cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Multicellular Aggregation in the Survival of ErbB2-positive Breast Cancer Cells during Extracellular Matrix Detachment

The metastasis of cancer cells from the site of the primary tumor to distant sites in the body represents the most deadly manifestation of cancer. In order for metastasis to occur, cancer cells need to evade anoikis, which is defined as apoptosis caused by loss of attachment to extracellular matrix (ECM). Signaling from ErbB2 has previously been linked to the evasion of anoikis in breast cancer cells but the precise molecular mechanisms by which ErbB2 blocks anoikis have yet to be unveiled. In this study, we have identified a novel mechanism by which anoikis is inhibited in ErbB2-expressing cells: multicellular aggregation during ECM-detachment. Our data demonstrate that disruption of aggregation in ErbB2-positive cells is sufficient to induce anoikis and that this anoikis inhibition is a result of aggregation-induced stabilization of EGFR and consequent ERK/MAPK survival signaling. Furthermore, these data suggest that ECM-detached ErbB2-expressing cells may be uniquely susceptible to targeted therapy against EGFR and that this sensitivity could be exploited for specific elimination of ECM-detached cancer cells.
A new effective method of nebulizing bronchodilator aerosols; clinical and physiological effects.

SUMMARY The gas phase of dichlorodifluoromethane is a well tolerated and expedient propellant for use in the nebulization of bronchodilator aerosols. Inhalation in concentrations of approximately 4 per cent in patients with bronchospasm produces no change in vital capacity. Side reactions from the inhalation of these low concentrations of dichlorodifluoromethane are minimal and occur infrequently. Studies of the effect of 0.5 per cent isoproterenol hydrochloride and 2.25 per cent racemic ephinephrine when inhaled in the form of an aerosol by means of a gas phase of dichlorodifluoromethane propelled nebulizer revealed clinical relief of dyspnea and corresponding increases in vital capacity. The number of side reactions to these bronchodilators was low and confined to tremulousness and tachycardia. Reduction in the amount of drug inhaled reduced the incidence of side reactions. The use of the bronchodilator solution in which 0.4 per cent isoproterenol sulfate was combined with 2.0 per cent phenylephrine was not followed in this series with either tremulousness or tachycardia. Neither drug caused change in the blood pressure of normotensive or hypertensive patients when nebulized with this type device.
Assessment of structural steel from the World Trade Center towers, part V: forensic photographic evidence of tower collapse initiation and progression

Photographic forensic evidence for the global collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers was developed as part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) WTC collapse investigation. The libraries accumulated during the Federal Emergency Management Agency/American Society of Civil Engineers study and NIST investigations were searched for images that showed gross building distortions preceding or during the collapse events. Frames or images showing draw-in of the cast face of WTC 2 and the south face of WTC 1 were analyzed to map the distortion field, which was tracked over time. The inward distortions increased in magnitude as the building burned, reaching a maximum at the time of collapse. Evidence of dropped floors within the towers before global collapse was developed, as was evidence of the kinking and rotation of the top portion of WTC 2 just before and during collapse.
Computationally fast wavelet-based video coding scheme

We present a new technique for rapidly evaluating the inverse wavelet transform in video compression applications. The wavelet transform decomposes each pixel in an image into a linear combination of basis functions. Typically, very few pixels in a video sequence change from one image to the next; therefore, very few of the coefficients in the transformed video sequence change from one image to the next. We capitalize on this fact, and speed up the reconstruction of transformed image sequences by computing the inverse transform for only those coefficients that have changed since the previous image. Our prototype software-only video decompressor based on this idea is capable of reconstructing 256 by 256, 8-bits per pixel, greyscale images at a rate of 18 frames per second at a compression ratio of about 22:1.
Different degradation rates of junctional and extrajunctional acetylcholine receptors of human muscle cultured in monolayer and innervated by fetal rat spinal cord neurons

It is well demonstrated that in intact animals the degradation rate of the junctional acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is significantly slower than that of the extrajunctional receptor. Such data, however, are not available for human AChRs because the required experimentation cannot be performed in humans. We have now studied the degradation rate of the junctional and extrajunctional AChRs, utilizing our tissue culture model, in which well-differentiated neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) form on human muscle cultured in monolayer and innervated long-term by fetal rat spinal cord neurons. Half-life of AChRs was studied by a method utilizing the autoradiography of 125I-alpha bungarotoxin and computerized video image analysis. Extrajunctional AChRs degraded with a half-life of 1.3 days whereas junctional AChRs degraded with a half-life of 3.5 days. Our studies demonstrate for the first time that in innervated cultured human muscle: (a) the life span of human junctional AChR, is approximately 3 times longer than that of the extrajunctional AChR and (b) the stability of human AChR is neuronally regulated. This system can now be applied to evaluate the influence of pharmacologic agents on the stability of human junctional AChR, which is of potential importance in the treatment of myasthenia gravis and other diseases of the NMJ.
Evaluating solid angles using contour integrals

Abstract The surface integral which represents a solid angle subtended by a plane is replaced by a contour integral and a special term to account for the discontinuous behaviour of the solid angle across the plane. As an example of the use of the contour integral, it is evaluated to provide a closed form analytical solution to the potential for a disc-shaped double layer or vortex ring.
Catecholaminergic neurites in senile plaques in prefrontal cortex of aged nonhuman primates

Abstract Immunocytochemical studies, using a polyclonal antibody directed against tyrosine hydroxylase, identified catecholaminergic axons in prefrontal cortex of young and aged nonhuman primates. Aged monkeys, who showed cortical senile plaques in silver stains, had swollen tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons in neocortex. Some of these abnormal processes were associated with deposits of amyloid (visualized by thioflavin-T fluorescence) and were similar in appearance to neurites demonstrated by silver impregnation methods. This study provides evidence for structural abnormalities in catecholaminergic axons/nerve terminals in the neocortices of aged primates.
Loss of Adhesion of Murine Erythroleukemia Cells to Fibronectin During Erythroid Differentiation

Uninduced murine erythroleukemia cells specifically attached to fibronectin-coated dishes but not to dishes coated with laminin or type I or IV collagen. Dimethyl sulfoxide-induced differentiation of these cells caused a dramatic decrease in adhesion to fibronectin that was correlated with synthesis of the erythrocyte glycoprotein "band III," a membrane marker of the differentiated erythrocyte. Loss or modification of fibronectin binding sites on the cell surface during erythroid differentiation may cause the release of reticulocytes from the interstitial matrix of bone marrow into the blood.
Childbearing and family in remarriage

Proportional hazards models are used to test hypotheses about the effect of women’s prior childbearing on the probability of having a birth in remarriage and to analyze the effects of other factors. Results indicate that the number of children at the time of remarriage has no effect on childbearing probabilities, but the age of the youngest child has a significant effect. These findings support the view that having a child is important to confirm the marriage, but that individual and family life course factors also affect the decision to have a child in a remarriage.
Chemical and Biosynthetic Approaches to the Production of Novel Polypeptide Materials

Three approaches to the synthesis of the repetitive copolypeptide [-(GlyAla)_3- GlyProGlu-]_n (1) are described. Direct chemical synthesis of 1 via classical solution methods required 18 steps and afforded a polydisperse product with an average molecular weight of less than 10 000. Two alternative genetic strategies were also explored. In the first, chemically synthesized DNA oligomers were self-ligated to produce a population of multimers, which were fitted with translational start and stop signals and inserted into an expression plasmid containing the λ P_L promoter and a synthetic ribosome binding site. Transformation of E. coli led to the isolation of a stable recombinant plasmid carrying an insert encoding 12 repeats of sequence 1. Attempts to identify polypeptide 1 after induction of transformed cultures were unsuccessful. A second strategy, generating a tripartite derivative of sequence 1 carrying short N- and C-terminal extensions, afforded excellent yields of product. The relative merits of chemical and genetic approaches to repetitive polypeptide materials are discussed.
Tracheostomy in children with congenital heart disease: a national analysis of the Kids’ Inpatient Database

Background. While single-institution studies reported the indications and outcomes of tracheostomy in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), no national analyses have been performed. We sought to examine the indications, performance, outcomes, and resource utilization of tracheostomy in children with CHD using a nationally representative database. Methods. We identified all children undergoing tracheostomy in the Kids’ Inpatient Database 1997 through 2009, and we compared children with CHD to children without CHD. Within the CHD group, we compared children whose tracheostomy occurred in the same hospital admission as a cardiac operation to those whose tracheostomy occurred without a cardiac operation in the same admission. Results. Tracheostomy was performed in n = 2,495 children with CHD, which represents 9.6% of all tracheostomies performed in children (n = 25,928), and 3.5% of all admissions for children with CHD (n = 355,460). Over the study period, there was an increasing trend in the proportion of all tracheostomies that were done in children with CHD (p < 0.0001) and an increasing trend in the proportion of admissions for children with CHD that involved a tracheostomy (p < 0.0001). The population of children with CHD undergoing tracheostomy differed markedly in baseline characteristics, outcomes, and resource utilization. Similarly, the subgroup of children whose tracheostomy was performed in the same admission as a cardiac operation differed significantly from those whose tracheostomy was not. Conclusions. Tracheostomy is an increasingly common procedure in children with CHD despite being associated with significantly greater resource utilization and in-hospital mortality. The population of children with CHD who undergo tracheostomy differs markedly from that of children without CHD who undergo tracheostomy, and important differences are observed between children who undergo tracheostomy in the same admission as a cardiac surgical procedure and those who undergo tracheostomy in a nonsurgical admission, as well as between children with single-ventricle physiology and children with two-ventricle physiology.
UV-crosslinking of E1 small nucleolar RNA to proteins in frog oocytes.

E1/U17 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) is a box H/ACA snoRNA. To detect protein bands that UV-crosslink to E1 RNA primarily at uridines, frog oocytes were injected with [α-32P]UTP-labeled E1 RNA and incubated, isolated nuclei were UV irradiated, and nuclear contents were digested with RNase A. Wild-type E1 RNA specifically UV-crosslinked to several protein bands. To identify E1 RNA sites involved in these interactions, we tested 21 E1 RNA mutants, each consisting of substitutions in a conserved sequence or structure. UV-crosslinking of different protein bands to E1 RNA depended on one of the following sets of conserved E1 RNA segments: two 5′ end RNA sites; five 5′ half RNA sites; two 3′ half RNA sites; or 14 sites located throughout E1 RNA. Of these conserved E1 RNA sites, UV-crosslinking apparently depended on sequences at 11 sites, and structures at 2 sites. Gel electrophoresis with and without RNA competition detected protein bands that are not common to all of the box H/ACA snoRNAs. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
L1 mediated homophilic binding and neurite outgrowth are modulated by alternative splicing of exon 2

The neural cell adhesion molecule (CAM) L1 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that has been implicated in neuronal adhesion, neurite outgrowth, and axon guidance. The clinical importance of L1 is illustrated by pathological mutations that lead to hydrocephalus, mental retardation, motor defects, and early mortality. The L1 gene is composed of 28 exons, including exons 2 and 27 that are spliced alternatively, and mutations in exon 2 are associated with severe neurological abnormalities in humans. To elucidate the role of L1 exon 2, a recombinant Fc fusion protein called Δ2L1 was constructed lacking the second exon in the extracellular domain of L1. When bound to fluorescent beads, L1 exhibited homophilic binding while Δ2L1 did not. However, L1 beads coaggregated with the Δ2L1 beads. Similarly, in cell binding studies, L1 bound to L1 and Δ2L1 did not bind to Δ2L1 but it bound moderately to L1. Given the reduced binding of Δ2L1, we tested its effect on neurons. By comparison to L1, a lower percentage of dissociated neurons extended neurites on Δ2L1, and there was a modest decrease in the length of the neurites that grew. Neurite outgrowth from reaggregated neurons was much less robust on Δ2L1 than on L1. The combined results indicate that Δ2L1 does not bind homophilically but it can interact with L1 containing exon 2. The reduced binding and neurite promoting activity of Δ2L1 provides an explanation for certain pathological mutations in L1 that lead to clinically apparent disease in the absence of the normal form of L1 in the nervous system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 51: 237–247, 2002
Against the Odds Ectopic Abdominal Pregnancy

The occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy that implants within the peritoneal cavity is a rare, life-threatening event. Poor maternal and fetal outcome, especially in pregnancies within the range cons...
Longitudinal analysis of the effects of infant-feeding practices on postpartum amenorrhea.

The Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey is used to examine the effect of various components of infant-feeding patterns on return of menses postpartum. The results show that factors such as active suckling, the use of two breasts versus one, breast-feeding on demand versus on a fixed schedule. and the feeding of other milks and of nonnutritive or low-caloric other liquids can be important under selected circumstances. Discrete-time logistic hazards modeling is used to estimate the weekly probability of return to menses.
A google glass app to help the blind in small talk

In this paper we present a wearable prototype that can automatically recognize affective cues such as number of people present, their age and gender distributions given an image. We customize the prototype in the context of helping people with visual impairments to better navigate social scenarios. Running an experiment to validate this technology in social scenarios remains part of our future work.
DECOMPOSITION OF LEVUGLANDIN E2. DEHYDRATION AND ALLYLIC REARRANGEMENT PRODUCTS

In aqueous solutions at 37°C the β,γ-unsaturated δ-hydroxy aldehyde functional array in levuglandin E 2 (LGE 2 ) readily eliminates water to give an α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehyde, anhydro levuglandin E 2 (AnLGE 2 ), in competition with allylic prototropic shift to give an α,β-unsaturated δ-hydroxy aldehyde, Δ 9 -LGE 2 . The allylic isomerization is catalyzed by H 2 PO 4 − , perhaps by a bifunctional mechanism involving both proton acceptance by and donation from the catalyst. Thus, by appropriate adjustment of buffer concentration, the product distribution can be altered in a synthetically useful manner. Unexpectedly, the dehydration is not catalyzed by acid under the conditions examined (pH 2.8-8.0) and LGE 2 is most stable at pH 3-4
PROPERTIES AND RECOVERY OF WASTE LIQUIDS FROM CITRUS PECTIN POMACE MANUFACTURE

A complete flow diagram and material balance of a typical citrus pectin pomace manufacturing process is presented. Leach liquids, produced from lemon and lime peel during the process had the following waste treatment properties: COD, 10,000–12,000 ppm: BOD. 6,000–9,000 ppm, settleable matter, 50–250 ppm; turbidity, 215–1200 N.T.U. The presence of water-soluble pectin (40–100 mg/100g) in the dilute leach liquids contributed to high viscosities and made concentration by evaporation difficult. Commercial leaching processes removed approximately 20% of the total solids in the peel, while a more efficient laboratory leaching was able to recover over 30% of the solids.
Second osteocutaneous fibular free flaps for head and neck defects.

Objective: To analyze the morbidity of a second fibular free tissue transfer when necessary in rare instances when the initial fibular flap fails. Case design: Retrospective analysis of a case series. Methods: A database of patients who underwent resection of head and neck malignancies with resultant free flap reconstruction was analyzed retrospectively. All patients undergoing fibular free flaps were studied, and those needing a second fibular osteocutaneous flap were identified. The morbidity from the second flap was evaluated by a standard questionnaire. Results: Seven patients underwent a second fibular osteocutaneous flaps for reconstruction; data were available from six. The indications for the second flap were perioperative flap loss (5 patients), osteoradionecrosis (1), and recurrent tumor (1). Follow-up began at 3 months; mean follow-up was 44 (range 9-67) months. The morbidity of harvesting a second fibular flap was similar to that of a unilateral harvest. Four of six patients rated their overall morbidity as low; one patient indicated an intermediate morbidity, and one patient rated their morbidity from the procedure as major. The only donor site morbidities were episodes of mild cellulitis that resolved with outpatient antibiotics. Conclusion: Harvest of a second fibular osteocutaneous is a reasonable option for reconstruction when a second flap becomes needed. The morbidities are comparable with those encountered with a unilateral fibular flap harvest.
Current Diagnosis and Management of Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction characterized by reduced intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), inability to delay ejaculation, and personal distress. Increasing understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms has yielded diverse and effective therapies. The current review discusses contemporary evaluation and management of PE, with a review of all randomized, controlled trials (RCT) performed. Therapies with RCT data include behavioral modification/psychotherapy, topical anesthetics, narcotic-like pain relievers, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and receptor antagonists, tricyclic antidepressants, and surgery. As data are insufficient to define optimal therapies, treatment decisions are based on clinical factors (comorbid conditions, PE mechanism and patient preference), trial outcomes, and adverse event profiles. Combination therapies demonstrate superior efficacy to single agents, with concomitant use of behavioral/psychosexual modifications with pharmacotherapy recommended. The role of surgery in PE remains undefined, with additional data required. Further comparative RCTs are required to define optimal treatment algorithms.
IRAK-M regulation and function in host defense and immune homeostasis

Antigen presenting cells (APCs) of the innate immune system sense a wide range of pathogens via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Engagement of certain PRRs can induce production of pro-inflammatory mediators that facilitate effective clearance of pathogen. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a well described group of PRRs that belong to the TLR/Interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) superfamily. However, TLR/IL-1R induction of pro-inflammatory mediators must be regulated to prevent excessive inflammation and tissue damage. One molecule of recent interest that is known to inhibit TLR/IL-1R signaling is interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK)-M, also known as IRAK-3. IRAK-M is expressed in a number of immune and epithelial cells types, and through its inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, IRAK-M can regulate immune homeostasis and tolerance in a number of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Furthermore, use of IRAK-M deficient animals has increased our understanding of the importance of IRAK-M in regulating immune responsiveness to a variety of pathogens. Although IRAK-M expression is typically induced through TLR signaling, IRAK-M can also be expressed in response to various endogenous and exogenous soluble factors as well as cell surface and intracellular signaling molecules. This review will focus on clinical scenarios in which expression of IRAK-M is beneficial (as in early sepsis) and those situations where IRAK-M expression is harmful to the host (as in cancer and following bone marrow transplant). There is strong rationale for therapeutic targeting of IRAK-M for clinical benefit. However, effective targeting will require a greater understanding of the transcriptional regulation of this gene.
Did Jesus Speak to Our Society

DID Jesus speak to our Society ? Can we today find anything in the teachings of Jesus to give us a clear Christian direction in attempting to handle our pressing social problems? As biblical instructors, can we point to any certain "thus saith the Lord" in social affairs, or must we remind our students that the most to be hoped for in Jesus' teaching is some guidance to their personal lives? In other words, did Jesus have any social teaching? The very raising of such questions may appear to be outmoded. All those who have lived in America in the last half century have been brought up on the so-called social gospel. Francis Greenwood Peabody, Walter Rauschenbusch, Shailer Mathews and the English Robert F. Horton answered these questions in a thorough and scholarly fashion a generation ago. The great Columbus preacher, Washington Gladden, aroused the church to its social obligations before many of us were born.
The effect of oxygen on the beta transus temperature of an alpha2-beta titanium aiuminide base alloy

It has been speculated that the beta transus temperature of alpha2-beta alloys will be a function of the alloy's oxygen content. An effort is presently made to ascertain the effect of a wide variety of oxygen contents on the beta transus temperature of the Ti-25Al-10Nb-1Mo alloy. The beta transus temperature is established to be a strong function of oxygen content in the 710-1000 wppm range; above 1000 wppm, transus temperature becomes only a weak function. The temperature of the B2/bcc order-disorder transition is also a function of oxygen content. 4 refs.
Pedicle injury masquerading as renal contusion: A possible urographic pitfall

Renal vascular pedicle injuries are relatively rare, accounting for 1–5% of renal injuries [1]. Intravenous urography is generally the initial procedure used to assess the severity of renal damage and the need for further evaluation. Non-function of the injured kidney is a characteristic finding of renal pedicle injury on excretory urography [1, 2, 3, 4]. This finding generally necessitates further expeditious evaluation with renal arteriography. Opacification of the pelvi-ureteric system during excretory urography generally implies that the renal vascular pedicle is intact and a major renal injury does not exist. We report a case of a major renal vascular injury associated with excretion of contrast at urography—findings mimicking the radiographic features of renal contusion.
Strategies for the review of transfusion practices.

WITH the increased awareness of transfusion-associated human immunodeficiency virus infection, blood transfusion therapy has become an issue of increasing concern to both the general public and to health practitioners. Several measures have already been instituted to reduce the risk of transfusion-related infections: (1) improved screening procedures, (2) early detection of infectious donors by serological methods, (3) institution of confidential donor self-deferral, and (4) inactivation of viruses in some blood products with solvents and detergents. Although these measures have improved the quality of the blood supply, several important issues, such as other medical complications of blood transfusions, the conservation of limited resources, and cost, remain. Consequently, hospital transfusion committees have been widely used as one mechanism of monitoring blood use by peer review. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, in Chicago, Ill, has emphasized that the intent of blood use review is, in addition to monitoring transfusion activity, to also
Kidney transplants in children

I N 1963 at the Children’s Memorial Hospital a transplant program was organized. Since that time, 22 patients have received kidney transplants. TWO of these patients received two transplants, making a total of 24 operations. The youngest patient was 1 year of age and the oldest was 16 years of age; there were 7 females and 15 males. The females ranged in age from 1 to 16 years and the males, from 3 to 16 years. The underlying diseases in these 22 patients were as follows: 12, glomerulonephritis; 7, pyelonephritis; 2, hemolytic-uremic syndrome; and 1, iatrogenic. At another hospital, the latter was found to have a palpable mass which proved to be a hydronephrotic kidney. A pyelogram was erroneously interpreted as outlining a kidney on the opposite side and the hydronephrotic kidney was removed. Postoperatively it became apparent that there was congenital absence of the opposite kidney. The patients were prepared for transplantation by intermittent peritoneal dialysis or, more often, by chronic hemodialysis. The criterion for selection of patients to receive transplant was virtual absence of renal function requiring periodic dialysis. No children were selected for periodic dialysis who were not candidates for eventual transplantation. All but 1 of the 22 patients were initially on our chronic dialysis program in preparation for transplantation. There was a relatively wide distribution of the total number of hemodialyses required by these patients while awaiting transplantation. In our group, the number of hemodialyses per patient ranged from 1 to 125, including posttransplant hemodialyses given until renal function stabilized and those performed after a nonfunctioning graft had been removed. Two females experienced menarche while on dialysis. The one recipient who did not receive hemodialysis was an 11-year-old girl in whom several unsuccessful attempts were made to insert an arteriovenous
Cyclic AMP accumulation in psoriatic skin : differential responses to histamine, AMP, and epinephrine by the uninvolved and involved epidermis

Using the uninvolved and involved skin from psoriatic patients, we investigated the effects of histamine and AMP (or adenosine) in vitro on the intracellular cyclic AMP levels. Both agents activated adenylate cyclase of the uninvolved and involved resulting in the accumulation of cyclic AMP. Without a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, these responses were biphasic and the maximal accumulation was observed in 5 min. With the PDE inhibitor both responses were markedly potentiated and high levels of cyclic AMP were observed for more than 20 min. The response to histamine by the involved skin was much greater than that by the uninvolved. The degree of the response to adenosine was approximately equal. In accordance with our previous work, the response to epinephrine by the involved skin was much less than that by the uninvolved. Thus adenylate cyclases of involved skin from psoriatic patients exhibit a markedly diminished response to epinephrine while at the same time exhibiting a markedly enhanced response to histamine. This precludes the possibility that the unresponsiveness to epinephrine can be due to a generalized inability of the epidermal psoriatic plaque cell to make a functioning cell membrane.
Conditions on the Expansion Coefficients of the Reduced Two-Particle Density Matrix

An explicit reduction in the number of terms of the expansion of the reduced two-particle density matrix for atomic systems is shown to occur when the expansion functions are eigenfunctions of ${L}_{z}(1)+{L}_{z}(2)$ and ${S}_{z}(1)+{S}_{z}(2)$.
Substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity in nerves of the rat uterus: localization, colocalization and effects on uterine contractility.

Immunoreactivity to the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was examined in nerves in the rat uterus as a prelude to studying their effects on uterine contractility. With immunocytochemical techniques, SP immunoreactivity (SP-I) and CGRP-I were localized in myometrial nerves throughout the uterine horns, with nerves immunoreactive for CGRP being the more numerous. Immunocytochemical double labeling studies revealed SP coexisted with CGRP in a subpopulation of CGRP-I nerve fibers, i.e., SP-I was not present in all CGRP-I nerves. Effects of these neuropeptides on uterine contractility were examined on in vitro preparations of uterine horns from diethylstilbestrol-treated rats. SP (10(-4) to 10(-8) M) stimulated uterine contraction in a dose-related manner. CGRP(1-37) and CGRP(8-37) had no effect on basal uterine tension. While CGRP(1-37) (10(-7) M) reduced SP-stimulated (10(-5) M) uterine contraction by 56%, CGRP(8-37) had no effect on SP-stimulated uterine contraction. However, CGRP(8-37) (10(-6) M) significantly reduced the ability of CGRP(1-37) (10(-7) M) to inhibit SP-stimulated uterine contraction. These results demonstrate that SP- and CGRP-I are present in, and coexist in some uterine nerves, presumably afferent nerves. The first 7 amino acids are necessary for the inhibitory effect of CGRP(1-37) on stimulated uterine contraction. In addition, CGRP(8-37) acted as an antagonist to this inhibitory action. SP and CGRP could be coreleased from afferent fibers in an "efferent fashion" and influence uterine contractility. SP having a contractile effect and CGRP having a relaxing effect.
The Carboxyl-terminal Domain of RNA Polymerase II Is Not Sufficient to Enhance the Efficiency of Pre-mRNA Capping or Splicing in the Context of a Different Polymerase

Eukaryotic messenger RNA precursors (pre-mRNAs) synthesized by RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) are processed co-transcriptionally. The carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II is thought to mediate the coupling of transcription with pre-mRNA processing by coordinating the recruitment of processing factors during synthesis of nascent transcripts. Previous studies have demonstrated that the phosphorylated CTD is required for efficient co-transcriptional processing. In the study presented here we investigated whether the CTD is sufficient to coordinate transcription with pre-mRNA capping and splicing in the context of two other DNA-dependent RNA polymerases, mammalian RNAP III and bacteriophage T7 RNAP. Our results indicate that the CTD fused to the largest subunit of RNAP III (POLR3A) is not sufficient to enhance co-transcriptional pre-mRNA splicing or capping in vivo. Additionally, we analyzed a T7 RNAP-CTD fusion protein and examined its ability to enhance pre-mRNA splicing and capping of both constitutively and alternatively spliced substrates. We observed that the CTD in the context of T7 RNAP was not sufficient to enhance pre-mRNA splicing or capping either in vitro or in vivo. We propose that the efficient coupling of transcription to pre-mRNA processing requires not only the phosphorylated CTD but also other RNAP II specific subunits or associated factors.
Principles and Applications of Solvatochromism

T he term solvatochromism is used to descr ibe the pronounced change in position and sometimes intensity of a UVvisible absorption band following a change in the polarity of the medium. When absorption spectra are measured in solvents of different polarity it is found that not only the position but also the intensity and shape of the absorption band can vary, depending on the nature of the solvent. The in uence of solvents on the course of chemical reactions has been studied for a long time, and efforts have been made to correlate equilibrium constants, reaction rate constants, or positions of ultraviolet absorption bands with the so-called ‘‘polarity’’ of the solvent.1 Attempts made to express the polarity in terms of dielectric constant, dipole moment, or other properties of the solvent have not been very successful, largely due to the simpli cations used. 2 The polarity of a solvent is determined by its sol-
Crevicular fluid myeloperoxidase at healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis sites

The volume and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) collected with filter paper strips for 30 s from the sulcus of healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis sites of Chinese subjects were measured. MPO/site and MPO/microliter GCF were both greater at gingivitis and periodontitis sites than at healthy sites. Enzyme activity was similar at the 2 categories of diseased sites. Mean GCF volume and MPO activity were calculated for all samples from healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis sites with GI 0, 1, 2 and 0 + 1. GCF volume, MPO/site and MPO/microliter GCF all were greater at GI 2 than GI 0 or 0 + 1. These data indicate that increased GCF MPO previously observed at periodontitis sites is not specific to such sites. Rather increased GCF MPO likely occurs when additional polymorphonuclear leukocytes enter the sulcus as a result of gingival inflammation. A second sample was obtained from 22 sites 4 weeks after the initial collection. These samples were collected for 5 s rather than 30 s. The GCF volume, MPO/site and MPO/microliters GCF were each greater in samples collected for 30 s rather than 5 s. Correlation coefficients showed that the amount of GCF and MPO activity of the fluid collected for 5 s and 30 s was dependent upon the site even though the 5-s and 30-s samples were collected 4 weeks apart.
Vasectomy in Colombia: a pilot study.

This paper describes the first study of vasectomized men in Latin America; it is based on personal interviews with 172 men who had undergone the operation at least 3 months previously.The majority of the men chose to have the operation relatively late in life (38·9 years), after they had had a large number of children (5·9 living). Men from all education and occupation levels were represented in the sample; about 25% were practising Catholics. Many cited the effectiveness of vasectomy as a major factor in their decision. More than one-half reported at least one failure with other methods. Principal original sources of information about vasectomy for the majority were the mass media. Most reported that their sexual activity had remained unchanged or had improved since the operation and expressed satisfaction with the results of the operation.(Summary in Spanish, p. 505.)
Tissue-specific metabolism during normothermy and daily torpor in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus).

Previous work with deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) has demonstrated that a significant acidosis occurs during daily torpor. In addition, carbohydrate levels are significantly lower, whereas fatty acid and ketone levels are significantly higher during torpor. The present study examined the effects of these in vivo acid-base and metabolite adjustments on in vitro 14C-glucose metabolism in tissues taken from normothermic and torpid deer mice. Glucose oxidation in liver and vastus lateralis taken from normothermic animals was reduced by a change in incubation temperature from 37 degrees C to 25 degrees C (liver, 0.44 to 0.23 mumoles/g.h; vastus, 0.66 to 0.25 mumoles/g.h), whereas heart from normothermic mice exhibited an increase from 0.57 to 0.99 mumoles/g.h at the lower temperature. Altering acid-base conditions or metabolite levels had no effect on glucose metabolism in the heart or liver. However, both of these factors significantly influenced metabolism in vastus. Vastus taken from normothermic mice had an increased glucose oxidation rate under the more acidic torpor conditions (0.25 to 0.33 mumoles/g.h), whereas a reduction in oxidation occurred when incubated with torpor substrate concentrations (0.33 to 0.22 mumoles/g.h). In vastus taken from torpid mice, changing acid-base state and metabolites to torpor levels resulted in a significant reduction in glucose oxidation (0.26 to 0.12 mumoles/g.h). Under most incubation conditions, glucose oxidation was significantly lower in tissues taken from torpid mice than in these tissues from normothermic mice, suggesting that adjustments in addition to changes in acid-base and substrate parameters may be necessary to account for metabolic modifications during daily torpor.
Bi-directional Exchange: the Cornerstone of Globally Focused Social Work

Social work holds a unique place relative to other professions in that it prioritizes the elimination of human suffering as its primary goal. The roots of the profession are firmly planted in Western theories, historically and culturally specific perspectives, and knowledge. History has repeatedly demonstrated an association between the arrival of Westerners and the subsequent control of natural resources. Some argue that the development of global social work practice has serious pitfalls, including diverting needed resources away from local contexts and inadvertently spreading western world-views, paradigms and practices. However, the social work profession is uniquely positioned to offer expertise and collaborate with those experiencing the serious consequences of social inequity and the dearth of economic and social resources locally and across the globe. Grounded in anti-oppressive theory, guided by the difficult, yet acute awareness of western privilege and racism, and drawing from social/collective action and collaborative paradigms, a bi-directional exchange and action are detailed as the foundations for globally focused social work. The skills and knowledge base for global social work are essential as populations locally and worldwide are impacted by a global economic system that innately increases serious social inequity. Comprehensive training and preparation for globally focused social work, critical to successful engagement in global practice are outlined.
Elucidation of maize endosperm starch granule channel proteins and evidence for plastoskeletal structures in maize endosperm amyloplasts.

Previously, starch granules of maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and millet (Pennisetum americanum) were found to contain channels connecting the interior cavity with the outside surface, and the channels of maize starch channels were found to contain, presumably to be lined with, proteins. One objective of this study was to identify and characterize channel proteins of maize starch granules. A putative starch granule channel protein extract was subjected to 2D-PAGE. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was used to identify the proteins. Data analysis indicated the presence of actin-like and tubulin-like (FtsZ) proteins, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase large and small subunits (Shrunken2 [Sh2] and Brittle2 [Bt2], respectively), granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), and Brittle1 (Bt1, an adenylate translocator). A combination of Western blot analysis and immunolocalization confirmed the presence of an actin-like protein within the starch granule structure. Another objective was to determine the origin of maize starch granule channels. TEM examination of maize endosperm amyloplasts that did not contain a formed starch granule revealed structures that were connected to the amyloplast membrane and extended inward to the center of the plastid.
The performance effects of human resource practices: The case of interclub networks in professional baseball, 1919-1940

This study investigates the performance effects of two industry-specific human resource management innovations that dramatically changed the way professional baseball teams selected and trained ballplayers. In the early part of this century, major league clubs developed and refined two player-development practices based on “reserve team” and “farm team” systems. We use a panel data set of the win/lose records for the population of 16 major league clubs for the seasons from 1919 through 1940 to test hypotheses about the effect of human resource practices on organizational performance. The results suggest that the reserve team practice had no significant impact on organizational performance. In contrast, the more complex farm-team system, pioneered by Branch Rickey of the St. Louis Cardinals, improved organizational performance and diffused rapidly throughout the league. We estimate that by 4 years after its creation, the farm-team system improved a team's win rate by 0.068 points relative to nonadopters of the farm-team system and teams with less than 4 years of prior experience with a farm-team system. The results also show that the farm-team effect was not confined to St. Louis but also was experienced by later adopters. These results contribute to the growing literature showing a positive effect of human resource policies on organizational performance. The results also illustrate the important role the external environment plays in shaping this relationship (e.g., legal restrictions to labor mobility).
Theory of the double-edge technique for Doppler lidar wind measurement

The theory of the double-edge technique is described by a generalized formulation that substantially extends the capabilities of the edge technique. It uses two edges with opposite slopes located about the laser frequency. This doubles the signal change for a given Doppler shift and yields a factor of 1.6 improvement in the measurement accuracy compared with the single-edge technique. Use of two high-resolution edge filters reduces the effects of Rayleigh scattering on the measurement by as much as an order of magnitude and allows the signal-to-noise ratio to be substantially improved in areas of low aerosol backscatter. We describe a method that allows the Rayleigh and aerosol components of the signal to be independently determined. The effects of Rayleigh scattering are then subtracted from the measurement, and we show that the correction process does not significantly increase the measurement noise for Rayleigh-to-aerosol ratios as high as 10. We show that for small Doppler shifts a measurement accuracy of 0.4 m/s can be obtained for 5000 detected photons, 1.2 m/s for 1000 detected photons, and 3.7 m/s for 50 detected photons for a Rayleigh-to-aerosol ratio of 5. Methods for increasing the dynamic range to more than ±100 m/s are given.
Synthesis, characterization, and physicochemical properties of manganese(III) and manganese(V)-oxo corrolazines.

The structural and physicochemical properties of the manganese−corrolazine (Cz) complexes (TBP8Cz)MnV⋮O (1) and (TBP8Cz)MnIII (2) (TBP = p-tert-butylphenyl) have been determined. Recrystallization of 2 from toluene/MeOH resulted in the crystal structure of (TBP8Cz)MnIII(CH3OH) (2·MeOH). The packing diagram of 2·MeOH reveals hydrogen bonds between MeOH axial ligands and meso N atoms of adjacent molecules. Solution binding studies of 2 with different axial ligands (Cl-, Et3PO, and Ph3PO) reveal strong binding, corroborating the preference of the MnIII ion for a five-coordinate environment. High-frequency and field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy of solid 2·MeOH shows that 2·MeOH is best described as a high-spin (S = 2) MnIII complex with zero-field splitting parameters typical of corroles. Structural information on 1 was obtained through an X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES)/extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) study and compared to XANES/EXAFS data for 2·MeOH. The...
Protein-DNA interaction within one cloned chloroplast DNA replication origin of Chlamydomonas.

A partially purified algal protein mixture which supports in vitro DNA replication consists of soluble proteins and proteins extracted from thylakoid membrane. The membrane extract is essential for the specific initiation of replication at a displacement loop (D-loop) site previously mapped by electron microscopy. D-loop site and its flanking sequences have been cloned and sequenced. In this study, fragment-retention assays using various subclones of the sequenced region indicate that some proteins in the membrane extract bind strongly and specifically with a 494 bp restriction fragment which partially overlaps the D-loop site. Protein gel analyses of the protein-DNA complex identify three DNA-binding polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 18, 24 and 26 kDa, respectively. Treatment with chloramphenicol, an inhibitor of chloroplast protein synthesis, for 1 h has no obvious effect on the contents of the 24 or 26 kDa polypeptides but significantly reduces the content of the 18 kDa polypeptide in the membrane extract.
The formation of Latino citizenship in Southeast Los Angeles

(1999). The formation of Latino citizenship in Southeast Los Angeles. Citizenship Studies: Vol. 3, Cities and Citizenship in a Global Age, pp. 253-266.
Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus As a Risk Factor for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a major risk factor for the development of S. aureus infection, including skin and soft tissue infections and foreign body infections, such as catheter-associated bacteremia and peritonitis. In this article, we review the recent literature on S. aureus nasal carriage, including the emergence of methicillinresistant S. aureus in the community, the pathophysiology of nasal carriage, and the epidemiology and prevention of S. aureus infections associated with nasal carriage.
The Current and Emerging Role of Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer

Recent phase III trial results have demonstrated the effectiveness of sipuleucel-T, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Yet, despite the survival benefit of sipuleucel-T, questions remain about how immunologic agents can be used in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. The primary issue confounding researchers and practitioners about the benefits of sipuleucel-T is the lack of effect on time to progression. It may be helpful to note that recent phase II data from a different therapeutic prostate cancer vaccine (Prostvac), as well as phase III data from an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) blocking agent in metastatic melanoma, also show improved survival without short-term changes in disease progression. Furthermore, mathematical tumor growth models provide some insight into the fact that immunologic therapies do allow for continued tumor growth, but at a slower rate, thus prolonging survival. This understanding can help to clarify the role of the newly approved sipuleucel-T in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. It is also possible that appropriate sequencing of therapies could further improve the clinical course for such patients. Additional clinical trials will further our understanding of the role of therapeutic cancer vaccines and add new agents to the armamentarium of therapy for patients with prostate cancer.