cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The metabolic basis for masking of receptor-sites on E. coli K-12 for C21, a lipopolysaccharide core-specific phage.

Abstract Further studies on the capacity of the cell envelopes of Escherichia coli K-12 to adsorb a bacteriophage C21 led to the following observations. Epimerase-defective mutants adsorb C21; this applies to a mutant with a slightly leaky epimerase defect as well as to one with no trace of epimerase. Addition to the growth medium of galactose (8 × 10 −6 m ) for 1–2 generations markedly decreased and in some cases practically eliminated the capacity of these mutants to adsorb C21. The small amounts of galactose which contribute to the effective masking of the receptor sites seem to be incorporated as galactosyl units in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Purified LPS preparations from the epimeraseless mutants were able to inactivate C21. The LPS from the mutants with a complete block of epimerase were particularly effective in adsorbing C21; this LPS contained only minute traces of galactose. The LPS from the leaky epimerase mutants contained considerable amounts of galactose, but could nevertheless adsorb C21 quite effectively. LPS from UDPG defectives, which is practically devoid of glucose as well as galactose, has no detectable adsorption capacity. LPS from cells with a normal UDPGal (such as wild type, K − or T − strains) had practically no capacity to adsorb C21. However, boiling of these preparations at pH 5.5 apparently unmasked C21 receptor sites. The most conspicuous chemical change after the boiling was the release of all the 2-keto-3-deoxy-octulosonate (KDO) from the LPS as free KDO. This type of removal of KDO from LPS had no effect on the inert LPS from the UDPG defectives. It seems, therefore, that a certain fraction of LPS galactose and quite possibly a part or all of the KDO contributes to the masking of C21 receptor sites in wild type K-12.
Haute Cuisine… How the French Invented the Culinary Profession

Haute Cuisine…How the French Invented the Culinary Profession by Amy B. Trubek University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000,171 pps
Characterization of proteolytic activities of pulmonary alveolar epithelium

Abstract Pulmonary alveolar type I epithelial cell and its progenitor, type II cell, present major transport and enzyme barriers for systemic delivery of pulmonary administered peptide drugs. The present study investigates the effect of cellular differentiation of type II to type I cells on their proteolytic activities, and evaluates the suitability of a continuous lung cell line, A549, for drug transport and degradation studies. High performance liquid chromatography was used to assess the degradation kinetics of two model peptide substrates, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and [ d -Ala 6 ]-LHRH, and their metabolites in lung cell preparations. Isolated primary type II cells when grown in culture developed tight monolayers and exhibited morphologic characteristics of type I cells, as determined by transepithelial electrical resistance measurements and electron microscopy. The transformed type I-like cells exhibited a >10-fold decrease in proteolytic activities for LHRH, as compared to type II cells. The continuous lung cell line A549 formed leaky monolayers and exhibited similar enzyme activities to the primary type II cells. The responsible enzymes for degradation of LHRH in type II and A549 cells were angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), EP24.11, and EP24.15. In contrast, no EP24.15 or ACE activity was observed in type I-like pneumocytes and only a weak EP24.11 activity was detected. In all cell types, the degradation rate of [ d -Ala 6 ]-LHRH was about 3–8 times lower than that of LHRH. This peptide analog was resistant to degradation by EP24.15 and EP24.11, but was susceptible to ACE-mediated cleavage.
Trapping tetramethoxyzincate and -cobaltate(II) between Mo24+ units.

Two compounds of a new type, [Mo2](CH3O)2M(CH3O)2[Mo2] where [Mo2] is an abbreviation for Mo2[(p-MeOC6H4)NCHN(p-MeOC6H4)]3 and M = Zn (1) and Co (2), are reported. Discrete [M(OR)4]2- ions, either as such or in the μ2,η4 role, have not heretofore been described. In these compounds they have distorted tetrahedral structures and bridge two [Mo2] groups in much the same way as did SO42-, MoO42-, and WO42- ions in other recently reported compounds (Cotton, F. A.; Donahue, J. P.; Murillo, C. A. Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 2229). The 1H NMR spectrum of 1 and the visible spectrum and magnetic properties of 2 are consistent with these structures. The M(OCH3)4 bridges are moderately effective in coupling the two [Mo2] redox centers. Compounds 1 and 2 may also be viewed as having ZnII and CoII centers tetrahedrally coordinated by the bidentate ligand [Mo2[(p-MeOC6H4)NCHN(p-MeOC6H4)]3(OMe)2]-. From that point of view they may be compared with Zn(DPM)2 and Co(DPM)2 (3), where DPM is the anion of dipivaloylmethane. For pur...
Proteomic profiling of lipid rafts in a human breast cancer model of tumorigenic progression

Tumor biomarkers assist in the early detection of cancer, act as therapeutic targets for intervention, and function as diagnostic indicators for the evaluation of therapeutic responses. To identify novel human breast cancer biomarkers, we have analyzed the protein content of lipid rafts isolated from a series of human mammary epithelial cell lines with increasing tumorigenic potential. Since lipid rafts function as platforms for protein interaction critical to several biological processes, we hypothesized that the abundance of proteins associated with proliferation, invasion and metastasis would be dysregulated in highly transformed cells. For this purpose, the MCF10A epithelial lineage, which include benign MCF10A cells, premalignant AT and TG3B cells, and malignant CA1a tumor cells, was utilized. Detergent-resistant membranes were isolated from each line and proteins were identified and relatively quantitated using iTRAQ™ reagents and tandem mass spectrometry. 57 proteins were identified, and 1667 peptide identifications, mapping to 49 proteins, contained sufficient information for semi-quantitative analysis. When comparing malignant to benign cells, we observed consistent alterations in groups of proteins, such as a 5.7-fold average decrease in G protein content (n = 5), 2.7-fold decrease in glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins (n = 7) and 3.3-fold increase in intermediate filaments (n = 9). Several of the identified proteins, including caveolin-1, filamin A, keratins 5, 6 and 17, and vimentin, are bona fide or candidate biomarkers in clinical studies, underscoring the usefulness of the MCF10A series as a model to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying cancer progression.
Dexamethasone therapy in chronic lung disease

Steroids have been used in the treatment of infants with chronic lung disease (CLD) for over a decade. Some studies have reported beneficial effects from long, tapering 42-day course of dexamethasone. Short term regimens have also shown beneficial effects on ventilator dependent infants with CLD. Although steroid therapy has been successful in infants with established CLD, more recently, dexamethasone therapy is being initiated in infants with RDS considered to be at risk for developing CLD. Some of the initial studies reported higher rates of infection, but more recent prospective data have not shown an increased incidence of sepsis in patients treated with steroids. Presently, early steroid therapy appears to be beneficial to minimize lung injury in infants treated with surfactant
SOME MEANINGS OF THE EARTH: A PROCESS PERSPECTIVE

This paper is offered in the spirit of connecting the parts to the whole, of hoping that the parts, most particularly the human parts, will find themselves increasingly attracted to both the thought and the experience of locating their identity, vocation, and destiny within the whole Earth itself. Humans and their civilizations are specific expressions of the Earth. Civilizations spring deliberately out of the continuous interaction of humans with the natural elements. Human civilizations shape themselves in dynamic and delicate interaction with waterways, physical terrain, and climatic patterns. They are fundamental expressions of the Earth. Presently, human civilizations are confronted with a unique threat: they may vanish from the Earth. They may disappear long before they run their natural course to completion. That is to say, they may perish millions of years before they might, as a result of lethal human intervention. The reasons for this possibility are many, but in some sense they can be summarized as follows: some human civilizations regularly exceed their limits in taking from the rest of the Earth, and there might come a point where the Earth will no longer be able to support such excesses. The fatal excess might be a thermonuclear war, or it might be a very gradual but all consuming toxicity. At that time, perhaps the whole Earth will die. One analogy here is that of a virulent cancer, finally destroying a human organism and itself as well. More than anything else, the crisis of human civilization is a crisis of the whole Earth. Whatever else human beings are, we are creatures of and from the Earth, and our moving, mortal bodies along with our emotional and rational capabilities are rooted in the basic elements of the Earth. We must, therefore, try to rethink and reexperience ourselves as natural parts linked with many other natural parts to shape a natural whole - the Earth. The Earth itself is linked in turn to a universe so large and impenetrable to our understanding as to leave us absolutely mute in the face of such questions as what is our ultimate meaning in the context of the entire cosmos, and what is its origin, development, and destiny? These might very well be the most important questions of all, but in this paper, the focus will be
Efficacy and safety of ACC-9358, a new antiarrhythmic agent.

1. Falk RH, Knowlton AA, Bernard SA, Gotlieb NE, Battinelli NJ. Digoxin for converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Ann Inrem Med 1978;106:503-506. 2. Weiner P, Bassan MM, Jarchovsky J, Iusim S, Plavnick L. Clinical course of acute atria1 fibrillation treated with rapid digitalization. Am Hearr J 1983; 105223-227. 3. Mallis GI, Schmidt DH, Lindebaum J. Superior bioavailability of digoxin solution in capsules. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1976;18:761-768. 4. Rosen MR. Wu AL, Hoffman BF. Electrophysiology and pharmacology of cardiac arrhythmias: IV. Cardiac antiarrhythmic and toxic effects of digitalis. Am Heart J 1975;89:391-399. 5. Meijler FL. An “account” of digitalis and atrial fibrillation. JACC 1985; S(suppl A):60A-68A. 6. Allesie M, Lammers W, Smeets J, Bonke F, Hollen J. Total mapping of atrial excitation during acetylcholine-induced atria1 flutter and fibrillation in the iwlated canine heart. In: Kulbertus HE, Olsson SB, Schlepper M, eds. Atrial Fibrillation. Moltl41:981-988.
Farnesoid secretions of dipteran ring glands: what we do know and what we can know.

Abstract Harnessing of the Drosophila genetic system toward ascertaining the molecular endocrinology of higher dipteran (cyclorrhaphan) larval development has been a goal for over 70 years, beginning with the data left to us by pioneer researchers from the classical endocrine era. The results of their experiments evidence numerous ring gland activities that are parsimoniously explained as arising from secretions of the larval corpora allatal cells. Utilization of those data toward an understanding of molecular endocrinology of cyclorrhaphan metamorphosis has not yet achieved its hoped for fruition, in part due to a perceived difficulty in identifying larval targets of the molecule “methyl epoxyfarnesoate” (=juvenile hormone III). However, as is reviewed here, it is important to maintain a conceptual distinction between “the target of JH III” Versus “the target(s) of products secreted by the larval corpora allatal cells of ring glands.” Recent advances have been made on the identity, regulation and reception of ring gland farnesoid products. When these advances are evaluated together with the above data from the classical endocrine era, there is a new opportunity to frame experimental hypotheses so as to discern underlying mechanisms on cyclorrhaphan larval-pupal metamorphosis that have been heretofore intractable. This paper reconsiders a number of evidenced physiological targets of secretions of corpora allatal cells of the larval ring gland, and places them in the context of more recent biochemical and molecular advances in the field.
Prenatal Programming of Mental Illness: Current Understanding of Relationship and Mechanisms

The British epidemiologist Dr. David J. Barker documented the relationship between infant birth weight and later onset of hypertension, coronary heart disease, insulin resistance, and type II diabetes. A stressful in utero environment can cause long-term consequences for offspring through prenatal programming. Prenatal programming most commonly occurs through epigenetic mechanisms and can be dependent on the type and timing of exposure as well as the sex of the fetus. In this review, we highlight the most recent evidence that prenatal programming is implicated in the development of psychiatric disorders in offspring exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy. Methodological differences between studies contribute to unavoidable heterogeneity in study findings. Current data suggest that fetal exposure to maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, excessive glucocorticoids, and inflammation with resulting epigenetic changes at both the placental and fetal levels are important areas of continued investigation.
4-Acetylbenzoic acid: hydrogen bonding and packing in a simple aromatic ∊-keto acid

The title compound, C9H8O3, adopts a conformation in which both substituents lie nearly coplanar with the ring. Asymmetric units aggregate by centrosymmetric carboxyl pairing. Close offset stacking of rings in parallel planes creates inter­molecular C⋯C π–π contacts of 3.322 (3) and 3.352 (3) A, with an accompanying C⋯O π–π contact of 3.147 (3) A and similarly close inter­actions between O atoms and aromatic π systems. One close inter­molecular C—H⋯O contact is also present.
Strong summability in Fre´chet spaces with applications to Fourier series

Abstract This paper examines strong Cesaro summability and strong Cesaro sectional boundedness of order 1 ⩽ r E . The major result shows these topological properties of E to be equivalent to multiplier properties of the form E = ( dv r ∩ c 0 ) · E and E = dv r · E , where dv r is the space of sequences of dyadic variation of order r defined in this paper. These multiplier results show that several classical spaces of Fourier series have these properties. This introduces a new form of convergence in norm for Fourier series. The space L 2 π 1 , for example, has strong Cesaro summability of all orders 1 ⩽ r ƒ ϵ L 2π 1 , ( 1 (n + 1) )∥∑ k = 0 n s k ƒ − ƒ ∥ L 1 = o(1), (n → ∞), where s k ƒ is the k th partial sum of the Fourier series of ƒ; since the dual of L 2 π 1 is L 2 π ∞ , this is equivalent to sup ∥g∥ L ∞ ⩽ 1 ( 1 (n + 1) )¦∑ k = 0 n ∫ 0 2π g · (s k ƒ − ƒ)¦ = o(1), (n → ∞) . As a consequence of strong Cesaro summability, the absolute value can be taken inside the summation and raised to any power 1 ⩽ r ƒ ϵ L 2π 1 , sup ∥g∥ L ∞ ⩽ 1 1 n+1 ∑ k=0 n ¦∫ 0 2π g · (s k ƒ − ƒ)¦ r = 0(1) (n → ∞) The supremum, however, cannot be taken inside the summation.
Military Coups and Turkish Democracy, 1960–1980

In 1921, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk enunciated an important verity. 1 He proclaimed, “We resemble ourselves.” Nowhere is that more true than in regard to the Turkish military's role in politics. As many have pointed out, the Turkish armed forces have not behaved as a South American model might have suggested. Nor have they acted as Middle Eastern or North African military establishments would have. Instead the institution has taken a course consistent with Turkey's history and culture.
The Development of the Detective Novel

(1960). The Development of the Detective Novel. Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures: Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 314-316.
The risk of ocular involvement in non-accidental injury.

A consecutive group of 22 children admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of non-accidental injury, underwent detailed ophthalmic examination within 24 hours of their admission. Five of these children had obvious periocular soft tissue injury, but only two had serious ocular involvement. The indications for ophthalmic examination in cases of suspected non-accidental injury are discussed in the light of these findings. Language: en
Advances in CuInSe2 and CdTe thin film solar cells

Abstract Research on CuInSe2 and CdTe thin film solar cells is discussed. CuInSe2 was deposited by selenization of Cu/In layers and was used to make a 10% efficient CuInSe2/(CdZn)S cell. Characterization of the reaction mechanisms is described. The open-circuit voltage V oc of CuInSe2/(CdZn)S cells is dominated by recombination in the space charge region, so increasing the band gap or decreasing the width of this region should increase V oc . Increasing the band gap with a thin Cu(InGa)Se2 layer at the CuInSe2 surface has demonstrated increased V oc with collection out to the CuInSe2 band gap. A post-deposition treatment and contacting process for evaporated CdS/CdTe cells was developed and high efficiency cells were made. Several steps in the process, including a CdCl2 coating, a 400 °C heat treatment, and a contact containing copper are critical. ZnTe films were deposited from an aqueous solution as a contact to CdTe.
Unsupervised parameter optimization for automated retention time alignment of severely shifted gas chromatographic data using the piecewise alignment algorithm

Abstract Simulated chromatographic separations were used to study the performance of piecewise retention time alignment and to demonstrate automated unsupervised (without a training set) parameter optimization. The average correlation coefficient between the target chromatogram and all remaining chromatograms in the data set was used to optimize the alignment parameters. This approach frees the user from providing class information and makes the alignment algorithm applicable to classifying completely unknown data sets. The average peak in the raw simulated data set was shifted up to two peak-widths-at-base (average relative shift = 2.0) and after alignment the average relative shift was improved to 0.3. Piecewise alignment was applied to severely shifted GC separations of gasolines and reformate distillation fraction samples. The average relative shifts in the raw gasolines and reformates data were 4.7 and 1.5, respectively, but after alignment improved to 0.5 and 0.4, respectively. The effect of piecewise alignment on peak heights and peak areas is also reported. The average relative difference in peak height was −0.20%. The average absolute relative difference in area was 0.15%.
Decay dynamics of HIV-1 depend on the inhibited stages of the viral life cycle

The time to suppression of HIV-1 viremia to below the limit of detection of standard clinical assays is an important prognostic indicator for patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Recent clinical trials of the integrase inhibitor raltegravir have demonstrated more rapid viral decay than previously seen with reverse transcriptase (RT) or protease inhibitor-based regimens. Because of the therapeutic importance of drugs that target different steps in the virus life cycle, it is imperative to consider whether viral dynamics are affected by the stage of the viral life cycle at which an antiretroviral drug acts. We use a mathematical model to investigate the effects of various drug classes on the dynamics of HIV-1 decay and show that the stage at which a drug acts affects the dynamics of viral decay. We find that the drug class acting latest in the viral life cycle dictates the dynamics of HIV-1 decay. In general, we find that the later in the life cycle an inhibitor acts, the more rapid the decay in viremia, and we illustrate this by comparing the effect of RT and integrase inhibitors on viral dynamics. We conclude that the rapid decay observed in patients on integrase-inhibitor-containing regimens is not necessarily an indication of greater drug efficacy but rather an expected consequence of the fact that this drug acts later in the life cycle. We propose that clinically observed viral decay rates for HAART regimens should be evaluated in the context of the drug classes that are represented.
Goethe and qualitative knowledge: A response to Arnheim☆

Professor Arnheim is concerned with a major problem of the modern.world, the split between knowledge on the one hand and meaning, value, and purpose on the other. It is a central problem because in the modern world the dominant modes of knowing (determined largely by modern science) have focused almost exclusively on the quantitative, the mechanical, and the purely instrumental. This means, however, that other dimensions of human experience have no standing as belonging to our knowable reality. Meaning, values, purpose (other than instrumental purposes), and qualities-above all, those qualities we cluster under the headings of consciousness, life, and personal and spiritual reality-are regarded as having little or nothing to do with knowledge, and are frequently even disparaged as sources of illusion and irrationality. In short, our dominant conceptions of knowledge have little or no place for the dimensions of human experience that make it distinctively human. (Even though the so-called new science no longer deals with the objective quantities of 19th century naive realism, but only with the purely formal quantities of number, force, and motion, it is no less entirely quantitative, having no place for qualities other than as data for instrumental purposes.) The problem is that what is taken to be knowledge will in the long run determine the world of our experience. If knowable reality is thought to be exclusively mechanical and quantitative, we will gradually find ourselves in a mechanistic, meaningless world. Little wonder that there have been constant attempts during the past centuries to overcome this central dualism of the modern world (modern here meaning at least since the beginning of the scientific revolution). As Arnheim points out, many of these attempts have been various versions of what, in the late middle ages, was dubbed “the double doctrine of truth,” which maintained, on the one hand, the truth of knowledge (as given to us now in the modern world mainly by science) and, on the other hand, the truths of belief, or faith, or values, or meaning, and so forth. The problem for the adherent of such a two-realm theory of truth is either that the knowledge realm is constantly undercutting and eroding the belief and value realm, or that the two realms have to be held in stark and ultimately untenable contradiction. Can the dualism be overcome? More specifically, how successful is Arnheim’s solution to the doctrine of the
CFD Analysis of a Two-Phase Flow Model for a Low Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

To understand heat and water management phenomena better within an operational proton exchange membrane fuel cell’s (PEMFC) conditions, a three-dimensional, two-phase flow model has been developed and simulated for a complete PEMFC. Both liquid and gas phases are considered in the model by taking into account the gas flow, diffusion, charge transfer, change of phase, electro-osmosis, and electrochemical reactions to understand the overall dynamic behaviors of species within an operating PEMFC. The model is solved numerically under different parametric conditions in terms of water management issues in order to improve cell performance. In this paper, mostly cathode side results of a complete PEMFC are presented. The results obtained from two-phase flow model simulations show improvement in cell performance as well as water management under PEMFCs operational conditions as compared to the results of a single phase flow model available in the literature. The quantitative information obtained from the two-phase model simulation results will help to open up a route in designing improvement of PEMFC for better operational efficiency and performance.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A dynamic process-based cost modeling approach to understand learning effects in manufacturing

Abstract Informed technology decision-making requires a structured understanding of cost evolution over time. A dynamic approach integrating learning curves and process-based cost modeling is introduced to examine learning in manufacturing. The approach is applied to the case of a hydroforming process, and quantifies the cost impacts of learning improvements in cycle time, downtime, and reject rates. A comparison with cases of automotive assembly and wire drawing illustrates that variation in learning is tied to the individual process cost structure. The results show aggregate cost evolution is strongly dependent on cost structure and that major cost elements may not align with major cost improvement-through-learning opportunities. The analyses can be used to focus intentional learning activities on primary learning operational drivers.
Distributed CFAR detection in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous backgrounds

The performance of distributed constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detection with data fusion both in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous Gaussian backgrounds is analyzed. The ordered statistics (OS) CFAR detectors are employed as local detectors. With a Swerling type I target model, in the homogeneous background, the global probability of detection for a given fixed global probability of false alarm is maximized by optimizing both the threshold multipliers and the order numbers of the local OS-CFAR detectors. In the nonhomogeneous background with multiple targets or clutter edges, the performance of the detection system is analyzed and its performance is compared with the performance of the distributed cell-averaging (CA) CFAR detection system.
A society of departure in post-communist Europe: socio-political reasons behind mass Lithuanian emigration

Migration occurs among all states, even under “normal” political conditions. When traumatic changes unfold, migration usually increases dramatically. Although all post-communist states experienced significant migration outflows since the 1990s, Lithuania stands as an anomaly among EU member states, exhibiting the net outmigration rates of –25.2% in 2010 and –12.6% in 2011, which is significantly higher than other post-communist emigrant-states. Situating this article within migration literature debates, and by testing the explanatory powers of migration theories on the selected case, understudied political and social causes that also impact Lithuania's abnormally high emigration rates are closely examined.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a mathematics bridge program using propensity scores

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how to examine the effectiveness of a pilot summer bridge program for elementary algebra using propensity scores. Typically, selection into treatment programs, such as summer bridge programs, is based on self-selection. Self-selection makes it very difficult to estimate the true treatment effect because the selection process itself often introduces a source of bias. Design/methodology/approach – By using propensity scores, the authors can match students who participated in the summer bridge program with equivalent students who did not participate in the summer bridge program. By matching students in the treatment group to equivalent students who do not participate in the treatment, the authors can obtain an unbiased estimate of the treatment effect. The authors also describe a method to conduct a sensitivity analysis to estimate the amount of hidden bias generated from unobserved factors that would be needed to alter the inferences made from a propensit...
Novel Histone-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides Use Different Antimicrobial Mechanisms

Abstract The increase in multidrug resistant bacteria has sparked an interest in the development of novel antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides that operate by crossing the cell membrane may also have the potential to deliver drugs to intracellular targets. Buforin 2 (BF2) is an antimicrobial peptide that shares sequence identity with a fragment of histone subunit H2A and whose bactericidal mechanism depends on membrane translocation and DNA binding. Previously, novel histone-derived antimicrobial peptides (HDAPs) were designed based on properties of BF2, and DesHDAP1 and DesHDAP3 showed significant antibacterial activity. In this study, their DNA binding, permeabilization, and translocation abilities were assessed independently and compared to antibacterial activity to determine whether they share a mechanism with BF2. To investigate the importance of proline in determining the peptides’ mechanisms of action, proline to alanine mutants of the novel peptides were generated. DesHDAP1, which shows significant similarities to BF2 in terms of secondary structure, translocates effectively across lipid vesicle and bacterial membranes, while the DesHDAP1 proline mutant shows reduced translocation abilities and antimicrobial potency. In contrast, both DesHDAP3 and its proline mutant translocate poorly, though the DesHDAP3 proline mutant is more potent. Our findings suggest that a proline hinge can promote membrane translocation in some peptides, but that the extent of its effect on permeabilization depends on the peptide's amphipathic properties. Our results also highlight the different antimicrobial mechanisms exhibited by histone-derived peptides and suggest that histones may serve as a source of novel antimicrobial peptides with varied properties.
MDR-/XDR-TB management: what it was, current standards and what is ahead

Despite killing nearly 2 million people every year, TB is arguably the most neglected disease in terms of the funding and research it receives. In many ways, multidrug-resistant TB is a result of this disregard. In high-burden countries, not many improvements have been implemented in the diagnosis and treatment tools of TB since the 1960s. Following this period, fluoroquinolones, developed for other infections, are the only highly active new drugs against TB. Multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB is booming worldwide as a result of insufficient control measures. Furthermore, the prevalence of this disease is substantially facilitated by the HIV epidemic. After a deadly and well-reported extensively drug-resistant TB outbreak occurred in HIV-infected patients in South Africa, the threat of an untreatable TB epidemic is receiving increased attention internationally. Nevertheless, drug-resistant management has lacked research and funding over several decades and we are now faced with many controversia...
Functionally selective peripheral nerve stimulation with a flat interface nerve electrode

One of the important goals of peripheral nerve electrode development is to design an electrode for selective recruitment of the different functions of a common nerve trunk. A challenging task is gaining selective access to central axon populations. In this paper, a simple electrode that takes advantage of the neural plasticity to reshape the nerve is presented. The flat interface nerve electrode (FINE) reshapes the nerve into a flat geometry to increase the surface area and move central axon populations close to the surface. The electrode was implanted acutely on the sciatic nerve of eight cats. The FINE can significantly reshape the nerve and fascicles (p<0.0001) while maintaining the same total nerve cross-sectional area. The stimulation thresholds were 2.89 nC for pulse amplitude modulation and 10.2 nC for pulsewidth modulation. Monopolar, square-pulse stimulation with single contacts on the FINE selectively recruited each of the four main branches of the sciatic nerve. Simultaneous stimulation with two contacts produced moments about the ankle joint that were a combination of the moments produced by the individual contacts when stimulated separately.
Electronic Medical Records: Great Idea Or Great Threat To Privacy?

The practice of storing health care records in electronic format, rather than the traditional paper, is becoming increasing popular, especially since the advent of legislation that provided a framework for transmission of these data and encouragement to convert. However, this process is not without challenges and there are significant concerns over how to maintain the security of these data. On one hand, EMRs are expected to increase efficiency and provide cost savings. On the other hand, they increase the risk to privacy. This paper discusses both the risks and benefits of EMRs in the current legal framework in order for us to gain a better understanding of these systems. Awareness of the risks will help in building more secure EMRs which may be mandated in most countries.
The Multiple Paths to Heteroresistance and Intermediate Resistance to Vancomycin in Staphylococcus aureus

identification of the detection of resistant mutants. With the appearance of the latter, daptomycin minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) rose, along with those of vancomycin, and this was accompanied by thickened cell walls and reduced autolysis, decreased surface anionic charge, and susceptibility to cationic peptides. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated that the vancomycinintermediate S. aureus (VISA) phenotype was acquired via at least 3 different genetic pathways and that, in one of the 2 cases, the pathway differed from that seen in vivo. High-level resistance of S. aureus to vancomycin, resulting from horizontal
Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Free Multiply Charged Keggin Anions α-[PM12O40]3- (M = Mo, W) in the Gas Phase

Two polyoxometalate Keggin-type anions, α-PM12O403- (M = Mo, W), were transferred to the gas phase by electrospray; their electronic structure and stability were probed by photoelectron spectroscopy. These triply charged anions were found to be highly stable in the gas phase with large adiabatic electron detachment energies of 1.7 and 2.1 eV for M = Mo and W, respectively. The magnitude of the repulsive Coulomb barrier was measured as ∼3.4 eV for both anions, providing an experimental estimate for the intramolecular Coulomb repulsion present in these highly charged anions. Density functional theory calculations were carried out and compared with the experimental data, providing insight into the electronic structure and valence molecular orbitals of the two Keggin anions. The calculations indicated that the highest occupied molecular orbital and other frontier orbitals for PM12O403- are localized primarily on the μ2-oxo bridging ligands of the polyoxometalate framework, consistent with the reactivity on th...
Evidence from in vitro murine immunologic assays that some phenolic food additives may function as antipromoters by lowering intracellular cyclic GMP levels.

AbstractButylated hydroxyanisole was previously shown to suppress murine in vitro immune responses by inhibiting guanylate cyclase function resulting in decreased levels of cyclic GMP. Like butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, methyl paraben, and gallic acid suppress in vitro immune responses, the suppression being reversible by adding exogenous dibutyryl cyclic GMP or Ca2+. Since there is a correlation between the strength of tumor promoters and their ability to cause intracellular increases in cyclic GMP, the data suggest that (i) some phenolic food additives may protect from carcinogens by acting as antipromoters in that they lower cyclic GMP levels and (ii) the in vitro immune response may be a useful system in which to study promoter-antipromoter interactions.
Virtual bagging for an evolved agent controller

An evolved agent controller is used to produce multiple votes for its choice of actions by presenting it with rotations and reflections of its actual sensory inputs. Since the agent's behavior with respect to the orientation of its various sensors must be learned independently, the votes can be treated as independently learned opinions on the optimal choice of actions, i.e. a form of Breiman's bagging. The mechanism is tested on neural controllers for agents trained by neuroevolution in a game-like simulator, and is found to improve their task performance as well as ensuring perfect symmetry of behavior with respect to orientations of the environment.
Antimicrobial activity of some N-substituted amides of long-chain fatty acids.

Seventy-three N,N-disubstituted amides of long-chain, principally C18, fatty acids were screened for antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Amides containing an epoxy group exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity which is further enhanced by unsaturation. Mono-unsaturation alone does not contribute a broad level of activity to the N,N-disubstituted amides of the C18 fatty acids.
Autoimmune conditions associated with primary biliary cirrhosis: response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy.

Objectives A variety of autoimmune conditions occur in association with primary biliary cirrhosis. Among these conditions are sicca syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon, arthritis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Information is sparse regarding the prevalence and natural history of these conditions when associated with primary biliary cirrhosis and their response to ursodeoxycholic acid treatment. We evaluated the prevalence, natural history, and response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy of these conditions coassociated with primary biliary cirrhosis. Methods One hundred-eighty patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial of ursodeoxycholic acid (13-15 mg/ kg/day), were included. Patients were assessed at study entry and annually. Results At entry, 77/180 patients (43%) had one of the four conditions, and 18/180 patients (10%) had two or more conditions. Sicca syndrome was the most common, occurring in 58/180 patients (32%). After 2 yr, there was no difference between the treatment groups with regard to resolution or spontaneous onset of these autoimmune features. Sicca syndrome was the most common spontaneously developing condition (9% per yr). Sicca syndrome was the most common associated autoimmune condition, present in one-third of our patients. The associated conditions tended to improve over time, with a low rate of spontaneously developing these conditions. Although ursodeoxycholic acid therapy leads to improvement in the underlying liver disease, it did not appear to influence either the development or resolution of these autoimmune features. Conclusions Although ursodeoxycholic acid is beneficial in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, it had no measurable effect on the autoimmune conditions coassociated with the disease.
Anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue dye during sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer

Abstract Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an alternative to axillary dissection for many breast cancer patients. Cases of anaphylactic reaction to the isosulfan blue dye used during SLNB have recently been reported. No study on the incidence of serious anaphylactic reactions during SLNB for breast cancer has been reported. Methods: We reviewed 639 consecutive SLNBs for breast cancer performed at our institution. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed using both isosulfan blue dye and technetium-99m sulfur colloid. Cases of anaphylaxis were reviewed in detail. Results: Overall, 1.1% of patients had severe anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue requiring vigorous resuscitation. No deaths or permanent disability occurred. In patients with anaphylaxis, 2hospital stay was prolonged by a mean of 1.6 days. In 1 patient, the anaphylactic reaction required termination of the operation. Conclusions: Prompt recognition and aggressive treatment of anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue are critical to prevent an adverse outcome. Lymphatic mapping with blue dye should be performed in a setting where personnel are trained to recognize and treat anaphylaxis.
Estrogen-induced changes in place and response learning in young adult female rats

Many findings suggest that changes in circulating estrogen levels influence cognition, in some cases impairing performance and in others enhancing performance. One interpretation of these mixed effects is that estrogen biases the strategy used to solve a task. To test this idea, young adult female rats, ovariectomized for 21 days, were trained after acute hormone or control treatment in 2 very similar tasks with different cognitive requirements. One task required place learning and the other response learning. Rats given two 10-microg injections of estradiol 48 and 24 hr before training learned the place task significantly faster than did rats without estradiol. Conversely, rats without estradiol performed better on the response task than did rats with replacement. These data suggest that the cognitive actions of estrogen may be task-specific by modulating the relative contribution of different learning and memory systems.
Stress‐buffering or stress‐exacerbation? Social support and social undermining as moderators of the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms among married people

This prospective panel study examined social support and social undermining from the spouse as moderators of the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Participants were 181 married people who completed questionnaires at two points in time. The interval between time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2) was approximately 6 weeks. Multiple regression analysis showed that T1 perceived stress and T1 spouse undermining, but not T1 spouse support, predicted increases in depressive symptoms from T1 to T2. T1 spouse undermining, but not T1 spouse support, moderated the association between T1 perceived stress and T2 depressive symptoms. These findings supported a stress-exacerbation hypothesis for the effect of spouse undermining on the stress process. Discussion focuses on possible mechanisms for the stress-exacerbation effect.
Maximum-Likelihood Detection and Constrained Coding on Optical Channels

The most probable error events for a long-haul optical communication system using sequence estimation are characterized, and the performance using a modulation code is analyzed. The modulation code is restricted to be a constrained code that enhances the minimum distance between received signal sequences. We investigate several constrained codes used in combination with 4- and 8-state Viterbi algorithms and apply them to a standard noncoherent NRZ system. The improvement using a rate 0.85 code can be as high as 5 dB relative to an uncoded system operating at the same symbol rate. If the coded and uncoded systems are constrained to have the same information rate, a more modest 1 dB improvement can be obtained for specific fiber distances. We also determine the effect of the code on the number of states of the Viterbi algorithm and the sensitivity of the sampling point. Using these codes, the tolerance of the receiver to sampling errors can be increased by a nearly a factor of two for specific distances. The performance improvements that these codes can provide make them attractive candidates when used in conjunction with sequence estimation.
Extended peripheral zone biopsy schemes increase cancer detection rates and minimize variance in prostate specific antigen and age related cancer rates : results of a community multi-practice study

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed the impact of age and prostate specific antigen (PSA) on extended systematic biopsy schemes for detecting prostate carcinoma and better characterized these tumors as a function of patient age and PSA.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 2,299 consecutive patients who underwent initial systematic biopsy performed by 167 community based urologists. A total of 12 systematic biopsies of the peripheral zone were obtained in all patients. Various biopsy schemes were then created and cancer detection rates were calculated. Data analyses were stratified by patient age and PSA.Results: On biopsy 1,020 patients (44.4%) had cancer. Detection rates increased with increasing patient age. Increasing age and PSA were associated with larger, higher grade tumors. Overall and unique site specific cancer detection rates were highest for laterally directed biopsies and the apical biopsy of the standard sextant scheme. The 12 site biopsy scheme outperformed all other s...
Empowering Counselors to Work with Senior Adult Clients in the Computer Age

It is critical that counselors link their gerontological knowledge with that of various information technologies. Not only must counselors understand themselves as they work with diverse clients, they must also stay abreast of current information as it pertains to senior adults. This serves to expand and enhance the use of vital resources applicable to this client population. Staying abreast of available information and technologies and their uses with senior adults allows the counseling profession to mind its mission of service. This article addresses considerations that are essential as counselors prepare themselves to work effectively with senior adult clients in the computer age. Ten helpful Internet sites for counselors working with this group are also highlighted.
Deep brain stimulation of the basolateral amygdala for treatment-refractory combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial with blinded, staggered onset of stimulation

Background: Combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves significant suffering, impairments in social and occupational functioning, substance use and medical comorbidity, and increased mortality from suicide and other causes. Many veterans continue to suffer despite current treatments. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown promise in refractory movement disorders, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with deep brain targets chosen by integration of clinical and neuroimaging literature. The basolateral amygdala (BLn) is an optimal target for high-frequency DBS in PTSD based on neurocircuitry findings from a variety of perspectives. DBS of the BLn was validated in a rat model of PTSD by our group, and limited data from humans support the potential safety and effectiveness of BLn DBS. Methods/Design: We describe the protocol design for a first-ever Phase I pilot study of bilateral BLn high-frequency DBS for six severely ill, functionally impaired combat veterans with PTSD refractory to conventional treatments. After implantation, patients are monitored for a month with stimulators off. An electroencephalographic (EEG) telemetry session will test safety of stimulation before randomization to staggered-onset, double-blind sham versus active stimulation for two months. Thereafter, patients will undergo an open-label stimulation for a total of 24 months. Primary efficacy outcome is a 30% decrease in the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) total score. Safety outcomes include extensive assessments of psychiatric and neurologic symptoms, psychosocial function, amygdala-specific and general neuropsychological functions, and EEG changes. The protocol requires the veteran to have a cohabiting significant other who is willing to assist in monitoring safety and effect on social functioning. At baseline and after approximately one year of stimulation, trauma script-provoked 18 FDG PET metabolic changes in limbic circuitry will also be evaluated.