cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dental caries and childhood obesity: roles of diet and socioeconomic status

Objective: Our objective was to determine (a) if caries and obesity were associated in a pediatric population and (b) if so, then to explore diet and socioeconomic status as additional risk factors. Methods: Subjects were recruited at birth and are members of the Iowa Fluoride Study. Data such as parental age, parental education levels and family incomes were obtained by questionnaire at recruitment. Children's primary dentition was examined and their weight and height measured at 4.5–6.9 years of age. Parental weight and height were measured when children were 7.6–10.9 years of age. Beverage and nutrient intake patterns were obtained from 3-day food and beverage diaries completed at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years of age. Results: Children with caries had lower family incomes, less educated parents, heavier mothers and higher soda-pop intakes at 2, 3 and for 1–5 years than children without caries (P < 0.05). ‘Overweight’ children had less educated fathers and heavier parents than ‘normal’ weight children (P < 0.05). Children ‘at risk’ of overweight had higher caries rates than ‘normal’ or ‘overweight’ children (P < 0.05). In stepwise logistic regression models to predict caries experience, soda-pop intakes were displaced by mother's education, leaving ‘at risk’ of overweight and mother's education in the final model. Conclusion: Caries and obesity coexist in children of low socioeconomic status. Public health measures to improve dietary education and access to appropriate foodstuffs could decrease the risk of both diseases.
Communication message cues and opinions about people with depression: an investigation of discussion on Weibo

A content analysis was conducted of the posts generated by mass media organizations and public opinion leaders on the Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo to investigate the associations between several communication message cues and opinions about people with depression (N = 102). The study revealed that the posts of the influential users were more likely to be stigmatizing when they communicated stereotypes, but less likely to be stigmatizing or more likely to be supportive when they made personal, genetic and medical, and social and environmental cause and responsibility claims. The posts were also more likely to be supportive if the influential users presented treatment and recovery information. In addition to finding out what communication cues activate the influential users' stigmatizing or supportive opinions, the study also examined and found the impact of the influential users' opinions on their followers' opinions on this issue (N = 8261). The findings showed that the public opinion leaders ...
Distinction between galactose and phenylalanine effects on alanine transport in rabbit ileum

Abstract The ability of galactose to inhibit alanine transport by isolated rabbit ileum is abolished by metabolic inhibitors and/or ouabain. In contrast, inhibition of alanine transport by phenylalanine persists in the presence of metabolic inhibitors. These findings suggest that the effect of galactose on alanine transport does not reflect an interaction at the carrier level.
Polychlorinated biphenyls release insulin from RINm5F cells

Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) possess a variety of biological effects, including alterations in growth, development and metabolism, that may be dependent on insulin. However, no reports on the action of PCBs on cells which produce and secrete insulin are available. The current study examined the ability of a commercial mixture of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) and three specific PCB congeners, to alter the release of insulin using the hormone producing cell line RINm5F. Exposure of cells to Aroclor 1254 (A-1254) produced a concentration-dependent increase in media insulin reaching a peak, when expressed as percent of control, at 30 min. In spite of continued exposure, media insulin relative to control declined and no treatment-related difference was observed at 48 hrs. Cellular levels of the hormone declined as much as 50% by that time. The insulin releasing action of A-1254 was mimicked by each of the non-coplanar congeners 2,2′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) but the coplanar congener 3,3′,4,4′-TCB showed no significant activity. These results indicate that PCBs are capable of producing a release of insulin from RINm5F cells, an effect that is unlikely to be associated with coplanar congeners that initiate their action by binding to the Ah-receptor.
The Future of the Special Library: One Person's Perspective

With the constant wave of changes that have washed against libraries over the past decade, many libraries have adopted a defensive position, fighting to stay alive. Between these waves of disruptiv...
Response to Dr Inchiosa

Author(s): Hackman, RM; Havel, PJ; Schwartz, HJ; Rutledge, JC; Stohs, SJ; Stern, JS; Keen, CL
New ultraportable display technology and applications

MicroDisplay devices are based on a combination of technologies rooted in the extreme integration capability of conventionally fabricated CMOS active-matrix liquid crystal display substrates. Customized diffraction grating and optical distortion correction technology for lens-system compensation allow the elimination of many lenses and systems-level components. The MicroDisplay Corporation's miniature integrated information display technology is rapidly leading to many new defense and commercial applications. There are no moving parts in MicroDisplay substrates, and the fabrication of the color generating gratings, already part of the CMOS circuit fabrication process, is effectively cost and manufacturing process-free. The entire suite of the MicroDisplay Corporation's technologies was devised to create a line of application- specific integrated circuit single-chip display systems with integrated computing, memory, and communication circuitry. Next-generation portable communication, computer, and consumer electronic devices such as truly portable monitor and TV projectors, eyeglass and head mounted displays, pagers and Personal Communication Services hand-sets, and wristwatch-mounted video phones are among the may target commercial markets for MicroDisplay technology. Defense applications range from Maintenance and Repair support, to night-vision systems, to portable projectors for mobile command and control centers.
Between Allah and Atatűrk: Liberal Islam in Turkey.

Abstract At a time when the Turkish model of state secularism is being held up for other Muslim countries to emulate, Turks themselves are rethinking that secular framework. In the election of November 2002 the Justice and Development Party, a ‘reformed’ Islamist party, swept into power and has become what is by almost all accounts the most liberal and least corrupt government in Turkey's history. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has grafted a tolerant, populist, Western-friendly Islamist movement onto the country's Kemalist roots. The government has stressed the preservation of Turkey's Islamic heritage but also holds out the possibility of a moral community in the face of widespread graft and corruption. The article highlights the practice of liberal Islam in terms of popular culture, relations with the EU, and ‘Islamic’ conceptions of human rights, women's rights, minority rights, political economy and foreign policy.
Scopolamine effects on suppression of operant responding

Three experiments are reported which examined the behavioral effects of pharmacological antagonism of cholinergic transmission. Subjects were trained in one of three tasks, each requiring inhibition of responding. The effects of scopolamine hydrobromide (.4 mg/kg) were compared to those of saline on performance of these tasks. Scopolamine did not alter food-reinforced responding on a variable interval (VI) schedule, nor did it affect the development of a conditioned emotional response. Incorrect responding in a discrimination task significantly increased, however, with scopolamine treatment. The results of these experiments are interpreted as contradicting hypotheses that central cholinergic systems mediate response suppression, and suggest their involvement in stimulus selection or discrimination.
Erosion and slope instability on Horizon Guyot, Mid-Pacific Mountains

Seismic-reflection profiles, sediment cores, and current velocities were assessed to study the impact of erosion and sediment redistribution on the pelagic sediment cap of Horizon Guyot, a flat-topped submarine volcanic ridge in the Mid-Pacific Mountains. These processes seem to concentrate their effect around the rim of the sediment cap. Sediment slumping occurs on the northwest perimeter of the guyot's sediment cap. Slope stability analysis suggests that if overconsolidation on Horizon Guyot is the result of current reworking or if local undercutting by bottom currents steepens the sea floor declivity, the sediment cap may be unstable during infrequent earthquake loading, transporting sediment from the guyot summit to the abyssal sea floor.
The effects of physical forces on cartilage tissue engineering.

(2000). The Effects of Physical Forces on Cartilage Tissue Engineering. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 533-552.
Evaluation of recombinant invasive, non-pathogenic Eschericia coli as a vaccine vector against the intracellular pathogen, Brucella

There is no safe, effective human vaccine against brucellosis. Live attenuated Brucella strains are widely used to vaccinate animals. However these live Brucella vaccines can cause disease and are unsafe for humans. Killed Brucella or subunit vaccines are not effective in eliciting long term protection. In this study, we evaluate an approach using a live, non-pathogenic bacteria (E. coli) genetically engineered to mimic the brucellae pathway of infection and present antigens for an appropriate cytolitic T cell response. E. coli was modified to express invasin of Yersinia and listerialysin O (LLO) of Listeria to impart the necessary infectivity and antigen releasing traits of the intracellular pathogen, Brucella. This modified E. coli was considered our vaccine delivery system and was engineered to express Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) or Brucella antigens for in vitro and in vivo immunological studies including cytokine profiling and cytotoxicity assays. The E. coli vaccine vector was able to infect all cells tested and efficiently deliver therapeutics to the host cell. Using GFP as antigen, we demonstrate that the E. coli vaccine vector elicits a Th1 cytokine profile in both primary and secondary immune responses. Additionally, using this vector to deliver a Brucella antigen, we demonstrate the ability of the E. coli vaccine vector to induce specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs). Protection against most intracellular bacterial pathogens can be obtained mostly through cell mediated immunity. Data presented here suggest modified E. coli can be used as a vaccine vector for delivery of antigens and therapeutics mimicking the infection of the pathogen and inducing cell mediated immunity to that pathogen.
Sensitivity analysis for a remote vision-guided robot arm under imprecise supervisory control

This paper presents a study regarding the sensitivity of a vision-based control method known as camera-space manipulation to inaccuracies in the specified target objectives. For the application considered, the target objectives represent the image-plane appearance of a common 3D physical space point in the cameras that participate in the task. Inaccurate or incompatible target objectives are present because of the nature in which this information is relayed to the robot system from a remote operator. Therefore, a simulation-based sensitivity analysis is presented and discussed with respect to the level of terminal positioning precision that can be achieved in light of the incompatible target objectives.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A comparison of vertical and pfannensteil incisions in patients undergoing cesarean delivery with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP)

UNDERGOING CESAREAN DELIVERY WITH THE SYNDROME OF HEMOLYSIS, ELEVATED LIVER ENZYMES, AND LOW PLATELETS (HELLP) D. MICHAEL ARMSTRONG, EUGENE CHANG, CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, SCOTT SULLIVAN, DONNA JOHNSON, STEPHEN VERMILLION, J. VAN DORSTEN, Medical University of South Carolina, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charleston, South Carolina OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of a drain or midline incision resulted in a lower wound hematoma rate in patients with HELLP syndrome undergoing cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with HELLP syndrome that underwent Cesarean delivery at the Medical University of South Carolina from 1990-2002 was conducted. Medical records for these patients were examined for the type of incision and for the use of drains. Wound hematomas were analyzed with respect to the type of skin incision and whether or not a drain was used. Data were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. Significance was considered P ! .05. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients with HELLP syndrome undergoing cesarean section were identified. There were 107 patients with Pfannensteil incision and 28 patients with a vertical midline incision. Sixty patients had a drain placed intraoperatively and 75 patients who had no drain. Complication rates are listed in the chart below. CONCLUSION: In women with HELLP syndrome, the incidence of wound hematomas is not influenced by the type of skin incision or drain placement.
Free-Surface Flow and Fluid-Object Interaction Modeling With Emphasis on Ship Hydrodynamics

Abstract : This paper presents our approach for the computation of free-surface/rigid-body interaction phenomena with emphasis on ship hydrodynamics. We adopt the level set approach to capture the free-surface. The rigid body is described using six-degree-of-freedom equations of motion. An interface-tracking method is used to handle the interface between the moving rigid body and the fluid domain. An Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian version of the residual-based variational multiscale formulation for the Navier Stokes and level set equations is employed in order to accommodate the fluid domain motion. The free-surface/rigid body problem is formulated and solved in a fully coupled fashion. The numerical results illustrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed approach.
Software requirement understanding using Pathfinder networks: discovering and evaluating mental models

Abstract Understanding and communicating user requirements in a software requirement analysis effort is very important. Misunderstandings of user requirements between software developers and users, will cause problems in terms of satisfying user needs, defects, cost and schedule during the software development process. This paper proposes a new technique that has the ability to represent the mental models of the user and developer communities as network representations using Pathfinder networks. Graphs (mental models) are generated for each of the user and developer groups and compared for similarities/dissimilarities using a graph similarity metric. This paper overviews how this technique is used to categorize requirements and to identify ambiguous and duplicate requirements. We also propose to extend this technique to enhance communication and reduce misunderstanding surrounding the user requirements during the requirement analysis phase.
Documenting Genocide: The “Record of Confession, Guilty Plea, Repentance and Apology” in Rwanda's Gacaca Trials

In Rwanda, apologies for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide were documented on the “Record of Confession, Guilty Plea, Repentance and Apology.” Unfortunately, a gap exists in our understanding of that document. This paper addresses that gap via a cultural approach to technical communication research that examines what was recorded, why, and how it shaped the public record. The paper concludes with suggested areas in which technical communication scholars can provide additional insight on apologies for wrongdoing.
Additives for the Stabilization of Double- Stranded DNA in UV-MALDI MS

Molecular complexes such as double-stranded oligonucleotides contain non-covalent bonds that are difficult to maintain in the MALDI experiment. Quantifiers are introduced in order to evaluate, summarize, and compare spectra from experiments in which additives are used to stabilize duplex oligonucleotides. Compounds known to complex with and stabilize duplex molecules can be useful as additives in MALDI. Spermine and methylene blue, present at concentrations similar to the matrix, are detected, bound to the duplex. When peptides are used as additives, the duplex is stabilized when the peptide is present at an amount less than that of the duplex.
A binary identification system for use in tracing and analyzing dichotomously branching dendrite and axon systems

Abstract A binary labeling scheme is described for identifying the nodes and branches of dichotomously branching structures, those of neurons in particular. Other local structural features of the branches can also be labeled by the procedure which is intended for use in the neuronal tracing operations that are performed in computer microscopy. The labeling scheme facilitates not only data acquisition but also a variety of morphometric analyses of branching patterns.
A super-scheduler for embedded reconfigurable systems

Emerging reconfigurable systems attain high peformance with embedded optimized cores. For mapping designs on such special architectures, synthesis tools, that are aware of the special capabilities of the underlying architecture are necessary. In this paper we are proposing an algorithm to perform simultaneous scheduling and binding, targeting embedded reconfigurable systems. Our algorithm differs from traditional scheduling methods in its capability of efficiently utilizing embedded blocks within the reconfigurable system. Our algorithm can be used to implement several other scheduling techniques, such as ASAP, ALAP, and list scheduling. Hence we refer to it as a super-scheduler. Our algorithm is a path-based scheduling algorithm. At each step, an individual path from the input DFG is scheduled. Our experiments with several DFG's extracted from MediaBench suit indicate promising results. Our scheduler presents capability to perform the trade-off between maximally utilizing the high-performance embedded blocks and exploiting parallelism in the schedule.
Onset of diabetes with high titer anti-GAD antibody after IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis

A case of hyperglycemia induced by the injection of interferon-α was experienced in our hospital. This patient showed a sustained high titer of anti-GAD antibody after the onset of diabetes, suggesting that the involvement of immunological disturbance by IFN induces the onset of the disease. However, the susceptibility and the response of the immune system differs from patient to patient, and only limited destruction of β-cells in the islet of Langerhans and normalization of glucose tolerance by CSII was induced in this patient.
Do visualizations improve synchronous remote collaboration

Information visualizations can improve collaborative problem solving, but this improvement may depend on whether visualizations promote communication. In an experiment on the effect of network visualizations, remote pairs worked synchronously to identify a serial killer. They discussed disparate evidence distributed across the pair using IM. Four conditions, respectively, offered (a) spreadsheet only (controls), (b) individual unshared visualizations, (c) view-only shared visualizations, and (d) a full-access shared visualization of all evidence. We examined collaborative performance, use of the visualization tool, and communication as a function of condition. All visualization conditions improved remote collaborators' performance over the control condition. Full access to a shared visualization best facilitated remote collaboration by encouraging tool use and fostering discussion between the partners. Shared visualization without full access impaired performance somewhat and made communication even more vital to identifying the serial killer. This study provides direct evidence of visualization tool features and partner behavior that promote collaboration.
Some problems of information processing and models of the visual pathway.

Abstract The manner in which sensory information is processed depends on the structure as well as on the dynamic characteristics of the sensory organ and the processing stations in the sensory pathway. Some problems of visual information processing, arising from our presently available data, are formulated. They fall into the areas of information input, information processing in the retina and beyond the retina. Models relating to these problems are discussed with a view to obtaining a unified picture of information transfer in the visual pathway. The models are concerned, in particular, with psychophysical observations bearing on the serial capacity and the statistics of the information input, the static and dynamic characteristics of retinal receptive fields and a suggested approach to information processing beyond the retina.
The Crohn's Disease Protein, NOD2, Requires RIP2 in Order to Induce Ubiquitinylation of a Novel Site on NEMO

Abstract Background: Crohn's disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized clinically by dysregulation of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine signaling networks. The function of the Crohn's disease protein, NOD2, highlights the biphasic nature of the pathology of Crohn's disease. NOD2 can both strongly activate and negatively attenuate NF-kB signaling. The biochemical mechanism for this dual function of NOD2 is unknown. Results: We demonstrate that NOD2 activation leads to ubiquitinylation of NEMO, a key component of the NF-kB signaling complex. This ubiquitinylation is agonist dependant, and it does not regulate proteosomal destruction of NEMO. We show the NOD2-dependent ubiquitinylation of NEMO is dependent on the scaffolding protein kinase RIP2. Crohn's disease-associated polymorphisms of NOD2 show a decreased ability to bind RIP2, and this decreased ability to bind RIP2 correlates with a decreased ability to ubiquitinylate NEMO. We map the site of NEMO ubiquitinylation to a novel NEMO ubiquitinylation site (Lysine 285) and show that this ubiquityinylation occurs in vivo. Lastly, we show functionally that RIP2-induced ubiquitinylation of NEMO is at least in part responsible for RIP2-mediated NF-kB activation. Conclusions: These data suggest that this novel mode of regulation of the NF-kB signaling pathway could be a factor underlying the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.
The inevitability of surprise in agroecosystems

Many critical transformations of ecosystems contain advanced signals of their imminence, but it is also true that many critical transformations can be shown to contain no such signal, at least with the sorts of data normally available to field workers. This paper explores some generalized theoretical structures and distinguishes between those that may provide a signal that could be used to predict a critical transformation and those that, by their very nature, do not provide such a clue. I argue that it is almost certain that such completely unpredictable structures will sometimes emerge from systems that tend to be as complicated as agroecosystems, in both their natural and social sciences manifestations. Precaution should thus be taken when designing agroecosystems.
Preparative capillary electrophoresis for off-line sequence, composition, and mass analysis of peptides

Abstract Capillary electrophoresis was used to separate and collect peptides for multiple, off-line analytical techniques employed in many modern core-resource facilities. Peptides separated peak to peak by less than 30 s were successfully collected. Starting with a mixture of peptides at 0.1 to 0.3 mg/ml, enough material was obtained for off-line mass determination by laser desorption, time-of-flight analysis, peptide sequencing, and even the relatively sample-demanding analysis of amino acid composition. Preparations were readily reanalyzed by capillary electrophoresis in the analytical mode without the need for further sample handling. Details of the methodology and some of its limitations are examined and discussed.
Context and task-aware knowledge-enhanced compressive imaging

We describe a foveated compressive sensing approach for image analysis applications that utilizes knowledge of the task to be performed to reduce the number of required measurements compared to conventional Nyquist sampling and compressive sensing based approaches. Our Compressive Optical Foveated Architecture (COFA) adapts the dictionary and compressive measurements to structure and sparsity in the signal, task, and scene by reducing measurement and dictionary mutual coherence and increasing sparsity using principles of actionable information and foveated compressive sensing. Actionable information is used to extract task-relevant regions of interest (ROIs) from a low-resolution scene analysis by eliminating the effects of nuisances for occlusion and anomalous motion detection. From the extracted ROIs, preferential measurements are taken using foveation as part of the compressive sensing adaptation process. The task-specific measurement matrix is optimized by using a novel saliency-weighted coherence minimization with respect to the learned signal dictionary. This incorporates the relative usage of the atoms in the dictionary. Therefore, the measurement matrix is not random, as in conventional compressive sensing, but is based on the dictionary structure and atom distributions. We utilize a patch-based method to learn the signal priors. A treestructured dictionary of image patches using KSVD is learned which can sparsely represent any given image patch with the tree-structure. We have implemented COFA in an end-to-end simulation of a vehicle fingerprinting task for aerial surveillance using foveated compressive measurements adapted to hierarchical ROIs consisting of background, roads, and vehicles. Our results show 113x reduction in measurements over conventional sensing and 28x reduction over compressive sensing using random measurements.
Late Cenozoic subduction and continental margin truncation along the northern Middle America Trench

The narrow inner trench slope and the truncated igneous and metamorphic terrane along the west coast of Mexico between Cabo Corrientes and the Gulf of Tehuantepec indicate that part of the continental margin has in some way been removed during the process of subduction. However, a detailed marine geophysical survey of the inner trench slope near Acapulco indicates that this removal is not occurring now. South-southwest–trending magnetic anomalies produced by the Xolapa metamorphic complex extend seaward only 20 to 30 km. Oceanic magnetic anomalies that trend N50°W extend as much as 30 km landward of the trench. The boundary between these two magnetic patterns lies landward of the trench-slope break and beneath the upper-slope sediment pile. The nonmagnetic material forming the acoustic basement trenchward of the metamorphic rocks is interpreted to consist of late Miocene to Holocene deformed trench-floor turbidites. Deformation associated with subduction has reversed the gradients of several submarine canyons and tilted the seaward edge of the upper-slope sediment pile away from the trench. The morphology and structure of the inner trench slope is typical of accreting trench-arc systems, although the morphotectonic units in this system are smaller than usual. Accretion since late Miocene time is suggested by the age of dredged slope sediments and by analysis of offshore magnetic anomalies, which indicate a change from right-lateral oblique to perpendicular subduction at that time. Removal of the continental margin probably occurred intermittently between Late Cretaceous and late Miocene time. Possible mechanisms include subduction of continental crust (tectonic erosion), left-lateral translation associated with the Caribbean–North American plate boundary, and right-lateral translation associated with oblique subduction between the Farallon or Cocos plates and the North American plate. Geological data favor right-lateral offset and suggest that some of the missing margin may be the slivers of subduction complex found along the west coast of Baja California and possibly even farther north.
xDomain: cross-border proofs of access

A number of research systems have demonstrated the benefits of accompanying each request with a machine-checkable proof that the request complies with access-control policy - a technique called proof-carrying authorization. Numerous authorization logics have been proposed as vehicles by which these proofs can be expressed and checked. A challenge in building such systems is how to allow delegation between institutions that use different authorization logics. Instead of trying to develop the authorization logic that all institutions should use, we propose a framework for interfacing different, mutually incompatible authorization logics. Our framework provides a very small set of primitives that defines an interface for communication between different logics without imposing any fundamental constraints on their design or nature. We illustrate by example that a variety of different logics can communicate over this interface, and show formally that supporting the interface does not impinge on the integrity of each individual logic. We also describe an architecture for constructing authorization proofs that contain components from different logics and report on the performance of a prototype proof checker.
A new architecture for designing noise-tolerant digital circuits

Defects and faults arise from physical imperfections and noise susceptibility of the analog circuit components used to create digital circuits resulting in computational errors. A probabilistic computational model is needed to quantify and analyze the effect of noisy signals on computational accuracy in digital circuits. This model computes the reliability of digital circuits meaning that the inputs and outputs and their implemented logic function need to be calculated probabilistically. The purpose of this paper is to present a new architecture for designing noise-tolerant digital circuits. The approach we propose is to use a class of single-input, single-output circuits called Reliability Enhancement Network Chain (RENC). A RENC is a concatenation of n simple logic circuits called Reliability Enhancement Network (REN). Each REN can increase the reliability of a digital circuit to a higher level. Reliability of the circuit can approach any desirable level when a RENC composed of a sufficient number of RENs is employed. Moreover, the proposed approach is applicable to the design of any logic circuit implemented with any logic technology.
Mutation of tyrosine 145 of lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2 protects mice from anaphylaxis and arthritis

Background Lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2, also known as Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte phosphoprotein of 76 kilodaltons (SLP-76), is an essential adaptor molecule in myeloid cells, where it regulates FceRI-induced mast cell (MC) and FcγR- and integrin-induced neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN]) functions. SLP-76 contains 3 N-terminal tyrosines at residues 112, 128, and 145 that together are critical for its function. Objective We sought to explore the relative importance of tyrosines 112, 128, and 145 of SLP-76 during MC and PMN activation. Methods We examined in vitro MC and PMN functions using cells isolated from knock-in mice harboring phenylalanine substitution mutations at tyrosines 112 and 128 (Y112/128F) or 145 (Y145F). We also examined the effects of these mutations on in vivo MC and PMN activation using models of anaphylaxis, dermal inflammation, and serum-induced arthritis. Results Mutations at Y112/Y128 and Y145 both interfered with SLP-76 activity; however, Y145F had a greater effect than Y112/128F on most in vitro FcR-induced functions. In vitro functional defects were recapitulated in vivo , where mice expressing Y145F exhibited greater attenuation of MC-dependent passive systemic anaphylaxis and PMN-mediated inflammatory responses. Notably, the Y145F mutation completely protected mice against development of joint-specific inflammation in the MC and PMN-dependent K/B × N model of arthritis. Conclusion Our data indicate that Y145 is the most critical tyrosine supporting SLP-76 function in myeloid cells. Future efforts to dissect how Y145 mediates SLP-76–dependent signaling in MCs and PMNs will increase our understanding of these lineages and provide insights into the treatment of allergy and inflammation.
Bladder mucosal tears during voiding cystourethrography in chronic renal failure.

We report 6 patients with chronic renal failure who developed contrast intravasation/extravasation during voiding cystourethrography. Two patients underwent cystoscopy and were noted to have diffuse mucosal tears, but had normal appearing bladder mucosa on follow-up inspection. None of the patients experienced symptoms or clinical sequelae. Pathophysiological changes in the chronically unused bladder which predispose it to mucosal injury are considered.
Natural killer T cells and innate immune B cells from lupus-prone NZB/W mice interact to generate IgM and IgG autoantibodies

Lupus-prone NZB/W F1 mice develop glomerulonephritis after T helper cell-dependent isotype switching of autoantibody secretion from IgM to IgG at about 6 months of age. We compared innate immune natural killer (NK) T cells and conventional T cells for their capacity to help spontaneous in vitro immunoglobulin and autoantibody secretion of innate immune (B-1 and marginal zone) and conventional (follicular) B cell subsets from NZB/W F1 mice. We found that purified NKT cells not only increased spontaneous secretion of IgM and IgM anti-double-stranded (ds)DNA antibodies by B-1 and marginal zone B cells, but also facilitated secretion of IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies predominantly by B-1 B cells. Few IgM or IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies were secreted by follicular B cells, and conventional T cells failed to provide potent helper activity to any B cell subset. All combinations of T and B cell subsets from normal C57BL/6 mice failed to generate vigorous IgM and IgG secretion. NZB/W NKT cell helper activity was blocked by anti-CD1 and anti-CD40L mAb. In conclusion, direct interactions between innate immune T and B cells form a pathway for the development of IgM and IgG lupus autoantibody secretion in NZB/W mice.
Voluntary ethanol consumption in 22 inbred mouse strains.

Abstract Inbred strains are genetically stable across time and laboratories, allowing scientists to accumulate a record of phenotypes, including physiological characteristics and behaviors. To date, the C57/C58 family of inbred mouse strains has been identified as having the highest innate ethanol consumption, but some lineages have rarely or never been surveyed. Thus, the purpose of the present experiment was to measure ethanol preference and intake in 22 inbred mouse strains, some of which have never been tested for ethanol consumption. Male and female mice (A/J, BALB/cByJ, BTBR + Ttf/tf, BUB/BnJ, C57BL/6J, C57BLKS/J, C58/J, CZECH/Ei, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, I/LnJ, LP/J, MA/MyJ, NOD/LtJ, NON/LtJ, NZB/B1NJ, NZW/LacJ, PERA/Ei, RIIIS/J, SEA/GnJ, SM/J, and 129S1/SvlmJ) were individually housed and given unlimited access in a two-bottle choice procedure to one bottle containing tap water and a second containing increasing concentrations of ethanol (3%, 6%, 10%), 0.2% saccharin, and then increasing concentrations of ethanol (3%, 6%, 10%) plus 0.2% saccharin. Mice were given access to each novel solution for a total of 4 days, with a bottle side change every other day. Consistent with previous studies, C57BL/6J (B6) mice consumed an ethanol dose of >10 g/kg/day whereas DBA/2J (D2) mice consumed
Delayed pregnancy testing and second-trimester abortion: can public health interventions assist with earlier detection of unintended pregnancy?

Abstract Background Delayed pregnancy testing has been associated with presentation for abortion in the second trimester. Little is known about acceptability of potential interventions to hasten pregnancy recognition. Study design A total of 592 women presenting for abortion at six clinics in the United States completed surveys on contraceptive use, risk behavior, timing of first pregnancy test and interest in interventions to speed pregnancy recognition and testing. Results Forty-eight percent of women presenting for second-trimester abortion delayed testing until at least 8 weeks. In multivariate analysis, women who often spotted between periods had higher odds of delaying pregnancy testing [odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–6.94]. Women who often missed periods had higher odds of second-trimester abortion (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.34–3.13). The majority (64%) of women were not aware of a fertile time in the menstrual cycle; these women had higher odds of second-trimester abortion (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.21–3.37). Ninety-four percent of women expressed interest in at least one potential intervention to help recognize pregnancy earlier. Conclusions While there was near-universal interest in earlier pregnancy recognition, no single proposed intervention or scenario was endorsed by the majority. Improving sexual health awareness is an important consideration in future efforts to expedite pregnancy testing. Implications We found near-universal interest in earlier pregnancy recognition, though no single proposed intervention or scenario garnered majority support. Based on our findings, the concept of improving sexual health awareness through education should be incorporated in the development of future strategies to hasten recognition of unintended pregnancy.
Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in experimental mercury intoxication

Methylmercuric chloride (CH3HgCl) or mercuric bichloride (HgCl2) were administered to the rats at a dosage of 1.0 mg/kg body weight. Toluidine blue-albumin was injected into these animals at various periods after the intoxication. Leakage of the dye into the nervous parenchyma was observed as early as 12 h after the intoxication indicating an impairment and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier. This dysfunction is believed to be due to an impairment of the endothelial and glial membranes by the mercury.
A program in climatology

The field of climatology has passed in the last decade, especially in the United States, through a period of relative sterility. Few if any advances have been made, and it seems appropriate to investigate into the reasons for this state of affairs and to see what remedies might be applied for improving this situation in the future. At the outset it might perhaps be appropriate to ask and answer the question if there is presently a need for climatological work, and if climatology has a future.
Feasibility Study of Dielectrical Field-Flow Fractionation

Abstract The possible use of dielectrophoretic forces for the development of a new subtechnique of field-flow fractionation (FFF) termed dielectrical FFF is examined. Dielectrical FFF is based on the dielectrophoresis of neutral particles in the nonuniform electric field of an annular channel (or charged coaxial capacitor). The feasibility of the subtechnique is assessed by estimating the magnitudes of retention ratio R predicted from theory for select species representative of several classes of particle/fluid mixtures. Minimum attainable R values are calculated using estimates of the maximum electric field strengths applicable to the mixtures. Calculations show that. the dielectrophoretic force is strong enough to retain and separate ultrahigh-molecular-weight polymers and submicron-diameter particles dissolved or suspended in organic liquids of high dielectric constant Evidence suggests that pearl-chain formation may impose a fundamental limitation on particle retention at the inner cylinder of the ann...
From Community Ecology Back to the Riddle of Mimicry

The Biosphere is a complex ecological web of interacting species. Understanding it requires picking it apart and analyzing small pieces of it, and then synthesizing all of the parts. Numerous paper trails lead back to foundational studies of the individual small pieces: for example of parasitism, predation, competition, mutualism, and all the other interactions that bind species together. One of these trails leads to a paper by Bates (1862) and the fascinating phenomenon of mimicry. In the flowering of modern natural history and evolutionary ecology it continues to be revisited (e.g., Thompson 1994, Quek et al. 2010) as a source of ideas and inspiration about coevolution and the coexistence of many species in ecologically complex associations.
Molecular dynamics simulations of 45 ° (100) twist plus tilt grain boundaries in aluminum

Abstract High-resolution electron microscopy has been used to study a [100] 45° twist/17.5° tilt grain boundary in aluminum. This mixed-type aperiodic boundary is characterized by two fundamental structural units. Each of these two units is a basic building block for the 45° twist/13.29° tilt and 45° twist/19.47° tilt grain boundaries, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations of bicrystals with the above two misorientations have been performed. Interatomic forces between aluminum atoms have been modelled by the use of density-dependent pseudopotentials. A new type of boundary condition has been used to allow for translational relaxation at the interface. The results presented here show that the observed structural units are stable, with some relaxation occurring at the grain boundary core.
Improving the Quality and Cost—Effectiveness of Prescribing

The 1980s witnessed the evolution of a number of programmes designed to improve the quality and economy of medication use, In the approach known as ‘academic detailing’, the effective communications techniques of the pharmaceutical industry are employed in the service of programmes designed to promote rational medication use, rather than to maximise sales of a particular product. Using this method, a balanced, concise presentation of the best available current research and cost literature is put into an engaging, readable format, and presented to the physician in a one—on—one interactive educational session by a pharmacist. In randomised controlled trials in 5 states, this approach has been shown to be effective in reducing inappropriate prescribing; benefit—cost analyses have shown that it generates savings that exceed programme costs. On the other hand, the 1980s also saw the implementation of several alternative approaches to changing prescribing practice, often through crude bureaucratic measures uninformed by the realities of clinical practice. Many such policies have proven to be either ineffective or counterproductive clinically and/or economically. As the issue of drug utilisation review receives increasing attention in the 1990s, it will be important to assimilate the lessons of the last 10 years to design programmes in both the public and private sectors that will enhance the quality of drug therapy while containing its costs.
Psychoactive “bath salts”: Not so soothing

Recently there has been a dramatic rise in the abuse of so-called “bath salts” products that are purchased as legal alternatives to illicit drugs like cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Baths salts contain one or more synthetic derivatives of the naturally-occurring stimulant cathinone. Low doses of bath salts produce euphoria and increase alertness, but high doses or chronic use can cause serious adverse effects such as hallucinations, delirium, hyperthermia and tachycardia. Owing to the risks posed by bath salts, the governments of many countries have made certain cathinones illegal, namely: 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). Similar to other psychomotor stimulants, synthetic cathinones target plasma membrane transporters for dopamine (i.e., DAT), norepinephrine (i.e., NET) and serotonin (i.e, SERT). Mephedrone and methylone act as non-selective transporter substrates, thereby stimulating non-exocytotic release of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. By contrast, MDPV acts as a potent blocker at DAT and NET, with little effect at SERT. Administration of mephedrone or methylone to rats increases extracellular concentrations of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, analogous to the effects of MDMA. Not surprisingly, synthetic cathinones elicit locomotor activation in rodents. Stimulation of dopamine transmission by synthetic cathinones predicts a high potential for addiction and may underlie clinical adverse effects. As popular synthetic cathinones are rendered illegal, new replacement cathinones are appearing in the marketplace. More research on the pharmacology and toxicology of abused cathinones is needed to inform public health policy and develop strategies for treating medical consequence of bath salts abuse.
Pyramidamycins A-D and 3-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxamide; cytotoxic benzamides from Streptomyces sp. DGC1

Four new benzamides, pyramidamycins A-D (2–5) along with the new natural 3-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxamide (6) were isolated from the crude extract of Streptomyces sp. DGC1. Additionally, five other known compounds, namely 2-aminobenzamide (anthranilamide) (1), 4′,7-dihydroxyisoflavanone (7), 2′-deoxy-thymidine, 2′-deoxy-uridine and adenosine were also isolated and identified. The structures of the new compounds 2–6 were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR studies along with HR MS analyses. The isolated compounds 1–6 contained the same amide side chain. The isolated compounds 1–7 were biologically evaluated in comparison with landomycin A against a prostate cancer cell line (PC3) and non-small cell lung cancer cell line (H460) for 48 h and against several bacterial strains. Pyramidamycin C (4) was the most active compound against both PC3 and H460 cell lines (GI50=2.473 and 7.339 μM, respectively). Benzamides (1–3) demonstrated inhibitory activity against Kocuria rosea B-1106 (a diameter halo of 13±2 mm for 1; 10±2 mm for 2 and 3). Compound 6 was slightly active against both Escherichia coli DH5α and Micrococcus luteus NRRL B-2618 (diameter halos 8±2 and 9±2 mm, respectively). Taxonomically, the amplified 500-bp 16 S rRNA fragment of the Streptomyces sp. DGC1 had 99% identity (BLAST search) to the 16S rRNA gene of Streptomyces atrovirens strain NRRL B-16357.
Wild-type Human γD-crystallin Promotes Aggregation of Its Oxidation-mimicking, Misfolding-prone W42Q Mutant

Non-native protein conformers generated by mutation or chemical damage template aggregation of wild-type, undamaged polypeptides in diseases ranging from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to cancer. We tested for such interactions in the natively monomeric human eye lens protein γd-crystallin, whose aggregation leads to cataract disease. The oxidation-mimicking W42Q mutant of γd-crystallin formed non-native polymers starting from a native-like state under physiological conditions. Aggregation occurred in the temperature range 35-45 °C, in which the mutant protein began to lose the native conformation of its N-terminal domain. Surprisingly, wild-type γd-crystallin promoted W42Q polymerization in a catalytic manner, even at mutant concentrations too low for homogeneous nucleation to occur. The presence of wild-type protein also downshifted the temperature range of W42Q aggregation. W42Q aggregation required formation of a non-native intramolecular disulfide bond but not intermolecular cross-linking. Transient WT/W42Q binding may catalyze this oxidative misfolding event in the mutant. That a more stable variant in a mixture can specifically promote aggregation of a less stable one rationalizes how extensive aggregation of rare damaged polypeptides can occur during the course of aging.