cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcome after biologic versus mechanical aortic valve replacement in 841 patients.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to optimize selection criteria of biologic versus mechanical valve prostheses for aortic valve replacement. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed for 841 patients undergoing isolated, first-time aortic valve replacement with Carpentier-Edwards (n = 429) or St Jude Medical (n = 412) prostheses. Results: Patients with Carpentier-Edwards and St Jude Medical valves had similar characteristics. Ten-year survival was similar in each group (Carpentier-Edwards 54% ± 3% versus St Jude Medical 50% ± 6%; P = .4). Independent predictors of worse survival were older age, renal or lung disease, ejection fraction less than 40%, diabetes, and coronary disease. Carpentier-Edwards versus St Jude Medical prostheses did not affect survival ( P = .4). Independent predictors of aortic valve reoperation were younger age and Carpentier-Edwards prosthesis. The linearized rates of thromboembolism were similar, but the linearized rate of hemorrhage was lower with Carpentier-Edwards prostheses ( P P = .02). Estimated 10-year survival free from valve-related morbidity was better for the St Jude Medical valve in patients aged less than 65 years and was better for the Carpentier-Edwards valve in patients aged more than 65 years. Patients with renal disease, lung disease (in patients more than age 60 years), ejection fraction less than 40%, or coronary disease had a life expectancy of less than 10 years. Conclusions: For first-time, isolated aortic valve replacement, mechanical prostheses should be considered in patients under age 65 years with a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Bioprostheses should be considered in patients over age 65 years or with lung disease (in patients over age 60 years), renal disease, coronary disease, ejection fraction less than 40%, or a life expectancy less than 10 years. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:890-7)
Some observations on the kinetics of oxidation of titanium at high temperatures

Abstract Oxidation rates have been determined for a large number of specimens of commercial titanium at temperatures in the range 850–1050°C. The results show a considerable scatter, which appears to reach a maximum at 950°C. A combination of graphical and numerical methods has been used to fit equations to the rate curves and some success has been achieved with an equation of the form ( w + a ) = k ( t + b ) n , where a , b , k , and n are reaction constants. The analysis of the rate curves in terms of this equation suggests that the early stages of the oxidation of titanium may follow one of a number of alternative rate laws; and the irreproducibility of the oxidation is due to the inability to obtain a particular reaction consistently.
Prostatic cancer. I. 6-Methylene-4-pregnen-3-ones as irreversible inhibitors of rat prostatic Δ4-3 ketosteroid 5α-reductase

Abstract Some derivatives of 6-methylene-4-pregnen-3-one were studied as inhibitors of Δ4-3-ketosteroid 5α-reductase. Maximum inhibitory activity was shown by 17-acetoxy-6-methylene-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (AMPD). Irreversible inactivation was observed following preincubation of the enzyme with NADPH and AMPD. This inactivation was found to occur only in the presence of NADPH. As such enzyme inactivation was not due to the formation of a more inhibitory metabolic product, or to the formation of Superoxide via a cytochrome P-450/NADPH pathway, it seemed likely that the observed inactivation was derived from an irreversible combination of the enzyme with AMPD. That this was probably the case was established by kinetic studies which revealed a pattern compatible with a kcat type of mechanism.
The NRL 100 GHz Cold-Cathode CARM

ABSTRACT The design of a 10 -20 MW, 40 nsec cyclotron auto - resonancemaser experiment is presented. The basic components of the CARM are a novel 600 kV, 200 A. field emission gun and a "whispering gallery" mode rippled wall cavity. INTRODUCTION High power millimeter waves have many important applications. For example, millimeter wave radar systems havehigher gain and target resolution than will lower frequency radarsfor a given antenna aperture. Electron cyclotron heating of fusion plasmas will require high frequency radiation when strong magneticfields are used to confine the plasmar.The cyclotron auto -resonance maser (CARM) is a promising source of high power radiation in the 100 GHz to 500 GHz frequency range that may impact the requirements of advancedsystems for applications such as those mentioned above. The requirements for guide magnetic field strength and electron energy in a CARM may be advantageous when compared with competingdevices. Compared with a gyrotron, the required magnetic fieldstrength requirement is substantially reduced. For example, a
Deformation of two C36 laves phases by microhardness indentation at room temperature

Microhardness indentation and electron microscopy were used to study the room-temperature deformation behavior of two Laves phases, ZrFe2 and MgNi2, in two-phase alloys. Evidence of extensive plastic deformation was found around the indentations. Activation of basal and nonbasal slip systems forms a distinctive cell structure in both Laves phases. Slip on planes nearly normal to the basal plane occurs in the lamellar form of ZrFe2. Burgers vectors of the dislocations and resulting shear displacements are studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Curved or zigzag nonbasal slip surfaces in atomic scale were observed. Each slip plane can be considered to be composed of a series of small facets of high atomic density. A common Burgers vector and displacement vector component of 1/4 [0001] was found on many different slip planes. The “zonal glide” concept for slip on prismatic planes is discussed.
Embryonic loss in mares: Nature of loss after experimental induction by ovariectomy or prostaglandin F2α

Abstract Twenty-one pregnant pony mares were assigned to one of the following groups: 1) controls, 2) ovariectomy at Day 12, 3) ovariectomy at Day 12 plus daily progesterone treatment on Days 12 to 40, 4) PGF 2α on Day 12, 5) PGF 2α on Day 21, and 6) PGF 2α on Day 30. Based on daily examinations by ultrasound, the embryonic vesicle was maintained to Day 40 in all control mares and in mares that were ovariectomized on Day 12 and given progesterone. The embryonic vesicle was lost in all mares of the other four groups. Administration of progesterone prevented the embryonic loss associated with ovariectomy at Day 12, indicating that progesterone may be the only ovarian substance required for survival of the early embryo. The mean number of days to embryonic loss was greater for mares treated with PGF 2α on Day 12 (6.8 days) than for mares ovariectomized on Day 12 (3.0 days). In the PGF 2α -treated group, the vesicles did not become fixed at the expected time (Day 15), and mobility continued until the day of loss. In the mares treated with PGF 2α on Day 21 and in one of the mares treated on Day 30, the vesicle was lost within one to three days without prior indication. Loss may have occurred by expulsion through the cervix, since the cervix was patent on the day of loss in these mares and in the mares ovariectomized or treated with PGF 2α on Day 12. In the remaining mares treated on Day 30, the intact embryonic vesicle was dislodged on Day 31 or 32. The dislodged vesicle was mobile within the uterus and was frequently found in the uterine body. The fluid volume of the dislodged vesicle gradually decreased, and the fluid was no longer detected by Day 38 to 42. Some of the placental fluids may have been eliminated by resorption since the cervix remained closed while the fluid volume decreased.
Client-service matching in substance abuse treatment for women with children

This article addresses the relation between services matched to client-identified needs and substance abuse treatment outcomes for women with children. The study uses data collected for a program evaluation of an enhanced substance abuse services program for mothers involved with the child welfare system. In-person surveys were conducted with 183 women who were currently attending, or had recently completed substance abuse treatment. Bivariate tests and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between matched client-identified service needs and two treatment outcomes: substance use and satisfaction with treatment. Matched counseling services (domestic violence services, family counseling) were associated with reports of reduced substance use; matched ancillary services (housing, job training, legal services) were associated with clients' satisfaction with treatment. However, the total number of services clients received had a stronger relationship to treatment outcomes than did services matched to client-identified needs.
Community Resource Use Among Abused Immigrant Women: Baseline Data Analysis for a 7-Year Prospective Study

Purpose: To determine the community resources most often used, most needed, and most difficult to use for immigrants. Design: A naturalistic study using principles of community-based participatory ...
Governance Challenges in Joint Inter-Jurisdictional Management: The Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Elk Case.

The controversial elk reduction program (elk hunt) in Grand Teton National Park, WY, has been a source of conflict since it was legislated in 1950. The hunt is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This forced organizational partnership and the conflicting mandates of these two agencies have led to persistent conflict that seems irresolvable under the current decision-making process. To better understand the decision-making process and participant perspectives, we reviewed management documents, technical literature, and newspaper articles, and interviewed 35 key participants in this case. We used these data to analyze and appraise the adequacy of the decision-making process for the park elk hunt and to ask whether it reflects the common interest. We found deficiencies in all functions of the decision-making process. Neither the decisions made nor the process itself include diverse perspectives, nor do they attend to valid and appropriate participant concerns. Agency officials focus their attention on technical rather than procedural concerns, which largely obfuscates the underlying tension in the joint inter-jurisdictional management arrangement and ultimately contributes to the hunt’s annual implementation to the detriment of the common interest. We offer specific yet widely applicable recommendations to better approximate an inclusive and democratic decision-making process that serves the community’s common interests.
Treatment of headache employing acupuncture.

In this article, the etiology and acupuncture treatment methods for various forms of headache according to both traditional and contemporary Chinese formulations is presented.
Best targeted sarcoma treatment: advances from the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society annual meeting.

Targeted, personalized therapy is the mantra in contemporary oncology. So how does orthopaedic oncology fit into the new paradigm? In the rapidly changing political, legal, and medical landscape, there are challenges and successes for musculoskeletal cancer patients, practitioners, and researchers as we try to implement individualized therapies. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) leads, captures, and reflects the societal dynamism that will determine how personalized medicine applies to bone and soft tissue tumors through the activities of the MSTS members (Fig. 1), their annual meeting, and the selected papers published in this Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® symposium.
Predictive validity of the five-factor model prototype scores for antisocial and borderline personality disorders

We assessed the predictive validity of Five-Factor Model (FFM) prototype scores for antisocial and borderline personality disorders over a period of up to six years in a large community sample. Generally, these prototype scores demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity with health behaviours, disinhibitory behaviours, measures of psychopathology, and leisure activities and interests up to six years after the initial FFM personality assessment. We also found support for the incremental validity of the antisocial and borderline personality prototype over the remaining FFM personality disorder scores in predicting health behaviours, disinhibitory behaviours and measures of psychopathology. The implications for the classification and assessment of personality disorders are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategically Surviving Bankruptcy during a Global Financial Crisis: The Importance of Understanding Chapter 15

Abstract Chapter 15 of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act allows foreign courts more power in cases that include foreign multinational firms. U.S. businesses unexpectedly have to file a claim in another country with bankruptcy rules that are sometimes drastically different from those in U.S. courts. This paper outlines the different bankruptcy laws in selected countries and exemplifies how some countries place U.S. creditors at a disadvantage relative to employees and stockholders. This knowledge should be incorporated into management's strategic contingency plans in the case of supplier or business customer default. During periods of global financial instability such as the 2008 financial crisis, an understanding of Chapter 15 is essential.
Reduced Stability and Bi-Allelic, Coequal Expression of Profilaggrin mRNA in Keratinocytes Cultured From Subjects With Ichthyosis Vulgaris

Ichthyosis vulgaris (IV) is an inherited scaling skin disorder in which expression of profilaggrin is reduced. Previous studies have indicated that the reduction is caused by defective post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Here we present evidence that profilaggrin mRNA in keratinocytes cultured from subjects with IV is intrinsically unstable and has a shorter half-life compared with that in normal cells. When IV-affected keratinocytes were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, the steady-state level of profilaggrin mRNA was increased due to stabilization of the transcript. In addition, the number of filaggrin repeats within the profilaggrin gene was studied. The number of filaggrin repeats (10–12) in individuals with IV did not differ from that of unaffected subjects. Expression of the gene was bi-allelic and coequal in both control and affected individuals. Our results suggest a model in which a labile ribonuclease and a stabilizing factor may modulate the profilaggrin mRNA steady-state level in normal cells, whereas the stabilizing factor may be absent or functionally inactive in IV-affected keratinocytes.
Biosynthesis of drug glucuronides for use as authentic standards.

Abstract Introduction : Glucuronidation by the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) plays a pivotal role in the clearance mechanism of both xenobiotics and endobiotics. The detection of glucuronides at low micromolar concentrations is required to accurately model in vitro enzyme kinetics and in vivo pharmacokinetics. However, relatively few glucuronides are currently available as standards for developing liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy (LC/MS) bioanalytical methods. Methods : The glucuronidation capacity of hepatic microsomes prepared from rat (RLM), dog (DLM), monkey (MLM), and human (HLM) was examined for five xenobiotic substrates. In each case, glucuronide standards were produced using the enzyme source most efficient for the production of that specific glucuronide. Results : Dog hepatic microsomes were used to produce glucuronides for anthraflavic acid (yield: 14 mg), buprenorphine (yield: 14 mg), and octylgallate (total yield: 13 mg), whereas propofol glucuronide (yield: 20 mg), and ethinylestradiol glucuronide (yield: 8 mg) were prepared using HLM. All glucuronides were characterized by LC/MS/MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Discussion : The multimilligram quantities of glucuronide standards produced by this method have many applications throughout drug discovery and toxicology. In addition to allowing the quantification of glucuronide formation from in vitro and in vivo studies, the authentic standards produced could also be used to assess potential pharmacological or toxicological effects of metabolites.
Glycosylation status of vitamin D binding protein in cancer patients

On the basis of the results of activity studies, previous reports have suggested that vitamin D binding protein (DBP) is significantly or even completely deglycosylated in cancer patients, eliminating the molecular precursor of the immunologically important Gc macrophage activating factor (GcMAF), a glycosidase-derived product of DBP. The purpose of this investigation was to directly determine the relative degree of O-linked trisaccharide glycosylation of serum-derived DBP in human breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer patients. Results obtained by electrospray ionization-based mass spectrometric immunoassay showed that there was no significant depletion of DBP trisaccharide glycosylation in the 56 cancer patients examined relative to healthy controls. These results suggest that alternative hypotheses regarding the molecular and/or structural origins of GcMAF must be considered to explain the relative inability of cancer patient serum to activate macrophages.
ALCAM/CD166 Is a TGF-β–Responsive Marker and Functional Regulator of Prostate Cancer Metastasis to Bone

The dissemination of prostate cancer to bone is a common, incurable aspect of advanced disease. Prevention and treatment of this terminal phase of prostate cancer requires improved molecular understanding of the process as well as markers indicative of molecular progression. Through biochemical analyses and loss-of-function in vivo studies we demonstrate that the cell adhesion molecule ALCAM is actively shed from metastatic prostate cancer cells by the sheddase ADAM17 in response to TGFβ. Not only is this post-translational modification of ALCAM a marker of prostate cancer progression, the molecule is also required for effective metastasis to bone. Biochemical analysis of prostate cancer cell lines reveal that ALCAM expression and shedding is elevated in response to TGFβ signaling. Both in vitro and in vivo shedding is mediated by ADAM17. Longitudinal analysis of circulating ALCAM in tumor-bearing mice revealed that shedding of tumor, but not host-derived ALCAM is elevated during growth of the cancer. Gene-specific knockdown of ALCAM in bone-metastatic PC3 cells greatly diminished both skeletal dissemination and tumor growth in bone. The reduced growth of ALCAM knockdown cells corresponded to an increase in apoptosis (Caspase-3) and decreased proliferation (Ki-67). Together these data demonstrate that the ALCAM is both a functional regulator as well as marker of prostate cancer progression.
Child Reactions to Terrorism: Cautions and Next Steps for Research

Comer and Kendall (2007) have provided an excellent review of what is known about the effects of terrorism on children. They have identified correlates, outcomes, and the many gaps in our current knowledge. The present comments focus on two main issues. First, there are many correlates and risk factors that predict deleterious outcomes following exposure to terrorist acts. Our field occasionally moves quickly to intervention work by altering malleable risk factors as if they played a causal role in the outcome or its amelioration. More work is needed to analyze these correlates and the precise role they play, if any, in the outcome. Second, in a relatively new area of research there are very many gaps in our knowledge. I discuss the need to prioritize and limit the focus of our studies. Priorities highlighted include evaluating the similarities among natural and human-made disasters and evaluating mechanisms of action among correlates that might bear an important role in child outcomes. Apart from the consequences of terrorist acts on children and families, our field must turn to the broader issue. What can our science do alone and in conjunction with other fields to understand and combat the precursors and origins of terrorism? Theory will be wonderful but we will need to have this grounded or tested to ensure we move beyond reasonable ideas or a lavish buffet of untestable interpretations.
Quantum-Gas Model Estimate for Wide Range of Superconducting Critical Temperatures

A quantum mechanical model requiring only strong quantum interaction for a charged particle gas estimates the superconducting transition temperature for wide-ranging states of matter. A general equation is derived which estimates the critical temperatureT c the energy gap, and the coherence length for the classical metallic superconductors, heavy-electron superconductors, the perovskites, metallic hydrogen, and neutron stars. Estimates forT c , the coherence length, and the energy gap which are model independent for coupling mechanisms agree well with accepted values for these materials. Estimates are made for threedimensional quasi-two and quasi-one-dimensional states.
Equine ulcerative keratomycosis: visual outcome and ocular survival in 39 cases (1987–1996)

The medical records of 39 horses treated for ulcerative keratomycosis over a 10 year period were reviewed. Records were evaluated to determine the medical and/or surgical treatment protocol, visual outcome, globe survival and whether the outcome was influenced by the fungal species isolated. Stromal abscesses and iris prolapses caused by fungi were not included. Twenty of the horses underwent medical treatment only, and 19 horses had combined medical and surgical treatment. Most horses had been treated with topical antibiotics (n = 32) and atropine sulphate (n = 23) prior to referral; topical antifungals had been employed less frequently (n = 14). Fungi were identified by cytology (n = 31), culture (n = 33) and/or surgical histopathology (n = 6). Aspergillus (n = 13) and Fusarium (n = 10) were the most commonly isolated fungi. Miconazole (n = 35) was the most common topical antifungal medication utilised. Median duration of treatment was 48 days (range 31-192 days). Associated bacterial infection (n = 13) was frequently encountered. Visual outcome was favourable in 36/39 (92.3%) eyes. All eyes (20/20) retained vision following medical management only, and 16/19 (84%) retained vision following combined medical and surgical therapy. All medically treated horses (20/20), and 17/19 (89%) of those treated medically and surgically retained their globes. Overall ocular survival was favourable in 37/39 (94.9 %) eyes. Aggressive therapy can result in successful results for equine ulcerative keratomycosis.
EFFECTS OF GROWTH HORMONE ON BONE DENSITY IN CHILDREN WITH TURNER SYNDROME

Children with Turner syndrome (TS) frequently have asymtomatic osteoporosis by radiologic diagnosis. Growth hormone (GH) has been considered as a therapeutic or preventive measure for osteoporosis. GH also has been demonstrated to be effective in improving growth velocity in children with TS. This study was designed to determine the changes In bone density associated with GH therapy. Eight children with TS (45, X in 3; 45, X/46X, Xq in 1; 45, X/46, X, idic(X) In 1; 45, X/46, X, idic(Y) In 1; 45, X/46X, rX(p11q22); and 45, X/46X, iso(Xq) in 1) were studied between chronological ages of 7 to 13 with bone ages of 3 to 11 years. The bone density changes were assessed by dual beam photon densitometry with a program modified for children. The area studied was L2-L4. Bone density was measured every 6 months. Each patient served as her own control for 6 months before GH therapy was started. GH was administered intramuscularly three times weekly at a dosage of 0.125 mg/Kg/dose. Changes in bone density at 6 months of control period was 0.020±1.975 gm/cm2/yr (mean±SEM). During six months of GH therapy changes In bone density was 0.007±0.021 gm/cm2/yr (P > 0.05). This indicates a lack of effectiveness of GH therapy on bone density in children with TS. Further study is required to determine if this lack of effectiveness is because the children were growing or because children with TS may respond differently from the general population.
Probabilistic analysis of a network resource allocation algorithm

A distributed algorithm is presented, for allocating a large number of identical resources (such as airline tickets) to requests which can arrive anywhere in a distributed network. Resources, once allocated, are never returned. The algorithm searches sequentially, exhausting certain neighborhoods of the request origin before proceeding to search at greater distances. Choice of search direction is made non-deterministically. Analysis of expected response time is simplified by assuming that the search direction is chosen probabilistically, that messages require constant time, that the network is a tree with all leaves at the same distance from the root, and that requests and resources occur only at leaves. It is shown that the response time is approximated by the number of messages of one type that are sent during the execution of the algorithm, and that this number of messages is a nondecreasing function of the interarrival time for requests. Therefore, the worst case occurs when requests come in so far apart that they are processed sequentially. The expected time for the sequential case of the algorithm is analyzed by standard techniques. This time is shown to be bounded by a constant, independent of the size of the network. It follows that the expected response time for the algorithm is bounded in the same way.
The effects of 2H2O on mammary glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Abstract The NADP-linked and NAD-linked reactions catalyzed by rat mammary gland glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are differentially affected by 2H2O. The enzyme is stabilized by 2H2O against inactivation in the cold at alkaline and neutral pH. These effects of 2H2O resemble those produced by glycerol and are attributed to the stabilization of Monomer X, the enzyme form possessing higher NAD-linked and lower NADP-linked activity than Monomer Y.
Surfactant mediated charging of polymer particles in a nonpolar liquid

We study the charging behavior of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate particles with different functional surface groups in water and in decane containing either ionic (AOT) or nonionic surfactant (Span 85). Electrophoretic mobilities in the nonpolar media are measured as a function of surfactant concentration and the applied electric field strength by phase analysis light scattering (PALS); acid-base characteristics of the particles and the surfactant are investigated via contact angle measurement and interfacial tensiometry, and the residual water content of the non-aqueous dispersions is assessed by Karl Fischer titration. The results suggest a competition of several mechanisms for particle charging in nonpolar media. At high concentrations of the nonionic surfactant, particle charging becomes insensitive to the functional surface groups responsible for charging in aqueous dispersions, but consistent with a charge transfer between the polymer surface and the surfactant due to acid-base interactions, which can be rationalized in terms of measurable acid-base parameters. By contrast, particle charging in nonpolar solutions of the ionic surfactant (with significantly larger amounts of residual water) suggests a strong influence of surface headgroup ionization, and of dissociated surfactants adsorbed to the particle surface.
Adult stem cell driven genesis of human-shaped articular condyle

Uniform design of synovial articulations across mammalian species is challenged by their common susceptibility to joint degeneration. The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of creating human-shaped articular condyles by rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated in a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel. Rat MSCs were harvested, expanded in culture, and treated with either chondrogenic or osteogenic supplements. Rat MSC-derived chondrogenic and osteogenic cells were loaded in hydrogel suspensions in two stratified and yet integrated hydrogel layers that were sequentially photopolymerized in a human condylar mold. Harvested articular condyles from 4-week in vivo implantation demonstrated stratified layers of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. Parallel in vitro experiments using goat and rat MSCs corroborated in vivo data by demonstrating the expression of chondrogenic and osteogenic markers by biochemical and mRNA analyses. Ex vivo incubated goat MSC-derived chondral constructs contained cartilage-related glycosaminoglycans and collagen. By contrast, goat MSC-derived osteogenic constructs expressed alkaline phosphatase and osteonectin genes, and showed escalating calcium content over time. Rat MSC-derived osteogenic constructs were stiffer than rat MSC-derived chondrogenic constructs upon nanoindentation with atomic force microscopy. These findings may serve as a primitive proof of concept for ultimate tissue-engineered replacement of degenerated articular condyles via a single population of adult mesenchymal stem cells.
Decreased Serum Hepcidin and Improved Functional Iron Status 6 Months After Restrictive Bariatric Surgery

Excess adiposity is associated with low-grade inflammation and decreased iron status. Iron depletion in obesity is thought to be mediated by an inflammation-induced increase in the body's main regulator of iron homeostasis, hepcidin. Elevated hepcidin can result in iron depletion as it prevents the release of dietary iron absorbed into the enterocytes, limiting replenishment of body iron losses. Weight reduction is associated with decreased inflammation; however, the impact of reduced inflammation on iron status and systemic hepcidin in obese individuals remains unknown. We determined prospectively the impact of weight loss on iron status parameters, serum hepcidin, inflammation, and dietary iron in 20 obese premenopausal females 6 months after restrictive bariatric surgery. At baseline, the presence of iron depletion was high with 45% of the women having serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) >28.1 nmol/l. Differences between baseline and 6 months after surgery for BMI (47.56 vs. 39.55 kg/m(2); P < 0.0001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (10.83 vs. 5.71 mg/l; P < 0.0001), sTfR (29.97 vs. 23.08 nmol/l; P = 0.001), and serum hepcidin (111.25 vs. 31.35 ng/ml; P < 0.0001) were significantly lower, whereas hemoglobin (Hb) (12.10 vs. 13.30 g/dl; P < 0.0001) and hematocrit (Hct) (36.58 vs. 38.78%; P = 0.001) were significantly higher. Ferritin and transferrin saturation (Tsat) showed minimal improvement at follow-up. At baseline, hepcidin was not correlated with sTfR (r = 0.02); however, at follow-up, significant correlations were found (r = -0.58). Change in interleukin-6 (IL-6) from baseline was marginally associated with decreased log serum hepcidin (Δ IL-6: β = -0.22; P = 0.15), whereas change in BMI or weight was not. No significant difference in dietary iron was noted after surgery. Weight loss in obese premenopausal women is associated with reduced serum hepcidin and inflammation. Reduction in inflammation and hepcidin likely allow for enhanced dietary iron absorption resulting in an improved functional iron profile.
Expression of uncoupling protein 3 is upregulated in skeletal muscle during sepsis

Uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a member of the mitochondrial transporter superfamily that is expressed primarily in skeletal muscle. UCP3 is upregulated in various conditions characterized by skeletal muscle atrophy, including hyperthyroidism, fasting, denervation, diabetes, cancer, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs). The influence of sepsis, another condition characterized by muscle cachexia, on UCP3 expression and activity is not known. We examined UCP3 gene and protein expression in skeletal muscles from rats after cecal ligation and puncture and from sham-operated control rats. Sepsis resulted in a two- to threefold increase in both mRNA and protein levels of UCP3 in skeletal muscle. Treatment of rats with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-38486 prevented the sepsis-induced increase in gene and protein expression of UCP3. The UCP3 mRNA and protein levels were increased 2.4- to 3.6-fold when incubated muscles from normal rats were treated with dexamethasone (DEX) and/or free fatty acids (FFA) ex vivo. In addition, UCP3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in normal rat muscles in vivo with treatment of either DEX or FFA. The results suggest that sepsis upregulates the gene and protein expression of UCP3 in skeletal muscle, which may at least in part be mediated by GCs and FFA.
Involvement of the nonhomologous region of subunit A of the yeast V-ATPase in coupling and in vivo dissociation.

Abstract The catalytic nucleotide binding subunit (subunit A) of the vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (or V-ATPase) is homologous to the β-subunit of the F-ATPase but contains a 90-amino acid insert not present in the β-subunit, termed the nonhomologous region. We previously demonstrated that mutations in this region lead to changes in coupling of proton transport and ATPase activity and to inhibition of in vivo dissociation of the V-ATPase complex, an important regulatory mechanism (Shao, E., Nishi T., Kawasaki-Nishi, S., and Forgac, M. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 12985–12991). Measurement of the ATP dependence of coupling for the wild type and mutant proteins demonstrates that the coupling differences are observed at ATP concentrations up to 1 mm. A decrease in coupling efficiency is observed at higher ATP concentrations for the wild type and mutant V-ATPases. Immunoprecipitation of an epitope-tagged nonhomologous region from cell lysates indicates that this region is able to bind to the integral V0 domain in the absence of the remainder of the A subunit, an interaction confirmed by immunoprecipitation of V0. Interaction between the nonhomologous region and V0 is reduced upon incubation of cells in the absence of glucose, suggesting that the nonhomologous region may act as a trigger to activate in vivo dissociation. Immunoprecipitation suggests that the epitope tag on the nonhomologous region becomes less accessible upon glucose withdrawal, possibly due to binding to another cellular target. In vivo dissociation of the V-ATPase in response to glucose removal is also blocked by chloroquine, a weak base that neutralizes the acidic pH of the vacuole. The results suggest that the dependence of in vivo dissociation of the V-ATPase on catalytic activity may be due to neutralization of the yeast vacuole, which in turn blocks glucose-dependent dissociation.
Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis by Pediatric Emergency Physician Sonography

Study objective We investigate the accuracy of pediatric emergency physician sonography for acute appendicitis in children. Methods We prospectively enrolled children requiring surgical or radiology consultation for suspected acute appendicitis at an urban pediatric emergency department. Pediatric emergency physicians performed focused right lower-quadrant sonography after didactics and hands-on training with a structured scanning algorithm, including the graded-compression technique. We compared their sonographic interpretations with clinical and radiologic findings, as well as clinical outcomes as defined by follow-up or pathologic findings. Results Thirteen pediatric emergency medicine sonographers performed 264 ultrasonographic studies, including 85 (32%) in children with pathology-verified appendicitis. Bedside sonography had a sensitivity of 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] 75% to 95%), specificity of 93% (95% CI 85% to 100%), positive likelihood ratio of 11.7 (95% CI 6.9 to 20), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.17 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.28). Conclusion With focused ultrasonographic training, pediatric emergency physicians can diagnose acute appendicitis with substantial accuracy.
Letter: inflammatory bowel disease guidelines and conflicts of interest--authors' reply.

SIRS, Feuerstein et al. are to be congratulated for comparing management guidelines in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The process for developing guidelines necessitates scrutiny, but common sense suggests that the process may have depth beyond that outlined in a manuscript. The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation’s (ECCO) standard operating procedure for guidelines includes an open call for contributors, a requirement for contributors to publish conflicts of interest using the acclaimed form of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, exclusion of industry and a process for quantifying opinion on clinically relevant dilemmas where evidence lacks. In the link that Feuerstein et al. cite for access to the ECCO Guidelines (https://www.ecco-ibd.eu/publications/ ecco-guidelines-science/published-ecco-guidelines.html, reference 25 in their paper), there is a clear link to authors and ECCO officers’ conflicts of interests. If evidence answered every dilemma, there would be no need for guidelines. Physicians are frequently confronted with clinical scenarios where no evidence from controlled clinical trials is available, but guidance on how to manage such clinical situations is both desirable and appreciated, such as when to stop a treatment when no long-term data are available. European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation statements have quantified opinion. The authors of the review might have read the leading articles on process, 3 including conflicts of interest, allied to guidelines they refer to. This illustrates ECCO’s commitment to transparency. We believe that the ECCO process for developing guidelines for IBD is the most robust of any organisation.
Correlation hole and physical properties: A model calculation

The correlation hole of Coulson and Nielson and its extension to momentum space by Banyard and Reed is studied by using an exactly solvable model. For this model all relevant quantities pertaining to the correlation hole have been calculated exactly. We use this model to study the relationship between the fit to the correlation hole for an approximate wave function and the closeness of the approximate energies to the exact ones. We show that, although in general the better the fit the closer are the approximate physical quantities to the exact ones, there are exceptions where that is not the case. Also, we present a convenient method for the calculation of the two particle distribution in momentum space and generalize the concept of the correlation hole by defining it in the pseudophase space of position and momentum.
Cybersecurity considerations for digital libraries in an era of pervasive computing

Information technology is becoming pervasive in our society; soon, its absence will be more noticeable than its presence, and for most people it will be an unavoidable part of everyday life. This talk will trace this evolution to the present day and make projections to an era later this decade when the prevailing system architecture may consist of information utilities accessed intuitively through a wide variety of specialized information appliances, many of them mobile. Principal among the challenges still impeding this emerging popular view of the future are the reliability and security of such global systems.Digital libraries, already playing an essential role in today's information-rich world, will assume central positions of even more significance in such pervasive systems Not only will they serve as repositories of knowledge and information, and as the primary mechanism for its retrieval and distribution, but they will be the focal point for the integration of information and scholarship across all boundaries of application, language, and media Since they will also inevitably become the target of malicious attack by people seeking unauthorized information, and by terrorists seeking to disrupt the global information infrastructure and the physical infrastructures built upon it, it is both timely and essential to study the cybersecurity characteristics future digital libraries will have to support.
Resistin: molecular history and prognosis.

Obesity and diabetes have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The antidiabetic thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs are insulin-sensitizing agents now widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. TZDs are ligands for the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ, which is a master regulator of adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism. The molecular mechanisms by which TZDs improve insulin sensitivity have not been fully identified. Here we consider a novel secreted factor first identified as a TZD-suppressible gene in mouse adipocytes, called resistin, and discuss what is currently known about resistin regulation and function in mouse and human.
Recovery of the failing heart: emerging approaches and mechanisms in excitation-contraction coupling

Heart failure (HF) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality globally. All clinical therapies that reduce mortality have been shown to induce reverse remodeling. In this article, we discuss a conceptual approach to the evolving treatment of HF using emerging treatment modalities for the drug-refractory patient. This approach is based on the combinatorial, integrated application of therapies shown to influence reverse remodeling in the laboratory.
Mutations in ampG and lytic transglycosylase genes affect the net release of peptidoglycan monomers from Vibrio fischeri.

The light-organ symbiont Vibrio fischeri releases N-acetylglucosaminyl-1,6-anhydro-N-acetylmuramylalanyl-γ-glutamyldiaminopimelylalanine, a disaccharide-tetrapeptide component of peptidoglycan that is referred to here as “PG monomer.” In contrast, most gram-negative bacteria recycle PG monomer efficiently, and it does not accumulate extracellularly. PG monomer can stimulate normal light-organ morphogenesis in the host squid Euprymna scolopes, resulting in regression of ciliated appendages similar to that triggered by infection with V. fischeri. We examined whether the net release of PG monomers by V. fischeri resulted from lytic transglycosylase activity or from defects in AmpG, the permease through which PG monomers enter the cytoplasm for recycling. An ampG mutant displayed a 100-fold increase in net PG monomer release, indicating that AmpG is functional. The ampG mutation also conferred the uncharacteristic ability to induce light-organ morphogenesis even when placed in a nonmotile flaJ mutant that cannot infect the light-organ crypts. We targeted five potential lytic transglycosylase genes singly and in specific combinations to assess their role in PG monomer release. Combinations of mutations in ltgA, ltgD, and ltgY decreased net PG monomer release, and a triple mutant lacking all three of these genes had little to no accumulation of PG monomers in culture supernatants. This mutant colonized the host as well as the wild type did; however, the mutant-infected squid were more prone to later superinfection by a second V. fischeri strain. We propose that the lack of PG monomer release by this mutant results in less regression of the infection-promoting ciliated appendages, leading to this propensity for superinfection.
A Remedy for the Executive Pay Problem: The Case for “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”

After acknowledging the strengths of Bebchuk and Fried's case for managerial power in setting executive pay, this article expresses three major reservations: First, concerns about the apparent lack of pay for performance do not alone provide a sufficient framework for understanding the controversy over CEO pay or devising a remedy. In fact, such concerns may well take a backseat to popular unrest about the levels of pay, a problem that Bebchuk and Fried largely ignore. Second, many of the compensation practices identified as “smoking guns” of managerial power, such as the failure to index stock and options and the use of “stealth compensation,” may have benign explanations. For example, since the vast majority of employee stock options are awarded to people well below the executive ranks, the absence of indexing may help to preserve a simple, visible score-card (however flawed) for motivating all levels of the organization. And the use of stealth pay may be justified as a means of preventing public scrutiny from distorting private decisions. Third, even if corporate governance needs improvement, the best remedy may be not a wholesale expansion of shareholder power, but rather a tailored series of measures designed to bolster the defacto independence of the compensation committee. Most important, the SEC should require proxy disclosure of a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” statement, signed by all the members of the compensation committee, that summarizes and justifies all compensation elements for all senior executives. The resulting process “ownership” and reputation-staking will strengthen the committee's hand against managerial pressure. In addition, serious thought should be given to a shareholder approval vote on the CD&A following the new U.K. practice.
Analysis and simulation of anode heating from electron field emission

This paper considers the effect of anode heating from high-energy electrons produced by field emission. Large fields accelerate emitted electrons as they traverse a vacuum gap toward the anode. Electron energy is transferred to the anode by collisions with the lattice. The nonequilibrium transfer of electron kinetic energy to anode thermal energy is examined. Results demonstrate that the energy distribution of impinging electrons affects the transmission and dissipation of thermal energy. A Monte Carlo technique is used to resolve the thermalization of electrons and accounts for electron beam strength and spatial distribution. The results indicate that local heat fluxes of the order 10 kW/cm/sup 2/ occur at the anode surface and that heating is a strong function of field strength because of the exponential relationship between applied voltage and current. Under practical conditions, temperature increases of 10/spl deg/C are predicted from a single point emission source.
A High-Power Temperature-Stable Electrostatic RF MEMS Capacitive Switch Based on a Thermal Buckle-Beam Design

This paper presents the design, fabrication and measurements of a novel vertical electrostatic RF MEMS switch which utilizes the lateral thermal buckle-beam actuator design in order to reduce the switch sensitivity to thermal stresses. The effect of biaxial and stress gradients are taken into consideration, and the buckle-beam designs show minimal sensitivity to these stresses. Several switches with 4,8, and 12 suspension beams are presented. All the switches demonstrate a low sensitivity to temperature, and the variation in the pull-in voltage is ~ -50 mV/°C from 25-125°C. The change in the up-state capacitance for the same temperature range is 150 at 10 GHz in the up-state position is reported. The mechanical resonant frequencies and quality factors are fο = 60-160 kHz and Qm = 2.3-4.5, respectively. The measured switching and release times are ~ 2-5 μs and ~ 5-6.5 μs, respectively. Power handling measurements show good stability with ~ 4 W of incident power at 10 GHz.
Noninvasive Assessment of Pseudo-Pulmonary Artery Sling by Echocardiography and Computerized Tomography

A 2-month-old infant with a double-outlet right ventricle, pulmonary stenosis, a subaortic ventricular septal defect, a hypoplastic mitral valve, a hypoplastic left ventricle, and a restrictive atrial septal defect was seen at an outside institution. The initial plan was to palliate the child with an atrial septectomy, have the pulmonary artery oversewn, and perform a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. During surgery, an anomalous origin of the left lower pulmonary artery was noted originating from the right pulmonary artery. The possibility of a left …