cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
You Are What They Eat: The Influence of Reference Groups on Consumers’ Connections to Brands

The set of associations consumers have about a brand is an important component of brand equity. In this article, we focus on reference groups as a source of brand associations, which can be linked to one's mental representation of self to meet self-verification or self-enhancement goals. We conceptualize this linkage at an aggregate level in terms of self-brand connections, that is, the extent to which individuals have incorporated a brand into their self-concept. In 2 studies, we show that brands used by member groups and aspiration groups can become connected to consumers’ mental representation of self as they use these brands to define and create their self-concepts. Results from Experiment 1 show that the degree to which member group and aspiration group usage influences individual self-brand connections is contingent on the degree to which the individual belongs to a member group or wishes to belong to an aspiration group. In Experiment 2, we found that for individuals with self-enhancement goals, aspiration group brand use has a greater impact on self-brand connections; for individuals with self-verification goals, on the other hand, member group use has a greater impact.
Ordinary Differential Equations

In this chapter we provide an overview of the basic theory of ordinary differential equations (ODE). We give the basics of analytical methods for their solutions and also review numerical methods. The chapter should serve as a primer for the basic application of ODEs and systems of ODEs in practice. As an example, we work out the equations arising in Michaelis-Menten kinetics and give a short introduction to using Matlab for their numerical solution.
Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Breast: Report of a Case With Immunohistochemical and Next-Generation Sequencing Studies:

Acinic cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare subtype of triple-negative breast cancer that recapitulates the appearance of tumors seen in salivary glands. We present the case of a 42-year-old woman with an irregular, nontender mass above the left nipple during routine obstetric appointment at 24 weeks gestation. She was subsequently diagnosed with triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast, Nottingham grade 3, via core needle biopsy. She was treated with neoadjuvant therapy (doxorubucin and cyclophosphamide) antenatally and paclitaxel in the postpartum period followed by left mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy. The carcinoma in the mastectomy specimen showed a spectrum of morphologic patterns with immunohistochemistry revealing strong positivity for alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), lysozyme, and S100. The histomorphology paired with the immunoprofile led us to the diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma. We retrospectively performed immunostains in the core biopsy specimen, which demonstrated GATA-3 and DOG-1 positivity. Next-generation sequencing of the postneoadjuvant specimen using a 70-gene panel revealed 2 single-nucleotide variant (SNV) mutations: tumor protein 53 (TP53) (c.747G>T) SNV mutation and rearranged during transfection (RET) (c.2899G>A) SNV mutation.
Developmental lineage of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac fibroblasts affects their functional phenotype

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs) support heart function by secreting extracellular matrix (ECM) and paracrine factors, respond to stress associated with injury and disease, and therefore are an increasingly important therapeutic target. We describe how developmental lineage of human pluripotent stem cell-derived CFBs, epicardial (EpiC-FB), and second heart field (SHF-FB) impacts transcriptional and functional properties. Both EpiC-FBs and SHF-FBs exhibited CFB transcriptional programs and improved calcium handling in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac tissues. We identified differences including in composition of ECM synthesized, secretion of growth and differentiation factors, and myofibroblast activation potential, with EpiC-FBs exhibiting higher stress-induced activation potential akin to myofibroblasts and SHF-FBs demonstrating higher calcification and mineralization potential. These phenotypic differences suggest that EpiC-FBs have utility in modeling fibrotic diseases while SHF-FBs are a promising source of cells for regenerative therapies. This work directly contrasts regional and developmental specificity of CFBs and informs CFB in vitro model selection.
Investigating crosstalk between H3K27 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation in CRISPR/dCas-based epigenome editing and gene activation

Epigenome editing methods enable the precise manipulation of epigenetic modifications, such as histone posttranscriptional modifications (PTMs), for uncovering their biological functions. While histone PTMs have been correlated with certain gene expression status, the causalities remain elusive. Histone H3 Lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) and histone H3 Lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) are both associated with active genes, and located at active promoters and enhancers or around transcriptional start sites (TSSs). Although crosstalk between histone lysine acetylation and H3K4me3 has been reported, relationships between specific epigenetic marks during transcriptional activation remain largely unclear. Here, using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/dCas-based epigenome editing methods, we discovered that the ectopic introduction of H3K27ac in the promoter region lead to H3K4me3 enrichment around TSS and transcriptional activation, while H3K4me3 installation at the promoter cannot induce H3K27ac increase and failed to activate gene expression. Blocking the reading of H3K27ac by BRD proteins using inhibitor JQ1 abolished H3K27ac-induced H3K4me3 installation and downstream gene activation. Furthermore, we uncovered that BRD2, not BRD4, mediated H3K4me3 installation and gene activation upon H3K27ac writing. Our studies revealed the relationships between H3K27ac and H3K4me3 in gene activation process and demonstrated the application of CRISPR/dCas-based epigenome editing methods in elucidating the crosstalk between epigenetic mechanisms.
Ambient Heat and Risk of Emergency Department Visits for Mental Health among Adults in the United States

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ambient temperature has long been thought to play a role in the exacerbation of symptoms for many mental and behavioral disorders. However, the impacts of elevated temperature o...
Phenomenological approaches to sport, by Irena Martinkova and Jim Parry

As part of the Ethics and Sport series, this volume is an excellent collection of 12 essays that makes a lasting contribution to a growing body of literature critically examining the intersection o...
In Vivo Roles of the Basic Domain of Dynactin p150 in Microtubule Plus-End Tracking and Dynein Function

Microtubule (MT) plus-end-tracking proteins accumulate at MT plus ends for various cellular functions, but their targeting mechanisms are not fully understood (Akhmanova A and Steinmetz MO. Tracking the ends: a dynamic protein network controls the fate of microtubule tips. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2008;9:309–322.). Here, we tested in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans the requirement for plus-end localization of dynactin p150, a protein essential for dynein function. Deletion of the N-terminal MT-binding region of p150 significantly diminishes the MT plus-end accumulation of both dynein heavy chain and p150, and causes a partial defect in nuclear distribution. Surprisingly, within the MT-binding region, the basic domain is more critical than the CAP-Gly (cytoskeleton-associated protein glycine-rich) domain for maintaining plus-end tracking of p150, as well as for the functions of dynein in nuclear distribution and early endosome movement. Our results show that the basic domain of A. nidulans p150 is important for p150–MT interaction both in vivo and in vitro, and the basic amino acids within this domain are crucial for the plus-end accumulation of p150 in the wild-type background and for the p150–MT interaction in the ΔkinA (kinesin-1) background. We suggest that the basic amino acids are required for the electrostatic interaction between p150 and MTs, which is important for kinesin-1-mediated plus-end targeting of dynactin and dynein in A. nidulans.
Microbiology of Methanogenesis in Thermal, Volcanic Environments

Microbial methanogenesis was examined in thermal waters, muds, and decomposing algal-bacterial mats associated with volcanic activity in Yellowstone National Park. Radioactive tracer studies with [(14)C]glucose, acetate, or carbonate and enrichment culture techniques demonstrated that methanogenesis occurred at temperatures near 70 degrees C but below 80 degrees C and correlated with hydrogen production from either geothermal processes or microbial fermentation. Three Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum strains (YT1, YTA, and YTC) isolated from diverse volcanic habitats differed from the neotype sewage strain DeltaH in deoxyribonucleic acid guanosine-plus-cytosine content and immunological properties. Microbial methanogenesis was characterized in more detail at a 65 degrees C site in the Octopus Spring algal-bacterial mat ecosystem. Here methanogenesis was active, was associated with anaerobic microbial decomposition of biomass, occurred concomitantly with detectable microbial hydrogen formation, and displayed a temperature activity optimum near 65 degrees C. Enumeration studies estimated more than 10(9) chemoorganotrophic hydrolytic bacteria and 10(6) chemolithotrophic methanogenic bacteria per g (dry weight) of algal-bacterial mat. Enumeration, enrichment, and isolation studies revealed that the microbial population was predominantly rod shaped and asporogenous. A prevalent chemoorganotrophic organism in the mat that was isolated from an end dilution tube was a taxonomically undescribed gram-negative obligate anaerobe (strain HTB2), whereas a prevalent chemolithotrophic methanogen isolated from an end dilution tube was identified as M. thermoautotrophicum (strain YTB). Taxonomically recognizable obligate anaerobes that were isolated from glucose and xylose enrichment cultures included Thermoanaerobium brockii strain HTB and Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum strain 39E. The nutritional properties, growth temperature optima, growth rates, and fermentation products of thermophilic bacterial strains 39E, HTB2, and YTB were determined.
Impacts and Interrelationships Between Medications, Nutrition, Diet, and Oral Health

Long-term medication therapy is common, allowing increasing numbers of people to control chronic illnesses and achieve improved quality of life. However, use of medications is rarely without side effect or risk, making prevention and management of medication complications more challenging. As patients with chronic illness age, it is more common to encounter multiple medications directed at multiple organ systems, compounding the challenge of managing the adverse effects of, and interactions among, multiple medications. Drug-nutrient interactions and nutritional deficiencies are a potential primary problem with many medications, which can also lead to secondary oral health complications. Likewise, medications can affect primarily the oral environment and have secondary nutritional and diet consequences. This chapter reviews common drug-induced nutrient deficits and their mechanisms, drug-induced adverse oral conditions, and selected interrelationships between medications and nutritional and oral health.
Retear Rates After Arthroscopic Single-Row, Double-Row, and Suture Bridge Rotator Cuff Repair at a Minimum of 1 Year of Imaging Follow-up: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To determine whether there are differences in retear rates among arthroscopic single-row, double-row, and suture bridge rotator cuff repair. Methods The literature was systematically reviewed for clinical outcome studies assessing arthroscopic single-row, double-row, or suture bridge rotator cuff repair. All included studies indicated the imaging-diagnosed retear rate stratified by preoperative tear size at a minimum of 1 year of follow-up, and retears were diagnosed with either magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or arthrogram. Only studies with comprehensive surgical methods were included, and the repair type was confirmed by the number of rows of fixation and suture configuration. Studies from journals with an impact factor below 1.5 were excluded. Retear rates were grouped and statistically compared using χ 2 tests. Results Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding a total of 2,048 repairs. Double-row repair (DR) and suture bridge repair (SB) both had significantly lower retear rates than single-row repair (SR) for tears sized 1 to 3 cm (DR, P P P P = .004), greater than 3 cm (DR, P = .016; SB, P = .003), and greater than 5 cm (DR, P = .003; SB, P = .003), as well as total retear rates (DR, P = .024; SB, P = .022). DR and SB did not differ significantly from each other in any tear size category. Conclusions Both DR and SB have lower retear rates than SR in most tear size categories. No differences in retear rates were found between DR and SB. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level I through IV studies.
Insights into the Schrock ‘chop-chop’ reaction gained from density functional theory and preparation and structure of W2(μ-PhCCPh)(SC6H4-2-Me)6

Computations employing density functional theory on the reactions between ethyne and the model compounds (HE)3MM(EH)3, where M = Mo and W and E = O and S, predict that the alkyne adducts M2(μ-C2H2)(EH)6 are thermodynamically favored with respect to the metathesis products HCM(EH)3 except when M = W and E = O; the reaction between (tBuO)3WCPh and 2-MeC6H4SH (>3 equiv.) yields W2(μ-PhCCPh)(SC6H4-2-Me)6 consistent with expectations based on the calculations.
Special collection on the June 1993 volcanic eruption on the CoAxial segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge

The mid-ocean ridge system is the primary site of oceanic crustal accretion and a major source of chemical/thermal flux from the Earth's interior to the hydrosphere. Although geological mapping, geophysical exploration, and hydrographie/chemical surveys have provided important insights into accretionary processes, until recently there has been no method of monitoring the dynamics of these systems over long periods and large areas. Insights into spreading center dynamics have depended on serendipitous discoveries of evidence of activity based on water column anomalies [Baker et al., 1987], bathymetric differences [Fox et al., 1992], or direct field observations [Haymon et al., 1993]. In situ instrumentation has been used to monitor dynamics at a few selected sites for long periods, but these instruments are generally unable to telemeter data in real time.
COHERENCE FACTORS IN CHILDREN'S TEXTBOOKS

The purpose of the present study was to examine the varying types and levels of coherence and cohesion in the language of textbooks written for different grade levels. In an initial analysis, three sample passages were taken from each of eight social‐studies textbooks ranging from the first‐grade to the high‐school levels. These passages were analyzed in terms of referential coherence between main clauses, linguistic cohesion, and the numbers and kinds of explicit and implicit connectives. Two more textbooks were then analyzed for grades 3, 5, and 8 so that possible trends across the grade levels could be examined. The results generally indicated that there were no differences among grades 3, 5, and 8 in terms of global cohesion or in terms of any individual cohesive element. There were also no significant differences in terms of explicit or implicit connectives. There were significant differences in terms of shared arguments across main clauses, with the upper‐level texts being less coherent in that sens...
Regional variations in the testicular dependence of prolactin binding and its possible relationship to castration‐induced involution in rat prostate gland

Prolactin binding sites of ventral, lateral, and dorsal lobes of rat prostate were examined immunohistochemically 1, 2, 4, and 8 days after castration or sham operation. In sham-operated rats each lobe exhibited a distinct pattern of intracellular and intraluminal prolactin binding. A loss in proiactin binding from epithelial cells of ventral prostate, which was visualized postcastration, was quantitated with the aid of an image analyzer and then statistically evaluated. The proportion of ventral prostate epithelial cells devoid of prolactin binding increased from approximately 13% in sham-operated rats to approximately 29% 1 day after castration, and reached a peak level of about 71% 4 days postcastration. No loss of prolactin binding was evident in either lateral or dorsal prostate up to 8 days postcastration. Direct measurement of epithelial cell heights and subsequent statistical evaluation revealed similar regional differences in the rates and extent of prostate involution. Eight days after castration ventral prostate epithelial cell heights decreased by 56% whereas lateral and dorsal lobe epithelial cells heights decreased about 25% and 14%, respectively. The apparent relationship between testicular dependence of prostatic prolactin binding and castration-induced prostatic involution are discussed in terms of possible regional variations in the prolactin-androgen interplay in prostate.
Cross-reactivity of Borrelia burgdorferi and myelin basic protein-specific T cells is not observed in borrelial encephalomyelitis.

Borrelial encephalomyelitis, a rare manifestation of Lyme borreliosis, may present as a multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disease. It is postulated that in MS, inflammation of the white matter is caused by a T-cell response directed to myelin antigens. Here, we examined whether a T-cell autoimmune response may play a pathogenetic role in Borrelia-associated white matter disease mediated by cross-reactivity between myelin basic protein (MBP) and B. burgdorferi. We generated a total of 1760 short-term T-cell lines against B. burgdorferi or MBP from two patients with Borrelial encephalomyelitis and compared these with three patients with late Lyme disease, one patient with transverse myelitis, eight patients with MS, and four healthy controls. While a few T-cell lines recognized both B. burgdorferi and MBP, T-cell clones from these lines responded only to the antigen of the original stimulation. Thus, our data do not provide evidence for cross-reactivity between MBP and B. burgdorferi.
Characterization of Sulfate Transport in Cultured Tobacco Cells

Sulfate transport by tobacco cells ( Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Xanthi) cultured in liquid medium was investigated. Transport was linear with time, had a sharp pH optimum between 6.5 and 7.5, and obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The K m varied within the range 2 × 10 −5 m and 4 × 10 −5 m and the maximum velocity was in the range 100 to 400 nanomoles per gram fresh weight·hour. Transport was inhibited more than 90% by 10 −4 m sulfite, thiosulfate, metabisulfite, sulfide, selenate, and chromate, but was inhibited less than 40% by 10 −3 m chloride, nitrate, or phosphate. Selenate was a competitive and sulfide a noncompetitive inhibitor of sulfate transport. The oxidative respiration inhibitors, azide and cyanide, uncoupling reagents, carbonylcyanide m -chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and dinitrophenol, and the ATPase inhibitor N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) were all potent inhibitors of transport. Inhibition by CCCP was not prevented by preincubation of cells with dithiothreitol. Removal of CCCP from the transporting medium resulted in a partial resumption of transport, in contrast removal of DCCD had no effect. Sulfate transport was inhibited more than 90% by 10 −4 m mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, or d-cysteine and was abolished by either 10 −5 m N-ethylmaleimide or 10 −4 m iodoacetamide. Removal of mercaptoethanol from the transporting medium resulted in a return to maximal rates of transport whereas when either N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetamide were removed transport remained inhibited. N-ethylmaleimide (10 −5 m) and iodoacetamide (10 −4 m), which inhibited transport completely, induced the efflux of between 70 and 90% of the transported sulfate in 5 hours. Metabolite efflux was induced by the following compounds, which are listed according to their effectiveness, DCCD, CCCP, mercaptoethanol, and selenate. Increasing the concentration of an inhibitor, in excess of that required to inhibit transport 100%, increased the rate of nonspecific metabolite efflux from the cells.
Relationship of the size of the invasive component of the primary breast carcinoma to axillary lymph node metastasis

Background. Invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast frequently have an intraductal (in situ) component at the tumor periphery that, in some cases, is included in the measurement of the tumor and thereby increases the size of the tumor beyond that of the invasive component. Methods. Thirty-seven ductal carcinomas containing intraductal and invasive components were analyzed. The total tumor size, the size of the invasive component, the percentage of intraductal component, and the estimated tumor volume were assessed for each tumor. Results. The mean size of the invasive component was 6.5 mm in axillary lymph node negative patients and 14.3 mm in those with axillary lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0001). The mean total tumor size was 13.7 mm and 17.6 mm (P = 0.035) and the mean percent of intraductal component was 52% and 26% (P = 0.015) in patients with negative and positive axillary lymph nodes, respectively. Ninety-two and four tenths percent of the difference in mean estimated total tumor volume between patients with negative and positive axillary lymph nodes was attributable to the difference in the volume of the invasive component alone. Conclusions. In small ductal carcinomas of the breast, the size of only the invasive component, as determined by microscopic measurement, is a better predictor of axillary lymph node status than is the total tumor size. The well established prognostic value of total tumor size largely is due to its reflection of the size of the invasive component.
Betta splendens: Familiarity with visual cues fails to produce a prior-residence effect

Dominance/subordinancy relations in pairs of male Siamese fighting fish were assessed as a function of (1) familiarity with visual cues (colors) that sometimes were present during combat, and (2) the association of those familiar colors with agonistic experiences. Neither of these variables had any detectible influence on animals’ becoming dominant. The probability of a fish’s becoming dominant was not elevated by the visibility of familiar colors during combat. The pairing of familiar colors with precombat aggression also was without effect. However, the outcome of aggressive contests was significantly influenced by nonsocial stimulation administered to fish in the days prior to combat; the periodic placement of a water-filled jar into aquaria resulted, surprisingly, in an enormous elevation in the rate at which ties, or unresolved fights, occurred.
Surface wave enhanced collisionless transport in a bounded crossed-field non-neutral plasma

Electron transport across the magnetic field in a cutoff planar smooth-bore diode is described on the basis of surface waves perpendicular to the magnetic field and along the cathode. A self-consistent (two spatial dimensions and three velocity components) electrostatic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of a crossed-field diode produces a near-Brillouin flow which slowly expands across the diode, punctuated by sudden transport across the diode. The theory of slow transport across the diode is explained by the addition of perturbed orbits to the Brillouin shear flow motion of the plasma in the diode. The wave results from the sheared flow instability, so that a definite mechanism behind the surface waves is established. The growth and wavelength of this wave are compared to PIC simulations. A slow drift compared to the shear flow is described which results from an electrostatic ponderomotive-like force in a dc external magnetic field. The slow drift obtained from single particle motion compares well to the...
Resorting to Extrinsic Aids: North Dakota Legislative History Research

This analysis of the use of legislative history in North Dakota includes the following: a brief introduction to the function of legislative history generally, and to the legislative process in North Dakota; a preview of selected statutes and case law; an examination of the materials utilized in legislative history research and the availability of those materials; and contact information for North Dakota libraries, archives, and legislative research services.
IN VITRO DEMONSTRATION OF CELLULAR SENSITIVITY IN ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

Peritoneal cells obtained from animals exhibiting delayed hypersensitivity are inhibited from migrating in vitro by specific sensitizing antigen. This test for the detection of delayed hypersensitivity was applied to the problem of cellular sensitivity in allergic encephalomyelitis (AE). The migration of peritoneal cells obtained from guinea pigs with AE was inhibited specifically by nervous tissue antigens. The specificity of this reaction was further studied. Neonatal rat nervous tissue, which was shown to lack the encephalitogenic antigen, i.e. did not produce AE when injected with complete adjuvant into guinea pigs and rats, did not inhibit the migration of cells from animals with AE. Adult rat nervous tissue, which readily produces AE, and thus contains the encephalitogenic antigen did inhibit the migration of such cells. The finding that cells from animals with AE display hypersensitivity which appears to be directed specifically to the encephalitogenic antigen strongly supports the view that such cells could play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Language Use in Social Interactions of School-Age Children With Language Impairments: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Treatment

Introduction Pragmatic models were first applied to the treatment of children with language impairment in the late 1970s. Since that time, the study of language use has had considerable impact on language assessment and treatment. Despite the need to address pragmatic language skills clinically, there has been no systematic examination of the efficacy of treatments developed for this purpose. Method In accordance with the evidence-based practice policy agenda, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) convened an ad hoc committee on language use in social interactions in school-age children. The committee’s charge was to develop an evidence-based systematic review of treatment for disorders of language use in social interactions. This charge was conducted in collaboration with ASHA’s National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders. Results This systematic review provided preliminary support for the feasibility of various treatment procedures addressing social communica...
A whole-cell clamp study of dendrodendritic synaptic activities in mitral cells of turtle olfactory bulb slices

A procedure for preparing slices from the turtle olfactory bulb is described in this report. Individual layers of the bulb could be identified in the slices which enabled visual identification of cell types. Mitral cells retained extensive dendritic arborizations in slices of typical thickness, 300-400 microm. The presence of extensive dendritic processes was consistent with the difficulties we encountered in our attempt to achieve adequate space clamp. On the few occasions where an adequate space clamp of a mitral cell was achieved, calcium current exhibited a threshold of - 50 mV and reached its maximal level at - 10 mV. In all cases where calcium current was analysed (n=46), the current exhibited little inactivation. Depolarizing steps in 50% of the mitral cells triggered a burst of feedback synaptic activity after termination of the step. The intensity of feedback activity correlated closely with the amplitude of the depolarizing step, reaching its maximal level at - 10 mV and declining with further depolarization. The bell-shaped relationship between the feedback activity and mitral cell depolarization is consistent with the hypothesis that the feedback activity is mediated by reciprocal synapses on the mitral cell dendrite. This hypothesis is further supported by the inhibitory nature of the feedback synaptic activity: (i) the polarity of the feedback synaptic current could be inverted at the predicted chloride equilibrium potential, (ii) the feedback activity could be completely blocked by 10 microM bicuculline. The analysis of spontaneous synaptic activity showed that it was mostly inhibitory because its polarity could be reversed at the predicted chloride equilibrium potential. In some mitral cells, the frequency of spontaneous activity was noticeably increased when the holding potential was depolarized. This correlation could be attributed to the activation of dendrodendritic synapses. Results shown in this report demonstrate that dendrodendritic synapses are viable in turtle olfactory bulb slices. In addition, the suppression of feedback inhibition by large depolarizing steps of mitral cells suggests that the control of mitral cell dendritic potential is adequate to suppress calcium influx during large depolarizing steps.
Polymer microparticle arrays from electrodynamically focused microdroplet streams

We describe instrumentation for forming two-dimensional arrays of polymer microparticles produced from electrodynamically focused microdroplet streams. A single-stage linear quadrupole was used to focus droplets/particles onto silanated glass slides mounted on a computer-driven two-dimensional translation stage. Center-to-center position stability was on the order of 1 μm. Applications to molecular sorting with polymer particles as host carriers are discussed.
Genetic Analysis of Vertebral Trabecular Bone Density and Cross-Sectional Area in Older Men

We investigated 383 bone candidate genes for associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and vertebral trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and cross-sectional area (CSA) in 2,018 Caucasian men aged ≥65 years. SNPs in TGFBR3, SOST, KL, CALCR, LEP, CSF1R, PTN, GNRH2, FGFR2, and MEPE were associated with vBMD and SNPs in CYP11B1, DVL2, DLX5, WNT4, and PAX7 were associated with CSA in independent study samples (p < 0.005). Vertebral bone mineral density and cross-sectional area are important determinants of vertebral bone strength. Little is known about the specific genetic variants that influence these phenotypes in humans. We investigated the potential genetic variants associated with vertebral trabecular volumetric BMD and CSA measured by quantitative computed tomography. We initially tested for association between these phenotypes and 4608 tagging and potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 383 candidate genes in 862 community-dwelling Caucasian men aged ≥65 years in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study. SNP associations were then validated by genotyping an additional 1,156 randomly sampled men from the same cohort. We identified 11 SNPs in 10 genes (TGFBR3, SOST, KL, CALCR, LEP, CSF1R, PTN, GNRH2, FGFR2, and MEPE) that were consistently associated with trabecular vBMD and five SNPs in five genes (CYP11B1, DVL2, DLX5, WNT4, and PAX7) that were consistently associated with CSA in both samples (p < 0.005). None of the SNPs associated with trabecular vBMD were associated with CSA. Our findings raise the possibility that at least some of the loci for vertebral trabecular BMD and bone size may be distinct.
Fine structure of clear cells in frog epidermis

Abstract The fine structure of clear cells located within the frog epidermis was investigated. Characteristic features of clear cells were, the ‘flask-like’ shape, the sparse amount of filaments resulting in a clear cytoplasmic appearance, abundant mitochondria, numerous small vesicles, and a system of convoluted apical membranes in cells adjacent to horny cells. These features were suggestive of a secretory function for the clear cell. A comparison of clear cells with fully differentiated epidermal cells (functioning in protection) was made, in an attempt to discover how structural differences between the two cells were related to the basic functions of the cells.
Monitoring microwave ablation for liver tumors with electrode displacement strain imaging

Minimally invasive ablative therapies have become important alternatives to surgical treatment of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases. Image based guidance and monitoring are therefore essential. Although ultrasound (US) imaging suffers from inadequate echogenic contrast between ablated and normal tissue, US based elasticity imaging has shown remarkable ability to depict ablated regions and delineate margins. The purpose of this study is to apply “electrode displacement elastography,” or EDE for monitoring clinical microwave ablation (MWA) treatments for HCC and liver metastases.
Absorption of magnetoacoustic waves in the solar atmosphere with random inhomogeneities of density and magnetic fields

Effects of a collection of strong and random inhomogeneities of the magnetic fields, plasma density, and temperature in the solar atmosphere on the propagation of magnetoacoustic waves of arbitrary amplitudes are numerically studied by using a one dimensional code of ideal magnetohydrodynamics. It is shown that even in the presence of strong, small scale background inhomogeneities long wavelength perturbations (λ ≫ R, where R is the scalelength of the inhomogeneities) steepen and form shock waves. Furthermore, the presence of small scale background fluctuations results in a much stronger dissipation of long wavelength perturbations and a larger heating of the plasma compared to the case of a homogneous medium. The limiting case of λ → R in which the wavelength of the perturbation is of the same order as the length scale of the inhomogeneities (this case is beyond the realm of the theoretical analysis of Ryutova et al. (1990)), dissipates its energy even faster and in fact so fast that the waves do not steepen into shocks. Compared to the case of long wavelength perturbations the heating of the plasma is even larger. We discuss the relevance to sunspots and magnetized regions of the solar atmosphere.
Chronic renal disease and pregnancy outcome

During the 18-year period from 1971 through 1988, 37 women whose pregnancies were complicated by moderate or severe renal insufficiency were managed at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Common maternal complications included anemia, chronic hypertension, and preeclampsia. Perinatal complications included midpregnancy losses and low birth weight from preterm delivery, fetal growth retardation, or both. Despite the high incidence of maternal morbidity, 85% of pregnancies in the 26 women with moderate renal insufficiency resulted in a live-born infant; there was one stillbirth and no neonatal deaths. Of the 11 women with severe disease, seven were delivered of live-born infants after greater than or equal to 26 weeks' gestation. Although six of these 37 women had worsening renal function during pregnancy, it seems unlikely that pregnancy per se caused this. More importantly, in four of these six women and in four others who had stable function throughout pregnancy, end-stage renal disease developed within a mean of 4 years after delivery. In 14 women blood volume was determined during pregnancy, and whereas those with moderate disease had normal volume expansion, women with severe disease had significantly attenuated expansion. Finally, serial creatinine clearances did not increase during pregnancy in half the women with moderate insufficiency and none with severe dysfunction.
Dissociated backward priming effects in lexical decision and pronunciation tasks.

Backward priming was examined at 150- and 500-msec prime-target stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) using visually presented primes and targets in lexical decision and pronunciation tasks. Two kinds of backward relations were used: compound items for which targets and primes formed a word in the backward direction (e.g., prime: HOP; target:bell), and noncompound items for which targets and primes did not form a word but were associatively related in the backward but not the forward direction (e.g., prime: BABY; target:stork). Results showed that backward priming effects were equivalent for compounds and noncompounds. However, for lexical decisions, backward priming occurred at both SOAs, whereas for pronunciation, it occurred only at the 150-msec SOA. We discuss how this SOA-dissociated backward priming effect in lexical decision and pronunciation tasks poses a serious challenge for all theories of semantic priming.
Bush science budget slashes USGS funding

While the Bush Administration's proposed U.S. federal budget for fiscal year 2003 includes the largest-ever request for federal research and development funding—$111.8 billion; up 8% over the current fiscal year budget—not everybody in the Earth sciences community is cheering. Much of the increase is slated for the National Institutes of Health, and research spending for many of the other federal science agencies “would remain anemic under this budget,” according to U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y), chair of the House of Representatives Science Committee. President Bush announced the FY2003 budget on 4 February.
Experiences in building a simulation environment for psychology

The hardware, software, and human issues involved in building a cognitive simulation facility are discussed.
TH-C-217BCD-03: Evaluation of the Spatial Resolution and Noise Properties of a Prototype Transmission Ultrasound Imaging System Employing an Acousto-Optic (AO) Detector

Purpose: In this work, the spatial resolution and noise properties of a prototype full‐field transmission ultrasound imagingsystem employing an acousto‐optic (AO) liquid crystaldetector were characterized. The AO effect is a phenomenon in which an incident acoustic wave field induces local birefringence changes in a liquid crystal. These birefringence changes manifest as brightness changes when the liquid crystal is optically illuminated using polarized light, thus providing spatial information about the field. Methods: A compressed, Zerdine‐based breast phantom containing 12 artificial spherical lesions was imaged using plane‐wave ultrasound illumination. Lesions of diameter 2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm were embedded at depths of 12.7 mm, 25.4 mm, and 38.1 mm within the phantom background. To minimize coherence artifacts, the transducer frequency was swept continuously from 3.25 MHz to 3.45 MHz at a rate of 100 MHz/s. The transducer voltage was ramped from 0.1 V to 6.5 V to permit identification of the onset of the AO effect in the detector. An analysis of image quality was performed on 50 identically acquired images in which the contrast‐to‐noise ratio was determined for each lesion in the mean acquired image. Apparent lesion size was also computed as a function of distance from the AO detector.Results: The spatial resolution analysis revealed that lesion size in the mean acquired image increased linearly with lesion‐to‐detector distance. Extrapolation of the least squares regression lines for apparent lesion size versus lesion‐to‐detector distance to zero distance agreed well with the actual lesion sizes. The noise analysis demonstrated that a contrast‐to‐noise ratio of 13.1 could be obtained with the prototype system for the transducer settings and phantom properties considered. Conclusions: This investigation indicates the potential for incorporating a liquid crystal AO detector into a transmission ultrasoundsystem for full‐field breast imaging.
Lifetime psychiatric comorbidity of alcohol dependence and bulimia nervosa in women.

Abstract Previous work from our group revealed two groups of women with bulimia nervosa (BN), one with, and one without alcohol dependence (AD). The current study sought to determine whether women with lifetime BN and AD (BN+AD+) were more similar to women with BN and no AD (BN+AD−) or to women with AD and no BN (BN−AD+) in terms of lifetime psychiatric comorbidity and psychological functioning. Data on BN and AD from 407 female relatives in a family study of alcoholism were used to create three mutually exclusive groups: BN+AD+ (n = 30), BN+AD− (n = 55), and BN−AD+ (n = 322). Bivariate analyses revealed fewer differences between BN+AD+ and BN−AD+ women than between BN+AD+ and BN+AD− women. BN+AD+ women were more likely than BN+AD− women to have drug dependence, conduct disorder, and suicidality, and were more likely to have major depression, lower GAF scores, and to engage in unsafe sex than both BN+AD− and BN−AD+ women. After adjusting for other psychopathology and demographic variables, BN+AD+ women were more likely than BN+AD− women to have major depression, drug dependence, and tobacco dependence and more likely than BN−AD+ women to have major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These results suggest that BN+AD+ women exhibit more severe psychopathology than either BN+AD− or BN−AD+ women and may represent a distinct subgroup within bulimia nervosa or alcohol dependence.
Sequential immune monitoring in patients with melanoma and renal cell carcinoma treated with high-dose interleukin-2: immune patterns and correlation with outcome

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy leads to clinically relevant responses in 10–16 % of patients with metastatic melanoma (MMEL) or 10–30 % of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC). To date, no biomarkers have been validated to identify patients who are likely to respond. We hypothesized that changes in T cell subset distribution in patients undergoing IL-2 therapy may correlate with treatment outcomes. Immune profiles of 64 patients (27-MMEL, 37-MRCC) were evaluated using flow cytometry at baseline, during (≥three doses) and at the end of treatment cycle (30 ± 6 h after last dose), through two courses of IL-2 therapy. Changes in distribution and phenotype of circulating CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets were compared (1) based on cancer types and (2) intra-patient during the course of the IL-2 therapy. Exploratory analysis of immunologic profiles was also performed based on treatment outcome. Independent of cancer type, IL-2 led to a transient decrease of circulating effector lymphocytes, while regulatory T cells gradually increased. Interleukin-2 differentially affected a subset of CD8 T cell expressing Foxp3, depending on malignancy type. In MMEL patients, IL-2 gradually expanded circulating CD8 Foxp3+ cells; in MRCC patients, IL-2 transiently increased expression of CD103 and CCR4 homing markers. Monitoring of adaptive immune variables early on and during the course of IL-2 therapy revealed transient alterations in immune profiles, specific to MMEL and MRCC patients, related to immune balance (and ultimately response to IL-2 therapy) or T cell egress from the circulation.
HIGH DOSE METHOTREXATE (HDM) WITH CITROVORUM (CF) RESCUE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BONE TUMORS

Prognosis in osteogenio sarcoma (OS) and hemangioendotheliosarcoma (HES) is particularly poor once metastases appear. These tumors are generally resistant to chemotherapy. During the past 2 ½ years 14 patients with metastatic OS and 2 with metastatic HE were treated with incremental HDM (50 to 800 mg/kg) over 6 hours at 2 to 3 weekly1 intervals followed by CF 2 hours later. Among 14 patients with OS, complete regression of pulmonary metastases occurred in 2 and partial regression in 2 others (duration of response 2-30+ months). Treatment was given for 2 years or until tumor recurred. One of 3 patients who relapsed on the 6-hour infusion responded again to 24-hour infusions. One patient with HE partially responded (duration 2 months) while the other remains free of disease 8+ months following initiation of HDM and eradication of metastases with radiotherapy. Of 150 courses of methotrexate, 20% were associated with side effects: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, stomatitis, skin lesions, renal impairment and myelosuppression. Side effects responded to additional CF. HDM with CF is now being used as adjuvant treatment in newly diagnosed patients. Of 12 such patients followed for 2-18 months, only 1 has developed a metastasis, a striking reduction in incidence. HDM appears to be of great value in bone tumor therapy in childhood. Supported by USPHS grant C6516.
Age-related variations in follicular apolipoproteins may influence human oocyte maturation and fertility potential

Objective To investigate involvement of specific apolipoproteins in the process of human oocyte maturation and age-related infertility as molecular constituents of follicular fluid. Design Laboratory-based observational study. Setting Basic science laboratory at a large academic institution. Patient(s) Follicular fluid obtained from healthy women aged 18 to 45 years undergoing in vitro fertilization for unexplained infertility, ovulatory dysfunction, tubal disease, male factor infertility, or oocyte donation. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Specific concentration of apolipoproteins and content of lipoprotein particles in follicular fluid and blood plasma as related to reproductive aging. Result(s) We registered a decline of follicular apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and apolipoprotein CII (Apo CII) and an increase of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) with age, which parallels a lower number of retrieved mature oocytes in older women. Follicular apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B (Apo B), apolipoprotein E, and apolipoprotein C II are present in diverse heterogeneous complexes including very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-low-density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) that vary with patient age and differ from the blood plasma lipoprotein complexes. Conclusion(s) Age-related variation in follicular apolipoprotein content and distribution in the cholesterol particles may be associated with the decrease in production of mature oocytes and the age-related decline in fertility potential.
Characterization and adsorption of arsenate and selenite onto Kemiron.

Kemiron, a commercially available, porous iron oxide sorbent was evaluated in batch systems for arsenate (As(V)) and selenite (Se(IV)) removal from aqueous solutions as a function of pH, ionic strength, and particle size (< 38 μ m and between 250 and 425 μ m). BET surface area of Kemiron is 39.8 m2/g and Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) studies found Kemiron to be 40.37% iron and 42.25% oxygen by mass. Langmuir isotherms best described the As(V) and Se(IV) removal at pH 7 with maximum adsorption capacity of 82 mg/g and 52 mg/g respectively. As(V) and Se(IV) sorption decreased as pH increased and both anions were unaffected by sodium nitrate (NaNO3) background electrolyte. As(V) sorption was not affected in surface water samples from the Hillsborough River. Batch kinetic models of the experimental data on the 250 to 425 μ m particle size yielded mass transfer coefficients of 0.0008 min−1 and 0.009 min−1 for As(V) and Se(IV) respectively.
Evidence of intrinsic differences in the light scattering properties of tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cells

BACKGROUND. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are intrinsic differences in the light scattering properties of tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cells from a multistep carcinogenesis model. METHODS. Wavelength-dependent and polarization-dependent light scattering properties of cell suspensions were measured. RESULTS. Statistically significant differences were found between the tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cells. CONCLUSIONS. Differences in the light scattering properties of tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cells are attributed to a change in the average size of the scattering centers on the order of a few ten of nanometers. This work is relevant to the development of noninvasive optical methods for cancer diagnosis.