cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redox Regulation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Abstract The cell renews, adapts, or expands its mitochondrial population during episodes of cell damage or periods of intensified energy demand by the induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. This bigenomic program is modulated by redox-sensitive signals that respond to physiological nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. This review summarizes our current ideas about the pathways involved in the activation of mitochondrial biogenesis by the physiological gases leading to changes in the redox milieu of the cell, with an emphasis on the responses to oxidative stress and inflammation. The cell’s energy supply is protected from conditions that damage mitochondria by an inducible transcriptional program of mitochondrial biogenesis that operates in large part through redox signals involving the nitric oxide synthase and the heme oxygenase-1/CO systems. These redox events stimulate the coordinated activities of several multifunctional transcription factors and coactivators also involved in the elimination of defective mitochondria and the expression of counterinflammatory and antioxidant genes, such as IL10 and SOD2, as part of a unified damage-control network. The redox-regulated mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis schematically outlined in the graphical abstract link mitochondrial quality control to an enhanced capacity to support the cell’s metabolic needs while improving its resistance to metabolic failure and avoidance of cell death during periods of oxidative stress.
Prediction of stiffness and strength of single-walled carbon nanotubes by molecular-mechanics based finite element approach

Abstract Molecular-mechanics based finite element approach was used to predict the tensile stiffness and strength of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Different types of nanotubes, such as Arm-Chair, Zig-Zag, and chiral type, were discussed in detail. Nanotube stiffness was predicted to be independent of both the nanotube diameter and the nanotube helicity, but Poisson ratio was dependent of the nanotube diameter. In addition to the stiffness, nanotube strength was also analyzed by molecular-mechanics based finite element approach. Modified Morse potential function was selected to model the breakage of C C chemical bond with the separation energy of 7.7 eV. Nanotube strength was predicted at 77–101 GPa with the fracture strain around 0.3. The nanotube strength was found to be moderately dependent of the nanotube helicity, but independent of the nanotube diameter.
Determination of yielding and debonding in Al–Cu thin films from residual stress measurements via diffraction

The yield strength and interfacial bonding are properties of interest for understanding void formation in thin film interconnect and subsequent failure of VLSI devices. A method is presented to examine the mechanical properties of thin polycrystalline films attached to substrates by measuring the change in thermal residual stress, due to the difference in coefficient of expansion between the film and substrate, as a function of decreasing temperature of the sample. The yield strengths of passivated 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μm thin films of Al–2% Cu on oxidized Si wafer substrates have been determined with this method to be 325, 170, and 120 MPa, respectively. Unpassivated films of the same thicknesses were also examined, but yielding did not occur for these films even though the residual stress reached a value of over 400 MPa. The lack of yielding in the unpassivated samples and the thickness dependence of the passivated samples is attributed to the grain size of these materials, which is less than the film thickness for the unpassivated case and greater than the film thickness after passivation. Debonding occurred in the 2 μm unpassivated sample but in none of the others, indicating a thickness dependence of the energy for delamination.
The computation and communication complexity of a parallel banded system solver

Presentation d'un algorithme pour resoudre les systemes lineaires definis positifs a bandes sur un multiprocesseur ou le nombre de processeurs p est plus petit que l'ordre du systeme n. Cet algorithme est une generalisation d'une technique utilisee pour resoudre des systemes tridiagonaux sur un multiprocesseur
A simple model to account for the role of microtexture on fatigue and dwell fatigue lifetimes of titanium alloys

A deterministic model to account for the effect of initial crack size, microtextured region size and aspect ratio on the mean cyclic and dwell fatigue lifetimes of titanium alloys is described. The model also quantifies variability in lifetime from sample to sample due to differences in the position of subsurface crack initiation. The results indicate that dwell fatigue life and cyclic fatigue life depend most on microtexture region size and initial crack size, respectively.
Capturing the social demographics of hidden sexual minorities: An internet study of the transgender population in the United States

As part of a larger study, we investigated the feasibility of using Internet research to capture the demographic characteristics of a largely closeted sexual minority and to report such characteristics in the first national study of transgender persons ever attempted in the United States. To achieve a nonclinical national sample, online convenience sampling was used. Of 1,373 surveys received, 1,229 (90%) were deemed complete and from unique individuals self-identifying as transgender, 18 years or older, and U.S. residents. Participation approximated that predicted by the U.S. Census (2000). Comparison with census data identified the sample as younger, White (non-Hispanic), single, more educated but with less household income, living in smaller towns to medium-sized cities, and less affiliated with traditional Christian denominations. Demographic characteristics differed significantly by both gender and transgender status. The challenge of achieving demographically representative sampling online, as well as implications for future research and policy, are discussed.
Differences in aerosol survival between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1.

A strain of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 known to be virulent for guinea-pigs was found to be least stable at a relative humidity (r.h.) of 60% when stored as a small particle aerosol. Three L. pneumophila serogroup 1 strains of different virulence for guinea-pigs were then tested at a r.h. of 60% at 20 degrees C. The most virulent strain was found to have the best survival and the avirulent strain was least stable. The strain of intermediate virulence did not survive as well as the virulent strain but was more stable than the avirulent strain. Strains of L. pneumophila serogroup epidemiologically associated with legionnaires' disease had better survival in small particle aerosols than strains which were not associated with disease. Subtyping with monoclonal antibodies also showed that the type more commonly associated with disease survived longer in aerosols than the other subtypes.
Measurement of adult attachment: The place of self-report and interview methodologies

(2002). Measurement of adult attachment: The place of self-report and interview methodologies. Attachment & Human Development: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 207-215.
Morphological Effect of Doping Environment on Silicon Nanowires Grown by Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition

Physical properties of semiconductor nanowires are tied intimately to their specific morphologies such as length and diameter. We studied the growth of silicon nanowires and found their lengths and diameters to vary over orders of magnitude in different doping environments. In all cases we examined, doping resulted in increased diameters. In addition, boron doping was found to accelerate volume growth rate while arsenic and antimony both appeared to slow it down. We further studied the formation of the native oxides that cover the nanowires. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that properties of the native oxides are also dependent on doping environment and correlated to doping-dependent shifts in apparent binding energy of the Si 2p3/2 peak illustrating that the electronic contribution is the dominant mechanism for the oxide growth.
Quark bags and local field theory. II. Confinement of Fermi and vector fields

We extend earlier work on obtaining the "bag" model of Chodos, Jaffe, Johnson, Thorn, and Weisskopf as a limit of a local field theory. As before, the discussion is on a classical level. We show how to confine Fermi and vector fields into the bag solutions found previously. In an appropriate limit we obtain exactly the Chodos et al. model for confinement of all fields except non-Abelian gauge fields. For the latter fields we argue that it is impossible from a local theory to obtain the same boundary conditions used in the Chodos et al. model. The boundary conditions we find do not have the virtue of completely eliminating "color" nonsinglet states from the theory. We propose an alternative scheme based on a single triplet of quarks and an Abelian gauge field. The baryons are bound states of three quarks and one additional scalar constituent.
A high capacity preseparator for collecting large particles

Abstract Classical inertial impactors are typically limited to mass deposits on the order of a few milligrams per stage due to particle re-entrainment problems. For stack sampling applications, particularly those related to sampling upstream of control equipment, this limitation may necessitate very short sampling periods. A device which is designed to reduce this problem, a high capacity preseparator, has been tested with both monodisperse aerosols and with dry dusts. At a flow rate of 14.21 min −1 (0.5 cfm) the cutpoint aerodynamic size is 10.8 μm and the corresponding cutpoint Stokes number is 0.115. Tests with Detroit Edison fly ash show similar results — a cutpoint aerodynamic size of 11.2 μm. Of fly ash particles sampled by the device, 92.5% of the aerosol associated with sizes larger than 15 μm is collected by the preseparator. The loading characteristics of the device were tested over a range of 100 mg–1 g of collected dust. No indications of increased large particle carry-over were noted.
Quality of care: Issue or oversight in health care reform?

Background: Health care reform is not dead but merely on hiatus. The vehicle for the reform is managed care, in particular health maintenance organizations (HMOs). HMOs employ primary care physicians as gatekeepers to act as regulators and points of entry into the health care system. It is through these gatekeepers that most dermatologic care is rendered. Objective: Our purpose was to assess (1) the level of dermatology training of family practice physicians compared with dermatologists and (2) the impact on the delivery of quality dermatology services. Methods: A national study of university residency programs was undertaken. Twenty color Kodachromes of typical cutaneous diseases were analyzed by the two physician groups. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the average formal dermatology training received, the number of primary dermatology patients examined by family practitioners, the correct response rates to the questions, and the dermatologic procedures performed by family practitioners. A total of 723 family practice physicians and 443 dermatologists responded. Results: Our results indicate that, in comparison to dermatologists, primary care physicians significantly are deficient in their ability to recognize common and serious dermatoses. Conclusion: This study provides data emphasizing the need for reevaluation of the dermatology curriculum in medical schools and family practice residencies. Most important, it suggests that direct access to dermatologists provides better quality of care to members of HMOs and hence indirectly is most cost effective for the provision of dermatology services.
Cytochrome oxidase in the liver of the c3h mouse with carcinoma.

SummaryIn C3H female mice growing either spontaneous or transplanted breast carcinoma the cytochrome oxidase activity of liver homogenates decreased as the tumor attained an increasingly larger percentage of total body weight. On the other hand, confirming previous results with Rochester rats, an increase in the activity of this enzyme was found in liver homogenates from Sprague-Dawley rats bearing Walker carcinoma 256. In tumor-free animals, mice had significantly higher cytochrome oxidase activity than rats of either strain.
Mechanisms of cyclic softening in precipitation-hardening alloys—A ball model approach and tests at 78 K

Tests of random, alternating cuts on a ball-model of θ″ in Al−Cu alloy have been run to check the kinetics at which disordering occurs in an initially ordered precipitate subject to cyclic strain. In addition, fatigue tests at low temperature (78 K) and various microscopical observations have been made on Al−Ag alloy containing GP zones to check whether a structure containing an initially disordered precipitate will cyclically soften or not. It was thus found that the θ″ ball model disorders as a function of accumulated plastic strain consistently with the kinetics of cyclic softening in actual material. Further, Al−Ag alloy was found not to soften at 78 K. Both of these results supoort the disordering hypothesis of cyclic softening over the “dissolution” or “shearing-off” mechanisms, although other systems may be subject to these mechanisms. In spite of the low temperature at which the Al−Ag alloy was tested, small γ′/γ precipitates were found to have formed in the longest lived test; however, this result did not interfere with the validity of the experiment as it did previously at room temperature. The fatigue lives at 78 K were much longer than those previously measured at room temperature although the failure mechanisms were not affected at high strain and only somewhat affected at low strain (there was increased incidence of transgranular crack nucleation and propagation).
Induction of c-fos gene expression by interferons.

We show that murine interferons (IFNs)-α/β and -γ induce expression of the protooncogene c-fos in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, NIH-3T3 cells, and other tissue culture cells. The induction of c-fos mRNA is rapid and transient in that the mRNA appears within 15 min and disappears by 2 h following IFN treatment. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) also stimulates rapid but more stable expression of c-fos mRNA in these cells. Treatment of these cells with a combination of CHX and IFNs results in superinduction of c-fos mRNA. In contrast, IFNs do not affect c-myc mRNA expression in these cells. These results suggest that c-fos gene expression plays a role in signal transduction following binding of IFNs to the receptors.
Emergency Contraception: The Nurse’s Role in Providing Postcoital Options

Emergency contraception refers to pregnancy prevention methods initiated after unprotected sexual intercourse. Research has shown that 75% of the 3.5 million unintended pregnancies that occur in the United States every year could be prevented through use of emergency contraception. Hormonal methods and postcoital insertion of intrauterine devices have been shown to be safe and effective. Nurses play an essential role in the distribution of emergency contraception as patient educators, advocates, and support persons.
Effect of lithium borate addition on the physical and electrochemical properties of the lithium ion conductor Li3.4Si0.4P0.6O4

Abstract The physical and electrochemical properties of a 60% Li 3 PO 4 –40% Li 4 SiO 4 (60LP) solid solution phase have been investigated with the goal of developing an ion conductive protective layer for metallic lithium in secondary battery configurations. This phase was chosen because it has the highest ionic conductivity of 4 × 10 − 6 S/cm at room temperature in the Li 3 PO 4 –Li 4 SiO 4 solid solution series. Addition of 0.5 wt.% lithium borate or a mixture of its precursors lowered the sintering temperature of 60LP by as much as 150 °C without compromising the ionic conductivity of the dense pellets. Both AC and DC experiments showed that a stable interface is formed between the lithium and the phosphosilicate layer, allowing reversible lithium stripping and plating. The results are consistent with the assumption that the primary mobile species in the ceramic layer are lithium ions.
Thermography-A Diagnostic Tool For Locating Wet Insulation In Built-Up Roofing Systems

The premature failure of a costly insulated built-up roofing system is a major concern to every facility manager, military or civilian. Because of the interrelated and critical relationship existing between the various components of the roofing system, it is essential that these roofs be inspected twice a year and repaired, as necessary. The bi-yearly inspection not only requires a comprehensive evaluation of the surface area, but an in-depth look into the interior of the system to determine if moisture has penetrated the system and has begun to deteriorate the layer of insulation. Infrared (IR) thermography has proven to be a very successful nondestructive method of detecting moisture in the layer of concealed insulation. The US Army Facilities Engineering Support Agency (FESA), located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has the responsibility for providing technical engineering assistance for the operation, maintenance, and repair of Army facilities throughout the country. As a troubleshooter for solving built-up roofing problems, FESA uses a roofing evaluation concept that incorporates a detailed visual inspection with a nighttime IR scan. Within the last two years, the two FESA teams have surveyed more than 281 buildings at 30 Army installations. Incredible as it may seem, wet insulation was detected during the IR scan in more than 31 percent of the roofs surveyed. This paper describes the visual and infrared concepts and techniques used during the FESA surveys.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Combined open and endovascular treatment of a right subclavian artery aneurysm: A case report

A 69-year-old man with previous ascending aortic repair combined with valve replacement for an ascending aortic aneurysm presented with a type 2 thoracoabdominal aneurysm and a 4.4-cm aneurysm of the right subclavian artery. Because of the anatomic location of the aneurysm and his previous operation, an innominate to carotid artery stent graft and a carotid-subclavian bypass and vertebral artery bypass were performed. Postoperative computed tomographic angiography confirmed good flow in the right carotid and vertebral artery, and the patient recovered without complication.
Ex vivo preparations of the intact vomeronasal organ and accessory olfactory bulb.

The mouse accessory olfactory system (AOS) is a specialized sensory pathway for detecting nonvolatile social odors, pheromones, and kairomones. The first neural circuit in the AOS pathway, called the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), plays an important role in establishing sex-typical behaviors such as territorial aggression and mating. This small (<1 mm3) circuit possesses the capacity to distinguish unique behavioral states, such as sex, strain, and stress from chemosensory cues in the secretions and excretions of conspecifics. While the compact organization of this system presents unique opportunities for recording from large portions of the circuit simultaneously, investigation of sensory processing in the AOB remains challenging, largely due to its experimentally disadvantageous location in the brain. Here, we demonstrate a multi-stage dissection that removes the intact AOB inside a single hemisphere of the anterior mouse skull, leaving connections to both the peripheral vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) and local neuronal circuitry intact. The procedure exposes the AOB surface to direct visual inspection, facilitating electrophysiological and optical recordings from AOB circuit elements in the absence of anesthetics. Upon inserting a thin cannula into the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which houses the VSNs, one can directly expose the periphery to social odors and pheromones while recording downstream activity in the AOB. This procedure enables controlled inquiries into AOS information processing, which can shed light on mechanisms linking pheromone exposure to changes in behavior.
Abstract IA2: Genomic comparisons of coincident prostate cancer foci

We have an interest in distinguishing patients with aggressive from those with indolent prostate cancer. The present best indicator of disease aggressiveness is Gleason grade, assigned by histopathological examination of carcinoma in prostate tissue. Clinically speaking, Gleason pattern 4 tumors are more aggressive while Gleason pattern 3 tumors are more indolent. As such, we sought to characterize both patterns at the genomic level by sequencing and analyzing foci of Gleason 3 and 4 patterns from the same patient. By combining laser capture microdissection of coincident Gleason 3 and 4 foci in the same patients, with next-generation sequencing of the derived DNA by our ultr-alow input sequencing library construction techniques, we were able to generate whole genome sequencing data for these samples. Advanced analysis of the aligned whole genome data has permitted an examination of the genomic relatedness of Gleason 3 and 4 foci for two patients. I will present our results to-date from these analyses, shedding light on the fundamental genomic progression evident as Gleason scores increase. More recently, we have complimented these studies with additional whole genome sequencing and analysis of aggressive prostate cancers. Our preliminary findings for these samples also will be reported. Citation Format: Elaine R. Mardis, Peter Humphrey, Sean McGrath, Ryan Demeter, Vincent Magrini, Nathan Dees, Krishna Kanthi, Christopher Maher, Li Ding, Adam Kibel. Genomic comparisons of coincident prostate cancer foci [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA2.
Laboratory and Field-scale Evaluation of Low-pH Fe(II) Oxidation at Hughes Borehole, Portage, Pennsylvania

The Hughes Borehole is located in the bituminous coal region of south-central Pennsylvania and drains an underground mine complex of ca. 2,950 ha. The borehole discharge averages approximately 63 L/s of acidic (pH 4, 230 mg/L acidity) mine drainage that contains elevated concentrations of Fe(II) (100 mg/L). Long-term monitoring of the site showed that biological Fe(II) oxidation occurred without human intervention and, over previous decades, has produced a 0.6 ha iron mound up to 2 m deep. On-mound channel reactors along with laboratory-scale gutter reactors were constructed to determine conditions that can exploit biological Fe(II) oxidation for passive treatment. Dissolved Fe(II) was much more efficiently oxidized from gutter reactors that contained iron mound sediment than ones without any sediment. Close to 100% of the dissolved influent Fe(II) was oxidized in 5–10 h and 75% of the total dissolved Fe was removed. In addition, the reactors performed better as the sediment aged, so that shorter residence times of 1–2 h were also capable of oxidizing substantial amounts of the influent Fe(II). The addition of surface area to the on-mound reactors improved Fe(II) oxidation at residence times of 30 min or less. The results of this study can be used to help design and build treatment systems for low-pH acid mine drainage (AMD) discharges.
The Effects of Restricted Energy Feeding During the Growing Period on the Reproductive Performance of Turkey Breeder Females

Abstract These studies were undertaken to determine the effects of restricted energy feeding during the growing period upon the subsequent reproductive performance of Large White turkey females. Energy intake was limited to two-thirds of that voluntarily consumed by birds receiving practical-type growing diets ad libitum. Dietary treatments were imposed from either 8 to 32, 12 to 24, or 12 to 28 weeks of age under either natural increasing, natural decreasing, or constant eight-hour daylength. Data were collected on the number of days after the onset of stimulatory light to first egg and to 50 percent egg production, and on body weight at the end of the restriction period, at 50 percent egg production, and at the end of the reproductive period. Data were also collected on shank length, egg production, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, number of poults per hen, and carcass composition at the end of the restriction period and at 50 percent egg production. Females grown on restricted energy diets were less fat, had shorter shanks and weighed less at the end of the restriction period. Carcass fat, however, was not significantly affected at the time of 50 percent egg production. Only a slight delay in sexual maturity was noted in those birds grown on restricted energy diets. Restricting energy during the growing period did not affect reproductive performance.
Kronecker products of defective matrices: Some spectral properties and their implications on observability

The eigenvector analysis of the Kronecker product of defective matrices is revisited, and is brought to bear in characterizing observability of linear systems with Kronecker-product state matrices. Specifically, a new proof is given for a classical result on the eigenspace dimension for the Kronecker product of two Jordan chains, which highlights that the dimension is essentially dependent on the off-diagonal entries' zero pattern. Based on the spectral characterization of the Kronecker product, observability conditions are then developed for linear systems with Kronecker-product state matrices. Simple examples from two application domains are also included, to illustrate how the spectral and observability results can inform stochastic-systems analysis.
The genetic lysosomal diseases: Tay‐Sachs disease as the prototype

The lysosome is an intracellular organelle essential for degradation of cellular constituents for normal metabolic turnover. It contains the enzymatic machineries that are required for sequential breakdown of macromolecules. When any one of the series of lysosomal enzymes are genetically defective, the normal metabolic turnover is halted at that step and consequently the partially degraded material accumulates abnormally in the tissue causing dysfunction. Lysosomal disease is a group of disorders in which lysosomal enzymes and related proteins essential for degradation of tissue constituents, lipids, glycoproteins, or mucopolysaccharides are genetically defective. Major manifestations of the majority of lysosomal diseases involve dysfunction of the nervous system, including mental retardation. Many of the lysosomal diseases were first defined clinically and pathologically starting more than a century ago. The phases of biochemical identification of the abnormal “storage” materials and of elucidation of the underlying enzymatic defects followed. During the past decade, most of the genes responsible for these disorders have been cloned and characterized, opening the way for their understanding on the gene level. Many disease-causing mutations have been identified in most lysosomal diseases. Nevertheless, the pathogenetic mechanisms that cause severe brain damage are not well understood. Previous attempts at treating patients have been largely disappointing, but successful enzyme replacement and bone marrow transplantation in some diseases have been reported. Gene therapy approaches have been pursued in earnest in recent years. However, given the unique complexity of the brain, pragmatically meaningful gene therapy for these devastating neurologic diseases appears to be many years away. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Learning radiology from interactive videodiscs: Bar-code book versus computer-assisted instruction

Rationale and Objectives. We compared an interactive videodisc with bar-code book with an interactive videodisc with computer-assisted instruction for learning radiology to determine whether there would be differences in instructional effectiveness, instruction time, or subjective preference. Methods. Two different videodisc modules were created. Each was presented in two formats with identical content: bar-code book and computer-assisted instruction. In a controlled crossover experimental design, 48 fourth-year medical students were assigned one bar-code book module and one computer module. Pre- and posttests were administered. Results. Mean scores improved from pretest to post-test after students used the modules in either format ( p Conclusion. Although bar-code book and computer versions of an interactive videodisc can be educationally equivalent, most students preferred the computer. When videodisc is being integrated into the curriculum, the choice between bar-code book and computer-assisted instruction can be made on the basis of noneducational factors such as cost and availability.
Adaptive integral method for hybrid FE/BI modelling of 3-D doubly periodic structures

The adaptive integral method (AIM) is applied to accelerate the boundary integral (BI) portion of a hybrid finite element BI approach for the electromagnetic analysis of three-dimensional doubly periodic structures. Starting from the conventional mixed potential integral equation formulation, AIM is derived using Taylor series expansions for the involved coupling integrals. Implementation issues are discussed that relate to the periodic formulation, and central processing unit timings/memory requirements are given and compared to the conventional BI implementation.
Fibrinogen inhibits neurite outgrowth via β3 integrin-mediated phosphorylation of the EGF receptor

Changes in the molecular and cellular composition of the CNS after injury or disease result in the formation of an inhibitory environment that inhibits the regeneration of adult mammalian CNS neurons. Although a dramatic change in the CNS environment after traumatic injury or disease is hemorrhage because of vascular rupture or leakage of the blood–brain barrier, the potential role for blood proteins in repair processes remains unknown. Here we show that the blood protein fibrinogen is an inhibitor of neurite outgrowth that is massively deposited in the spinal cord after injury. We show that fibrinogen acts as a ligand for β3 integrin and induces the transactivation of EGF receptor (EGFR) in neurons. Fibrinogen-mediated inhibition of neurite outgrowth is reversed by blocking either β3 integrin or phoshorylation of EGFR. Inhibition of Src family kinases that mediate the cross-talk between integrin and growth factor receptors rescue the fibrinogen-induced phosphorylation of EGFR. These results identify fibrinogen as the first blood-derived inhibitor of neurite outgrowth and suggest fibrinogen-induced EGFR transactivation on neuronal cells as a molecular link between vascular and neuronal damage in the CNS after injury.
Metastatic Carcinoma of the Prostate: Identifying Prognostic Groups Using Recursive Partitioning

ABSTRACTPurpose: While in patients with metastatic prostate cancer median survival is approximately 30 months when treated with hormonal therapy, there is substantial interpatient variation. To explain better the outcome in patients with advanced disease we developed a set of prognostic groups within a large-scale clinical trial.Materials and Methods: Southwest Oncology Group Study 8894 was a randomized prospective clinical trial that compared orchiectomy and flutamide to orchiectomy and placebo. Using the technique of recursive partitioning we analyzed 5-year survival outcomes using a substantial number of patient, treatment and disease related variables to develop a set of prognostic groups with significant differences in survival.Results: Of 1,286 eligible patients 1,076 had sufficient data for analysis. The patient data set was split to allow prognostic group development in the first half of patients, followed by validation in the second half of patients accrued to the study. After pruning the regress...
PATTERN GENERATION IN SPACE AND ASPECT.

A survey is presented of theories for the generation and maintenance of spatial pattern in reaction-diffusion equations and their generalizations. Applications are selected from the biological sciences and physical chemistry. Special emphasis is placed on nonlocal interaction, as manifested by the inclusion of terms involving higher derivatives or integrals. It is stressed that traditional ideas of spatial pattern generation can usefully be extended to the study of pattern in general descriptive (“aspect”) variables, particularly in understanding ecological diversity and heterogeneity.
Cyclic stretch induced oxidative injury increases alveolar permeability via ERK-NF-κB signaling

The mechanisms underlying cyclic-stretch induced increase in pulmonary alveolar epithelial permeability are not yet fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate high levels of superoxide and nitric oxide in type I alveolar epithelial cells that were stretched at 12 and 37% change in surface area for different time durations. Cyclic stretch induced increase in permeability was decreased by the supeoxide scavenger Tiron and by the NF-κB inhibitor MG132. Furthermore, cyclic stretch increased the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway which was significantly decreased with ERK inhibitor U0126. These data suggest that cyclic stretch induces oxidative stress, which mediates increases in alveolar epithelial monolayer permeability via NF-κB activation and ERK phosphorylation.
Morbidity and mortality following intraperitoneal closure of transverse loop colostomy

A retrospective analysis of 153 patients having intraperitoneal closure of transverse loop colostomies was performed. The mortality was 1.4 per cent. The morbidity rate was 15 per cent, including 7 per cent wound infections and 5.2 per cent fecal fistulas. The incidence of wound infection was not significantly improved by the use of systemic or nonabsorbable intestinal antibiotics. Intraperitoneal drainage alone or in combination with subcutaneous drainage resulted in the highest rate of wound infection. However, the use of intraperitoneal drains seems justified for the control of fecal fistula if it should occur. The lowest incidence of complication was noted when colostomies were closed in 2–4 months. Particular attention must be given to cases with diverticulitis as these have a greater morbidity. Factors which reduce morbidity appear to be directly related to clean and careful dissection of the bowel with a sound technique of anastomosis.
In vitro atherosclerotic plaque and calcium quantitation by intravascular ultrasound and electron-beam computed tomography

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the accuracy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) in quantitating human atherosclerotic plaque and calcium. In experiment 1, 12 human atherosclerotic arterial segments were obtained at autopsy and imaged by using IVUS and EBCT. The plaque from each arterial segment was dissected and a volume measurement of the dissected plaque was obtained by water displacement. The plaque from each arterial segment was ashed at 700 degrees F, and the weight of the remaining ashes was used as an estimate of the calcium mass. In experiment II, 11 calcified arterial segments were obtained at autopsy and imaged by using IVUS at one site along the artery. A corresponding histologic cross section stained with Masson's trichrome was prepared. In experiment I, the mean plaque volume measured by water displacement was 165.3 +/- 118.4 microliters. The mean plaque volume calculated by IVUS was 166.1 +/- 114.4 microliters and correlated closely with that by water displacement (r = 0.98, p < 0.0001). The mean calcium mass measured by ashing was 19.4 +/- 15.8 mg. The mean calculated calcium mass by EBCT was 19.9 mg and correlated closely with that by ashing (r=0.98, p<0.001). The mean calculated calcium volume by IVUS was 18.6 +/- 11.2 microliters and correlated linearly with the calcium mass by ashing (r = 0.87, p < 0.0003). In experiment II, the mean cross-sectional area of the calcified matrix was 1.71 +/- 0.66 mm2 by histologic examination compared with 1.44 +/- 0.66 mm2 by IVUS. There was a good correlation between the calcified cross-sectional area by histologic examination and IVUS (r = 0.76, p < 0.007); however, IVUS may underestimate the amount of calcium present depending on the intralesional calcium morphologic characteristics. In conclusion, IVUS accurately quantitates atherosclerotic plaque volume as well as the cross-sectional area and volume of intralesional calcium, especially if the calcium is localized at the base of the plaque. IVUS underestimates the amount of calcium present because of signal drop-off when the calcium is too thick for the ultrasound to completely penetrate. In comparison, EBCT accurately quantitates calcium mass regardless of the intralesional calcium morphologic characteristics; however, EBCT does not accurately quantitate plaque volume and will miss noncalcified atherosclerotic lesions.
Aneurysms in abdominal organ transplant recipients

Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence and natural history of aneurysms among abdominal transplant recipients. Methods This article is a retrospective review of adult patients who underwent a kidney or liver transplant at a single center between February 23, 2000, and October 6, 2011. Data were obtained by searching electronic medical records for documentation of arterial aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) were included if they were ≥3.0 cm in diameter, and thoracic aortic aneurysms were included if they had a diameter ≥3.75 cm. Additional data collected included recipient demographics, transplant-specific data, and characteristics of the aneurysms. Results There were 927 liver transplant recipients, 2133 kidney transplant recipients, 23 liver-kidney transplant recipients, and 133 kidney-pancreas transplant recipients included in our study; 127 of these patients were identified to have aneurysms (40 liver, 83 kidney, 3 liver-kidney, 1 kidney-pancreas). The overall prevalence of any aneurysm was similar for liver and kidney recipients, but the distribution of aneurysm types was different for the two groups. AAAs made up 29.6% of aneurysms in kidney transplant recipients and 11.4% of aneurysms in liver transplant recipients ( P = .02). Visceral aneurysms were 10-fold as common in liver transplant recipients compared with kidney transplant recipients (47.7% of aneurysms vs 5.1% of aneurysms; P Conclusions Compared with the general population, aneurysms may be more common and may have an aggressive natural history in abdominal transplant recipients. Furthermore, the types of aneurysms that affect liver and kidney transplant recipients differ. Care teams should be aware of these risks and surveillance programs should be tailored appropriately.
Conversion of calcium oxalate to calcium phosphate with recurrent stone episodes.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We have extended our previous observation that the percent occurrence of calcium oxalate stones decreased while that of calcium phosphate stones increased with each new stone event.Materials and Methods: The National VA Crystal Identification Center has analyzed veteran patient urinary tract stones from VA hospitals throughout the United States since 1983. We reviewed the composition of 33,198 stones with emphasis on the changes in composition. More than 11,786 stones came from 5,088 recurrent stone formers. Stones were analyzed using high resolution x-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques. When the stones were investigated as a function of time, it was determined that there was greater variability when samples were more than 30 days apart.Results: The percent occurrence of whewellite, weddelite, apatite, brushite and uric acid in stones increased between 1.0% and 5.9% since our previous study. The percent occurrence of struvite decreased by 2.6%. ...
A comparative study of the bias corrected estimates in logistic regression

Logistic regression is frequently used in many areas of applied statistics. The maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) of the logistic regression parameters are usually computed using the iterative Newton-Raphson method. It is well known that these estimates are biased. Several methods are proposed to correct the bias of these estimates. Among them Firth (1993) and Cordeiro and McCullagh (1991) proposed two promising methods. The conditional exact method (CMLE) is popular for small-sample estimates, and is available in many software packages. In this article we compare these methods in terms of their bias. In general, our extensive simulations show that the methods proposed by Cordeiro and McCullagh and by Firth work well, though Cordeiro and McCullagh is slightly better in our simulations. In case of separation, Firth or CMLE can be used; however, a judicious approach is required when there is a wide variation in results. Two real data analyses are given exhibiting these properties. The data analysis also includes bootstrap results.
A set of aspartyl protease‐deficient strains for improved expression of heterologous proteins in Kluyveromyces lactis

Secretion of recombinant proteins is a common strategy for heterologous protein expression using the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. However, a common problem is degradation of a target recombinant protein by secretory pathway aspartyl proteases. In this study, we identified five putative pfam00026 aspartyl proteases encoded by the K. lactis genome. A set of selectable marker-free protease deletion mutants was constructed in the prototrophic K. lactis GG799 industrial expression strain background using a PCR-based dominant marker recycling method based on the Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase gene (amdS). Each mutant was assessed for its secretion of protease activity, its health and growth characteristics, and its ability to efficiently produce heterologous proteins. In particular, despite having a longer lag phase and slower growth compared with the other mutants, a Δyps1 mutant demonstrated marked improvement in both the yield and the quality of Gaussia princeps luciferase and the human chimeric interferon Hy3, two proteins that experienced significant proteolysis when secreted from the wild-type parent strain.
Intravenous versus oral iron for treatment of iron deficiency in non-hemodialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease

Purpose The evidence evaluating the efficacy of i.v. versus oral iron for the treatment of iron deficiency in non-hemodialysis-dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is reviewed. Summary Although erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are the mainstay of anemia treatment, concomitant iron supplementation is often required. Patients with CKD are at risk for developing iron deficiency due to frequent blood testing, decreased dietary intake, inflammation, decreased gastrointestinal absorption, the use of phosphate binders, hemodialysis, and treatment with ESAs. Seven randomized, controlled trials compared i.v. and oral iron in this population, six in patients treated with ESAs and one in patients not receiving ESAs. Two studies found no difference between i.v. and oral iron. An additional study found the two formulations to be equivalent when evaluating ESA dosage requirements. All studies found i.v. iron to be superior in increasing ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels. Five of the studies compared baseline laboratory values for patients treated with i.v. and oral iron; all of these found oral iron to significantly increase hemoglobin, ferritin, or TSAT levels. Only one trial found a significant decrease from baseline in ferritin and TSAT for oral iron. Interpretation of the results of these studies is limited by several factors, the most significant of which is a short study duration, ranging from 21 days to six months. Conclusion Published evidence does not support the use of i.v. iron over oral iron to treat deficiencies in non-hemodialysis-dependent patients with CKD. While studies found that i.v. iron significantly increased serum levels of ferritin and TSAT, hemoglobin levels were not consistently raised.
Evidence for acquisition of virulence effectors in pathogenic chytrids

The decline in amphibian populations across the world is frequently linked to the infection of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). This is particularly perplexing because Bd was only recently discovered in 1999 and no chytrid fungus had previously been identified as a vertebrate pathogen. In this study, we show that two large families of known virulence effector genes, crinkler (CRN) proteins and serine peptidases, were acquired by Bd from oomycete pathogens and bacteria, respectively. These two families have been duplicated after their acquisition by Bd. Additional selection analyses indicate that both families evolved under strong positive selection, suggesting that they are involved in the adaptation of Bd to its hosts. We propose that the acquisition of virulence effectors, in combination with habitat disruption and climate change, may have driven the Bd epidemics and the decline in amphibian populations. This finding provides a starting point for biochemical investigations of chytridiomycosis.
The fine structure of the extracellular matrix during epithelio-mesenchymal interactions in the rabbit embryonic incisor.

The fine structure of the extracellular matrix during epithelio-mesenchymal interactions in the rabbit embryonic tooth germ is described using light and electron microscopy. Observations are restricted to the labial cervical loop region at the bell stage of development in maxillary and mandibular incisor tooth germs. Histochemical methods demonstrate a PAS-positive basement membrane between outer enamel epithelial cells and adjacent undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. The metachromatic region circumscribes the dental papilla region, becoming more intense and wider in association with cells illustrative of more advanced stages of differentiation. Ultrastructural observations of the basal lamina associated with outer enamel epithelial cells, cervical proliferating epithelial and mesenchymal cells, and with inner enamel epithelial cells and pre-odontoblasts are reported. The characteristic mesenchymal filopodia appeared in close proximity to the basal lamina. Microfibrils are seen as depositions on the basal lamina and in association with filopodia. The concentration of intercellular microfibrils is increased when in association with epithelia showing advanced differentiation. Collagen fibrils are frequently noted in peripheral association with mesenchymal cells but not adherent to the basal lamina. Numerous homotypic and heterotypic cell junctions are seen. An understanding of intercellular communication between heterotypic cells may be enhanced by postulating a dual developmental origin for the microfibrils associated with the basal lamina. The under surface of the basal lamina facing the extended mesenchymal filopodia appears to be a significant factor during epithelio-mesenchymal interactions, subsequent extracellular matrix formation, and morphogenesis.
Closed Form Expressions for Green's Functions of Microstrip Structures on a Uniaxially Anisotropic Substrate

Closed form expressions for the Green's functions of a planar microstrip structure on an electrically thin uniaxially anisotropic substrate have been derived. The approach is to first obtain the quasi-dynamic term and refine its accuracy with a correction term valid for higher frequencies. The quasi-dynamic term conveys the influence of partial images and includes both transverse and vertical dielectric constants rt and rz. The correc- tion term, on the other hand, results in an expression that includes rz only. Results indicate excellent agreement with exact numerical solution over a significant band of frequencies and over a large range of spatial values. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 13: 161-168, 2003.