cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of fission yeast and mouse Hop2-Mnd1 of the Dmc1 and Rad51 recombinases

Genetic analysis of fission yeast suggests a role for the spHop2-Mnd1 proteins in the Rad51 and Dmc1-dependent meiotic recombination pathways. In order to gain biochemical insights into this process, we purified Schizosaccharomyces pombe Hop2-Mnd1 to homogeneity. spHop2 and spMnd1 interact by co-immunoprecipitation and two-hybrid analysis. Electron microscopy reveals that S. pombe Hop2-Mnd1 binds single-strand DNA ends of 3'-tailed DNA. Interestingly, spHop2-Mnd1 promotes the renaturation of complementary single-strand DNA and catalyses strand exchange reactions with short oligonucleotides. Importantly, we show that spHop2-Mnd1 stimulates spDmc1-dependent strand exchange and strand invasion. Ca(2+) alleviate the requirement for the order of addition of the proteins on DNA. We also demonstrate that while spHop2-Mnd1 affects spDmc1 specifically, mHop2 or mHop2-Mnd1 stimulates both the hRad51 and hDmc1 recombinases in strand exchange assays. Thus, our results suggest a crucial role for S. pombe and mouse Hop2-Mnd1 in homologous pairing and strand exchange and reveal evolutionary divergence in their specificity for the Dmc1 and Rad51 recombinases.
Abstract B50: Selectively targeting prostate cancer with antiandrogen-equipped histone deacetylase inhibitors

Diverse cellular processes relevant to cancer progression are regulated by the acetylation status of proteins, such as chromatin remodeling via histone proteins, controlled by opposing histone deacetylase (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzymes. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) show great promise in preclinical cancer models, but clinical trials for solid tumors have failed to improve patient survival. This is due in part to an inability of HDACi to effectively accumulate in cancerous cells. To address this problem we designed HDACi with secondary pharmacophores to facilitate selective enrichment in malignant cells. We present the first example of HDACi compounds targeted to prostate tumors by equipping them (via “click” chemistry) with the secondary ability to bind the androgen receptor (AR) with non-steroidal antiandrogen moieties. Leads among these new duel-acting molecules bind to the AR and halt AR transcriptional activity at lower concentrations than clinical antiandrogens. They inhibit key isoforms of HDAC with improved potency over clinically approved HDACi, SAHA. Fluorescent microscopy reveals varying degrees of AR nuclear localization in response to these compounds. These biological properties translate into anticancer activity against hormone independent (AR-) DU145 prostate cancer, and even more so against hormone dependent (AR+) LNCaP, while having greatly reduced toxicity in non-cancerous cells. These compounds illustrate a “smart bomb” approach towards achieving selective, safe, and potent cancer therapies. Citation Format: Berkley E. Gryder, Michelle J. Akbashev, Michael K. Rood, Paulette Dillard, Shafiq Khan, Adegboyega K. Oyelere. Selectively targeting prostate cancer with antiandrogen-equipped histone deacetylase inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Jun 19-22, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(13 Suppl):Abstract nr B50.
Complexes of transition metal chlorides with 2,2′-bipyridine N-oxide

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of 3d metal chloride chelates with the mono-N-oxide of 2,2'-bipyridine (N-bipy0) is reported. The N-bipyO ligand acts generally as a bidentate 0,N-chelating agent in the new complexes. The characterization of these compounds was based on spectral, magnetic and conductance studies. [Cr(N-bipy0)2Cl2]Cl -4H20 involves a low symmetry hexacoordinated complex cation and one anionic chloride group. Fe(N-bipyO)Cl3 was shown to be a high-spin complex of the type [Fe(N-bipyO)2 Cl2][FeC14]. Complexes of the general formula [M (N-bipy0)Cl2]'C2HSOH are tetrahedral and high-spin for M = Mn or Co, and square planar, partially spinpaired (S = 1,luerr = 3.51 BM) for M = Fe. [Zn(N-bipy O)Cl2] is tetrahedral, while [Ni(N-bipy0)2Cl2]-H2O is a low symmetry, hexacoordinated, high-spin compound. The latter complex dissociated in N,N-dimethylformamide, behaving as a 1:1 electrolyte. Cu(N-bipyO)Cl2 is the only polynuclear complex of the series; its normal μeff (1.99 BM) suggests that chloride rather than N-bipyO bridges are present in this compound. The water or ethanol molecules present in certain new complexes, appear to be in the form of lattice rather than coordinated moieties on the basis of the it evidence. The lattice ethanol is easily removed by treatment at 65° C under reduced pressure, but the water of crystallization is held rather tenaciously and can be only partially removed by similar treatment.
Abstract 3690: Development of a cell based high-throughput assay for drug discovery to treat ovarian cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC PTBP1 (polypyrimidine tract-binding protein, PTB) is a 59.6-kD nuclear protein involved in pre-mRNA splicing. Its molecular functions include regulation of alternative splicing (AS) and internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-mediated translation. Our previous work revealed that PTB was overexpressed in human ovarian tumors and that knockdown of PTB expression by shRNA impaired ovarian tumor cell growth and malignant properties in vitro (Oncogene 26:4961-68, 2007). We have also observed slower tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model of ovarian cancer when PTB was knocked down (unpublished). These data suggest that PTB is a novel therapeutic target. To attempt to identify small molecules that have potential to act as shRNA and inhibit PTB, we have designed a cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) system that allows fast and reliable detection of small molecule inhibitors of PTB protein activity that have potential to alter mRNA splicing. Our approach is based on differential splicing of a PTB target gene (identified by microarray analysis) at different levels of PTB activity in the cell. We have subcloned exons 14 - 16 of one of these PTB targets, Gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor 1 (GABBR1, upstream of two different fluorescent markers; the resulting two minigenes were designated “Gred” [short form], and “Ggreen” [long form]). We further verified that the splicing of the minigenes is dependent on the PTB level in the cells. We are presently establishing stable reporter cell lines expressing both minigenes, and validating their compatibility for HTS assay by measuring the stability of fluorescence protein expression over time and response to known PTB inhibitory stimuli (e.g. PTBshRNA). Optimization for HTS includes testing cell seeding density, DMSO tolerance, pilot experiments with specific chemical libraries, data analyses, and verification of “hits” in vitro, followed by pilot HTS with small libraries of chemical diversity to determine if any of these agents will block the activity of PTB. Since overexpressed PTB plays an integral part in maintaining ovarian tumor cell growth and malignant properties, identification of small molecule PTB inhibitors by this approach may uncover novel drugs for the treatment of ovarian and possibly other cancers. (Support in part by grants RO1 CA40570 and RO1 CA138762 (to WTB), by OCRF (to XH), and by UIC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3690.
Estrogen in cardiovascular disease during systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects women during their childbearing years. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in this patient population at an age when women often have low cardiovascular risk. Hypertension is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor, and its prevalence is markedly increased in women with SLE. Estrogen has traditionally been implicated in SLE disease progression because of the prevalence of the disease in women; however, its role in cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension is unclear. The objective of this review is to discuss evidence for the role of estrogen in both human and murine SLE with emphasis on the effect of estrogen on cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension.
Biochemistry and species problems inAmbrosia (Asteraceae-Ambrosieae)

The shrubby to herbaceous genusAmbrosia is centred in the arid regions of N. America. Its remarkable variability appears to be related to occurrence as pioneers and weeds in unstable habitats, extensive migrations and hybridization, seed-longevity, inbreeding, polyploidy and dysploidy. Volatile oils underline that the genus is a natural assemblage. Sesquiterpene lactones profiles parallel migration routes and characterize geographical races in several groups, but patterns of chemical and morphological differentiation sometimes are not congruent. Seed proteins are ± individual-specific and useful as parameters of genetic polymorphism. In connection with other approaches analyses of chemical constituents can greatly help to clarify problems of species, speciation and evolution.
A mechanism for flame retardation of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The thermolysis of vinyl methylterephthalate has been studied as a model of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) thermolysis. Based upon this reaction, a potential mechanism for PET flame retardation is proposed. The assumption is made, based upon firm experimental evidence, that the initial step in PET degradation is formation of a vinyl ester and a carboxylic acid. The essentials of the mechanism are that this vinyl ester participates in a vinyl polymerization reaction and produces a linear polymer. This linear polymer then is involved in a chain-stripping reaction with the loss of methylterephthalate and the concomitant formation of a polyene. In the last step, this polyene undergoes a cyclization reaction and yields a crosslinked product. There are two stages at which PET undergoes crosslinking: In the second step the linear vinyl polymer is produced; in the last step ultimate crosslinking with the formation of cyclic structure is observed.
Targeted Deletion of Kcne2 Causes Gastritis Cystica Profunda and Gastric Neoplasia

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Predisposing factors include achlorhydria, Helicobacter pylori infection, oxyntic atrophy and TFF2-expressing metaplasia. In parietal cells, apical potassium channels comprising the KCNQ1 α subunit and the KCNE2 β subunit provide a K+ efflux current to facilitate gastric acid secretion by the apical H+K+ATPase. Accordingly, genetic deletion of murine Kcnq1 or Kcne2 impairs gastric acid secretion. Other evidence has suggested a role for KCNE2 in human gastric cancer cell proliferation, independent of its role in gastric acidification. Here, we demonstrate that 1-year-old Kcne2−/− mice in a pathogen-free environment all exhibit a severe gastric preneoplastic phenotype comprising gastritis cystica profunda, 6-fold increased stomach mass, increased Ki67 and nuclear Cyclin D1 expression, and TFF2- and cytokeratin 7-expressing metaplasia. Some Kcne2−/−mice also exhibited pyloric polypoid adenomas extending into the duodenum, and neoplastic invasion of thin walled vessels in the sub-mucosa. Finally, analysis of human gastric cancer tissue indicated reduced parietal cell KCNE2 expression. Together with previous findings, the results suggest KCNE2 disruption as a possible risk factor for gastric neoplasia.
Long-term follow-up of coronary artery disease presenting in young adults.

Abstract Objectives This study evaluated long-term survival and predictors of elevated risk for young adults diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). Background Coronary artery disease is rarely seen in young adults. Traditional cardiac risk factors have been studied in small series; however, many questions exist. Methods We identified 843 patients under age 40 with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography from 1975 to 1985. Death, hypertension, gender, family history, prior myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes, heart failure, angina class, number of diseased vessels, ejection fraction (EF), Q-wave infarction, in-hospital death, and initial therapy were studied. Patients were followed for 15 years. Results The mean age was 35 for women (n = 94) and 36 for men (n = 729). The average EF was 55%. Fifty-eight percent of the subjects had single-vessel disease, and 10% were diabetic. The strongest predictors of long-term mortality were a prior MI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00 to 1.73), New York Heart Association class II heart failure (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.97), and active tobacco use (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.21). Revascularization, rather than medical therapy, was associated with lower mortality (coronary angioplasty: HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.81; coronary artery bypass graft: HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.94). Overall mortality was 30% at 15 years. Patients with diabetes had 15-year mortality of 65%. Those with prior MI had 15-year mortality of 45%, and patients with an EF Conclusions Coronary disease in young adults can carry a poor long-term prognosis. A prior MI, diabetes, active tobacco abuse, and lower EF predict a significantly higher mortality.
Glutathione S-transferase genotypes and stomach cancer in a population-based case–control study in Warsaw, Poland

Glutathione S-transferases are important in the detoxification of a wide range of human carcinogens. Previous studies have shown inconsistent associations between the GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes and stomach cancer risk. We investigated the relationship between these and related genotypes and stomach cancer risk in a population-based case-control study in Warsaw, Poland, where stomach cancer incidence and mortality rates are among the highest in Europe. DNA from blood samples was available for 304 stomach cancer patients and 427 control subjects. We observed a 1.48-fold increased risk for stomach cancer (95% confidence interval 0.97-2.25) in patients with the GSTT1 null genotype but no evidence of increased risk associated with the GSTM1, GSTM3 or GSTP1 genotypes. Furthermore, the stomach cancer risk associated with the GSTT1 null genotype varied by age at diagnosis, with odds ratios of 3.85, 1.91, 1.78 and 0.59 for those diagnosed at ages less than 50, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 years or older, respectively (P trend = 0.01). This was due to a shift in the GSTT1 genotype distribution across age groups among stomach cancer patients only. These results suggest that the GSTT1 null genotype may be associated with increased risk of stomach cancer.
Effects of collimator jaw setting on dose output for treatments with multileaf collimator

The variations in dose output with collimator jaw setting have been investigated for treatment fields shaped by a multileaf collimator. Measurements have been made for 6 and 15 MV x-ray beams on a Varian Clinac 2100C machine. The results of our study show that the collimator jaw settings can affect the dose by about 5% for a small field shaped by a multileaf collimator. The effect is smaller for larger fields.
Prognosis of electrical faults in permanent magnet AC machines using the hidden Markov model

Reliable and fault free operation of machines needs not only timely fault detection and classification, but also an estimate of its remaining useful life, resulting in two phases of systems health monitoring, diagnosis and prognosis. Both share commonalities, with prognosis being the succeeding phase of diagnosis. In this paper, a prognosis algorithm based on the statistical hidden Markov model, is presented for the electrical faults of permanent magnet AC machines. The model parameters are computed by using the training outputs of the diagnosis phase. The algorithm estimates the failure state probability for each sampled observation. Time-frequency features extracted from the torque producing component of the machine current is used as the health indicator. The remaining useful life is estimated in terms of the probability of failure state. Parameter training of Hidden Markov Models generally need huge amounts of historical data, which are often not available in the case of highly reliable electrical machines. A method, which uses experimental observations, is presented for the computation of the state dependent observation probability densities from the limited data.
A Demand Adaptive and Locality Aware (DALA) streaming media server cluster architecture

The wide availability of broadband networking technologies such as cable modems and DSL coupled with the growing popularity of the Internet has led to a dramatic increase in the availability and the use of online streaming media. With the "last mile" network bandwidth no longer a constraint, the bottleneck for video streaming has been pushed closer to the server. Streaming high quality audio and video to a myriad of clients imposes significant resource demands on the server. In this work, we propose a demand adaptive and locality aware (DALA) clustered media server architecture that can dynamically allocate resources to adapt to changing demand and also maximize the number of clients serviced by the server cluster. Moreover, our design exploits temporal locality among requests by dispatching newly arriving requests to servers that are already servicing prior requests for those objects, thereby extracting the benefits of locality. We explore the efficacy of the DALA clustered architecture using simulations. Our simulation results show that DALA is highly adaptive, exhibits significant performance gains when compared to static schemes, and has a low system overhead. Our results demonstrate that DALA is a simple, yet effective approach for designing clustered media servers.
A strongly polynomial algorithm for minimum convex separable quadratic cost flow problems on two-terminal series-parallel networks

We present strongly polynomial algorithms to find rational and integer flow vectors that minimize a convex separable quadratic cost function on two-terminal series--parallel graphs.
Residual ethylene oxide in medical devices and device material.

Ethylene oxide (EO) gas is commonly used to sterilize medical devices. The amount of residual EO remaining in a device depends partly on the type and size of polymeric material. A major concern is the amount of residue that may be available in the body. With the use of the method described by AAMI for headspace analysis of EO residues, different polymers and medical devices subjected to different numbers of sterilization cycles were examined. Next, the effect of various extraction conditions and extraction solutions on these polymers and medical devices was evaluated. The results showed different polymers desorb EO differently. One polyurethane (PU 75D) had much higher EO residue than a different polyurethane (PU 80A). Repeated extraction of the PU 75D was necessary to quantify total EO residue levels. Different extraction solutions influence the amount and reproducibility of EO detected, whereas multiple resterilizations showed no difference in amount of residual EO. Bioavailability of EO was estimated by extracting the devices and polymers in water. Comparison of total EO residues to EO that was bioavailable showed no difference for some polymers and devices, while others had an almost eightfold difference. Some standard biocompatibility tests were run on extracts and devices, but no significant effects were observed.
Trading relations in the perception of speech by 5-year-old children

Five-year-old children were tested for perceptual trading relations between a temporal cue (silence duration) and a spectral cue (F1 onset frequency) for the "say-stay" distinction. Identification functions were obtained for two synthetic "say-stay" continua, each containing systematic variations in the amount of silence following the /s/ noise. In one continuum, the vocalic portion had a lower F1 onset than in the other continuum. Children showed a smaller trading relation than has been found with adults. They did not differ from adults, however, in their perception of an "ay-day" continuum formed by varying F1 onset frequency only. The results of a discrimination task in which the two acoustic cues were made to "cooperate" or "conflict" phonetically supported the notion of perceptual equivalence of the temporal and spectral cues along a single phonetic dimension. The results indicate that young children, like adults, perceptually integrate multiple cues to a speech contrast in a phonetically relevant manner, but that they may not give the same perceptual weights to the various cues as do adults.
An integrated optoacoustic transducer combining etalon and black PDMS structures

An integrated optoacoustic transducer combining etalon and black polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures has been designed and developed. The device consists of an 11-mum-thick black PDMS film confined to a 2-mm-diameter circular region acting as an optoacoustic transmitter, surrounded by a 5.9-mum Fabry-Perot polymer etalon structure serving as an optoacoustic detector array. A pulsed laser is focused onto a 30-mum spot on the black PDMS film, defining the transmit element, while a CW laser probes a 20-mum spot on the etalon for ultrasound detection. Pulse-echo signals display center frequencies of above 30 MHz with bandwidths of at least 40 MHz. A theta-array is formed for 3-D ultrasound imaging by mechanically scanning the generation laser along a 1-D array and the detection laser around an annular array. Preliminary images with 3 metal wires as imaging targets are presented. Characterization of the device's acoustical properties, as well as preliminary imaging results, suggest that all-optical ultrasound transducers are potential alternatives to piezoelectric techniques for high-frequency 2-D arrays enabling 3-D high-resolution ultrasound imaging.
Calculation of the threshold for π− condensation in neutron matter

Abstract The threshold conditions for a phase transition to a negative pion condensate in neutron matter are studied. In the nucleon-nucleon particle-hole interaction it is essential to take into account the off-diagonality of the nucleon-nucleon interaction due to finite π − meson momentum. A reaction matrix calculated from the Reid soft core potential is used. Allowing the Δ isobar to enter as an intermediate particle in the polarisation bubbles of the curent-current correlation function and including s-wave pion-nucleon interactions, we obtain a critical density around two times normal nuclear matter density.
Characterization of the replication of Escherichia coli DNA in the absence of protein synthesis: stable DNA replication.

After inhibiting DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli, repeated cycles of chromosome replication can occur in the absence of protein synthesis. This “stable” replication requires the products of all of the known dna genes. Stable replication results from inhibiting DNA synthesis by treatment with naladixic acid, cytosine arabinoside or hydroxyurea; or by placing dnaB, dnaE or dnaG mutants at non-permissive temperatures. It also follows a “shift-up” into rich medium in which RNA and protein are synthesized more rapidly than DNA. Paradoxically, stable replication is induced also by treatment with concentrations of streptolydigin which do not inhibit DNA replication but temporarily and partially inhibit RNA and protein synthesis. During all of these treatments, some protein synthesis must occur. Stable replication is not immediately expressed after a short period of thymine starvation or streptolydigin treatment, but requires a subsequent period of protein synthesis. Once established, however, the stable replication state is permanent and will persist in the absence of protein synthesis or during normal growth. After stable replication has been determined by a period of DNA inhibition, it is possible to inactivate replication by heating dnaA, B, C, E and G temperature-sensitive mutants. However, resynthesis of these gene products in the presence of thymine and at the permissive temperature restores stable replication activity. Since restoration of activity can occur under normal growth conditions which do not induce stable replication, it was concluded that the dnaA, B, C, E and G gene products do not directly determine the stabilized character of the replication fork. A model is presented which attempts to explain the ability of different treatments to induce stable replication.
Effects of small-volume bolus treatment with intravenous normal saline and 7.5 per cent saline in combination with 6 per cent dextran-40 on metabolic acidosis and survival in burned mice

Standard murine burn models include the administration of intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline solutions which are intended to resuscitate the animals during subsequent burn shock. Prehospital administration of small volumes of concentrated salt solutions has been recommended for the early treatment of haemorrhagic shock, and have also been utilized for burn shock. We studied the effects of bolus intravenous (i.v.) hypertonic saline (HS) or hypertonic saline/dextran-40 (HS + DEX) on animal survival and acid-base balance following 25 per cent total body surface area, full-thickness burn injury in mice. I.v. injections were administered via a tail vein immediately prior to burn injury. Some mice received 1 ml i.p. normal saline (NS) immediately after burn injury. Acid-base balance of vena caval blood was measured during the period of maximal metabolic acidosis following burn injury (12 h postburn). Preburn i.v. administration of 5 ml/kg of HS or HS+DEX, followed by 1 ml i.p. NS, only slightly decreased the degree of metabolic acidosis compared to animals receiving i.p. fluid alone, the standard resuscitation regimen for burned mice. Preburn i.v. administration of 0.2 ml volumes of HS or HS + DEX, without i.p. fluid administration, resulted in extremely high mortality. Immediate preburn i.v. administration of HS or HS + DEX did not eliminate metabolic acidosis in this murine burn model, and markedly increased the mortality when subsequent i.p. fluids were not administered. The degree of metabolic acidosis in the murine experimental burn model has not previously been clearly described. Furthermore, adequate fluid resuscitation of these animals may be difficult to achieve without indwelling vascular catheters which could deliver continuous i.v. fluids following burn injury.
Main group metal halide complexes with sterically hindered thioureas XIII. Crystallographic study of a unique cross-linked polymeric dichlorolead(II) complex with 1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-2(3H)-imidazolethione)

Abstract Two complexes, PbCl 2 mbit and Pb(NCS) 2 mbit (mbit=1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-2)3 H )-imidazolethione)) have been synthesized and characterized. A single crystal X-ray study of PbCl 2 mbit revealed a unique cross-linked polymeric structure composed of very distorted PbCl 4 S 2 octahedra sharing common edges through long PbCl bridges. The bridging pairs of Cl atoms are displaced cis to each other in the coordination sphere of lead thus creating twisted polymeric PbCI strands running along the c axis. In the direction of the b axis, the strands are further linked by mbit ligands acting as bridges between neighboring twisted strands created by the lead chloride bonds. This is the first instance where mbit is shown to act a bridging ligand. There is no clear evidence for the lone pair of electrons through systematic distortions in the lead coordination sphere. A high melting point of 259–261 °C is consistent with the polymeric structure. Cell parameters are as follows for PbCl 2 mbit: space group Pbca, a =8.699(3), b =17.164(4), c =20.469(6) A, Z =8, V =3056.2 A 3 , D c =2.254 g/cm 3 , D o =2.23 g/cm 3 (λ=0.71073 A). R =0.047. Pb(NCS) 2 mbit complex was also synthesized and characterized, but crystals suitable for X-ray study were not obtained. IR stretching frequencies of the SCN group fall in the ranges observed for this ligand bonding only through N and no evidence for S bonding. The relatively high melting point (254–256 °C) gives evidence for a polymeric structure the details of which remain unknown.
Trenton Formation in New York, a Computer-Aided Study: ABSTRACT

The Trenton Formation is an Upper Ordovician sequence of interbedded limestones and limy shales that extends from the Hudson River valley in the east throughout the western part of New York state. It was one of the first gas-producing reservoirs in the area with most of the more than 300 test wells producing or indicating natural gas. Subsurface information on the Trenton includes century-old reports, operators tops, sample logs, and geophysical logs. The logs, run over more than a 40-yr span, vary widely in type, lithology response, and depth scale. To aid interpretation, all available data were added to the New York state computer data base for map processing, and the geophysical logs were digitized for uniform evaluation and presentation. Individual log curves were corrected to a standard lithology response, combined, and played out as a series of standard control cross sections. Computer posted and contoured maps were constructed and compared to log sections for correction of errors. Finally, geologic interpretation was added to the maps and cross sections to produce a new evaluation of the Trenton Formation. > The Trenton in the subsurface can be divided into three distinct members with a disconformity between the lower two. Depositional centers shifted from central New York for the lower member to the northern part of the state for the upper member. The formation is a fractured porosity reservoir with the main fracture zones located along basement-controlled tectonic structures. The main features trend northeast-southwest in the northern part of the state, whereas orthogonal, northwest-southeast trends dominate in the south. End_of_Article - Last_Page 301------------
Epidemiology, Appropriateness, and Cost of Vancomycin Use

Pharmaceutical costs, which approach $40 billion annually, account for about 8% of health care costs. Prescription drugs represent 5% to 20% of the total hospital budget, and antimicrobials account for 20% to 50% of hospital pharmaceutical costs. At one university hospital, the percentage of patients receiving antimicrobials increased from 31.8% in 1988 to 53.1% in 1994. Receipt of vancomycin has been associated with the emergence of resistant enterococci and has resulted in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for its use. Studies show that vancomycin use is increasing, that dosing is often inappropriate, that certain populations (such as oncology, neurosurgery, and cardiovascular surgery patients) are more likely to receive vancomycin, and that often use is not consistent with CDC recommendations. Few studies have assessed the cost of vancomycin use; those that have show that it is costly. Further studies of vancomycin use are needed, so that use can be improved through focused educational programs.
Boundary finding with correspondence using statistical shape models

We propose an approach for boundary finding where the correspondence of a subset of boundary points to a model is simultaneously determined. Global shape parameters derived from the statistical variation of object boundary points in a training set are used to model the object. A Bayesian formulation, based on this prior knowledge and the edge information of the input image, is employed to find the object boundary with its subset points in correspondence with boundaries in the training set or the mean boundary. We compared the use of a generic smoothness prior and a uniform independent prior with the training set prior in order to demonstrate the power of this statistical information. A number of experiments were performed on both synthetic and real medical images of the brain and heart to evaluate the approach, including the validation of the dependence of the method on image quality, different initialization and prior information.
EFFECT OF AN ALDOSTERONE ANTAGONIST ON ELECTROLYTES AND JUXTAGLOMERULAR GRANULARITY IN ADRENAL REGENERATION HYPERTENSION.

Aldactone (SC-9420, spironolactone), an aldosterone antagonist, prevents the increased blood pressure, increased renal weight and shift of potassium out of skeletal muscle cells which occur with adrenal regeneration after enucleation. It also prevents juxtaglomerular (JG) degranulation due to salt feeding in unilaterally nephrectomized, saline-fed controls, but not in unilaterally nephrectomized, saline-fed, adrenal-enucleated rats. The reason for this difference between enucleated and control rats is unknown. Aldactone prevents atrophy of the zona glomerulosa due to saline feeding in control animals. There is a significant positive linear relationship between log zona glomerulosa width and JG granularity, indicating intervention by Aldactone in the renin-angiotensin- aldosterone mechanism. In control rats Aldactone increases serum potassium, muscle intracellular potassium, and muscle intracellular water without much effect on sodium. (Endocrinology 75: 326,1964)
Comparison of Heroin and Cocaine Concentrations in Saliva with Concentrations in Blood and Plasma

Saliva is an alternate biological matrix for drug testing that has several advantages over more traditional fluids such as blood and urine. Collection is rapid, noninvasive, and relatively easy to obtain. Several reports have detailed the appearance of drugs of abuse in saliva, but few have compared the excretion profiles of drugs administered by different routes. In this study, subjects were administered three smoked and three intravenous doses of heroin in an ascending dose design. Blood and saliva were collected periodically after drug administration and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, and morphine. In a second study, subjects were administered a single, smoked dose of 40 mg cocaine base and an intravenous dose of 44.8 mg cocaine HO on separate occasions. Plasma and saliva were collected and analyzed by CC-MS for cocaine, anhydroecgonine methyl ester (AEME), and seven additional metabolites. Heroin and 6-acetylmorphine were detected in the first saliva sample collected (2 min) following drug administration by both routes. Peak heroin concentrations were achieved quickly, between 2 and 5 min after intravenous administration and at 2 min after smoke heroin. Peak heroin concentrations in saliva after smoking heroin base ranged from 3534 (2.6 mg) to 20,580 ng/mL (5.2 mg), and after intravenous administration, concentrations ranged from 6 (10 mg heroin HCl to 30 ng/mL (12 mg heroin HCl. Saliva concentrations of heroin declined rapidly after intravenous administration, reaching the limit of sensitivity of the assay (1 ng/mL) by 60 min. Heroin concentrations in saliva after smoking declined slowly; detection times ranged from 4 to 24 h. Cocaine was the major analyte detected in saliva and plasma after smoked and intravenous administration. Peak saliva cocaine concentrations after intravenous administration ranged from 428 to 1927 ng/mL (N = 7); after smoking, they ranged from 15,852 to 504,880 ng/mL (N = 7). Peak plasma cocaine concentrations after intravenous administration ranged from 122 to 442 ng/mL A = 7), and after smoking, concentrations ranged from 46 to 291 ng/mL A = 7). The thermal degradation product of cocaine, AEME, was detected in saliva but not in plasma after smoking. Peak saliva AEME concentrations were achieved at 2 min and ranged from 558 to 4374 ng/mL (N = 7). These are the first reported observations of heroin and metabolites in saliva following heroin smoking and of AEME in saliva after smoking cocaine base. The presence of AEME in saliva may be useful as a marker of the smoked route following cocaine administration.
Body-doping considerations for high performance 0.1- mu m SOI MOSFETs

Various factors for determining body doping for a high performance 0.1- mu m SOI (silicon-on-insulator) MOSFET technology are considered. Long channel constraints on body doping and thickness for assuring full depletion are treated first. Then short channel considerations for body doping for a high performance 0.1- mu m SOI MOSFET technology are summarized. >
Mucosal defences against Giardia

Giardia lamblia (syn. G. duodenalis or G. intestinalis), the causative agent of giardiasis, is one of the most common causes worldwide of intestinal infections in humans. Symptomatic infection is characterized by diarrhoea, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, yet many infections are asymptomatic. The protozoan, unicellular parasite resides in the lumen and attaches to the epithelium and overlying mucus layers but does not invade the mucosa and causes little or no mucosal inflammation. Giardiasis is normally transient, indicating the existence of effective host defences, although re-infections can occur, which may be related to differences in infecting parasites and/or incomplete immune protection. Mucosal defences against Giardia must act in the small intestinal lumen in the absence of induction by classical inflammatory mediators. Secretory IgA antibodies have a central role in anti-giardial defence. B cell-independent mechanisms also exist and can contribute to eradication of the parasite, although their identity and physiological importance are poorly understood currently. Possible candidates are nitric oxide, antimicrobial peptides such as Paneth cell alpha-defensins, and lactoferrin. Elucidation of the key anti-giardial effector mechanisms will be important for selecting the best adjuvants in the rational development of vaccination strategies against Giardia.
Body Weight Status among Adults with Intellectual Disability in the Community.

The prevalence of obese, overweight, and healthy weight adults with intellectual disability in the community was estimated using data from the National Health Interview Survey from 1985 to 2000. Using the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure, the percentage of adults with intellectual disability in the obese category was higher than that for the general population and increased over the 16-year period. There was no similar detectable trend for adults with intellectual disability who were in the overweight category. Compared to their counterparts in the general population, a smaller proportion of women and young adults with intellectual disability maintained their weights in the healthy range. Implications regarding potential health risks and future research were discussed.
Pathology of the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The Guillain-Barre syndrome is a distinctive neuropathy characterized pathologically by the presence of inflammatory lesions which occur scattered throughout the peripheral nervous system. The lesions consist of circumscribed areas in which myelin is lost in the presence of lymphocytes and macrophages. Myelin damage of effected largely by macrophages, which penetrate the basement membrane around nerve fibers and strip what appears to be normal myelin away from the body of the Schwann cell and off the axon. While there is evidence that this activity is immune mediated, the precise mechanism that leads macrophages to seek out and amputate a specialized region of the Schwann cell plasma membrane remains unexplained.
Concentration dependence of prooxidant and antioxidant properties of catecholestrogens.

Estradiol is an established antioxidant in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, prooxidant effects such as 8-hydroxylation of guanine bases of DNA have been induced by various estrogens in hamsters and by 4-hydroxyestradiol or -estrone and a microsomal activating system in vitro. As part of an examination of these conflicting reports, we studied the enhancement or inhibition of lipid peroxidation (conjugated diene formation monitored at 240 nm) by catecholestrogens in human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) incubated with cupric sulfate in phosphate buffer. Addition of 2- or 4-hydroxyestradiol, 2- or 4-methoxyestradiol, or estradiol or estriol (0.5-50 microM) increased lag times for diene formation by 30 to <300% over control values in the absence of estrogens (lag time, 1.6 h). In contrast, low concentrations (5 pM-100 nM) of catecholestrogens decreased lag times by about 40-50%, demonstrating their prooxidant activities. The prooxidant capabilities of catecholestrogens were examined by assaying the reduction by estrogens of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and of Fe(III) to Fe(II). Both 2- and 4-hydroxyestradiol and 2- and 4-methoxyestradiol reduced Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions to their lower oxidation state. In conclusion, the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) by catecholestrogens is proposed to initiate lipid peroxidation and thus oxidation of LDL. In contrast, at high concentrations of catecholestrogens, the scavenging of oxygen radicals may predominate over lipid peroxidation and free radical generation by analogy to the action of similar phenolic antioxidants. With estradiol, estriol, and the methoxyestrogen metabolites, only antioxidant effects were observed.
Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer: Barriers to Widespread Adoption

Prostate cancer (PCa) representsa significant societal burden, accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality in men with an annualworldwide incidence of about 1million cases and about 250 000 deaths [1]. The introduction of screening prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level has resulted in a stage migration whereby the majority of screen-detected tumors are small, low-grade, organ-confined lesions, which generally have a protracted natural history and limited cancerspecificmortality.Mostmendiagnosedwith screen-detected PCa are likely todiewith, rather than from, PCa. This hasbeen shown in both the European and American screening trials and validates concerns related to PSA-induced overdiagnosis and overtreatment of potentially indolent cancers. While high-level evidence exists to support radical prostatectomy over watchful waiting in selected young men with clinically detected PCa [2], radical prostatectomy in that setting is associated with moderate overtreatment (the number needed to treat to prevent one PCa death ranges from 7 to 15) and potentially prolonged side effects [3]. A more recent trial, performed in US Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, of radical prostatectomy for predominately screen-detected cancers has shown no mortality benefit for surgery over observation [4]. Despite these findings, a considerablemajority ofmen in theUnited States andEurope who are diagnosed with screen-detected localized tumors receive aggressive treatment [5,6]. In the face of these considerations, active surveillance (AS) ofPSA-detected tumorswithdelayedcurative interventionat the time of disease progression or at the discretion of the patient should be considered as an acceptable management option [7]. The excellent systematic review by Dall’Era et al. [8] in this issue of European Urology comprehensively
Low-truncation-error finite difference equations for photonics simulation. II. Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

For part I see, ibid., p. 134, 1998. The basic approach outlined in the previous article is applied to the difficult problem of computing the optical modes of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The formulation utilizes a finite difference equation based upon the lowest order term of an infinite series solution of the scalar Helmholtz equation in a local region. This difference equation becomes exact in the one-dimensional (1-D) limit, and is thus ideally suited for nearly 1-D devices such as vertical-cavity lasers. The performance of the resulting code is tested on both a simple cylindrical cavity with known solutions and an oxide-confined vertical-cavity laser structure, and the results compared against second-order-accurate code based upon Crank-Nicolson differencing.
Risk Analysis for Readmission after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Developing a Strategy to Reduce Readmissions

Background Readmission within 30 days of adult cardiac surgery procedures is a frequent contributor to the costs of cardiac surgery hospitalizations, but current data regarding risk factors for readmission are limited. We therefore sought to analyze quality improvement risk factors for readmissions after coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Study Design The records of patients undergoing CABG at our institution from July 2006 to June 2011 were evaluated for variables with potential literature-based associations with readmission, including New York Cardiac Surgery Reporting System (CSRS) risk factors, discharge medications, and laboratory values. Results The readmission rate was 13% (n = 158 of 1,205); the CSRS predicted rate was 8.7% (observed/expected ratio = 1.5). Median time from CABG discharge to readmission was 6 days (interquartile range [IQ] 3 to 13 days). Median readmission length of stay was 4 days (IQ 2 to 7 days). The most frequent reasons for readmission were cardiac (n = 40 [25% of readmissions]) and pulmonary complications, including pleural effusions (n = 36 [23%]). Beyond CSRS risk factors, only abnormal discharge serum creatinine was associated with increased readmission (p = 0.05). Combining CSRS risk variables for government insurance and unplanned reoperation led to the highest readmission risk (odds ratio [OR] 5.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 18.7). Conclusions Coronary bypass surgery readmissions remain a persistent clinical challenge. Given that readmissions often occur within the first week postdischarge and are typically of short duration, post-CABG readmissions may be reduced through careful postoperative surveillance for readmission risk factors (eg, abnormal serum creatinine or unplanned reoperations) and/or for frequent causes of readmission (eg, pleural effusions).
Petroclival meningiomas: study on outcomes, complications and recurrence rates.

Object Petroclival meningiomas are notoriously difficult lesions to manage surgically, given the critical neurovascular structures that are intimately associated with the tumors. In this paper, the authors' aim was to review their series of patients with petroclival meningiomas who underwent surgical treatment; emphasis was placed on evaluating modes of presentation, postoperative neurological outcome, complications, and recurrence rates. Methods Fifty patients underwent surgical treatment for petroclival meningiomas. The majority of the patients were women (72%). The authors retrospectively reviewed the patients' medical records, imaging studies, and pathology reports to analyze presentation, surgical approach, neurological outcomes, complications, and recurrence rates. Results Headache was the most common presentation (58%). The most commonly used approach was the transpetrous approach (in 16 patients), followed by the orbitozygomatic approach (in 13). Gross-total resection was performed in 14 patients ...