cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions of methyl halides (Cl, Br and I) with Ag(111)

Abstract The adsorption of methyl halides (Cl, Br and I) on a Ag(111) surface has been investigated by temperature programmed desorption (TPD), work function change (ΔΦ), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All three compounds adsorb with high sticking probability at 100 K, even up to multilayer coverages. The absolute coverage at one monolayer of CH3X is independent of X and is (4.6 ± 0.3) × 1014 molecules/cm2. UPS and XPS spectra suggest that the adsorption of methyl halides is molecular at 100 K and with little distortion of the corresponding gas-phase molecular electronic structures. Submonolayer adsorption is accompanied by a significant work function decrease (ΔΦ between −0.83 and −1.25 eV) indicating a dipole with the positive end pointed away from the surface. At high exposures, multilayers form and desorb at 113 (Cl), 121 (Br), and 136 K (I). Whereas chemisorbed monolayer coverages of CH3C1 and CH3Br desorb, with Tp = 126 and 142 K, without detectable decomposition, a significant fraction (≅ 35%) of monolayer CH3I dissociates between 130 and 190 K to give adsorbed CH3 and I. The dissociation of CH3I is accompanied by a decrease in the binding energy of the I(3d 5 2 ) core electrons. The adsorbed CH3 does not dehydrogenate on Ag(111), but recombines above 190 K to yield C2H6 which immediately desorbs.
Emergency Department–Based Study of Risk Factors for Acute Injury From Domestic Violence Against Women

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the associations between selected socioeconomic risk factors and acute injury from domestic violence against women. METHODS: We conducted a preliminary matched case-control study to measure the association of selected predictor variables with acute injury from domestic, violence against women. Patients identified as cases were Hispanic or white female emergency department patients, 16 to 65 years of age, with acute injury sustained from physical assault by an intimate male partner. Cases were selected for inclusion in the study if they reported or admitted acute physical assault by their male partners. Controls were selected from non-case female ED patients so as to represent the base population of the cases and enhance comparability. Two controls were matched to each case. The socioeconomic predictor variables examined were the education level, employment status, history of alcohol abuse, and history of drug abuse of the male partner and the education level and cohabitation status of the female partner. RESULTS: Forty-six cases were identified and included in the study. The age range was 16 to 51 years (mean, 33 years). There were 26 (57%) Hispanic and 20 (43%) white cases. The strongest predictor for acute injury from domestic violence in these patients was a history of alcohol abuse by the male partner, as reported by the female partner (odds ratio, 12.9). The remaining predictor variables were weakly associated or not associated with domestic violence. One half of the cases stated that their male partners were intoxicated with alcohol at the time of assault. CONCLUSION: Of the socioeconomic variables examined in this preliminary study, a history of alcohol abuse by the male partner, as reported by the female partner, was the strongest predictor for acute injury from domestic violence. A large-scale, multicenter, ED-based study is needed to clarify the relation between alcohol abuse, other socioeconomic factors, and acute physical assaults against women by their intimate male partners.
Interferon-Alpha-Associated Sarcoidosis Responsive to Infliximab Therapy

Sarcoidosis, a multisystem disease characterized by noncaseating granulomas, has been reported to be associated with interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy for hepatitis C infection. INF-alpha is known to stimulate T helper cells with a Th1 profile immune response, which is the key immunologic event of a sarcoid granuloma formation. We report a patient treated with IFN-alpha who developed hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency as presenting clinical manifestation of sarcoidosis. Prednisone therapy was effective in controlling hypercalcemia but had to be discontinued due to an increase in hepatitis C viral RNA count. Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha was used as therapy in our patient for its known potent anti-inflammatory effects. The patient received three doses of infliximab (5 mg/kg) and achieved a rapid decline in serum calcium to normal levels in 7 days; the serum calcium level has remained normal 3 months after the last infusion.
Characterization of the Two-step Pathway for Inhibition of Thrombin by α-Ketoamide Transition State Analogs

Abstract The interaction of thrombin with several potent and selective α-ketoamide transition state analogs was characterized. L-370,518 (H-N-Me-d-Phe-Pro-t-4-aminocyclohexylglycylN-methylcarboxamide) a potent (K i = 90 pm) and selective (>104-foldversus trypsin) ketoamide thrombin inhibitor was shown to bind thrombin via a two-step reaction wherein the initially formed thrombin-inhibitor complex (EI1) rearranges to a more stable, final complex (EI2). A novel sequential stopped-flow analysis showed thatk −1, the rate constant for dissociation ofEI1, was comparable tok 2, the rate constant for conversion ofEI1 to EI2 (0.049 and 0.035 s−1, respectively) indicating that formation of the initial complex EI1 is partially rate controlling. Replacement of the N-terminal methylamino group in L-370,518 with a hydrogen (L-372,051) resulted in a 44-fold loss in potency (K i = 4 nm) largely due to an increase in k −1. Consequently in the reaction of L-372,051 with thrombin formation of EI1 was not rate controlling. Replacement of the P1′N-methylcarboxamide group of L-370,518 with an azetidylcarboxamido (L-372,228) produced a 58-fold increase in the value of the equilibrium constant (K −1) for dissociation of EI1. Nevertheless, L-372,228 was a 2-fold more potent thrombin inhibitor (K i = 40 pm) than L-370,518 due to its 16-fold higherk 2 and 10-fold lowerk −2 values. The desketoamide analogs of L-370,518 and L-372,051, namely L-371,912 and L-372,011, inhibited thrombin via a one-step process. The K i value for L-371,912 and the K −1 value for its α-ketoamide analog, L-370,518, were similar (5 and 14 nm, respectively). Likewise, the K i value for L-372,011 and the K −1 value for its α-ketoamide analog, L-372,051, were similar (330 and 285 nm, respectively). These observations are consistent with the view that the α-ketoamides L-370,518 and L-372,051 form initial complexes with thrombin that are similar to the complexes formed by their desketoamide analogs, and in a second step the α-ketoamides react with the active site serine residue of thrombin to form a more stable hemiketal adduct.
Unusual fibro-osseous lesion of the spinal cord with positive staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and radiological progression: a case report.

Abstract A rare intradural lesion of the lumbar spine producing leg pain and minimal neurological deficits is described in a 48-year-old man. Previous reports of similar lesions have been described under the designation “fibro-osseous lesions” and “calcifying pseudoneoplasms.” This is the first report of an unusual fibro-osseous lesion with an intradural spinal location as well as the first to show immunohistochemical positivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) within cellular components of this process and crystal formation suggestive of calcium pyrophosphate. This case also shows radiographic progression suggesting the possibility that this entity may be a form of low grade neoplasm.
Noncontrast MRA for the diagnosis of vascular diseases.

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has become the modality of choice for noninvasive imaging of diverse vascular beds. MRA techniques can be divided into 2 main categories: contrast agent–enhanced and noncontrast angiographic approaches. Both techniques have benefited from recent improvements in MR hardware, software, and rapid acquisition methodologies such as parallel imaging. Until recently, noncontrast techniques have played mostly a back-up role when contrast-enhanced sequences were suboptimal owing to artifacts or poor timing of contrast injection. However, the association between the usage of gadolinium (Gd) contrast and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) disease in individuals with intrinsic renal dysfunction has rekindled interest in noncontrast angiography techniques. The purpose of this article is to summarize and briefly describe noncontrast MRA techniques that are useful in the clinical context. Noncontrast techniques are divided, as they usually are, based on the appearance of the imaged vascular lumen into bright-blood and black-blood angiographic techniques. A section of the article is dedicated to summarize NSF description, and another section discusses application of noncontrast MRA approaches in carotid, thoracic/abdominal, renal, and peripheral vascular territories.
Copper loading of hearts increases postischemic reperfusion injury.

We studied the role of copper as a potential mediator of postischemic reperfusion injury in the isolated, perfused rat heart. Hearts were equilibrated with Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 10 minutes and then loaded with copper by way of perfusion with buffer containing 20 microM copper(II)-bis-histidial for 30 minutes. Control hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer alone during the loading period. Hearts than were washed with buffer for 10 minutes and subjected to 20 minutes of normothermic global ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion. Atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed a 67% increase in total copper content in loaded hearts by the end of the wash. By the end of the 30-minute period of reperfusion, control hearts demonstrated a 50-60% recovery of myocardial function as determined by peak systolic pressure, contractility, and heart rate. In contrast, copper-loaded hearts exhibited virtually no functional recovery within the 30-minute time period. Using salicylate as a probe, we determined that peak and duration of .OH formation appears to be increased in copper-loaded hearts during reperfusion. Furthermore, efflux of lactic dehydrogenase was significantly increased in copper-loaded hearts. Our results clearly demonstrate that increasing cardiac content of copper results in enhanced postischemic reperfusion injury associated with increased formation of .OH, thus suggesting an important catalytic role for this transition metal.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Cyclobutane Duocarmycin Derivative Incorporating the 1,2,10,11-Tetrahydro-9H-cyclobuta[c]benzo[e]indol-4-one (CbBI) Alkylation Subunit

The synthesis of 1,2,10,11-tetrahydro-9H-cyclobuta[c]benzo[e]indol-4-one (17, CbBI), which contains a deep-seated fundamental structural modification in the CC-1065 and duocarmycin alkylation subunit consisting of the incorporation of a ring-expanded fused cyclobutane (vs cyclopropane), its chemical and structural characterization, and its incorporation into a key analogue of the natural products are detailed. The approach to the preparation of CbBI was based on a precedented (Ar-3′ and Ar-5′) but previously unknown Ar-4′ spirocyclization of a phenol onto a tethered alkyl halide to form the desired cyclobutane. The conditions required for the implementation of the Ar-4′ spirocyclization indicate that the entropy of activation substantially impacts the rate of reaction relative to that for the much more facile Ar-3′ spirocyclization, while the higher enthalpy of activation slows the reaction relative to an Ar-5′ spirocyclization. The characterization of the CbBI-based agents revealed their exceptional stab...
Dye-ligand and immobilized metal ion interaction chromatography for the purification of enzymes of prenyl pyrophosphate metabolism.

Abstract Dye-ligand and immobilized metal ion interaction chromatography were shown to be efficient techniques for the rapid batchwise fractionation, from crude plant extracts, of a series of enzymes of prenyl pyrophosphate metabolism. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase, two prenyltransferases, and a number of terpene cyclases (synthases) were readily adsorbed to Matrex Gel Red A (a dimeric triazine dye coupled to crosslinked agarose beads), and desorbed in good yield with relatively high concentrations of KCI and increasing pH. Although all of these enzymes exhibit the common feature of employing a pyrophosphorylated substrate, selective elution could not be achieved with substrate or substrate analogues bearing a pyrophosphate function. Nor could the strong binding of these enzymes to triazine dyes be attributed solely to metal ion interactions or to hydrophobic effects. In a similar way, the isomerase, the prenyltransferases, and all of the terpene cyclases bound to a column of iminodiacetate-immobilized Ni(II) and were desorbed in relatively high fold purity with 15 mM imidazole. Although all of these enzymes bear accessible histidine residues, the interactions with the chelated metal ion were not sufficiently different to permit selective enzyme desorbtion by imidazole gradient elution. However, the use of columns charged with Zn(II) or Co(II) did allow some separation of the different cyclase and transferase types. While empirical in nature, these techniques offer simple, effective, and high-capacity methods for the preliminary concentration and purification of a group of enzymes that utilize prenyl pyrophosphate intermediates of isoprenoid biosynthesis.
Strain differences in passive avoidance conditioning in the rat

One-trial passive avoidance conditioning was carried out in a step-through apparatus for 480 rats from 12 inbred strains: ACI, A990, A35322, F344, INR, IR, MNR/Har, MNRA, MR/Har, TS1, TS3, WAG. The results provide parametric data for methodological use and add to the standardization of these strains as behaviorally defined lines.
And Then There Were None: Winnowing the Shakespeare Claimants.

The Shakespeare Clinic has developed 51 computer tests of Shakespeare play authorship and 14 of poem authorship, and applied them to 37 claimed “true Shakespeares,” to 27 plays of the Shakespeare Apocrypha, and to several poems of unknown or disputed authorship. No claimant, and none of the apocryphal plays or poems, matched Shakespeare. Two plays and one poem from the Shakespeare Canon,Titus Andronicus, Henry VI, Part 3, and “A Lover's Complaint,” do not match the others.
Review on the status of optical interconnect technology

The emergence of parallel switching and computational architectures are being technologically constrained by conventional electrical interconnects. The parallel nature of these new architectures have shifted the burden for increased throughput from increasing the device speeds to increasing the throughput of the communications between the many parallel switching nodes or processing elements. Some of the applications driving this demand are: video-on- demand, large database machines, high-definition television, control of large cellular communication networks, real-time graphics, weather and resource modeling, highly parallel communications with peripheral devices, video conferencing, telepresence, and 3D display. Optical interconnects can ameliorate the inherent interconnect limitations of electronics for these emerging digital parallel systems. This paper will review the status of optical interconnects.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pharmaceutical failure mechanism of the worldwide ReNu with MoistureLoc-related fusarium keratitis epidemic of 2004-2006

Purpose Between 2004-2006, a worldwide epidemic of Fusarium keratitis occurred, traced to Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution (RML), containing the antimicrobial agent, alexidine dihydrochloride. Our previous studies indicated that heating RML (>42oC and ≤ 56oC) in its plastic (but not a glass) bottle resulted in decreased anti-Fusarium capability. The present study was undertaken to determine the exact mechanism of this antimicrobial failure. Methods We investigated if: microbiologically and/or analytically (using Raman spectroscopy), an alexidine-neutralizing leachate emanates from heated ReNu bottles; the alexidine concentration (measured by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectroscopy) changes when stored in heated ReNu bottles; alexidine permeates into ReNu bottle walls and can be detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; non-alexidine antimicrobials fail in heated ReNu bottles; and/or, alexidine fails in heated non-ReNu bottles. Results No leachates were identified microbiologically or analytically. The alexidine concentration was 2.8 times greater in room temperature- (vs. 56oC-) stored ReNu bottles. Alexidine deposited into the ReNu bottle wall 3.1 times greater in the heated (vs. room temperature-stored) container. Non-alexidine antimicrobials retain their anti-Fusarium capability after being heated in ReNu bottles and alexidine heated in non-ReNu bottles did not lose its anti-Fusarium activity. Conclusion Alexidine permeates into the walls of heated ReNu plastic bottles, diminishing its concentration in solution and allowing Fusarium growth. This appears to be the mechanism of the RML-related Fusarium keratitis epidemic.
Interannual Variability of Arctic Landfast Ice between 1976 and 2007

AbstractAnalysis of weekly sea ice charts produced by the U.S. National Ice Center from 1976 to 2007 indicates large interannual variations in the averaged winter landfast ice extent around the Arctic Basin. During the 32-yr period of the record, landfast ice cover was relatively extensive from the early to mid-1980s but since then has declined in many coastal regions of the Arctic, particularly after the early 1990s. While the Barents, Baltic, and Bering Seas show increases in landfast ice area, the overall change for the Northern Hemisphere is negative, about −12.27 (±2.8) × 103 km2 yr−1, or −7 (±1.5)% decade−1 relative to the long-term mean. Except in a few coastal regions, the seasonal duration of landfast ice is shorter overall, particularly in the Laptev, East Siberian, and Chukchi Seas. The decreased winter landfast ice extent is associated with some notable changes in ice growth and melt patterns, in particular the slowed landfast ice expansion during fall and early winter since 1990. The observed...
The case of Katrina: Skating on thin ice

The treatment of Katrina, a chronically depressed 25-year-old female who presented with a comorbid PTSD disorder, is discussed. The cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP; McCullough, 2000 ) is used to treat the psychopathology. Inhibiting the patient's tendency to leave therapy prematurely constitutes the first task of therapy. The next phase of treatment illustrates how the PTSD symptoms will be addressed. The final stage of treatment explains how the clinician will treat the chronic depressive disorder. The patient will remain on anxiolytic and antidepressant medication throughout.
Objection Overruled: A Comment on Gastwirth, Krieger, and Rosenbaum

Abstract Gastwirth, Krieger, and Rosenbaum used statistical evidence from a 1987 sex discrimination case in a Canadian court as the basis for a November 1994 article in The American Statistician on the “third variable” problem in correlational analysis. We reexamine their unsettling conclusion that the Court “accepted an impossible explanation.” A revised explanatory model that includes an unmeasured latent variable leads us to a very different conclusion. The result demonstrates that references to unmeasured covariates as “third variables” in analyses of spurious association can be quite difficult or even impossible to evaluate statistically. Judging such models may depend ultimately on assessing their plausibility rather than their statistical possibility.
The use of bromadiolone to potentiate self-mutilatory bleeding: a case report.

The term “superwarfarin” applies to a group of compounds that function, like warfarin, as anticoagulants, but also have properties that allow them to be effective against warfarin-resistant rodent strains. These compounds include bromadiolone, brodifacoum, difenacoum, and chlorphacinone. Absorption of these agents occurs via multiple routes, including inhalation, tactile contact, and ingestion. The superwarfarins possess lengthier half-lives than warfarin and have been estimated to be 100 times more potent at inhibiting the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors [II, VII, IX, and X]. Bromadiolone functions by inhibiting the vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase enzyme, leading to increased levels of the inactive form of vitamin K. This impairs the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, disrupting the normal clotting cascade. It has been shown to have a biphasic hepatic elimination in humans. This includes an initial period lasting between 3.5 and 6 days, and a slower phase, which has a half-life of between 10 and 24 days. Commercially available as rodenticides, the superwarfarins are available to the public without a prescription and are easily obtained. Though intended for pest control, human contact with the superwarfarins does occur and may have serious effects. Contact with the superwarfarins can lead to problems with excessive or inappropriate bleeding, such as the development of ecchymosis, epistaxis, hematuria, gingival bleeding, and menometrorrhagia. Spontaneous abortion, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, intracranial hemorrhage, melena, and hematemesis have also been reported. These cases are summarized in Table 1. In addition to these clinical observations, patients frequently present with a combination of prolonged prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and increased International Normalized Ratio (INR) values. Furthermore, in these patients, correction of PT and PTT following mixing studies points to
Effects of fractionated x-irradiation on the Ly-6--Ril-1--Pol-5 region.

Our laboratory has focused on defining, localizing, and understanding the mode of action of genes involved in fractionated x-irradiation (FXI) leukemia in susceptible and resistant mouse strains. We have described the genetic and molecular evidence suggesting the existence of multiple independent loci involved in FXI-induced leukemogenesis. These studies indicated that one of these, Ril-1, a locus on the distal portion of chromosome 15, is the major locus influencing susceptibility to the disease. Our data unequivocally place Ril-1 in the gene complex Ly-6--Ril-1--Sis--H-30--Pol-5. Ril-1 appears to be closest to Ly-6 and Sis. We report that in FXI-induced leukemias there are hypomethylation changes in the Ly-6 region as compared to normal thymocytes. In contrast, Sis was found to be hypermethylated and not expressed. In addition, we have noted DNA rearrangements in the Ly-6--Pol-5 region in the majority of tumors examined using the Ly-6 and spleen focus-forming virus (SFFLV) molecular probes. Increased expression of Ly-6 and other surface markers encoded in this region has been noted in FXI-induced thymomas.
Plasmalemmal mu-opioid receptor distribution mainly in nondopaminergic neurons in the rat ventral tegmental area.

Opiate-evoked reward and motivated behaviors reflect, in part, the enhanced release of dopamine produced by activation of the μ-opioid receptor (μOR) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We examined the functional sites for μOR activation and potential interactions with dopaminergic neurons within the rat VTA by using electron microscopy for the immunocytochemical localization of antipeptide antisera raised against μOR and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the synthesizing enzyme for catecholamines. The cellular and subcellular distribution of μOR was remarkably similar in the two major VTA subdivisions, the paranigral (VTApn) and parabrachial (VTApb) nuclei. In each region, somatodendritic profiles comprised over 50% of the labeled structures. μOR immunolabeling was often seen at extrasynaptic/perisynaptic sites on dendritic plasma membranes, and 10% of these dendrites contained TH. μOR-immunoreactivity was also localized to plasma membranes of axon terminals and small unmyelinated axons, none of which contained TH. The μOR-immunoreactive axon terminals formed either symmetric or asymmetric synapses that are typically associated with inhibitory and excitatory amino acid transmitters. Their targets included unlabeled (30%), μOR-labeled (25%), and TH-labeled (45%) dendrites. Our results suggest that μOR agonists in the VTA affect dopaminergic transmission mainly indirectly through changes in the postsynaptic responsivity and/or presynaptic release from neurons containing other neurotransmitters. They also indicate, however, that μOR agonists directly affect a small population of dopaminergic neurons expressing μOR on their dendrites in VTA and/or terminals in target regions. Synapse 41:311–328, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hypoxia Inhibits the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α/ Retinoid X Receptor Gene Regulatory Pathway in Cardiac Myocytes A MECHANISM FOR O2-DEPENDENT MODULATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL FATTY ACID OXIDATION

Hypoxia triggers a cascade of cellular energy metabolic responses including a decrease in mitochondrial oxidative flux. To characterize gene regulatory mechanisms by which mitochondrial fatty acid oxidative capacity is diminished in response to hypoxia, cardiac myocytes in culture were exposed to long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia prevented the known LCFA-induced accumulation of mRNA encoding muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (M-CPT I), an enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Under hypoxic conditions, myocytes exhibited significant accumulation of intracellular neutral lipid consistent with reduced CPT I activity and diminished FAO capacity. Transient transfection experiments demonstrated that the hypoxia-mediated blunting of M-CPT I gene expression occurs at the transcriptional level, is localized to an LCFA/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) response element within the M-CPT I gene promoter, and is PPARα-dependent. DNA-protein binding studies demonstrated that exposure to hypoxia reduces PPARα/RXR binding activity. Immunoblotting studies demonstrated that whereas hypoxia had no effect on nuclear levels of PPARα protein, nuclear and cellular RXRα levels were reduced. Hypoxia also diminished the 9-cis-retinoic acid-mediated activation of a reporter containing an RXR homodimer response element. These results demonstrate that hypoxia deactivates PPARα by reducing the availability of its obligate partner RXR.
Production of conjugated linoleic acid by lactic acid bacteria in milk without any additional substrate

This study was undertaken to evaluate the production and isomeric distribution of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB. A total of 155 cultures of LAB were analysed. Control milk samples had an average CLA content of 0.41 g/100 g of fatty acids (FA), while the lactic cultures produced CLA in the range of 0.43–1.12 g. No major changes in free fatty acids profiles were observed in milk samples fermented with CLA-producing LAB. The present study demonstrated that LAB can increase levels of CLA in nonsupplemented milk fermented for a short period of 4 h.
Spatially resolved IR microspectroscopy of single cells

Fourier transform IR (FTIR) microspectroscopy at a spatial resolution of 18 μm was used to study skin fibroblasts and giant sarcoma cells. Both cell lines were derived from the same patient; they were metabolically active and in the exponentially growing phase. The IR spectra were acquired for the nuclei and cytosol of untreated cells, cells washed with ethanol, and cells treated with RNase or DNase. A comparison of the spectra of the two cell lines yielded only insignificant spectral differences, indicating that IR spectroscopy monitors the overall cell activity rather than specific signs of cancer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 335–338, 2002
Circulating Cell and Plasma microRNA Profiles Differ between Non-ST-Segment and ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Differences in plasma and whole blood expression microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been determined in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Although most circulating miRNAs are located in the cellular components of whole blood, little is known about the miRNA profiles of whole blood subcomponents, including plasma, platelets and leukocytes in patients with myocardial ischemia. Methods: Thirteen patients with a ST-segment-elevation (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction were identified in the University of Massachusetts Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) or cardiac catheterization laboratory between February and June of 2012. Whole blood was obtained from arterial blood samples at the time of cardiac catheterization and cell-specific miRNA profiling was performed. Expression of 343 miRNAs was quantified from whole blood, plasma, platelets, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a highthroughput, quantitative Real-Time polymerase-chain reaction system (qRT-PCR). Results: MiRNAs associated with STEMI as compared to NSTEMI patients included miR-25-3p, miR-221-3p, and miR-374b-5p. MiRNA 30d-5p was associated with plasma, platelets, and leukocytes in both STEMI and NSTEMI patients; miRNAs 221-3p and 483-5p were correlated with plasma and platelets only in NSTEMI patients. Conclusions: Cell-specific miRNA profiles differed between patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. The miRNA distribution is also unique amongst plasma, platelets, and leukocytes in patients with ischemic heart disease or ACS. Our findings suggest unique miRNA profiles among the circulating subcomponents in patients presenting with myocardial ischemia.
Basic considerations in the diagnosis and management of carotid artery injuries

Most vascular injuries in the neck are the result of aggressive acts of violence, usually from knives or low-velocity bullets. These injuries are mainly confined to the wound tract, but when high-velocity weapons are used, there can be considerable damage from the blast effect. Blunt vascular trauma usually is more difficult to manage, and it can be overlooked because superificial evidence of injury to the neck is often absent? Moreover, patients involved in motor vehicle accidents or long falls may have head and spine injuries that pose other diagnostic problems. Patients being treated for blunt trauma usually have multiple injuries and often require several diagnostic tests. In the evaluation of patients with penetrating cervical trauma it is helpful to divide the neck into three zones, as described by Monson et al.3 Zone I extends from 1 cm above the clavicle down to include the base of the neck and the thoracic outlet, zone II is from 1 cm above the clavicle to the angle of the mandible, and zone III from the angle of the mandible to the base of the skull. Although important neurovascular structures traverse all three zones, their relationships to each other and ease of exposure vary in each zone; occasionally these differences require specialized maneuvers. It has been my practice to recommend surgical exploration of all penetrating wounds of the anterior triangles of the neck that pierce the platysma muscle, even when patients do not have an expanding hematoma. This remains controversial, and in the absence of specific identification of a major injury, some surgeons will defer surgery for observation and diagnostic evaluation. 4 Various tests can be performed, hopefully to exclude injury to the neurovascular structures or to the aerodigestive tract. In patients who show evidence of penetration of the esophagus (subcutaneous air or drainage) operation is required. Endoscopy and contrast studies to rule out penetra-
Cancer gene search with data-mining and genetic algorithms

Cancer leads to approximately 25% of all mortalities, making it the second leading cause of death in the United States. Early and accurate detection of cancer is critical to the well being of patients. Analysis of gene expression data leads to cancer identification and classification, which will facilitate proper treatment selection and drug development. Gene expression data sets for ovarian, prostate, and lung cancer were analyzed in this research. An integrated gene-search algorithm for genetic expression data analysis was proposed. This integrated algorithm involves a genetic algorithm and correlation-based heuristics for data preprocessing (on partitioned data sets) and data mining (decision tree and support vector machines algorithms) for making predictions. Knowledge derived by the proposed algorithm has high classification accuracy with the ability to identify the most significant genes. Bagging and stacking algorithms were applied to further enhance the classification accuracy. The results were compared with that reported in the literature. Mapping of genotype information to the phenotype parameters will ultimately reduce the cost and complexity of cancer detection and classification.
Mystery of the Missing Women Engineers: A Solution

Despite intensive recruiting efforts by engineering schools and professional societies, the number of women employed as engineers in the United States has never reached 10%. This failure is generally attributed to the fact that girls tend to shy away from math and science in high school. Recruiting efforts are therefore directed toward encouraging girls to study math and science, but these efforts are focused on the wrong problem. Some reasons for the scarcity of female engineers are: the general public's lack of understanding of what engineers do; a misguided emphasis on math and science, rather than problem solving, that makes girls think that engineering is not for them; and the poor image of the engineering profession. Efforts to recruit bright young people, male and female, into the engineering profession will be fruitful when they are focused on engineering, rather than its tools. This can be done by educating the public about what engineering really is and by making schoolchildren aware that being an engineer goes way beyond ''doing math and science.''
“Model T” Cells: A Time-Tested Vehicle for Gene Therapy

T lymphocytes first carried foreign genes safely into humans over two decades ago. Since these pioneering studies, scientific techniques to better understand the genomic landscape of cells has directly led to a more sophisticated appreciation of the diversity, functional complexity, and therapeutic potential of T cells. Through the use of mouse models, we now know the function of the many genes that are critical for T cells to recognize foreign, mutated, or self-antigens and the factors responsible for the lineage diversification of T cells that lead to inhibitory or stimulatory immune responses. This knowledge combined with well-established modalities to introduce genes into T cells allows for the design of effector and memory CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes specific for viral, fungal, bacterial, parasitic and tumor antigens and to design regulatory lymphocytes specific for the self-antigens responsible for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Here, I review strategies for designing the ideal T cell by introducing genes controlling 1) the secretion of cytokines/chemokines and their receptors, 2) T cell receptor specificity, 3) chimeric-antigen receptors that enable for the recognition of surface antigens in an MHC-independent fashion, 4) co-stimulatory/inhibitory surface molecules, and 5) disease defining single-gene factors.
Integrated Inp Mach-Zehnder Analog Modulator

We demonstrate the use of an area selective zinc indiffusion technique to fabricate an integrated InP Mach-Zehnder optical modulator. The modulator exhibits an extinction ratio of 19 dB and a voltage swing of plusmn2.3 volts at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The extinction ratio is only reduced to -18 dB when operated over a 40 nm range, with the center wavelength around 1560 nm. The Vpi voltage is increased from 4 volts at 1540 nm to 7.1 volts at 1580 nm. Very good electrical isolation is obtained between the contacts, which confirms the potential of the technique for the fabrication of photonic integrated circuits (PIC)
3-D electronics interconnect for high-performance imaging detectors

We describe work that extends three-dimensional (3-D) patterned overlay high-density interconnect (HDI) to high-performance imaging applications. The work was motivated by the rigorous requirements of the multiple-pulse imager for dynamic proton radiography. The optical imager has to provide large (>90%) optical fill factor, high quantum efficiency, 200-ns inter-frame time interval, and storage for >32 frames. In order to accommodate the massively parallel electronics including the signal storage for a large number of frames, it is necessary to provide novel 3-D interconnect and packaging architectures. Recently, a 3-D interconnect technology was successfully demonstrated to assemble a stack of 50 signal-processing chips into a cube. Each chip contained test connections (interconnect continuity only) simulating 160 channels of pixel read-out electronics. Test cube assemblies, based on these mock-up integrated circuits, have been fabricated to explore the feasibility of constructing functional cube arrays. A novel 3-D integrated sensor-electronics (mirror-cube) imager architecture is proposed. We also briefly review progress in the custom fast image-processing electronics.
Quantitative evaluation of His‐tag purification and immunoprecipitation of tristetraprolin and its mutant proteins from transfected human cells

Histidine (His)-tag is widely used for affinity purification of recombinant proteins, but the yield and purity of expressed proteins are quite different. Little information is available about quantitative evaluation of this procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate His-tag procedure quantitatively and to compare it with immunoprecipitation using radiolabeled tristetraprolin (TTP), a zinc finger protein with anti-inflammatory property. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells were transfected with wild-type and nine mutant plasmids with single or multiple phosphorylation site mutation(s) in His-TTP. These proteins were expressed and mainly localized in the cytosol of transfected cells by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. His-TTP proteins were purified by Ni-NTA beads with imidazole elution or precipitated by TTP antibodies from transfected cells after being labeled with [(32)P]-orthophosphate. The results showed that (1) His-tag purification was more effective than immunoprecipitation for TTP purification; (2) mutations in TTP increased the yield of His-TTP by both purification procedures; and (3) mutations in TTP increased the binding affinity of mutant proteins for Ni-NTA beads. These findings suggest that bioengineering phosphorylation sites in proteins can increase the production of recombinant proteins.
The Story of United States v. Socony-Vacuum: Hot Oil and Antitrust in the Two New Deals

This is a book chapter in Antitrust Stories (Foundation Press, forthcoming 2007, Dan Crane & Eleanor Fox, eds.), which is part of Foundation Press's Law Stories series. It tells the inside story of United States v. Socony-Vacuum, with an emphasis on the radical swing in antitrust perspectives from the first half of the New Deal to the second half.
Cortical amino acids in Brains with pathological features of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases

The postmortem levels of the amino acid neurotransmitters GABA, glutamate, aspartate, and taurine were measured in 7 cerebral cortical regions from a group of demented patients with the neuropathological features of both Parkinson’s disease (PD) and alzheimer’s disease (AD) and from neurologically normal controls. Concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were significantly (p<0.02) reduced by 27–43% in the superior temporal, parahippocampal, cingulate, and post-central gyri. There were no significant changes in the levels of glutamate, aspartate, and taurine. The GABA deficits are similar to those found in AD and lend support to the proposal that the dementia of PD is frequently related to the coincidence of PD and AD.
Characterization, correction and de novo assembly of an Oxford Nanopore genomic dataset from Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

The MinION is a portable single-molecule DNA sequencing instrument that was released by Oxford Nanopore Technologies in 2014, producing long sequencing reads by measuring changes in ionic flow when single-stranded DNA molecules translocate through the pores. While MinION long reads have an error rate substantially higher than the ones produced by short-read sequencing technologies, they can generate de novo assemblies of microbial genomes, after an initial correction step that includes alignment of Illumina sequencing data or detection of overlaps between Oxford Nanopore reads to improve accuracy. In this study, MinION reads were generated from the multi-chromosome genome of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404. Errors in the consensus two-directional (sense and antisense) “2D” sequences were first characterized by way of comparison with an internal reference assembly. Both Illumina-based correction and self-correction were performed and the resulting corrected reads assembled into high-quality hybrid and non-hybrid assemblies. Corrected read datasets and assemblies were subsequently compared. The results shown here indicate that both hybrid and non-hybrid methods can be used to assemble Oxford Nanopore reads into informative multi-chromosome assemblies, each with slightly different outcomes in terms of contiguity and accuracy.
From Pathfinder to LibGuide: Teaching Sources through an Instruction Companion

The role of the modern reference librarian often requires that he or she create and maintain research guides for patrons, whether the setting is a public, school, or academic institution. Job descr...
Platelet HMGB1: the venous clot coordinator.

In this issue of Blood, Stark et al report that the platelet-derived high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) orchestrates an inflammation-induced venous thrombosis.1
The Effect of Shareholder Rights and Information Asymmetry on Stock-Option-Related Repurchase Activity

As stock-option holdings increase, managers alter their firms’ payout composition, choosing stock repurchases rather than dividends to return cash to shareholders. Prior research presents two compe...
Dynamical Approach to Multi-Equilibria Problems Considering the Debye–Hückel Theory of Electrolyte Solutions: Concentration Quotients as a Function of Ionic Strength

We recently described a dynamical approach to the equilibrium problem that involves the formulation of the kinetic rate equations for each species. The equilibrium concentrations are determined by evolving the initial concentrations via this dynamical system to their steady state values. This dynamical approach is particularly attractive because it can be extended easily to very large multi-equilibria systems and the effects of ionic strength also are easily included. Here we describe mathematical methods for the determination of steady state concentrations of all species with the consideration of their activities using several approximations of Debye–Huckel theory of electrolyte solutions. We describe the equations for a system that consists of a triprotic acid H3A and its conjugate bases. With these equations, two types of multi-equilibria systems were studied and compared to experimental data. The first system is exemplified by case studies of solutions of acetate-buffered acetic acid and the second system is exemplified by the hydroxide titration of citric acid. The discussion focuses on the effect of ionic strength on pH and on the amplification of acidity by ionic strength. Ionic strength effects are shown to cause significant deviations from the widely used Henderson–Hasselbalch equation.
Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy and Central Aortic Cannulation: A 13-Year Experience.

ObjectiveThis study reports the evolution of a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR) technique that uses a right anterior minithoracotomy approach with central cannulation, for a 1...
Predation by Common Ravens (Corvus corax) on eggs of Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) and kleptoparasitism by Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

ABSTRACT We recently reported observations of Common Ravens (Corvus corax) eating eggs, juveniles, and possibly adult Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) on Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County, Washington. In this new report from 2015, we found 32 eggs presumably eaten by ravens, which represents a 16-fold increase during the same time window of the breeding season of 2014. In addition, we report on one attempted and one observed kleptoparasitism (food piracy) event by Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). An adult eagle was observed chasing a raven carrying a recently caught egg in its mandibles. In a second instance, an immature eagle stole and ate an egg that was being eaten by a raven. It is currently unknown if the combination of increased feeding by Common Ravens on Rhinoceros Auklets, and kleptoparasitism by Bald Eagles stealing recently captured auklet eggs from ravens influences predation pressure on the auklet colony at Protection Island.
Herpes Zoster as a Risk Factor for Incident Giant Cell Arteritis

Objectives Histopathological studies have implicated herpes zoster (HZ) as a causative organism of giant cell arteritis (GCA). We assessed the epidemiologic association of HZ events with incident GCA. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study utilizing two, large, independent US administrative datasets (Medicare 5% and Truven MarketScan) with eligible subjects having 12 months of continuous coverage, >50 years old, and without history of GCA or polymyalgia rheumatica. HZ events (complicated and uncomplicated) and GCA were identified by ICD-9 codes from physician visits or hospital discharges. Antiviral therapies and vaccinations were identified as prescription claims and drug codes. Risk of incident GCA was calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Among 16,686,345 subjects, 5,942 GCA cases occurred with 3.1% (MarketScan) and 6.0% (Medicare) having preceding HZ events. Unadjusted GCA incidence rates were highest in those with complicated and uncomplicated HZ. After multivariable adjustment, complicated HZ was associated with an increased risk of GCA (MarketScan Hazard ratio [HR] 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-3.18; Medicare HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.32-3.02) as was uncomplicated HZ (MarketScan HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.05-2.01; Medicare HR 1.42, 1.02-1.99). Vaccination and antiviral treatment were not consistently associated with GCA risk, though antivirals were marginally associated with a decreased risk of GCA in Medicare (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46-0.99). Conclusions HZ is associated with increased GCA risk. The infrequency of HZ in GCA patients suggests it is only one potential trigger for GCA. Antivirals and vaccination did not consistently mitigate this risk. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.