cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiotensinogen and angiotensin converting enzyme genotypes and carotid atherosclerosis: The atherosclerosis risk in communities and the NHLBI family heart studies

Abstract Background: Polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system are associated with cardiovascular pathology. Therefore, the association of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE ) gene and the T235 (methionine to threonine substitution) polymorphism of the angiotensinogen ( AGT ) gene with intima-media thickness of the carotid artery was investigated. Methods and results: Subjects were randomly selected from two centers participating in both the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) and NHLBI Family Heart Studies. Probands were 45–64 years of age who were free of cardiovascular disease and had B-mode ultrasound measured carotid intima-media thickness. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to evaluate the ACE I/D and AGT T235 polymorphisms: genotype information was available on 495 and 475 participants, respectively. The frequencies of the ACE D and AGT T alleles were 0.56 and 0.52, respectively; 30% were homozygous for the ACE D allele, and 29% were homozygous for the AGT T allele. After adjustment for systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, diabetes, age, sex and LDL cholesterol, the mean intima-media thickness was 0.729, 0.732 and 0.721 mm in the ACE DD, ID, and II genotypes, respectively (partial F test 1.53, P =0.22), and 0.727, 0.732 and 0.724 mm in the AGT MM, MT, and TT genotypes, respectively (partial F test 0.91, P =0.40). Combining the genotypes for ACE and AGT , there were also no differences in intima-media thickness across the eight joint genotypes. Conclusion: We found no evidence that the ACE I/D and AGT T235 polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system were associated with carotid intima-media thickness in this population-based sample of middle-aged adults with no history of cardiovascular disease. The lack of an association between these variants and intima-media thickness may indicate that early atherosclerosis is mediated by factors other than these RAS polymorphisms.
H-2Ld-alloreactive T cell hybridomas utilize diverse Vα and Vβ T cell receptor chains

Abstract We have sequenced the TCRs from Ld-specific alloreactive T cell hybridomas, whose reactivities we have found to be quite representative of those of a primary dm2 anti-BALB/cJ mixed lymphocyte reaction. We find Vβ6, Vβ7, Vβ8 and Vβ10 gene segments. Vα usage is diverse, although closely related to that from peptide-specific Ld-restricted CTLs. Vα-Vβ selection provides evidence of preferential pairing. Amino acid frequency analysis shows that the αCDR2 region is rich in charged amino acids, in contrast to the βCDR2 region. Our data suggests the β chain may be more immunoglobulin-like than the α chain, and that charge complementarity may be important in TCR-MHC interactions. We do not consider our results to be contradictory to those previously reported but rather they may represent an early, more diverse response.
Estimation of Pharmacological, Biophasic, and Biological Half-Lives of Quinidine in Rabbits

Pharmacological response intensities were measured from a lengthening of QT intervals and corresponding RR intervals following slow and rapid intravenous infusion of quinidine gluconate to rabbits for the purpose of determining the kinetics of pharmacological response. Measurements of the lengthening of the QT interval were corrected for heart rate, not according to Bazett's formula as has been done in the past but using a bisegmented linear relationship which more accurately relates the two variables. The temporal variation in response intensities was additionally used to quantify biophasic drug levels. This was accomplished by the use of a dose-effect curve, which served as a calibration curve to provide graphically the relationship between response and the amount of drug directly responsible for eliciting the response. Plasma concentrations of quinidine were also determined following intravenous dosing. Semilogarithmic time plots of response intensities, derived biophasic drug levels, and plasma concentrations were best fitted with similar biexponential relationships from which half-lives of 24.1–33.6 min were calculated. The results indicated that once the drug reaches the biophase, binding as well as debinding is instantaneous, and that the rate determining step to decline in response is removal of drug from the biophase. It was further reasoned that the biophase is located within tissues kinetically indistinguishable from plasma. Distribution to a pharmacologically inert depot compartment was also apparent from the results.
Quenching, thermal and residual stress in plasma sprayed deposits: NiCrAlY and YSZ coatings

Residual stress is an important factor in thermally sprayed deposits which affects both processing and performance. High stress magnitudes and/or concentrations can undermine the structural integrity of sprayed parts and impair their functionality. Therefore, it is important to know the stress state, understand its generation and be able to control it. Results of experimental stress determination in plasma sprayed deposits are presented. Neutron diffraction as a non-destructive and phase-distinctive measurement method was used to determine residual stress profiles in thick NiCrAlY and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) deposits. Measurements were complemented with calculations based on experimentally determined material properties, which allowed for separation of quenching and thermal stress contributions to final residual stress. Since the application of neutron diffraction to plasma sprayed deposits is relatively novel, certain verification measurements were performed. Specimens were prepared at two different deposition temperatures, to determine the effect of temperature on the stresses and relevant deposit properties.
Hydroxydicarboxylic Acids: Markers for Secondary Organic Aerosol from the Photooxidation of α-Pinene

Detailed organic analysis of fine (PM2.5) rural aerosol collected during summer at K-puszta, Hungary from a mixed deciduous/coniferous forest site shows the presence of polar oxygenated compounds that are also formed in laboratory irradiated α-pinene/NOx/air mixtures. In the present work, two major photooxidation products of α-pinene were characterized as the hydroxydicarboxylic acids, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid, and 2-hydroxy-4-isopropyladipic acid, based on chemical, chromatographic, and mass spectral data. Different types of volatile derivatives, including trimethylsilyl ester/ether, methyl ester trimethylsilyl ether, and ethyl ester trimethylsilyl ether derivatives were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and their electron ionization (EI) spectra were interpreted in detail. The proposed structures of the hydroxydicarboxylic acids were confirmed or supported with reference compounds. 2-Hydroxy-4-isopropyladipic acid formally corresponds to a further reaction product of pinic acid inv...
DNA Rearrangements on Both Homologues of Chromosome 17 in a Mildly Delayed Individual with a Family History of Autosomal Dominant Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Disorders known to be caused by molecular and cytogenetic abnormalities of the proximal short arm of chromosome 17 include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP), Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), and mental retardation and congenital anomalies associated with partial duplication of 17p. We identified a patient with multifocal mononeuropathies and mild distal neuropathy, growth hormone deficiency, and mild mental retardation who was found to have a duplication of the SMS region of 17p11.2 and a deletion of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene within 17p12 on the homologous chromosome. Further molecular analyses reveal that the dup(17)(p11.2p11.2) is a de novo event but that the PMP22 deletion is familial. The family members with deletions of PMP22 have abnormalities indicative of carpal tunnel syndrome, documented by electrophysiological studies prior to molecular analysis. The chromosomal duplication was shown by interphase FISH analysis to be a tandem duplication. These data indicate that familial entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and focal ulnar neuropathy syndrome, can occur because of deletions of the PMP22 gene. The co-occurrence of the 17p11.2 duplication and the PMP22 deletion in this patient likely reflects the relatively high frequency at which these abnormalities arise and the underlying molecular characteristics of the genome in this region.
The Effect of Circumferential Tumor Location in Clinical Outcomes of Rectal Cancer Patients Treated With Total Mesorectal Excision

A positive circumferential resection margin is associated with a high risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. The mesorectum is thinner anteriorly than posteriorly, and the risk of a positive resection margin may be higher for anterior than for posterior tumors. We sought to determine the effect of the tumor's position in the circumference of the rectum on the treatment and outcomes of rectal cancer patients treated by total mesorectal excision. We retrospectively analyzed 401 patients with rectal cancer staged by preoperative endorectal ultrasound and treated by sharp mesorectal excision with or without neoadjuvant therapy. Tumors were classified into four groups (anterior, posterior, lateral, and circumferential) according to the location of deepest point of penetration on endorectal ultrasound. Differences in recurrence and survival rates were analyzed with logistic regression analysis. Of the 401 tumors, 27 percent were anterior, 26 percent posterior, 32 percent lateral, and 15 percent circumferential. The groups did not differ in age, gender, tumor distance from the anal verge, or tumor grade. The ultrasound and pathology stages were more advanced in the circumferential group, and the proportion of uT4 tumors was higher in the anterior group. Circumferential and anterior tumors were more likely to receive preoperative adjuvant radiation. After an average follow-up of 44 months, 20 percent of patients had developed recurrence (13 percent distant, 6 percent local, and 1 percent distant and local). Recurrence was associated with advanced tumor stage, tumor proximity to the anal verge, and no preoperative adjuvant therapy. Early tumor stage and preoperative chemoradiation were associated with lower recurrence and improved survival. When tumor stage was controlled for, patients with poor or undifferentiated tumors and male patients with anterior tumors were shown to have a higher risk of recurrence or death. The estimated five-year disease-free survival for the entire group was 73 percent. Tumor stage is the main criterion to estimate prognosis in rectal cancer patients. The position of the tumor within the circumference of the rectum may provide valuable clinical information. Anterior tumors tend to be more advanced and, at least in male patients, has a higher risk of recurrence and death than tumors in other locations.
The application and distribution of carbon dioxide in a peanut (groundnut) silo for insect control

Abstract Concentrations of about 35% CO2 and 14% O2 were attained and maintained in a 2262 kl peanut (groundnut) silo in 3 separate experiments for periods of 48, 96, and 168 hr. Mortality of malathion-resistant Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults was 93·3% in cages placed 0·5 to 1·5 m below the surface in the 96 hr treatment. Bioassay was inconclusive in the 168 hr experiment due to malathion residue on the peanuts. Application methods and gas sampling and analysis techniques are discussed.
SET-domain proteins of the Su(var)3-9, E(z) and Trithorax families

Abstract SET-domain (SET: S u(var)3-9, E (z) and T rithorax)-containing proteins were collected through sequence searches of the available databases. After removing redundancies, the proteins belonging to three families, SU(VAR)3-9, E(Z) and TRITHORAX, were selected. Analysis of the relationship between the different members is based on pairwise alignment, compilation, and comparison of their SET-domains. The level of homology of the SET-domains defined the distribution of the proteins into families and into clades within the families. The architecture of the entire protein supported the distribution pattern built upon SET-domain similarity. Parallel cladistic and protein-architecture analyses outlined two plausible criteria for predicting function.
Studies of platelet concentrates stored at 22 C nad 4 C.

As measured by stability of pH, aggregability, and structure, concentrated platelets are better preserved for 72 hours at 4 C than at 22 C. While survival in vivo, as determined with 51Cr, of platelets stored at room temperature is extremely variable, survival of platelets stored at 4 C is invariably shortened to two to three days. In the treatment of bleeding in thrombocytopenic patients, however, platelets kept at 4 C for 24 to 72 hours are superior to those kept at 22 C with respect to their capacity to shorten the bleeding time and effect hemostasis. The relative ineffectiveness of platelets kept at 22 C for 72 hours appears to be the result of a functional defect which develops during storage at ambient temperature. We suggest that until a means is found to prevent the functional abnormality which develops during storage at 22 C., platelet concentrates should be refrigerated if they are to be stored for 24 hours or longer prior to being transfused.
Is the delay discounting paradigm useful in understanding social anxiety

The delay discounting paradigm was used to examine its utility in understanding motivational factors among socially anxious individuals. Participants (n=88) who reported high and low levels of social anxiety were randomly assigned to either a social threat or non-threat condition and their subsequent rates of discounting were examined. A significant difference in rates of discounting was found between the high and low social anxiety groups within the non-threat condition, with high social anxiety participants showing increased discounting. This study suggests that a modified version of the delay discounting paradigm may be useful in understanding motivational factors in social anxiety.
Theoretical Analysis of Doppler Radio Signals from Earth Satellites

THIS communication describes very briefly a method of determining the orbit of an artificial satellite from measurements of the Doppler shift of its radio signals.
A method of deriving parallel algorithms for direct integration in structural dynamics

Abstract A method of deriving parallel algorithms from well-established conventional direct integration algorithms such as the Wilson θ method, Newmark β method etc. is presented. The new algorithms are able to effectively exploit the power of parallel computers for the dynamic analysis of large-scale structures, and may be more efficient than the conventional methods, even on uniprocessors. It appears that the parallel algorithms can be made to maintain the property of unconditional stability displayed by the conventional methods. The parallel algorithms are derived by splitting the stiffness, damping and mass matrices such that the dynamic equations of motion can be cast in block diagonal form. The splitting of the matrices corresponds to physical subdomains of the structure. Each set of block diagonal equations can be solved independently of the others and therefore the computations can be performed in parallel. However, a predictor-corrector approach requiring iterations within a time step must be used for acceptable accuracy. The method described in this paper is derived from the Wilson θ method and is called the “parallel Wilson θ method.” A simple numerical example is used to illustrate the accuracy of the parallel method, which is comparable to the conventional method when a sufficient number of iterations is used. Preliminary computations were performed on a BBN GP-1000 distributed-memory parallel computer to assess the performance of the parallel algorithm. The proposed method is especially suited for large-scale non-linear structural dynamics problems.
Specificity and age of appearance of natural immunity to mtv antigens.

SummaryPrevious studies demonstrated that despite freedom from MTV and mammary tumors early in life Balb/cCrgl mice possess lymphocytes sensitive to mouse mammary tumor antigen(s) within 2-3 weeks of life. This sensitivity was manifested in blastogenic transformation and migration inhibition reactions using RIII milk and purified MTV from RIII milk. These reactions were not elicited with the MTV-negative milk from NIH Swiss mice. Preincubation of MTV with anti-MTV antibody inhibited the blastogenic reaction. In contrast, antibody raised against a type C murine oncornavirus had no inhibitory effect and did not by itself induce blastogenic transformation. The nature of the virus-related antigen responsible for the lymphocyte sensitivity has not been ascertained, nor has its location in the animals' tissue been determined. However, radioimmune assays for p14 antigen in multiple tissues of Balb/c mice have yielded insignificant values suggesting either incomplete expression of the genome and/or different leve...
One-tone suppression in the cochlear nerve of the gerbil.

Abstract One-tone rate suppression has been reported several times for auditory nerve fibers of mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates. Because its properties are very similar to those of two-tone rate suppression, the possibility exists that one-tone rate suppression is the result of an interaction within the inner ear of the suppressing tonal stimulus and some ongoing extraneous acoustic stimulus. For this reason, reports of one-tone rate suppression often elicit suspicions that the investigators were not sufficiently careful in controlling leaks in their acoustic barriers or in the electrical pathways to their acoustic drivers. Recent reports of one-tone rate suppression in pigeon basilar-papillar fibers and goldfish saccular fibers were accompanied by descriptions of measures taken to avoid such leaks. In this paper, we describe one-tone rate suppression in a mammal, the Mongolian gerbil; and we demonstrate that the background spike activity being suppressed is not driven by either external sounds coming from outside the acoustic isolation test chamber or by non-stimulus electrical inputs to the acoustic driver. The suppressed background spike activity evidently arises from sources within the animal. These sources may be non-acoustic, associated with spontaneous pre- or post-synaptic ion-channel activity; or they may be acoustic sources — internal sound or vibration generators.
Synthesis of the New Dipeptide Isoleucylvaline by an Improvement of Methods applied to Aliphatic Amino-acids

ALTHOUGH widely applied, the use of methyl or ethyl groups in carboxyl blocking during peptide synthesis sometimes suffers from the subsequent need for hydrolytic cleavage of these esters. In avoiding hydrolysis, the reduction of various blocking groups has been recommended. Among these, benzyl (Bz) might be removed at the same time as the N-p-toluenesulphonyl (Tos) used in blocking amino groups. Since peptide derivatives with these blocking groups crystallize readily, they serve effectively as intermediates in the synthesis of aliphatic peptides. Unfortunately, however, the effective detosyla-tion by sodium–liquid ammonia reduction removes the benzyl group but slowly and consequently gives a low yield of free peptide.
A new approach to distributing urban trips

The traditional approach to urban transportation planning involves trip generation, distribution, modal split and assignment. For the most part these steps are logical and have a reasonable foundation in reality. The weakest of these on logical grounds is the distribution of trips using the gravity model. This approach gained acceptance in large part because total trips in an urban area tend to decrease with increasing distance. It is argued here that this is an artefact of the geographical distribution of trip productions and attractions. If this is true it has significant implications for sustainable transport, lands use planning and congestion management, i.e., we may be controlling the wrong variables. A new approach to trip distribution is proposed that assigns trips on the basis of opportunity sets (possible destinations) and trip purpose ranges (the maximum distance one is willing to or must travel for a given purpose).
Fast forward neutron production in the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction for 41- and 64-MeV protons

Abstract Measurements have been made by the time-of-flight technique of the neutron energy spectra observed at zero degrees from the 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be reaction using 41- and 64-MeV incident protons. The neutron production cross sections for the fast forward peak (corresponding to excitation of the ground and first excited states of 7 Be) has been found to be 33±6 mb/sr at a mean energy of 39 MeV and 36±4 mb/sr at 60 MeV. These results are compared with those reported elsewhere, and the suitability of such 7 Li targets as a source of monoenergetic neutrons is discussed.
Unstable amplification of an altered dihydrofolate reductase gene associated with double-minute chromosomes

We have studied a line of 3T6 mouse fibroblasts grown in progressively increasing concentrations of methotrexate. Initially, drug resistance results from amplification of the gene encoding the normal dihydrofolate reductase. Growth of these methotrexate-resistant populations at higher methotrexate concentrations results in the emergence of cells expressing high levels of dihydrofolate reductase with a reduced methotrexate affinity. Using the fluorescence-activated cell sorter, we demonstrate that the variant gene is not present in the population of cells resistant to lower levels of methotrexate, and hence we postulate that the mutational event occurred in cells already containing multiple normal dihydrofolate reductase genes. Growth of the variant cells in the absence of selection is associated with the permanent loss of the altered genes and the disappearance of double-minute chromosomes, on which these genes reside. The pattern of accumulation and loss of double-minute chromosomes is reproduced following transformation of methotrexate-sensitive cells with the altered genes. Our results are consistent with autonomous replication of double-minute chromosomes and a selective advantage of cells with the smallest number of extrachromosomal elements necessary for survival at a given methotrexate concentration.
Modeling of disorder influenced Auger recombination in strained-layer type-II superlattices

The effects of disorder on Auger recombination lifetimes in strained-layer type-II superlattices are estimated. Disorder is modeled in two ways: (i) by completely neglecting momentum conservation in Auger transitions, and (ii) by including phonon scattering in the transitions. The purpose of (i) is to obtain establish bounds on the effects of disorder, and of (ii) to provide more realistic lifetime estimates for high-quality materials. In both cases, the disorder is assumed to be less severe than what would cause significant changes in the electronic band structure. The complete relaxation of momentum conservation results in Auger lifetimes decreasing by approximately one order of magnitude. However, electron–phonon effects have a relatively small effect because the interaction is weak. Hence, the benefits of band engineering in such superlattices remain substantial even in the presence of typical disorder.
Subnuclear localization and phosphorylation of Epstein-Barr virus latent infection nuclear proteins.

Functions of the six Epstein-Barr virus latent infection nuclear proteins (EBNA-1, -2, -3A, -3B, -3C, or-LP) in maintaining latent infection or cell growth transformation are only partially understood. Using antibodies specific for each EBNA in immunofluorescence microscopy, EBNA-2, -3A, and -3C localized to subnuclear granules which fill much of the nucleus, excluding nucleoli. EBNA-LP localized to a small number of discrete subnuclear particles, also excluding nucleoli. Only EBNA-1 associated with metaphase chromosomes. Concordantly, in biochemical nuclear fractionation studies, EBNA-1 was the major chromatin-associated EBNA. EBNA-1 also differed from the other EBNAs in the extent of its association with the nucleoplasm and in its lack of nuclear matrix association. EBNA-LP, -2, -3A, and -3C were associated with the nuclear matrix, although they were also found in the nucleoplasm and to a lesser extent in the chromatin fractions. Metabolic 32Pi-labeling of cells followed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that EBNA-LP could be resolved into multiple phosphorylated isoforms. EBNA-2 was also phosphorylated and many isoforms were detected by isoelectric focusing.
MMA bulk polymerization and its influence on in situ resin viscosity comparing several chemorheological models

Earlier published rheological data of methyl methacrylate (MMA) heated and isothermally polymerized at temperatures between 50 and 80 � C have been reanalyzed using three semiempirical models of viscosity advancement including a modified Boltzmann sigmoidal model, a micro- gel model for cure, and a first-order isothermal kinetic model. These alternative models possessed few fitting pa- rameters and could be used without requiring more experi- ments to be run. For each dataset as a function of temperature, the analysis resolved time constants associated with both the induction time for polymerization and the rate of viscosity rise, which were inversely related to the poly- merization temperature. We found the sigmoidal model the most robust to accommodate nonlinearities in viscosity advancement with radical polymerization of MMA. V C 2010
Chlorobis(tricyclohexylphosphine)(sulfur dioxide)rhodium(I). A square planar SO2-transition metal complex

Abstract The structure of chlorobis(tricyclohexylphosphine) (sulfur dioxide)rhodium(I) has been determined by single crystal X-ray techniques. The complex crystallizes in the space group P21/c with cell constants of a = 13.371(6), b = 12.783(6), c = 23.293(10) A and β = 105.01(2)°. Refinements using 2822 unique reflections for which I⩾ 2 σ(I) included anisotropic temperature parameters for all atoms heavier than carbon and hydrogen atoms fixed in idealized positions converged to an unweighted R value of 6.6%. The coordination about the Rh atom is square planar with trans phosphines and a η1-planar SO2 group. The conformation about the Rh S bond is determined by O---H interactions. The bonding of SO2 to the complex is discussed.
Metabolism of 1,2-dibromoethane in the human fetal liver

Abstract 1. 1. Toxicity of 1,2-dibromoethane requires bioactivation via glutathione S-transferase. Since this enzyme is undetectable in the fetus of several laboratory animal species during early gestation, in vitro studies were carried out with human fetal liver to assess potential fetotoxicity. 2. 2. Glutathione S-transferase occurs abundantly in the human fetal liver cytosol and its titer is equal to or exceeds that found in adult human liver when estimated using 1-chloro-2,4-nitrobenzene as the second substrate. 3. 3. Human fetal liver cytosolic glutathione S-transferase metabolized 1,2-dibromoethane with a high efficiency (mean ± SD specific activity of 3.10 ± 0.83 nmol/min/mg protein). This reaction was enzymatic in nature and the rate of conjugation was proportional to the concentration of reduced glutathione, 1,2-dibromoethane and the enzyme present in the reaction medium. 4. 4. A significant bioactivation with a possibility of only limited detoxication via cytochrome P-450-dependent oxidation suggests that human fetus may be at greater risk from 1,2-dibromoethane toxicity than adult.
Consensus-based table form recognition of low-quality historical documents

Given a set of low-quality line-delimited tabular documents of the same layout, we present a robust zoning algorithm which exploits both intra- and inter-document consensus to extract the structure of the table. The structure is captured in the form of a document template, that can then be snapped to a new document to perform automated “cookie cutter” data extraction. We also report a companion consensus-based algorithm for the classification of zone content as either machine print, handwriting or empty. Using scanned Census records from 1841 to 1881, the template is recovered with an efficiency of.076 [0, 1). Using consensus over about 10 documents from each data set, this error was reduced to.0076, or by 90%, which amounts to two missing line segments and one false positive. Similarly, the error for coverage was reduced from 0.098 to 0.016, or by 83%. Use of consensus also resulted in machine print classification accuracy of 100% for two of the three data sets. The classification error for handwriting averaged 0.1225 per document. By exploiting consensus within and between documents, automated zoning and labeling is greatly improved, providing field-level indexing of document content.
Partially Supervised Coreference Resolution for Opinion Summarization through Structured Rule Learning

Combining fine-grained opinion information to produce opinion summaries is important for sentiment analysis applications. Toward that end, we tackle the problem of source coreference resolution -- linking together source mentions that refer to the same entity. The partially supervised nature of the problem leads us to define and approach it as the novel problem of partially supervised clustering. We propose and evaluate a new algorithm for the task of source coreference resolution that outperforms competitive baselines.
The role of adherent cells in the immunosuppressed state of mouse progeny transplacentally exposed to benzo(α)pyrene

In recent studies, we showed that murine fetal liver cells from progeny exposed to benzo(α)pyrene in utero by intraperitoneal injection of the dam at midpregnancy (12 d) suppressed cell proliferation in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response. On the other hand, fetal liver cells from the corn oil (vehicle for the carcinogen)-exposed progeny (control) appeared to enhance proliferation. Suppression or enhancement appeared to be mediated by fetal liver bearing CD8+ and Lyt 1+ (CD5+) cells. Despite these manifestations, the role of third-party cells needs to be considered. As a first premise, adherent cells were targeted as possible third-party cells. To test the role of the adherent cells, liver cells from benzo(α)pyrene-exposed fetuses were treated with ficoll-hypaque, and the interface cells were fractionated through glass wool or nylon wool. It is known that adhering cells, macrophages and B cells, readily attach to glass or nylon wool. The effluent cells and the adherent cells were cultured with syngeneic responder cells and allogeneic stimulator cells in a mixed lymphocyte response. The results showed that benzo(α)pyrene-effluent cells led to the enhancement of proliferation in the mixed lymphocyte response, while benzo(α)pyrene-adherent cells led to suppression. The effluent and adherent cells of corn oil controls did not modify cell proliferation in the mixed lymphocyte response. These data suggest that a third-party cell, reasonably the macrophage or possibly B cells or both, since these are adherent cells, play a decided role in mediating suppression in the benzo(α)pyrene-exposed progeny.
Compartmental organization of the peptide network in the human caudate nucleus

The mammalian striatum may be divided into a striosomal compartment and a surrounding matrix region. We have examined the distribution of leucine enkephalin (LENK) and substance P (SP) immunoreactivity in relation to striosomes defined by calbindin-D (CABD) staining in alternate 70 microns serial sections from the human caudate nucleus. The distribution of LENK immunoreactivity showed a transition from dorsal to ventral striatum: dorsally, LENK-rich patches were present in a lightly stained matrix; mid-ventrally, annular patches of LENK staining with a lighter core were seen. These patches corresponded to striosomal regions defined by CABD-poor zones. In contrast, in the ventral caudate and nucleus accumbens, LENK-poor zones matched CABD-defined striosomes. CABD staining in the matrix was intense in the dorsal caudate, diminishing ventrally. SP-rich zones in dorsal caudate and SP-poor areas in the mid-ventral region overlapped striosomes. In the ventromedial sector, the SP staining pattern was complex and did not consistently correlate with striosomes. Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction of the striosomal system in the human, based on regions of either high LENK or low CABD immunoreactivity, revealed the existence of considerable long-range order. Patches appeared aligned over several millimeters to form long, horizontal structures in the caudate nucleus, with occasional orthogonal interconnecting crossbridges. Our results are in accord with previous work in the human and in other species. These three-dimensional networks are strikingly similar across individuals and may relate to the segregation of and interactions between striatal circuits.
Naloxone-reversible analgesic action of SKF 525-A in mice.

SKF 525-A, given i.p. to mice at doses from 50 to 100 mg/kg, had analgesic activity approximately 40% the analgesic potency of d-propoxyphene HCl, a chemically similar narcotic. While the analgesia produced by propoxyphene was totally antagonized by naloxone, however, that produced by SKF 525-A was only partly reversed. We suspect that SKF 525-A may exert its antinociceptive actions partly by an interaction with CNS narcotic receptors and partly by a nonspecific sedating action.
Dodging the ‘valley of death’ in project team management

Significant gains have been made in our knowledge of project management. Much of this knowledge has focused on creating better tools to plan, execute, and control projects. There are, however, other equally important determinants of project success. Three success drivers which have received far less attention are how project leaders gain support for their projects via their interpersonal power & influence; how they can productively deal with those who can either block or help facilitate project accomplishment; and how to “manage upwards,” e.g., managing key relationships with project sponsors and senior management. Without an understanding of these concepts, many project leaders will encounter performance levels not sufficient for project success. This presentation posits that the more complex the project and the more sophisticated and diverse the technology projects require, the more the concepts discussed in this paper are needed for project success. This presentation presents an integrated view of the challenges project managers as boundary spanners face in building high-performing teams and dealing with the inevitable political issues which surround every project.
Intra-accumbens infusion of quinpirole impairs sensorimotor gating of acoustic startle in rats

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex is reduced by systemic administration of dopamine (DA) agonists. Since PPI is impaired in patients with schizophrenia, the DA agonist-induced disruption of PPI in rats may be a useful model for studying the pathophysiology of impaired sensorimotor gating in schizophrenia. In the present study, we replicated the observation that PPI is disrupted by systemic administration of the D2 agonist quinpirole, but not by the D1 agonist SKF 38393. PPI caused by weak [1–5 dB(A)] or more intense [10 dB(A)] prepulses was also disrupted by quinpirole infusion into the nucleus accumbens (NAC). The effects of intraaccumbens quinpirole on PPI were blocked by pretreatment with the D2 antagonist haloperidol. These results support the notion that the reduction of PPI after systemic administration of DA agonists is mediated via stimulation of NAC D2 receptors.
Brain lesions attenuating “wet shake” behavior in morphine-abstinent rats

Abstract Naloxone precipitates repetitive shaking movements in morphine-dependent rats. This response, termed “wet shakes”, is still present in dependent animals anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Transverse brain lesions, made bilaterally with an iridectomy knife in anesthetized morphine-dependent rats, completely inhibited the wet shake response to naloxone when the transection was made at the mid-collicular level. Lesions anterior to the fasciculus retroflexus did not significantly affect the wet shake response.
Engineering substrate specificity

Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acids in the active site of an enzyme can yield mutant proteins with dramatically altered substrate specificity. In the past year, several enzymes have been successfully engineered with desired changes in specificity. Although most of these designs have been made on the basis of homology to closely related enzymes with different specificities, preliminary work suggests that the computer-based design of altered enzymes may soon be feasible. The development of generalized genetic selections for mutant proteins with changed binding specificity may avoid the problem of rational design and permit the rapid synthesis of enzymes with novel substrate-binding properties.
Toxicological Basis for Drinking Water: Unreasonable Risk to Health Values

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to ensure that the water obtained from a public water supply is safe to drink. Under the SDWA, EPA establishes enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for contaminants that may have an adverse health effect and are known or anticipated to occur in water. Occasionally, public water supplies are unable to meet the MCL at the time it becomes enforceable. The SDWA allows public water supplies to apply to the State for a temporary variance or exemption from an MCL(s) as long as the concentration of the contaminant(s) exceeding the MCL(s) does not result in an unreasonable risk to human health. EPA has developed guidance to assist States in determining what level above the MCL presents an unreasonable health risk. In developing this guidance, the toxicity exhibited by each regulated contaminant is evaluated individually. Consideration is also given to the available risk assessments (short-term and long-term) for ...
Past Tense Grammaticality Judgment and Production in Non-Native and Stressed Native English Speakers.

This paper explores whether the poor mastery of morphosyntax exhibited by second language (L2) learners can be tied to difficulties with non-syntactic processing. Specifically, we examine whether problems with English regular and irregular past tense are related to poor L2 phonological ability and lexical access, respectively. In Experiment 1, L2 learners showed poorer past tense mastery than native English speakers in grammaticality judgment and production tasks. L2 phonological ability was positively correlated with correct performance on regular verbs and negatively with unmarked production. L2 lexical access was positively correlated with correct performance on irregular verbs, and negatively with overregularization production. Experiment 2 simulated these difficulties in native English speakers by placing them under phonological processing (noise) or lexical access (deadline) stress. Noise selectively impacted regular verbs in grammaticality judgment but impacted all verb types in production. Deadline pressure impacted irregular verbs while sparing regular verbs across both tasks. Thus, non-syntactic processing difficulties can have specific impacts on morphosyntactic performance in both non-native and native English speakers.
Steroid 5 α-reductase inhibitors targeting BPH and prostate cancer

Steroid 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) have been approved for use clinically in treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and have also been evaluated in clinical trials for prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. There are currently two steroidal inhibitors in use, finasteride and dutasteride, both with distinct pharmacokinetic properties. This review will examine the evidence presented by various studies supporting the use of these steroidal inhibitors in the prevention and treatment of prostate disease. Article from the Special issue on Targeted Inhibitors.
"Regulating Sin" Across Cultures

Using text analysis, this study compares the alcohol advertising strategy in Ukraine and the United States within the context of regulatory, historical, cultural, and economic factors. Results showed that Ukrainian magazine ads contained a larger number of violations than the American ads, which complied with the letter of the law, if not the spirit. The message strategies also told different cultural stories that reflect the different ideologies for the two countries, which means that specialized advertising approaches are needed for each country. American ads situate alcohol as part of normal life, whereas Ukrainian ads demonstrate conspicuous consumption and celebrate the change to a market economy. They must not only sell the product but also teach Ukrainians how to be part of the consumer culture.
IMPROVING MARKET COORDINATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN AQUACULTURAL INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF THE CATFISH INDUSTRY IN ALABAMA

A major criterion for successful development of an aquacultural industry is to achieve sustained and smooth expansion. Orderly growth can be accomplished through improved coordination of information and product flows from producers to consumers. This study focuses on the catfish industry in Alabama as an example of ways to improve market coordination beneficial to development of the industry. The Alabama catfish industry has grown rapidly over the last decade and is concentrated in six West Alabama counties. Two large processing plants currently operate in close proximity to each other, obtaining catfish from approximately 200 producers. A “mirror image” field survey was designed to obtain information from both processors and producers. Three management personnel from each plant were interviewed. A cross section of 39 large- to small-scale producers were interviewed who own 70% of the total catfish production pond acreage in five of the counties. The study of market coordination between catfish producers and processors in West Alabama reveals areas of agreement and disagreement in operation of the current system. Producers and processors were in agreement on preferred sizes of fish and the importance of “on-flavor” taste of catfish. Establishment of a producers' cooperative feed mill and increased market promotion were agreed upon as critical prerequisites to expansion of the catfish industry. Producers and processors disagreed on the following major points: pricing mechanisms and agreements, time lag for payments to producers by processors, advance scheduling of harvest, elimination of “hold-over” fish, liability for catfish at harvest, pricing contracts and communication. Lack of communication was agreed to be the most common reason for most differences of opinion. A bargaining association could improve coordination between producers and processors without jeopardizing a firm's ability to do business.
Cold Hemagglutinins in Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar).

SummaryCold agglutinins in high titers were demonstrated in the blood of two patients suffering from visceral leishmaniasis. In one of these patients, who was followed for several months, the agglutinins returned to within normal limits after recovery.
Acifluorfen metabolism in soybean: diphenylether bond cleavage and the formation of homoglutathione, cysteine, and glucose conjugates

Abstract Metabolism of the substituted diphenylether herbicide, acifluorfen [sodium 5-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate], was studied in excised leaf tissues of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Evans’]. Studies with [ chlorophenyl - 14 C]- and [ nitrophenyl - 14 C]acifluorfen showed that the diphenylether bond was rapidly cleaved. From 85 to 95% of the absorbed [ 14 C]acifluorfen was metabolized in less than 24 hr. Major polar metabolites were isolated and purified by solvent partitioning, adsorption, thin layer, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The major [ chlorophenyl - 14 C]-labeled metabolite was identified as a malonyl-β- d -glucoside (I) of 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenol. Major [ nitrophenyl - 14 C]-labeled metabolites were identified as a homoglutathione conjugate [ S -(3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl) γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-β-alanine] (II), and a cysteine conjugate [ S -(3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl)cysteine] (III).
A theory of multiplateau hydrogen absorption isotherms

Abstract An extension of Lacher's theory of hydrogen absorption isotherms is presented which is applicable to isotherms with more than one plateau. The theory is illustrated by fitting the isotherms of ErFe2Hx.
The effects of several anorexigenics on monkey social behavior

The effects of fenfluramine HCl, diethylpropion HCl, and methylphenidate HCl on social behavior were studied in a heterosexual group of stumptailed monkeys (M. arctoides). Subjects were treated concurrently (i.e., every monkey received the same treatment on a given day). The range of doses studied was: fenfluramine (1.0-10 mg/kg), methylphenidate (1.0-5.0 mg/kg), and diethylpropion (2.0-20 mg/kg). In general most drug/dose combinations produced decreases in social interactions. However, there was one notable exception; presenting was dramatically increased following dosing with methylphenidate and diethylpropion. Some of the solitary behaviors recorded were also observed to increase, notably, vocalization and self-grooming, which at the higher doses of diethylpropion and methylphenidate took the form of intensely idiosyncratic stereotypies. Finally, food consumption was observed to decrease in some subjects (more dominant) and increase in others (less dominant) indicating that social variables may interact with pharmacological variables.
Jurisdictional Disputes of the Carpenters' Union

I. The Brotherhood always opposed to dual unionism, 465. — Dispute with the Amalgamated Wood Workers, 467. — Matter brought to attention of A. F. of L., 468. — Downey decision, giving all mill work to Amalgamated, disregarded by Brotherhood, 471. — Aggressive policy adopted by Amalgamated, 472. — Terms of its surrender dictated by Brotherhood, 473. — Dispute with Amalgamated Society of Carpenters, 473. — Strasser decision rejected by Brotherhood, 475. — Plan of amalgamation agreed upon, 476. — Hostilities reopened, resulting in defeat of Amalgamated Society, 476. — II. Trade jurisdictional disputes; with Sheet Metal Workers' Union, 480. — Brotherhood suspended from Building Trades Department for refusal to accept Gaynor decision, 481. — Tampa decision annulled and erection of metal trim awarded to carpenters, 483. — Brotherhood for third time suspended from Building Trades Department, 485. — III. Cost of the jurisdictional disputes, 486. — In spite of heavy cost Brotherhood has probably made a net gain, 491. — Its policy in accord with trade-union theory, 493. — Prospects for elimination of jurisdictional disputes not bright, 493.
Full Counting Statistics of a charge shuttle

We study the charge transfer in a small grain oscillating between two leads. Coulomb blockade restricts the charge fluctuations in such a way that only zero or one additional electrons can sit on the grain. The system thus acts as a charge shuttle. We obtain the full counting statistics of charge transfer and discuss its behavior. For large oscillation amplitude the probability of transferring $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{n}$ electrons per cycle is strongly peaked around one. The peak is asymmetric since its form is controlled by different parameters for $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{n}g1$ and $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{n}l1$. Under certain conditions the systems behaves as if the effective charge is $1∕2$ of the elementary one. Knowledge of the counting statistics gives a new insight on the mechanism of charge transfer.