cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional evolution of ribonuclease inhibitor: insights from birds and reptiles.

Abstract Ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) is a conserved protein of the mammalian cytosol. RI binds with high affinity to diverse secretory ribonucleases (RNases) and inhibits their enzymatic activity. Although secretory RNases are found in all vertebrates, the existence of a non-mammalian RI has been uncertain. Here, we report on the identification and characterization of RI homologs from chicken and anole lizard. These proteins bind to RNases from multiple species but exhibit much greater affinity for their cognate RNases than for mammalian RNases. To reveal the basis for this differential affinity, we determined the crystal structure of mouse, bovine, and chicken RI·RNase complexes to a resolution of 2.20, 2.21, and 1.92 A, respectively. A combination of structural, computational, and bioinformatic analyses enabled the identification of two residues that appear to contribute to the differential affinity for RNases. We also found marked differences in oxidative instability between mammalian and non-mammalian RIs, indicating evolution toward greater oxygen sensitivity in RIs from mammalian species. Taken together, our results illuminate the structural and functional evolution of RI, along with its dynamic role in vertebrate biology.
Differential prooxidative effects of the green tea polyphenol, (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, in normal and oral cancer cells are related to differences in sirtuin 3 signaling

cope We have previously reported that the green tea catechin, (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), can induce oxidative stress in oral cancer cells but exerts antioxidant effects in normal cells. Here, we report that these differential prooxidative effects are associated with sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), an important mitochondrial redox modulator. Methods and results EGCG rapidly induced mitochondria-localized reactive oxygen species in human oral squamous carcinoma cells (SCC-25, SCC-9) and premalignant leukoplakia cells (MSK-Leuk1), but not in normal human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF-1). EGCG suppressed SIRT3 mRNA and protein expression, as well as, SIRT3 activity in SCC-25 cells, whereas it increased SIRT3 activity in HGF-1 cells. EGCG selectively decreased the nuclear localization of the estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), the transcription factor regulating SIRT3 expression, in SCC-25 cells. This indicates that EGCG may regulate SIRT3 transcription in oral cancer cells via ERRα. EGCG also differentially modulated the mRNA expressions of SIRT3-associated downstream targets including glutathione peroxidase 1 and superoxide dismutase 2 in normal and oral cancer cells. Conclusion SIRT3 represents a novel potential target through which EGCG exerts differential prooxidant effects in cancer and normal cells. Our results provide new biomarkers to be further explored in animal studies.
Morality special: Our hidden judgements

Our moral judgements impact our thinking in surprising ways, says Joshua Knobe . Test your own intuitions
Divalent cation-dependent pyridoxal 5′-phosphate inhibition of Rauscher leukemia virus DNA polymerase. Characterization and mechanism of action

Abstract We have shown that pyridoxal 5′-phosphate is an effective inhibitor of Rauscher leukemia virus DNA polymerase (Biochemistry 15 (1976) 3620). Detailed studies of this inhibition revealed that, in addition to the phosphate and aldehyde groups of pyridoxal phosphate, the presence of a divalent cation is essential for the inhibitory action. The synthesis directed by template primers containing GC base-pairs exhibited more resistance to pyridoxal phosphate inhibition than did that directed by AT base-paired templates. Maximal inhibitory activity of pyridoxal phosphate, however, is noted in the presence of Mn 2+ , irrespective of which template-primer is used to direct the DNA synthesis. The action of pyridoxal phosphate on the substrate binding site may be deduced from the observations that: (a) only the substrate triphosphate is able to reverse the pyridoxal phosphate-mediated inhibition; (b) the inhibition kinetics exhibit a classical competitive pattern with the substrate; (c) analogous to substrate deoxynucleoside triphosphates, the inhibitor is also accepted only in the form of its divalent metal ion complex; and (d) substrate site-specific labeling of RLV DNA polymerase has been shown to occur by linking covalently the pyridoxal phosphate bound to a lysine residue at the substrate binding site.
If(B3II) chemiluminescence resulting from laser photolysis of mixtures of O3 and C3F7I

Abstract IF(B3Π) chemiluminescence has been observed following 248 nm photolysis of O3 in a mixture of O3 and C3F7I. Measurements of the IF(B) vibrational and rotational temperatures are presented along with the conversion efficiency of energy from the absorbed 248 nm photons into IF(B). A kinetic model is postulated to explain the results.
Sutureless Aortic Valve Implantation

Rapid advances in expandable stent technology to treat cardiac diseases have led to the development of sutureless aortic valve devices. They provide an innovative treatment option for less-invasive and more rapid aortic valve replacement. To date, the devices have generally been used in elderly and high–surgical risk patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis with the goal of decreasing the morbidity and mortality in them by shortening cardiopulmonary and cardiac ischemic times, thereby
Assay of citrate in pharmaceutical matrices by indirect photometric liquid chromatography

The development of a simple HPLC procedure is described for the analysis of citrate in pharmaceutical formulations using the technique of indirect photometric chromatography. A novel mobile phase, using dual eluent species, was developed for rapid elution of citrate. The developed method was found to be linear over the range studied (1-12 micrograms of citrate injected), showed good per cent recoveries (+/- RSD) of 97.5 +/- 3.05% from a generalized matrix solution, and includes very simple sample preparation steps for analysis of commercial products. This method is quite specific for tricarboxylic acids as most other ions are not retained by the column using the developed mobile phase. The resolution of the method is also good as indicated by a baseline resolution (Rs = 1.5) obtained for citrate and tricarballylate, two structurally similar tricarboxylic acids. It is proposed that the developed method be evaluated as an alternative to the tedious procedures employed by the USP for assay of total citrate in some of its monographs.
Affinities of the Nucleocapsid Protein for Variants of SL3 RNA in HIV-1†

Efficient packaging of genomic RNA into new HIV-1 virus particles requires that nucleocapsid domains of precursor proteins bind the SL3 tetraloop (G317-G-A-G320) from the 5'-untranslated region. This paper presents the affinities of 35 RNA variants of SL3 for the mature 55mer NC protein, as measured by fluorescence quenching of tryptophan-37 in the protein by nucleobases. The 1:1 complexes that form in 0.2 M NaCl have dissociation constants ranging from 8 nM (GGUG) to 20 microM (GAUA). The highly conserved (GGAG) sequence for the wild type is not the most stable (K(d) = 28 nM), suggesting that other selective pressures beyond the stability of the complex must be satisfied. The leading requirement for strong interaction is for G320, followed closely by G318. Replacing either with U, A, or C reduces affinity by a factor of 15-120. NC-domains from multiple proteins combine to recognize unpaired G(2)-loci, where two guanines are in close proximity. We have previously measured affinities of the NC protein for the important stem-loops of the major packaging domain [Shubsda, M. F., Paoletti, A. C., Hudson, B. S., and Borer, P. N. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 5276-82]. Comparison with the present work shows that the nature of the stem also modulates NC-RNA interactions. Placing the G(2)-loci from the apical SL2 or SL1 loops on the SL3 stem increases affinity by a factor of 2-3, while placing the SL4 loop on the SL3 stem reduces affinity 50-fold. These results are interesting in the context of RNA-protein interaction, as well as for the discovery of antiNC agents for AIDS therapy.
ROC's island-wide fiber infrastructure: architectures, services, technologies, opportunities, and challenge

The advent of cost-effective fiberoptics technology has made ubiquitous broadband services, e.g. Broadband-ISDN (B-ISDN), a tomorrow's reality. Even today, large business customers are demanding services for high-speed data transfer and video communications which can only be economically provided with optical fiber. The "cost parity" of fiber with copper is getting very close, and in many instances fiber has proven to be more cost effective. Optical communications technologies have matured, and cost-effective deployment of fiber-based infrastructures for communication services and applications is technically feasible. Successful field trials [1] have been conducted in many piaces including the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Republic of China (ROC). All new installations, especially in telecommunication-developing countries, have considered using fiber. For examples, Germany is planning an Fiber-To-The-Curb (FTFC) based telephony system for 10 million subscribers in the eastern Gennany. Thailand is installing an FTI'C based telephony system for 2 million subscribers in Bangkok. Singapore has announced to complete its fiber-based infrastructure by 2005. Many telecommunication-developed countries, due to slow growth rates, have set 2015 as the target time frame for completing their fiber-based infrastructures. ROC needs an Island-Wide Fiber Infrastructure (IWFI) to become an information state and be competitive in the global environment. The establishment of the IWFI in Taiwan is of the greatest urgency and importance to ensure an adequate platform to support ROC's communication needs in the remaining decade and the early next century.
Amplitude of the actomyosin power stroke depends strongly on the isoform of the myosin essential light chain

We have used time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) to determine the role of myosin essential light chains (ELCs) in structural transitions within the actomyosin complex. Skeletal muscle myosins have two ELC isoforms, A1 and A2, which differ by an additional 40–45 residues at the N terminus of A1, and subfragment 1 (S1) containing A1 (S1A1) has higher catalytic efficiency and higher affinity for actin than S1A2. ELC’s location at the junction between the catalytic and light-chain domains gives it the potential to play a central role in the force-generating power stroke. Therefore, we measured site-directed TR-FRET between a donor on actin and an acceptor near the C terminus of ELC, detecting directly the rotation of the light-chain domain (lever arm) relative to actin (power stroke), induced by the interaction of ATP-bound myosin with actin. TR-FRET resolved the weakly bound (W) and strongly bound (S) states of actomyosin during the W-to-S transition (power stroke). We found that the W states are essentially the same for the two isoenzymes, but the S states are quite different, indicating a much larger movement of S1A1. FRET from actin to a probe on the N-terminal extension of A1 showed close proximity to actin. We conclude that the N-terminal extension of A1-ELC modulates the W-to-S structural transition of acto-S1, so that the light-chain domain undergoes a much larger power stroke in S1A1 than in S1A2. These results have profound implications for understanding the contractile function of actomyosin, as needed in therapeutic design for muscle disorders.
A fluorescence study of hydroxypyridines

Abstract The fluorescence behavior of 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxypridines has been studied in a variety of solvents. The most fluorescent form of the 2- and 3-isomers is the anion, which appears in 0.1 N NaOH, and fluoresces at shorter wavelengths than does the neutral molecule, indicating a decrease of acidity upon excitation. 4-hydroxypyridine was found to be non-fluorescent in all the solvents investigated. In all solvents studied the fluorescence yield is generally
Identification and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci in the North American pika, Ochotona princeps

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the North American pika (Ochotona princeps) from di- and tetranucleotide repeat-enriched genomic libraries. Polymorphism was assessed for 165 individuals from eight geographical locations in the western United States. All loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 14, with observed heterozygosity between 0.189 and 0.822. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (< 0.05). Regional differences were evident with unique alleles at multiple loci in six of eight populations.
Risk Factors for Functional Decline in Older Adults with Arthritis

Objectives.—Functional limitation is a major driver of medical costs. This study evaluates the prevalence of functional limitation among adults with arthritis, the frequency of functional decline over two years, and investigates factors amenable to public health intervention that predict functional decline. Methods.—Longitudinal data (1998–2000) from a cohort of 5715 adults 65 years or older with arthritis from a national probability sample are analyzed. Function was defined from ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and basic ADL tasks. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) from multiple logistic regression estimated the association between functional decline with comorbid conditions, health behaviors, and economic factors. Results.—Overall, 19.7% of this cohort had functional limitation at baseline, including 12.9% with ADL limitations. Over the subsequent two years, function declined in 13.6% of those at risk. Functional decline was most frequent among older women (15.0%) and minorities with arthritis (18.0% Hispanics, 18.7% African Americans). Lack of regular vigorous physical activity (RVPA), the most prevalent risk factor (65%), almost doubled the odds of functional decline (AOR=1.9 95% CI =1.5, 2.4) controlling for all risk factors. If all subjects engaged in RVPA, the expected functional decline could be reduced as much as 36%. Other significant predictors included cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, diabetes, physical limitations, no alcohol use, stroke, and vision impairment.
A Generalization of Odd and Even Functions

Algebra of functional composition In this note we will only consider functions that map zero onto zero and which are continuous on an interval of the form (-6, 6), where 6 may depend on the function. We are assured that the composition of any two such functions is defined, and that the composite function also has these properties. For convenience we call such functions continuously fixed at zero. The functions M1 and Mo act as identity and zero functions, respectively, since for each f, M1 o f = f = f o M1, and Mo o f = Mo = f o Mo. Although functional composition is not commutative, it is associative, and we usually just write f o g o h rather than (f o g) o h, or f o (g o h). There is a right distributive law: (f + g) o h = f o h + g o h. Functional composition is not in general left distributive, but we do have a special case: Mx o (g + h) = Mx o g + Mx o h. We will also need to use the fact that if f is strictly monotonic on an open interval containing zero, then, restricted to that interval, f has a unique functional inverse, which we write f-1. The functional inverse satisfies the equation f o f-1 = M1 = f-1 o f. If f and g are invertible, then so is f o g and (f o g)-l = g-1 o f-1. (The basic properties of composition of functions and of functional inverses is covered in most calculus texts. For example see Larson [1] and Stewart [2].)
K+ activity and regulation of intracellular pH in the sea urchin egg during fertilization.

Abstract Fertilization of the sea urchin egg is accompanied by changes in intracellular ion activities and transmembrane fluxes, which regulate the sequence of biochemical events of metabolic derepression. Changes in intracellular K+ activity during fertilization have been controversial and here we report our measurements using intracellular K+-sensitive micro-electrodes. A small, but statistically significant, transient rise in internal K+ activity was detected during the first 10 min of fertilization. Since this change in K+ activity was ouabain sensitive, intracellular K+ activity in the fertilized egg appears to be regulated by the increased Na+, K+ ATPase activity, rather than the previously suggested K+ decompartmentalization. Increasing external K+ concentration was found to stimulate ouabain-sensitive alkalinization in the fertilized egg. The data are consistent with the possibility that Na+, K+ ATPase may regulate cytoplasmic pH by recycling Na+ that enters the cell through Na+H+ antiport.
Récidive de carcinome cervical se présentant comme une fistule aorto-duodénale primaire

Les fistules aorto-duodenales sont une cause rare d’hemorragie gastro-intestinale (GI), et ont une morbidite et une mortalite elevees meme dans la pratique moderne. Le carcinome cervical est une menace importante de sante chez les femmes adultes, et sa recidive n’est pas rare. Nous presentons un cas de fistule aorto-duodenale primaire en rapport avec un carcinome cervical recidive. Notre cas a montre que le diagnostic de fistule aorto-enterique primaire exige un index eleve de soupcon et une combinaison des modalites diagnostiques pour etablir le diagnostic. Un diagnostic et un traitement rapides sont critiques en reduisant la mortalite et la morbidite. Bien que rare, le carcinome metastatique peut mener a une fistule aorto-enterique.
Water modeling evaluation of metal delivery in a twin roll strip caster using pool level and residence time distribution measurements

A quantitative methodology that uses a water model to evaluate fluid flow of delivery systems under various operating conditions in the pool of a twin roll strip caster is presented. The measurements of two parameters are involved: level fluctuations of the pool and residence time distribution (RTD) of the fluid near the free surface. It is shown that a nozzle geometry that produces small level fluctuations and short residence times can be identified.
Relaxed heaps: an alternative to Fibonacci heaps with applications to parallel computation

The relaxed heap is a priority queue data structure that achieves the same amortized time bounds as the Fibonacci heap—a sequence of m decrease_key and n delete_min operations takes time O(m + n log n). A variant of relaxed heaps achieves similar bounds in the worst case—O(1) time for decrease_key and O(log n) for delete_min. Relaxed heaps give a processor-efficient parallel implementation of Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm, and hence other algorithms in network optimization. A relaxed heap is a type of binomial queue that allows heap order to be violated.
Probing the catalytic activity and heterogeneity of Au-nanoparticles at the single-molecule level

Nanoparticles can catalyze many important chemical transformations in organic synthesis, pollutant removal, and energy production. Characterizing their catalytic properties is essential for understanding the fundamental principles governing their activities, but is challenging in ensemble measurements due to their intrinsic heterogeneity from their structural dispersions, heterogeneous surface sites, and surface restructuring dynamics. To remove ensemble averaging, we recently developed a single-particle approach to study the redox catalysis of individual Au-nanoparticles in solution. By detecting the fluorescence of the catalytic product at the single-molecule level, we followed the catalytic turnovers of single Au-nanoparticles in real time at single-turnover resolution. Here we extend our single-nanoparticle studies to examine in detail the activity and heterogeneity of 6 nm spherical Au-nanoparticles. By analyzing the statistical properties of single-particle reaction waiting times across a range of substrate concentrations, we directly determine the distributions of kinetic parameters of individual Au-nanoparticles, including the rate constants and the equilibrium constants of substrate adsorption, and quantify their heterogeneity. Large activity heterogeneity is observed among the Au-nanoparticles in both the catalytic conversion reaction and the product dissociation reaction, which are typically hidden in ensemble-averaged measurements. Analyzing the temporal fluctuation of catalytic activity of individual Au-nanoparticles further reveals that these nanoparticles have two types of surface sites with different catalytic properties—one type-a with lower activity but higher substrate binding affinity, and the other type-b with higher activity but lower substrate binding affinity. Each Au-nanoparticle exhibits type-a behavior at low substrate concentrations and switches to type-b behavior at a higher substrate concentration, and the switching concentration varies largely from one nanoparticle to another. The heterogeneous and dynamic behavior of Au-nanoparticle catalysts highlight the intricate interplay between catalysis, structural dispersion, variable surface sites, and surface restructuring dynamics in nanocatalysis.
MATHEMATICS BELIEFS AND INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES IN ACHIEVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS IN JAPAN: RESULTS FROM THE TIMSS 2003 ASSESSMENT '

Recent findings concerning mathematics assessment indicate that students in Japan consistently score above international averages. Researchers have examined specific mathematics beliefs and instructional strategies associated with mathematics achievement for students in Japan. This study examined relationships among self-beliefs, classroom instructional strategies, and mathematics achievement for a large national sample of students (N=4,207) from the TIMSS 2003 international sample of fourth graders in Japan. Several significant relationships between mathematics beliefs and test scores were found; a number of classroom teaching strategies were also significantly associated with test scores. However, multiple regression using the complete set of five mathematics beliefs and five instructional strategies explained only 25.1% of the variance in mathematics achievement test scores.
“How I Do It”—Radical Right Colectomy with Side-to-Side Stapled Ileo-Colonic Anastomosis

Background and Objective Standardization of surgical technique helps to reproduce excellent clinical outcomes, especially in teaching institutions. We aim to describe in detail our established approach for oncological right colectomy.
Dissection of an iliac artery conduit to liver allograft: Treatment with an endovascular stent

Hepatic artery thrombosis remains one of the most serious complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. Sepsis, biliary leakage and strictures, and retransplantation are often the result of this devastating complication. Because retransplantation or reoperation is sometimes not possible or advisable, other means of reestablishing hepatic artery continuity are desirable. We describe a liver transplant recipient who developed a dissection of an iliac artery conduit after retransplantation that was treated with fibrinolytic therapy followed by successful placement of an endovascular stent.
In vivo, in utero microscopic magnetic resonance imaging: application in a rat model of diaphragmatic hernia.

This article presents a microscopic MR technique for imaging small mammalian fetuses in utero and in vivo which can be used as a tool for studying normal and abnormal development in small animal fetal models, for targeting in utero intervention in such models, and for following development serially. This new method is applied to a rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed nitrofen at 9.5 days postcoitus to induce CDH in the fetuses. The dams were imaged to identify fetuses with CDH for targeted in utero intervention, which consisted of fetal tracheal ligation. Following tracheal ligation, the fetuses were followed serially with our MR technique. For MR imaging, the dam was anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine and intraperitoneal pentobarbital. In utero imaging was performed on a 4 Tesla MRI system using a multislice, fast spin echo sequence with a long TR and short effective TE. These results were validated by examining individual fetuses postmortem using high-resolution MR and anatomic dissection. The in utero, in vivo MR technique is highly accurate for diagnosing CDH and following the effects of surgical intervention, and shows promise as a tool for the study of embryogenesis in small animal models. Magn Reson Med 44:331–335, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Caribbean-Americas plate boundary in Guatemala and southern Mexico as seen on Skylab IV orbital photography

Skylab photographs of Guatemala clearly show the prominent fault zones that have acted as the Caribbean-Americas plate boundary. The present boundary, the Cuilco-Chixoy-Polochic fault zone, can now be extended westward into Mexico where it apparently bifurcates into northwest-trending and southwest-trending forks. The southwest-trending fork separates regions of different seismicity and volcanism and is proposed as the present plate boundary. The eastern end of the Cuilco-Chixoy-Polochic fault zone abuts a pair of faults that trend N60°E and bound Lago de Izabal. These faults bound a graben that has the shape of a parallelogram. This shape is repeated along the eastern Motagua fault zone and offshore in the adjacent part of the Bartlett Trench. The wedge of the Caribbean plate between the Americas and Cocos plates (southern Guatemala, El Salvador, and western Honduras) is being fragmented by east-west extension. Individual fragments are being slightly rotated counterclockwise as a result of a northward component of motion of eastern Honduras.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery of a Patient with Severe Kyphosis

A patient with a severe kyphotic deformity presented for Stereotactic radiosurgery. In the supine position with the apex of the patient's kyphosis on the treatment couch, his head and buttocks were found to be approximately 30 cm from the table. Pretreatment consultation with the physicist and engineer was arranged. By creating a modified table mount for the head ring and a custommolded Styrofoam cradle for the patient's pelvis, radiosurgery in the supine position was carried out without difficulty or patient discomfort. We describe the technical aspects of the treatment.
Conversational Deviance: A Structural Model

Expectation violations are common interpersonal communication occurrences. A prerequisite of communication competence then is the ability to deal effectively with the unexpected in conversation. A structural model of existing relationships among variables considered important to children's ability to handle conversational deviance, specifically three successive turn-taking violations, was proposed and tested in this investigation. Children ranging in age from 3 years, 5 months to 11 years, 5 months served as subjects. Results of the study suggest that cognitive complexity plays an influential role in the development of children's ability to provide accounts for conversational deviance as well as the ability to provide alternative strategies for the completion of conversations disrupted by improper turn-taking. Social perspective-taking and communication adaptation ability appear to play less significant roles.
Hybrid Intelligent Flight Control with Adaptive Learning Parameter Estimation

This paper presents a recent development of a hybrid adaptive control method that further extends the intelligent flight control technology to improve command-t racking performance of aircraft operating in offnominal flight conditions. The hybrid method is based on adap tive learning laws for on-line parameter estimation of aircraft plant dynamics in conjunction with an existing neural net direct adaptation strategy. Two parameter estimation learning laws are presented: 1) an indirect adaptive learning law derived from the Lyapunov stability theory and 2) a recursive least-squares learning law. A simulation of a damaged generic aircraft demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid intelligent flight control method.
Enzyme adaptation as a biochemical probe of development and aging.

Abstract The time required to initiate certain hepatic enzyme adaptations is directly proportional to chronological age of the rat, from 2 months to 2 years, and recently was proposed as a biochemical parameter of aging. Marked alterations in temporal expression of tyrosine aminotransferase adaptations occur also during development from the 21-day fetus to 2 months of age. Similar evidence exists for the induction of glucokinase during the first few weeks of postnatal life. The apparent relationship to the previously reported manifestations of senescence provides support for the view that senescence is a consequence of normal growth and development. Delayed initiation of increased NADPH:cytochrome c reductase activity following administration of phenobarbital is attributable entirely to delayed initiation of an increase in the rate of enzyme synthesis. Data were obtained by determining specific radioactivity of homogeneous preparations of enzyme previously labelled with leucine-3H from young and old rats, either untreated or injected with phenobarbital. That time course and capacity for hepatic gene-mediated response does not deteriorate in old age is indicated by the following observations: (1) the increase in specific radioactivity of purified NADPH:cytochrome c reductase occurs to the same extent in young and old rats, although older animals require more time; (2) following administration of those hormones which mediate directly the stimulation of enzyme synthesis, cortisol, insulin and glucagon for tyrosine aminotransferase and insulin for glucokinase, neither time course nor degree of response varies from 2 months to 2 years of age. It was concluded that hepatic protein synthesis is not impaired in aged rats, and that the immediate cause of the delayed enzyme adaptations is probably an altered availability of the appropriate hormonal effectors. Adaptive responsiveness of glucokinase to glucose feeding and of tyrosine aminotransferase to exposure to certain conditions of stress require, at least, the integrity of adrenal function and, probably, the presence of insulin. In both cases these complex hormonal interactions are susceptible to pituitary control. Modified temporal expression of hepatic enzyme adaptation may represent a general reflection of hormonal fluctuations which accompany development and aging, and may provide a unique opportunity to investigate the nature of biochemical changes which accompany and/or cause senescence in vivo. The extent to which the age-dependent modifications in enzyme adaptation are attributable to altered availability of pituitary hormones, impaired responsiveness of endocrine cells to pituitary control mechanisms or additional unknown factors remains to be determined.
Increased apoptosis in human amnion is associated with labor at term.

PROBLEM: To characterize whether increased apoptosis in human amnion was associated with labor at term. METHOD OF STUDY: Human amnion were obtained from term patients with vaginal delivery (n = 5) or who underwent elective Cesarean section (C/S) without labor (n = 5). Apoptosis was performed by the TUNEL (Terminal dUTP Nuclear End Labeling) assay. All nucleated cells stained with propidium iodide in the amnion epithelial cells were identified in red fluorescence. TUNEL positive apoptotic nuclei were identified in green fluorescence. Five random fields of each specimen were blindly counted by investigators. The percentage of apoptotic nuclei of total nuclei (apoptotic index) was calculated and compared between the two groups (25 microscopic fields for each group, respectively). RESULTS: Patients with term labor had a significantly higher mean apoptotic index in amnion epithelial cells than that with elective C S without labor (27.3 ±4.1% versus 3.6 ± 1.6%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that apoptosis in human amnion is significantly increased and associated with labor at term.
Pulmonary hypertension related to congenital heart disease: a call for action

Pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) is a common type of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Despite this, little emphasis has been given to this group of patients until recently, when compared with idiopathic PAH. This is largely because of the complexity and the wide range of underlying cardiac anatomy and physiology, with a multitude of adaptive mechanisms not fully understood. Pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease is, therefore, best diagnosed and managed in centres specializing in both CHD and PAH, to avoid common pitfalls and old practices and to provide state-of-the-art care. We discuss the optimal management of PAH-CHD patients in a series of actions to be taken in order to optimize short- and long-term outcome, based on current knowledge of the condition and the advent of targeted advanced therapies.
Value of Pancreatic Resection for Cancer Metastatic to the Pancreas

Background Cancer metastatic to the pancreas from other primary sites is uncommon, and it has been treated with an aggressive surgical approach in fit patients when the primary tumor is controlled and the pancreas is the only site of metastatic disease. The value of pancreatic resection in this setting is unclear. The purpose of this study was to review cases of cancer metastatic to the pancreas. Methods We reviewed our experience with cancer metastatic to the pancreas and the literature regarding resection of pancreatic metastases. Patient and tumor characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 220 patients with pancreatic metastasis were analyzed. Three patients were selected from our own experience, and 217 were selected from a literature review. In the 127 patients whose symptoms were recorded at the time of presentation, the most common presenting symptoms were jaundice (n = 32, 25.2%) and abdominal pain (n = 25, 19.7%). In the 189 patients for whom the location of the metastasis in the pancreas was revealed, the most common location was the head of the pancreas (n = 79, 41.8%). The primary tumor site was most commonly kidney (n = 155, 70.5%). Surgical resection was attempted in 177 of 220 patients; 135 patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis also underwent pancreatic resection. In the latter group, a median survival of 70 mo was seen, as well as 78% and 65% 2- and 5 y survival rates, respectively. Conclusion Survival after resection of RCC with isolated metastasis to the pancreas is favorable. However, a more detailed analysis considering outcomes without surgery for each primary tumor site is needed before the value of this aggressive surgical approach can be completely assessed in the general occurrence of pancreatic metastasis.
Toward empirical identification of a clinically meaningful indicator of treatment outcome: Features of candidate indicators and evaluation of sensitivity to treatment effects and relationship to one year follow up cocaine use outcomes

Abstract Background Selection of an appropriate indictor of treatment response in clinical trials is complex, particularly for the various illicit drugs of abuse. Most widely used indicators have been selected based on expert group recommendation or convention rather than systematic empirical evaluation. Absence of an evidence-based, clinically meaningful index of treatment outcome hinders cross-study evaluations necessary for progress in addiction treatment science. Method Fifteen candidate indicators used in multiple clinical trials as well as some proposed recently are identified and discussed in terms of relative strengths and weaknesses (practicality, cost, verifiability, sensitivity to missing data). Using pooled data from five randomized controlled trials of cocaine dependence (N = 434), the indicators were compared in terms of sensitivity to the effects of treatment and relationship to cocaine use and general functioning during follow-up. Results Commonly used outcome measures (percent negative urine screens; percent days of abstinence) performed relatively well in that they were sensitive to the effects of the therapies evaluated. Others, including complete abstinence and reduction in frequency of use, were less sensitive to effects of specific therapies and were very weakly related to cocaine use or functioning during follow-up. Indicators more strongly related to cocaine use during follow-up were those that reflected achievement of sustained periods of abstinence, particularly at the end of treatment. Conclusions These analyses did not demonstrate overwhelming superiority of any single indicator, but did identify several that performed particularly poorly. Candidates for elimination included retention, complete abstinence, and indicators of reduced frequency of cocaine use.
Monitoring and Enforcement of Environmental Policy

This article reviews the economics literature on monitoring and enforcement of environmental policy. In the last few years there has been a rapid growth in both theoretical developments and empirical studies of monitoring and enforcement. Various factors have contributed to this growth, including (1) the growth of the law and economics literature and its interest in issues of law enforcement and penalties, (2) increased emphasis on enforcement by EPA and other regulatory agencies, and (3) the availability of data on firm compliance. The economics literature on environmental monitoring and enforcement has closely followed the related field of optimal penalties in the law and economics literature. The scope of the article includes both public and private mechanisms designed to compel firms (and individuals) to comply with environmental formal regulations and informal rules of conduct or social norms. For purposes of this paper, monitoring and enforcement includes monitoring and inspections by enforcement authorities as well as sanctions, remedial actions, and other mechanisms designed to punish and/or bring a firm into compliance. It also includes non-governmental actions such as citizen suits authorized by the government and informal mechanisms such as public pressure. It does not include the role of liability laws (torts, nuisance actions, etc.) in compelling polluters to reduce emissions. The paper begins with a fundamental question--why do firms comply with environmental laws? Next, I consider the various economic theories of government behavior and how they have been used to help explain observed enforcement behavior. Following these positive analyses, I turn to normative theories of optimal penalties as it relates to environmental regulation, including recent developments that have incorporated the complexities associated with sanctioning both organizations and their employees. The paper continues with an assessment of empirical studies on environmental enforcement. In addition to studies of government enforcement, I examine empirical studies of private enforcement mechanisms (e.g., citizen suits) and the role of market forces in compelling compliance behavior. A concluding section assesses the most critical gaps in our knowledge and contains suggestions for future research.
Genome-wide association study of rheumatoid arthritis by a score test based on wavelet transformation

Background We have conducted a genome-wide association study on the Genetic Analysis Workshop (GAW) 16 rheumatoid arthritis data using a multilocus score test based on wavelet transform proposed recently by the authors. The wavelet-based test automatically adjusts for the amount of noise suppressed from the data. The power of the test is also increased by using the genetic information contained in the spatial ordering of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on a chromosome.
Factors related to leader implementation of a nationally disseminated community-based exercise program: a cross-sectional study.

The benefits of community-based health programs are widely recognized. However, research examining factors related to community leaders' characteristics and roles in implementation is limited. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to use a social ecological framework of variables to explore and describe the relationships between socioeconomic, personal/behavioral, programmatic, leadership, and community-level social and demographic characteristics as they relate to the implementation of an evidence-based strength training program by community leaders. Eight-hundred fifty-four trained program leaders in 43 states were invited to participate in either an online or mail survey. Corresponding community-level characteristics were also collected. Programmatic details were obtained from those who implemented. Four-hundred eighty-seven program leaders responded to the survey (response rate = 57%), 78% online and 22% by mail. Of the 487 respondents, 270 implemented the program (55%). One or more factors from each category – professional, socioeconomic, personal/behavioral, and leadership characteristics – were significantly different between implementers and non-implementers, determined by chi square or student's t-tests as appropriate. Implementers reported higher levels of strength training participation, current and lifetime physical activity, perceived support, and leadership competence (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between implementation and fitness credentials/certification (p = 0.003), program-specific self-efficacy (p = 0.002), and support-focused leadership (p = 0.006), and a negative association between implementation and educational attainment (p = 0.002). Among this sample of trained leaders, several factors within the professional, socioeconomic, personal/behavioral, and leadership categories were related to whether they implemented a community-based exercise program. It may benefit future community-based physical activity program disseminations to consider these factors when selecting and training leaders.
How to increase the utilization of donor hearts

Cardiac transplantation is the best treatment available for patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy. Shortage of donor hearts is the main factor limiting the use of this treatment. Many donor hearts are rejected for transplantation because of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and/or wall motion abnormalities. While some donors have true cardiomyopathy, a significant proportion has reversible LV dysfunction due to neurogenic stunned myocardium. This condition is triggered by excess of catecholamines, which is typical for brain-dead donors. If given time to recover, LV function may improve, and the heart will be suitable for transplantation. Moreover, limiting of exogenous catecholamines may facilitate the recovery. In this review, we summarize the data on LV dysfunction/wall motion abnormalities in heart donors and propose the strategy to increase the utilization of donor hearts.
MYB Gene Abnormalities t(6;9) in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Context.—Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of salivary gland neoplasms can have a variety of overlapping appearances. Basaloid neoplasms can be a diagnostic challenge, and FNA cytomorphology alon...
Iron meteorites: Crystallization, thermal history, parent bodies, and origin

We review the crystallization of the iron meteorite chemical groups, the thermal history of the irons as revealed by the metallographic cooling rates, the ages of the iron meteorites and their relationships with other meteorite types, and the formation of the iron meteorite parent bodies. Within most iron meteorite groups, chemical trends are broadly consistent with fractional crystallization, implying that each group formed from a single molten metallic pool or core. However, these pools or cores differed considerably in their S concentrations, which affect partition coefficients and crystallization conditions significantly. The silicate-bearing iron meteorite groups, IAB and IIE, have textures and poorly defined elemental trends suggesting that impacts mixed molten metal and silicates and that neither group formed from a single isolated metallic melt. Advances in the understanding of the generation of the Widmanstatten pattern, and especially the importance of P during the nucleation and growth of kamacite, have led to improved measurements of the cooling rates of iron meteorites. Typical cooling rates from fractionally crystallized iron meteorite groups at 500–7001C are about 100–10,0001C/Myr, with total cooling times of 10 Myr or less. The measured cooling rates vary from 60 to 3001C/Myr for the IIIAB group and 100–66001C/Myr for the IVA group. The wide range of cooling rates for IVA irons and their inverse correlation with bulk Ni concentration show that they crystallized and cooled not in a mantled core but in a large metallic body of radius 150750 km with scarcely any silicate insulation. This body may have formed in a grazing protoplanetary impact. The fractionally crystallized groups, according to Hf–W isotopic systematics, are derived originally from bodies that accreted and melted to form cores early in the history of the solar system, o1 Myr after CAI formation. The ungrouped irons likely come from at least 50 distinct parent bodies that formed in analogous ways to the fractionally crystallized groups. Contrary to traditional views about their origin, iron meteorites may have been derived originally from bodies as large as 1000 km or more in size. Most iron meteorites come directly or indirectly from bodies that accreted before the chondrites, possibly at 1–2 AU rather than in the asteroid belt. Many of these bodies may have been disrupted by impacts soon after they formed and their fragments were scattered into the asteroid belt by protoplanets. r 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Lead-Acid Battery Model Under Discharge With a Fast Splitting Method

A mathematical model of a valve-regulated lead-acid battery under discharge is presented as simplified from a standard electrodynamics model. This nonlinear reaction-diffusion model of a battery cell is solved using an operator splitting method to quickly and accurately simulate sulfuric acid concentration. This splitting method incorporates one-sided approximation schemes to preserve continuity over material interfaces encompassing discontinuous parameters. Numerical results are compared with measured data by calculating battery voltage from modeled acid concentration as derived from the Nernst equation.