cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prairie dogs: vectors and victims

Abstract Prairie dogs ( Cymonys spp.) are native to North America. They have proved to be a relatively popular pet in North America and in multiple countries around the world. All or the vast majority of prairie dogs sold in the pet trade are wild caught. Two zoonotic diseases that naturally occur in wild prairie dogs are tularemia and plague. Epizootics of both of these diseases have occurred in recently captured prairie dogs intended for the pet trade. The lot containing prairie dogs with tularemia was widely distributed within the United States and internationally before the disease was recognized. Recently, prairie dogs intended for the pet trade were exposed to monkeypox as the result of close contact with several species of wild caught African rodents. Infected prairie dogs developed a systemic disease with cutaneous manifestations. Prairie dogs were distributed to six states before the disease was recognized. As many as 76 people developed monkeypox from exposure to these prairie dogs. The last reported case was in June 2003. Currently, it is illegal to buy, sell, trade, or transport prairie dogs in the United States. However, veterinarians are still permitted to treat them.
Intercultural training of Japanese for U.S.-Japanese interorganizational communication

Abstract During the mid 1980s I lived and worked in Tokyo, Japan, as an intercultural communication consultant and trainer for Japanese corporations. All contracting corporations wanted to obtain briefings on U.S. communicative style and expressed a need to develop in-house corporate, intercultural programs as a key to facilitating improved Japanese- U. S. interaction. Corporations such as Nippon requested briefings and intensive programs for understanding cultural differences, for overcoming communication barriers, and for breeding hybrid behaviors, all geared toward joint ventures, relocations, subsidiaries, mergers, predeparture training, and expatriate needs. The enclosed Nippon case study is based on a program I developed in May 1985. The program provided a didactic and experiential laboratory for eight Japanese managers requesting intensive training on contrasting Japanese-U.S. negotiating styles. This case study is offered as an example of widespread Japanese corporate investment in intercultural and corporate training, and as a prototype for U.S. corporations to consider in the course of engaging in interorganizational communication with Japanese.
Highly cooperative binding to DNA by a histone-like, sperm-specific protein from Spisula solidissima.

In sperm of the bivalve mollusc, Spisula solidissima, the predominant protein from the highly condensed chromatin shares characteristics with both protamines and somatic histones. We have examined, in vitro, the binding of this unusual protamine-like protein (PLP) to DNA. The binding stoichiometry was estimated by DNA thermal melting and by fluorescence titration to be about 70 base pairs of DNA per PLP molecule; thus, since the overall charge on PLP is about 140, the saturated complex should be essentially charge neutral. In order to decrease problems of aggregation, PLP was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (PLP-F) to allow binding studies at very low concentrations of the complex. However, even at the lowest protein concentrations studied (2.5 nM), aggregation was easily detected for stoichiometries near 1. The binding was therefore studied at low ratios of PLP-F to DNA by examining the effect of increasing salt concentration on the complexes. The resulting salt-dissociation curves were analyzed by an approach based on the exact binding isotherm of McGhee and von Hippel [(1974) J. Biol. Chem.86, 469; (1976) 103, 679]. This approach allows direct simulation of the salt-dissociation curves and can thus be used for least squares fitting of the experimental data to determine the binding parameters. The results indicate that the binding is extremely cooperative (ω ∼ 105) and involves a surprisingly small number of monovalent ions (∼ 3–5).
The First 28 N-Terminal Amino Acid Residues of Human Heart Muscle Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase I Are Essential for Malonyl CoA Sensitivity and High-Affinity Binding†

Heart/skeletal muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (M-CPTI) is 30−100-fold more sensitive to malonyl CoA inhibition than the liver isoform (L-CPTI). To determine the role of the N-terminal region of human heart M-CPTI on malonyl CoA sensitivity and binding, a series of deletion mutations were constructed ranging in size from 18 to 83 N-terminal residues. All of the deletions except Δ83 were active. Mitochondria from the yeast strains expressing Δ28 and Δ39 exhibited a 2.5-fold higher activity compared to the wild type, but were insensitive to malonyl CoA inhibition and had complete loss of high-affinity malonyl CoA binding. The high-affinity site (KD1, Bmax1) for binding of malonyl CoA to M-CPTI was completely abolished in the Δ28, Δ39, Δ51, and Δ72 mutants, suggesting that the decrease in malonyl CoA sensitivity observed in these mutants was due to the loss of the high-affinity binding entity of the enzyme. Δ18 showed only a 4-fold loss in malonyl CoA sensitivity but had activity and high-affinity ma...
Distribution of complement anaphylatoxin receptors and membrane-bound regulators in normal human retina.

To characterize the distribution of membrane-bound components of the complement system in normal human retina, eyes from eight human donors with no history of ocular disease, ranging in age from 47 to 85 years were examined using immunohistochemistry to localize the C3a receptor (C3aR), C5a receptor (C5aR), CD46, CD55, and CD59 in cryosections prepared from donor posterior segments. The C3aR was identified in the nerve fiber layer in a sawtooth-patterned band. Vimentin, used as a Muller cell marker, produced a similar staining pattern. The C5aR was detected on specific rounded structures in the inner plexiform layer and occasionally in the nerve fiber layer. CD46 produced markedly specific staining of the basolateral surface of the retinal pigment epithelium. CD55 was localized to the nerve fiber layer. Staining for these proteins was consistent across all eyes studied. CD59 was expressed throughout the nerve fiber layer and labeled vessels that extended through the ganglion cell, inner plexiform, and inner nuclear layers, but this pattern was only confirmable in a single subject. Complement anaphylatoxin receptors and regulatory proteins are localized in different but internally consistent patterns in normal adult human retina, independent of the age of the donor. C3aR and C5aR localization only in the inner retina contrasts with previously reported findings in the central nervous system of wide spread diffuse staining. The complement regulators CD55 and CD59 were found primarily on the inner retina, while CD46 was present exclusively in a polarized fashion on the RPE.
Focus and relevance in the management of GI bleeding.

Gastroenterologists vary in their patient management skills. Besides obvious differences in their knowledge base, procedural dexterity, and bedside manner, what else differentiates “good” from “bad” gastroenterologists? Two failures in particular seem to frequently characterize ineffective management skills. The first failure relates to the inability to establish a management goal that addresses the underlying medical problem. The primary problem may be only partly recognized or may be missed altogether and instead the goal of medical management becomes focused on a secondary problem or an unimportant side issue. As each diagnosis presents itself with multiple clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and test results, a gastroenterologist may choose to manage a secondary symptom rather than the primary problem or underlying disease. Similarly, the correction of an abnormal laboratory test value or the pursuit of an intermediate outcome parameter could easily become the false foci of medical attention. The second failure relates to the inappropriate selection of test and procedural options to achieve the chosen management goal. A selected test procedure could be wrong because it is unable to yield any answers relevant to the management goal. Besides being blatantly wrong, a test could also be less effective because of its low sensitivity or specificity compared with other available tests. Medical pursuits may, thus, become inefficient for reasons associated with the first or second type of failure or even with both types combined, when a physician is simultaneously unable to focus on the right goal and also unable to assess the sequence of chosen interventions with regard to their goal relevance. Obviously, these types of failures apply to the management of any digestive disease. Because GI bleeding is a frequent issue of consults to gastroenterologists and because a large portion of GI endoscopy centers on diagnosis and treatment of GI bleeding, issues of focus and relevance frequently manifest themselves in the management of GI bleeding. Several examples are discussed in the following section to illustrate this point.
Possibility of transkingdom gene therapy for Complex I diseases

Defects of complex I are involved in many human mitochondrial diseases, and therefore we have proposed to use the NDI1 gene encoding a single subunit NADH dehydrogenase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for repair of respiratory activity. The yeast NDI1 gene was successfully introduced into mammalian cell lines. The expressed NDI1 protein was correctly targeted to the matrix side of the inner mitochondrial membranes, was fully functional and restored the NADH oxidase activity to the complex I-deficient cells. The NDI1-transduced cells were more resistant to complex I inhibitors and diminished production of reactive oxygen species induced by rotenone. It was further shown that the NDI1 protein can be functionally expressed in tissues such as skeletal muscles and the brain of rodents, which scarcely induced an inflammatory response. The use of NDI1 as a potential molecular therapy for complex I-deficient diseases is briefly discussed, including the proposed animal model.
Effects of soil fungi on weed communities in a corn–soybean rotation

In a variety of ecosystems, interactions between soil microbiota and weedy plants can strongly affect population and community dynamics of these plants. However, weed–soil microbe interactions are not well characterized in field-crop agroecosystems. In Minnesota (USA), we repeatedly applied a fungicide (benomyl) to field plots in a corn–soybean crop rotation in each of 3 years, and sowed experimental weed communities containing host species for arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and non-host species. Benomyl typically suppresses formation of mycorrhizal symbiosis in AMF-host plant species, and may also affect other soil fungi. We assessed weed density and biomass production, and monitored AMF colonization rates in each of 3 years. We found that weed density, biomass, community composition and the relative performance of AMF-host and non-host weed species were all significantly responsive to fungicide applications, although for all attributes responsiveness was variable. Fungicide application increased total weed density and biomass production in nearly all cases; most effects were modest but reached a maximum of 49%. Fungicide application also increased the relative performance of non-host species in most cases, although most effects were again modest. Our findings are the first assessment of responses by field-crop weeds to direct manipulation of soil microbial communities in a field setting, and suggest that the population and community ecology of these weeds can be strongly affected by the fungal component of soil microbiota.
Identification and characterization of a calcium-binding protein from human placenta

Summary The human placenta has been found to contain a specific calcium-binding protein (HCaBP) which increases in amount as a function of gestation. A procedure is described for the purification of the HCaBP to chromatographic and electrophoretic homogeneity. The HCaBP is (a) a high molecular weight protein with a native M r of 150 000 and appears to be a dimer of subunits of M r = 70 000; and (b) an acidic protein with a pI of 4.6. Amino acid analysis of the HCaBP revealed an abundance of acidic amino acid residues (27 per cent = Asp and Glu). A specific antiserum has been prepared against purified HCaBP. With Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion, the HCaBP appears to be specific for the human placenta, and is not cross-immunoreactive with the CaBP of the chick embryonic chorio-allantoic membrane.
Identification of the first trans-(3R,4R)- dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine derivative to possess highly potent and selective opioid kappa receptor antagonist activity.

A structurally novel opioid κ receptor selective ligand has been identified. This compound, (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic, 10) demonstrated high affinity for the κ receptor in the binding assay (κ Ki = 0.3 nM) and highly potent and selective κ antagonism in the [35S]GTP-γ-S assay using cloned opioid receptors (κ Ki = 0.006 nM, μ/κ ratio = 570, δ/κ ratio > 16600).
Negative childhood accounts, sensitivity, and pessimism: a study of avoidant personality disorder features in college students.

Theory suggests that individuals with avoidant personality disorder (APD) may have experienced rejection or isolation during childhood, that they may be temperamentally hypersensitive, and that they may hold pessimistic expectancies. In a sample of 127 undergraduates, negative childhood memories, sensory-processing sensitivity, and pessimism were assessed. To measure childhood memories, participants wrote open-ended narratives that were evaluated for valence by independent raters. To measure APD features, participants rated the degree of which verbatim DSM-IV criteria were descriptive of themselves. Negative childhood accounts, self-reports of sensory-processing sensitivity, and pessimism were correlated with DSM-IV APD features, even after controlling for the influence of present negative mood. Interactions suggested that pessimism was more strongly related to APD features among participants who were either highly sensitive or recalled adverse childhood experiences (e.g., isolation, rejection, conflict). Implications for theory and intervention are discussed.
Plasmon-controlled fluorescence: A new paradigm in fluorescence spectroscopy

Fluorescence spectroscopy is widely used in chemical and biological research. Until recently essentially all fluorescence experiments were performed in the far-field regime. By far-field we mean at least several wavelengths from the fluorophore. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the interactions of fluorophores with metallic surfaces or particles. Near-field interactions are those occurring within a wavelength distance of an excited fluorophore. The spectral properties of fluorophores can dramatically be altered by near-field interactions with the electron clouds present in metals. These interactions modify the emission in ways not seen in classical fluorescence experiments. Fluorophores in the excited state can create plasmons that radiate into the far-field and that fluorophores in the ground state can interact with and be excited by surface plasmons. These reciprocal interactions suggest that the novel optical absorption and scattering properties of metallic nanostructures can be used to control the decay rates, location, and direction of fluorophore emission. We refer to these phenomena as plasmon-controlled fluorescence (PCF). We will present a review of the recent work on metal-fluorophore interactions and suggest how these effects could result in new classes of experimental procedures, novel probes, bioassays and devices. While there are many complexities to fluorophore-metal interactions there are also many opportunities. In addition to control of the chemical structure of the fluorophore we can now control, to some extent, the processes of excitation and emission with nearby metallic nanostructures resulting in new approaches to high-throughput biology, diagnostics and molecular imaging.
Mechanism of idiosyncratic drug reactions: reactive metabolite formation, protein binding and the regulation of the immune system.

Abstract Drug-induced adverse reactions, especially type B reactions, represent a major clinical problem. They also impart a significant degree of uncertainty into drug development because they are often not detected until the drug has been released onto the market. Type B reactions are also termed idiosyncratic drug reactions by many investigators due to their unpredictable nature and our lack of understanding of the mechanisms involved. It is currently believed that the majority of these reactions are immune-mediated and are caused by immunogenic conjugates formed from the reaction of a reactive metabolite of a drug with cellular proteins. It has been shown that most drugs associated with idiosyncratic reactions form reactive metabolites to some degree. Covalent binding of reactive metabolites to cellular proteins has also been shown in many cases. However, studies to reveal the role of reactive metabolites and their protein-adducts in the mechanism of drug-induced idiosyncratic reactions are lacking. This review will focus on our current understanding and speculative views on how a reactive metabolite of a drug might ultimately lead to immune-mediated toxicity.
Testing for resistance to metalaxyl inPhytophthora infestans isolates from northwestern Washington

Outbreaks of late blight occurred in commercial potato fields in northwestern Washington in 1989 and reached epidemic proportions in 1990. Since most blighted fields reportedly had received 2–4 late-season applications of metalaxyl, the possibility existed that pathogenic strains ofPhytophthora infestans had developed resistance to this systemic fungicide. In testing this hypothesis,P. infestans was isolated consistently from diseased leaves, stems, and tubers of potato when small tissue pieces were surface-disinfected in 0.5% NaOCl for 3 min. Virulence of isolates was assessed on detached leaflets of eight differential (R-gene) potato genotypes. Although simple races (single and double) were recovered, there was also a high frequency of complex race combinations. When tested in metalaxyl-amended media, 81% of the 73 isolates recovered from diseased tissues were highly resistant to 10 μg metalaxyl/ml and 19% yielded intermediate resistance. Sensitive isolates were not recovered. Fifty-five percent of 40 isolates sporulated on potato tuber disks in the presence of ≥10 ug metalaxyl/ml. On leaf tissues, 85% of 20 isolates sporulated in the presence of 10 μg metalaxyl/ml, and 50% sporulated in the presence of 100 μg/ml. This is the first report ofP. infestans resistance to metalaxyl in the U.S.
Kinetics of zinc desorption from soils

The kinetics of zinc desorption by DTPA were investigated in several soils. The rate of desorption of soil zinc and adsorbed zinc was rapid initially and gradually declined with time. The desorption reaction can be described by a two constant rate equation, C=AtB. The rate of zinc desorption in soil containing freshly adsorbed zinc was considerably higher than soil zinc, possibly due to the higher solubility and zinc concentration on the surfaces of soil particulate matter. The amount of zinc desorbed by DTPA, however, continued to decrease with increasing aging time. Elevated temperature further enhanced zinc aging and reduced zinc extractability. Recrystallization of adsorbed zinc in soil which subsequently increased the bonding strength of adsorbed zinc, could be responsible for the reduction of zinc desorption by DTPA.
Prospective Evaluation of Factors Predicting Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms Among Korean Americans.

Introduction: This study examined factors predicting nicotine withdrawal symptoms following quitting among Korean American smokers who were receiving counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Methods: The sample comprised 90 Korean American smokers selected from a two-arm randomised controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention (culturally adapted versus treatment as usual). Nicotine withdrawal symptoms were assessed weekly for the first four weeks from the target quit day, using the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS). Only those who participated in two or more weekly assessments of the symptoms were included. Results: Among the nine withdrawal symptoms listed in the MNWS, craving and disturbed sleep decreased over time whereas the remaining symptoms had no significant effect of time. Women or individuals who perceived greater risks of quitting smoking reported more withdrawal symptoms after controlling for abstinence status. Although withdrawal symptoms did not change, on average, with time, the rates of change varied randomly across individuals. Women reported more withdrawal symptoms in the first week after quitting and showed a higher rate of decline of the symptoms over time than men. Conclusions: Korean American smokers who are women or who perceive greater risks of quitting smoking may require more intensive treatment to effectively deal with post-quit withdrawal symptoms.
Asymmetric Aldol Reaction Catalyzed by Modularly Designed Organocatalysts

The self-assembly of the precatalyst modules, which are amino acids and cinchona alkaloid derivatives, leads to the direct formation of the desired organocatalysts without any synthesis. These modularly designed organocatalysts (MDOs) may be used for catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction. Depending on structure of the aldehyde substrates, the corresponding aldol products may be obtained in mediocre to excellent ee values (up to 92% ee) with moderate diastereoselectivities (up to 79:21 dr).
Differences in utilization of tritiated thymidine and tritiated deoxycytidine by rat lymph node cells.

Large lymphoid cells and plasma cells in antigenically stimulated rat lymph nodes retain less label after injection of3H-CdR than after injection of3H-TdR. There is no difference amongst small lymphocytes. The data are consistent with a defect in the utilization of3H-CdR in the late stages of B cell maturation in the rat.
Contrast discrimination between stimuli of orthogonal orientations.

Previous investigations have shown that spatial frequency discrimination performance does not suffer when observers are made to compare the frequency of orthogonal gratings. It remains to be determined if contrast discrimination is similarly independent of the relative orientations of the two gratings to be compared. Using a 2AFC method of constant stimuli, contrast discrimination was studied under conditions in which observers compared the contrast of two orthogonal gratings. Contrast discrimination thresholds determined in this way were compared with thresholds obtained with parallel stimuli. Discrimination thresholds obtained under the two conditions were similar.
Recurrence of varicocele after high retroperitoneal repair: implications of intraoperative venography.

Purpose: We determined whether intraoperative venography results in a decreased recurrence rate after varicocele repair in adolescence.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 177 male adolescents 14 to 19 years old who underwent varicocele repair via the high retroperitoneal approach with artery sparing and intraoperative venography.Results: Overall the recurrence rate was 2.8% (5 of 177 cases) in the venography group and 11% in historical controls without venography. We identified left-to-right cross communicating vessels in 3 patients with recurrence. Intraoperatively venography revealed nonligated vessels in 21 patients (12%), resulting in revision and repair during the same procedure.Conclusions: Intraoperative venography seems to decrease the rate of recurrence. Left-to-right cross communicating vessels may be present in some adolescents with recurrence after varicocelectomy.
An investigation of the performance of turbulent mixing models

Modeling of partially stirred reactors (PaSR) by stochastic Monto Carlo simulations is carried out to investigate the relative performance of three existing turbulent mixing models: the interaction by exchange with the mean model, the modified Curl mixing model, and the Euclidean minimum spanning tree model. A detailed mechanism for hydrogen oxidation, which involves 9 species and 19 reactions, is incorporated into the simulations using the in situ adaptive tabulation algorithm. Numerical simulations are performed for a wide range of residence and mixing times revealing the significant differences in the PDFs of mixture fraction, in the scatter plots, and in the extinction behaviors between the three different mixing models. The conditional mean scalar dissipation implied by each model is deduced analytically or numerically in the PaSR, but it is shown not to have the same significance as in the conditional moment closure and flamelet models.
A cell-free system for protein synthesis from newly fertilized eggs of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Optimal conditions for cell-free protein synthesis using post-mitochondrial supernatant preparations from newly fertilized eggs of Drosophila melanogaster have been determined. The most active extracts were prepared using 75 mM KCl in potassium N-2- hydroxyethylpiperazine -N′-2- ethane sulfonate (pH 7.4). The optimal pH of the incubation medium was found to be 7.0. Dithiothreitol was more effective than other thiol reagents in enhancing amino acid incorporation by the system and was used in both the extraction and incubation media. A Mg2+ concentration of 4 mM in the incubation system was found to represent a well-defined optimum. The monovalent cation requirement for optimal incorporating activity of the system is complex: NH4+, K+ and Na+ were all found to be required at a total concentration of 91 mM. Under the optimal conditions defined, the amino acid-incorporating activity of the system is comparable to the activities of mammalian and other insect systems. The Drosophila system is of interest since it apparently is active in cell-free initiation of polypeptide chains — as indicated by its sensitivity to low concentrations of NaF or aurintricarboxylic acid.
Interindividual Variability in the Cardiac Expression of Anthracycline Reductases in Donors With and Without Down Syndrome

Purpose The intracardiac synthesis of anthracycline alcohol metabolites (e.g., daunorubicinol) contributes to the pathogenesis of anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity. Cancer patients with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk for anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity. We profiled the expression of anthracycline metabolizing enzymes in hearts from donors with- and without- DS.
The action of human prostate slices on alpha-estradiol and estrone.

DURING the course of an investigation into the metabolism of estrogens in the prostate gland, it was observed that slices of normal human prostate, suspended in a Ringer-phosphate-glucose medium containing either estrone or α-estradiol, were capable of causing the disappearance of a large proportion of the estrogen from the medium. In attempting to account for the fate of estrone, we found that the amount of the estrogen which disappeared from the medium could be completely recovered from the slices by extraction of the latter with ethanol and ether. There was therefore no net destruction of estrone by the prostate slices. The removal of the estrogen from the medium and its retention by the slices appears not to be a specific metabolic process, since slices of prostate or of rat liver previously heated to 100° C, possessing no respiratory activity, were equally capable of causing the removal of estrone or α-estradiol from the medium.
Liver abscess in patients with cirrhosis of the liver: a 12-year experience.

Liver abscess is rare in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the incidence, clinical presentation, causal pathogens, and outcome of liver abscess in cirrhotic patients. Methods. We collected 21 liver abscess specimens (from 14 male patients and 7 female patients; Child A: B: C, 4: 7: 10) from 22 731 admissions of 6450 cirrhotic patients, from 1986 through 1998. Results. The common clinical symptoms and signs included fever, chills, and abdominal tenderness. The major predisposing factors were biliary tract disease (52%) and diabetes mellitus (48%). The diagnosis rate with abdominal ultrasonography was 79%. Gram-negative aerobes were the predominant pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, 66.7%; Escherichia coli, 23.8%), and occurred in 80% and 69% of blood and pus cultures, respectively, while 38% of cases showed polymicrobial pathogens. The location of the abscess was predominantly in the right lobe (71.4%), and 47.6% of patients had multiple abscesses. Six patients died (all with Child C cirrhosis). The overall mortality rate was 28.6% (6/21). Conclusions. The incidence of liver abscess in the cirrhotic patients was low, at 0.09% (21/22 731 admissions). The clinical presentations and pathogens were not different from those in noncirrhotic patients, except that in our cirrhotic patients, there was no significant difference in mortality between those with monomicrobial and those with polymicrobial abscess; nor was there a significant difference in mortality between those with single and those with multiple abscesses. The Child C patients were the high-risk group.
Mixing of a Point‐Source Indoor Pollutant by Forced Convection

The mixing rate of pollutants emitted from indoor sources influences the effectiveness of pollutant removal by building ventilation and the potential variability of exposure for a given release scenario. Quantitative information is scant on the mixing rate and the factors that govern it. We present mixing data for an instantaneously released tracer gas, carbon monoxide, in a sealed, unoccupied room under a range of forced airflow conditions, in which the flow is induced by blowers. The resulting mixing times, from 2 to 42 minutes, are related to the mechanical power of the air jets produced by the blowers. Mixing times are found to correlate well with the inverse of the cube root of power, in accordance with theoretical predictions and experimental observations for mixing in chemical reactors. The exposure index, defined as the time-averaged concentration at a point relative to the time-averaged concentration for the room as a whole, is presented for three experimental conditions, yielding quantitative information on the appropriateness of the well-mixed hypothesis under various flow conditions. In general, the exposure period following instantaneous release of a point-source pollutant must be much greater than the mixing time for the assumption of uniform mixing to hold. The correlation between mixing time and power input is used to predict the mixing time from the mixing action of a supply air jet for a typical ventilation scenario. The predicted mixing time, τmix∼7 min, is substantially lower than the time scale for removal by ventilation, τvent∼48 min. Under these conditions, complete mixing of an instantaneous release, point-source pollutant would be approximately attained within the interior space well before the pollutant would be thoroughly removed by ventilation.
Intrinsic Macrolide Resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis Is Conferred by a Novel erm Gene, erm(38)

High-level, acquired macrolide resistance in mycobacteria is conferred by mutation within the 23S rRNA gene. However, several mycobacteria are naturally resistant to macrolides, including the Mycobacterium smegmatis group and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize this resistance. Intrinsic macrolide resistance in M. smegmatis was inducible and showed cross-resistance to lincosamides but not to streptogramin B (i.e., ML resistance). A similar phenotype was found with Mycobacterium microti and macrolide-resistant Mycobacterium fortuitum. A search of the DNA sequence data for M. smegmatis strain mc(2)155 identified a novel erm gene, erm(38), and expression analysis showed that erm(38) RNA levels increased >10-fold after a 2-h incubation with macrolide. Inducible ML resistance was not expressed by an erm(38) knockout mutant, and complementation of this mutant with intact erm(38) in trans resulted in high-level ML resistance (e.g., clarithromycin MIC of >512 micro g/ml). Thus, the results indicate that erm(38) confers the intrinsic ML resistance of M. smegmatis. Southern blot analysis with an erm(38)-specific probe indicated that a similar gene may be present in macrolide-resistant M. fortuitum. This finding, with the presence of the erm(37) gene (Rv1988) in the M. tuberculosis complex, suggests that such genes are widespread in mycobacteria with intrinsic macrolide resistance.
Effect of Adenovirus-Mediated Heat Shock Protein Expression and Oncolysis in Combination with Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide Treatment on Antitumor Immune Responses

Heat shock proteins such as gp96 have the ability to chaperone peptides and activate antigen-presenting cells. In this study, we tested whether adenovirus-mediated overexpression of secreted or membrane-associated forms of gp96 in tumor cells would stimulate an antitumor immune response. Studies were carried out in C57Bl/6 mice bearing aggressively growing s.c. tumors derived from syngeneic TC-1 cells, a cell line that expresses HPV16 E6 and E7 proteins. We found that secreted gp96 can induce protective and therapeutic antitumor immune responses. Our data also indicate that the antitumor effect of sgp96 expression seems to be limited by the induction of suppressive regulatory T cells (Treg). TC-1 tumor transplantation increased the number of splenic and tumor-infiltrating Tregs. Importantly, treatment of mice with low-dose cyclophosphamide decreased the number of Tregs and enhanced the immunostimulatory effect of sgp96 expression. We also tested whether an oncolytic vector (Ad.IR-E1A/TRAIL), that is able to induce tumor cell apoptosis and, potentially, release cryptic tumor epitopes in immunogenic form, could stimulate antitumor immune responses. Although tumor cells infected ex vivo with Ad.IR-E1A/TRAIL had no antitumor effect when used as a vaccine alone, the additional treatment with low-dose cyclophosphamide resulted in the elimination of pre-established tumors. This study gives a rationale for testing approaches that suppress Tregs in combination with oncolytic or immunostimulatory vectors.
Maternal germ-line transmission of mutant mtDNAs from embryonic stem cell-derived chimeric mice

Abstract We report a method for introducing mtDNA mutations into the mouse female germ line by means of embryonic stem (ES) cell cybrids. Mitochondria were recovered from the brain of a NZB mouse by fusion of synaptosomes to a mtDNA-deficient (ρ°) cell line. These cybrids were enucleated and the cytoplasts were electrofused to rhodamine-6G (R-6G)-treated female ES cells. The resulting ES cell cybrids permitted transmission of the NZB mtDNAs through the mouse maternal lineage for three generations. Similarly, mtDNAs from a partially respiratory-deficient chloramphenicol-resistant (CAPR) cell line also were introduced into female chimeric mice and were transmitted to the progeny. CAPR chimeric mice developed a variety of ocular abnormalities, including congenital cataracts, decreased retinal function, and hamaratomas of the optic nerve. The germ-line transmission of the CAPR mutation resulted in animals with growth retardation, myopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and perinatal or in utero lethality. Skeletal and heart muscle mitochondria of the CAPR mice were enlarged and atypical with inclusions. This mouse ES cell-cybrid approach now provides the means to generate a wide variety of mouse models of mitochondrial disease.
Quantitative Morphology of Human Hippocampus Early Neuron Development

Previous findings in adults revealed significant hemispheric asymmetry in the size of neuronal somata in hippocampal subfield CA2 (the resistant sector) with no age-related changes. A paucity of quantitative data on the developmental status of these protected neurons has led to the investigation of their morphology in comparison to neurons in adjacent subfield CA3, bilaterally. Bilateral coronal sections from postmortem hippocampus, 24 to 76 weeks postmenstrual age (gestational age plus postnatal age), were studied. The neurons were digitized and measured on a computer. Soma size correlated positively and significantly with age in CA2 and CA3, bilaterally. CA2 somata were significantly larger (left, 34%; right, 32%) than adjacent CA3 somata. Variability in soma form or size increased appreciably with age, in both subfields, bilaterally, while variability in soma orientation was weakly correlated with brain growth. The results suggest that in early development there are similarities in hemispheric growth patterns in CA2 and CA3. Large CA2 soma size implies axonal connectivity to distantly located targets very early in development. The results have functional implications, including memory, to brain development.
Intra-operative microwave ablation of liver malignancies with tumour permittivity feedback control: a prospective ablate and resect study.

Background Tumour permittivity feedback control is a novel method for microwave ablation (MWA) that theoretically allows for larger, more predictable ablations. This prospective case series evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of MWA of liver malignancies using a device with tumour permittivity feedback control.
Chemoimmunotherapy of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.

Sarcomatoid renal adenocarcinomas are rare, invariably fatal tumors. There is only one report of treatment of this tumor with chemotherapy. We report a case of an advanced sarcomatoid renal adenocarcinoma treated with chemo-immunotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), DTIC, BCG, and sarcoma viral oncolysate. The patient had an objective response with a marked reduction in the size of the tumor mass. The residual tumor was removed surgically, and the patient remains in complete remission two years after the diagnosis was made.
Relations of Home Preference with Temperament and with Prevailing Emotional Conditions in Everyday Life

Two studies explored relations of an individual's ideal home environment with (1) his/her personality or temperament and (2) the prevailing emotional conditions present in his/her everyday work and family life. The PAD Temperament and Emotion Models were used to assess temperament and the emotional impact of everyday work and family life and of the ideal residence. Findings across both studies consistently supported the proposed hypotheses of positive correlations between temperament Pleasantness (Arousability, Dominance) and life-circumstance Pleasure (Arousal, Dominance) on the one hand, and Pleasure (Arousal, Dominance) impact of ideal residence on the other. Thus, (1) temperament variables and (2) prevailing emotional conditions in everyday work and home life related positively to the emotional conditions individuals sought in their ideal residences. Also, across both studies, participants showed strong preferences for residences that would heighten pleasure and dominance, but not arousal, levels.
Familial male hermaphroditism with ambiguous external genitalia

Abstract Five families (16 cases) of familial male hermaphrodites with ambiguous external genitalia are reported and compared with 15 families (44 cases) collected from the literature. Male hermaphroditism with ambiguous external genitalia occurs not only as a sporadic disorder but also in families as a disease inherited through an apparently normal female. The familial disorder is characterized by breast development in the majority of cases in contrast to the sporadic cases of male hermaphrodites with ambiguous external genitalia. “Familial male hermaphroditism with ambiguous external eenitalia” is suggested as a suitable designation for this syndrome. The etiological factors and pathogenesis of this syndrome are not well established.
Pancreatic cancer chemoprevention by phytochemicals

Pancreatic cancer is fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States of America. In spite of recent advances in the current therapeutic modalities such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy patients, the average five year survival rate remains still less than 5%. Recently, compounds from natural sources receive ample of attention as anti-cancer agents. Many epidemiological studies published over the past few decades provide a strong correlation between consumption of vegetables, fruits or plant derived products and reduced incidence of cancer. The present review focuses on the potential antitumor effects of various natural products.
Medical and Judicial Perceptions of the Risks Associated with Use of Antipsychotic Medication

To determine whether occupational perspective influences the decision to prescribe antipsychotic medications, we presented a group of psychiatrists and judges with a hypothetical case involving a potentially psychotic patient. The subjects were asked what probability of drug-induced tardive dyskinesia they would accept in order to prevent psychotic decompensation. The subjects were then asked to estimate the actual probability that tardive dyskinesia would occur if the patient received antipsychotic medications. From the responses to these questions we inferred their treatment decisions. Although the psychiatrists and judges agreed on an acceptable level of risk, they differed significantly in their estimates of the actual risk involved and, by inference, their decisions concerning treatment. Our findings have several implications for adjudication of cases involving treatment decisions and the right to refuse treatment.
Transient ischemic attacks characterized by RNA profiles in blood

Objective: Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are common. Though systemic inflammation and thrombosis are associated with TIA, further study may provide insight into TIA pathophysiology and possibly lead to the development of treatments specifically targeted to TIA. We sought to determine whether gene expression profiles in blood could better characterize the proinflammatory and procoagulant states in TIA patients. Methods: RNA expression in blood of TIA patients (n = 26) was compared to vascular risk factor control subjects without symptomatic cardiovascular disease (n = 26) using Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays. Differentially expressed genes in TIA were identified by analysis of covariance and evaluated with cross-validation and functional analyses. Results: Patients with TIA had different patterns of gene expression compared to controls. There were 480 probe sets, corresponding to 449 genes, differentially expressed between TIA and controls (false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons, p ≤ 0.05, absolute fold change ≥1.2). These genes were associated with systemic inflammation, platelet activation, and prothrombin activation. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the identified genes suggested the presence of 2 patterns of RNA expression in patients with TIA. Prediction analysis identified a set of 34 genes that discriminated TIA from controls with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conclusion: Patients with recent TIA have differences of gene expression in blood compared to controls. The 2 gene expression profiles associated with TIA suggests heterogeneous responses between subjects with TIA that may provide insight into cause, risk of stroke, and other TIA pathophysiology.
Recursive object model (ROM)-Modelling of linguistic information in engineering design

Throughout the engineering design process, the design problem and design solutions may be represented by natural language, sketches, technical drawings, and process diagrams. Due to its ambiguity and flexibility, natural language processing has not been well integrated into the tools and methods assisting the design process. This paper proposes a new graphic language, called recursive object model (ROM), to represent natural language used in engineering, which are mainly composed by statements. The ROM uses only five basic symbols to represent object, compound object, constraint relationship, predicate relationship and connection relationship. Those five elements are derived mathematically and are proven sufficient for technical English through enumeration. Three case studies addressing different aspects of design are used to demonstrate the usefulness of the ROM.
Three dimensional micromachining for millimeter-wave circuits

Recent advances in three dimensional metal micromachining processes provide new opportunities for millimeter-wave circuit fabrication. Using these processes, enclosed transmission lines can operate to frequencies over 200 GHz, have very low crosstalk, and be routed arbitrarily. These processes also allow the integration of resonators with quality factors in excess of 500 allowing low loss filters to be fabricated at the same time as the transmission lines. Finally, the precision of the processes allows the design and realization of passive components such as cross-overs and couplers. The further development of these processes will enable highly integrated millimeter-wave systems.
Concurrent septoplasty during endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis: does it confound outcomes assessment?

Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine if chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)-specific health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes are affected by concurrent septoplasty performed during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for medically refractory CRS. Study Design: Prospective, multicenter cohort study. Methods: A total of 221 patients with medically refractory CRS without nasal polyposis who elected primary ESS were included in this study. Patients were dichotomized into two cohorts: concurrent septoplasty (n = 108) or no septoplasty (n = 113) during ESS. The main outcomes of interest included two CRS-specific HRQoL instruments: the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) and the Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS). Symptom presentation was assessed using eight sinonasal visual analog scale (VAS) symptom scores. Results: There were no differences in CRS-specific HRQoL improvements on all RSDI and CSS measures following ESS between cohorts with or without septoplasty (all P > .05). In patients with medically refractory CRS, the presence of septal deviation did not result in a different CRS-specific symptom presentation compared to patients without septal deviation (all baseline VAS symptom score comparisons P > .295). Conclusions: To optimize nasal patency and improve surgical access, septoplasty is commonly performed during ESS. Based on the results of this study, concurrent septoplasty does not appear to affect CRS-specific HRQoL or symptom outcomes and does not function as a confounding factor in HRQoL improvement.