cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone on transcription and specific gene expression in larval fat body in Galleria

Abstract The effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone and of juvenile hormone on transcription in fat body were studied in ligated abdomens of day-5 last-instar Galleria mellonella larvae. 20-Hydroxyecdysone stimulated synthesis of both total and poly(A) RNAs while juvenile hormone had no effect on transcription. The stimulatory effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone was observed within 3 h after hormone application and peaked at 6–8 h, at which time the specific activity of total and poly(A) RNAs was double that of controls. Fifteen hours after hormone application the specific activity of poly(A) RNA in treated and control larvae was identical. The specific activity of total RNA, however, remained higher than those of controls even 26 h after hormone treatment. The effect of juvenile hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone on specific gene expression in these fat body cells was also determined by electrophoretic analysis of the polypeptides synthesized in vitro from the fat body poly(A) RNAs from experimental and control larvae. 20-Hydroxyecdysone induced synthesis of mRNAs that code for 22K and 26K Dalton proteins, which were not detectable in preparations from untreated, Ringers- or juvenile hormone-treated larvae. These mRNAs appeared between 1 and 6 h after hormone treatment and persisted up to 24h. Application of juvenile hormone 4 h before ecdysteroid treatment inhibited ecdysteroid induction of one of the inducible mRNAs.
The third molar as a cause of deep space infections

An 81-month review of patients with deep space infections attributed to third molars requiring hospital admission is presented. Thirty-one patients were identified, with males predominating 2:1 and mandibular third molars as an etiology predominating 15:1. All patients were aged 23 years or older. Most patients identified (24) had one or more medical problems or other risk factors, the most frequent of which was smoking (18). All patients developing postoperative infections (9) had complete or partial bone impactions and a preoperative diagnosis of pericoronitis.
Purification of a protein kinase from human Namalwa cells that phosphorylates topoisomerase I.

Abstract A nuclear protein kinase which phosphorylates phosphoprotein 110 8.4 , recently identified as topoisomerase I, has been purified approximately 330 fold from a 10 mM Tris extract of human Namalwa cells. The kinase was chromatographed on DEAE-Sephacel and further purified by affinity chromatography on phosvitin-Sepharose. The protein kinase exhibited a high affinity (Km = 0.3 μM) for topoisomerase I; its affinity for phosvitin was approximately 100 fold lower (Km = 25 μM).
Suicidal ideation and substance use among adolescents and young adults: a bidirectional relation?

OBJECTIVE: To examine reciprocal associations between substance use (cigarette smoking, use of alcohol, marijuana, and other illegal drugs) and suicidal ideation among adolescents and young adults (aged 11-21 at wave 1; aged 24-32 at wave 4). METHODS: Four waves public-use Add Health data were used in the analysis (N=3342). Respondents were surveyed in 1995, 1996, 2001-2002, and 2008-2009. Current regular smoking, past-year alcohol use, past-year marijuana use, and ever use of other illegal drugs as well as past-year suicidal ideation were measured at the four waves (1995, 1996, 2001-2002, and 2008-2009). Fixed effects models with lagged dependent variables were modeled to test unidirectional associations between substance use and suicidal ideation, and nonrecursive models with feedback loops combining correlated fixed factors were conducted to examine reciprocal relations between each substance use and suicidal ideation, respectively. RESULTS: After adjusting for the latent time-invariant effects and lagged effects of dependent variables, the unidirectional associations from substance use to suicidal ideation were consistently significant, and vice versa. Nonrecursive model results showed that use of cigarette or alcohol increased risk of suicidal ideation, while suicidal ideation was not associated with cigarette or alcohol use. Reversely, drug use (marijuana and other drugs) did not increase risk of suicidal ideation, but suicidal ideation increased risk of illicit drug use. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that relations between substance use and suicidal ideation are unidirectional, with cigarette or alcohol use increasing risk of suicidal ideation and suicidal ideation increasing risk of illicit drug use. Language: en
Choosing models for soil chronofunctions and fitting them to data

Summary The effectiveness and utility of soil chronofunctions is examined in the light of existing pedogenic theory. Statistical treatments applied in chronofunction research are reviewed, including linear transformations of raw data, which may improve the utility of the chronofunction. We advocate using a particular statistical model only if it can be justified based on our current understanding of the functioning of the pedologic system. We emphasize the potential difficulties of using linear chronofunction methods; simple linear and logarithmic functions are not always the best option for chronofunctions. Hyperbolic, polynomial or nonlinear functions might improve not only the fit of the chronofunction but also advance our understanding of the pedologic system. When the chronofunction explaining the most variance is not best suited to a process-based understanding of pedogenic theory, other functions with slightly smaller r2 values that have been judged suitable by a priori reasoning or theory might better reflect the functioning of the pedologic system. We justify limited extrapolation of some chronofunctions to time zero and discuss how this can be useful in the identification of pedogenic thresholds and ‘step functions’. Interpretation of the Y-intercept of chronofunctions can, at times, aid our understanding of the soil system near time zero and be useful in the identification of the existence and timing of thresholds.
Ubiquitous transcriptional pausing is independent of RNA polymerase backtracking.

Abstract RNA polymerase (RNAP) transcribes DNA discontinuously, with periods of rapid nucleotide addition punctuated by frequent pauses. We investigated the mechanism of transcription by measuring the effect of both hindering and assisting forces on the translocation of single Escherichia coli transcription elongation complexes, using an optical trapping apparatus that allows for the detection of pauses as short as one second. We found that the vast majority of pauses are brief (1–6 s at 21°C, 1 mM NTPs), and that the probability of pausing at any particular position on a DNA template is low and fairly constant. Neither the probability nor the duration of these ubiquitous pauses was affected by hindering or assisting loads, establishing that they do not result from the backtracking of RNAP along the DNA template. We propose instead that they are caused by a structural rearrangement within the enzyme.
Oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the phenolic compounds in plant extracts fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography.

The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay has been used to quantify the antioxidative properties of phytonutrients in fruit and vegetable extracts. Using aqueous methanol extracts of tea and spinach as a model systems, separation of the components in the extracts by HPLC followed by semiautomatic ORAC analysis of the column fractions permitted the determination of peroxyl-radical-scavenging profiles, demonstrating the relative abilities of the individual extract components to scavenge peroxyl radicals. ORAC values for up to 80 HPLC fractions were measured, confirming the major contribution of epigallocatechin gallate in the peroxyl radical scavenging of green tea extracts. Although the flavonoids in spinach extracts provided resistance to peroxyl radicals, components that did not bind to the HPLC column and simple phenolic compounds may also be important contributors to the total ORAC activity of spinach leaf extracts. Application of these procedures to plants believed to provide certain human health benefits by reducing free radicals may allow the identification and characterization of the specific components responsible for the free-radical-scavenging activities.
Yup'ik Cosmology to School Mathematics: The Power of Symmetry and Proportional Measuring.

This article shows how Yup’ik cosmology, epistemology, and everyday practice have implications for the teaching of school mathematics. Math in a Cultural Context (MCC) has a long–term collaborative relationship with Yup’ik elders and experienced Yup’ik teachers. Because of this long–term ethnographically–oriented relationship, the authors – both insiders and an outsider – have been able to understand the mathematical implications of everyday Yup’ik practice. As the article demonstrates, body proportional measuring and symmetry/splitting are two generative solution strategies used by Yup’ik elders in solving everyday problems. We argue that proportional measuring coupled with symmetry/splitting can provide school mathematics with an alternative pathway to the teaching of some aspects of geometry and rational number reasoning.
Functional comparison of innate immune signaling pathways in primates.

Humans respond differently than other primates to a large number of infections. Differences in susceptibility to infectious agents between humans and other primates are probably due to inter-species differences in immune response to infection. Consistent with that notion, genes involved in immunity-related processes are strongly enriched among recent targets of positive selection in primates, suggesting that immune responses evolve rapidly, yet providing only indirect evidence for possible inter-species functional differences. To directly compare immune responses among primates, we stimulated primary monocytes from humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaques with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and studied the ensuing time-course regulatory responses. We find that, while the universal Toll-like receptor response is mostly conserved across primates, the regulatory response associated with viral infections is often lineage-specific, probably reflecting rapid host–virus mutual adaptation cycles. Additionally, human-specific immune responses are enriched for genes involved in apoptosis, as well as for genes associated with cancer and with susceptibility to infectious diseases or immune-related disorders. Finally, we find that chimpanzee-specific immune signaling pathways are enriched for HIV–interacting genes. Put together, our observations lend strong support to the notion that lineage-specific immune responses may help explain known inter-species differences in susceptibility to infectious diseases.
CBFβ-SMMHC slows proliferation of primary murine and human myeloid progenitors

CBFβ-SMMHC is expressed in 8% of acute myeloid leukemias and inhibits AML1/RUNX1. In this study, murine marrow or human CD34+ cells were transduced with retroviral or lentiviral vectors expressing CBFβ-SMMHC or two mutant variants. CBFβ-SMMHC reduced murine or human myeloid cell proliferation three- to four-fold in liquid culture relative to empty vector-transduced cells, during a period when vector-transduced cells accumulated five-fold and human cells 20-fold. CBFβ-SMMHC decreased the formation of myeloid, but not erythroid, colonies two- to four-fold, and myeloid colonies expressing CBFβ-SMMHC were markedly reduced in size. However, CBFβ-SMMHC did not slow differentiation to granulocytes or monocytes. Neither CBFβ-SMMHC(Δ2–11), which does not bind AML1, nor CBFβ-SMMHC(ΔACD), which does not multimerize or efficiently bind corepressors, slowed proliferation or reduced myeloid colonies. CBFβ-SMMHC increased the G1/S ratio 1.4-fold. AML1 had an effect opposite to CBFβ-SMMHC, stimulating proliferation of murine myeloid progenitors 2.0-fold in liquid culture. Thus, CBFβ-SMMHC directly inhibits the proliferation of normal myeloid progenitors via inhibition of AML1 and dependent upon the integrity of its assembly competence domain. These findings support the development of therapeutics that target the ability of CBFβ-SMMHC to interact with AML1 or to multimerize via its assembly competence domain.
The molt/intermolt cycle in the epidermis and other tissues of an insect Calpodes ethlius(Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae).

Abstract Tissue responses to the brain and prothoracic glands divide the 5th larval stage of Calpodes into three phases of development, characterized by growth, larval syntheses and pupal syntheses. Tissue specific patterns in the timing of nuclear events fall into one of two categories. In both, the cell number is determined mainly before the 4th to 5th ecdysis. Epidermal cells divide during the second phase coincidentally with an elevated rate of larval cuticle deposition, but in other tissues nuclear replication occurs without division during the first phase so that the cells are polyploid by the time they begin their massive larval syntheses.
Radiofrequency Volumetric Reduction of the Tongue: A Porcine Pilot Study for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Study objective To investigate, in an animal model, the feasibility of radiofrequency (RF) volumetric tongue reduction for the future purpose of determining its clinical applications in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Design The study was performed in three stages, one in vitro bovine stage and two in vivo porcine stages. The last stage was a prospective investigation with histologic and volumetric analyses to establish outcomes. Setting Laboratory and operating room of veterinary research center. Participants A homogeneous population of porcine animal models, including seven in stage 2 and 12 in stage 3. Intervention RF energy was delivered by a custom-fabricated needle electrode and RF generator to the tongue tissue of both the in vitro and in vivo models. Measurements and results Microultrasonic crystals were used to measure three-dimensional changes (volumetric reduction). Lesion size correlated well with increasing RF energy delivery (Sperman correlation coefficient of 0.986; p=0.0003). Histologic assessments done serially over time (1 h through 3 weeks) showed a well-circumscribed lesion with a normal healing progression and no peripheral damage to nerves. Volumetric analysis documented a very mild initial edematous response that promptly tapered at 24 h. At 10 days after RF, a 26.3% volume reduction was documented at the treatment site (circumscribed by the microultrasonic crystals). Conclusion RF, in a porcine animal model, can safely reduce tongue volume in a precise and controlled manner. Further studies will validate the use of RF in the treatment of OSAS.
Renormalization Group and Axial-Vector Current in Two-Dimensional Quantum Electrodynamics

An exactly soluble model of the renormalization group for two-dimensional quantum electrodynamics is presented. The theory has a nontrivial eigenvalue at which it is scale-invariant and some operators acquire anomalous dimensions. Finally, the anomalous constant associated with the axial-vector current is independent of the coupling constant away from the eigenvalue, but vanishes at the eigenvalue.
Nitric oxide-based therapy for erectile disorders

The pharmacotherapy of erectile disorders is rapidly advancing as a medical specialty as a direct consequence of the scientific progress made recently in the biology of penile erection. Among a host of biochemical mechanisms operating in the penis, the nitric oxide signaling pathway is now understood to exert a crucial regulatory role in this biology. The design and development of pharmacologic effectors targeting molecular sites associated with this pathway have resulted.
Binary communication feedback systems

Shannon's coding theorem for a noisy channel1 indicates that information can be transmitted as reliably as desired in the presence of noise, provided the transmitted rate does not exceed the channel capacity. In unidirectional systems the reliability may be improved by increasing the code length or the redundancy of the message.
Does GPS Improve Recidivism among High Risk Sex Offenders? Outcomes for California’s GPS Pilot for High Risk Sex Offender Parolees

AbstractThe supervision and monitoring of sex offenders has been one of the most hotly contested areas in corrections policy in recent years. The public has called for greater levels of offender scrutiny as the result of heinous acts perpetrated by sex offenders, while critics point to recent legislation with onerous housing restrictions coupled with public censure that prevent many offenders from reentering successfully into society. The current study provides a test of the effectiveness of GPS monitoring for high risk sex offender parolees over and above surveillance and monitoring provided by specialized sex offender caseloads. Using data from a GPS pilot program, 94 high risk sex offenders monitored by GPS and 91 high risk sex offenders on specialized caseloads were followed for 12 months. GPS sex offenders were less likely to be found guilty of failing to register as non-GPS sex offenders and marginally less likely to abscond– reflecting relative success in meeting two goals of sex offender legislati...
Eigenstructure assignment for a thrust-vectored high angle-of-attack aircraft

Eigenstructure assignment is utilized to design flight control laws for a thrust-vectored aircraft at several different angles of attack. An interesting characteristic of the aircraft model is that the control distribution matrix is rank-deficient. Also, the effectiveness of the control inputs varies with the angle of attack. A pseudocontrol strategy is used to reduce the control space to two dimensions. After the eigenstructure assignment design is complete, the controller is mapped back to the original five-dimensional control space. The designs are shown to exhibit acceptable multivariable stability margins at the aircraft inputs.
Paleomagnetism of tertiary and recent lavas of Israel

Geomagnetic reversals in volcanic flows, computing paleomagnetic pole positions similar to Tertiary rocks
Aperture Rotation Synthesis: Optimization of the(u, v)-Plane Coverage for a Rotating Phased Array of Telescopes

The problem of optimizing the (u, v)‐plane coverage of a rotating phased array of telescopes is assessed. We search for solutions for maximum uniform (u, v)‐plane coverage. Using a simulated annealing algorithm, we find the optimal configurations for rotating arrays with between four and 10 identical telescopes. With few modifications, the same algorithm can find optimal array configurations adapted to specific observations for which the optimal (u, v)‐plane coverage is different. We also demonstrate that such rotation‐optimized arrays are capable of recovering images of complex sources and obtaining spectroscopic information.
On the boundary condition at supported reentrant corners of transversely loaded plates

Abstract The finite-difference solution of the Kirchoff-Love equation for transversely loaded plates becomes intractable at a rigidly supported boundary which forms a reentrant corner in the plate. An example of such a support would be a rigid, rectangular pillar. An approximate finite difference operator is suggested which overcomes the difficulty and solutions obtained by its use are compared with solutions obtained by regarding the support as consisting of stiff springs. In the latter case no difficulties are encountered with the finite difference method, but the order of the coefficient matrix is considerably increased. The two sets of solutions agree well with each other.
Artificial Food Colors and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms: Conclusions to Dye for

The effect of artificial food colors (AFCs) on child behavior has been studied for more than 35 years, with accumulating evidence from imperfect studies. This article summarizes the history of this controversial topic and testimony to the 2011 Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee convened to evaluate the current status of evidence regarding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Features of ADHD relevant to understanding the AFC literature are explained: ADHD is a quantitative diagnosis, like hypertension, and some individuals near the threshold may be pushed over it by a small symptom increment. The chronicity and pervasiveness make caregiver ratings the most valid measure, albeit subjective. Flaws in many studies include nonstandardized diagnosis, questionable sample selection, imperfect blinding, and nonstandardized outcome measures. Recent data suggest a small but significant deleterious effect of AFCs on children’s behavior that is not confined to those with diagnosable ADHD. AFCs appear to be more of a public health problem than an ADHD problem. AFCs are not a major cause of ADHD per se, but seem to affect children regardless of whether or not they have ADHD, and they may have an aggregated effect on classroom climate if most children in the class suffer a small behavioral decrement with additive or synergistic effects. Possible biological mechanisms with published evidence include the effects on nutrient levels, genetic vulnerability, and changes in electroencephalographic beta-band power. A table clarifying the Food and Drug Administration and international naming systems for AFCs, with cross-referencing, is provided.
Noise-power temperature for steady-state hot-electron systems in semiconductors

We define a noise-power temperature ${T}_{p}$(\ensuremath{\omega}), and prove that it is the maximum noise power per frequency-band output on an unbiased impedance. A numerical calculation has been carried out for the hot-carrier system with a single spherical band. Our result shows that ${T}_{p}$ is lower than the noise temperature ${T}_{n}$ in the high-field region. We suggest that measurements should be made of ${T}_{p}$, of the current fluctuation, and of the differential resistance. Knowledge of these quantities may provide deeper understanding of the relaxation processes and noises for hot-electron systems in semiconductors.
PI3 kinase/Akt activation mediates estrogen and IGF-1 nigral DA neuronal neuroprotection against a unilateral rat model of Parkinson's disease

Recently, using the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) 6-hydroxydopmaine (6-OHDA) lesion rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD), we have demonstrated that blockade of central IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1R) attenuated estrogen neuroprotection of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) DA neurons, but exacerbated 6-OHDA lesions in IGF-1 only treated rats (Quesada and Micevych [2004]: J Neurosci Res 75:107-116). This suggested that the IGF-1 system is a central mechanism through which estrogen acts to protect the nigrostriatal DA system. Moreover, these results also suggest that IGF-1R-induced intracellular signaling pathways are involved in the estrogen mechanism that promotes neuronal survival. In vitro, two convergent intracellular signaling pathways used by estrogen and IGF-1, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK), and phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt), have been demonstrated to be neuroprotective. Continuous central infusions of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt inhibitors were used to test the hypothesis that one or both of these signal transduction pathways mediates estrogen and/or IGF-1 neuroprotection of SNpc DA neurons after a unilateral administration of 6-OHDA into the MFB of rats. Motor behavior tests and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity revealed that the inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002) blocked the survival effects of both estrogen and IGF-1, while an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK signaling (PD98059) was ineffective. Western blot analyses showed that estrogen and IGF-1 treatments increased PI3K/Akt activation in the SN; however, MAPK/ERK activation was decreased in the SN. Indeed, continuous infusions of inhibitors blocked phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK. These findings indicate that estrogen and IGF-1-mediated SNpc DA neuronal protection is dependent on PI3K/Akt signaling, but not on the MAPK/ERK pathway.
A Comparison Of Tracking Methods For Solar Concentrators

The method of tracking used by a solar concentrator has an effect both on the cost of the system and on the size of concentrator necessary to collect a given amount of energy. A simple computer model was used to compare a mirror utilization factor, defined as the energy collected per unit mirror area, for five types of collectors: a fully tracking paraboloid, a North-South tracking parabolic trough, the General Atomics-Russell collector, a fixed spherical bowl with a tracking receiver, and a fixed mirror collector such as a CPC or a cusp. Two cases were considered: sea horizon and low-sun-angle shading. As might be expected, the mirror utilization factor for a given concentrator was found to be roughly proportional to the complexity of the tracking system, and therefore its cost, however, there are some seasonal variations which might make one type of concentrator more desirable than another in a given situation.
Atypical fibrous histiocytoma with myxoid stroma. A rare lesion arising from dura mater of the brain

Intracranial fibrohistiocytic tumors are rare. This report is concerned with a 24-year-old white male who had an 8 month history of intermittent visual disturbance. Craniotomy revealed a large, completely intradural lesion on the floor of the left anterior cranial fossa without involvement of the leptomeninges or brain parenchyma. Gross and microscopic examination revealed that the fibrogenic portion of the tumor was composed of spindle shaped neoplastic cells arranged in storiform pattern, a hallmark of fibrohistiocytic tumor. In contrast to three previously reported cases of "fibrous xanthomas" involving the leptomeninges and superficial cortex of the brain, the present lesion is clearly originated from mesenchymal stem cell of the dura. The other distinct gross and microscopic feature was the presence of myxoid component which constituted about 40% of the entire lesion. The myxoid component had not been observed in previous 5 reported cases of intracranial fibrohistiocytic lesions. Since there was cellular pleomorphism with extremely rare mitosis, it was felt that the lesion be best designated as atypical fibrous histiocytoma with myxoid stroma.
Providing Refuge The Value of Domestic Violence Shelter Services

This study is a social cost-benefit analysis of domestic violence shelter services. In conducting the analysis, the authors distinguish between short-term and longer-term program costs and benefits. They obtained estimates of several of the short-term costs and benefits and used these figures for their quantitative analysis. They then discuss the potential longer-term costs and benefits of shelter programs but do not monetize these effects. The costs of domestic violence shelter services include operating expenses and public assistance for women and children. The benefits of the domestic violence shelter services include assaults averted and mental health benefits. The authors find that domestic violence shelter services have social benefits that significantly outweigh the social costs. The minimum net social benefit of the domestic violence shelter program is $3,494,934 and the minimum benefit-cost ratio is 4:6.
Optical coherence tomography of macular holes.

Purpose: To assess the potential of a new diagnostic technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT) for diagnosing and monitoring macular holes. This technique is a novel noninvasive, noncontact imaging modality that produces high longitudinal resolution (10-μm) cross-sectional tomographs of ocular tissue. Methods: Optical coherence tomography is analogous to ultrasound except that optical rather than acoustic reflectivity is measured. Cross-sectional tomographs of the retina profiling optical reflectivity in a thin, optical slice of tissue are obtained with a longitudinal resolution of 10 μm. Optical coherence tomography was used to examine 49 patients with the clinical diagnosis of idiopathic full-thickness macular hole, impending macular hole, epimacular membrane with macular pseudohole, or partial-thickness hole. The resulting OCTs were correlated with contact lens and slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. Results: The cross-sectional view produced by OCT was effective in distinguishing full-thickness macular holes from partial-thickness holes, macular pseudoholes, and cysts. Optical coherence tomography was successful in staging macular holes and provided a quantitative measure of hole diameter and the amount of surrounding macular edema. Optical coherence tomography also was used to evaluate the vitreoretinal interface in patients' fellow eyes and was able to detect small separations of the posterior hyaloid from the retina. Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography appears potentially useful as a new, noninvasive, diagnostic technique for visualizing and quantitatively characterizing macular holes and assessing fellow eyes of patients with a macular hole. The tomographc information provided by OCT eventually may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of macular hole formation.
Baer modules over valuation domains

A module B over a commutative domain R is said to be a Baer module if Ext R 1 (B, T)=0for all torsion R-modules T. The case in which R is an arbitrary valuation domain is investigated, and it is shown that in this case Baer modules are necessarily free. The method employed is totally different from Griffith's method for R=Z which breaks down for non-hereditary rings.
Lymphoplasmacytic myeloma. An immunological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

An unusual case of a light chain plasma cell myeloma is described. The disease was initially characterized by a diffuse lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow involvement, but subsequently developed widespread extramedullary metastases with anaplastic tumors in the skin which histologically resembled a "histiocytic lymphoma." Electron microscopic examination, in vitro protein synthesis of bone marrow lymphoidal cells, chemical and immunochemical studies of serum and urine proteins, and intracellular immunoglobulin study by the immunoperoxidase technique on the skin biopsy and postmortem tumor tissue demonstrated evidence for lambda light chain synthesis and secretion. These findings provide further support to the notion that the wide spectrum of diverse morphologic patterns seen in lymphoplasmacytic disorders originates from the same progenitor B-lymphoid cell. Distinguishing anaplastic variant of plasma cell myeloma from other undifferentiated neoplasms offers a challenge.
Sterile Acellular Dermal Collagen as a Treatment for Rippling Deformity of Breast

Prosthetic implants are frequently used for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Unfortunately, long-term aesthetic results of prosthetic breast restoration may be hindered by complications such as rippling, capsular contracture, and implant malposition. The advent of use of acellular dermal matrices has greatly improved the outcomes of prosthetic breast reconstruction. We describe a case of rippling deformity of breast that was treated using an acellular dermal matrix product, AlloMax. The patient presented with visible rippling of bilateral prosthetic breast implants as well as significant asymmetry of the breasts after multiple excisional biopsies for right breast ductal carcinoma in situ. A 6 × 10 cm piece of AlloMax was placed on the medial aspect of each breast between the implant and the skin flap. Follow-up was performed at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year following the procedure. The patient recovered well from the surgery and there were no complications. At her first postoperative follow-up the patient was extremely satisfied with the result. At her 3-month and 1-year follow-up she had no recurrence of her previous deformity and no new deformity.
The Effects of Expanded Independent Assurance on the Use of Firm‐Initiated Disclosures by Investors with Limited Business Knowledge

ABSTRACT: While increased disclosure is helpful in reducing information asymmetry, investors tend to discount firm‐initiated disclosures due to the perception that management may be biased, resulting in lower stock prices. To reduce the perception of bias, assurances by independent auditors can be attached to firm disclosures not typically covered by the traditional audit. However, until recently, it was not technologically feasible to have independent assurances accompany all firm‐initiated disclosures (i.e., expanded assurance). In an experimental study, we investigate whether having assurances accompany all firm disclosures will be perceived by nonprofessional investors with limited business knowledge as helpful in reducing investment risk. We use liberal arts students as proxies for these investors. Findings suggest that participants discount share prices for perceived bias in firm‐initiated disclosures in the absence of independent assurance; however, in the presence of such assurance, participants s...
Length and evolutionary stability of food chains

Grazing food chains in natural ecosystems tend to be relatively short, usually involving no more than four or five trophic levels 1–3. Cohen4 describes 19 food webs with a total of 102 top predators. Recent independent analyses of these data by Cohen4 and Pimm (see ref. 5) show that most top predators occupy the third trophic level. However, as Slobodkin3 has observed, “It is possible to conceive of predators that are small enough and ferocious enough to attempt to live off the top of a trophic pyramid, and thereby become a seventh, or even an eighth, trophic level. It is by no means clear why this situation has not occurred.” Our answer, which we discuss here, incorporates energy transfer calculations introduced by Hutchinson1 and Odum and Odum2 within the framework of the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) developed by Maynard-Smith and Price 6,7. We argue that food chains should collapse to the shortest possible length compatible with biochemical and physiological constraints. This minimal length is frequently three, and is largely independent of primary productivity.
Imagined Differences: Hatred and the Construction of Identity

Imagined Differences: Hatred and the Construction of Identity. Gunther Schlee, ed. New York: Palgrave, 2002. 280 pp.
A Mechanism for Light-Induced Translation of the rbcL mRNA Encoding the Large Subunit of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase in Barley Chloroplasts

Translational regulation plays a key role in light-induced expression of photosynthesis-related genes at various levels in chloroplasts. We here present the results suggesting a mechanism for light-induced translation of the rbcL mRNA encoding the large subunit (LS) of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco). When 8-day-old dark-grown barley seedlings that have low plastid translation activity were illuminated for 16 h, a dramatic increase in synthesis of large subunit of Rubisco and global activation of plastid protein synthesis occurred. While an increase in polysome-associated rbcL mRNA was observed upon illumination for 16 h, the abundance of translation initiation complexes bound to rbcL mRNA remained constant, indicating that translation elongation might be controlled during this dark-to-light transition. Toeprinting of soluble rbcL polysomes after in organello plastid translation showed that ribosomes of rbcL translation initiation complexes could read-out into elongating ribosomes in illuminated plastids whereas in dark-grown plastids, read-out of ribosomes of translation initiation complexes was inhibited. Moreover, new rounds of translation initiation could also occur in illuminated plastids, but not in dark-grown plastids. These results suggest that translation initiation complexes for rbcL are normally formed in the dark, but the transition step of translation initiation complexes entering the elongation phase of protein synthesis and/or the elongation step might be inhibited, and this inhibition seems to be released upon illumination. The release of such a translational block upon illumination may contribute to light-activated translation of the rbcL mRNA.
Risk Factors for Severe Intimate Partner Violence and Violence-Related Injuries Among Women in India

Relying on an ecological framework, we examined risk factors for severe physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and related injuries among a nationally representative sample of women (N = 67,226) in India. Data for this cross-sectional study were derived from the 2005-2006 India National Family Health Survey, a nationally representative household-based health surveillance system. Logistic regression analyses were used to generate the study findings. We found that factors related to severe physical IPV and injuries included low or no education, low socioeconomic status, rural residence, greater number of children, and separated or divorced marital status. Husbands' problem drinking, jealousy, suspicion, control, and emotionally and sexually abusive behaviors were also related to an increased likelihood of women experiencing severe IPV and injuries. Other factors included women's exposure to domestic violence in childhood, perpetration of IPV, and adherence to social norms that accept husbands' violence. Practitioners may use these findings to identify women at high risk of being victimized by severe IPV or injuries for prevention and intervention strategies. Policies and programs that focus on empowering abused women and holding perpetrators accountable may protect women at risk for severe IPV or injuries that may result in death.
Sensitivity analysis for fault-analysis and tolerance in RF front-end circuitry

RFIC reliability is fast becoming a major bottleneck in the yield and performance of modern IC systems, as process complexity and levels of integration continually increase. Due to high frequencies involved, testing these chips is both complicated and expensive. While the areas of automated testing and self-test have received significant attention over the past few years, no formal framework of fault-models or sensitivity-models exists in the RF domain. This paper describes a sensitivity analysis methodology as a first step towards such a framework. It is applied towards a low noise amplifier, and a case-study application is discussed by using design and experimental results of an adaptive LNA designed in the IBM6RF 0.25 mum CMOS process
Mesenchymal stem cell: present challenges and prospective cellular cardiomyoplasty approaches for myocardial regeneration.

Myocardial ischemia and cardiac dysfunction have been known to follow ischemic heart diseases (IHDs). Despite a plethora of conventional treatment options, their efficacies are associated with skepticism. Cell therapies harbor a promising potential for vascular and cardiac repair, which is corroborated by adequate preclinical evidence. The underlying objectives behind cardiac regenerative therapies subsume enhancing angiomyogenesis in the ischemic myocardium, ameliorating cellular apoptosis, regenerating the damaged myocardium, repopulating the lost resident myocardial cells (smooth muscle, cardiomyocyte, and endothelial cells), and finally, decreasing fibrosis with a consequent reduction in ventricular remodeling. Although-cell based cardiomyoplasty approaches have an immense potential, their clinical utilization is limited owing to the increased need for better candidates for cellular cardiomyoplasty, better routes of delivery, appropriate dose for efficient engraftment, and better preconditioning or genetic-modification strategies for the progenitor and stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as powerful candidates in mediating myocardial repair owing to their unique properties of multipotency, transdifferentiation, intercellular connection with the resident cardiomyocytes via connexin 43 (Cx43)-positive gap junctions in the myocardium, and most important, immunomodulation. In this review, we present an in-depth discussion on the complexities associated with stem and progenitor cell therapies, the potential of preclinical approaches involving MSCs for myocardial repair, and an account of the past milestones and ongoing MSC-based trials in humans. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 11, 1841–1855.
Abstract 60: KLF5 deletion promotes but does not initiate prostate carcinogenesis

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL KLF5 (Kruppel-like factor 5) is a basic transcription factor that is abundant in proliferating epithelial cells. Its locus at 13q21 is frequently deleted in human prostate cancer, suggesting a tumor suppressor function. Our previous study showed that TGF-beta, which is a differentiation signal for normal proliferating progenitor cells, acetylates KLF5 to reverse its function. Unacetylated KLF5 (unAc-KLF5) is pro-proliferative but acetylated KLF5 (Ac-KLF5) works with TGF-β to inhibit cell proliferation. Here we generated a Klf5-floxed mouse strain in which exons 2 and 3 of Klf5 are flanked by loxP sequences. By crossing Klf5-floxed mice with PB-Cre4 transgenic mice, we were able to delete the Klf5 gene specifically in prostatic epithelial cells. Because knockout of both Pten alleles induces prostate carcinoma, we also crossed Klf5-floxed mice with Pten-floxed mice to investigate Klf5 function in tumor progression. At different time points, prostates were collected and histological and molecular analyses were performed. We found that knockout of one Klf5 allele mainly increased cell proliferation and caused epithelial hyperplasia but was insufficient to initiate prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). On the other hand, knockout of both Klf5 alleles mainly induced apoptosis in prostate epithelia. When combined with Pten knockout, the apoptosis was prevented due to the activation of PI3K survival signaling, making Klf5 null cells survive. With the deletion of one Pten allele, Klf5 deletion significantly increased cell proliferation and promoted the development of hyperplasia and PIN. When both Pten alleles were deleted, Klf5 deletion significantly enhanced tumor development, as indicated by increased tumor size and elimination of luminal structures. Immunohistochemical staining proved that cell cycle regulator p15 was downregulated in Klf5 knockout mice. Deletion of Klf5 also significantly induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2 MAPK and further increased Akt activity. In normal prostates, total Klf5 was detected in both luminal and basal cells of the prostate, while unAc-Klf5 and Ac-Klf5 were detected in basal and luminal cells respectively. In addition, oncogenic signals, such as Pten knockout, reduced Ac-Klf5 in differentiated luminal cells. In conclusion, deletion of Klf5 promotes cell proliferation and makes cells susceptible to other factor-induced carcinogenesis in the prostate, probably because of impaired proliferation-inhibitory function of Ac-Klf5. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 60. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-60
A Case of SRY-Positive 38,XY True Hermaphroditism (XY Sex Reversal) in a Cat

Investigation of abnormal sexual development in companion animals can allow for the elimination of inherited disorders from breeding populations while contributing to the understanding of the complex process of mammalian sexual development and differentiation. A 1-year-old mixed-breed cat, presented for neutering, was tentatively diagnosed as a male with bilateral cryptorchidism. During surgery, the surgeon identified gonads in an ovarian position and a complete bicornuate uterus. Both testicular and ovarian architecture in the gonads and Mullerian and Wolffian duct derivatives were identified histologically. The karyotype was that of a normal male (38,XY), and no causative mutation was identified in the feline SRY coding sequence amplified from genomic DNA. All features of the case were compatible with a diagnosis of SRY-positive 38,XY sex reversal, true hermaphrodite phenotype. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this disorder in a domestic cat.
Transforming consumer health informatics: connecting CHI applications to the health-IT ecosystem.

Comment to : Valdez RS, Holden RJ, Novak LL, et al . Transforming consumer health informatics through a patient work framework: connecting patients to context. J Am Med Inform Assoc JAMIA Published Online First: 14 August 2014. doi:10.1136/amiajnl-2014-002826 In their paper “Transforming Consumer Health Informatics through a Patient Framework: connecting patients to context,”1 Valdez and colleagues propose a “patient-work” framework based on an holistic view of patient’s socio- environmental context that should streamline Consumer Health Informatics (CHI) application development and deployment. However, the proposed framework does not consider CHI applications as potential actors of the healthcare digital information flow, within the so-called “health-IT ecosystem” envisaged by the Health Information Exchange movement.2 In this letter, we propose a framework for the integration of CHI applications into the “health-IT ecosystem”. This is in line with the American Medical Association’s vision for improving electronic health record (EHR) usability by facilitating “Digital and Mobile Patient Engagement” through “interoperability between patient’s mobile technology and the EHR”.3 We believe that …
And then came culture

Both a tribute and ritual of remembrance, "And then came culture" elaborates the intensely political critique that Trouillot commanded throughout his life. Whether writing about Haiti, the silences of history, neocolonialism, or the relations between state and nation, he fought hard against the academic generalities and benign consensus that hid the realities of racism and erasure. One of the words that most haunted him—its uses and abuses—was the word "culture." I trace that compelling concern throughout his work, most especially in a piece called "Adieu, Culture: A New Duty Arises," a necessary warning about and corrective to the limits of liberal discourse.
Evaluating the michigan SENSOR surveillance program for work-related asthma

Background Most Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections are based on employee complaints or targeting of industry groupings. Limited use has been made of illness data to target inspections and evaluation of such targeting is even more limited. Methods This study compared 545 Michigan OSHA (MIOSHA) inspections performed as follow up to reports of work-related asthma (WRA) with 12,268 non-disease initiated OSHA inspections performed during the same time period (1989–2002). Results SENSOR asthma inspections were more likely to be conducted in larger, unionized employers. Although the likelihood of citations (∼50%), type of citation, and monetary penalties (∼30%) were not different between disease and non-disease initiated inspections, the number of citations and amount of monetary penalties were less in disease initiated inspections. Citations and penalties were more likely for small as compared to large employers, and were less likely at unionized worksites. Conclusions Even without the availability of specific standards for agents that cause WRA, inspections triggered by a WRA index case are very much like other inspected worksites in terms of the prevalence of violations observed at the worksite. The advisability of making referrals to OSHA and additional ways to evaluate the effectiveness of this type of intervention model are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:646–656, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.