cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Actions of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide on Human Mesangial Cell Apoptosis and P53 Expression

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) of endothelial cell origin via NPR-B receptor mediates antimitogenic and vasodilatory actions. As a circulating endocrine system, CNP plays a fundamental role in cardiorenal regulation. However, the actions of CNP on renal mesangial cell apoptosis remain poorly defined. Apoptosis might plays an important role during development of renal glomerular mesangial cells pathophysiology. The mechanisms of apoptosis include p53-dependent pathway and p53-independent pathway.The hypothesis of this study is that CNP induces apoptosis through the process involving p53 gene in human glomerular mesangial cells via natriuretic peptide biological receptor. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of CNP on apoptosis and p53 expression in human mesangial cell in the absence or presence of CNP biological receptor antagonist.Cultured human mesangial cells (Clontech Lab., San Diego, CA) was incubated for 24 hours in the absence or presence of CNP (10-7 M). These studies were repeated with HS 142-1 (HS, 10-5 M), a CNP biological receptor antagonist.
Ultrasound and artificial intelligence

Abstract Medical ultrasound (US) is an indispensable medical imaging modality. It is nonionizing, portable, and can provide real-time visualization of tissue dynamics. In particular, US imaging of the heart, known as echocardiography, has been routinely used in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with heart disease. However, US is highly operator dependent, thus suffering from high intra- and intervariability. Leveraging recent advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning has been applied to circumvent existent limitations of US-based imaging. In this chapter, we highlight the recent progress and discuss remaining challenges as well as future opportunities. The focus is on cardiovascular applications, but common themes and differences for noncardiovascular applications are also summarized.
Substance and Form of the Palmrose/Kinney versus DeFond/Lennox/Zhang Debate

It may come as a surprise that “Substance over Form” is a purely accounting term and is not borrowed from the legal or classical literature. However, FASB (2010) removed it as a qualitative characteristic because it was deemed important and obvious enough as to be redundant with faithful representation. The Palmrose/Kinney (2018) versus DeFond/Lennox/Zhang (2018) debate is essentially about “substance over form”. Their debate demonstrates that FASB should restore “substance over form” to the conceptual framework.
Systems level roadmap for solvent recovery and reuse in industries.

Summary Recovering waste solvent for reuse presents an excellent alternative to improving the greenness of industrial processes. Implementing solvent recovery practices in the chemical industry is necessary, given the increasing focus on sustainability to promote a circular economy. However, the systematic design of recovery processes is a daunting task due to the complexities associated with waste stream composition, techno-economic analysis, and environmental assessment. Furthermore, the challenges to satisfy the desired product specifications, particularly in pharmaceuticals and specialty chemical industries, may also deter solvent recovery and reuse practices. To this end, this review presents a systems-level approach including various methodologies that can be implemented to design and evaluate efficient solvent recovery pathways.
Household factors associated with managing the HIV positive population and meeting the UNAIDS goals

# Background While poor countries have made progress attaining the The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) goals for 2025, continued progress depends on continued accessibility of program services, as well as continued improvements in compliant behavior by HIV positive populations. This paper examines household survey data in four African countries pertaining to those critical behaviors and identifies the key population barriers for attaining UNAIDS goals. # Methods This study used Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) survey data for Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, and Tanzania to examine household and other influences associated with effectively managing HIV-infected adults using three key outcomes: (i) self-awareness of HIV status, (ii) antiretroviral therapy adherence, and (iii) rate of viral load suppression (VLS). # Results Factors found to increase HIV risk also posed barriers to awareness and viral suppression, such as being young, having multiple partners, and having a job outside the home. Additional barriers to awareness and viral suppression were low education, low wealth, low knowledge of HIV, and the HIV status and gender of the household head. The most consistent factor influencing awareness and viral load suppression was the gender of the individual. Women were much more likely to be aware of their HIV status and more likely to be virally suppressed at rates almost twice as high as comparable men. Our analysis shows that the gender differential for awareness seems primarily due the testing and other services provided for women giving birth. We also found that the VLS gender gap was not related birthing-related services. # Conclusions The most substantial barrier to achieving UNAIDS goals appears to be poorer compliance by men regarding testing and sustained VLS. Routinely providing HIV testing and other HIV information during antenatal care (ANC) may have contributed to improved rates of HIV-status awareness of birthing-age women. New programs to routinely integrate HIV testing into men’s health care in workplaces or other settings could improve men’s awareness and compliance with treatment. Also needed are more effective interventions to target sectors of the population that are less likely to adhere to treatment regimens, such as persons with low-education levels, low wealth, and/or low knowledge of HIV.
Characteristics of Successful Integrated Plastic Surgery Applicants from US Allopathic Medical Schools without a Home Integrated Program.

OBJECTIVE Integrated plastic surgery (PS) is one of the most competitive residency programs, but current literature lacks data specific to matched applicants from medical schools without home integrated PS residency programs (NHP). Therefore, there is a need to examine this specific demographic of applicants to identify key factors that led to a successful match. DESIGN An anonymous survey was sent to PS residents who graduated from US allopathic medical schools with NHP. Survey questions focused on applicants' objective statistics (USMLE scores, research experiences, etc.), as well as various other factors, including access to resources and letters of recommendation. SETTING All US-based integrated plastic surgery residency programs. PARTICIPANTS PGY-1 through PGY-6 integrated PS residents who graduated from US allopathic medical schools with NHP. RESULTS The survey was distributed to 178 NHP residents from May to June of 2021, achieving a 55.1% response rate. Thirty-seven percent attended an institution with an independent, but not integrated, residency program. Average USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores were 248 ± 10.1 and 256 ± 9.7, respectively. Respondents reported having 9.8 ± 9.5 abstracts, presentations, and publications listed on their residency applications. NHP applicants had an average of 1.5 letters of recommendation written by away rotation faculty. Forty-five percent reported accessing resources at institutions with home integrated residency programs (HP), 55.6% of whom “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that this significantly helped in matching. CONCLUSION The USMLE Step scores and research experiences of NHP residents are similar to those which are reported among all matched applicants nationally. NHP respondents optimized their success by utilizing plastic surgery-related resources at their own institutions, while often seeking resources at other institutions.
Control of ACTH secretion by corticotropin-releasing factor(s).

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the control of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). The synthesis and release of the hormones of the adenohypophysis are controlled by substances released from nerve endings in the hypothalamus and conveys to the anterior pituitary gland by the portal vessels. The evidence that demonstrates the fundamental importance of the hypothalamus and the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal vessels came primarily from experiments that involve pituitary stalk transection, transplantation of the pituitary gland to a site remote from the sella turcica, and selective destruction or stimulation of the hypothalamus. The realization that the hypothalamus contains substances capable of affecting pituitary activity attempts to isolate and identify these neurohormones. Several hypothalamic releasing hormones are isolated and their structures are determined. It is postulated that each pituitary hormone is controlled by a single hypothalamic hormone. Many aspects of Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release are modulated by the central nervous system (CNS). Such regulation is mediated by a corticotropin-releasing factor. The production of CRF occurs within neurosecretory cells that share their secretory properties and the property of synaptic activation by neurotransmitter substances with other nerve cells.
Vapor-phase polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on commercial carbon coated aluminum foil as enhanced electrodes for supercapacitors

Abstract Laminar composite electrodes are prepared for application in supercapacitors using a catalyzed vapor-phase polymerization (VPP) of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) on the surface of commercial carbon coated aluminum foil. These highly electrically conducting polymer films provide for rapid and stable power storage per gram at room temperature. The chemical composition, surface morphology and electrical properties are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and conducting atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). A series of electrical measurements including cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge–discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are also used to evaluate electrical performance. The processing temperature of VPP shows a significant effect on PEDOT morphology, the degree of orientation and its electrical properties. The relatively high temperature leads to high specific area and large conductive domains of PEDOT layer which benefits the capacitive behavior greatly according to the data presented. Since the substrate is already highly conductive, the PEDOT based composite can be used as electrode materials directly without adding current collector. By this simple and efficient process, PEDOT based composites exhibit specific capacitance up to 134 F g−1 with the polymerization temperature of 110 °C.
Dr. Reichelderfer Replies

We agree with Dr. Hall that better automotive restraint systems should be developed for intermediate children who weigh more than 22 kg and for early adolescents. A double air bag passive device has been perfected in Japan that appears to be effective for all children in head-on accidents. Until these newer devices are available, children weighing more than 22 kg should be placed on a firm cushion and strapped with the seat belt while sitting upright against the back of the seat.
Effect of food concentration on the production and viability of resting eggs of the rotifer Brachionus: implications for the timing of sexual reproduction

Summary 1. Life-table experiments with Brachionus calyciflorus test several hypotheses related to the idea that sexual reproduction in monogonont rotifers should occur when food resources are favourable. 2. The food concentration necessary for a fertilised mictic female to produce one phenotypically normal resting egg was higher than that for an amictic female to produce one daughter. At the lowest concentration of Cryptomonas erosa (1.25 × 103 cells mL−1), the lifetime fecundity of these two types of females was 0.9 and 1.4, respectively. 3. The lifetime fecundity of both fertilised mictic females and amictic females increased with food concentration to 3.4 resting eggs and 15.2 daughters female−1, respectively. The approach to maximal fecundity with increasing food concentration was more rapid for fertilised mictic females, such that their lifetime fecundity relative to that of amictic females gradually decreased from 0.64 (at 1.25 × 103 C. erosa mL−1) to 0.22 (at 2.5 × 104 C. erosa mL−1). 4. The probability of a fertilised mictic female producing one or more abnormal resting eggs during her lifetime was high (approximately 75%). The mean proportion of abnormal eggs produced per female varied among the different food-concentration treatments (26–38%) but was not higher at the low food concentrations. 5. The proportion of normal resting eggs that hatched was high (51–71%); those produced at low food concentrations were no less likely to hatch than those produced at high food concentrations. No abnormal resting eggs hatched. 6. The probability of a fertilised mictic female producing an abnormal resting egg increased rapidly with her age at all food concentrations. The probability of a normal resting egg hatching declined with maternal age at the low food concentration in one of two experiments. 7. The results support the idea that induction of mictic females should occur when food resources are good. Coincidence of sexual reproduction with low food availability risks low production of resting eggs for several reasons. Population size may be small, with a low probability of encounters between young mictic females and males, and fertilised mictic females may be unable to mature and produce resting eggs.
Father involvement with their nonmarital children : Patterns, determinants, and effects on their earnings

SUMMARY The expanding consensus about the advantages of two-parent families, together with the rising number of children growing up without the presence of both parents, has stimulated policy-makers to look for ways of increasing fathers' involvement. This paper examines two sets of questions relevant to these policy initiatives. The first concerns the patterns of involvement between fathers and children born outside of marriage. The paper defines father involvement as a continuum ranging from no visitation, to frequent visitation, to co-residence with the child, and to co-residence along with marrying the mother. We examine this involvement in specific years and over time. One key finding is that most fathers of nonmarital children in their late twenties and early thirties are highly involved with at least one of their nonmarital children. In addition, we find that cohabiting relationships and frequent visitation are often unstable, sometimes changing toward lower involvement, while in other cases changi...
Goal Directed Strategies for Paramodulation

It is well-known that the set of support strategy is incomplete in paramodulation theorem provers if paramodulation into variables is forbidden. In this paper, we present a paramodulation calculus for which the combination of these two restrictions is complete, based on a lazy form of the paramodulation rule which delays parts of the unification step. The refutational completeness of this method is proved by transforming proofs given by other paramodulation strategies into set of support proofs using this new inference rule. Finally, we consider the completeness of various refinements of the method, and conclude by discussing related work and future directions.
Kinetics of viral deoxyribonucleic acid, protein, and infectious particle production and alterations in host macromolecular syntheses in equine abortion (herpes) virus-infected cells.

Abstract Infection of exponential-phase suspension cultures of mouse fibroblast cells (L-M) with equine abortion virus (EAV) resulted in inhibition of cell growth and marked alterations in host metabolic processes. The synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid was inhibited within 4 hr after infection and was suppressed by more than 90% by the time of maximal virus replication (14 to 18 hr). The overall rate of protein synthesis, however, was similar in uninfected and virus-producing cells as determined by measurements of net protein and isotope incorporation. The time course of viral DNA and protein synthesis and assembly into mature virus was determined with the inhibitors 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) and cycloheximide, respectively. Thus, viral DNA synthesis was essentially completed at 14 hr, and viral protein and infectious virus synthesis was completed at 18 hr. Although the number of plaque-forming units (PFU) produced by FUdR-treated cells (103 to 104 PFU/ml) was at least 3 logs less than that produced by untreated cells, the yield of physical particles (as determined by electron microscopy) was approximately the same at 30 hr after infection. Besides being relatively non-infective, the particles produced in FUdR-treated cells appeared morphologically incomplete as they contained little or no nucleoid material.
Dependence Analysis in Parallel Loops with i±k Subscripts

Dependence analysis in sequential loops is well understood, but little work has been done on dependence analysis in explicitly parallel loops. In this paper we describe a technique for performing dependence analysis in explicitly parallel loops when all subscripts are of form i ± k, where k is an integer constant. Our technique is the only one we know of that performs subscript based dependence analysis in parallel loops.
The Communist Party in Power: Mao’s Political Thought and the Party Organization

When the civil war resumed after the breakdown of peace negotiations in 1947, the Communists intensified their efforts to win popular support for the eventual control of the country. On October 10, 1947, the “Chinese People’s Liberation Army” issued a declaration, calling upon all the Chinese people to overthrow the National Government and build a new China on the basis of Communist programs. On the same day, a new land law was announced. It was to be enforced in the “liberated areas” for the re-distribution of land among the peasants.
Garden Counseling Groups and Self-Esteem: A Mixed Methods Study With Children With Emotional and Behavioral Problems

This research study focused on the use of a garden group counseling intervention to address the self-esteem of children with emotional and behavioral problems. The researchers found higher self-esteem among participants (N = 31) following the gardening group. Additionally, participants discussed feeling calm and happy and learning to working together through the group experience.
Effects of structural Fe oxidation state on the coupling of interlayer water and structural Si-O stretching vibrations in montmorillonite

The reduction of structural Fe affects many surface chemical properties of smectite clay minerals, including their hydration and interfacial forces. To expand our knowledge of these processes, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the effects of structural Fe oxidation state and hydration on layer Si−O stretching vibrations in montmorillonite. Aqueous gels of unaltered, reduced, and reoxidized smectites were equilibrated at different water contents, mw/mc, and swelling pressures, Π, using a miniature pressure membrane apparatus. One part of each gel was used for the gravimetric determination of mw/mc. The other part was transferred to an attenuated total reflectance cell in the FTIR spectrometer where the spectrum of the gel was measured. The frequencies of four component peaks of Si−O stretching, νSi-O, in montmorillonite layers and of the H−O−H bending, ν2, in the interlayer water were determined by using a curve-fitting technique. Reduction of structural Fe shifted the ...
CFD Analysis of the First-Stage Rotor and Stator in a Two-Stage Mixed Flow Pump

A commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is used to compute the flow field within the first-stage rotor and stator of a two-stage mixed flow pump. The code solves the 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations in rotating and stationary cylindrical coordinate systems for the rotor and stator, respectively. Turbulence effects are modeled using a standard k − e turbulence model. Stage design parameters are rotational speed 890 rpm , flow coefficient φ = 0.116 , head coefficient ψ = 0.094 , and specific speed 2.01 (5475 US). Results from the study include velocities, and static and total pressures for both the rotor and stator. Comparison is made to measured data for the rotor. The comparisons in the paper are for circumferentially averaged results and include axial and tangential velocities, static pressure, and total pressure profiles. Results of this study show that the computational results closely match the shapes and magnitudes of the measured profiles, indicating that CFD can be used to accurately predict performance.
Physiological aspects of growth and heteroblastic development of Nasturtium officinale under natural conditions

Abstract The morphological and physiological status of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. was observed over a 13 month period under natural environmental conditions. Chemical analyses (total sugars, reducing sugars, starch, protein and chlorophyll) of leaves, roots, and apical portions from selected plants were carried out bi-weekly. Significant changes in all of these compounds occurred during specific stages of morphological development. There was an apparent build up of carbohydrates and protein prior to bolting, followed by a marked utilization of these compounds accompanying bolting. Increases in carbohydrates and protein occurred coincident with floral development. Decreases in protein and nearly complete utilization of non-reducing sugars occurred as fruiting spikes developed. Heteroblastic development, involving changes in number, size, and shape of leaflets and changes in internal and external features of the stem, occurred during the bolting-pre-flowering stage. The late flowering-fruiting stage and immediately succeeding stages revealed a reversal of the initial heteroblastic sequence. Subsequent new growth displayed an initiation of a second heteroblastic sequence. Variations in physiological features accompanying the latter were similar to those recorded during the initial heteroblastic sequence. Morphological development and to some extent physiological changes appeared to be strongly controlled by photoperiod, but direct involvement of growth regulators such as gibberellins could not be ruled out.
Cyclic Load Tests of SFRM-Insulated Steel Gravity Frame Beam-Column Connection Assemblies

AbstractEarthquake-induced damage to structural components and spray-applied fire-resistive material (SFRM) in steel gravity frame beam-column connection regions can impact connection performance during an ensuing fire. Bolted connections are particularly susceptible to failure at elevated temperatures due to a rapid loss in bolt capacity with increasing temperature, which occurs at an accelerated rate compared to the thermal degradation of structural steel. In order to characterize structural and SFRM damage over a range of seismic drift demands, two large-scale SFRM insulated beam-column connection assemblies utilizing single-plate and unstiffened seated connection designs, with composite floor slabs, were tested under combined gravity and lateral loading. SFRM cracking, debonding, and spalling were observed during both tests, exposing critical connection elements. In addition, the single-plate connection assembly, which was developed in accordance with U.S. national guidelines but contained design feat...
Nonlinear Optical Standing Waves in Overdense Plasmas

A new class of exact standing-wave solutions of the Maxwell cold-plasma equations with fixed ions is described. The waves are transverse, and circularly polarized. These solutions permit an analytical treatment of intense wave penetration into inhomogeneous plasmas with fixed ions.
A 4 K to 20 K rotational-cooling magnetic refrigerator capable of 1mW to > 1W operation

The low-temperature, magnetic entropy of certain single-crystal paramagnetic materials, such as DyPO/sub 4/, changes dramatically as the crystal rotates in a magnetic field. A new magnetic refrigerator design based on the anisotropic nature of such materials is presented. The key advantages of the rotational-cooling concept are (1) a single, rotary motion is required, (2) magnetic field shaping is not a problem because the entire working material is in a constant field, and (3) the refrigerator can be smaller than comparable magnetic refrigerators because the working material is entirely inside the magnet at all times. The main disadvantage of the rotational-cooling concept is that small-dimension single crystals are required.
Management of AIDS-related lymphoma.

Purpose of review With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, the epidemiology of AIDS-lymphoma has changed, and prognosis has improved. Paradigms of therapy have changed. Although the incidence of AIDS-lymphoma has decreased, the incidence of HIV-associated Hodgkin's lymphoma has increased; mechanisms for these changes in epidemiology will be discussed. Recent findings Use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, either concomitantly or immediately after completion of chemotherapy, has resulted in rates of complete remission and survival that are similar to those in HIV-negative patients. The use of rituximab, while initially controversial because of reports of increased risk of infectious death, is associated with improved outcome; the increased risk of infectious death has not been confirmed. The infusional etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin regimen is associated with excellent results. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant is associated with long-term, disease-free survival in approximately 50–80% of patients with relapsed/refractory AIDS-lymphoma. Summary Highly active antiretroviral therapy should be used with chemotherapy. Addition of rituximab is associated with improved response rates, without an increase in infections. Infusional etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin is associated with excellent results among patients with either diffuse large B cell lymphoma or Burkitt's lymphoma. Optimal therapy for patients with HIV–Hodgkin's lymphoma has not yet been defined.
Photochromic nanocomposites of bipyridinium dications and semiconductor quantum dots

We have developed photochromic materials based on the photoinduced transfer of electrons from CdSe–ZnS core–shell quantum dots to bipyridinium dications.
Solutal convection induced macrosegregation and the dendrite to composite transition in off-eutectic alloys

The effect of solute gradient induced convection during vertical solidification on the macrosegregation of Pb-rich Pb-Sn off-eutectic alloys is determined experimentally as a function of composition and growth rate. In many cases macrosegregation is sufficient to prevent the plane front solidification of the alloy. The transition from dendritic to composite structure is found to occur when the composition of the solid is close enough to the eutectic composition to satisfy a stability criterion based onGL/V (liquid temperature gradient/growth rate). A vertical or horizontal magnetic field of 0.1 T (1 kilogauss) does not reduce macrosegregation, but downward solidification (liquid below solid) virtually eliminates macrosegregation in small (∼3 mm) diameter samples.
Hydrogen Uptake by an Alkali Metal Ion

Quantum-chemical calculations including correlations have been carried out to study the amount and nature of hydrogen uptake by a Li atom in neutral as well as in ionic form. We have found that while the neutral Li atom cannot bind more than one hydrogen atom, the cation can bind a large number of hydrogen atoms in molecular form. This contrasting behavior originates from the fact that the bonding of hydrogen with neutral Li is covalent while that with the cation is primarily caused by polarization. The bonding of hydrogen with the Li− ion exhibits dual nature. The first H2 molecule binds to the anion dissociatively while the subsequent H2 molecule can only exist in a "physisorbed" state.
On Fiber Rejection Loss in Flotation Deinking

Reducing fiber rejection loss in flotation deinking is very important to conserve natural resources and reduce the cost of secondary fibers in paper recycling. This study examined two aspects of the problem, fiber consistency in the rejection stream and rate of froth (or wet stream) rejection. Flotation experiments were conducted using both nylon and wood fibers in column and commercial bench-scale flotation deinking cells. It was found that increased froth stability resulted in a lower fiber consistency in the wet reject stream. However, it also increased rejection rate of the wet stream. As a result, the total fiber rejection loss was increased with the increase of froth stability. The results obtained suggest that controlling froth stability through reducing frother application and froth rejection are effective ways to reduce fiber yield loss in flotation deinking. This study also experimentally measured water and fiber drainage in fiber suspended froth to explain the effect of froth stability on fiber consistency in the reject stream using froth drainage dynamics. Il est tres important de reduire la perte de rejet de fibres dans le desencrage par flottation afin de conserver les ressources naturelles et de reduire le cout des fibres secondaires dans le recyclage du papier. Dans cette etude, on examine deux aspects du probleme : la consistance des fibres dans le courant de rejet et le taux de rejet de mousse (ou courant de rejet humide). Des experiences de flottation ont ete menees a l'aide de fibres de nylon et de bois dans une colonne et dans une cellule de desencrage par flottation commerciale de taille reduite. On a trouve que l'augmentation de la stabilite de la mousse diminue la consistance des fibres dans le courant de rejet humide. Toutefois, cela augmente aussi le taux de rejet du courant humide. En consequence, la perte de rejet de fibres totale augmente avec la stabilite de la mousse. Les resultats obtenus suggerent que le controle de la stabilite de la mousse par reduction de l'application d'agent moussant et du rejet de mousse est un moyen efficace pour reduire la perte de rendement de fibres dans le desencrage par flottation. Dans cette etude, on a egalement mesure de maniere experimentale le drainage de l'eau et des fibres dans une suspension de mousse de fibres pour expliquer l'effet de la stabilite de la mousse sur la consistance des fibres dans le courant de rejet a l'aide de la dynamique de drainage de la mousse.
Radiosynthesis of N5-[18F]fluoroacetylornithine (N5-[18F]FAO) for PET imaging of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in malignant tumors

Polyamines are naturally occurring polycations derived from amino acids via decarboxylation by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Ornithine is a substrate for ODC; decarboxylation of ornithine is inhibited by difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and its derivatives. Polyamine contents are increased in many epithelial cancers, including breast cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancer. In order to image and measure the levels of ODC expression in malignant tumors, we have synthesized a derivative of ornithine, N5-[18F]fluoroacetylornithine (N5-[18F]FAO), for use in positron emission tomography. The precursor compound N2-Boc-N5-bromoacetylornithine-t-butyl ester 2 was synthesized from 5-amino-2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)pentanoic acid, which was reacted with bromoacetyl chloride followed by esterification with tert-butyl-2,2,2-trichloroacetamidate. Fluorination of the precursor produced a fluoro-derivative, which was hydrolyzed in acid to obtain the desired compound, N5-fluoroacetylornithine. The radiosynthesis of N5-[18F]FAO was accomplished by radiofluorination of 2 with n-Bu4N[18F], followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification and then by acid hydrolysis. The radiochemical yield was 6–10% (decay corrected) with an average of 8% (n=10) at the end of synthesis. The radiochemical purity was >99%, and specific activity was >1500 mCi/µmol. The synthesis time was 95–100 min from the end of bombardment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three Research Traditions in the Study of Adolescents in Divorced Families: Quasi-Experimental, Developmental; Clinical; and Family Sociological:

A selective and critical review of research focused on adolescents in divorced families is provided. Three traditions of research on adolescents in divorced families are portrayed-family sociological, clinical, and quasi-experimental, developmental. These traditions are evaluated on seven research criteria, examples of each tradition are presented, and suggestions are made for improving the quality of research in each of the traditions. A call is made for multi-method studies in the developmental tradition that focus on a fine-grained analysis of post-divorce family functioning over time.
Interpretation and use of microbiological findings in dental caries.

Dental caries results from the interaction of specific bacteria with sugars on a susceptible tooth surface. Although it is generally accepted that caries is an infectious and transmissible disease, expression of the infection is heavily dependent upon frequent ingestion of sugars. The populations of organisms associated with dental caries are influenced by dietary constituents. Therefore the interpretation of results from any laboratory tests should not be done in isolation but should include clinical examination and history. Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli are the organisms most frequently used to monitor caries activity. There are a wide range of media suitable for growth of the microorganism although none is completely satisfactory. The use of adenylate energy charge and fluorescent antibody techniques might provide more precise results than those currently available. Results from tests may be used to monitor infection levels in young persons, to determine compliance with preventive regimens, identify groups who have high risk of developing caries and in the development of suitable groups for clinical trials.
Cyclizations of some furyl acid chlorides

Abstract Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of the furan ring has been accomplished in good yields with stannic chloride for both furyl isomers of butyryl acid chloride. The propionyl chloride isomers, however, failed to produce reasonable quantities of the cyclic ketone.
Contact angle hysteresis in multiphase systems

Contact angle (CA) hysteresis is the difference between the maximum (advancing) and minimum (receding) water CA. Hysteresis is caused by adhesion hysteresis in the solid–water contact area (2D effect) and by pinning of the solid–water–air triple line due to the surface roughness (1D effect). In this work, we show that CA hysteresis is present also in more complex systems, such as an organic liquid (oil) in contact with a solid immersed in water. In order to decouple the 1D and 2D effects, we study CA hysteresis in solid–water–air (droplet), solid–air–water (bubble), solid–water–oil, and solid–water–air–oil systems involving rough and microstructured surfaces. The comparative analysis of these systems allows decoupling the 1D and 2D effects as well as hydrogen bonding and entropic forces (water–air tension) and dispersion forces (oil–air tension).
Epoxy-photopolymer composites: thick recording media for holographic data storage

Archival data-storage based on holographic methods requires high performance recording materials. Here, we describe an epoxy-photopolymer composite material which is sensitive to visible light and can be fabricated as thick films. These materials are prepared by combining photopolymerizable vinyl monomers with a liquid epoxy resin and an amine hardener. As the epoxy cures at room temperature, a solid matrix is formed which surrounds the unreacted photopolymer. These vinyl monomers are subsequently photopolymerized during hologram recording. Typically the material consists of a low index matrix, composed of diethylenetriamine and 1,4- butanediol diglycidyl ether, and a high index photopolymer mixture of N-vinylcarbazole and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone. Because the polymers can be prepared in thick formats, narrow angular bandwidth holograms with high diffraction efficiency can be recorded. A dynamic range up to 13 has been measured in these materials.
On the origin of the Basic Variety

Three of the points made in Klein and Perdue's paper are addressed. The presence of the basic word order Agent-Verb-Patient in the Basic Variety may simply reflect the salience of this basic word order in the target language, as is also suggested by some comparable data from creoles. Complexity can indeed arise as a language tries to pay heed to competing, if not conflicting, demands, although it can also arise as a historical accretion of changes that are in themselves simple and natural.While the Basic Variety may serve the communicative functions of true languages, it remains to be shown that it can fulfil their cognitive function.
Attitudes and preferences toward co-operative agreements for management of private forestlands in the North-eastern United States

Forest fragmentation is increasing throughout much of the United States. Co-operative management agreements are a potential solution to this problem and this case study suggests that non-industrial private landowners in the North-eastern United States are as likely to undertake collaborative management programs as they are to undertake the same management programs independently. However, the probability of undertaking any of the management programs examined in this study was low, suggesting that incentives for co-operative management between landowners may be needed. And, regardless of whether management is co-operative or independent, the estimated probability of program adoption is higher when management focuses on amenities, such as wildlife habitat, compared to timber harvests.
Radiation conductance of a slot covered with anisotropic plasma

The radiation characteristics of an infinitesimal slot situated on an infinite perfectly conducting ground plane and covered by an anisotropic plasma layer are investigated, for the case of the magnetostatic field parallel to the ground plane but perpendicular to the slot. The radiation conductance of the slot contributed by the space waves and the power pattern are evaluated, and their dependence on the thickness of the plasma sheath, the signal frequency, the strength of the magnetostatic field and the effective collision frequency is examined. It is found that a suitable application of a static magnetic field increases the radiation conductance and the power pattern, for practically all directions, and these improvements are obtained even though the static magnetic field is not strong enough to render the plasma transparent for any direction of propagation.
Ethanol sensitivity in high drinking in the dark selectively bred mice.

Background Mouse lines are being selectively bred in replicate for high blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) achieved after a short period of ethanol (EtOH) drinking early in the circadian dark phase. High Drinking in the Dark-1 (HDID-1) mice were in selected generation S18, and the replicate HDID-2 line in generation S11. Methods To determine other traits genetically correlated with high DID, we compared naive animals from both lines with the unselected, segregating progenitor stock, HS/Npt. Differences between HDID-1 and HS would imply commonality of genetic influences on DID and these traits. Results HDID-1 mice showed less basal activity, greater EtOH stimulated activity, and greater sensitivity to EtOH-induced foot slips than HS. They showed lesser sensitivity to acute EtOH hypothermia and longer duration loss of righting reflex than HS. HDID-1 and control HS lines did not differ in sensitivity on 2 measures of intoxication, the balance beam and the accelerating rotarod. None of the acute response results could be explained by differences in EtOH metabolism. HDID-2 differed from HS on some, but not all, of the above responses. Conclusions These results show that some EtOH responses share common genetic control with reaching high BECs after DID, a finding consistent with other data regarding genetic contributions to EtOH responses.
Octreotide stimulates Ca++ secretion by the gallbladder: A risk factor for gallstones

Abstract Background: Gallstone formation during octreotide therapy has been linked to elevated levels of gallbladder bile Ca ++ , a well-known prolithogenic factor. Although the subcutaneous administration of octreotide raises gallbladder bile Ca ++ in prairie dogs, the mechanism for this effect is unknown. Octreotide has been shown to increase gallbladder Na + and water absorption in Ussing chamber studies. Given the known effects of octreotide on gallbladder ion transport, we hypothesized that octreotide may also promote gallstone formation by stimulating gallbladder Ca ++ secretion, thereby raising the lumenal concentration of biliary Ca ++ . Methods: After cholecystectomy, prairie dog gallbladders were mounted in Ussing chambers, and standard electrophysiologic parameters were recorded. Unidirectional fluxes of Ca ++ and Na + were measured before and after serosal exposure to 50 nmol/L octreotide. Results: Under basal conditions normal prairie dog gallbladder absorbed mucosal Ca ++ . Serosal octreotide converted the gallbladder from a state of basal Ca ++ absorption to one of net Ca ++ secretion by stimulating serosa to mucosa Ca ++ flux. As anticipated, octreotide increased net Na + absorption by stimulating mucosa to serosa Na + flux and decreased tissue conductance and short-circuit current significantly compared with baseline values. Conclusion: Fifty nanomoles per liter octreotide stimulated Ca ++ secretion by gallbladder epithelium, a possible mechanism for increased biliary Ca ++ in prairie dogs receiving subcutaneous injections. Ca ++ secretion linked to octreotide therapy may induce gallstones by raising biliary levels of Ca ++ , a known prolithogenic factor. (Surgery 1999;125:509-13.)
Shifting the criterion is not the difficult part of trial-by-trial criterion shifts in recognition memory

In recognition memory, participants often fail to shift their response criterion within a test even when they see cues signaling whether they should expect weak or strong memory (e.g., Stretch & Wixted Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 24, 1397–1410, 1998b). We contrasted two possible accounts for this failure to shift. The first assumes that shifting the criterion requires effortful processing, so participants are unwilling to make shifts even when they expect different levels of strength. The second assumes that participants are unwilling to decide which strength category is indicated by the cue for each trial, so their expectations for memory strength do not change across trials. Targets appeared in different test formats (“cues”) depending on whether they were studied once (weak) or five times (strong), and lures were evenly divided between the two formats. Some participants had two response keys for “old” and “new” (2-key), and others had to use different keys to respond “old” for the two strength cues (3-key). The goal of the 3-key condition was to force participants to decide which strength cue was presented on each trial. The 3-key participants had a lower false alarm rate for lures shown with the strong than with the weak cue, but the 2-key participants showed no evidence of a criterion shift. Response times were unaffected by trial-by-trial criterion shifts. We conclude that participants willingly shift their response criterion on the basis of changes in expected strength, but they are unwilling to decide which strength to expect unless they are compelled to do this by other aspects of the task.
Local cerebral glucose metabolism in rats with chronic portacaval shunts.

Local cerebral glucose utilization was measured with the autoradiographic [14C]deoxyglucose method in rats at 2 days and 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the construction of a portacaval shunt, and in weight-matched controls. Local glucose utilization in brain was altered in shunted animals, but the magnitude and direction of the changes differed among 36 neuroanatomical structures, depending upon the length of time that the animals had been shunted. In rats shunted for 4 weeks or less, glucose utilization did not differ from control (30 of 36 structures) or was decreased (6 structures). The largest decreases of glucose utilization, noted at 1 week, occurred in the parietal (– 25%) and frontal cortices (– 28%) and subcortical white matter (– 50%). In rats shunted for 8 weeks, however, glucose utilization was higher than control in many brain structures (13 of 36), and after 12 weeks it was higher than control in most structures (25 of 36). Only the parietal cortex did not follow this trend; it exhibited a decr...
MACROMOLECULAR SYNTHESIS IN ORGAN CULTURES OF NEONATAL RAT LUNG

Organ cultures of newborn rat lungs synthesize and accumulate DNA, RNA, collagen and noncollagenous proteins almost at a linear rate for at least 5 days. During this period the synthesis of collagen consistently exceeds the synthesis of noncollagenous proteins in a pattern similar to neonatal lung growth in vivo. Although some morphological characteristics of lung architecture are distorted after culture, fundamental structural similarities to lungs growing in intact animals are retained. When these cultures are maintained in atmospheres rich in oxygen, increased collagen synthesis is observed, a response similar to that of lungs in intact animals exposed to high oxygen concentrations in vivo. Our studies suggest that lung organ cultures may be a suitable system for investigating the biochemical aspects of lung tissue-environmental interaction.
Prostaglandins and epithelial response to injury

Purpose of reviewThis review will highlight recent studies in the role of prostaglandins in regulating the epithelial response to injury in the gastrointestinal tract.Recent findingsProstaglandins, particularly PGE2, regulate intestinal epithelial apoptosis and proliferation in the face of injury. I
Applying genetic approaches to the treatment of nicotine dependence.

To advance the science of tobacco control, an enhanced understanding of the bio-behavioral basis of nicotine addiction is needed. In this study, we provide an overview of data from investigations of genetic factors in smoking behavior, discuss potential bio-behavioral mechanisms and effect modifiers, and suggest avenues for pharmacogenetics research in the area of smoking cessation treatment. The evidence to date is very consistent with respect to the significance of genetic contributions to smoking behavior. However, attempts to elucidate the role of specific genetic variants have met with mixed success. Explanations for the lack of consistency in the results of genetic association studies include biases in ascertainment, ethnic admixture, lack of attention to co-variates or modifiers of genetic risk, and the need for more refined phenotypes. As the field of genetics and smoking research progresses, increasing attention is being devoted to gene–environment interactions, with particular attention to the identification of genetic variants that may modify the effects of pharmacological treatment for smoking. With advances in molecular biology and genomics technology, individualized tailoring of smoking cessation therapy to genotype is within our grasp. Such research has the potential to improve treatment outcome, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality from smoking-related disease.