cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two Species of Bacillus subtilis Tyrosine Transfer Ribonucleic Acid: BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND ALTERATION IN THEIR RELATIVE AMOUNTS DURING GROWTH

Abstract The ratio of two species of tyrosine acceptor transfer RNA, tRNAtyri and tRNAtyrii, changes dramatically during growth of Bacillus subtilis W168 in various media. Tyrosyl-tRNAi and tyrosyl-tRNAii, as well as tRNAtyri and tRNAtyrii, are resolved by methylated albumin-Kieselguhr chromatography. The alteration may be due to selective transcription of structural genes or by subsequent modification of one species of tRNAtyr. Methods used to effect interconversion of tRNAtyri and tRNAtyrii in vitro were not successful. Both species of tRNAtyr are recognized by the same aminoacyltRNA synthetase and are acylated and deacylated (enzymatically or nonenzymatically) at similar rates. Both species transfer tyrosine into polypeptides in response to poly (U2, A) and poly (U, A, C) in the Escherichia coli S-30 system and exhibit similar magnesium optima for transfer in vitro of tyrosine into polypeptides. Differential usage of tyrosyl-tRNAi and tyrosyl-tRNAii in vivo seems unlikely because the ratio of the two species bound to polysomes reflects their ratio in bulk tRNA. The possibility that biological significance could be ascribed to the alteration of the relative amounts of tRNAtyri and tRNAtyrii has not been completely eliminated; nevertheless, it was not apparent in this study.
Activities of Cytochrome P450 1A2, N-acetyltransferase 2, Xanthine oxidase, and Cytochrome P450 2D6 are Unaltered in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

The activities of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT-2), xanthine oxidase (XO), and CYP2D6 were evaluated in 12 young children (aged 3-8 years) with mild cystic fibrosis (CF) and 12 age-matched healthy control subjects by use of standard caffeine and dextromethorphan phenotyping methods. Subjects were given 4 oz of Coca-Cola (approximately 35 mg caffeine) (The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Ga) and a single 0.5-mg/kg dose of dextromethorphan. Urine was collected for 8 hours after biomarker administration, and enzyme activity was assessed by use of previously validated caffeine and dextromethorphan molar ratios. CYP2D6 genotyping was also performed in 10 of 12 subjects with CF and 11 of 12 control subjects. There were no significant differences in the urinary molar ratios for any of the enzyme systems evaluated. These data suggest that CF does not alter the activities of CYP1A2, NAT-2, XO, and CYP2D6. Altered biotransformation of drugs in this patient population is likely enzyme- and isoform-specific and thus is apparent for only selected compounds that are substrates for enzymes other than CYP1A2, NAT-2, XO, and CYP2D6.
Convoy Active Safety Technologies Warfighter Experiment I

The operational ability to project and sustain forces in distant, anti-access and area denial environments poses new challenges for combatant commanders. One of the new challenges is the ability to conduct sustainment operations at operationally feasible times and places on the battlefield. Combatant commanders require a sustainment system that is agile, versatile, and survivable throughout the range of military operations and across the spectrum of conflict. A key component of conducting responsive, operationally feasible sustainment operations is the ability to conduct sustainment convoys. Sustainment convoys are critical to providing combatant commanders the right support, at the right time and place, and in the right quantities, across the full range of military operations. The ability to conduct sustainment convoys in a variety of hostile environments require force protection measures that address the enemy threat and protect the Soldier. One cost effective, technically feasible method of increasing the force protection for sustainment convoys is the use of robotic follower technology and autonomous navigation. The Convoy Active Safety Technologies (CAST) system is a driver assist, convoy autopilot technology aimed to address these issues. The CAST Warfigher Experiment II, being held at The Nevada Automotive Test Center in the fall of 2008, will continue analysis of the utility of this vehicle following technology not only in measures of system integrity and performance vs. manual driving, but also the physiological effects on the operators themselves. This paper will detail this experiment's methodology and analysis. Results will be presented at the SPIE Electronic Imaging 2009 symposium.
Glandular odontogenic cyst of the anterior maxilla: report of a case and literature review

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare odontogenic entity that has gained special attention primarily owing to (1) its potentially aggressive behavior, with a propensity toward local recurrence if inadequately treated, and (2) the overlap in histomorphologic features with lateral periodontal and botryoid odontogenic cysts and central mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the jaws. An additional case of GOC in the anterior maxilla of a 57-year-old Ethiopian female is presented, bringing the total number of reports in the English-language literature (from 1966 till present) to 63. Our review confirmed that GOC occurred over a wide age range, extending from the first to the ninth decades and showed slight predilection for males (52.4%) and prevalence for mandibular rather than maxillary involvement (79.4% vs. 20.6%); 84.6% of the maxillary cysts occurred in the anterior segment. A slight majority of cases (53.6%) presented with asymptomatic swelling. Radiographically, 50.8% of lesions were multilocular radiolucencies and 36.5% were unilocular. Out of the 63 cases, 38 had good post-treatment follow-up records. Out of 22 cases that were treated with enucleation, 8 recurred during the follow-up period, which ranged from 12 to 44 months. Two out of the 7 cases that underwent curettage recurred between 29 and 84 months. The remaining 2 cases, that were managed with en-bloc resection alone and with en-bloc with cryosurgery, also recurred. None of the 7 cases that underwent more aggressive treatment showed signs of recurrence during a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 14 years. Our review confirms the need for more aggressive management of GOC. The similarities and differences between GOC and other entities entertained in its differential diagnosis are discussed.
The vanishing testis

Surgical exploration of 417 clinically impalpable cryptorchid testes revealed 84 (20%) instances of absent testes. Thirty-five (42%) of the 84 explorations showed complete absence of the testes along with the epididymis and vas, whereas 49 (58%) were associated with blind-ending cord structures: the “vanishing testis syndrome”. The presence of a vas deferens and vessels lying side by side in the inguinal canal strongly suggests that a testis existed at one time and subsequently vanished, probably as a result of antenatal vascular accident. The incidence of vanishing testes in our patients was higher than the true congenital absence of testis including vas deferns and epididymis.
Potassium Fertilizer and Potato Leafhopper Effects on Alfalfa Growth

(...) Alfalfa herbage yield, shoot height, root weight, and root total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) increased with increasing K fertilizer. Herbage yield, root weight and TNC were reduced by potato leafhopper (PLH) (...). At the same time, reduction in herbage yield and root weight increased with K fertility. Alfalfa maturity was delayed by the PLH. Susceptibility to PLH injury was greatest with young alfalfa plants. Increased K fertility did not reduce PLH injury in alfalfa; however, alfalfa growth and persistence improved, with or without PLH, with increasing K fertility
Sedimentary organic matter sources and depositional environment in the Yegua formation (Brazos County, Texas)

Abstract The complex depositional environment of the Eocene Yegua formation (Brazos County, Texas) can be better understood by integrating organic matter (OM) geochemistry with stratigraphy. Yegua sediments represent parasequences separated by exposure surfaces. Organic petrography and geochemistry (biomarkers, C/N ratios, and carbon isotopes) indicate the presence of both terrestrial and marine OM in transgressive sediments. In contrast, regressive sediments contain only terrestrial OM. These differences relate to contrasting OM sources and depositional styles on the shelf. OM in the sediments is immature and the potential for generating hydrocarbons is poor. The study suggests that organic geochemical data can help in distinguishing transgressive and regressive environments in sedimentary formations.
3′,6′-anhydro-6-O-corynomycoloyl trehalose: Synthesis and identification as the impurity in synthetic cord factor preparations

Abstract Acylation of 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′-hexa-O-benzyl-6,6′-di-O-methanesulphonyl-α-α-trehalose (1) with a reduced amount of potassium corynomycolate yielded a mixture which consisted mainly of 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′-hexa-O-benzyl-6-O-corynomycoloyl-6′-O-methanesulphonyl-α,α-trehalose (2). Catalytic hydrogenolysis of 2 gave the mono-mesylate 4 which was converted into 3′,6′-anhydro-6-O-corynomycoloyl-α,α-trehalose (5) but treatment with sodium hydride. The structure of 5 was studied by mass-spectroscopy. Compound 5 was found to be identical with the byproduct obtained in the acylation of 6,6′-di-O-p-toluenesulphonyl-α,α-trehalose with potassium corynomycolate.
Predictors of Range of Motion in Patients Undergoing Manipulation After TKA

Background Knee stiffness or limited range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may compromise patient function. Patients with stiffness are usually managed with manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) to improve ROM. However, the final ROM obtained is multifactorial and may depend on factors such as comorbidities, implant type, or the timing of MUA.
Senescence, dormancy and tillering in perennial C4 grasses

Perennial, temperate, C4 grasses, such as switchgrass and miscanthus have been tabbed as sources of herbaceous biomass for the production of green fuels and chemicals based on a number of positive agronomic traits. Although there is important literature on the management of these species for biomass production on marginal lands, numerous aspects of their biology are as yet unexplored at the molecular level. Perenniality, a key agronomic trait, is a function of plant dormancy and winter survival of the below-ground parts of the plants. These include the crowns, rhizomes and meristems that will produce tillers. Maintaining meristem viability is critical for the continued survival of the plants. Plant tillers emerge from the dormant crown and rhizome meristems at the start of the growing period in the spring, progress through a phase of vegetative growth, followed by flowering and eventually undergo senescence. There is nutrient mobilization from the aerial portions of the plant to the crowns and rhizomes during tiller senescence. Signals arising from the shoots and from the environment can be expected to be integrated as the plants enter into dormancy. Plant senescence and dormancy have been well studied in several dicot species and offer a potential framework to understand these processes in temperate C4 perennial grasses. The availability of latitudinally adapted populations for switchgrass presents an opportunity to dissect molecular mechanisms that can impact senescence, dormancy and winter survival. Given the large increase in genomic and other resources for switchgrass, it is anticipated that projected molecular studies with switchgrass will have a broader impact on related species.
Quantification of Time-Connectivity Patterns in Rapid Eye Movement Occurrences During Sleep

This communication presents accuracy bounds for a parameter (C) based on entropy and conditional entropy measurements quantifies overall clustering (time-connectivity) patterns in rapid movement (REM) occurrences during sleep. In particular, the effect of the characteristics of these time-connectivity patterns on C, as well as the effect of the number of REM's on C, are studied through Monte Carlo simulations. An effort toward the establishment of sampling distributions and related variance bounds for C is outlined, and suggestions are presented for the efficient use of such a parameter with real data.
Vigilantism as community social control: Developing a quantitative criminological model

This paper presents the first systematic quantitative examination of participation in vigilante behavior. Data collected as part of a larger study of Jewish settler violence in the Israeli-controlled West Bank region are used to analyze the factors that lead members of a community to become involved in vigilante violence. Using logistic regression techniques it is found that settlers who fulfill requirements of the vigilante role and those located in outposts where the demand for vigilantes is greatest are most likely to be involved in vigilante activities. In conclusion, it is argued that these findings provide strong support for a criminological model of vigilante behavior that emphasizes the role of the vigilante as an agent of community social control.
Nature of Melting and Superionicity in Alkali and Alkaline-Earth Halides

A parameter-free theory is shown to provide an explanation for both melting in alkali halides, and superionicity in alkaline-earth halides, in terms of different types of instabilities of the perfect lattice.
Nonrandom chromosomal aberrations are associated with sites of tissue involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

In an effort to assess the utility of pretreatment cytogenetics as indicators of sites of involvement by lymphoma, clinical and cytogenetic correlations were performed on 133 consecutive specimens derived from 130 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Nonrandom chromosomal aberrations detected at the time of diagnosis were associated with sites of clinical involvement presenting initially or during the progression of the lymphoma. Statistically significant associations included translocation breaks involving the chromosomal region 1p32-36 and bone marrow involvement, chromosome 14 abnormalities including breaks at 14q22-24 and splenic involvement, chromosome 9 abnormalities and pulmonary involvement, and monosomy 11 and bone involvement. A significant correlation was also observed between breaks involving the region 6q22-24, detected during the course of disease, and bone marrow involvement by lymphoma. The relationship of the sites of nonrandom chromosomal breakage reported here to known cellular oncogenes and implications to concepts of tumor evolution and spread are discussed.
Combining the “Kinetic Tandem” and the “Kinetic Stabilizer” Concepts

A novel means of MHD stabilizing axially symmetric mirror systems was proposed by Ryutov and demonstrated in the Gas Dynamic Trap at Novosibirsk. It relies on the strongly stabilizing effect exerted by low density plasma on the expanding field lines outside the mirrors. The “Kinetic Stabilizer Tandem Mirror” implements Ryutov’s technique by injecting axially directed ion beams into the expander. The ions, stagnated, and reflected by the converging magnetic field, form the stabilizing plasma. MHD stability code calculations show stabilization at beta values of 40%, with stabilizer beam powers that are small compared to the T-M fusion power output. Implicit in the calculations is the assumption that adequate “communication” exists between the plug plasmas and the stabilizer plasmas. This paper examines one means for enhancing communication: Utilize the stabilizer plasma to create a potential peak that, together with the plug potential, forms a potential well that traps and contains a “bridging” plasma.
The effects of the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor on c-myc expression and cell proliferation in the unirradiated and irradiated mouse colon

The levels of c-myc RNA and crypt cell proliferation were monitored in the mouse colonic mucosa following X-irradiation with and without oral administration of the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI). Mice were divided into 4 groups and treated as follows: (A) daily gavage with water; (B) daily gavage with BBI; (C) daily gavage with water and 12 Gy of abdominal irradiation 1 day after the first gavage; (D) daily gavage with BBI and 12 Gy of abdominal irradiation 1 day after the first gavage. Samples were collected at various times after X-irradiation and ascending colon samples were taken for crypt cell proliferation analysis. The mucosa was removed from the remaining sample and total cellular RNA was isolated. The levels of c-myc mRNA underwent a time-dependent change following X-irradiation. Expression of the c-myc gene was unchanged at 1 day and 3 weeks after irradiation, but was markedly elevated at 1 week after X-irradiation. BBI was found to suppress the radiation induced elevation of c-myc mRNA, while having no effect on the rate of crypt cell proliferation or body weight of the mice.
Initiation of olfactory placode development and neurogenesis is blocked in mice lacking both Six1 and Six4

Abstract Mouse olfactory epithelium (OE) originates from ectodermally derived placode, the olfactory placode that arises at the anterior end of the neural plate. Tissue grafting and recombination experiments suggest that the placode is derived from a common preplacodal domain around the neural plate and its development is directed by signals arising from the underlying mesoderm and adjacent neuroectoderm. In mice, loss of Six1 affects OE morphogenesis but not placode formation. We show here that embryos lacking both Six1 and Six4 failed to form the olfactory placode but the preplacodal region appeared to be specified as judged by the expression of Eya2, which marks the common preplacodal domain, suggesting a synergistic requirement of Six1 and Six4 in patterning the preplacodal ectoderm to a morphologic placode. Our results show that Six1 and Six4 are coexpressed in the preplacodal ectoderm from E8.0. In the olfactory pit, Six4 expression was observed in the peripheral precursors that overlap with Mash1-expressing cells, the early committed neuronal lineage. In contrast, Six1 is highly distributed in the peripheral regions where stem cells reside at E10.5 and it overlaps with Sox2 expression. Both genes are expressed in the basal and apical neuronal progenitors in the OE. Analyses of Six1;Six4 double mutant embryos demonstrated that the slightly thickened epithelium observed in the mutant was not induced for neuronal development. In contrast, in Six1−/− embryos, all neuronal lineage markers were initially expressed but the pattern of their expression was altered. Although very few, the pioneer neurons were initially present in the Six1 mutant OE. However, neurogenesis ceased by E12.5 due to markedly increased cell apoptosis and reduced proliferation, thus defining the cellular defects occurring in Six1−/− OE that have not been previously observed. Our findings demonstrate that Six1/4 function at the top of early events controlling olfactory placode formation and neuronal development. Our analyses show that the threshold of Six1/4 may be crucial for the expression of olfactory specific genes and that Six1 and Six4 may act synergistically to mediate olfactory placode specification and patterning through Fgf and Bmp signaling pathways.
On the Global Exchange of Mass between the Stratosphere and Troposphere

Seasonal mean downward mass fluxes across the 100 mb level in the extratropics of both hemispheres are computed using the meridionally integrated residual vertical circulation as determined from the transformed Eulerian mean equations. The eddy momentum and heat flux data required for the calculation are taken from Oort's 15-year climatology. Upward mass flux from the troposphere to the stratosphere in the tropics is computed from mass continuity. The flux is a maximum during Northern Hemisphere winter and a minimum during Northern Hemisphere summer. The computed fluxes imply a 2.5 year turnover time for the global atmospheric layer above 100 mb.
Surgery for Hypotony in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis

Purpose: To describe the clinical response to cyclitic membrane excision of eyes with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis and hypotony. Methods: The clinical records of patients with JIA-associated uveitis in a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Those patients with JIA-associated uveitis and hypotony who underwent cyclitic membrane excision were included in the study. Patients with hypotony secondary to active inflammation, retinal detachment, and surgical intervention (filtering, cyclo-destructive procedures, and glaucoma valve implantation) were excluded. Results: Two pediatric and two adult patients (4 eyes) were identified. The range of pre-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 0–5 mmHg. The two adult patients were noted to have atrophic ciliary processes intra-operatively, while the two pediatric patients had normal ciliary processes. At six months follow-up, the adult patients had IOPs of 5 mmHg, while the two pediatric patients had IOPs of 16 mmHg. At last consultation (m...
Chemical examinations of some non-vascular Paleozoic plants

The organic chemical constituents of compression fossils ofNematothallus,Spongiophyton, Orestovia andEohostimella are identified and compared with those isolated from living and fossil forms ofBotryococcus (a green alga) andTaeniocrada (a vascular plant fossil). The range and maxima in the carbon numbers observed in the normal, saturated acids isolated fromNematothallus, Orestovia, andSpongiophyton are similar to those of fossilBotryococcus, while those acids contained within compression fossils ofEohostimella are similar to the hydrocarbon composition ofTaeniocrada. Isoprenoid, branched hydrocarbons and steroids identified fromNematothallus, Orestovia, andSpongiophyton suggest these genera have algal affinities, while the presence of thick cuticles and in some cases cutin-like compounds appear to show adaptation to a terrestrial environment. Phenolic compounds retained within rock matrices associated withEohostimella are similar to those isolated fromTaeniocrada suggesting chemical, as well as morphological parallels with the land plant habit. These data are interpreted as indicating an early polyphyletic exploitation of the terrestrial habitat during the Paleozoic.
Nicotine induced behavioral locomotor sensitization.

1. Nicotine behavioral sensitization of locomotor activity was investigated in adult female Sprague Dawley rats. Five different experiments were performed with nicotine in various doses of 0.1, 0.32, or 1.0 mg/kg i.p. These included: 1) effects of daily nicotine for 6 days, 2) effects of once per week nicotine for 3 weeks, 3) effects of MK-801 on nicotine-induced locomotor activity, 4) effects of dexamethasone on nicotine-induced locomotor activity, 5) induction of tolerance to nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization and lack of cross tolerance to caffeine. 2. Locomotor activity was measured with a photoelectric computerized system. The first dose of nicotine (0.32 mg/kg) induced marked locomotor depression. Once daily injection of 0.32 mg/kg of nicotine for 6 days produced tolerance to its depressant effects and sensitized the rats to its stimulant effects. Three once weekly doses of 0.32 mg/kg of nicotine also produced tolerance to its depressant effects and some locomotor stimulation. 3. Daily pretreatment for 5 days with a dose of 0.18 mg/kg of MK-801 i.p. partially antagonized the locomotor depressant and stimulant actions of nicotine. 4. Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg i.p.) daily pretreatment barely reduced nicotine locomotor depression and only very slightly enhanced locomotor stimulation. 5. Accumulating doses of 0.32 and 1.0 mg/kg b.i.d. of nicotine produced tolerance to its locomotor stimulant effects in rats previously sensitized to 0.32 mg/kg. There was no cross-tolerance to 32 mg/kg of caffeine citrate in previously sensitized animals tolerant to the stimulant effects of nicotine.
Long-term survival and recurrence outcomes following surgery for distal rectal cancer.

Background Treatment of distal rectal cancer remains clinically challenging and includes proctectomy and coloanal anastomosis (CAA) or abdominoperineal resection (APR). The purpose of this study is to evaluate operative and pathologic factors associated with long-term survival and local recurrence outcomes in patients treated for distal rectal cancer.
Network vector quantization

We present an algorithm for designing locally optimal vector quantizers for general networks. We discuss the algorithm's implementation and compare the performance of the resulting "network vector quantizers" to traditional vector quantizers (VQs) and to rate-distortion (R-D) bounds where available. While some special cases of network codes (e.g., multiresolution (MR) and multiple description (MD) codes) have been studied in the literature, we here present a unifying approach that both includes these existing solutions as special cases and provides solutions to previously unsolved examples.
The World Coal Quality Inventory: A status report

Abstract National and international policy makers and industry require accurate information on coal, including coal quality data, to make informed decisions regarding international import needs and export opportunities, foreign policy, technology transfer policies, foreign investment prospects, environmental and health assessments, and byproduct use and disposal issues. Unfortunately, the information needed is generally proprietary and does not exist in the public domain. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in conjunction with partners in about 60 countries, is developing a digital compilation of worldwide coal quality. The World Coal Quality Inventory (WoCQI) will contain coal quality information for samples obtained from major coal beds in countries having significant coal production, as well as from many countries producing smaller volumes of coal, with an emphasis on coals currently being burned. The information that will be incorporated includes, but is not limited to, proximate and ultimate analyses; sulfur-form data; major, minor, and trace element analysis; and semi-quantitative analyses of minerals, modes of occurrence, and petrography. The coal quality information will eventually be linked to a Geographic Information System (GIS) that shows the coal basins and sample locations along with geologic, land use, transportation, industrial, and cultural information. The WoCQI will be accessible on the USGS web page and new data added periodically. This multi-national collaboration is developing global coal quality data that contain a broad array of technologic, economic, and environmental parameters, which should help to ensure the efficient and environmentally compatible use of global coal resources in the 21st century.
Egg production and embryo lethality for habrobracon from Biosatellite II and associated postflight vibration experiments.

Abstract In the reproductive performance of female Habrobracon, striking contrasts were revealed between results from the actual biosatellite flight and those from experiments with the recovered vehicle subjected to forces of simulated launching and recovery. The conditions of the 2 types of experiments differ mainly in influences of orbital flight, of which weightlessness seems most notable. To summarize for the 3 criteria of damage studies: 1. (1) Orbital flight effectively cancelled the characteristic radiation-induced decrease in egg production. On the other hand, the forces of bibration and acceleration improved oviposition only slighty during the more radiosensitive period of the developmental sequence. 2. (2) Excepting metaphase-I results, the only evidence of low hatchability was obtained for an ordinarily invulnerable cell type giving rise to eggs deposited on the 3rd day after biosatellite recovery. Subsequently the hatchability of the haploid eggs was excellent even during the period ordinarily most radiosensitive. In contrast, hatchability data from the simulated flight showed the usual pattern of response except for a moderate alleviation of the senile decline after the 15th day. Death occurred in a variety of stages in eggs from wasps of the simulated flight, but no stage-1 ( i.e. cleavage failure) deaths were obtained during the periods of excellent hatchability of biosatellite wasp eggs. 3. (3) The survival and life span of adult females was excellent and attests to the somatic fitness of experimental wasps. An interpretation of the braconid response to space flight in the presence of chronic γ-ray exposures must explain the unimpaired survival of cell types providing a surprisingly high fecundity, plus the adequacy of these eggs in supporting embryonic development. Possibly under packaged inactivity and weightlessness a stasis of cytological structure provides an opportunity for biochemical mechanisms to repair presumptive radiation lesions. The same stasis may be deleterious to the oocyte-nurse cell complex engaged in vitellogenesis of units destined to be deposited as 3rd-day eggs.
Differential Effects of IL-12 on Tregs and Non-Treg T Cells: Roles of IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-2R

Complex interactions between effector T cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) contribute to clinical outcomes in cancer, and autoimmune and infectious diseases. Previous work showed that IL-12 reversed Treg-mediated suppression of CD4+Foxp3− T cell (Tconv) proliferation. We and others have also shown that Tregs express T-bet and IFN-γ at sites of Th1 inflammation and that IL-12 induces IFN-γ production by Tregs in vitro. To investigate whether loss of immunosuppression occurs when IFN-γ is expressed by Tregs we treated mouse lymphocyte cultures with IL-12. IFN-γ expression did not decrease the ability of Tregs to suppress Tconv proliferation. Rather, IL-12 treatment decreased Treg frequency and Foxp3 levels in Tregs. We further showed that IL-12 increased IL-2R expression on Tconv and CD8 T cells, diminished its expression on Tregs and decreased IL-2 production by Tconv and CD8 T cells. Together, these IL-12 mediated changes favored the outgrowth of non-Tregs. Additionally, we showed that treatment with a second cytokine, IL-27, decreased IL-2 expression without augmenting Tconv and CD8 T cell proliferation. Notably, IL-27 only slightly modified levels of IL-2R on non-Treg T cells. Together, these results show that IL-12 has multiple effects that modify the balance between Tregs and non-Tregs and support an important role for relative levels of IL-2R but not for IFN-γ expression in IL-12-mediated reversal of Treg immunosuppression.
Type and Extent of Child Abuse as Predictors of Adult Functioning

Child abuse is associated with a variety of difficulties later in life. However, it is unclear to what extent these outcomes are related to the type and combinations of abuse (i.e., sexual versus physical) rather than the variable characteristics within each type. Information regarding child abuse histories as well as current functioning was gathered from a community sample of 259 working women. Incest and severe physical abuse were each associated with similar symptoms, with people who were more severely abused showing worse outcomes. Those women who were both physically and sexually abused had less favorable outcomes than those abused in only one manner. The effects of abuse could not be understood without taking combinations of different types and severities into account. The implications of the similarities of the outcomes of severe sexual and physical abuse were discussed.
Effect of toluene on rat synaptosomal phospholipid methylation and membrane fluidity.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of toluene (1 g/kg, 1 hr, i.p.) on rat synaptosomal phospholipid methylation (PLM), phospholipid composition, and membrane fluidity. Toluene significantly decreased basal PLM (35%) in studies using [ 3 H]methionine ([ 3 H]Met) as the methyl donor; this was reflected by similar decreases in phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME) (30%). No effects were observed in either PLM reactions that used [ 3 H]adenosylmethionine ([ 3 H]AdoMet) as methyl donor, or AdoMet synthetase, suggesting that toluene preferentially affects PLM reactions that derive methyl groups from [ 3 H]Met. Also, toluene decreased synaptosomal phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (24%), the initial substrate for PLM, and the addition of PE back to PE-depleted synaptosomes restored methyltransferase activity. Agonist-stimulated PLM using norepinephrine (NE) demonstrated that agonist-receptor coupling returned PLM to control values in synaptosomes from toluene-treated rats. NE-stimulated PLM was also blocked by propranolol (PRO), suggesting a role for toluene in receptor-mediated events. Membrane fluidity studies demonstrated that in vivo administration of toluene increased the outer synaptosomal membrane fluidity, whereas in vitro administration of toluene had no effect. Our observations support a positive relationship between increased PLM activity and increased outer, not core, membrane fluidity. These data demonstrate that specific toluene-phospholipid interactions occur in synaptosomes, resulting in altered membrane composition, function and fluidity.
Thermal responses for men with different fat compositions during immersion in cold water at two depths: prediction versus observation

A cold thermoregulatory model (CTM) was applied to data from partially immersed subjects divided into normal (NF) or low fat (LF) groups in order to validate CTM during immersion at two depths and to examine mechanisms underlying the individual differences. CTM defines thermal characteristics, e.g. surface area and maximal shivering intensity, using height, weight, fat %, age and VO2max. Ten clothed subjects, 5 NF (15–19%) and 5 LF (8.1–14.7%), were immersed in both 10 and 15°C water at chest (CH) and waist (WA) level. Environmental and clothing inputs for CTM were weighted to adjust for the ratio of skin surface area covered by either air or water at various immersion depths. Predicted core temperature (Tc) responses for each individual trial were compared with measured data. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between measured Tc and predicted Tc for NF at all four conditions. In contrast, for the LF group, the predicted Tc responses were all higher than measured (P < 0.05). However, predicted Tc agreed closer with measured Tc for LF when leg muscle blood flow was increased in the simulation. This suggests that blood flow may contribute to the rapid decline in Tc observed in LF and its variance may cause in part the individual differences in Tc responses. CTM predicts Tc responses to immersion at various depths with acceptable accuracy for NF individuals in this study and can be adapted to non-uniform environments.
Effects of carbohydrate and protein supplementation during resistance exercise on respiratory exchange ratio, blood glucose, and performance

Abstract Introduction Athletes must determine whether they will benefit most from exercise in the fasted or fed state when discussing variables such as substrate oxidation, muscle anabolism, and performance. Objective To determine the effects of a carbohydrate plus protein (C + P) beverage consumed during resistance exercise on respiratory exchange ratio (RER), blood glucose, and performance. Methods Ten resistance trained male subjects completed two bouts of exercise consisting of seven sets of squats and bench presses using 60% of their one repetition maximum (1RM). Subjects consumed C + P during one trial, and a non-caloric placebo (P) in the other. Six sets of each exercise were performed for a predetermined number of repetitions, followed by a seventh set of each exercise for as many repetitions as possible, performed as explosively as possible. Power was measured during the final set of each exercise. Glucose was measured pre, during, and post exercise. RER was measured seven times during each session. Results No significant difference in power was found. C + P resulted in significantly greater work in the bench press ( p p = 0.10). Post-exercise glucose was significantly greater ( p p p Conclusion In active males, C + P ingestion during resistance exercise improved bench press performance and increased blood glucose, but does not appear to affect RER.
Fasting glucose and glucose tolerance as potential predictors of neurocognitive function among nondiabetic older adults.

Introduction: Significant evidence has demonstrated that Type 2 diabetes mellitus and related precursors are associated with diminished neurocognitive function and risk of dementia among older adults. However, very little research has examined relations of glucose regulation to neurocognitive function among older adults free of these conditions. The primary aim of this investigation was to examine associations among fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, and neurocognitive function among nondiabetic older adults. The secondary aim was to examine age, gender, and education as potential effect modifiers. Method: The study employed a cross-sectional, correlational study design. Participants were 172 older adults with a mean age of 64.43 years (SD = 13.09). The sample was 58% male and 87% White. Participants completed an oral glucose tolerance test as part of a larger study. Trained psychometricians administered neuropsychological tests that assessed performance in the domains of response inhibition, nonverbal m...
Pseudosymmetry in pyridinium tetrachloro(oxo)pyridineniobate(V) pyridine solvate.

The title compound, (C(5)H(6)N)[NbCl(4)O(C(5)H(5)N)]center dotC(5)H(5)N, crystallizes as discrete ions, with a very strong linear N-H...N hydrogen-bonding interaction between the cation and the solvate pyridine molecule [N...N 2.755 (5) A]. All chemical species occupy crystallographic twofold axes. The ligated and solvate pyridines form ABABAB stacks in the lattice. There is pseudosymmetry which emulates a centred unit cell in Amm2, but it is not supported by the diffraction pattern, which is consistent with the correct space group Pnc2. Three crystallographic software packages suggested space group Amm2 over Pnc2, while a fourth indicated Pnc2, a subgroup of Amm2.
Evidence for cross-talk between atrial natriuretic peptide and nitric oxide receptors

Guanylyl cyclases (GCs), a ubiquitous family of enzymes that metabolize GTP to cyclic GMP (cGMP), are traditionally divided into membrane-bound forms (GC-A-G) that are activated by peptides and cytosolic forms that are activated by nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide. However, recent data has shown that NO activated GC’s (NOGC) also may be associated with membranes. In the present study, interactions of guanylyl cyclase A (GC-A), a caveolae-associated, membrane-bound, homodimer activated by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), with NOGC, a heme-containing heterodimer (α/β) β1 isoform of the β subunit of NOGC (NOGCβ1) was specifically focused. NOGCβ1 co-localized with GC-A and caveolin on the membrane in human kidney (HK-2) cells. Interaction of GC-A with NOGCβ1 was found using immunoprecipitations. In a second set of experiments, the possibility that NOGCβ1 regulates signaling by GC-A in HK-2 cells was explored. ANP-stimulated membrane guanylyl cyclase activity (0.05 ± 0.006 pmol/mg protein/5 min; P < 0.01) and intra cellular GMP (18.1 ± 3.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.5 pmol/mg protein; P < 0.01) were reduced in cells in which NOGCβ1 abundance was reduced using specific siRNA to NOGCβ1. On the other hand, ANP-stimulated cGMP formation was increased in cells transiently transfected with NOGCβ1 (530.2 ± 141.4 vs. 26.1 ± 13.6 pmol/mg protein; P < 0.01). siRNA to NOGCβ1 attenuated inhibition of basolateral Na/K ATPase activity by ANP (192 ± 22 vs. 92 ± 9 nmol phosphate/mg protein/min; P < 0.05). In summary, the results show that NOGCβ1 and GC-A interact and that NOGCβ1 regulates ANP signaling in HK-2 cells. The results raise the novel possibility of cross-talk between NOGC and GC-A signaling pathways in membrane caveolae.
A comparison of smokeless tobacco and smoking practices of university varsity and intramural baseball players

To examine the smokeless tobacco (ST) and smoking practices of collegiate varsity and intramural baseball players, 284 undergraduate athletes at two major Southwestern universities were surveyed using a questionnaire previously developed to measure use among this population. About one-fourth of all athletes were current ST users and 4% smokers. Over half of varsity players (53%) compared to 25.9% of intramural players used one or both forms of ST. Varsity players were about 20 times more likely to use ST as to smoke, while intramural players were about five times as likely to use ST than to smoke. On both teams, use of chewing tobacco was associated with use of snuff. Smoking was not associated with ST use in either group. Mean ages for initiation for all products was 15, and for quitting, 18. There was no evidence that one form of tobacco served as a gateway for the other among these young adult athletes. Over a fourth of all users started after age 17, suggesting that college is an appropriate locus for both ST prevention and cessation programming. Such programs for this population must address the unique characteristics of the social environment in collegiate baseball.
Effect of Reinforcement on Modality of Stimulus Control in Learning Disabled Students

Pre-existing preference for stimulus modality is often claimed to control performance on short-term memory tasks. The present experiment evaluated the effects of reinforcement contingencies on task performance of bisensory missing words. Subjects included one learning disabled (LD) male with an auditory preference and one LD female with a visual preference on short-term memory tasks that presented both visual and auditory stimuli. Reinforcement contingencies were found to control both subjects' performances. Results imply that reinforcement variables may account for consistency in a subject's visual or auditory stimulus-controlled performance.
Concavity of system throughput and information transfer in a PAC system

In this paper, we show that system throughput and the number of PACs generated by a given time in a PAC system are jointly concave with respect to the initial inventory and the number of process cards at each stage. The result is easily proved by observing that with exponential service times (and general arrival process), the (counting) job completion, job departure, and card generation processes are increasing concave functions of the initial inventory and card counts. The result applies to a wide range of multi-stage production-inventory systems including the classical base stock policy, integral control and the kanban system, and is crucial for the design of such systems.
Evaluation of quantitative measures of breast tissue density from mammography with truth from MRI data

Breast tissue density is one of the most cited risk factors in breast cancer development. Nevertheless, estimates of the magnitude of breast cancer risk associated with density vary substantially because of the inadequacy of methods used in tissue density assessment (e.g., subjective and/or qualitative assessment) and lack of a reliable gold standard. We have developed automated algorithms for quantitatively measuring breast composition from digitized mammograms. The results were compared to objective truth as determined by quantitative measures from breast MR images, as well as to subjective truth as determined by radiologists' readings from digitized mammograms using BI-RAD standards. Higher linear correlation between estimates calculated from mammograms using the methods developed herein and estimates derived from breast MR images demonstrates that the mammography-based methods will likely improve our ability to accurately determine the breast cancer risk associated with breast density. By using volumetric measures from breast MR images as a gold standard, we are able to estimate the adequacy and accuracy of our algorithms. The results can be used for providing a calibrated method for estimating breast composition from mammograms.
Model of murine interpositional vein grafting

A new murine model is presented for interpositional vein grafting into an artery. In ICR (outbred) mice, the femoral vein or a branch of the jugular vein was harvested and placed into a femoral artery defect, using standard microvascular techniques to achieve end-to-end anastomoses with 11-0 nylon suture. The technique requires a high level of microsurgical experience and competence. Success rates (vessel patency) were higher with moderate systemic heparinization (200 units/kg body weight, single i.v. bolus). Vein grafts were successfully transplanted between syngenic C57Bl/6J mice, with patency demonstrated from 1 day to 3 months postoperatively. The model is applicable to studies of vein graft stenosis using murine transgenic/knockout models.
Risk Tolerance, Projection Bias, Vividness, and Equity Prices

This article examines two hypotheses. First, investor risk tolerance fluctuates in part due to changes in the investment markets, and, second, investors tend to project stock market closing price data into the formation of risk-tolerance attitudes. Regression tests were conducted to determine the role of projection bias and vividness in the formation of risk attitudes among a convenience sample of internet survey respondents (N = 1,355). It was found that individuals who own securities tend to use recent and vivid stock market data when establishing risk attitudes. Further, risk attitudes, on average and in the aggregate, were found to fluctuate based on closing stock prices the previous week. Financial planners are cautioned that risk tolerance should not be used as a static input within asset allocation models.
Elastic properties of metal–ceramic nanolaminates measured by nanoindentation

Abstract The elastic modulus of metal–ceramic nanolaminates measured by nanoindentation was studied experimentally and numerically. A model system of seven layers of alternating aluminum (Al) and silicon carbide (SiC) films deposited on a silicon (Si) substrate was used. The variation of elastic modulus, measured from the indentation unloading, as a function of layer thickness and indentation depth was investigated. Finite element modeling, featuring indentation of the explicit composite structure, was conducted and shown to be in good agreement with the experiment. The numerical result offered further insight into the detailed deformation processes. The effects of the substrate material and pile-up at the indentation edge were seen to play an important role in the modulus determination. Sophisticated stress and deformation fields underneath the indentation developed in the laminated structure. Their evolution during the unloading phase of the indentation was also examined. Salient features which can affect the modulus measurement were discussed.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Resectable Brain Metastasis

Background Surgical resection is most often performed for superficially located brain metastasis. We evaluate the use of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for resectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases located Methods Between 1999 and 2009, 306 patients were treated for brain metastasis from NSCLC at the University of Virginia. The current study included patients with 3 or fewer resectable brain metastases, with resectable being defined as Results The mean overall survival rate in this cohort is 13.5 months (median, 8 months) after GKS, and the mean overall survival after diagnosis of the primary lesion was 31.5 months (median, 19 months). Factors related to prolonged survival after GKS were gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class, age at GKS, number of metastatic lesions, development of new intracranial lesions, and number of lobes involved with metastatic disease. The actuarial local tumor control rate was 84% at 6 months. Two patients (3%) underwent a craniotomy and tumor resection for their progressive superficial metastasis after GKS. Conclusions GKS for NSCLC brain metastases is effective in patients with 3 or fewer resectable tumors. The need for a craniotomy in this subgroup of patients after GKS is very low.