cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vulnerability to glucose deprivation injury correlates with glutathione levels in astrocytes

Astrocyte death from glucose deprivation appears to be mediated by free radicals. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was used as a measure of antioxidant defenses in primary cultures of cortical astrocytes. Glucose deprivation caused progressive, near complete loss of reduced glutathione (GSH). Astrocytes were protected by increasing endogenous GSH levels. Depletion of GSH to 21.4±3.3% of controls by the glutathione synthetase inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine resulted in more rapid injury by glucose deprivation, yet depletion of glutathione alone did not kill astrocytes. Both enhanced lipid peroxidation and membrane rigidification were caused by glucose deprivation, both indicators of oxidative damage. Membrane peroxidation was detected as a 24±2% decrease in cis-parinaric acid fluorescence, membrane rigidification as a 6.3±0.8% increase in fluorescence anisotropy using diphenylhexatriene. Glucose deprivation under normoxic conditions may occur clinically in patients such as diabetics. In addition, oxidative damage in the setting of energy depletion occurs with other insults, including ischemic brain injury. Glucose deprivation may thus be a clinically relevant model of hypoglycemic astrocyte injury, and may be useful to investigate the effects of glutathione and redox modulation on second messenger systems and gene regulation.
What next?: a half-dozen data management research goals for big data and the cloud

In this short paper, I describe six data management research challenges relevant for Big Data and the Cloud. Although some of these problems are not new, their importance is amplified by Big Data and Cloud Computing.
Assessing network characteristics of cancer associated genes in metabolic and signaling networks

In the post-genome era, high-throughput experimental methods have elucidated many of the complex interactions in metabolic, regulatory, and signal transduction pathways. Graph theoretic methods have been broadly applied to study properties of these interactions. Here we explore the relationship between network properties of genes and their implication in cancer etiology. We extract pathway interactions from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to create global signaling and metabolic networks. Using a generalized linear model, we evaluate the predictive power of centrality measures and clustering coefficient. We then apply a random-walk algorithm to discover communities enriched with cancer-associated genes. Our findings show cancer genes in metabolic and signaling networks exhibit significant topological differences considering degree, clustering coefficient, and community cohesiveness; and these features demonstrate greater predictive power in signaling networks. These results support an empirical basis for algorithms using similar network-based measures to prioritize disease genes or predict disease states.)
High-frequency oscillations of Newton's constant induced by inflation.

We examine the possibility that an epoch of inflationary expansion induces high-frequency oscillations of Newton's constant, $G$. The effect occurs because inflation can shift the expectation value of a non-minimally coupled, Brans-Dicke-like field away from the minimum of its effective potential. At some time after inflation ends, the field begins to oscillate, resulting in periodic variations in $G$. We find conditions for which the oscillation energy would be sufficient to close the universe, consistent with all known constraints from cosmology and local tests of general relativity.
A survey of pediatricians' attitudes and experiences with court in cases of child maltreatment.

Abstract Objectives To explore pediatricians’ attitudes and experiences with the court system in child maltreatment cases. Design An anonymous, cross-sectional survey of a random sample of pediatricians registered with the North Carolina Medical Board. Results The response rate of the study was 60% (N = 270). Few pediatricians (10%) reported that they had “ever” suspected maltreatment but decided not to report it. Pediatricians were equally likely to recall positive and negative experiences in court for child abuse cases. Pediatricians with negative court experiences were more likely to view reporting as time-consuming and were more than twice as likely not to report suspected cases of maltreatment (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.04, 6.0). Seventy-five percent of pediatricians felt that court is harmful or distressing for children. Conclusions The majority of pediatricians report suspected cases of child maltreatment. Pediatrician's court experiences play a role in the response to child maltreatment cases, influencing attitudes towards the legal system and the process of caring for maltreated children. Future research efforts should address physicians’ concerns about the impact of court on children, ways to improve the working relationship between the legal system and physicians, and the training needs of physicians in child maltreatment, including testifying and understanding the court process.
Exact analysis of implicit RMS converters

A mathematically correct derivation for the operation of implicit RMS detectors is presented and contrasted with the conventional heuristic derivation. The resulting transfer characteristic is used to derive results for converter accuracy in practice.
Consequences of insufficient treatment planning for flapless implant surgery for a mandibular overdenture: A clinical report

Flapless implant surgery is an emerging modality of treatment in implant dentistry that is known to offer several advantages. However, this procedure is inadvisable for situations where there is an absence of labial/buccal bone, reduced width of alveolar ridge, or a need for alveoloplasty to create prosthetic space. This clinical report describes the biologic and prosthodontic consequences of placing implants through flapless surgery and without preoperative treatment planning. Importance of proper treatment planning and a detailed discussion of prosthetic/restorative space analysis are discussed.
The surface fine structure of vaccinia virus.

Abstract The surface fine structure of vaccinia virus has been studied at high magnification in the electron microscope by means of the phosphotungstate negative staining technique of Brenner and Horne. Details of the purification procedures and examination technique are given. Four electron micrographs of negatively stained vaccinia particles, which show round surface projections of about 150 A, are presented and discussed.
History and Philosophy of Science: a Phylogenetic approach

In the aftermath of Thomas Kuhn's The structure of scientific revolutions, there was a great deal of discussion about the relationship between the History of Science and the Philosophy of Science. A wider issue was at stake in these discussions: 'normativism' versus 'naturalism' in Epistemology. If the History of Science, at best, gives us reliable information about what actually occurred historically, how can it inform debates about such things as confirmation or explanation in Philosophy of Science? This essay makes a case for the centrality of historical investigation in the Philosophy of Science. I will defend what I term the 'Phylogenetic' approach to the Philosophy of Science. I will argue that since the foundations and dominant methods of a particular scientific field are shaped by its history, studying that History can give us considerable insight into conceptual and methodological problems in a particular Science. The case will be made both on general, philosophical grounds, and by compelling instantiation.
A new interpretation of the Pt-Os transition region in terms of the interacting boson approximation model

Abstract The introduction of progressive and systematic departures from the O(6) limit of the interacting boson approximation model accounts for the rapid variations in the empirical characteristics of the even-even Pt-Os nuclei. This provides a new interpretation of this complex transition region complementary to geometrical models.
Structural and electronic properties of compound metal clusters

The equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, and vertical ionization potentials of compound clusters involving Li n , Na, Mg, and Al atoms have been calculated using ab initio self-consistent field linear combination of atomic orbitals — molecular orbital (SCF-LCAO-MO) method. The exchange energies are calculated exactly using the unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) method whereas the correlation correction is included within the framework of configuration interaction involving pair excitations of valence electrons. While the later correction has no significant effect on the equilibrium geometries of clusters, it is essential for the understanding of relative stabilities. Clusters with even numbers of electrons are found to be more stable than those with odd numbers of electrons regardless of their charge state and atomic composition. The equilibrium geometries of homo-nuclear clusters can be significantly altered by replacing one of its constituent atoms with a hetero-nuclear atom. The role of electronic structure on the geometries and stabilities of compound clusters is discussed.
Metallorganic chemical vapor deposition: a new era in optical coating technology

Abstract The viability of metallorganic chemical vapor deposition process for depositing high quality optical filters at relatively low cost was demonstrated. MOCVD fabricated, refractive oxide niters consisting essentially of alternating layers of Ta2O5 and SiO2 were found to be suitable for use at high temperatures (> 800 °C) and long operational times (around 3000 h). These films exhibit relatively low stress and low light scattering, are strongly adherent to substrates, and exhibit good optical characteristics. Various technical challenges including stress and absorption minimization, and low cost processing are discussed in detail.
A MODEL FOR THE NUMBER OF CORES PER PROSTATE BIOPSY BASED ON PATIENT AGE AND PROSTATE GLAND VOLUME

AbstractPurpose: The systematic sextant biopsy is currently the gold standard for the tissue diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, it is unknown whether this 6 core approach provides optimal sampling of all prostate glands in men of all ages. The goal of the current study was to determine the appropriate number of cores per prostate biopsy based on patient age and prostate gland volume.Materials and Methods: Patient age and tumor volume doubling time were used to calculate life threatening, clinically significant tumor volumes at diagnosis for 5-year intervals of patient age. A mathematical model was created to determine the minimum number of cores necessary to identify these life threatening tumor volumes in prostate glands 10 to 80 cm.3 without detecting clinically insignificant cancers.Results: Younger men and men with larger prostate glands require more than 6 cores to ensure the diagnosis of life threatening prostate cancer. These prostates are currently under sampled by sextant biopsy. In a select ...
Suppression of female bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis reproduction potential with its sex pheromone, 1-methylbutyl decanoate

Mating of the female bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) on host trees treated with the racemate of the species' female sex pheromone, 1-methylbutyl decanoate, was suppressed by 87% in the field. The suppressive effect of the pheromone was independent of insect population density when it was evaporated from female-infested trees at 712 (± 29; S.E.) mg/tree/3 day from a 488 cm × 0.63 cm polyvinylchloride laminated tape. However, evaporation of pheromone at a lower rate did not suppress mating. Observations of adult male behavior in the vicinity of the pheromone-impregnated tape revealed that males were attracted to the tape and that they made copulatory thrusts toward the tape and any object touching the tape. These observations and analyses of the pheromone titers of individual females showed that males can respond to a wide range of pheromone concentrations. Indications are that the mechanism of mating suppression probably involved male sensory adaptation or central nervous habituation to the synthetic 1-methylbutyl decanoate and that the compound, evaporated from host trees, could be useful as a plant protectant against the bagworm. Resume Suppression de la reproduction de Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis grâce a sa pheromone sexuelle, le 1-methylbutyl decanoate Les accouplements des femelles de Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis Haworth (Lep. Psychidae) ont ete reduits de 87% sur des arbres hotes traites dans la nature par des racemates du 1-methylburyldecanoate, la pheromone sexuelle femelle de cette espece. Lorsque la pheromone s'evapore a partir d'un ruban de 488 cm sur 0,63 de chlorure de polyvinyle portant 712 (±29 S.E.) mg, par arbre pendant 3 jours, l'efficacite etait independante de la densite de population de l'insecte. Cependant, l'evaporation de la pheromone a une plus faible concentration etait sans effet. L'observation du comportement des mâles au voisinage des rubans impregnes de pheromone a montre qu'ils etaient attires par le ruban et qu'ils tentaient de s'accoupler avec le ruban et tout objet a son contact. Ces observations et les analyses des concentrations en pheromones des femelles ont montre que les âles pouvaient repondre a une gamme etendue de concentrations en pheromone. Il y a des indices que le mecanisme de suppression de l'accouplement implique une adaptation sensorielle du mâle ou une accoutumance du systeme nerveux central au 1-methylbutyl decanoate synthetique et que ce compose s'evaporant sur les arbres hotes, pourrait etre utilisable pour proteger efficacemment contre T. ephemeraeformis.
Effet de l’immunosuppression sur le devenir des pontages artériels des membres inférieurs

Rationnelle L’hyperplasie myointimale est un resultat pathologique de la reponse inflammatoire normale du corps aux dommages des vaisseaux sanguins et est la principale cause d’echec des pontages arteriels peripheriques. Puisque les agents immunosuppresseurs sont connus pour diminuer l’inflammation, nous avons presume que les resultats des pontages des membres inferieurs chez les greffes renaux doivent etre superieurs a ceux des hemodialyses. Methodes le registre de chirurgie vasculaire d’un centre de soin tertiaire simple a ete retrospectivement passe en revue pour identifier les patients qui ont subi des procedures de pontages aux membres inferieurs. Tous les patients presentant une histoire de transplantation renale ont ete choisis pour l’analyse. Un groupe consecutif de patients pontes presentant une insuffisance renale dialysee a ete choisi comme groupe temoin. Le critere de jugement primaire etait la survie sans amputation. Resultats La reconstruction vasculaire pour maladie vasculaire chronique peripherique a donne un taux de survie sans amputation de 82% a 1 an dans le groupe temoin par rapport seulement a 22% dans le groupe avec transplantation renale ( p = 0,02), qui correspondait exactement a permeabilite primaire a 1 an. Les patients ont ete operes pour claudication severe ( n = 1), douleur de decubitus ( n = 1), et troubles trophiques ( n = 17). Il n’y avait aucune difference entre les groupes en ce qui concerne l’indication operatoire ou les etats de comorbidites. Conclusions Ces donnees suggerent un effet deletere de l’immunosuppression sur les resultats des pontages aux membres inferieurs aux doses exigees pour empecher le rejet du greffon. Cette conclusion, qui a ete a peine rapportee, sous-estime l’importance de la recherche de la maladie vasculaire peripherique dans la population de greffe et la necessite d’une intervention precoce une fois medicalement indiquee.
36Ar, Kr, and Xe in terrestrial materials

Abstract 36 Ar, 84 Kr, and 132 Xe abundances along with Kr and Xe isotopic compositions are reported for two African shales and samples of chert from the Gunflint Formation in Canada. It is observed that these data and similar abundance data from other terrestrial materials show correlations between 36 Ar- 84 Kr and between 84 Kr- 132 Xe. The elemental ratios defined by all the above data differ significantly from and show greater variations than those measured in carbonaceous chondrites, a well-investigated class of extraterrestrial material. Physical absorption and equilibrium solubility acting on the atmosphere are investigated as explanations for the observations. The Kr and Xe isotopic spectra are also consistent with a mass-dependent incorporation process acting on a reservoir of atmospheric composition.
Evidence that the fertilization envelope blocks sperm entry in eggs of Xenopus laevis: interaction of sperm with isolated envelopes.

The cortical reaction in eggs of Xenopus laevis results in conversion of the vitelline envelope (VE) into the fertilization envelope (FE). The FE is composed of the former VE plus a new component, the fertilization layer, that forms as a consequence of the cortical reaction. An in vitro test system was developed to compare the VE and FE in terms of their penetrability by sperm. VE's and FE's were isolated from unfertilized eggs and cleaving embryos, respectively. Although they swell during the isolation procedure, the isolated VE's and FE's retain the morphological characteristics by which they can be distinguished in situ. Penetrability of isolated envelopes was tested by exposing suspensions of envelopes to sperm in a saline solution to which solubilized components from the jellycoat of the egg were added. Isolated VE's were penetrated by sperm from both sides. By contrast, isolated FE's proved impenetrable: In no instance did sperm penetrate either the fertilization layer or the VE component of the FE. We concluded that the fertilization envelope blocks sperm entry in Xenopus laevis.
Low-frequency relaxation modes and structural disorder in KTa 1 − x Nb x O 3

A light-scattering study of the low-frequency excitations in single crystals of cubic and tetragonal KTa{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}Nb{sub {ital x}}O{sub 3} ({ital x}=0.26 and 0.28) has been carried out by employing a technique which uses an Iodine filter to remove elastically scattered light. Low-frequency Raman and Fabry-Perot components related to structural disorder in the mixed-crystal tantalate-niobate system were observed. The spectral shape, symmetry properties, and thermal behavior of these components are consistent with an eight-site order-disorder model of the sequence of structural phase transitions observed in ferrodistortive perovskites.
Fabrication of Collagen–Elastin-Bound Peptide Microtubes for Mammalian Cell Attachment

In this work we have designed self-assembled peptide-based microconstructs and examined their interactions with elastin and collagen for potential application as scaffolds for chondrocyte cell attachment. Being biological in nature, peptide-based nano- and microstructures have intrinsic molecular recognition properties which allow extensive chemical, conformational and functional diversity. We have synthesized a new peptide bolaamphiphile, bis(N-α-amido-val)-1,5-pentane dicarboxylate, and examined its self-assembly at varying pH values. The formation of high-density networks of nano- and microtubular structures was found to be in the range of pH 4-6. The formed microtubes were then covalently bound to varying concentrations of the extracellular matrix protein elastin, a versatile protein that allows for an extensive array of physical and chemical modifications to attune properties towards diverse necessities of biomedical applications. We found that binding to microtubes was concentration dependent. The morphological and chemical changes complementing the processes of self-assembly and binding to elastin were examined by electron microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, we also incorporated the extracellular matrix protein type-I collagen, a critical constituent for designing biocompatible scaffolds, into the elastin functionalized micro-tubes. Since the main goal is to develop highly biocompatible protein functionalized microstructures that support cellular interactions, we examined the interactions of the microcomposites with chondrocyte cell line, in order to assess the biocompatibility and interaction between the microconstructs and the cells. The designed elastin and collagen-bound peptide microtubes may potentially serve as a new class of biomaterials by promoting cell growth and proliferation.
CD4+ T Cells and Antibody Are Required for Optimal Major Outer Membrane Protein Vaccine-Induced Immunity to Chlamydia muridarum Genital Infection

Despite effective antimicrobial chemotherapy, control of Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infection will likely require a vaccine. We have assessed the protective effect of an outer membrane protein-based vaccine by using a murine model of chlamydial genital infection. Female mice were first vaccinated with Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) plus the adjuvants CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720; then they were challenged with C. muridarum. Vaccinated mice shed 2 log10 to 3 log10 fewer inclusion-forming units (IFU) than ovalbumin-vaccinated or naive animals, resolved infection sooner, and had a lower incidence of hydrosalpinx. To determine the relative contribution of T cells to vaccine-induced protection, mice were vaccinated, depleted of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, and then challenged vaginally with C. muridarum. Depletion of CD4+ T cells, but not depletion of CD8+ T cells, diminished vaccine-induced protection, with CD4-depleted mice shedding 2 log10 to 4 log10 more IFU than CD8-depleted or nondepleted mice. The contribution of antibodies to vaccine-induced protection was demonstrated by the absence of protective immunity in vaccinated B-cell-deficient mice and by a 2 log10 to 3 log10 decrease in bacterial shedding by mice passively administered an anti-MOMP serum. Thus, optimal protective immunity in this model of vaccine-induced protection depends on contributions from both CD4+ T cells and antibody.
Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (vorinostat): its role on equine corneal fibrosis and matrix metalloproteinase activity.

Objective To explore the effect of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) (i) on corneal fibroblast differentiation, morphology, and viability; and (ii) on the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 using an in vitro model of equine corneal fibrosis. Procedure Healthy donor corneas were used to generate primary cultures of equine corneal fibroblasts. The fibroblasts were exposed to 5 ng/mL TGFβ1 to induce myofibroblast formation. The cultures were treated with either 5 μm or 10 μm SAHA for 72 h in the presence of TGFβ1. Real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry were used to determine the antifibrotic efficacy of SAHA by quantifying α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), a marker of myofibroblast formation and fibrosis. Real-time PCR was used to determine the effects of SAHA on MMP2 and MMP9 expression. Cytotoxicity of SAHA was evaluated with phase contrast microscopy and trypan blue exclusion assays. Results Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) significantly attenuated TGFβ1-induced differentiation of equine fibroblasts to myofibroblasts as indicated by 3- to 3.5-fold (P < 0.001) decrease in αSMA mRNA and 86–88% (P < 0.001) decrease in αSMA+ immunocytochemical staining. SAHA treatment also resulted in 4.5- to 5.5-fold (P < 0.01) decrease in MMP9 expression. A dose-dependent bimodal effect of SAHA on MMP2 expression was noted (3.5-fold increase with 5 μm dose; 0.5-fold decrease with 10 μm dose). No change in fibroblast viability was observed with a 5 μm SAHA dose, whereas a 10 μm dose resulted in a moderate 17% decrease in cell viability. Conclusions Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) can effectively inhibit TGFβ-induced differentiation of equine corneal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and modulates MMP production in vitro.
Macromolecular structure of cellulose studied by second-harmonic generation imaging microscopy.

The macromolecular structure of purified cellulose samples is studied by second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging microscopy. We show that the SHG contrast in both Valonia and Acetobacter cellulose strongly resembles that of collagen from animal tissues, both in terms of morphology and polarization anisotropy. Polarization analysis shows that microfibrils in each lamella are highly aligned and ordered and change directions by 90° in adjacent lamellae. The angular dependence of the SHG intensity fits well to a cos2 θ distribution, which is characteristic of the electric dipole interaction. Enzymatic degradation of Valonia fibers by cellulase is followed in real time by SHG imaging and results in exponential decay kinetics, showing that SHG imaging microscopy is ideal for monitoring dynamics in biological systems.
Nanoparticle Deposition onto Biofilms

We develop a mathematical model of nanoparticles depositing onto and penetrating into a biofilm grown in a parallel-plate flow cell. We carry out deposition experiments in a flow cell to support the modeling. The modeling and the experiments are motivated by the potential use of polymer nanoparticles as part of a treatment strategy for killing biofilms infecting the deep passages in the lungs. In the experiments and model, a fluid carrying polymer nanoparticles is injected into a parallel-plate flow cell in which a biofilm has grown over the bottom plate. The model consists of a system of transport equations describing the deposition and diffusion of nanoparticles. Standard asymptotic techniques that exploit the aspect ratio of the flow cell are applied to reduce the model to two coupled partial differential equations. We perform numerical simulations using the reduced model. We compare the experimental observations with the simulation results to estimate the nanoparticle sticking coefficient and the diffusion coefficient of the nanoparticles in the biofilm. The distributions of nanoparticles through the thickness of the biofilm are consistent with diffusive transport, and uniform distributions through the thickness are achieved in about four hours. Nanoparticle deposition does not appear to be strongly influenced by the flow rate in the cell for the low flow rates considered.
The effects of warm working on aluminum alloy 7075-T651

Abstract Aluminum alloy 7075 in the high strength T651 condition was preheated for 10 min at temperatures between 155 and 245 °C and then quenched, air cooled or rolled to 10% reduction in area. The effects of these treatments on the hardness, conductivity and precipitate microstructure were evaluated. Differential scanning calorimetry was used for microstructural characterization. For preheating temperatures below approximately 195 °C, the hardness and conductivity of the material were within the allowable limits for T651, but significant microstructural changes were observed. These changes consisted of precipitate dissolution and overaging, with the former predominating. Above 195 °C, overaging became more severe. Deformation caused significant precipitate dissolution in addition to that caused solely by the thermal treatment. Repeated thermal cycling showed that the precipitate microstructure reached a metastable equilibrium typical of the preheating temperature within the first 10 min at temperature; an additional 50 min had little further effect. Deformation significantly increased the rate of overaging during subsequent preheating cycles.
Mutations in the DET1 gene affect cell-type-specific expression of light-regulated genes and chloroplast development in Arabidopsis

When grown in the absence of light, the det1 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana develops characteristics of a light-grown plant by morphological, cellular, and molecular criteria. Here, we show that recessive mutations at the DET1 locus also result in cell-type inappropriate accumulation of RNAs for light-regulated nuclear and chloroplast genes. det1 root plastids are differentiated into chloroplasts and are present in very high numbers in root cortex cells in contrast to the few starch-containing amyloplasts normally found in Arabidopsis roots. To assay the effect of the det1 mutation on the expression of photoregulated promoters, we used fusion constructs to stably transform wild-type and det1 mutants. We show that the three red-light-regulated chlorophyll a/b binding protein promoters are inappropriately expressed in the roots of det1 seedlings and the blue-light-controlled anthocyanin biosynthetic gene, chalcone synthase, is expressed ectopically in leaf mesophyll cells. These results, together with out previous findings, suggest that the DET1 gene product is a negatively acting regulatory molecule that is used in common by the light stimulus transduction pathway and by temporal or spatial regulatory signals in plants.
Haunted by the "God Committee": reciprocity does no justice to eliminating social disparities.

The shortage of transplantable kidneys provides a moral and societal imperative to maximize their use. However, the shortage does not necessarily warrant support for health policies that increase d...
Enhancement of Nutritive Sucking in Premature Infants

dequate oral nutrition is sometimes difficult to achieve in premature infants recovering from a variety of prenatal stresses. Enhancement of nutritive sucking was attempted by two facilitation procedures and compared to results obtained in unstimulated feeding situations (Condition 1) each infant acted as his own control. In Condition 2, infants received oral facilitation consisting of tactile stimuli prior to feeding while Condition 3 they received stimuli during the feeding. Volumes ingested, rate of sucking and pressure exerted in sucking were measured. Nutritive sucking was enhanced with tactile stimulation during feeding. (Condition 1 vs. Condition 2). Oral tactile stimulation administered during nipple feeding enhances oral intake in premature infants.
Prospective Study of Depression and the Risk of Heavy Alcohol Use in Women

OBJECTIVE: The authors’ goal was to determine whether depression is associated with a greater risk of heavy alcohol consumption in women. METHOD: The study was based on a 1-year follow-up of the Baltimore cohort of the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area project. The sample consisted of 1,383 women at risk for heavy alcohol use. History of depression and frequency of lifetime-experienced depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, and incident cases of heavy drinking were identified 1 year later. After calculating descriptive statistics for the sample, the authors developed a series of logistic regression models to estimate the risk of heavy drinking at follow-up associated with depression status. RESULTS: The initial estimate of the risk for heavy drinking in women with a history of depressive disorder was 2.60 times greater than the risk in women with no history of depressive disorder. This estimate did not change markedly after adjustment for age, history of antisocial p...
Morphine presynaptically inhibits a ganglionic cholinergic synapase

Abstract The effects of morphine on synaptic transmission through the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) were studied using intracellular recording techniques. Morphine produced a reversible, dose-dependent reduction in ther quantal content of the synaptic potentials with little or no effect on quantal size or the properties of the ganglion cells. This effect of morphine was antagonized by naloxone suggesting the presence of specific preganglionic opiate receptors.
Science, Sexuality, and the Novels of Huxley and Houellebecq

In her article "Science, Sexuality, and the Novels of Huxley and Houellebecq," Angela C. Holzer begins with an introduction to recent discourse about contemporary culture by Francis Fukuyama, notably in his book Our Posthuman Future (2001). Next, Holzer introduces twentiethcentury literary representations of genetic engineering. Focusing on Huxley's Brave New World (1932) and on Houellebecq's Les Particules elementaires (1998), Holzer discusses differences in "utopian" literature when linked to metaphysical aspects of reproduction and that are owing to changes in the life sciences and medicine. Further, Holzer explores the implications for poetics resulting from scientific developments and relates Houellebecq's perspectives to Zola's idea of the "experimental novel" and to Nietzsche's notions of science. Holzer traces Houllebecq's text and its "reactionary politics" to Romantic literature and the late nineteenth-century discussion of marriage, Christianity, and reproduction in Tolstoy's writing. The insight to be gathered is the interrelation between the development of modern science up to the completion of the Genome Project and its impact on poetics (i.e., on form) and on representation (i.e., content) of science and the scientist in the two novels at hand. Angela C. Holzer, "Science, Sexuality, and the Novels of Huxley and Houelebecq" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 5.2 (2003):
First Food and Drug Administration Approval Under Humanitarian Device Exemption of a Septal Occluder for Fenestrated Fontan and Muscular Ventricular Septal Defects

The difficult process of obtaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for pediatric-specific devices and drugs is one of the most important issues confronting Pediatric Cardiology (and Pediatrics in general). It has forced our profession to continually administer drugs and implant devices “off-label” (for purposes and age groups other than those for which they were tested and approved). Consequently, it is possible that important risk factors in the pediatric population, which has far different dispositions than the adult population, may be overlooked. This problem has deteriorated further as the pace of technological change has …
Retinal blood vessels. Neovascularization, collaterals, and shunts.

The three major retinal vascular alterations are neovascularization, collaterals, and shunts. Though the entities may resemble one another they generally can be separated from each other on the basis of ophthalmoscopic and fluorescein angiographic characteristics. Retinal digest preparations also clearly differentiate these entities from one another. It is most important that clinicians distinguish between neovascularization and collaterals and recognize that the latter are protective developmental vessels.
Lyme arthritis in children presenting with joint effusions.

This article was updated on January 31, 2011, because of a previous error. In the Abstract (page 252), [Table I][1] (page 254), and the Results section (page 257), the conversion of Fahrenheit into Celsius was incorrect. In all locations, the values that had previously read “>101.5°F (>40.6°C)” now read “>101.5°F (>38.6°C)”. Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of Lyme arthritis in children who had a joint aspiration at a tertiary care children’s hospital in an endemic area and to identify clinical factors useful to differentiate Lyme arthritis from septic arthritis at the time of the initial presentation. Methods: The records of all children with an age of eighteen years or less who were managed with aspiration for joint effusions at our institution from 1992 to 2009 were reviewed. Data collection included a review of aspirates; an analysis of cell count, culture results, and hematological inflammatory markers; and a review of surgical intervention. Results: A total of 506 joint aspirations were analyzed. One hundred and fifteen aspirations were excluded. In the remaining group of 391 patients, 123 (31%) were subsequently diagnosed with Lyme arthritis. Fifty-one patients had culture-positive septic arthritis. The two cohorts were significantly different in terms of the presence of a fever of >101.5°F (>38.6°C) at the time of presentation, the refusal to bear weight, the peripheral white blood-cell count, and joint fluid cell count. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein level were not significantly different between the two cohorts. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that refusal to bear weight was the strongest predictor of the diagnosis of septic arthritis over Lyme arthritis. Conclusions: For any child presenting with a joint effusion in a Lyme-endemic area of the Northeastern United States, the likely prevalence of Lyme arthritis is 31% overall and 45% in the presence of knee effusion. Children with joint effusions resulting from Lyme disease are more likely to have knee involvement, a lower peripheral white blood-cell count, and a lower joint fluid cell count, and they are less likely to have fever or complete refusal to bear weight, when compared with children with septic arthritis. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [1]: #T1
Single-dose amikacin treatment of first childhood E. coli lower urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infection in children is usually treated with orally administered antibiotics for 10 to 14 days. Because of the unreliability of patient compliance with prescribed medications and because single-dose aminoglycoside therapy has been shown to be effective in women with cystitis, we assessed the efficacy of single-dose amikacin for treatment of first episodes of Escherichia coli lower urinary tract infection in girls. Upper and lower urinary tract infections were presumptively differentiated by simple criteria such as clinical symptoms, fever, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Fifty-four girls (ages 1 to 12 years) with two positive urine cultures (greater than 10(5) CFU/ml E. coli) were assigned by a table of random numbers to receive treatment with either sulfisoxazole 150 mg/kg/day orally for 10 days or a single dose of amikacin 7.5 mg/kg intramuscularly. Six of 23 patients (26%) in the amikacin group and four of 21 (19%) in the sulfisoxazole group had at least one positive urine culture within 40 days after completion of therapy. This difference was not statistically significant (P greater than 0.5). This suggests that a single dose of amikacin is as effective as a 10-day course of sulfisoxazole in the treatment of presumed first lower urinary tract infection in girls. Additional potential advantages of single-dose therapy are fewer side effects and less toxicity, excellent compliance, and reduced potential for selecting resistant organisms.
Melanoma Associated With Long-term Voriconazole Therapy A New Manifestation of Chronic Photosensitivity

Background Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for serious fungal infections, including with Aspergillus , Fusarium , Pseudallescheria , and Scedosporium species. In initial clinical trials, approximately 2% of patients developed cutaneous reactions, including photosensitivity, cheilitis, and xerosis. Subsequent reports have implicated voriconazole as a cause of severe photosensitivity and accelerated photoaging, pseudoporphyria cutanea tarda, and aggressive squamous cell carcinoma. Observation We report 5 melanoma in situ lesions in the setting of extreme photosensitivity associated with long-term voriconazole therapy. Conclusions We recommend surveillance for skin cancer formation in all patients who require long-term voriconazole treatment, particularly those who manifest signs or symptoms of photosensitivity or chronic photodamage. Further study of the mechanism underlying voriconazole photosensitivity and oncogenesis is warranted. Published online January 18, 2010 (doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2009.362).
Ornithine Decarboxylase Antizyme Is a Normal Component of Uninduced H‐35 Cells and Rat Liver

Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme (a non-competitive protein inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase induced by the addition of putrescine, spermidine, spermine to a variety of cell lines and rat liver) has been detected in unstimulated H-35 cells and in normal rat liver. The ornithine decarboxylase antizyme is bound to subcellular components in a nonreactive form from which it can be released as the free antizyme by treatment with high concentrations of salts or low concentrations of diamines or polyamines. Of the latter, putrescine is the most effective; 1 μM putrescine will release free ornithine decarboxylase antizyme from subcellular particles. The molecular weights and general physical properties of the bound ornithine decarboxylase antizyme are the same as those of the induced ornithine decarboxylase antizyme. In H-35 cells, 80% of the bound form of the ornithine decarboxylase antizyme is localized in the nucleus whereas only 35% of the bound form of the ornithine decarboxylase antizyme is found in the rat liver nucleus. The remaining activity is not associated with ribosomes or polysomes but is localized in a particulate fraction that sediments through a 5–40% sucrose gradient. This bound form of ornithine decarboxylase antizyme also does not react with ornithine decarboxylase unless it is first liberated by polyamines. The presence of ornithine decarboxylase antizyme bound to particles in unstimulated cells and its liberation from the particles by low levels of polyamines as well as its induction in the intact cell by polyamines suggests that it may play a role in modulating ornithine decarboxylase activity in vivo.
Toward a new urban health model: moving beyond the safety net to save the safety net--resetting priorities for healthy communities.

Parkland Health and Hospital System has been successful by every measure of comparison among its peer institutions, yet it recognizes the imperative of adapting to changes in the regulatory, legislative, and market environments. Given its mandate and a desire to preserve its multiple missions and its partnerships with a highly rated medical school, the playing field for achieving robust survival is very uneven. This article describes the evolution of one of the best “sick care systems” in the United States into an integrated, excellent health care system for the 21st century. The problems faced by the safety net in many urban areas of this country are similar. Many problems are structural in nature and will, therefore, require structural solutions at the local, state, and national levels. Parkland will continue and will be needed for many years as the tertiary and quaternary center of a comprehensive service network made up also of a series of outreach Community Oriented Primary Care clinics and special populations projects. In addition, we hope to help create a community-oriented managed-care plan that encompasses the desire to work with both denominator and numerator populations in a real partnership with many other stake-holders.
The strange case of Minerva Bernardino: Pan American and United Nations women's right activist

Synopsis The crucial international feminist organization in the western hemisphere in the interwar years was the Inter American Commission on Women, formed in 1928 at the Fifth Pan American Congress. Above and beyond its role in nurturing feminist politics throughout Latin America, the IAWC inspired other transnational regional groupings, pressed forward women's rights issues in the League of Nations, and provide a means for transferring the hard won experience of international feminism into the era of the United Nations. The IAWC was unlike other international organizations in that it was an official intergovernmental network. Its leaders and participants were formally appointed by their respective governments, and their careers of feminist activism required the support of their national political leaders. The subject of DuBois' and Derby's article, Minerva Bernardino, depended for her appointment to the IAWC on the good will of the dictatorial president of the Dominican Republic, Raphael Trujillo. This article considers the contradiction between Bernardino's distinguished record of international feminist service and her disturbing association with one of the period's most notorious and undemocratic strongmen. In both international feminist and Dominican national political venues, Bernardino demonstrated her superior skills at moving with and between powerful patrons. During years when there was little mass activity around feminist goals, she made her contribution to the International feminist tradition as the consummate diplomat.
Comprehensive Analysis of Test Item Variance.

This paper develops and illustrates a comprehensive method for analyzing the endorsements to test items (called CATIV). It (1) accounts for whatever kind of variance is present; (2) is analogous to analysis of variance, but is applied to test-item responses; (3) can analyze many more variables than analysis of variance; (4) shows which test items are additive and which are configural; (5) includes a criterion for identifying test-item answers which belong to a universe of answers other than the one dominant in the study; (6) selects patterns of answers which yield substantive types; (7) assesses the relative dependability of the types which are isolated; (8) isolates all substantive types present in the data; and (9) can be applied by pencil and paper to a column matrix which shows the number of endorsements of every answer to every item of a test, provided these are arranged in order from the most popular to the least popular answer in terms of number of endorsements.
Influence of Environment on Passive Immunity in Calves

Passive immunity in neonatal calves is influenced by environment. Placing newly born Holstein calves (108 head) in three different housing environments (shade, cooled shade, hutch) during hot weather produced differences in body temperature, serum cortocosteroids, immunoglobulin IgG1 concentrations, and mortality. Experimental design permitted examination of effects due to treatments, time, differences in colostrum, and climatic environment in an analysis of variance. Calves exposed to the hotter, less desirable environment responded by having a higher mortality, higher serum corticosteroid concentration, and lower serum immunoglobulin IgG1 at 2 and 10 days after birth. All of these were correlated. Calves that died had serum immunoglobulin IgG1 falling below the mean for all experimental calves.
Toxoplasma gondii: susceptibility and development of resistance to anticoccidial drugs in vitro.

Anticoccidial drugs were evaluated for activity and for the development of resistance in a model of Toxoplasma gondii growing in human fibroblast cultures. Of 13 anticoccidial drugs tested, 9 had selective antitoxoplasma activity (50% inhibitory concentration, in micrograms per milliliter): decoquinate (0.005), arprinocid-N-oxide (0.015), robenidine (0.03), the aryl triazine CP-25,415 (0.2), toltrazuril (0.4), clopidol (1), dinitolmide (Zoalene; Dow) (10), and the carboxylic acid ionophores monensin (0.001) and salinomycin (0.04). Glycarbylamide, amprolium, nicarbazin, and the 6-(p-bromophenoxy)-7-chloro analog of halofuginone (Stenorol; Roussel-UCLAF) (CP-63,567) were toxic for the fibroblasts. Since Eimeria tenella has a similar drug susceptibility profile, anticoccidial durgs can be viewed as a potential source of new antitoxoplasma therapies. The development of resistance has limited the usefulness of most of these drugs as anticoccidial agents; in coccidia, resistance to all except the ionophores occurs readily in vivo. We explored the development of resistance in T. gondii by attempting to select mutants in vitro from parasites mutagenized with ethylnitrosourea. Mutants that had 20- to 50-fold-reduced susceptibility to decoquinate, arprinocid-N-oxide, and CP-25,415 were obtained. Ionophore-resistant T. gondii mutants were also selected in vitro; however, there was only a twofold difference in susceptibility between these mutants and the wild type. For three drugs (clopidol, robenidine, and toltrazuril), we were unable to select resistant mutants. For experimental anticoccidial drugs, there is currently no in vitro method for assessing the risk of development of resistance in Eimeria species. Our results suggest that T. gondii may offer a useful surrogate for this assessment.
Extensive Fixed Drug Eruption Secondary to Vancomycin

Fixed drug eruption is an infrequent but well-known adverse event most commonly associated with antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. We herein describe a second reported instance of vancomycin-induced fixed drug eruption involving an extensive area of the body surface.