.5, GATA4, cardiotroponin T, cardiotroponin I, α-sarcomeric actinin, Mef2c and MHC-α. We observed that the modified BPCs had greater AceH3K9 expression and reduced histone deacetylase1 (HDAC1) and lysine-specific demethylase1 (LSD1) expression compared to untreated BPCs, characteristic of epigenetic changes. Intra-myocardial injection of modified BPCs after AMI in mice significantly improved left ventricular function. These changes were ascribed to differentiation of the injected cells into cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Conclusion Treatment of BPCs with Aza and TSA converts BPCs into multipotent cells, which can then be differentiated into myocyte progenitors. Transplantation of these modified progenitor cells into infarcted mouse hearts improved left ventricular function secondary to differentiation of cells in the niche into myocytes and endothelial cells.
Stress urinary incontinence due to prescription medications : Alpha-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

Abstract Background: Several antihypertensive medications affect lower urinary tract function and may cause urinary incontinence. Case: A 59-year-old woman on doxazosin mesylate for control of her hypertension presented with stress urinary incontinence. Because this drug is known to cause loss of urethral tone leading to stress incontinence in some patients, she was switched to enalapril maleate, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Her incontinence improved on the new medication, but she developed a persistent dry cough that continued to cause episodic stress incontinence. Because a persistent cough is a known side effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, her medication was changed to a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine besylate. Her cough resolved, and her stress incontinence was no longer a clinical problem. Conclusion: Gynecologists should be aware of the unexpected side effects of medications on the lower urinary tract.
Valence Asymmetry in Attitude Formation A Correlate of Political Ideology

A considerable amount of research indicates that political conservatives and liberals perceive their social worlds very differently, with conservatives perceiving the world more negatively than liberals. Two studies examined how these varying perceptions may develop by exploring the relation between political ideology and attitude formation. In both studies, participants completed an evaluative conditioning paradigm in which novel stimuli were paired with either positive or negative images. Political conservatives were more susceptible to conditioning with negative stimuli than conditioning with positive stimuli as compared to political liberals. Specifically, conservatives were less susceptible to conditioning with positive stimuli than liberals. Conditioning with negative stimuli did not differ by political ideology. These findings suggest fundamental differences in the formation of positive versus negative attitudes between conservatives and liberals.
Evaluation of modal-based damage detection techniques for composite aircraft sandwich structures

Composite sandwich structures are important as structural components in modern lightweight aircraft, but are susceptible to catastrophic failure without obvious forewarning. Internal damage, such as disbonding between skin and core, is detrimental to the structures' strength and integrity and thus must be detected before reaching critical levels. However, highly directional low density cores, such as Nomex honeycomb, make the task of damage detection and health monitoring difficult. One possible method for detecting damage in composite sandwich structures, which seems to have received very little research attention, is analysis of global modal parameters. This study will investigate the viability of modal analysis techniques for detecting skin-core disbonds in carbon fiber-Nomex honeycomb sandwich panels through laboratory testing. A series of carbon fiber prepreg and Nomex honeycomb sandwich panels-representative of structural components used in lightweight composite airframes-were fabricated by means of autoclave co-cure. All panels were of equal dimensions and two were made with predetermined sizes of disbonded areas, created by substituting areas of Teflon release film in place of epoxy film adhesive during the cure. A laser vibrometer was used to capture frequency response functions (FRF) of all panels, and then real and imaginary FRFs at different locations on each plate and operating shapes for each plate were compared. Preliminary results suggest that vibration-based techniques hold promise for damage detection of composite sandwich structures.
Senses of “shipscapes”: an artful navigation of ship architecture and aesthetics

Purpose – In the context of organizational aesthetics, “built environments” remain under‐explored. The purpose of this paper is to enter the maritime world of ship architectures to navigate sensory‐aesthetic knowledge of a sailor's place‐based memories.Design/methodology/approach – Challenges have been issued to explore the potential for artistic‐sensual methodologies to both study and represent organizational aesthetics. The authors accept these challenges in the context of “shipscapes”.Findings – A sailor's “artworks” become artefacts through which are evoked rich, multi‐sensory descriptions of deep‐sea tug vessels. The sailor's sensible knowledge is related to seafaring practice, the aesthetic taste for ships and the aesthetic bond with them. Sensory‐aesthetic architectural memories are further connected to functional and symbolic aspects of ships as built environments.Research limitations/implications – Certain place/space shipboard knowledge remains constrained by the boundaries of an “arts‐based” se...
Inhibition of Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte–Mediated Graft Damage Synergizes With Short-Term Costimulatory Blockade to Prevent Cardiac Allograft Rejection

Background— The early inflammatory response during reperfusion of cardiac allografts is initiated by the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into the graft. The impact of early PMN infiltration on allograft rejection compared with long-term graft survival remains poorly understood. Methods and Results— We tested the role of CXCR2, the receptor for 2 PMN attractant chemokines, KC/CXCL1 and MIP-2/CXCL2, on intragraft inflammation and vascularized cardiac allograft rejection in a murine model. Compared with allografts retrieved from control recipients, both PMN infiltration and intragraft proinflammatory cytokine expression were significantly attenuated in allografts from CXCR2-antisera–treated wild-type or from CXCR2−/− recipients. Adoptive transfer of alloantigen-primed T cells rapidly infiltrated and rejected allografts in control recipients, but T-cell infiltration was significantly decreased in recipients depleted of PMNs at transplantation. The influence of early PMN-mediated inflammati...
Probable identity of substances in citrus that repress asexual embryogenesis

The embryogenetic responseof culturedDaucus carota L. ‘Queen Anne's Lace’ callus was employed to attempt fractionation and identification of a repressive factor produced byCitrus medica L. ovules. The factor was evidently synthesized and released into the medium continuously, inasmuch as citron ovules that had been autoclaved with the medium were completely infeffective. The inhibition could be attributed to volatile and nonvolatile components. A substantial part of the inhibition was prevented by continuously refereshing the atmosphere within the cultures with filtered air. Monitoring of the gases produced by citron ovule sections under conditions simulating bioassays disclosed significant evolution of carbon dioxide, ethylene and ethanol. Repression of embryogenesis was not averted by trapping the liberated ethylene. On the other hand, ethanol in concentrations equivalent to those released by citron ovules suppressed asexual embryogenesis dramatically. The adverse effect of ethanol was reversed immeditaley upon transfer to ethanol-free medium. Another investigation had disclosed anti-embryogenetic effects of auxin, abscisic acid and gibberellin. Analysis ofCitrus ovules excised from young fuits disclosed those of monoembryonic citron to contain concentrations of IAA, ABA and GA3 several times higher than those of polyembryonic Ponkan mandrain. The nonvolatile protion might be identified with these hormonal substances.
Generation of a human chromosome 18-specific YAC clone collection and mapping of 55 unique YACs by FISH and fingerprinting.

Abstract A yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library was constructed from a somatic cell hybrid line in which the human chromosome content had been reduced by repeated subcloning to one or two copies of chromosome 18. Screening of 4700 primary yeast transformants generated 74 clones containing a YAC with a human DNA insert averaging 190 kb in size. The human YACs were localized to subregions of chromosome 18 by in situ hybridization of biotin-labeled Alu -PCR products obtained using total yeast DNA as a template. Comparisons of interspersed repetitive sequence-PCR and restriction fragment fingerprint patterns identified five sets of identical and three sets of overlapping YACs. Dual-label fluorescence in situ hybridization interphase mapping was used to determine the order of some nonoverlapping YACs. STS (sequence-tagged site) content mapping was carried out with PCR primers for 56 chromosome 18-specific markers. The identification of YACs containing four known genes—encoding the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), the myelin basic protein (MBP), ferrochelatase (FECH), and SSAV1, an endogenous retroviral element related to the SSAV virus—provides a precise cytological map position for the respective loci. Our final collection of 55 randomly isolated, unique, and regionally localized YACs (D18S107-D18S161) is distributed over the entire chromosome and collectively covers approximately 12 Mb, i.e., 16% of the estimated 77 Mb of DNA in euchromatin of chromosome 18. These YACs provide reagents for the isolation of genes in these regions and represent nucleation points for the generation of STS to increase coverage of the chromosome by YAC contigs.
A theory of learning and transfer: I

A rational theory of discrimination learning is developed for the special case in which the subject must discriminate between two stimuli which differ with respect to one variable such as size or brightness. It is shown that the previous equations developed by Gulliksen and Thurstone are special cases of the present one. It is predicted that the ultimate level of accuracy of the discrimination is inversely related to the difference, as determined psychophysically, between the two stimuli. Other implications of the theory for experimental work are presented.
Stress-induced parallel changes in central opioid levels and pain responsiveness in the rat.

THE isolation and identification of endogenous opiate-like peptides from mammalian brain1,2, and from pituitary3–5 has led to an active investigation of their pharmacological properties. These peptides—the enkephalins and endorphins—have been shown to produce naloxone-reversible analgesia6,7, tolerance, and withdrawal7. While these effects seem consonant with those of morphine and other exogenous narcotics, little is yet known about the intrinsic, physiological functions of the opioid peptides. Since powerful analgesia is a prominent and reliable phenomenon associated with the administration of both narcotic alkaloids and brain opioid peptides, it seems reasonable to suggest that the opioid peptides may normally function to modulate pain responsiveness. Furthermore, work with stimulation-produced analgesia has suggested the existence, in mammalian brain, of a pain-inhibitory system with an opiate-like link8,9. We have, therefore, hypothesised that such an endogenous system may be engaged by either environmental, sensory, or other physiological events which lead to adaptive changes in pain responsiveness. For example, noxious or stressful stimuli may recruit pain-inhibitory mechanisms in the central nervous system, bringing about alterations in enkephalins and endorphins, with concurrent or subsequent changes in responses to pain. Consistent with this hypothesis, we now report that inescapable acute stress causes a significant increase in levels of opioid peptides with a concurrent decrease in pain responsiveness in the rat. Furthermore, both the biochemical and behavioural changes are “reversed” by repeated exposure to stress. A preliminary report of this work has been made10.
Developmental expression of class III and IV POU domain genes in the zebrafish.

Abstract Using redundant primers in a PCR based cloning strategy, POU-domain encoding sequences representing two different class III genes (brain-1.1, brain-1.2) and one class IV gene (brain-3.1) were identified in zebrafish. Using the PCR clones to screen a zebrafish gastrula cDNA library, a third class III POU gene was identified (brain-1.0). RT–PCR assays performed with gene-specific primers indicated that the four POU genes exhibited distinct patterns of expression in developing embryos and adult fish. Like their mammalian homologs, the class III genes were expressed early in development and in the adult brain, while the class IV gene was poorly expressed during early development but highly expressed in the adult eye. Since two of the POU PCR clones were obtained from genomic DNA, the fish genes may also be similar to their mammalian homologs in being largely devoid of introns.
Delayed sexual maturation in the female rat during chronic exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Abstract Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of marihuana, retarded sexual maturation in the pubertal female rat as indicated by a delayed appearance of estrus and ovulation. Twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg THC/kg body weight from 27 days of age until the first day of full vaginal cornification delayed the onset of estrus and the occurrence of the first ovulation by an average of 4.3 ± 0.9 (S.E.M.) days in comparison with pair-fed, vehicle-treated animals (p
Computational Complexity of Some Problems in Parametric Discrete Programming. I

We explore the computational complexity of certain issues regarding parametric linear and integer linear programming. For example, we demonstrate that: 1 The equality of optimal value of two integer programs for all right-hand sides r.h.s is NP-complete either when the problem is stated in matrix or in functional form; 2 The equality of optimal value of two linear programs for all r.h.s. in matrix form is polynomial, but it becomes NP-complete when one desires equality for all r.h.s. in a polyhedral cone described by generators; 3 The equality of a general polyhedral function allowing nested “maxes” to the value of a linear program in matrix form, or to another polyhedral function, is NP-complete; 4 The shortest expression, for the optimum to the subadditive dual of an integer program in matrix form, can require exponential space.
Factors affecting nuclear dynamics and green fluorescent protein targeting to the nucleus in Arabidopsis thaliana roots

Abstract Nuclear movement and targeting of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)–nuclear localization sequence (NLS)–β-glucuronidase (GUS) chimeric protein to the roots of transformed Arabidopsis has been studied using time lapse analysis. To characterize the mechanism governing this movement, metabolic inhibitors, and chemicals that alter the concentrations of divalent cations in the cell were applied. Flow cytometry was used to examine the condition of nuclear membranes. The results showed that nuclear movement in Arabidopsis roots was energy-dependent. The concentration of magnesium ions seemed to play a crucial role in the movement of the nuclei and targeting of the chimeric GFP protein into the nucleoplasm. In contrast, alterations in concentration of calcium ions did not affect either nuclear dynamics or nucleoplasmic GFP accumulation. The results are discussed in terms of some of the physiological processes occurring within the cell.
A chronoamperometric method to estimate changes in the membrane composition of ion-selective membranes.

A new chronoamperometric method is used to estimate changes in the membrane composition of mobile-site, ionophore-based membranes. The characteristic features of the chronoamperometric curves (initial current, slope, break time) of valinomycin-based, potassium-selective membranes loaded with potassium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate are correlated with the mobile-site and free ionophore concentration in the membrane. Limiting cases for strong and negligible ion pair formation are distinguished. Replicate measurements indicate a relative standard deviation in the calculated values less than 10%. The practical applicability of the method was tested with membranes incorporated into conventional ion-selective electrode bodies or cast onto microfabricated planar sensor structures.
Using time-lapse electrical geophysics to monitor subsurface processes

Over the past 20 years, the use of 4D (i.e., time-lapse) geophysics to provide information on subsurface processes in oil reservoirs has become accepted such that it is now a standard tool. The environmental and engineering community has seen a parallel development of time-lapse electrical geophysics. Research has focused on four areas:
Cardiac troponin-I concentrations in dogs with bradyarrhythmias before and after artificial pacing

Abstract Objectives To quantify cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) concentration in dogs with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias before and after artificial pacing and to correlate cTnI concentration with diagnosis, echocardiographic parameters, serology, and outcome. Animals, materials and methods Medical records from the University of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed, and 14 dogs with cTnI assay results before and after pacemaker were identified. The ECG diagnosis included complete atrioventricular block (AVB), sick sinus syndrome, 2nd degree AVB, and atrial standstill. Serology, presence of premature beats, echocardiographic measurements, and pacing modality were recorded. Results Mean cTnI concentration was elevated both pre- and post-pacing, and was significantly higher pre-pacing vs. post-pacing. Post-pacing cTnI concentration in 9 of 14 dogs (64%) remained above the reference range. Four dogs yielded high serum titers for Bartonella spp. Four dogs with markedly increased cTnI concentration had progressive left ventricular enlargement and myocardial failure as compared to pre-pacing examination. Conclusions Elevated cTnI concentration suggests that cardiac injury persists after artificial pacing in dogs with bradyarrhythmias. Myocarditis secondary to Bartonella spp. or other causes may be an important cause of AVB in dogs. Prospective studies investigating the correlation of cTnI to potential etiology and development of post-pacing LV dysfunction and outcome are needed.
The closed bomb test for the assessment of solid propellant grains utilized in guns

Abstract This paper reviews the concept of closed bomb testing of propellant grains in order to determine the applicability of such propellant testing for prediction in guns. An analysis of the closed bomb with certain simplifying assumptions is presented. This analysis is shown to satisfactorily predict the pressure history in the closed bomb. A propellant grain parameter sensitivity analysis is conducted to show the sensitivity of the pressure history and the muzzle velocity data. The importance of detailing the proper grain geometry so as not to reflect an incorrect burning rate is demonstrated. The·muzzle velocity is found to be linearly correlated to the magnitude of the relative quickness. It is also shown not to vary much when the propellant grain parameters are adjusted to give the same RQ.
BRUNELLESCHI'S HORIZONTAL ARCHES AND RELATED DEVICES

title RIASSUNTO /title Per ottenere la prestabilita forma della cupola di S. Maria del Fiore, il Brunelleschi fu obbligato ad adottare una muratura molto insolita. Tale muratura richiese l'invenzione di mezzi e metodi speciali che gli permisero la realizzazione della forma voluta. Fra questi metodi, vanno considerati gli archi orizzontali che appaiono nella cupola. Una indagine eseguita per questi archi ha portato a identificare il funzionamento del processo di costruzione della cupola giorno per giorno.
Morphine enhances HIV-1SF162-mediated neuron death and delays recovery of injured neurites.

HIV-1 enters the CNS soon after initial systemic infection; within the CNS parenchyma infected and/or activated perivascular macrophages, microglia and astrocytes release viral and cellular toxins that drive secondary toxicity in neurons and other cell types. Our previous work has largely modeled HIV-neuropathology using the individual viral proteins Tat or gp120, with murine striatal neurons as targets. To model disease processes more closely, the current study uses supernatant from HIV-1-infected cells. Supernatant from HIV-1SF162-infected differentiated-U937 cells (HIV+sup) was collected and p24 level was measured by ELISA to assess the infection. Injection drug abuse is a significant risk factor for HIV-infection, and opiate drug abusers show increased HIV-neuropathology, even with anti-retroviral treatments. We therefore assessed HIV+sup effects on neuronal survival and neurite growth/pruning with or without concurrent exposure to morphine, an opiate that preferentially acts through µ-opioid receptors. Effects of HIV+sup ± morphine were assessed on neuronal populations, and also by time-lapse imaging of individual cells. HIV+sup caused dose-dependent toxicity over a range of p24 levels (10–500 pg/ml). Significant interactions occurred with morphine at lower p24 levels (10 and 25 pg/ml), and GSK3β was implicated as a point of convergence. In the presence of glia, selective neurotoxic measures were significantly enhanced and interactions with morphine were also augmented, perhaps related to a decreased level of BDNF. Importantly, the arrest of neurite growth that occurred with exposure to HIV+sup was reversible unless neurons were continuously exposed to morphine. Thus, while reducing HIV-infection levels may be protective, ongoing exposure to opiates may limit recovery. Opiate interactions observed in this HIV-infective environment were similar, though not entirely concordant, with Tat/gp120 interactions reported previously, suggesting unique interactions with virions or other viral or cellular proteins released by infected and/or activated cells.
Ultrastructural localization of δ-opioid receptor and Met5-enkephalin immunoreactivity in rat insular cortex

The insular cortex has been implicated in the reinforcing properties of opiates as well as in the integration of responses to sensory-motor stimulation. Moreover, the δ-opioid receptor (DOR) and the endogenous opioid ligand, Met5-enkephalin (ENK) are known to be prominently distributed in insular limbic cortex. To examine the anatomical sites for opioid activation of DOR in rat insular cortex, we used immunoperoxidase for detection of an antiserum raised against a peptide sequence unique to the DOR alone, and in combination with immunogold-silver labeling for ENK. Light microscopy showed intense DOR-like immunoreactivity (DOR-LI) in pyramidal cells and interneurons in deep laminae, and in varicose processes in both superficial and deep layers of the insular cortex. Ultrastructural analysis of layers V and VI in insular cortex showed that the most prominent immunoperoxidase labeling for DOR was in dendrites. This labeling was associated with asymmetric excitatory-type junctions postsynaptic to unlabeled terminals. Dendritic DOR-LI was also distributed along selective portions of non-synaptic plasma membranes and subsurface organelles. In dually labeled sections, dendrites containing DOR-LI sometimes received synaptic input from ENK-labeled terminals or more infrequently colocalized with ENK. Other axon terminals were exclusively immunolabeled for DOR or more rarely contained both DOR and ENK immunoreactivity. Within labeled axon terminals, distinct segments of the plasma membrane and membranes of immediately adjacent synaptic vesicles showed the largest accumulation of the peroxidase reaction product for DOR. These results indicate that in rat insular cortex DOR is primarily heteroreceptive, but also serves an autoreceptive function on certain ENK-containing neurons. Our results also provide the first ultrastructural evidence that in rat insular cortex endogenous opioids interact through the DOR (1) to modulate the postsynaptic responses to other excitatory afferents and (2) to presynaptically regulate the release of other neurotransmitters. The modulatory actions on both ENK-containing and non-ENK-containing neurons may contribute significantly to the reinforcing properties of exogenous opiates acting on the DOR in limbic cortex.
Effects of Manure and Fertilizer Applications on Canola Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition

Increasing fertilizer costs have resulted in more growers evaluating the use of alternative nutrient sources such as manure. Coin- cidentally, the questions about fertilizer eff ects on oil yield and oil fatty acid composition have been a concern. A 2-yr study was conducted to investigate nutrient source (fertilizer urea plus S and manure) and N level (0, 84, and 168 kg N ha -1 ) eff ects on canola seed yield, total oil content, and oil composition at East Lansing and Chatham, MI. Results indicated nutrient applica- tions were not necessary to increase canola yield (865-1991 kg ha -1 ) in fertile fi elds. However, N fertilizer appeared to reduce total oil content (444−536 mL kg -1 ), and at similar N levels, total oil content in canola with fertilizer was sometimes lower than that with manure application. Compared with the no nutrient control treatment, fertilizer application sometimes decreased lin- olenic acid (LN) content, and increased palmitic acid (P) and arachidic acid (A) at Chatham, while it appeared to decrease oleic acid (O) and increase P, linoleic (L) and A at East Lansing. Fertilizer applications oft en increased canola total saturated fatty acid content (6.80-8.32%) and decreased ratio of O/(L+LN) (2.04-2.52). Manure application had milder eff ects on oil composition than fertilizer application. Compared with less N (84 kg N ha -1 ) applications, greater N level (168 kg N ha -1 ) tended to lower oil quality by increasing total saturated fatty acid content and decreasing the O/(L+LN) ratio.
Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome Presenting as Apparent Polycythemia Vera: A Critical Diagnostic Dilemma

Polycythemia vera presents with true erythrocytosis (elevated red cell mass) and an expanded plasma volume, while apparent erythrocytosis presents with plasma volume contraction and a normal red cell mass. Here we report a case with recurrent episodes of severe apparent erythrocytosis, closely mimicking polycythemia vera, due to a rare condition known as systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS). This syndrome typically presents with the triad of hypotension, hemocencentration and hypoalbuminemia, combined with a monoclonal serum M-protein. Empirical treatment with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) has successfully led to resolution of symptoms and correction of hemoconcentration in several reported cases as well as in our patient’s case. It is important for clinicians to differentiate true erythrocytosis from apparent erythrocytosis, and to be aware of this rare syndrome causing the latter, as aggressive phlebotomy and overtreatment with crystalloid fluids could result in serious adverse events and should be avoided. J Hematol. 2014;3(1):19-21 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jh116w
Application note: A WebGIS and geodatabase for Florida's wetlands

Florida's wetlands are impacted by agricultural, urban, and other human activities. This enrichment effect can be seen in many subtropical freshwater wetlands in Florida, most notably in the Everglades. Given the environmental and political interest in these wetlands, there is urgent need for a centralized repository and mechanism to share geospatial data, information and maps of Florida's wetlands and adjacent agricultural ecosystems. Our objective was to develop an interactive WebGIS and geodatabase for Florida's wetlands providing map and data services. We used ArcIMS, a commercially available software, which was extended using a MSAccess database, Java, Visual Basic and Active Server Pages to customize our application. Our Web-based tool facilitates to share data globally, provide end-users a cost-saving solution to access up-to-date spatial datasets customized for a specific topic to users with limited GIS knowledge. Staff from state and regional agencies and others are making increased use of our Web-tool to assist in the decision-making process to restore and preserve wetlands in Florida. Our interactive website of Florida's wetlands is accessible at http://www.giswetlands.ifas.ufl.edu.
The Novel Chemical Entity YTR107 Inhibits Recruitment of Nucleophosmin to Sites of DNA Damage, Suppressing Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Enhancing Radiosensitization

Purpose: Radiation therapy continues to be an important therapeutic strategy for providing definitive local/regional control of human cancer. However, oncogenes that harbor driver mutations and/or amplifications can compromise therapeutic efficacy. Thus, there is a need for novel approaches that enhance the DNA damage produced by ionizing radiation. Experimental Design: A forward chemical genetic approach coupled with cell-based phenotypic screening of several tumor cell lines was used to identify a novel chemical entity (NCE) that functioned as a radiation sensitizer. Proteomics, comet assays, confocal microscopy, and immunoblotting were used to identify the biological target. Results: The screening process identified a 5-(( N -benzyl-1 H -indol-3-yl)-methylene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1 H ,3 H ,5 H )trione as an NCE that radiosensitized cancer cells expressing amplified and/or mutated RAS , ErbB , PIK3CA , and/or BRAF oncogenes. Affinity-based solid-phase resin capture followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry identified the chaperone nucleophosmin (NPM) as the NCE target. SiRNA suppression of NPM abrogated radiosensitization by the NCE. Confocal microscopy showed that the NCE inhibited NPM shuttling to radiation-induced DNA damage repair foci, and the analysis of comet assays indicated a diminished rate of DNA double-strand break repair. Conclusion: These data support the hypothesis that inhibition of DNA repair due to inhibition of NPM shuttling increases the efficacy of DNA-damaging therapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(20); 6490–9. ©2011 AACR .
Exercise-induced anaphylaxis

Exercise-related anaphylaxis is a novel form of physical allergy that is being recognized with increasing frequency in a society with a growing commitment to health through planned exercise. The clinical manifestations progress from pruritus, erythema, and urticaria to some combination of cutaneous angioedema, gastrointestinal and laryngeal symptoms and signs of angioedema, and vascular collapse. The finding of an elevated serum histamine level during experimentally-induced attenuated attacks indicates mast cell participation, as in a physical allergy, and the signs and symptoms are characteristic of a classic anaphylactic reaction to a foreign substance in an allergic human.
OPTIMIZING AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION OF GRAPEVINE

Summary A translational fusion between the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) genes was used to optimize parameters influencing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Thompson Seedless. The corresponding bifunctional protein produced from this EGFP/NPTII fusion gene allowed for a single promoter to drive expression of both green fluorescence and kanamycin resistance, thus conserving promoter resources and eliminating potential promoter‐promoter interactions. The fusion gene, driven by either a double cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV 35S) promoter or a double cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV) promoter, was immobilized into Agrobacterium strain EHA 105. Somatic embryos capable of direct secondary embryogenesis were used as target tissues to recover transgenic plants. Simultaneous visualization of GFP fluorescence and kanamycin selection of transgenic cells, tissues, somatic embryos, and plants were achieved. GFP expression and recovery of embryogenic culture lines were used as indicators to optimize transformation parameters. Preculturing of somatic embryos for 7d on fresh medium prior to transformation minimized Agrobacterium-induced tissue browning/necrosis. Alternatively, browning/necrosis was reduced by adding 1gl 21 of the antioxidant dithiothreitol (DTT) to post co-cultivation wash media. While combining preculture with antioxidant treatments did not result in a synergistic improvement in response, either treatment resulted in recovery of more stable embryogenic lines than did the control. A 48h co-cultivation period combined with 75mgl 21 kanamycin in selection medium was optimal. DNA analysis confirmed stable integration of transgenes into the grape genome; 63% had single gene insertions, 27% had two inserts, and 7 and 3% had three and four inserts, respectively. Utilizing optimized procedures, over 1400 stable independent transgenic embryogenic culture lines were obtained, of which 795 developed into whole plants. Transgenic grapevines have exhibited normal vegetative morphology and stable transgene expression for over 5yr.
CO2 desorption using high-pressure bipolar membrane electrodialysis

The electrodialysis of gas evolving solutions may prove to be an important technology for many gas-separation applications, including CO2 and SO2 separation from mixed-gas streams. Progress on the use of electrodialysis for gas separation has been hampered by the increased resistance caused by gas bubbles on the surface of the electrodialysis membranes. This effect reduces the effective membrane surface area, causing increased voltages and reduced membrane lifetimes due to localized “hot spots” of high current density. To overcome this problem, we designed, constructed, and tested a bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED) system designed to operate up to pressures as high as 20 atm. For given process conditions, operation at a sufficiently high pressure keeps all gas dissolved in solution, eliminating the problems caused by gas bubbles on the membrane surfaces. We performed CO2 desorption from aqueous bicarbonate solutions, demonstrating that high pressures decrease the resistance, voltage, and energy of the desorption process. Our results demonstrate that at high current densities (139 mA cm−2), the CO2 desorption energy from aqueous bicarbonate solutions under high-pressure operation can be 29% lower than under ambient-pressure operation.
Seeing green bacteria in a new light: genomics-enabled studies of the photosynthetic apparatus in green sulfur bacteria and filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria

Based upon their photosynthetic nature and the presence of a unique light-harvesting antenna structure, the chlorosome, the photosynthetic green bacteria are defined as a distinctive group in the Bacteria. However, members of the two taxa that comprise this group, the green sulfur bacteria (Chlorobi) and the filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (“Chloroflexales”), are otherwise quite different, both physiologically and phylogenetically. This review summarizes how genome sequence information facilitated studies of the biosynthesis and function of the photosynthetic apparatus and the oxidation of inorganic sulfur compounds in two model organisms that represent these taxa, Chlorobium tepidum and Chloroflexus aurantiacus. The genes involved in bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c and carotenoid biosynthesis in these two organisms were identified by sequence homology with known BChl a and carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes, gene cluster analysis in Cfx. aurantiacus, and gene inactivation studies in Chl. tepidum. Based on these results, BChl a and BChl c biosynthesis is similar in the two organisms, whereas carotenoid biosynthesis differs significantly. In agreement with its facultative anaerobic nature, Cfx. aurantiacus in some cases apparently produces structurally different enzymes for heme and BChl biosynthesis, in which one enzyme functions under anoxic conditions and the other performs the same reaction under oxic conditions. The Chl. tepidum mutants produced with modified BChl c and carotenoid species also allow the functions of these pigments to be studied in vivo.
Constrained least squares filtering in high resolution PET and SPECT imaging

Constrained least-squares filtering is a technique which employs a priori tomograph response information for the filtering of projection data prior to the filtered backprojection of radionuclide distribution images. A simulation study in which the performance of this algorithm was evaluated as a function of the sampling density within each projection of the radon transform is described. The results of this evaluation demonstrate that the efficient application of this algorithm requires higher sampling densities than are typically employed in high-resolution PET (positron emission tomography) and SPECT (single-photon-emission computed tomography). Therefore, application of this algorithm requires software and/or hardware modification of the data acquisition schemes employed in tomographic systems. >