cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anaerobic Growth and Maintenance of Mammalian Cell Lines.

Most mucosal surfaces along with the midpoints in tumors and stem cell niches are geographic areas of the body that are anoxic. Previous studies show that the incubation in normoxic (5% CO2 in air) or hypoxic (low oxygen levels) conditions followed by an anoxic incubation (an absence of free oxygen) results in limited viability (2–3 days). A novel methodology was developed that enables an anoxic cell cultivation (for at least 17 days; the maximum time tested). The most critical aspect of this methodology is to ensure that no oxygen is introduced into the system. This is obtained by the degassing of media, and by flushing tubes, dishes, flasks, and pipettes with an anaerobic gas mixture (H2, CO2, N2) followed by permitting the materials to equilibrate to the anoxic (non-oxygen) environment prior to usage. Additional care must be exercised when acquiring photomicrographs to ensure that the micrographs obtained do not contain artifacts. In the absence of oxygen, cell morphology is significantly altered. Two distinct morphotypes are noted for all anaerobically-grown cells. The ability to grow and maintain mammalian cells in the absence of oxygen can be applied to the analysis of cell physiology, polymicrobial interactions, and the characterization of biosynthetic pathways for novel cancer drug development.
Evolution of node behavior in link prediction

Link prediction is one of central tasks in the study of social network evolution and has many applications. In this paper, we use time series to describe node behavior, extract temporal features from the time series to characterize behavior evolution of nodes, and use the temporal features for link prediction. Our experimental results on several real datasets suggest that including the temporal features developed in the paper significantly improve link prediction performance.
The focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) in hypotensive injured patients frequently fails to identify the need for laparotomy: a multi-institutional pragmatic study.

Background The ability of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) to detect clinically significant hemorrhage in hypotensive injured patients remains unclear. We sought to describe the sensitivity and specificity of FAST using findings at laparotomy as the confirmatory test. Methods Patients from the Prospective Observational Multicenter Major Trauma Transfusion (PROMMTT) study that had a systolic blood pressure Results The cohort included 317 patients that underwent FAST (108 positive, 209 negative). T-LAP was performed in 69% (n=75) of FAST(+) patients and 22% (n=48) of FAST(−) patients. FAST had a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 83%. Conclusions In our multicenter cohort, 22% of FAST(−) patients underwent T-LAP within 6 hours of admission. In hypotensive patients with a negative FAST, clinicians should still maintain a high index of suspicion for significant abdominal hemorrhage. Level of evidence Level IV.
Forming Academic Identities: Accommodation without Assimilation among Involuntary Minorities

Institutional mechanisms influence students' ideology, which in turn has a positive influence on their academic performance. Latino and African American students who have participated in an untracking program for their high school careers develop a critical consciousness about their educational and occupational futures. The Latino and African American students in this untracking program become academically successful without losing their ethnic identity. They adopt the strategy of “accommodating without assimilating,” a pattern that Gibson associates with voluntary minorities but not involuntary minorities.
Comparison of ABC/2 estimation and a volumetric computerized method for measurement of meningiomas using magnetic resonance imaging.

Measurement of tumor growth rates over time for patients with meningiomas has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Our objective was to compare two methods of measuring meningioma volume: (1) the simplified ellipsoid (ABC/2) method; and (2) perimetric volume measurements using imaging software modules. Patients with conservatively managed meningiomas for at least 1.5 years were retrospectively identified from the VCU Brain and Spine Tumor Registry over a 10-year period (2005–2015). Tumor volumes were independently measured using the simplified ellipsoid and computerized perimetric methods. Intra class correlations (CC) and Bland–Altman analyses were performed. A total of 26 patients representing 29 tumors were identified. Across 146 images, there were 24 (16%) images that were non-measurable using standard application commands with the computerized perimetric method. The mean volume obtained using the ABC/2 and computerized perimetric methods were 3.2 ± 3.4 cm3 and 3.4 ± 3.5 cm3, respectively. The mean volume difference was 0.2 cm3 (SE = 0.12; p = 0.10) across measurement methods. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between methods was 0.95 (95% CI 0.91, 0.98). There is excellent correlation between the simplified ellipsoid and computerized perimetric methods of volumetric analysis for conservatively managed meningiomas. The simplified ellipsoid method remains an excellent method for meningioma volume assessment and had an advantage over the perimetric method which failed to allow measurement of roughly one in six tumors on imaging.
Elevated circulating Th2 but not group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses characterize canine atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic skin disease that causes significant morbidity and affects multiple species. AD is highly prevalent in companion dogs, and the clinical management of the disease remains challenging. An improved understanding of the immunologic and genetic pathways that lead to disease could inform the development of novel treatments. In allergic humans and mouse models of AD, the disease is associated with Th2 and group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) activation that drives type 2 inflammation. Type 2 inflammation also appears to be associated with AD in dogs, but gaps remain in our understanding of how key type 2-associated cell types such as canine Th2 cells and ILC2s contribute to the pathogenesis of canine AD. Here, we describe previously uncharacterized canine ILC2-like cells and Th2 cells ex vivo that produced type 2 cytokines and expressed the transcription factor Gata3. Increased circulating Th2 cells were associated with chronic canine AD. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a unique gene expression signature in T cells in dogs with AD. These findings underline the importance of pro-allergic Th2 cells in orchestrating AD and provide new methods and pathways that can inform the development of improved therapies.
Chapter 9 – Numerical Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter presents several computational techniques that are useful in linear algebra and explores an important iterative method for finding eigenvalues, known as the “Power Method.” For example, in certain types of linear systems, two or more of the equations in the system are so close that it becomes more difficult to find the numerical solution because calculations are rounded at each step and round off errors can accumulate. To offset these problems, techniques such as partial pivoting and iterative methods are used that help to minimize such round off errors. Method for decomposing (or factoring) a matrix into a product of two or more special types of matrices is very useful in numerical linear algebra for solving linear systems. Three such methods are introduced in the chapter—LDU Decomposition, QR Factorization, and Singular Value Decomposition. In particular, Singular Value Decomposition is especially helpful in reducing the amount of information that needs to be kept in storage to reproduce a given image to a desired degree of accuracy. Additional numerical methods for solving systems and finding eigenvalues that are best suited for the calculator or computer are also discussed.
Strength Training and Insulin Resistance: The Mediating Role of Body Composition

The main objective of the present study was to assess the association between participation in strength training and insulin resistance. Another goal was to assess the influence of several potential confounding variables on the strength training and insulin resistance relationship. Lastly, the influence of waist circumference, fat-free mass (kg), body fat percentage, and the fat-free mass index on the association between strength training and insulin resistance was assessed. This cross-sectional study included 6,561 randomly selected men and women in the U.S. Data were collected using the precise protocol established by NHANES. HOMA-IR was used as the outcome variable to index insulin resistance. Both time spent strength training and frequency of strength training bouts were used as exposure variables. There was not a statistically significant relationship between strength training and insulin resistance in women. However, before and after controlling for 11 potential confounding variables, men who reported no strength training had significantly higher levels of HOMA-IR compared to men who reported moderate or high levels of strength training (F = 9.87, P < 0.0001). Odds ratios were also assessed. Men reporting no strength training had 2.42 times the odds of having insulin resistance compared to men reporting moderate levels of strength training (95% CI: 1.19-4.93). Similarly, men reporting no strength training had 2.50 times the odds of having insulin resistance compared to men reporting high levels of strength training (95% CI: 1.25-5.00). In conclusion, there was a strong relationship between strength training and insulin resistance in U.S. men, but not in U.S. women. Differences in waist circumference, fat-free mass (kg), body fat percentage, and the fat-free mass index, as well as demographic and lifestyle measures, do not appear to mediate the relationship. The present study was not a clinical trial.
Overcoming leukemia heterogeneity by combining T cell engaging bispecific antibodies.

Background Leukemia represents about 5% of all human cancers. Despite advances in therapeutics, a substantial number of patients succumb to the disease. Several subtypes of leukemia are inherently more resistant to treatment despite intensive chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Methods Here we describe the generation of T cell engaging (CD3) bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) built on humanized IgG frameworks using the IgG(L)-scFv format against two targets expressed on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and on acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Results Each BsAb mediated potent anti-leukemia effect against ALL (CD19) and AML (CD33) in vitro and in xenograft models. Importantly, the CD19-specific BsAb (BC250) was effective against hematogenous spread preventing metastases to liver and kidney in mice bearing ALL and Burkitt’s lymphoma xenografts. BC250 was more potent than the The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved BsAb blinatumomab against ALL xenografts in vivo as measured by tumor bioluminescence and mouse survival. Furthermore, the combination of the CD19 and CD33 BsAbs in two xenograft models of mixed phenotype acute leukemia (biphenotypic and bilineal leukemia) was far superior than monotherapy with either of the BsAbs alone. Conclusions Selective combinations of these leukemia-specific BsAb offer the potential to overcome tumor heterogeneity or clonal escape in the modern era of antibody-based T cell-driven immunotherapy.
Impact of a Virtual Simulation Practicum on Clinical Reasoning in Family Nurse Practitioner Education

Simulation has been successfully used in professional education for several years. Simulation holds promise as an innovative approach to clinical education and a way to reduce the clinical site shortage in nurse education. Research on the use virtual reality simulation in advanced nursing education is limited; however initial studies are promising. The purpose of the project was to examine the impact of virtual reality simulation on clinical reasoning in family nurse practitioner (FNP) students. The project used a quantitative, quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest approach to examine the clinical reasoning scores of online FNP students on the first and final focused assessments in virtual reality simulation practicum. Scores, as measured by the Student Performance Index (SPI), a tool embedded in the simulation platform, were compared to determine whether there was a significant difference in initial and final scores. A paired-samples t-test was used to evaluate the impact of participation in the simulation practicum on clinical reasoning. There was a statistically significant increase in SPI scores on students’ initial focused assessment (M = 81.77, SD = 6.67) to students’ final focused assessment in the practicum (M = 86.33, SD = 5.72), t (73) = 4.87, p < .000 (two-tailed). The mean increase in SPI scores was 4.56 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 2.69 to 6.43. The eta squared statistic (.24) indicated a large effect size.
Two Level AC-DC-AC Converter Design with a New Approach to Implement Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control

Due to various applications of variable frequency drives in industry, design procedure and control methods of these converters have attracted many researchers from both industry and academia. In this paper, a high power density AC-DC-AC converter design is presented alongside finite control set model predictive control method. Using model predictive control for the LC filter at the load side enables load voltage control which is an important issue in variable frequency drive applications. Also, input, output, and DC link filters’ design methods are presented and the results are compared to the designed filters in the literature. The comparison shows significant filter size decrease by using presented approach. Applying the proposed control method to the AC-DC-AC converter brings benefits such as simple implementation, robustness to the load changes, and fast dynamic response compared to conventional control methods. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design and control method, the designed variable frequency drive has been simulated and the results are presented.
Lessons from East Asia: Comparing Ethiopia and Vietnam's Early-Stage Special Economic Zone Development

This paper compares how Ethiopia and Vietnam, two rising stars actively employing industrial policies as catalysts of structural change, have learned from East Asian countries’ experiences in developing their own special economic zones (SEZs). Based on an extensive literature review, a comparative case study of four SEZs, and interviews with key stakeholders involved in early SEZ development in the two countries, I found that SEZ policy learning was largely driven by each nation’s domestic economic reform. Policymakers in Ethiopia and Vietnam actively visited successful SEZs around the world, particularly those in East Asia. A Chinese and a Taiwanese overseas SEZ were the first SEZs developed respectively in Ethiopia and Vietnam, which provided eye-opening lessons for domestic policymakers on how to better improve the legal and institutional framework, infrastructure, and administrative services needed for SEZ development. Overall, however, one of the biggest obstacles facing Ethiopia and Vietnam in learning from China’s experiences is the lack of local autonomy given to SEZs in their own administration.
Effects of the partial M1 muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist CDD-0102A on stereotyped motor behaviors and reversal learning in the BTBR mouse model of autism.

BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a set of neurodevelopmental disorders marked by a lack of social interaction, restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors. There is a paucity of pharmacological treatments to reduce core ASD symptoms. Various lines of evidence indicate that reduced brain muscarinic cholinergic receptor activity may contribute to an ASD phenotype. METHODS The present experiments examined whether the partial M1 muscarinic receptor agonist, CDD-0102A, alleviates behavioral flexibility deficits and/or stereotyped motor behaviors in the BTBR mouse model of autism. Behavioral flexibility was tested using a reversal learning test. Stereotyped motor behaviors were measured by eliciting digging behavior after removal of nesting material in a home cage and by measuring repetitive grooming. RESULTS CDD-0102A (0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg but not 1.2 mg/kg) injected prior to reversal learning attenuated a deficit in BTBR mice, but did not affect performance in B6 mice. Acute CDD-0102A treatment (1.2 and 3 mg/kg) reduced self-grooming in BTBR mice and reduced digging behavior in B6 and BTBR mice. The M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist, VU0255035 (3 mg/kg) blocked the effect of CDD-0102A on grooming behavior. Chronic treatment with CDD-0102A (1.2 mg/kg) attenuated self-grooming and digging behavior in BTBR mice. Direct CDD-0102A infusions (1 µg) into the dorsal striatum reduced elevated digging behavior in BTBR mice. In contrast, CDD-0102A injections in the frontal cortex were not effective. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that treatment with a partial M1 muscarinic receptor agonist may reduce repetitive behaviors and restricted interests in autism in part by stimulating striatal M1 muscarinic receptors.
Addressing Complexities in Global Health and Inequities in Global Health Education.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "A case-based, problem-based learning approach to prepare master of public health candidates for the complexities of global health" by K. Winskell, D.A. McFarland, C. del Rio, and others and published in a 2015 issue of the journal.
A Borderlands View on Latinos, Latin Americans, and Decolonization: Rethinking Mental Health

Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1. Borderland Experiences: Migrations and Crosslinks Chapter 2. A New Musical Score, a Horizon, and Possibilities for Meaning Making: A Decolonization Paradigm Chapter 3. Nepantla: A Borderland Epistemology Chapter 4. Trauma, Resistance/Resilience, and the Colonial Difference Chapter 5. Just and Loving Relationships Heal Chapter 6. Thoughts Unfinished Appendix A References Index About the Author
Reading the Informal City Why and How to Deepen Planners’ Understanding of Informality

Although informality is typically associated with developing countries, this article argues that informal activities are an integral part of U.S. cities and should be addressed in planning curricul...
Characteristics of the Social Support Networks of Maltreated Youth: Exploring the Effects of Maltreatment Experience and Foster Placement

Little is known about the social support networks of maltreated youth or how youth in foster care may compare with those who remain with their parent(s). Social network characteristics and perceived social support were examined between (1) maltreated and comparison youth, (2) maltreated youth who remained with their biological parent, those with a foster parent, or a those with a kin caregiver, and (3) youth in stable placements and those who have changed placements. Data came from a sample of 454 adolescents (241 boys, 9-13 years old at enrollment) who took part in a longitudinal study of child maltreatment. Participants completed three assessments approximately 1 year apart. Results showed that on average, maltreated adolescents named significantly fewer people in their network than comparison adolescents. At Time 2, comparison adolescents reported more same-aged friends. In the maltreatment group, youth with a foster parent reported significantly more older friends than maltreated youth with a kin caregiver. Fewer maltreated youth named a biological parent on the social support questionnaire at all three time points. More youth in kinship care described their caregiver as supportive than those in foster care. These findings indicate that despite heterogeneous placement histories, social support networks among maltreated youth were very similar.
TOWARD A GENERAL THEORY OF PLANT. ANTIHERBIVORE CHEMISTRY

Much research has been conducted in an attempt to fit the so-called plant secondary substances into the general framework of plant metabolism. Though some success has been achieved in this area, e.g., chlorogenic acid as a regulator of plant metabolic systems under stress21, most such studies have met with a conspicuous lack of success. Possible metabolic roles for the plant alkaloids as intermediate metabolites have probably received the greatest such attention and it was concluded at an early stage44 that, since a definitive metabolic role could not be assigned to alkaloids, they best be considered as plant waste products. More recent workers in the field of alkaloid biochemistry have concurred with this evaluation44,83 and the “waste product hypothesis” has been expanded, principally by Muller (1969, 1970), to include plant secondary substances in general.
A computational analysis of energy and mass transport in plasma skull melting processes

A mathematical modeling program has been initiated to provide computational capabilities applicable to process development, equipment design and process control of plasma reactors for molten-bath plasma furnace melting. The mathematical model developed fully addresses the conjugate heat transfer, phase change, and boundary condition aspects of the problem and provides numerical solutions to the governing equations. The relative influences of thermal buoyancy and thermocapillary and arc-shear-induced flow on both the melt-pool volume and skull profile have been examined, and interactions between the flow effects have been analyzed. >
Bioinformatics of cellular signalling.

The completion of the human genome sequencing provides a unique opportunity to understand the complex functioning of cells in terms of myriad biochemical pathways. Of special significance are pathways involved in cellular signalling. Understanding how signal transduction occurs in cells is of paramount importance to medicine and pharmacology. The major steps involved in deciphering signalling pathways are: (a) identifying the molecules involved in signalling; (b) figuring out who talks to whom, i.e. deciphering molecular interactions in a context specific manner; (c) obtaining the spatiotemporal location of the signalling events; (d) reconstructing signalling modules and networks evoked in specific response to input; (e) correlating the signalling response to different cellular inputs; and (f) deciphering cross-talk between signalling modules in response to single and multiple inputs. High-throughput experimental investigations offer the promise of providing data pertaining to the above steps. A major challenge, then, is the organization of this data into knowledge in the form of hypothesis, models and context-specific understanding. The Alliance for Cellular Signaling (AfCS) is a multi-institution, multidisciplinary project and its primary objective is to utilize a multitude of high throughput approaches to obtain context-specific knowledge of cellular response to input. It is anticipated that the AfCS experimental data in combination with curated gene and protein annotations, available from public repositories, will serve as a basis for reconstruction of signalling networks. It will then be possible to model the networks mathematically to obtain quantitative measures of cellular response. In this paper we describe some of the bioinformatics strategies employed in the AfCS.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase Activity Associated with Strain MC29 Tumor Virus

Chick embryo cells infected with strain MC29 tumor virus yielded progeny virus that contained detectable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase within the first 48 hr after infection. The noninfected culture fluids displayed no such enzyme activity when examined in an identical manner. Enzyme activity was greatly stimulated by adding DNA template to the reaction mixture and required all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates for full activity. When calf thymus DNA was used to direct synthesis, the DNA polymerase from the MC29 virus catalyzed the formation of DNA product having a higher buoyant density in CsCl. DNA product formed in the reaction directed by Micrococcus lysodeikticus DNA had the same buoyant density as the template DNA.
Immunohistochemical characterization of alterations in the distribution of amyloid precursor proteins and beta-amyloid peptide after experimental brain injury in the rat

Recent reports suggest a relationship between traumatic brain injury and the precocious development of neurodegenerative cascades, including diffuse deposits of beta-amyloid peptides (A beta) in the injured brain. Because the lateral fluid-percussion (FP) model of experimental brain injury produces clinically relevant neuropathological sequelae in the rat brain, we used this model together with a series of antibodies specific for amyloid precursor proteins (APPs), APP-like proteins (APLPs), or A beta to identify acute neurodegenerative changes after brain trauma. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and subjected to lateral FP brain injury of moderate to high severity. At 1 hr, 2 hr, 48 hr, 1 week, or 2 weeks after injury, animals were killed and their brains were removed for immunohistochemical analysis. APP/APLP immunoreactivity increased in specific brain regions as early as 1 hr after injury and persisted for at least 2 weeks. Axons in the thalamus and subcortical white matter showed the greatest APP/APLP accumulation. Injured cortex, striatum, cingulum, and hippocampus also demonstrated significant axonal accumulations of APP/APLP. Accumulation of APP/APLPs occurred primarily ipsilateral to the injury, although bilateral changes were observed in some brain regions. No deposition of A beta was observed in any brain region at any time point examined. These results demonstrate a pattern of widespread axonal pathology after lateral FP brain injury in the rat, characterized by intra-axonal accumulations of APP/APLP immunoreactivity in the absence of plaque- like deposits of A beta in the traumatized brain.
Oxygen therapy for cystic fibrosis.

Background The most serious complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) relate to respiratory insufficiency. Oxygen supplementation therapy has long been a standard of care for individuals with chronic lung diseases associated with hypoxemia. Physicians commonly prescribe oxygen therapy for people with CF when hypoxemia occurs. However, it is unclear if empiric evidence is available to provide indications for this therapy with its financial costs and often profound impact on lifestyle. Objectives To assess whether oxygen therapy improves the longevity or quality of life of individuals with CF. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register, comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Latest search of Group's Trials Register: 15 May 2013. Selection criteria Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing oxygen, administered at any concentration, by any route, in people with documented CF for any time period. Data collection and analysis Authors independently assessed the risk of bias for included studies and extracted data. Main results This review includes 11 published studies (172 participants); only one examined long-term oxygen therapy (28 participants). There was no statistically significant improvement in survival, lung, or cardiac health. There was an improvement in regular attendance at school or work in those receiving oxygen therapy at 6 and 12 months. Four studies examined the effect of oxygen supplementation during sleep by polysomnography. Although oxygenation improved, mild hypercapnia was noted. Participants fell asleep quicker and spent a reduced percentage of total sleep time in rapid eye movement sleep, but there were no demonstrable improvements in qualitative sleep parameters. Six studies evaluated oxygen supplementation during exercise. Again, oxygenation improved, but mild hypercapnia resulted. Participants receiving oxygen therapy were able to exercise for a significantly longer duration during exercise. Other exercise parameters were not altered by the use of oxygen. Authors' conclusions There are no published data to guide the prescription of chronic oxygen supplementation to people with advanced lung disease due to CF. Short-term oxygen therapy during sleep and exercise improves oxygenation but is associated with modest and probably clinically inconsequential hypercapnia. There are improvements in exercise duration, time to fall asleep and regular attendance at school or work. There is a need for larger, well-designed clinical trials to assess the benefits of long-term oxygen therapy in people with CF administered continuously or during exercise or sleep or both. However, we do not expect any new research to be undertaken in this area any time soon and do not plan to update this review again until any new evidence does become available.
Interview with Saul Levin, MD, MPA, CEO/Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association on the 40th Anniversary of the Decision to Remove Homosexuality from the DSM.

No abstract available Keywords: Affordable Care Act; American Psychiatric Association; DSM; LGBT community; LGBT discrimination; LGBT healthcare; homosexuality.
Growing Use of Mental and General Health Care Services Among Older Veterans With Mental Illness

Objective:National data from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic medical records were used to examine rates of mental illness and service use among older veterans since mental health care transformation efforts were implemented in 2005.Methods:Data were extracted from VHA electronic medical records for each fiscal year from 2005 through 2013 for veterans ages 65 and older. Among those receiving any health care services, the number and proportion treated for a confirmed mental illness and the utilization of non–mental health care services were identified.Results:In 2013, 2.6 million older veterans utilized services in VHA, 14% of whom had a confirmed mental illness, which was a 57% increase from 2005. Older veterans with confirmed mental illness accounted for a sizable and growing proportion of non–mental health service utilization.Conclusions:Preparing the workforce to address the mental health needs of older veterans and nonveterans is essential.
STUDIES ON THE RATES OF INVOLUTION AND RECONSTITUTION OF LYMPHATIC TISSUE1

MARKED lymphatic tissue Involution has been demonstrated under conditions of inanition, irradiation and chronic treatment with adrenocortical hormones. Starvation provides certain unique advantages for the investigation of adrenocortically mediated acute lymphatic tissue involution. It is now known that: (1) loss of lymphatic tissue weight during a period of inanition begins earlier and proceeds at a more rapid rate than that of other body tissues (Jolly, 1914) and, (2) the rate of release of nitrogen from lymphatic tissue in the starved animal is under adrenocortical hormone control (White and Dougherty, 1947). Although there is an extensive amount of literature on the involution of lymphatic tissue produced by inanition, little is known concerning its reconstitution. A series of experiments was designed to compare the influences of fasting and refeeding on lymphatic tissue of intact and adrenalectomized mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 515 CBA mice of both sexes between 12 and 16 weeks of age was ...
Experimental predictions of lattice and perturbative quantum chromodynamics.

We discuss several experimental consequences of a lattice-gauge-theory calculation of the first two moments of the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\rho}$ distribution amplitudes. The second moments for both mesons are considerably larger than the values obtained from QCD sum-rule techniques. We show the qualitative difference that this makes in the predicted distribution amplitude, and demonstrate the consequences for the pion form factor and the $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ cross section.
Electron energy level crossings in the time-dependent Born-Oppenheimer approximation

We summarize the results of a mathematical study of the time-dependent Born-Oppenheimer approximation near crossings of two non-degenerate electron energy surfaces. We illustrate our techniques by relatively simple examples that contain the essential ingredients of the general cases. We discuss all generic types of crossings of two non-degenerate electron energy surfaces.
The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Src kinase, and protein kinase A signaling pathways in insulin and glucagon regulation of CYP2E1 expression.

The signaling pathways involved in insulin and glucagon regulation of CYP2E1 expression were examined in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Insulin addition to primary cultured rat hepatocytes for 24 h resulted in an approximately 80% and >90% decrease in CYP2E1 mRNA levels at 1 and 10 nM insulin, respectively, relative to untreated cells. Addition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, or the Src kinase inhibitor geldanamycin, prior to insulin addition, inhibited the insulin-mediated decline in CYP2E1 mRNA. In contrast, treatment of cells with glucagon (100 nM), or the cAMP analogue dibutyryl-cAMP (50 microM), for 24 h increased CYP2E1 mRNA levels by approximately 7-fold. Addition of the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 prior to glucagon treatment attenuated the glucagon-mediated increase in CYP2E1 mRNA by approximately 70%. Glucagon (100 nM) opposed the effects of insulin (1 nM) on CYP2E1 mRNA expression and conversely, insulin blocked the effects of glucagon. These data provide compelling evidence for the regulation of CYP2E1 expression via mutually antagonistic signaling pathways involving insulin and glucagon.
Generation of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Protein-Deficient Blood Cells From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

PIG-A is an X-linked gene required for the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors; thus, PIG-A mutant cells have a deficiency or absence of all GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs). Acquired mutations in hematopoietic stem cells result in the disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and hypomorphic germline PIG-A mutations lead to severe developmental abnormalities, seizures, and early death. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into cell types derived from all three germ layers, providing a novel developmental system for modeling human diseases. Using PIG-A gene targeting and an inducible PIG-A expression system, we have established, for the first time, a conditional PIG-A knockout model in human iPSCs that allows for the production of GPI-AP-deficient blood cells. PIG-A-null iPSCs were unable to generate hematopoietic cells or any cells expressing the CD34 marker and were defective in generating mesodermal cells expressing KDR/VEGFR2 (kinase insert domain receptor) and CD56 markers. In addition, PIG-A-null iPSCs had a block in embryonic development prior to mesoderm differentiation that appears to be due to defective signaling through bone morphogenetic protein 4. However, early inducible PIG-A transgene expression allowed for the generation of GPI-AP-deficient blood cells. This conditional PIG-A knockout model should be a valuable tool for studying the importance of GPI-APs in hematopoiesis and human development.
Oral mifepristone and buccal misoprostol administered simultaneously for abortion: a pilot study.

Abstract Background Simultaneous oral mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol has a 24-h expulsion rate of approximately 90% when used for abortion through 63 days' gestation. This pilot study sought to determine if a simultaneous regimen using buccal misoprostol would be similarly effective and merit further investigation. Study design One hundred twenty women were enrolled into three equal groups by gestational age: ≤49 days (Group 1), 50–56 days (Group 2) and 57–63 days (Group 3). After swallowing 200 mg of mifepristone, subjects received 800 mcg buccal misoprostol. Participants returned in 24±1 h for evaluation of expulsion by ultrasonography. Women with a persistent gestational sac received 800 mcg vaginal misoprostol. Further follow-up occurred at 1, 2 and 5 weeks by telephone or in person, as appropriate. Sample sizes for each group were estimated with the aim of establishing a 24-h expulsion rate of 90% (95% CI=76–95). Results The 24-h expulsion rates for Groups 1, 2 and 3 were 73% (95% CI=56–85), 69% (95% CI=52–83) and 73% (95% CI=56–85), respectively. Common side effects were nausea (62%), vomiting (33%) and diarrhea (48%), which did not differ by gestational age. Forty-three percent of subjects found the taste of buccal misoprostol objectionable; 30% found buccal retention uncomfortable or inconvenient, and 10% reported oral irritation, sensitivity, numbness or oral ulcers. Conclusions Simultaneous oral mifepristone and buccal misoprostol had a lower-than-hypothesized expulsion rate at 24 h. Although overall success rates at 7 or 15 days could have been higher than those observed at 24 h, we believe that this regimen does not warrant further study.
Epidural Anesthesia-Analgesia and Patient Outcomes: A Perspective

The use of perioperative epidural anesthesia-analgesia may confer many benefits including superior postoperative analgesia, decreased morbidity, and improvement in patient-centered outcomes. We will review our group’s work on perioperative epidural anesthesia-analgesia on patient outcomes and discuss future research in this area
Policy goals for endangered species recovery

Little attention has been given to establishing goals for the recovery of species listed under the Endangered Species Act. This article examines how alternative policy choices for recovering endangered species affect policy outcomes, in terms of which species and taxonomic groups receive priority for recovery funding. Ten priority ranking systems, designed to achieve different policy goals, were proposed and analyzed to determine how funds likely would be distributed among the various taxonomic groups. The major conclusions are: (1) single objective systems are much more selective than multiple objective systems and can be very effective in bringing about specific desired policy goals; (2) widely different multiple objective systems that use the same variables result in similar policy outcomes; and, (3) the addition of a highly selective variable is more effective for changing the outcome of multiple objective systems than changing the system structure.
Structural Effects on Effective Conductivity of Compacted Clays

In this study, an electromagnetic property, the effective (electrical) conductivity, of two clayey soils has been measured at different moisture contents and in different directions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the structural effects on effective conductivity, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to perform qualitative analysis on the mineralogical makeup of clay fraction. At the optimum moisture content, the results showed a significant difference between the effective conductivity measured in the horizontal direction and that measured in the vertical direction with the latter being smaller. The SEM results showed that this was attributed to the highly preferred orientation of clay particles and their decreased tortuosity in the vertical plane (horizontal direction) and the increased tortuosity in the horizontal plane (vertical direction). At four percent dry of optimum, the difference in the electrical conductivity measured in two directions was reduced by up to 45%. SEM results showed that the clay particles were more randomly oriented and only had a slight preferred orientation normal to the axial load.
A new species of Xyloplax (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Concentricycloidea) from the northeast Pacific: comparative morphology and a reassessment of phylogeny

Abstract. Xyloplax janetae n. sp. is described from the northeast Pacific Ocean. This is the third species recognized for the monogeneric Concentricycloidea. Skeletal structures are elaborated by scanning electron microscopy and compared with those of Xyloplax medusiformis from New Zealand and Xyloplax turnerae from the Bahamas. Critical-point-dried specimens show fibrous connective tissue emerging from openings on the abactinal surface, on the abactinal spine bases, and at broken cross sections of the adambulacral spines. Knob-like structures emerging through the stereom openings of the abactinal spine base are also observed. Tube feet have round, swollen knobs and show few striations relative to other asteroids. Cosmopolitan bathyal–abyssal echinoderm species tend to exhibit few morphological differences over broad geographic ranges; this generalization is true of Xyloplax. The Concentricycloidea is proposed as an infraclass within the Asteroidea, as the sister branch to the Neoasteroidea (the crown-group asteroids) within the subclass Ambuloasteroidea. The hypothesis presented is compatible with recent phylogenetic data supporting affinities between Xyloplax and the Asteroidea. Characters plesiomorphic in basal neoasteroids are consistent with a sister-group relationship to concentricycloids. Actinal plate presence, an important synapomorphy for the Neoasteroidea, is absent from concentricycloids. The substantial morphological departure of Xyloplax is considered to be associated with the post-Paleozoic diversification of crown-group asteroids rather than from modification of an established and conservative morphology.
Utilization of fluorescent probes for the quantification and identification of subcellular proteomes and biological processes regulated by lipid peroxidation products.

Abstract Oxidative modifications to cellular proteins are critical in mediating redox-sensitive processes such as autophagy, the antioxidant response, and apoptosis. The proteins that become modified by reactive species are often compartmentalized to specific organelles or regions of the cell. Here, we detail protocols for identifying the subcellular protein targets of lipid oxidation and for linking protein modifications with biological responses such as autophagy. Fluorophores such as BODIPY-labeled arachidonic acid or BODIPY-conjugated electrophiles can be paired with organelle-specific probes to identify specific biological processes and signaling pathways activated in response to oxidative stress. In particular, we demonstrate “negative” and “positive” labeling methods using BODIPY-tagged reagents for examining oxidative modifications to protein nucleophiles. The protocol describes the use of these probes in slot immunoblotting, quantitative Western blotting, in-gel fluorescence, and confocal microscopy techniques. In particular, the use of the BODIPY fluorophore with organelle- or biological process-specific dyes and chromophores is highlighted. These methods can be used in multiple cell types as well as isolated organelles to interrogate the role of oxidative modifications in regulating biological responses to oxidative stress.
nit-2, the major positive-acting nitrogen regulatory gene of Neurospora crassa, encodes a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein.

Abstract The nit-2 major nitrogen regulatory gene of Neurospora crassa turns on the expression of various unlinked structural genes that specify nitrogen-catabolic enzymes under nitrogen-limitation conditions. The nit-2 gene encodes a protein of 1036 amino acid residues with a single zinc finger and a downstream basic region that may make up a DNA-binding domain. The zinc-finger domain of the NIT2 protein was synthesized in two ways to examine its DNA-binding activity with gel-band-mobility shift and DNA-footprint experiments. The NIT2 protein binds to specific DNA recognition elements that are located upstream of nitrogen-regulated structural genes. Each recognition element contains at least two copies of a core sequence whose consensus is TATCTA.
Trauma as a Possible Etiologic Factor in Basal Cell Carcinoma

1774 basal cell carcinoma lesions treated by Mohs surgery between 1979 and 1986 were evaluated for previous trauma histories. These traumas include burns, sharp trauma, chicken pox scars, blunt trauma, and vaccinations. 129 (7.3%) had a previous history of trauma. Analysis revealed that patients with trauma-related tumors were slightly younger and more likely to be male. Their lesions were larger pre- and post-op, and more often required five or more Mohs surgery stages, indicating these tumors may be especially deceptive clinically. The tumors were not particularly aggressive judging by histologic type. The literature is reviewed and implications for future work suggested.
Acute bronchiolar injury following nitrogen dioxide exposure: A freeze fracture study☆

Three groups of Syrian golden hamsters were exposed to NO/sub 2/ for 6, 24, or 48 hr to determine acute effects on intercellular junctional morphology in distal airways and alveolar epithelium. A fourth group, exposed for 48 hr, was allowed to recover for 2 days prior to sacrifice. Light and transmission electron microscopy of bronchiolar epithelium show ciliary loss and surface membrane damage, loss of ciliated cells, and epithelial flattening at 24 and 48 hr. Moderate to marked epithelial hyperplasia and nonciliated cell hypertrophy are noted after 48 hr. Some restoration of normal histoarchitecture is noted in bronchioles of animals allowed a 48-hr recovery period. Freeze fracture platinum-carbon replicas of bronchiolar epithelium show the gradual evolution of a severe disruption of tight junctional networks after 6, 24, and 48 hr of exposure. Following 2 days of ''recovery,'' bronchiolar tight junctions from animals exposed for 48 hr remain fragmented. The wide distribution of the junctionl material present suggests a regenerative process. Freeze fracture replicas of bronchial epithelium show similar fragmentation of tight junctions following 6-hr exposures. After longer intervals, however, there is a return to more normal appearances. Duration of NO/sub 2/ exposure has no systematic effect on the integrity ofmore » tight junctions in alveolar epithelium. The findings suggest that disruption of tight junctions may be an important specific determinant of increased bronchiolar epithelial permeability following brief exposures to nitrogen dioxide.« less
The presence of proximal tubulelike cells in the kidney parietal epithelium in response to unilateral nephrectomy

Five months following unilateral nephrectomy, the parietal epithelia in the remaining kidneys of Sprague-Dawley rats were examined by light and electron microscopy. Compared with controls, the kidneys from uninephrectomized rats exhibited a dramatic increase in mass characteristic of compensatory hypertrophy. Approximately 20% of the renal corpuscles in the hypertrophied kidneys had parietal epithelia lined by tall cells which possessed a brush border and other morphological characteristics of proximal tubule cells. In some instances proximal tubulelike cells made up over half of the cells lining the parietal epithelium. The possible significance of this finding is discussed.