cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between RNA and protein synthesis and the aggregation of Drosophila embryonic cells.

Summary The maintenance of aggregates of Drosophila embryonic cells depends on continuing protein synthesis. Cells aggregate in the presence of puromycin but undergo dissociation after 3 hours, at a time when protein synthesis as measured by the incorporation of l -leucine- 3 H ceases. Aggregates are also formed in the presence of actinomycin D, but dissociate after 6 hours. In the latter case, RNA synthesis as measured by the incorporation of uridine- 3 H ceases after 3 hours, but protein synthesis continues for 3 or 4 additional hours, exhibiting an exponential decay rate during this period with a half-life of about 70 minutes. Pulse-labeling experiments in the absence of actinomycin D yield a half-life of about 190 minutes for rapidly labeled RNA (presumably messenger RNA), but other evidence suggests extensive recycling of label under these circumstances. In the presence of actinomycin D the half-life of rapidly labeled RNA is about 40 minutes. It is concluded that the aggregation of Drosophila embryonic cells probably depends on the continuing synthesis of one or more “aggregation proteins”, that these proteins have a relatively rapid turnover rate, but that their messenger RNAs have a half-life somewhat larger than 40 minutes but considerably shorter than 190 minutes.
Image exploitation using multisensor/neural network systems

We have developed and evaluated a tool for change detection and other analysis tasks relevant to image exploitation. The tool, visGRAIL, integrates three key elements: (1) the use of multiple algorithms to extract information from images -- feature extractors or 'sensors,' (2) an algorithm to fuse the information -- presently a neural network, and (3) empirical estimation of the fusion parameters based on a representative set of images. The system was applied to test images in the RADIUS common development environment (RCDE). In a task designed to distinguish natural scenes from those containing various amounts of human-made objects and structure, the system classified correctly 95% of 350 images in a test set. This paper describes details of the feature extractors, and presents analyses of the discriminatory characteristics of the features. visGRAIL has been integrated into the RCDE.
The use of novel promotility and prosecretory agents for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (C-IBS) are commonly reported gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that have a major impact on health and quality of life. Patients experience a range of symptoms of which infrequency of bowel movement is but one and report that straining, the production of hard stools, and unproductive urges are more bothersome than stool infrequency. Additionally, in C-IBS, patients report abdominal pain and bloating as particularly troubling. Traditional treatments, such as laxatives, are often ineffective, especially in more severe constipation over the long term. In a population-based survey of constipation sufferers, half were not satisfied with their current treatment, due predominantly to poor efficacy. 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 (5-HT4) agonists stimulate GI motility and intestinal secretion, and tegaserod has demonstrated efficacy in improving bowel habit. Tegaserod also improves constipation-associated symptoms including bloating, abdominal discomfort, stool consistency, and straining in patients with both CIC and C-IBS. However, tegaserod has been withdrawn due to an association with serious adverse cardiovascular effects. Further 5-HT(4) receptor agonists, including prucalopride and TD-5108 are in development and show exciting results in clinical studies in CIC patients, suggesting further product approvals are likely. Headache and diarrhea are the most commonly reported adverse event with this class of agent. Recently a novel prosecretory agent has been approved for the treatment of both CIC and C-IBS. Lubiprostone stimulates chloride secretion through activation of type-2 chloride channels, increasing intestinal secretion and transit, and its use has been associated with improvements in bowel habit and symptoms of constipation. Nausea, diarrhea, and headache are the most commonly reported adverse events. Linaclotide also stimulates intestinal chloride secretion, but this molecule achieves this indirectly, through the activation of guanylate cyclase C. Data are emerging, but the efficacy and safety profile of this agent in the treatment of CIC and C-IBS appears encouraging.
Determining the Evolutionary Tree Using Experiments

Evolutionary trees, also known asphylogenetic trees, are rooted vertex-labeled trees which describe the evolution of a species setSfrom a common ancestor. The determination of evolutionary trees is a fundamental problem in computational evolutionary biology, and has been studied in great depth. In this paper, we present a new model of computation which assumes that it is possible to determine the true evolutionary tree for each three species, perhaps through the use of Ahlquist?Sibley experimental techniques. We present tight upper and lower bounds for constructing evolutionary trees using experiments.
MOLECULAR TO PHARMACOLOGIC CONTROL OF OSTEOBLAST PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION

Control of osteoblast growth and development can be characterized from receptor mediated events to nuclear messengers controlling gene transcription. From this analysis it is possible to formulate a model to explain the reciprocal relationship between growth and differentiation as well as differential cytokine modulation of osteoblast function. Central to this model are putative tissue specific transcriptional switches (possibly of the bHLH gene superfamily) that may repress proliferation and permit the regulation of mature osteoblast phenotypic characteristics. This model proposes that in post-mitotic differentiated osteoblasts, tissue specific transcription factors determine the capacity to express osteoblastic characteristic, whereas receptor activated signalling cascades, namely, cAMP/protein kinase A, receptor serine/threonine kinase, and vitamin D receptor-dependent pathways, regulate mature osteoblast-specific gene expression. Activated differentiation switches also may feedback to transcriptionally repress proliferation. Conversely, in preosteoblasts, in which differentiation switches are turned off, distinct signalling cascades involving tyrosine kinases, PKC, and calcium/calmodulin regulate proliferation. Proliferating preosteoblasts also exhibit negative modulation of maturation either through inactivation of putative tissue-specific transcription factors and/or through AP-1 dependent phenotype suppression of genes expressed in mature osteoblast. Thus, the final outcome of transcriptional regulation of osteoblast function results from complex interactions between signalling pathways and permissive differentiating transcription factors. Though many aspects of this model remain speculative and require confirmation, it serves as a useful conceptual framework to further investigate the differential control of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation that may lead to improved pharmacologic ways to manipulate bone formation in vivo.
Estimating preferences for non-market attributes of aquaculture and sustainable seafood production: methods and empirical applications

If aquaculture is to promote sustainable seafood production, the public must be willing to accept associated tradeoffs. Tradeoffs may include impacts on a variety of environmental and social attributes. Public preferences for aquaculture may differ according to type of operation, species, region, and other factors. Stated preference methods can assist policymakers in designing balanced, beneficial, and widely-supported aquaculture projects. This paper discusses the use of stated preference methodology to assess tradeoffs associated with aquaculture. An application to sustainable seafood production highlights both the methodology and results associated with such methods.
Towards a Faster Implementation of Density Estimation With Logistic Gaussian Process Priors

A novel method is proposed to compute the Bayes estimate for a logistic Gaussian process prior for density estimation. The method gains speed by drawing samples from the posterior of a finite-dimensional surrogate prior, which is obtained by imputation of the underlying Gaussian process. We establish that imputation results in quite accurate computation. Simulation studies show that accuracy and high speed can be combined. This fact, along with known flexibility of the logistic Gaussian priors for modeling smoothness and recent results on their large support, makes these priors and the resulting density estimate very attractive.
Soft Tissue Tumor with Prominent Leptomeric Fibrils and Complexes

A recurrent soft tissue tumor from the groin in a 37-year-old male is described. The tumor cells contain many leptomeric structures, both fibrils and complexes, but none of the other characteristic features of striated muscle: alternating parallel thick and thin myofilaments with Z-line material. A review of one rhabdomyoma and six rhabdomyosarcomas demonstrates that leptomeric structures are present in large amounts in the rhabdomyoma but are very infrequent in only three of the six rhabdomyosarcomas. A careful search for leptomeric structures is indicated when the ultrastructural diagnosis of either rhabdomyoma or rhabdomyosarcoma is being considered.
Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of CGA 362622 in cotton and two weeds

Abstract Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of the herbicide CGA 362622 were studied in cotton, spurred anoda, and smooth pigweed. 14C-labeled CGA 362622 was foliarly applied to cotton at the cotyledon to the one-leaf growth stage or at the two- to three-leaf growth stage and to spurred anoda and smooth pigweed at the four- to six-leaf growth stage. Differential absorption, translocation, and metabolism contributed to the differential tolerance of cotton, spurred anoda, and smooth pigweed to CGA 362622. Rapid translocation and a slow rate of metabolism appear to explain the susceptibility of smooth pigweed. Reduced absorption and translocation as well as rapid metabolism contribute to the CGA 362622 tolerance of cotton at the two growth stages. Limited translocation may explain the intermediate tolerance of spurred anoda to CGA 362622. Nomenclature: CGA 362622, N-[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)carbamoyl]-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-pyridin-2-sulfonamide sodium salt; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. GOSHI...
SU‐E‐T‐523: Runtime Optimization for the Automatic Monte Carlo Dose Computation System MC2

Purpose: Optimizing runtime of a user friendly automated Monte Carlo dose computation system for proton treatments using passively scattered and intensity modulated proton therapy plans. Methods: The MC2 code is a dose computation system based on the Monte Carlo system MCNPX, which is routinely used at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Besides the successful implementation and use of the code, the efficiency can be optimized to minimize runtime on a cluster of LINUX servers. Based on the 3‐dimensional statistical uncertainty values scored during the simulation of several test proton beams in water, we have developed an optimization procedure for the minimal number of source particles required to achieve desired statistical uncertainty inside the target volume for arbitrary patient fields. Results: First Monte Carlo dose calculations of proton doses in patients were provided in the timeframe of one to several days. Optimization of the initial number of source particles for each proton energy (in IMPT) or range modulator wheel rotation (in PSPT) resulted in significant decrease in computation time. Conclusion: Current efforts focus on optimization of runtime for patient specific proton plans. Among many aspects, which include variance reduction techniques, such as using increased cell importance inside the CT volume, weight window applications and others, the focus of this effort was the minimization of the number of histories to achieve acceptable statistical uncertainties.
The use of parasites as indicators of ecosystem health as compared to insects in freshwater lakes of the Inland Northwest

Abstract Trematode parasites have complex life cycles, requiring multiple hosts. If these parasites are present in an ecosystem, then one can infer that their respective hosts must also be present. Thus, these parasites may serve as reliable indicators of species diversity in an ecosystem. To test this, we sampled larval trematodes and aquatic insects from three freshwater lakes in Idaho that varied in heavy metal pollution and three lakes in Washington that varied in agricultural use. We hypothesized that if parasites do serve as reliable indicators of ecosystem health, then parasite diversity should be higher at the least disturbed sites and should positively correlate with insect diversity. We found that the Shannon diversity index for parasites was highest at the WA reference lake (1.36) compared to the two WA lakes (0.54 and 0) exposed to cattle grazing. The ID lake with the highest levels of heavy metals experienced the highest insect diversity, but a low trematode diversity. We conclude that parasite diversity indices work as well as insect diversity indices as indicators of ecosystem health, especially in instances of heavy metal pollution.
On the design of servosystems.

Two procedures are presented for the tracking problem whose desired trajectory is given as an output of a known dynamical system. Time-invariant, single-input, single-output, controllable and observable systems are considered. It is shown that the time-invariant overall structure with zero steady-state error can be obtained by choosing an appropriate dynamic controller and an appropriate cost functional.
Nitric Oxide Contributes to Behavioral, Cellular, and Developmental Responses to Low Oxygen in Drosophila

A nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling pathway is thought to play an important role in mammalian vasodilation during hypoxia. We show that Drosophila utilizes components of this pathway to respond to hypoxia. Hypoxic exposure rapidly induced exploratory behavior in larvae and arrested the cell cycle. These behavioral and cellular responses were diminished by an inhibitor of NO synthase and by a polymorphism affecting a form of cGMP-dependent protein kinase. Conversely, these responses were induced by ectopic expression of NO synthase. Perturbing components of the NO/cGMP pathway altered both tracheal development and survival during prolonged hypoxia. These results indicate that NO and protein kinase G contribute to Drosophila's ability to respond to oxygen deprivation.
Comparative Histopathology of Pemphigus Foliaceus and Superficial Folliculitis in the Dog

A comparative histopathologic study of 50 cases of pemphigus foliaceus and 47 cases of superficial folliculitis in the dog was undertaken to identify those histopathologic features important in differentiating these diseases. All cases were diagnosed by the Surgical Pathology Service of the Laboratory of Pathology of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, between January 1986 and March 1991. These cases were followed clinically to determine the accuracy of the initial histopathologic diagnosis. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test for discrete data and the Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous data. A probability of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The following breeds were affected with pemphigus foliaceus: Akita, Brittany Spaniel, Chow Chow, Collie, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, Laborador Retriever, Miniature Schnauzer, Old English Sheepdog, Scottish Terrier, Chinese Shar Pei, Spitz, Shetla...
Microscopic Characterization of Uranium Nitrides Synthesized by Oxidative Ammonolysis of Uranium Tetrafluoride

The oxidative ammonolysis route was used to synthesize three uranium nitrides, UN2, U2N3, and UN, using UF4 as the starting material. Powder XRD analysis showed the UN2 and U2N3 products to contain less than 1.0 wt % uranium oxides. UO2 level was identified to be 5.0 (0) wt % in the UN product as it is made, but this level increases upon exposure to air. The morphology of these nitrides was studied with SEM, while the microstructures of UN2 and U2N3 were investigated by TEM techniques for the first time. An explicit microstructural characterization of UN is also presented. These characterizations showed that UN has a long-range order in its structure and bulk of the UO2 impurities present on the UN microparticle surface, likely originating from minute oxygen impurities in the inert atmosphere cover gas and/or diffusion through the quartz reactor tube at high temperatures. Surface area measurements demonstrated a 10-fold increase in surface area during the ammonolysis step, from 0.03 to 0.26 m2/g, and mini...
Effect of dissimilar anion annealing on structures of InAs/GaAs quantum dots

In this paper, we report microstructural characterization of InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The InAs islands were annealed in a range of temperatures under Pa flux. Prior to annealing, it is shown that the InAs islands are mainly lens-shaped, mostly vertically self-aligned and coherent to GaAs (1 0 0) substrate. Relaxation by misfit dislocations is occasionally found. Abnormal relaxation is observed in larger islands. Stacking faults in a V-shape are frequently formed in the lateral sides of these regions. No obvious change in island density and self-alignment occurred when the dots are annealed under Pa flux at 300 � C. In contrast, remarkable changes took place upon annealingat 350 � C. The vertically self-aligned islands disappear, and smooth interfaces were obtained. This morphological transition is argued to result from the replacement of arsenic by phosphorus in the InAs dots. The damage to the crystalinity of the abnormally relaxed regions cannot be removed by the post-growth annealing. The remarkable morphological transition by post-growth annealing under dissimilar anion atmosphere offers another possibility for tuningthe dot morpholog y and hence their electronic properties. r 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Responses of different cell lines from ocular tissues to elevated hydrostatic pressure

BACKGROUND/AIMS Mechanical forces are thought to induce cellular responses through activation of signalling pathways. Cells within the intraocular environment are exposed to constant changes in the levels of intraocular pressure. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the acute effects of elevated hydrostatic pressure on different intraocular cells grown in culture. METHODS Different cell lines derived from ocular tissues including non-pigmented and pigmented ciliary epithelium, trabecular meshwork, retina, and lamina cribrosa were incubated in a pressurised chamber at 50 mm Hg in a culture incubator at 37°C for up to 6 hours. Control cells were incubated at atmospheric pressure. The viability of the cells was examined using their intracellular esterase activity. The morphology and cytoskeleton of the cells were investigated using microscopy and phalloidin staining. Adenylyl cyclase activity was assessed by measuring the conversion of [3H]-cAMP from [3H]-ATP in response to elevated hydrostatic pressure for 1–6 hours. In addition, at the end of incubation period under elevated hydrostatic pressure the recovery of adenylyl cyclase activity to control levels was examined. RESULTS Cell viability did not change following exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure for 6 hours. Cells subjected to elevated hydrostatic pressure demonstrated morphological differences characterised by a more rounded shape and a redistribution of actin stress fibres that was most prominent in lamina cribrosa astrocytes. A time dependent increase in basal adenylyl cyclase activity, and a decrease in maximum forskolin stimulated activity were observed in all cell lines following exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure. CONCLUSION These observations demonstrate that cell lines from different ocular tissues are sensitive to changes in external pressure in vitro. They exhibit morphological and cytoskeletal changes as well as significant alterations of intracellular adenylyl cyclase activity following exposure to acute and sustained levels of elevated hydrostatic pressure of up to 6 hours9 duration.
Data-dependent fairing of subdivision surfaces

In this paper we present a new algorithm for solving the data dependent fairing problem for subdivision surfaces, using Catmull-Clark surfaces as an example. Earlier approaches to subdivision surface fairing encountered problems with singularities in the parametrization of the surface. We address these issues through the use of the characteristic map parametrization, leading to well defined membrane and bending energies even at irregular vertices. Combining this approach with ideas from data-dependent energy operators we are able to express the associated nonlinear stiffness matrices for Catmull-Clark surfaces as linear combinations of precomputed energy matrices. This machinery also provides exact, inexpensive gradients and Hessians of the new energy operators. With these the nonlinear minimization problem can be solved in a stable and efficient way using Steihaug's Newton/CG trust-region method. We compare properties of linear and nonlinear methods through a number of examples and report on the performance of the algorithm.
Surgical treatment of femoral fractures in obese children: does excessive body weight increase the rate of complications?

BackgroundIn light of the increasing rate of obesity among children in the United States, this study examines whether obese children have an increased rate of complications following surgical treatment of femoral shaft fractures.MethodsA retrospective review of the charts of children between six and
Refined structures of mouse P‐glycoprotein

The recently determined C. elegans P-glycoprotein (Pgp) structure revealed significant deviations compared to the original mouse Pgp structure, which suggested possible misinterpreta- tions in the latter model. To address this concern, we generated an experimental electron density map from single-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing of an original mouse Pgp dataset to 3.8 Aresolution. The map exhibited significantly more detail compared to the original MAD map and revealed several regions of the structure that required de novo model building. The improved drug-free structure was refined to 3.8 Aresolution with a 9.4 and 8.1% decrease in Rwork and Rfree, respectively, (Rwork 521.2%, Rfree 526.6%) and a significant improvement in protein geometry. The improved mouse Pgp model contains ~95% of residues in the favorable Ramachandran region compared to only 57% for the original model. The registry of six transmembrane helices was cor- rected, revealing amino acid residues involved in drug binding that were previously unrecognized. Registry shifts (rotations and translations) for three transmembrane (TM)4 and TM5 and the addi- tion of three N-terminal residues were necessary, and were validated with new mercury labeling and anomalous Fourier density. The corrected position of TM4, which forms the frame of a portal for drug entry, had backbone atoms shifted > 6Afrom their original positions. The drug transloca- tion pathway of mouse Pgp is 96% identical to human Pgp and is enriched in aromatic residues that likely play a collective role in allowing a high degree of polyspecific substrate recognition.
Insulin Regulation of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase-C Gene Transcription: the Role of Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1c

The effect of insulin on the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase C (PEPCK-C) gene transcription, while pivotal for control of carbohydrate metabolism, constitutes only a small part of its overall action in cellular processes. Transcription of the PEPCK-C gene is the target for a number of pathways involved in the signal transduction initiated by insulin, and these processes involve an array of transcription factors and co-regulatory proteins that either alone or in concert bind to a subset of sites in the gene promoter to regulate its expression. This review will focus on a specific transcription factor, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), and its role in the control of PEPCK-C gene transcription.
Missense mutations and proximal RTA. Have we reached a new threshold? Focus on "missense mutation T485S alters NBCe1-A electrogenicity causing proximal renal tubular acidosis".

THE REABSORPTION OF BICARBONATE by the kidney requires parallel operation of apical transporters that secrete H and corresponding basolateral transporters that absorb bicarbonate. Approximately 80% to 90% of the filtered bicarbonate is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule, where secretion of H into HCO3 -rich glomerular filtrate by the Na/H exchanger, NHE-3, results in the formation of H2CO3 that is rapidly converted, within the tubule lumen, by membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase (type IV), to H2O and CO2, which can freely diffuse into the proximal tubule and, via intracellular carbonic anhydrase (type II), is converted to intracellular H2CO3 and HCO3 . Bicarbonate exits the cell via the electrogenic Na-3HCO3 symporter (NBCe1-A), with the negative cell potential serving as the primary driving force. This process is summarized in the proximal tubule cell model displayed in Fig. 1. Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a rare group of disorders whether inherited or acquired, although the incidence and prevalence are not well defined. The phenotype, when fully expressed, is recognized clinically as a chronic non-gap metabolic acidosis in the face of evidence of an inability of the kidney to excrete net acid appropriately, and is often associated with abnor
A pilot study of predictive markers of chemotherapy-related amenorrhea among premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer.

Background: Premenopausal women treated for early stage breast cancer (ESBC) are at risk for chemotherapy-related amenorrhea (CRA). Prospectively-validated, predictive markers of CRA are needed. Patients and Methods: Premenopausal women with ESBC and planned chemotherapy (≥ 25% risk of amenorrhea) were evaluated. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, Inhibin A and B, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and quality of life (QOL) were prospectively evaluated pre-, post-, 6 months and 1 year post-chemotherapy and correlated with age and menstrual status. CRA was defined as absence of menses 1 year post-chemotherapy. Results: Forty-four women were evaluated at the time of analysis. Median age at diagnosis and FSH 1 year post-chemotherapy were higher among women with CRA (44 yrs [33–51] vs. 40 yrs [31–43]; p = 0.03; 39.8 vs. 5.0 mLU/mL, p = 0.0058, respectively). Median estradiol 1 year post-chemotherapy was higher among women who resumed menses (108.3 vs. 41.3 pg/mL, p = 0.01). Pre-chemotherapy median Inhi...
SHIRLEY : REFLECTIONS ON MARRYING MOORES

“‘The Omnipresent,’ said a Rabbi, ‘is occupied in making marriages.’ The levity of the saying lies in the ear of him who hears it, for by making marriages the speaker meant all the wondrous combinations of the universe whose issue makes our good and evil.” 1— George Eliot, Daniel Deronda“Sir, your god, your great Bel, your fish-tailed Dagon, rises before me as a demon . . . Behold how hideously he governs! See him busied at the work he likes best — making marriages. He binds the young to the old, the strong to the imbecile. He stretches out the arm of Mezentius, and fetters the dead to the living. . . . All that surrounds him hastens to decay. . . . Your god is a masked Death.”2— Charlotte Bronte, ShirleyCHARLOTTE BRONTE’S FIRST NOVEL found no publisher: her second one brought her editors and readers, money and success, society and scrutiny. With this muchness the subtlest theologian of Haworth Parsonage turned, all shy and fierce and willing, to grapple. Not for nothing is her third novel set in “the Hollows”: not for nothing are the avatars and objects of its quests named “Mo(o)re.” The Work Question, the Woman Question, the Church Question, the Fiction Question — all of these go to the making of Shirley in its plenitude, but at its heart is a metaphysical question, the fusion, the confusion, of “hollow” with “more.”3
Docking sites on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases, MAPK phosphatases and the Elk-1 transcription factor compete for MAPK binding and are crucial for enzymic activity.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades control gene expression patterns in response to extracellular stimuli. MAPK} ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinases (MEKs) activate MAPKs by phosphorylating them; activated MAPKs, in turn, phosphorylate target transcription factors, and are deactivated by phosphatases. One mechanism for maintaining signal specificity and eciency is the interaction of MAPKs with their substrates and regulators through high-anity docking sites. In the present study, we show that peptides corresponding to the MAPK-docking sites of MEK1, MEK2, Ste7, Elk-1 and MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-2 potently inhibit MEK2 phosphorylation of ERK2, ERK2 phosphorylation of Elk-1, and MKP-1 dephosphorylation of ERK2. Each peptide inhibited multiple reactions; for example, the MEK2 peptide inhibited not
G-protein coupled receptor structure

Because of their central role in regulation of cellular function, structure/function relationships for G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) are of vital importance, yet only recently have sufficient data been obtained to begin mapping those relationships. GPCRs regulate a wide range of cellular processes, including the senses of taste, smell, and vision, and control a myriad of intracellular signaling systems in response to external stimuli. Many diseases are linked to GPCRs. A critical need exists for structural information to inform studies on mechanism of receptor action and regulation. X-ray crystal structures of only one GPCR, in an inactive state, have been obtained to date. However considerable structural information for a variety of GPCRs has been obtained using non-crystallographic approaches. This review begins with a review of the very earliest GPCR structural information, mostly derived from rhodopsin. Because of the difficulty in crystallizing GPCRs for X-ray crystallography, the extensive published work utilizing alternative approaches to GPCR structure is reviewed, including determination of three-dimensional structure from sparse constraints. The available X-ray crystallographic analyses on bovine rhodopsin are reviewed as the only available high-resolution structures for any GPCR. Structural information available on ligand binding to several receptors is included. The limited information on excited states of receptors is also reviewed. It is concluded that while considerable basic structural information has been obtained, more data are needed to describe the molecular mechanism of activation of a GPCR.
Association of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with HLA-DQB1*0201.

Major histocompatibility class II alleles of 351 persons living in an area endemic for Schistosoma mansoni in northeastern Brazil were characterized at three loci (DRBl, DQAl, and DQBl). Contingency analyses were used to compare allele frequencies witfihigh egg excretion, proliferative response to schistosome soluble egg antigens (SEA), and occurrence of severe, biopsy-confirmed hepatosplenic disease. There were no associations of HLA-DR or DQ with egg excretion. Patients positive for DRBl*Ol, DQAl*0101, or DQBl*0501 were less likely to respond to SEA than was the overall study population. However, using stringent Bonferroni correction (multiplying P values by the number of alleles tested; P X 35), none of these associations with SEA responsiveness remained significant. Hepatosplenic disease was less likely in patients positive for DRBI*11 and was more likely in patients positive for DRBl*07 or DQBl*0201. However, only the DQBl*0201 association remained significant (odds ratio = 3.72; P < .005) following Bonferroni correction.
Quantitative, Highly Sensitive Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Detection of Synthetic Corticosteroids

Background: Measurements of serum or urine concentrations of synthetic glucocorticoids are useful for assessing suspected iatrogenic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression and Cushing syndrome. We have developed a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of beclomethasone dipropionate, betamethasone, budesonide, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, flunisolide, fluorometholone, fluticasone propionate, megestrol acetate, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, triamcinolone, and triamcinolone acetonide. Methods: Stable isotopes of cortisol-9,11,12,12-d4 and triamcinolone-d1 acetonide-d6 were added as internal standards to calibrators, controls, and unknown samples. After acetonitrile precipitation, these samples were extracted with methylene chloride, and the extracts were washed and dried. Reconstituted extract (15 μL) was injected on a reversed-phase column and analyzed by LC-MS/MS in positive-ion mode. Assay precision, accuracy, linearity, and sample stability were determined by use of enriched samples. Clinical validation included analysis of 8 serum and 20 urine samples from patients with undetectable cortisol concentrations and analysis of different types of tablets. Results: Functional assay sensitivity was as low as 0.6–1.6 nmol/L for all compounds except for triamcinolone (7.6 nmol/L). Interassay CVs were 3.0–20% for concentrations of 0.6–364 nmol/L for all analytes. Recoveries of all analytes (except triamcinolone in serum) were 82–138% at 19.2–693 nmol/L. All but one of the serum and urine samples from patients who were tested because of suppressed cortisol concentrations contained at least one synthetic steroid. Tablet analysis recovered 75% of the synthetic steroids in suspected drugs. Conclusions: LC-MS/MS allows simultaneous quantitative detection of various synthetic steroids in serum, plasma, urine, and tablets. This provides a valuable tool for evaluating the clinical effects of topical and systemic synthetic corticosteroids.
An Improved Method for the Radiohalogenation of Monoclonal Antibodies

Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies directed against human cancerassociated antigens offer a conceptually appealing approach to the more selective identification and treatment of breast and other cancers in vivo. Although a few studies, in particular, those employing regional delivery of antibodies, suggest that antibody-mediated delivery of isotopes is a promising technique, most of the results in the literature do not support the belief that radioimmunoscintigraphy and therapy are ready for widespread application in the clinical domain. In general, the absolute magnitude uptake of isotope in the tumor is low1 and the specificity of localization, determined by comparison to a nonspecific immunoglobulin, has not been documented in clinical studies. While pharmacological factors such as flow and permeability present significant obstacles which must be overcome2, the successful utilization of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies requires both the development of antibodies with greater specificity and affinity for tumors and improved labeling methods which decrease the loss of isotope from the antibody in vivo. The production and characterization of new antibodies which react more selectively with human breast cancers is described in several chapters in this volume; in this chapter we will discuss our approach to increasing the in vivo stability of labeled antibodies.
EDTA Chelation Therapy to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Persons with Diabetes

The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial enrolling patients age ≥50 years with prior myocardial infarction. TACT used a 2 × 2 factorial design to study ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation and high-dose vitamin supplementation. Chelation provided a modest but significant reduction in cardiovascular endpoints. The benefit was stronger and significant among participants with diabetes but absent in those without diabetes. Mechanisms by which chelation might reduce cardiovascular risk in persons with diabetes include the effects of EDTA chelation on transition and toxic metals. Transition metals, particularly copper and iron, play important roles in oxidative stress pathways. Toxic metals, in particular cadmium and lead, are toxic for the cardiovascular system. This review discusses the epidemiologic evidence and animal and human studies supporting the role of these metals in the development of diabetes and ischemic heart disease and potential ways by which EDTA chelation could confer cardiovascular benefit.
Film the police! cop-watching and its embodied narratives

Police accountability organizations known as “cop-watching” groups are proliferating thanks to smartphone penetration and the ease of video sharing on social networks. These groups use digital media technologies to challenge official accounts of events and encroach on the borders of traditional journalism. This qualitative project collected material over the course of 2 years, and uses participant observation and long-form interviews to explore the nature of this activism. Grounded analysis suggests that cop-watching represents a unique form of citizenship; one that combines text and practice to produce embodied narratives, which can give voice to the concerns of others. As a form of so-called sousveillance, cop-watching extends and complicates existing theories about surveillance, journalism, and visual evidence.
Social Influence Opportunity Recognition, Evaluation, and Capitalization: Increased Theoretical Specification Through Political Skill’s Dimensional Dynamics:

Social influence is one of the oldest and most researched constructs in organizational behavior. Most research has examined the “what” and “who” of social influence behavior, but it was not until recently that scholars began examining the “how,” or the operation, of social influence techniques and behaviors. Social effectiveness constructs, such as political skill, have been the primary focus of this research effort. However, despite these constructs illuminating social influence processes, little is known about the actual operation of the social effectiveness constructs themselves. Thus, to develop a more complete understanding of social influence effectiveness, this article develops a theoretical framework by synthesizing several literatures and explaining how the individual dimensions of political skill affect the social influence process. Specifically, the authors (a) review and integrate research and theory in social influence and political skill; (b) develop an opportunity recognition, evaluation, a...
Effects of colchicine on mast cells of the rat.

ConclusionWithin 1 hr after a single injection of colchicine into rats fragmentation of the mast cells occurs witout visible nuclear damage. These changes are present to some extent in tissue preparations but are more clearly evident in pertioneal fluid.
Highly Consistent Atmospheric Pressure Synthesis of Carbon Nanotube Forests by Mitigation of Moisture Transients

Consistent synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using laboratory-scale methods is essential to the development of commercial applications, particularly with respect to the verification of recipes that achieve control of CNT diameter, chirality, alignment, and density. Here, we report that transients in the moisture level and carbon concentration during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for vertically aligned CNT “forests” can contribute significantly to run-to-run variation of height and density. Then, we show that highly consistent CNT forest growth can be achieved by physically decoupling the catalyst annealing and hydrocarbon exposure steps, to allow the gas composition to stabilize between the steps. This decoupling is achieved using a magnetically actuated transfer arm to move the substrate rapidly into and out of the CVD reactor. Compared to a reference process where the sample resides in the furnace throughout the process, the decoupled method gives 21% greater CNT forest height, reduces ...
Surveillance of Clonorchiasis Sinensis in Tongnan County in 2006

Objective To analyze the epidemiology of clonorchiasis sinensis and provide basis for the prevention and control programs.Method 300 stool specimens of the population of age over 5 years were collected in the village.The eggs of Clonorchis sinensis were examined by method of sedimentation and formalin-ether sedimentation technique.The infected and control people were matched according the proportion of 1∶4.The common local fish were collected in the village.The muscle was obtained from the fin,cheek,tail of the collected fish.The metacercaria was examined in the muscle by the microscope.The effect of health education was investigated.Result 12 of 367 people were infected,with an infection rate of 3.27%.There was no significant difference of the infection rate between male and female(P 0.05).The infected individuals were all farmer.The youngest was 32 and the oldest was 73 years old.There were 12 persons in the infected group and 48 persons in the control group.There was no significant difference of the infection rate between the people eating raw fish,half cooked fish,BBQ fish,or fish fed with faeces.12 Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were found in 131 fish of 4 kinds of fresh water fish and the metacercariae rate was 9.16%.The metacercariae was found in the Pseudorasbora parva and Hemiculter leucisulus.The metacercariae rate of Pseudorasbora parva(25.00%)was higher than Hemiculter leucisulus(P0.05).The rate of knowledge about clonorchiasis sinensis of students was 26.09% and that of villagers was 44.61% before attending health education.The rate of knowledge about clonorchiasis sinensis of students was 84.06% and that of villagers was 98.28% after attending health education.There was significant difference between the two groups in the rate of knowledge about the disease before and after attending health education(P0.01).Conclusion After many years of controlling clonorchiasis sinensis,the infection rate was low.But the area having Clonorchis sinensis is not reduced and the rate of infection still needs to be reduced.The prevention and control program of the disease have to be continued.
Research on Remote Management of Subscription for M2M Equipment

M2M Communication is seen as a form of data communication between entities that may have no human interaction.One of the challenges with M2M communication is that deployed M2M equipments are managed remotely without any direct human interaction with the device.Focused on this problem,3GPP has proposed a TRE based solution and a UICC based solution.It's not necessary in the TRE based solution to provide each equipment with UICC,but the important dates and functions can be integrated in the TRE module.The security and capacity of this solution is further studied and illustrated at last.
Proteoglycan sulfation and storage parallels storage of basic secretory proteins in exocrine cells

Increased storage of basic proline-rich secretory proteins induced in rat parotid acinar cells by isoproterenol is accompanied by increased storage of a chondroitin sulfate-containing proteoglycan. Amino acid analysis of the purified proteoglycan and the chondroitinase digestion products reveals that the polypeptide backbone is a proline-rich protein. Most sulfation occurs in Golgi elements; however, a small fraction of the proteoglycan can be labeled by incubating isolated secretion granules with [35S]phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate ([35S]PAPS), and the amount of sulfate incorporation decreases with increased granule maturity. In vitro incorporation is sensitive to inhibitors of PAPS transport and occurs in intact granules as shown by radioautography. Both the increased production of a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan following isoproterenol treatment and its sulfation at sites of secretory condensation and storage suggest that sulfation may aid secretory packaging by reducing the known fixed positive charge that stems from the large concentration of basic secretory proteins.
Exploring the effects of green infrastructure placement on neighborhood-level flooding via spatially explicit simulations

Abstract State and local governments are increasingly considering the adoption of legislation to promote green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, green roofs) for stormwater management. This interest emerges from higher frequencies of combined sewer outflows, floods and exposure of residents and habitat to polluted water resulting from growing urbanization and related pressure on stormwater management facilities. While this approach is promising, there are many unknowns about the effects of specific implementation aspects (e.g., scale, layout), particularly as urban settlements and climate conditions change over time. If green infrastructure is to be required by law, these aspects need to be better understood. We developed a spatially-explicit process-based model (the Landscape Green Infrastructure Design model, L-GriD) developed to understand how the design of green infrastructure may affect performance at a neighborhood scale, taking into consideration the magnitude of stormevents, and the spatial layout of different kinds of land cover. We inform the mechanisms in our model with established hydrological models. In contrast with watershed data-intensive models in one extreme and site level cost-savings calculators in the other, our model allows us to generalize principles for green infrastructure design and implementation at a neighborhood scale, to inform policy-making. Simulation results show that with as little as 10% surface coverage, green infrastructure can greatly contribute to runoff capture in small storms, but that the amount would need to be doubled or tripled to deal with larger storms in a similar way. When placement options are limited, layouts in which green infrastructure is dispersed across the landscape—particularly vegetated curb cuts—are more effective in reducing flooding in all storm types than clustered arrangements. As opportunities for green infrastructure placement increase and as precipitation increases, however, patterns that follow the flow-path and accumulation of water become more effective, which can be built on an underlying curb-cut layout. If space constraints prevented any of these layouts, random placement would still provide benefits over clustered layouts.