cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of prostaglandin E2 receptors and their role in PGE2-induced VEGF expression in prostate cancer cells

756 There is strong evidence that prostaglandins (PG) synthesized by cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) play a significant role in the development of cancer. In prostate cancers, PGs have been reported to be elevated, and the use of COX inhibitors (primarily aspirin) have been associated with a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer. However, COX inhibitors are criticized for causing gastrointestinal side effects and other potential risks. PGE2 is the most abundant PG in the prostate and has been shown to induce expression of angiogenic factors including VEGF. Thus, inhibition of downstream effectors of PGE2, such as PGE2 membrane receptors (EP1-4), may be an attractive new strategy for prostate cancer prevention and therapy. The objective of the current study was to characterize EP receptor expression in seven human prostate cell lines and the TRAMP mouse model of prostate cancer and to identify which EP receptors are involved in PGE2-induced VEGF synthesis. EP1 is not detectable in any of the seven human prostate cell lines (PWR-1E, RWPE-1, RWPE-2, 22RV1, PC-3, LNCaP and DU145) or in TRAMP prostate tissues by immunoblotting. EP2 is expressed in all of the cell lines with different intensity by immunoblotting. Interestingly, the non-tumorigenic RWPE-1 cell line expresses significant lower EP2 than the tumorigenic RWPE-2 cells. DU145 and LNCaP have much higher EP2 expression compared to PC-3 cells. In addition, we detected high expression of EP2 by immunoblotting and IHC staining in TRAMP prostate tissue. The expression of EP3 was only detected in PC-3, LNCaP and DU145 cells. EP4 is expressed in all the cell lines with PC-3, 22RV1 and DU145 having the highest level of EP4 compared to other cell lines. Correlating with their EP2 expression, but not other receptors, the basal level of VEGF secreted in 24 hrs is high in DU145 (1653.4pg/ml) and LNCaP (825.8pg/ml) cells, but very low in PC-3 cells (45.1pg/ml). RWPE-2 cells, which have higher EP2 than RWPE-1 cells, secreted almost 5 fold more VEGF compared to RWPE-1 cells (212.3pg/ml vs. 45.6pg/ml). In addition, treatment of these five cell lines with PGE2 (0, 1nM, 10nM, 100nM, 1μM, 10μM) dose-dependently stimulated VEGF secretion. Interestingly, PC-3, which has the lowest endogenous VEGF, had the greatest response to PGE2 stimulation, with an increase of VEGF of 29% (1nM), 50% (10nM), 65% (100nM), 82% (1μM) and 131% (10μM). Cay 10399, an EP2 agonist, also dose-dependently up-regulated VEGF expression in PC-3 cells. We conclude that PGE2 stimulates VEGF production in prostate epithelial cells, and this is most likely mediated by EP2 and possibly EP4 receptors. Supported by KO7 CA091865 from the NCI.
POINT DEFECTS AND DISLOCATIONS IN SILVER CHLORIDE

Three experiments on imperfections in silver chloride crystals are reviewed. (a) Studies of the strain aging in impure crystals as a function of time, temperature, and purity establish that the dislocations are pinned by divalent impurities which migrate with an activation energy of 0.46 eV. (b) Observations of ionic conductivity during pulsed plasticity indicate that excess silver interstitials are created with an efficiency of 10−7 fractional concentration per unit strain; these interstitials have a lifetime of 108 jumps. (c) Measurements of the annealing out of excess electrical conductivity of quenched crystals give the divacancy binding energy to be 0.42 eV and the migration energy to be 1.0 eV. The concentration of Schottky defects at high temperatures is estimated to be approximately 0.1%.
Projected land-cover change effects on East African rainfall under climate change

Both land-cover/land-use change (LCLUC) and greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations have been shown to influence regional climate, albeit at different spatial scales. In East Africa, climate changes due to changing GHG concentrations are broadly projected to be warmer and wetter. LCLUC projections include trends towards both agricultural intensification and agricultural expansion into savannas, which may result in complex climate interactions and impacts. The primary objective of this study was to examine the regional responses to future GHG, LCLUC, and their combined effects in East Africa, and to better understand how hydrometeorological mechanisms might be altered by LCLUC in future scenarios. In this study, we present high-resolution decadal simulations from a regional climate model that compare the relative and combined effects of projected LCLUC and GHG. This research suggests that taken separately, these two climate forcings may significantly alter regional precipitation patterns both temporally and spatially but in potentially different and independent ways. In combination, some portions of the region exhibit responses dominated by either LCLUC or GHG effects, but certain areas show complex effects resulting from the combined influence of these two forcings. Perhaps most importantly, the results suggest that projected precipitation changes around major population areas may be as strongly influenced by LCLUC as by GHG effects.
Electroreflectance from Gallium Nitride Using Second-Harmonic Generation

The optical second-harmonic (SH) response of a reverse biased gallium nitride (GaN) film was investigated for SH photon energies near the fundamental absorption edge. With the application of a DC electric field (∼ 100 to 220 kV/cm) along the optical axis of the sample, a strong two-photon resonance was observed in the specular reflected SH signal. This resonance was attributed to electric-field induced SH generation, EFISH, a third-order nonlinear response which arises from an induced polarization that is linearly dependent on the amplitude of the DC field. The EFISH contribution was spectrally localized at the bandedge, demonstrating the potential of SH spectroscopy for analysis of critical points in the band structure of semiconductors.
Electrical conduction in 7 nm wires constructed on λ-DNA

We examine the morphological and electrical characteristics of nanowires fabricated on DNA templates via palladium (Pd) reduction. λ-DNA molecules were stretched and aligned on a mica surface using a molecular combing technique, followed by an electroless deposition of palladium, resulting in formation of nanowires with nominal width of 7 nm. We investigated the size distribution of nanowires with atomic force microscopy and made electrical connections to the wires by metal evaporation through multiple shadow masks. Electrical characterization of the nanowires under various bias conditions, variable temperature, and with different contact metal work functions revealed a conduction mechanism resembling that of granular metals.
The Curious Collection of Mr. Hyde: The World of Western Esotericism

A collection of books, ephemera, and correspondence belonging to Lawrence Kaye Hyde located in the San Diego State University Library provides an intriguing glimpse into 19th- and 20th-century Western Esotericism. Hyde belonged to numerous metaphysical organizations and maintained a wide-ranging correspondence with religious thinkers around the world. By considering Hyde's unique esoteric library against the backdrop of current scholarship in Western Esoteric Studies, this article examines key concepts in the field (such as gnosis, concordance, and the cultic milieu) and assesses the collection's potential for supporting research in this emerging discipline.
Autonomous mode of systematic dilemma counseling.

The autonomous dilemma counseling system is described and evaluated. The Dilemma Counseling Module teaches the dilemma problem-solving method. Solution components contain 75 representative life-choice problems and over 400 specific and general solutions. The Dilemma Therapeuter Component provides, on cassettes, supportive commentary from a counselor. 75 students with troublesome psychological dilemmas were randomly assigned to treatment groups or to a no-contact control group. One treatment condition consisted of the complete system while the other condition omitted the Dilemma Therapeuter. Treatment and control subjects responded to measures of problem improvement at a 1-wk. follow-up session. Each treatment group improved significantly more than the control group. Treatment groups did not differ. Findings are compared with those of a previous experiment in which the same design and dependent measures were used but in which treatment was given counselors using either the Dilemma Counseling (n = 20) or an...
TURBULENCE IN AN ALMOND ORCHARD: VERTICAL VARIATIONS IN TURBULENT STATISTICS

Three-dimensional wind velocity components were measured above and within a uniform almond orchard. Turbulent statistics associated with the turbulent flow inside the canopy are examined in detail. Turbulence in an almond orchard is characterized by relatively high turbulent intensities and large skewness and kurtosis values. These results indicate that the frequency distribution of wind velocity components is non-Gaussian. Conditional sampling of the turbulent measurements show that large, infrequent sweeps provide the predominant mechanism for tangential momentum stress in the canopy crown. Deep inside the canopy, a secondary wind maximum and small, but positive, tangential momentum stresses are observed.
Promoting Critical-Thinking Skills by Using Negotiation Exercises.

Many writers argue that it is necessary to develop critical thinking skills in business students because these skills are needed to deal with the increasing complexities of real-life problems. Although the goal appears to be laudable, it is not always clear how to go about achieving it. In this article, the authors describe active learning experiences in a course on business negotiations that serve the dual purpose of teaching students to negotiate and sharpen their critical-thinking skills. In the current atmosphere of resource constraints, it is unlikely that separate courses can be set up for improving critical-thinking skills. A course on business negotiations, suitably designed to incorporate appropriate active-learning experiences, is one way to promote higher order thinking skills.
Regioregular and Regioirregular Oligoether Carbonates: A 13C{1H} NMR Investigation

Oligoether carbonates R(PO)nOCO2(PO)nR, where R = Me, Et, or H, PO = propylene oxide ring-opened unit, and n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ∼10, and ∼30, have been prepared and characterized by ESI/MS or MALDI/MS a...
Echocardiography of hypoplastic ventricles

Abstract Background . Evaluation of hypoplastic ventricles with echocardiography requires an appreciation of the ultrasound methods used to assess ventricles of normal size. In this review, we present an overview of the most common techniques used to measure ventricular size, which may be analyzed as long- or short-axis dimension, area, volume, or mass. In addition to methods for evaluation, we review pertinent studies of sonographic evaluation of hypoplastic ventricles in consideration of their suitability for biventricular repair. Methods and Results . Standard methods of volumetric and functional evaluation of the right and left ventricles are described, with a focus on their suitability for and applicability to the patient with a small ventricle. When applied to the patient with a hypoplastic ventricle, assessment may be more complicated in some respects, and requires consideration of functional characteristics of the ventricle itself, as well as the size and function of the corresponding atrioventricular valve. Conclusions . Echocardiography allows for excellent evaluation of ventricular size, morphology, and function. This holds true in patients with a hypoplastic ventricle as well, although the task is somewhat more complicated in such patients.
Rotavirus enterotoxin NSP4 has mucosal adjuvant properties

Rotavirus nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) is a protein with pleiotropic properties. It functions in rotavirus morphogenesis, pathogenesis, and is the first described viral enterotoxin. Since many bacterial toxins function as potent mucosal adjuvants, we evaluated whether baculovirus-expressed recombinant simian rotavirus SA11 NSP4 possesses adjuvant activity by co-administering NSP4 with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), tetanus toxoid (TT) or ovalbumin (OVA) as model antigens in mice. Following intranasal immunization, NSP4 significantly enhanced both systemic and mucosal immune responses to model immunogens, as compared to the control group, in an antigen-specific manner. Both full-length and a cleavage product of SA11 NSP4 had adjuvant activity, localizing this activity to the C-terminus of the protein. NSP4 forms from virulent and avirulent porcine rotavirus OSU strain, and SA11 NSP4 localized within a 2/6-virus-like particle (VLP) also exhibited adjuvant effects. These studies suggest that the rotavirus enterotoxin NSP4 can function as an adjuvant to enhance immune responses for a co-administered antigen.
Toward a Faculty-Librarian Collaboration: Enhancement of Online Teaching and Learning.

Enrollment in online courses is increasing in colleges and universities across the country. The Association of College and Research Libraries calls librarians to provide equivalent services to online and face-to-face students. The provision of library services to online students requires more collaboration with instructors than in the face-to-face classroom. Collaborative efforts must usually be initiated by the librarian. This paper will discuss relationships with faculty, methods of developing relationships, ways to collaborate in the online environment, techniques to expand collaborative opportunities, and how librarians must prepare to be effective collaborators.
Histidine and Tryptophan Requirement of Growing Chicks

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the His and Trp requirement of broiler chicks during the period 8 to 22 days posthatching. A His- or Trp-deficient diet (.32% total His; .18% total Trp; 25% CP; 3,200 kcal MEn/kg) based upon corn, feather meal, and soybean meal was supplemented with graded increments of either L-His-HCl·H2 O or L-Trp to produce growth responses. Growth rate and feed efficiency of birds fed the fully fortified experimental diet were similar to those of birds fed a corn and soybean meal positive control diet (23% CP; 3,200 kcal MEn/kg). True digestibility of the protein blend (corn, feather meal, and soybean meal) used in the basal diet was 81.4% for His and 83.3% for Trp as established in precision-fed, cecectomized adult cockerels. Requirements for digestible His and Trp were determined to be not greater than .31% (1.24% of CP) and .20% (.80% of CP), respectively, for maximal weight gain and feed efficiency. Translating the requirement estimates to practice, wherein a 23% corn and soybean meal diet would be fed, results in a total His requirement of .32% and a total Trp requirement of .22% of the diet during the broiler chick's 2nd and 3rd wk of life.
Piezoelectric-Actuated Vibroacoustic Absorbers for Interior Noise Control

A damped vibroacoustic absorber is fabricated using piezoceramic material as the electromechanical actuator. The absorber consists of a conic piston attached to a system of flexures with surface-bonded piezoceramic material. The absorber is designed to couple the mechanical motion of the acoustic piston to the resonant dynamics of a closed acoustic cavity. Similar to a damped vibration absorber for a mechanical system, the resonance of the vibroacoustic absorber is tuned to the resonance of the closed cavity through proper design of the flexures. A localized model of the absorber coupled to the cavity dynamics is developed using Lagrangian techniques. The model incorporates the electromechanical coupling of the piezoelectric actuators and the impedance of the acoustic load with a mechanical model of the damper-piston arrangement. The model accurately predicts the dynamics of the absorber near the fundamental resonance but modeling errors increase at higher-frequencies because rotational inertia of the pis...
A longitudinal study of changes in evoked otoacoustic emissions and pure-tone thresholds as measured in a hearing conservation program

Non-linear transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) at 74dB pSPL, distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 65/45dB SPL and pure-tone audiometry were used to detect noise-induced, inner car changes in a longitudinal study. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were made on the Noise (n=69) and Quiet (n=42) groups. The Noise group's hearing thresholds increased by 1.2 dB and DPOAE amplitude decreased by -0.9 dB. For both groups, TEOAE amplitude decreased by approximately -0.6 dB. Eight of 12 ears with permanent threshold shift (PTS) and 10 of 13 ears with temporary threshold shift (TTS) showed TEOAE decrements or low baseline TEOAE amplitudes. Fewer TTS and PTS ears also showed DPOAE decrements, and there was never a DPOAE decrement without a corresponding TEOAE decrement or low TEOAE baseline. Some TTS ears showed permanent emission decrements. Although otoacoustic emissions show promise in detecting noise-induced inner ear changes, it is premature to use them in hearing conservation programs.
Do Social Networks Push Families Toward or Away From Youth Mental Health Services?: A National Study of Families in Child Welfare

Social support networks may encourage or dissuade help-seeking for youth behavior problems in ways that contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in mental health services. We examined how parental social network characteristics were related to the use of mental health services in a diverse sample of families in contact with Child Welfare. Data from 1519 families of White (n=812), African American (n=418), and Latino (n=289) origin were drawn from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. Data were collected prospectively after the initiation of a Child Welfare investigation for alleged maltreatment. Results revealed that parental perceptions of support were negatively associated with service use across racial/ethnic groups, and this association was explained by better subsequent mental health status enjoyed by children of parents with stronger social support. Moderator analyses suggested that larger social networks were associated with a decreased use of services among Whites and more highly educated families.
Applying the benefits of the AwM Study in the clinic

The Act when Mild (AwM) Study has illustrated the benefits to migraineurs of taking triptan medication when their migraine pain is still mild and within 1 h of the onset of symptoms. Yet many patients wait until the attack has fully developed before taking their medication, with potentially inferior outcomes. In order to reproduce the benefits of early intervention using the AwM paradigm in daily practice, a number of key barriers need to be addressed at both the physician and patient level. Notable physician-related barriers to be overcome, particularly at the primary care level, include accuracy of an early diagnosis of migraine in newly presenting patients, communication skills that generate a therapeutic engagement with migraine patients and enhance patient confidence, the application of knowledge about up-to-date strategies to optimize treatment outcomes, and the setting of achievable goals to avoid unrealistic expectations. Patient-related obstacles that need to be identified and overcome encompass patient attitude, expectations, and behaviour. Migraine patients may be reluctant to consult their physician, and, of those who do, many stop consulting because they perceive that physicians can do little to improve their situation. For this reason, migraine patients need to be counselled about the most appropriate medication for their level of symptoms. Moreover, patients need to be confident before they will adhere routinely to the advice they receive, and high in the priority of advice is the use of medication, particularly triptans, at the first sign of a migraine attack, rather than waiting until their attack has progressed to moderate or severe intensity. Patients who adhere to this advice are likely to experience a notable reduction in the pain, disability and time lost that they would otherwise suffer. The beneficial effects of early triptan intervention illustrated in the AwM Study can therefore be best reproduced in the clinic if the correct advice given to patients is not only accepted and applied by them, but also followed up by their physician.
Activation of the visual cortex in motivated attention.

Functional activation (measured with fMRI) in occipital cortex was more extensive when participants view pictures strongly related to primary motive states (i.e., victims of violent death, viewer-directed threat, and erotica). This functional activity was greater than that observed for less intense emotional (i.e., happy families or angry faces) or neutral images (i.e., household objects, neutral faces). Both the extent and strength of functional activity were related to the judged affective arousal of the different picture contents, and the same pattern of functional activation was present whether pictures were presented in color or in grayscale. It is suggested that more extensive visual system activation reflects "motivated attention," in which appetitive or defensive motivational engagement directs attention and facilitates perceptual processing of survival-relevant stimuli.
Effect of estrogen-progestogen administration on tissue cation concentrations in the rat.

Five studies are reported which weredesigned to define the effects of an estrogen and aprogestogen, alone and in combination, on tissueconcentrations (heart, kidney, and liver) of two tracemetals (zinc, copper) and four bulk cations (sodium,potassium, calcium, magnesium). Male rats receivedPremarin (0.08 mg) and/or progesterone (2 mg) insaline intramuscularly 5 days a week for 12 weeks.A significant increase in kidney copper concentrationswas the most striking finding in treated, comparedto control, animals. A smaller but significant increasein kidney zinc concentrations also was observed.The changes in cation concentrations in the liverwere less striking and consistent, and no changeswere observed in cation concentrations of heartmuscle. The increase in renal copper was greaterwith estrogen than with progestogen alone but thetwo in combination produced an additive effect.Dose-response and time-response changes weredocumented. Two weeks after discontinuing treatment,renal copper and zinc concentrations re...
Edge effects in axial arrays of circular rings

A boundary value problem is solved for the current induced by any source, in particular for an incident plane wave, on any number of identical rings that are arranged to form an axisymmetric, linear array. The net aperture distribution along the finite array is approximated by a combination of three physically-identifiable components: a term from the related infinite array plus contributions from two independent edge-effect waves that originate from each of the two ends. However, if individually resonant loops are closer than a critical spacing, the entire structure exhibits a wild resonance and the simple approximation becomes invalid.
Performance of CEA and CA19-9 in identifying pleural effusions caused by specific malignancies.

Abstract Objectives Tumor markers analysis has been proposed as a less invasive alternative for categorizing malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions. This study establishes diagnostic cutoffs for CEA and CA19-9 in pleural fluid to differentiate etiologies of effusions. Design and methods Pleural effusions obtained from 198 patients (100 malignant, 98 non-malignant) were analyzed for CEA and CA19-9. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine analyte cutoffs, and cutoff performance was examined in various subsets of malignancies. Results CEA and CA19-9 concentrations were significantly higher in malignant effusions compared to non-malignant effusions, particularly in effusions caused by lung cancer and other cancers associated with elevated CEA and/or CA19-9 serum concentrations. Concentrations were not elevated in effusions caused by cancers not associated with serum tumor marker elevations. Conclusions Measurement of CEA and CA19-9 in pleural fluid complements cytology and other classifying tests. Performance is specifically enhanced in effusions caused by malignancies known to secrete CEA or CA19-9, and their use should be tailored to patients suspected of having those malignancies. Routine analysis of these markers is therefore not recommended in all pleural effusions. Moreover, negative results should be correlated with serum levels to assist in the clinical interpretation.
Vibration Resonances in a Planetary Gear Ring: Effects of Mesh Phasing and Contact Ratio

Parametric excitation of a rotating ring subject to moving time-varying stiffnesses have previously been investigated and given as closed form expressions in the system parameters. These conditions are applied to identify ring gear parametric instabilities in a planetary gear system. Certain mesh phasing and contact ratio conditions suppress parametric instabilities, and these conditions are presented with examples.© 2007 ASME
GHOSTS OF HABITATS PAST: CONTRIBUTION OF LANDSCAPE CHANGE TO CURRENT HABITATS USED BY SHRUBLAND BIRDS

Models of habitat associations for species often are developed with an implicit assumption that habitats are static, even though recent disturbance may have altered the landscape. We tested our hypothesis that trajectory and magnitude of habitat change influenced observed distribution and abundance of passerine birds breeding in shrubsteppe habitats of southwestern Idaho. Birds in this region live in dynamic landscapes undergoing predominantly large-scale, radical, and unidirectional habitat change because wildfires are converting shrublands into expanses of exotic annual grasslands. We used data from field surveys and satellite image analyses in a series of redundancy analyses to partition variances and to determine the relative contribution of habitat change and current landscapes. Although current habitats explained a greater proportion of total variation, changes in habitat and measures of habitat richness and texture also contributed to variation in abundance of Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris), B...
The thalamus and aphasia, including transcortical aphasia: A review

Left thalamic lesions can produce motor speech disturbances: disorders of articulation and of phonation. Left thalamic lesions can also produce aphasic disorders: word-emission difficulties; difficulties with comprehension, reading, writing, and arithmetic; and sometimes suppression of conversational propositional speech with preservation of nonpropositional repetitional or automatic speech. The relative preservation of nonpropositional speech justifies the assignment of such cases of thalamic aphasia to the category of transcortical aphasia (TA). Also included in TA are aphasias from dominant hemisphere supplementary motor region (SMR) lesions. In this context the suggestion by Penfield and Roberts that the thalamus and the SMR interact via the pedunculus thalami superior is noted.
APE/Ref-1 responses to ischemia in rat brain

Cerebral ischemia and the aftermath of reperfusion form a hypoxic/hyperoxic sequence of events that can trigger oxidative stress response cascades in neurons of the central nervous system. After transient ischemia there is an increase in intracellular Ca2+ release, extracellular glutamate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide, genotoxic events that stimulate DNA repair. Increased oxidative stress and interrupted blood flow in ischemia, like DNA repair, also deplete cellular ATP and commit neurons to apoptosis. We report that levels of the DNA repair enzyme apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE/Ref-1) decreased significantly in the hippocampus but not other brain areas after 6 h of reperfusion following an induced ischemic insult. This specific inhibition of APE/Ref-1 expression may affect the extent of apoptosis after ischemia.
Inhibition of Axonal Morphogenesis by Nonlethal, Submicromolar Concentrations of Methylmercury

Abstract We investigated the effects of sublethal concentrations of the neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg) on the developmental progression of cultured neurons to the stage of axonal morphogenesis. Chick (E8) forebrain neurons in vitro develop axons by a stereotyped developmental sequence nearly identical to that of widely used rat hippocampal neurons, but at much less cost and difficulty. In this chick forebrain system, 40% of neurons develop long axons after 2 days in culture, and 80% have axons after 4 days. A single, 2-h exposure to 0.5 or 0.25 μM MeHg reduced the number of neurons developing axons to approximately half that of controls without causing significant cell death for at least 2 days after treatment. Although MeHg caused an immediate depolymerization of neuronal microtubules, after 1 day of recovery the microtubule array of MeHg-treated neurons was indistinguishable by immunofluorescent assay from that of untreated cells at equivalent development stages. Thus, the inhibition of axonal development by submicromolar concentrations of MeHg did not appear to be the direct effect of microtubule disassembly. Chelation of Ca 2+ during MeHg exposure appeared to exert a small immediate protective effect, as previously reported, but was itself toxic within 1 day after chelation. We suggest that this inhibition of axonal morphogenesis by acute, sublethal concentrations of MeHg may play a role in the developmental syndrome caused by environmental exposure to MeHg.
CHANGES IN METABOLISM OF CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS AND URIC ACID AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF CHLOROTHIAZIDE.

Abstract The effects of chlorothiazide, administered orally in a dose of 500 mg. every 12 hours for a period of 15 days were studied in 9 normal volunteers. Chlorothiazide had negligible effects on urinary flow. The serum concentration of calcium and phosphorus did not change significantly following the oral administration of chlorothiazide. An increase in serum uric acid was observed in all cases. The glomerular filtration rate and the urinary excretion of calcium and uric acid decreased. The plasma lactic acid tended to increase. The interpretation of these results is discussed.
Laser photoelectron spectrometry of CH

Abstract Fixed-frequency laser photoelectron spectrometry has been utilized to study photodetachment of CH− ions by 4880 A laser radiation. Transitions involving low-lying excited states of 1Δ and 4Σ− symmetry have been observed for CH− and CH, respectively. The electron affinity of CH was determined to be (1.238 ± 0.008) eV. The a 4Σ− CH term energy was found to be (0.742 ± 0.008) eV and other spectroscopic constants for X3Σ−CH−, a 1ΔCH−, and a 4Σ−CH have been determined.
Anal Involvement in Pemphigus Vulgaris

Anal involvement in patients with pemphigus vulgaris has rarely been reported. We report 16 pemphigus vulgaris patients with anal involvement. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data on 16 patients treated at a tertiary dermatology referral center. Of 16 patients with anal involvement of pemphigus vulgaris, ten were female and six were male. The mean age of onset was 56 (range, 37–82) years. All patients had involvement of pemphigus vulgaris at multiple sites, including oral involvement. Recurrent episodes of anal pemphigus vulgaris were noted in nine (56 percent) patients, with a mean of 2.4 recurrences (range, 1–11). In all patients, pemphigus vulgaris was controlled with systemic and local therapy. Long-term follow-up for a mean of 53 (range, 4–188) months indicated that no long-term sequela occurred because of anal involvement. Anal involvement in pemphigus vulgaris is not very common and generally occurs in patients with severe disease. With appropriate topical and systemic therapy, patients have full recovery with no sequelae.
Energy deposition functions in mass spectrometry: prediction of photoionization mass spectra☆

Abstract The application of the optical approximation to the calculation of energy-deposition functions resulting from electron impact suffers conceptually from uncertainties in the applicability of the Bethe-Born theory and from the neglect of multiple ionization and slow autoionization. Moreover, the use of single-energy photoelectron spectra introduces uncertainties and the paucity of data required for evaluation limit its usefulness. The contribution of the conceptual difficulties introduced by experimental parameters can be assessed partly by calculating photoionization mass spectra from diffential photoionization efficiencies or photoelectron spectra, and from breakdown graphs. Agreement with experimental mass spectra is best when breakdown graphs are taken from differential photoionization efficiencies while threshold photoelectron spectra are found superior to 21.21 eV photoelectron spectra for the prediction of 14.6 eV photoionization mass spectra. Other methods tend to underestimate the contribution of high energy processes.
Temples for a Modern God: Religious Architecture in Postwar America.; White Elephants on Campus: The Decline of the University Chapel in America, 1920–1960.

Jay M. PriceOxford University Press, 2013256 pages$74.00 (hardcover)Margaret M. Grubiak, EditorUniversity of Notre Dame Press, 2014167 pages$28.00 (softcover)Given the emerging reevaluation of the ...
Using Virtual Reality Technology to Improve Aircraft Inspection Performance: Presence and Performance Measurement Studies

Research in aircraft inspection and maintenance has revealed the criticality of human inspection performance in improving aviation safety. If we are to provide the general public with a safe and re...
Annexin V–Heparin Oligosaccharide Complex Suggests Heparan Sulfate–Mediated Assembly on Cell Surfaces

Abstract Background: Annexin V, an abundant anticoagulant protein, has been proposed to exert its effects by self-assembling into highly ordered arrays on phospholipid membranes to form a protective anti-thrombotic shield at the cell surface. The protein exhibits very high-affinity calcium-dependent interactions with acidic phospholipid membranes, as well as specific binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as heparin and heparan sulfate, a major component of cell surface proteoglycans. At present, there is no structural information to elucidate this interaction or the role it may play in annexin V function at the cell surface. Results: We report the 1.9 A crystal structure of annexin V in complex with heparin-derived tetrasaccharides. This structure represents the first of a heparin oligosaccharide binding to a protein where calcium ions are essential for the interaction. Two distinct GAG binding sites are situated on opposite protein surfaces. Basic residues at each site were identified from the structure and site-directed mutants were prepared. The heparin binding properties of these mutants were measured by surface plasmon resonance. The results confirm the roles of these mutated residues in heparin binding, and the kinetic and thermodynamic data define the functionally distinct character of each distal binding surface. Conclusion: The annexin V molecule, as it self-assembles into an organized array on the membrane surface, can bind the heparan sulfate components of cell surface proteoglycans. A novel model is presented in which proteoglycan heparan sulfate could assist in the localization of annexin V to the cell surface membrane and/or stabilization of the entire molecular assembly to promote anticoagulation.
The γδ variant of T cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia is very similar to the common αβ type: report of two cases

The vast majority of cases of T cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia have a CD3+, CD4−, CD8+ phenotype and express the αβ T cell receptor. Whether the rare γδ variant should be included in the same diagnostic category is currently unclear. Two well-characterized cases of γδ T-LGL leukemia were identified by our laboratory in 2007. These two cases and other reports of γδ T-LGL leukemia were compared with the common αβ variant. Other than more often being negative for both CD4 and CD8 (in about 35% to 40% of cases), the γδ variant of T-LGL leukemia is similar to the common αβ type in virtually all respects and should be included in the general category of T-LGL leukemia. However, it is important to exclude other more aggressive γδ T cell lymphoproliferative disorders.
“Soldiers of the Soil”: The Work of the United States School Garden Army during World War I

“Every boy and every girl … should be a producer. The growing of plants … should therefore become an integral part of the school program.” 1 With these words, the federal Bureau of Education launch...
Personal, Behavioral, and Environmental Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Overweight

HAINES, JESS, DIANNE NEUMARK-SZTAINER, MELANIE WALL, AND MARY STORY. Personal, behavioral, and environmental risk and protective factors for adolescent overweight. Obesity. 2007;15:2748 –2760. Objective: The objective was to examine a breadth of personal, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors as potential risk and protective factors of overweight among male and female adolescents. Research Methods and Procedures: A longitudinal study was conducted with an ethnically and socio-economically diverse sample of 2516 adolescents who completed surveys at both Time 1 (1998 to 1999) and Time 2 (2003 to 2004) of the Project Eating Among Teens (EAT) study. Results: In 1998 to 1999, 335 (25.7%) girls and 282 (26.4%) boys met the age-adjusted criteria for overweight. During the 5-year study period, 236 (70.5%) of the overweight girls and 185 (65.7%) of the overweight boys remained overweight and 115 (12.0%) girls and 77 (9.9%) boys originally not overweight became overweight. Although differences by sex were found, a number of personal, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors were associated with overweight among both male and female adolescents. Body dissatisfaction and weight concerns at Time 1 predicted overweight at Time 2 for both male and female adolescents. Dieting and use of unhealthy weight control behaviors at Time 1 also predicted overweight at Time 2. Greater frequency of breakfast consumption at Time 1 was protective against overweight. Higher levels of weight-related teasing and parental weight-related concerns and behaviors at Time 1 were positively associated with Time 2 overweight. Discussion: Body dissatisfaction, weight concerns, use of unhealthy weight control behaviors, weight-related stigmatization, and parental concern about the child’s weight may increase risk for adolescent overweight. Interventions that enhance adolescents’ body satisfaction while providing them with skills to avoid dieting and to engage in more effective weight-control behaviors should be developed and tested.
Electrophoretic Identification of Raw and Cooked Shrimp using Various Protein Extraction Systems

Proteins were extracted from raw or cooked pink (Penaeus duorarum), white (Penaeus setiferus) or rock shrimp (Sicyonia brevirostris) with five different solutions: water, water homogenate adjusted to pH 8.0, 0.1M NaCl, 1% SDS, or 8M urea. Each extract from each species was analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Water extraction showed highly species-specific banding patterns for raw shrimp, while patterns for SDS extracts were not as species-specific. However, SDS extracts provided the greatest information on species variation of cooked shrimp. SDS-PAGE was useful in distinguishing shrimp of different genus. This technique was tested and proven in a blind study to be useful for species identification and detection (within 10% of actual amount) of fabricated products.
Structure of Guard Cells and Function of Stomata of Plants cultured in vitro

Summary An in vitro cloned harmon-autotrophic birch shoot system was found to be a suitable model for studying vitrification and its reversion. Normal shoot tips were vitrified in 24 days by changing the medium from solid (agar) to liquid. Vitrification could be avoided to a great extent if a decreased vapor pressure was obtained by creating a temperature gradient between the medium and the vessel atmosphere (bottom cooled, 1 to 2 °C difference). Newly developing stomata of young leaves were always functional, but they lost their ability for closure in response to corresponding signals after 4 to 8 days under in vitro conditions. This seemed to be due to an increase in rigidity of guard cell walls. Vitreous leaves were found also to have non-functioning stomata. Their stomatal aperture decreased during desiccation because of the very extensible and elastic guard cell walls. This arises from a general shrinkage of guard cells rather than a normal mechanism of stomatal closure. Normally functioning stomata developed in leaves cultured in the presence of a temperature gradient. In vitreous leaves lipophilic substances were distributed in the guard cell walls and on the cuticula surface.
First-week protein and energy intakes are associated with 18-month developmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE. We sought to evaluate the association between early protein and energy intake and neurodevelopment and growth of extremely low birth weight ( STUDY DESIGN. Daily protein and energy intakes were collected by chart review for the first 4 weeks of life on 148 extremely low birth weight survivors. A total of 124 infants (84%) returned for evaluation at 18 months9 corrected age. Bivariate analysis tested correlations between weekly protein or energy intakes and Bayley Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, or growth at 18 months. Separate regression models evaluated contributions of protein (grams per kilogram per day) and energy intake (kilojoules per kilogram per day) to the Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, and growth, while controlling for known confounders. RESULTS. After adjusting for confounding variables, week 1 energy and protein intakes were each independently associated with the Mental Development Index. During week 1, every 42 kJ (10 kcal)/kg per day were associated with a 4.6-point increase in the Mental Development Index and each gram per kilogram per day in protein intake with an 8.2-point increase in the Mental Development Index; higher protein intake was also associated with lower likelihood of length CONCLUSIONS. Increased first-week protein and energy intakes are associated with higher Mental Development Index scores and lower likelihood of length growth restrictions at 18 months in extremely low birth weight infants. Emphasis should be placed on providing more optimal protein and energy during this first week.
The solid-solution alloying effects of Ti on the high-temperature deformation behavior of NiAl single crystals

The authors have investigated the high-temperature deformation behavior of the solid-solution strengthened alloy Ni-47.5Al-2.5Ti. Single crystals were deformed in compression in the hard and soft orientations, at temperatures between 900 C and 1,200 C. The results show that Ti has a very powerful solute strengthening effect in NiAl. The creep rates for the solid-solution alloy were observed to be three to four orders of magnitude lower than for the stoichiometric material. They discuss the efforts to understand this solid-solution strengthening effect. They have studied high-temperature deformation transients in an effort to determine whether solute drag effects contribute to the creep resistance of this solid solution. In addition, they have examined the solute size effect of Ti as it replaces Al on the Al sub-lattice. They discuss the probable mechanism of creep of this alloy in light of TEM observations of the dislocation structures in creep-deformed crystals.
A naturalistic examination of therapist experience and outcome of exposure and ritual prevention for OCD

The efficacy of exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP) for reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is well established. However, the question of whether therapist experience with EX/RP influences outcome has yet to be addressed. The authors examined therapist experience and EX/RP outcomes in the context of a specialty training clinic in which adult OCD patients received fee-for-service treatment. Patients treated by 2 groups of therapists with less clinical experience (0-1 year of experience and 2-8 years of experience) had mean posttreatment OCD severity scores comparable to those assigned to the most experienced clinicians (≥9 years of experience). However, reflecting the case assignment methods in this naturalistic study, patients assigned to the most experienced clinicians had more severe OCD at pretreatment. No posttreatment group differences in OCD severity were evident when pretreatment severity score was used as a covariate. Implications of these findings for the development of di...
1139 – Reactive attachment disorder: effects and limits on treatment options

The failure to bond with a caring adult can lead to failed bonding in future relationships throughout life. This inability to relate or connect to others may affect the child's development. More and more children are being diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder due to affective instability related to their inability to make secure attachments. The diagnosis is complex and treatments are limited which presents a challenge for providers and patients alike. Objectives Describe cases related to reactive attachment disorder. Describe diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder and its limitations. Describe treatment options for reactive attachment disorder. Aims Be familiar with diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder. Be familiar with treatment options. Be familiar with challenges in complex scenarios. Methods Case of a 15 year old black female with history of neglect, legal issues, school truancy, witness to domestic and community violence who presents with escalating aggressive behavior and affective instability. Literature review focusing on treatments options in complex scenarios. Results Many children are suffering from “maltreatment” and there are difficulties with making an appropriate diagnosis due to co-occurring symptoms and potential differential diagnoses; therefore treatments are limited. Conclusions The disorder warrants further research especially in addressing the timing and critical period for an intervention. The disorder necessitates a multi-modal approach in particular a collaborative approach involving in home services with the child and caregiver. The disorder becomes even more complex when dealing with patient populations with intergenerational adversity and the patterns of disordered attachment are evident.
Effects of particle size on anaerobic digestion of tomato solid wastes

Abstract Laboratory digesters with operating volumes of 4 litres were used to assess the effect of particle size on methane gas production. Substrates consisted of tomato solid waste chopped to particle sizes of 1·3, 2·4, 3·2, 12·7 and 20 mm. These were fed at 3 g Volatile Solids per litre of digester per day to mesophilic digesters with retention times of 18 days. Greatest gas production and volatile Solids reduction occurred with the most finely chopped substrate, 1·3 mm. This substrate produced 0·81 volume of methane per volume of digester per day (vol/vol/day) with a Volatile Solids reduction of 60·3%. In contrast, the 20 mm substrate produced only 0·25 vol/vol/day of methane and Volatile Solids reduction was 21·1%. The rate of methane gas production appears to be inversely linear to the product of the substrate's average particle diameter and its geometric description, sphericity.