cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postsynaptic CAMP pathway gates early LTP in hippocampal CA1 region

Abstract The role of the CAMP pathway in LTP was studied in the CAI region of hippocampus. Widely spaced trains of high frequency stimulation generated CAMP postsynaptically via NMDA receptors and calmodulin, consistent with the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-mediated stimulation of postsynaptic adenylyl cyclase. The early phase of LTP produced by the same pattern of high frequency stimulation was dependent on postsynaptic cAMP. However, synaptic transmission was not increased by postsynaptic application of CAMP. Early LTP became cAMP-independent when protein phosphatase inhibitors were injected postsynaptically. These observations indicate that in early UP the cAMP signaling pathway, instead of transmitting signals for the generation of LTP, gates UP through postsynaptic protein phosphatases.
Intravenous and Oral Administration of an Aqueous Suspension of Carotene to Calves Depleted of their Vitamin A Stores

Summary The effect of intravenous and oral administration of carotene suspended in 9 per cent “Tween 80” was studied in 12 calves which had been depleted of their vitamin A stores. Growth rate and feed consumption were somewhat higher in those calves which received the carotene, but the differences were not statistically significant. Intravenous administration of carotene resulted in higher blood plasma levels of carotene and vitamin A and liver and lung concentrations of carotene than were found in either the control calves or those which received carotene orally. Oral administration of carotene resulted in increases in blood plasma levels of carotene and vitamin A, but these differences were statistically significant for only those days during the carotene administration. Spinal fluid pressures as well as degree of diarrhea, muscular incoordination and convulsive seizures were decreased by the administration of carotene. The interlobular ducts and main duct of the parotid gland and the interlobular ducts of the submaxillary gland exhibited squamous metaplasia typical of hypovitaminosis A. The degree of intensity of these histopathologic changes was not influenced by treatment.
Gonadal hormones and aggression toward juvenile conspecifics in prairie deer mice

1. It was tested whether gonadal hormones regulate aggression directed toward juvenile conspecifics by adult prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Aggression was measured by counting the number of wounds on the underside of the skin of juveniles that had been paired overnight with unfamiliar adults. One experiment also included direct observations of fighting behavior. 2. Adult deer mice readily attacked juveniles. Under the testing conditions employed there was no difference in aggression as a function of sex of the adult, rearing condition (one vs five animals per cage) of the adult, or sex of the juvenile (Table 1). 3. Castrated adult males wounded juveniles less severely than did intact males (Table 2, P<0.02). The extent to which adult females wounded juveniles was not influenced by ovariectomy. Gonadectomy reduced body growth in both males (P<0.001) and females (P<0.03). 4. Pellets of testosterone propionate were implanted beneath the skin of castrated males. As measured by both wounding scores and the frequency of observed attacks, the aggression of these castrates toward juvenles was increased by hormone treatment (Table 3, P<0.05) to a level comparable with that of intact males. Thus, it is concluded that androgenic hormone secreted by the testes regulates aggression directed toward juveniles by adult male deer mice.
Chemistry and biology of reactive oxygen species in signaling or stress responses

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a family of molecules that are continuously generated, transformed and consumed in all living organisms as a consequence of aerobic life. The traditional view of these reactive oxygen metabolites is one of oxidative stress and damage that leads to decline of tissue and organ systems in aging and disease. However, emerging data show that ROS produced in certain situations can also contribute to physiology and increased fitness. This Perspective provides a focused discussion on what factors lead ROS molecules to become signal and/or stress agents, highlighting how increasing knowledge of the underlying chemistry of ROS can lead to advances in understanding their disparate contributions to biology. An important facet of this emerging area at the chemistry-biology interface is the development of new tools to study these small molecules and their reactivity in complex biological systems.
Use of diaphragm transducers in the measurement of pressures on soft materials

Diaphragm pressure transducers are designed to measure pressures in fluids, but have also been applied to measuring pressures on soft materials, such as at the interface between the residual limb of a lower-limb amputee and the supporting surface defined by the prosthetic socket. The reliability and accuracy of Kulite XTM-190 transducer as a pressure monitor on soft materials, such as silicone and Pelite was evaluated in three physical model set-ups. The evaluations included the uniform loading of solid disks of silicone and Pelite, the application of air pressure to the core of a contained thick-walled cylinder made of silicone, and the dynamic indentation of a contained solid silicone cylinder. Sensor measurements in all situations were similar to analytical, iterative or finite element solutions when certain conditions were met. These conditions include: (i) lubricating the interface between the soft material and the supporting structure; (ii) calibrating the transducers under surface and material conditions used during measurements; and (iii) using compatible soft materials (e.g. silicone but not Pelite).
Disaccharidase activities in small intestinal mucosa in patients with cystic fibrosis

The disaccharidase activities in small intestinal biopsies were related to the morphology of the mucosaand the ages of 63 patients with cystic fibrosis and 177 healthy control subjects of Caucasian origin. In patients with CF and in the healthy control subjects under 5 years of age with normal intestinal mucosa, no low lactase activity was found. In those patients with CF who were over 5 years of age, one group had high and one group had low lactase activity, as occurs in healthy Caucasian control subjects of the same age. This finding supports the view that in patients with CF, lactase deficiency is not related to the disease entity. In patients with or without CF who had the same degree of mucosal atrophy, the decrease of disaccharidase activities followed the same pattern, indicating that enzyme activities are affected to the same extent by the damage of the mucosa. In patients with CF with pancreatic insufficiency, the disaccharidase activities were significantly ( P
High frequency oscillatory ventilation: is equivalence with conventional mechanical ventilation enough?

A perspective on the article by Marlow et al (see page 320) Several investigators have reported short term results of trials comparing high frequency ventilation with conventional mechanical ventilation in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. However, very few data are available on longer term outcomes in infants randomised to these two very different modes of mechanical ventilation.1,2 In this issue, Marlow et al for the United Kingdom Oscillation Study Group (UKOS) report 2 year respiratory and neurological outcomes for the study cohort in their randomised trial of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) compared with conventional mechanical ventilation. Although the prevalence of disability in their study cohort was high, they found no significant differences in neurodevelopmental scores or report of respiratory symptoms at 2 years of age between infants randomised to the two modes of ventilatory support. The original report of the short term outcomes of their trial, published in 2002, showed no difference in the primary outcome (death or chronic lung disease at 36 weeks postmenstrual age) between the two ventilatory strategies.3 In addition, they found no differences in other complications of prematurity between the two groups, including cranial ultrasound abnormalities or air leak. The strengths of their study design include the rapid assignment of mode of ventilation (within one hour), its large size (797 infants randomised), near universal use of antenatal glucocorticoids and postnatal surfactant, and enrolment of infants at 28 weeks gestation or less, who are at highest risk of developing chronic lung disease. The lack of differences in outcome at 2 years in their present study is …
Temporal changes in bias of body mass index scores based on self-reported height and weight

To investigate temporal changes in the bias associated with self-reported (as opposed to measured) body mass index (BMI) and explore the relationship of such bias to changing social attitudes towards obesity. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey covering two time periods, 1988–1994 and 2005–2008, discrepancy scores between self-reported vs measured BMI were generated. Changes in the sensitivity of BMI categories based on self-reports were examined for six weight groups, both for the US adult population as a whole and major demographic groups. Linear regression models were used to examine temporal changes in average bias, as well as attitudes about weight within each weight category and by demographic group. Between 2005–2008 and 1988–1994, the bias towards underestimation of a person’s BMI based on interview responses has declined among obese individuals, a trend evident in virtually all demographic subgroups explored. Conversely, most demographic groups showed little change in the extent of bias among underweight and normal-weight individuals. Although the 2005–2008 survey respondents underestimated their measured BMI more than the 1988–1994 respondents, this shift can be entirely explained by the increased prevalence of obesity in more recent years. In fact, obese individuals in 2005–2008 were less likely to overreport their height and underreport their weight than their counterparts in the 1988–1994. Evidence from responses to questions about ideal weight and desire to lose weight point in the direction of a shift in social attitudes, which may make it easier to ‘admit’ to greater weight in surveys. Over the past 20 years, the bias in self-reported height and weight has declined leading to more accurate BMI categorizations based on self-report. This change is likely to affect efforts to find correction factors to adjust BMI scores based on self-reported height and weight.
Naphthalenesulfonates as mobile phases for anion-exchange chromatography using indirect photometric detection

Abstract Naphthalenesulfonate mobile phases for chromatography with indirect photometric detection have been characterized for the separation and detection of common inorganic and organic anions using an ion-exchange column. The singly charged 2-naphthalenesulfonate (NMS) has shown good chromatographic performance for small singly charged inorganic anions such as F - , CI - , NO 2 - , Br - and NO 3 - with detection limits ranging from 20 to 4 ng. The doubly charged 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate (NDS) was more efficient toward the separation and identification of small singly charged, multicharged, and large anions such as F - , CI - , NO 2 - , Br - , NO 3 - , SO 4 2- , S 2 O 3 2- , I - and SCN - . Analysis of a mixture containing the above anions can be performed in less than 16 min, with detection limits in the 20-1 ng range. The linear response range of these mobile phases were from 100 ppm to the detection limits of all anions (0.05-1 ppm). Both NMS and NDS require no pH adjustment for indirect photometric detection use, and no system peak was observed in any chromatogram.
State of the art review in gonadal dysgenesis: challenges in diagnosis and management

Gonadal dysgenesis, a condition in which gonadal development is interrupted leading to gonadal dysfunction, is a unique subset of disorders of sexual development (DSD) that encompasses a wide spectrum of phenotypes ranging from normally virilized males to slightly undervirilized males, ambiguous phenotype, and normal phenotypic females. It presents specific challenges in diagnostic work-up and management. In XY gonadal dysgenesis, the presence of a Y chromosome or Y-chromosome material renders the patient at increased risk for developing gonadal malignancy. No universally accepted guidelines exist for identifying the risk of developing a malignancy or for determining either the timing or necessity of performing a gonadectomy in patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis. Our goal was to evaluate the literature and develop evidence-based medicine guidelines with respect to the diagnostic work-up and management of patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis. We reviewed the published literature and used the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system when appropriate to grade the evidence and to provide recommendations for the diagnostic work-up, malignancy risk stratification, timing or necessity of gonadectomy, role of gonadal biopsy, and ethical considerations for performing a gonadectomy. Individualized health care is needed for patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis, and the decisions regarding gonadectomy should be tailored to each patient based on the underlying diagnosis and risk of malignancy. Our recommendations, based on the evidence available, add an important component to the diagnostic and management armament of physicians who treat patients with these conditions.
TLR2 Signaling Contributes to Rapid Inflammasome Activation during F. novicida Infection

Background Early detection of microorganisms by the innate immune system is provided by surface-expressed and endosomal pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Detection of microbial components by TLRs initiates a signaling cascade leading to the expression of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and IL-1β. Some intracellular bacteria subvert the TLR response by rapidly escaping the phagosome and entering the cytosol. However, these bacteria may be recognized by the inflammasome, a multi-protein complex comprised of a sensor protein, ASC and the cysteine protease caspase-1. Inflammasome activation leads to release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and death of the infected cell, an important host defense that eliminates the pathogen's replicative niche. While TLRs and inflammasomes are critical for controlling bacterial infections, it is unknown whether these distinct host pathways cooperate to activate defenses against intracellular bacteria. Methodology/Significant Findings Using the intracellular bacterium Francisella novicida as a model, we show that TLR2−/− macrophages exhibited delayed inflammasome activation compared to wild-type macrophages as measured by inflammasome assembly, caspase-1 activation, cell death and IL-18 release. TLR2 also contributed to inflammasome activation in response to infection by the cytosolic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Components of the TLR2 signaling pathway, MyD88 and NF-κB, were required for rapid inflammasome activation. Furthermore, TLR2−/− mice exhibited lower levels of cell death, caspase-1 activation, and IL-18 production than wild-type mice upon F. novicida infection. Conclusions/Significance These results show that TLR2 is required for rapid inflammasome activation in response to infection by cytosolic bacterial pathogens. In addition to further characterizing the role of TLR2 in host defense, these findings broaden our understanding of how the host integrates signals from spatiotemporally separated PRRs to coordinate an innate response against intracellular bacteria.
Conformational ensemble of the sodium-coupled aspartate transporter

The sodium and aspartate symporter GltPh mediates transport by alternating between outward-facing and inward-facing states. These conformational changes are now probed using double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy. The data show that GltPh samples both states with similar probabilities, and that each protomer in the GltPh homotrimer behaves independently of the others.
The potentiation of rat uterine inhibitory responses to noradrenaline by theophylline and nitroglycerine.

Abstract 1. Dose response curves for noradrenaline were determined before, during and after pretreatment with a variety of agents. The inhibitory response to noradrenaline on the isolated rat uterus was measured according to its ability to inhibit an acetylcholine induced contraction. 2. Theophylline, an agent that inhibits phosphodiesterase and increases cyclic AMP levels in the rat, potentiated the response to noradrenaline. 3. Pretreatment with cocaine had no significant effect on the potentiation of the noradrenaline response by theophylline. 4. Theophylline potentiated the inhibitory response to nitroglycerine. 5. Pretreatment with nitroglycerine also potentiated the inhibitory response to noradrenaline. 6. Theophylline appears to produce a potentiation of the inhibitory effect of noradrenaline on the rat uterus by means of a non-specific mechanism.
Evaluating the Syntactic Transformations in Gold Standard Corpora for Statistical Sentence Compression

We present a policy-based error analysis approach that demonstrates a limitation to the current commonly adopted paradigm for sentence compression. We demonstrate that these limitations arise from the strong assumption of locality of the decision making process in the search for an acceptable derivation in this paradigm.
How Annoying Is It? Defining Parental Tolerance for Child Misbehavior

ABSTRACT Defines parental tolerance for misbehavior and provides reliability and validity data for two newly developed parent report measures of tolerance, the Child Rearing Inventory (CRI) and the Annoying Behavior Inventory (ABI). Data were collected from 262 primary care-takers of children between the ages of 3 and 10 years, of whom one-third were African American. Examination of the internal consistency and test-retest data for the CRI and the ABI provided evidence of adequate reliability. Scores on the CRI and ABI were unrelated to social desirability, socioeconomic status, and race. Parental tolerance for misbehavior is associated with parental perceptions of their child's behavior as problematic and child treatment status. Results of this study provide preliminary evidence of good reliability and present initial validity of the CRI and the ABI.
Texture and strain localization prediction using a N-site polycrystal model

Most polycrystal models of plastic deformation rely on the assumption that strain and stress are uniform within the domain of each grain. Comparison between measured and predicted textures suggests that this assumption is realistic for most single-phase aggregates and crystal symmetries. In this paper, we implement a self-consistent N-site model that allows one to account for strain localization and local misorientation near grain boundaries. We apply this model to face centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal close packed (hcp) aggregates, and analyze the similarities and differences with a one-site model that assumes uniform stress and strain-rate within a grain. We find that the assumption of uniformity is justified in first order. We discuss the implications of the N-site model for the simulation of systems with hard inclusions, orientation correlations, and recrystallization mechanisms.
TGFβ inhibits LPS-induced chemokine mRNA stabilization

The mechanisms involved in anti-inflammatory action of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) have been examined by evaluating its effect on chemokine gene expression in mouse macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated expression of the CXC chemokines KC and MIP-2 was selectively reduced by TGFbeta in a time- and protein synthesis-dependent process. While TGFbeta had a modest effect on transcription of the KC and MIP-2 mRNAs as measured by nuclear run-on, it had no effect on LPS-stimulated luciferase expression driven by the KC promoter nor on the activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) DNA-binding activity and transactivation function. Interestingly, KC mRNA levels were markedly reduced by TGFbeta treatment in cells transfected with KC genomic or cDNA constructs driven from either the KC or cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoters, demonstrating the importance of sequences within the mature mRNA and suggesting that suppression may involve a posttranscriptional mechanism. In support of this possibility, LPS stimulation prolonged the half-life of KC mRNA and this stabilization response was blocked in cells treated with TGFbeta. Examination of KC mRNA expressed under control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter demonstrated that TGFbeta prevented stabilization of KC mRNA, in response to LPS but did not alter KC mRNA half-life directly. KC mRNA stabilization by LPS was dependent on activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, and TGFbeta treatment inhibited p38 MAPK activation. These findings support the hypothesis that TGFbeta-mediated suppression of chemokine gene expression involves antagonism of LPS-stimulated KC mRNA stabilization via inhibition of p38 MAPK.
Effect of pH and hydrogen peroxide on heat inactivation ofSalmonellaandListeriain egg white

Abstract A bench-top flow-injection pasteurizer was used to examine the effect of pH and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) on the reduction of Salmonella ( Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Salmonella heidelberg ATCC 8326, and Salmonella senftenberg ATCC 43845) and Listeria monocytogenes (strains Scott A, PMM383, ATCC 19111, and V7) in egg white. Thermal inactivation of Salmonella was tested at three pH levels (pH 8.32, 8.66, 9.0), both with and without H 2 O 2 . A commercially-used time–temperature regimen for egg white pasteurization of 134°F for 4.1 min provided greater than a 7.5–8.5 log decrease in S. enteritidis and S. heidelberg at all three pH levels but only a 1-, 2.5-, and 5-log decrease at pH 8.32, 8.66, and 9.0, respectively, for S. senftenberg . When H 2 O 2 was used, S. senftenberg demonstrated a greater than 7-log decrease (below detectable levels) at pH 8.32, even when using the USDA minimum processing time of 3.5 min (134°F). However, neither pH, H 2 O 2 , nor extended processing time had a significant effect on the reduction of three of four strains of L. monocytogenes tested. These results indicate that the processing of egg white under the minimum conditions specified by the USDA is insufficient to eliminate L. monocytogenes which may be a potential problem in refrigerated pasteurized liquid egg white-based products.
Cardiovascular responses to emotional stress (quiz interview) in post-myocardial infarction patients and matched control subjects.

Abstract In this investigation, 30 male post-myocardial infarction patients and 30 male control subjects matched according to age and occupation were given a 12-minute tape-recorded stress quiz described by Schiffer et al.' Cardiovascular responses (electrocardiogram, heart rate, systolic, blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure) to emotional stimuli were monitored in a laboratory setting at rest before the quiz and at two-minute intervals during the quiz. Heart rate and blood pressure values were significantly higher during the quiz than at rest for both patient and control groups. There was a significantly higher response for diastolic pressure and a significantly lower response for heart rate in the patient group compared with the control group. In the analysis for occupational status in the entire population, systolic pressure was significantly higher for the executives than for non-executives. Subgroup analyses of patients with angina, hypertension and/or ECG changes (N=12) revealed a significan...
The United States oceanographic research fleet --A perspective

The U.S. Oceanographic Research Fleet includes three sectors, the Federal, academic and commercial and comprises about 150 ships (over 25 meters LOA) about evenly divided between the three sectors. The estimated cost of this fleet in 1975 is about $86.0M of which $71M represents Federal ship support in total Federal marine oriented programs of $559M. Size of this fleet is static or undergoing reductions owing to increased operating costs or retirement without replacement. About 20% of the fleet is approaching obsolescence. Projections of future (5 year) ship needs for Federal programs indicate about a 20% increase over current levels. There presently are three replacement ships under construction for the academic sector but no other approved Federal shipbuilding plans. On a worldwide comparison of a total of about 730 research ships, the USSR operates about 194 and Japan 94.
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides

Abstract The pharmacokinetic parameters determined for different phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were compared. The data suggest that phosphorothioate pharmacokinetics are primarily determined by chemical class. The pharmacokinetics are consistent across species, show dose-dependency, and are independent of sequence.
Do Core Interpersonal and Affective Traits of PCL-R Psychopathy Interact With Antisocial Behavior and Disinhibition to Predict Violence?

The utility of psychopathy measures in predicting violence is largely explained by their assessment of social deviance (e.g., antisocial behavior; disinhibition). A key question is whether social deviance interacts with the core interpersonal-affective traits of psychopathy to predict violence. Do core psychopathic traits multiply the (already high) risk of violence among disinhibited individuals with a dense history of misbehavior? This meta-analysis of 32 effect sizes (N = 10,555) tested whether an interaction between the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 2003) Interpersonal-Affective and Social Deviance scales predicted violence beyond the simple additive effects of each scale. Results indicate that Social Deviance is more uniquely predictive of violence (d = .40) than Interpersonal-Affective traits (d = .11), and these two scales do not interact (d = .00) to increase power in predicting violence. In fact, Social Deviance alone would predict better than the Interpersonal-Affective scale and any interaction in 81% and 96% of studies, respectively. These findings have fundamental practical implications for risk assessment and theoretical implications for some conceptualizations of psychopathy.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Similarity Judgments with Semantically Rich Stimuli

Abstract The structural-alignment approach to similarity posits a principled distinction between object attributes and relations between objects. We examined whether this assumption holds for nonarbitrary combinations of interrelated objects. Subjects judged similarity between simple statements in which the nouns (denoting attributes) and verbs (denoting relations) were semantically interdependent. We found that semantic dependencies affected similarity judgments both by inducing inferences about the abstract combined meaning of the statements and by changing the process by which subjects arrived at their judgments. When the paired statements had matching verbs (e.g., “The carpenter fixed the chair” and “The electrician fixed the radio”), subjects compared the combined meanings of the statements (e.g., “Similar because both are professionals doing their job”). These results are consistent with the logic of structural alignment. However, when the paired statements had matching nouns (e.g., “The carpenter fixed the chair” and “The carpenter sat on the chair”), very often subjects integrated the combined meanings of the statements (e.g., “Similar because he sat on the chair to see whether he fixed it well”). These results defy every existing account of similarity. We discuss the prevalence and systematicity of such processing replacements and the need for incorporating them into similarity-based accounts of cognition.
Action Methods in the Classroom: Creative Strategies for Nursing Education

Nursing education recognizes the need for a framework of experiential learning that supports the development of professional roles. Action methods, originated by Jacob L. Moreno (1953), can be readily adapted to any nursing classroom to create the conditions under which students learn and practice professional nursing roles. While nurse faculty can learn to use action methods, they may not fully comprehend their theoretical underpinnings or may believe they are only used in therapy. This article explores Moreno's ideas related to psychodrama and sociodrama applied in classroom settings, and presents many examples and tips for classroom teachers who wish to incorporate action methods into their classes.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biomarkers and serum markers of inflammation. A positive association that is more evident in men.

Abstract Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potent atmospheric pollutants, occurring from anthropogenic and natural sources. Several animal studies have reported a positive association of PAHs with inflammation. However, it is not clear if lower background exposure to PAHs is associated with inflammation in humans, independent of smoking, a major source of PAHs. Methods We examined participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2002, 2003–2004, and 2005–2006. Our exposures of interest were eight urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biomarkers. Our outcomes were serum markers of inflammation; C-reactive protein (CRP) (≤10 mg/L) and total white blood cell (WBC) count (4000–12,000 cells/μL). Results Compared to participants with summed biomarkers of low-molecular weight (LMW) PAHs in the lowest quartile, the multivariable odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of high serum CRP (≥3 mg/L) and high total WBC count (defined as at or above the 95 percentile of total WBC distribution) among participants in the highest exposure quartile were 1.77 (1.13, 2.76) and 1.34 (1.12, 1.60) respectively. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, the biomarker of the higher molecular weight pyrene, was positively associated with total WBC count, and to lesser extent with serum CRP. In subsequent analyses, the positive association between LMW PAHs and serum CRP and total WBC count was found to be present within the stratified subgroups, independent of smoking and other potential confounders. The positive association was more evident among adult males when compared to females. Conclusions Urinary PAH biomarkers were found to be positively associated with serum CRP and total WBC count independent of smoking and other potential confounders. The association was more evident in men.
Articulator movement associated with the development of prosodic control in children.

This study explored the relationship between articulator movement and prosody in children at different developmental ages. Jaw, lower lip, and upper lip kinematics were examined in 4-, 7-, and 11-y...
Incidence and factors associated with synchronous ovarian and endometrial cancer: A population-based case-control study☆ , ☆☆

Objective To estimate the incidence of synchronous endometrial cancer (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC) in the female population, among all women with EC, and in women under 50 years of age with EC, and to identify factors associated with synchronous EC/OC.
Annexin I and involucrin are cross-linked by particulate transglutaminase into the cornified cell envelope of squamous cell carcinoma Y1

The squamous cell carcinoma line, SqCC/Y1, like natural squamous epithelia, forms a cornified cell envelope during differentiation which can be directly correlated with an increase in particulate transglutaminase activity. When transglutaminase is activated in these cells by calcium ionophore X-537A, annexin I and involucrin become incorporated into the cornified cell envelope and cannot be extracted with solutions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and β-mercaptoethanol. This effect is specific for annexin I; thus, the amounts of annexins II and IV that were extractable from cells by SDS and β-mercaptoethanol did not change following treatment with inophore X-537A. Annexin I could be cross-linked in vitro to itself and to other endogenous proteins by transglutaminase extracted from the particulate fraction of SqCC/Y1 cells. Immunofluorescence studies showed that cross-linked annexin I and involucrin form and envelope-like structure in SqCC/Y1 cells during differentiation that cannot be extracted by EGTA and Triton X-100. The amount of staining of this envelope structure corresponded directly to the particulate transglutaminase activity of these cells. Annexin I monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were shown to bind to purified cornified cell envelopes from SqCC/Y1. These studies suggest that particulate transglutaminase regulates a function of annexin I during the differentiation of SqCC/Y1 cells by covalently cross-linking this protein into the cornified cell envelope.
Causal analysis of embryonic differentiation: I. Responsiveness of presumptive ectoderm as a regulating factor in RNA function

Abstract The function of calf kidney-RNA ( K -RNA) was studied using the gastrula ectoderm ( E ) of the newt, Taricha torosa , with and without conditioning by the ethanol-fixed bone marrow extract of guinea pig (BME). The conditioning was accomplished by keeping E in contact with BME (“sandwich” technique) for 2, 12, and 24 h in Niu-Twitty solution. Unconditioned- E did not differentiate and responded poorly to K -RNA. Two-hour-conditioned E underwent practically no differentiation. In contrast, both 12 and 24 h-conditioned E were capable of forming spinocaudal structures. When the 2-h-conditioning was carried out simultaneously with K -RNA, E developed into tissues typical of spinocaudal induction. The effect of K -RNA on the 12-h-conditioned E was regulatory. It promoted the development of pronephros and connective tissue but inhibited the formation of neural organs, notochord and somites. There was no appreciable effect noted in the 24-h series, probably due to the lack of BME-provoked responsiveness.
Comparative Effect of the Thiols Dithiothreitol, Cysteamine and WR-151326 on Survival and on the Induction of DNA Damage in Cultured Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Exposed to γ-radiation

We compared the ability of three thiols--dithiothreitol (DTT), cysteamine and WR-151326--to protect aerated Chinese hamster ovary cells from the lethal and DNA-damaging effects of gamma-radiation. These results were compared with earlier measurements for WR-1065 and WR-255591. The time-course and the concentration dependence of protection against cell killing was determined after 10 Gy of gamma-rays. The aminothiols cysteamine and WR-151326 protected at much lower extracellular concentrations than the simple thiol DTT; however, there was no clear difference between the behaviour of cysteamine, WR-151326, WR-1065 and WR-255591 in this respect. Protection by DTT and cysteamine was complete within 1 min, whereas for WR-151326, WR-1065 and WR-255591 about 30 min was required before protection began to reach a plateau. Based on these data, complete radiation survival curves were generated for each thiol and protection factors calculated. Effects on the induction of DNA single-strand breaks (ssb) and double-strand breaks (dsb) by gamma-rays were measured using alkaline (pH 12.1) and neutral (pH 7.0 and 9.6) elution, respectively. All three thiols protected against ssb induction, although to a significantly lower extent than against cell killing measured under identical conditions. Each thiol also protected against dsb induction. After high radiation doses the protection factors for dsb induction were also less than the protection factors for cell survival; however, when dsb were assayed using the low-dose replicate plating neutral elution method, the relative effect of each thiol on cell survival and on dsb induction appeared to be equivalent. The hierarchy of protection against both ssb and dsb induction (based on the extracellular thiol concentration required to produce a given degree of protection) was similar to that for cell survival, i.e., WR-151326 congruent to cysteamine less than DTT.
Phagocytosis of Candida albicans by metastatic and non metastatic human breast cancer cell lines in vitro

Abstract Experiments were carried out to investigate the kinetic characteristics of phagocytosis of candida by metastatic (MCF-7 and ZR-75-1) and nonmetastatic (HCC70) breast cancer cell (BCC) lines. Cancer cells were mixed with candida at a ratio of 1:10 and attachment/phagocytosis were examined using cytospin preparations stained with either Giemsa or tannic acid and May-Grunwald Giemsa and by using flow cytometry. A high attachment of candida to cancer cells (29–39%) was detected as early as 10min. Following attachment, cancer cells phagocytized yeast. The phagocytic activity of MCF-7 and ZR-75 cells was significantly higher (58–61%) than that of HCC70 cells (26%). A similar trend was observed with respect to the phagocytic index. Phagocytosis of candida by tumor cells was inhibited significantly by both cytochalasin B (50%) and by lowering temperature to 4°C (66%). Phagocytosis was not associated with oxidative burst in any cell lines used. In conclusion, metastatic breast cancer cells possess phagocytic activity which may explain their invasive property.
Computation Of Mass Distribution Characteristics Of Children

iostereometric measurements of 3- to 7-years old children are used to obtain equations for the mass distribution characteristics of children. Stature and weight are the independentparameters necessary for use with the equations.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Laser diode reflectometry and infrared emission measurements of permeating Gases at high driving pressures and temperatures

We report the use of infrared diode lasers in a diffuse reflection geometry for detection of the cyclotetramethylentetranitramine (HMX) combustion product CO permeating through a silicon carbide bed. We find that infrared emission and transient absorption are coincident with these pressure waves and demonstrate the feasibility of these diagnostics for detecting molecular species in hostile environments. We conclude from the experimental evidence that macroscopic convective heating may play a limited role in the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) of porous explosives.
Structure-Function Analysis of Mouse Purβ II CONFORMATION ALTERING MUTATIONS DISRUPT SINGLE-STRANDED DNA AND PROTEIN INTERACTIONS CRUCIAL TO SMOOTH MUSCLE α-ACTIN GENE REPRESSION

Abstract Previous studies from our laboratories have implicated two members of the Pur family of single-stranded DNA/RNA-binding proteins, Purα and Purβ, in transcriptional repression of the smooth muscle α-actin gene in vascular cell types. Although Purα and Purβ share substantial sequence homology and nucleic acid binding properties, genomic promoter and cis-element occupancy studies reported herein suggest that Purβ is the dominant factor in gene regulation. To dissect the molecular basis of Purβ repressor activity, site-directed mutagenesis was used to map amino acids critical to the physical and functional interaction of Purβ with the smooth muscle α-actin promoter. Of all the various acidic, basic, and aromatic residues studied, mutation of positionally conserved arginines in the class I or class II repeat modules significantly attenuated Purβ repressor activity in transfected vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. DNA binding and protein-protein interaction assays were conducted with purified recombinant Purβ and selected mutants to reveal the physical basis for loss-of-function. Mutants R57E, R57E/R96E, and R57A/R96A each exhibited reduced single-stranded DNA binding affinity for an essential promoter element and diminished interaction with corepressor YB-1/MSY1. Structural analyses of the R57A/R96A and R57E/R96E double mutants in comparison to the wild-type Purβ homodimer revealed aberrant self-association into higher order oligomeric complexes, which correlated with decreased α-helical content and defective DNA and protein binding in vitro. These findings point to a previously unrecognized structural role for certain core arginine residues in forming a conformationally stable Purβ protein capable of physical interactions necessary for smooth muscle α-actin gene repression.
Country Institutional Profiles: Unlocking Entrepreneurial Phenomena

This study introduces and validates a measure of country institutional profile for entrepreneurship consisting of regulatory, cognitive, and normative dimensions. Subscales based on data from six c...
Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma

We present the clinical, anatomic, and laboratory findings in a 4-month-old child with desmosplastic infantile ganglioglioma. Microtubule-associated protein-2 (AP18) and neuron-specific B-tubulin (TUJ-1) were more sensitive in detecting immature neural elements than synaptophysin. Despite the immature neuroblastic component, focal intermediate proliferation indices, microinvasion, presence of secondary features (extension into Virchow Robin spaces, perineuronal satellitosis), and subtotal resection, the child has done well, with striking improvement of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image, head size improvement, no tumor recurrence, and minimal neurological deficits.
Local blood flow in kidney tissue by heat clearance measurement

Abstract The transient response heat clearance method of Stow & Schieve for measuring local tissue blood flow was tested on dog and rabbit kidney. Heat is injected continuously into a small volume of tissue and the temperature difference between heated and unheated tissue regions is monitored. The blood flow to the tissue is suddenly stopped for a few seconds. A sudden change in time rate of change of the temperature difference is thereby produced, which is a measure of the local blood flow per unit tissue volume just before stoppage. This method was compared with a para-aminohippurate clearance method for total kidney blood flow. Satisfactory agreement was found at low blood flow. A systematically increasing divergence with increasing blood flow could be interpreted as a decreasing extraction ratio for injected heat by the blood flow in the afferent arterioles. It was concluded that the method is capable of absolute and quantitative measurement of local tissue blood flow. The method was used to calibrate in vivo the Gibbs steady state method and the calibration curve was analyzed theoretically.
The disease triangle: pathogens, the environment and society

The primary means to define any disease is by naming a pathogen or agent that negatively affects the health of the host organism. Another assumed, but often overlooked, determinant of disease is the environment, which includes deleterious physical and social effects on mankind. The disease triangle is a conceptual model that shows the interactions between the environment, the host and an infectious (or abiotic) agent. This model can be used to predict epidemiological outcomes in plant health and public health, both in local and global communities. Here, the Irish potato famine of the mid-nineteenth century is used as an example to show how the disease triangle, originally devised to interpret plant disease outcomes, can be applied to public health. In parallel, malaria is used to discuss the role of the environment in disease transmission and control. In both examples, the disease triangle is used as a tool to discuss parameters that influence socioeconomic outcomes as a result of host-pathogen interactions involving plants and humans.
Alterations in cholinergic enzymes during the development of cobalt-induced epilepsy in the rat.

Abstract Choline acetyltransferase and cholinesterase activities were established in cerebral cortical tissue from rats rendered epileptic by the administration of cobalt-gelatin slivers to the cortex. Cobalt-treated rats exhibited a significant reduction of the pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold 4 days after cobalt implantation. This effect persisted up to 7 weeks. Enzyme activity was determined in cortical tissue adjacent to the site of cobalt implantation and in the homotropic area of the contralateral hemisphere. Choline acetyltransferase activity in the primary area declined markedly the first week after cobalt implantation, but by 21 days, when the seizure threshold was still depressed, activity had increased significantly above control. Cholinesterase activity decreased significantly the first week and by 3 weeks had returned to control levels. Although not significant, activities of both enzymes in the contralateral cortex, tended to parallel those in primary cortex. The initial decline in enzymatic activity coincided with the development of epileptogenic activity in the rats. The subsequent return to control or higher levels of activity was, however, not accompanied by any further change in pentylenetetrazol seizure thresholds.
Developmental Aspects of Maleic Acid-induced Inhibition of Sugar and Amino Acid Transport in the Rat Renal Tubule

Developmental Aspects of Maleic Acid-induced Inhibition of Sugar and Amino Acid Transport in the Rat Renal Tubule
Assessment of Impacts of PHEV Charging Patterns on Wind-Thermal Scheduling by Stochastic Unit Commitment

Light duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology holds a promising future due to its “friendliness” to the environment and potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, the likely significant growth of PHEVs will bring new challenges and opportunities for power system infrastructures. This paper studies the impacts of PHEV charging patterns on power system operations and scheduling. The stochastic unit commitment model described in this paper considers coordination of thermal generating units and PHEV charging loads, as well as the penetration of large-scale wind power. The proposed model also addresses ancillary services provided by vehicle-to-grid techniques. Daily electricity demands by various types of PHEVs are estimated on the basis of a PHEV population projection and transportation survey. The stochastic unit commitment model is used to simulate power system scheduling with different charging patterns for PHEVs. The results show that a smart charging pattern can reduce the operating costs of a power system and compensate for the fluctuation in wind power. The proposed model also can serve as a foundation and tool to perform long-term cost-benefit analysis and to assist policy making.
Elevation of serum endothelins and cardiotoxicity induced by particulate matter (PM2.5) in rats with acute myocardial infarction.

Epidemiological studies have defined a significant positive association of acute exposure to ambient concentrations of particulate matter (PM) with increased daily mortality and hospital admission for cardiovascular diseases. Experimental studies have shown that animals with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases are more susceptible to the cardiac effect of PM exposure. The present study was undertaken to investigate possible involvement of upregulation of the endothelin system in PM exposure-induced cardiotoxicity in rats with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to occlusion of the left coronary artery and displayed myocardial infarction 12 h after the surgery. The heart rate significantly decreased and premature ventricular complexes of the electrocardiogram occurred in the myocardial infarct animals. Exposure to PM2.5 via intratracheal instillation with 2.0 mg in 0.3 mL normal saline significantly worsened the ventricular arrhythmia along with a further decrease in heart rate. The same PM exposure only caused slight cardiac changes in the sham-operated animals. Serum total endothelin concentrations were significantly elevated in both myocardial infarct rats and sham-operated controls in response to PM exposure. However, increased numbers of the endothelin receptor type A on the cardiomyocytes were observed only in the infarct myocardium. This study thus suggests that upregulation of the endothelin system in rats with MI is likely involved in the PM exposure-induced cardiotoxicity.