cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidized LDL-anti-oxidized LDL immune complexes and diabetic nephropathy.

Abstract Aims/hypothesis. Oxidized LDL is immunogenic and immune complexes formed by oxidized LDL and corresponding antibodies are pro-atherogenic and pro-inflammatory. Considering that macroalbuminuria is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and that common pathogenic factors for atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis exist, our aim was to determine whether the amount and/or characteristics of oxidized LDL- anti-oxidized LDL complexes correlated with the degree of albuminuria in patients with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Methods. We studied 33 macroalbuminuric patients (albumin excretion rate >300 mg/24 h) and 29 microalbuminuric patients (albumin excretion rate ≥30 mg/24 h and ≤300 mg/24 h) who were matched for age, sex and HbA1C concentrations with 43 patients with normal albuminuria. In all patients we isolated and characterized oxidized LDL–anti-oxidized LDL complexes. A subgroup of 47 patients (22 with normal albuminuria, 11 with microalbuminuria, and 14 with macroalbuminuria) was randomly selected from the larger group for characterization of the antibody moiety of oxidized LDL immune complexes. Results. The concentrations of oxidized LDL immune complexes were increased in patients with macroalbuminuria (total cholesterol in immune complexes isolated from patients with macroalbuminuria was 272±20 vs 204±18 µg/ml in patients with normoalbuminuria, p<0.03). Also, the Kd of oxLDL antibodies isolated from the immune complexes was lower in patients with abnormal albuminuria than in patients with normoalbuminuria (0.86±0.1×10–8 vs 1.13±0.1×10–8 mol/l, p<0.05). Conclusion/interpretation. The data indicate that high concentrations of oxidized LDL–anti-oxidized LDL complexes, particularly when formed with antibodies of higher avidity, are associated with abnormal proteinuria.
Harvey Cushing's Operative Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Central Nervous System in the Early 1900s

Background A review of the surgical cases of Harvey Cushing, MD, at The Johns Hopkins Hospital provided insight into his early work treating breast cancer metastasis to the central nervous system (CNS). At the time, neurologic surgery was in its infancy. Metastases of breast carcinoma to the CNS were recognized; however, many surgeons of the era adhered to a general principle of not operating in these situations. Methods The Johns Hopkins Hospital surgical records from 1896 to 1912 were reviewed. Four cases in which Cushing treated patients with a history of breast cancer who were diagnosed as having CNS metastasis were selected for further study. Results Cushing performed surgery on 4 patients with suspected CNS metastasis in the early 1900s. For a spinal metastasis, Cushing performed a laminectomy and intradural exploratory surgery. His treatments in cerebral cases sought to relieve increased intracranial pressure through decompression. He resected the lesions when they could be located. Conclusions From the start of his career as a neurosurgeon, Cushing chose to perform surgery on patients with suspected CNS metastasis in an attempt to palliate some of their symptoms. Although his patients did not survive long after the procedures, they did experience temporary relief of symptoms that likely encouraged Cushing's continued operations in such situations and laid the foundation for future therapies for these patients.
Detergent enhances binding of a secreted HLA-A2 molecule to solid phase peptides.

Abstract We have constructed a secreted analogue (sA2) of the human class I molecule HLA-A2. sA2 was affinity purified both in the presence and absence of detergent and the effects of detergent on the magnitude and specificity of A2 binding to solid phase peptides tested. sA2 purified in the presence of detergent and detergent-solubilized A2 are shown to function comparably in the binding of the synthetic peptide M.Y + 57–68, a known T-cell epitope derived from the influenza A matrix protein. The molecules binding to M.Y + 57–68 typically represent 8% to 10% of the added protein. In contrast, less than 1% of sA2 protein purified in the absence of detergent binds M.Y + 57–68. This reduced binding is not due to a change in the affinity of sA2 for M.Y + 57–68. Addition of detergent at various stages of the purification and iodination procedures indicates that the longer the sA2 molecules are exposed to detergent the better they bind. However, the concentration of detergent during the actual binding assay does not appear to be critical. We also find that while the sA2-detergent and the sA2-no detergent molecules differ in the extent to which they bind various peptides, they do not differ in their patterns of binding. We conclude that detergent probably does not influence the specificity of class I/peptide binding but does increase the number of sA2 molecules that can participate in the binding of peptide either by generating and stabilizing “empty” sA2 molecules or by stabilizing a structure that is more amenable to binding peptide.
Risks of Serious Infection or Lymphoma With Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

Background & Aims Many physicians hesitate to recommend anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of concerns about risk of infection and cancer. We performed a systematic review to quantify the incidence of serious infection, lymphoma, and death among pediatric patients with IBD who received anti-TNF therapy. These values were compared with those expected from other treatments, from adults with IBD, and from the general pediatric population. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, and Web of Knowledge for studies of infliximab therapy for children with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, or adalimumab therapy for children with Crohn's disease. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated, comparing rates of infection and cancer among pediatric patients exposed to anti-TNF agents vs expected rates from pediatric patients not exposed to anti-TNF therapies or adult patients exposed to anti-TNF agents. Our analysis included 5528 patients with 9516 patient-years of follow-up evaluation (PYF). Results The rate of serious infections among pediatric patients treated with anti-TNF agents (352/10,000 PYF) was similar to that of pediatric patients who received immunomodulator monotherapy (333/10,000 PYF; SIR, 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83–1.36), but significantly lower than the expected rate for pediatric patients treated with steroids (730/10,000 PYF; SIR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.40–0.58) or adults treated with anti-TNF agents (654/10,000 PYF; SIR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.43–0.67). Five treatment-related deaths occurred (4 from sepsis and 1 from arrhythmia). Two patients developed lymphoma (2.1/10,000 PYF). This value was similar to the expected rate of lymphoid neoplasia in the entire pediatric population (5.8/100,000 PYF; SIR, 3.5; 95% CI, 0.35–19.6), and lower than the population of pediatric patients receiving thiopurine monotherapy (4.5/10,000 PYF; SIR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.03–6.44), and among adults treated with anti-TNF agents (6.1/10,000 PYF; SIR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.04–1.51). Conclusions Based on a systematic review, the risk of lymphoma was no greater among children with IBD who received anti-TNF therapy than those treated with other IBD therapies or adults treated with anti-TNF agents. The rate of serious infection was significantly lower among pediatric patients with IBD treated with anti-TNF agents than those treated with steroids, or adults with IBD who received anti-TNF therapy.
Airway responses to exercise in mild asthmatics.

Abstract Measurements of flow on maximal and partial expiratory flow-volume (MEFV and PEFV) curves offer a simple, sensitive, and safe method for studying the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and airway changes of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). These methods show that asthmatic individuals with even mild disease clearly differ from nonasthmatic persons in terms of their airway response to exercise. Nineteen asthmatic and fourteen nonasthmatic volunteers underwent graded exercise testing to elicit exercise-induced bronchospasm. Pulmonary function was measured using MEFV and PEFV curves before and after exercise. Exercise-induced bronchospasm was demonstrated in 17 of 19 asthmatic subjects without inducing marked degrees of airway constriction. The most sensitive index of EIB was changes in flow rates measured at low lung volumes, particularly those measured on PEFV curves. Analysis of flow-volume curves suggested two patterns of airway response to exercise among asthmatics, involving, respectively, small and larger airways. No significant changes in pulmonary function were demonstrated in the nonasthmatic subjects. The degree of EIB measured by changes in flow rates on the PEFV curve correlated with airway reactivity to nonspecific irritants such as cold weather, tobacco smoke, and respiratory tract infections, but not with a history of specific allergies. We suggest that EIB is a general feature of asthma, reflecting the increased reactivity of asthmatics to a wide variety of airway irritants.
A hybrid technique for computing the monthly mean net longwave surface radiation over oceanic areas

Global maps of the monthly mean net upward longwave radiation flux at the ocean surface have been obtained for April, July, October 1985 and January 1986. These maps were produced by blending information obtained from a combination of general circulation model cloud radiative forcing fields, the top-of-the-atmosphere cloud radiative forcing from ERBE and TOVS profiles and sea surface temperature on ISCCP C1 tapes. The fields are compatible with known meteorological regimes of atmospheric water vapor content and cloudiness. There is a vast area of high net upward longwave radiation flux (> 80 W m−2) in the eastern Pacific Ocean throughout most of the year. Areas of low net upward longwave radiation flux (< 40 Wm−2) are the tropical convective regions and extra tropical regions that tend to have persistent low cloud cover. The technique used in this study relies on GCM simulations and so is subject to some of the uncertainties associated with the model. However, all input information regarding temperature, moisture and cloud cover is from satellite data having near global coverage. This feature of the procedure alone warrants its consideration for further use in compiling global maps of the net longwave radiation at the surface over the oceans.
Molecular Cloning, Sequencing and Expression of an Isoform of Cardiac Alpha Tropomyosin from the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Abstract The cDNA for alpha-tropomyosin (TM) was cloned by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from a lambda gt11 library constructed with mRNA from juvenile axolotl heart tissues. Subsequently, the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA was determined. This is the first reported cDNA for axolotl alpha-tropomyosin. Comparative analyses of the deduced amino acid sequence of this cDNA with Xenopus skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin sequences indicate that the axolotl heart cDNA has 93% and 96% homology in the regions of amino acids 39-80 (exon 2b) and 258-284 (exon 9a), respectively. However, there is about 86.55% homology at the nucleic acid level (coding region) and 97.5% homology at the amino acid level with that of Xenopus skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin cDNA. Northern blot analyses with polyA+ RNA from juvenile heart suggest the presence of at least two different transcripts for alpha-tropomyosin in axolotl heart. The results of 3′-RACE concur with those of northern blot analyses.
Hyperoxic Training Increases Work Capacity After Maximal Training at Moderate Altitude

High-intensity training may be difficult to sustain due to limitations in systemic oxygen transport, particularly at high altitudes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a high-intensity training protocol using hyperoxic gas breathing in athletes "maximally trained" at an altitude of 1,600 m. Five subjects underwent progressive cycle training until they reached a plateau of aerobic capacity, maximal workload, and endurance time at 85 percent maximal workload. Significant decreases (2 to 6 percent) in arterial oxygen saturation were found after the 85 percent maximal workload tests. Training intensity was then increased to 95 percent maximal workload while the subjects breathed a gas mixture containing at least 70 percent oxygen. After 6 weeks of hyperoxic training, exercise parameters were compared with the plateau values obtained during the baseline training period. Total time during maximal cycle testing increased from 19.1 to 19.6 min (p = 0.015), heart rate at 85 percent maximal workload decreased from 168 to 163 bpm (p = 0.047), and endurance time at 85 percent maximal workload increased from 6.2 to 8.2 min (p = 0.012). There was a trend toward improvement of maximal workload. We conclude that hyperoxic training increases work capacity after attainment of "maximal training" at moderate altitude.
Autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

While the sensorimotor features of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are well known, a prospective, systematic study of autonomic disturbances in CTS is lacking. Of 139 limbs with CTS (76 patients), autonomic symptoms were reported in 76 (47 patients). Of these, 59% consisted of swelling of the fingers, 39% dry palms, 33% Raynaud's phenomenon, and 32% blanching of the hand. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) had a sensitivity/specificity ratio of 34/89% in CTS with autonomic symptoms. The presence of autonomic disturbances was significantly associated with female gender (odds ratio 4.06, 95% CI 1.5-11.4, P = 0.007), SSR abnormalities (odds ratio 4.3, 95% CI 1. 6-11.4, P = 0.003), and severity of electromyographic findings (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1-3.3, P = 0.04) but not age, duration of disease, or clinical severity in a binary logistic regression model. Autonomic disturbances are common (55%) in CTS, occurring with increasing severity of electrophysiologic findings.
Unusual, innovative, and long-forgotten remedies.

This compendium of unusual dermatologic treatments began as the result of a survey of the members of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, who were asked to submit "unusual and even bizarre" techniques that they found useful in their practices. The compendium has since been expanded with contributions from other colleagues at various presentations as well as reports in the literature. This article deals first with some unusual techniques in dermatologic surgery, then a variety of unusual approaches to medical dermatology. The article concludes with some medications that may have some valuable off-label uses in dermatology. At first glance, it does not seem difficult to find unusual and even bizarre dermatologic treatments. Any treatment that is effective, however, becomes generally accepted and then can no longer be perceived as unusual or bizarre. For example, crude coal tar was once commonly available as a result of the coking process (by which gas for street lamps was extracted from coal, with the coal tar as a discarded residual). It must have been an unusual or bizarre thought to have smeared this compound on the skin of a patient with psoriasis. Once its effectiveness was noted, the treatment could not be considered unusual. Another example of unusual treatment derived from Guinter Kahn's (Miami, FL) idea that because a new antihypertensive, minoxidil, was reported to cause hirsutism, perhaps smearing it on the skin could grow hair. Because it was successful, no one would consider it as unusual or bizarre therapy today. Likewise, prior to FDA approval of Propecia (finasteride 1 mg), Shelley and Shelley 25a suggested that in male pattern baldness, finasteride 5 mg down to 0.2 mg/d might be helpful as prevention and possible treatment. The information presented in this article is in a somewhat telegraphic style, organized as surgical pearls, followed by acne, rosacea, and other disorders of the pilosebaceous unit; other medical and dermatologic pearls; and useful medications, tools, and appliances.
Cotton root and rhizosphere responses to free‐air CO2 enrichment

Plant responses to above-ambient levels of CO{sub 2} have been summarized in several excellent reviews of recent origin, each with its own special intent. Very little is known of how root and rhizosphere processes are affected by additional CO{sub 2}. To help fill this gap in our knowledge base we have begun work in this area. Herein, we describe the early results of a first ever study of cotton growing in an open filed enriched with CO{sub 2}. Data suggest that elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} stimulates cotton root proliferation. It may be inferred that other below ground processes impacted by root proliferation could also shift. Both root length density and root weight density appear to increase, especially in the upper layers of the soil profile. Enhanced growth of cotton roots resulted in a more thorough exploration of the soil volume occupied, possibly increasing water and nutrient availability. Increased rooting induced by CO{sub 2} enrichment could become very important for seedling establishment, especially for a crop under stress. For agronomic conditions where water and nutrients are essentially unlimited, denser root patterns may have less significance than under the limiting circumstances of more primitive or sustainable agricultural systems, or in natural ecosystems.more » A more thorough understanding of the implications of CO{sub 2}-enhanced root growth must await further experimentation. 43 refs., 2 figs., 10 tabs.« less
Neutralizing Antibody Induced in Mice by Novel Glycoconjugates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp120 and env2-3

We sought to determine whether conjugation methods could improve the immunogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 gp120 and env2-3, a nonglycosylated form of gp120. Conjugate vaccines were created by coupling tetanus toxoid (TT), gp120, and/or env2-3 with group B streptococcal type III polysaccharide (III) by reductive amination. Size-exclusion chromatography revealed polymers larger than those of the uncoupled proteins after conjugation. Geometric mean titers of gp120-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum from mice given env2-3-TT-III or env2-3-gp120-TT-III conjugates increased from <50 before to 3031 and 4756, respectively, after vaccination, whereas an uncoupled mixture of gp120, TT, and III, and III-TT not coupled with gp120 or env2-3 were poorly immunogenic. Pooled serum diluted 1rcolon;20 from mice given env2-3-gp120-TT-III inhibited infection of HIV-1(MN) of Sup-T1 cells and demonstrated neutralizing activity against infection with primary isolate HIV-1(BR014). HIV-1 gp120-specific IgG with neutralizing activity against HIV-1 can be induced with conjugates containing gp120, env2-3, III, and TT.
Low Dose Nicotine and Antagonism of β2 Subunit Containing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Have Similar Effects on Affective Behavior in Mice

Nicotine leads to both activation and desensitization (inactivation) of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This study tested the hypothesis that nicotine and a selective antagonist of β2*nAChRs would have similar effects on affective behavior. Adult C57BL/6J male mice were tested in a conditioned emotional response (CER) assay which evaluates the ability of an aversive stimulus to inhibit goal-directed behavior. Mice lever-pressed for a saccharin reinforcer according to a variable schedule of reinforcement during sessions in which two presentations of a compound light/tone conditioned stimulus (CS) co-terminated with a 0.1 or 0.3 mA, 0.5 s footshock unconditioned stimulus (US). During testing in the absence of the US, mice received doses of i.p. nicotine (0, 0.0032, 0.01, 0.032, 0.1 mg/kg) or a selective β2 subunit containing nAChR (β2*nAChR) antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine (0, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 mg/kg DHβE). There was a dose-dependent effect of nicotine revealing that only low doses (0.01, 0.032 mg/kg) increased CER suppression ratios (SR) in these mice. DHβE also dose-dependently increased SR at the 3 mg/kg dose. In ethological measures of fear−/anxiety-like behavior, these doses of nicotine and DHβE significantly reduced digging behavior in a marble burying task and 0.3 mg/kg DHβE promoted open-arm activity in the elevated plus maze. Doses of nicotine and DHβE that altered affective behavior had no effect on locomotor activity. Similar to previous reports with anxiolytic drugs, low dose nicotine and DHβE reversed SR in a CER assay, decreased digging in a marble burying assay and increased open arm activity in the elevated plus maze. This study provides evidence that inactivation of β2*nAChRs reduces fear-like and anxiety-like behavior in rodents and suggests that smokers may be motivated to smoke in part to desensitize their β2*nAChRs. These data further identify β2*nAChR antagonism as a potential therapeutic strategy for relief of negative affect and anxiety.
Objective measures of asthma control: sputum eosinophils, nitric oxide, and other inflammatory mediators.

This discussion concerns the tools we can use to measure the status of inflammation in asthma and therefore help us diagnose and manage this condition. Although measurement of pulmonary function is of course a necessity, it does not necessarily tell us the status of activity of the disease. For example, in a patient with fixed lung obstruction that can occur in asthma, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) may be markedly low in the absence of disease activity. In addition, the disease may be highly active in a patient with normal lung functions by virtue of the fact that they are receiving therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Finally, measurement of disease activity is useful in establishing a diagnosis of asthma in a patient who is asymptomatic with normal lung functions at the time of presentation. Therefore, tools to measure the status of inflammation would be extremely helpful. In this article two such tools are discussed: the measurement of eosinophilia and the assessment of exhaled nitric oxide.
Lessons from a rare disease: IgG subclass and disease severity in alloimmune antenatal membranous nephropathy

Fetomaternal alloimmunization against neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is a rare cause of antenatal membranous nephropathy, yet lessons from such cases continue to elucidate important pathophysiologic points. Vivarelli and colleagues describe two recent cases of this disease and demonstrate that despite a common genetic cause, differences in maternal anti-NEP IgG subclass modulate disease severity through such mechanisms as complement activation and enzyme inhibition.
Cardiac response of domestic chickens to hawk and goose models.

Abstract The response of precocial birds to configurational stimuli has been a source of controversy for decades. In this experiment we measured cardiac response of domestic chicks to “hawk” and “goose” silhouettes. The chicks' heart rates varied more in response to the hawk model than to the goose model, suggesting that the hawk silhouette is a more fearful stimulus than that of the goose. Our data document the recognition of a configurational stimulus without prior, pertinent experience.
Providing a Voice: Qualitative Investigation of the Impact of a First-Year Engineering Experience on Students' Efficacy Beliefs

This qualitative study explored the engineering self-efficacy beliefs held by students enrolled in their first engineering course at Purdue University. Findings from the thematic analysis of one-on-one interviews with 12 students enrolled in the course are presented. Results demonstrate the susceptibility of first-year engineering students’ self-efficacy beliefs to the influence of performance comparisons based on the speed with which students were able to perform various tasks, the degree of contribution they were able to achieve when working with others, how much material they had mastered, and their grades. Gender differences were also identified in the way in which men and women were influenced by these experiences. Descriptions of how students made performance comparisons, including the logical progression from a specific experience through the modification of confidence in success, are offered.
The effect of OSHA records-check inspections on reported occupational injuries in manufacturing establishments

In late 1981 Federal workplace safety officers, and those of several states, began on-site checks of plants' injury records to determine which establishments to inspect. Critics claim incentives for underreporting were thus created, and that published injury rates could be biased downward.
Impact of prior admissions on 30-day readmissions in Medicare heart failure inpatients

Abstract Objective To determine how all-cause hospitalizations within 12 months preceding an index heart failure (HF) hospitalization affect risk stratification for 30-day all-cause readmission. Patients and Methods Early readmission of inpatients with HF is challenging to predict, yet this outcome is used to compare hospital performance and guide reimbursement. Most risk models do not consider the potentially important variable of prior admissions. We analyzed Medicare inpatients with HF aged 66 years or older admitted to 14 Michigan community hospitals from October 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003, and from January 1 to June 30, 2004. Clinical data were obtained from admission charts, hospitalization dates from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) claims, and mortality dates from the Social Security Death Index. We used mixed-effects logistic regression and reclassification indices to evaluate the ability of a CMS chart-based readmission risk model, prior admissions, and their combination to predict 30-day readmission in survivors of the index HF hospitalization. Results Of 1807 patients, 43 (2.4%) died during the index admission; 476 of 1764 survivors (27%) were readmitted 30 or fewer days after discharge. Adjusted for the CMS readmission model, prior admissions significantly increased the odds of 30-day readmission (1 vs 0: odds ratio, 4.67; 95% CI, 3.37-6.46; ≥2 vs 0: odds ratio, 6.49; 95% CI, 4.93-8.55; both P P Conclusion In Medicare inpatients with HF, prior all-cause admissions strongly increase all-cause readmission risk and markedly improve risk stratification for 30-day readmission.
Effect of Polymer Gate Dielectric Surface Viscoelasticity on Pentacene Thin-Film Transistor Performance

Pentacene is one of the most studied semiconductor for organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), and enhanced understanding of pentacene-based TFTs has significantly advanced the organic electronics. We report here the crucial effect of the polymer gate dielectric glass transition temperature (Tg) on pentacene film growth mode, microstructure, and the resulting TFT performance. Nanoscopically-confined thin polymer films are known to exhibit reduced glass-transition temperatures versus the corresponding bulk values, and we demonstrate here that pentacene films grown on polymer gate dielectrics at temperatures well below their bulk Tg exhibit morphological/microstructural transitions and OTFT performance discontinuities at well-defined growth temperatures [defined as the surface Tg, or Tg(s)] characteristic of the underlying polymer structure and independent of the film thickness. The results argue that realistic OTFT response must take into account this fundamental polymer property, and that TFT measurements represent a new probe of polymer surface thermal properties.
Organosilane Effects on Organotitanium-Catalyzed Styrene Polymerization

Organosilane reagents are introduced into organotitanium-mediated styrene polymerizations to produce atactic polystyrene with high activities (up to 106 g polymer/(mol Ti·h)) and narrow polydispers...
The excess enthalpies of (carbon dioxide + toluene) at 308.15, 385.15, and 413.15 K from 7.60 to 12.67 MPa☆

The excess molar enthalpies HmE for {xCO2 + (1 − x)C6H5CH3} were measured in the vicinity of their critical locus and in the supercritical region. Mixtures at 308.15 K and at 7.60 MPa show very exothermic mixing and a region where HmE varies linearly with x, while at 10.64 and 12.67 MPa they show only moderately endothermic and exothermic mixing in the toluene-rich and carbon-dioxide-rich regions, respectively. Mixtures at 358.15 and 413.15 K and at all pressures studied have an exothermic section in the toluene-rich region, a linear section (corresponding to a two-phase region) which starts at an x corresponding very closely to that at the minimum value of HmE (maximum exothermic mixing), and an endothermic section in the carbon-dioxide-rich region. The HmE values were used to determine the equilibrium phase compositions in the two-phase region. These compositions were found to be in excellent agreement with those obtained by a non-calorimetric procedure. The changes observed in the excess enthalpy with both pressure and temperature are discussed in terms of liquid-vapor equilibrium and critical constants for (carbon dioxide + toluene).
Working and Shirking: Equilibrium in Public-Goods Games with Overlapping Generations of Players

In overlapping-generations models of public-goods provision, in which the contribution decision is binary and lifetimes are finite, the set of symmetric subgame-perfect equilibria can be categorized into three types: seniority equilibria, in which players contribute (effort) until a predetermined age and then shirk thereafter; dependency equilibria, in which players initially shirk, then contribute for a set number of periods, then shirk for the remainder of their lives; and sabbatical equilibria, in which players alternately contribute and shirk for periods of varying length before entering a final stage of shirking. In a world without discounting we establish conditions for equilibrium and demonstrate that for any dependency equilibrium there is a seniority equilibrium that Pareto dominates it ex ante. We proceed to characterize generational preferences over alternative seniority equilibria. We explore the aggregation of these preferences by embedding the public-goods provision game in a voting framework and solving for the majority-rule equilibria. In this way we can think of political processes as providing one natural framework for equilibrium selection in the original public-goods provision game.
Configuration dependences for crossed-beam molecular scattering in an intense laser field

We consider the effect of varying the angular orientation, or configuration, of field and initial relative velocity vectors for crossed-beam molecular scattering in the presence of intense non-resonant radiation. Expressions are presented for integral cross-sections specific to energy transfer in atomic collisons; the analysis can, however, readily be extended to include additional (molecular) degrees of freedom. The configuration dependence of the degeneracy-averaged cross-section appears as an expansion in even-order spherical harmonics Y L0 (with the orientation as argument). The expansion takes in spherical harmonics up to order 2p, where p is the highest-order photon (absorption and/or emission) process involved in the cross-section. We identify cross-sectional components arising from interference between transition-matrix elements; the potential information value of configuration-dependent (degeneracy-averaged) cross-sections, in the light of these interference effects, is considered. We also consid...
The effect of choline supplementation on hepatic steatosis in the parenterally fed rat.

Information regarding hepatic function during total parenteral nutrition in rats is often extrapolated to the clinical situation, but the steatosis observed in that species may simply reflect choline deficiency and be irrelevant to man. The effect of choline supplementation on hepatic lipid content and triglyceride secretion was examined in parenterally fed rats. Eighty to 90-day-old rats were randomized into three groups; group I received oral Purina Chow ad libitum, groups II and III received identical total parenteral nutrition regimens with the exception that group III received supplemental choline. After 7 days, peripheral triglyceride uptake was inhibited with Triton WR1339, the rate of secretion of 14C-labeled triglyceride measured after a bolus injection of 1-14C-palmitic acid, and total hepatic lipid content was measured. Total hepatic lipid content was elevated in group II (86.3 mg/g) and group III (83.3 mg/g), and both differed significantly from the control group I (35.2 mg/g, p < 0.01), but t...
Statins Beyond Heart Disease: A New Treatment for the Sepsis Syndrome?

Sepsis is one of the most challenging diseases to treat. Despite decades of research, we still lack specific pharmacological interventions to treat sepsis syndrome. Statins are drugs that inhibit the mevalonate cascade, part of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. They have revolutionized the care
Expression of molecular mediators of apoptosis and their role in the pathogenesis of lower-extremity varicose veins.

Abstract Purpose: In an earlier study, we observed a significant decrease in apoptosis in varicose veins, as compared with healthy veins, indicating that deregulated apoptosis plays a role in the pathogenesis of varicosities. In addition, significant differences were noted in the expression and subcellular localization of the cell cycle regulatory protein, cyclin D1 in varix tissues, as compared with controls. Because cell cycle checkpoint controls are linked to the signaling and execution of apoptotic cascades, we examined the expression of bcl-2 family members bax and bcl-x, known molecular mediators of apoptosis, and that of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a downstream substrate of DNA cleavage. Methods: Twenty varicose vein specimens were retrieved from 20 patients (10 men, 10 women; mean age, 53.6 ± 4.7 years) undergoing lower-extremity varicose vein excision. Healthy greater saphenous vein segments (n = 27) were obtained from 27 patients (14 men, 13 women; mean age, 59.5 ± 2.4 years) undergoing infrainguinal arterial bypass grafting surgery. All tissues were distal portions. As per CEAP classification for chronic lower-extremity venous disease, most of the patients were in class 2 for clinical signs (n = 11); some patients were in class 3 (n = 4) or class 4 (n = 4), and only one patient was in class 5. Five 5-μm thick sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were used as a means of immunohistochemically localizing the expression of bax, bcl-x, and PARP, and 10 random high-power fields per section were evaluated by two independent reviewers blinded to the clinical findings. Statistical analyses were conducted by means of χ 2 , analysis of variance, Student and Fisher exact t tests with StatView software. Results: Immunoreactivity to pro-apoptotic bax was significantly higher in the normal veins ( P P =.01) and 1.4 ± 0.5 ( P =.05) cells per high-power field in the intima and media, respectively. Neither bax nor PARP was noted in the adventitia of varicose veins, although their expression was detected in this layer of the control group ( P Conclusion: The entry of smooth muscle cells into the apoptotic pathway may be regulated by the induction of bax in this model, because there is significant presence of this pro-apoptotic protein in healthy veins. Both bax and PARP are downregulated in varicose veins, as compared with healthy veins, and this may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of varicose veins. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1080-6.)
Cultivation of mammalian pineal cells: retention of organization and function in tissue culture.

By means of a newly developed method of cultivating pineal tissue in vitro, the types of cells which comprise rat pineal glands have been identified. Previous in vitro studies have involved short-term culture more suitably called “organ culture” and provide no means of assessing the contribution of a putative “pineal” cell versus any other cell type found in the cultures. Short-term outgrowths of minced rat pineal glands provided a reproducible and easily dissociated source of pineal-derived cells. In monolayer culture these cells continued to have pineal enzyme activities which were sensitive to pineal-activating substances, and the cells aggregated to mimic the lobular organization of intact glands. Two types of aggregates were found, each composed of a single morphological cell type. In addition to the transient appearance of skeletal muscle straps, connective tissue and neural/glial tissue was consistently found. The cell types are discussed in relation to their in vivo counter-parts.
Viscoelastic effects in the propagation of a central crack

The integral solutions for the propagation of a central crack in a standard linear viscoelastic solid with constant Poisson's ratio and small loss are obtained as sums of associated static solutions and linear combinations of pure decay with non-exponential functions. An integral equation is obtained to determine the crack shape function for a prescribed crack pressure, where the crack is propagating at constant or varying speed. For a crack of constant speed, the crack shape function and the stress intensity factor are obtained as the sums of the associated static elastic solutions and the dynamic and viscoelastic effect terms. Numerically calculated values of the crack shape function normalized by the maximum value of its associated static solution and the stress intensity factor normalized by its associated static value are presented as a function of crack speed and material properties.
Neutron imaging for inertial confinement fusion experiments

Neutron imaging of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) targets provides a powerful tool for understanding the implosion conditions of deuterium and tritium filled targets at Mega-Joule/Tera-Watt scale laser facilities. The primary purpose of imaging ICF targets at that National Ignition Facility (NIF), sited at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, is to determine the asymmetry of the fuel in an imploded ICF target. The image data are then combined with other nuclear information to gain insight into the laser and radiation conditions used to drive the target. This information is requisite to understanding the physics of Inertial Confinement Fusion targets and provides a failure mode diagnostic used to optimize the conditions of experiments aimed at obtaining ignition. We present an overview of neutron aperture imaging including a discussion of image formation and reconstruction, requirements for the future (NIF) neutron imaging systems, a description of current imaging system capabilities, and ongoing work to affect imaging systems capable of meeting future system requirements.
Independence-distribution-preserving dependency structures for the modified likelihood ratio test for detecting unequal covariance matrices

The modified likelihood ratio (MLR) test statistic is frequently used to detect unequal covariance matrices. We are concerned with examining this statistic with respect to departures from the usual i.i.d. assumptions on the sample data. In particular we characterize the joint covariance structure of two groups of multivariate normal observations so that the distribution of this MLR test statistic is identical to that under the usual assumption of independent identically distributed observations.
Definition for Definitions of Learning Disabilities.

This article examines the problem of definition in learning disabilities. First, the focus is on the nature of definition. It is suggested that available definitions of LD are not real in the Arist...
Nationalism in East Asia

The historiography of nationalism in East Asia, particularly on China and Japan, is predictably enormous, although it is considerably smaller for Korea. This survey will cover only certain key themes relating this historiography to modern nationalism more widely and to the relationships among the countries in this region.
Inadvertent Triggering of the Ventilator Caused By Surgically Placed Pacer Wires

Inadvertent ventilator triggering can occur for various reasons. Leaks in the ventilator circuit, endotracheal tube leaks, tracheal cuff leaks, cardiac oscillations, water condensate causing oscillations in the circuit tubing, ventilator expiratory valve integrity, and overly sensitive triggering mechanism settings may precipitate this phenomena. We present a case of inadvertent ventilator triggering caused by electrical stimulation of the diaphragm from surgically placed pacing wires post cardiothoracic surgery. A 47-year-old woman underwent surgical placement of a left (LVAD) and right (RVAD) ventricular assist device for severe end stage cardiomyopathy, as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. The patient was observed to have inadvertent ventilator triggering while deeply sedated postoperatively. The ventilator set respiratory rate was 16 breaths/min, with patient respiratory rate of 30 breaths/min while deeply sedated. Upon assessment of ventilator waveforms and arterial blood gas revealing a profound respiratory alkalosis, the pressure/time waveform demonstrated a -2 cm H(2)O decrease in pressure prior to each cycled breath. The ventilator was subsequently changed from flow trigger sensitivity of 3 L/min to pressure trigger sensitivity of -3 cm H(2)O to eliminate the autotriggering. Later in the patient's ICU stay, inadvertent ventilator triggering was again observed. Further adjustment of the pressure trigger sensitivity to -3 cm H(2)O eliminated the autotriggering. Clinical assessment found the pacing wires were responsible for stimulating the patient's diaphragm, therefore causing airway pressure decreases and premature breath delivery. Once the electrical amplitude of the pacemaker was decreased, the inadvertent ventilator triggering resolved and normal trigger sensitivity and pH was restored.
An X‐ray fluorescene technique for the analysis of lead in gasoline

A technique has been developed for the measurement of lead in gasoline in the range 0.002 to 5 g/U.S. gal. The method is based on the use of Campton Scattering as an internal standard, and on a comparison of the unknown with a blank and with a standard solution. A correction procedure has been devised which takes into account the dependence of the analysis on the carbon-hydrogen ration of the gasoline. The method has an accuracy, for a single measurement, of ± 0.002 at the 0.002 g/U.S. gal. level to ± 0.1 at the 5 g/U.S. gal. level.
Mixing enthalpy and composition fluctuations in ternary III-V semiconductor alloys

Abstract The mixing enthalpy of ternary tetrahedral semiconductor alloys is fairly well described by regular solution theory, with a thermodynamic interaction parameter that is sensitive to the lattice spacing of the binary constituents. We derive an estimate of the interaction parameter from a model which ascribes the mixing enthalpy to bond distortions associated with the alloy formation, and relates these to the macroscopic elastic properties of the crystal. Numerical estimates are given for the 18 alloys with cations Al, Ga, In and anions P, As, Sb and are compared with experimental values and alternative models. To within a single adjustable parameter, the predictions agree with experiment and are consistent with those of the delta lattice parameter (DLP) model. A further calculation of the elastic energy associated with composition fluctuations (clustering) in these alloys indicates that this energy is sufficient to suppress clustering above the critical mixing temperature.
Acute felon as a complication of systemic paclitaxel therapy: case report and review of the literature

Breast cancer now affects 1 in 8 American women and the taxane agent paclitaxel (Taxol® Bristol-Myers Squibb) is a major tool in the treatment of many such patients. Hand surgeons are therefore likely to encounter upper extremity complications related to the use of taxane therapy. We present an unusual case of a felon developing in a breast cancer patient on paclitaxel therapy with no antecedent history of trauma. Whereas onycholysis and subungual hemorrhage are reported complications of taxane therapy (Fig. 1), an acute felon with or without associated paronychia is an unusual and more aggressive manifestation of this drug-related nail dystrophy.
Expression dynamics of a cellular metabolic network

Toward the goal of understanding system properties of biological networks, we investigate the global and local regulation of gene expression in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolic network. Our results demonstrate predominance of local gene regulation in metabolism. Metabolic genes display significant coexpression on distances smaller than the average network distance, a behavior supported by the distribution of transcription factor binding sites in the metabolic network and genome context associations. Positive gene coexpression decreases monotonically with distance in the network, while negative coexpression is strongest at intermediate network distances. We show that basic topological motifs of the metabolic network exhibit statistically significant differences in coexpression behavior. Molecular Systems Biology 2 August 2005; doi:10.1038/msb4100023 Subject Categories: bioinformatics; metabolic and regulatory networks
Bioluminescence imaging of prenylation inhibition - Response

We are grateful to Dr. Clezardin for raising an intriguing point based on his recent article ([1][1]). Distinguishing whether ZOL inhibits prenylation in tumor cells and/or host tissues and leads to accumulation of IPP/ApppI or causes other effects leading directly or indirectly to tumor cell
Age and Stage of Readiness for Smoking Cessation

Using the 1992 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Supplement, relationships were analyzed between stage of readiness for smoking cessation and background characteristics, smoking behaviors, and smoking-related attitudes among smokers aged 18-29, 30-49, and > or = 50 years. For each age group, an ordinal logistic regression model was computed to identify correlates of readiness to quit. The youngest smokers had attitudes most favorable to being ready to try to quit smoking. For smokers aged 30-49, the influence of a medical provider and perceived health effects of smoking were important correlates of readiness. Among smokers 50 and older, those with realistic health consequences of smoking and those who perceived smoking as addictive were more likely to be ready to quit. The effectiveness of smoking cessation programs might be improved by matching interventions to a smoker's age and stage in the smoking cessation process.
Radiative wave and cyclical transfer equations for dense nontenuous media

In a dense medium, the discrete scatterers occupy an appreciable fractional volume. In a nontenuous medium, the index of refraction of the scatterers is significantly different from that of the background medium. In a dense nontenuous medium, the classical radiative-transfer theory, which is based on the assumption of independent scattering, is not valid. In this paper, a set of transfer equations has been derived for dense nontenuous media. The derivation is based on field theory under the quasi-crystalline approximation with coherent potential on the first moment of the field and the modified ladder approximation on the second moment of the field. These equations are called radiative wave equations. They include a summation of all the ladder terms and assume a form that is identical to the classical transfer equations. However, the relations of the extinction coefficient, the scattering coefficient, the albedo, and the phase functions to the physical parameters of the medium are modified to include the effects of dense media. Numerical solutions of the dense-media radiative wave equations are illustrated as a function of incident angles, scattered angles, and physical parameters of the medium. The backscattering-enhancement phenomenon is accounted for by a summation of the cyclical scattering terms into a cyclical transfer equation for dense nontenuous media. Numerical solutions of the cyclical transfer equation are also illustrated.