cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of arthroplasty and arthrodesis for the rheumatoid wrist.

Abstract Purpose: To compare the outcomes of wrist arthrodesis and arthroplasty in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using validated outcome patient surveys and a review of surgical complications in 2 matched cohorts. Methods: Forty-six patients with 51 operated wrists (24 arthrodeses and 27 arthroplasties) were reviewed retrospectively at a follow-up range of 1 to 5 years. Patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) inventory, the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and a questionnaire designed specifically for this study. Surgical complications were obtained by chart review. Results: Treatment groups were well matched by patient characteristics and radiographic staging. There were no statistical differences in the survey scores between the 2 groups. Patients in the arthroplasty group, however, reported a trend toward greater ease with personal hygiene and fastening buttons. Complication rates were similar with a 56% complication rate in the arthrodesis group (22% major, 35% minor) and a 52% complication rate in the arthroplasty group (11% major, 41% minor). Conclusions: The DASH and PRWE may not be designed properly to measure impairment caused by wrist disease in patients with generalized arthritis. The results show that patients with rheumatoid arthritis can and do accommodate to a wrist arthrodesis. It should not be construed, however, that these patients would not prefer or obtain greater benefit from a wrist arthroplasty or that they would not obtain greater benefit from an arthrodesis.
Polyamic acid interactions with aminopropylsilane surface conditioners on metal

Grazing incidence infrared analysis reveals that metal surfaces of Ag, Al, Cu, Cr, and Al/Cu or Al/Cu/Si alloys interact with APS solutions of natural pH (10.4) to produce passivating siloxane films. These films restrict polyamic acid interaction with metal and amine functionalities, so that covalent attachment of the amic acid to the surface, through the adhesion promoter, does not occur. Instead, imidization appears to proceed in a normal fashion above a siloxane interfacial region which is coordinated to the metal surface by amine-metal interactions.
Production and judgment of “humor” by schizophrenics and college students

Captions for stills from old movies were produced by schizophrenics and college students under instructions to be funny. Subsets of these captions were selected as schizophrenic, collegiate, or ambiguous as well as relatively funny or not funny. Another group of schizophrenics and college students judged these captions for their schizophrenia and humor. Schizophrenics did not make up funnier captions, did not do better in diagnosing schizophrenic captions, and all subjects judged that schizophrenia and humor did not go together.
DNA strand scission and ADP-ribosyltransferase activity during murine erythroleukemia cell differentiation

The accumulation of DNA strand breaks and activation of ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) have recently been associated with cellular differentiation. Murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells undergo erythropoietic differentiation when exposed to dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) and several studies have suggested that DNA strand scission induced by this agent is a prerequisite for expression of the differentiated phenotype. Me2SO induction of MEL cells has also been associated with increases in ADPRT activity in one study, but not in another. We have monitored the effects of Me2SO on DNA strand breaks in preformed and replicating MEL cell DNA. The results clearly demonstrate that DNA fragmentation is not detectable during Me2SO induction of MEL differentiation, even in the presence of 3-aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of ADPRT. Further, these results are consistent with an absence of detectable changes in both endogenous and total potential ADPRT activity during Me2SO-induced MEL differentiation. These findings would argue against Me2SO induction of DNA strand scission and ADPRT in MEL cells undergoing differentiation.
Prevalence and Burden of Fecal Incontinence: A Population-Based Study in Women

Background & Aims: The epidemiology of fecal incontinence (FI) is incompletely understood. We report the prevalence, clinical spectrum, health care-seeking behavior, and quality of life (QOL) in community women with FI. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to an age-stratified random sample of 5300 Olmsted County, Minnesota, women identified by the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Symptom severity was assessed by a validated scale, and impact on QOL was evaluated for subjects who had any FI during the past year. The prevalence of FI was calculated with direct age adjustment to the 2000 US white female population. Results: Altogether, 2800 of 5300 women (53%) responded to the survey. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of FI in the past year was 12.1 per 100 (95% confidence interval, 11.0–13.1). The prevalence increased with age from 7 (third decade) to 22 (sixth decade) per 100 and was steady thereafter. Symptoms were mild (45%), moderate (50%), or severe (5%), and symptom severity was related to the impact of FI on QOL and physician-consulting behavior. Moderate to severe impact on ≥1 domain of QOL was reported by 6% with mild, 35% with moderate, and 82% with severe symptoms, whereas 5% with mild, 10% with moderate, and 48% with severe FI had consulted a physician for FI in the past year. Conclusions: More than 1 of 10 adult women in the population have FI; almost 1 of 15 have moderate to severe FI. FI significantly impacts QOL and prompts health care utilization predominantly in women with moderate to severe symptoms.
Laparoscopic excision of benign dermoid cysts with controlled intraoperative spillage

Abstract Due to the risk of asepatic peritonitis associated with intraoperative rupture of dermoid cysts, many surgeons are reluctant to remove the lesions laparoscopically. In our series, 12 dermoid cysts were removed laparoscopically. Intraoperative spillage occurred in all cases and was managed with copious lavage. None of the patients experienced postoperative morbidity associated with peritonitis, indicating that intraoperative spillage of dermoid cysts is not associated with morbidity as long as vigorous lavage is performed.
Selection rules and line-strength factors for multiphoton transitions in gas phase molecular spectroscopy

Abstract Multiphoton transitions are discussed in terms applicable to experimental spectroscopy. A simple tensor operator for the equations governing multiphoton transitions in molecules is obtained. Selection rules for these processes are derived by symmetry considerations and procedures for calculation of rotational line-strength factors are given. For the general transition, the rovibronic n-photon selection rules can be determined by the symmetry product of a n-photon operator with the rovibronic wavefunctions. The line-strength factors are found by considering the integral over rotations of the nth rank tensor operators. The line-strength evaluations do not depend on exact knowledge of the vibronic overlap, to within a constant factor.
Phagocyte chemotaxis in the perinatal period.

Cross-sectional and limited sequential studies of neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis were done using cells isolated from cord blood and peripheral blood of 2- to 6-day-old neonates and infants at 4 and 6 months of age. These studies show that cord blood phagocyte chemotaxis is comparable to adult values, whereas phagocyte chemotaxis at 2–6 days of age is significantly lower than adult (P<0.01) or cord (P<0.01) chemotaxis values. At 6 months of age, phagocyte chemotaxis is still low compared to adult values (P<0.01).
A continuous-flow method for measuring effects of chemicals on soil nitrification.

Because the productivity of terrestrial ecosystems is directly related to microbial nutrient cycling, understanding the effects of chemical contaminants on soil microbial processes is important. This study examined the effects of two model chemicals—Roundup (glyphosate) and N-Serve (nitrapyrin)—on nitrifying organisms in static, perfusion, and continuous-flow culture systems. Experimental concentrations were approximately 1, 10, and 100 × the spot application rate. Both N-Serve and Roundup were shown to inhibit nitrification in the treated soils. Roundup significantly reduced nitrification at 6.8 and 68 mg g−1 dry soil. N-Serve (nitrapyrin) completely inhibited nitrification at levels greater than 42 μ g−1 dry soil in all cultural methods. In comparative studies with static batch and perfusion culture techniques, the continuous-flow system proved to be both reliable and useful in the culture of nitrifying bacteria. This method provides an alternative to traditional culture techniques in measuring chemical effects on microbial geochemical cycles and provides a new method for use in toxicity testing.
Author Gender in American Documentation, 1950-1969

The field of information science has been documented in several ways during its existence and in some ways has mirrored that of other scientific disciplines during the same period. This article examines variables related to author gender of information science articles in American Documentation (AD) during its entire run, 1950 through 1969. Published by the American Documentation Institute, AD was a primary information science journal of its time, changing its name in 1970 to the Journal of the American Society for Information Science (JASIS), corresponding with the change of the parent organization’s name to the American Society for Information Science (1968). AD was preceded by an earlier “information science” publication, the Journal of Documentary Reproduction (JDR), 1938-1942, issued by the American Library Association. Studies indicate that females contributed about 8% for the entire run of articles in JDR (1938-1942) and about 22% for the first twenty-seven years of JASIS (1970-1996). The present study explores the nature of female contributions to AD for the middle period (1950-1969). It has been determined that for the entire run of the journal under the name AD, female authors comprised about 17% of the contributors, which places their publishing percentage for this period between the earlier and later periods, thus expectedly filling the gap.
Modal analysis of Bragg onion resonators.

From analysis of the high Q modes in a Bragg onion resonator with an omnidirectional reflector cladding, we establish a close analogy between such a resonator and a spherical hollow cavity in perfect metal. We demonstrate that onion resonators are ideal for applications that require a large spontaneous-emission factor s, such as thresholdless lasers and single-photon devices.
A computational study of intramolecular proton transfer in gaseous protonated glycine.

The minimum energy paths for intramolecular proton transfer between the amino nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen atoms in gaseous protonated glycine were estimated at the Hartree−Fock (HF) and second-order Moller−Plesset Perturbation (MP2) levels of theory. Potential energy profiles and their associated reactant, transition state, and product species calculated at the MP2/6-31G* level were shown to differ significantly from those obtained at the HF/6-31G* level. Effects of electron correlation and basis functions on the calculated geometries and energies of relevant species were examined at the HF, MP2, MP4, CCSD, and B3LYP levels using the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-31+G**, 6-311+G**, 6-31+G(2d,2p), 6-311+G(3df,2p), cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, and cc-pVTZ basis sets. The HF and MP2 optimized levels with the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-31+G**, and 6-311+G** bases were used to calculate the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the proton transfer reaction at 298.15 K and 1 atm, which include enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, eq...
Potential For GW Output Levels In Near-Cm Wavelength Open-Resonator Oscillators

ABSTRACT The power handling capacity of a single planar- gratingresonator is evaluated. When driven by an intense relativisiticelectron beam, the predicted output levels are in the 0.1 -1 GWrange. In addition, the planar resonators may be stacked and cross -coupled in such a way that volume scaling will apply , and in thiscase the total power would be limited by the available beam power. 1. INTRODUCTION In applications where extraordinarily high microwave outputpower levels are desired, one fundamental performance limit is setby the power handling capacity of the resonant structure. Althoughthis limit can be increased if the resonator volume and outputaperture are made bigger, the operating wavelength will also becomelonger. When high -voltage, lower -impedance electron -beamgenerators are employed as drivers, the output frequency maybecome inconveniently low. In this note, one method of decouplingthe wavelength and power scaling limits will be discussed.The structure may be generally classed as an "open resonator".In the open resonator discussed herein, all but one of thecharacteristic dimensions are large compared to the operatingwavelength. The dimensions which are large on the wavelengthscale include the length of the resonator, the cross -section of theelectron beam channel, and the width of the resonator mode. Onefurther characteristic dimension such as a grating period or dielectricfilm thickness may be small compared to a wavelength. However, itwill be shown that the voltage across this element will scale as(1/1)3/2 (y is the relative energy of a beam electron). Hence, whenrelativistic electron beams are employed, this voltage will be modest.Either a dielectric film (Cerenkov maser)1 or a planar grating(Planar Orotron)2 may be used as the beam - field coupling element.When driven by relativistic electron beams these structures havevirtually identical coupling properties and in the present work thediscussion will focus on the grating. The relation between thegrating dimensions, the beam energy and the tuning characteristicswill be reviewed in Section 2 and in Section 3, expressions for theoperating wavelength, the gain and the saturation level will bededuced. The predicted performance limits of a single resonatorplanar orotron will be discussed in Section 4 together with somesuggested large volume /large aperture area configurations.Conclusions will be presented in Section 5.2.
Effects of reproductive status, ovariectomy, and photoperiod on vasoactive intestinal peptide in the female turkey hypothalamus.

Abstract Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) appears to be a physiologically relevant prolactin (PRL)-releasing factor during the avian reproductive cycle, yet little is known of the factors involved in modulating the hypothalamic concentrations of this neuropeptide. A heterologous chicken VIP radioimmunoassay was developed to examine the effects of reproductive status, ovariectomy, and photoperiod on hypothalamic VIP immunoreactivity in the female turkey. VIP concentrations were highest in the median eminence/infundibular nuclear complex ( ME INF ) relative to other subregions of the hypothalamus and changed only in this region during the reproductive cycle. Quiescent, nonphotostimulated hens subjected to stimulatory photoperiod exhibited a 1.6-fold increase in VIP in the ME INF (quiescent 59.9 ± 6.0 vs photostimulated 95.8 ± 7.1 pg/μg protein). An additional 2-fold increase in ME INF VIP concentrations was observed in laying hens (183.0 ± 28.5 pg/μg protein). Coincident increases in plasma PRL were also observed. In contrast, during incubation and the photorefractory stage, a dissociation between hypothalamic VIP and plasma PRL occurred. No changes were observed in VIP in incubating hens, yet a 6-fold increase in PRL was noted, compared to layers. In addition, ME INF VIP concentrations exhibited no change during the photorefractory stage, whereas a 28-fold decrease in plasma PRL occurred. VIP concentrations in the ME INF of laying hens were unaffected by ovariectomy, whereas exposure to short photoperiod reduced VIP by 44%. The inhibitory effects of short photoperiod could not be reversed by administration of exogenous steroids, while steroid treatment reduced VIP concentrations by 45% in the ovariectomized hens. These results provide additional correlative evidence for a modulatory role of VIP in PRL secretion and suggest that the expression of this neuropeptide in the INF may serve as a neural link between photoperiodic mechanisms and PRL release during the avian reproductive cycle.
Effects of betamethasone on maternal plasma cortiocotropin releasing factor, ACTH and cortisol during pregnancy

Corticotropin releasing factor immunoactivity (CRFi) has been identified in the plasma of women in the second half of gestation. There are several lines of evidence supporting a placental source for this hormone. Regulation of placental CRFi is poorly understood. In this study, the effect of a long-acting glucorticoid on the release of placental CRFi was investigated. Eleven women in the third trimester of pregnancy had plasma samples measured for CRFi, ACTH and cortisol before and after receiving 12 mg betamethasone. There was a significant decrease in ACTH (p less than 0.05) and cortisol levels (p less than 0.01) but no change in CRFi. It is concluded that the secretion of CRFi by the placenta is not inhibited by the administration of betamethasone while maternal levels of cortisol and ACTH are lowered. These results suggest that the acute regulation of placental CRFi is distinct from the regulation of hypothalamic CRF.
The effects of estrogen on various organs: therapeutic approach for sepsis, trauma, and reperfusion injury. Part 1: central nervous system, lung, and heart

Although several clinical studies show a gender dimorphism of immune and organ responsiveness in the susceptibility to and morbidity from shock, trauma, and sepsis, there are conflicting reports on the role of gender in outcomes. In contrast, results obtained from experimental studies clearly support the suggestion that gender plays a significant role in post-injury pathogenesis. Studies performed in a rodent model of trauma-hemorrhage have confirmed that alterations in immune and organ functions after trauma-hemorrhage are more markedly depressed in adult males and in ovariectomized and aged females; however, both are maintained in castrated males and in proestrus females. Moreover, the survival rate of proestrus females subjected to sepsis after trauma-hemorrhage is significantly higher than in age-matched males or ovariectomized females. In this respect, organ functions and immune responses are depressed in males with sepsis or trauma, whereas they are unchanged or are enhanced in females. This article reviews studies delineating the mechanism by which estrogen regulates cerebral nervous, lung, and heart systems in an experimental model of sepsis, trauma, or reperfusion injury.
SS disease is not a single gene disorder

In SS disease CNS damage is found in a continuum of clinical settings: normal (no ischemic changes), silent strokes (MRI changes without symptoms), transient ischemic episodes, and clinical strokes (either ischemic or hemorrhagic). Four to eight percent of children with SS disease have clinical
Academic Affiliation With a Nursing Home: Impact on Patient Outcome

In a prospective study, 46 patients discharged from a teaching hospital to a "teaching unit" nursing home, where primary medical care was provided by faculty geriatricians, medical students, and medical housestaff, were compared with 78 similar patients discharged to one of five community nursing homes without a teaching affiliation. At the time of hospital discharge, patients were determined to have a terminal, rehabilitative, or long stay prognosis based on a review of hospital discharge summaries using specific criteria. Among 34 study and 55 control patients with a long stay prognosis, ten of the study group compared with seven of the control group returned home (P = .03). Seven of 34 long stay patients in the study group were rehospitalized, while 15 of a matched control group of 34 required hospitalization (P = .04). There was no increase in mortality or emergency service use in the study population. Patients considered to be terminal or rehabilitative showed no difference in ultimate outcome or hospital use. In the study group patients experienced an average reduction in total medications prescribed from 6.2 to 5.3, while patients in the control group had an increase from 5.4 medications prescribed to 7.6 (P less than .001). Of 16 study patients discharged from the teaching unit nursing home, all remained home at least three months after discharge; only 12 of 18 control group patients discharged from the nursing home remained at home at three months (P less than .01). Long-term care by geriatric faculty, students, and housestaff appeared to have favorably influenced patient outcomes.
Mitochondrial DNA synthesis and the mitotic cycle in Physarum polycephalum

Abstract 1. (1) Rates of replication of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were compared in the multinucleated slime mold, Physarum polycephalum, by labeling the DNA of plasmodia at different times in the mitotic cycle with [3H]thymidine and subsequent analysis by autoradiography and by CsCl gradient equilibrium sedimentation. 2. (2) Thymidine was incorporated into mitochondrial DNA at all times of the mitotic cycle, even during a short period of 20 min (i.e. less than 5 % of interphase) immediately preceding synchronous mitosis. At this time, incorporation of label into nuclear DNA was extremely low and due mainly to a few heavily labeled nuclei. Periodicity of DNA replication could not be induced by placing the plasmodia on non-nutrient balanced salt solution (“shift-down”). 3. (3) The densities of the principal and the mitochondrial DNA components are 1.697±0.002, and 1.686±0.002, respectively, corresponding to guanine-cytosine contents of 38 % and 23 %, respectively. The mitochondrial DNA represents approx. 5–10 % of the total DNA.
Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence. 72. Determination of Immobilized DNA and C-Reactive Protein on Au(111) Electrodes Using Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Labels

Anodic electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) with tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) as a coreactant was used to determine DNA and C-reactive protein (CRP) by immobilizations on Au(111) electrodes using tris(2,2‘-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) labels. A 23-mer synthetic single-stranded (ss) DNA derived from the Bacillus anthracis with an amino-modified group at the 5‘ end position was covalently attached to the Au(111) substrate precoated with a self-assembled thiol monolayer of 3-mercaptopropanoic acid (3-MPA) in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDAC) and then hybridized with a target ssDNA tagged with Ru(bpy)32+ ECL labels. Similarly, biotinylated anti-CRP species were immobilized effectively onto the Au(111) substrate precovered with a layer of avidin linked covalently via the reaction between avidin and a mixed thiol monolayer of 3-MPA and 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid on Au(111) in the presence of EDAC and N-hydroxysuccinimide. CRP and anti-CRP tagged with R...
Diagnosing the Sensitivity of Local Land–Atmosphere Coupling via the Soil Moisture–Boundary Layer Interaction

The inherent coupled nature of earth s energy and water cycles places significant importance on the proper representation and diagnosis of land atmosphere (LA) interactions in hydrometeorological prediction models. However, the precise nature of the soil moisture precipitation relationship at the local scale is largely determined by a series of nonlinear processes and feedbacks that are difficult to quantify. To quantify the strength of the local LA coupling (LoCo), this process chain must be considered both in full and as individual components through their relationships and sensitivities. To address this, recent modeling and diagnostic studies have been extended to 1) quantify the processes governing LoCo utilizing the thermodynamic properties of mixing diagrams, and 2) diagnose the sensitivity of coupled systems, including clouds and moist processes, to perturbations in soil moisture. This work employs NASA s Land Information System (LIS) coupled to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model and simulations performed over the U.S. Southern Great Plains. The behavior of different planetary boundary layers (PBL) and land surface scheme couplings in LIS WRF are examined in the context of the evolution of thermodynamic quantities that link the surface soil moisture condition to the PBL regime, clouds, and precipitation. Specifically, the tendency toward saturation in the PBL is quantified by the lifting condensation level (LCL) deficit and addressed as a function of time and space. The sensitivity of the LCL deficit to the soil moisture condition is indicative of the strength of LoCo, where both positive and negative feedbacks can be identified. Overall, this methodology can be applied to any model or observations and is a crucial step toward improved evaluation and quantification of LoCo within models, particularly given the advent of next-generation satellite measurements of PBL and land surface properties along with advances in data assimilation schemes.
Spirit out of bounds returns to the East: The closing of the social sciences and the opening of independent thoughts:

The cycle of the ‘social sciences’ as they were historically formed at the beginning of the nineteenth century is coming to its close. The Gulbenkian Report (1995) was an effort to maintain Western...
Structure-based mechanism for Na + /melibiose symport by MelB

The bacterial melibiose permease (MelB) belongs to the glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide:cation symporter family, a part of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). Structural information regarding glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide:cation symporter family transporters and other Na(+)-coupled permeases within MFS has been lacking, although a wealth of biochemical and biophysical data are available. Here we present the three-dimensional crystal structures of Salmonella typhimurium MelBSt in two conformations, representing an outward partially occluded and an outward inactive state of MelBSt. MelB adopts a typical MFS fold and contains a previously unidentified cation-binding motif. Three conserved acidic residues form a pyramidal-shaped cation-binding site for Na(+), Li(+) or H(+), which is in close proximity to the sugar-binding site. Both cosubstrate-binding sites are mainly contributed by the residues from the amino-terminal domain. These two structures and the functional data presented here provide mechanistic insights into Na(+)/melibiose symport. We also postulate a structural foundation for the conformational cycling necessary for transport catalysed by MFS permeases in general.
Inflammatory cells in rat skeletal muscle are elevated after electrically stimulated contractions

We determined the effect of muscle contractions resulting from high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFES) on inflammatory cells in rat tibialis anterior (TA), plantaris (Pln), and soleus (Sol) mu...
Tidal dissipation at arbitrary eccentricity and obliquity

Expressions for tidal dissipation in a body in synchronous rotation at arbitrary orbital eccentricity and obliquity are derived. The rate of tidal dissipation for a synchronously rotating body is compared to that in a body in asymptotic nonsynchronous rotation.
Simulation of an ITS Crash Prevention Technology at a No-Passing Zone Site

Crashes at no-passing zones constitute a sizable percentage of the total crashes on two-lane rural roads. A no-passing zone site at a crest vertical curve on route 114 of Southwest Virginia has experienced several traffic crashes that resulted in 12 deaths and 29 injuries over a six-year period. These deaths were the result of head-on collisions caused by illegal passing maneuvers at the no-passing site. A detection and warning system has been devised and implemented at the site with the aim of deterring drivers from illegally conducting a passing maneuver within the no-passing zone area. This system is currently operational and its main function is to warn the no-passing zone violators to abort the illegal maneuver. The authors plan to extend this warning system to the opposing vehicle in the same lane of the persistent violator in order to reduce the crash risk of the illegal passing maneuvers. A new simulation is developed to replicate the outcomes of deploying a warning sign to the opposing driver for...
Microarrays and toxicology: the advent of toxicogenomics.

The availability of genome-scale DNA sequence information and reagents has radically altered life-science research. This revolution has led to the development of a new scientific subdiscipline derived from a combination of the fields of toxicology and genomics. This subdiscipline, termed toxicogenomics, is concerned with the identification of potential human and environmental toxicants, and their putative mechanisms of action, through the use of genomics resources. One such resource is DNA microarrays or “chips,” which allow the monitoring of the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously. Here we propose a general method by which gene expression, as measured by cDNA microarrays, can be used as a highly sensitive and informative marker for toxicity. Our purpose is to acquaint the reader with the development and current state of microarray technology and to present our view of the usefulness of microarrays to the field of toxicology. Mol. Carcinog. 24:153‐ 159, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of the external urethral sphincter and sacral reflex by anal stretch in spinal cord injured patients

Relaxation of both detrusor and external sphincter muscles by mechanical stretch instead of cutaneous stimulation of the anal sphincter has been recognized and applied clinically for bladder emptying and for aiding catheterization in patients with spastic urethral sphincter. In a three-year study anal stretch was included as part of urodynamic examination in patients who could potentially use this method for bladder management. Anal stretch was found to inhibit the bulbocavernosus reflex and to be a useful alternative technique for bladder emptying in patients having complete paraplegia with normal hand function and with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. It is recommended that anal stretch combined with Crede or Valsalva maneuvers be a part of the urodynamic study of such patients to determine whether or not these techniques can be utilized for bladder management.
INTERVENTION WITH HIGH-RISK ALCOHOL AND DRUG-ABUSING MOTHERS: II. THREE-YEAR FINDINGS FROM THE SEATTLE MODEL OF PARAPROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY

!We examine the efficacy of a paraprofessional advocacy program for improving health and social outcomes of high-risk substance-abusing mothers and their children. This intervention included 3 years of home visitation, advocacy, and connection with appropriate community services. To assess the overall effectiveness of the model, clients were compared to concurrently enrolled controls on a composite variable comprised of indicators of alcohol/drug treatment, abstinence, family planning, child well-being, and connection to services. Clients obtained higher scores, on average, than controls on the composite variable—as well as on every indicator. Clients who spent more time with advocates had more positive outcomes. Results suggest that this paraprofessional advocacy model can help protect the safety of the children of substance-abusing mothers, while helping mothers take the steps they need to take in order to make fundamental changes in their lives. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Peptidyl-prolyl Isomerase Pin1 Controls Down-regulation of Conventional Protein Kinase C Isozymes

The down-regulation or cellular depletion of protein kinase C (PKC) attendant to prolonged activation by phorbol esters is a widely described property of this key family of signaling enzymes. However, neither the mechanism of down-regulation nor whether this mechanism occurs following stimulation by physiological agonists is known. Here we show that the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 provides a timer for the lifetime of conventional PKC isozymes, converting the enzymes into a species that can be dephosphorylated and ubiquitinated following activation induced by either phorbol esters or natural agonists. The regulation by Pin1 requires both the catalytic activity of the isomerase and the presence of a Pro immediately following the phosphorylated Thr of the turn motif phosphorylation site, one of two C-terminal sites that is phosphorylated during the maturation of PKC isozymes. Furthermore, the second C-terminal phosphorylation site, the hydrophobic motif, docks Pin1 to PKC. Our data are consistent with a model in which Pin1 binds the hydrophobic motif of conventional PKC isozymes to catalyze the isomerization of the phospho-Thr-Pro peptide bond at the turn motif, thus converting these PKC isozymes into species that can be efficiently down-regulated following activation.
Effect of row width on herbicide and cultivation requirements in row crops

Crops grown in narrow rows (NR, 0.25 to 0.38 m) shade weed seedlings more than do those grown in traditional wide rows (WR, 0.76 m). NR crops may require less herbicide and interrow cultivation than WR crops for equally effective weed control. This hypothesis was tested by comparing weed control and crop yield in NR and WR crops when the following percentages of recommended application rates (RAR) of standard herbicides were applied: soybean, 0, 50 and 100%; sunflower, 0, 25, 50, and 100%; and corn, 0, 33, and 100% in three separate sets of experiments conducted over 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. In all treatments with 100% RAR, excellent weed control prevented reductions in crop yield. When only 25 to 50% RAR was applied, weed control was consistently high in NR (82 to 99% control), but variable in WR (42 to 99% control). Weed control and crop yields typically were lowest in NR without herbicides. Interrow cultivation controlled 0 to 81% of weeds in WR crops. In reduced herbicide treatments (25 to 50% RAR), yields of NR soybean and sunflower typically were about equal to those in WR with 100% RAR, but NR corn yields were about 10% less. Considering the reduced herbicide use and lower weed control costs, planting corn, soybean, and sunflower in narrow rows may represent a practical form of low-input production of these important crops.
Cholinergic Dysfunction in Fragile X Syndrome and Potential Intervention: A Preliminary 1H MRS Study

Males with fragile X syndrome (FRAX) are at risk for significant cognitive and behavioral deficits, particularly those involving executive prefrontal systems. Disruption of the cholinergic system secondary to fragile X mental retardation protein deficiency may contribute to the cognitive-behavioral impairments associated with fragile X. We measured choline in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of nine males with FRAX and 9 age-matched typically developing controls using (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Right choline/creatine was significantly reduced in the fragile X group compared to controls. In controls, both left and right choline was significantly positively correlated with intelligence and age was significantly negatively correlated with left choline. There were no correlations in the fragile X group. Subjects with FRAX participating in a pilot open-label trial of donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, demonstrated significantly improved cognitive-behavioral function. Studies utilizing biochemical neuroimaging techniques such as these have the potential to significantly impact the design of treatment strategies for FRAX and other genetic disorders by helping identify neurochemical targets for intervention as well as serving as metrics for treatment efficacy.
The Relationship of Self-Concept with Physical Estimation and Physical Performance for Preadolescent Boys and Girls

Four hundred and ten male and female middle school subjects completed two identical assessments of self-concept, physical estimation, and physical performance at twelve week intervals. Significant ...
Production of intense, coherent, tunable narrow‐band lyman‐alpha radiation

Nearly transform limited pulses of Lyman-α radiation at 1216 A have been produced by sum frequency generation in 0.1 to 10 torr of mercury vapor. The input beams, consisting of photons at 3127 A and 5454 A, originate in 1 MHz bandwidth ring-dye laser oscillators. The beams are amplified in pulsed-dye amplifiers pumped by the frequency doubled output of a Nd:YAG laser. The 3127 A photons are tuned to be resonant with the two-photon 6IS to 71S mercury transition. The VUV radiation can be tuned by varying the frequency of the third non-resonant photon. We have also observed difference frequency generation at 2193 A and intense fluorescence from the 61P state at 1849 A. A dramatic reduction of the 1849 A radiation occurs when the 5454 A beam is added to the cell. We have studied the intensity and linewidth dependance of the output radiation on input beam intensity, mercury density, and phase matching buffer gas pressure and composition.
Mortality experience among Minnesota taconite mining industry workers

Objective To evaluate the mortality experience of Minnesota taconite mining industry workers. Methods Mortality was evaluated between 1960 and 2010 in a cohort of Minnesota taconite mining workers employed by any of the seven companies in operation in 1983. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were estimated by comparing observed deaths in the cohort with expected frequencies in the Minnesota population. Standardised rate ratios (SRR) were estimated using an internal analysis to compare mortality by employment duration. Results The cohort included 31 067 workers with at least 1 year of documented employment. Among those, there were 9094 deaths, of which 949 were from lung cancer, and 30 from mesothelioma. Mortality from all causes was greater than expected in the Minnesota population (SMR=1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.04). Mortality from lung cancer and mesothelioma was higher than expected with SMRs of 1.16 for lung cancer (95% CI 1.09 to 1.23) and 2.77 for mesothelioma (95% CI 1.87 to 3.96). Other elevated SMRs included those for cardiovascular disease (SMR=1.10, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.14), specifically for hypertensive heart disease (SMR=1.81, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.33) and ischemic heart disease (SMR=1.11, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.16). Results of the SRR analysis did not show variation in risk by duration of employment. Conclusions This study provides evidence that taconite workers may be at increased risk for mortality from lung cancer, mesothelioma, and some cardiovascular disease. Occupational exposures during taconite mining operations may be associated with these increased risks, but non-occupational exposures may also be important contributors.
On the Inadequacy of the overlay method for characterizing a conductor-backed material using free-space measurements

Free space methods are commonly used to determine the permeability and permittivity of dispersive materials [1]. In these methods, a layered material is illuminated by a plane wave, and the field reflected and transmitted by the material is measured. Together, these two independent measurements provide sufficient information to find both e and µ. When the layer is backed by a conductor, only reflection measurements are available, and other approaches must be devised to obtain the two independent measurements. One technique, which is used with waveguide applicators, is to add additional layers with known material parameters. By using two different known additional layers (which could include an air layer) it is hypothesized that the two required independent reflection measurements may be obtained. This is referred to here as the overlay method.
Predicting parallel application performance via machine learning approaches

National Science Foundation Grant Number CCF-0444413; United States Department of Energy Grant Number W-7405-Eng-48
Prevention of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice Lacking Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1

Increased plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) has been linked to not only thrombosis and fibrosis but also to obesity and insulin resistance. Increased PAI-1 levels have been presumed to be consequent to obesity. We investigated the interrelationships of PAI-1, obesity, and insulin resistance in a high-fat/high-carbohydrate (HF) diet-induced obesity model in wild-type (WT) and PAI-1-deficient mice (PAI-1(-/-)). Obesity and insulin resistance developing in WT mice on an HF diet were completely prevented in mice lacking PAI-1. PAI-1(-/-) mice on an HF diet had increased resting metabolic rates and total energy expenditure compared with WT mice, along with a marked increase in uncoupling protein 3 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle, likely mechanisms contributing to the prevention of obesity. In addition, insulin sensitivity was enhanced significantly in PAI-1(-/-) mice on an HF diet, as shown by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma and adiponectin mRNA, key control molecules in lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, were maintained in response to an HF diet in white adipose tissue in PAI-1(-/-) mice, contrasting with downregulation in WT mice. This maintenance of PPAR-gamma and adiponectin may also contribute to the observed maintenance of body weight and insulin sensitivity in PAI-1(-/-) mice. Treatment in WT mice on an HF diet with the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist to downregulate PAI-1 indeed inhibited PAI-1 increases and ameliorated diet-induced obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia. PAI-1 deficiency also enhanced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose cells in vitro. Our data suggest that PAI-1 may not merely increase in response to obesity and insulin resistance, but may have a direct causal role in obesity and insulin resistance. Inhibition of PAI-1 might provide a novel anti-obesity and anti-insulin resistance treatment.
Steric Gate Variants of UmuC Confer UV Hypersensitivity on Escherichia coli

Y family DNA polymerases are specialized for replication of damaged DNA and represent a major contribution to cellular resistance to DNA lesions. Although the Y family polymerase active sites have fewer contacts with their DNA substrates than replicative DNA polymerases, Y family polymerases appear to exhibit specificity for certain lesions. Thus, mutation of the steric gate residue of Escherichia coli DinB resulted in the specific loss of lesion bypass activity. We constructed variants of E. coli UmuC with mutations of the steric gate residue Y11 and of residue F10 and determined that strains harboring these variants are hypersensitive to UV light. Moreover, these UmuC variants are dominant negative with respect to sensitivity to UV light. The UV hypersensitivity and the dominant negative phenotype are partially suppressed by additional mutations in the known motifs in UmuC responsible for binding to the β processivity clamp, suggesting that the UmuC steric gate variant exerts its effects via access to the replication fork. Strains expressing the UmuC Y11A variant also exhibit decreased UV mutagenesis. Strikingly, disruption of the dnaQ gene encoding the replicative DNA polymerase proofreading subunit suppressed the dominant negative phenotype of a UmuC steric gate variant. This could be due to a recruitment function of the proofreading subunit or involvement of the proofreading subunit in a futile cycle of base insertion/excision with the UmuC steric gate variant.
Magnetic resonance microscopy--a new tool for the toxicologic pathologist.

Parallel to its many applications in medical imaging, magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy is a potentially powerful tool in toxicologic pathology. Because of the intrinsic qualities of MR microscopy...
Micronutrients, Birth Weight, and Survival

Maternal micronutrient requirements during pregnancy increase to meet the physiologic changes in gestation and fetal demands for growth and development. Maternal micronutrient deficiencies are high and coexist in many settings, likely influencing birth and newborn outcomes. The only recommendation for pregnancy currently exists for iron and folic acid use. Evidence is convincing that maternal iron supplementation will improve birth weight and perhaps gestational length. In one randomized trial, iron supplementation during pregnancy reduced child mortality in the offspring compared with the control group. Few other single micronutrients given antenatally, including vitamin A, zinc, and folic acid, have been systematically shown to confer such a benefit. A meta-analysis of 12 trials of multiple micronutrient supplementation compared with iron-folic acid reveals an overall 11% reduction in low birth weight but no effect on preterm birth and perinatal or neonatal survival. Currently, data are unconvincing for replacing supplementation of antenatal iron-folic acid with multiple micronutrients.
Asthma severity and asthma control: symptoms, pulmonary function, and inflammatory markers.

Purpose of reviewAsthma severity and asthma control are distinct yet related concepts. Asthma severity describes the underlying disease in the absence of therapy and is ideally defined without concurrent treatment confounding its assessment. Asthma control describes the clinical status of disease in
Pulsatile GnRH stimulates normal cyclic ovarian function in amenorrheic lactating postpartum women

The postpartum period is characterized hormonally by elevated levels of PRL and low levels of gonadotropins and sex steroids. In breast feeding, this state of postpartum amenorrhea can persist for an extended period, even though PRL levels decrease slowly. Although the action of PRL on multiple target sites has frequently been suggested as the cause of this ovarian quiescence, a suckling-induced alteration in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) production has also been hypothesized. To test this latter hypothesis, we provided a uniform pulsatile GnRH stimulus to eight exclusively breast-feeding women for an 8-week duration beginning at 4 weeks postpartum. Five women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea served as a comparison group. All women received GnRH administered at a dose of 200 ng/kg every 90 min sc via a portable infusion pump. Serial blood sampling for LH, FSH, and PRL was performed weekly for 5 h at 10-min intervals beginning immediately before initiation of GnRH, during the period of GnRH, and 1 week after the cessation of GnRH. The women collected daily urine aliquots for estrone-3-glucuronide, pregnanediol-3-glucuronide, and LH determinations. Serial transvaginal sonography was used to monitor follicular development. Before GnRH treatment the urinary steroid and serum gonadotropin levels of the two groups were low and similar. As expected, PRL levels were higher in the postpartum women (87 micrograms/mL vs. 4.25 micrograms/L, P < 0.05). After initiation of pulsatile GnRH, LH values increased and FSH values decreased in both groups. The LH increase with GnRH was significantly greater in the breast-feeding group than in the hypothalamic amenorrhea group (19.75 mIU/mL vs. 12.34 mIU/mL, P < 0.05). Analysis of pulse frequency and amplitude revealed a nearly complete 1:1 induction of LH pulses by the exogenous GnRH in both groups, with the breast-feeding group showing a greater amplitude (12.26 mIU/mL vs. 5.34 mIU/mL, P < 0.05). The cycle lengths, urinary steroids, and vaginal ultrasonography demonstrated a more rapid initial ovarian responsiveness in the breast-feeding group, as determined by the length of the first follicular phase. The breast-feeding group also showed a brisker ovarian response, as evidenced by a greater number of follicles that were 12 mm or greater (2.3 vs. 1.2, P < 0.05), and a greater luteal phase peak and integrated pregnanediol excretion, respectively (3.02 micrograms/L creatinine and 39.87 micrograms/L creatinine/cycle vs. 1.89 micrograms/L creatinine and 7.69 micrograms/L creatinine/cycle, P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Dynamic tunabality of the electric dipole resonance in highly photo-excited metamaterials

Using optical-pump THz-probe spectroscopy, we observe a non-monotonic variation in the electric dipole oscillator strength as function of excitation fluence, revealing particularly, a partial recovery of the oscillator in highly-excited metamaterials for the first time.