cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foxp3 Protein Stability Is Regulated by Cyclin-dependent Kinase 2

Foxp3 is a transcription factor required for the development of regulatory T cells (Treg). Mice and humans with a loss of Foxp3 function suffer from uncontrolled autoimmunity and inflammatory disease. Expression of Foxp3 is necessary for the anti-inflammatory capacity of Treg, but whether Foxp3 activity is further subject to regulation by extracellular signals is unclear. The primary structure of Foxp3 contains four cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) motifs (Ser/Thr-Pro) within the N-terminal repressor domain, and we show that CDK2 can partner with cyclin E to phosphorylate Foxp3 at these sites. Consistent with our previous demonstration that CDK2 negatively regulates Treg function, we find that mutation of the serine or threonine at each CDK motif to alanine (S/T→A) results in enhanced Foxp3 protein stability in CD4+ T cells. T cells expressing the S/T→A mutant of Foxp3 showed enhanced induction (e.g. CD25) and repression (e.g. IL2) of canonical Foxp3-responsive genes, exhibited an increased capacity to suppress conventional T cell proliferation in vitro, and were highly effective at ameliorating colitis in an in vivo model of inflammatory bowel disease. These results indicate that CDK2 negatively regulates the stability and activity of Foxp3 and implicate CDK-coupled receptor signal transduction in the control of regulatory T cell function and stability. Background: Foxp3 post-translational regulation remains unclear. Results: Foxp3 is phosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and has increased stability and function without its CDK motifs. Conclusion: CDK2 is a negative regulator of Foxp3 function. Significance: Understanding how Foxp3 is stabilized could lead to new therapeutic measures for autoimmunity and transplantation.
Regulating Information Disclosure in Mutual Fund Advertising in the United States: Will Consumers Utilize Cost Information?

Consumer decision making with regard to mutual funds is less than rational. Consumers tend to focus on past performance and virtually ignore a variable which has a more definite (and negative) impact on wealth—cost. FINRA, the mutual fund industry’s self-regulatory body in the USA, has recently changed its regulations for fund advertising to require that cost information be reported when performance information is present. We conducted an exploratory conjoint study to examine whether consumers might, in fact, use the additional information, and found that despite the highly salient presence of expense information, consumers overwhelmingly continue to use past performance when forming mutual fund preference.
The Effect of Surface Processing on the Protein Adsorption and Tribomechanical Properties of Ultra-High-Molecular Weight Polyethylene

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a popular choice for the liner material of the acetabular cup and forms one of the articulating surfaces in total joint replacements (TJRs). Evaluating the tribological characteristics of UHMWPE on immediate contact with the physiological fluid is essential to understand pathways and mechanisms of eventual failure. In this study, the friction response and interfacial shear strength of a UHMWPE - ceramic interface was quantified using atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after exposure to bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. A 10% protein solution concentration was used to closely mimic protein levels in human physiological fluid. Medical grade UHMWPE samples with two different surface finishing treatments, milling and melting/reforming were used in the experiments. Friction response as a function of normal load was monitored on a particular area on each sample. Fluorescence microscopy was used to assess the protein adsorption on the test area. The interfacial shear strength of the interface was calculated from the friction data using contact mechanics. Contact angle measurements were also performed on the surfaces to evaluate the surface energies before and after protein adsorption. Correlations between the friction behavior and surface energy of the surfaces are discussed.© 2006 ASME
The influence of short and long duration on the blood pressure response to an acute bout of dynamic exercise.

Background The minimum duration of exercise needed to acutely lower blood pressure (BP) has not been established. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of short and long duration on the BP response to a session of aerobic exercise. Methods Subjects were 45 men (mean ± SEM, 43.4 ± 1.5 years) with elevated BP (144.6 ± 1.6/85.2 ± 1.1 mm Hg). Using a parallel design, men were randomly assigned to 40% (LITE, n = 23) or 60% (MOD, n = 22) of maximal oxygen consumption. Following assignment, they completed 3 experiments: a no-exercise control, and a 15-minute SHORT and 30-minute LONG cycle bout. Subjects left the laboratory wearing an ambulatory BP monitor. Repeated measure analysis of variance tested if BP differed among experimental conditions (no-exercise control, LONG, and SHORT) and over time within groups (LITE and MOD). Results For 9 hours, systolic BP increased from baseline after all conditions ( P P P P P Conclusions The immediate BP-lowering effects of short-duration, lower intensity exercise are comparable to those of higher amounts of exercise. Additional investigation is needed to better quantify the dose of exercise needed to lower BP.
CHANGES IN STEREOTYPING OF NEGROES AND WHITES IN MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENTS

This section of the Quarterly is reserved for brief reports of research in progress, discussions of unsolved problems, methodological studies, and public opinion data not extensively analyzed or interpreted. Succinct case histories are welcomed, as well as hypotheses and insights that may be useful to other students of public opinion. Usually, material in this section will be shorter, more informal, and more tentative than in the preceding pages of the Quarterly.
Synthetic and mechanistic aspects of halo-F-methylphosphonates

Abstract The synthesis of a variety of new halo-F-methylphosphonates has been achieved by a Michaelis–Arbuzov type reaction between a halo-F-methane and a trialkyl phosphite. This synthesis has proved to be of wide scope and utility for the high yield preparation of a number of heretofore unknown compounds. The 1 H, 19 F, 13 C and 31 P NMR spectroscopic properties are reported in detail. The mechanism for the formation of bromodifluoromethylphosphonates has been shown to proceed through the intermediacy of difluorocarbene:CF 2 . The phosphonate products have been shown to react with a wide variety of reagents. Fluoride and alkoxide ions react by attack at phosphorus with cleavage of the carbon–phosphorus bond and formation of [:CF 2 ] from the bromodifluoromethylphosphonates and the CFBr 2 − anion from the dibromofluoromethylphosphonates. Iodide ion and tertiary phosphines react by attack at the ester carbon to give stable phosphonate salts. Hydrolysis of the phosphonate esters with 50% aqueous HCl gives the expected phosphonic acids. Trimethylsilyl bromide attacks phosphoryl oxygen to afford the bis(trimethylsilyl) esters.
Tuberculosis and Carcinoma of the Lung

A comparison has been made between 43 patients with long cancer and tuberculosis and the total group of 1,164 patients with cancer of the lung. The quantitative clinical characteristics of the two groups studied were not different. However, when various symptoms are evaluated in light of the therapy, age, and time course, a number of useful clinical signs of a coexistent malignancy can be identified. If a patient over 50 has acid-fast bacilli in the sputum, this should not be accepted as a reason to diminish the suspicion of a coexistent malignancy. The patient with tuberculosis of the lung has only a slightly higher likelihood of having restrictive or obstructive lung disease which would contraindicate exploration and resection. Otherwise in this series, effective operative management of lung cancer in the tuberculosis patients resulted in proportionately as many cures with no more risk than in the usual patients with lung cancer.
Kinetic Models for Moisture Dependence of Ascorbic Acid and β‐Carotene Degradation in Dehydrated Sweet Potato

Mathematical models which describe the effect of water activity on the rate of loss of ascorbic acid and β-carotene in a dehydrated sweet potato system were developed under isothermal storage conditions at 40°C. The p-carotene model was verified in several batches of sweet potato. It was found that, although the absolute magnitudes of the rates showed differences between batches, the model form remains appropriate for describing the effects of moisture. There fore, the models seem to be general, but model parameters must be identified for each specific system.
Mononuclear Zeolite-Supported Iridium: Kinetic, Spectroscopic, Electron Microscopic, and Size-Selective Poisoning Evidence for an Atomically Dispersed True Catalyst at 22 °C

This work addresses the question of what is the true catalyst when beginning with a site-isolated, atomically dispersed precatalyst for the prototype catalytic reaction of cyclohexene hydrogenation in the presence of cyclohexane solvent: is the atomically dispersed nature of the zeolite-supported, [Ir(C2H4)2]/zeolite Y precatalyst retained, or are possible alternatives including Ir4 subnanometer clusters or larger, Ir(0)n, nanoparticles the actual catalyst? Herein we report the (a) kinetics of the reaction; (b) physical characterizations of the used catalyst, including extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra plus images obtained by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, demonstrating the mononuclearity and site-isolation of the catalyst; and the (c) results of poisoning experiments, including those with the size-selective poisons P(C6H11)3 and P(OCH3)3 determining the location of the catalyst in the zeolite pores. Also reported are quantitative poisoning experime...
Site-directed mutagenesis of lysine382, the activator-binding site, of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from Anabaena PCC 7120.

Previous studies have shown that a highly conserved lysyl residue (Lys{sup 419}) near the C-terminus of Anabaena ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is involved in the binding of 3-P-glycerate, the allosteric activator. Phosphopyridoxylation of the K419R mutant enzyme modified another conserved lysyl residue (Lys{sup 382}), suggesting that this residue might be also located within the activator-binding site. Site-directed mutagenesis of Lys{sup 382} of the Anabaena enzyme was performed to determine the role of this residue. Replacing Lys{sup 382} with either arginine, alanine, or glutamine produced mutant enzymes with apparent affinities for 3-P-glycerate 10-160-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme. The glutamic acid mutant enzyme was inhibited by 3-P-glycerate. These mutations had lesser impact on the kinetic constants for the substrates and inhibitor, P{sub i}, and on the thermal stability. These results indicate that both the charge and size of the residue at position 382 influence the binding of 3-P-glycerate. Site-directed mutagenesis was also performed to obtain a K382R-K419R double mutant. The apparent affinity for 3-P-glycerate of this double-mutant enzyme was 104-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme, and the specificity for activator of this mutant enzyme was altered. The K382R-K419R enzyme could not be phosphopyridoxylated, suggesting that other lysine residues aremore » not involved in the binding of 3-P-glycerate. 32 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.« less
On the Dynamics of Molecular Two-Photon Excitation through Real Intermediate States

Abstract : New results from our laboratory on the two-photon absorption spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics of NO2 are examined in the light of a simple nonperturbative theory for the time evolution of the intermediate state in a three-level system. Experiments on NO2 show effects distinct to two-photon excitation, evident spectroscopically in intense bent-to-linear origins and dynamically in unique patterns of energy disposal in two-photon photodissociation. We trace these effects to intramolecular relaxation which can be described by the evolution of an intermediate wave packet composed of a superposition of vibronic states prepared by the absorption of the first photon. Our theoretical treatment addresses the timescale for this evolution. Its results suggest that this timescale will depend on the intensity of the driving field, and so offer the intriguing possibility that the spectroscopy and dynamics of two-photon excitation through a system of real states will depend on laser intensity in a manner that tracks the time dependence of the intermediate wave packet.
Low-dose azacitidine after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia

BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that low doses of the hypomethylating agent 5-azacitidine may maximize the graft-versus-leukemia effect and may be tolerated well after allogeneic transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: The drug was given to 17 patients with acute leukemia as salvage for disease recurrence after HSCT (n = 9 patients) or as maintenance therapy (n = 8 patients). 5-Azacitidine was given subcutaneously daily for 5 days and was repeated every 4 weeks at doses of 16 mg/m2 (n = 4 patients), 24 mg/m2 (n = 9 patients), and 40 mg/m2 (n = 4 patients). A median of 8 cycles was delivered. The median follow-up was 16 months and 11 months after HSCT and 5-azacitidine treatment, respectively. RESULTS: Five of 9 patients with recurrent disease responded. Four of 13 responding patients developed disease recurrence while they were receiving 5-azacitidine after a median of 10 months. The actuarial 1-year event-free and overall survival rates were 55% and 90%, respectively. There were no extramedullary toxicities, and no graft-versus-host disease exacerbation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose 5-azacitidine may induce durable remissions for patients who develop disease recurrence after HSCT. Further follow-up and a larger group of patients will be necessary to confirm these observations. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Nanoindentation with spherical indenters: finite element studies of deformation in the elastic plastic transition regime

Abstract Finite element simulation techniques were used to examine spherical indentation in the elastic–plastic transition regime and characterize the development of the constraint factor—the ratio of the mean pressure to the flow stress—with penetration depth for a wide variety of materials with different yield strengths and work hardening behavior. The simulations showed that the initial portion of the transition at small penetration depths is essentially independent of the work hardening behavior because plastic deformation in the subsurface plastic zone is constrained by surrounding elastic material. This is a potentially useful result in that it implies that some material properties may be measured from the indentation load–displacement data without prior knowledge of the work hardening behavior. At larger depths, the constraint factor diverges and the indentation behavior becomes dependent on the work hardening characteristics. These observations serve to divide the elastic–plastic transition into elastically-dominated and plastically-dominated parts. Insights gained about the behavior are presented and discussed.
Moment-polarized relativistic potentials

Exchange potentials are considered in a Dirac-Slater local density approximation, with the aim of simultaneously treating orbital polarization and relativistic effects in open-shell systems. A simple moment-polarized scheme analogous to the spin-unrestricted nonrelativistic theory is developed, and illustrated by application to diatomic FeO.
Reactivation of latent murine cytomegalovirus from kidney.

Reactivation of latent murine cytomegalovirus from kidney. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is presumed to cause latent infection, but the sites of infection are incompletely known. We propose that latent murine cytomegalovirus is present in kidney and may be reactivated by explantation. Immunosuppressive agents and allogeneic stimuli may enhance this process. Balb/c mice were infected 11 to 14 months previously with 10 5 pfu of Smith strain murine cytomegalovirus intra-peritoneally. Kidneys from 15 infected and nine uninfected mice were washed, minced into 1 to 2mm 2 explants and placed into separate tissue culture wells containing a mouse embryo fibroblast monolayer. Explants were untreated or treated with azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, anti-thymocyte serum, or allogeneic lymphocytes. Daily observations for CPE and passage of supernatant to fresh mouse embryo fibroblast were done. Standard cultures of blood, kidney, and salivary gland were negative. However, virus was isolated from the explants of 8/15 animals, with a reactivation time of 30 to 70 days. No significant difference in reactivation time was noted between treated or untreated expiants. Restriction enzyme analysis of viral DNA confirmed identity with the original strain. These data show that latent murine cytomegalovirus is present in murine kidney tissue and may be reactivated by explantation.
On list-coloring outerplanar graphs

We prove that a 2-connected, outerplanar bipartite graph (respectively, outerplanar near-triangulation) with a list of colors L (v ) for each vertex v such that $|L(v)|\geq\min\{{\deg}(v),4\}$ (resp., $|L(v)|\geq{\min}\{{\deg}(v),5\}$) can be L-list-colored (except when the graph is K3 with identical 2-lists). These results are best possible for each condition in the hypotheses and bounds. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 59: 59–74, 2008
Behavioral Effects of Infectious Diseases: Respiratory Pasteurella Tularensis in Man:

Average efficiency in the work of 8 Ss, as measured with the mean percentage of baseline performance, fell about 25% during the period of their illness (P. tularensis). Recovery 3 days after treatment had begun was incomplete, with performance averaging 10 to 15% below that of controls (2 double-blind hospital control Ss and a separate control group of 10 Ss).
Biomechanical testing of small versus large lesser tuberosity osteotomies: effect on gap formation and ultimate failure load.

Background Subscapularis muscle dysfunction after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) can be a devastating complication. Recent biomechanical and clinical results suggest the superiority of lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) over subscapularis tenotomy; however, disagreement over the best repair technique remains. This study aimed to characterize the strength of 2 novel repair techniques for LTO fixation compared with standard tenotomy and dual-row tuberosity osteotomies during TSA. Methods Twenty fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders were dissected of all soft tissues except the humeri and attached subscapularis myotendinous unit. Humeri and subscapularis muscle belly were secured to a materials testing frame and subjected to cyclic loading, followed by load to failure for characterization of gap formation, ultimate failure load, and mechanism of failure. Repair techniques investigated were traditional subscapularis tenotomy and dual-row fleck LTO compared with novel techniques of single-cable and 2-suture large LTO repairs. Results No significant difference in ultimate failure load was noted among the repair techniques ( P = .565). The tenotomy repair (6.0 ± 3.9 mm) displayed significantly greater gapping in response to increasing load than LTO repair techniques ( P P > .05). Conclusion Our study displayed superior repair integrity of LTO vs tenotomy repairs. The advantages of the 2-suture large LTO technique over other LTO techniques include its simple technique, with a minimum amount of suture, avoidance of metallic hardware, and greater access to the glenoid, while providing comparable repair stability. Further research is warranted to fully evaluate these new techniques.
MacKinnon III, G. Understanding Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics. Burlington, MA. Jones & Bartlett Learning 2011. 218 pages. $79.95. ISBN 978-0-7637-7099-0.

Understanding Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics by George E. MacKinnon III is directed towards pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with the intention of providing an overview and applications to assess the value of new interventions and treatments for patients and the healthcare system. MacKinnon states that the standards for studies and importance of pharmacoeconomics, health outcomes, health economics, and epidemiology are increasing, and are also higher in demand. This textbook is a strong resource for healthcare professionals for assessing or conducting research demonstrating the effectiveness, safety, and economic value of new treatments.
Increased plasma levels of ED1+ cellular fibronectin precede the clinical signs of preeclampsia

To evaluate alterations in fibronectin homeostasis in preeclampsia we measured the plasma concentrations of fibronectin bearing an extra type III domain in 33 preeclamptic and 36 control patients at varying gestational ages. This fibronectin variant is concentrated in the endothelium of blood vessels and has been shown to be released at sites of vascular injury. In addition, total circulating fibronectin levels, composed primarily of hepatic-derived fibronectin lacking the extra type III domain, were also determined. Significant elevations in the average circulating concentrations of fibronectin with an extra type III domain (5.5 µg/ml [95% confidence interval, 4.7,6.2] versus 3.2 µg/ml [95% confidence interval, 2.9,3.5]; p = 0.0001) as well as total fibronectin (387 µg/ml [95% confidence interval, 357,417] versus 327 µg/ml [95% confidence interval, 305,348]; p = 0.036) were observed in preeclamptic versus control patients. Significant elevations in fibronectin levels with an extra type III domain occurred in the first trimester before clinical evidence of preeclampsia. In addition, multivariate logistic regression demonstrated a 5.4-fold increase in the risk of preeclampsia with each 1 µg/ml elevation in concentration of fibronectin with an extra type III domain. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that endothelial-vascular injury is a primary event in the genesis of preeclampsia.
Receptor-mediated stimulation of brain GTPase by opiates in normal and dependent rats

In membranes from rat brain striatum, opiate agonists stimulated low-K GTPase. Half-maximal enhancement of enzyme activity was obtained with 0. 09m microM morphine and 3.8 microM levorphanol. This order of potency corresponded to that of the affinities of these compounds in binding to opiate receptor. The effect was inhibited by the antagonist naloxone. As shown by the use of the enantiomers levorphanol and dextrorphan, only the pharmacologically active stereoisomer stimulated GTPase. In membranes isolated from morphine-dependent rats, the activity of GTPase was reduced 20-40% relative to that in control rats. After the precipitation of morphine abstinence by naloxone, brain GTPase activity was intermediate between the respective values for naive and dependent animals.
Automated Information Transformation for Automated Regulatory Compliance Checking in Construction

AbstractTo fully automate regulatory compliance checking of construction projects, regulatory requirements need to be automatically extracted from various construction regulatory documents and then transformed into a formalized format that enables automated reasoning. To address this need, the authors propose an approach for automatically extracting information from construction regulatory textual documents and transforming them into logic clauses that could be directly used for automated reasoning. This paper focuses on presenting the proposed information transformation (ITr) methodology and the corresponding algorithms. The proposed ITr methodology utilizes a rule-based, semantic natural language processing (NLP) approach. A set of semantic mapping (SeM) rules and conflict resolution (CoR) rules are used to enable the automation of the transformation process. Several syntactic text features (captured using NLP techniques) and semantic text features (captured using an ontology) are used in the SeM and Co...
Synergistic Temperature and Electron Irradiation Effects on the Degradation of Cathodoluminescent ZnS:Ag,Cl Powder Phosphors

Synergistic temperature and electron irradiation effects on cathodoluminescent (CL) degradation of ZnS:Ag,Cl powder phosphor have been investigated. After continuous 2 keV electron beam exposure at 250°C for a 24 C/cm 2 dose, the CL intensity upon cooling to room temperature decreased to 40% of the original intensity which is less than room temperature degradation for the same experimental conditions. Reduced degradation at high temperatures is consistent with the electron stimulated surface chemical reaction model of degradation which predicts that elevated temperatures reduce the mean stay time of physisorbed gases, decreasing the rate of the surface reactions leading to CL degradation. In a water-dominated ambient, the electron beam stimulates the formation of nonluminescent ZnO dead layers, while dissociation and reaction of H 2 leads to volatilization of S and Zn. Vaporization of Zn is accelerated by electron beam heating of the phosphor. The amount of heating was calculated using a heat transfer model to be ∼200°C for a primary beam of 2 keV, 25 c/cm 2 . This is consistent with morphological erosion on the surface of ZnS particles degraded at elevated temperatures or high power densities in H 2 -rich ambients. It is speculated that at a temperatures of about 300°C, surface chemical reactions with H 2 in combination with heating leads to removal of S as H 2 S and evaporation of Zn. The consequences of beam heating on current saturation measurements is discussed.
Esophagectomy for achalasia: patient selection and clinical experience

Abstract Background . In 1989, we predicted an increasing number of esophagectomies for megaesophagus and for recurrent symptoms after prior esophagomyotomy or balloon dilatation for achalasia. Patient selection in this group is challenging, as the potential operative morbidity of an esophagectomy must be weighed against the expected clinical outcome after a redo esophagomyotomy or alternative procedures designed to salvage the native esophagus. Methods . The hospital records of 93 patients undergoing esophagectomy for achalasia during the past 20 years were reviewed retrospectively and the results of operation assessed using our prospectively established Esophageal Resection Database and follow-up information obtained through personal contact with the patients. Results . Patient age averaged 51 years. Indications for esophagectomy included tortuous megaesophagus (64%), failure of prior myotomy (63%), and associated reflux stricture (7%). Ninety-four percent of the patients underwent a transhiatal esophagectomy. Stomach was used as the esophageal substitute in 91% cases. Intraoperative blood loss averaged 672 mL. Postoperative length of stay averaged 12.5 days. Major complications included anastomotic leak (10%), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (5%), delayed mediastinal bleeding requiring thoracotomy (2%), and chylothorax (2%). There were 2 hospital deaths (2%) from respiratory insufficiency and sepsis. Follow-up has averaged 38 months. In all, 95% of patients eat well; nearly 50% have required an anastomotic dilatation; troublesome regurgitation has been rare; and 4% have refractory postvagotomy dumping. Conclusions . Esophagectomy, preferably through a transhiatal approach, is generally safe and effective therapy in selected patients with achalasia. Unique technical considerations include difficulty encircling the dilated cervical esophagus, deviation of the esophagus into the right chest, large aortic esophageal arteries, and adherence of the exposed esophageal submucosa to the adjacent aorta after prior myotomy.
Pathophysiologic and Somatic Investigations of Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis Activation in Patients with Depression

: Preclinical studies of inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses have demonstrated the importance of central components of the HPA axis in disease pathophysiology. The implications of these data for human illness are poorly understood. We have studied the pathophysiology of the hypercortisolism seen in two human illnesses involving the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression, and looked for demonstrable somatic changes that may be associated with such hypercortisolism. Data from a study of medication-free patients with multiple sclerosis not in acute exacerbation suggest that compared with depression, MS is associated with increased prominence of hypothalamic vasopressin secretion (p < 0.05). Data from studies of depressed patients with mild to moderate hypercortisolism (assessed by 24-hour urinary free cortisol excretion) demonstrate marked reductions in bone mineral density compared to healthy, carefully matched controls (p < 0.001), as well as changes in markers of bone metabolic activity similar to those seen in patients with Cushing's disease or exogenous glucocorticoid treatment (p < 0.05). Taken together, these studies suggest HPA axis dysregulations demonstrated in preclinical models of autoimmune and inflammatory illness also occur in human illness and may have important and lasting somatic sequelae.
Growth of periodic tungsten nanoripples induced by linearly polarized femtosecond laser

Periodic nanoripples of tungsten on sapphire were grown using linearly-polarized femtosecond laser. The ripple orientation was found parallel to laser polarization. By scanning the substrate, we demonstrated tungsten grating with periodicity around 150 nm.
Surgical management of radiation-induced heart disease

Abstract Background . With the increasing population of patients with prior mediastinal irradiation, cardiac surgeons will encounter patients with radiation-induced damage to the heart and the great vessels. Awareness of the pathology and the surgical management is essential to provide optimal care for these patients. Methods . Eight patients with radiation-induced heart disease were encountered in the last 10 years. After a brief clinical presentation, the surgical management of radiation-induced heart disease is reviewed. Results . Radiation can affect all the structures in the heart, including the coronary arteries, the valves, and the conduction system. The pericardium is the most commonly involved, and the conduction system is the least involved. Pericardiectomy is quite effective in patients with symptomatic pericardial effusion or constriction. The coronary lesions are located predominantly in the ostial or proximal regions of the epicardial vessels. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty alone appears to have a high rate of restenosis. Surgical revascularization has good long-term results, and the internal mammary artery should be used if it is satisfactory. The aortic and mitral valves are more commonly involved than the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. Myocardial dysfunction predominantly affects the right ventricle and requires particular attention during cardiopulmonary bypass and in the postoperative period. Restoration of sinus rhythm is essential in view of stiffness of the ventricles. Flexibility in the surgical approach with selective use of thoracotomy will facilitate the surgical procedure in certain patients. Conclusions . Surgeons should be well versed in all the manifestations and the management of radiation-induced heart disease.
Effect of level of feed intake on lactate and acetate metabolism and lipogenesis in vivo in sheep.

Experiments were conducted to investigate the relative importance of acetate and lactate as precursors for fatty acid synthesis in vivo in sheep fed ad libitum (3.3 Meal of metabolizable energy (ME)/ day) or a restricted level of feed intake (1.7 Meal of ME/day). Tritiated water (3H2U) was also used to estimate fatty acid synthesis from all carbon precursors rather than from a specific carbon precursor. In experi ment 1, the amount of tritium (3H) incorporated into adipose tissue fatty acids increases with time up to 6 hours after intravenous 3H2O injection in perirenal, mesenteric, omental, shoulder, rump, backfat and abdominal adipose tissue from ad libitum fed sheep. The rate of incorporation did not differ significantly between tissue sites. The 3H2Oequilibrated rapidly with body water and the plasma 3H;ÂiO specific activity did not change signifi- cantA¬y for 3 hours after 3H^.Oinjection. Plasma acetate turnover rate was not influenced by ad libitum versus restricted feeding and averaged 2.99 Â± 0.28 mmole/hour/kg of body weight. Plasma lactate turnover was decreased significantly in restricted versus ad libitum fed sheep and averaged 0.99 Â± 0.01 and 1.76 Â± 0.07 mmoles/hour/kg of body weight, respectively. Re stricting feed intake for 14 days decreased the total weight of perirenal, mesenteric, and omental adipose tissue masses compared to ad libitum fed sheep. Total 3H incorporated into fatty acids in restricted fed sheep was only 11% to 13% of that in the ad libitum fed sheep in perirenal and omental adipose tissue; treatment differences in 3H incorporation were much smaller in the total carcass adipose tissue. On the basis of the ("CJlipid relative specific activity, lactate was incorporated into carcass adipose tissue fatty acids at 38% of the rate for acetate in ad libitum fed sheep and only 16% and 21% of the rate for acetate in perirenal and omental adipose tissue. Lactate appears to have been more important as a lipid precursor in ad libitum fed than in restricted fed sheep. J. Nutr. 108: 926-935, 1978.
The impact of digital cervical examination on expectantly managed preterm rupture of membranes

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of digital cervical examination on maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with preterm rupture of membranes. Study Design: This analysis includes data from a previously reported trial of antibiotic treatment during expectant management of rupture of membranes at 24 to 32 weeks’ gestation in singleton and twin gestations. Patients from both the randomized trial (n = 299 in the antibiotic group and n = 312 in the placebo group) and the observational component (n = 183) are included in this analysis. The groups were divided into those with one (n = 161) or two digital cervical examinations (n = 27) and those with no digital cervical examinations (n = 606). Results: The gestational ages at enrollment were similar in the two groups (29 ± 2 weeks’ gestation for one or two examinations vs 29 ± 2 weeks’ gestation for no examinations; P = .85). There were no differences in chorioamnionitis (27% vs 29%; P = .69), endometritis (13% vs 11%; P = .5), or wound infection (0.5% vs 1%; P > .999) between the group with one or two examinations and the no-examination group. Infant outcomes were also similar in the two groups, including early sepsis (6% vs 5%; P = .68), respiratory distress syndrome (51% vs 45%; P = .18), intraventricular hemorrhage (7% vs 7%; P = .67), necrotizing enterocolitis (5% vs 3%; P = .19), and perinatal death (7% vs 5%; P = .45). A composite outcome made up of these neonatal outcomes was not different (56% vs 48%; P = .10) between the group with one or two examinations and the no-examination group. The time from rupture to delivery was shorter in the digital examination group (median value, 3 vs 5 days; P < .009). Multivariable analysis to adjust for antibiotic study group, group B streptococcal culture status, race, and maternal transfer did not modify these results. Conclusion: Performance of one or two digital cervical examinations during the course of expectant management of rupture of membranes between 24 and 32 weeks’ gestation was associated with shorter latency but did not appear to worsen either maternal or neonatal outcome. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:1003-7.)
The Effectiveness of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy with Depressive Mothers: The Changing Relationship as the Agent of Individual Change

This study uses a multi-method approach to investigate the effectiveness of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in reducing children’s behavior problems when parents report clinical levels of depressive symptoms. Participants were 132 children, 2–7 years of age, and their biological mothers, who either reported low (N = 78) or clinical levels of depressive symptoms (N = 54). Results showed that depressive mothers were likely to report more severe child behavior problems than non-depressive mothers at the pre-treatment assessment, but that depressive mothers reported greater reductions in child behavior problems than non-depressive mothers from pre- to post-treatment. The two groups showed similar levels of observed interaction quality at the pre-treatment assessment (i.e., parent and child emotional availability and parent verbalization patterns) and similar improvements in interaction quality from pre- to post-treatment. The implications of the findings for clinical practice were discussed.
Design and analysis of a buffer management scheme for multimedia traffic with loss and delay priorities

Future broadband networks (e.g., BISDN/ATM) will provide transport for a wide range of applications that vary in their quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. Such requirements are measured by the cell loss rate and the end-to-end delay (or delay variation). This paper presents an analysis of a buffer management scheme known as nested threshold cell discarding with multiple buffers. NTCD/MB implements loss and delay priority queueing strategies in order to satisfy a wide range of quality-of-service requirements. We consider a heterogeneous mix of traffic which consists of real-time and nonreal-time traffic types. A proportion of the real-time traffic is loss-sensitive. Cell arrivals are modeled using the fluid-flow approach. The system we analyze consists of two buffers interacting via a common server. The steady-state probability distribution for the content of the buffers is reported along with other performance statistics. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of NTCD/MB in simultaneously providing loss and delay performance guarantees.
Systemic and cutaneous mucus antibody responses of channel catfish immunized against the protozoan parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.

Fish acquire protective immunity against the ciliated protozoan parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis following sublethal infection or inoculation with I. multifiliis immobilization antigens (i-antigens). In both cases, parasite-immobilizing antibodies have been identified in sera and mucosal secretions. To investigate the kinetics of this immune response, antibody levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the sera and cutaneous mucus of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) that were either infected with parasites or given a single injection of purified i-antigen (5.0 μg/fish) in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. At 5 weeks, infected and inoculated fish had a mean serum (1:80 dilution) antibody absorbance (A405) value of 0.54 ± 0.17 and 0.35 ± 0.03, respectively, which were significantly higher (α = 0.05) than the pretreatment serum (1:80 dilution) antibody absorbance value of 0.24 ± 0.05. At 14 weeks, mean serum (1:80 dilution) ELISA absorbance values in the teo groups of fish increased to 0.79 ± 0.30 and 0.71 ± 0.24, respectively. In both groups of fish, antibody levels in cutaneous mucus (undiluted) were much lower than those in sera. Infected fish had detectable mucus (undiluted) antibody levels from 3 to 9 weeks, with the highest mean value (0.30 ± 0.07) occurring at 7 weeks. Although individual inoculated fish produced serum antibody absorbance values comparable to those seen in infected fish, the mean mucus antibody values in this group did not rise above pretreatment levels. I. multifiliis infection induced a transient mucosal antibody response that coincided with the resolution of infection. Whether elicited by infection or intraperitoneal injection of i-antigen, the serum and mucus antibody responses of channel catfish immunized against I. multifiliis did not occur synchronously.
On training a sensor network

The networks considered in this paper consist of tiny energy constrained commodity sensors massively deployed, along with one or more sink nodes providing interface to the outside world. Our contribution is to propose a scalable energy-efficient training protocol for nodes that are initially anonymous, asynchronous and unaware of their locations. Training partitions the nodes into clusters where data can be gathered from the environment and synthesized under local control. Further this training provides a virtual tree for efficient communication routing from clusters to the sink. Being energy-efficient, our training protocol can be run on either a scheduled or ad-hoc basis to provide robustness and dynamic reconfiguration.
8-Hydroxy-3,4-dimethylisocoumarin

The title compound, C11H10O2, known as oospolactone, is a simple isocoumarin which has been isolated as a secondary metabolite from a culture extract of the fungi Gloeophyl­lum subferrugineum and G. sepiarium. The molecular core is planar, with an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl and ketone groups.
Discrepancies between Perceptions of Decision Making and Behavioral Autonomy.

Discrepancies between parental and adolescent perceptions of family functioning may serve as a catalyst for the adaptive, but sometimes stressful, transformations in family relationships during the transition from childhood to adolescence.
Distributed computation by graph reduction

The author describes the use and distributed implementation of a functional language based on the graph-reduction concept. Attention is given to the issue of implementing higher-order functions and concurrent evaluation. Prospects for optimization of this implementation are pointed out. 31 references, 6 figures.
Screening CT Angiography for Detection of Blunt Carotid and Vertebral Artery Injury in the Setting of Combat-Related Trauma

ABSTRACTBlunt carotid and vertebral artery injury (BCVI) is a relatively rare injury reported in the civilian sector and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of our study was to use an optimized computed tomography angiography protocol in the deployed setting to determine the prevalence of BCVI in a consecutive patient population having experienced recent wartime-related traumatic injuries. From July 2008 to September 2009, a total of 307 consecutive trauma patients were included in this study. At least 233 (76%) patients were known to have experienced blast-related traumatic injuries. 135 (44%) patients had injuries to the head, face, or neck. 4 patients (1.3%) sustained BCVI. There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of BCVI in the deployed setting and the civilian sector. We speculate that in our study population, the relatively decreased prevalence of cervical spinal fractures (3.3%) observed may counter the theoretical increased risk of vascular ...
Cytochrome p4501a induced differentially in endothelial cells cultured from different organs of Anguilla rostrata.

Endothelial cells are a structural barrier and an active regulator of many bodily processes. Cytochrome P4501A (CYPIA) activity is induced in the endothelium of teleosts and mammals exposed to lipophilic xenobiotics, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and can have significant consequences for endothelial functions. We exposed cultures of characterized endothelial cells from the heart, kidney, and rete mirabile of the eel, Anguilla rostrata, to aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists. In heart endothelial cells, the maximum response (based on O-deethylation of 7-ethoxyresorufin to resorufin [EROD] activity) to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 113 pmol/mg/min, was at 1 nM TCDD and the peak response to β-napthoflavone (βNF), 135 pmol/mg/min, was at 3 μM βNF. The maximum response to TCDD in the kidney endothelial cells is 12 pmol/mg/min at 0.3 nM TCDD. The rete mirabile capillary endothelial cells responded minimally or not at all to exposure to TCDD and βNF. Both the heart and kidney endothelial cells (but not the rete mirabile capillary cells) have a low level of EROD activity (12.7 and 5.2 pmol/mg/min, respectively) in untreated or dimethylsulfoxide-treated cells. The robust response of the heart endothelial cells to induction and the lack of response in the rete mirabile capillary endothelial cells indicate that these cells are a good resource to use to investigate the physiological consequences of AhR agonist exposure and CYP1A induction in different areas of the vasculature.
The necessity of self-promotion: A key component to early practice building

From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Disclosures: Author has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication Sept 9, 2015; revisions received Jan 10, 2016; accepted for publication Feb 7, 2016; available ahead of print March 18, 2016. Address for reprints: Jacob A. Klapper, MD, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Strom Thurmond Bldg, 114 Doughty St, Charleston, SC 29425 (E-mail: klapper@musc.edu). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2016;151:1462-4 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2016 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2016.02.012
Oxidative stress in northern elephant seals: Integration of omics approaches with ecological and experimental studies☆

Northern elephant seals experience conditions that increase oxidative stress (OS), including extended fasting, ischemia and hypoxia during breath-holds, and immune responses during colonial breeding. Increased OS is suggested by increases in tissue and plasma concentrations of pro-oxidant enzymes NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase (XO). Serum cortisol concentrations were positively associated with XO concentrations and damage markers. Elephant seals exhibit robust anti-oxidant responses as evidenced by increases in anti-oxidant enzymes in plasma and tissues. These responses were sufficient to prevent oxidative damage during breath-holds and extended fasts in juveniles. However, high rates of energy expenditure during breeding were associated with increased evidence for oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA in adults. We integrated investigations of the fasting metabolome and muscle and blubber transcriptomes into our oxidative stress studies. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis of fasting seals identified 227 known metabolites in plasma, including those related to glutathione and purine metabolism. Changes in plasma metabolites suggested that glutathione biosynthesis increased during fasting in weaned pups but not in lactating females. We produced the first reference sequence for elephant seals by RNA sequencing of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue transcriptomes and de novo transcriptome assembly. We annotated muscle and adipose transcripts and identified thousands of genes, including potential mediators of OS. This resource provides elephant seal-specific gene sequences, complements existing metabolite and protein expression studies and provides tools for examining cellular responses to OS in a variety of contexts. We examined changes in tissue gene expression in response to experimental elevation of plasma cortisol. Responses included downregulation of Negative Regulator of Reactive Oxygen Species (NRROS) in muscle, a regulator that limits reactive oxygen species production by tissues. These tools provide novel views of the cellular and systemic mechanisms that enable seals to tolerate high levels of OS.