cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunochemical analyses of nucleic acids.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recent developments made in the production and assay of antibodies to nucleic acids, structural analyses of specific antibody/nucleic acid interactions, and the applications of the antibodies as biochemical reagents. There has been much progress in the structural analysis of the way antibodies recognize a variety of nucleic acid epitopes in single bases, nucleosides and nucleotides, short oligonucleotides, single stranded DNA, RNA, certain double- and triple-helical polynucleotides, and variants such as cruciform structures. The definition of specificity (and, in some cases, of cross-reactivity) for nucleic acid epitopes has been greatly facilitated by the preparation of hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies. In recent years, hybridomas have also allowed the analysis of the genes that encode the variable regions of antibodies to nucleic acids. The heavy- and light-chain variable-region cDNAs of many auto-antibodies to DNA and a few experimentally induced antibodies have been cloned and sequenced. Very diverse amino-acid sequences make up the complementarity determining regions loops of the many antibodies for which the primary structure is known. This information, along with the development of plasmid vectors that allow the expression of immunoglobulin genes and production of recombinant antibody fragments, opens the door to a future in which a rich variety of specific nucleic-acid-binding reagents may be designed and synthesized. In the course of such research, much has been learned about the many ways in which proteins can interact specifically with nucleic acids.
Image Thickness Correction for Navigation with 3D Intra-cardiac Ultrasound Catheter

In this paper we present an algorithm to correct 3D reconstruction errors of 3D ultrasound catheter caused by ultrasound image thickness. We also provide a method to quickly measure ultrasound image plane's thickness. With thickness correction registration accuracy of navigation system using 3D ultrasound catheters can be improved by 20%.
Model-Driven Vision for Industrial Automation

Automatic computer analysis of images for recognition, inspection, and verification has advanced to the stage where it is feasible for many industrial applications. Industry has a need for productivity enhancements and there is a growing acceptance of other forms of computer controlled automation (such as the industrial robot). The state-of-the-art in image processing techniques, the reduced cost and size and higher reliability of image sensors, and the trend toward low-priced, yet high-performance micro- and mini-processors seems to indicate that the time is “ripe” for the introduction of complex vision tasks to industry. However, the problem in implementing computer vision tasks in the past has been one of programmability, that is, the need for skilled programmers to generate the analysis program for each new task.
Magnetic Reconnection in Astrophysical Systems

The main subject of my talk is the question: in what kind of astrophysical systems magnetic reconnection is interesting and/or important? To address this question, I first put forward three general criteria for selecting the relevant astrophysical environments. Namely, reconnection should be: fast; energetically important; and observable. From this, I deduce that the gas density should be low, so that the plasma is: collisionless; force-free; and optically thin. Thus, for example, the requirement that reconnection is fast implies that Petschek's reconnection mechanism must be operating, which is possible, apparently, only in the collisionless regime. Next, I argue that the force-free condition implies that the magnetic field be produced in, and anchored by, a nearby dense massive object, e.g., a star or a disk, strongly stratified by gravity. I then stress the importance of field-line opening (e.g., by differential rotation) as a means to form a reconnecting current sheet. Correspondingly, I suggest the Y-point helmet streamer as a generic prototypical magnetic configuration relevant to large-scale reconnection in astrophysics. Finally, I discuss several specific astrophysical systems where the above criteria are met: stellar coronae, magnetically-interacting star--disk systems, and magnetized coronae above turbulent accretion disks. In the Appendix, I apply the ideas put forward in this talk to the solar coronal heating problem.
Structural Evidence that Propofol Stabilizes Different GABAA Receptor States at Potentiating and Activating Concentrations

The GABA A receptor is a target of many general anesthetics, such as propofol. General anesthetic binding sites are distinct from the GABA binding sites. At low concentrations, the anesthetics potentiate the currents induced by submaximal GABA concentrations. At higher concentrations the anesthetics directly activate GABA A receptors. In contrast, benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, only potentiate currents induced by submaximal GABA concentrations. Channel kinetic studies suggest that these drugs stabilize different receptor states. We previously showed that the accessibility of the anionic sulfhydryl reagent p -chloromercuribenzenesulfonate (pCMBS − ) applied extracellularly to cysteines substituted for residues in the GABA A α 1 subunit M3 membrane-spanning segment was state-dependent. The subset of pCMBS − -accessible, M3 segment cysteine mutants acts as a reporter for receptor conformation. Here we show that pCMBS − , applied in the presence of a potentiating concentration of propofol, reacts with a subset of α 1 subunit, M3 segment, cysteine-substitution mutants (Y294C, V297C, I302C, F304C). In the presence of a directly activating concentration of propofol pCMBS − reacts with a different subset of the M3 cysteine-substitution mutants (Y294C, S299C, I302C, E303C, A305C). These subsets are distinct from the subsets of M3 cysteine-substitution mutants that are reactive with pCMBS − in the absence and presence of GABA and in the presence of diazepam. We hypothesize that distinct subsets of reactive residues represent distinct conformations or ensembles of conformations of the receptor. These results provide structural evidence for at least five distinct receptor states, three nonconducting states, resting, diazepam-bound and potentiating propofol-bound, and two conducting–desensitized states, the activating propofol-bound and GABA-bound states.
Electrical design methodology of a 407 pin multi-layer ceramic package

A multilayer ceramic package capable of providing up to 350 I/O connections at a frequency of up to 60 MHz is discussed. The package supports driver risetimes of 1 ns and is compatible with conventional through-hole assembly processes. The critical parameters are propagation delay, ground path inductance, power supply inductance to bypass capacitor, near-end and far-end crosstalk, and the degree of isolation between power supplies. The final design of the package consisted of 12 metallization layers distributed among power, ground and signal-routing planes. Readily available software was used for the design. The design, layout, modeling, and simulation analysis was done on HP 9000 series 300 computers. >
Decontamination of Three Mile Island Unit 2

This compendium of previously published works, supplemented with discussion based on current perspective, summarizes the methods and equipment employed to decontaminate Three Mile Island Unit 2 from the accident of March 28, 1979 through May 1988. Early decontamination efforts are described to clarify the lessons learned from these activities when viewed from the present perspective. New developments in conventional technology, such as hydrolasers and new technologies for decontamination operations, such as steam cleaning, vacuuming, ultra-high-pressure waterjets, and remotely operated vehicles, are discussed.
Intracranial sinus thrombosis in a patient with Crohn disease and factor V Leiden mutation.

Abstract There is a well-known risk of thrombosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Documented cases of intracranial sinus thrombosis in this setting are rare. We present the case of a 30-year-old man with Crohn disease who spontaneously developed a superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and bifrontal infarcts that resulted in death. The patient was heterozygous for factor V Leiden mutation. The literature was searched to assess the frequency of cerebral venous infarcts in inflammatory bowel disease and the role that factor V Leiden plays in thrombosis in such patients.
Three Dimensional Imaging of Clathrin Coat Dynamics in Living Cells and Tissues

We generated a tracking algorithm that enables us to map the three dimensional trajectories of fluorescent objects imaged by spinning disc confocal microscopy. We have then used it to follow the formation of clathrin coated structures within the cytoplasm of cells in cultures and within the cells in live Drosophila tissues. In the first step of the analysis, the algorithm extracts the X, Y coordinates of the fluorescent spots from the projected image of a rapidly acquired 3D stack by the use of the Fluorescence Imaging with One Nanometer Accuracy (FIONA) technique. Next, a region of interest (centered at the positions determined by FIONA analysis) is defined and extended to all of the focal planes so as to obtain the fluorescence intensity distribution of each spot along the Z axis. Finally, a single Gaussian curve, fitted to the intensities calculated from the regions of interest, is used to determine the axial position (as described by Watanabe and Higuchi, Biophysical Journal, 2007). Using this tracking scheme we are able to extract for the first time the temporal and spatial behavior of AP-3 containing clathrin structures as they traffic between endosomes and lysosomes of BSC1 monkey cells. We have also managed to dissect the behavior of clathrin coated structures as they form at the plasma membrane and in endosomes of Drosophila embryo and third instar larvae imaginal disc epithelial cells.
Diffusion, active transport and metabolism of purines in the yeast Torulopsis candida.

Abstract Torulopsis candida actively accumulated guanine, xanthine and uric acid from the medium when these compounds were present as the sole nitrogen sources. The yeast was able to use endogenous reserves as an energy source for transport. Adenine, hypoxanthine and several other purines were not actively accumulated. Guanine, xanthine and uric acid were catabolized; guanase and uricase were present but no xanthine oxidase or dehydrogenase activities were detected in extracts and homogenates of the yeast. Although a transport system for 8-azaguanine was not found, the yeast slowly converted 8-azaguanine to 8-azaxanthine. In experiments designed to study the kinetics of purine diffusion in T. candida, hypoxanthine, 6-mercaptopurine, 8-azaguanine and, with cyanide-treated yeast, xanthine behaved as expected for membrane diffusion. Guanine was adsorbed by cyanide-treated yeast and adenine was adsorbed by both normal and cyanide-treated yeast.
DFT Technique to Conclusively Translate Floating Nodes to High IDDQ Current in Analog Circuits

An IDDQ test sets all CMOS devices into a static digital state and then measures the tiny current leaking from power to ground. For this test to be useful, it is important to be able to conclusively verify IDDQ levels for individual design blocks via a simulation tool. This new methodology can help to conclusively verify that no floating nodes exist in a circuit which could hamper the usefulness of the system's IDDQ reliability test.
Natural Enemies and Their Effects on Apple Aphid, Aphis pomi DeGeer (Homoptera: Aphididae), Colonies on Young Apple Trees in Central Washington

Thirty-nine predators and two parasitoids were found attacking apple aphid, Aphis pomi DeGeer, in north-central Washington. Exclusion-cage experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of natural enemies. Early-spring control depended on aphidiid parasitoids which killed but failed to complete development in A. pomi . Poor synchrony between A. pomi and its major predators in most years resulted in a month-long “predator gap” allowing rapid aphid colony growth in June. Ground faunal predators including Forficulidae, Nabidae, Lygaeidae, and Phalangiidae helped to slow aphid population growth during this period. Terminal bud set usually occurred in July on mature trees, greatly reducing aphid populations, but young trees sometimes continued growing, allowing buildup of large aphid populations. These were preyed upon by large numbers of Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Miridae, Syrphidae, and Chamaemyiidae, which provided control of varying effectiveness. Important sources of effective apple aphid predators were peach orchards, riparian trees and shrubs, some urban ornamental plants, and weeds. Sage-chaparral and pear orchard habitats produced primarily ineffective apple aphid predators. Field feeding trials in single-leaf cages were used to estimate feeding rates of most of the predators.
Interactions of Anopheles gambiae Odorant-binding Proteins with a Human-derived Repellent: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MODE OF ACTION OF N,N-DIETHYL-3-METHYLBENZAMIDE (DEET).

The Anopheles gambiae mosquito, which is the vector for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, uses a series of olfactory cues emanating from human sweat to select humans as their source for a blood meal. Perception of these odors within the mosquito olfactory system involves the interplay of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors and disrupting the normal responses to those odorants that guide mosquito-human interactions represents an attractive approach to prevent the transmission of malaria. Previously, it has been shown that DEET targets multiple components of the olfactory system, including OBPs and odorant receptors. Here, we present the crystal structure of A. gambiae OBP1 (OBP1) in the complex it forms with a natural repellent 6-methyl-5-heptene-2-one (6-MH). We find that 6-MH binds to OBP1 at exactly the same site as DEET. However, key interactions with a highly conserved water molecule that are proposed to be important for DEET binding are not involved in binding of 6-MH. We show that 6-MH and DEET can compete for the binding of attractive odorants and in doing so disrupt the interaction that OBP1 makes with OBP4. We further show that 6-MH and DEET can bind simultaneously to OBPs with other ligands. These results suggest that the successful discovery of novel reagents targeting OBP function requires knowledge about the specific mechanism of binding to the OBP rather than their binding affinity.
Direct comparisons between residential and community students on school performance measures in a public school setting

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the school performance of residential youth who attended a public school setting. Direct comparisons were made between the residential youth and students in the community on a number of school measures. Results from a multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that the residential students had significantly lower grades, participated in significantly fewer extracurricular activities, and exhibited more problematic behaviors such as tardies and absences. These findings were consistent with previous research which found that many residential youth have a number of behavioral, social, and academic difficulties that interfere with school functioning. A number of recommendations were made regarding educational placement for residential youth.
Synthesis of sediment yields after wildland fire in different rainfall regimes in the western United States

Measurements of post-fire sediment erosion, transport, and deposition collected within 2 years of a wildfire were compiled from the published literature (1927–2007) for sites across the western United States. Annual post-fire sediment yields were computed and grouped into four measurement methods (hillslope point and plot measurements, channel measurements of suspended-sediment and sediment erosion or deposition volumes). Post-fire sediment yields for each method were then grouped into eight different rainfall regimes. Mean sediment yield from channels (240 t ha–1) was significantly greater than from hillslopes (82 t ha–1). This indicated that on the time scale of wildfire (10–100 years) channels were the primary sources of available sediment. A lack of correlation of sediment yield with topographic slope and soil erodibility further suggested that sediment availability may be more important than slope or soil erodibility in predicting post-fire sediment yields. The maximum post-fire sediment yields were comparable to long-term sediment yields from major rivers of the world. Based on 80 years of data from the literature, wildfires have been an important geomorphic agent of landscape change when linked with sufficient rainfall. These effects are limited in spatial scale to the immediate burned area and to downstream channel corridors.
Depot characteristics and biodistribution of interleukin-2 liposomes: importance of route of administration.

Due to rapid clearance of interleukin-2 (IL-2), it has had limited effective use as an in vivo immunostimulant. Current experimental and clinical protocols generally must utilize large doses, multiple injections, or continuous infusions of IL-2 in order to achieve significant immunostimulation, often at the expense of systemic toxicity. Therefore, the pharmacodynamics of IL-2 liposomes were investigated. IL-2 liposome incorporation efficiency was 80.4% (SD 5.5); vesicle diameter was 1.65 microns (SD 0.09) as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Both formulation (free cytokine vs. IL-2 liposomes) and route of administration were important variables in determination of the biodistribution and pharmacokinetic characteristics of IL-2. When free [125I]IL-2 was given i.v. to mice, only 6.5% was in the blood and 3% in liver and spleen 2 h after injection; on the other hand, at 2 h greater than 70% of i.v. [125I]IL-2 liposomes were detected in the blood, liver, spleen, and lungs. Mean i.v. elimination t1/2 from the blood of rats given 20 x 10(6) U/kg free cytokine or IL-2 liposomes was 41 versus 102 min, respectively, as measured by bioassay and 59 and 119 min as measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). After i.v. administration, the estimated Vd of IL-2 liposomes was 13-fold smaller than the free cytokine. Intrathoracic (i.tx.), i.p., and s.c. administration of [125I]IL-2 to mice also demonstrated significant depot effects when IL-2 was incorporated into liposomes. These data suggest IL-2 liposomes may provide in vivo immunostimulation superior to the free cytokine due to biodistribution and depot characteristics.
Prophylogeny: Some considerations regarding primitive evolution in lower metazoa

1. It is desirable that the antecedents of existing, highly specialised, evolutionary mechanisms in animals be sought. 2. The study of the lower Metazoa and especially of their simpler reproductive processes suggests that asexual reproduction is the primitive evolutionary mechanism from which the more advanced sexual mechanisms have evolved. 3. A study of the metagenetic cycles of Coelenterata and Platyhelminthes seems to throw much light upon their prophylogeny and indicates that:
The glycan domain of thrombopoietin enhances its secretion.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the major regulator of megakaryocyte development and platelet production. The hormone is structurally characterized by an amino-terminal receptor binding domain (amino acid residues 1−152) predicted to encode a left-handed four-helix bundle structure, and a carboxyl-terminal domain (residues 153−335) that is remarkable for its abundant carbohydrate modification and a lack of homology to other proteins. To investigate the functional role of the carboxyl-terminal glycan domain, we generated truncated forms of murine TPO (TPO1−238, TPO1−174, and TPO1−152) and glycomuteins in which the predicted asparagine (N)-linked sites of glycosylation were sequentially mutated to glutamine (Q), and assayed their secretion and function by comparing them to the native sequence (TPO1−335). Following transient transfection of the corresponding cDNA expression vectors into mammalian cell lines, the secretory efficiencies of the proteins were compared with those of the native hormone. Transfection effic...
7023 Enteroclysis in the evaluation of unexplained chronic abdominal pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of enteroclysis (dedicated small bowel radiography) in the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain. Methods:A retrospective review of 34 consecutive patients was done at Temple University Hospital (mean age of 42 years, 17 males and 17 females) who had undergone enteroclysis for evaluation of chronic abdominal pain. All patients were initially worked up with EGD and colonoscopy, and when these tests did not reveal a source for the chronic abdominal pain an enteroclysis was performed. Results:4/34(12%) of the patients had an abnormal enteroclysis study. These patients included 2 with small bowel patterns consistant with adhesions, 1 with dilitation of the proximal duodenum consistant with superior mesenteric artery syndrome and 1 with ulceration in the ileum consistant with Crohns ileitis. Conclusions: In patients completely worked up with endoscopic procedures (i.e. colonoscopy and upper endoscopy) in which an explanation for chronic abdominal pain is not apparent, 12% of patients had an abnormal enteroclysis finding which could have explained the chronic abdominal pain. Whether or not these findings actually contributed to the abdominal pain remains unclear.Enteroclysis is an relatively insensitive test for the evaluation of chronic abdominal pain but may be useful in a small percentage of patients after endoscopic evaluation if the source of chronic pain is not clear. In this study enteroclysis was most useful for defining adhesions 2/4(50%) which were not picked up by endoscopic diagnostic tests. 1/4(25%) of the positive enteroclysis findings in this study was due to Crohn's ileitis, and 1/4(25%) was due to a possible superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
RECENT SYNTHETIC APPLICATIONS OF NITRONES. A REVIEW

(1985). RECENT SYNTHETIC APPLICATIONS OF NITRONES. A REVIEW. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 23-47.
Distributed switching control to achieve resilience to deep fades in leader-follower nonholonomic systems

Leader-follower formation control is a widely used distributed control strategy that often needs systems to exchange information over a wireless radio communication network to coordinate their formations. These wireless networks are subject to deep fades, where a severe drop in the quality of the communication link occurs. Such deep fades may significantly impact the formation's performance and stability, and cause unexpected safety problems. In many applications, however, the variation in channel state is a function of the system's kinematic states. This suggests that channel state information can be used as a feedback signal to recover the performance loss caused by a deep fade. Assuming an exponentially bursty channel model, this paper proposes a distributed switching scheme under which a string of leader-follower nonholonomic system is almost surely practical stable in the presence of deep fades. Sufficient conditions are derived for each vehicle in the leader follower chain to decide which controller is placed in the feedback loop to assure almost sure practical stability. Simulation results are used to illustrate the main findings in the paper.
Processing of band-passed noise in the lateral auditory belt cortex of the rhesus monkey

Neurons in the lateral belt areas of rhesus monkey auditory cortex were stimulated with band-passed noise (BPN) bursts of different bandwidths and center frequencies. Most neurons responded much more vigorously to these sounds than to tone bursts of a single frequency, and it thus became possible to elicit a clear response in 85% of lateral belt neurons. Tuning to center frequency and bandwidth of the BPN bursts was analyzed. Best center frequency varied along the rostrocaudal direction, with 2 reversals defining borders between areas. We confirmed the existence of 2 belt areas (AL and ML) that were laterally adjacent to the core areas (R and A1, respectively) and a third area (CL) adjacent to area CM on the supratemporal plane (STP). All 3 lateral belt areas were cochleotopically organized with their frequency gradients collinear to those of the adjacent STP areas. Although A1 neurons responded best to pure tones and their responses decreased with increasing bandwidth, 63% of the lateral belt neurons were tuned to bandwidths between 1/3 and 2 octaves and showed either one or multiple peaks. The results are compared with previous data from visual cortex and are discussed in the context of spectral integration, whereby the lateral belt forms a relatively early stage of processing in the cortical hierarchy, giving rise to parallel streams for the identification of auditory objects and their localization in space.
Natural resources, agriculture and property rights

Abstract The study explores empirically forest resource and soil quality degradation under different property rights regimes in a subsistence agriculture framework. The quantitative analysis is a direct test of the theoretical hypothesis of Larson and Bromley (1990) [Larson, B., Bromley, D., 1990. Property rights, externalities, and resource degradation: locating the tragedy. Journal of Development Economics 33 (2).] that common property and private property rights may lead to similar incentives for resource protection. A household model is formulated and applied empirically with data from Indonesia to test rates of forest biomass and soil quality degradation under private and common property rights. Results show that the two regimes may equal each other by including bequest value. Sensitivity analysis is conducted by changing model parameters.
SU‐GG‐I‐29: Comparison of Spatial Resolution Properties for Three Cone‐Beam CT Systems Using An Aluminum Wire Phantom

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the spatial resolution properties of three different cone beam CTsystems using an aluminum wire phantom. Method and Materials: A wire phantom was constructed to evaluate and compare different cone‐beam CTsystems for their spatial resolution. The phantom contains 12 aluminum wires of various sizes (51, 76, 102, 127, 152, 178, 203, 229, 254, 279, 305, and 356 μm in diameter) suspended in air in the axial direction and positioned along a 7.2 cm diameter circle around the rotating axis. The wire phantom was imaged with cone‐beam CTsystems using three different detectors: an aSi/aSe flat panel detector (Anrad FPD14), an aSi/CsI flat panel detector (Varian PaxScan 4030CB) and a CCD/CsI detector (Hamamatsu C4742). Images were acquired in both continuous and pulsed x‐ray modes and in various binning modes (1×1, 2×2, 3×3 and 4×4). 300 projection images were acquired over 360° for each scan. Feldkamp's filtered backprojection algorithm with a pure ramp filter was used for 3D reconstruction. Results: Careful examination of the reconstructed images shows that wires as small as 100 μm were resolved with Anrad and Varian detectors. However, despite the smaller pixel size of the Anrad detector,images obtained with the Varian detector showed slightly better quality. It was found that binning did not affect the visibility but degraded quality was observed with increased binning size. Due to motion blur, images obtained with continuous x‐rays showed lower spatial resolution.Conclusion: It was found that the spatial resolution of cone‐beam CTsystem does not solely depend on detector's resolution. Using pulse mode X‐ray shows a better performance in cone‐beam CTsystem than continuous mode. This work was supported in part by grants CA104759 and CA124585 from NIH‐NCI, a grant EB00117 from NIH‐NIBIB, and a subcontract from NIST‐ATP.
The influence of matrix microstructure and particle reinforcement on the creep behavior of 2219 aluminum

The influence of matrix microstructure and reinforcement with 15 vol pct of TiC particles on the creep behavior of 2219 aluminum has been examined in the temperature range of 150 ‡C to 250 ‡C. At 150 ‡C, reinforcement led to an improvement in creep resistance, while at 250 ‡C, both materials exhibited essentially identical creep behavior. Precipitate spacing in the matrix exerted the predominant influence on minimum creep rate in both the unreinforced and the reinforced materials over the temperature range studied. This behavior and the high-stress dependence of minimum creep rate are explained using existing constant structure models where, in the present study, precipitate spacing is identified as the pertinent substructure dimension. A modest microstructure-independent strengthening from particle reinforcement was observed at 150 ‡C and was accurately modeled by existing continuum mechanical models. The absence of reinforcement creep strengthening at 250 ‡C can be attributed to diffusional relaxation processes at the higher temperature.
Immunocytochemical detection of two nuclear proteins within the same neuron using light microscopy.

Abstract We developed a method of double immunocytochemistry (ICC) that can be used with conventional light microscopy for localizing two different nuclear proteins. The procedure involves two sequential rounds of ICC that both employ the avidin and biotin conjugated enzyme (ABC) amplification method, separated by an Avidin D and biotin blocking step to reduce non-specific avidin–biotin reactions. Round one of ICC employs the use of avidin and biotin conjugated alkaline phosphatase (ABC–AP) and the Vector Red (VR) substrate, which produces a red colorimetric reaction product. The second round of ICC makes use of avidin and biotin conjugated peroxidase (ABC–HRP) and the Vector® SG substrate, which produces a gray colorimetric reaction product. Neuronal nuclei that are double-labeled for both proteins appear red with a gray core. This protocol allows the simultaneous detection of two proteins within the same subcellular compartment of a single neuron, without the need for epifluorescence or scanning confocal laser microscopy. Theme: Cellular and Molecular Biology Term: Staining, tracing, and imaging techniques
Enhanced phenotypic expression of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in an mz heterozygote with chronic hepatitis c

A middle-aged white man of Scotch-Irish ancestry, being treated for chronic hepatitis C, was found to be heterozygous for α1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiMZ phenotype) after diagnostic PAS-positive, diastase-resistant globules were detected in a liver biopsy. The globules had not been present in a biopsy obtained 4 yr previously. He was also found to be heterozygous for the cys282tyr mutation of the HFE gene, which is the chief cause of HLA-linked hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC). His liver disease progressed over 4 yr from mild hepatitis to moderate hepatitis with cirrhosis despite therapy with interferon-α, and phlebotomy plus interferon. These conditions appeared to have synergistic effects, with the chronic viral hepatitis unmasking the α1AT deficiency, and the α1AT deficiency (and possibly the heterozygosity for HHC), exacerbating the course of the hepatitis C.
Localized activation of RTK/MAPK pathways during Drosophila development.

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling is mediated by a signaling cascade culminating in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by double phosphorylation on threonine and tyrosine residues. The pattern of MAPK activation can now be directly visualized in situ during embryonic and adult development using an antiserum is specific for the double phosphorylated form of MAPK (db-P MAPK).1,2 The pattern of MAPK activation detected by this antiserum in developing embryos and larval imaginal discs conforms remarkably well to the inferred pattern of known RTK function. In addition, db-P MAPK staining directly reveals features of signaling such as the range of signal spreading and the kinetics of RTK activation, which would be difficult to measure by other methods. The ability to visualize the output of RTK signaling also permits detailed establishment of epistatic relationships between signaling components of RTK cascades. BioEssays20:189–194, 1998.© 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The carbohydrate composition of experimental salivary pellicles

. The carbohydrate compositions of pellicles formed in vivo and others formed in vitro from submandibular, parotid, and mixed (submandibular-parotid) saliva were determined using gas-liquid chromatography. Samples of the total pellicles as well as the relatively acid-soluble supernates and acid-insoluble sediments were collected, analyzed, and compared. The differences in carbohydrate composition between the supernates and sediments, particularly in the in vivo and in vitro mixed salivary pellicles, suggest that the total pellicle is composed of more than one component. In each instance obvious differences in composition between the pellicle and the saliva from which it was formed indicated that pellicle formation is a highly selective process. Glucose: galactose ratios of approximately 1:1 were found in each of the total pellicles. These data suggest that at least one pellicle component is an unusual glycoprotein in that it contains high levels of glucose. The total submandibular salivary pellicle and both its fractions were remarkably similar in carbohydrate composition to the counterparts formed from parotid saliva alone. The data strongly suggest that there are present in both submandibular and parotid saliva similar glycoproteins that are selectively deposited onto etched enamel as the initial pellicle.
RNA Helicase A in the MEF1 Transcription Factor Complex Up-regulates the MDR1 Gene in Multidrug-resistant Cancer Cells

RNA helicase A (RHA) is a member of the DEAD/H family of RNA helicases and unwinds duplex RNA and DNA. Recent studies have shown that RHA regulates the activity of gene promoters. However, little information is available about the in vivo relevance of RHA in the regulation of natural genes. We previously characterized a nuclear protein (MEF1) that binds to the proximal promoter of the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and up-regulates the promoter activity. In the present study, we isolated and identified RHA as a component of the MEF1 complex by using DNA-affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. The antibody against RHA specifically disrupted the complex formation in electrophoretic mobility shift assay, confirming the identity of RHA. Western blotting showed that RHA in drug-resistant cells had a higher molecular weight than that in drug-sensitive cells. Similar results were obtained when FLAG-tagged RHA was overexpressed in these cells. This size difference probably reflects posttranslational modification(s) of RHA in drug-resistant cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that RHA occupies the MDR1 promoter in vivo. Overexpression of RHA enhanced expression of the MDR1 promoter/reporter construct and endogenous P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the MDR1 gene product, and increased drug resistance of drug-resistant cells but not the drug-sensitive counterpart. Introduction of short interfering RNA targeting the RHA gene sequence selectively knocked-down RHA expression and concomitantly reduced P-gp level. Thus, our study demonstrates, for the first time, the involvement of RHA in up-regulation of the MDR1 gene. Interactions of RHA with other protein factors in the MEF1 complex bound to the promoter element may contribute to P-gp overexpression and multidrug resistance phenotype in drug-resistant cancer cells.
Laparoscopic closure of patent canal of Nuck for female indirect inguinal hernia.

In performing laparoscopic surgery the gynecologist may encounter a patent canal of Nuck or, in the parlance of general surgeons, an incidental indirect inguinal hernia. Suture closure of the sac and internal inguinal ring from within the peritoneal cavity has often been done during open pelvic surgery and, as reported in this issue by Yen and colleagues, can be done laparoscopically by those experienced in laparoscopic suturing. Should it be done, and what should be the expectations of such a procedure? In infants, inguinal hernias nearly always represent a patent processus vaginalis, the knuckle of peritoneum that, in males, follows the testes in their descent from their embryonic intraabdominal position into the scrotum. Repair of such hernias generally requires high ligation and division of the peritoneal sac. Because this is a congenital defect, surrounding muscular and aponeurotic structures quickly obliterate the defect in the abdominal wall, so that no formal closure of muscle or aponeurosis (to tighten the internal inguinal ring) is necessary. During inguinal hernia surgery, simple ligation of the sac, without dividing or excising the sac, usually is not performed because leaving a blind-ended peritoneal sac in the groin may possibly result in a hydrocele. As I have never been asked to treat a patient for a postoperative hydrocele after incidental transperitoneal ligation of an indirect inguinal hernia sac, I cannot comment as to whether this possibility is real or merely theoretic. What Yen and colleagues describe is ligation of the hernia sac (and internal inguinal ring) without dividing or excising the distal remnant. Most hernia repairs performed in adult men and women are more than just reduction or removal of peritoneal sacs. It is generally recognized that symptomatic hernias also involve attenuation of the inguinal floor, and thus reinforcement of the fascial floor of the inguinal canal is a necessary component of the repair. Editorial
The Impact Opportunity

The Consortium of Universities for Global Health’s (CUGH) sixth annual conference, “Mobilizing Research for Global Health” showcased leading solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges. Conference plenary sessions included: The Technology Revolution in Genetics; One Health; The Drivers of NonCommunicable Diseases; Improvement Science; and Big Problems-Big Ideas. A special session on the Ebola Outbreak, a plenary talk by the 2015 Gairdner Global Health Awardee, and an array of breakout sessions and workshops offered outstanding opportunities to learn, network, and collaborate. Special satellite sessions the day before the conference included Global Cancer with the National Cancer Institute and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; the Global-Local nexus with the University of Maryland Baltimore and the Public Health Institute, and an Enabling Systems workshop. CUGH is grateful to the Annals of Global Health for publishing more than 460 poster abstracts presented at the conference. They were selected from more than 1000 submissions, the largest number we have ever received. Abstracts ran across six major global challenges: communicable diseases; noncommunicable diseases and injuries; education/training/capacity building; governance/management/human rights/economics; social and environmental determinants of health; and innovations/new technologies/improvement science. These inspiring abstracts captivate the imagination. The authors are part of a vanguard of global health professionals devoted to improving the well-being of others, but especially those who are least privileged. It is science at its finest. Now that we have this research, what now? When and how will it be used to address the compelling challenges we face? We live in an era of abundant knowledge and an impressive array of skilled professionals who can translate this knowledge into action. However, we are still beset by a frustrating implementation gap. Despite making great strides in many areas there remains a staggering loss of life and disability that can be prevented
Comparison of saturated and linear laser-induced fluorescence measurements of nitric oxide in counterflow diffusion flames

Abstract Quantitative measurements of NO concentrations ([NO]) have been obtained along the centerline of atmospheric ethane–air counterflow diffusion flames by using saturated and linear laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). In particular, four flames with strain rates varying from 5 to 48 s −1 were investigated while maintaining a constant fuel dilution in all cases. The utility of a broad-band laser-saturated fluorescence (LSF) technique is assessed by comparison to similar measurements of NO using linear LIF. The linear LIF measurements are corrected for variations in the local electronic quenching rate coefficient by using major species profiles generated by a diffusive flame code and available correlations for the quenching cross-sections of NO. The corrected LIF profiles compare favorably with the LSF profiles. A four-level model is used to investigate the effects of rotational energy transfer (RET) on the LSF measurements. The excellent comparison between the quenching-corrected linear LIF and the LSF measurements at locally fuel-lean to greater than stoichiometric mixture fractions verifies the validity of the LSF technique for these conditions. The slight but consistent discrepancy between the LSF and linear LIF measurements at local equivalence ratios above 1.6 may be attributed to a change in the collisional branching ratio from lean to rich stoichiometries and/or the need for further work on the electronic quenching cross-sections required for quantitative NO measurements under fuel-rich conditions.
Structural and functional analysis of Escherichia coli ribosomes containing small deletions around position 1760 in the 23S ribosomal RNA

Three different small deletions were produced at a single Pvu 2 restriction site in E. coli 23S rDNA of plasmid pKK 3535 using exonuclease Bal 31. The deletions were located around position 1760 in 23S rRNA and were characterized by DNA sequencing as well as by direct fingerprinting and S1-mapping of the rRNA. Two of the mutant plasmids, Pvu 2-32 and Pvu 2-33, greatly reduced the growth rate of transformed cells while the third mutant, Pvu 2-14 grew as fast as cells containing the wild-type plasmid pKK 3535. All three mutant 23S rRNAs were incorporated into 50S-like particles and were even found in 70S ribosomes and polysomes in vivo. The conformation of mutant 23S rRNA in 50S subunits was probed with a double-strand specific RNase from cobra venom. These analyses revealed changes in the accessibility of cleavage sites near the deletions around position 1760 and in the area around position 800 in all three mutant rRNAs. We suggest, that an altered conformation of the rRNAs at the site of the deletion is responsible for the slow growth of cells containing mutant plasmids Pvu 2-32 and Pvu 2-33.
A variable energy Møller polarimeter at the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Center

Abstract A Moller polarimeter has been developed for operation on Beam Line B at the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Center. The beam polarization is inferred from measurement of the asymmetry in polarized electron-electron elastic scattering from a FeCo foil of known polarization, using a large-bore quadrupole magnet to momentum-select the scattered electrons. This article reports measurements at 250 MeV and 574 MeV, with a relative precision of 12% when statistical and systematic errors are added in quadrature.
FORMATION OF COMPOSITE HIGGS BOSONS FROM QUARK-ANTIQUARKS AT LOWER ENERGY SCALES

We study how the simple predictions of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model of composite Higgs bosons are modified when quark interactions more singular than the nonderivative four-quark interaction are added. The t-quark mass is no longer restricted to ≳ 200 GeV, the simple mass relation between the t-quark and the scalar Higgs boson is lost, and the energy scale of the quark couplings can be chosen as low as we wish. Implications in experimental testability of this class of models are briefly discussed.
Biology of Aβ Amyloid in Alzheimer's Disease ☆

The genetic associations with the pathological features of AD are diverse: A rapidly growing number of mutations in presenilin 1 and 2 on chromosomes 14 and 1, respectively, are found in many early-onset FAD patients (Lendon et al., 1997). In addition, beta PP mutations are found in a small percentage of early-onset FAD kindreds. The apoE4 allele on chromosome 19 is associated with the presence of the most common form of AD, sporadic AD (Wisniewski & Frangione, 1992; Namba et al., 1991). However, it is clear that other proteins are also involved in the pathogenesis of AD, since some early-onset FAD kindreds do not have linkage to PS1, PS2, apoE, or beta PP, while at least 50% of late-onset AD is unrelated to apoE. Other proteins which have been implicated in the formation of senile plaques, but so far are not known to have any genetic linkage to AD, include proteoglycans (Snow et al., 1987), apoA1 (Wisniewski et al., 1995a), alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (Abraham et al., 1988), HB-GAM (Wisniewski et al., 1996a), complement components (McGeer & Rogers, 1992), acetylcholinesterase (Friede, 1965), and NAC (Ueda et al., 1993). Which of these proteins will be the most important for the etiology of the most common form of AD, late-onset sporadic AD, remains an open question. Three of the genes which are now known to be linked to AD, including PS1, beta PP, and apoE, have been established immunohistochemically and biochemically to be components of senile plaques (see Fig. 1). This raises at least two possibilities: either each of these proteins is part of one pathway with A beta-related amyloid formation as a final causative pathogenic event or amyloid deposition in AD is a reactive process related to dysfunction of a number of different CNS proteins. Whether or not amyloid formation is directly causative in the pathogenesis of AD, current data suggest that new therapeutic approaches which may inhibit the aggregation and/or the conformational change of sA beta to A beta fibrils (Soto et al., 1996) have the greatest likelihood to make a significant impact on controlling amyloid accumulation in AD.
Lightning Protection of Wood-Pole Lines

The reliability of wood-pole transmission lines during the lightning season has long been a problem with operating companies. To meet the ever increasing service demands approximately 60 miles of line were reconstructed using the inherent insulation of a wood-pole line with lightning protector tubes on one of three conductors. Two years' experience with this type of construction has shown better than a 90 per cent reduction in lightning outages.
The enzymatic synthesis of sialyl-lactose☆

Abstract Sialyl-lactose (SL) was first isolated from lactating rat mammary gland by Trucco and Caputto (1954) . In subsequent extensive studies on milk oligosaccharides, Kuhn and coworkers ( Kuhn and Brossmer, 1958 , Kuhn, 1959 ) obtained two isomers of SL from human milk, one being identical to SL from bovine colostrum. Bovine SL was shown to be N-acetylneuraminyl-(2 → 3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-D-glucose, i.e., SL-(2 → 3). The other SL from human milk is N-acetylneuraminyl-(2 → 6)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-D-glucose, i.e., SL-(2 → 6). We now wish to report the enzymatic synthesis of sialyl-lactose by a particulate preparation from rat mammary gland. Chromatographic and periodate oxidation data indicate that the product is SL-(2 → 3). In addition, preliminary evidence shows that this preparation catalyzes the synthesis of other trisaccharides, such as sialyl-galactosyl-acetylglucosamine. Materials and Methods .