cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Hepatocarcinogenicity of Aflatoxin B1 by the Chlorinated Insecticide DDT

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a metabolite of the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus paraciticus, is a widespread contaminant of human food supplies (Busby and Wogan 1984) and has been shown to be a potent hepatocarcinogen for several species of animals, including primates (Busby and Wogan 1984; Newberne and Butler 1969; Sieber et al. 1979). It has also been implicated as one of the etiological factors in the development of acute hepatitis (Serck-Hansen 1970) and primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa and Asia including Thailand (Alpert et al. 1971; Peers and Linsell 1973; van Rensburg et al. 1985; Bulatao-Jayme et al. 1982; Shank et al. 1972a-d; Peers et al. 1987).
Utility of glutamine synthetase immunohistochemistry in identifying features of regressed cirrhosis.

The prevailing view that cirrhosis is irreversible has been challenged. It has been proposed that varying degrees of fibrosis regression can be achieved if the injurious agent is removed. In the normal liver, glutamine synthetase immunostaining is present around central veins. In regressed cirrhosis, although fibrous bands between portal tracts and central veins may largely be resorbed, the abnormal portal tract–central vein adherence often remains. Hence, we hypothesized that aberrant glutamine synthetase positivity adjacent to portal tracts would help identify regressed cirrhosis. We performed glutamine synthetase immunohistochemistry on 49 liver specimens (16 regressed cirrhosis, 18 cirrhotic, and 15 normal livers). Qualification for regressed cirrhosis required the following histologic features: curved, delicate incomplete septa, portal tract–central vein adhesions, and portal tract “remnants” (portal tracts with no venous branch). Out of 16, 14 regressed cirrhosis cases had baseline cirrhosis established based on previous biopsy or signs of cirrhosis based on physical exam, laboratory, and radiological findings. All regressed cirrhosis cases (100%) had areas of aberrant glutamine synthetase positivity adjacent to portal tracts, indicating that portal tract–central vein approximation had occurred (p < 0.001 compared to all other categories). No normal cases had glutamine synthetase positivity adjacent to portal tracts, and half of cirrhosis cases had areas showing features of regression, with focal glutamine synthetase positivity adjacent to portal tracts. Overall, glutamine synthetase expression showed highly significant differences among the three categories (p < 0.001). This study shows that aberrant glutamine synthetase positivity adjacent to portal tracts is present in regressed cirrhosis and can be useful in identifying regressed cirrhosis when it is histologically suspected.
Exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles among Canadian adolescents: Years after the adoption of smoke-free car laws.

Abstract Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) can result in several adverse health consequences. SHS concentrations in vehicles can significantly exceed levels present in other enclosed spaces. Years after the adoption of smoke-free car laws, this study examined the prevalence of exposure to SHS in vehicles among adolescents. Data were utilized from the 2016–2017 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (n = 48,444). The prevalence of exposure to SHS in cars was estimated by grade level and demographic characteristics. The results showed a gradient by grade level in exposure to SHS with students in upper-grade levels reporting a higher prevalence of SHS in cars. SHS varied by province, with the lowest rate found in British Columbia (15.6%) and the highest in Saskatchewan (36.9%). The provinces with laws that extend protections to older children also had high rates of SHS exposure among students in upper-grade levels. Students exposed to SHS were more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including the use of marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes. Despite laws prohibiting smoking in vehicles carrying children, SHS prevalence remains high. While enforcement of these laws may be challenging, persuasion campaigns highlighting that children are especially vulnerable to the health risks of SHS may be beneficial.
Considering the Competing Explanations of the Transition in Inflation and Economic Growth

The preceding chapters provided an overview of economic growth and inflation experience in the transition economies in the years since independence and a detailed look at saving in those economies. In this chapter the linkages among growth, inflation and saving behavior are specified more precisely and are examined through statistical analysis
Role of Long Noncoding RNA Gas5 in Cocaine Action.

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of transcribed RNA molecules greater than 200 nucleotides in length. Although lncRNAs do not encode proteins, they play numerous functional roles in gene expression regulation. lncRNAs are notably abundant in brain; however, their neural functions remain largely unknown. Methods We examined the expression of the lncRNA Gas5 in nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region, of adult male mice after cocaine administration. We then performed viral-mediated overexpression of Gas5 in NAc neurons to determine its role in addiction-related behaviors. We also carried out RNA sequencing to investigate Gas5-mediated transcriptomic changes. Results We demonstrated that repeated short-term or long-term cocaine administration decreased expression of Gas5 in NAc. Viral-mediated overexpression of Gas5 in NAc neurons decreased cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Likewise, Gas5 overexpression led to decreased cocaine intake, decreased motivation, and compulsive-like behavior to acquire cocaine, and it facilitated extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior. Transcriptome profiling identified numerous Gas5-mediated gene expression changes that are enriched in relevant neural function categories. Interestingly, these Gas5-regulated gene expression changes significantly overlap with chronic cocaine-induced transcriptome alterations, suggesting that Gas5 may serve as an important regulator of transcriptional responses to cocaine. Conclusions Altogether, our study demonstrates a novel lncRNA-based molecular mechanism of cocaine action.
Diastology: 2020-A practical guide

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function can be most conveniently assessed by echocardiography which provides reliable assessments of LV structure and function. Most patients with structural heart disease have variable degrees of myocardial dysfunction. LV structural changes as pathologic hypertrophy and systolic functional abnormalities as depressed LV long-axis systolic function are associated with diastolic dysfunction. The recognition of structural abnormalities and abnormal LV long-axis function as indices of diastolic dysfunction is an important difference between 2016 and 2009 guidelines. In addition, there are other Doppler findings indicative of diastolic dysfunction and abnormally elevated LV filling pressures. In the absence of clinical, 2D echocardiographic, and specific Doppler indices of diastolic dysfunction, mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (e'), left atrium (LA) maximum volume index, peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation jet by continuous-wave Doppler, and ratio of mitral inflow early diastolic velocity to e' velocity can be used to draw inferences about LV diastolic function. In the presence of diastolic dysfunction, mean LA pressure and grade of diastolic dysfunction should be determined. When LA pressure at rest is normal, it is reasonable to proceed to diastolic stress testing in an attempt to identify patients with dyspnea due to heart failure. There are specific algorithms recommended in patients with atrial fibrillation, moderate or severe mitral annular calcification, and noncardiac pulmonary hypertension.
Exploration of American General and Special Education Teacher Candidates’ Self-Efficacy to Teach Reading and Reading-Related Constructs

This chapter examines general and special education teacher candidates’ perceptions about teaching reading and writing and how their perceptions change with coursework, fieldwork, and over the span of a teacher preparation program. Survey findings revealed that the majority of teacher candidates held “moderate” or “very good” perceptions about their ability to teach reading-related concepts. Teacher candidates also indicated that they have “some” or “quite a bit of influence” to teach reading in a variety of ways. When these authors examined certification levels, elementary teacher candidates report high levels of perceived ability to teach constructs related to beginning literacy and to teach struggling readers. Significant associations were observed for previous exposure to reading-related content on certain perception items and self-efficacy items (e.g., teaching struggling readers) but not on others (e.g., teaching comprehension). The authors share a tool to query the synergy among pedagogical content knowledge, perceived ability, and self-efficacy beliefs about teaching reading.
Clinical deterioration during neutropenia recovery after G-CSF therapy in patient with COVID-19

Abstract Background Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs) induce neutrophils proliferation and cytokines production. It has often been used to treat neutropenia without solid evidence of efficacy. It has been demonstrated that respiratory distress is associated with neutropenia recovery but not with G-CSFs. In general, G-CSFs are known to be safe and well tolerated in most clinical settings. However, the safety of G-CSFs in an overwhelming inflammatory disease like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is largely unknown. Case summary We report a case with COVID-19 and neutropenia who rapidly deteriorated after administration of G-CSF. Conclusion We observed a faster neutropenia recovery than previously known after administration of G-CSF in our case and in three similar cases previously reported in literature. This rapid neutropenia recovery and the robust inflammatory response in COVID-19 raise concerns about G-CSF safety in patients with COVID-19.
Enteric tube placement for gastroparesis: Gastrostomy, gastrojejunostomy and jejunostomy

Abstract It is estimated that 30% of patients with gastroparesis will need enteral feeding at some point in their disease. Indications for enteric feeding include loss of 5–10% of usual body weight over 3–6 months, and numerous admissions for hypovolemia and electrolyte abnormalities due to nausea and vomiting. Enteral feeding provides reliable nutrition, hydration, liquid medication and possible palliative decompression while alternative therapies for gastroparesis are being explored. The type and route need to be individualized based upon length of intended therapy, need for gastric decompression and feasibility of the technique. These procedures are performed by gastroenterologists, surgeons and radiologists. To date, studies comparing feeding tube placement approach and technique in gastroparesis have not been performed. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and the chosen approach and technique must be individualized based on symptoms, institutional expertise and medical comorbidities. The role of nutrition support professionals is crucial in the initiation and management of tube feeds for replenishing nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, with the goal of eventually re-establishing oral nutrition.
Pregnancy and the fetus

Abstract Pregnant women constitute a uniquely challenging patient population as clinical decisions cannot be made solely on the basis of the woman’s needs but must also consider the impact of any therapeutic intervention on the developing fetus. As the health of the woman and that of her fetus are intertwined, any treatment designed to benefit one will inevitably affect the other. Further complicating matters is the fact that the initiation and maintenance of a healthy, viable pregnancy induces a wide variety of physiological changes that alter plasma hormone concentrations relative to the nonpregnant state. For the clinical laboratorian and care team, it is essential to understand these changes and interpret laboratory values in the context of the appropriate reference interval for the given stage of pregnancy. What is considered “normal” changes throughout pregnancy, particularly the concentrations of steroid and protein hormones measured in the evaluation of endocrine function. This chapter will describe typical endocrine function during pregnancy, highlight endocrine changes consistent with normal and abnormal pregnancy, and suggest strategies to apply clinical laboratory testing to guide patient care.
Heparin-Binding Affinity Tag: A Novel Affinity Tag for Simple and Efficient Purification of Recombinant Proteins

Heparin, a polysulfated polyanionic member of the glycosaminoglycan family, is known to specifically bind to a number of functionally important proteins. Based on the available information on structural specificity of heparin-protein interactions, a novel heparin-binding peptide (HB) affinity tag has been designed to achieve simple and cost-effective purification of target recombinant proteins. The HB-fused recombinant target proteins are purified on a heparin-Sepharose column using a stepwise/continuous sodium chloride gradient. A major advantage of the HB tag is that the HB-fused target proteins can be purified under denaturing conditions in the presence of 8 M urea. In addition, polyclonal antibody directed against the HB tag can be used to specifically detect and quantitate the HB-fused recombinant protein(s). Herein, a step-by-step protocol(s) for the purification of different soluble recombinant target proteins is described. In addition, useful tips to troubleshoot potential problems and also suggestions to successfully adopt the HB-tag-based purification to a wide range of target proteins are provided.
The Deiodinases: Their Identification and Cloning of Their Genes.

In this minireview we provide an historical outline of the events that led to the identification and characterization of the deiodinases, the recognition that deiodination plays a major role in thyroid hormone action, and the cloning of the three deiodinase genes. The story starts in 1820 when it was first determined that elemental iodine was important for normal thyroid function. Almost a hundred years later it was found that the primary active principle of the gland, thyroxine (T4), contains iodine. Once radioactive iodine became available in the 1940s it was demonstrated that the metabolism of the T4 included deiodination, but at the time it was assumed to be merely a degradative process. However, this view was questioned after the discovery of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine in 1952. We then discuss in some detail the events of the next twenty years, that included some failures followed by the successful demonstration that deiodination is indeed essential to normal thyroid hormone action. Finally, we describe how the three deiodinases were identified and characterized and their genes cloned.
Elevated stream temperature, origin, and individual size influence Chinook salmon prespawn mortality across the Columbia River Basin

Abstract Conservation and restoration efforts for Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. can be hampered by prespawn mortality, when adult fish reach reproductive sites but die before spawning. We examined annual estimates of female Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha prespawn mortality relative to individual fish traits (77,707 individual females) and reach-scale variables in 49 study reaches from 41 streams throughout the interior Columbia River Basin. Mean annual prespawn mortality estimates across 14 years ranged from 0 % to 65 %. For spring-run Chinook salmon, the probability of prespawn mortality decreased over the spawning period, was positively associated with mean August stream temperature and individual fish length, and was higher for hatchery-origin than natural-origin fish. Based on the basin-wide statistical model and future stream temperature predictions, average spring-run Chinook salmon prespawn mortality rates in 2040 were predicted to increase by 0–17 % for fish of natural origin and 1–17 % for fish of hatchery origin. Climate change is likely to exacerbate conditions that lead to prespawn mortality, particularly in low elevation stream reaches, for larger fish, and for those of hatchery origin.
Efficacy of Half-Day Workshops for Internal Medicine Interns in Educating Breaking-Bad-News Discussions.

Background: Adequate end-of-life (EOL) care/breaking-bad-news (BBN) discussions with patients are becoming increasingly essential to adequate patient care. Purpose: Whether a half-day workshop woul...
Performance analysis of vertical axis water turbines under single-phase water and two-phase open channel flow conditions

Abstract We conduct performance analyses of a family of vertical axis water turbines (VAWTs) under single-phase water and two-phase open channel flow conditions using unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) numerical simulations. The performance, including self-starting capability and energy harvesting efficiency, of a recently developed hybrid Darrieus-Modified-Savonius (HDMS) design is examined under single-phase water flow conditions. With a two-way coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) approach, we demonstrate that the water turbine has excellent self-starting capability. After that, the effects of the Reynolds number, tip speed ratio (TSR), and geometric design of the turbine, including turbine size, solidity, and number of blades, are systematically studied. Since the main function of the modified Savonius rotor is to assist self-start, and this part has a negligible effect on energy harvesting performance when the turbine is under stable operation, only the Darrieus rotor is studied under two-phase open channel flow conditions to save computational cost. A key finding is that larger blockage ratios result in better energy harvesting performance of the water turbines. When the blockage ratio is 60% and the TSR of the turbine is 5.0, the power coefficient of the water turbine can reach up to 73%, which exceeds Betz's limit.
Facet-Dependent selectivity of CeO2 nanoparticles in 2-Propanol conversion

Abstract CeO2 nanoshapes, cubes with dominant (1 0 0) facets and octahedra with dominant (1 1 1) facets, were synthesized to investigate the influence of surface structure on acid-base properties. An optimization of calcination temperatures, coupled with Raman and TEM, was employed to minimize the intrinsic (Frenkel-type) defect sites and their potential complications on the facet studies involved in this work. The acid-base properties of these CeO2 nanoshapes were characterized with in situ pyridine and CO2 adsorption using infrared spectroscopy and quantified using pyridine, ammonia, and CO2 temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The (1 0 0) facet displayed weaker acid sites with lower site density than the (1 1 1) facet which had a similar density of base sites but those on the (1 0 0) facet were stronger. A strong correlation was observed between 2-propanol conversion and each facet’s acid-base properties. CeO2 cubes exhibited greater base-site catalyzed dehydrogenation to acetone while the more acidic CeO2 octahedra were more active in dehydration to propene.
TH-AB-BRA-07: Determination and Evaluation of a Dose-Rate Conversion Coefficient for the Xoft Axxent® Electronic Brachytherapy Source in the Xoft Titanium Cervical Applicator

Purpose: A new NIST-traceable air-kerma standard has been established for electronic brachytherapy (EBT) sources which has motivated the development of a modified AAPM TG-43 dosimetry formalism. Due to the low-energy nature of EBT, it is important to verify that a single dose-rate conversion coefficient (DRCC) value is appropriate for use with each applicator type, as small changes in applicator thickness between individual applicators due to manufacturing tolerances may have a large impact on the DRCC. This work aims to determine the DRCC for the Xoft source in multiple titanium cervical applicators and verify that a single representative DRCC value is acceptable for clinical use. Methods: The DRCC and radial dose function (RDF) were measured using three titanium cervical applicators and one source. An annulus of Virtual Water™ was used to position TLD-100 microcubes at 30 -degree increments around the source and at radial distances of 1, 2, 3, and 4 cm from the source in a liquid water phantom. A slit collimator, designed to fit inside an HDR1000 Plus well-ionization chamber, was used to measure the anode-output profile (AOP) of each source. The measured profile was used with an MCNP5-simulated AOP to align the manufacturer-stated anode origin in the plane of the microcubes. A statistical analysis was performed to compare the DRCC values measured in each applicator. Results: Statistical analysis results indicated that there is no significant difference between the DRCCs measured in the different applicators. The RDF values determined in the separate applicators are within 5% of each other at 4 cm depth. Conclusion: The DRCC was measured in three separate applicators to determine if the difference in applicator thickness would require a DRCC specific to each applicator. The results demonstrate that a single representative DRCC, determined with a subset of titanium cervical applicators, is acceptable. This work was partially supported by the NIH radiological sciences training grant T32-CA009206 and Xoft Inc. (a subsidiary of iCAD).
Extending applications of the transient energy function method

The author summarizes the research conducted in two projects funded by the NSF program in power systems. The projects deal with extending the applications of the transient energy function (TEF) method. The TEF method is a direct method for the transient stability analysis of power systems. The work done in these research efforts consisted of the incorporation of detailed generator models and excitation control in the TEF method, inclusion of network information, development of analytical sensitivity techniques, and parallel implementation of the TEF algorithm. This project consisted of the development of a parallel version of the TEF algorithm on an IBM 3090-600E supercomputer. A step-by-step procedure to convert the sequential code to a parallel environment was developed. With six parallel processors an elapsed time speed up to 5.36 was obtained. The developments in these projects have been tested on several realistic, large-scale power systems. A sample of these results is presented. >
Network News Coverage of New Presidents, 1981-2009

Content analysis of network evening news coverage during the first year of the Barack Obama presidency revealed coverage that was far more positive in tone than comparable news reports from the first years of the Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush presidencies. Both domestic and international policy tonal evaluations of the Obama presidency on the evening news were more positive in tone than that of the last three presidents to take office following partisan transfers of power. Overall, the Obama findings reveal a revival of the media honeymoon that scholars thought had disappeared during the modern era of a more combative press. But that “honeymoon” was a brief one, as Obama’s tone of coverage became less positive as his tenure in office lengthened.
Isoprene emission variability through the twentieth century

[1] A biochemical model of isoprene emission embedded within a global chemistry-climate simulation framework is applied to investigate the transient response to environmental change over the past century. In the model, the isoprene production is directly coupled to photosynthesis and depends on intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (CO2), atmospheric CO2, and canopy temperature. Sensitivity runs are performed to isolate the relative roles of individual global change drivers: CO2, physical climate, and anthropogenic land cover change (ALCC). Between 1880 and 2000, atmospheric CO2 increased by ~30% from 291 to 370 ppmv, global average surface air temperature increased by 0.7°C, and the crop cover fraction of vegetated land area more than doubled from 15 to 37%. Over the past century, isoprene emission has decreased globally by 20% from 534 to 449 Tg C/yr, while gross primary productivity has increased by 15% from 107 to 124 Pg C/yr mostly due to CO2 fertilization. In terms of individual drivers, the global isoprene source increased by 7% due to the atmospheric CO2 concentration rise (including the opposing effects of CO2 fertilization and CO2 inhibition), decreased by 22% due to ALCC, and increased by only 3% due to physical climate change. Thus, ALCC is the dominant driver of isoprene emission change. Modeled global isoprene emissions were higher in the preindustrial than in the present day. In the industrial era, isoprene emission change represents a human-induced climate forcing, analogous to land use-driven CO2 emission, not a climate feedback because temperature-driven increase was a relatively weak driver of isoprene emission change from 1880 to 2000.
Structure of Monoclonal Antibodies

Immunoglobulins (Ig) or antibodies (Ab) are the key functional units of the humoral immune system. Antibody molecules have a highly specialized structure that can mediate biological response upon specifically binding to an antigen. This chapter introduces readers to the chemical structure of antibodies, with specific focus on the structure of immunoglobulin G (IgG). The chapter also highlights functionally important IgG domains and their susceptibility to chemical degradation.
Cutaneous infectious diseases: Kids are not just little people

The changes in immune response that occur with age play a significant role in disease presentation and patient management. Evolution of the innate and adaptive immune systems throughout life, influenced partly by hormonal changes associated with puberty, plays a role in the differences between pediatric and adult response to disease. We review a series of manifestations of dermatologic infectious diseases spanning bacterial, viral, and fungal origins that can be seen in both pediatric and adult age groups and highlight similarities and differences in presentation and disease course. Therapeutic options are also discussed for these infectious diseases, with particular attention to variations in management between these population subgroups, given differences in pharmacokinetics and side effect profiles.
Abstract 2326: Loss of prostate-specific antigen slows growth and alters the extracellular proteome of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most extensively used biomarker in cancer. There continues to be intense debate regarding the use of PSA in screening for prostate cancer (PCa) and how it may be used for optimal benefit. The role PSA plays in reproductive biology and PCa has been an area of ongoing interest. As a serine protease with novel substrate preferences, PSA continues to be secreted at high levels (mg/mL) even by the majority of advanced prostatic carcinomas. This protease has been shown to affect the growth or viability of a variety of cell types, including epithelial cells, osteoclasts, T-cells, and human PCa cell lines. In this study, we stably reduced endogenous PSA gene expression using lentiviral short hairpin loop RNA (shRNA) technology in the LNCaP human PCa cell line. We then investigated any resulting changes to LNCaP growth rates in vitro and ex vivo. Acting on the hypothesis that any PSA-induced changes to LNCaP behavior are the result of the enzyme9s extracellular activity, we used a high-throughput shot-gun mass spectrometry-based (MS) approach to analyze the in vitro extracellular LNCaP proteome in control and PSA-targeted shRNA populations. Having demonstrated that our shRNA strategy targeted to PSA caused as much as a 90% reduction in PSA protein production compared to control cells, we next showed that in vitro doubling times are slowed from 2 days to 11 days. Subcutaneous tumors displayed an almost 50% reduction in take rate, with the final weights of those remaining only reaching 10% of controls after 8 weeks of growth. Serum-free media conditioned for 24 hours by control or PSA-targeted LNCaP populations were then subjected to global semi-quantitative proteomics analysis using the high resolution LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer (Thermo Electron, San Jose, CA). In one 200 minute LTQ-Orbitrap analysis, in conjunction with the Mascot Search algorithm (Matrix Science, Boston, MA), we were able to identify 1784 proteins in the LNCaP conditioned media. Of these, 686 were specific to the control populations, 527 were specific to the reduced PSA populations, and 571 were common to both. These results demonstrate the utility of high-throughput proteomic strategies as an unbiased approach for the identification of candidate mechanisms behind novel observations in cancer biology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2326.
Effects of Group Size and Stimulus Ambiguity on Conformity

Previous studies suggest that group size effects on conformity are obtained in unambiguous but not in ambiguous stimulus situations. The purpose of the present experiment was to examine this sugges...
The development of receptors in the glabrous forepaw skin of pouch young opossums

Abstract To determine the state of development of mechanoreceptors during the period in which central neurol regions can be altered by peripheral lesions, the distribution of terminal neurites and specialized receptors was examined in the glabrous forepaw skin of a developmental series of pouch young opossums, using the silver stain of Sevier & Munger (1965) and electron microscopic observations. At 10 days after birth bundles of neurites approach the dermal-epidermal junction, but neither neurites nor receptors are seen in the epidermis. Some neuntes enter the epidermis by 20 days; by 25 days developing Merkel cells are seen in the epidermis; at 30 days mature Merkel cells and primordial Pacinian corpuscles are present, respectively, in the epidermis and deep dermis; at 42 postnatal days dermal papillae containing neurites were observed at the dermal-epidermal junction, which may be developing Meissner corpuscles. Numbers of neurites, and of their branchings, increase up to 60 days; as do the size, number and degree of differentiation of the Pacinian corpuscles. The critical period for the effects of peripheral lesions upon the morphology of the cuneate-gracile nuclear complex, as well as the times of initial massive synaptogenesis, cell migration and differentiation in this first and second order mechanosensory synaptic region, are completed prior to the innervation of the epidermis and the appearance of specialized mechanoreceptors. Thus input from epidermal and specialized receptors cannot be responsible for guidance of these developmental processes.
Automatic feature extraction in neural network noniterative learning

It is proved analytically, whenever the input-output mapping of a one-layered, hard-limited perceptron satisfies a positive, linear independency (PLI) condition, the connection matrix A to meet this mapping can be obtained noniteratively in one step from an algebraic matrix equation containing an N multiplied by M input matrix U. Each column of U is a given standard pattern vector, and there are M standard patterns to be classified. It is also analytically proved that sorting out all nonsingular sub-matrices Uk in U can be used as an automatic feature extraction process in this noniterative-learning system. This paper reports the theoretical derivation and the design and experiments of a superfast-learning, optimally robust, neural network pattern recognition system utilizing this novel feature extraction process. An unedited video movie showing the speed of learning and the robustness in recognition of this novel pattern recognition system is demonstrated in life. Comparison to other neural network pattern recognition systems is discussed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Uncertainty in polarization measurement on three‐component VSP

Polarization analysis was applied to a three-component VSP recorded using three offset sources to determine how the uncertainty in polarization measurement varies with signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, noise bandwidth, and time window position. The downhole orientation of the sonde was found at each depth by measuring the azimuth of the direct P arrival for each source. The measured azimuth angles between the sources were compared with the actual azmith angles between the sources to determine the error in polarization measurements. The most accurate azimuth measurements on the VSP were generally found not at the peak of maximum amplitude, but just after the first break, where the particle motion was the most highly rectilinear. The uncertainty in azimuth increased, and the S/N ratio decreased, with depth. The uncertainty in azimuth measurement was 1.2' at a S/N ratio of 9.3, and 6.9' at a S/N ratio of 3.7. By comparing the measured azimuths with the known azimuth angles between the sources, errors in one source azimuth measurement at a given depth were identified and removed. The uncertainty in azimuth was thereby reduced to less than 0.4 times the original value. The uncertainties on the field VSP agreed with those found by modeling the noise as band-limited noise having a Gaussian amplitude distribution.
Further Observations on Red Cell Agglutinating Agent Present in Lungs of Virus-Infected Mice

SummaryThe red cell agglutinating agent present in the lungs of mice infected with pneumonitis virus has been subjected to further study. Maximum agglutination develops after heating the fresh lung extract at 75°C for 5 minutes. The agent is absorbed from active extracts by preparations of mouse red cells and of fresh normal mouse lungs. Mice injected with the heated agent develop active immunity against the living virus and their sera have the capacity of inhibiting red cell agglutination. The sera of rabbits immunized against living pneumonitis virus or against active heated mouse lung extract inhibit red cell agglutination. Hamsters appear to be susceptible to infection with the pneumonitis virus but attempts at continued serial passage were unsuccessful. The agglutinating agent has been purified by precipitation with ammonium sulfate. The purified agent retains its agglutinating and immunizing capacity.
Nonsurgical factors affecting symptomatic outcomes of antireflux surgery.

SUMMARY. A small number of patients will have persistent or new symptoms after antireflux surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most of these symptoms are due to recurrent reflux or some complication or side-effect of the operation. However, a few of these patients will be symptomatic without objective findings to explain these symptoms. The purpose of this review is to highlight potential non-surgical factors that may proceed to a poor symptomatic outcome after antireflux surgery. These factors include underlying esophageal pathophysiology, issues related to chronic pain and pain perception, personality and psychoemotional disorders, functional esophageal and/or bowel disorders, and the nocebo phenomenon. Awareness of these other causes can lead to more appropriate treatments.
Abstract P2-09-04: DNA methylation landscapes in ER-negative breast cancer

The biological significance of DNA methylation in the regulation of gene expression and its role in cancer is increasingly recognized. The underlying hypothesis of this study is that strategic global approaches will identify aberrantly methylated genes that underlie the pathogenesis of ER-negative (ER − ) breast cancer (BC). We used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to profile the methylome of ER − breast cancers. The 450K array includes 485,577 cytosine positions of the human genome. From these cytosine sites, 99.3% are CpG dinucleotides. Whole genomic DNA from 20 primary ER − and 8 normal breast tissue samples were assayed for genome-wide methylation using the Illumina 450K array. We had 8634 hypermethylated CpGs or 1.8% of the 485,577 sites on the 450K array. The proportion with hypermethylation was higher for promoter regions (2.1% vs 1.5%), and highest for the “FirstExon” promoter subregion. Of the 8634 CpGs, 2980 (adjusted p = 0.05) were differentially methylated between tumor and normal samples. This resulted in 206 genes with significant hypermethylation (all mean breast cancer betas >= −0.2, and ratio of tumor to normal mean beta >= 2.0). Estrogen receptor-negative BC is a more aggressive form than ER positive BC with approximately double the incidence in African Americans than in Caucasian Americans. The emerging differential methylation pattern within hormone receptor negative breast cancers would further help stratify them into distinct subgroups. Promotor methylation being potentially reversible, methylated genes may serve as future molecular targets for demethylating therapies. Support: Komen Foundation: KG110218 Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-04.
Development of Localized Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema in a Late Preterm Infant without Mechanical Ventilation

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is not an uncommon finding in premature infants with respiratory distress who need respiratory support by mechanical ventilation. PIE has been reported in a few cases of neonates in whom either no treatment other than room air was given or they were given continuous positive end-expiratory pressure (CPAP) support. We present a case of a premature neonate who presented with respiratory distress, in whom PIE and spontaneous pneumothorax (PTX) developed while on CPAP therapy only. The patient was treated conservatively with subsequent resolution of the radiological findings and clinical improvement. No surgical intervention was required. It is important to know that PIE may develop independently of mechanical ventilation. We would like to add this case to the literature and describe the pertinent plain film and computed tomography (CT) findings of this entity, the possible mechanism of development, and the differential diagnosis. A review of the literature is also provided.
Dynamics of Temperature Gradient Focusing

Temperature gradient focusing (TGF) is a promising new type of field gradient focusing that simultaneously concentrates and separates charged species according to their electrophoretic mobilities. We develop a simple control volume analysis and leverage a previously reported dispersion model to describe the dynamics of TGF. We experimentally verify the prediction of linear growth in area averaged intensity, and briefly examine the effects of dispersion and Joule heating on peak intensity.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Trans-Golgi Network (TGN) as a regulatory node for β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) down-modulation and recycling.

Receptor down-modulation is the key mechanism by which G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) prevent excessive receptor signaling in response to agonist stimulation. Recently, the trans-Golgi network (TGN) has been implicated as a key checkpoint for receptor endocytosis and degradation. Here, we investigated the involvement of the TGN in down-modulation of β1-adrenergic receptor in response to persistent isoprotenerol stimulation. Immunofluorescent staining showed that ∼50% of endocytosed β1AR colocalized with TGN-46 at 5 h. Disruption of the TGN by brefeldin A (BFA) led to the robust accumulation of endocytosed β1AR in Rab11+ recycling endosomes, inhibited β1AR entry into LAMP1+ lysosomes, and as a result enhanced β1AR recycling to the plasma membrane. The lysosomotropic agent, chloroquine, arrested the majority of endocytosed β1AR in the TGN by 4 h. Immunoblot analysis showed that either disruption of the TGN or blockage of the lysosome prevented β1AR degradation. Co-expression of GFP-arrestin-3 in β1AR cells increased the endocytosis of β1AR and facilitated its entry to the TGN but inhibited recycling to the plasma membrane. Arrestin-3-induced inhibition of β1AR recycling was reversed by BFA treatment, whereas chloroquine induced the accumulation of arrestin-3 with β1AR in the TGN. These results demonstrate for the first time that the TGN acts as a checkpoint for both the recycling and down-regulation of β1AR and that arrestin-3 not only mediates β1AR endocytosis but also its recycling through the TGN.
The Src homology 2 domain–containing inositol 5-phosphatase negatively regulates Fcγ receptor–mediated phagocytosis through immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif–bearing phagocytic receptors

Molecular mechanisms by which the Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP) negatively regulates phagocytosis in macrophages are unclear. We addressed the issue using bone marrow–derived macrophages from FcγR- or SHIP-deficient mice. Phagocytic activities of macrophages from FcγRII(b)−/− and SHIP−/− mice were enhanced to a similar extent, relative to those from wild type. However, calcium influx was only marginally affected in FcγRII(b)−/−, but greatly enhanced in SHIP−/− macrophages. Furthermore, SHIP was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues upon FcγR aggregation even in macrophages from FcγRII(b)−/− mice or upon clustering of a chimeric receptor containing CD8 and the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)–bearing γ-chain or human-restricted FcγRIIa. These findings indicate that, unlike B cells, SHIP is efficiently phosphorylated in the absence of an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM)–bearing receptor. We further demonstrate that SHIP directly bound to phosphorylated peptides derived from FcγRIIa with a high affinity, comparable to that of FcγRII(b). Lastly, FcγRIIa-mediated phagocytosis was significantly enhanced in THP-1 cells overexpressing dominant-negative form of SHIP in the absence of FcγRII(b). These results indicate that SHIP negatively regulates FcγR-mediated phagocytosis through all ITAM-containing IgG receptors using a molecular mechanism distinct from that in B cells.
Leukocyte histamine release in Hymenoptera-allergic patients: Correlation with skin test reactivity and changes following hyposensitization therapy

Abstract We have studied 46 Hymenoptera-allergic patients and 11 nonallergic controls by grading the severity of their sting reaction, determining their skin test reactivity, and performing human leukocyte histamine release with a commercial mixed stinging insect extract. A significant correlation was found between increasing severity of sting reaction and increasing skin test reactivity (p
Transistor Application fundamentals

Tube and transistor circuits are compared, particularly as applied to audio circuits. Specifications for a 6SC7 tube and a 2N43 transistor are compared with emphasis on the distinctive features. A phonograph preamplifier is developed both for tubes and transistors to show the basic differences in the two circuits. Basic equations also are given for the two designs and their over-all characteristics compared.
Herbivores and the Spatial Distributions of the Phytoplankton. II. Estimating Grazing in Planktonic Environments

Large errors are made when laboratory measurements of the ingestion rate of herbivorous zoo-plankton are used to estimate grazing in planktonic environments. The errors arise because the spatial heterogeneity in natural plankton distributions is greater than the heterogeneity present in laboratory experiments. Two probability models are developed for extrapolating laboratory measurements of ingestion to planktonic environments. Both models require sample statistics of the plankton distributions, and these are estimated from sampling studies of the small scale distribution of marine plankton. One model predicts laboratory measurements overestimate the ration obtained by an individual copepod by 30 %. A second model predicts errors exceeding ±50 % are possible when laboratory measurements are used to estimate the grazing by a population of cope-pods.
Karyotype analysis and relationships among varieties of Arachis hypogaea L.

Mitotic chromosomes of nine Arachis hypogaea L. cultivars plus A. monticola Krap. et Rig. were analyzed cytologically. The cultivars included representatives of the four botanical varieties of A. hypogaea. The objective of this investigation was to identify the chromosomes of cultivated peanuts and determine the variation among subspecies and varieties. The A. hypogaea chromosomes ranged in length between 1.44 and 4.17μm and were mostly metacentric. Variation was observed in the numbers of asymmetrical chromosomes per cultivar and in the chromosome with a secondary constriction. Based on heterochromatic regions, centromere positions, and chromosome lengths, homologues were identified and ordered from 1=longest to 20=shortest. Although each genotype had a unique karyotype, patterns of variation were observed and all A. hypogaea varieties were cytologically disting-uished. Varieties vulgaris and hypogaea were karyologically the extreme groups with other varieties being intermediate. The cultivar nambyquarae is grouped kary-ologically with var. fastigiata even though it is a member of subspecies hypogaea. Arachis monticola was karyologically more similar to variety vaulgaris than other groups of A. hypogaea. This suggests that the variety vulgaris cultivars may be the most ancient A. hypogaea group.
Ouabain Enhances Basal Release of Nitric Oxide from Carotid Artery

The authors tested the postulate that ouabain releases nitric oxide (NO) from the vascular endothelium of porcine carotid arteries (PCAs) with the technique of perfusion-superfusion bioassay, in which the perfused PCA with endothelium served as the source of NO and superfused left circumflex coronary artery (CMFX) rings with rubbed endothelium served as the bioassay tissue. Selective exposure of the PCA to ouabain (10 microM) enhanced the basal release of NO but did not affect bradykinin-stimulated (BK; 0.1-100 picomoles) release of NO. The effect of ouabain on basal release of NO from PCA persisted after pretreatment of either PCA or circumflex coronary artery with propranolol (1 microM); ibuprofen (1 microM); and hydrocortisone (10 microM). Finally, selective pretreatment of the PCA with L-NG-monomethylarginine (LNMMA; 100 microM) to inhibit 1-arginine-derived NO synthesis inhibited the relaxation of the circumflex coronary artery to basal, BK, and ouabain-stimulated effluent. Since a nonspecific increase in intracellular calcium ion will enhance both basal and agonist-induced release of NO, the authors conclude that a ouabain-sensitive ATPase is involved in basal release of NO from the endothelium of the PCA. Alternatively, ouabain may act on an isozyme of NO synthase in the vascular endothelium. Speculatively, ouabain-induced stimulation of NO release from vascular endothelium may contribute to the beneficial effect of ouabain in congestive heart failure.