cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
c-Yes tyrosine kinase is a potent suppressor of ES cell differentiation and antagonizes the actions of its closest phylogenetic relative, c-Src.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst stage embryo and are characterized by self-renewal and pluripotency. Previous work has shown that Src-family tyrosine kinases display dynamic expression and activity changes during ES cell differentiation, suggesting distinct functions in the control of developmental fate. Here we used ES cells to test the hypothesis that c-Src and its closest phylogenetic relative, c-Yes, act in biological opposition despite their strong homology. Unlike c-Src, enforced expression of active c-Yes blocked ES cell differentiation to embryoid bodies by maintaining pluripotency gene expression. To explore the interplay of c-Src and c-Yes in ES cell differentiation, we engineered c-Src and c-Yes mutants that are resistant to A-419259, a potent pyrrolopyrimidine inhibitor of the Src kinase family. Previous studies have shown that A-419259 treatment blocks all Src-family kinase activity in ES cells, preventing differentiation while maintaining plur...
The comparison between enkephalin-like and dynorphin-like immunoreactivity in both monkey and human globus pallidus and substantia nigra

The distribution of [Met]-Enkephalin and Dynorphin-like immunoreactivity were studied in the monkey and human globus pallidus and substantia nigra. These distributions were compared to those seen in these structures of the rat. Interspecies variations were observed in the substantia nigra, and in both pallidal segments. Differences between the distribution of the two opiate peptides occurred mostly in the limbic-related globus pallidus.
Quantification of confocal images of human corneal endothelium

Real-time, in vivo, confocal microscopic examination permits visualization of human corneal endothelium cells as bright bodies organized into a densely packed hexagonal arrangement. Quantification of endothelial cell number would be useful in assessing the condition of this cell layer in various disease states. In this study, we sought to use an image analysis method developed in this laboratory that utilizes digital filtering techniques and morphological operations to determine the boundaries of each cell. Images were corrected to establish a uniform luminance level, and then convolved by various matrices until distinct peaks in luminance value were identified. These peaks were used as seed points from which cell boundaries were recursively expanded until they collided with other cell boundaries. This method automatically counts the number of cells and determines the size and position of each cell. The resulting histograms of cell size are readily indicative of changes in cellular density, cell loss, and deviation from uniform arrangement. The numbers of cells counted by this method are consistently within 3% of the numbers counted manually. Results relating cell counts obtained by manual and computerized methods are as follows: 200/184; 276/262; 87/87; 234/232; 236/232; 299/297; 145/147; 119/122; 237/243; 119/119; 245/253; 189/193. Thus, confocal microscopy coupled with these image analysis and statistical procedures provides an accurate quantitative approach to monitoring the endothelium under normal, pathological, and experimental conditions, such as those following surgery and trauma or in the evaluation of the efficacy of topical therapeutic agents.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanisms generating the time course of dual component excitatory synaptic currents recorded in hippocampal slices

We studied with the whole-cell recording techniques, the mechanisms underlying the time course of the slow N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and fast non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in hippocampal slices. The rising phase of the NMDA receptor-mediated component of the EPSC as well as the decaying phase of the NMDA and non-NMDA component were highly temperature-sensitive, suggesting that neither of these processes is determined by free diffusion of transmitter. Moreover, glutamate uptake blockers enhanced the responses to exogenously applied glutamate, but had no effect on the decay of either the NMDA or non-NMDA components of the EPSCs. On the other hand, open channel blockers known to modify NMDA channel kinetics reduced the EPSC decay time. Thus, the present results support a model in which the rise time and decay of the NMDA component are determined primarily by slow channel kinetics and the decay of the non-NMDA component is due either to channel kinetics or to desensitization.
Frequency spectrum relationship with vascular disease growth in stenosis model

In this research, we examined the wall mechanics and sounds produced by two vessel models designed to represent early and late stages of carotid stenosis. A constant flow rate was passed through the lumen of the diseased vessel models, and the wall deflection magnitude, wall vibrations, and sounds produced were obtained. An optical sensor, a piezoelectric material and an electronic stethoscope were used to measure the models corresponding responses. The results shows that the early stage model produces lower sounds, but greater wall deflection upstream and downstream of the stenosis, with higher frequencies than the late stage model. Our findings indicate that carotid stenosis can be detected during its early stages by the presence of vessel wall vibrations.
Oxidation of Met144 and Met145 in calmodulin blocks calmodulin dependent activation of the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase.

Methionine oxidation in calmodulin (CaM) isolated from senescent brain results in an inability to fully activate the plasma membrane (PM) Ca-ATPase, which may contribute to observed increases in cytosolic calcium levels under conditions of oxidative stress and biological aging. To identify the functional importance of the oxidation of Met144 and Met145 near the carboxyl-terminus of CaM, we have used site-directed mutagenesis to substitute leucines for methionines at other positions in CaM, permitting the site-specific oxidation of Met144 and Met145. Prior to their oxidation, the CaM-dependent activation of the PM-Ca-ATPase by these CaM mutants is similar to that of wild-type CaM. Likewise, oxidation of individual methionines has a minimal effect on the CaM concentration necessary for half-maximal activation of the PM-Ca-ATPase. These results are consistent with previous suggestions that no single methionine within CaM is essential for activation of the PM-Ca-ATPase. Oxidation of either Met144 and Met145 o...
Comment on ``Direct determination of kinetic fragility indices of glassforming liquids by differential scanning calorimetry: Kinetic versus thermodynamic fragilities'' [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 10184 (2002)]

Recently Wang et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 10184 (2002)] reported fragilities for various molecular liquids, as determined by calorimetry. The technique is based on measuring the change in fictive temperature with cooling rate. We point out that the same method was previously applied to polymers [Robertson, Santangelo, and Roland, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 275, 153 (2000)], yielding good agreement with fragility values obtained by mechanical or dielectric spectroscopy.
Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Gay Preadoptive Parents’ Preferences About Child Gender

Little research has explored the child gender preferences of preadoptive parents. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to explore child gender preferences (and individuals’ reasons for such preferences) in a geographically diverse, US sample of 93 heterosexual, 61 lesbian, and 48 gay male preadoptive couples. Heterosexual men were the least likely to demonstrate a gender preference and gay men were the most likely. Individuals in heterosexual relationships were more likely to prefer girls than individuals in same-gender relationships. In explaining their preferences, sexual minorities often emphasized gender socialization considerations (e.g., their perceived inability to socialize a child of the opposite gender) and concerns about heterosexism (e.g., some gay men preferred girls because they felt a boy would encounter more harassment).
A comparison of the hydrologic characteristics of natural and created mainstem floodplain wetlands in Pennsylvania

Abstract An understanding of wetland hydrology is critical for the assessment of the success of created wetlands relative to natural wetlands. Our objective was to determine if hydrologic characteristics differed between natural and created mainstem floodplain wetlands. We measured water depth every 6 h, between November 1, 1996 and August 31, 1998, and determined median depth to the water table, range of water table fluctuation, percent of time water was within the root zone (30 cm), and the number and duration of periods where water remained in the root zone. The natural wetlands were different from the created wetlands as median depth to water was generally deeper, there were shorter periods where soils were saturated or inundated, and there was a lower percentage of time where water was in the root zone. The created wetlands, in effect, were wetter and for longer periods. The created wetlands had a large component of open water at each site. Most naturally occurring mainstem floodplain wetlands in central Pennsylvania are vegetated with very little open water. We suggest that in the rush to make sure there is some water in mitigation wetlands we have gone too far in keeping sites inundated. In reality, many natural wetlands are merely saturated, or much drier.
Association of decreased rate of influenza vaccination with increased subjective olfactory dysfunction.

Importance Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality, with cardiovascular and respiratory complications the most common among susceptible individuals. Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are known to precede olfactory dysfunction in some patients. To our knowledge, there has been no study assessing the possible relationship between influenza vaccination status and olfactory dysfunction. Objective To compare vaccination status of a group of patients with subjective olfactory dysfunction with that of a group of controls. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective medical record review and telephone survey in a matched case-control study. Forty-two patients were identified via diagnosis codes who presented to a tertiary care academic rhinologic center with subjective smell dysfunction over the course of 1 year. Only post-URI and idiopathic etiologies were included. Forty-two age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-matched control patients were also selected. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic data, influenza vaccination status, and smoking status were reviewed. χ 2 Testing was used. Results We were able to obtain vaccination data for 36 of 42 patients in the olfactory dysfunction group and 38 of 42 in the control group. Seven of the 36 (19%) in the olfactory dysfunction group had received the vaccine in the year prior to presentation compared with 16 of 38 (42%) in the control group ( P = .04). Conclusions and Relevance Influenza vaccination seems to be associated with a decreased rate of subjective olfactory dysfunction. This is a preliminary finding, and further studies would be needed to elucidate the exact role of influenza and influenza vaccination in patients with olfactory loss.
Electrophysiological studies of the tongue and accessory olfactory bulb in garter snakes.

Abstract Tongue flicking in snakes transports environmental chemicals to the vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organ (VNO) which acts as a chemoreceptor. This paper provides the first electrophysiological evidence that the vomeronasal/accessory-olfactory system is activated following tongue flick. In acute experiments with partially anesthetized snakes, single units recorded in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) failed to show changes in firing rate following tongue flicks but changes in AOB activity did occur when cotton swabs soaked in prey extract were pressed to the roof of the mouth (where the VNO ducts open). In chronic experiments, multiunit recordings from electrodes implanted in the AOB of freely moving animals did reveal changes in neural activity following tongue flicks. EMG recordings from the hyoglossus (tongue retractor) muscle (and in one animal from the genioglossus [tongue extender] as well) were used to indicate precisely the time of tongue flicking. The techniques used in these experiments are detailed.
Oligomeric forms of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)

Oligomerization is a general characteristic of cell membrane receptors that is shared by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) together with their G protein partners. Recent studies of these complexes, both in vivo and in purified reconstituted forms, unequivocally support this contention for GPCRs, perhaps with only rare exceptions. As evidence has evolved from experimental cell lines to more relevant in vivo studies and from indirect biophysical approaches to well defined isolated complexes of dimeric receptors alone and complexed with G proteins, there is an expectation that the structural basis of oligomerization and the functional consequences for membrane signaling will be elucidated. Oligomerization of cell membrane receptors is fully supported by both thermodynamic calculations and the selectivity and duration of signaling required to reach targets located in various cellular compartments.
Transdermal Delivery of Dideoxynucleoside‐type Anti‐HIV Drugs. 1. Stability Studies for Hairless Rat Skin Permeation

The stability of dideoxynucleoside-type anti-HIV drugs in solution when in contact with hairless rat skin was investigated in order to study the feasibility of their transdermal delivery. The freshly excised dorsal region of hairless rat skin was mounted on Valia-Chien skin permeation cells, and both epidermis (donor) and dermis (receptor) were extracted with isotonic phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Zalcitabine (DDC), didanosine (DDI), and zidovudine (AZT) were found to be stable in the extract of the epidermis at 37 degrees C for at least 30 h. However, DDC and DDI degraded in the extract of the dermis following first-order kinetics at both 25 and 37 degrees C, while AZT was stable at 37 degrees C for at least 30 h. The degradation mechanism(s) of DDC and DDI was (were) studied by analyzing HPLC chromatograms and by evaluating the drug stability in the extract which was filtered to remove any microbes. An unidentified peak produced by DDC in the dermis extract did not appear when the drug was added to the filtered extract, which suggested a bacterial degradation of DDC. On the other hand, DDI was unstable even in the filtered extract and produced a degradation product which corresponded to hypoxanthine, which suggested that a cutaneous enzyme is also involved in the degradation of DDI. DDC was stabilized by the addition of 0.01% (w/v) of an antibacterial agent, such as thimerosal or gentamicin, in the receptor solution, while DDI was stabilized by 0.01% (w/v) purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitor, i.e., p-chloromercuribenzoic acid. These results show the importance of stability studies when designing skin permeation experiments using hairless rat since compounds with similar chemical structures can have different stability profiles when in contact with hairless rat skin.
Depudecin makes a debut

Although first identified as the product of sour grapes (acetum, vinegar), acetate recently has proven to be a sweet harvest for biologists interested in transcriptional regulation. Over the past few years, a congruence of many separate lines of investigation has revealed that acetylation of chromatin is likely to play a key role in gene regulation in eukaryotes, from yeast to mammals (reviewed in refs. 1–4). Indeed, acetate appears to serve as a molecular fulcrum by which chromatin structure is levered open and closed by transcription factors and thereby may contribute to the changes in gene expression that distinguish neoplastic from normal cells. Intriguingly, the crucial role of acetate in gene regulation may have been exploited by microorganisms long before these processes were evident to researchers: a number of microbial products appear to target the acetylation/deacetylation pathways that are critical for proper gene regulation and normal cell function (5).
Mechanism of Blood Flow Generated by Precordial Compression during CPR: I. Studies on Closed Chest Precordial Compression

The mechanism of forward flow produced by precordial compression during CPR was investigated with the aid of echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements in anesthetized, mechanically ventilated domestic pigs. Both mitral and tricuspid valves opened during compression diastole and closed during compression systole. Valve motion persisted throughout resuscitation in 17 of 22 animals which were hemodynamically resuscitated. There was a 25 percent reduction in left ventricular area during compression systole. Maximum pressure generated during compression systole in the aorta exceeded that of the right atrium throughout the 12-min interval of precordial compression in successfully resuscitated animals. These observations provide evidence of direct cardiac compression as the mechanism accounting for effective forward blood flow during CPR. The persistence of valve function, chamber compression, and pressure gradients during precordial compression was predictive of successful resuscitation. The absence of these factors prognosticates failure of resuscitation and explains, in part, the inconsistency of prior reports.
Thin films of transition metals on oxides

Abstract In this brief paper we describe how we were able to prevent the beading of thin palladium films on sapphire by co-depositing aluminum with the palladium. The aluminium metal is believed to have accelerated the formation of an intermetallic by reducing the local oxygen activity. The co-deposited films remained continuous even when annealed in air. This is surprising since this should have led to the oxidation of the intermetallic into aluminum-oxide and platinum. It is proposed that the intermetallic forms a low energy interface with the sapphire which preempts beading and resists oxidation. The approach presented here may be useful in many technologies ranging from catalysis to the processing of metal-ceramic composites by liquid metal infiltration.
Management of alfalfa and the alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica): An example of systems analysis in forage production

Abstract Because alfalfa forage is a high quality crop in terms of nutrients for livestock, it is important to manage the crop efficiently in the absence, as well as the presence, of serious pests. Two simulation models and one optimization model were used to obtain management policies for maximizing nutrient yield and minimizing the damage from the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica. The policies included harvesting schedule, harvesting method and possible insecticide treatment. The benefits of a biological control agent (a parasitoid) were also studied. The most profitable harvesting schedules for a single season, based on the economic values of the nutrient yield calculated by the models, require harvesting the first crop early. When weevils are present, these optimal policies tend to remain the best under most weather conditions. Thus, one robust strategy provides a simple management tool for managing fields with and without weevil infestations. In general, risk of major damage increases with delay in harvesting when the best policies cannot be implemented. Biological control was found to have a measurable, but relatively minor, effect over a single season under the conditions tested, while insecticide applications should rarely be used. Conclusions for alfalfa weevil control based on a simulation model and an optimization model were very similar.
Complex Formation and Regulation of Escherichia coli Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase is a biotin-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the regulated step in fatty acid synthesis. The bacterial form has three separate components: biotin carboxylase, biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), and carboxyltransferase. Catalysis by acetyl-CoA carboxylase proceeds via two half-reactions. In the first half-reaction, biotin carboxylase catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of biotin, which is covalently attached to BCCP, to form carboxybiotin. In the second half-reaction, carboxyltransferase transfers the carboxyl group from carboxybiotin to acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. All biotin-dependent carboxylases are proposed to have a two-site ping-pong mechanism in which the carboxylase and transferase activities are separate and do not interact. This posits two hypotheses: either biotin carboxylase and BCCP undergo the first half-reaction, BCCP dissociates, and then BCCP binds to carboxyltransferase, or all three constituents form an enzyme complex. To determine which hypothesis is correct, a steady-state enzyme kinetic analysis of Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase was conducted. The results indicated the two active sites of acetyl-CoA carboxylase interact. Both in vitro and in vivo pull-down assays demonstrated that the three components of E. coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase form a multimeric complex and that complex formation is unaffected by acetyl-CoA, AMPPNP, and mRNA encoding carboxyltransferase. The implications of these findings for the regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid biosynthesis are discussed.
Aortic valve surgery in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Patient with advanced left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure symptoms, either secondary to severe aortic stenosis and a low transvalvular gradient, or chronic aortic insufficiency are sometimes referred for cardiac transplantation. Now, with improvements in both myocardial protection and better valve prostheses, aortic valve surgery for patients with even the most advanced ventricular dysfunction can be performed with low risk.
Mechanics of flexible electronics and photonics based on inorganic micro- and nanomaterials

Flexible electronics and photonics are providing revolutionary solutions for communication, energy, and health care. While some of the organic electronic and photonic materials are intrinsically deformable and low cost to manufacture, their performance and chemical stabilities are yet to match conventional inorganic semiconductors. Strategies for high performance flexible electronics and photonics must overcome challenges associated with the intrinsic stiffness and brittleness of inorganic materials. This paper discusses recent modeling and experimental advancement in the bendability and stretchability of inorganic electronics and photonics. Examples include the discovery of multiple neutral axes in multilayer structures and the comparison between freestanding and polymer-bonded serpentine ribbons.
Arginine clusters generated by electrospray ionization and identified by tandem mass spectrometry

Some α-amino acids, especially arginine, form protonated clusters when examined by electrospray ionization in an ion trap mass spectrometer. Singly-, doubly-, triply- and quadruply-protonated argin...
“Don't Stigmatize”: The Ironic Effects of Equal Opportunity Guidelines in Interviews

The purpose of the current study was to examine how staffing policies (identity-conscious or identity-blind) and interview structure might lead to stigmatizing behavior, particularly subtle behavior that is not illegal. In a 2 (staffing policy: identity-conscious or identity-blind) × 2 (interview structure: structured or unstructured) factorial design, 87 participants interviewed a Black interviewee for an ostensible study on employment interviews and were led to believe they would interview a second Black interviewee. The results showed that participants guided by the identity-blind policy and using an unstructured interview format chose the largest social distance from Black interviewees in the subsequent interview.
The ontogeny of glutamate receptors and D-aspartate binding sites in the ovine CNS.

Abstract The ontogeny of ligand binding to N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and kainate (KA) receptors and to the high affinity, sodium-dependent d -aspartate binding site in prenatal and postnatal ovine brains was studied using quantitative in vitro autoradiography. In general, the binding density for each of the excitatory amino acid receptors peaked during late prenatal and early postnatal development. In contrast, binding density for d -aspartate remained low during late prenatal and early postnatal development and peaked in the adult. These data suggest that an excess number of excitatory amino acid receptors and/or a relative deficiency of transporters may make the immature brain more vulnerable to the pathologic effects of glutamate and other related excitatory amino acids.
Transfer hydrogenation: A stereospecific method for the conversion of nitro alkanes into amines

Abstract A series of nitro alkanes were converted into the corresponding amines with retention of configuration by transfer hydrogenation using ammonium formate and palladium on carbon.
Albert Gockel, a pioneer in atmospheric electricity and cosmic radiation

Abstract At the beginning of the 20th century, the community of investigators of atmospheric electricity included scholars from most (Western) European countries and even beyond. If Victor Hess is deservedly remembered as the discoverer of cosmic rays, his achievements was made possible by the work of close predecessors whose contributions went with time almost forgotten. One of the most noteworthy was Albert Gockel (1860–1927) from Freiburg (CH) University. I want to discuss Gockel’s achievements in atmospheric electricity and in particular his substantial contribution to the study of ionizing radiation which led to the discovery of its cosmic origin.
Formalism of dielectric function and depolarization in SWNT: application to nano-optical switches and probes

The paper reviews current theoretical methods to study quasi-electrostatic phenomena in single-wall nanotube systems. Several models are presented to demonstrate importance of selfconsistent calculation of the electric fields for electronic device applications. The quantum mechanical formalism of the dielectric function is chosen to obtain the selfconsistent solution. It gives a unified approach to calculate exciton binding energy, to obtain transverse and longitudinal polarization in the nanotube, to study symmetry breaking and band gap engineering in electric fields, and to perform modelling of ballistic transport in a light-operated switches.
Evidence for Mental Models: How Do Prior Knowledge, Syntactic Complexity, and Reading Topic Affect Inference Generation in a Recall Task for Nonnative Readers of Spanish?

This study tested how domain-related knowledge, syntactic complexity, and reading topic influence inference generation in the written recalls of English-speaking participants after they read Spanish historical texts. Three types of inferences were examined: within-text inferences, elaborative inferences, and incorrect inferences. The total number of inferences generated indicated the richness of the mental model, and the type of inferences generated provided evidence for the nature and accuracy of the model. Two groups of students, a high-knowledge and a low-knowledge group, read three Spanish passages, each on a different topic and at a different level of syntactic complexity as defined by the number of embedded clauses per sentence. Results suggest that high-knowledge readers generate a richer and more accurate mental model than low-knowledge readers. In addition, the level of complexity and the reading topics indicate a complex pattern of influence on the generation of inferences.
Whites' and Asian Americans' Perceptions of Asian Americans as Targets of Affirmative Action1

Although Asian Americans are technically a protected group, perceptions of Asian Americans as targets of affirmative action are largely unexplored, as are the attitudes of Asian Americans toward affirmative action. This study compared Whites' (N = 142) and Asian Americans' (N = 85) perceptions of workplace-related discrimination and affirmative action beneficiary status for Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Whites and Asian Americans agreed that Asian Americans experience less adverse impact on tests and benefit less from affirmative action than do Blacks or Hispanics. However, Asian Americans were more likely than Whites to perceive that Asian Americans suffer from discrimination and underrepresentation and should benefit from affirmative action.
ATP-induced conformational changes in Hsp70: molecular dynamics and experimental validation of an in silico predicted conformation.

The 70 kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) play important roles in preventing the misfolding of proteins and repairing damage under stress by coupling ATP binding and hydrolysis to protein substrate r...
Individualism and the social in early American social psychology.

In this paper an attempt is made to specify the original conception of the social dimensions of cognition, emotion and behavior-and of a distinctively social psychology-that was held by early American social psychologists, but abandoned by later generations of social psychologists committed to Floyd Allport's individualistic experimental program. Two influential forms of "individualism" in the work of Floyd Allport are distinguished and detailed.
Order and disorder in fullerene and fulleride solids

Abstract A review is given of crystal structures and order/disorder phenomena in the fullerene solids C 60 , C 60 O and C 70 and in the alkali metal intercalation compounds of C 60 . Recent results on orientational melting and quenched orientational disorder in the pristine solids are summarized, and the effect of small perturbations on the quasi-spherical molecular shape are described. The intercalation properties of C 60 are discussed in the context of other host lattices such as graphite. The variety of orientational correlations in fullerenes and fullerides is rationalized in terms of competing contributions to the orientational potentials. Structural properties of alkali fullerides are correlated with electronic properties and superconductivity, and an updated binary phase diagram is described.
Maternal Depression and Anxiety are Associated with Altered Gene Expression in the Human Placenta without Modification by Antidepressant Use: Implications for Fetal Programming

We sought to determine if maternal depression, anxiety, and/or treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) affect placental human serotonin transporter (SLC6A4), norepinephrine transporter (SLC6A2), and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) gene expression. Relative mRNA expression was compared among placental samples (n = 164) from healthy women, women with untreated depression and/or anxiety symptoms during pregnancy, and women who used SSRIs. SLC6A4 expression was significantly increased in placentas from women with untreated mood disorders and from women treated with SSRIs, compared to controls. SLC6A2 and 11β-HSD2 expression was increased in noncontrol groups, though the differences were not significant. SLC6A4, SLC6A2, and 11β-HSD2 expression levels were positively correlated. The finding that maternal depression/anxiety affects gene expression of placental SLC6A4 suggests a possible mechanism for the effect(s) of maternal mood on fetal neurodevelopmental programming. SSRI treatment does not further alter the elevated SLC6A4 expression levels observed with exposure to maternal depression or anxiety. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:711–723, 2011.
The effect of temperature acclimation upon succinic dehydrogenase activity from the epaxial muscle of the common goldfish (Carassius auratus L.)--I. Properties of the enzyme and the effect of lipid extraction.

Abstract 1. 1. Succinic dehydrogenase actuvity from the epaxial muscle of 5°C-acclimated goldfish was 1·3–2·2 times (depending upon season) that of 25°C-acclimated goldfish when measured at the same temperature in both crude homogenates and isolated mitochondrial fractions. 2. 2. Lipid extraction (formation of an acetone powder)_ of the particulate enzyme resulted in a three- to fourfold drop in specific activity, a reduction in the Ea and a reduction in the absolute Km values for succinate. 3. 3. Electrophoresis of soluble preparations from both 5- and 25°C-acclimated goldfish yielded a single SDH band of identical electrophoretic mobility from each acclimation group. 4. 4. Kinetics studies revealed that the Km for PMS was temperature independent and did not vary with acclimation temperature; particulate and soluble preparations were characterized by identical Km values for PMS. 5. 5. There was a direct reltionship between the Km for succinate and the assay temperature in both soluble and particulate preparations which was identical for both acclimation groups; the magnitude of the Km temparature response was reduced by lipid extraction. 6. 6. Inhibition of the soluble enzyme by oxaloacetic acid was extremely temperature dependent as evidenced by a twelve- to fifteenfold increase in i upon a drop in assay temperature from 25 to 5°C. 7. 7. Goldfish SDH† was characterized by a very steep pH-activity profile in the physiological range. 8. 8. Ea measurements suggested a positive correlation between habitat temperature and activation energy. 9. 9. These results were interpreted as indicating that SDH normally functions as a lipoprotein complex within the inner mitochondrial membrane and exhibits properties which maintain temperature-independent catalytic function in response to short-term and prolonged temperature fluctuations.
5C-4 Volumetric Strain Imaging

This study compares 3D strain volumes formed from RF echo data that was acquired using the same phantom with a commercially available C7F2 mechanically rocked array (MRA) operating at 6.15 MHz and a prototype 2-D capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) operating at 9 MHz. Multiple motion tracking techniques were used in both cases to compare resulting strain images. The different tracking methods produced images with varying degrees of quality. Normalized cross correlation between the motion-compensated deformed RF data and the reference RF data was used as a measure of the accuracy of the motion tracking. The contrast to noise ratio of the inclusion and background were used as a measure of strain image quality.
Gold/Chitosan nanocomposites with specific near infrared absorption for photothermal therapy applications

Gold/chitosan nanocomposites were synthesized and evaluated as a therapeutic agent for the photothermal therapy. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with controllable optical absorption in the near infrared (NIR) region were prepared by the reaction of chloroauric acid and sodium thiosulfate. To apply these particles to cancer therapy, the bare Au NPs were coated with chitosan (CS), O-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), and a blend of CS and CMCS for utilizations in physiologic conditions. The surface properties, optical stability, and photothermal ablation efficiency on hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) demonstrate that these gold nanocomposites have great potential as a therapeutic agent in in vitro tests. The CS-coated nanocomposites show the highest efficiency for the photo-ablation on the HepG2 cells, and the CS and CMCS blended coated particles show the best discrimination between the cancer cell and normal cells. The well-controlled NIR absorption and the biocompatible surface of these nanocomposites allow low-power NIR laser activation and low-dosage particle injection for the cancer cell treatment.
Botulinum toxin A injection in the treatment of hemifacial spasm.

Introduction - There are conflicting reports concerning the variation in duration of symptoms relief for patients with hemifacial spasm who have undergone several injections of botulinum A toxin (BOTX-A). We present out experience of BOTX-A injections in Taiwanese patients to analyze this issues, and to inspect whether the efficacy of treatment depends on the pre-injection severity. Material and method - From July 1992 to December 1994, 137 patients received injections of BOTX-A. We used objective and subjective score system to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of BOTX-A injection. Results - The overall successful rate of substantial relief of spasm was 88%. The mean duration of response was 20 weeks. Patents with more severe spasm tended to have shorter duration of improvement. The effects of consecutive injections remained fairly constant over the first 4 injections. Conclusion - The BOTX-A injection is an effective and safe treatment for patients with hemifacial spasm and the effect could be sustained over the consecutive injections.
The integral representation for the Riemann Ξ-function

Abstract The function Φ(u) in the integral representation for the Rieman Ξ-function is shown to be monotone decreasing for u ≥ 0, and an application made to show a function having a similar integral representation has no real zeros.
Photoacoustic detection of HCl

A sensitive photoacoustic detection system for trace atmospheric measurements of HCl is described. The results reported here suggest the capability of measuring HCl at the 50-parts-in-109 level with a prototype laboratory system. Further system improvements and atmospheric-measurement considerations are discussed.
Sensory mediation of female-male mounting in the rat: II. Role of tactile and conspecific cues

Abstract Although previous research has shown that olfactory cues mediate female–male mounting (FMM) in the rat, the role of other sensory modalities on FMM has not been investigated. The present study examined the display of female mounting of castrated male rats in bilevel chambers following different tactile or locomotor activity manipulations. Female rats ( N = 40) were ovariectomized (OVX), primed with estrogen (E) and progesterone (P), and given either vaginocervical stimulation (VCS), flank/perineum stimulation (FPS), combined VCS and FPS, or general handling, immediately before each test with a castrated male rat for five trials. Compared to handling, the FPS females showed an increase in FMM behavior, whereas females given VCS, or combined VCS and FPS, showed a decrease in FMM behavior. A second experiment examined the effect of a 15-min delay between stimulation and testing using identical experimental and control conditions. There were no significant differences in the amount of FMM behavior between these groups. Finally, OVX rats primed with E and P were tested with castrated males that had been given injections of a ketamine/xylazine anesthetic mixture, saline, or amphetamine, to induce three levels of conspecific locomotor activity: none, moderate, or high, respectively. A positive linear relationship was found between male activity level and FMM. These data indicate that both tactile cues and cues associated with locomotor activity of the stimulus male modulate FMM.
Rare‐Earth Melilite Solid Solution and Its Phase Relations with Neighboring Phases

Rare-earth (R) melilite M(R) and its solid solution M{prime}(R) are investigated. Starting with compositions of R{sub 2}Si{sub 3}O{sub 3}N{sub 4} and R{sub 2}Si{sub 2}AlO{sub 4}N{sub 3}, the formation conditions for M(R), M{prime}(R), and their neighboring phases have been delineated, and their lattice parameters and stoichiometry have been determined. Systematic trends in the solubility of M{prime}(R), the unit-cell dimensions, and the competition with neighboring phases with different rare-earth ions have been identified and rationalized in terms of size effects and acid-base reactions. The compatibility between melilite and neighboring phases, including {alpha}{prime}- and {beta}{prime}-SiAlON and polytypoids, is summarized in a series of tentative phase diagrams to elucidate the various phase relations for R-Si-(Al/O)-N systems.
Detecting cellular events in brain cortex using time-lapse microscopy

We present a framework for cell tracking in a highly cluttered environment in live cell imaging from mouse brain cortex. Our goal is to track cells over a long period of time for intracellular calciumion concentration in order to detect important cellular events such as neural activity and cell division. Since traditional object tracking approach such as segmentation followed by tracking is not applicable due to the cluttered environment, we developed a pipeline featuring a combined cell tracking and segmentation scheme using particle filtering and level set based active contour methods. Our results show that we can track multiple cells with 90% of results meeting the error tolerance.
Reinforcement control of generalized imitation in young children

Abstract Three imitative responses (head nodding, mouthing, and strange verbalizations) were established in young children by social reinforcement from a puppet. A fourth imitative response (bar-pressing), which was never reinforced, was found to increase in strength when reinforcement followed the other three imitative responses. This increase in imitative bar-pressing was taken to indicate that a generalized similarity of responding between puppet and child could be a reinforcing stimulus dimension in the child's behavior. Two additional procedures were applied to demonstrate further the dependence of imitative bar-pressing upon the reinforcement following the other imitative responses. These additional procedures were extinction of the other imitative responding, and time-out from the other imitative responding. In extinction, reinforcement was no longer presented following imitative head nodding, mouthing, and strange verbalizations, but was instead presented in a noncontingent manner during the normal conversation between puppet and child. As a consequence, imitative bar-pressing decreased in strength. When reinforcement was reinstated for the other imitative responses, imitative bar-pressing again rose in strength. During time-out periods, the puppet ceased to provide the child with head nodding, mouthing, and strange verbalization performances for the child to imitate. Again, social reinforcement was continued at the same rate but was delivered during the normal puppet-child conversation. The effect of the time-out was to decrease the strength of imitative bar-pressing. Reinstatement of the cues and reinforcement for imitative head nodding, mouthing, and strange verbalizations produced increased imitative bar-pressing.
Histological and ultrastructural characteristics of the periodontal syndrome in the rice rat. I. General light microscopic observations and ultrastructural observations of initial inflammatory changes.

The periodontal syndrome in the rice rat was studied in animals fed a high sucrose diet. Progressive degenerative and inflammatory changes within the coronal aspects of the rice rat psriodontium (viz. sulcus, epithelium and lamina propria) were noted. PMN's were seen to migrate from blood vessels within the lamina propria, through the basal lamina, and to either the cemental surface or to the bacterial plaque, where a minimal degree of PMN phagocytosis and degranulation was observed. The degree of PMN phagocytosis appeared to be inversely related to the density of bacterial plaque as viewed on the electron microscopic level. Progressive degenerative changes (viz. vacuolization, lipid accumulation, mitochondrial swelling, etc.) were seen in gingivai epithelial cells subjacent to the bacterial plaque, as well as at the basal layer. Similar changes were noted in fibroblasts in the underlying lamina propria. At later stages of observation (8–14 weeks post-weaning) a prominent population of macrophages and mononuclear cells was seen within the lamina propria. “Clumping” of these cell types with degenerating fibroblasts was a common finding.
Gender and sexual maturation-dependent contrasts in the neuroregulation of growth hormone secretion in prepubertal and late adolescent males and females--a general clinical research center-based study.

Although numerous studies have delineated an impact of gender on the neuroendocrine control of GH secretion in the adult, few investigations have defined the nature and extent of sex differences before puberty. This deficit reflects jointly the sensitivity limitations of earlier GH assays and the paucity of intensive sampling protocols in healthy children. Here we have applied a chemiluminescence-based GH assay (sensitivity, 0.005 μg/L) to study GH release in blood sampled every 10 min for 12 h from 1800–0600 h in 58 healthy children. Males and females were evaluated in prepuberty (n = 17 boys; n = 11 girls) and late adolescence (n = 13 males; n = 17 females). We quantitated the principal regulated facets of GH release by 1) deconvolution analysis to assess basal vs. pulsatile GH secretion, 2) approximate entropy to compute the regularity of GH release patterns, and 3) cosine regression analysis to evaluate the overnight rhythmic release of GH. Gender by maturation analysis of variance revealed a mean 2.3...
Improved annotation of the blogosphere via autotagging and hierarchical clustering

Tags have recently become popular as a means of annotating and organizing Web pages and blog entries. Advocates of tagging argue that the use of tags produces a 'folksonomy', a system in which the meaning of a tag is determined by its use among the community as a whole. We analyze the effectiveness of tags for classifying blog entries by gathering the top 350 tags from Technorati and measuring the similarity of all articles that share a tag. We find that tags are useful for grouping articles into broad categories, but less effective in indicating the particular content of an article. We then show that automatically extracting words deemed to be highly relevant can produce a more focused categorization of articles. We also show that clustering algorithms can be used to reconstruct a topical hierarchy among tags, and suggest that these approaches may be used to address some of the weaknesses in current tagging systems.
Integrated microstrip active antennas and their applications

We consider an inverted stripline active antenna configuration for system applications. Solid-state devices can be directly integrated with the antenna to perform various functions. A two-way communication system using two integrated active antenna transceivers was demonstrated. The transmitter provides 63 mW output power with an estimated maximum link distance of 4.8 km.
Modelling the effect of a slope-water intrusion on advection of fish larvae in May 1995 on Georges Bank

In the spring of 1995, an intrusion of warm/salty slope water occurred on the southern flank of Georges Bank. As observed on several cross-bank hydrographic and acoustic Doppler current profiler sections, this intrusion resulted in a narrow (10 km) but intense shelfbreak jet (30 cm s 1 westward residual) in the near-surface waters. A satellite tracked drifter with a drogue located in the core of this jet (15 m) travelled 120 km to the west in 5.5 d. To examine this process and demonstrate the potential redistribution of fish larvae (collected with bongo net hauls) in the presence of a slope-water intrusion, a finite-element 3D circulation model has been initialized with the observed CTD density field. Moored velocity records are assimilated into the model to estimate the oceanic boundary elevations of a limited-area grid. The simulated particle tracks indicate enhanced along-bank flow relative to the long-term seasonal mean and a downwelling convergence zone in the vicinity of the shelf/slope front. The model resolves most of the subtidal flow and provides insight into the vertical advection of the animals and potential mechanisms of retention and loss. 2001 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea