cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The fatty acids in unremodelled trypanosome glycosyl-phosphatidylinositols

Glycolipid A, the precursor of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of the trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein, is constructed in two phases. First, the glycan is assembled on phosphatidylinositol (PI), yielding a glycolipid termed A'. Second, glycolipid A' undergoes fatty acid remodelling, by deacylation and reacylation, to become the dimyristoyl species glycolipid A. In this paper, we examine the fatty acid content of glycolipid A' and its cellular progenitors. A' contains exclusively stearate at the sn-1 position and a complex mixture of fatty acids (including 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:4 and 22:6) at sn-2. Presumably these fatty acids derive from stearate-containing PI species which initially enter the biosynthetic pathway. We compared the diacylglycerol species from glycolipid A' with those from phosphatidylinositol to determine whether a subset of stearate-containing PIs is utilized for GPI biosynthesis. We found that the spectrum of stearate-containing diacylglycerols in PI is similar to that in A', although the proportions of each compound differ. Total PI in general was highly enriched in stearate-containing species. Differences in composition between glycosylated PI and total cellular PI may be due to the substrate specificity of the sugar transferase which initiates the GPI biosynthetic pathway. Alternatively, the species of PI present at the endoplasmic reticulum site of GPI biosynthesis may differ from those in total PI.
Ibogaine: a review.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses ibogaine, which is a naturally occurring plant alkaloid with a history of use as a medicinal and ceremonial agent in West Central Africa and has been alleged to be effective in the treatment of drug abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has given significant support to animal research, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Phase I studies in humans. The chapter discusses the first International Conference on Ibogaine. A major focus of the Conference was the possible mechanism(s) of action of ibogaine. Another important focus of the Conference was to discuss human experience with ibogaine and preclinical and clinical evidence of efficacy and safety. The Conference also featured presentations related to the sociological and anthropological aspects of the sacramental context of the use of iboga in Africa and the distinctive ibogaine subculture of the U.S and Europe. Ibogaine is the most abundant alkaloid in the root bark of the Apocynaceous shrub Tabernanthe iboga , which grows in West Central Africa. The chapter presents a timeline that outlines the historical events relating to the development of ibogaine as a treatment for drug dependence. Ibogaine and serotonin both contain an indole ring in their structure, and ibogaine has been shown to bind to the serotonin transporter and to increase serotonin levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Stereotypy is a methodologic issue that might explain some of the disparate results regarding ibogaine's interaction with the locomotor response to cocaine.
On Modeling Flow Data using Generalized Stochastic Compartmental Models

Compartmental models have played a central role in the modeling of drug, tracer and particle kinetics for many decades. The historical origins of the theory and applications of compartmental models are reviewed i n Rescigno and Segre (1966) and many recent developments are presented in Jacquez (1985) and Godfrey (1983). Most of the theory and virtually all of the application of compartmental analysis have been based on a deterministicmodel formulation .
Bio-production of gaseous alkenes: ethylene, isoprene, isobutene

To reduce emissions from petrochemical refinement, bio-production has been heralded as a way to create economically valuable compounds with fewer harmful effects. For example, gaseous alkenes are precursor molecules that can be polymerized into a variety of industrially significant compounds and have biological production pathways. Production levels, however, remain low, thus enhancing bio-production of gaseous petrochemicals for chemical precursors is critical. This review covers the metabolic pathways and production levels of the gaseous alkenes ethylene, isoprene, and isobutene. Techniques needed to drive production to higher levels are also discussed.
Successful retrieval of a dislodged tracheoesophageal prosthesis distal to a neopharyngeal stricture

Abstract Objective Tracheoesophageal prostheses (TEPs) can easily become airway or esophageal foreign bodies. We present a challenging case of TEP dislodgement in order to stimulate discussion of management and technical removal of these uniquely shaped foreign bodies. Methods Case report and literature review. Results A 74-year-old female presented with TEP displacement after laryngectomy tube change. Chest imaging revealed the prosthesis in the mid-esophagus, with failure of the prosthesis to pass after 24 hours. During flexible transoral esophagoscopy at the bedside, a 10-mm diameter stricture was encountered in the neopharynx just proximal to the tracheoesophageal puncture. Initial attempts to retrieve the TEP using a 13 mm short throw snare and flexible jumbo alligator forceps were unsuccessful. As an alternative strategy, the prosthesis lumen was cannulated with the forceps (jaws closed), then advanced past the distal flange of the TEP. The jaws were opened and pulled back against the distal flange, successfully dislodging the prosthesis proximally, allowing retrieval past the neopharyngeal stricture. Conclusion TEPs are foreign bodies with slippery flanges that may not lend themselves to conventional small grasping instruments. Given its unique shape, catheterization of the TEP lumen can be taken advantage of to gain purchase for retrieval.
A Survey on the Effects of False Data Injection Attack on Energy Market

False Data Injection Attack (FDIA) is considered to be one of the major cyber threats of power systems in recent time. It can make arbitrary changes in the results of state estimation without being detected by the traditional bad data detector. Though it can cause some physical damages, the attacker can exploit some monetary benefits as well. The idea of implementing FDIA on energy market was first revealed in 2010, and since then, there had been a significant amount of work to date. This paper is intended to help those who want to work in this field. It summarizes the main aspects of those works which are published till the beginning of 2018. It also suggests some potential research directions based on state-of-the-art literature.
Energy and Society

The energy–society relationship is coevolutionary. On one hand, the material properties of energy inputs influence the structure and population size of a society and establish the parameters around, and expectations for, social and economic life. On the other hand, a physical entity is repositioned as an ‘energy resource’ only under specific technological and social conditions, and the evolution of energy systems represents a set of social choices shaped by political–economic (power) relations, cultural norms, and previous social decisions. The transition toward sustainable energy is as much a cultural and political project as it is a technological and economic one, and will (require societies to) reconfigure and reimagine sociotechnical structures and society–environment relations.
How Can We Define Clinically Important Improvement in Pain Scores After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome? Minimum 2-Year Follow-up Study:

Background:Patient postoperative pain is being increasingly reported in the field of hip preservation surgery. The visual analog scale (VAS) for pain is one of the most commonly utilized measures f...
Beneath the Lemon Tree: An Interrupted Family Story:

Through an autoethnographic account centered around family recipes, the author, a Mennonite, reflects on her interrupted family story.
Design and control of tensegrity morphing airfoils

Abstract We present a general approach of design, dynamics, and control for tensegrity morphing airfoils. Firstly, based on reduced order Class-k tensegrity dynamics, a shape control law for tensegrity systems is derived. Then, we develop a method for discretizing continuous airfoil curves based on shape accuracy. This method is compared with conventional methods (i.e. evenly spacing and cosine spacing methods). A tensegrity topology for shape controllable airfoil is proposed. A morphing tensegrity airfoil example is given to demonstrate successful shape control. This work paves a road towards integrating structure and control design, the principles developed here can also be used for 3D morphing airfoil design and control of various kinds of tensegrity structures.
Co-morbid anxiety and depression impacts on the correlation between symptom and radiological severity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background Previous studies have reported that there is little correlation between sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT-22) score in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and objective radiological scoring, although conclusions vary. We aimed to investigate whether comorbid anxiety and depression, which are highly prevalent in patients with CRS may cause symptom amplification and account for the lack of correlation in previous studies. Methodology 100 patients with CRS were evaluated using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Question- naire-9 (PHQ-9) and SNOT-22 questionnaires as well as the Lund Mackay Score (LMS). Results Overall correlation analysis did not show a significant relationship between SNOT-22 and LMS scores. Subgroup analysis of patients who do not suffer with anxiety and depression showed a significant correlation between SNOT-22 and LMS scores. The nasal domain of the SNOT-22 showed strongest correlation to LMS in this patient group. We also observed a significant difference in both median SNOT-22 and LMS between patients who suffered both anxiety and depression and patients without either co- morbidity. Conclusion When CRS patients who do not have anxiety and depression are analysed in isolation, or when these conditions are controlled in a multivariable regression, there is a significant correlation between radiological findings and symptom score. This correlation is absent in patients with co-morbid anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression should be considered in patients in whom there is a mismatch in symptom and radiological disease severity as it is associated with symptom amplification.
Quantitative Tyr Phosphoproteomic Analyses Identify Cholesterol as a Master Regulator of the Tumor Adaptive Resistance to MAPK Inhibition

Abstract Although targeted inhibition of the MAPK pathway has achieved remarkable patient responses in many cancers with MAPK hyperactivation, the development of resistance has remained a critical challenge. Besides genomic resistance mechanisms, adaptive tumor response also underlies the resistance to targeted MAPK inhibitors. It is being increasingly appreciated that such bypass mechanisms often lead to the activation of many pro-survival kinases, which complicates the rational design of combination therapies. Here we performed global tyrosine phosphoproteomic (pTyr) analyses and demonstrated that targeted inhibition of MAPK signaling in melanoma cells leads to a profound remodeling of the pTyr proteome. Intriguingly, many of these kinases contain a cholesterol binding motif, suggesting that altered cholesterol metabolism might drive, in a coordinated fashion, the activation of these kinases. Indeed, we found a dramatic accumulation of intracellular cholesterol in melanoma cells (with BRAFV600E mutations) and non-small cell lung cancer cells (with KRASG12C mutations) treated with MAPK and KRASG12C inhibitors, respectively. Importantly, depletion of cholesterol not only prevented the MAPK inhibition-induced feedback activation of pTyr singling but also enhanced the cytotoxic effects of MAPK inhibitors, both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings provide the evidence suggesting that cholesterol functions as a master regulator of the tumor adaptive response to targeted MAPK inhibitors. These results also suggest that MAPK inhibitors could be combined with cholesterol-lowering agents to achieve a more complete and durable response in tumors with hyperactive MAPK signaling.
Assess predictive values of a binary diagnostic test under a nested case–control design

Predictive values of a binary diagnostic test are often evaluated under a random sample design. When the disease is rare, however, such a design might not be as efficient as a nested case-control design where the cases are oversampled from a large existing cohort. Under a nested case-control design, direct proportion estimators of predictive values are biased because cases are oversampled. Consistent estimates of predictive values can be easily obtained by inverse probability weighting (IPW) method. The only difficulty with these IPW estimators has been the absence of expressions for their variances. To fill this gap, in the current paper, we obtain the asymptotic variance formulas for the IPW estimators of predictive values. Unlike their counterparts from weighted logistic regression, our variance formulas take into account the variance of the estimated weights in the IPW estimators of predictive values. We further use the proposed variance formulas to examine the gain in efficiency under a nested case-control design compared with a simple random sampling design. Our results clearly show that when the disease is rare, a nested case-control design can achieve a substantial amount of variance reduction by oversampling cases, compared with a random sample design. Finally, we compare via simulation the accuracy of the proposed variance formulas with the existing methods and illustrate the proposed method by a real data example evaluating the accuracy of D-dimer test.
A multiscale model of the cardiovascular system that incorporates baroreflex control of chronotropism, cell-level contractility, and vascular tone

Multiscale models of the cardiovascular system can provide new insights into physiological and pathological processes. Models that incorporate molecular-level effects may be particularly useful for clinical applications because they can predict the functional consequences of pharmaceuticals that modulate the properties of molecules and/or the rate at which they undergo reactions. PyMyoVent is a computer model that bridges from molecular to organ-level function and simulates a left ventricle pumping blood through the systemic circulation. Initial work with PyMyoVent focused on the End Systolic Pressure Volume Relationship and ranked potential therapeutic strategies by their impact on contractility. This manuscript extends PyMyoVent by adding baroreflex control of arterial pressure. The reflex algorithm is inspired by the underlying biology. It uses an afferent signal derived from arterial pressure to drive a kinetic model that mimics the net result of neural processing in the medulla and cell-level responses to autonomic drive. The kinetic model outputs control signals that are constrained between limits that represent maximum parasympathetic and maximum sympathetic drive and which modulate heart rate, intracellular Ca2+ dynamics, the molecular-level function of both the thick and the thin myofilaments, and vascular tone. Simulations show that the algorithm can regulate mean arterial pressure at set-points ranging from ~30 to ~150 mmHg as well as maintaining arterial pressure when challenged by rapid changes in blood volume or sudden increases in aortic resistance.
Understanding Education Policy: The ‘Four Education Orientations’ Framework

1. Introduction.- 2. Perceptions of Policy.- 3. Policy Paradigms Frameworks: Gaps Within Research.- 4. The Four Orientations to Education Framework .
Consultation and Referral

There may be times during your work with patients when you will want specialized help in establishing the correct psychological diagnosis or management procedures. Or, because of personality differences, conflicting time schedules or for a variety of other reasons, you may wish to discontinue working with a particular patient. In these instances, consider requesting a consultation or referring your patient to another therapist for treatment.
Gastroesophageal Reflux and Upper Airway Disease: A Commentary

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may have a role in upper airway disease such as chronic sinusitis and pharyngolaryngitis. Methods of assessment of reflux, although never absolute, are useful in selecting GER as a component in the induction of upper respiratory disease. Patients with intractable sinusitis and otitis have been found to respond to anti-reflux therapy as noted in the cases of this article.
The Signal Corps Lays the Foundation

This chapter contains sections titled: ?>A Recent Study by This Office Has Disclosed a Deficiency of Production Capacity ..." ?>Shrouded in the Mystical Mists of Utter Confusion" ?>It is Even Said that One Plumber Came in to Repair a Drinking Fountain and Went Out with a Contract for 150,000 Units" ?>One Step Toward Increased Crystal Production Would be the Exchange of Ideas and Processes Between American and British Crystal Producers" ?>The Crystal Section Has Worked Far Harder to Improve the Aircraft Crystal Situation Than on All Other Types Put Together" ?>Communications Being What They Were, The Message Was Not Received"
MEKTEP: a next generation course management system

Course management systems (CMS) are an increasingly important part of academic systems in higher education. However, they introduce challenges in their deployment especially when the budgets are constrained, and their use becomes more confusing as the numbers of users increases rapidly. Due to the inherent difficulties, these tools, which were once considered to be the promising environments, are entering a difficult stage where dealing with changes in teaching and learning becomes an important issue. Therefore, to complement the qualities of service provided, more efficient approaches must be in place to meet the evolutionary expectations of users. The CMS environment, called modular environment for knowledge tracking and extension process (MEKTEP), introduced in this paper is designed to meet the user's requirements by providing an environment based on open architecture. The time, cost, and reliability spectrums are used to promote the effectiveness of the proposed architecture. We hold the opinion that a CMS system should not demand significantly more time for learning, usage, and maintenance. With its modular architectural design, user-friendliness and flexibility, MEKTEP defines standards for the next generation of course management systems.
CMOS pixel-level ADC with change detection

An array of 90 /spl times/ 90 active pixel sensors (APS) that performs both in-pixel temporal intensity change detection and analog-to-digital conversion is presented. The 6-T 3-C 25/spl mu/m /spl times/ 25/spl mu/m pixel fabricated on a 0.5/spl mu/m 3M2P CMOS process provides a digital output of light intensity via an integrated single slope ADC. Using the programmable threshold of the pixel level comparator, the imager acquires two exposure levels of a scene simultaneously for increased dynamic range. The imager is intended for surveillance network applications requiring low cost, power efficient sensors remotely operating over bandwidth constrained networks.
Effective mass of electrons and holes in bilayer graphene: Electron-hole asymmetry and electron-electron interaction

Precision measurements of the effective mass ${m}^{*}$ in high-quality bilayer graphene using the temperature dependence of the Shubnikov--de Haas oscillations are reported. In the density range $0.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ $l$ $n$ $l$ $4.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, both the hole mass ${m}_{\mathrm{h}}^{*}$ and the electron mass ${m}_{\mathrm{e}}^{*}$ increase with increasing density, demonstrating the hyperbolic nature of the bands. The hole mass ${m}_{\mathrm{h}}^{*}$ is approximately 20--30% larger than the electron mass ${m}_{\mathrm{e}}^{*}$. Tight-binding calculations provide a good description of the electron-hole asymmetry and yield an accurate measure of the interlayer hopping parameter ${v}_{4}=0.063$. Both ${m}_{\mathrm{h}}^{*}$ and ${m}_{\mathrm{e}}^{*}$ are suppressed compared with single-particle values, suggesting renormalization of the band structure of bilayer graphene induced by electron-electron interaction.
Distinguishing Random from Chaotic Breathing Pattern Behavior

Observations of breathing pattern behavior often show seemingly random characteristics during spontaneous breathing1. Experiments in animals also indicate that important non-linearities are involved in the respiratory rhythm generator2,3,4. The question that can be asked is whether this randomness represents noise or chaos produced by a non-linear system5. This paper reviews the methods of analyzing such data to answer this question including the newer topological (geometric) techniques based on fractal analysis.
Further information concerning the envelopes surrounding dipteran eggs

With z plates (figs, i and 2) Summary A centripetal migration of follicle cells, which results in a separation of egg and nurse chambers, occurs in higher dipterans like Drosophila melanogaster but not in lower dipterans like Anopheles maculipennis. In Anopheles and Drosophila, while the vitelline membrane can be secreted in the absence of the oocyte, the follicle cells must be present. This suggests that the follicle cell is the governing agent in the synthesis of the vitelline membrane. The envelopes of Drosophila embryos differ from those surrounding ovarian eggs in that a membrane about 0-04 fi thick lies directly outside the vitelline membrane. This thin layer is thought to represent a waterproofing wax which forms once the egg leaves the ovariole.
Generation of configuration space obstacles: The case of moving algebraic curves

We present algebraic algorithms to generate the boundary of planar configuration space obstacles arising from the translatory motion of objects amongst obstacles. Both the boundaries of the objects and obstacles are given by segments of algebraic curves.
Direct Marketing Alternatives in an Urban Setting: A Case Study of Seattle Youth Garden Works

The focus of this study is direct marketing of produce from an urban market garden. Rather than discussing broad issues of direct marketing, we use a case study to frame the decisions a market gardener is likely to face in developing both production and marketing plans. The garden featured in this study is located in Seattle, Washington, a city with a very active direct marketing culture. The study covers several of the decisions that market gardeners must consider when determining their marketing plan including production plans, current and projected market conditions, and specific marketing plans.
Pyroelectric/CCD Hybrid Focal Plane

A pyroelectric detector/Si CCD hybrid focal plane operates at room temperature, and may prove useful in applications where the sensor performance requirement is moderate but low cost is essential. Flip-chip, bump mounted LiTa03/CCD modules are under development at Honeywell (see Figure 1). A one dimensional thermal model of the pyroelectric detector response has been developed. The detector element is modeled as a continuous one dimensional thermal transmission line, consisting of three thermally conductive layers corresponding to the pyroelectric, bump and Si CCD substrate, with the far surface of the substrate layer affixed to an ideal heat sink. The thermal conduction equations were solved exactly within the layers, and from the solutions obtained for the appropriate boundary conditions, the thermal and voltage responsivities were derived as functions of frequency. The responsivities exhibit flat response at low frequencies and a 1/s roll off at high frequencies. The flat portion is dependent only on the thermal conductances of the three layers, while the 1/s portion is dependent only on the heat capacity of the pyroelectric layer. The analysis has been applied to the real pyroelectric devices.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Rates of solvent exchange in aqueous aluminium(III)–maltolate complexes

Results from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and 27Al- and 17O-NMR spectroscopy are reported for a series of aluminium–maltolate complexes. Maltolate bonds to Al(III) via 3-oxy and 4-pyronate functional groups and in acidic solutions forms bidentate complexes with Al(III) that have the stoichiometry: Al(ma)n(H2O)6 − 2n3 − n (ma = maltolate and n = 0, 1, 2, 3), which was confirmed by the structure refinement of the n = 3 compound. The relative concentrations of these complexes determined by 27Al-NMR compare well with those predicted from thermodynamic data derived from potentiometry at 298 K and I = 0.6. The rate parameters for exchange of inner-sphere water molecules with bulk solution were determined by 17O-NMR for the Al(ma)(H2O)42+ complex: k298ex = 304 (±26) s−1, ΔH‡ = 63 (±2) kJ mol−1, and ΔS‡ = 14 (±7) J mol−1 K−1 and for Al(ma)2(H2O)2+: k298ex = 1950 (±91) s−1, ΔH‡ = 49 (±2) kJ mol−1, and ΔS‡ = −19 (±6) J mol−1 K−1. Surprisingly, maltolate labilizes inner-sphere water molecules to an extent that is similar to bidentate dicarboxylate and carboxylate plus phenolic ligands studied previously. Substitution of a single maltolate into the inner-coordination sphere of Al(III) increases the exchange rate of the remaining bound water molecules with the bulk solution by a factor of ≈102. Substitution of a second maltolate increases the rates by another factor of 6–7, which is similar to simple aliphatic organic acids, such as methylmalonate.
Some New Worldwide Cloud-Cover Models

Using daily measurements of day and night infrared, and incoming and absorbed solar radiation obtained from a Tiros satellite over a period of approximately 45 months, and integrated over 2.5 deg latitude-longitude grids, the proportion of cloud cover over each grid each day was derived for the entire period. For each of four 3-month periods, for each grid location, estimates a and b of the two parameters of the best-fit beta distribution were obtained. The (a, b) plane was divided into a number of regions. All the geographical locations whose (a, b) estimates were in the same region in the (a, b) plane were said to have the same cloud cover type for that season. For each season, the world is thus divided into separate cloud-cover types.
Competing order and the asymmetric tunneling spectrum in high temperature cuprate superconductors

We show that the asymmetric tunneling spectrum observed in the cuprate superconductors stems from the existence of a competing order. The competition between the competing order and superconductivity can create a charge depletion region near the surface.
Incorporation of the Hepatic Veins Into the Cavopulmonary Circulation in Patients With Heterotaxy and Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations After a Kawashima Procedure

Background In patients with polysplenia syndrome and azygous continuation of an interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC), pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are relatively common after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA, Kawashima procedure). Resolution of PAVMs after hepatic vein (HV) inclusion into the cavopulmonary circulation has been reported, but there has been no systematic investigation of the effects of this therapy in a population of more than 3 patients. Methods We studied 16 patients with heterotaxy, univentricular congenital heart disease, and azygous continuation of the IVC who underwent incorporation of the HV into the cavopulmonary circuit for treatment of significant PAVMs after a Kawashima procedure. Results The median preoperative systemic arterial oxygen saturation (S sa O 2 ) was 76% (65%–85%), compared with 89% (85% to 92%) early after BCPA. Among 15 early survivors, the median early postoperative S sa O 2 was 76% (56%–85%). In 11 of the 15 survivors, S sa O 2 rose to 90% or greater within a year and remained at 93% or greater at follow-up of 2.8 to 10 years. Four patients had persistent hypoxemia and residual PAVMs at follow-up catheterization 1.5 to 8 years postoperatively; these patients had the most severe hypoxemia prior to HV inclusion, and in 2 the residual PAVMs were unilateral, with HV flow streaming to the contralateral lung, in which PAVMs had resolved. Conclusions Hypoxemia resolved after cavopulmonary incorporation of the HV in the majority of our patients with PAVMs after the Kawashima operation, presumably due to a combination of PAVM resolution and elimination of hepatic venoatrial right-to-left shunting. These findings support the theory that development of PAVMs is facilitated by exclusion of HV effluent from the pulmonary circulation.
Review: Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Aging Properties of Equol in Prostate Health (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the pathological cellular progression of glandular proliferation associated with aging. The primary changes in prostate disorders are mediated by the conversion of the principle androgen, testosterone, to its more potent metabolite, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT). However, recent evidence suggests that estrogen hormonal actions via estrogen receptor subtypes also play an important role in BPH. Current pharmaceutical options for BPH have advantages, limitations and adverse effects. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments for BPH include botanicals such as polyphenols and isoflavones. Equol is a polyphenolic/isoflavonoid molecule derived from intestinal metabolism, dairy and dietary plant sources. Equol has potent anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties to decrease prostatic irritation and potentially neoplastic growth. It has the unique characteristic to bind specifically 5α-DHT by sequestering 5α-DHT from the androgen receptor (AR), thus decreasing androgen hormone actions to improve prostate health by acting as a selective androgen modulator (SAM). It also has affinity for estrogen related receptor gamma (ERR-γ) and estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) within the prostate that is known to improve male health via selective estrogen receptor modulatory (SERM) activities to decrease inflammation, cellular proliferation and carcinogenesis. The possible clinical efficacy of equol on the symptoms associated with BPH is presented and the reviewed findings suggest that equol may provide a well-tolerated and rapid beneficial therapy for BPH that can be used alone or in combination with current pharmaceutical therapies. The beneficial clinical efficacy of equol observed may be due to the multiple positive biological actions that are not present in current pharmaceutical treatments.
Acidic foci within the ischemic penumbra of the New Zealand white rabbit.

In vivo panoramic imaging of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), intracellular brain pH (pHi), and cortical blood flow was used to characterize the ischemic penumbra during focal ischemia. During global ischemia, hypoxia, and status epilepticus, the development of cortical acidic foci has been observed. The hypothesis tested was that during focal ischemia, acidic foci develop, which may lead to recruitment of the ischemic penumbra into infarction.Five fasted New Zealand White rabbits underwent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion under 1.5% halothane anesthesia through a retro-orbital approach, and five animals served as controls. Brain pHi and cerebral blood flow were measured with in vivo umbelliferone fluorescence.Baseline brain pHi was 6.98 +/- 0.05, whereas cortical blood flow and NADH fluorescence measured 52.2 +/- 8.7 mL/100 g per minute and 35.5 +/- 3.7 gray-scale units, respectively. Fifteen minutes after MCA occlusion, overall brain pHi and cortical blood flow of the ischemic pen...
Serum protein analysis following implantation of methyl methacrylate in rats.

Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley white rats were implanted with methyl methacrylate and bone wax in a 1∶1 ratio. At periods of 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days-post-implantation arterial blood samples were drawn and the serum protein separated electrophoretically. A significant depression in the alpha 1 and alpha 2 fractions of the methacrylate animals was demonstrated as was a significant increase in the beta fraction of the 3 day group. There was a sustained depression of the alpha 1 fraction in the methacrylate animals in a 3 day and a 5 day time period. It is not felt, however, that this is indicative of a mechanism for the diverse phenomena that have been described secondary to implantion of methyl methacrylate.
Affective context interferes with brain responses during cognitive processing in borderline personality disorder: fMRI evidence

Emotion dysregulation in borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with loss of cognitive control in the face of intense negative emotion. Negative emotional context may interfere with cognitive processing through the dysmodulation of brain regions involved in regulation of emotion, impulse control, executive function and memory. Structural and metabolic brain abnormalities have been reported in these regions in BPD. Using novel fMRI protocols, we investigated the neural basis of negative affective interference with cognitive processing targeting these regions. Attention-driven Go No-Go and X-CPT (continuous performance test) protocols, using positive, negative and neutral Ekman faces, targeted the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), respectively. A stimulus-driven Episodic Memory task, using images from the International Affective Pictures System, targeted the hippocampus (HIP). Participants comprised 23 women with BPD, who were compared with 15 healthy controls. When Negative>Positive faces were compared in the Go No-Go task, BPD subjects had hyper-activation relative to controls in areas reflecting task-relevant processing: the superior parietal/precuneus and the basal ganglia. Decreased activation was also noted in the OFC, and increased activation in the amygdala (AMY). In the X-CPT, BPD subjects again showed hyper-activation in task-relevant areas: the superior parietal/precuneus and the ACC. In the stimulus-driven Episodic Memory task, BPD subjects had decreased activation relative to controls in the HIP, ACC, superior parietal/precuneus, and dorsal prefrontal cortex (dPFC) (for encoding), and the ACC, dPFC, and HIP for retrieval of Negative>Positive pictures, reflecting impairment of task-relevant functions. Negative affective interference with cognitive processing in BPD differs from that in healthy controls and is associated with functional abnormalities in brain networks reported to have structural or metabolic abnormalities. Task demands exert a differential effect on the cognitive response to negative emotion in BPD compared with control subjects.
Use of ICD‐9 coding as a proxy for stage of disease in lung cancer

Objective To determine the validity of using ICD-9-CM codes indicating metastases as a proxy to classify lung cancer patients by stage of disease. Research Design This retrospective database analysis used diagnosis codes to classify subjects to either localized or advanced-stage disease and then compared this classification to the tumor registry staging, which was considered as the ‘gold standard.’ Subjects and Measures Study subjects included all lung cancer patients treated at our academic institution during 1996–1997, who were also members of a large insurance company. Data were derived from inpatient cancer-related claims linked with our institution's tumor registry data. Advanced-stage disease (stages II to IV) was defined by claims indicating lymph node involvement or metastases (ICD-9 codes 196–199.1). The tumor registry stagings of the disease for these patients were clustered into two groupings, stages 0–I (localized) and stages II–IV (advanced). Results Tumor registry entries were identified for 66/77 (85.7%) patients. A total of 19 out of 22 local disease patients (sensitivity of 86.4%) and 30 out of 44 advanced disease patients (sensitivity of 68.2%) were classified correctly by ICD-9 code. A total of 19 out of 33 patients with local disease codes (PPV of 57.6%) and 30 out of 33 patients with advanced disease codes (PPV = 90.9%) were properly identified. Conclusions For a population of lung cancer patients in an academic institution who were under a private insurance plan, the ICD-9 coding was associated with a sensitivity and positive predictive values that were consistent with previously reported estimates using Medicare–SEER data. The use of such data to classify patients to disease stages should be executed with caution as under-reporting might exist. Continued attention to discharge abstracting will be needed to improve the validity of this technique. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal Changes in Citrus Auxin and 2 Auxin Antagonists as Related to Fruit Development.

The natural existence of such varied growth regulators as auxins, gibberellins, kinins, and inhibitors, suggests that growth is a ftunctioni of a complex balance of such regulators and not a funliction of just one. Our objective was to study the correlations between fruit developmiient of the parthenocarpic niavel orange, Citrus siuicuisis (L.) Osbeck, and the existence of auxinis and auxiin an1tagoInists (5) withiln the tissuie. The auxiin of particular interest in this stuylv is Citruis auxini (11). This compound is active in the A'eiia curvatture test and in basic paper chromiiatography has an Rp very close to IAA. In other respects the chemical and physical properties of Citru?ls auxin and IAA are different (12) (table I). Although the Avenaa curvature test is a classic assay' activity in this test does niot mean that the compound is importanit as an auxin to the source fruit. If some correlatioln could be established between the concentration of this compound and important stages of growth of the source frtuit, this would strengtheln the possibilitv that Citruis aUixm funlctionls as a true auxini in citrus fruit.
Supervised Devolution: The Case of Child-Support Enforcement

Supervised devolution in the area of child-support enforcement has produced a tenuous but politically popular sharing of power between the federal government and the states for more than two decades. In this paradigm, policy has proceeded simultaneously along two developmental tracks. Along the first track, the federal government has pushed states toward reform by establishing the legalframework for the program. Along the second track, thefederal government also has granted the states freedom to experiment with a variety of new policies, including those that target an extremely important group: low-income fathers. This freedom, however, is not without its limits. The federal government actively supervises the states' performance through a combination of financial incentives, penalties, and funding for demonstration projects. When the states have innovated in a particularly noteworthy direction, the federal government has followed through with appropriate rewards. When they have faltered, the states have faced negative repercussions. Future challenges to this delicate balance of power include processing interstate cases, adapting to a changing clientele base, and resolving outstanding cost-sharing issues.
The Kuder Ois and Rankings of Vocational Preference

Kuder OIS scores of hospitalized veterans were compared with their preferential rankings of the 77 OIS occupations. Low intercorrelation was found though test-retest reliabilities were .93 and .76 respectively. OIS responses tended to resemble those of construction and skilled trades workers and differ from those of men employed in artistic, verbal-linguistic, and social service and psychologically-oriented occupations. Professional occupations related to construction and skilled trades received highest ranking.
Real money: complications and hospital costs in trauma patients.

Background Major postoperative complications are associated with a substantial increase in hospital costs. Trauma patients are known to have a higher rate of complications than the general surgery population. We used the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) methodology to evaluate hospital costs, duration of stay, and payment associated with complications in trauma patients. Methods Using NSQIP principles, patient data were collected for 512 adult patients admitted to the trauma service for > 24 hours at a Level 1 trauma center (2004–2005). Patients were placed in 1 of 3 groups: no complications (none), ≥1 minor complication (minor, eg, urinary tract infection), or ≥1 major complication (major, eg, pneumonia). Total hospital charges, costs, payment, and duration of stay associated with each complication group were determined from a cost-accounting database. Multiple regression was used to determine the costs of each type of complication after adjusting for differences in age, sex, new injury severity score, Glasgow coma scale score, maximum head abbreviated injury scale, and first emergency department systolic blood pressure. Results A total of 330 (64%) patients had no complications, 53 (10%) had ≥ 1 minor complication, and 129 (25%) had ≥ 1 major complication. Median hospital charges increased from $33,833 (none) to $81,936 (minor) and $150,885 (major). The mean contribution to margin per day was similar for the no complication and minor complication groups ($994 vs $1,115, P = .7). Despite higher costs, the patients in the major complication group generated a higher mean contribution to margin per day compared to the no complication group ($2,168, P Conclusion Understanding the costs associated with traumatic injury provides a window for assessing the potential cost reductions associated with improved quality care. To optimize system benefits, payers and providers should develop integrated reimbursement methodologies that align incentives to provide quality care.
Improved early results with the Fontan operation in adults with functional single ventricle.

Abstract Background A growing number of adults with functional single ventricles are presenting as candidates for first-time and redo-Fontan operations. This study describes the clinical presentation and early operative results of adults who have undergone Fontan modifications. Methods Between July 1995 and April 2003, 23 patients (>18 years old) had Fontan operations. We retrospectively reviewed their perioperative courses. Results Twenty-three Fontan operations (first-time [n = 8] and redo [n = 15]) were performed with no early or late deaths. No patient has required reoperation. One patient has been listed for orthotopic heart transplantation. The overall mean age is 23 years (18 to 41 years); mean follow-up, 30 months; median postoperative hospital stay, 8 days (4 to 34 days); and median duration of chest tube drainage, 4 days (2 to 12 days). The postoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was improved in 22 of 23 patients. Eight first-time Fontan operations (7 of 8 nonfenestrated) were performed; lateral tunnel (n = 7) and extracardiac conduit (n = 1). Two patients had preoperative arrhythmias. New onset arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and sinus node dysfunction), requiring treatment, occurred in two patients. Fifteen redo-Fontan operations (all nonfenestrated) were performed; lateral tunnel (n = 5) and extracardiac conduit (n = 10). Fifteen patients had preoperative arrhythmias, thirteen of which had intraatrial reentry tachycardia (IART) and required antiarrhythmic medications. Concomitant intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (n = 11) and cryoablation (n = 1) procedures were performed. In the immediate postoperative period, there was IART recurrence in five patients (post-RFA [n = 4] and postcryoablation [n = 1]). At latest follow-up, no patient is being treated with antiarrhythmic medications. Two patients had new onset atrial arrhythmias that required treatment. Conclusions The Fontan operation can be performed in adults with minimal morbidity and improved NYHA functional class. New onset arrhythmias requiring treatment are sources of perioperative morbidity. Complete arrhythmia resolution of the preoperative arrhythmia may not be achieved in the immediate postoperative period in redo-Fontan patients. However, modification (intraoperative radiofrequency ablation-right atrial debulking) of the atrial tachycardia circuits in the redo-Fontan patients can result in complete resolution of preoperative atrial tachyarrhythmias at early follow-up.
Selective attention and host-plant specialization

The importance of attentional processing is summarized, and the different ways in which selective attention is maintained, explained. Examples from arthropods are highlighted. The significance of selective attentiveness for insect herbivores is discussed. In the finding and selecting of host plants, insects should adopt the strongest or most clear-cut cues that override noise, and they should channel the appropriate sensory information efficiently. It is argued that achieving this end is difficult and costly because the information capacity of the sensory system is far greater than the capacity of the central nervous system to process it. It is suggested that the need to obtain a clear signal quickly and efficiently may be one of the factors favoring reduced diet breadth, and that the existence of highly specific and sensitive receptor neurons is an adaptation to the information-processing problem.
Studies of factors influencing the mutagenicity of EMS in mice.

Abstract Three different routes of administration of ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) (i.p., oral, i.t.) were compared for their relative efficiencies in the induction of dominant lethal effects. Included in the comparisons between oral and i.p. injections, was a preliminary study into the existence of strain difference in sensitivity to EMS between C3D2 F 1 hybrid mice and strain DBA/2J mice. No route of administration dependent effects were found between oral and i.p. injections regardless to the test animal used. I.t. injections of EMS did not induce dominant lethal effects. One treatment related strain difference was observed.
Heterosexual Transmission of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

To the Editor.— Fischl and colleagues 1 are to be commended for their study, which provides compelling evidence that use of condoms protects against the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sexually active heterosexual couples. However, the authors' data suggest an additional conclusion that is of major potential significance to heterosexual couples but that is not clearly delineated in their report or given the emphasis I believe it deserves. It can be inferred from the authors' discussion that the seven male spouses who had a history of other heterosexual partners were all seropositive for HIV at entry into the study. It is also stated that after elimination of these seven subjects from the analyses, gonorrhea and syphilis were no longer significantly associated with seropositivity in men. Thus, it can be suspected that the presence of gonorrhea or syphilis in male spouses was probably a marker for having other heterosexual