cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus colonization among pregnant women

CUS AUREUS COLONIZATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN KATHERINE CHEN, RICHARD HUARD, PHYLLIS DELLA-LATTA, LISA SAIMAN, Columbia University, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Epidemiology, New York, New York, Columbia University, Pathology, New York, New York, Columbia University, Pediatrics and Epidemiology, New York, New York OBJECTIVE: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection has emerged in postpartum women and neonates. To estimate the extent of community-acquired MRSA colonization among pregnant women, we determined the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus from group B streptococcus (GBS) screening cultures obtained from pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective surveillance study for methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus on all routine de-identified GBS screening cultures obtained from pregnant women that were submitted to the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of a large tertiary care referral center with an average of 4,000 live births annually. We analyzed the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the MRSA isolates to identify isolates with phenotypic characteristics of community-acquired MRSA (isolates that were not multidrug-resistant) and hospital-acquired MRSA (isolates that were multi-drugresistant). RESULTS: From January 2005 to June 2005, 2,118 GBS screening cultures were processed. Five hundred (23.6%) GBS isolates and 364 (17.2%) S. aureus isolates were identified. Colonization with GBS significantly predicted colonization with S. aureus (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4, 2.4, p!0.0001). Of the S. aureus isolates, 9 (2.5%) were methicillin-resistant. Of the MRSA isolates, 8 (88.9%) had phenotypic characteristics of community-acquired MRSA whereas one isolate had characteristics of hospital-acquired MRSA. CONCLUSION: We identified a higher than previously reported colonization rate of S. aureus among pregnant women, yet detected a low rate of community-acquired MRSA. Despite the emergence of community-acquired MRSA infections in the postpartum and neonatal populations, we do not advocate routine screening of pregnant women for colonization of community-acquired MRSA at this time. However, the monitoring of community-acquired MRSA infections should continue.
The association between orthostatic hypotension and recurrent falls in nursing home residents.

Abstract PURPOSE: Orthostatic hypotension is common among the elderly, but its relation to falls is not certain. We determined whether orthostatic hypotension, including its timing and frequency, was associated with falls in elderly nursing home residents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 844 elderly (60 years of age and older), long-stay residents at 40 facilities that were part of a multistate nursing home chain. All subjects were able to maintain weight-bearing for at least 1 minute. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a 20 mm Hg or greater decrease in systolic blood pressure from supine to standing, as measured after 1 or 3 minutes of standing on four occasions (before or after breakfast, or before or after lunch). The outcome was any subsequent fall during a mean of 1.2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Orthostatic hypotension was present (at least on one measurement) in 50% of the subjects but was not associated with subsequent falls. However, among subjects with a history of previous falls in the past 6 months, those with orthostatic hypotension had an increased risk of recurrent falls [adjusted relative risk (RR) = 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4 to 3.1]. The risk of subsequent falls was greatest in previous fallers who had orthostatic hypotension at two or more measurements (RR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.7 to 4.6). The association between orthostatic hypotension and recurrent falls was independent of measured demographic or clinical risk factors for falls. The timing of orthostatic hypotension (before or after meals) did not affect the risk of falls. CONCLUSIONS: Orthostatic hypotension is an independent risk factor for recurrent falls among elderly nursing home residents. Although the benefit of treating orthostatic hypotension will require further study, it may be prudent to identify high-risk residents and institute precautionary measures.
PKC Activity and Protein Phosphorylation in Regulation of sig Mediated B Cell Activation

The inhibitory and stimulatory elements of cellular signalling associated with activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in murine B lymphocytes were investigated by employing two PKC activators with opposing effects on cell proliferation. Being an inhibitor of anti-Ig mediated proliferation, the phorbol ester PDBU induced a more substantial translocation of cytosolic PKC activity than the alkaloid PKC activator indolactam, which enhances anti-Ig mediated B cell proliferation. PDBU and indolactam were equally effective kinase activators, as determined by 32P incorporation of the substrate proteins. Concentrations of indolactam which induced an inhibition of anti-Ig mediated B cell proliferation also induced a precipitous decline in detergent soluble cellular PKC activity, which was comparable with 1 microM PDBU. The induced phosphoprotein patterns were similar, with an exception of the nuclear envelope protein lamin B, which was prominently phosphorylated by PDBU but not by stimulatory concentrations of indolactam. The enhanced phosphorylation of lamin B was associated with cellular growth arrest: inhibitory concentrations of indolactam induced the phosphorylation of lamin B equal to PDBU, whereas an increased phosphorylation of lamin B was never observed upon stimulation with anti-Ig. Together, inhibition of anti-Ig mediated B cell proliferation was related to down-regulation of cytoplasmic PKC and induction of nuclear PKC-dependent phosphorylation.
Inverse Compton spectra and the spectrum of Cygnus X-1

THE many X-ray observations of the black hole candidate Cyg X-1 show a variable power-law spectrum (see refs 1–8) where d is the distance to the source. During the ‘low state’, in which the source spends ∼ 90% of its time7, p ≃ 0.5 and the power-law spectrum extends over 1 keV ≲ E ≲ 100 keV, with a knee suggested at ∼ 100 keV. During the transient ‘high state’, which persists for weeks to months, the total luminosity at ≳ 1 keV increases by a factor 5–10 and the spectrum steepens to 2 ≲ p ≲ 4 over the range 1 keV ≲ E ≲ 10 keV. A hard excess above this steep slope is visible at > 10 keV, which contains ∼10% of the total energy. In this paper we glean some information about the physics of the source by interpreting this spectrum as being caused by inverse Compton scattering by nonrelativistic electrons at a temperature Te ≃ 109K.
Patch culturing and transfer of human fetal retinal epithelium.

Human retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) can be cultured by removing small patches of this layer from the choroid of the fetal eye. Such RPE patches give rise to healthy, epithelioid monolayers in vitro within 1–2 weeks without contamination from retinal or choroidal cells. The viability and proliferative capacity of these cultures is independent of the initial polarity of the patch. These RPE monolayers develop apical/basal polarity and a basal lamina and rest on a field of collagen fibers; they are capable of phagocytizing outer segments. A patch can be lifted off a confluent monolayer and transferred to another culture dish without risking the viability of either the old or the new culture. This provides a means of transplanting an organized, polarized patch of human RPE from one place to another.
Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage (ATACH) II: Design, Methods, and Rationale

The December 2003 report from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Workshop on priorities for clinical research in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recommended clinical trials for evaluation of blood pressure management in acute ICH as a leading priority. The Special Writing Group of the Stroke Council of the American Heart Association in 1999 and 2007 emphasized the need for clinical trials to ensure evidence-based treatment of acute hypertensive response in ICH. To address important gaps in knowledge, we conducted a pilot study funded by the NINDS, Antihypertensive Treatment of Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage (ATACH) I Trial, during 2004–2008 to determine the appropriate level of systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction. We now have initiated a multi-center, randomized Phase III trial, the ATACH II Trial, to definitively determine the efficacy of early, intensive, antihypertensive treatment using intravenous (IV) nicardipine initiated within 3 h of onset of ICH and continued for the next 24 h in subjects with spontaneous supratentorial ICH. The primary hypothesis of this large (N = 1,280), streamlined, and focused trial is that SBP reduction to ≤140 mm Hg reduces the likelihood of death or disability at 3 months after ICH, defined by modified Rankin scale score of 4–6, by at least 10% absolute compared to standard SBP reduction to ≤180 mm Hg. The ATACH II trial is a natural extension of numerous case series, the subsequent ATACH I pilot trial, and a preliminary, randomized, and controlled trial in this patient population funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. Both trials recently confirmed the safety and tolerability of both the regimen and goals of antihypertensive treatment in acutely hypertensive patients with ICH, as proposed in the present trial. The underlying mechanism for this expected beneficial effect of intensive treatment is presumably mediated through reduction of the rate and magnitude of hematoma expansion observed in approximately 73% of the patients with acute ICH. The Australian trial provided preliminary evidence of attenuation of hematoma expansion with intensive SBP reduction. The ATACH II trial will have important public health implications by providing evidence of, or lack thereof, regarding the efficacy and safety of acute antihypertensive treatment in subjects with ICH. This treatment represents a strategy that can be made widely available without the need for specialized equipment and personnel, and therefore, can make a major impact upon clinical practice for treating patients with ICH.
On tension stiffening in reinforced concrete

Abstract A two phase mixture model for reinforced concrete is presented. The theory is intended to simulate phenomena such as tension stiffening in reinforced concrete members. Simulation capability includes steel-concrete bond degradation and slip, progressive concrete cracking, and nonlinear responses of steel and concrete. The resulting model is applied to the problem of tension stiffening 0of certain reinforced concrete elements and a closed form solution of the mixture relations is obtained for displacement-controlled tension tests. Theory versus experiment comparisons indicate that the mixture concept furnishes a capability to accurately mirror complex phenomena resulting from both concrete cracking and interface slip.
Phase II trial of cetuximab and carboplatin in relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer and evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Purpose This phase II trial assessed the activity and tolerability of cetuximab (C225, Erbitux) in combination with carboplatin in patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma.
Using Awake Animal Imaging to Fingerprint Drugs for CNS Liability: Risk of Suicide?

Awake animal imaging has become an important tool in preclinical drug discovery. Noninvasive ultra-high field, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides a window to the mind making it possible to image changes in brain activity across distributed, integrated neural circuits with high temporal and spatial resolution. Awake animal imaging offers the ability to record signal changes across the entire brain in seconds. When combined with the use of 3D segmented, annotated, brain atlases, and computational analysis, it is possible to reconstruct distributed, integrated neural circuits, or “fingerprints” of brain activity. These fingerprints can be used to characterize the activity and function of new psychotherapeutics in preclinical development and to study the neurobiology of integrated neural circuits controlling cognition and emotion. In this chapter, we briefly describe the methods used to image awake animals and its application toward the study of drugs with black box warnings for suicidal ideation and self-harm.
Prophylaxis Against Venous Thromboembolism After Hip Surgery-Reply

In Reply. —The literature on prevention of venous thromboembolism following total hip replacement is highly controversial. The overall tone of Dr Megerman's comments reflects the controversy and uncertainty in this area and highlights the need for meta-analysis. We were aware of the different mechanisms of action between intermittent pneumatic compression and static elastic compression. Megerman erroneously assumes, however, that different mechanisms of action translate into different efficacies. We combined these mechanical modalities because of separate crude risks that were no different clinically or statistically. This preliminary analysis consisted of simple tabulation of numerators and denominators for each modality and was determined separately from our more detailed analysis. We carefully considered how to include the few treatment arms that combined pharmacologic and mechanical modalities. As stated in the article, our assignment of these combination groups to the pharmacologic arm was arbitrary but made more clinical sense than assignment to the mechanical
Use of A Nutrition Screening Questionnaire in Outpatient Cardiology Clinic

Abstract Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a cost effective intervention for heart disease. A total of 8,229 new patients were seen in Cardiology Clinic last year. A screening tool allows health care team members to assess their patients' nutritional risks and need for MNT with a Registered Dietitian (RD). In summer 1998 a screening tool was developed for use in outpatient clinics. From August 1998 to February 1999 new patients in Cardiology Clinic completed the Nutrition Screening Questionnaire. The RD was consulted when one of the three identified questions was answered "yes." Prior to use of the screening tool, an average of 1.5 new patients per month received MNT with an RD. While using the screening tool, the number increased to an average of 4.5 new patients per month. Further evaluation of the data revealed 35% of the new patients in Cardiology Clinic answered "yes" to at least one of the three questions. Based on this percentage and the total number of new patients seen in Cardiology Clinic in prior year, 240 new patients per month would be considered for MNT with an RD. The results indicate a screening tool will identify more patients who can benefit from MNT and increase the need for RD services. Clear communication between all health care team members is essential for any tool to be effective.
Reviewer acknowledgement 2012

Retrovirology would like to thank the following for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for the journal in 2012.
Automated Extraction of Microtubules and Their Plus-Ends

Though electron tomography opens up new possibilities in imaging the microtubule and the fine plus-end structures, the interpretation of the acquired data remains an obstacle due to the low SNR and the cluttered cellular environment. The automatic extraction of plus-end is especially challenging since they have complex and varying conformations beyond the capacity of existing segmentation methods. We propose an automated approach to extracting the microtubule plus-end with a coarse to fine scale scheme consisting of volume enhancement and plus-end segmentation. To make the segmentation robust against confusing image features, we have fully incorporated the prior knowledge of microtubules and plus-ends into our model-based framework. Experimental results demonstrate that our automated method produces results comparable to the manual segmentation but using only a fraction of the manual segmentation time. The automated approach also segments more fine structures that could be overlooked by human operators.
Monitoring and compensating for between-run temperature and pH variations in kinetic-based determinations

Abstract During kinetic fluorimetric measurements, the pH and temperature of the reaction mixture are monitored. A microcomputer is used to report the rate, pH and temperature and to calculate a rate normalized to a standard pH and temperature. Software correction of rates is shown to improve the measurement precision by a factor of four when the temperature of reaction mixtures varies over 1.05°C, and by more than an order of magnitude when the pH of the reaction mixture varies over 0.28 pH unit. A measurement error of 40% incurred without correction as a result of low temperature and pH of the reaction mixture was reduced to less than 1%.
Characterization of the Fabrication Process of Rolled LTCC Structures

This work focuses on the fabrication and assembly of cylindrical plasma containment tubes using DuPont's 951 low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) for use in miniature electrostatic thrusters. The tube is used to contain argon plasma, which is generated by a spiral inductively coupled plasma antenna, which is also fabricated in LTCC. The tube also interfaces with two electrically biased grids on the opposite end, which accelerate the plasma out of the tube. These interfaces are highly dependent on the dimensions and tolerances of the containment tube. The development of the fabrication process will be presented for the incorporation of the tubes and grids onto the base as a single structure. This includes constructing the antenna base, shaping the “rolled” LTCC containment tube using a jig and isostatic press, and integrating the tube and antenna base during the firing. Following the fabrication, measurements will be taken to determine tube circularity and hermeticity of the seal at the interface between the tube and the antenna base. The results will be presented and characterized to evaluate the effectiveness of the structure as well as the documentation of the development of a rolled LTCC tube structure integrated with a planar LTCC antenna base.
A second failure to replicate the Gottman et al. (1995) typology of men who abuse intimate partners...and possible reasons why.

The present study attempts to replicate Gottman et al.'s (1995; see record 1995-44075-001; and Jacobson & Gottman, 1998) psychophysiological study that classifies partner assaultive men into two distinct groups: heart rate (HR) decelerators (Type 1 batterers) and HR accelerators (Type 2 batterers). Current results indicate no significant differences between Type 1 and Type 2 batterers on the antisocial spectrum of behaviors. Resting HR, rather than HR change, was negatively related to the antisocial spectrum of behavior for batterers with severe, clinical levels of violence only. Reasons for subsequent failures to replicate the Type 1 versus Type 2 distinctions may be attributable to unusually high autonomic arousal during baseline in the original study. Consideration of resting HR and the use of dimensional as opposed to categorical approaches in analyzing the heterogeneity of batterers are proposed as possible solutions to clarifying inconsistencies across laboratories. Language: en
Bacterial adhesion to functionalized polyurethanes

The effect of fibrinogen and high molecular weight kininogen on bacterial adhesion to functionalized polyurethanes was studied. Glass slides were coated with different polyurethanes, including Pellethane, sulfonated Pellethane, phosphonated Pellethane, a zwitterionic phosphonated polyurethane, and quaternized amine polyurethanes. The polymer-coated glass squares were exposed to radiolabelled S. aureus. When comparing adhesion to bare polyurethanes, it was found that adhesion was lowest on the phosphonated Pellethane and the zwitterionic phosphonated polyurethane while highest on the methyl quaternized polyurethanes. Fibrinogcn-mcdiated adhesion was studied by first exposing the polymers to increasing concentrations of canine fibrinogen before incubating them with S. aureus. All the polymers except the quaternized amine polyurethanes exhibited at least ten-fold increases in bacterial adhesion as the fibrinogen treatment concentration was increased from 0.0 to 10.0 μg ml-1. The quaternized amine polyurethan...
Theoretical analysis and quantification of the absorption spectra of uranyl complexes with structurally-related tridentate ligands.

A semi-empirical model of vibronic coupling was developed in the present work to provide a quantitative analysis of partially resolved vibronic structure in uranyl absorption spectra. The studied uranyl complexes share a similar structure but bear different electric charges in the equatorial ligands. Their optical absorption spectra exhibit the common characteristics of charge transfer vibronic transitions of uranyl complexes but fine structures arising from specific vibrational modes are obscured. Accordingly, in application of the Franck–Condon principle of vibronic coupling, our model takes a mode-degenerate approximation. The absorption spectra of uranyl in various ligand environments were calculated and fitted to the experimental data. The semi-empirical approach enabled quantitative evaluation of the electronic energy levels, vibrational frequencies, and vibronic coupling strength. Moreover, the expansion of the UO bond in the excited states was calculated from the values of the vibronic coupling parameters determined in simulation of the experimental spectra. The calculated results agree very well with the experimentally observed trends in thermodynamic binding constants and structural parameters. A theoretical interpretation is given to the dependence of the UO bond expansion on the charges carried by the uranyl ligand complexes.
The biology of speciation.

Since Darwin published the “Origin,” great progress has been made in our understanding of speciation mechanisms. The early investigations by Mayr and Dobzhansky linked Darwin’s view of speciation by adaptive divergence to the evolution of reproductive isolation, and thus provided a framework for studying the origin of species. However, major controversies and questions remain, including: When is speciation nonecological? Under what conditions does geographic isolation constitute a reproductive isolating barrier? and How do we estimate the “importance” of different isolating barriers? Here, we address these questions, providing historical background and offering some new perspectives. A topic of great recent interest is the role of ecology in speciation. “Ecological speciation” is defined as the case in which divergent selection leads to reproductive isolation, with speciation under uniform selection, polyploid speciation, and speciation by genetic drift defined as “nonecological.” We review these proposed cases of nonecological speciation and conclude that speciation by uniform selection and polyploidy normally involve ecological processes. Furthermore, because selection can impart reproductive isolation both directly through traits under selection and indirectly through pleiotropy and linkage, it is much more effective in producing isolation than genetic drift. We thus argue that natural selection is a ubiquitous part of speciation, and given the many ways in which stochastic and deterministic factors may interact during divergence, we question whether the ecological speciation concept is useful. We also suggest that geographic isolation caused by adaptation to different habitats plays a major, and largely neglected, role in speciation. We thus provide a framework for incorporating geographic isolation into the biological species concept (BSC) by separating ecological from historical processes that govern species distributions, allowing for an estimate of geographic isolation based upon genetic differences between taxa. Finally, we suggest that the individual and relative contributions of all potential barriers be estimated for species pairs that have recently achieved species status under the criteria of the BSC. Only in this way will it be possible to distinguish those barriers that have actually contributed to speciation from those that have accumulated after speciation is complete. We conclude that ecological adaptation is the major driver of reproductive isolation, and that the term “biology of speciation,” as proposed by Mayr, remains an accurate and useful characterization of the diversity of speciation mechanisms.
On the unusual signals observed in a ceramic Y-Ba-Cu-O sample

Abstract Shrivastava [Solid State Comm. 68, 259 (1988)] has interpreted the sudden appearance of noise on a broad modulated microwave absorption signal observed on cooling a particular ceramic Y-Ba-Cu-O sample below 10 K as evidence for a flux-lattice transition, attributing the noise itself to random sets of periodic signals. However, it has been shown that the noise in question, which occurs only under conditions of large modulation amplitude (∼ 10 Oe), is an artifact associated with helium gas-flow cooling systems. The manifestation of temperature cycling in such systems is also considered.
A noble refractive optical scanner with linear response

Many applications in various fields of science and engineering use steered optical beam systems. Currently, many methods utilize mirrors in order to steer the beam. However, this approach is an off-axis solution, which normally increases the total size of the system as well as its error and complexity. Other methods use a “Risely Prisms” based solution, which is on-axis solution, however it poses some difficulties from an engineering standpoint, and therefore isn't widely used. We present here a novel technique for steering a beam on its optical axis with a linear deflection response. We derived the formulation for the profile required of the refractive optical component necessary for preforming the beam steering. The functionality of the device was simulated analytically using Matlab, as well as using a ray-tracing software, Zemax, and showed agreement with the analytical model. An optical element was manufactured based on the proposed design and the device was tested. The results show agreement with our hypothesis. We also present some proposed geometries of the several other devices, all based on the same concept, which can be used for higher performance applications such as two-dimensional scanner, video rate scanner etc.
A postmodern view of fractions and the reciprocals of Fermat primes.

In America's visually-oriented, quantitatively illiterate culture, images have a great deal of power, so if a picture is today worth a thousand words, it must be worth at least a billion numbers. This power of the image is a hallmark of the postmodern era, in which the critical role of the obselver has come to be recognized, and an understanding of the viewpoint has become inseparable from that of the object. In some ways, the blossoming of chaos theoly marked the arrival of mathematical postmodernism. Not so long ago, mathematical ideas were virtually unseen in American popular culture, and it took the enthralling fractal images of chaos theoly to change that: the studies of chaos and fractals became some of the most widely discussed mathematical topics ever, and pictures of fractal images such as the
Long-term survivors using intraoperative radiotherapy for recurrent gynecologic malignancies.

Purpose To analyze the outcomes of therapy and identify prognostic factors for patients treated with surgery followed by intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for gynecologic malignancies at a single institution. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective review of 36 consecutive patients treated with IORT to 44 sites with mean follow-up of 50 months. The primary site was the cervix in 47%, endometrium in 31%, vulva in 14%, vagina in 6%, and fallopian tubes in 3%. Previous RT had failed in 72% of patients, and 89% had recurrent disease. Of 38 IORT sessions, 84% included maximal cytoreductive surgery, including 18% exenterations. The mean age was 52 years (range, 30–74), mean tumor size was 5 cm (range, 0.5–12), previous disease-free interval was 32 months (range, 0–177), and mean IORT dose was 1,152 cGy (range, 600–1,750). RT and systemic therapy after IORT were given to 53% and 24% of the cohort, respectively. The outcomes measured were locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and treatment-related complications. Results The Kaplan-Meier 5-year LRC, DMFS, and DSS probability for the whole group was 44%, 51%, and 47%, respectively. For cervical cancer patients, the Kaplan-Meier 5-year LRC, DMFS, and DSS estimate was 45%, 60%, and 46%, respectively. The prognostic factors found on multivariate analysis (p ≤ 0.05) were the disease-free interval for LRC, tumor size for DMFS, and cervical primary, previous surgery, and locoregional relapse for DSS. Our cohort had 10 Grade 3-4 complications associated with treatment (surgery and IORT) and a Kaplan-Meier 5-year Grade 3-4 complication-free survival rate of 72%. Conclusions Survival for pelvic recurrence of gynecologic cancer is poor (range, 0–25%). IORT after surgery seems to confer long-term local control in carefully selected patients.
Saying Versus judging: Assessing knowledge of eyewitness memory

Determining the nature of jurors' knowledge about factors influencing eyewitness memory is critical for judges' decisions to admit expert testimony. Past empirical research has primarily assessed such knowledge using responses to survey questions. Yet, research from a variety of fields suggests that expressed beliefs may over- or under-estimate the ability of respondents to act appropriately when faced with a situation where such knowledge is relevant. Participants in this study evaluated the accuracy of eyewitnesses depicted in brief trial transcripts and answered survey questions to assess their beliefs regarding the same eyewitness memory issues. Results revealed that participants' performance on the transcripts did not correlate with their survey responses for most issues. Our findings highlight some potential strengths and weaknesses of survey measures of knowledge about eyewitness memory, and suggest the need for more diverse research investigating people's understanding and use of such knowledge. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive and social cognitive development of depressed children and adolescents

Depressed juveniles show evidence of functional impairment in various cognitive and social domains. Actual school performance seems to be more consistently affected by depression than cognitive and intellectual abilities. In addition, depressed youth appear to be less socially adept than nondepressed peers, although depression does not consistently impair social-cognitive abilities. Indications that depressed youth show mild declines in tested verbal performance over time and that residual problems in social functioning persist after symptomatic recovery suggest that major depression may have negative effects on development in childhood.
Half-life of32Si

Beta rays from a32Si32P source, produced in 1968–1969 via the30Si(t,p)32Si reaction using a Van de Graaff beam atEt = 3.4 MeV, were counted with an end-window gas-flow proportional counter system including an automatic precision sample changer. Comparison counts were taken on the β rays from a36Cl source. Measurements beginning February, 1982 were made at approximately 4-week intervals, each consisting of a total of 40 hours of counting on each sample. The decay rate was determined from the32Si/36Cl ratio of counts. Small periodic annual deviations of the data points from an exponential decay curve were observed, but are of uncertain origin and had no significant effect on the result. Based on the analysis of 53 points taken in 48 months, the valueT1/2 = 172(4) yr is adopted for the half-life of32Si. This result is substantially greater than two previously reported measurements of 108(18) yr and 101(18) yr but is lower than values based on geophysical evidence.
Repeated pretreatment with amphetamine sensitizes increases in cortical acetylcholine release.

Rationale: Previous studies on the attentional effects of repeated psychostimulant administration in rats suggested the possibility that these effects are mediated via increases in the efficacy of psychostimulants to stimulate cortical acetylcholine (ACh) release. Furthermore, neurochemical data have raised the possibility that increases in nucleus accumbens (NAC) dopamine (DA) release trans-synaptically increase the excitability of basal forebrain corticopetal cholinergic projections, thereby supporting speculations about relationships between the effects of repeated psychostimulant administration on NAC DA and cortical ACh release. Objectives: To determine whether repeated exposure to amphetamine would potentiate the stimulating effects of the drug on cortical ACh and NAC DA efflux. Methods: Rats were implanted with microdialysis guide cannula in the medial prefrontal cortex and the shell region of the ipsilateral NAC. Amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg i.p.) or saline (0.9%) was administered every other day for 10 days, for a total of five injections. ACh and DA efflux and locomotor activity were measured on the day of the first and last injections of this pretreatment regimen. All animals were retested following a challenge dose of amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg i.p.) given 10 and 19 days after the last pretreatment injection. Results: The initial injections of amphetamine stimulated ACh and DA efflux and locomotor behavior in both groups. The pretreatment with amphetamine potentiated the ability of the drug to stimulate cortical ACh efflux on day 19 of the withdrawal period. The pretreatment with amphetamine also increased the effects of the challenge dose on motoric activity on day 10. Pretreatment with amphetamine did not result in a significant augmentation of the amphetamine-induced increase in DA efflux in the NAC. Conclusions: Pretreatment with amphetamine sensitizes the ability of amphetamine to stimulate cortical ACh efflux. These results support the hypothesis that sensitized release of cortical ACh mediated the previously observed hyperattentional impairments in amphetamine pretreated rats. Sensitized cortical ACh release following repeated exposure to psychostimulants may mediate the overprocessing of addictive drug-related stimuli, thus contributing to repeated compulsive addictive drug use.
Multilevel Covariance Structure Analysis

This article gives an introduction to some new techniques for multilevel covariance structure modeling with latent variables. Although these techniques only incorporate a subset of models that are relevant to multilevel data, the techniques do provide a large set of new analysis possibilities and have the advantage that they only require conventional structural equation modeling software. The presentation draws on methodology presented in earlier works by the author.
Allosteric Control of Ligand Selectivity between Estrogen Receptors α and β - Implications for Other Nuclear Receptors

Allosteric communication between interacting molecules is fundamental to signal transduction and many other cellular processes. To better understand the relationship between nuclear receptor (NR) ligand positioning and the formation of the coactivator binding pocket, we investigated the determinants of ligand selectivity between the two estrogen receptor subtypes ERalpha and ERbeta. Chimeric receptors and structurally guided amino acid substitutions were used to demonstrate that distinct "hot spot" amino acids are required for ligand selectivity. Residues within the ligand binding pocket as well as distal secondary structural interactions contribute to subtype-specific positioning of the ligand and transcriptional output. Examination of other NRs suggests a mechanism of communication between the ligand and coactivator binding pockets, accounting for partial agonist and dimer-specific activity. These results demonstrate the importance of long-range interactions in the transmission of information through the ligand binding domain as well as in determining the ligand selectivity of closely related NR receptor subtypes.
Properties of enucleated cells: II. Characteristic overlapping of transformed cells is reestablished by enucleates

Abstract Many normal cells are restricted in movement over each other's surfaces. We have quantitatively examined this restriction in the established mouse cell line 3T3, in a polyoma virus-transformed subline Py3T3, and in enucleated cytoplasms prepared from these lines by cytochalasin B treatment. Overlapping of trypsinized, replated cells was quantitated by phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy. Cells of the normal mouse line 3T3 did not overlap one another. Cells of Py3T3 overlapped one another extensively. Trypsinized, replated 3T3 enucleates did not overlap one another, whereas replated enucleates of Py3T3 displayed many overlaps.
Characterization of dexD/H-Box RNA Helicases Involved in Fission Yeast Spliceosome

The spliceosome is a dynamic macromolecular machine that catalyzes the pre-mRNA splicing reaction. The megadalton-sized spliceosome is composed of four small nuclear RNPs (U1, U2, U5, and U4/U6) and numerous pre-mRNA splicing factors. The formation of an active spliceosome involves a series of regulated steps that requires the assembly and disassembly of large multiprotein/RNA complexes. At least eight DExD/H-box RNA helicases are involved in the splicing reaction (Prp5/Prp11, Sub2/Uap56, Prp28, Brr2, Prp2/Cdc28, Prp16, Prp22 and Prp43), and are highly conserved through yeast to human. Previous studies showed that these RNA helicases are important for rearranging the spliceosome during assembly, activation and disassembly. However, the mechanism(s) of how they regulate and control spliceosomal conformational changes remain elusive. To generate a structural based model for how RNA helicases control spliceosome transitions, we are using the genetically tractable fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. To explore RNA helicase function in the splicing reaction we have generated a bank of integrated dominant negative DExD/H RNA helicase alleles that are under the control of a conditional promoter. As expected, cells over-expressing these mutants accumulate pre-mRNA and die. We are now further characterizing the structural and functional consequences to spliceosome complexes containing mutant helicases.
Effect and Treatment of Chronic Pain in Inflammatory Arthritis

Pain is the most common reason patients with inflammatory arthritis see a rheumatologist. Patients consistently rate pain as one of their highest priorities, and pain is the single most important determinant of patient global assessment of disease activity. Although pain is commonly interpreted as a marker of inflammation, the correlation between pain intensity and measures of peripheral inflammation is imperfect. The prevalence of chronic, non-inflammatory pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia is higher among patients with inflammatory arthritis than in the general population. Inflammatory arthritis patients with fibromyalgia have higher measures of disease activity and lower quality of life than inflammatory patients who do not have fibromyalgia. This review article focuses on current literature involving the effects of pain on disease assessment and quality of life for patients with inflammatory arthritis. It also reviews non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic options for treatment of pain for patients with inflammatory arthritis, focusing on the implications of comorbidities and concurrent disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. Although several studies have examined the effects of reducing inflammation for patients with inflammatory arthritis, very few clinical trials have examined the safety and efficacy of treatment directed specifically towards pain pathways. Most studies have been small, have focused on rheumatoid arthritis or mixed populations (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis plus osteoarthritis), and have been at high risk of bias. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to examine the mechanisms of pain in inflammatory arthritis and to determine the safety and efficacy of analgesic medications in this specific patient population.
Stimulation of human Jurkat cells by monoclonal antibody crosslinking of transfected-Ly-6A.2 (TAP) molecules.

Abstract Monoclonal antibody crosslinking of phosphatidylinositol-anchored Ly-6A.2 molecules on the surface of murine T lymphocytes leads to cell activation and secretion of IL-2. To examine the potential activity of these molecules in human T cells we transfected the Ly-6A.2 gene into Jurkat cells. Transfection of Jurkat cells with genomic Ly-6A.2 sequences results in low levels of Ly-6A.2 on the cell surface. However, linking the Ly-6A.2 sequences to the enhancer from the human CD2 gene results in greatly increased expression of Ly-6A.2. These molecules are anchored to the membrane via a phosphatidylinositol linkage. Crosslinking of Ly-6A.2 molecules with soluble mAb stimulates the transfected Jurkat cells to produce IL-2. This stimulation is abrogated by treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The transfected human T cells displayed the same unusual crosslinking requirements for stimulation with anti-Ly-6A.2 mAbs as previously observed for murine T cells. Crosslinking of Ly-6A.2 with soluble antibodies is stimulatory, whereas immobilized antibodies are inactive. The crosslinking requirements for anti-CD3 mAb stimulation display a reciprocal pattern. These data demonstrate that the Ly-6A.2 pathway for T cell activation is conserved between human and murine T cells.
The Time Factor in Anesthesia

Light anesthesia with the common anesthetic agents does not significantly interfere with the homeostatic mechanisms, nor does it depress the myocardium. The same is true for adequate amounts of muscle relaxant agents. Problems of respiratory physiology and blood replacement are well understood. Thus, practically limitless operating time can be afforded the surgeon. Therefore, no undue pressure should be exerted on the anesthesiologist limiting the time allotted for induction and intubation. Various dangers inherent in the method of rapid intubation are pointed out and discussed. Intermittent intravenous injection of the barbiturate and addition of small amounts of potent inhalant anesthetic agents for intubation in a slightly deeper plane of anesthesia are recommended. This would avoid those rapid changes of circulatory dynamics which are encountered when using the "gun shot" method of induction and intubation.
Sunlight‐induced mutagenesis and toxicity in L5178Y mouse cells: Determination and comparison with other light sources

Compared to the basis of equal exposure, in joules per square meter (J/m2) the mutagenic and toxic effects in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells of radiation emitted by some fluorescent lamps and a sunlamp are quantitatively similar to solar radiation effects at the earth's surface. When the relative intensities of radiation are taken into account, the artificial light sources range from 8 to 1/222 times as mutagenic and 4.1 to less than 1/99 times as toxic as sunlight.
Preoperative erythropoietin and blood conservation management for thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair in a Jehovah's Witness

Thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA) repair commonly requires the administration of large quantities of blood products. Given the coagulopathic state that may result from proximal aortic cross clamping, repair of a TAA without the availability of blood products potentially could be catastrophic. The following report describes our perioperative approach to the repair of a 5.7-cm, type 3 TAA in a 21-year-old female Jehovah’s Witness.
Search for anti-metastatic therapy : effects of phenytoin on B16 melanoma metastasis

The ability to metastasize requires that tumor cells be able to degrade matrix. Nontoxic compounds that inhibit matrix digestion might be useful as anti-metastatic agents. We have investigated whether phenytoin, a drug commonly used in clinical practice that inhibits the production of collagenase by some cells, inhibits metastases in a standard animal model of metastasis: In vitro, phenytoin inhibited the proliferative response of B16 F10 melanoma cells to serum-containing media (75% inhibition at 25 micrograms/ml) but had no effect on their ability to degrade a type I collagen gel (1-100 micrograms/ml). Treatment of these cells with phenytoin prior to inoculation in vivo did not inhibit tumor growth, implantation in a surgical wound, or incidence of spontaneous metastases from a primary tumor growing in the foot. Pretreatment of mice with phenytoin (15, 40, and 75 mg/kg/day) diminished pulmonary metastases following tail vein injection in a minimal but dose dependent fashion; mean number of pulmonary colonies 4.6 +/- 3.1 (75/mg/kg/day) vs. 10.2 +/- 9.9 (control). However, tumor growth, implantation, and spontaneous metastases were not inhibited by pretreating the mice with the same doses of phenytoin. It is concluded that phenytoin has an insignificant inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis.
Local habitat characteristics but not landscape urbanization drive pollinator visitation and native plant pollination in forest remnants

Abstract Habitat loss from urban development threatens native plant populations in many regions of the world. In addition to direct plant mortality, urban intensification potentially impacts pollinator communities and in turn disrupts the pollination mutualisms that are critical to the viability of native plant populations. We placed standardized flowering plant arrays into woodlands along a gradient of increasing urban land use to simultaneously quantify landscape-scale and local-scale effects on pollinators and on reproduction of two spring ephemeral wildflowers (Claytonia virginica and Polemonium reptans) in woodland fragments in the Mid-Atlantic Region of North America. Greater pollinator abundance and associated diversity significantly reduced the degree of pollen limitation, demonstrating that pollinator populations are critical to successful pollination of these plant populations. However, landscape-scale habitat loss did not reduce pollinator abundance or diversity. Habitat loss at the landscape scale therefore does not appear to drive changes in pollination in this woodland system. Rather, local-scale habitat characteristics were more important, with pollinators being more abundant in brighter woodland patches for one plant species, and in larger patches for the other species. Because we found abundant pollinators and adequate pollination even in isolated, urban woodland fragments, our results are encouraging for the conservation of both plants and pollinators in urban landscapes.
Determination of Local Structural Order in Vitreous As 2 S 3 by Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance

We report the first observation of pure nuclear quadrupole resonance in a vitreous material. The 7-MHz-wide ${\mathrm{As}}^{75}$ nuclear-quadrupole-resonance spectrum in vitreous ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ is interpreted as indicating a distribution of pyramidal apex bond angles of half-width less than 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.
Open surgery for Zenker's diverticulum

Open surgery for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) continues to be a mainstay of treatment for this disorder. Details of the authors' approach are outlined below. Although endoscopic surgery for ZD appears to feature shorter operative times compared with open ZD surgery, longer term outcomes trend toward somewhat higher recurrence rate after endoscopic treatment. There is no direct comparison research, and no conclusions regarding overall treatment success can be drawn. Patients should seek out a surgeon well-versed in both open and endoscopic approaches; ideally, the surgeon should present the patient with options based on his/her experience, knowledge, and the collective experience in the field. If every patient is managed in the same manner, it is likely that a disservice is being done.