cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anesthetic management of total tetralogy of Fallot repair in an adult patient after diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography.

A 55-year-old female with a history of hypertension and obesity (body mass index of 33) presented with several months of general fatigue and exertional dyspnea. She stated that she would become short of breath after walking 5 blocks or 1 flight of stairs and that this dyspnea was associated with generalized chest pressure and discomfort. A preoperative TTE showed severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation and a dilated ascending aorta. She was scheduled for an aortic valve replacement. TEE was performed after an uneventful induction of general anesthesia and intubation. This examination revealed the additional finding of a perimembranous VSD that was 2-3 cm in diameter with left-to-right shunt and prolapse of the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve into the flow of the VSD (Figs 1 and 2). The flow through the VSD was limited partially by the right coronary cusp, which was covering most of its area. Figure 3 shows the severe aortic regurgitation resulting from the right coronary cusp prolapse. The aorta was noted to override both the left and right ventricles (Fig 4). In addition, a subaortic membrane was seen protruding from the interventricular septum causing obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Moderate infundibular hypertrophy, subvalvular obstruction of the RVOT and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) also were observed (Fig 5). The aortic valve replacement was cancelled and she was rescheduled for surgical repair of her newly diagnosed TOF after consultation with the congenital cardiothoracic surgery team. The patient returned to the operating room, and general anesthesia was induced with sufentanil, etomidate, and vecuronium and maintained with isoflurane while preventing decreases in mean arterial pressure below 60 mmHg. She was placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and both the subaortic membrane and right ventricular infundibular muscle were resected. Next, the VSD was closed with a Gore-Tex patch. The right coronary cusp of the aortic valve was noted to be thin and extremely elongated while the left and noncoronary cusps were severely calcified and rigid. Therefore, the decision was made to replace the aortic valve. Finally, a subpulmonary RVOT patch was placed. The patient was weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass with stable hemodyamics on milrinone, epinephrine, and phenylephrine infusions. Postbypass TEE showed good contractility with inotropic support and absence of aortic insufficiency, VSD, or residual LVOT or RVOT obstruction. Right and left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy persisted after repair. The patient was extubated the following day and weaned from all pressors and inotropes. Postoperative electrocardiograph revealed widened QRS complexes and occasional ventricular ectopy. The electrophysiology study showed no inducible ventricular arrhythmias and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 13.
Application of an optimization method to high performance propeller designs

The application of an optimization method to determine the propeller blade twist distribution which maximizes propeller efficiency is presented. The optimization employs a previously developed method which has been improved to include the effects of blade drag, camber and thickness. Before the optimization portion of the computer code is used, comparisons of calculated propeller efficiencies and power coefficients are made with experimental data for one NACA propeller at Mach numbers in the range of 0.24 to 0.50 and another NACA propeller at a Mach number of 0.71 to validate the propeller aerodynamic analysis portion of the computer code. Then comparisons of calculated propeller efficiencies for the optimized and the original propellers show the benefits of the optimization method in improving propeller performance. This method can be applied to the aerodynamic design of propellers having straight, swept, or nonplanar propeller blades.
Design and organization of an equine intensive care unit.

Equine intensive care units (ICUs) are currently being integrated in many primary and referral hospitals. These ICUs are created for the purpose of integrating three critical components: the sickest patients, highly technical and expensive equipment, and the staff with knowledge and experience to treat these patients. The goals of these units are to improve efficiency and efficacy, reduce costs, and ultimately improve patient outcome. In a growing number of institutions, emergency and critical care programs are also being integrated in the veterinary student core curriculum, because the need for such discipline is recognized not only in referral hospitals but by the general practitioner. The decision to offer ICU services must be based on the population needs, the consideration that emergency services should be offered in conjunction, and the economic environment of the hospital. Currently, few studies exist that describe the general case population, commonly performed procedures and treatments, and overall cost-benefit ratios of equine ICUs. One study described the overall case distribution of emergencies based on monthly admissions, the proportion of cases requiring surgery, and the most commonly performed treatments [1]. Because equine emergency patients are often hospitalized in ICUs, such information provides an initial database for understanding population dynamics. In that study, 20% of hospital admissions for a referral were received as after-hour emergencies. Approximately 60% of emergencies were colics, of which approximately half were surgical abdomens. Other emergencies were distributed among the following categories: neonates (8%), orthopedics (7%), lacerations (5%), enteritis/ colitis (4%), neurologic (4%), reproductive (4%), respiratory (4%), and others. In the miscellaneous category, esophageal obstruction, ocular emergencies, rectal tears, hemorrhage, and undefined sickness were cited.
Color doppler ultrasonography is a reliable predictor of free tissue transfer outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our investigation was to report our experience with a color flow doppler (CFD) ultrasonography for postoperative monitoring of free tissue transfers.METHODS: A retrospecti...
Microwave accelerated synthesis of isoxazole hydrazide inhibitors of the system xc- transporter: Initial homology model.

Abstract Microwave accelerated reaction system (MARS) technology provided a good method to obtain selective and open isoxazole ligands that bind to and inhibit the Sx c - antiporter. The MARS provided numerous advantages, including: shorter time, better yield and higher purity of the product. Of the newly synthesized series of isoxazoles the salicyl hydrazide 6 exhibited the highest level of inhibitory activity in the transport assay. A homology model has been developed to summarize the SAR results to date, and provide a working hypothesis for future studies.
Immunopathology of granuloma formation and fibrosis in schistosomiasis

In schistosomiasis the deposition of parasite ova within host tissues is the initial event in a complex pathophysiological cascade which is characterized by granuloma formation, and may terminate in fibrosis and related sequelae (Fig. 1). In spite of intensive study, the complex relationship between infection and morbidity remains poorly understood. In this article, Michael Phillips and Patrick Lammie review current concepts of the mechanisms of granuloma formation and its regulation in schistosome infections.
Cultured retinal neuronal cells and Müller cells both show net production of lactate.

Glucose has long been considered the substrate for energy metabolism in the retina. Recently, an alternative hypothesis (metabolic coupling) suggested that mitochondria in retinal neurons utilize preferentially the lactate produced specifically by Muller cells, the principal glial cell in the retina. These two views of retinal metabolism were examined using confluent cultures of photoreceptor cells, Muller cells, ganglion cells, and retinal pigment epithelial cells incubated in modified Dulbecco's minimal essential medium containing glucose or glucose and lactate. The photoreceptor and ganglion cells represented neural elements, and the Muller and pigment epithelial cells represented non-neural cells. The purpose of the present experiments was two-fold: (1) to determine whether lactate is a metabolic product or substrate in retinal cells, and (2) to examine the evidence that supports the two views of retinal energy metabolism. Measurements were made of lactic acid production, cellular ATP levels, and cellular morphology over 4 h. Results showed that all cell types incubated with 5 mM glucose produced lactate aerobically and anaerobically at linear rates, the anaerobic rate being 2-3-fold higher (Pasteur effect). Cells incubated with both 5 mM glucose and 10 mM lactate produced lactate aerobically and anaerobically at rates similar to those found when cells were incubated with glucose alone. Anaerobic ATP content in the cells was maintained at greater than 50% of the control, aerobic value, and cellular morphology was well preserved under all conditions. The results show that the cultured retinal cells produce lactate, even in the presence of a high starting ambient concentration of lactate. Thus, the net direction of the lactic dehydrogenase reaction is toward lactate formation rather than lactate utilization. It is concluded that retinal cells use glucose, and not glial derived lactate, as their major substrate.
The Unique Contribution of Four Maternal Stressors to Adolescent Functioning

The relation of personal (depressed mood and physical problems) and interpersonal (marital status and interparental conflict) maternal stressors to young adolescent functioning was examined. The subjects were 270 young adolescents (135 females and 135 males). Mothers completed measures concerning the four stressors, and a teacher completed measures about three areas of adolescent functioning: internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and grades. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the independent contribution of each of the stressors as predictors of functioning in the young adolescents. Either interparental conflict or marital status was related to each area of functioning for boys and to internalizing problems and grades for girls. Maternal depression was a significant predictor only for internalizing problems of girls. Interpersonal variables appear to be more important for the functioning of young adolescents than do personal variables. Implications of the findings...
EDR: An energy-aware runtime load distribution system for data-intensive applications in the cloud

Data centers account for a growing percentage of US power consumption. Energy efficiency is now a first-class design constraint for the data centers that support cloud services. Service providers must distribute their data efficiently across multiple data centers. This includes creation of data replicas that provide multiple copies of data for efficient access. However, selecting replicas to maximize performance while minimizing energy waste is an open problem. State of the art replica selection approaches either do not address energy, lack scalability and/or are vulnerable to crashes due to use of a centralized coordinator. Therefore, we propose, develop and evaluate a simple cost-oriented decentralized replica selection system named EDR (Energy-Aware Distributed Running system), implemented with two distributed optimization algorithms. We demonstrate experimentally the cost differences in various replica selection scenarios and show that our novel approach is as fast as the best available decentralized approach DONAR, while additionally considering dynamic energy costs. We show that an average of 12% savings on total system energy costs can be achieved by using EDR for several data intensive applications.
Vitamin E regulation of mitochondrial superoxide generation.

The mitochondrion is the greatest source, as well as the target, of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increasing evidence indicates that vitamin E can act as a biological modifier independently of its antioxidant activity. Experimental evidence available shows that vitamin E is capable of dose-dependently regulating mitochondrial generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Vitamin E may modulate mitochondrial production and levels of superoxide by preventing electron leakage, by mediating the superoxide generation systems directly and/or by scavenging superoxide generated. By downregulating mitochondrial generation of superoxide and related ROS, vitamin E not only attenuates oxidative damage but also modulates the expression and activation of signal transduction pathways and other redox-sensitive biological modifiers.
Estrogenic tamoxifen derivatives: Categorization of intrinsic estrogenicity in MCF-7 cells

Triarylethylenes bearing acetic acid side chains, exemplified by 4-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenyl-1-butenyl]phenoxyacetic acid (4HTA), a derivative of tamoxifen (TAM), are of current interest as estrogen mimics lacking reproductive tract effects. Affinities for estrogen receptors (ER) and effects on cell growth kinetics of a diverse series of such compounds were compared with 4HTA, TAM, and with standard estrogens 17beta-estradiol (E2) and chlorotrianisene (CTA) in MCF-7 cells. These compounds exhibited concentration dependent cell growth stimulation comparable to that of CTA but less than that of E2. Growth stimulation of the more potent compounds was antagonized by TAM, signifying that effects were mediated via interaction with ER. At concentrations of 1 microM or higher, compounds with efficacies less than that of E2 were weak antagonists of estradiol-stimulated growth. Both intracellular ER affinities and growth rate stimulation potencies of the triarylethylene acetic acids and the standard ER ligands varied over a range of nearly three orders of magnitude. Analysis of growth stimulatory potency as a function of ER affinity revealed dual parallel correlations: the potency/ER affinity ratios of 4HTA and four of its analogues was about 100-fold less than those of the hydroxytriarylethane and bisphenolic analogs and the three standard ER ligands. These results suggested that ER liganded with the latter substances is more 'effective' at nuclear effector sites than is ER liganded with 4HTA and the other acidic triarylethylenes.
Coordinated resource allocation over heterogeneous wireless networks

Heterogeneous wireless networks are formed when a set of disparate transmission points serve a multitude of users over an available spectrum. In order to enable efficient resource allocation over such networks, the set of transmission points is partitioned into multiple clusters and each cluster is assigned a set of users that it must serve. Our contribution in this paper is the design of an approximation algorithm for the resource allocation in each cluster. We show that this resource allocation problem is strongly NP-hard and that our algorithm yields a constant factor approximation, for a fixed cluster size. Our evaluations over a realistic heterogeneous network model show that significant gains can be realized by our algorithm, provided the feedback available from the users is fully exploited.
Fibrosing properties, in the rat, of compounds related to dicetyl (DI-n-hexadecyl) phosphate-I.

Abstract In this preliminary survey, twenty-six compounds, related in one way or another to dicetyl(di- n -hexadecyl)phosphate, were compared with this substance as to tissue fibrosing activity by subcutaneous injections in the rat. Only dialkylphosphates (and the single alkylborate used) with a chain length of sixteen or eighteen carbon atoms were active. The only substance with unsaturated alkyl chains, dioleyl(C 18 )phosphate, was inactive. Dicholesteryl-phosphate and phosphite were not active. None of the phosphites (di- or tri-) was active. Dicetylborate produced less flbrosis than the phosphate and this was accompanied by marked eosinophilia and subsequent encapsulated necrosis. Dioctadecyl phosphate was indistinguishable in these experiments from dicetyl phosphate.
Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of phosphirane

Abstract The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of phosphirane in are examined theoretically using the gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. All normal modes were successfully assigned to one of nine types of motion (C–C stretch, P–C stretch C–H stretch, P–H stretch, CH2 scissors, CH2 wag, CH2 rock, CH2 twist, and P–H wag) predicted by a group theoretical analysis. Comparing the vibrational frequencies with IR and Raman spectra available in the literature, a set of scaling factors are derived. Predicted infrared and Raman intensities are reported.
Shallow structure of the Cascadia subduction zone beneath western Washington from spectral ambient noise correlation

[1] High-resolution 3-D shear velocity (Vs) images of the western Washington lithosphere reveal structural segmentation above and below the plate interface correlating with transient deformation patterns. Using a spectral technique, phase velocities are extracted from cross-correlated ambient noise recorded by the densely spaced “CAFE” broadband array. The spectral approach resolves shear velocities at station offsets less than 1 wavelength, significantly shorter than typically obtained by standard group velocity approaches, increasing the number of useable paths and resolution. Tomographic images clearly illuminate the high Vs (>4.5 km/s) subducting slab mantle. The most prominent anomaly is a zone of low Vs (3.0–3.3 km/s) in the middle to lower continental crust, directly above the portion of the slab expected to be undergoing dehydration reactions. This low-velocity zone (LVZ), which is most pronounced beneath the Olympic Peninsula, covers an area both spatially coincident with and updip of the region of most intense episodic tremor and slip (ETS). The low Vs and comparison with published P wave velocity models indicate that Vp/Vs ratios in this region are greater than 1.9, suggesting a fluid-rich lower crust. The LVZ disappears southward, near 47°N, coincident with sharp decreases in intraslab seismicity and ETS activity as well as structural changes in the slab. The spatial coincidence of these features suggests that either underthrusting of hydrated low-velocity material or long-term fluid fluxing of the overriding plate via dewatering of a persistently hydrated patch of the Juan de Fuca slab may partially control slip on the plate interface and impact the rheology of the overriding continental crust.
Cultivable Microbial Diversity in An Acidic Temperate Lake, Lake Phelps, NC

Abstract Despite the immense benefit of freshwater habitats to the day to day activities of humans, their biological diversity remains understudied. Microbial diversity and community structure is critical to the study of ecological processes in these habitats. The naturally acidic oligotrophic lake, Lake Phelps, NC, was studied within the context of understanding sediment dwelling meiofauna using the cultivable microbial communities at three sites in the water column and sediment. Twenty-six bacterial isolates were cultivated, biochemically tested and sequenced. DNA sequence analyses of the 16S ribosomal subunit revealed 26 taxa representing three phyla (12 Proteobacteria, 12 Firmicutes, and 2 Bacteroidetes), four classes (12 Bacilli, 6 β-proteobacteria, 4 γ-proteobacteria, and 2 Flavobacteria), and six bacterial orders (12 Bacillales, 6 Neisseriales, 2 Burkholderiales, 4 Enterobacteriales, and 2 Flavobacteriales). Bacterial communities at the three sampling sites were distinct and this may be because of ...
Analysis of the human factor VIII A2 inhibitor epitope by alanine scanning mutagenesis.

Antibodies directed to the A2 domain of factor VIII (fVIII) are usually an important component of the polyclonal response in patients who have clinically significant inhibitory antibodies to fVIII. A major determinant of the A2 epitope has been located by homolog scanning mutagenesis using recombinant hybrid human/porcine fVIII molecules to a sequence bounded by Arg484–Ile508 (Healey, J. F., Lubin, I. M., Nakai, H., Saenko, E. L., Hoyer, L. W., Scandella, D., and Lollar, P. (1995) J. Biol. Chem.270, 14505–14509). Within this region, human residues Arg484, Pro485, Tyr487, Ser488, Arg489, Pro492, Val495, Phe501, and Ile508 differ from porcine fVIII. We stably expressed in mammalian cells nine active B-domainless human fVIII molecules containing single alanine substitutions at these sites. Their inhibition by a murine anti-A2 monoclonal antibody, monoclonal antibody (mAb) 413, and by three A2-specific alloimmune and two A2-specific autoimmune human inhibitor plasmas was measured by the Bethesda assay. The inhibition of Arg484 → Ala, Tyr487 → Ala, Arg489 → Ala, and Arg492 → Ala by mAb413 was reduced by greater than 90% compared with wild-type, B-domainless human fVIII. mAb413 inhibited the most severely affected mutant, Arg489 → Ala, 0.01% as well as wild-type fVIII. For all five patient plasmas, the Tyr487 → Ala mutant displayed the greatest reduction in inhibition. The inhibition of the Tyr487 → Ala mutant by these antibodies ranged from 10% to 20% that of wild-type fVIII. The inhibition of the Ser488 → Ala, Arg489 → Ala, Pro492 → Ala, Val495 → Ala, Phe501 → Ala, and Ile508 → Ala mutants by most of the plasmas also was significantly reduced. In contrast, the Arg484 → Ala and Pro485 → Ala mutants were relatively unaffected. Thus, although mAb413 binds to the same region as human A2 inhibitors, it recognizes a different set of amino acid side chains. The side chains recognized by human A2 inhibitors appear to be similar, despite the differing immune settings that give rise to fVIII alloantibodies and autoantibodies.
Listeria monocytogenes phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C: Kinetic activation and homing in on different interfaces

The phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Listeria monocytogenes forms aggregates with anionic lipids leading to low activity. The specific activity of the enzyme can be enhanced by dilution of the protein or by addition of both zwitterionic and neutral amphiphiles (e.g., diheptanoylphosphatidylcholine or Triton X-100) or 0.1-0.2 M inorganic salts. Activation by amphiphiles occurs with both micellar (phosphatidylinositol dispersed in detergents) and monomeric [dibutroylphosphatidylinositol (diC(4)PI)] phosphotransferase substrates and inositol 1,2-(cyclic)-phosphate (cIP), the phosphodiesterase substrate. The presence of zwitterionic and neutral amphiphiles (to which the protein binds weakly) dilutes the surface concentration of the interfacial anionic substrate and thereby reduces the level of enzyme-phospholipid particle aggregation. Zwitterionic amphiphiles also can bind directly to the protein and enhance catalysis since they enhance both diC(4)PI and cIP hydrolysis. In contrast to activation by amphiphiles, the rate enhancement by salt occurs for only the phosphotransferase step of the reaction. Added salt has a synergistic effect with zwitterionic phospholipids, leading to high specific activities for PI cleavage with only moderate dilution of the anionic substrate in the interface. This kinetic activation correlates with weakening of strong PI-PLC hydrophobic interactions with the interface as monitored by a decrease in the maximum monolayer surface pressure for insertion of the protein. Several point mutations of surface hydrophobic residues (W49A, L51A, L235A, and F237W) can dramatically alter the unusual kinetics of this secreted enzyme. The high affinity of PI-PLC for anionic phospholipids along with a strong hydrophobic interaction, which gives rise to the unusual kinetic behavior, is considered in terms of how it might contribute to the role of this phospholipase in L. monocytogenes infectivity.
Magnesium sulfate exposure and neonatal intensive care unit admission at term

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) exposure for eclampsia prophylaxis on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rates for term newborns. A secondary analysis of the Maternal–Fetal Medicine Unit Network Cesarean Registry, including primary and repeat cesarean deliveries, and failed and successful trials of labor after cesarean was conducted. Singleton pregnancies among women with preeclampsia and >37 weeks of gestation were included. Pregnancies with uterine rupture, chorioamnionitis and congenital malformations were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between MgSO4 exposure and NICU admission. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Two thousand one hundred and sixty-six term pregnancies of women with preeclampsia were included, of whom 1747 (81%) received MgSO4 for eclampsia prophylaxis and 419 (19%) did not. NICU admission rates were higher among newborns exposed to MgSO4 vs unexposed (22% vs 12%, P<0.001). After controlling for neonatal birth weight, gestational age and maternal demographic and obstetric factors, NICU admission remained significantly associated with antenatal MgSO4 exposure (adjusted odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 2.6, P<0.001). Newborns exposed to MgSO4 were more likely to have Apgar scores <7 at 1 and 5 min (15% vs 11% unexposed, P=0.01 and 3% vs 0.7% unexposed, P=0.008). There were no significant differences in NICU length of stay (median 5 (range 2 to 91) vs 6 (3 to 15), P=0.5). Antenatal maternal MgSO4 treatment was associated with increased NICU admission rates among exposed term newborns of mothers with preeclampsia. This study highlights the need for studies of maternal MgSO4 administration protocols that optimize maternal and fetal benefits and minimize risks.
Estimation of survival quantiles in two-stage randomization designs

Abstract In two-stage randomization designs, patients are randomized to one or more available therapies upon entry into the study. Depending on the response to the initial treatment (such as complete remission or shrinkage of tumor), patients are then randomized to receive maintenance treatments to maintain the response or salvage treatment to induce response. One goal of such trials is to compare the combinations of initial and maintenance or salvage therapies in the form of treatment strategies. In cases where the endpoint is defined as overall survival, Lunceford et al. [2002. Estimation of survival distributions of treatment policies in two-stage and randomization designs in clinical trials. Biometrics 58, 48–57] used mean survival time and pointwise survival probability to compare treatment strategies. But, mean survival time or survival probability at a specific time may not be a good summary representative of the overall distribution when the data are skewed or contain influential tail observations. In this article, we propose consistent and asymptotic normal estimators for percentiles of survival curves under various treatment strategies and demonstrate the use of percentiles for comparing treatment strategies. Small sample properties of these estimators are investigated using simulation. We demonstrate our methods by applying them to a leukemia clinical trial data set that motivated this research.
Chronic repetitive trauma: A cause of atypical degenerative joint disease

Six cases of amateur athletes who have severe atypical degenerative joint disease (DJD) are presented; their histories suggest that chronic, repetitive trauma was causative in the development of their arthropathy. Although many examples of this process have been reported in professional athletes, it has not been reported in amateurs. As participation in athletic activities increases we can, perhaps, expect to see more of this type of DJD in the future.
Seeking and obtaining mental health services: what do parents expect?

This study examined parents' expectations about seeking and obtaining mental health care. Using the Expectations of Mental Health Care survey, structured interviews were conducted with 235 parents with children between the ages of 5 and 19; most were African American. Expectations were assessed in four areas: treatment effectiveness, provider/client relationship, accessibility of mental health services, and social and cultural factors, e.g., stigma. Parents reported a number of negative expectations, and black parents had significantly more negative expectations than white parents. The findings suggest that attitudes and expectations may influence parents' decision to seek mental health care for their child.
The age of paradox

Preface Part 1--In the Dark Wood Confused by Paradox We Are Not Where We Hoped to Be The Paradoxes of Our Times Part 2--Finding the Balance Pathways through Paradox Working with the Paradoxes The Sigmoid Curve The Doughnut Principle The Chinese Contract Part 3--Practicing the Preaching Managing Paradox The Federal Idea Twin Citizenship Subsidiarity The Meaning of Business The Corporate Contract The Membership Business A State of Justice The Intelligence Investment The New Scorecard Part 4--The Search for Meaning Making Sense of Paradox The Three Senses A Sense of Continuity A Sense of Connection A Sense of Direction A Postscript Two Stories Acknowledgments Bibliography Index
Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C Cirrhosis: Is the Effort Justified?

Many consider treatment of cirrhotic patients too late in the natural history of progressive liver disease to be worthwhile. The concept of treating cirrhotic patients, however, has recently gained...
Apparent absence of a translocase in the cerebral glucose-6-phosphatase system.

: In the hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum, a substrate transporter could provide a means of regulating hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate by specifically modulating access of the substrate to the hydrolase. Several characteristics of the cerebral microsomal enzyme suggest that such an hypothesis is untenable in the brain. These are: (a) the inability of the enzyme in either untreated or detergent-disrupted brain microsomes to distinguish between glucose-6-phosphate and mannose-6-phosphate; (b) the close agreement of the apparent Km values for either substrate in intact or disrupted microsomal preparations; (c) the constancy of the latency toward both substrates over a wide concentration range; (d) the inability of nonpenetrating, covalently-linking reagents [e.g., 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS)] to affect the accessibility of the hydrolase to its substrate; (e) the absence of a putative transporter polypeptide, such as that of the liver, in experiments where tritiated H2DIDS, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and radioautography are applied to brain microsomes.
Multimodality therapy improves survival in elderly patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer—A retrospective analysis

Abstract Objectives Concurrent combined modality therapy is optimal treatment for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is given with curative intent. However, elderly patients (≥75) are often undertreated, despite good performance status (PS). This study evaluated the treatment, outcomes and survival in elderly patients with stage III NSCLC versus patients Materials and Methods A retrospective review of data from the Lung Cancer Registry at Mayo Clinic Arizona (MCA) was conducted. Patients with newly diagnosed stage III NSCLC from 1998 to 2006 were analyzed for type of therapy and outcomes. Results Three hundred and eighty-nine patients with newly diagnosed stage III NSCLC were identified from 1998 to 2006. Two hundred and forty-three (62%) patients were p p =0.0014). In the p =0.02). In the elderly group, median survival was 19.9months in the combined modality group vs. 7.8months in the other treatments group ( p =0.0048). Conclusion Our results confirm that older patients are less likely to receive optimal therapy, regardless of functional status. Prospective studies are desperately needed to help improve management of the burgeoning geriatric oncology population.
Preeclampsia: new insights.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Preeclampsia is a disorder of gestation characterized by hypertension and proteinuria and can be complicated by eclamptic seizures. This review describes recent advances in the role of the renin-angiotensin system and angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors of placental origin in its pathogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS Deficient uteroplacental perfusion has been recognized to be a feature in all preeclampsia syndromes. Increased renin expression observed in humans and animal models supports the concept that activation of the decidual renin-angiotensin system may mediate the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Novel angiotensin II-related biomolecular mechanisms, angiotensin II type 1-B2 receptor heterodimerization and autoantibody against angiotensin II type 1 have recently been described in preeclampsia. New evidence suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, antagonists, and reduced placental growth factor may play a role in the development of proteinuria and other renal injury-mediated manifestations in preeclampsia. SUMMARY Vascular maladaptation, with increased vasomotor tone, endothelial dysfunction, increased sensitivity to angiotensin II and norepinephrine, and multiorgan dysfunction seen in preeclampsia, may be explained by angiotensin II-mediated mechanisms. Future investigations need to define the mechanism of activation of the decidual renin-angiotensin system and the release of placental factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Conceptions of aggression and withdrawal in early childhood

Two studies investigate young children's beliefs about aggression and withdrawal in others with reference to the possibility of stability and change. Study 1 (N=41) provides evidence that preschool children (1) view aggression in more essentialist ways (i.e. they believe it to be more stable and less changeable) than withdrawal and (2) believe that friends hold a greater potential to create change in aggression and withdrawal than do other potential sources of influence, such as parents and teachers. Study 2 (N=25) replicates the findings of Study 1 and also demonstrates that by preschool age, children hold systematic ideas about the effectiveness of strategies that friends can use to change the behaviour of their peers. These ideas include the belief that prosocial strategies, such as showing peers how to make friends, are more effective than requests to stop engaging in undesirable behaviour. Study 2 also demonstrates that preschool-aged participants engaged in essentialist reasoning to a greater extent than did a comparison group of 20 7–8 year olds. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quasistatic and Dynamic Compressive Behavior of Gelatin

Gelatin has been extensively used as a tissue stimulant. Determination of properties and tits constitutive behavior is crucial to successful use of gelatin in these applications. In this study, ballistic gelatin was used because the recipe to prepare the gelatin and its quasi-static strength (250 bloom) of this particular type of gelatin is well known [1]. Although the study for high rate deformation is important to understand the damage from blast impact, majority of the currently available material property data is in quasi-static range [2,3]. Generally, polymeric materials (including human tissue) exhibit highly rate sensitive response [4]. Therefore, the understanding of the constitutive behavior for these materials at high rate loading is essential. This study will provide the rate sensitivity of gelatin by comparing the response under quasi-static and dynamic loading. In order to investigate the dynamic behavior of gelatin, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used in this study. Because use of a solid metallic bar to test such soft materials does not provide an adequate transmitted signal, a polymer split Hopkinson pressure bar (PSHPB) was used to reduce the impedance mismatch between bar and soft gelatin specimen. The nature of dispersion and attenuation was corrected using an iterative scheme developed earlier [5].Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Separation technology of used polymers

The technology of separating plastics from the municipal waste stream for reuse is reviewed, with emphasis on the key role played by the bottle sorting step. Experience gained in the first year's operation of two large commercial recycling plants provides a better understanding of practical problems encountered, their relative importance, and technical advances needed for improved operation. It is concluded that purity of feedstock and processing rate are two critical independent variables requiring technical and business understanding and management. Hypothetical examples illustrate the interplay of these with dependent variables of yield and sorting cost.
A Membrane Coat Complex Essential for Endosome-to-Golgi Retrograde Transport in Yeast

We have recently characterized three yeast gene products (Vps35p, Vps29p, and Vps30p) as candidate components of the sorting machinery required for the endosome-to-Golgi retrieval of the vacuolar protein sorting receptor Vps10p (Seaman, M.N.J., E.G. Marcusson, J.-L. Cereghino, and S.D. Emr. 1997. J. Cell Biol. 137:79-92). By genetic and biochemical means we now show that Vps35p and Vps29p interact and form part of a multimeric membrane-associated complex that also contains Vps26p, Vps17p, and Vps5p. This complex, designated here as the retromer complex, assembles from two distinct subcomplexes comprising (a) Vps35p, Vps29p, and Vps26p; and (b) Vps5p and Vps17p. Density gradient fractionation of Golgi/endosomal/vesicular membranes reveals that Vps35p cofractionates with Vps5p/Vps17p in a vesicle-enriched dense membrane fraction. Furthermore, gel filtration analysis indicates that Vps35p and Vps5p are present on a population of vesicles and tubules slightly larger than COPI/coatomer-coated vesicles. We also show by immunogold EM that Vps5p is localized to discrete regions at the rims of the prevacuolar endosome where vesicles appear to be budding. Size fractionation of cytosolic and recombinant Vps5p reveals that Vps5p can self-assemble in vitro, suggesting that Vps5p may provide the mechanical impetus to drive vesicle formation. Based on these findings we propose a model in which Vps35p/Vps29p/Vps26p function to select cargo for retrieval, and Vps5p/Vps17p assemble onto the membrane to promote vesicle formation. Conservation of the yeast retromer complex components in higher eukaryotes suggests an important general role for this complex in endosome-to-Golgi retrieval.
A shock wave model of unstable rocket combustors

A periodic solution describing the nonlinear waveform of the fundamental longitudinal mode of combustion instability has been obtained. The waveform consists of shock discontinuities followed by exponential decays in pressure and gas velocity. The theory predicts an explicit relationship between the functional nature of the combustion laws and the functional form of the wave shape in the combustion chamber. Therefore, this allows the possibility of investigating the forcing function or driving mechanism of the instability in a quantitative manner by experimentally determining the wave shape in the chamber. The theory applies to any instability where the physical phenomenon that provides that the forcing function contains no phasing effect. Specifically, a model of the combustion zone dynamics has been studied which considers chemical kinetics as the important factor in the forcing function. The results of the analysis on this model have been compared with the experimental results on the Princeton gas rocket research program. The method may be applied to other forms of the forcing function as well.
Effect of alfaprostol on postpartum reproductive efficiency in brahman cows and heifers.

Brahman cows (n=54) and heifers (n=18) were randomly allotted by calving date, sex of calf and age to one of four treatment groups. Group 1 received no treatment (control), Group 2 received 5 mg alfaprostol (AP) i.m. on Day 21 postpartum, Group 3 received 5 mg AP i.m. on Day 32 postpartum and Group 4 received 5 mg AP i.m. on both Days 21 and 32 postpartum. Blood samples were collected via tail vessel puncture at 30 min-intervals for 8 h from half the animals in each group on Days 21 and 32 postpartum, with AP injection administered 2 h after sampling had begun. All cows were bled at weekly intervals. Samples were processed to yield serum and stored at -20 degrees C until assayed for luteinizing hormone (LH) or progesterone (P4). All cattle were maintained with epididymectomized marker bulls and were artificially inseminated (A.I.) at first estrus. Serum P4 was below 1 ng/ml prior to AP treatment in all animals and did not differ (P>0.10) between treatments. Alfaprostol treatment affected mean postpartum interval (from parturition to return to standing estrus and subsequent corpus luteum formation with serum progesterone concentrations>1 ng/ml; P 0.10) from any group but, Group 2 (50.0%) was lower (P 0.10). Treatment Group 3 (P<0.08) and Group 4 (P<0.0003) mean LH concentrations differed between Days 21 and 32 postpartum. Cattle receiving AP treatment on Day 32 postpartum had a higher (P<0.04) cumulative frequency of return to estrus by 100 days postpartum than nontreated cattle.
Novel treatment for Diamond-Blackfan anemia?

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare congenital hypoplastic anemia that usually presents early in infancy and is inherited in 10% to 20% of cases. The illness is characterized by a moderate-to-severe macrocytic or normocytic anemia, usually normal neutrophil and platelet counts, a normocellular
Predictability of SST forced climate signals in two atmospheric general circulation models

The predictability of atmospheric responses to global sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies is evaluated using ensemble simulations of two general circulation models (GCMs): the GENESIS version 1.5 (GEN) and the ECMWF cycle 36 (ECM). The integrations incorporate observed SST variations but start from different initial land and atmospheric states. Five GEN 1980–1992 and six ECM 1980–1988 realizations are compared with observations to distinguish predictable SST forced climate signals from internal variability. To facilitate the study, correlation analysis and significance evaluation techniques are developed on the basis of time series permutations. It is found that the annual mean global area with realistic signals is variable dependent and ranges from 3 to 20% in GEN and 6 to 28% in ECM. More than 95% of these signal areas occur between 35 °S–35 °N. Due to the existence of model biases, robust responses, which are independent of initial condition, are identified over broader areas. Both GCMs demonstrate that the sensitivity to initial conditions decreases and the predictability of SST forced responses increases, in order, from 850 hPa zonal wind, outgoing longwave radiation, 200 hPa zonal wind, sea-level pressure to 500 hPa height. The predictable signals are concentrated in the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean and are identified with typical El Nino/ Southern Oscillation phenomena that occur in response to SST and diabatic heating anomalies over the equatorial central Pacific. ECM is less sensitive to initial conditions and better predicts SST forced climate changes. This results from (1) a more realistic basic climatology, especially of the upper-level wind circulation, that produces more realistic interactions between the mean flow, stationary waves and tropical forcing; (2) a more vigorous hydrologic cycle that amplifies the tropical forcing signals, which can exceed internal variability and be more efficiently transported from the forcing region. Differences between the models and observations are identified. For GEN during El Nino, the convection does not carry energy to a sufficiently high altitude, while the spread of the tropospheric warming along the equator is slower and the anomaly magnitude smaller than observed. This impacts model ability to simulate realistic responses over Eurasia and the Indian Ocean. Similar biases exist in the ECM responses. In addition, the relationships between upper and lower tropospheric wind responses to SST forcing are not well reproduced by either model. The identification of these model biases leads to the conclusion that improvements in convective heat and momentum transport parametrizations and basic climate simulations could substantially increase predictive skill.
What the Bible and Old Movies Have in Common

This essay explores some shared philosophical territory between the Hebrew Bible and great American film of the classical era (1930s and 1940s). It raises the question not of shared literary techniques, nor of cinematic allusions to the Bible or cinematic treatment of biblical tales, but rather of the position of a traditionist/ storyteller vis-a-vis the crisis points in his or her country's history. Focusing on two films of Frank Capra, on the Book of Job, and on Genesis 47 (Jacob's meeting with Pharaoh, and its aftermath), the essay examines the way themes of crucial cultural importance register in the perceptions of a story's reader or spectator, and the way that both biblical and cinematic story grapple simultaneously with the loss of personal and national innocence. These processes are then situated in the context of twentieth-century world history, where certain connections between Bible, cinema, and the destruction of European Jewry are drawn.
Molecular Dynamics Studies of Stress−Strain Behavior of Silica Glass under a Tensile Load

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to study the stress−strain diagrams of crystalline and amorphous silica under different nonequilibrium conditions. The responses of a tensile load were recorded in two cases. In one case, the system was not allowed to relax along the transverse direction (null Poisson’s ratio), while in the other case, the deformations were allowed in directions perpendicular to the strained one. The higher strength of crystalline silica as compared to amorphous silica resulted from a different distribution of ring sizes. The results obtained for the inert failure strains and intrinsic strength of the silica glass were in good agreement with the experimental data, and the nonlinear elastic behavior of the glass was reproduced along with the effects of strain rate and temperature variation. Elastic properties extracted from stress−strain diagrams also were compared with the properties calculated by means of static methods and with experimental data.
Classification, Molecular Characterization, and the Significance of Pten Alteration in Leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant smooth muscle neoplasm with a complicated histopathologic classification scheme and marked differences in clinical behavior depending on the anatomic site of origin. Overlapping morphologic features of benign and borderline malignant smooth muscle neoplasms further complicate the diagnostic process. Likewise, deciphering the complex and heterogeneous patterns of genetic changes which occur in this cancer has been challenging. Preliminary studies suggest that reproducible molecular classification may be possible in the near future and new prognostic markers are emerging. Robust recapitulation of leiomyosarcoma in mice with conditional deletion of Pten in smooth muscle and the simultaneous discovery of a novel role for Pten in genomic stability provide a fresh perspective on the mechanism of leiomyosarcomagenesis and promise for therapeutic intervention.