cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of dietary l-selenomethionine exposure on the survival and osmoregulatory capacity of white sturgeon in fresh and brackish water

Near simultaneous exposure to selenium and salinity stress is an environmental reality faced by white sturgeon juveniles in the San Francisco Bay-Delta, having the potential for adverse synergistic impacts on juveniles during seaward migration. White sturgeon juveniles (36–132 g) were transferred into higher salinities (15–20 ppth) after exposure to dietary selenium (0.4, 9.6, 20.5, 41.7, 89.8, or 191.1 μg Se/g diet) in the form of l-selenomethionine (SeMet) for 8 weeks in freshwater (0 ppth). White sturgeon fed above 41.7 μg Se/g diet experienced significant (P < 0.05) declines in survival relative to sturgeon fed between 0.4 and 41.7 μg Se/g diet when transferred into brackish water (15 ppth salinity) for 3 days. Plasma osmolality and ionic concentrations in white sturgeon after abrupt transfer correlated positively with dietary Se concentrations. Transfer of white sturgeon fed above 41.7 μg Se/g diet into 20 ppth brackish water for 1 day resulted in significant declines in survival relative to white sturgeon fed 0.4–41.7 μg Se/g diet. Hematocrit and dehydrational weight loss were significantly correlated with dietary Se concentrations while plasma osmolality and ion concentrations were not. The transfer of sturgeon into 20 ppth water for 3 days resulted in severe survival declines in all treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that the previously established threshold for Se toxicity (10–20 μg Se/g) is sufficient to protect white sturgeon from the adverse interactive affects resulting from increases in dietary Se and ambient water salinity.
Arhgef1 Regulates α5β1 Integrin-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression and Is Required for Homeostatic Lung Immunity

Pulmonary immunity depends on the ability of leukocytes to neutralize potentially harmful and frequent insults to the lung, and appropriate regulation of leukocyte migration and adhesion is integral to this process. Arhgef1 is a hematopoietic-restricted signaling molecule that regulates leukocyte migration and integrin-mediated adhesion. To explore a possible regulatory role for Arhgef1 in pulmonary immunity we examined the lung and its leukocytes in wild-type and Arhgef1-deficient animals. Here we report that the lungs of Arhgef1−/− mice harbored significantly more leukocytes, increased expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), airspace enlargement, and decreased lung elastance compared with wild-type lungs. Transfer of Arhgef1−/− lung leukocytes to wild-type mice led to airspace enlargement and impaired lung function, indicating that loss of Arhgef1 in leukocytes was sufficient to induce pulmonary pathology. Furthermore, we showed that Arhgef1-deficient peritoneal macrophages when either injected into the lungs of wild-type mice or cultured on fibronectin significantly increased expression and activity of MMPs relative to control macrophages, and the in vitro fibronectin induction was dependent on the α5β1 integrin pair. Together these data demonstrate that Arhgef1 regulates α5β1-mediated MMP expression by macrophages and that loss of Arhgef1 by leukocytes leads to pulmonary pathology.
Multi-Rate Geographic Opportunistic Routing in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Routing in wireless ad hoc networks is challenging mainly due to unreliable wireless links/channels. Geographic opportunistic routing (GOR) was proposed to cope with the unreliable transmissions by exploiting the broadcast nature and spatial diversity of the wireless medium. Previous studies on GOR has focused on networks with a single channel rate. The capability of supporting multiple channel rates, which is common in wireless systems, has not been carefully studied for GOR. In this paper, we carry out a study on the impacts of multiple rates, as well as candidate selection, prioritization and coordination, on the throughput of GOR. We propose a new local metric, expected one-hop throughput (EOT), to characterize the trade-off between the packet advancement and medium time cost. We further propose a local rate adaptation and candidate selection algorithm to maximize this metric. Simulation results show that the multi-rate GOR (MGOR) incorporating the rate adaptation and candidate selection algorithm efficiently forwards the packet to the destination with higher throughput than the corresponding geographic routing and pure opportunistic routing operating at any single rate. EOT is shown to be a good local metric to achieve high path throughput for MGOR.
The liquid-liquid-vapor phase equilibria behavior of the CO2 + ethane + n-tetradecylbenzene mixture

Abstract The liquid-liquid-vapor (LLV) phase equilibria behavior of the mixtures CO2 + n-tetradecylbenzene and CO2 + ethane + n-tetradecylbenzene was experimentally studied. Pressure, temperature, composition, and molar volumes for the two liquid phases of both mixtures are reported, as well as for the vapor phase of the mixture CO2 + ethane + n-tetradecylbenzene. In addition, the boundaries of the three-phase LLV region of the mixture CO2 + ethane + n-tetradecylbenzene are located; the region extends between the two binary LLV loci and exhibits a fold when projected in pressure-temperature space.
Spatial variance and spatial skewness: leading indicators of regime shifts in spatial ecological systems.

Ecosystems can undergo large-scale changes in their states, known as catastrophic regime shifts, leading to substantial losses to services they provide to humans. These shifts occur rapidly and are difficult to predict. Several early warning signals of such transitions have recently been developed using simple models. These studies typically ignore spatial interactions, and the signal provided by these indicators may be ambiguous. We employ a simple model of collapse of vegetation in one and two spatial dimensions and show, using analytic and numerical studies, that increases in spatial variance and changes in spatial skewness occur as one approaches the threshold of vegetation collapse. We identify a novel feature, an increasing spatial variance in conjunction with a peaking of spatial skewness, as an unambiguous indicator of an impending regime shift. Once a signal has been detected, we show that a quick management action reducing the grazing activity is needed to prevent the collapse of vegetated state. Our results show that the difficulties in obtaining the accurate estimates of indicators arising due to lack of long temporal data can be alleviated when high-resolution spatially extended data are available. These results are shown to hold true independent of various details of model or different spatial dispersal kernels such as Gaussian or heavily fat tailed. This study suggests that spatial data and monitoring multiple indicators of regime shifts can play a key role in making reliable predictions on ecosystem stability and resilience.
Preparation and characterization of supported P$z.sbnd;Ru bimetallic clusters: Strong precursor-support interactions

Abstract Highly dispersed PtRu bimetallic particles supported on silica were prepared from Pt(NH3)4(NO3)2 and Ru(NH3)6Cl3 precursors. Diffuse UV reflectance studies show that decomposition does not occur upon adsorption. Pretreatment of the pure metal precursors show that a sequential oxygen-hydrogen treatment leads to poor Ru dispersions but high Pt dispersions. Pretreatment in hydrogen leads to high Ru dispersions (∼70%) but rather poor Pt dispersion (∼40%). These observations are discussed by invoking a mobile Pt surface phase consisting of [Pt(NH3)2(H)2]0 in the case of reduction in hydrogen and the formation of RuO2 under O2 pretreatment. Individual particle analyses were performed using analytical electron microscopy. The small bimetallic particles prepared by coimpregnation were Ru rich while the larger particles were rich in Pt. All of the bimetallic particles analyzed were shown to be bimetallic. The sequential impregnation of Pt/SiO2 with Ru(NH3)6Cl3 resulted in the formation of segregated Pt and Ru metal phases. Pretreatment of the surface phases in oxygen prior to reduction also led to separate Pt and Ru metal phases. It was concluded that a requirement for the formation of bimetallic particles is that at least one of the surface phases should be mobile with respect to the other.
Research conducted on Caribbean women's perceived human immunodeficiency virus risks: A narrative review and methodological critique

Background: Caribbean women have the highest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rates among women in the Americas; however, their self-assessment of HIV risk is alarmingly low. This reflects a low perceived risk for HIV. English-speaking Caribbean countries are typically understudied in this area. It is important for health researchers and practitioners to understand the underlying perceptions of women who are now driving this epidemic. This review discusses and critiques the published literature that examines Caribbean women's perceived HIV risks. Methods: Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health, Women's Studies International, and Academic Search Complete databases were searched using various combinations of the following keywords: Caribbean, women, HIV, STD, AIDS, risk, perceived risk, risk perception, and sex. Searches were restricted to English. A total of 69 peer-reviewed studies were obtained from the initial 239 records. The reviewer screened the peer-reviewed articles and excluded 50 studies that did not directly assess perceived HIV risks in Caribbean women. An additional 12 studies were excluded based on the following exclusion criteria: an undetermined proportion or more than 50% of the sample consisted of pregnant women, sex workers, drug users, Latinas, and/or people living with HIV/AIDS. Results: Seven studies on perceived HIV risk in Caribbean women were reviewed. Jamaican women were the most represented ethnic demographic (43%). All studies assessed perceived risk as a subset of HIV psychosocial factors, sexual-risk behaviors, HIV knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Four studies used cross-sectional research design and two studies used qualitative methodology. Only one study described items used to measure perceived risk. General findings indicate overall perceptions of invulnerability among Caribbean women, despite high sexual-risk behaviors. Conclusions: Published studies that specifically assess Caribbean women's HIV risk perceptions are currently lacking. Qualitative research is needed to further evaluate and explore perceived risks. This will better inform practical strategies that can enable women to discern between their perceived and actual risks, and invariably reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors.
Mercury in man

A general discussion of the environmental transport of mercury is presented. Documented cases of mercury poisoning in humans are presented, and recommendations for amelioration of the problem are given.
A microgenetic study of proportional reasoning using balance scale problems

Abstract The effects of initial knowledge and different types of learning experiences on proportional reasoning strategies were investigated. Students were screened for rule use on balance scale problems (Siegler, 1981), and those who made torque comparisons were excused from further participation. The remaining 153 sixth- and 105 ninth-graders were assigned to one of three groups: directed mentoring, unaided manipulation, and control. Groups were balanced in terms of number, sex, academic achievement, and initial proportionality performance. Directed mentoring students worked on a new set of balance scale problems under the guidance of an adult who asked a series of questions designed to teach the torque rule. Students in the unaided manipulation condition worked on problems with no adult guidance but were encouraged to make predictions and test them by manipulating weight and distance values along the fulcrum. Control group students received no extra learning opportunities. The directed mentoring group outperformed the unaided manipulation and control groups on immediate and delayed posttests with new problems. The unaided manipulation group did not outperform the control group on the posttests. Within the directed mentoring group, ninth graders were more likely than sixth graders to continue to use the torque rule on the delayed posttest. An analysis of learning performance during the treatment conditions revealed that the number of questions needed to boost performance, and the number of unaided apparatus manipulations, were each predictive of posttest performance. Pretest levels were not correlated with learning performance for the treatment groups, and were strongly related to posttest levels in the control group only. Finally, a separate study of sixth graders revealed that merely telling students which strategies to use was not as effective as directed mentoring in boosting performance levels. Findings are discussed in terms of Vygotsky's (1978) theory of dynamic assessment of cognitive performance.
Chondroblastoma of bone: use of fine-needle aspiration biopsy and potential diagnostic pitfalls.

Chondroblastoma of bone is a well-characterized entity. When the radiographic features are classic and the lesion is present in typical locations (i.e., epiphysis of a long bone), the diagnosis is often easily established by fine-needle aspiration biopsy and/or surgical curettage. Tumors in unusual locations, in older patients, or when complicated by aneurysmal bone cysts may pose more diagnostic difficulty. We report four examples (three primary and one recurrent) of chondroblastoma of bone diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. All patients were men, ranging from 18 to 28 yr of age. Sites of involvement included the acromion process of the scapula, left humerus, right ischium, and left distal femur. Three of the tumors were diagnosed as chondroblastoma on fine-needle aspiration cytology; the fourth case, involving the scapula, consisted mostly of a large aneurysmal bone cyst and remained unrecognized until surgical curettage was performed. Typical-appearing chondroblasts were present in three of the cases; osteoclast-type giant cells were observed in all four cases. Matrix material consistent with chondroid was also identified in all cases. We believe that in the absence of inflammatory cells, the presence of classic-appearing chondroblasts, even without chondroid matrix, is sufficient for a diagnosis of chondroblastoma of bone. Diagn. Cytopathol. 16:65–71, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Continuity of generalized parton distributions for the pion virtual Compton scattering

We discuss a consistent treatment of the light-front gauge-boson and meson wave functions in the analyses of the generalized parton distributions(GPDs) and the scattering amplitudes in deeply virtual Compton scattering(DVCS) for the pion. The continuity of the GPDs at the crossover, where the longitudinal momentum fraction of the probed quark is same with the skewedness parameter, and the finiteness of the DVCS amplitude are ensured if the same light-front radial wave function as that of the meson bound state wave function is used for the gauge boson bound state arising from the pair-creation(or nonvalence) diagram. The frame-independence of our model calculation is also guaranteed by the constraint from the sum rule between the GPDs and the form factors.
A Paradigm for Assessing Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge in Engineering Students

Conceptual and procedural knowledge are two mutually-supportive factors associated with the development of engineering skill. The present study extends previous work on undergraduate learning in engineering to provide further validation for an assessment paradigm capable of quantifying engineering students' conceptual and problem-solving knowledge. Eight students who were enrolled in an introductory thermodynamics course and four who were enrolled in the course sequel provided verbal protocol data as they used instructional software. They were compared to existing data from a cohort of eleven science and engineering majors who had not taken thermodynamics. The results replicated earlier findings showing more cognitive activity on computer screens requiring overt user interaction compared to text-based screens. The data also indicated that higher- versus lower-performing students, based on course grades, engaged in more higher-order cognitive processing. There was no evidence that students gained deeper cognitive processing as they advanced through the engineering curriculum.
Photoalkylated DNA and ultraviolet-irradiated DNA are incised at cytosines by endonuclease III

Photoalkylation, the ultraviolet irradiation of DNA with isopropanol and di-tert-butylperoxide, causes a variety of base alterations. These include 8-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)guanines, 8-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)adenines and thymine dimers. An E. coli endonuclease against photoalkylated DNA was assayed by conversion of superhelical PM2 phage DNA to the nicked form. Enzyme activities were compared between extracts of strain BW9109 (xth-), lacking exonuclease III activity, and strain BW434 (xth-,nth-), deficient in both exonuclease III and endonuclease III. The endonuclease level in the double mutant against substrate photoalkylated DNA was under 20% of the activity in the mutant lacking only exonuclease III. Irradiation of the DNA substrate in the absence of isopropanol did not affect the activity in either strain. Analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis identified the sites of DNA cleavage by purified E. coli endonuclease III as cytosines, both in DNA irradiated at biologically significant wavelengths and in photoalkylated DNA. Neither 8-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)purines, pyrimidine dimers, uracils nor 6-4'-(pyrimidin-2'-one)pyrimidines were substrates for the enzyme.
Early aortic valve inflammation precedes calcification: A longitudinal FDG-PET/CT study

Objectives: Recent data shows a relationship between aortic valve (AV) inflammation and calcification. However, direct evidence linking early valve inflammation (prior to hemodynamic compromise) to subsequent calcium (Ca) deposition is lacking in humans. We sought to test the hypothesis whether local AV inflammation predisposes to subsequent AV Ca deposition. Methods: We identified 111 individuals (age 60[49, 68], 50.5% male) without active cancer or aortic stenosis who underwent 2 PET/CT studies 1 e5 years apart for cancer surveillance. AV inflammation was determined by measuring FDG uptake (maximum standardized uptake value, SUVmax) within the AV on baseline PET/CT. Subsequent deposition of AV Ca was determined by comparing baseline and follow-up CT scans, determined as an increase in AV Ca volume score (CaVS). Patients were classified as “non-progressors” or “progressors” based on Square Root difference in CaVS (using a pre-determined cut-off value of 2.5). CT and PET measurements were conducted by 2 mutually blinded laboratories. Results: During follow-up, AV Ca increased in 23 patients (20.2%) classified as “progressors”, of whom 9 (9.2%) demonstrated subsequent ‘incident’ AV Ca. The AV SUVmax (mean ± SD) was higher in progressors vs. non-progressors (2.03 ± 0.52 vs.1.74 ± 0.36, p ¼ 0.02) and especially in patients with-vs. without-incident AV Ca (2.28 ± 0.42 vs. 1.73 ± 0.36, p < 0.001). Moreover, AV inflammation (AV SUVmax) independently predicted subsequent calcification after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors [OR (95%CI): 4.99 (1.30e19.15), p ¼ 0.02]. Conclusion: The findings suggest that early AV inflammation may predispose to AV sclerosis. The evaluation of valvular metabolic activity may prove useful for developing a better understanding of calcific valve disease. © 2014 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Closure and Quine's *101

The purpose of this paper is to suggest two alternatives to Quine's definition of closure. These new definitions have two advantages over Quine's definition, and they probably are the simplest definitions having both advantages. The two advantages are: (1). Principle *101 becomes superfluous and may be dropped from Quine's set of principles for quantification. (In the case of my second definition, however, the dropping of *101 must be balanced by a slight change in *104.) (2). Closure is made independent of the alphabetical order of variables. The second of these advantages turns on the fact that the “alphabetical order” possessed by variables in virtue of their respective positions in the alphabet (or arbitrarily assigned to them) is a mere convention and not of genuine logical significance. It seems therefore desirable to consider some alternatives to Quine's definition of closure, since according to his definition the closure of a given formula will be one statement or another, depending upon whether or not one letter of the alphabet is alphabetically prior to a certain other letter. It is interesting that the removal of this minor artificiality also enables us to dispense with *101. According to Quine, the closure of a formula containing n free variables is obtained by prefixing to it in alphabetical order the n universal quantifiers formed from these variables by enclosing each in a pair of parentheses. (If n = 0 the formula is its own closure and is a “statement” rather than a “matrix.”) Thus the statement ‘( x )( y )( z )( x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z )’ would be the closure of ‘ x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z ’, but ‘( z )( x )( y )( x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z )’ would not be its closure. Now there is no reason why ‘( z )( x )( y )( x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z )’ or ( y )( z )( x )( x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z ) and so on, could not just as well be regarded as “the” closure of ‘( x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z ’ as ‘( x )( y )( z )( x ϵ y ▪ y ϵ z )’. I therefore propose to allow to each formula not merely one closure, but as many closures as can be obtained by permuting in various ways the n prefixed universal quantifiers. In this way alphabetical order becomes irrelevant and no preference is given to one order of prefixed quantifiers in contrast to other orders which seem equally good. This constitutes my first redefinition of closure.
Fluorimetric determination of zirconium with morin

Abstract Zirconium can be determination fluorimctrically with morin in 2M hydrochloric acid in the presence of such elements as Al, Be, Ga, Sb, Sn, Th and U, which fluorcsce much less strongly under the conditions, by measuring the fluorescence intensity before and after adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. This substance destroys the fluorescence of zirconium only and the difference in fluorescence intensities corresponds to the concentration of zirconium in solution. The determination of zirconium in the presence of aluminum has especially been studied. Satisfactory accuracy can be obtained even when Al/Zr = 10,000, if the proper morin concentration is used. Iron docs not interfere if reduced to the ferrous state with mercap oacetic acid, Zirconium can be determined in silicate rocks without any separations except those made automatically in tlie sodium carbonate decomposition. Niobium and tantalum should not exceed 0.05%.
Fentrifanil: a diarylamine acaricide with potent mitochondrial uncoupling activity.

Abstract The acaricide fentrifanil (2′-chloro-2,4-dinitro-5′,6-di(trifluoromethyl)diphenylamine) is a new and very potent type of uncoupler of respiratory chain phosphorylation. It stimulates oxygen consumption, reduces the respiratory control index, lowers the ADP O ratio and releases the oligomycin block of ADP-stimulated respiration in mouse liver mitochondria. In reducing the respiratory control index by 50%, fentrifanil is about 4,500-fold more potent than 2,4-dinitrophenol and slightly more potent than carbonylcyanide m -chlorphenylhydrazone (MCCP).
Abstract P5-16-07: Intracystic papillary carcinoma of the breast: Implications for therapy from the surveillance epidimiology and end results database

Intracystic papillary carcinoma is a rare breast neoplasm that has been classified as a variant of ductal carcinoma in situ. However, patients can develop metastatic disease. The indication for radiation and lumpectomy versus mastectomy as far as survival is unknown. Methods: We identified 2,649 female patients with intracystic papillary carcinoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Differences in demographics, clinical features and survival of patients were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Results: The median patient age was 66 years. The majority of patients were white and those who presented with Stage 0 disease. Most patients did not have their lymph nodes examined and only 34% received radiation therapy treatments. Using a log-rank test, survival was significantly different by race, with whites having a better survival than black patients (p Conclusion: Intracystic carcinoma of the breast has a good overall survival. Survival is improved in white patients and in patients who receive radiation therapy. This suggests that radiation therapy should be offered to women with intracystic papillary cancer who undergo breast conserving surgery. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P5-16-07.
New hypothesis of insulin secretion.

RELEASE of insulin from beta cells of the islets of Langer-hans occurs as a result of the movement of secretory granules to the surface of the cells. Here the membranous sacs encasing the granules fuse with the plasma membrane, rupture and liberate the granules into the extracellular space1. This process is called emiocytosis. Although glucose represents the most important physiologic stimulus for the release of insulin from the beta cells, it has been shown recently that the rates of secretion of insulin are also altered in the presence of a wide variety of other agents2. So far, little information is available concerning the relationship between the biochemical effects of these agents and the process of emiocytosis. We suggest here a working hypothesis for the events which occur between biochemical stimulation and the liberation of secretory granules into the extracellular space.
Evaluation and Management of Chronic Scrotal Content Pain

Chronic scrotal content pain (CSCP) is a common patient complaint which virtually all urologists will encounter in practice. While our understanding of the pathophysiology and management has increased in recent years, CSCP remains a frustrating process for both the patient and physician given that there currently is no standardized protocol for treatment or evaluation. The following article is a literature review regarding the pathophysiology and current medical and surgical options for CSCP. We also provide an updated evaluation and treatment algorithm.
Acute effects of chlorpromazine in a monkey operant behavioral test battery.

Abstract The effects of acute chlorpromazine treatment were assessed using a complex operant test battery (OTB) containing five tasks thought to depend upon process associated with short-term memory and attention [delayed-matching-to-sample (DMTS)], color and position discrimination [conditioned position responding (CPR)], motivation [progressive ratio (PR)], time perception [temporal response differentiation (TRD)], and learning [incremental repeated acquisition (IRA)]. Adult male rhesus monkeys were tested 15 min after IV injection of saline or chlorpromazine (0.010, 0.030, 0.100, or 0.175 mg/kg). Behavioral endpoints measured included percent task completed, response rate or latency, and response accuracy. The order of task sensitivity to disruption by chlorpromazine was TRD = PR = IRA = DMTS = CPR in which sensitivity was defined as a significant alteration in any aspect of task performance. Chlorpromazine slowed response rates in all tasks except TRD but did decrease accuracy in that task. These effects were similar to those noted in previous studies of acute chlorpromazine treatment. Specific motoric effects suggested decreased task initiation at doses that left general motor ability intact. This finding is similar to that noted in parkinsonism caused by chronic chlorpromazine treatment.
Evaluating two methods for fingerprinting genomes of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

The arbitrary primer polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) and Southern blot restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used to genotype the periodontal pathogen A. actinomycetemcomitans. Total genomic DNA from 73 strains was extracted by conventional methods. Three random-sequence 10-base oligonucleotide primers were chosen for AP-PCR. The amplified DNA products were separated electrophoretically in a 1% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide and the banding patterns were compared among different strains. For RFLP analysis, DNA was digested with EcoRI, separated on a 0.8% agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane. The membrane was probed with a previously characterized 5.2 kilobases (kb) DNA fragment cloned from A. actinomycetemcomitans strain Y4. The probe was labeled with digoxigenin, and hybridized fragments were detected with anti-digoxigenin antibody. AP-PCR produced 4-10 DNA bands in the 0.5-5 kb regions and distinguished 9, 13 or 17 genotypes, depending on the specific primer used. Southern blot RFLP analysis revealed 12 hybridization patterns consisting of 1 or 2 DNA fragments (2-23 kb). The addition of the Southern blot analysis to the AP-PCR analysis gave rise to a total of 30 DNA profiles among the 73 A. actinomycetemcomitans study strains. The results indicate that both AP-PCR and Southern blot analysis are useful in clonal analysis of A. actinomycetemcomitans.
When does information become medically useful?: the role of genetic testing in glaucoma.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated phenotype of myocilin (MYOC) coding sequence variations and a specific promoter polymorphism (MYOC.mtl) in patients with glaucoma and glaucoma suspects. Methods: A consecutive, unselected series of 779 patients (652 with open-angle glaucoma and 127 glaucoma suspects) were recruited from a university medical center and clinically characterized. The coding sequences of the MYOC gene and the MYOC.mtl locus in the promoter region were screened for sequence variations. We determined the prevalence of MYOC coding sequence mutations and the MYOC.mtl promoter polymorphism. We also compared the clinical features of individuals with and without mutations and the MYOC.mtl promoter polymorphism. Results: Plausible disease-causing sequence variations (DCVs) in the MYOC gene were found in 3.0% of the entire group. Such variations were found in patients with most forms of open-angle glaucoma studied. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who harbored coding sequence DCVs were clinically similar to patients without them. Patients who harbored the rarer allele of the MYOC.mtl promoter polymorphism were no different in any measure of disease severity from those who harbored the more common allele. Conclusions: MYOC DCVs were found in approximately 3% of patients with glaucoma and glaucoma suspects. The 2 alleles of the MYOC.mtl promoter polymorphism were equally distributed among patients with POAG and healthy control subjects. Patients with POAG who harbored the rarer allele of the MYOC.mtl promoter polymorphism were no different from those with the more common variant in any measure of disease severity. Clinical Relevance: Testing for the MYOC.mtl promoter polymorphism appears to be of no value in the evaluation of patients with glaucoma.
Conformational energy calculations of enzyme-substrate complexes of lysozyme. I. Energy minimization of monosaccharide and oligosaccharide inhibitors and substrates of lysozyme.

Conformational energy calculations were performed on monosaccharide and oligosaccharide inhibitors and substrates of lysozyme to examine the preferred conformations of these molecules. A grid-search method was used to locate all of the low-energy conformational regions for N-acetyl-β-D-glycosamine (NAG), and energy minimization was then carried out in each of these regions. Three stable positions for the N-acetyl group have ben located, in two of which the plane of the amide unit is normal to the mean plane of the pyranosyl ring. Nine local energy minima were located for the —CH2OH group. The positions of the two vicinal cis —OH groups are determined predominantly by interactions with either the —CH2OH or the N-acetyl group. The most stable conformations of β-N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) were determined from the study of the low-energy conformations of NAG. In the two stable orientations for the D-lactic acid side chain, the O—C—C′ plane (C′ being the carbon atom of the terminal carboxyl group) was found to be normal to the mean plane of the pyranosyl ring. The low-energy positions for the COOH group of NAM are determined mainly by interactions with neighboring groups. The conformational preferences of the α-anomers of NAG and NAM were also explored. The calculated conformation of the N-acetyl group for α-NAG was quite close to that determined by X-ray analysis. Two of the three lowest energy conformations of α-NAM are similar to the corresponding conformations of the β-anomer. A third low-energy structure, which has a hydrogen bond from the NH of the N-acetyl group to the CO of the lactic acid group, corresponds very closely to the X-ray structure of this molecule. The preferred conformations of the disaccharides NAG–NAG, NAM–NAG and NAG–NAM were also investigated. Two preferred orientations of the reducing pyranosyl ring relative to the nonreducing ring were found for all of these disaccharides, both of which are close to the extended conformation. In one of these conformations, a hydrogen bond can form between the OH group attached to C3 of the reducing sugar and the ring oxygen of the preceding residue. Each conformation can be stabilized further by a hydrogen bond between the CH2OH (donor) of residue i + 1 and the CO of residue i (acceptor). The interactions that determine conformations for all oligosaccharides containing both NAG and NAM are shown to be exclusively intraresidue and nearest neighbor interactions, so that it is possible to predict all stable conformations of oligosaccharides containing NAG and NAM in any sequence.
Proteins in tobacco mosaic virus-infected tobacco plants.

Abstract Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-infected leaf tissue was exposed to 3 H-leucine following a treatment with actinomycin D. Uninfected leaf tissue was similarly treated, but was labeled with 14 C-leucine. Extracts of the two tissues were combined and analyzed by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing polyacrylamide gels. At least four polypeptides were either engendered or stimulated in diseased tissue; one of these was the coat protein. Incorporation into one component was depressed in diseased tissue.
Coupling impedances of small discontinuities: Dependence on beam velocity

The beam coupling impedances of small discontinuities of an accelerator vacuum chamber have been calculated [e.g., Kurennoy, Gluckstern, and Stupakov, Phys. Rev. E 52, 4354 (1995)] for ultrarelativistic beams using the Bethe diffraction theory. Here we extend the results to an arbitrary beam velocity. The vacuum chamber is assumed to have an arbitrary, but uniform along the beam path, cross section. The longitudinal and transverse coupling impedances are derived in terms of series over cross-section eigenfunctions, while the discontinuity shape enters via its polarizabilities. Simple explicit formulas for two important particular cases\char22{}circular and rectangular chamber cross sections\char22{}are presented. The impedance dependence on the beam velocity exhibits some unusual features: for example, the reactive impedance, which dominates in the ultrarelativistic limit, can vanish at a certain beam velocity, or its magnitude can exceed the ultrarelativistic value many times. In addition, we demonstrate that the same technique, the field expansion into a series of cross-section eigenfunctions, is convenient for calculating the space-charge impedance of uniform beam pipes with arbitrary cross section.
Properties of microsomal phospholipases in rat liver and hepatoma.

Abstract Phospholipase A 1 , A 2 and lysophospholipase activities in microsomes of Novikoff hepatoma, host rat liver and regenerating rat liver were compared using 1-[9',10'- 3 H 2 ]palmitoyl-2-[1′- 14 C] linoleoyl-sn-glycero -3-phosphoethanolamine, 1-[1′- 3 H] hexadecyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, and 1-[9′,10′- 3 H 2 palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as substrates. 1. 1. Microsomes of all three tissues showed two pH dependent peaks of hydrolytic activity, one at pH 7.5 and another at pH 9.5. 2. 2. Phospholipid hydrolytic activity in microsomes from host liver and regenerating liver require Ca 2+ for hydrolysis at pH 9.5, but not at pH 7.5. Hepatoma microsomes require Ca 2+ for activity at both pH values. 3. 3. Phospholipase A 1 activity, stimulated by addition of Triton X-100 to the incubation mixtures, was detected in both host liver and regenerating liver microsomes. There was no evidence of phospholipase A 1 activity in hepatoma microsomes. 4. 4. Phospholipase A 2 was detected in microsomes of all three tissues using 1-[1'- 3 H] hexadecyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as a substrate. The activity required calcium and was inhibited by Triton X-100. 5. 5. Lysophospholipase activity was evident in the microsomes from all three tissues. The activity was inhibited by both Ca 2+ and Triton X-100. 6. 6. Differences were also detected between host liver and hepatoma microsomal phospholipid hydrolase activities with respect to the effect of increasing protein concentration, apparent Michaelis-Menten constants, and time course of the reaction.
Pore structure and kinetics of the thermal decomposition of Al(OH)3

The isothermal decomposition of gibbsite (aluminum hydroxide) was studied under controlled, pure water vapor pressures from 50 to 3,000 Pa over the temperature range from 458 to 508 K; the effect of sample particle size was also investigated. The partial conversion to boehmite (AlOOH) and the subsequent formation of a ρ-transition alumina product phase were followed with respect to the reactor operating conditions. Nitrogen and water vapor adsorption measurements were used to evaluate the chemical kinetics of the formation of ρ-alumina in terms of an interface velocity, and to interpret the observed dependencies on temperature and water vapor pressure. An adsorption/decomposition model is presented for these kinetics. The interpretation is consistent with the observation that decomposition rate is inversely proportional to the square of the water vapor pressure. The apparent activation energy of 342 ± 15 kJ/mol includes a water adsorption energy, as well as the chemical decomposition contribution of 260 ± 20 kJ/mol.
Surgical management of left-divisional intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: outcome after partial ligation of, or ameroid ring constrictor placement on, the left hepatic vein in twenty-eight dogs (1995-2005).

Objectives— To evaluate outcome in dogs with left divisional intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS) treated by partial ligation (PL) or ameroid ring constrictor (ARC) placement on the left hepatic vein. Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Dogs (n=28) with left divisional intrahepatic PSS. Methods— Retrieved data from medical records of dogs with left divisional intrahepatic PSS that had PL (n=17) or ARC (n=11) were signalment, history, clinical signs, preoperative blood work, portal pressure measurements, ARC size, complications and postoperative technetium scintigraphy. Outcome assessed by owner interview 6 months–10 years after surgery was classified as excellent, good or poor. Differences were tested by exact χ2 test. Results— Major complications occurred in 3 dogs: coagulopathy (1 PL dog died), ascites (1 PL dog survived) and seizures (1 ARC dog died). Eight PL dogs had technetium portal scintigraphy; 1 dog was negative and 7 dogs positive for persistent shunting. Seven ARC dogs had scintigraphy; 4 dogs were negative and 3 positive for persistent shunting. In PL dogs, long-term clinical outcome was excellent (92%) or good (8%) whereas, in ARC dogs it was excellent (20%), good (50%) or poor (30%). This outcome difference between treatment groups was significant (P=.0012). Conclusion— Dogs treated by PL had significantly better long-term outcome compared with ARC treated dogs. Clinical Relevance— Based on these data, ARC placement on the left hepatic vein in dogs with left-divisional intrahepatic PSS cannot be recommended.
Paenibacillus macerans pseudobacteremia resulting from contaminated blood culture bottles in a neonatal intensive care unit

Paenibacillus species are gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming aerobes that are abundant in nature and closely related to Bacillus. Between June 24 and June 30, 1999, 8 neonates in our neonatal intensive care unit had positive blood cultures for Paenibacillus macerans. This cluster of positive blood cultures with an unusual pathogen suggested a pseudoepidemic. Investigation revealed that the most likely etiology of the pseudobacteremia was environmental contamination of the rubber stoppers in blood culture bottles. This was confirmed by environmental sampling and simulated inoculation studies. This pseudobacteremia outbreak highlights the importance of adhering to well-established methods for blood culture collection and ongoing infection control surveillance.
Metabolic Coupling of Dehydration and Decarboxylation in the Curacin A Pathway: Functional Identification of a Mechanistically Diverse Enzyme Pair

This study describes the functional identification of a pair of mechanistically diverse enzymes that catalyze the successive dehydration (CurE ECH1) and decarboxylation (CurF ECH2) of (S)-HMG-ACP to generate a 3-methylcrotonyl-ACP intermediate, the presumed precursor of the cyclopropyl ring in curacin A. The reactions catalyzed by ECH1 and ECH2 are found in a broad cross-section of microbial natural product gene clusters and participate in the introduction of carbon chain branch points and functional group diversity as key steps in the HMG-CoA synthase mediated addition of C-2 from acetate to the beta-carbonyl group of polyketide chains.
Comparison of Triploid Hybrid Crappie and Diploid White Crappie in Experimental Ponds

Abstract We crossed female white crappies Pomoxis annularis with male “black-stripe” black crappies P. nigromaculatus to yield hybrids possessing a distinct coloration that may serve as a natural tag when fish are introduced into existing crappie populations. Eggs of these hybrids were cold shocked to produce triploid hybrid crappies. In three spawns, the black stripe was expressed in 100% of hybrids that were not cold shocked and 85% of hybrids that were cold shocked. Coldshocked hybrids were 95% triploid and 5% diploid. Triploid hybrids bearing the black stripe and diploid white crappies without the black stripe were stocked into experimental ponds for growth and survival comparisons. There were inconsistent differences in growth, body condition, and survival of triploid hybrids and diploid white crappies after 1,151 d in ponds, but the gonads of triploid hybrids were consistently smaller than those of diploid white crappies for each sex. No reproduction was observed in ponds with triploid hybrids, wher...
The Impact of Pharmaceutical Innovation on Premature Mortality, Cancer Mortality, and Hospitalization in Slovenia, 1997–2010

In Slovenia during the period 2000–2010, the number of years of potential life lost before the age of 70 years per 100,000 population under 70 years of age declined 25 %. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pharmaceutical innovation played a key role in reducing premature mortality from all diseases in Slovenia, and to examine the effects of pharmaceutical innovation on the age-standardized number of cancer deaths and on hospitalization from all diseases. Estimates and other data were used to calculate the incremental cost effectiveness of pharmaceutical innovation in Slovenia. Longitudinal disease-level data was analyzed to determine whether diseases for which there was greater pharmaceutical innovation—a larger increase in the number of new chemical entities (NCEs) previously launched—had larger declines in premature mortality, the age-standardized number of cancer deaths, and the number of hospital discharges. My methodology controls for the effects of macroeconomic trends and overall changes in the healthcare system. Premature mortality from a disease is inversely related to the number of NCEs launched more than 5 years earlier. On average, the introduction of an additional NCE for a disease reduced premature mortality from the disease by 2.4 % 7 years later. The age-standardized number of cancer deaths is inversely related to the number of NCEs launched 1–6 years earlier, conditional on the age-standardized number of new cancer cases diagnosed 0–2 years earlier. On average, the launch of an NCE reduced the number of hospital discharges 1 year later by approximately 1.5 %. The estimates imply that approximately two-thirds of the 2000–2010 decline in premature mortality was due to pharmaceutical innovation. If no NCEs had been launched in Slovenia during 1992–2003, the age-standardized number of cancer deaths in 2008 would have been 12.2 % higher. The NCEs launched in Slovenia during 2003–2009 are estimated to have reduced the number of hospital discharges in 2010 by 7 %. If we assume that pharmaceutical expenditure was the only type of expenditure affected by pharmaceutical innovation, the cost per life-year saved was €3,953, which is well below even the lowest estimates of the value of a life-year saved. Moreover, 85 % of the increase in drug expenditure may have been offset by a reduction in hospital expenditure; therefore. the cost per life-year saved may have been only €611.
Comparison of static conformal field with multiple noncoplanar arc techniques for stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic radiotherapy

Purpose : Compare the use of static conformal fields with the use of multiple noncoplanar arcs for stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic radiotherapy treatment of intracranial lesions. Evaluate the efficacy of these treatment techniques to deliver dose distributions comparable to those considered acceptable in current radiotherapy practice. Methods and Materials : A previously treated radiosurgery case of a patient presenting with an irregularly shaped intracranial lesion was selected. Using a three-dimensional (3D) treatment-planning system, treatment plans using a single isocenter multiple noncoplanar arc technique and multiple noncoplanar conformal static fields were generated. Isodose distributions and dose volume histograms (DVHs) were computed for each treatment plan. We required that the 80% (of maximum dose) isodose surface enclose the target volume for all treatment plans. The prescription isodose was set equal to the minimum target isodose. The DVHs were analyzed to evaluate and compare the different treatment plans. Results : The dose distribution in the target volume becomes more uniform as the number of conformal fields increases. The volume of normal tissue receiving low doses (> 10% of prescription isodose) increases as the number of static fields increases. The single isocenter multiple arc plan treats the greatest volume of normal tissue to low doses, approximately 1.6 times more volume than that treated by four static fields. The volume of normal tissue receiving high (> 90% of prescription isodose) and intermediate (> 50% of prescription isodose) doses decreases by 29 and 22%, respectively, as the number of static fields is increased from four to eight. Increasing the number of static fields to 12 only further reduces the high and intermediate dose volumes by 10 and 6%, respectively. The volume receiving the prescription dose is more than 3.5 times larger than the target volume for all treatment plans. Conclusions : Use of a multiple noncoplanar conformal static field treatment technique can significantly reduce the volume of normal tissue receiving high and intermediate doses compared with a single isocenter multiple arc treatment technique, while providing a more uniform dose in the target volume. Close conformation of the prescription isodose to the target volume is not possible using static uniform conformal fields for target shapes lacking an axis of rotational symmetry or plane of mirror symmetry.