cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood pressure, heart rate, pressure-rate product and electrocardiographic changes in healthy children during treadmill exercise

Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product and electrocardiographic changes were measured in 288 healthy children during treadmill exercise. A constant speed (3.5 miles/hour) protocol was used to facilitate the measurements of physiologic data during exercise. Because responses to exercise vary with size, the children were separated into four groups according to body surface area. Comparisons were also made between male and female and between black and white children. The values for heart rate and systolic pressure showed excellent reproducibility in repeated tests. These data establish for clinical use reference values for children during treadmill exercise.
Delayed Kinetics of T Lymphocyte Anergy and Deletion in Lpr Mice

Abstract The Fas/APO-1 (Fas) antigen is a cell surface protein that mediates apoptosis and belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. The lymphoproliferative ( lpr ) anomaly in mice results from a retroviral disruption within the fas gene. Mice that are homozygous for the lpr mutation accumulate large numbers of T lymphocytes and exhibit an autoimmune syndrome resembling systemic lupus erythematosus. A possible explanation for this process is that in the absence of Fas antigen, lpr T cells may be resistant to normal peripheral deletional signals. The bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) rapidly induces anergy and deletion by apoptosis of reactive T lymphocytes in normal mice. Administration of SEB to adult lbr mice results in the delayed induction of both unresponsiveness and deletion of Vβ8+ lymph node cells. This is not due merely to an increased thymic output in lpr mice; the delayed induction of tolerance and elimination of reactive lpr T cells by superantigens are intrinsic properties of the cells. The progressive lymphadenopathy in lpr mice may reflect a process of lymphoaccumulation rather than lymphoproliferation. A delay in tolerance induction and elimination of selfreactive T cells could have profound influence on the autoimmune diathesis of lpr mice.
Theory of the Electron Energy-Loss Spectrum in Core-Level X-Ray Photoemission from Solids

I present a theory of the electron energy-loss spectra observed in x-ray photoemission from the core levels of solids and report on calculations for the $2s$ and $2p$ core levels of Al, Mg, and Na. The calculation takes intrinsic as well as extrinsic plasmons into account, and in all cases the agreement between theory and experiment is very good.
Peripheral and cranial nerve sheath tumors.

Purpose of reviewThe intention of the authors is to provide the reader with an overview of the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve sheath tumors. Vestibular schwannomas, neurogenetic syndromes such as schwannomatosis and multiple isolated neurofibromas, and malignant peripheral n
Strong field physics in a scaled interaction

Summary form only given, as follows. Over the last decade, the tailoring of a light field for manipulating the dynamics of a system at the quantum level has taken a prevalent role in modern atomic, molecular and optical physics. As first described by Keldysh, the ionization of an atom with an intense laser field scales depending upon frequency and binding energy. We discuss the physics of an alkali metal atom interacting with an intense mid-infrared laser field. Both ionization and harmonic processes are investigated. This understanding provides a roadmap for a quantum jump in ultra-short pulse technology. New experiments are presented which illustrate the appropriateness of strong-field scaling laws and the physics associated with the formation of light pulses on the atomic time-scale (attosecond).
Bismuth titanate solid solutions

Abstract Solubility limits have been determined for a number of solid solutions based on ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12. Several di- and trivalent ions substitute readily for bismuth in the perovskite layer, but the octahedral site and the bismuth oxide layer are far less flexible, tolerating only very limited solid solution. Dimensional mismatch between the perovskite layer and the bismuth oxide layer provides an adequate explanation of the structural stability.
Cloning and molecular characterization of the DNA ligase gene (lig) from Zymomonas mobilis.

The Zymomonas mobilis lig gene that encodes DNA ligase was cloned from a cosmid library and identified by genetic complementation of a conditional-lethal Escherichia coli DNA ligase mutant. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the Z. mobilis lig region indicated that the gene is 2196 bp long, encoding a protein with a deduced molecular mass of 82 089. The primary amino acid sequence of the Z. mobilis ligase is 48% identical to the E. coli enzyme. Two genes located upstream of lig were identified as tgt, encoding tRNA guanine transglycosylase and uvrB, encoding the β subunit of excision endonuclease. Computer searches did not reveal any transcriptional terminators in the 46-bp tgt-lig intergenic region, suggesting that lig may be cotranscribed with one or more upstream genes. Weak expression of lig is explained in part by frequent use of codons that are known to be rarely used in the highly expressed glycolytic gene set.
Relationship between brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone and final reproductive period of the adult male sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) concentrations were measured in brains of adult male sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, during their final reproductive period. The lampreys were collected during their upstream migration in coastal New Hampshire rivers and sampled at the trap (referred to as Group A) or they were transferred to an artificial spawning channel (referred to as Group B). Plasma estradiol and progesterone were also measured, and histological examination of the gonadal stages was done as well. The concentrations of brain GnRH and plasma estradiol fluctuated significantly through time. There was a rise in brain concentrations of GnRH coincident with an increase in temperature just prior to spawning. In addition, there was a significant progressive correlation between increasing plasma estradiol and temperature in lampreys from Group B during the period studied. These studies provide evidence for progressive seasonal relationships between changes in brain GnRH and gametogenic and steroidogenic activity of the gonads in adult male sea lampreys during their final reproductive period.
Plasmon bands in periodic conducting heterostructures.

A hydrodynamic approach is used to develop a theory of the collective modes of a periodic system consisting of alternate degenerate semiconductor or metallic layers characterized by different equilibrium densities. The plasma modes propagate within the low-density layers, but not in the high-density ones. Due to the periodicity of the system, the modes in different layers interact to form plasmon bands.
A Computational Analysis to Identify the Current Density Characteristics of a Micro-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

A computational fluid dynamics model is developed to study the effects of operational parameters on the performance of a micro-tubular SOFC. Coupled partial differential equations for heat, momentum, species and charge balances are solved with a commercial software using finite element method. Effect of temperature on the power characteristics of the system is addressed. Current density distributions for different temperatures are compared with the inclusion of electronic leakage currents in the electrolyte. Current density profiles for different conditions are examined thoroughly and related to the transport properties.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Expiratory resistance increases end-expiratory lung volume during sleep.

A 37-year-old man with severe obstructive sleep apnea presented to our sleep disorders research laboratory and was instrumented with an epiglottic catheter, pneumotachograph, and magnetometers (to measure relative changes in lung volume) as part of an ongoing study. During the night there were periods of spontaneous, sustained increases in upper airway resistance during expiration (Figure 1A). During these periods, expiratory positive airway pressure developed at the level of the epiglottis (epiglottic pressure channel). Note that although epiglottic pressure increases during expiration, there is no corresponding increase in flow or mask pressure, suggesting a choke point between the epiglottis and airway opening. Expiratory positive airway pressure was associated with an increase in end-expiratory lung volume (rib cage, abdomen, and change in lung volume channels) according to the total respiratory system compliance (Figure 1B). Although other factors may be important, such as upper airway muscle activation, the increase in end-expiratory lung volume was generally associated with a decrease in upper airway resistance (increased flow despite less negative epiglottic pressure) (Figure 1C). Figure 1. Nasal expiratory resistance valves may improve obstructive sleep apnea in a subset of patients, but the mechanism of action is not known (1, 2). Expiratory resistance valves increase end-expiratory lung volume during wakefulness, which might stabilize the upper airway, but this phenomenon has not been clearly demonstrated during sleep. This spontaneously occurring example provides proof of concept that expiratory resistance acts to increase end-expiratory lung volume during sleep via generation of expiratory positive airway pressure. Furthermore, it suggests that such increased end-expiratory lung volume can stabilize the upper airway during inspiration. This image has not been previously published in any form.
Comparison of rate versus rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation and a pacemaker.

The effect of rate versus rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation who have undergone previous pacemaker (PM) implantation is unknown. We evaluated the mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation and a PM randomized to rate or rhythm control treatment strategies. The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management data set was stratified by the presence (n = 250) or absence (n = 3,810) of a PM at randomization into the rate or rhythm control arm. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for univariate analysis, and proportional hazards were used for multivariate analysis. The subjects with a PM (n = 250) were older (73 vs 69 years, p
Orthotopic liver transplantation for acute and subacute hepatic failure in adults

The role of liver transplantation in 29 patients with fulminant and subacute hepatic failure due to a variety of different causes was examined by comparing the outcome and a variety of “hospitalization” variables. Transplanted patients (n = 13) were more likely to survive (p < 0.05), were younger (p < 0.05) and spent more time in the hospital (p < 0.025) than did those who were not transplanted (n = 16). Despite spending a much longer time in the hospital, transplanted patients spent less time in the intensive care unit (p < 0.05) in coma (p < 0.01) and on a respirator (p < 0.01) than did those not transplanted. Most importantly, the survival rate for transplanted patients was significantly improved (p < 0.05) as compared to those not transplanted. We conclude that liver transplantation can be applied successfully to the difficult clinical problem of fulminant and subacute hepatic failure. Copyright © 1987 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
Corticotropin releasing factor-1 receptor antagonist, CP-154,526, blocks the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in DBA/2J mice.

Abstract Rationale Manipulation of glucocorticoid receptor signaling has been shown to alter the acquisition and expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in mice. It is unknown if other components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis modulate locomotor sensitization resulting from repeated ethanol administration. In the present investigation, we determined if pretreatment with an i.p. injection of CP-154,526, a selective corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) type-1 receptor antagonist, would block the acquisition and/or expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in male DBA/2J mice. Methods To assess the role of the CRF 1 receptor in the acquisition of behavioral sensitization, mice were pretreated with an i.p. injection of CP-154,526 30 min before each of 10 sensitizing i.p. injections of ethanol. To determine the role of the CRF 1 receptor in modulating the expression of ethanol-induced sensitization, mice that had previously been sensitized to the locomotor stimulant effects of ethanol were pretreated with CP-154,526 30 min before an i.p. injection of ethanol on the test day. In a third study, ethanol-naive mice were pretreated with CP-154,526 30 min before an initial i.p. injection of ethanol to determine the combined effects of the CRF 1 receptor antagonist and ethanol on locomotor activity. Blood ethanol concentrations were assessed at the termination of sensitization studies. Results Pretreatment with CP-154,526 blocked the expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in DBA/2J mice but did not prevent the acquisition of sensitization. The ability of CP-154,526 to block the expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization was not attributable to alterations in blood ethanol levels or possible sedative effects produced by the combined administration of CP-154,526 and ethanol. Conclusions These data provide novel evidence that CRF 1 receptor signaling modulates the expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization, and add to a growing literature suggesting a role for neurochemicals and hormones associated with the HPA-axis in behavioral sensitization resulting from repeated exposure to drugs of abuse.
Novel regulation of pregnant human myometrial smooth muscle cell gap junctions by human chorionic gonadotropin

Human myometrium contains hCG/LH receptors. There are fewer of these receptors during labor compared to no labor at preterm or term deliveries. Exogenous hCG can directly inhibit oxytocin-stimulated human myometrial contractions. These findings suggest that hCG may directly maintain myometrial quiescence during pregnancy. As maintenance of uterine quiescence may involve down-regulation of myometrial gap junctions, we investigated the effect of hCG on connexin-43 (CX-43) gene expression from RNA to protein and morphological gap junctions. The addition of 5 or 10 nM highly purified hCG to subconfluent cultures of pregnant myometrial smooth muscle cells resulted in a significant decrease in CX-43 protein levels. Higher hCG concentrations (100 and 1000 nM), however, had no effect. The maximal effect of hCG was seen at 4-8 h of culture, followed by recovery after a longer duration of culture. hCG treatment also concomitantly decreased CX-43 messenger RNA and morphological gap junctions. The hCG effect on CX-43 protein levels is hormone specific and mediated by protein kinase-A signaling. Estradiol and oxytocin increased, whereas progesterone decreased, CX-43 protein levels and morphological gap junctions. The oxytocin-induced increase was reversed by cotreatment with hCG. Although RU 486 alone had no effect on CX-43 protein levels, it prevented the down-regulating action of hCG and progesterone. In summary, our results demonstrate that hCG can directly decrease CX-43 messenger RNA, protein, and morphological gap junctions in cultured pregnant human myometrial smooth muscle cells. The hCG action is concentration and time dependent, hormone specific, and mediated by protein kinase-A signaling and appears to involve progesterone receptors. These data lend support to the concept that hCG could be one of the hormones responsible for maintaining uterine quiescence by down-regulating myometrial gap junctions during pregnancy.
Prioritizing GWAS Results: A Review of Statistical Methods and Recommendations for Their Application

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have rapidly become a standard method for disease gene discovery. A substantial number of recent GWAS indicate that for most disorders, only a few common variants are implicated and the associated SNPs explain only a small fraction of the genetic risk. This review is written from the viewpoint that findings from the GWAS provide preliminary genetic information that is available for additional analysis by statistical procedures that accumulate evidence, and that these secondary analyses are very likely to provide valuable information that will help prioritize the strongest constellations of results. We review and discuss three analytic methods to combine preliminary GWAS statistics to identify genes, alleles, and pathways for deeper investigations. Meta-analysis seeks to pool information from multiple GWAS to increase the chances of finding true positives among the false positives and provides a way to combine associations across GWAS, even when the original data are unavailable. Testing for epistasis within a single GWAS study can identify the stronger results that are revealed when genes interact. Pathway analysis of GWAS results is used to prioritize genes and pathways within a biological context. Following a GWAS, association results can be assigned to pathways and tested in aggregate with computational tools and pathway databases. Reviews of published methods with recommendations for their application are provided within the framework for each approach.
Nitric oxide in cyclosporine A-induced hypertension: endothelin receptors gene expression.

Abstract Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive agent, which also causes hypertension. The effect of CsA on vascular responses was determined in spontaneously hypertensive rats and isolated rat aortic rings. Male rats weighing 250–300 g were given either CsA (25 mg/kg/day) in olive oil or vehicle by i.p. injection for 7 days. CsA administration produced a 27percnt; increase ( P ⪡ 0.001) in mean arterial pressure (MAP) which reached a plateau after 3 days. Conversely, the level of nitrate/nitrite, metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), decreased by 44percnt; (P ⪡ 0.001) in the urine. In the presence of endothelin (ET) 10 −9 M, thoracic aortic rings from rats treated with olive oil, L-Arginine (L-Arg) or L-Arg+CsA showed a 100% increase (P ⪡ 0.001) in tension compared to the aortic rings from rats treated with CsA alone; aortic rings from rats treated with CsA alone did not respond to ET. The effects of CsA were reversed in both in vivo and in vitro by pretreatment with L-Arg (10 mg/kg/day ip), the precursor of NO. There were no changes in MAP and tension in rats treated with L-Arg alone. Possible explanation for lack of response to ET of aortic rings from CsA treated rats may be that CsA affected ET signalling pathway; ET receptors mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) gene expression was inhibited in aortic rings of rats treated with CsA. In summary, CsA inhibits endothelial NO formation, with resulting increases in MAP, and this inhibition can be overcome by parenteral administration of L-Arg.
Extending the Symbolic Interactionist Theory of Interaction Processes: A Conceptual Outline

This article outlines the elements of a more robust symbolic interactionist theory of interpersonal processes. I argue that George Herbert Mead's conceptualization of interaction processes can be extended to explain not only micro-level social processes but also key elements of meso- and macro-level dynamics. By expanding Mead's and more recent symbolic interactionist theorizing, and incorporating key ideas from other theoretical traditions outside symbolic interactionism proper, it becomes possible to develop a theory of interaction that fills in important conceptual gaps in theories on the dynamics of micro-, meso-, and macro-level social phenomena.
Lithium Enhances Muscarinic Receptor-Stimulated CDP-Diacylglycerol Formation in Inositol-Depleted SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma Cells

The psychotherapeutic action of Li' in brain has been proposed to result from the depletion of cellular inosi- to1 secondary to its block of inositol monophosphatase. This action is thought to slow phosphoinositide resynthesis, thereby attenuating stimulated phosphoinositidase-me- diated signal transduction in affected cells. In the present study, the effect of Lit on muscarinic receptor-stimulated formation of the immediate precursor of phosphatidylinosi- tol, CDP-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG), has been examined in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells that have been cul- tured under conditions that alter the cellular content of myo-inositol. Resting neuroblastoma cells, like brain cells in vivo, were found to concentrate inositol from the culture medium, achieving an intracellular level of 60.0 k 4 nmol/ mg of protein. The addition of carbachol to (3H)cytidine- prelabeled cells elicited a four- to fivefold increase in the accumulation of labeled CDP-DAG. This stimulated for- mation of (3H)CDP-DAG was completely blocked by the addition of 10 pM atropine, was not dependent on the pres- ence of Li', nor was it affected by co-incubation with myo- inositol. This result was in sharp contrast to findings in rat brain slices, in which carbachol-stimulated formation of t3H)CDP-DAG was potentiated - 10-fold by Li' and sub- stantially reduced by coincubation with inositol. The for- mation of (3H)CDP-DAG in labeled SK-N-SH cells by car- bachol was both concentration and time dependent. The order of efficacy of muscarinic ligands in stimulating (3H)- CDP-DAG accumulation paralleled that established in these cells for inositol phosphate accumulation, i.e., carba- chol z oxotremorine-M 3 bethanecol2 arecoline > oxotre- morine > pilocarpine. Extended culture of the SK-N-SH cells in an inositol-free chemically defined growth medium progressively reduced the intracellular inositol content to 4 nmol/mg of protein, a level comparable with that seen in cortical slices. In these inositol-depleted cells, Li' poten- tiated carbachol-stimulated (3H)CDP-DAG formation, and this effect was completely reversed by coincubation with inositol (ECS0 0.2 mM). The present study thus demon- strates, in the same cultured cell line, the effects of normal and reduced intracellular inositol levels on the ability of Li' to attenuate phosphoinositide resynthesis, as inferred from (3H)CDP-DAG accumulation. The results indicate that Li' can lead to a slowing of stimulated phosphoinositide turn- over in neuroblastoma cells, provided that the intracellular
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Irish Economic and Demographic History

In this article I look at...how other historians have affected the research of Irelands economic and demographic historians. In all likelihood social cultural and other historians have learned from economists and demographers but whether and how much is for them to say. The term interdisciplinary has many meanings. In the next section I describe its meaning in this article and how interdisciplinary research can be valuable even in the narrow sense used here. I go on to discuss three concrete examples of recent economic and demographic history research that has profited from work in other fields. (EXCERPT)
Impaired renal autoregulation: Implications for the genesis of hypertension and hypertension-induced renal injury

In summary, autoregulation of the renal vasculature provides a mechanism by which renal function is maintained relatively constant despite variations in systemic blood pressure. This system also provides a means for changes in blood pressure to occur without causing inappropriate alterations in urinary NaCl excretion. Alterations in the autoregulatory response can have clinical consequences. Increased activity of the TGF mechanism may be causally related to the development of some forms of hypertension. Decreased activity of TGF or an impaired myogenic response may help explain the increased susceptibility that certain patient groups exhibit toward hypertension-induced renal injury. The aggressive treatment of hypertension in patients with impaired renal autoregulation may be associated with an increase in the serum creatinine concentration. As long as this increase is neither excessive nor progressive, physicians should not be dissuaded from trying to achieve newly established blood pressure goals.
Towards the Simulation of a Complete ATP Synthase: Unravelling the Structural Basis of the Enzyme's Reversible Action

The most prominent bioenergetic macromolecuar-motor in all life forms is ATP synthase that transforms an ion gradient existing across the cell membrane into the synthesis of ATP from ADP. Even with a wealth of available biochemical and structural information derived from numerous past and ongoing experiments, the exact mechanism of ATP synthase function remains unknown. Recently, crystallographers provided the first high-resolution view of ATP activity in Enterococcus hirae V1-ATPase. Employing a suite of transition path sampling methods, the sequence of conformational transitions involved in a functional cycle accompanying ATP hydrolysis have been investigated. The simulation suggests ADP unbinding is followed by ATP uptake which, in turn, leads to the torque generation step, i.e., rotation of the center stalk. The trajectory yields multiple intermediates, a couple of which have been isolated in independent crystallography experiments. The simulation further infers, in agreement with single-molecule experiments, that ATP binding is not the torque generation step. Finally, using data from four different high-resolution PDB structures a complete model of ATP synthase has been constructed. An evaluation of the elastic energy stored in the different ATP synthase subunits provides a structural basis for the reversible action of the synthase.
Evaluation of Coarse and Fine Particulate Sources Using a Portable Aerosol Monitor in a Desert Community

The purpose of this study was to use a portable aerosol monitor as a preliminary screening tool to identify local sources of coarse (PM10–2.5) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter within the Coachella Valley, a low-elevation desert community. The portable aerosol monitor proved to be useful in identifying particle sources unique to the region, namely, sand dunes with sparse ground cover (vegetation), a river wash, and diesel truck and freight train traffic. The general limitations relate to discrepancies in the fraction of PM10–2.5 when compared to regional air quality data and a lack of accurate mass-based data.
Judicial Policymaking in Published and Unpublished Decisions: The Case of Environmental Civil Litigation

While recent research has improved dramatically our understanding of appellate judicial behavior in constitutional and criminal law, we know comparatively little about the majority of the decisions made by the federal judiciary: civil case decisions in federal district courts. Moreover, by relying upon published cases exclusively, this research may misrepresent those forces influencing the majority of judicial decisions. We address these shortcomings by outlining an integrated model of judicial policymaking and using this model to explain civil penalty severity in all environmental protection cases (published and unpublished) concluded in federal district courts from 1974-91. Additive and interactive heteroskedastic unit effect regression models demonstrate that penalty severity in environmental cases is affected by case and defendant characteristics, judicial policy preferences, the surrounding political context, and federal institutional actors. These models also demonstrate that political consideration...
SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS of EXTRUDED BLENDS of MILK PROTEIN RAFFINATE OR NONFAT DRY MILK WITH CORN FLOUR1

Various levels of milk protein raffinates (MPR) containing different concentrations of lactose and nonfat dry milk powders (NFDM) were co-extruded with corn flour. the extrusion experiments were performed on a twin-screw extruder at 100°C, 125°C and 150°C (last section temperature). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the starch in extrudates was completely gelatinized. Lower processing temperatures resulted in decreased browning, while the level of lactose in the raffinates did not appear to cause a significant difference in product browning. Extrudate expansion ratio decreased at levels higher than 5% NFDM or MPR. Also, as the MPR content increased, to a certain level, the breaking strength of extrudates increased and beyond that the trend was reversed. the level and type of milk protein incorporated and extrusion temperature also affected the water holding capacity, nitrogen solubility index and sorption characteristics of extruded samples. In general, milk proteins appeared to improve the textural properties of the extrudates when used at levels below 5%.
Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein-1 (SREBP-1) Is Required to Regulate Glycogen Synthesis and Gluconeogenic Gene Expression in Mouse Liver

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) is a key transcription factor that regulates genes in the de novo lipogenesis and glycolysis pathways. The levels of SREBP-1 are significantly elevated in obese patients and in animal models of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and a vast number of studies have implicated this transcription factor as a contributor to hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance. However, its role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism is poorly understood. Here we have addressed whether SREBP-1 is needed for regulating glucose homeostasis. Using RNAi and a new generation of adenoviral vector, we have silenced hepatic SREBP-1 in normal and obese mice. In normal animals, SREBP-1 deficiency increased Pck1 and reduced glycogen deposition during fed conditions, providing evidence that SREBP-1 is necessary to regulate carbohydrate metabolism during the fed state. Knocking SREBP-1 down in db/db mice resulted in a significant reduction in triglyceride accumulation, as anticipated. However, mice remained hyperglycemic, which was associated with up-regulation of gluconeogenesis gene expression as well as decreased glycolysis and glycogen synthesis gene expression. Furthermore, glycogen synthase activity and glycogen accumulation were significantly reduced. In conclusion, silencing both isoforms of SREBP-1 leads to significant changes in carbohydrate metabolism and does not improve insulin resistance despite reducing steatosis in an animal model of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Effect of oral pentoxifylline on cystoid macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose To determine whether oral pentoxifylline, a xanthine-derived hemorheologic agent, decreases cystoid macular edema (CME) and improves visual acuity in eyes with a perfused central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods Retrospective chart review of consecutive patients on pentoxifylline (400 mg po TID) for CRVO was performed. Inclusion criteria included CME, pentoxifylline use for at least 1 month, and a follow-up period of at least 4 months. Exclusion criteria included nonperfused or indeterminate CRVO, the presence of neovascularization, and previous or concurrent laser therapy or any other treatment for CRVO. Statistical analysis of collected data was performed. Results Eleven patients were identified. All patients had a perfused CRVO. The mean best-corrected Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity was 60 letters (Snellen equivalent 20/128) before the initiation of oral pentoxifylline. The mean time from onset of CRVO to start of pentoxifylline therapy was 5 months (range, 1-12 months). The mean duration of pentoxifylline use was 5.3 months (range, 2.5-10.2 months). The mean follow-up period was 8 months (range, 2.7-16.5 months). Cystoid macular edema had improved in 64% (7/11) of eyes at last follow-up as measured by biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography. The visual acuity was not significantly changed at 62 letters (20/128 +2) (Student t-test, P = 0.7) at last follow-up. There were no significant side effects from pentoxifylline. One patient had mild gastrointestinal disturbance. Conclusion Pentoxifylline has a favorable adverse effect profile, and can reduce CME in eyes with CRVO. Visual acuity does not appear to change significantly. A larger, randomized, multiarmed clinical trial evaluating the effects of pentoxifylline as an adjunctive treatment modality may be of benefit since even a small positive effect in altering the natural history of CME related to CRVO may be of value for these patients.
Do the terms innate and adaptive immunity create conceptual barriers

What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity? Traditionally, innate immunity was assumed to be rapid, “non-specific”, and identical qualitatively and quantitatively each time the same pathogen was encountered. Many of the innate immune cells are considered to be short-lived, for example the lifespan of a neutrophil is estimated to be a few hours or days, making “memory” a moot concept. Conversely, the hallmarks of adaptive (also referred to as acquired) immunity are considered to include the generation of long-lived, antigen-specific cells after initial exposure to an antigen or pathogen, and these cells respond faster and more robustly on subsequent encounters with the same antigen or pathogen. Adaptive immunity has previously been considered the exclusive domain of B cells and T cells; granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells have been delegated to the innate immune system, which also comprises epithelial cell barriers, complement, and anti-microbial peptides and other soluble factors.
Medicaid, the uninsured, and national health spending: federal policy implications.

Implications are discussed for Federal policy of “gap-filling” initiatives at the State and Federal level to deal with the problem of the uninsured. Measures currently under active consideration that involve expansions of Medicaid and employment-related insurance are considered in the light of recent studies of the uninsured and recent simulations of their cost and coverage impacts. The limited impact of these gap-filling measures on additional national health spending, in contrast to program costs and Federal outlays, is emphasized. Placing greater emphasis on this broader societal perspective could assist Federal policymakers in developing an acceptable strategy for covering the uninsured.
Low-dose rectal inoculation of rhesus macaques by SIVsmE660 or SIVmac251 recapitulates human mucosal infection by HIV-1

We recently developed a novel strategy to identify transmitted HIV-1 genomes in acutely infected humans using single-genome amplification and a model of random virus evolution. Here, we used this approach to determine the molecular features of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) transmission in 18 experimentally infected Indian rhesus macaques. Animals were inoculated intrarectally (i.r.) or intravenously (i.v.) with stocks of SIVmac251 or SIVsmE660 that exhibited sequence diversity typical of early-chronic HIV-1 infection. 987 full-length SIV env sequences (median of 48 per animal) were determined from plasma virion RNA 1–5 wk after infection. i.r. inoculation was followed by productive infection by one or a few viruses (median 1; range 1–5) that diversified randomly with near starlike phylogeny and a Poisson distribution of mutations. Consensus viral sequences from ramp-up and peak viremia were identical to viruses found in the inocula or differed from them by only one or a few nucleotides, providing direct evidence that early plasma viral sequences coalesce to transmitted/founder viruses. i.v. infection was >2,000-fold more efficient than i.r. infection, and viruses transmitted by either route represented the full genetic spectra of the inocula. These findings identify key similarities in mucosal transmission and early diversification between SIV and HIV-1, and thus validate the SIV–macaque mucosal infection model for HIV-1 vaccine and microbicide research.
Software reliability via machine learning (invited talk)

Computing good invariants is key to effective and efficient program verification. In this talk I will describe our experiences in using machine learning techniques (support vector machines, linear regression) for computing invariants useful for program verification as well as for fine tuning verification tools.
An Approach to Estimating Acceleration Information for Longitudinal Control

Most of control systems choose velocity and distance as the control parameters for vehicle longitudinal control in the case where no inter-vehicle communication is available and have poor response capability under urgent conditions. The purpose of this paper is to propose new approach to estimating relative acceleration information for vehicle longitudinal control without inter-vehicle communication. Approach is based on design tracking differentiator to filtering and estimating velocity and relative acceleration signal. But for traditional tracking differentiator with many parameters, the trial and error method is adopted in parameters choose process. The number of tracking differentiator parameter is too many to be used effectively in fact. So, new tracking-differentiator with only one parameter is designed in this paper. Theoretical analysis and computer simulation prove that the designed tracking-differentiator can accurately estimate relative acceleration information.
Triangles and crystals: On the geometry of qualitative research

Triangulation has become increasingly appealing to researchers in nursing as a device to grasp the complexity of human phenomena, operationalize the holistic elan of nursing, and to accommodate both qualitative and quantitative approaches to inquiry. Yet, a misplaced ecumenicism, definitional drift, and conceptual misappropriation are evident in discussions of triangulation, which has become a technique for everything. Moreover, the triangle is somewhat lacking as image and metaphor for qualitative inquiry. As an idea and technique (in)formed by the triangle, triangulation should be used only to refer to a distinctive strategy for confirmation employed within research paradigms in which convergent and consensual validity are valued, and in which it is deemed appropriate to use information from one source to corroborate another.
Synthetic query response construction in scientific databases with time constraints and incomplete information

For some statistical and scientific database applications, data gathering and analysis capabilities can be greatly enhanced if there were real-time/online querying capabilities that return approximate responses to check the quality of the generated data. In some experiments and applications, the data gathered is so large that arguments have been raised for “processing the data on-the-fly” during the execution of an experiment or an application. With real-time/online “on-the-fly” data analysis (querying) capabilities, the size of the stored data in statistical and scientific databases can be kept small and, thus, manageable.
Diagnosis and Treatment of the Patient with Abnormal Calcium

The author describes normal physiology of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and the chemistries associated with their pathophysiology in adults. Extensive discussions are presented about abnormalities of body chemistry in the hypercalcemic and hypocalcemic conditions. The clinical signs and symptoms of patients with these abnormalities are highlighted and provide a framework for diagnosing them. Treatment options for these conditions are given with extensive orientation towards medical therapies.
Single Vaccination Provides Limited Protection to Ducks and Geese Against H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus

Abstract Since 2002, high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) has spread from Asia to Europe and into Africa, causing the largest epizootic of HPAI of the last 50 yr, including infecting domestic and wild waterfowl. Our study was conducted to investigate whether a single vaccination of 7-day-old domestic ducks and geese with inactivated oil emulsion vaccines resulted in protection against HPAI virus challenge at 30 days of age. In ducks, some but not all vaccines decreased oropharyngeal and cloacal viral shedding for different periods postchallenge when compared with the sham group. In geese, decreased morbidity signs and mortality were noted but limited to some vaccines. Best protection was seen with a vaccine homologous to HPAI challenge virus. Limited decreases in oropharyngeal and cloacal viral shedding and mixed results were attained when looking at seroconversion. Our results indicate a single dose of oil-emulsified vaccine optimized for chickens did not provide adequate protection for ducks and ge...
Role of KATP Channel in Heat Shock and Pharmacological Preconditioninga

: Heat shock (HS) and 4-monophosphoryl lipid A (MLA, a non-toxic analogue of endotoxin) protects the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury. We studied the involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) in ischemic protection induced by these stimuli. Anesthetized rabbits were preconditioned with either HS (by raising temperature to 42°C for 15 min) or intravenous pretreatment with MLA (35 μg/kg). After 24 h, animals were re-anesthetized and subjected to 30-min regional ischemia followed by 180-min reperfusion (I/R). KATP channel blockers glibenclamide and/or 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) were used to inhibit channel function. The 72 kD heat shock protein (HSP-72) was measured by Western blots. HS produced a marked reduction in infarct size (39.4 ± 8.1% to 14.3 ± 2.5%, p < 0.05 ) that was abolished by glibenclamide (42.3 ± 3.2%) and 5-HD (33.7 ± 4.8%) when given before I/R. These drugs failed to block HS protection when given before HS. Expression of HSP-72 was increased in all HS groups as compared to non-HS groups in both glibenclamide and 5-HD-treated rabbits. Similarly, pretreatment with MLA reduced infarct size from 40 ± 8.6% to 15.1 ± 1.5% ( p < 0.05 ). The infarct size increased to 51.9 ± 5.8 with 5-HD in MLA-treated rabbits. 5-HD did not alter infarct size significantly when given in vehicle-treated control rabbits. These data suggest that HS and MLA exert their anti-ischemic effect through activation of KATP channel.
Growth, carcass composition and serum hormone responses to photoperiod and ovariectomy in heifers

To determine effects of photoperiod and ovaries and their interactions on live-weight (LW) gain, carcass composition, growth hormone (GH), insulin (INS) and prolactin (PRL), crossbred beef heifers were utilized. Heifers (no. = 70) were blocked by LW and assigned to a pre-treatment slaughter group for estimation of initial carcass composition or to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment (no. = 14 per treatment). Main effects were: photoperiod (8 h light (L): 16 h dark (D) v. 16L: 8D) and ovaries (intact (INT) v. ovariectomized (OVX)). Heifers were given a maize-based mixed diet (115 g protein and 11·5 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter) ad libitum once per day at 07.30 h. On days 64 and 138, blood samples were taken every 30 min for 10 h from five heifers in each treatment. On day 144 treated heifers were slaughtered. Relative to OVX heifers, INT heifers had greater (P < 0·01) average LW gain (1·03 v. 1·17 kg/day), carcass weight (252 v. 270 kg) and carcass protein accretion rates (68 v. 82 g/day) but carcass fat accretion was not affected (P < 0·l; 381 v. 399 g/day). Compared with 8L: 16D, exposure to 16L: 8D non-significantly increased LW gain more in OVX heifers (16 kg) than in INT heifers (3 kg). Photoperiod did not significantly influence weight or composition of the carcass. There was no significant interaction between photoperiod and ovaries on carcass composition. Across all heifers GH declined (P < 0·05) and INS and PRL increased (P < 0·05) from day 64 to 138. Compared with 8L: 16D, exposure to 16L: 8D increased PRL on day 64 (P < 0·05; 13·4 v. 28·5 u.g/1) and decreased INS averaged across days 64 and 138 (P = 0·l; 0·71 v. 0·55 u/l) but had no effect on GH. GH, INS and PRL did not differ between INT and OVX heifers. It is concluded that ovariectomy of heifers reduces LW gains, carcass weights and accretion of protein, and that exposure to 16L: 8D partially prevents the loss in LW gain.
Histamine Concentrations in Normal and Cystic Rat Ovaries

Total ovarian free histamine was reduced by feeding 0.5% thiouracil for 30 days and more acutely by administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for 20 days. Histamine levels were still further depressedwhen hypothyroid animals were given HCG for 5 and 10 days but not when treatment was extended to 15 to 20 days. Histamine release may be associated with the subsequent development of cystic follicles. (Endocrinology 82: 171, 1968)
PERRYSBURG—A MECCA FOR HELIOTHERAPY

THE J. N. ADAM Memorial Hospital at Perrysburg, N. Y., has the distinction of being the first municipal hospital in the United States to introduce the Rollier method of heliotherapy. Here hundreds of cases come for treatment every year until Perrysburg has come to be to the United States what Leysin is to Europe. This hospital-where the city of Buffalo cares for its cases of incipient pulmonary and all forms of surgical tuberculosis-is delightfully situated among the Cattaraugus hills about 1,600 feet above sea level. Patients basking in the sun on the pavilion porches have a panoramic view of nearly fifty miles of hills an(l farmlands. On a clear day the foundry towers and church spires of Buffalo and the Canadian shore creep into the vista. The purity of air-free from manufacturing dust and smokeunobstructed sunshine, complete rest and nourishing food give the men, women and children who come to Perrysburg an extended lease on life.
Mass Effect of a Thyroid Goiter That Crimps the Great Vessels

CLINICAL HISTORY This is a 70-year-old right-handed female that was being considered for Botox injections because of pain and numbness in the 4 to 5 digits of the right hand after painting walls in her home not described as radicular pain. She had right arm weakness and a sense of weakness in the right leg and complained of pain down the right trapezius muscle around the right hip and into the groin, where the pain stopped. Her left arm was fine. She had multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, including of the cervical spine.
Nonlinear optical spectroscopy for surfaces, interfaces, and films

Summary form only given. Structural symmetries of the surface and bulk of a condensed medium generally are different. They can be exploited to develop optical techniques for surface and interfacial studies. Sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, in particular, has been proven to be an effective and versatile surface analytical tool. It can be used to study any interfaces accessible by light, including liquid/liquid, liquid/solid, and solid/solid interfaces. Quite a few unique applications have been found that could open up new areas of research in various disciplines. A selected few will be described in this talk. The possibility of using SFG spectroscopy for thin-film studies will also be discussed.
Tracking individual behaviors in networks: An experimental demonstration

Tracking individual behaviors based on observations made from vast personal interaction network has become a major concern and interest for the policing community as well as for the business/commercial players. While the policing community resort to personal networks in order to predict and prevent adverse events, the commercial players want to track opportunities for online advertisement, market identification, personalized product suggestions etc. Recently, revolutionary advances in digital media technology have enabled one to collect, store and analyze massive amounts of personal networking data. Unlike traditional tracking problems, the observations and the inferred targets are highly irregular in nature; they do not evolve or be observed according to established mathematical models. In this paper, we demonstrate an experimental approach for tracking hidden qualities of individuals by observing their closer connections in the personal networks they belong to. We model the hidden features of individuals through hidden Markov random fields (HMRF) and propose a modified observation model in order to simplify the tracking algorithm. We test our algorithm on a fictitious scale-free personal network dataset and report high accuracy through objective performance metrics.