cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical applications of radionuclide imaging in the evaluation and management of patients with congenital heart disease

Non-invasive testing of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) began in the 1950s with the introduction of radionuclide studies to assess shunt fractions, pulmonary blood flow, and ventricular contractile function. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging have since replaced radionuclide imaging in many of these roles. Concurrently, percutaneous and surgical repairs of complex CHD evolved, creating new roles for radionuclide imaging. In this paper on applications of radionuclide imaging in CHD, we review the multiple mechanisms for myocardial ischemia in CHD. We critically compare optimal radionuclide imaging techniques to other imaging modalities for assessing ischemia in CHD. We present the current role of nuclear imaging for assessing viability and pulmonary blood flow. We highlight the value added by advances in dedicated cardiac SPECT scanners, novel reconstruction software, and cardiac PET in performing low-dose radionuclide imaging in CHD. Finally, we discuss the emerging clinical indications for radionuclide imaging in CHD including coronary flow reserve assessment and evaluation of cardiovascular prosthesis and device infections.
Processing of adenovirus nuclear RNA to mRNA.

Publisher Summary The mechanism, as well as the regulation, of the biogenesis of adenovirus messenger RNA (mRNA) has been the subject of intensive research over the past several years, principally because it provides an excellent model for the events that occur in the uninfected mammalian cell. The usefulness of adenovirus as a model system is illustrated in this chapter. Adenovirus is a double-stranded DNA virus, which replicates in the nucleus of infected cells. The virus carries no known enzymes into the cell and thus, is completely dependent upon the cellular machinery for at least the initial transcription of its genome. Purified adenovirus DNA can be prepared in large quantities so that defined segments of the genome are available in sufficient amounts for most experiments. The chapter presents a more limited picture of the processes involved in the production of a group of specific mRNAs. As the most comprehensive information available is that dealing with the production of the late adenovirus mRNAs, it is the subject on which the chapter focuses, making reference when appropriate to other systems.
Race, Class, and Ethnicity in Young Adulthood

This chapter examines how social class, race, and ethnicity shape the transition to adulthood, drawing heavily on life course theory, developmental contextualism, and the concepts of risk, resilience, and social capital as analytic anchors. Four domains of functioning are discussed—conceptions of adulthood, mental health, paid employment, and educational attainment. Emphasis is given to studies that illuminate processes that link social location to the development of youth (mediational processes) and studies that examine sources of variation in developmental pathways among economically disadvantaged and ethnic minority youth, with special attention to the positive end of the risk dimension (i.e., promotive factors). We also highlight protective factors, that is, factors and processes that mitigate the negative effects of economic advantage and ethnic minority status on the functioning of youth during the transition to adulthood. Each major section of the chapter concludes with a summary and discussion of questions and issues that merit study in future research. The chapter emphasizes research based on U.S. samples, but incorporates research findings from youth in Canada and Western European countries. Keywords: conceptions of adulthood; educational attainment; employment; mental health; risk; resilience; social capital; transition to adulthood
Data Base Research: A Survey

The research activities in the area of data base systems are reviewed. Most of the issues considered by research institutes center around models of information, interactive data manipulation, system aspects, implementation techniques and modelling and analysis. Comparison with industry activities and documented user requirements shows differences of emphasis between research and development. Conclusions are drawn with respect to established and potentially emerging principles in the area of data base design and architecture and with respect to potential future trends in data base research.
A Review of “The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution”

Picking off the foremost evolutionary theories for the occurrence of female orgasm, Elizabeth Lloyd presents a precise, well-argued, fantastically researched, devastating attack on the scientific “...
Microbial biogeochemistry of uranium mill tailings.

Publisher Summary Uranium mill tailings (UMT) are the crushed ore residues from the extraction of uranium (U) from ores. Among the radioactive wastes associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, UMT are unique in terms of their volume and their limited isolation from the surficial environment. For this latter reason, their management and long-term fate has many interfaces with environmental microbial communities and processes. The interactions of microorganisms with UMT have been shown to be diverse and with significant consequences for radionuclide mobility and bioremediation. These radionuclides are associated with the U-decay series. The addition of organic carbon and phosphate is required to initiate the reduction of the U present in the groundwater down gradient of the mills. Investigations on sediment and water from the U-contaminated aquifer, indicates that the addition of a carbon source stimulates the rate of U removal by microbial reduction. Moreover, most attention with respect to passive or engineered removal of U from groundwaters focuses on iron-reducing and sulfate-reducing bacteria.
Functional role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in inhibitory motor innervation in the mouse internal anal sphincter

Key points • Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-ergic neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was examined in the internal anal sphincter of wild-type mice and compared with that of VIP−/− mice. • Relaxation and hyperpolarization during brief trains of electrical field stimulation (EFS; 4 s) were mediated by purinergic and nitrergic NMT. • During longer stimulus trains, a non-purinergic, non-nitrergic (NNNP) relaxation and hyperpolarization slowly developed and persisted for several minutes beyond the end of the stimulus train. • The NNNP NMT was abolished by VIP receptor antagonists, absent in the VIP−/− mouse internal anal sphincter and mimicked by exogenous VIP. • These data suggest that NNNP NMT gives rise to ultraslow relaxation and hyperpolarization that is mediated by VIP. In vivo, this pathway may be activated with larger rectal distensions, leading to a more prolonged anal relaxation. Abstract There is evidence that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) participates in inhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) in the internal anal sphincter (IAS). However, specific details concerning VIP-ergic NMT are limited, largely because of difficulties in selectively blocking other inhibitory neural pathways. The present study used the selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist MRS2500 (1 μm) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA; 100 μm) to block purinergic and nitrergic NMT to characterize non-purinergic, non-nitrergic (NNNP) inhibitory NMT and the role of VIP in this response. Nerves were stimulated with electrical field stimulation (0.1–20 Hz, 4–60 s) and the associated changes in contractile and electrical activity measured in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic conditions in the IAS of wild-type and VIP−/− mice. Electrical field stimulation gave rise to frequency-dependent relaxation and hyperpolarization that was blocked by tetrodotoxin. Responses during brief trains of stimuli (4 s) were mediated by purinergic and nitrergic NMT. During longer stimulus trains, an NNNP relaxation and hyperpolarization developed slowly and persisted for several minutes beyond the end of the stimulus train. The NNNP NMT was abolished by VIP6–28 (30 μm), absent in the VIP−/− mouse and mimicked by exogenous VIP (1–100 nm). Immunoreactivity for VIP was co-localized with neuronal nitric oxide synthase in varicose intramuscular fibres but was not detected in the VIP−/− mouse IAS. In conclusion, this study identified an ultraslow component of inhibitory NMT in the IAS mediated by VIP. In vivo, this pathway may be activated with larger rectal distensions, leading to a more prolonged period of anal relaxation.
Spindle cell lipoma of the hand

We report a case of spindle cell lipoma of the hand on a 34-year-old woman. The tumor presented as a slowly growing asymptomatic mass, soft on palpation. MRI demonstrated areas of fatty signal interspersed with nodular and linear areas of non-fatty tissue that showed high signal on fluid-sensitive sequences and contrast enhancement. The histologic diagnosis of spindle cell lipoma was made on needle biopsy and confirmed after excision. The patient has been asymptomatic with no recurrence.
Morphological Control of Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterials for Catalysis Applications

I found an efficient method to control the morphology of the organically monofunctionalized mesoporous silica materials by introducing different types of organoalkoxysilanes in a base-catalyzed co-condensation reaction. The monofunctionalized materials exhibit different particle morphologies relative to the pure MCM-41 material. The concentration dependence of the morphology is a critical factor to determine the final particle shape. A proposed mechanism of the shape evolution is also offered. After understanding the role of organoalkoxysilanes in producing various well-shaped nanomaterials, I also obtained a series of bifunctional mesoporous silica materials with certain particle morphology. A series of bifunctional mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) whose physicochemical properties was investigated via solid state NMR techniques and Cu{sup 2+} adsorption capacity tests, The ratio of two different organic groups inside of mesopores of these MSNs could be fine-tuned. These MSNs serve as a useful model system to study substrate selectivity in catalytic reactions and sorption phenomena. For example, the Cu{sup 2+} adsorption capacity of these materials was dictated by the chemical nature of the mesopores generated by the different organic functional groups. An investigation of the substrate selectivity of the bifunctionalized MSNs in a competitive nitroaldol reaction using an equimolar amount of two competing 4-nitrobenzaldehyde derivatives wasmore » performed. Shape-controlled bifunctional MSNs were employed as the catalysts. The properties of the MSNs were investigated using various spectroscopic methods and electron microscopy. The more hydrophobic the surface organic groups are, the higher the ratio of hydrophobic final product. This is the first example to demonstrate the selection of substrate using physicochemical nature of the mesopore surface other than the conventional shape selection in zeolite systems. I also created a cooperative dual catalyst system that is capable of activating two different substrates in aldol reaction, Henry reaction and cyanosilylation. One catalytic group activates the nucleophile, another organic group simultaneously activates the electrophile to enhance the total reaction rate. I systematically vaned the amount of two organic groups and performed the three model reactions to compare rate enhancements.« less
A broad phonetic classifier

It has been shown that broad phonetic sequences partition a large lexicon into small equivalence classes of words sharing the same sequence. While these results illustrate the power of broad phonetic constraints for differentiating words from one another, they do not suggest how to exploit sequential constraints in recognition. This paper presents a method for decoupling sequential phonetic constraints from a lexicon, by representing allowable broad phonetic sequences in terms of n-th order Markov models. A simple frame-based broad phonetic classifier is used to evaluate the effectiveness of these models in recognition. Tests on 300 sentences from 30 male speakers demonstrate that the addition of sequential constraints improves the classifier's performance.
Phase I Study of Infusional Paclitaxel in Combination With the P-Glycoprotein Antagonist PSC 833

PURPOSE: PSC 833 (valspodar) is a second-generation P-glycoprotein (Pgp) antagonist developed to reverse multidrug resistance. We conducted a phase I study of a 7-day oral administration of PSC 833 in combination with paclitaxel, administered as a 96-hour continuous infusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with advanced cancer were enrolled onto the trial. PSC 833 was administered orally for 7 days, beginning 72 hours before the start of the paclitaxel infusion. Paclitaxel dose reductions were planned because of the pharmacokinetic interactions known to occur with PSC 833. RESULTS: In combination with PSC 833, maximum-tolerated doses were defined as paclitaxel 13.1 mg/m2/d continuous intravenous infusion (CIVI) for 4 days without filgrastim, and paclitaxel 17.5 mg/m2/d CIVI for 4 days with filgrastim support. Dose-limiting toxicity for the combination was neutropenia. Statistical analysis of cohorts revealed similar mean steady-state concentrations (Cpss) and areas under the concentration-versus-tim...
Influence of cultural parameters on the depolymerization of a soluble lignite coal polymer by Pseudomonas cepacia DLC-07☆

Abstract A lignite coal-depolymerizing bacterium, Pseudomonas cepacia DLC-07, was grown in liquid media containing water soluble lignite coal. The coal substrate was soluble at pH 5.5, but had not been preoxidized with nitric acid. Bacterial coal depolymerization was monitored by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cells were grown on soluble coal in three media: mineral salts broth, peptone broth, and Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB). In some experiments, media were supplemented with specific coal substructure model compounds, or a mixture of compounds, which served as potential inducers of coal-degradative enzymes. In one experiment, peptone broth contained Kraft lignin instead of coal. Uninoculated controls were included in all experiments. P. cepacia DLC-07 depolymerized coal in all experiments, but depolymerization was greatest in peptone-coal broth. Of ten coal substructure models examined, indole and p-coumaric acid measurably affected depolymerization. Their presence in SDB led to the appearance of distinctive peaks in HPLC chromatograms. P. cepacia further polymerized Kraft lignin into a product of higher molecular weight than the starting substrate. Spectrometric analyses showed that coal depolymerization was associated with attack on ester and ether bonds in the coal.
Differential Oligomerization of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Retained Connexin43/Connexin32 Chimeras

To examine early events in connexin oligomerization, we made connexin constructs containing a C-terminal di-lysine based endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention/retrieval signal (HKKSL). Previously, we found that both Cx32-HKKSL and Cx43-HKKSL were retained in the ER. However, Cx32-HKKSL oligomerized into hexameric hemichannels, but Cx43-HKKSL was retained as an apparent monomer. To define elements that prevent Cx43-HKKSL oligomerization in the ER, we made a series of HKKSL-tagged Cx43/Cx32 chimeras. When expressed by HeLa cells, some chimeras were retained in the ER as apparent monomers, whereas others oligomerized in the ER. To date, the second and third transmembrane domains and the cytoplasmic loop domain provide the minimal sufficient Cx43 element to inhibit ER oligomerization.
A Generalization of Wendell's Tolerance Approach to Sensitivity Analysis in Linear Programming

A criticism of linear programming has been that the data which are available in practice are too inexact and unreliable for linear programming to properly work. Managers are therefore concerned with how much actual values may differ from the estimates that were used in the model before the results become irrelevant. Sensitivity analysis emerged to help deal with the uncertainties inherent in the linear programming model. However, the ranges calculated are generally valid only when a single coefficient is varied. An extension of sensitivity analysis, the 100 Percent Rule, allows the simultaneous variation of more than one element in a vector, but does not permit the independent variation of the elements. A tolerance approach to sensitivity analysis enables the consideration of simultaneous and independent change of more than one coefficient. However, the ranges developed are unnecessarily restricted and may be reduced in width to zero when primal or dual degeneracy exists. This paper presents an extension of the tolerance approach which reduces the limitations of both the traditional and tolerance approaches to sensitivity analysis.
SU(3) Trace Identities and the Calculation of Effective Couplings in a Baryon-Loop Model of Weak Radiative Kaon Decays

A simple algorithm for the recursive reduction of the trace of a product of any number of the $f$ and $d$ matrices of SU (3) is given. SU (3) trace identities (through fourth order) are used to construct effective interaction Lagrangians in the baryon-loop model for $\mathrm{PVV}$, $\mathrm{PV}\ensuremath{\gamma}$, and weak (strangeness-changing) $\mathrm{PV}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ couplings. At the same time it is shown that the effects of baryon-mass breaking on the $\mathrm{PVV}$ coupling are negligible in the loop model. The usefulness of this formal compaction is further illustrated in the calculation of the contributions of all vector-meson poles to ${K}_{2}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay. It is found that the previous neglect of the contribution of ${K}^{*}$ poles in this case is justified.
Summary of reports of committees

The Secretary reported for the Committee on the Igneous Geology of Yellowstone Park (Cross, Daily and Van Orstrand). Mr. Cross had made an examination of the manuscript left by Arnold Hague intended to be published as Volume I of the Monograph on the Park. He has found the manuscript in much less advanced stage of preparation than has been supposed. It would appear that considerable revision and additional work may be necessary in order to complete the petrographic data. Mr. Van Orstrand has examined the data on spring temperatures and thought that much of this could be prepared for publication. The material consists of about eighty packages of manuscript with many specimens. The report of the Committee was supplemented by Mr. Day who said that some new work on the Hot Springs was being planned by Mr. Allen and himself on behalf of the Geophysical Laboratory. Mr. Jaggar said that he had been an assistant to Hague in the field and that Hague had followed closely Archibald Geikie in his style of presentation and treatment of the subject matter.
A global optimization method, αBB, for general twice-differentiable constrained NLPs—II. Implementation and computational results

Abstract Part I of this paper ( Adjiman et al., 1998a ) described the theoretical foundations of a global optimization algorithm, the α BB algorithm, which can be used to solve problems belonging to the broad class of twicedifferentiable NPLs. For any such problem, the ability to automatically generate progressively tighter convex lower bounding problems at each iteration guarantees the convergence of the branch-and-bound α BB algorithm to within e of the global optimum solution. Several methods were presented for the construction of valid convex underestimators for general nonconvex functions. In this second part, the performance of the proposed algorithm and its alternative underestimators is studied through their application to a variety of problems. An implementation of the α BB is described and a number of rules for branching variable selection and variable bound updates are shown to enhance convergence rates. A user-friendly parser facilitates problem input and provides flexibility in the selection of an underestimating strategy. In addition, the package features both automatic differentiation and interval arithmetic capabilities. Making use of all the available options, the α BB algorithm successfully identifies the global optimum solution of small literature problems, of small and medium size chemical engineering problems in the areas of reactors network design, heat exchanger network design, reactor–separator network design, of generalized geometric programming problems for design and control, and of batch process design problems with uncertainty.
Photodissociation of CO in the Thermosphere of Venus

Recent investigations of CO photoabsorption demonstrate that photodissociation longward of the ionization threshold at 88.5 nm occurs primarily through line absorptions rather than continuous processes. High-resolution photoabsorption cross sections for CO at rotational temperatures near 250 K have been constructed from the improved data on dissociating transitions. The effects of the new cross sections on the rate of solar photodissociation of CO in the thermosphere of Venus are examined, and the results are compared to values obtained with the lower resolution cross sections available previously. It is found that the photodissociation profile peaks slightly higher in the atmosphere and the peak value and integrated total rate both decrease by about a factor of two.
Preservation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α Contributes to the Beneficial Effect of Dietary Medium Chain Triglyceride on Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Lipid Dyshomeostasis in Rats

Background Alcohol consumption is a major cause of fatty liver, and dietary saturated fats have been shown to protect against alcoholic fatty liver. This study investigated the mechanisms of how dietary saturated fat may modulate alcohol-induced hepatic lipid dyshomeostasis. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were pair-fed with 3 isocaloric liquid diets, control, alcohol, and medium chain triglyceride (MCT)/alcohol, respectively, for 8 weeks. The control and alcohol diets were based on the Lieber–DeCarli liquid diet formula with 30% total calories derived from corn oil (rich in unsaturated long chain fatty acids). The corn oil was replaced by MCT, which consists of exclusive saturated fatty acids, in the MCT/alcohol diet. HepG2 cell culture was conducted to test the effects of unsaturated fatty acids on hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4α) and the role of HNF4α in regulating hepatocyte lipid homeostasis. Results Alcohol feeding caused significant lipid accumulation, which was attenuated by dietary MCT. The major effect of alcohol on hepatic gene expression is the up-regulation of CYP4A1, CD36, and GPAT3, and down-regulation of apolipoprotein B (ApoB). Dietary MCT further up-regulated CYP4A1 gene, normalized ApoB gene, and up-regulated MTTP and SCD1 genes. The protein level of HNF4α, a master transcription factor of the liver, was reduced by alcohol feeding, which was normalized by dietary MCT. Fatty acid profiling demonstrated that alcohol feeding dramatically increased hepatic unsaturated long chain fatty acyl species, particularly linoleic acid and oleic acid, which was attenuated by dietary MCT. Dietary MCT attenuated alcohol-reduced serum triglyceride level and modulated the fatty acid composition of the serum triglycerides. Cell culture study demonstrated polyunsaturated linoleic acid rather than monounsaturated oleic acid inactivated HNF4α in HepG2 cells. Knockdown of HNF4α caused lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells due to dysregulation of very low density lipoprotein secretion. Conclusions Results suggest that dietary MCT prevents alcohol-induced hepatic lipid accumulation, at least partially, through reducing hepatic polyunsaturated long chain fatty acids and preserving HNF4α.
Roles for histone H3K4 methyltransferase activities during immunoglobulin class switch recombination

Germ-line transcription of an antigen receptor gene segment is an essential feature of the targeting mechanism for DNA double-strand break formation during physiological DNA rearrangements in lymphocytes. Alterations in chromatin structure have long been postulated to regulate accessibility of recombinase activities for lymphocytes to generate antibody diversity; however, whether or not germ-line transcripts are the cause or the effect of chromatin changes at antigen receptor loci is still not clear. Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 is one of the most well-studied histone post-translational modifications yet we have only recently begun to understand the significance of the MLL-like H3K4 methyltransferase activities in lymphocyte function. While it is clear during lymphocyte development that H3K4me3 plays a critical role in targeting and stimulating RAG1/2 recombinase activity for V(D)J recombination, recent work suggests roles for this histone mark and different MLL-like complexes in mature B cells during immunoglobulin class-switch recombination. In this review, we focus our discussion to advances on how MLL-like complexes and H3K4 methylation may function during the germ-line transcription and recombinase targeting steps of class-switch recombination. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chromatin in time and space.
Western Massachusetts Off-the-Grid Radar Technology Testbed

Distributed networks of short-range radars offer the potential to observe winds and rainfall at high spatial resolution in volumes of the troposphere that are unobserved by today's longrange weather radars. One class of potential distributed radar network designs includes Off-the-Grid (OTG) weather radar networks. These are short-range radar nodes designed to be deployed as part of an ad-hoc network and to limit their reliance on existing infrastructure. Independence of the wired infrastructure (power or communications) would allow OTG networks to be deployed in specific regions where sensing needs are greatest, such as mountain valleys prone to flash-flooding, geographic regions where the infrastructure is susceptible to failure, and underdeveloped regions lacking urban infrastructure. This paper will present an OTG network testbed being deployed in Western Massachusetts to support experimentation with OTG nodes. This testbed will focus on the energy performance of the OTG network and the virtualization of the radar sensor.
A disaggregation problem for a multiplant, multiproduct scheduling application

Abstract This paper discusses an integer programming technique for planning production when there are multiple plants involved in the production of a number of products and the plants are relatively close. This allows for the closing of one plant during a planning period with a shift of the mobile resources, mainly labour, to other plants. The model is introduced and then an example problem is given. Finally, there is a discussion of why this method improves upon other techniques proposed to solve this problem. Some actual case studies are cited.
Intervening causation and the mitigation of responsibility for harm doing II. The role of limited mental capacities

The present study investigated (i) the conditions under which the proximal cause of an event affects judgments of a distal cause, (ii) the capacities persons need to be held responsible for their actions, and (iii) the relationship between judgments of causation, blame, and restitution. Subjects read about situations in which an initial act, in combination with a later behavior by a second person, produced harm. The age and mental state of the second person were varied. It was found that cause and blame assigned to the initial action was greater when the second person was a child or mentally disturbed, as compared to a sane adult. Causal and moral responsibility were related to the understanding, reasoning capacity, and ability to control behavior of the person judged. Finally, support was obtained for an entailment model of the relations between judgments of causation, blame, and restitution.
Late life depression: a historical perspective upon a maturing field of inquiry.

Over 30 years ago I undertook, I admit rather brashly, the task of writing a single-authored book entitled Depression in Late Life (Blazer, 1982). Though directed toward clinicians, my goal was to ...
Hybrid combinatorial optimization: Sample problems and algorithms

We study a class of non-convex optimization problems involving sigmoid functions. We show that sigmoid functions impart a combinatorial element to the optimization variables and make them hybrid of continuous and discrete variables. We formulate versions of the knapsack problem and the bin-packing problem with such hybrid variables. We utilize the approximation algorithms from the combinatorial optimization literature and develop approximation algorithms for these NP-hard hybrid optimization problems.
Human papillomavirus as a risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis, 1982-1997

Objective. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a significant risk factor for uterine cervical carcinoma. However, the role of HPV infection in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is less well defined. To determine the significance of the relationship of this virus in the progressive development of oral cancer, we estimated the risk of HPV detection in normal oral mucosa, precancerous oral tissue, and oral carcinoma using meta-analysis. Study design. Case reports and clinical series published in English-language journals were retrieved by searching MEDLINE (January 1980-August 1998). Review articles were also examined to identify additional studies. Studies that used biochemical, immunologic, microscopic, or molecular analyses to detect HPV in tissue or cells derived from normal oral mucosa (n = 25), benign leukoplakia (n = 21), intraepithelial neoplasia (ie, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ; n = 27), and oral cancer (n = 94) were included in the meta-analysis. Information on sample size, age, sex, method of tissue preservation (ie, fresh, frozen, paraffin-embedded), assay, primer amplification region (early, late), high-risk versus low-risk genotype, and use of tobacco or alcohol was abstracted by one author (C.S.M.). Results. Data from 94 reports that analyzed 4680 samples were included in the meta-analysis. Analyses made by means of a random-effects model with and without adjustments for assay sensitivity showed increased probability of HPV detection in tissue with precancerous and cancerous features compared with normal mucosa. The likelihood of detecting HPV in normal oral mucosa (10.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1%-14.6%) was significantly less than of detecting benign leukoplakia (22.2%; 95% CI, 15.7%-29.9%), intraepithelial neoplasia (26.2%; 95% CI, 19.6%-33.6%), verrucous carcinoma (29.5%; 95% CI, 23%-36.8%), and OSCC (46.5%; 95% CI, 37.6%-55.5%). Adjustment of findings for differences in assay sensitivity indicated that these estimates may be conservative. Overall, HPV was between 2 and 3 times more likely to be detected in precancerous oral mucosa and 4.7 times more likely to be detected in oral carcinoma than in normal mucosa. The pooled odds ratio for the subset of studies directly comparing the prevalence of HPV in normal mucosa and OSCC was 5.37, confirming the trend observed in the overall sample. The probability of detecting high-risk HPVs in OSCCs was 2.8 times greater than that of low-risk HPVs. Conclusion. This meta-analysis indicates that HPV is detected with increased frequency in oral dysplastic and carcinomatous epithelium in comparison with normal oral mucosa. The findings provide further quantitative evidence that oral infection with HPV, particularly with high-risk genotypes, is a significant independent risk factor for OSCC. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;91:622-35)
A circle system with a rotating wick vaporizer

The humidity output of a circle system was raised to 28 mgH2O/l by the use of a modified rotating wick vaporizer placed in the center of the soda lime canister and coaxial inspiratory and expiratory limbs. Both the fresh gas inflow and the expired gases passed through the lime and reached a compartment below it. The bag/ventilator connector, bearing a pressure relief valve, opened on the lateral wall of that compartment. Gases returning to the inspiratory valve passed: (1) through a tube in the canister connecting the inferior compartment to the vaporizer above water level, (2) through the upper portion of the vaporizer and around the rotating wick, and (3) through a tube emerging from the top of the vaporizer to reach the inspiratory valve. Thus inspired gases were humidified by the rotating wick constantly replenishing its water content warmed by the reaction of neutralization. The use of coaxial inspiratory and expiratory limbs reduced water condensation outside the canister.
Somatostatin has an antiproliferative effect on concanavalin A-activated rat thymocytes.

Abstract Somatostatin, a cyclic tetradecapeptide which is widely distributed in different tissues of the body, exerts an inhibitory effect on numerous cellular processes. It has been observed recently that somatostatin and its analogs were antimitogenic in several established cultured cell lines and in rat tumors. To determine whether this ubiquitous peptide had an antiproliferative effect on a primary culture of rat thymocytes, we observed its effect on the separation of the centrosome (a cell maker of the G1 to S traverse) and DNA synthesis of rat thymocytes activated by concanavalin A. Somatostatin inhibited both indices of proliferation in rat thymocytes at a concentration of 10−8M. This observation suggests that somatostatin, which has been localized in the thymus, may play a regulatory role in the growth and development of the cells found in the thymus gland, and may affect thymocyte function in disease states characterized by elevated circulating concentrations of somatostatin.
Lower extremity myogenic potentials evoked by acoustic stimuli in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE To determine if an evoked myogenic potential could be obtained from the gastrocnemius of the leg with similar recording and stimulus parameters to those routinely used to obtain vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) of the neck. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study in which we recorded evoked myogenic potentials from the gastrocnemius and compared it with the response obtained at the SCM. SETTING University-affiliated hearing clinic. PATIENTS Twelve healthy adult volunteers and 1 patient with bilateral vestibular loss were studied. Ages of the healthy subjects ranged between 18 and 54 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Myogenic potentials evoked by tone-burst stimuli (95 dB hearing level, 500 Hz) were recorded with surface electrodes over each gastrocnemius and SCM muscle and averaged. Latencies and amplitudes of the responses were measured. RESULTS Responses were obtained in the gastrocnemius, both ipsilateral and contralateral to the acoustic stimulus. The response consisted of 2 biphasic waves (P1-N1 and P2-N2), although not all subjects exhibited both components. The most reliable wave was P2-N2, which was measured ipsilaterally in 81% of the subjects and contralaterally in 68%. Responses were smaller and later than those in the SCM. CONCLUSION An acoustically evoked myogenic potential can be recorded from the leg using the same stimulus that is routinely used to obtain a vestibular-evoked myogenic potential response from the SCM. The presence of this response in the leg ipsilateral and contralateral to the stimulated ear suggests that the response travels via crossed and uncrossed pathways in the spinal cord.
Effects of vitamins E and A on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced lipid peroxidation and other biochemical changes in the rat.

The effects of vitamins A and E on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat were investigated. Vitamin E markedly inhibited microsomal lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde formation), but had no effect on glutathione peroxidase activity or glutathione (GSH) content, and did not protect against decreased body and liver weights. Furthermore, vitamin E had little effect on TCDD-induced lethality in rats. Vitamin A inhibited lipid peroxidation, elevated the activity of glutathine peroxidase and prevented a TCDD-induced decrease in GSH content in the liver. However, vitamin A did not inhibit the decrease in liver and body weights and provided little protection against TCDD-induced lethality. The activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) increased after treatment with these two vitamins. Administration of vitamins E and A do not provide significant longterm protection against TCDD-induced lethality although they can prevent TCDD-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation as determined by the thiobarbituric acid assay method.
In vitro effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide on the function and gene expression of neutrophils isolated from the blood of dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the function of bovine neutrophils (PMNL) collected from mid lactation cows and determine the differential effects of LPS on gene expression of PMNL purified from early and mid lactation cows. The PMNL from mid lactation cows (187±13 d postpartum) were incubated with 0, 1, 25, and 50 μg/mL of LPS for 120 min, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), PMNL extracellular traps (NET), chemotaxis, and killing of Staphylococcus aureus were determined. Incubation of PMNL with 25 μg/mL of LPS increased intracellular ROS by 79% in mitogen-stimulated PMNL. Addition of 50 μg/mL of LPS enhanced intracellular ROS by nonstimulated and stimulated PMNL by 184 and 154%, respectively. Nonstimulated PMNL incubated with 25 and 50 μg/mL of LPS had a 105% increase in NET. Addition of LPS had no effect on subsequent PMNL chemotaxis or killing of Staph. aureus. To examine the effect of LPS on the expression of genes involved in PMNL function and cytokine production, mRNA was purified from PMNL isolated from mid lactation (146±2 postpartum; n=10) and early lactation cows (7 d postpartum; n=10), after a 120-min incubation with 0 or 50 μg/mL of LPS. Amounts of interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), Cytochrome b-245, α polypeptide (CYBA), histone H2A/1 (H2A/1), and histone H2B-like (H2B) mRNA were determined relative to that of β-actin by real-time quantitative PCR. Regardless of stage of lactation, PMNL incubated with 50 μg/mL of LPS had 537 and 45% higher mRNA contents of IL-8 and SOD2 compared with 0 μg/mL LPS, respectively. In addition, LPS augmented the expression of TNF, BPI, and CYBA (2,908, 59, and 158% compared with controls, respectively) only in PMNL from mid lactation cows. Addition of LPS did not affect mRNA levels of MPO, NOX4, H2A/1, or H2B. Independent of LPS treatment, PMNL from mid lactation cows had 99% higher mRNA contents of IL-8 compared with PMNL from early lactation cows. The PMNL from early lactation cows had a 634% increase in MPO mRNA expression relative to that from mid lactation cows. These results support that LPS directly stimulates PMNL to produce ROS and express NET. In addition, LPS enhances the generation of ROS by PMNL in response to other stimuli and increases the expression of genes encoding inflammatory mediators and enzymes involved in the production of ROS. Finally, reduced PMNL gene expression of IL-8 (regardless of LPS activation), TNF, CYBA, and BPI (upon stimulation with LPS) in early lactation may elucidate several mechanisms by which PMNL may become immune-incompetent during this period.
Differential growth of MHV (PRI) and MHV (C3H) in genetically resistant C3H mice rendered susceptible by eperythrozoon infection.

Mice of the C3H strain, which are genetically resistant to mouse hepatitis virus, MHV(PRI), became highly susceptible to that virus when preinfected with the murine blood parasite,Eperythrozoon coccoides (E. coccoides). Peak virus titers and deaths occurred 2 or more days later inE. coccoides-infected C3H mice than those events in genetically susceptible Princeton (PRI) mice. Growth curves and infectivity analyses of progeny virus in cultures of susceptible PRI and resistant C3H cells demonstrated that MHV(PRI) itself multiplied to high titer inE. coccoides- infected C3H mice. Variant virus, MHV(C3H), was also produced, but appeared later in the infection and comprised only a small fraction of the progeny virus. On subsequent passage of progeny virus inE. coccoides-infected C3H mice, MHV(PRI) continued to be produced far in excess of MHV(C3H). In normal (E. coccoides-free) C3H mice, progeny virus caused deaths or lesions indicative of the presence of variant virus, and the latter was recovered at a high titer. The action ofE. coccoides, whereby MHV(PRI) multiplication is initiated in genetically resistant (nonpermissive) C3H cells, could not be reproducedin vitro.
Ab initio potential energy surface for IHI−b. Simulation of IHI− photodetachment spectra

Abstract Ab initio calculations are used to develop a potential energy surface for the IHI − molecule. Wavefunctions for some of the lowest vibrational states associated with this surface are then used to calculate transition state photodetachment spectra. The resulting spectra show small but important changes relative to those obtained previously with a harmonic force field. The spectra associated with IHI − vibrationally excited states are significantly different from the ground state, revealing more details of the IHI transition state structure.
The Effect of Exercise on Lipid Metabolism in Men and Women

Lipoprotein abnormalities constitute a major risk for development of cardiovascular disease. These substances, which are comprised of various lipids and proteins (apoproteins), are influenced by specific enzymes which effect their concentrations. It has been demonstrated that elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are directly associated with the development of coronary artery disease, whereas HDL cholesterol has an inverse relationship with coronary heart disease (CHD). Although more controversial, triglycerides may also be directly associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Favourable changes in lipid levels have been shown to reduce coronary mortality. Exercise may constitute a non-pharmacological approach to lipoprotein therapy. Many exogenous factors also influence lipoprotein concentrations. Changes in diet, body composition, age, as well as medication and alcohol usage may directly alter lipid levels. In addition, they can be artificially affected by the analytical method. The immediate effects of one to several bouts of physical activity appear to influence lipoprotein level. A reduction in triglycerides has been shown after physical exertion, especially among trained individuals and those with hypertriglyceridaemia. These acute changes may reflect the utilisation of both muscle and plasma triglycerides as fuels during exertion. After more prolonged training, changes in lipoproteins may also occur. However, since exercise is accompanied by many co-variables which also favourably alter these levels (e.g. lower percentage of body fat, dietary alterations), it is difficult to determine the direct effect of regular physical activity. Initial studies of exercise training's effects on total cholesterol did not differentiate changes in HDL and LDL cholesterol. Subsequent research has observed these specific cholesterol fractions. Consistent reduction in LDL cholesterol levels have not been convincingly demonstrated. Although HDL cholesterol has been shown to increase in certain studies, the response has been variable in other investigations. These latter responses may have been due to the fact that HDL cholesterol changes may be dependent on levels prior to conditioning. Assessment of HDL cholesterol subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3), which could additionally impact on cardiovascular risk reduction, have shown favourable increases in HDL2, but as yet these HDL moieties have not been adequately investigated. Reductions in triglyceride levels after training among those with elevated values and beneficial apoprotein changes post-training have been reported, although few studies exist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Native American suicide and homicide rates: are they associated with white suicide and homicide rates?

In 1980, suicide and homicide rates for Native Americans by state (48 continental states) were not associated with the suicide and homicide rates for white adults
Morbidity and mortality associated with dental extraction before cardiac operation.

Background Dental extraction of abscessed or infected teeth before cardiac operation is often performed to decrease perioperative infection and late endocarditis. Literature to support dental extraction before cardiac operation is limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the risk of major adverse outcomes in patients undergoing dental extraction before cardiovascular surgical procedures. Methods A retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent dental extraction before planned cardiac operation. Major adverse outcomes within 30 days after dental extraction or until time of cardiac operation were recorded and defined as death, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, renal failure requiring dialysis, and need for postoperative mechanical ventilation. Results Two hundred five patients underwent 208 dental extractions before 206 planned cardiac operations. Major adverse outcomes occurred in 16 of 205 patients (8%). Twelve patients (6%) died within 30 days after dental extraction, of which 6 (3%) occurred before cardiac operation, and 6 (3%) occurred after cardiac operation. Conclusions Patients with planned dental extraction before cardiac operation are at risk for major adverse outcomes, including a 3% risk of death before cardiac operation and an 8% risk of a major adverse outcome. The prevalence of major adverse outcomes should advise physicians to evaluate individualized risk of anesthesia and surgical procedures in this patient population.
Cell to Cell Interactions and Normal Mammary Gland Function

The nonepithelial components of the mammary gland are reviewed and their potential for regulatory cell-cell interactions with the epithelial cells are discussed. Studies undertaken to examine the regulatory potential of mammary stromal fibroblasts using an in vitro cell culture system are presented. The influence was examined of epithelial-fibroblast interactions on estrogenic regulation of progesterone receptor concentration in epithelial cells and on epithelial and fibroblast DNA synthesis. Mammary fibroblasts affect estrogen responsiveness in epithelial cells by two different mechanisms. In the case of progesterone receptor regulation, fibroblasts promote estrogen-dependent increases in the receptor via a substratum effect possibly by the production of collagen type I. By contrast, the fibroblast effect promoting estrogen-dependent cell proliferation requires fibroblasts to be metabolically active and in close contact with the epithelium. Additionally, under coculture conditions, estrogen-dependent stimulation of fibroblast DNA synthesis is also observed, indicating a bidirectional, interactive phenomenon between the two types of cells. It is possible that the modulations in epithelial responsiveness to estrogen that are associated with the presence of mammary fibroblasts in vitro reflect regulatory mechanisms that operate in vivo.
Targeting the end; the structure of the Ku80 C-terminal domain.

Abstract Two recent publications (Harris et al., 2004; Zhang et al., 2004) report the high-resolution structure of the C-terminal domain of the human DNA end binding factor Ku80 (also known at Ku86). These structures reveal potential sites for protein complex assembly that govern processes as critical as DNA repair, V(D)J recombination, and telomere maintenance.