cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel approaches to treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic metastases using thermal ablation and thermosensitive liposomes.

There is a need for therapies that can effectively treat primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as metastases to the liver. HCC is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cause for cancer death.1 Metastasis to the liver occurs commonly from primary cancers of the gastrointestinal track and other solid tumors. Surgical resection is an option for less than 30% of patients presenting with metastases.1,2 These patients are often not good surgical candidates, because of the location of the tumor or because of intercurrent disease, such as cirrhosis.2 However, thermal ablation is a cost-effective, nonsurgical option for treatment of patients with HCC and liver metastases3 and is currently practiced worldwide. In this review, a new approach is discussed, combining thermal ablation with drug-carrying thermosensitive liposomes. The rationale for this approach is presented and discussed in light of current liposome formulations and methods to achieve thermal ablation. A summary of preclinical and clinical studies that are relevant to treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancer is also presented.
Adaptive governance and climate change in the tropical highlands of Western South America

Climate changes occurring during the past several decades in the high elevations of the tropical Andes Mountains have implications for the native plant and animal species, for the ecological integrity of the affected land cover, and for the human-biophysical systems involved. Consequences are also probable for rural inhabitants and their livelihoods, especially for farmers and pastoralists. Biophysical factors have always changed in these mountainous zones; the extent and degree of alteration acting on native and agricultural biodiversity is the concern. Addressing these climate changes is probably within the adaptive capacity of many local land-use systems, unless external socioeconomic or political forces are unsupportive or antagonistic. Suitable programs to provide information, subsidies, or alternatives could be designed. We highlight some of the inherent resiliencies of natural and cultural systems in the Andes and suggest that these systems contain lessons that could be useful elsewhere, in terms of the traits that allow for the sustainable utilization of dynamic and heterogeneous landscapes.
Accelerated massed desensitization: Innovation in short-term treatment

Mathematics anxiety in 13 Ss was treated through two short term desensitization approaches. The marathon desensitization group exposed Ss to desensitization massed in five consecutive treatment blocks totalling 4 hr of therapy; the accelerated massed desensitization group was desensitized to only the highest items in the hierarchy within 2 hr involving two treatment blocks. In both treatment groups, Ss were not asked to signal if anxiety was experienced during scene presentation. Results on a self-rating scale, a performance measure, and an interview showed that both groups improved significantly following therapy. In addition, the level of improvement and the level of relaxation achieved by both groups were equivalent. Implications for theory and technique were discussed.
The system niobium pentoxide-phosphorus pentoxide

Abstract A partial phase diagram of the system Nb 2 O 5 P 2 O 5 has been determined experimentally, using the quenching technique and identifying the phases by X-ray powder diffractometry. The major phase, NbPO 5 , has a melting point above 1650°C. It transforms at about 1253°C from a low-temperature, tetragonal phase to a high-temperature, monoclinic phase, isostructural with TaPO 5 . The 9Nb 2 O 5 ·P 2 O 5 phase shows a limited solid solution range and melts incongruently at 1435°C. The eutectic between 9:1 and NbPO 5 is at 1365°C and 67 mole % Nb 2 O 5 . At 96.4 mole % Nb 2 O 5 another phase was found, stable between ∼1340 and 1420°C and isostructural with the 9:1 phase. A new monoclinic phase, “22:1” ss was found, with a limited stability field in both temperature and composition. It is most likely composed of 3 × 3 and 3 × 4 ReO 6 -type blocks of octahedrally oxygen-coordinated niobium. In the subsystem NbPO 5 P 2 O 5 liquidus values could not be determined even in sealed Pt tubes because of reactivity and high vapor pressure of P 2 O 5 . One compound was identified of probable composition Nb 2 O 5 ·2P 2 O 5 , with pseudocubic symmetry and melting incongruently at about 1025°C. X-ray powder diffraction data and unit cell dimensions are listed for the phases.
Image reconstruction in SPECT with a half detector

In parallel beam computed tomography, the measured projections at conjugate views are mathematically identical, and, consequently, this symmetry can be exploited for reducing either the scanning angle or the size of the detector arrays. However, in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), because the gamma-rays in the conjugate views suffer different photon attenuation, the measured projections at conjugate views are generally different. Therefore, it had been widely considered that projections measured data over a full angular range of 360 degrees and over the whole detector face are generally required for exactly reconstructing the distributions of gamma-ray emitters. Recently, it has been revealed that exact image can be reconstructed from projections acquired with a full detector over disjoint angular intervals whose summation is 180 degree when the attenuation medium is uniform. In this work, we show that exact SPECT images can also be reconstructed from projections over 360 degrees, but acquired with a half detector viewing half of the image space. We present an heuristic perspective that supports this claim for SPECT with both uniform and non-uniform attenuation.
Bell's palsy associated with acute herpetic gingivostomatitis

One of the most recent hypotheses relative to the cause of Bell's palsy is that involving the latent herpes simplex virus. A case is presented in which the primary infection of the facial nerve by the herpes simplex virus could have been a factor in the unilateral facial paralysis.
SPEAR3 Short-Pulse, Low-α Operation

The SPEAR3 storage ring at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, is delivering beam in a short-pulse, low-α operational mode. In order to deliver short photon pulses, the stored current in SPEAR3 must be reduced. In low-α mode, we presently deliver 100 mA total current with bunch lengths of 15 psec FWHM, compared to our standard operations with 500 mA and 46 psec FWHM bunch lengths. It is possible to deliver still shorter pulses at lower current. The low-α beam is stored in four bunch trains, interleaved with up to four “camshaft” timing bunches for pump-probe experiments. This simultaneously provides short pulses for timing experiments while ensuring 100 mA for experiments at other beamlines.
A Virtual Sample Generation Approach for Blast Furnace Fault Diagnosis

The blast furnace faults will cause significant economic and human losses. Therefore, the study of blast furnace intelligent fault diagnosis technology is necessary and important. But some real fault data is difficult to obtain .The training set can not be provided enough samples.So a new virtual fault samples generation method is designed to get enough tainning samples. The designed method uses group discovery technique and the Box-Muller method to generate the candidate virtual fault sample set. And then with the help of manifold contraction and the semi-supervised learning algorithm to select the virtual samples with better performance. By adding the selected virtual samples to the original training set,a new svm fault diagnosis classifier is obtained. The results show that this method can simulate the fault samples effectively,and the new classifier’s accuracy is much more acceptable.
Hemostatic triggers of myocardial infarction

Abstract The occurrence of acute ischemia in the coronary circulation, leading to myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death and numerous other thromboembolic events in different areas of the body, follows a circadian periodic pattern. This pattern is characterized by a major peak in the morning. Numerous circadian rhythms in different compartments of the hemostatic system contribute to this characteristic pattern. The temporal coincidence of vascular rhythms favoring impairment of the coronary circulation, with a morning increase in the activity of platelets in response to stimulation with a hypercoagulable state and a circadian minimum in fibrinolysis, leads to the increased incidence of thromboembolic events at that circadian stage. Direct circadian clock-dependence has been shown for some rhythms, e.g. in fibrinolysis, and circadian rhythm disturbances may favor coronary artery pathology. The circadian transient risk state for myocardial infarctions and other thromboembolic events during the morni...
Bayesian big bang

We show that the flow of particles corresponding to Bayes' rule has a number of striking similarities with the big bang, including cosmic inflation and cosmic acceleration. We derive a PDE for this flow using a log-homotopy from the prior probability density to the posteriori probability density. We solve this PDE using the gradient of the solution to Poisson's equation, which is computed using an exact Green's function and the standard Monte Carlo approximation of integrals. The resulting flow is analogous to Coulomb's law in electromagnetics. We have used no physics per se to derive this flow, but rather we have only used Bayes' rule and the definition of normalized probability and a loghomotopy parameter that could be interpreted as time. The details of this big bang resemble very recent theories much more closely than the so-called new inflation models, which postulate enormous inflation immediately after the big bang.
The light side of platelet dense granules

Comment on Gwynn et al, page [3181][1] An article in this issue of Blood provides genetic and molecular insights into a critical but relatively little understood aspect of platelet physiology, that is, the biosynthesis of platelet dense granules. Gwynn and colleagues use a positional cloning
Hybrid micro-scale CPV/PV architecture

A novel hybrid PV solar cell architecture is presented that integrates high-performance micro-optics-based CPV array technology with a 1-sun PV cell within a low-profile panel structure. The approach simultaneously captures the direct solar radiation components with arrayed high-efficiency CPV cells and the diffuse solar components with an underlying wide-area PV cell. Performance analyses predict that the hybrid approach will significantly enhance the average collected energy for the full range of diffuse/direct radiation patterns across the USA. Furthermore, cost analyses indicate that the hybrid concept may be beneficial for a wide range of locations. Preliminary out-door experimental evaluation of a micro-optical system for use in a hybrid architecture verified that a large proportion of the direct radiation component was concentrated onto emulated micro-PV cell regions while the photons collected in the 1-sun area would considerably boost the overall performance of such a CPV system.
Recombinant fragment of protein kinase inhibitor blocks cyclic AMP-dependent gene transcription

Transcriptional regulation by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in mammalian cells could be mediated by a phosphoprotein substrate of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase or, as in prokaryotes, by a cAMP-binding protein. Two synthetic genes that code for an active fragment of the protein inhibitor of this kinase and a mutant inactive fragment were constructed and used to distinguish these alternatives. Transient expression of the active peptide product specifically inhibited the cAMP-stimulated expression of a cotransfected reporter gene by more than 90 percent, whereas the expression of the inactive peptide did not alter cAMP-stimulated gene expression. The results indicate that an active kinase catalytic subunit is a necessary intermediate in the cAMP stimulation of gene transcription.
Returns to Scale and Economies of Scale Revisited

An earlier article published in this journal argued that economies of scale cannot exist unless the production function exhibits increasing returns to scale. Here, the condition that the firm faces constant input prices is added to this argument.
Severe hydronephrosis caused by an infected intra-abdominal fluid collection in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Case The authors report a case of a 10-year-old boy with myelodysplasia and shunted hydrocephalus who developed acute severe hydronephrosis presumed secondary to a large abdominal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection.
Human pancreatic polypeptide in a phospholipid-based micellar formulation.

Purpose Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) has important glucoregulatory functions and thereby holds significance in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. However, short plasma half-life and aggregation propensity of PP in aqueous solution, limits its therapeutic application. To address these issues, we prepared and characterized a formulation of PP in sterically stabilized micelles (SSM) that protects and stabilizes PP in its active conformation.
Cryogenic Production Testing

Rockwell has realized rapid testing of Infrared Focal Plane Arrays (IRFPAs) using a totally automated cryogenic test station with the latest technology in device handling, data acquisition, illumination and throughput capabilities. This station provides testing of HgCdTe Focal Plane Arrays fabricated in a fully certified production facility. All aspects of this facility are under Quality Control surveillance including the hardware and software used by the automated test station.
RBCK1, an E3 Ubiquitin Ligase, Interacts with and Ubiquinates the Human Pregnane X Receptor

The pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) plays a pivotal role in the disposition and detoxification of numerous foreign and endogenous chemicals by increasing transcription of numerous target genes, including phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. In the present study, yeast two-hybrid screening identified an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RBCK1 (Ring-B-box-coiled-coil protein interacting with protein kinase C-1), as a human pregnane X receptor (hPXR)–interacting protein. Coimmunoprecipitation studies confirmed the interaction between RBCK1 and hPXR when both were ectopically expressed in AD-293 cells. Domain mapping studies showed that the interaction between RBCK1 and hPXR involves all RBCK1 domains. We further demonstrate that RBCK1 ubiquitinates hPXR, and this may target hPXR for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Simultaneous ectopic overexpression of RBCK1 and PXR decreased PXR levels in AD-293 cells, and this decrease was inhibited by the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132 (carbobenzoxy-Leu-Leu-leucinal). Furthermore, overexpression of RBCK1 decreased endogenous levels of PXR in HepG2 cells. Of importance, ectopic overexpression and silencing of endogenous RBCK1 in primary human hepatocytes resulted in a decrease and increase, respectively, in endogenous PXR protein levels and in the induction of PXR target genes by rifampicin. These results suggest that RBCK1 is important for the ubiquitination of PXR and may play a role in its proteasomal degradation.
Value at risk and efficiency under dependence and heavy-tailedness: models with common shocks

This paper presents an analysis of diversification and portfolio value at risk for heavy-tailed dependent risks in models with multiple common shocks. We show that, in the framework of value at risk comparisons, diversification is optimal for moderately heavy-tailed dependent risks with common shocks and finite first moments, provided that the model is balanced, i.e., that all the risks are available for portfolio formation. However, diversification is inferior in balanced extremely heavy-tailed risk models with common factors. Finally, in several unbalanced dependent models, diversification is optimal, even though there is extreme heavy-tailedness in common shocks or in idiosyncratic parts of the risks. Analogues of the obtained results further hold for efficiency comparisons of linear estimators in random effects models with dependent and heavy-tailed observations.
The Range Of Reading Skills Within And Across General Education Classrooms: Contributions To Understanding Special Education For Students With Mild Handicaps

This study examined the range of reading skills in elementary classrooms to understand the instructional needs of general education students. Students in Grades 1-6 were tested using two curriculum-based reading measures. Results documented a wide range of reading skills both within and across grades. Findings are discussed in terms of relations between general and special education.
Ground reaction forces in horses trotting up an incline and on the level over a range of speeds.

Although the forces required to support the body mass are not elevated when moving up an incline, kinematic studies, in vivo tendon and bone studies and kinetic studies suggest there is a shift in forces from the fore- to the hindlimbs in quadrupeds. However, there are no whole-animal kinetic measurements of incline locomotion. Based on previous related research, we hypothesized that there would be a shift in forces to the hindlimb. The present study measured the force produced by the fore- and hindlimbs of horses while trotting over a range of speeds (2.5 to 5 m s–1) on both level and up an inclined (10%) surface. On the level, forelimb peak forces increased with trotting speed, but hindlimb peak force remained constant. On the incline, both fore- and hindlimb peak forces increased with speed, but the sum of the peak forces was lower than on the level. On the level, over the range of speeds tested, total force was consistently distributed between the limbs as 57% forelimb and 43% hindlimb, similar to the weight distribution of the horses during static weight tests. On the incline, the force distribution during locomotion shifted to 52% forelimb and 48% hindlimb. Time of contact and duty factor decreased with speed for both limbs. Time of contact was longer for the forelimb than the hindlimb, a finding not previously reported for quadrupeds. Time of contact of both limbs tended to be longer when traveling up the incline than on the level, but duty factor for both limbs was similar under both conditions. Duty factor decreased slightly with increased speed for the hindlimb on the level, and the corresponding small, predicted increase in peak vertical force could not be detected statistically.
Runoff Prediction in Ungauged Basins: Synthesis Across Processes, Places and Scales

A question about how to predict the runoff from a basin where there is no history of flow measurements is probably featured in almost every hydrology graduate student's oral examinations. It has certainly been one of the longest-standing problems for the profession. The International Association of Hydrological Sciences Prediction in Ungauged Basins initiative [Wagener et al., 2004] has focused researchers and meetings on the topic, culminating in this book, which assembles the thoughts gathered over the last decade.
Analysis of Promoter Recognition In Vivo Directed by ςF of Bacillus subtilis by Using Random-Sequence Oligonucleotides

Formation of spores from vegetative bacteria by Bacillus subtilis is a primitive system of cell differentiation. Critical to spore formation is the action of a series of sporulation-specific RNA polymerase ς factors. Of these, ςF is the first to become active. Few genes have been identified that are transcribed by RNA polymerase containing ςF (E-ςF), and only two genes of known function are exclusively under the control of E-ςF, spoIIR and spoIIQ. In order to investigate the features of promoters that are recognized by E-ςF, we studied the effects of randomizing sequences for the −10 and −35 regions of the promoter for spoIIQ. The randomized promoter regions were cloned in front of a promoterless copy of lacZ in a vector designed for insertion by double crossover of single copies of the promoter-lacZ fusions into the amyE region of the B. subtilis chromosome. This system made it possible to test for transcription of lacZ by E-ςF in vivo. The results indicate a weak ςF-specific −10 consensus, GG/tNNANNNT, of which the ANNNT portion is common to all sporulation-associated ς factors, as well as to ςA. There was a rather stronger −35 consensus, GTATA/T, of which GNATA is also recognized by other sporulation-associated ς factors. The looseness of the ςF promoter requirement contrasts with the strict requirement for ςA-directed promoters of B. subtilis. It suggests that additional, unknown, parameters may help determine the specificity of promoter recognition by E-ςF in vivo.
Distortions in recall from visual memory: Two classes of attractors at work

In a trio of experiments, a matching procedure generated direct, analogue measures of short-term memory for the spatial frequency of Gabor stimuli. Experiment 1 showed that when just a single Gabor was presented for study, a retention interval of just a few seconds was enough to increase the variability of matches, suggesting that noise in memory substantially exceeds that in vision. Experiment 2 revealed that when a pair of Gabors was presented on each trial, the remembered appearance of one of the Gabors was influenced by: (1) the relationship between its spatial frequency and the spatial frequency of the accompanying, task-irrelevant non-target stimulus; and (2) the average spatial frequency of Gabors seen on previous trials. These two influences, which work on very different time scales, were approximately additive in their effects, each operating as an attractor for remembered appearance. Experiment 3 showed that a timely pre-stimulus cue allowed selective attention to curtail the influence of a task-irrelevant non-target, without diminishing the impact of the stimuli seen on previous trials. It appears that these two separable attractors influence distinct processes, with perception being influenced by the non-target stimulus and memory being influenced by stimuli seen on previous trials.
Causes of River Avulsion: Insights from the Late Holocene Avulsion History of the Mississippi River, U.S.A.—Discussion

Our understanding of river avulsions is still in its infancy, especially if we are to rationally predict how, when, and where avulsions will occur. The recent paper by Aslan et al. (2005) sheds new light on the late Holocene evolution of the Lower Mississippi Valley, with particular emphasis on the avulsion that led to the formation of the Atchafalaya River. Although we welcome their contribution and agree with most of their conclusions, we also feel that a key point raised in their paper is somewhat misleading. Aslan et al. (2005) contend that factors other than gradient advantage (notably the presence of buried sand bodies and/or floodplain topography associated with residual channels) are at least as important in determining the occurrence …
Aging impairs contraction-induced human skeletal muscle mTORC1 signaling and protein synthesis

Sarcopenia, the loss of skeletal muscle mass during aging, increases the risk for falls and dependency. Resistance exercise (RE) training is an effective treatment to improve muscle mass and strength in older adults, but aging is associated with a smaller amount of training-induced hypertrophy. This may be due in part to an inability to stimulate muscle-protein synthesis (MPS) after an acute bout of RE. We hypothesized that older adults would have impaired mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)1 signaling and MPS response compared with young adults after acute RE. We measured intracellular signaling and MPS in 16 older (mean 70 ± 2 years) and 16 younger (27 ± 2 years) subjects. Muscle biopsies were sampled at baseline and at 3, 6 and 24 hr after exercise. Phosphorylation of regulatory signaling proteins and MPS were determined on successive muscle biopsies by immunoblotting and stable isotopic tracer techniques, respectively. Increased phosphorylation was seen only in the younger group (P 0.05). After exercise, MPS increased from baseline only in the younger group (P< 0.05), with MPS being significantly greater than that in the older group (P < 0.05). We conclude that aging impairs contraction-induced human skeletal muscle mTORC1 signaling and protein synthesis. These age-related differences may contribute to the blunted hypertrophic response seen after resistance-exercise training in older adults, and highlight the mTORC1 pathway as a key therapeutic target to prevent sarcopenia.
Perception and Sense of Control Over Eating Behaviors Among a Diverse Sample of Adults at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to explore and understand knowledge and attitudes about food, diet, and weight control, focusing on barriers and motivators to reduce risk of developing type 2 d...
Observation of an optical Feshbach resonance in 88 Sr

We have tuned the s-wave scattering length of 88Sr via an optical Feshbach resonance. Change in the rate of thermalization of atoms reveals a slight increase in the phase space density of the atom sample.
Leadership, Group Activity and Sociometric Choice in Service Sororities and Fraternities:

Task and socio-emotional functions are specialized in many groups. The critical variable seems to be the extent to which the task goals are salient to all group members and consequently viewed as legitimate. The tasks in service fraternities and sororities are likely to be accepted by all members, since a condition for membership is a desire to serve. This study investigated the task and socio-emotional functions in eight such fraternities and sororities (N of 169). Significant correlations obtained between sociometric choice for real leader and actual leadership, between sociometric choice for real leader and best-liked person, and between best-liked person and assessment of task activity. Results suggest that role differentiation is a function of task legitimacy and consequently the legitimacy of leadership itself.
Investigation of thermal and viscoelastic properties of polymers relevant to hot melt extrusion - II: Cellulosic polymers.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the thermal and viscoelastic properties of cellulosic polymers commonly used in hot melt extrusion (HME). Cellulose ethers of different molecular weight (MW) with varied degree of substitution and functional groups were analyzed using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and oscillatory rheometry. The results indicate that glass transition temperature (T g ) and viscoelastic characteristics of polymers strongly depend on their chain length, MW, and degree and type of substitutions in the main chain. In general, an increase in chain length or MW was found to increase T g as well as the viscosity (HPMC, MW10000 < MW 25000 < MW 150000). Also, substitutions with bulkier groups decrease the T g and viscosity of the polymer. Most of the cellulosics were found to have high viscosity between their T g and degradation temperature (T d ), and thus cannot be extruded by themselves. The thermal properties in combination with polymer viscosity at different temperature will help formulators determine processability using HME.
U.S. spousal homicide rates by racial composition of marriage

Abstract Purpose American spousal homicide rates persistently and substantially vary by racial composition of the married couple. Analyses examined different racial couple types' spousal homicide rates in light of nonspousal homicide victimization and offending rates and couple types' average social, demographic, and economic characteristics. Methods Analyses used 2003 to 2007 spousal homicide data from Supplementary Homicide Reports for which missing data have been multiply imputed. Current Population Survey data provided estimates of the number and average characteristics of different couple types. Log-linear models related couple types' differing spousal homicide rates to different race-sex groups' general rates of homicide victimization and offending and couple types' average characteristics. Results Among couple types with at least 50,000 couples, annual rates of male-on-female spousal homicide ranged from 0.95 to 8.76 per 100,000 couples; for female-on-male spousal homicide, this range was 0.13 to 2.29. Rates somewhat reflect different race-sex groups' nonspousal homicide activity, but with greater gender disparity and an excess of spousal homicide in some couple types. The association between victim's and offender's race is parsimoniously described by models using couple types' average characteristics (proportion with female's education exceeding the male's, proportion in central cities, and relative frequency). Conclusions General homicidal-violence reduction strategies may partly apply to spousal homicide, but specifically targeted efforts are required too. Interventions must address different couple types' particular social, economic, and cultural experiences.
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of OROS methylphenidate in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of once-daily OROS methylphenidate (MPH) in the treatment of adults with DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods We conducted a randomized, 6-week, placebo-controlled, parallel-design study of OROS MPH in 141 adult subjects with DSM-IV ADHD, using standardized instruments for diagnosis. OROS MPH or placebo was initiated at 36 mg/day and titrated to optimal response, depending on efficacy and tolerability, up to 1.3 mg/kg/day. Results Treatment with OROS MPH was associated with clinically and statistically significant reductions in DSM-IV symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity relative to subjects treated with placebo. At endpoint, 66% of subjects ( n = 44) receiving OROS MPH and 39% of subjects ( n = 23) receiving placebo attained our a priori definition of response of much or very much improved on the Clinical Global Impression–Improvement scale plus a >30% reduction in Adult ADHD Investigator System Report Scale score. OROS MPH was associated with small but statistically significant increases in systolic blood pressure (3.5 ± 11.8 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (4.0 ± 8.5 mm Hg), and heart rate (4.5 ± 10.5 bpm). Conclusions These results show that treatment with OROS MPH in daily doses of up to 1.3 mg/kg/day was effective in the treatment of adults with ADHD. Because of the potential for increases in blood pressure and heart rate, subjects receiving treatment with MPH should be monitored for changes in blood pressure parameters during treatment.
Critical role of IRF-5 in regulation of B-cell differentiation

Abstract IFN-regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5), a member of the IRF family, is a transcription factor that has a key role in the induction of the antiviral and inflammatory response. When compared with C57BL/6 mice, Irf5−/− mice show higher susceptibility to viral infection and decreased serum levels of type I IFN and the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Here, we demonstrate that IRF-5 is involved in B-cell maturation and the stimulation of Blimp-1 expression. The Irf5−/− mice develop an age-related splenomegaly, associated with a dramatic accumulation of CD19+B220− B cells and a disruption of normal splenic architecture. Splenic B cells from Irf5−/− mice also exhibited a decreased level of plasma cells. The CD19+ Irf5−/− B cells show a defect in Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7- and TLR9-induced IL-6 production, and the aged Irf5−/− mice have decreased serum levels of natural antibodies; however, the antigen-specific IgG1 primary response was already dependent in IRF-5 in young mice, although the IgM response was not. Analysis of the profile of transcription factors associated with plasma cell differentiation shows down-regulation of Blimp-1 expression, a master regulator of plasma cell differentiation, which can be reconstituted with ectopic IRF-5. IRF-5 stimulates transcription of the Prdm1 gene encoding Blimp-1 and binds to the IRF site in the Prdm1 promoter. Collectively, these results reveal that the age-related splenomegaly in Irf5−/− mice is associated with an accumulation of CD19+B220− B cells with impaired functions and show the role of IRF-5 in the direct regulation of the plasma cell commitment factor Blimp-1 and in B-cell terminal differentiation.
Mitochondrial oxidative substrate selection in porcine bladder smooth muscle.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Alterations in bladder smooth muscle (BSM) metabolism due to alterations in plasma lipid levels may be important with the increasingly high fat diets eaten by most Americans. To determine the susceptibility of BSM to lipotoxicity we examined the normal pattern of mitochondrial substrate selection in BSM and the ability of BSM to respond to changes in metabolic substrate provision.Materials and Methods: BSM strips were incubated in 5 mM 1-13C-glucose and 0 to 5 mM 1,2-13C-acetate. The pattern of substrate use measured by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance using BSM extracts. BSM was also cultured for 4 days to elicit changes in cell phenotype.Results: At physiological levels of glucose and acetate about 50% of the substrate used by mitochondria was glucose. When acetate concentration was changed from physiological levels (0.1 mM) to pathophysiological levels (0.5 mM), BSM was able to increase the use of acetate, while sparing the use of glucose and intracellular substrates, likely lipids. Abov...
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Activators Inhibit Gene Expression and Migration in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract—Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in atherogenesis and restenosis after arterial interventions. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), ...
Promises and False Promises of PowerLine Carrier (PLC) Broadband Communications – A Techno-Economic Analysis

PowerLine Carrier (PLC) Communications have been heralded as the "3rd wire" to every home. Recent activity has indicated this technology is just on the threshold for achieving commercialization, with numerous pilot trials, demos, and limited deployments underway in the U.S. and abroad. While the technical challenges to building PLC systems are being addressed, there has been little public analysis of the techno-economic case for PLC systems in the U.S. market. We present such an analysis based on publicly available and estimated numbers and design information from power distribution systems and telecommunications networks. In the presented model and analysis, we examine whether PLC can really compete (with technologies such as DSL and cable), and what assumptions and unknowns really matter for its success. The paper examines some of the pros and cons of this technology.
Analysis of nucleotide diphosphate sugar dehydrogenases reveals family and group-specific relationships

UNLABELLED UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH), UDP-N-acetyl-mannosamine dehydrogenase (UDPNAMDH) and GDP-mannose dehydrogenase (GDPMDH) belong to a family of NAD (+)-linked 4-electron-transfering oxidoreductases called nucleotide diphosphate sugar dehydrogenases (NDP-SDHs). UDPGDH is an enzyme responsible for converting UDP-d-glucose to UDP-d-glucuronic acid, a product that has different roles depending on the organism in which it is found. UDPNAMDH and GDPMDH convert UDP-N-acetyl-mannosamine to UDP-N-acetyl-mannosaminuronic acid and GDP-mannose to GDP-mannuronic acid, respectively, by a similar mechanism to UDPGDH. Their products are used as essential building blocks for the exopolysaccharides found in organisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Few studies have investigated the relationships between these enzymes. This study reveals the relationships between the three enzymes by analysing 229 amino acid sequences. Eighteen invariant and several other highly conserved residues were identified, each serving critical roles in maintaining enzyme structure, coenzyme binding or catalytic function. Also, 10 conserved motifs that included most of the conserved residues were identified and their roles proposed. A phylogenetic tree demonstrated relationships between each group and verified group assignment. Finally, group entropy analysis identified novel conservations unique to each NDP-SDH group, including residue positions critical to NDP-sugar substrate interaction, enzyme structure and intersubunit contact. These positions may serve as targets for future research. ENZYMES UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH, EC 1.1.1.22).
Disorders with Excessive Muscle Contraction: Candidates for Treatment with Intramuscular Botulinum Toxin (“Botox”)

The initial clinical use of local injections of type A botulinum toxin (botox) was for the treatment of strabismus.1 The intended goal was to block acetylcholinergic neuromuscular junctions and rebalance neural input to the extraocular rectus muscles; this enhanced convergence.2 Several drugs, including alpha-bungarotoxin, had been considered prior to botox, but each had limitations. These included lack of selectivity, undesired side effects, short duration of action, and substantial antigenicity. Botox has the advantage of being apotent neuromuscular blocking agent while not suffering as many limitations as other putative therapeutic agents.
Field Examination of the Influence of Azadirachtin on Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus

Two field experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), nuclear polyhedrosis virus (Gypchek) and the triterpene azadirachtin when consumed on sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua L., a common larval host of the insect in the mid-Atlantic region. In the 1st experiment, no significant differences in survival were observed for 2nd instars that consumed the virus on sweetgum or white oak, Quercus alba L., foliage following an aerial application. In the 2nd experiment, a ground application of the virus with and without azadirachtin, an insecticidal extract from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, was tested to examine the potential enhancement of viral efficacy by this compound. When applied to sweetgum foliage, the virus without azadirachtin treatment resulted in the highest level of mortality to 2nd instars that consumed the treatments on sweetgum foliage followed by the virus with azadirachtin treatment, the azadirachtin treatment, and the controls. There was no enhancement of viral activity when the azadirachtin was added to the formulation. The 2 azadirachtin treatments resulted in a significant reduction in larval weight gain, probably because of a reduction in feeding by the insects after ingestion of the compound.
Vitamin D and incident urinary incontinence in older adults.

The aim of this study is to determine whether vitamin D status is associated with incident urinary incontinence (UI) among community-dwelling older adults. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging is a prospective cohort study of community-dwelling Medicare enrollees. Standardized assessment of UI was conducted using the validated Incontinence Severity Index. The analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels was performed on stored baseline sera. UI was assessed every 6–12 months for up to 42 months. The analyses included multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models. Of 350 participants (175 male, 147 black, mean age 73.6±5.8), 54% (189/350) were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D <20 ng/ml) and 25% (87/350) were vitamin D insufficient (25(OH)D: 20 ng/ml to <30 ng/ml). Among the 187 subjects with no UI at baseline, 57% (107/187) were vitamin D deficient and 24% (45/187) were vitamin D insufficient. A total of 175 of the 187 subjects had follow-up evaluation for incident UI over 42 months, and incident UI occurred in 37% (65/175). After adjustment, cumulative incident UI at 42 months was associated with baseline vitamin D insufficiency (P=0.03) and demonstrated a trend association with deficiency (P=0.07). There was no association between baseline vitamin D status and the time to incident UI. These preliminary results support an association between vitamin D and incident UI in community-dwelling older adults. Future studies may target specific at-risk groups, such as men with BPH or women with pelvic floor disorders for evaluation of the impact of vitamin D supplementation on urinary symptoms.
(P1-82) Implementation of an Active Vaccination Strategy Increased the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Vaccine Coverage among Swedish Children

Introduction The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) identified young children as a group at higher risk of developing severe pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection compared with the general population. Since children have high attack rates and seem essential in augmenting local outbreaks of influenza, vaccination of children was an important objective in the Swedish pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination campaign. Children Objective The objective of this study was to compare the vaccination coverage among children 1–12 years of age in different councils in the County of Jamtland, Sweden that either implemented an active advocating or a passive vaccination strategy. The active strategy included direct information to parents promoting vaccination, individual appointments, collaboration between different care providers, and visits of vaccination teams to day care centers and schools, whereas no specific measures, except general information in press and media, were undertaken in councils using a passive approach. Methods All pandemic vaccinations in the County of Jamtland were registered in a Web-based registration software system. Vaccine coverage was determined by comparing the actual number of children residing in different councils with the number of vaccinated children. Results A total of 4,162 of 6,000 children (69.3%) residing in councils using an active vaccination strategy were vaccinated compared with 5,059 of 9,373 children (53.9%) living in councils using a passive vaccination strategy ( p Conclusions Implementation of an active advocating vaccination strategy during the Swedish pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination campaign resulted in a significantly higher vaccination coverage rate compared with a passive vaccination strategy.
Abstract 349: Fascin expression in colorectal cancer metastases predicts survival after curative-intent surgery

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is limited to a few lesions in the lungs or liver may benefit from the complete surgical removal of all deposits of metastatic cancer (referred to as a curative metastasectomy). Although the outcome after this curative-intent surgery is considerably better than patients with more extensive metastatic cancer, only a third of the surgical patients are actually cured. As a result, there is a great need for a mechanism to predict outcome after surgery for limited metastatic cancer, in order to better match patients with effective therapy. Fascin is an actin bundling protein linked to epithelial to mesenchymal transformation and metastatic progression. Fascin expression has previously demonstrated prognostic potential in patients with extensive metastatic colorectal cancer. We hypothesized that Fascin expression within surgically removed colorectal cancer metastases would correlate with survival after curative-intent surgery. Methods: 82 paraffin embedded colorectal metastases collected after curative-intent surgery between 1990 and 2008 were incorporated into tissue microarrays (TMAs) in two fold redundancy. Fascin expression within the metastases was determined by quantitative immunofluorescence using Automated Quantitative Analysis (AQUA), and normalized based on a panel of cell lines (AQUA score range 0-72). The median follow up was 2.8 years and thus far 51 patients have died (62%). Results: The majority of colorectal cancer metastases had been removed from the liver (70 patients), while 12 represented pulmonary metastases. There were no differences in survival by location of metastases (p = .65). Survival was analyzed based on high (top quartile, n = 21) and low (bottom three quartiles, n = 61) expression of Fascin (AQUA score cut point of 3.4). High expression of Fascin correlated with a worse prognosis, HR 1.97; 95% CI 1.07-3.62 p = .009. Conclusions: Fascin expression within colorectal cancer metastases may be used to predict outcome after curative-intent surgery. Patients with high Fascin expression may be considered for additional therapy or may be advised against particularly high risk procedures. Further study is warranted to validate the role of Fascin expression analysis in this patient cohort. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 349. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-349
When Crisis Knocks, Call a Powerful CEO (or Not): Investigating the Contingent Link Between CEO Power and Firm Performance During Industry Turmoil:

CEO power seems to be a double-edged sword: Agency-theoretic research views CEO power as ultimately detrimental to the firm, whereas the strategic leadership literature highlights the instrumental ...
DRO1 influences root system architecture in Arabidopsis and Prunus species.

Summary Roots provide essential uptake of water and nutrients from the soil, as well as anchorage and stability for the whole plant. Root orientation, or angle, is an important component of the overall architecture and depth of the root system; however, little is known about the genetic control of this trait. Recent reports in Oryza sativa (rice) identified a role for DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) in influencing the orientation of the root system, leading to positive changes in grain yields under water-limited conditions. Here we found that DRO1 and DRO1-related genes are present across diverse plant phyla, and fall within the IGT gene family. The IGT family also includes TAC1 and LAZY1, which are known to affect the orientation of lateral shoots. Consistent with a potential role in root development, DRO1 homologs in Arabidopsis and peach showed root-specific expression. Promoter–reporter constructs revealed that AtDRO1 is predominantly expressed in both the root vasculature and root tips, in a distinct developmental pattern. Mutation of AtDRO1 led to more horizontal lateral root angles. Overexpression of AtDRO1 under a constitutive promoter resulted in steeper lateral root angles, as well as shoot phenotypes including upward leaf curling, shortened siliques and narrow lateral branch angles. A conserved C-terminal EAR-like motif found in IGT genes was required for these ectopic phenotypes. Overexpression of PpeDRO1 in Prunus domestica (plum) led to deeper-rooting phenotypes. Collectively, these data indicate a potential application for DRO1-related genes to alter root architecture for drought avoidance and improved resource use.