cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Species and strain dependence of the response to a granulocytosis-promoting factor (GPF) extracted from a mouse tumor.

SummaryMarked strain differences were observed in the degree of granulocytosis which could be induced in both mice and rats by a partially purified granulocytosis - promoting factor (GPF) extracted from a transplantable mouse tumor, CE 1460. The strain differences appeared to be reflected in both the normal leukocyte range and the response to isotonic saline, parameters from which the strain-specific response to GPF could apparently be predicted. It was postulated that the active principle in GPF may be the same as that present in “leukopoietin” preparations from plasma and tissue sources. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that the greater granulocyte release promoted by GPF, as compared to that promoted by “leukopoietin”-rich preparations, might conceivably be due 1) to species or strain differences in the bioassay systems or 2) to a greater concentration of the active (granulocytosis-promoting) principle and/or a lower concentration of a theoretical granulo-cyte-release inhibiting substance in the partia...
Radiation injury to the liver after intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with mesothelioma: An unusual CT appearance

OBJECTIVE. We sought to report the unusual distribution of radiation-induced injury to the liver in patients with mesothelioma after extrapleural pneumonectomy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).CONCLUSION. Abnormal hepatic enhancement after extrapleural pneumonectomy and IMRT is common in patients with mesothelioma. Knowledge of the early occurrence and typical location and appearance of IMRT-induced injury can be useful in preventing misinterpretation as metastatic disease or recurrent tumor.
Methylation of the Androgen Receptor Minimal Promoter Silences Transcription in Human Prostate Cancer

Advanced hormone-independent prostate cancer is characterized by a significant loss of androgen receptor (AR) expression in 20–30% of the tumors. The transcriptional block underlying this phenomenon is not known, but we have proposed that methylation of CpG sites in the AR promoter may reversibly inactivate transcription of the AR (D. F. Jarrard et al. , Cancer Res., 58: 5310–5314, 1998). In this study, detailed methylation analysis using bisulfite sequencing was performed on a series of AR expression-positive and -negative prostate cancer cells. We found that methylation of several consensus sequences in the AR promoter (from− 131 to −121 and +44 to +54) are tightly linked to the loss of AR expression in metastatic hormone-independent prostate cancer cell lines. These consensus sites of methylation correlate with the minimal promoter region critical for AR transcription. In human tissues, no methylation was demonstrated in normal or primary prostate cancers that express the AR. Four of 15 tumors obtained from men who had died from hormone-independent prostate cancer demonstrated a significant loss of AR expression immunohistochemically and two (50%) of these AR-negative tumors contained AR methylation. We conclude that the AR promoter contains specific CpG methylation hot spots that are markers for gene silencing. Furthermore, AR methylation may represent a phenotype important in the development of hormone independence in a subset of advanced prostate cancer in which AR expression is lost. The finding of AR methylation also represents the first report of aberrant methylation on an X-linked gene associated with a somatic male cancer.
Pilot sample of very early onset bipolar disorder in a military population moderates the association of negative life events and non-fatal suicide attempt.

Objective: To examine the moderating effects of very early onset diagnostic status (≤ 13 years) upon the association between life events and non-fatal suicide attempt. Methods: Measures of negative life events, suicidal ideation and current suicide attempt were administered to 298 military-based young adults at entry to treatment for suicidality. Current and lifetime diagnoses were assigned using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. The predictive ability of negative life events for non-fatal suicide attempt was examined separately for the total sample and for those with retrospectively determined histories of very early onset bipolar disorder (VEOBPD; n = 16), very early onset major depressive disorder (VEOMDD; n = 21) and very early onset anxiety disorder (VEOANX; n = 53). Results: Negative life events and suicide attempt were significantly and positively associated among those with no history of VEOBPD (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02–1.65, p < 0.05), including those with VEOMDD and VEOANX. Consistent with expectation, VEOBPD moderated the association between negative life events and suicide attempt (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78–0.99, p < 0.05), such that negative life events were non-significantly and negatively associated with the presence of a suicide attempt (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.04–1.02, p = 0.09) among patients with a history of VEOBPD. Conclusions: Despite similar rates of suicide attempt among all diagnostic groups, life stress did not contribute to attempt among those with VEOBPD. These findings are consistent with the severity and chronicity of VEOBPD. Potential explanations of these findings include a scarring effect on coping skills and increased sensitization to life stress.
Curiosity and Critical Thinking Identifying Child Abuse Before It Is Too Late

Objective. We reviewed medical records to identify factors contributing to not recognizing child abuse in cases where it was subsequently identified. Design/Methods. Eighteen cases of delayed diagnosis of physical abuse were reviewed for qualitative themes. Missed abuse was defined by prior medical encounters that revealed findings concerning for physical abuse that were not recognized. Results. Clinical limitations contributing to a delay in diagnosis included inattention to skin and subconjunctival findings, acceptance of inadequate explanations for injuries, no history obtained from verbal children, insufficient exploration of signs and symptoms, nonadherence to the maltreatment pathway, and incorrect diagnoses from radiologic examinations. System-based limitations included limited medical record access or completeness and admission to less-than-optimal settings. Conclusions. Having a greater index of suspicion for abuse may mitigate missed opportunities. With variability of medical training in child a...
The Annual Cycle of the Energy Budget. Part I: Global Mean and Land–Ocean Exchanges

Abstract The mean and annual cycle of energy flowing into the climate system and its storage, release, and transport in the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface are estimated with recent observations. An emphasis is placed on establishing internally consistent quantitative estimates with discussion and assessment of uncertainty. At the top of the atmosphere (TOA), adjusted radiances from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) and Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) are used, while in the atmosphere the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis and 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40) estimates are used. The net upward surface flux (FS) over ocean is derived as the residual of the TOA and atmospheric energy budgets, and is compared with direct calculations of ocean heat content (OE) and its tendency (δOE/δt) from several ocean temperature datasets. Over land, FS from a ...
Session 9: Bulk Mail Conveying: Twin-Band Rising Conveyor

It is often necessary to convey and elevate objects of widely varying characteristics in a confined space with random load conditions. The twin-band rising conveyor is essentially a steeply inclined belt conveyor which carries and controls articles on inclines of up to 60°. In order to control satisfactorily articles handled on such a conveyor, a continuous and weighted cover band, which is driven in synchronism with the conveyor belt, is employed. A horizontal toe band, which may be manually or automatically loaded, is used to aid efficient introduction to the articles between the carrying and weighted belts.
Effect of Medium Symmetries On Parameter Estimation With Polarimetric Interferometry

The addition of interferometric backscattering pairs to the conventional polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data over forests and other vegetated areas increases the dimensionality of the data space, in principle enabling the estimation of a larger number of parameters. In this paper, the effect of medium symmetries on the number of independent interferometric measurements is studied. Reflection, rotation, and azimuthal symmetries are considered. In each case, the number of independent elements of the interferometric covariance matrix is derived, which puts an inherent limit on the number of scatterer parameters that can be estimated using single-baseline polarimetric interferometry.
Microbial toxin activity on larvae of the gypsy moth and greater wax moth

The activity of four mycotoxins extracted from Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and Nomuraea rileyi and a bacterial exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis were assayed for activity on larvae of the greater wax moth and the gypsy moth. The procedure for toxin extraction was described and toxins were administered via. topical application and intrahemocoelic injection. Larvae of the wax moth showed higher mortality rates, and in general, high levels of toxicity were recorded in both species. Zusammenfassung Wirkungen von Mikroben-Toxinen auf die Larven des Schwammspinners und der grosen Wachsmotte Es wurde die Aktivitat der toxischen Extrakte von 4 Mikroorganismen: Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumoso-roseus, Nomuraea rileyi und Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis auf die Larven des Schwammspinners und der grosen Wachsmotte untersucht. Die Methodik der Toxin-Extraktion und der topikalen sowie intrahaemocoenalen Injektion der Toxine werden beschrieben. Die Larven der grosen Wachsmotte zeigten hohere Sterblichkeitsraten als jene des Schwammspinners. Allgemein wurde eine hohe Wirksamkeit der Toxine aller 4 Mikroorganismen gegenuber den Larven beider Schmetterlingsarten festgestellt.
Polyelectrolytes in Aqueous Solutions—Filtration, Hyperfiltration, and Dynamic Membranes

Filtration is one of the oldest separation techniques, apparently known to the Chinese and Hebrews in ancient times [l]. It remains one of the most important, and new methods of carrying it out, as well as new applications, continue to be devised. In the last century, it expanded beyond the separation of solid particulates from liquids or gases to separations of colloids from fluids, by ultrafiltration. In recent decades, filtration of low-molecular solutes has been found possible, by “reverse osmosis.” Thinking of removal of dissolved solids as a filtration process is helpful on occasion, and the alternate name “hyperfiltration” [2] is sometimes used.
Are arteriograms necessary in penetrating zone II neck injuries

Abstract The evaluation and management of potential arterial injuries in penetrating neck trauma are controversial. Routine surgical exploration or arteriography can be very expensive and time-consuming and can overburden available resources if used in all patients. We reviewed the records of 4035 patients seen in our trauma center during a 20-month period and identified a total of 110 patients (2.7%) with penetrating wounds to zone II of the neck; 50 were from gunshot wounds, 43 from stab wounds, 7 from shotgun injuries, and 10 from lacerations. In 42 (39%) patients there was no arteriogram or surgery based on location of the wounds or lack of any physical findings. None of these patients later had any evidence of an arterial injury. Forty-five patients (40%) had arteriograms based on proximity or a “soft” sign of vascular injury, which included evidence of significant bleeding or a stable hematoma. A total of 15 injuries to major arteries were identified: 3 common carotid, 5 internal carotid, and 7 vertebral. One patient died during initial resuscitation, and four patients went directly to surgery with no preoperative arteriogram for active bleeding and expanding hematoma (n = 1), an expanding hematoma (n = 2), and a large, stable hematoma (n = 1). Only one patient (of the 110) had a significant major arterial injury requiring surgery that was not predicted by physical findings. Nine arterial injuries were treated nonoperatively: six vertebral, two common carotid intimal flaps, and one small distal internal carotid pseudoaneurysm (diagnosed late). Three additional minor external carotid artery injuries were observed with no adverse sequelae. Associated neck injuries included 8 to the larynx/trachea, 7 to the esophagus, 11 to the pharynx, and 9 to the spinal cord. Associated injuries caused seven other deaths in this series. These results indicate that clinical evaluation is highly accurate in determining which patients need surgical intervention. Arteriograms have too low a yield ( J Vasc Surg 1992;16:397–401.)
Primitive Reflexes Their Contribution to the Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy

In evaluating the infant for significant motor impairment, a framework to organize and analyze data is presented. Five general areas of information are essential: (1) motor milestone attainment, (2) the classic neurological examination, (3) primitive reflex and postural reaction patterns, (4) progressive vs static nature of the dysfunction, and (5) associated evidence for neurological dysfunction and/or structural nervous system damage. A sixth criterion, age of onset, is relevant--but controversial--to making the specific diagnosis of cerebral palsy. The treatment of and prognosis for children with cerebral palsy have been linked to the historical and examination features outlined, particularly primitive reflexes. For the practicing pediatrician, understanding the fundamentals of the primitive reflex/postural reaction transition and achieving clinical facility with the elicitation of these signs represent skills that are readily acquired, easy to incorporate in routine clinical practice, and diagnostically useful.
Review of "Multiple Pregnancy: Epidemiology, Gestation & Perinatal Outcome. Second Edition"

Over the past two decades, an epidemic of multiple pregnancies has taken place in the developed world due to the widespread use of assisted reproductive technology. The general public has come to accept the phenomenon of higher order multiple as being a normal occurrence, expecting a good outcome for both the fetuses and the mother. However, physicians caring for these patients appreciate that these pregnancies have an increased number of complications both for the mother and fetus. The mother suffers substantial morbidity not just due to the risk and interventions of prematurity but also the increased incidence in medical complications. The fetuses are at jeopardy not just due to premature delivery, but also the increased rates of anomalies in multiples, and those complications uniquely associated with multiples, such as twin to twin transfusion syndrome. Clinicians involved in management of these high-risk pregnancies regrettably have had to rely on protocols based on expert opinion with unproven efficacy. These protocols may unintentionally place a mother and her unborn children at significant risk without achieving the desired benefit.
Anatomic restoration technique: a biomechanics-based approach for early continence recovery after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy.

Despite refinements in surgical technique over the past decade, urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy remains a frustrating and costly side effect that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. With the increasing popularity of radical prostatectomy as a firstline treatment for early prostate cancer, and with more patients being diagnosed and treated at a younger age, post prostatectomy incontinence remains a significant issue. Reported risk factors include increasing patient age, bladder dysfunction before surgery, previous transurethral resection of the prostate for obstructive symptoms, anastomotic stricture, surgical technique, and surgeon experience. 1,2 Beginning in 2006, our group has made stepwise progress in overcoming this problem through technical innovations borne from study of real-time intraoperative video and cadaveric anatomy, histopathologic analysis of final prostatectomy specimens, and data analysis of functional outcomes. 3-7 We have developed a paradigm of 7 key principles based on possible biomechanical forces acting on the urethral rhabdosphincter and newly fashioned anastomosis that we believe will hasten early con
The Fast Discrete Periodic Radon Transform for prime sized images: Algorithm, architecture, and VLSI/FPGA implementation

The paper introduces the Fast Discrete Periodic Radon Transform (FDPRT) which represents a new algorithm and associated architecture for computing Discrete Periodic Radon Transforms. For square images of size p × p, p prime, the Discrete Periodic Radon Transform (DPRT) requires p2(p-1) additions for calculating image projections along a minimal number of prime directions. The proposed FDPRT architecture can compute the DPRT in p + 1 + dlog2(p)e clock cycles which represents a significant improvement over p2 + p + 1 clock cycles that corresponds to the fastest, previously-reported implementation. The VHDL code of the FDPRT IP core is available under the reconfigurable computer architecture research link from ivpcl.org.
Improving the Accuracy of Circuit Activity Measurement

A novel measure of activity in digital circuits, called transition density, along with an efficientalgorithm to compute the density at every circuit node, has been proposed in [1]. However, the efficiency of this algorithm is achieved at the cost of accuracy in the density values. This leaves much to be desired for its use in applications which require more accurate activity measurements at each node in the circuit e.g., circuit optimization problems with a low power goal. The complexity of this problem lies in computing the Boolean difference probabilities at each node of the circuit. In this paper, an efficientalgorithm for computing these probabilities is described. This allows the activity measurements, within a circuit partition, to be carried out in a more efficientmanner compared to the well known approach of computing these probabilities. Larger circuit partitions, where each node within a partition is solved accurately with respect to that partition, result in more accurate activity measurements. An efficientcircuit partitioning algorithm, with the goal of maximizing the number of correlated nodes within each partition, has been developed. This allows more accurate measurements compared to a randomly selected set of partitions. These methods have been incorporated in an improved simulator for circuit activity measurement. Some results obtained on the ISCAS85 benchmark circuits are included.
The influence of high body mass index on the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery as primary therapy.

BACKGROUND: High body mass index (BMI), a prevalent condition in the United States, is associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Its influence on a patient's outcome remains unclear. In the current study, the authors examined the impact of BMI on survival and complications in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) who underwent surgery as their primary therapy. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 301 consecutive EC patients who underwent surgery but received no adjunctive therapy. Patients were segregated into 2 subgroups based on their baseline BMI: normal/low (<25 kg/m2) and high (≥25 kg/m2). RESULTS: Seventy-six (25%) patients had a BMI <25 kg/m2 and 225 (75%) patients had a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. In the high BMI group, there were more men (P < .001), fewer upper ECs (P = .021), a lower baseline clinical stage (P = .006), and frequent EAC (P < .001). Postoperative morbidity was similar in both groups, with the exception of gastrointestinal complications (P = .016). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 44% in the normal/low BMI group and 60% in the high BMI group (P = .017). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 41% in the normal/low BMI group and 60% in the high BMI group (P = .005). On multivariable analysis, age, weight loss, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and both clinical and pathological stage of disease were found to be independent prognosticators for OS. Older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.029; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.009-1.049 [P = .004]), weight loss (HR, 1.525; 95% CI, 1.034-2.248 [P = .033]), and PVD (HR, 2.325; 95% CI, 1.039-5.204 [P = .040]) were found to be associated with poor OS. CONCLUSIONS: High BMI is common in EC patients and the better OS/DFS noted in patients with a high BMI is because of the diagnosis of a low baseline clinical stage. Confirmation of these findings is warranted. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A Question of Capacity: Towards a Comprehensive and Consistent Vision of Children and Their Status Under Law

What are children capable of doing? In the legal context, the answer depends on the subject. The law decrees that a 16-year-old is "incapable" of consenting to a simple contract, yet, in many jurisdictions, can be prosecuted as an adult on the theory that he or she has committed a very "adult" crime. At one time, 18-21-year-olds were not able to vote, but could consent to enter the armed forces. In some contexts, the law imposes a categorical rule: a child of a certain age is or is not automatically capable of consent. In other contexts, the law requires an examination of the particular child; consent is determined on a case-by-case basis. In this article, I propose a consistent way of viewing children under the law, in light of psychology's understanding about how children think and behave. I specifically propose the creation of a Model Children's Code so that issues of juvenile capacity can be addressed in a consistent, logical, and coherent fashion.
Hydrogen Production and Photodegradation at TiO 2 /Metal/CdS Sandwich Using UV–Visible Light

The synthesis and characterization of a metal (M = Pt, Au, or Ag) sandwiched with CdS and in-house TiO2 (IH-TiO2) have been summarized. When compared to commercial Degussa P25® TiO2, the IH-TiO2 showed 100 % anatase content, more than twice the active surface area and superior photoelectrochemical responses (charge separation and potential). This composite/sandwich has been tested for photocatalytic hydrogen production in the presence of sacrificial agents and UV–visible light. Typical traditional sacrificial agent—polysulfide—toward photocatalytic hydrogen production has been examined. Moreover, a representative dye pollutant such as (methyl orange (MO)) instead of polysulfide also demonstrated hydrogen production. The simultaneous pollutant degradation and hydrogen generation have been recognized from absorbance and chromatographic analyses. A complete analysis of the hydrogen generation rate (per unit mass of catalyst) showed the following trend: IH-TiO2/Pt/CdSpolysulfide > IH-TiO2/Pt/CdSMO > IH-TiO2/Pt/CdSDI-water. A first-order power-law degradation model has been proposed for MO photoconversion.
Inflated Tax Basis and the Quarter-Trillion-Dollar Revenue Question

In this article, Dodge and Soled explain why inflated tax basis reporting is pervasive, estimating that this problem will cost the federal government $250 billion over the next 10 years and that the real figure could easily be much higher. And, unlike corporate tax shelters, this type of tax fraud is available to all taxpayers who engage in property transactions. Furthermore, the underlying problem of tax basis identifications will be dramatically exacerbated if the new Congress moves quickly (as seems likely) to permanently repeal the estate tax, in which case a carryover tax basis regime of section 1022 will supplant the current basis-equals-fair-market-value-at-death rule. The authors question, however, how estate fiduciaries could possibly calculate the tax basis that decedents had in their investments, if the taxpayers themselves, while alive, did not know that basis. A carryover basis regime failed so badly in 1976 that it was retroactively repealed. In light if this failure, there is no reason to suspect that the carryover basis regime scheduled to take in effect in 2010 will fare any better, unless Congress and the IRS institute safeguards along the lines that the authors propose. In a conversation with Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan once said, Trust, but verify. In making that remark, Reagan made an important observation about how perhaps we should conduct diplomacy and, the authors suspect, our affairs in general. Tax basis identifications require the same vigilance on the part of Congress and the IRS.
Strain-history effect on isotropic and anisotropic plastic behavior

An experimental investigation was performed to evaluate the effect of strain history on an initially isotropic material. A hot-rolled 2.5-in.-diam bar of SAE 1045 steel provided all the test specimens. Axial and circumferential compression data indicated that the steel was isotropic. Additional tension and torsion data indicated that the steel was an isotropic-hardening von Mises material; this was also confirmed by proportionate loading of thin-walled cylinders such that the ratio of axial to circumferential stresses was either 0, 1/2, 1, 2 or ∞. Two additional sets of cylinders were preloaded either in simple axial tension or as closed-ended cylinders to an effective plastic strain of 0.006 before they were proportionately loaded. The preloading had a pronounced effect on yield surfaces for reloading if the effective plastic strain on reloading was only slightly greater than that for the preloading. The effect of preloading on the yield surfaces was small when the effective plastic strain was three to four times that for the preloading. Hill's anisotropic theory was used to predict stress-strain relations for several of the reloaded cylinders. Good agreement was obtained between theory and experiment.
Repurposing mine tailings: Cold bonding of siliceous iron ore tailings

The formation of geopolymers from mine tailings using cold-bonding processes is known to be possible. Numerous cold-bonding methods exist, but the hydrothermal processes involving high temperatures and pressures in the presence of steam have been found to be the most ideal. This paper presents the results of successful preliminary studies to apply hydrothermal bonding processes to mine tailings agglomerates. Particle-size analysis revealed the particle size of the tailings waste to be 80 percent passing at 35 µm. The compressive strengths of the tailings pellets were shown to increase with time in the curing vessel, closely approaching the 400 lbf of standard iron ore concentrate pellets. These strengths are sufficient to allow use of the tailings pellets as aggregate materials for asphalt and cement. Additional applications may be possible, including reprocessing to extract more valuable materials and usage as agglomerated road-bed materials, backfills for building foundations, and replacements for sand and lime in cement.
Teaching Video NeuroImages: Faciobrachial dystonic seizures: Pathognomonic phenomenology.

A 58-year-old man had a 6-month history of daily brief (5–10 seconds) jaw-pulling and arm-flexion episodes (video 1 on the Neurology ® Web site at [Neurology.org][1]). At-home videos were interpreted as “stress-induced” (video 2). These stereotypical episodes with altered awareness lacked electrographic correlate or any abnormalities on brain MRI, as previously reported.1 The clinical diagnosis of faciobrachial dystonic seizures was supported by elevated voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies (4.11 nmol/L) and positive LGi1 (leucine-rich glioma inactivated-1) protein. Methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis abolished the episodes. Recognition of faciobrachial dystonic seizures is important to reorient treatment from antiepileptics (ineffective) to immunotherapy, preventing progression to cognitive impairment.1–3 Besides pathognomonic ipsilateral face–arm contractions (figure), our patient manifested unilateral and alternating face-only episodes. The authors thank Marcia Hartsock, MA, CMI, for creating the figure. [1]: http://neurology.org/lookup/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000002359
Tumor-targeting peptides from combinatorial libraries ☆

Cancer is one of the major and leading causes of death worldwide. Two of the greatest challenges in fighting cancer are early detection and effective treatments with no or minimum side effects. Widespread use of targeted therapies and molecular imaging in clinics requires high affinity, tumor-specific agents as effective targeting vehicles to deliver therapeutics and imaging probes to the primary or metastatic tumor sites. Combinatorial libraries such as phage-display and one-bead one-compound (OBOC) peptide libraries are powerful approaches in discovering tumor-targeting peptides. This review gives an overview of different combinatorial library technologies that have been used for the discovery of tumor-targeting peptides. Examples of tumor-targeting peptides identified from each combinatorial library method will be discussed. Published tumor-targeting peptide ligands and their applications will also be summarized by the combinatorial library methods and their corresponding binding receptors.
Retinoic acid inhibits CD40+ interleukin-4-mediated IgE production in vitro

To elucidate the role of retinoic acid (RA) in anti-CD40 + interleukin-4 (IL-4)–mediated B-cell activation, the effect of 10−12 to 10−6 mol/L RA was studied in anti-CD40 (1 μg/mL) + IL-4 (5 ng/mL)-mediated proliferation and Ig synthesis by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and B cells in healthy donors. Anti-CD40 + IL-4–mediated proliferation of PBMC and B cells was inhibited by RA in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal inhibition of 62% ± 5% in PBMC and 55% ± 4.4% in B cells by all- trans RA, and 58% ± 6.7% and 51% ± 4.7%, respectively by 13- cis RA. IgE synthesis was even more markedly inhibited by RA starting at concentrations of >10−14mol/L for B cells and >10−10 mol/L for PBMC. Maximal inhibition of IgE production for B cells was at 10−8mol/L for all- trans RA (94% ± 1.8%) and 96% ± 3.2% for 13- cis RA. Low concentrations of RA inhibiting IgE synthesis (10−10 mol/L) affected neither B-cell proliferation nor the production of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Elucidation of the mechanism involved in this inhibition of IgE production shows that epsilon germline transcription is decreased by RA, whereas production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was not enhanced in the presence of RA. To differentiate whether the RA effect was mediated by RA receptors , β, and γ, the expression of the retinoic acid receptors (RAR) was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The data show that unstimulated human peripheral B cells express mRNA of the RA receptor , β, and γ. Using retinoids with different receptor binding specificity (CD336, CD437, CD2019, CD367), dose-dependent inhibition of IgE synthesis was shown by all four derivates, but was most marked by an RA binding the  receptor with high specificity. Taken together, this study shows that RA inhibits IgE production of anti-CD40 + IL-4–stimulated B cells in vitro. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
Spin Susceptibility of Chemically Collapsed Cerium

Due to the connection between the valence instability problem and that of magnetic moment formation in metals, the magnetic susceptibility X of intermediate valence materials has been studied extensively. Near the critical point {xO, TO} in Ce1‒xThx it is relatively easy to vary the fundamental energy parameters which determine the behavior of χ. In Fig. 1 we show χ (x;T) for several concentrations bracketing x O (1) . The influence of the critical point is readily apparent; to discuss the energetics, however, we concentrate first on the regions of x-T space well away from the phase transition.
Which restaurant should I choose? Herd behavior in the restaurant industry

ABSTRACTPeople, in general, follow others’ choices or opinions. This phenomenon has been defined as herd behavior. Accordingly, this study utilized the concept of herd behavior, and examined whether restaurant customers follow others’ choices or opinions, especially when they choose a restaurant in an unfamiliar place. Two different stimuli were considered “others’ choice”—online review ratings and consumers’ last minute observations on the crowdedness of the restaurant. By adopting experimental design (3 Crowdedness × 2 Review Rating), this study found that customers’ intention to choose a restaurant was significantly influenced by crowdedness when customers are choosing a dine-in restaurant. Comparably, a high review rating stimulated customers’ intention to choose in the case of both dine-in and take-out restaurants. Interaction effects were significant, suggesting that individuals make decisions based on both the crowdedness and review ratings of restaurants. Detailed results and discussion are follow...
Insanity of Left Ventricular Assist Therapy Doing the Same Thing and Expecting Different Results

> If you can measure that of which you speak and can express it by a number, you know something of your subject; but if you cannot measure it, your knowledge is meager and unsatisfactory. > > Lord Kelvin The success or failure of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy can be measured in several ways. The landmark clinical trials, REMATCH1 and INTrEPID,2 defined success in terms of mortality and morbidity, compared with standard medical therapy. Indeed, these are the primary benchmarks used by the US Food and Drug Agency when evaluating a device for market approval. On a grander scale, success may be measured in terms of the popularity or use of the therapy. In this respect, LVAD therapy could be deemed as an abject failure. Thirty years ago, the Office of Technology Assessment projected the annual need to be on the order of 100,000 in the United States and 200,000 worldwide3; yet the current rate of LVAD implantation has yet to achieve 5% of this target. Article see p 714 For many of these intervening years, it was believed that the barriers to widespread growth of this therapy were the technology itself: the unsatisfactory safety and efficacy of the devices. Now that current LVADs …
Noncooperative Biometrics: Cross-Jurisdictional Concerns

Abstract Biometric surveillance is a particular security methodology based on the integration of video-surveillance and biometrics. It may represent a powerful tool in the context of the continuous fight against serious criminality and terror, but its implementation, in various international scenarios, has also given rise to concerns because of the associated legal, social, and ethical issues. The present chapter aims to investigate some aspects of the biometric surveillance, showing how many of the concerns raised in the past are nowadays characterized by decreased relevance. As a matter of fact, new popular tools such as smartphones and Smart TV are posing threats to our own privacy so high that the apprehension of the biometric surveillance seems now, most likely, completely outdated.
Photochemical relaxation pathways of S6-methylthioinosine and O6-methylguanosine in solution

S6-Methylthioinosine and O6-methylguanosine are byproducts resulting from the enzymatic reactions of sulfur-substituted prodrugs in cells and from the interaction of alkylating agents with cellular DNA, respectively. Their photochemistry has not been investigated, and it is currently unknown whether light absorption by these byproducts may pose any threat to the cell. In this contribution, their photoinduced processes upon absorption of UVB radiation are reported using broadband transient absorption spectroscopy. Plausible electronic relaxation mechanisms are proposed for both biological molecules, which are supported by steady-state absorption and emission measurements, and by singlet and triplet vertical excitation energies performed on a large subset of ground-state optimized conformational isomers in solution. The results are compared to the body of knowledge gathered in the scientific literature about the light-induced processes in the sulfur-substituted and canonical purine monomers. In particular, it is shown that S6-methylation decreases the rate to populate the lowest-energy triplet state and blueshifts the ground-state absorption spectrum compared to those for the sulfur-substituted prodrugs and for the 6-thioguanosine metabolite. Similarly, O6-methylation decreases the rate of internal conversion to the ground state observed in the guanine monomers by more than 10-fold in acetonitrile and 40-fold in aqueous solution, while it redshifts the ground-state absorption spectrum. Collectively, this investigation provides relevant new insights about the relationship between structural modifications of the purine chromophore and the electronic relaxation mechanisms in this important group of biological molecules.
Corticotrophic pituitary carcinoma with cervical metastases: case series and literature review.

Pituitary tumors are the second most common intracranial tumors, however, pituitary carcinoma is a rare clinical entity which represents only 0.1–0.2% of all pituitary tumors. Diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma requires the presence of metastasis. Early identification of pituitary carcinoma is difficult, and only recently have guidelines been published for the treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors. We present two cases from our institution, with a review of other cases available in literature in order to better characterize this rare disease. A retrospective review of two patients with pituitary carcinoma treated at a tertiary medical center was performed. The MEDLINE database was searched for all cases of pituitary carcinoma. Information for age at diagnosis, sex, pituitary tumor type, latency period from pituitary tumor to presentation of carcinoma, sites of metastasis, number of surgical therapies, radiation and chemotherapy, and survival after diagnosis were collected. A total of 69 studies were available for review for a total of 72 unique cases. The average age at diagnosis was 46.3 years. The most common tumors were ACTH-secreting (34.7%), Prolactin-secreting (23.6%), and Null Cell (15.3%). The average latency period from pituitary tumor diagnosis to metastasis was 9 years. All patients underwent surgical therapy during their treatment, with an average of 2.76 procedures. The mortality rate was 54.8% with average time to death after diagnosis of approximately 10 months. Pituitary carcinoma is a rare disease with high mortality rate and is a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Further study is required but is difficult due to its low incidence.
Surface instability of elastic half-spaces by using the energy method

Finding the complete set of stability conditions of an elastic half-space has been an open problem ever since Biot (Biot 1963 Appl. Sci. Res. 12 , 168–182 (doi:10.1007/BF03184638)) first studied the surface instability of half-spaces by seeking solutions of the incremental equilibrium equations. Towards solving this problem, a method based on the energy stability criterion is developed in the present work. A variational problem of minimizing the elastic energy associated with a half-space is formulated. The second variation condition is derived and is converted to an eigenvalue problem. For a half-space of neo-Hookean materials, the eigenvalue problem is solved, which leads to complete descriptions of stability and instability regions in the deformation space.
He Said, She Said: The Conversation That Is a Marriage

Dialogue complicates the traditional inwardness of the lyric speaker in the poetry of companionate marriage. This chapter uses poems by T. S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Diane Di Prima, Adrienne Rich, and Mona Van Duyn to establish the importance of dialogue as a figure for the marriage relation. It begins with Milton’s canonical definition of marriage as a “meet and happy conversation,” and ends with Lowell’s The Dolphin, a divorce sequence whose unhappy conversation puts a husband’s identity at risk.
Fragility and structure of hemoglobin S fibers and gels and their consequences for gelation kinetics and rheology

Pathogenesis in sickle cell disease depends on whether red blood cells can pass the microvasculature during the delay time before hemoglobin S gelation and cell rigidification occur. Here we observe individual hemoglobin S fibers by differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and show that hemoglobin S gels and fibers are fragile and easily broken by mechanical perturbation, and that breakage results in vast acceleration of gelation kinetics due to the creation of new, growing fiber-ends. Hence, in vivo this may be an important factor, in addition to hemoglobin concentration and degree of deoxygenation, that governs delay time and pathogenesis. Pathogenesis also depends on gel rheology and cell rigidification, which depend on fiber cross-linking. We show different mechanisms by which X-shaped, Y-shaped, and "zippering" cross-links form. Finally, we estimate the "on" rate constant for fiber growth to be about 200 mmol/(L.s) and obtain a value for the heterogeneous nucleation rate at 13.5 mmol/L heme.
Interregional and International Trade: Different Causes, Different Trends?

It is argued in this paper that there are significant differences between interregional and international trade, mainly because of the existence of increasing returns at a regional level, next to comparative advantages. Consequently, location matters, although interregional trade seems to be lagging GDP growth, most likely as a result of a structurally declining regional specialisation.
Volatiles Measured by the Phoenix Lander at the Northern Plains of Mars

Abstract The science goals of the Phoenix lander were to verify near-surface H2O ice surrounding the north polar cap, characterize the shallow icy soil and overlying soil deposits, document the high latitude surface and atmospheric environments, and evaluate the habitability. These goals guided payload selection that included the thermal and evolved gas analyzer, consisting of eight differential scanning calorimetry cells coupled to a magnetic-sector mass spec for identification and quantification of organics and inorganics in the atmosphere and minerals; the Wet Chemistry Laboratory to analyze the soil chemistry at the surface and depth to better understand the history of the water, habitability, chemical energy sources, and the general geochemistry including SO42−, Cl−, Br−, I−, NO3−, and ClO4−; and the thermal and electrical conductivity probe, mounted near the end of the 2.3 m robotic arm, to characterize and control the distribution and exchange of H2O between the atmosphere and subsurface. These instruments provided a wealth of data about volatiles, especially sulfur, carbon, chlorine, and water. A significant discovery was that the dominant chlorine (Cl) phase in the soil was perchlorate (ClO4−) at ~0.6 wt% at a ratio of ClO4− to Cl− of 6:1. The production of ClO4− on Cl-mineral surfaces would result in highly oxidizing intermediates (ClO−, ClO2, •OCl, •Cl, •OH), capable of destroying or altering organics. Results also showed that the soil contained a 3:2 ratio of Ca(ClO4)2 to Mg(ClO4)2, strongly supporting the conclusion that the Phoenix site has been extremely arid for at least ~600 Myr. Other results included ~1.3 wt% SO42−, most likely as a hydrated MgSO4, limiting the S phases to predominantly insoluble sulfur compounds; isotopic composition for atmospheric CO2 of δ13 CVPDB=−2.5±4.3‰ and δ18OVSMOW=31.0±5.7‰, notably lacking in 13C; and calcium rich carbonate phases at a concentration of 3–5 wt%.
Nutritional effects on resumption of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate in postpartum dairy cows

Increased genetic potential for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Following parturition the nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation thereby affecting ovarian cycles before and during the subsequent breeding period The effects of NEBAL on reinitiation of ovulation are manifested through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-I in blood that collectively restrain oestrogen production by dominant follicles. Upregulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir increases the likelihood that emerging dominant follicles will ovulate. The legacy of NEBAL is reduced fertility after insemination in conjunction with reduced serum progesterone concentrations. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but may be detrimental to reproductive performance. Depending upon protein quantity and composition, serum concentrations of progesterone may be lower and the uterine luminal environment is altered. High protein intake is correlated with plasma urea concentrations that are inversely related to uterine pH and fertility. The direct effects of high dietary protein and plasma urea on embryo quality and development in cattle are inconsistent. In conclusion, the poor fertility of high producing dairy cows reflects the combined effects of a uterine environment that is dependent on progesterone, but has been rendered suboptimal for embryo development by antecedent effects of negative energy balance and may be further compromised by the effects of urea resultingfrom intake of high dietary protein.
Association Between Living Kidney Donor Postdonation Hypertension and Recipient Graft Failure.

BACKGROUND Recipients of kidneys from living donors who subsequently develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) also have higher graft failure, suggesting the 2 donor kidneys share risk factors that could inform recipient outcomes. Given that donor ESRD is rare, an earlier and more common postdonation outcome could serve as a surrogate to individualize counseling and management for recipients. Hypertension is a frequent event before donor ESRD; thus, early postdonation hypertension might indicate higher risk of graft failure. METHODS We studied Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data to quantify the association between early postdonation hypertension and recipient graft failure using propensity score-weighted Cox proportional hazards regression. We also examined the association between postdonation systolic blood pressure and graft failure. RESULTS Of 37 901 recipients, 2.4% had a donor who developed hypertension within 2 years postdonation. Controlling for donor and recipient characteristics, recipients whose donors developed hypertension had no higher risk for graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-1.25, P = 0.72). This was consistent among subgroups of recipients at higher risk for adverse outcomes due to hyperfiltration: African American recipients (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.70-1.73, P = 0.68) and those with ESRD caused by hypertension (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.65-1.85, P = 0.73) or diabetes (aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.56-1.13, P = 0.20). However, graft failure was associated with postdonation systolic blood pressure (per 10 mm Hg, aHR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.08, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although postdonation systolic blood pressure is associated with graft failure, the reported diagnosis of hypertension as determined by the requirement for blood pressure treatment early postdonation did not portend a higher risk of recipient graft failure in the same way as eventual postdonation ESRD.