cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epithelial Adhesion Mediated by Pilin SpaC Is Required for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-Induced Cellular Responses

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is a widely used probiotic, and the strain's salutary effects on the intestine have been extensively documented. We previously reported that strain GG can modulate inflammatory signaling, as well as epithelial migration and proliferation, by activating NADPH oxidase 1-catalyzed generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, how strain GG induces these responses is unknown. Here, we report that strain GG's probiotic benefits are dependent on the bacterial-epithelial interaction mediated by the SpaC pilin subunit. By comparing strain GG to an isogenic mutant that lacks SpaC (strain GGΩspaC), we establish that SpaC is necessary for strain GG to adhere to gut mucosa, that SpaC contributes to strain GG-induced epithelial generation of ROS, and that SpaC plays a role in strain GG's capacity to stimulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) signaling in enterocytes. In addition, we show that SpaC is required for strain GG-mediated stimulation of cell proliferation and protection against radiologically inflicted intestinal injury. The identification of a critical surface protein required for strain GG to mediate its probiotic influence advances our understanding of the molecular basis for the symbiotic relationship between some commensal bacteria of the gut lumen and enterocytes. Further insights into this relationship are critical for the development of novel approaches to treat intestinal diseases.
Outcomes after endarterectomy for chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Objectives A retrospective study was performed to identify optimal factors affecting outcomes after open revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia. Methods All patients who underwent open surgery for chronic mesenteric ischemia from 1987 to 2006 were reviewed. Patients with acute mesenteric ischemia or median arcuate ligament syndrome were excluded. Mortality, recurrent stenosis, and symptomatic recurrence were analyzed using logistic regression, and univariate and multivariate analysis. Results We identified 80 patients (69% women, 31% men). Mean age was 64 years (range, 31-86 years). Acute-on-chronic symptoms were present in 26%. Presenting symptoms included postprandial pain (91%), weight loss (69%), and food fear and diarrhea (25%). Preoperative imaging demonstrated severe (>70%) stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery in 75 patients (24 occluded), the celiac axis in 63 (20 occluded), and the inferior mesenteric artery in 53 (20 occluded). Multivessel disease was present in 72 patients (90%), and 40 (50%) underwent multivessel reconstruction. Revascularization was achieved by endarterectomy in 37 patients, mesenteric bypass in 29, and combined procedures in 14. Concurrent aortic reconstruction was required in 13 patients (16%). Three hospital deaths occurred (3.8%). Mean follow-up was 3.8 years (range, 0-17.2 years). One- and 5-year survival was 92.2% and 64.5%. Mortality was associated with age ( P = .019) and renal insufficiency ( P = .007), but not by clinical presentation. Symptom-free survival was 89.7% and 82.1% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Symptoms requiring reintervention occurred in nine patients (11%) at a mean of 29 months (range, 5-127 months). Multivariate analysis showed that freedom from recurrent symptoms correlated with endarterectomy for revascularization (5.2% vs 27.6%; hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.92; P = .02). Conclusion For open surgical candidates, endarterectomy appears to provide the most durable long-term symptom relief in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia.
Pictometry digital video mapping

Pictometry is a proprietary digital imaging process which computationally maps each pixel of a digital land image to actual geographic coordinates, so that features in a mosaic of land images may be located and or measured.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The context for health reform in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, and the United States

The success of health policy initiatives can be strongly influenced by the political, social, and cultural context within which a health care system operates. This study explores the similarities and differences in the background context of the four countries considered in this supplement: Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. It concludes that there are considerable differences in the background context among these four countries, which help to explain their differing structural and organizational approaches to issues of pharmaceutical and home care policy.
Reducing computer operating costs

Abstract This paper presents a cost reduction strategy for computer operating expenses. Different ratios are proposed to help decision makers in understanding the impact of computer operating cost on productivity and profitability. Computer Operating Cost Self-Assessment Checklist is provided.
Religion and Society in Frontier California

The chaotic and reputedly immoral society of the California mining frontier during the gold rush period greatly worried Protestant evangelicals from the Northeast, and they soon sent missionaries westward to transplant their religious institutions, beliefs, and practices in the area. This book tells the story of that enterprise, showing how it developed, why it failed, and what patterns of religious adherence evolved in the West in place of evangelical Protestantism. Laurie Maffly-Kipp begins by analyzing the eastern-based religious ideology that underlay the movement westward, investigating the motives behind the founding of home mission boards dedicated to the spread of Christianity and civility among new settlers. Drawing on the diaries, letters, and journals of hundreds of California "argonauts, " Maffly-Kipp describes those missionaries and their wives sent to California after 1848 and the virtually all-male mining society that resisted the missionaries' notions of moral order and in turn created new religious beliefs and practices. Maffly-Kipp argues that despite its alleged immorality, the California gold rush was actually one of the most morally significant events of the nineteenth century, for it challenged and brought into conflict the cherished values of antebellum American culture: a commitment to spiritual and social progress; a concern with self-discipline, moral character, and proper gender roles; and a thirst for wealth fostered by the spirit of free enterprise.
Spatial and temporal patterns of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) along two freshwater-estuarine transects in the Florida Coastal Everglades

We present here a 4-year dataset (2001–2004) on the spatial and temporal patterns of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) by dominant primary producers (sawgrass, periphyton, mangroves, and seagrasses) along two transects in the oligotrophic Florida Everglades coastal landscape. The 17 sites of the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research (FCE LTER) program are located along fresh-estuarine gradients in Shark River Slough (SRS) and Taylor River/C-111/Florida Bay (TS/Ph) basins that drain the western and southern Everglades, respectively. Within the SRS basin, sawgrass and periphyton ANPP did not differ significantly among sites but mangrove ANPP was highest at the site nearest the Gulf of Mexico. In the southern Everglades transect, there was a productivity peak in sawgrass and periphyton at the upper estuarine ecotone within Taylor River but no trends were observed in the C-111 Basin for either primary producer. Over the 4 years, average sawgrass ANPP in both basins ranged from 255 to 606 g m−2 year−1. Average periphyton productivity at SRS and TS/Ph was 17–68 g C m−2 year−1 and 342–10371 g C m−2 year−1, respectively. Mangrove productivity ranged from 340 g m−2 year−1 at Taylor River to 2208 g m−2 year−1 at the lower estuarine Shark River site. Average Thalassia testudinum productivity ranged from 91 to 396 g m−2 year−1 and was 4-fold greater at the site nearest the Gulf of Mexico than in eastern Florida Bay. There were no differences in periphyton productivity at Florida Bay. Interannual comparisons revealed no significant differences within each primary producer at either SRS or TS/Ph with the exception of sawgrass at SRS and the C−111 Basin. Future research will address difficulties in assessing and comparing ANPP of different primary producers along gradients as well as the significance of belowground production to the total productivity of this ecosystem.
Mechanisms and Quantification of Spalling Failure in Laminated Composites under Shock Loading

The free surface spalling phenomenon in 2D carbon/carbon (C/C) and carbon-polyimide (C/P) laminates was studied by subjecting them to laser-produced nano-second rise-time compressive stress pulses. The compression pulse travels through the laminate normal to the plies and, upon reflection into a tension pulse from the sample's front surface, leads to fiber/matrix debondings either in the bundles within a ply or at the interply interface. The stress pulse amplitude responsible for initiating such a damage was determined by recording the free surface velocity by an optical interferometer, and on the continuum scale, this is referred to as the effective interply strength. Since by employing a special specimen geometry we were able to determine the onset of such delaminations, its characterization in terms of an effective interply strength should be acceptable. Additional information on the attenuation and the dispersion characteristics associated with the propagation of such stress pulses was also obtained f...
Delayed Failure in a Hydrogenated Face-centred Cubic Alloy of Nickel

RECENTLY1 it has been suggested that interstitial hydrogen in a face-centred cubic lattice will produce embrittlement and cause delayed failure under the appropriate conditions. Basically, the required conditions are that sufficient flow must occur to produce dislocation pile-ups and that the interstitial, under the influence of stress, must diffuse to the region of the piled-up array. In both the body-centred cubic and face-centred cubic lattices, dislocations have been observed to pile-up at an obstacle2,3.
A method for producing plaques in agar suspensions of animal cells.

Abstract A plaque method is described for animal viruses using agar-cell suspensions, which has certain advantages over the monolayer method.
Mechanisms underlying hypoxia tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster: hairy as a metabolic switch.

Hypoxia-induced cell injury has been related to multiple pathological conditions. In order to render hypoxia-sensitive cells and tissues resistant to low O2 environment, in this current study, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a model to dissect the mechanisms underlying hypoxia-tolerance. A D. melanogaster strain that lives perpetually in an extremely low-oxygen environment (4% O2, an oxygen level that is equivalent to that over about 4,000 m above Mt. Everest) was generated through laboratory selection pressure using a continuing reduction of O2 over many generations. This phenotype is genetically stable since selected flies, after several generations in room air, survive at this low O2 level. Gene expression profiling showed striking differences between tolerant and naive flies, in larvae and adults, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Up-regulated genes in the tolerant flies included signal transduction pathways (e.g., Notch and Toll/Imd pathways), but metabolic genes were remarkably down-regulated in the larvae. Furthermore, a different allelic frequency and enzymatic activity of the triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) was present in the tolerant versus naive flies. The transcriptional suppressor, hairy, was up-regulated in the microarrays and its binding elements were present in the regulatory region of the specifically down-regulated metabolic genes but not others, and mutations in hairy significantly reduced hypoxia tolerance. We conclude that, the hypoxia-selected flies: (a) altered their gene expression and genetic code, and (b) coordinated their metabolic suppression, especially during development, with hairy acting as a metabolic switch, thus playing a crucial role in hypoxia-tolerance.
Magnesium Alloy Precursor Thin Films for Efficient, Practical Fabrication of Nanoporous Metals

An improved approach to fabrication of nanoporous (np) metals is demonstrated for several metallic systems that were successfully created by dealloying magnesium-based precursor alloys (also containing iridium, nickel, gold, or osmium-ruthenium). A significant advantage is that magnesium alloys can be dealloyed effectively using water or, if needed, dilute acetic acid. The crystal structures of magnesium-based precursor films were significantly different from those of alloys commonly used as precursors. This approach should be generally applicable to np metal synthesis.
Membrane leakage induced by synergetic action of Lys-49 and Asp-49 Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus phospholipases A2: Implications in their pharmacological activities

Abstract To understand the mechanism by which Lys-49 phospholipase A 2 from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus exerts its myotoxic activities, we studied the interactions of this non-catalytic phospholipase A 2 with various phospholipid monolayers and liposomes. We measured the interactions of A. p. piscivorus Lys-49 phospholipase A 2 with phospholipid monolayers in terms of the change in surface pressure of monolayer and with liposomes in terms of the leakage of 6-carboxyfluorescein trapped in liposomes. A. p. piscivorus Lys-49 phospholipase A 2 showed the ability to rapidly and extensively induce the leakage of 6-carboxyfluorescein from anionic liposomes. The extent of leakage was sensitive to the ionic strength of medium and the surface charge density of liposomes, indicating the electrostatic nature of the interactions. Also, this protein was able to penetrate into anionic phospholipid monolayers with surface pressure of up to 38 dyn/cm, indicating the involvement of hydrophobic interactions in its binding to anionic liposomes. Another phospholipase A 2 from the same venom, Asp-49 phospholipase A 2 , was shown to assist the lytic activity of Lys-49 phospholipase A 2 toward neutral liposomes by hydrolytically generating anionic patches of reaction products on the liposome surface. These results indicate that Lys-49 phospholipase A 2 binds to and disrupts anionic membranes via both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and that two phospholipases A 2 from the same venom work synergetically to enhance their pharmacological activities.
Advancement of high power ultrasound technology for the destruction of surface active waterborne contaminants

The current paper explores recent advances in sonochemical techniques to improve the ultrasound-mediated degradation efficiency of surface active, waterborne contaminants. Sonochemical degradation efficiency of surface active contaminants generally has a strong dependence on the concentration of contaminant at the gas/solution surface of cavitation bubbles. This in turn depends on the thermodynamic and diffusion/kinetic-controlled adsorption properties of the surfactant at the rapidly pulsating gas/solution surface of acoustic cavitation bubbles. The adsorption properties of surfactants can be exploited to enhance their sonochemical decomposition by varying ultrasound exposure parameters such that changes in the nature of the bubble population (especially the bubble life-time and rate of pulsations) cause changes in the amount of surfactant that adsorbs to the gas/solution interface of cavitation bubbles. Herein we describe recent results on the effect of ultrasound frequency and pulsing mode on sonochemical degradation of surfactants in aqueous solutions and show how the exposure parameters can be adjusted in ways to produce more efficient decomposition of contaminants, even under exposure conditions where seemingly poor sonochemical activity is detected in the bulk solution. The relevance of these results to scale-up of ultrasound decontamination processes is discussed.
Could no benefit of cyclophosphamide treatment be due to decreased fibrinolytic activity in adults with severe Henoch Schönlein nephritis

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Pillebout et al. They reported that the addition of cyclophosphamide to steroids provided no benefit compared with steroids alone in adults with Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) nephritis. In this study, however, they did not mention an important randomized controlled study of cyclophosphamide in children with severe HSP nephritis, showing there were no differences in outcome between the two groups (supportive therapy with or without oral cyclophosphamide 90mg/m per day for 42 days). We speculate that cyclophosphamide might provide no benefit in the patients studied by Pillebout et al. on the basis of the drug-related characteristics of decreasing fibrinolytic activity. Although not extensively studied yet, we previously reported that fibrinogen deposition is closely related to the formation of crescents and severe renal injury in HSP nephritis and Bazzan et al. demonstrated that a significant decrease in plasma fibrinolytic activity was observed after cyclophosphamide therapy. Therefore, there is a possibility that fibrinogen deposition by decreased fibrinolytic activity after cyclophosphamide use might influence the renal outcome in HSP nephritis. Furthermore, cyclophosphamide was administered in combination with urokinase (fibrinolytic agent) to severe HSP nephritis patients; it resulted in not only more reduction of proteinuria but also lower activity and chronicity index at follow-up renal biopsies than in those who were not treated with cyclophosphamide. Therefore, it would be interesting if fibrinogen deposition and crescent formation are evaluated before and after cyclophosphamide therapy, although it was not carried out in the patients studied by Pillebout et al. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the effects of cyclophosphamide on intraglomerular coagulation in patients with HSP nephritis.
First‐Year Cohort Dynamics and Overwinter Mortality of Juvenile Largemouth Bass

Abstract Relative year-class size of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides following recruitment through the first winter can depend upon a variety of life history events. Shoreline electrofishing was used to assess juvenile largemouth bass cohort dynamics from school dispersal through the yearling stage in Jordan Lake, North Carolina, 1987–1995. Measures of environmental conditions and dynamics of juvenile shad Dorosoma spp. were collected concurrently to assess their potential effects on cohort dynamics of juvenile largemouth bass. Abundance of age-0 largemouth bass at the time cohort mean lengths reached 50 mm varied significantly among years, as did growth rates and mortality from July through October. No environmental or shad effects on largemouth bass growth or mortality were detected. Overwinter mortality rates did not vary among years, despite a 50-mm difference among years in largemouth bass mean lengths going into late fall, and little evidence was found to indicate significant size-selective ov...
Cyclic fatigue of composite restorative materials

Summary The purpose of this project was to investigate and evaluate dental composite restorative materials classified according to filler particle size (microfill, small particle, hybrid) regarding fracture characteristics and susceptibility to stress corrosion. The composite materials were tested by cyclic fatigue in distilled water at 37°C. No trend was observed between the number of cycles to fracture and the cycling load as a percentage of the modulus of rupture. Linear regression analysis correlation was weak for most of the composites used to determine the stress corrosion resistance constant, which ranged from 0.80 to 12.05. Observation of the fracture interface revealed inter- and intraparticle fracture for the small particle and hybrid composites. The microfills fractured between and through the prepolymerized particles.
Analysis of the oxidation reactions of CaS

The chemical reactions of dense pellets of solid CaS in oxidizing atmospheres were studied by using continuous thermogravimetric analysis and iodimetric titration of SO2 in the off-gas. The experiments covered a temperature range of 1223 to 1853 K, and Ar-O2 mixtures varying from 1 to 100 pct O2. The oxidation of CaS was found to be a complex process involving the formation of CaO and CaSO4. Within the experimental conditions stated, three different processes were observed: 1) Weight loss with the formation of CaO and SO2 which occurred at high temperatures and low partial pressures of O2. 2) Weight gain which occurred at low temperatures and high partial pressures of O2. 3) Combination of a) weight gain with the overall formation of CaSO4 and b) weight loss with the overall oxidation of CaS to CaO and the decomposition of CaSO4 leading to an oscillatory behavior which occurred at intermediate temperatures and intermediate to high partial pressures of O2. The boundaries between these three processes are distinct. The rate of oxidation of the sulfide is limited first by the transport of O2 across the gas boundary layer and later by the diffusion of O2 through the porous reaction product. From these results and the Ca-S-0 stability diagram, it is possible to predict the experimental conditions which will produce processes of weight gain, weight loss and oscillatory behavior.
New Evidence for Strategic Differences between Static and Dynamic Search Tasks: An Individual Observer Analysis of Eye Movements

Two experiments are reported that further explore the processes underlying dynamic search. In Experiment 1, observers’ oculomotor behavior was monitored while they searched for a randomly oriented T among oriented L distractors under static and dynamic viewing conditions. Despite similar search slopes, eye movements were less frequent and more spatially constrained under dynamic viewing relative to static, with misses also increasing more with target eccentricity in the dynamic condition. These patterns suggest that dynamic search involves a form of sit-and-wait strategy in which search is restricted to a small group of items surrounding fixation. To evaluate this interpretation, we developed a computational model of a sit-and-wait process hypothesized to underlie dynamic search. In Experiment 2 we tested this model by varying fixation position in the display and found that display positions optimized for a sit-and-wait strategy resulted in higher d' values relative to a less optimal location. We conclude that different strategies, and therefore underlying processes, are used to search static and dynamic displays.
The hemodynamic actions of prenalterol in left ventricular failure.

The hemodynamic effects of prenalterol, a parenteral cardioselective beta 1-receptor agonist, were evaluated by cardiac catheterization in patients with refractory severe congestive heart failure (CHF). Prenalterol (PN) (4 mg i.v.) did not alter (p greater than 0.05) heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP) or left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP). Concomitantly PN markedly augmented cardiac index (CI) from 1.9 to 2.6 l/min/m2 (p less than 0.01) and substantially elevated stroke index (SI) from 24 to 30 ml/beta/m2 (p less than 0.001). In addition PN raised stroke work index (SWI) from 21 to 26 g . m/m2 (p less than 0.005) and decreased total systemic vascular resistance (TSVR) from 1702 to 1260 dyn . s. cm-5 (p less than 0.001). An important finding was that the heart rate x systolic blood pressure product was unchanged (p greater than 0.05) and precipitation of cardiac dysrhythmias or myocardial ischemia were not observed. Further PN 1 mg, 4 mg and 8 mg i.v. was sequentially injected and peak hemodynamic effects were determined 10 min after drug administration. PN 1 mg raised CI from 2.1 to 2.5 1/min/m2 (p less than 0.01), elevated SI from 24 to 29 ml/beat/m2 (p less than 0.01), and augmented SWI from 21 to 25 g . m/m2 (p less than 0.01), however, TSVR declined from 1702 to 1392 dyn . s. cm-5. Subsequent incremental PN doses of 4 and 8 mg did not provide (p greater than 0.05) additional enhancement of cardiac function. Thus, prenalterol produced markedly beneficial enhancement of cardiocirculatory function without untoward effects and may be useful in the management of patients with severe congestive heart failure. Moreover, dose-response analysis indicates these salutary improvements can be maximally produced by the small dose of 1 mg obviating the need for larger doses.
Current source design for electrical impedance tomography.

Questions regarding the feasibility of using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to detect breast cancer may be answered by building a sufficiently precise multiple frequency EIT instrument. Current sources are desirable for this application, yet no current source designs have been reported that have the required precision at the multiple frequencies needed. We have designed an EIT current source using an enhanced Howland topology in parallel with a generalized impedance converter (GIC). This combination allows for nearly independent adjustment of output resistance and output capacitance, resulting in simulated output impedances in excess of 2 GΩ between 100 Hz and 1 MHz. In this paper, the theoretical operation of this current source is explained, and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of creating a high precision, multiple frequency, capacitance compensated current source for EIT applications.
Gender and queer as multicultural discourses

Black queer studies: a critical anthology, edited by E. Patrick Johnson and Mae G. Henderson, Durham, NC, Duke University Press, 2005, xiii + 377 pp., US$94.95 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-8223-3629-7, ...
Stability of strontium-doped lanthanum manganite cathode in humidified air

Abstract The stability of strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) cathode has been studied using symmetric cells (humidified air, LSM/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/LSM, humidified air) under a range of humidification levels (0–50%), temperatures (750–850 °C), and cathodic biases (0–0.5 V). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed an increase in non-ohmic resistance with increasing H 2 O/O 2 ratio, temperature, and cathodic bias. Post-test surface and interface studies showed the segregation of SrO particles on the LSM surface and formation of Mn 2 O 3 and La 2 Zr 2 O 7 compounds at the cathodic LSM/YSZ interface. The increase in non-ohmic resistance is attributed to surface segregation of SrO and interfacial compound formation, whereas formation and growth of SrO at the LSM surface is attributed to water adsorption. La 2 Zr 2 O 7 formation is attributed to interfacial reactions.
Evidence of quantum motion of hydrogen on Pd(111) in helium-diffraction data.

We investigate the behavior of hydrogen on the Pd(111) surface by elastic scattering of a monoenergetic thermal He beam. Dramatic changes in the intensities of the diffraction peaks are observed as a function of sample temperature in the range of 140--350 K, and are attributed to changes in H coverage. A consistent explanation of the diffraction data is achieved when we consider the H system as a correlated quantum fluid where particle delocalization occurs at medium and low coverages.
Specific Residues within the α2 Integrin Subunit Cytoplasmic Domain Regulate Migration and Cell Cycle Progression via Distinct MAPK Pathways

The α2 integrin subunit cytoplasmic domain is necessary for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated chemotactic migration and insulin-dependent entry into S-phase of mammary epithelial cells adherent to type I collagen. Truncation mutants revealed that the seven amino acids, KYEKMTK, in addition to the GFFKR motif were sufficient for these functions. Mutation of tyrosine 1134 to alanine inhibited the ability of the cells to phosphorylate p38 MAPK and to migrate in response to EGF but had only a modest effect on the ability of the cells to induce sustained phosphorylation of the ERK MAPK, to up-regulate cyclin E and cdk2 expression, and to enter S-phase when adherent to type I collagen. Conversely, mutation of the lysine 1136 inhibited the ability of the cells to increase cyclin E and cdk2 expression, to maintain long term phosphorylation of the ERK MAPK, and to enter S-phase but had no effect on the ability of the cells to phosphorylate the p38 MAPK or to migrate on type I collagen in response to EGF. Methionine 1137 was essential for both migration and entry into S-phase. Thus, distinctly different structural elements of the α2 integrin cytoplasmic domain are required to engage the signaling pathways leading to cell migration or cell cycle progression.
Neutrons from high-energy x-ray medical accelerators: an estimate of risk to the radiotherapy patient.

The problem of neutrons produced by many of the high-energy x-ray therapy machines (10 MV and above) is reviewed, and the possible risk their presence poses to radiotherapy patients is estimated. A review of the regulatory background containing a summary of the recommendations of the U.S. Council of State Governments (USCSG), and of the International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC), as well as an indication that recommendations will be forthcoming from the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) and the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP) is presented. The neutrons in question are produced by high-energy photons (x rays) incident on the various materials of the target, flattening filter, collimators, and other essential components of the equipment. The neutron yield (per treatment dose) increases rapidly as the megavoltage is increased from 10 to 20 MV, but remains approximately constant above this. Measurements and calculations of the quantity, quality, and spatial distribution of these neutrons and their concomitant dose are summarized. Values of the neutron dose are presented as entrance dose, midline dose (10-cm depth), and integral dose, both within and outside of the treatment volume. These values are much less than the unavoidable photon doses which are largely responsible for treatment side effects. For typical equipment, the average neutron integral dose from accelerator-produced neutrons is about 4-7 g cGy (per treatment cGy), depending on the treatment plan. This translates into an average dose of neutrons [averaged over the body of a typical 70-kg (154 lb) patient] of 0.06-0.10 cGy for a treatment of 1000 cGy. Using these neutron doses and the best available neutron risk coefficients, it is estimated that 50 X 10(-6) fatal malignancies per year due to the neutrons may follow a typical treatment course of 5000 rads of 25-MV x rays. This is only about 1/60th of the average incidence of malignancies for the general population. Thus, the cancer risk to the radiotherapy patient from accelerator-produced neutrons poses an additional risk to the patient that is negligible in comparison.
Abstract 1398: Targeting novel co-activators of androgen receptor in castration resistant prostate cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Resistance to androgen deprivation therapies and increased androgen receptor (AR) activity are major drivers of castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), an advanced and frequently lethal form of this disease. Substantial prior work has focused on targeting AR directly; however, the identification and therapeutic targeting of co-activators of AR signaling remains an underexplored area of potential clinical significance. Here we demonstrate that the MLL complex acts as a co-activator of AR signaling. AR directly interacts with the sub-unit menin to recruit MLL and its complex to AR target genes. Inhibition of the menin-MLL interaction can block AR signaling and inhibit the formation of castration resistant tumors in vivo. Furthermore, we find that menin is up-regulated in localized and metastatic prostate cancer and high menin expression correlates with poor overall survival. Taken together our study identifies a novel co-activator complex of AR that can be targeted in CRPCs. Citation Format: Rohit Malik, Amjad P. Khan, John R. Prensner, Matthew K. Iyer, Dmitry Borkin, Xiaoju Wang, Xia Jiang, Shruthi Subramaniam, Yang Shi, Rachell Stender, Yi-Mi Wu, Xuhong Cao, Jolanta Grembecka, Tomasz Cierpicki, Arul Chinnaiyan. Targeting novel co-activators of androgen receptor in castration resistant prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1398. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1398
Electrical impedance and vasomotor changes accompanying synaptic transmission in sympathetic ganglia.

Abstract Electrical impedance changes within the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion of the cat were recorded at 17.5 kc under various conditions at rest and during synaptic activity. Local blood flow changes in the ganglion were also assessed from the pulsatile component of the impedance bridge output. The following impedance baseline changes were obtained with the ganglion at rest: a decrease after electrode insertion and hypoventilation, and an increase with hyperventilation, asphyxia, and barbiturate anesthesia. Synaptic activity typically gave rise to an initial drop in impedance followed by a prolonged rise. The falling phase of impedance, resistant to hypoxia, fatigue, and hexamethonium, has been tentatively related to presynaptic events, and the rising phase, from similar evidence, to postsynaptic activity. All observed impedance changes were interpreted in terms of changes in relative size of the extracellular fluid compartment. Although small and short-lasting increases in blood flow with synaptic transmission were observed, blood flow changes were not found to be a necessary accompaniment of synaptic activity.
Oral hairy leukoplakia: Ultrastructural observations

On the basis of the clinical appearance and the light microscopic findings, we determined 16 biopsy specimens to be possible examples of oral hairy leukoplakia. All 16 specimens were studied by means of electron microscopy. Ten of these specimens contained typical herpes-type viral particles in the epithelial cells of the upper stratum spinosum. None of the specimens contained ultrastructural evidence of human papillomaviruses.
A rapid radiometric assay for adenosine deaminase

Abstract A rapid radiochemical procedure for the measurement of adenosine deaminase is described. The method employs phospho-Sephadex, a weak cation exchanger, which permits the enzymic product inosine to pass unretarded through the gel while the radioactive substrate adenosine is retained. Use of a Millipore filter manifold permits rapid processing of samples and eliminates time-consuming column chromatographic, electrophoretic, or paper chromatographic techniques required for separation of product and substrate. The activity of adenosine deaminase was examined in spleen cell preparations prepared from normal CBA mice. Excellent agreement of results was obtained when the radioactive method was compared with two other independent assay techniques.
A computer model for optimizing the location of natural gas fueling stations

High levels of fine particulate matter and ozone in many major cities are causing increased respiratory problems, increased asthma attacks and premature death. Natural gas vehicles have been reported to emit up to 95% less particulate matter than diesel powered vehicles and up to 90% less ozone-producing carbon monoxide and reactive hydrocarbons. The adoption of natural gas vehicles, therefore, could play a large role in improving air quality in many cities. Because of the many costs associated with the introduction of a new fueling infrastructure, optimum distribution of fueling stations will play a major role in widespread use of natural gas vehicles, especially in the early stages of market penetration. A model was developed that can be used to optimize fueling station placement-based on traffic volume using a Monte Carlo algorithm. In particular, the Monte Carlo method allows for the placement of the fueling stations based upon their proximity to high volume traffic flow and the placement of all the fueling stations are optimized simultaneously. Traffic volume data from Pittsburgh, PA was used in the model simulations.
MIP-2 causes differential activation of RhoA in mouse aortic versus pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Previously, we have shown that endothelial cell chemotaxis to the proangiogenic chemokine MIP-2 (macrophage inflammatory protein-2) is much greater in mouse aortic endothelial cells (EC) than pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PA EC). This was true despite the observation that both cell types display comparable levels of the ligand receptor, CXCR(2) (8). Since the systemic arterial circulation is proangiogenic in the adult lung and the pulmonary circulation is relatively resistant to neovascularization, we questioned whether the observed functional heterogeneity is related to inherent differences in cell signaling cascades of the two EC subtypes. Specifically, we measured activation of Rac1 and RhoA, both thought to be involved in EC cell migration. Rac1 showed inconsistent and minimal changes in both cell types after MIP-2 treatment (p>0.05). However, activated RhoA was increased upon exposure to MIP-2 only in aortic EC (61% increase; p<0.05). Decreased RhoA activation after treatment of aortic EC with specific siRNA for RhoA resulted in a functional decrease in EC chemotaxis to MIP-2 (17% increase; p<0.05). Additionally, increased RhoA activation in PA EC with adenoviral infection of RhoA caused an increase in PA EC chemotaxis to MIP-2 (46% increase; p<0.05). Inhibition of RhoA activity with the Rho kinase inhibitor, Y27632, blocked aortic EC chemotaxis and stress fiber formation. Thus, RhoA activation is increased after MIP-2 treatment in mouse aortic endothelial cells but not in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. We conclude that RhoA is part of a signaling pathway essential for aortic cell migration after CXCR(2) ligation. This result provides one explanation for the difference in chemotaxis observed in these two endothelial subtypes that express similar levels of CXCR(2).
Purification of multiple heat shock proteins from a single tumor sample.

Abstract Heat shock protein-based vaccines have been shown to immunize against cancer and infectious diseases in both prophylactic and therapeutic protocols. So far, four classes of heat shock proteins (HSPs) preparation: gp96, HSP90 (hsp86, hsp84), HSP70 (hsc70, hsp70) and calreticulin have been used successfully. The methods for purifying them individually are now readily available. However, since tumors are not always available in large quantity, a major challenge remains the development of a procedure to simultaneously isolate these HSPs from the same sample. We report here that hsp40, hsp60, hsc70, hsp70, hsp84, hsp86, and gp96 (grp94) but not BiP (grp78) and calreticulin can be separated from a single tumor sample in one step using heparin–agarose chromatography. Interestingly this procedure separates the HSP70 isoforms hsp70 from hsc70, but not the HSP90 isoforms hsp84 and hsp86. The three main immunogenic HSPs, gp96, hsp86/84, and hsc70 can be further isolated to homogeneity using additional purification methods. In addition, we have shown that the interaction of the chaperoned peptides with hsc70 and gp96 is not compromised during heparin chromatography. These observations provide a new method for preparation of multiple HSP-based vaccines, circumventing the sample size limitation, as well as providing the possibility to study how multiple HSPs can synergize in eliciting immunity.
Evidence for a temperature-dependent and temperature-independent pathway in the generation of complement-mediated transmembrane channels.

Summary The formation of transmembrane channels by the ninth component of complement in sheep red cell membranes is the result of a series of reactions that occur in and on the membrane after the binding of this component. The energy requirements of this series of reactions vary with the species of the eighth component of complement to which the ninth component is bound. Furthermore, the results provide the first evidence that two mechanisms of channel formation exist, one that is temperature-independent and the other that has the characteristics of an enzymatic reaction with a Q10 close to 2.
M-score: a knowledge-based potential scoring function accounting for protein atom mobility.

A knowledge-based potential scoring function, named M-Score, has been developed based upon 2331 high-resolution crystal structures of protein−ligand complexes. M-Score considers the mobility of protein atoms, describing the location of each protein atom by a Gaussian distribution instead of a fixed position based upon the isotropic B-factors. This leads to an increase in the number of atom-pairs in the construction of knowledge-based potentials and a smoothing effect on the pairwise distribution functions. M-Score was validated using 896 complexes which were not included in the 2331 data set and whose experimentally determined binding affinities were available. The overall linear correlation coefficient (r) between the calculated scores and experimentally determined binding affinities (pKi or pKd) for these 896 complexes is −0.49. Evaluation of M-Score against 17 protein families showed that we obtained good to excellent correlations for six protein families, modest correlations for four protein families,...
Isolation and identification of sialic acids from the gangliosides of human cataracts.

The sialic acid components of gangliosides isolated from human cataracts are verified and confirmed to be N-acetylneuraminic acid by conbined thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography techniques.
The extent of altered digit force direction correlates with clinical upper extremity impairment in chronic stroke survivors

Many stroke survivors suffer from impaired hand function. Biomechanics of hand grip suggests that abnormally directed grip force can hamper gripping abilities and hand function. This study examined the relation between the ability to precisely direct fingertip force and clinical hand function scores among individuals affected by stroke. Specifically, clinical hand function tests of the Fugl-Meyer, Chedoke McMaster, and Box and Block Test were used, since they involve various hand movements required for activities of daily living. Digit force direction during static grip was recorded using multiaxial load cells. Data for 59 chronic stroke survivors were analyzed. We found that larger angular deviation of digit force from the normal direction was significantly associated with lower hand functional levels (p<.001 for all three clinical tests). Particularly, stroke survivors whose digit force deviated more than 21° from the normal direction could not achieve the normal level of Fugl-Meyer or Chedoke or move more than 4 blocks in a minute. The biomechanics of the way digit force direction affects hand grip function is described. In addition, underlying mechanisms for altered digit force direction post stroke are postulated, including impaired somatosensation and abnormal neural input to muscles. In summary, this study identifies a new biomechanical marker for hand functional level and recovery. Future interventions may focus on correcting digit force direction to improve hand functional outcome.
Exploiting death receptor signaling pathways for tumor therapy

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a key regulator of physiological growth control and regulation of tissue homeostasis. Tipping the balance between cell death and proliferation in favor of cell survival may result in tumor formation. Moreover, current cancer therapies, e.g. chemotherapy, gamma-irradiation, immunotherapy or suicide gene therapy, primarily exert their antitumor effect by triggering an evolutionary conserved apoptosis program in cancer cells. For example, death receptor signaling has been implied to contribute to the efficacy of cancer therapy. Thus, failure to undergo apoptosis in response to anticancer therapy because of defects in death receptor pathways may result in resistance. Further insights into the mechanisms regulating apoptosis in response to anticancer therapy and how cancer cells evade cell death may provide novel opportunities for targeted therapeutics. Thus, agents designed to selectively activate death receptor pathways may enhance the efficacy of conventional therapies and may even overcome some forms of cancer resistance.
Soluble Peptide Treatment Reverses CD8 T-Cell-Induced Disease in a Mouse Model of Spontaneous Tissue-Selective Autoimmunity

Transgenic (Tg) mouse models of autoimmunity have been used to express model antigens that can be recognized by T cells or by autoantibodies. To identify mechanisms of CD8-mediated tissue-specific autoimmune reactions and to identify potential treatments, we generated a double-transgenic (DTg) murine model of autoimmunity by crossing keratin-14 (K14)-soluble chicken ovalbumin (sOVA) mice, which express sOVA predominantly in external ear skin, with OT-I mice whose CD8 T cells express Vα2/Vβ5 regions of the TCR and are specific for SIINFEKL peptide (chicken ovalbumin (OVA) peptide 257–264) in association with class I major histocompatibility complex. The K14-sOVA/OT-I DTg mice develop a destructive process selectively targeting the external ear pinnae in the first 6 days of life. The ear bud area develops an intense inflammatory infiltrate of OT-I cells. Administration of the SIINFEKL peptide intravenously to pregnant F1 (filial 1, first filial generation of animal offspring from cross-mating two parental types) mice and subsequently intraperitoneally to newborn pups resulted in normal external ear development. Treatment with this self-peptide markedly reduced OT-I cell numbers, as well as downregulated the CD8 co-receptor. This model can be useful in studying localized, tissue-specific, immune-mediated skin disease, and provide information about potential therapies for autoimmune diseases in which specific molecular targets are known.
Turbulent airflow at young sea states with frequent wave breaking events: Large-eddy simulation

AbstractA neutrally stratified turbulent airflow over a very young sea surface at a high-wind condition was investigated using large-eddy simulations. In such a state, the dominant drag at the sea surface occurs over breaking waves, and the relationship between the dominant drag and local instantaneous surface wind is highly stochastic and anisotropic. To model such a relationship, a bottom boundary stress parameterization was proposed for the very young sea surface resolving individual breakers. This parameterization was compared to the commonly used parameterization for isotropic surfaces. Over both the young sea and isotropic surfaces, the main near-surface turbulence structure was wall-attached, large-scale, quasi-streamwise vortices. Over the young sea surface, these vortices were more intense, and the near-surface mean velocity gradient was smaller. This is because the isotropic surface weakens the swirling motions of the vortices by spanwise drag. In contrast, the young sea surface exerts little sp...