cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myocardial revascularization by bilateral internal mammary artery implantation. Experimental and clinical data.

Abstract Laboratory experimentation demonstrated widespread myocardial revascularization after bilateral internal mammary artery implantation and concomitant triple coronary ameroid occlusion. The feasibility of operating on patients with severe triple coronary artery disease and myocardial failure in need of widespread myocardial revascularization is described. The patients in this series were failing in spite of competent medical therapy and were considered from all aspects as a salvage group of patients with progressive coronary artery disease. No patient was refused operation on the basis that the disease process was too severe. There was no question before operation that these patients needed additional myocardial circulation, but we did question whether the operative risk might be prohibitive or the degree of myocardial damage too extensive to allow any worthwhile result. Unfortunately, preoperative enzyme and metabolic studies did not appear to be sufficiently accurate in determining the extent of the myocardial damage or whether sufficient functioning myocardium remained. As a consequence, operation was undertaken in this pilot group of patients to determine risk and results. It is realized that the time interval after operation is too short to allow a proper evaluation of the benefits obtained. Cineangiographic evaluation performed in 15 patients from three to five months postoperatively revealed 28 of the 30 implanted internal mammary arteries to be patent. Sixteen of these vessels demonstrated new anastomotic channels between the implant and the diseased coronary arteries. An additional 6 patients had new anastomotic channels between the extracardiac portion of the internal mammary arteries and the coronary arteries. A new cineangiographic technic for determining postoperative volume flow through the internal mammary arteries, described in detail in another article, was employed in 4 patients. A significant amount of additional blood flow to the ischemic myocardium was demonstrated by these studies.
Are Jamaicans really that stigmatizing? A comparison of mental health help-seeking attitudes

Research suggests that there is a high level of stigma surrounding mental illness in the English-speaking Caribbean, limited knowledge about aetiology and scepticism about the effectiveness of treatment. Further, in spite of experiencing symptoms of distress, a growing body of literature has suggested that Caribbean nationals hold negative attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. It has been suggested that these attitudes may be even more negative than for other populations. This paper presents the results of two studies which sought to examine this assumption. It was hypothesized that Jamaicans would hold more negative attitudes toward seeking professional mental health services than samples from other populations. Data regarding attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help were collected from 339 Jamaican adolescents. In study 1, a review of the literature was conducted. Three published studies that utilized the same measure of help-seeking attitudes, had a sample similar in age, and published their sample size, means and standard deviations, which were compared to the Jamaican sample. In study 2, data from the Jamaican sample were compared to a sample of African-American adolescents (n = 81). Results did not support the hypothesis. Jamaicans were generally found to be either similar or more positive in their attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. These encouraging results are discussed. Suggestions for improving education and reducing mental health stigma are presented.
Diabetic Csf1op/op Mice Lacking Macrophages Are Protected Against the Development of Delayed Gastric Emptying

Background & Aims Diabetic gastroparesis is associated with changes in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), neurons, and smooth muscle cells in both animal models and humans. Macrophages appear to be critical to the development of cellular damage that leads to delayed gastric emptying (GE), but the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Csf1 op/op (Op/Op) mice lack biologically active Csf1 (macrophage colony stimulating factor), resulting in the absence of Csf1-dependent tissue macrophages. We used Csf1 op/op mice to determine the role of macrophages in the development of delayed GE. Methods Animals were injected with streptozotocin to make them diabetic. GE was determined weekly. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify macrophages and ICC networks in the gastric muscular layers. Oxidative stress was measured by serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure levels of mRNA. Results Csf1 op/op mice had normal ICC. With onset of diabetes both Csf1 op/op and wild-type Csf1 +/+ mice developed increased levels of oxidative stress (75.8 ± 9.1 and 41.2 ± 13.6 nmol/mL MDA, respectively). Wild-type Csf1 +/+ mice developed delayed GE after the onset of diabetes (4 of 13) whereas no diabetic Csf1 op/op mouse developed delayed GE (0 of 15, P = .035). The ICC were disrupted in diabetic wild-type Csf1 +/+ mice with delayed GE but remained normal in diabetic Csf1 op/op mice. Conclusions Cellular injury and development of delayed GE in diabetes requires the presence of muscle layer macrophages. Targeting macrophages may be an effective therapeutic option to prevent cellular damage and development of delayed GE in diabetes.
Antiaging Gene Klotho Attenuates Pancreatic β-Cell Apoptosis in Type 1 Diabetes

Apoptosis is the major cause of death of insulin-producing β-cells in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Klotho is a recently discovered antiaging gene. We found that the Klotho gene is expressed in pancreatic β-cells. Interestingly, halplodeficiency of Klotho (KL(+/-)) exacerbated streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (a model of T1DM), including hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, diminished islet insulin storage, and increased apoptotic β-cells. Conversely, in vivo β-cell-specific expression of mouse Klotho gene (mKL) attenuated β-cell apoptosis and prevented STZ-induced diabetes. mKL promoted cell adhesion to collagen IV, increased FAK and Akt phosphorylation, and inhibited caspase 3 cleavage in cultured MIN6 β-cells. mKL abolished STZ- and TNFα-induced inhibition of FAK and Akt phosphorylation, caspase 3 cleavage, and β-cell apoptosis. These promoting effects of Klotho can be abolished by blocking integrin β1. Therefore, these cell-based studies indicated that Klotho protected β-cells by inhibiting β-cell apoptosis through activation of the integrin β1-FAK/Akt pathway, leading to inhibition of caspase 3 cleavage. In an autoimmune T1DM model (NOD), we showed that in vivo β-cell-specific expression of mKL improved glucose tolerance, attenuated β-cell apoptosis, enhanced insulin storage in β-cells, and increased plasma insulin levels. The beneficial effect of Klotho gene delivery is likely due to attenuation of T-cell infiltration in pancreatic islets in NOD mice. Overall, our results demonstrate for the first time that Klotho protected β-cells in T1DM via attenuating apoptosis.
The Children’s Republic of Science in the Antebellum Literature of Samuel Griswold Goodrich and Jacob Abbott

Abstract The antebellum years in the United States were marked by vigorous debates about national identity in which issues of hierarchy, authority, and democratic values came under intense scrutiny. During this period, a prime objective of indigenous authors writing for American children was educating the young so they would be ready to assume their republican responsibilities. The question of how depictions and discussions about nature and science were deployed toward this end is explored by examining key texts about nature and science from the era’s two most prolific and popular children’s authors—Samuel Griswold Goodrich (1793–1860) and Jacob Abbott (1803–79)—and highlighting assumptions within these works about what the proper relationship should be between the search for scientific knowledge and the larger polity.
Occurrence and possible sources of perylene in marine sediments-a review☆

Abstract This report presents a review of the occurrence of perylene in the marine sedimentary environment. Surface sediment samples and sediment cores predating modern anthropogenic pollution from different marine and lacustrine locations and also peat samples from various regions of the world have been analyzed for perylene. New data gathered on perylene in the current study is compared with earlier research findings to address the question of its possible origins. Several conclusions could be drawn from this data compilation. (i) Perylene is widespread primarily in reducing marine sediments, commonly found at a background level of 10 ppb. (ii) As much as 4 ppm of perylene has been detected in some unpolluted anoxic marine sediments. (iii) Perylene originates in sediments fed by both terrestrial and aquatic organic debris. (iv) Diatoms appear to be the major potential precursors for perylene in the aquatic regime. (v) The precise role of diatoms in the adsorption, entrapment or production of perylene is currently unknown. (vi) Low levels of perylene encountered in oxic sediments could be derived from anthropogenic inputs.
Effect of intestinal glucuronidation in limiting hepatic exposure and bioactivation of raloxifene in humans and rats

Raloxifene (Evista) is a second generation selective estrogen receptor modulator used in the treatment of osteoporosis and for chemoprevention of breast cancer. It is bioactivated to reactive intermediates, which covalently bind to proteins and form GSH conjugates upon incubation with NADPH and GSH-supplemented human and rat liver microsomes. Despite these in vitro findings, no major raloxifene-related toxic events have been reported upon its oral administration to humans. This disconnect between safety of raloxifene and its in vitro bioactivation is attributed to its presystemic metabolism via glucuronidation. Current studies investigated the effect of hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation in modulating hepatic availability of raloxifene and its subsequent bioactivation, in vitro. The study design involved preincubation of raloxifene with intestinal microsomes followed by a sequential incubation with liver microsomes. The degree of bioactivation of raloxifene was assessed from the percentage of GSH conjugate formed in liver microsomal incubations or the amount of covalent binding of raloxifene-related material to liver microsomal proteins. The results indicated that human intestinal glucuronidation limited the hepatic exposure of raloxifene that underwent bioactivation in the liver. Similar experiments with rat microsomal preparations showed very little effect of intestinal glucuronidation. This effect of intestinal glucuronidation and the observed species difference were explained by comparing the efficiency (Cl(int)) of glucuronidation and oxidation in the two species. These findings suggested that even though the rate of bioactivation in the two species was similar, the Cl(int) of glucuronidation was 7.5-fold higher in the human intestine as compared to rats. These results support the hypothesis that intestinal glucuronidation modulates the amount of raloxifene undergoing bioactivation by liver and corroborate the importance of assessing other competitive metabolic pathways and species differences in metabolism prior to extrapolation of bioactivation results from rats to humans.
Prolactin as a Marker of Successful Catheterization during IPSS in Patients with ACTH-Dependent Cushing's Syndrome

Context: Anomalous venous drainage can lead to false-negative inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) results. Baseline inferior petrosal sinus to peripheral (IPS/P) prolactin ratio higher than 1.8 ipsilateral to the highest ACTH ratio has been proposed to verify successful catheterization. Prolactin-normalized ACTH IPS/P ratios may differentiate Cushing's disease (CD) from ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). Objective: Our objective was to examine the utility of prolactin measurement during IPSS. Design, Setting, and Participants: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prolactin levels in basal and CRH-stimulated IPSS samples in ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (2007–2010). Results: Twenty-five of 29 patients had a pathologically proven diagnosis (17 CD and eight EAS). IPSS results were partitioned into true positive for CD (n = 16), true negative (n = 7), false negative (n = 1), and false positive (n = 1). Prolactin IPS/P ratio suggested successful IPSS in eight of 11 with abnormal venograms. Baseline prola...
Optimization of nonlinear trusses using a displacement-based approach

A displacement-based optimization strategy is extended to the design of truss structures with geometric and material nonlinear responses. Unlike the traditional optimization approach that uses iterative finite element analyses to determine the structural response as the sizing variables are varied by the optimizer, the proposed method searches for an optimal solution by using the displacement degrees of freedom as design variables. Hence, the method is composed of two levels: an outer level problem where the optimal displacement field is searched using general nonlinear programming algorithms, and an inner problem where a set of optimal cross-sectional dimensions are computed for a given displacement field. For truss structures, the inner problem is a linear programming problem in terms of the sizing variables regardless of the nature of the governing equilibrium equations, which can be linear or nonlinear in displacements. The method has been applied to three test examples, which include material and geometric nonlinearities, for which it appears to be efficient and robust.
CONFORMATIONS OF 1,3,3,5,7,7-HEXAMETHYL-1,5-DIAZACYCLOOCTANE AND ITS BIS-BH3 ADDUCT. MONO- AND BIS-BH3 ADDUCTS OF DI-TERTIARY AMINES

A variable-temperature 1H- and 13C-NMR study revealed a conformational equilibrium for 1,3,3,5,7,7-hexamethyl-1,5-diazacyclooctane (4) having ΔG⧧ = 8.8 ± 0.6 kcal/mol at 184 K. This activation barrier connects a major and a minor form of 4. Molecular mechanics calculations on 4 led to the conclusion that the major form is a set of twist-chair-chairs interconverting rapidly via the chair-chair and that the minor form is most likely a set of twist-boat-boats interconverting rapidly via the boat-boat. The proximity of the two nitrogen lone pairs in the major form of 4 made plausible the expectation that 4, as well as a related diamine with apposed nitrogens, 3,7-dimethyl-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (3), might bind a Lewis acid, namely BH3, using both lone pairs simultaneously and equally. This proved not to be the case: for 3 only the bis-BH3 adduct was found and for 4 the mono-BH3 adduct utilized only one nitrogen lone pair. The structure of the bis-BH3 adduct of 4 (12) was determined by X-ray crystallog...
Long-term stress-induced analgesia blocked by scopolamine.

An ‘opioid’ form of analgesia (‘long-term analgesia’) was completely blocked by scopolamine. This effect of a muscarinic antagonist suggests that muscarinic cholinergic processes may play an important role in this analgesia and in other types of endogenous pain control.
Ontology-based policy anomaly management for autonomic computing

The advent of emerging computing technologies such as service-oriented architecture and cloud computing has enabled us to perform business services more efficiently and effectively. However, we still suffer from unintended security leakages by unauthorized actions in business services. Moreover, designing and managing different types of policies collaboratively in such a computing environment are critical but often error prone due to the complex nature of policies as well as the lack of effective analysis mechanisms and corresponding tools. In particular, existing mechanisms and tools for policy management adopt different approaches for different types of policies. In this work, we propose a unified framework to facilitate collaborative policy analysis and management for different types of policies, focusing on policy anomaly detection and resolution. Our generic approach captures the common semantics and structure of different types of access control policies with the notion of policy ontology. We also discuss a proof-of-concept implementation of our proposed framework and demonstrate how efficiently our approach can discover and resolve anomalies for different types of policies.
Studies on the tardigrades. II. Fine structure of the pharynx of Milnesium tardigradum Doyère.

Abstract The fine structure of the pharynx and associated valve of the tardigrade Milnesium tardigradum is presented. The pharynx consists of a triradiate, cuticle lined lumen surrounded by radially arranged muscle cells and special apical cells which cap each of the ventricles of the lumen. The valve is an unusual structure marking the anterior limit of the pharynx. It is a specialization of the cuticular lining of the foregut and the apical cells of the pharynx. The significance and phyletic affinities of these structures are discussed.
The Impact of Group Formation and Perceptions of Fairness on Organizational Citizenship Behaviors1

An experimental design was used to assess the impact of group formation and perceptions of fairness on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Several mediators were also considered. First, when groups were established, social comparison and competition among those groups was expected to reduce the number of OCBs that would occur between the groups. Second, perceptions of unfair procedures were expected to result in negative affective and cognitive reactions, which would also decrease OCBs. It was also hypothesized that group formation and perceptions of fairness would interact to more strongly affect OCBs. Results indicated that group formation had a substantial impact on the frequency of OCBs, and that social competition was a significant mediator of that relationship. On the other hand, this study found little evidence for the negative impact of unjust procedures on OCBs. The interaction between group formation and unjust procedures was not significant. Implications for organizations are discussed.
Epidemiologic trends in renal cell carcinoma in the cytokine and post-cytokine eras: a registry analysis of 28,252 patients.

Abstract Background Before 2004, advanced renal cell cancer (RCC) therapy consisted primarily of cytokines such as interferon and/or interleukin-2. Subsequently, randomized trials of targeted therapies have shown a survival benefit, leading to the approval of several new agents since 2004. Whether the survival benefit seen in highly selected patients accrued to these trials has already translated to the general RCC patient population is unclear. To explore this, a large RCC patient registry was evaluated for changes in outcome between the cytokine (1998-2003) and post-cytokine (2004-2007) eras. Methods Data from the California Cancer Registry (CCR), a population-based cancer surveillance system, was used to retrospectively analyze 28,252 patients with RCC diagnosed between 1998 and 2007. Inter-era differences in clinical variables—including year of diagnosis, histologic characteristics, age, sex, race, stage, nephrectomy status, overall survival (OS), and cause-specific survival (CSS)—were assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used. Results Crude 3-year OS (68.2% vs. 74.6%; 2P Conclusions In this analysis of a large RCC registry, there was an apparent increase in crude OS and CSS in the post–cytokine era compared with the cytokine era. Insufficient follow-up time in the post–cytokine era and a higher proportion of localized disease in that era confound the possibility of benefit derived from targeted therapies. Longer follow-up for patients treated in the post–cytokine era is necessary for a more robust comparison of long-term OS.
Voltammetric sensor for chemical toxicity using [Ru(bpy)2poly(4-vinylpyridine)10Cl)+ as catalyst in ultrathin films. DNA damage from methylating agents and an enzyme-generated epoxide.

Films containing presynthesized [Ru(bpy)2poly(4-vinylpyridine)10Cl)]Cl and ds-DNA grown layer by layer by alternate electrostatic assembly were used to detect DNA damage from an epoxide metabolite and methylating agents on a reaction time scale of minutes. The redox polymer [Ru(bpy)2poly(4-vinylpyridine)10Cl)]Cl was used as an inner layer in films 14−25 nm thick to catalyze the voltammetric oxidation of guanine bases of ds-DNA in the outer layers. This film architecture provides a self-contained, reagentless sensor for toxicity screening based on detection of DNA damage. Films were incubated with reactants and washed, and then DNA damage was analyzed by square wave voltammetry (SWV). Bioactivation of styrene to its metabolite styrene oxide was accomplished by incorporating the protein myoglobin into the films to catalyze the conversion. DNA damage caused the catalytic SWV peaks at ∼0.75 V vs SCE to increase nearly linearly over the first 10−20 min of reaction, depending on the damage agent employed. Such ...
Using Genomics to Identify High-Risk Myeloma after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of antibody-secreting plasma cells that expand in the bone marrow. Although high-dose therapy/autologous stem cell transplantation has become the standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma, survival is highly variable and can range from a few years to >10 years after diagnosis. Application of high-throughput genomics on a large uniformly untreated cohort of patients has revealed that activation of 1 of the 3 cyclin D genes is a universal initiating event in this disease and that acquisition of abnormalities of chromosome 1 leads to activation of CKS1B, a regulator of p27Kip1 degradation. Synergy between cyclin D2 and CKS1B, but not cyclin D1 and CKS1B, may lead to early treatment failure.
Purification and characterization of a trypsin-like enzyme from the midgut gland of the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

1. 1. A trypsin-like enzyme from the midgut gland of the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, was purified and studied. 2. 2. Purification was achieved by a combination of molecular sieving, ion exchange, and hydrophobic chromatography. Degree of purity was assessed by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. 3. 3. Using N-p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester (TAME) as a substrate, the enzyme displays optimal activity in the absence of calcium at pH 8.2. 4. 4. The tryptic activity is extremely stable between pH 7 and 8.5, but is rapidly inactivated below pH 6. Thirty-minute incubations above 50°C also inactivate the enzyme. 5. 5. The tryptic activity has a molecular weight of 33,500 da and an isoelectric point of approximately 4. 6. 6. The trypsin-like protease from Callinectes sapidus is similar to crayfish and bovine trypsins in that it is inhibited by phenylmethane sulfonylfluoride, tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Its pH optimum and its specificity for TAME and N-p-tosyl-l-lysine methyl ester (TLME) are also similar. It is concluded that the enzyme characterized in this study is trypsin.
Incorporation of terpyridine into the side chain of copolymers to create multi-functional materials

Abstract Polymer architectures containing metal–ligands in their side chain represent a diverse approach to generating multi-functional materials. The ability to define a versatile synthetic platform will enable many chemistries and architectures to be studied. This report describes our latest efforts to prepare these unique polymers by either a direct polymerization of functionalized monomers or a post-polymerization attachment. Random and block copolymers have been successfully prepared. Subsequent functionalization with metal ions leads to a variety of properties including metal induced gelation and solvochromic sensors.
Reversal of right-ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary arterial hypertension following sildenafil therapy

A 42-year-old-woman with known chronic pulmonary-sarcoidosis on long-term prednisone and home-oxygen therapy was referred to cardiology with symptoms of exertional chest tightness. Physical examination was notable for a palpable right-ventricular (RV) heave and a loud second heart sound (P2). Plasma B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were elevated at 183 pg/mL. Transthoracic-echocardiography was suggestive of severe RV enlargement and systolic dysfunction with an estimated pulmonary systolic pressure of 60 mmHg. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed severe RV enlargement (RVEDV = 218 mL) …
Microwave Resonance Absorption in Gadolinium Metal

The microwave resonance absorption in gadolinium metal has been measured at 9000 and 24 000 Mc/sec. The $g$ value in the paramagnetic region is found to be 1.95\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03. In the ferromagnetic region extreme line breadth prevents accurate determination of the $g$ value. Calculations neglecting effects of line breadth give a ferromagnetic $g$ value of 1.94.
Hippocampal sclerosis dementia with the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are the main syndromes of the chromosome 9 ORF72 (C9ORF72) hexanucleotide repeat expansion, but studies have shown a substantial phenotypic diversity that includes psychiatric presentations. This study describes hippocampal sclerosis dementia (HSD) in carriers of the C9ORF72 mutation. We compared clinical and neuropathological features of HSD in carriers and noncarriers autopsied at Johns Hopkins. Carriers presented with amnesia, agitation, dissocial behavior, and impaired self-care, whereas noncarriers showed little agitation. The groups were not dissimilar in cognitive or motor dysfunction. Neuropathological examination of carriers showed cerebellar neuronal inclusions positive for ubiquitin, p62, and ubiquilin-2, and negative for TAR DNA-binding protein 43. Noncarriers did not have cerebellar inclusions. C9ORF72 repeat-associated non-ATG translation was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. These observations broaden the C9ORF72 phenotype and place HSD in the FTD spectrum. The amnesic phenotype of HSD, which is consistent with the focal hippocampal atrophy, should be included in clinical categorizations of FTD.
Menopausal symptoms after cessation of hormone replacement therapy.

Abstract Objectives To determine the prevalence of recurrent menopausal symptoms among post-menopausal women who discontinued hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after the publication of the women's health initiative (WHI) study and to describe the therapeutic strategies employed to address these symptoms. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1000 post-menopausal women seen consecutively at an internal medicine practice from January 2004 to May 2004. Results Among 1000 post-menopausal women, 205 (21%) had discontinued HRT due to the WHI results. Menopausal symptoms were present in 91/205 (44%) women, with 52/205 (25%) having vasomotor symptoms, 51/205 (25%) urogenital complaints, and 10/205 (5%) mood-related symptoms. Out of the 91 symptomatic women, only 55 (60%) received therapy to relieve their symptoms. The most commonly employed treatments were topical estrogen in 33/91 (36%) women, complementary therapies in 18/91 (20%) women, and venlafaxine in 13/91 (14%) women. Among complementary therapies, the most frequent were black cohosh used by 8/91 (9%) women and soy by 7/91 (8%) women. Conclusions Many post-menopausal women developed typical menopausal symptoms after discontinuation of HRT, with vasomotor and urogenital complaints being the most commonly reported. Topical estrogen, complementary therapies, and venlafaxine were the most usual treatments for menopausal symptoms. However, a large number of symptomatic women remained untreated.
Alopecia Areata in Families: Association with the HLA Locus

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T cell mediated disease directed against hair follicles that results in bald patches. It can range in severity from patchy (AA), to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis; AT) or body hair loss (alopecia universalis; AU). We have previously shown that HLA-DR4 and DR11 as well as HLA-DQ*03 alleles are increased in unrelated AA patients compared with controls. To study whether class II HLA alleles are linked to AA, we investigated 81 extended families that included 192 AA patients, including 89 with AT or AU. We also performed the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) in 143 nuclear families. Results showed an association between alleles of HLA-DQB (p = 0.014) and HLA-DR (p = 0.010). We also performed linkage analysis in 75 families whose members' genomic DNA were available for HLA typing. Results from this analysis support linkage between AA and class II loci with a maximal LOD score of 2.42 to HLA-DQB at 5% recombination, and with a maximal LOD score of 2.34 to HLA-DR at 0% recombination. There was an increased incidence of atopic dermatitis and autoimmune thyroiditis in families. AA appears to be a class II HLA restricted organ specific immune response to the hair follicle.
Hemangiomas and vascular malformations of the GI tract

Hemangiomas and vascular malformations of the GI tract are a rare entity and present as overt or occult bleeding. Presenting as a singular cavernous hemangioma or malformation, which is often located in the rectosigmoid region, they can be distributed throughout the intestinal digestive system. Despite characteristic radiographic features such as radiolucent phleboliths on plain film imaging and a purplish nodule on endoscopy, misdiagnosis is common. There is potential for local invasion, therefore adjunctive imaging such as CT and MRI are part of the suggested workup. Endorectal ultrasound with Doppler has also been found to be useful in some instances. With an emphasis on sphincter preservation, surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, though in instances where an extensive resection is not feasible, non-surgical endoscopic treatment with banding and sclerotherapy has been reported with success.
Analysing Multi‐Dimensional Attributes for the Single Plant Location Problem via an Adaptation of the Analytical Hierarchy Process

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), as applied to the plant location problem, involves the structuring of this decision‐making process into different levels. Each level has certain attributes unique to the structure of the problem. Two levels of attributes are considered in the plant location problem. With respect to the first level, the user will focus upon all the tangible and intangible factors which affect the plant location problem, eventually leading to a stated objective or goal. Each attribute at this level will be assigned an appropriate weight through the AHP method. The second level of attributes consists of the possible locations under evaluation. The AHP method also assigns weights to each of the proposed locations as they relate to each of the attributes of the first level.
Examination of a synthetic benzophenone membrane-targeted antibiotic

The enormous success of antibiotics is seriously threatened by the development of resistance to most of the drugs available on the market. Thus, novel antibiotics are needed that are less prone to bacterial resistance and are directed toward novel biological targets. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted considerable attention due to their unique mode of action and broad spectrum activity. However, these agents suffer from liability to proteases and the high cost of manufacturing has impeded their development. Previously, we have reported on a novel class of benzophenone-based antibiotics and early studies suggested that these agents might target the bacterial membrane. In this study, we present our work on the mechanism of action of these novel membrane targeted antibiotics. These compounds have good affinities to polyanionic components of the cell wall such as lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that these agents release potassium ions from treated bacteria; thus, resulting in disruption of the bacterial membrane potential. Benzophenone-based membrane targeted antibiotics (BPMTAs) cause membrane disruption in synthetic lipid vesicles that mimic Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds display no hemolytic activity up to a concentration that is 100 times the MIC values and they are capable of curing mice of a lethal MRSA infection. Repeated attempts to develop a mutant resistant to these agents has failed. Taken together, BPMTAs represent a promising new class of membrane-targeted antibacterial agents.
A fast fractional motion estimation algorithm and architecture for H.264/AVC multiview video coding

This paper presents a fast fractional motion estimation (FME) and the associated VLSI architecture for H.264/AVC multiview video coding. The proposed FME automatically turns off the mode P8×8 by exploiting the results of integer motion estimation and similarity between views. In addition, the fraction-pel refinement of integer motion or disparity vector in any partition may be skipped according to the difference of their rate-distortion cost. This algorithm accelerates the FME by nearly 50% with negligible PSNR degradation and bitrate increase. The resultant FME can process a macroblock within 612 clock cycles, enough to achieve real-time coding for the stereoscopic HD1080p video sequences operating at frequency of 300 MHz.
Smoothness of bounded solutions of nonlinear evolution equations

Abstract It is shown that in many cases globally defined, bounded solutions of evolution equations are as smooth (in time) as the corresponding operator, even if a general solution of the initial-value problem is much less smooth; i.e., initial values for bounded solutions are selected in such a way that optimal smoothness is attained. In particular, solutions which bifurcate from certain steady states, such as periodic orbits, almost-periodic orbits and also homo- and heteroclinic orbits, have this property. As examples, a neutral functional differential equation, a slightly damped non-linear wave equation, and a heat equation are considered. In the latter case the space variable is included into the discussion of smoothness. Finally, generalized Hopf bifurcation in infinite dimensions is considered. Here smoothness of the bifurcation function is discussed and known results on the order of a focus are generalized.
Managing the growth tradeoff: Challenges and opportunities in luxury branding

After outlining 10 characteristics that help to define luxury branding, we identify and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities in managing their growth tradeoffs. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding brand equity measurement and brand architecture as they relate to growth strategies for luxury brands.
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful: Self-enhancing biases in threat appraisal☆

Abstract We compare people’s intuitive judgments about how the self and others respond to threat. We propose that people hold a self-enhancing belief in ”threat immunity,” i.e., they see themselves as more secure than other people in the face of threat. In Study 1, people assumed that they threatened others more than others threatened them. In Study 2, people on project teams estimated that both they and their teammates provoked roughly equal levels of threat in others, although they experienced less threat than did other people. Study 3 experimentally manipulated threat perceptions in an interactive context and revealed that when people held self-enhancing threat appraisals, those with whom they interacted experienced lower satisfaction with the outcome and relationship. Finally, Study 4 demonstrated that, as compared to people who affirmed themselves and thus focused on the self, people who affirmed another person displayed lower threat immunity. The self-enhancing nature of these threat appraisals reveals how competition and envy emerge in organizations—or at least, how people imagine they emerge.
Nisin‐induced expression of pediocin in dairy lactic acid bacteria

Aims: To test whether a single vector, nisin-controlled expression (NICE) system could be used to regulate expression of the pediocin operon in Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and Lactobacillus casei. Methods and Results: The intact pediocin operon was cloned immediately into pMSP3535 downstream of the nisA promoter (PnisA). The resulting vector, pRSNPed, was electrotransformed into Strep. thermophilus ST128, L. lactis subsp. lactis ML3 and Lact. casei C2. Presence of the intact vector was confirmed by PCR, resulting in the amplification of a 0·8-kb DNA fragment, and inhibition zones were observed for all lactic acid bacteria (LAB) transformants following induction with 50 ng ml−1 nisin, when Listeria monocytogenes Scott A was used as the target bacterium. Using L. monocytogenes NR30 as target, the L. lactis transformants produced hazy zones of inhibition, while the Lact. casei transformants produced clear zones of inhibition. Zones of inhibition were not observed when the Strep. thermophilus transformants were tested against NR30. Conclusions: The LAB hosts were able to produce enough pediocin to inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes Scott A; the growth of L. monocytogenes NR30 was effectively inhibited only by the Lact. casei transformants. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first time that the NICE system has been used to express the intact pediocin operon in these LAB hosts. This system could allow for the in situ production of pediocin in fermented dairy foods supplemented with nisin to prevent listeria contamination.
Defective and normal haematopoietic stem cells in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

The expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF or CD55) and CD59 during haematopoietic cell development in bone marrow aspirates of two patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) was compared with that in normal bone marrow by five-dimensional flow cytometry. In contrast to early uncommitted haematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+, CD38-) in normal bone marrow which uniformly express DAF and CD59, the majority of CD34+, CD38- cells in both patients' marrow exhibited the absence of the two proteins. In both specimens, however, subpopulations of CD34+, CD38- cells expressing DAF and CD59 were detectable, indicative of the presence of two lines of haematopoiesis, one abnormal and the other normal. Concurrent abnormal and normal haematopoietic development was further evident by the presence of subpopulations of DAF-, CD59- and DAF+, CD59+ cells along the differentiation and maturation pathways of the myeloid (CD33+, CD15(-)-->CD33+-->++, CD15+), the erythroid (CD45dim, CD71dim-->CD45-, CD71++), and the B-lymphoid cell lineages (CD10++, CD20(-)-->CD10-, CD20++). While the majority of cells differentiating into and maturing along each cell lineage lacked DAF and CD59, the majority of mature B (CD20++, CD10-) and T-lymphocytes lymphocytes (CD3+) expressed both proteins suggestive of the presence of lymphocytes with a long life span which were generated from normal haematopoietic progenitors before the onset of the disease. The detection of distinct sets of CD34+, CD38(-)--> + progenitor cells which are DAF+, CD59+ or DAF-, CD59- in marrow of PNH patients has relevance for the treatment of PNH. Cells with the phenotype CD34+, CD38-, DAF+, CD59+ are capable of self renewal and represent potential candidates for autologous bone marrow transplantation following depletion of CD34+, CD38-, DAF-, CD59- cells.
When Having Black Friends Isn’t Enough How Threat Cues Undermine Safety Cues in Friendship Formation

People’s concerns about being rejected temper their interest in forming interracial friendships. For Blacks, identity threat can magnify their rejection concerns and reduce friendship interest. The present research explores the role that threat and safety cues play in Blacks’ concerns about being rejected by Whites. Prior to an interaction, participants learned information about their partner that was comprised of two safety cues or a safety cue accompanied by a threat cue. In Study 1, Blacks who received both a safety and a threat cue were more concerned about being rejected and were less interested in forming an interracial friendship than Blacks who received only safety cues. Whites were unaffected by these cues. In Study 2, Blacks’ perceptions of their interaction partner’s warmth mediated the cues’ effects on rejection concerns and friendship interest. This research suggests that a single threatening cue can undermine safety cues during interracial interactions.
Polarized internal gas target for hydrogen and deuterium at the IUCF Cooler Ring

Abstract A polarized internal gas target has been constructed and used at the IUCF Cooler Ring. Polarized hydrogen atoms produced by a high-intensity atomic beam source are injected into a target cell whose Teflon walls are thin enough to allow low-energy recoil particles to be detected in coincidence with forward scattered particles. An average proton target polarization of 0.740±0.013 has been measured.
Precipitation of a biodegradable polymer using compressed carbon dioxide as antisolvent

Submicronic and micronic particles of a promising biodegradable polymer, poly(desamino tyrosyl-tyrosine ethyl ester carbonate) [poly(DTE carbonate)], were produced by precipitation with compressed carbon dioxide as antisolvent. The effects of temperature, pressure, as well as initial concentration and flow rate of polymer solution on the particle size, size distribution, and morphology were investigated on a lab-scale apparatus with a coaxial injection nozzle. Among these operating parameters, pressure and temperature were found to have only mild effect on the product. Instead, the degree of agglomeration of the products can be manipulated with adjusting the operating parameters. The relationship between the operating variables and the sizes of primary particles reveals that the nature of this polymer is the dominant factor on its solid-state engineering in the course of its precipitation.
Antibody‐Catalyzed Uni‐ and Multi‐Substrate Reactions Compared Using Transition‐State Binding (KTS)

Catalytic antibody technology is based on the equivalence between catalysis, transition-state binding, and transition-state analog binding. This simple concept has attracted enormous creativity to the field. Unfortunately a similar degree of simplicity is usually not evident in kinetic analyses of antibody-catalyzed reactions. In particular, the rate enhancement kcat/kuncat does not allow one to compare reactions of different orders. Here we propose a simple language based on expressing KTS, the dissociation constant of the antibody-transition-state complex, together with a drawing for the corresponding transition-state. The constant KTS was introduced by Kurz in 1963 as a quantitative expression for Pauling's formulation of catalysis. A small value of KTS describes tight transition-state binding, and thus efficient catalysis. We show that this analysis allows a unified and remarkably simple description of antibody-catalyzed reactions with very different levels of complexity. It also enforces a proper formulation of the “uncatalyzed” reaction, which has a critical influence in assessing catalytic efficiency. Comparing KTS with Ki, the dissociation constant of the antibody-hapten complex, shows how far binding to a designed hapten translates into catalysis.
Rational Selection of Initiating/Catalytic Systems for the Copper-Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Basic Monomers in Protic Media: ATRP of 4-Vinylpyridine

The successful ATRP of a coordinating monomer, 4-vinylpyridine (4VP), in aqueous media at 30 °C is reported. In the presence of basic and nucleophilic monomers such as 4VP, the use of the chloride-containing ATRP initiating/catalytic system is essential to achieve good polymerization control and narrow molecular weight distribution. This is due to the significantly slower reaction of the monomer or polymer with secondary alkyl chloride-type dormant chain ends compared to their alkyl bromide counterparts. When a bromide-based ATRP initiating/catalytic system was used, the obtained polymers had polymodal molecular weight distributions reflecting the formation of branched chains, whereas the polymers obtained with chloride-based initiating/catalytic system had narrow, monomodal, and symmetrical molecular weight distributions. The polymerization of 4VP mediated by the CuI complex of 2,2‘-bipyridine was slow due to the low value of the ATRP equilibrium constant, in agreement with the low reducing power of the ...
Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Shiner Perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) and Juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) After Application of Carbaryl to Control Burrowing Shrimp Within Willapa Bay, Washington

Carbaryl has been applied in Willapa Bay, Washington, for five decades to control burrowing shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis and Upogebia pugettensis) on commercial oyster (Crassostrea gigas) beds. Concerns about effects on nontarget species, including fishes, have led to restrictions in use despite a lack of data on in situ exposure. We measured brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in adult Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) and juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) after operational applications. We hypothesized that exposure in Shiner perch would be greater than in juvenile Chinook salmon because of their greater site fidelity and benthic foraging. However, Shiner perch exhibited no statistically significant AChE inhibition. Enzyme activity was statistically decreased (≤14 %) in juvenile Chinook salmon after a second spray event; however, inhibition was less than that associated with overt effects and was similar to controls by 48 h after the spray. Diet analyses confirmed that Shiner perch were primarily feeding on benthic invertebrates and that juvenile Chinook salmon were feeding primarily within the water column. Composition of Shiner perch diets and amount of food consumed varied little among channels and time periods; however, Shiner perch on beds consumed more food 6 h after application than those at other time points and locations. There were no consistent differences in the diets of juvenile Chinook salmon within channels among time periods. Results suggest (1) that carbaryl applications pose little hazard to fish in the bay having habitat and dietary preferences similar to those of Shiner perch and juvenile Chinook salmon and (2) that quantification of direct exposure in the field is essential to adequately assess risk.