cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MRI of a painful carpal boss: variations at the extensor carpi radialis brevis insertion and imaging findings in regional traumatic and overuse injuries

To report patterns of MRI findings involving carpal boss and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon insertion in individuals with overuse-related or post-traumatic wrist pain. Eighty-four MRI cases with carpal bossing between December 2006 and June 2015 were analyzed by two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. The following MRI findings were reviewed: type of carpal bossing (bony prominence, partial coalition, os styloideum), insertion of ECRB tendon (to the 3rd metacarpal, to carpal boss or to both), bone marrow edema (BME), insertion site, and tenosynovitis/tendinosis of ECRB tendon. Clinical information on wrist pain was available on 68 patients. Fused carpal bossing was detected in 21%, partial coalition in 35%, and os styloideum in 44% of the cases. Regional BME was observed in 64% of the cases. When BME specifically at the carpal boss was assessed, 78% of stable and 50% of unstable bosses showed BME (p = 0.035). ECRB tendon inserted on a carpal boss in 20%, on the 3rd metacarpal bone in 35%, and on both sites in 45% of the cases. As BME at the carpal boss was assessed, BME was detected at the respective insertion sites in 71%, 35%, and 66% of the cases (p = 0.015). Dorsal wrist pain was associated with BME as 75% of the patients had regional BME in the vicinity of the carpal boss (p = 0.006). A spectrum ranging from complete fusion of a boss to an entirely unfused os styloideum exists with a variable ECRB insertional anatomy. BME at the carpal boss is a consistent MRI finding.
Investigation of multi-trait associations using pathway-based analysis of GWAS summary statistics.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in identifying disease-associated genetic variants. Recently, an increasing number of GWAS summary statistics have been made available to the research community, providing extensive repositories for studies of human complex diseases. In particular, cross-trait associations at the genetic level can be beneficial from large-scale GWAS summary statistics by using genetic variants that are associated with multiple traits. However, direct assessment of cross-trait associations using susceptibility loci has been challenging due to the complex genetic architectures in most diseases, calling for advantageous methods that could integrate functional interpretation and imply biological mechanisms. We developed an analytical framework for systematic integration of cross-trait associations. It incorporates two different approaches to detect enriched pathways and requires only summary statistics. We demonstrated the framework using 25 traits belonging to four phenotype groups. Our results revealed an average of 54 significantly associated pathways (ranged between 18 and 175) per trait. We further proved that pathway-based analysis provided increased power to estimate cross-trait associations compared to gene-level analysis. Based on Fisher’s Exact Test (FET), we identified a total of 24 (53) pairs of trait-trait association at adjusted pFET < 1 × 10− 3 (pFET < 0.01) among the 25 traits. Our trait-trait association network revealed not only many relationships among the traits within the same group but also novel relationships among traits from different groups, which warrants further investigation in future. Our study revealed that risk variants for 25 different traits aggregated in particular biological pathways and that these pathways were frequently shared among traits. Our results confirmed known mechanisms and also suggested several novel insights into the etiology of multi-traits.
Impact of epitope density on CD8+ T cell development and function.

Effective immune responses against intracellular pathogens and tumors frequently rely upon CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In turn, CTL detection of foreign material from viruses and bacteria depends on antigen presentation by the MHC class I pathway. The underpinnings of antigen processing and presentation and, subsequent T cell activation and immunological memory development, have been extensively studied, leading to a better understanding of the balance between antigen dose, context, and, the T cell activation threshold. Still, the complexity of this process leads to apparent contradictions that hinder construction of rational strategies for generating optimal CD8 + T cell responses in a variety of settings. In this review we consolidate the current knowledge around the effects of peptide MHC I complex (pMHC) density and kinetics on CD8 + T cell responses and function during the acute phase of an infection.
Balancing Research and Service in Academia: Gender, Race, and Laboratory Tasks:

Our study highlights specific ways in which race and gender create inequality in the workplace. Using in-depth interviews with 67 biology PhD students, we show how engagement with research and serv...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Environmental Risk Factors: Diet and Gut Microbiota

This review specifically explores the affect that diet has on the gut microbiota and its role on the increasing incidence of IBD around the world in developing countries. The emergence of IBD is consistently observed as a society becomes developed and westernized implicating the critical role that environmental factors play. Environmental factors that could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of IBD include westernization of diet and improved hygiene status. Westernization of diet is associated with changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota, which could affect the development of the immune system and thus influence the risk of disease occurrence. There remains an important need for extensive and rigorous studies focused on the role of environmental exposures on IBD management. Specifically, if environmental factors can be modified to decrease the possibility of relapse or improve patient quality of life.
RNA sequencing identifies transcriptional changes in the rabbit larynx in response to low humidity challenge

Voice disorders are a worldwide problem impacting human health, particularly for occupational voice users. Avoidance of surface dehydration is commonly prescribed as a protective factor against the development of dysphonia. The available literature inconclusively supports this practice and a biological mechanism for how surface dehydration of the laryngeal tissue affects voice has not been described. In this study, we used an in vivo male New Zealand white rabbit model to elucidate biological changes based on gene expression within the vocal folds from surface dehydration. Surface dehydration was induced by exposure to low humidity air (18.6% + 4.3%) for 8 h. Exposure to moderate humidity (43.0% + 4.3%) served as the control condition. Ilumina-based RNA sequencing was performed and used for transcriptome analysis with validation by RT-qPCR. There were 103 statistically significant differentially expressed genes identified through Cuffdiff with 61 genes meeting significance by both false discovery rate and fold change. Functional annotation enrichment and predicted protein interaction mapping showed enrichment of various loci, including cellular stress and inflammatory response, ciliary function, and keratinocyte development. Eight genes were selected for RT-qPCR validation. Matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) and macrophage cationic peptide 1 (MCP1) were significantly upregulated and an epithelial chloride channel protein (ECCP) was significantly downregulated after surface dehydration by RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR. Suprabasin (SPBN) and zinc activated cationic channel (ZACN) were marginally, but non-significantly down- and upregulated as evidenced by RT-qPCR, respectively. The data together support the notion that surface dehydration induces physiological changes in the vocal folds and justifies targeted analysis to further explore the underlying biology of compensatory fluid/ion flux and inflammatory mediators in response to airway surface dehydration.
Amacrine Cells Forming Gap Junctions With Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells: ipRGC Types, Neuromodulator Contents, and Connexin Isoform.

Purpose Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) signal not only centrally to non-image-forming visual centers of the brain but also intraretinally to amacrine interneurons through gap junction electrical coupling, potentially modulating image-forming retinal processing. We aimed to determine (1) which ipRGC types couple with amacrine cells, (2) the neuromodulator contents of ipRGC-coupled amacrine cells, and (3) whether connexin36 (Cx36) contributes to ipRGC-amacrine coupling. Methods Gap junction-permeable Neurobiotin tracer was injected into green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled ipRGCs in Opn4Cre/+; Z/EG mice to stain coupled amacrine cells, and immunohistochemistry was performed to reveal the neuromodulator contents of the Neurobiotin-stained amacrine cells. We also created Opn4Cre/+; Cx36flox/flox; Z/EG mice to knock out Cx36 in GFP-labeled ipRGCs and looked for changes in the number of ipRGC-coupled amacrine cells. Results Seventy-three percent of ipRGCs, including all six types (M1-M6), were tracer-coupled with amacrine somas 5.7 to 16.5 µm in diameter but not with ganglion cells. Ninety-two percent of the ipRGC-coupled somas were in the ganglion cell layer and the rest in the inner nuclear layer. Some ipRGC-coupled amacrine cells were found to accumulate serotonin or to contain nitric oxide synthase or neuropeptide Y. Knocking out Cx36 in M2 and M4 dramatically reduced the number of coupled somas. Conclusions Heterologous gap junction coupling with amacrine cells is widespread across mouse ipRGC types. ipRGC-coupled amacrine cells probably comprise multiple morphologic types and use multiple neuromodulators, suggesting that gap junctional ipRGC-to-amacrine signaling likely exerts diverse modulatory effects on retinal physiology. ipRGC-amacrine coupling is mediated partly, but not solely, by Cx36.
Association between Circulating Protein C Levels and Incident Dementia: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Introduction: Hemostasis depends on the delicate balance between coagulants and anticoagulants. Higher levels of circulating coagulants have been associated with higher risk of cerebral infarctions and dementia. In contrast, higher levels of circulating protein C, an endogenous anticoagulant, have been associated with lower risk of cerebral infarctions, and the association between protein C levels and the risk of dementia is unknown. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association of circulating protein C levels in midlife and late life with incident dementia. Methods: Circulating protein C levels were measured using blood samples collected at the midlife baseline (1987–1989) and the late-life baseline (2011–2013) among 14,462 and 3,614 participants, respectively, in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Protein C levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at midlife and a modified aptamer-based assay at late life. Participants were followed up to 2013 from midlife and up to 2017 from late life. Incident dementia was ascertained during the follow-up periods using in-person cognitive and functional assessment, informant interviews, and International Classification of Diseases codes at hospitalization discharge and on death certificates. Cause-specific Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between quintiles of circulating protein C and incident dementia. Results: From midlife (mean age of 54), 1,389 incident dementia events were observed over a median follow-up of 23 years. From late life (mean age of 75), 353 incident dementia events were observed over a median follow-up of 4.9 years. At both midlife and late life, circulating protein C had an inverse association with incident dementia after adjusting for demographic, vascular, and hemostatic risk factors, incident stroke as time-dependent covariate, and incorporating stabilized weights based on propensity scores (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1 as the reference, midlife hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.66–0.96, p value for trend 0.04; late-life hazard ratio 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.55–1.28, p value for trend 0.04). Discussion/Conclusion: Circulating protein C has an inverse association with incident dementia independent of established risk factors, including stroke. Our results suggest studying anticoagulants in addition to coagulants can increase our understanding on the relationship between hemostasis and dementia.
Principles of Fluid Challenge for Routine Treatment of Shock

A critical reduction of intravascular volume is the most frequent cause of circulatory shock. Clinical and laboratory signs of volume deficit are of limited reliability. Guided by measurements of CVP, pulmonary-artery wedge, or pulmonary diastolic pressures, the major hazard of volume-overload-induced cardiac failure may be avoided.
The use of epidemiology, scientific data, and regulatory authority to determine risk factors in cancers of some organs of the digestive system. 1. Introduction.

Continuing concern about cancer provides an impetus for continuing efforts to reduce its incidence and improve its treatment. Efforts to improve treatment are seen as highly desirable and excite little controversy, but attempts to reduce cancer incidence by regulatory intervention raise questions about cost-benefit ratios. Difficulties of making cost-benefit decisions are compounded by the lack of adequate data, especially in the area of cancer incidence and mortality, to demonstrate that regulatory or program intervention has effected any improvement. Regulatory agencies such as Food and Drug Administration can use descriptive epidemiological methods to determine trends in disease and magnitudes of exposed populations largely from readily available data, e.g., mortality data, data from National Cancer Institute surveys, census data, and food consumption data. The goal of these studies is to identify any unexpected changes in incidence or mortality through surveillance of the available data for time trends and through probes of specific data collected during research activities or gathered in support of regulatory decisions.
The Diverse Surface Compositions of the Galilean Satellites

The galilean satellites represent a diverse collection, ranging from the volcanic moon Io, with a surface that is changing yearly, to Callisto, with a dark, ancient surface overlying ice. The composition of these surfaces are also quite different due to a variety of processes and influences, including tidal heating, radiolysis, gardening, a magnetic field (Ganymede), and meteoritic infall. Io's surface contains large quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and colorful sulfur allotropes, both originating in plumes and flows from the tidally driven volcanoes. A broad, 1-micron band is found at high latitudes and may be due to absorption by long-chain sulfur polymers produced by SO2 radiolysis, although iron and iron sulfide compounds are candidates. An unidentified 3.15 micron absorber is equatorially distributed while a 4.62 micron band, perhaps due to a sulfate compound, exhibits a non-uniform distribution. Hot spots are generally dark, and some exhibit negative reflectance slopes (i.e., blue). The composition of these lavas has not been established spectroscopically, but the high temperatures of some volcanoes suggest ultramafic silicates or perhaps more refractory material such as oxides.
Digital integration operators for the improved simulation of systems

The transformation methods of digital simulation use digital integration operators in place of analog integrators. A method of deriving such transformations, which is useful in the simulation of interconnected systems with feedback paths, is shown. >
Observations and modeling of magnetic flux tube refilling of the plasmasphere at geosynchronous orbit

The outer plasmasphere is eroded when the strength of the convection electric field increases. Following a return of lower levels of convection, the outer plasmasphere “refills” from the ionosphere. In situ observations of the cold (~1 eV) ion number density from geosynchronous orbit indicate that within ~48 h after plasmaspheric erosion events, the number density may return to a level of ~100 cm−3, consistent with previously reported values. Current theoretical estimates of refilling rates at geosynchronous orbit are inconsistent with such rapid refilling. In order to shed light on this issue, a theoretical investigation is carried out to determine the major factors governing the refilling process. While theoretical estimates of the refilling rate reported here still fall below the observed levels by at least a factor of 2, the results of this study indicate that the morphology of the neutral atmosphere, particularly the neutral atmosphere number density, is critical in controlling the rate of refilling at geosynchronous orbit. The strength of vertical E × B drifts and horizontal neutral winds is found to play only a minor role.
Comparison of five different tests for mumps antibodies

Pre- and postvaccination sera from 32 children aged 1.5 to 2 years vaccinated with two different mumps vaccines were available for the determination of mumps antibodies. Five different tests for mumps antibodies were performed: serum neutralisation, haemagglutination inhibition, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), single radial haemolysis and immunofluorescence. For the evaluation of the tests, the results of serum neutralisation were used as a standard and compared with those of the other four methods. Immunofluorescence proved to be the most reliable method, followed by ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition, whereas single radial haemolysis showed the most deviations from seroneutralisation.
The Information Content of the ISM Purchasing Managers’ Survey

The Institute for Supply Management indexes are often assumed to be good predictors of future manufacturing and non-manufacturing activity. I use a simple forecasting equation to create ex ante rolling forecasts of a variety of official data that might be predicted using the ISM information during the past 10 years. Adding ISM measures to these forecasting equations typically improves forecasts by 10% or less. A similar forecasting exercise shows somewhat better results for the 1960s and 1970s. Examining the ISM measures around NBER business cycle turning points suggests that the ISM does not provide much information about turning points. The poor performance of the ISM may result from mismeasurement, and/or from parameter instability. While more information about the state of the economy is always better, analysts of the business cycle should realize that the ISM surveys do not supersede or fully anticipate more comprehensive official data.
Relationships of the catalytic properties of human plasma and platelet transglutaminases (activated blood coagulation factor XIII) to their subunit structures.

Abstract The subunit structures of the transglutaminases from human plasma and platelets have been studied by gel filtration, ultracentrifugation, and chemical cross-linking, both in the presence and absence of the catalytically essential metal ion, Ca2+. The plasma enzyme in the absence of Ca2+ is composed of four subunits and may be designated (a'2b2). This tetrameric structure is similar to that of its zymogen (a2b2), except that the a chains have been proteolytically modified by the activating enzyme, thrombin. Addition of Ca2+ causes a reversible dissociation of the plasma enzyme molecule into a catalytic dimer (a'2) and a noncatalytic dimer (b2). The platelet enzyme with or without Ca2+ exists as a catalytic dimer (a'2) derived by thrombin activation from its two-subunit zymogen (a2). Isolated b2 from plasma enzyme may be combined with platelet enzyme in the absence of Ca2+ to give a four-subunit molecule indistinguishable from the plasma enzyme. This supports earlier evidence that the catalytic chains of plasma zymogen are very similar or identical with those of platelet zymogen. Each of the plasma protransglutaminase a chains contains six —SH groups and no disulfide bonds; each of its b chains has 16 or 17 intramolecular disulfide bonds and no —SH groups. The platelet zymogen contains six —SH groups in each of its a chains. Inactivation of both the plasma and platelet enzymes by iodoacetamide occurs only in the presence of Ca2+ and is a result of selective alkylation of a single cysteine —SH group in only one of the catalytic subunits. This finding is consistent with "half-of-the-site reactivity" for both of the enzymes. The protransglutaminase from platelets (a2) is activated by thrombin at a significantly faster rate than the zymogen from plasma (a2b2). A proenzyme prepared by combining the isolated b chain dimer from plasma enzyme with the platelet zymogen was found to be activated by thrombin at the same rate as the plasma zymogen.
Slitless spectroscopy of geosynchronous satellites

A preliminary investigation into the use of slitless spectroscopy for characterization of geosynchro- nous satellites is described. A 100 line∕mm diffraction grating is used as the dispersing device, and the spectral data obtained are compared to a model with good results. A method used to collect and calibrate slitless spectral observations accounting for pixel to wavelength conversion, pixel response as a function of wavelength, and solar features is presented. Observations of several geosynchronous satellites throughout a night reveal reflec- tance with noticeable and different profiles indicating that slitless spectroscopy offers the potential for another modality for identifying and discriminating satellites.©2015 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) (DOI:10.1117/ 1.OE.54.10.104103)
Direct Simulation of AC Machinery Including Third-Harmonic Effcts

A method is described for simulating noncommutating electrical rotating machinery. The method is based on the expression of actual coil voltages and currents directly as contrasted with methods in which these coordinates are transformed along special axes. The voltage equations are integrated before computer simulation. This means that voltage inputs to the computer become integrated voltage inputs. Effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by simulating an electromagnetically balanced two-phase induction machine with input voltages of different frequencies. The simple addition of dc input to a rotor coil makes a synchronous machine simulation, which is illustrated for transient starting and short-circuit conditions. The straightforward representation of space MMF harmonics is demonstrated by the addition of a third harmonic of space distribution to the basic simulation. The method should be desirable for analysis of inverter or cycloconverter systems. It can be easily extended to unsymmetrical machines, and there are no restrictions against unsymmetrical inputs, as is amply illustrated by the results obtained with such extreme dissymmetry as inputs of different frequencies.
Systematics of the dobsonfly subfamily Corydalinae (Megaloptera: Corydalidae)

Abstract. The genera of Corydalinae are redefined, and representative characters are figured for each genus. New character sources, such as mouthparts and internal female genitalia, are investigated, as well as traditional male genitalia and wings. Allohermes is synonymized with Protohermes, Doeringia with Platyneuromus. Intergeneric relationships are hypothesized on the basis of a cladistic analysis. Acanthacorydalis and the New World genera form a monophyletic group, as do Protohermes and Neurhermes, and Neuromus and Neoneuromus. Chloroniella belongs in the Acanthacorydalis - New World lineage, but exact placement is uncertain. A phyletic sequence classification is proposed on the basis of the cladistic analysis.
WOMAN CANDIDATES AND SUPPORT FOR FEMINIST CONCERNS: THE CLOSET FEMINIST SYNDROME

WX A HY SHOULD WOMEN hold a larger proportion of public offices in this country? What difference does it make if most positions of political power are filled by men? Responses to these questions generally follow one of two lines of argument. According to the first, the paucity of women in public office is inconsistent with fundamental democratic principles and with a representative form of government. Greater representation is viewed as a democratic right, and the lack of more extensive participation by women is seen as an indication that our democratic system is malfunctioning. This justification for greater participation by women in all aspects of the governance of society is frequently voiced by commissions on the status of women, feminist activists, and various women's political organizations. Social scientists also have used this argument to point to a need for greater participation by women. Kirsten Amundsen has perhaps most carefully examined the contradiction between women's lack of greater participation and basic tenets of democratic theory, concluding: ". .. the effect of sexist ideology has been to disarm the American woman politically and also to deprive American democracy of the potentially informed and intelligent contribution of more than half of its citizenry. From the point of view of classical democratic theory, this is clearly disastrous" (1971: 133). While this argument for increasing the number of women holding public office is purely normative, a second argument can be tested empirically. According to this second point of view, women in positions of power will exert a distinctive, sex-related influence on public policy. The election of more women to office is seen as important because it may lead to changes in public policy. The hypothesized gender-related consequences of electing more women to office vary. Since women in the general population have been found to be less militaristic than men (Pomper 1975: 78-79), some believe that increased participation by women will help to prevent wars. Others think women, because they have been locked out of power, are uncorrupted and thus more likely than men to produce policy free of the influence of special interests. Others believe that women are more nurturant, more humane, more altruistic, and/or more compassionate than men and that these characteristics somehow will affect their performance in office (Stoper and Johnson 1977).
Sulfhydryl deficiency in connective tissue disorders: correlation with disease activity and protein alterations.

Abstract Serum protein sulfhydryl content was observed to be subnormal and a high incidence of serum protein alteration was noted in patients with connective tissue disorders. Sulfhydryl values were noted to increase with clinical improvement and decline with relapsing disease activity. The significance and basis for a possible interrelationship regarding the observed subnormal sulfhydryl content, exacerbation or progression of connective tissue disease activity, and alteration of serum protein including rheumatoid factor, is discussed.
Tunable Atomic Magnetometer for Detection of Radio-Frequency Magnetic Fields

We describe an alkali-metal magnetometer for detection of weak magnetic fields in the radio-frequency (rf) range. High sensitivity is achieved by tuning the Zeeman resonance of alkali atoms to the rf frequency and partially suppressing spin-exchange collisions in the alkali-metal vapor. We demonstrate magnetic field sensitivity of $2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{fT}/{\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$ at a frequency of 99 kHz with a resonance width of 400 Hz. We also derive a simple analytic expression for the fundamental limit on the sensitivity of the rf magnetometer and show that a sensitivity of about $0.01\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{fT}/{\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$ can be achieved in a practical system with a measurement volume of $200\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$.
Equivalent game forms and coalitional power

Abstract Game forms are designed to capture all salient features of games except payoff determining components. Game forms are equivalent when they generate identical families of games, a property offering no consistent identification between underlying strategy spaces. We devise a reduction process and prove that equivalent reduced game forms have identical structure. Game forms support a variety of associated effectivity functions, models of coalitional power, indexed by behavioral assumptions. We show that generation of identical effectivity functions is implied by equivalence but not vice versa. Partial converses are established with the aid of a property we call agentadditivity.
Women’s Empowering Carework In Post-Soviet Azerbaijan

The Republic of Azerbaijan has undergone major social, political, and economic transition since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In this article, the author examines how this transition and the Nagorno-Karabakh War with Armenia have affected women’s caregiving roles and how women’s advocacy associations have emerged and function both as caregivers to Azeri women and as a mechanism for assisting Azeri women to be more effective caregivers to their own families and communities.
Variability in estimation of suprathreshold small color differences

Intraobserver and interobserver variability in perceptual small color difference evaluation are known but are rarely analyzed phenomena. They raise the question if humans are equipped to make reliable and uniform estimates of this kind. Data from two recent well-controlled studies show that intraobserver and, particularly, interobserver variability are surprisingly large. The use of a gray reference scale in place of a single gray reference pair has a small normative effect on the estimate. A large interobserver variability in the estimated magnitude of chromatic differences compared with achromatic reference pairs remains, with an average ratio between largest and smallest estimate of over 3:1 and ratios for individual observers and sample pairs ranging up to 28:1. No correlation was found between the reliability of judgment and the judged magnitude of difference: highly reliable observer groups are not more consistent. Relative reliability of estimate was found inversely related to magnitude of perceived difference. Consequences of these results for the development of improved color difference formulas are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 34, 367–374, 2009
Unconstrained bacterial promiscuity: the Tn916-Tn1545 family of conjugative transposons.

Abstract Conjugative transposons are highly ubiquitous elements found throughout the bacterial world. Members of the Tn 916 –Tn 1545 family carry the widely disseminated tetracycline-resistance determinant Tet M, as well as additional resistance genes. They have been found naturally in, or been introduced into, over 50 different species and 24 genera of bacteria. Recent investigations have led to insights into the molecular basis of movement of these interesting mobile elements.
Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of 2-methoxyethanol and its metabolites in Chinese hamster cells (the CHO/HPRT and AS52/GPT assays)

2-Methoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monomethyl ether) (EGME), is one of the most commonly used solvents for industrial and consumer products. Although the solvent has been shown to be a reproductive toxin the genotoxic activities of EGME especially its metabolites, have not been adequately investigated. The mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of EGME and its major metabolites, methoxyacetaldehyde (MALD) and methoxyacetic acid (MAA) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were therefore examined by us. We have determined the mutagenicity of these compounds at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus in CHO-K1-BH4 cells (CHO/HPRT assay) and the xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (gpt) locus in CHO AS52 cells (AS52/GPT assay). The results show that these chemicals are not mutagenic to the hprt locus in CHO-K1-BH4 cells either with or without rat liver S9 mix as the metabolic activating system. With AS52 cells, only MALD is mutagenic in the absence of S9. It induced a dose-dependent mutagenic response. A dose-dependent cytotoxicity was induced by all compounds in both cell lines. MALD is the most and EGME is the least cytotoxic compounds. Our study shows that a metabolite of EGME, MALD, is highly cytotoxic and likely induces deletion-type mutations in AS52 cells. The genotoxic effect of EGME is, therefore, dependent upon its metabolism and its detection is dependent upon the assays used.
Surface stress effects on the critical buckling strains of silicon nanowires

Abstract The objective of this paper is to quantify how nanoscale surface stresses impact the critical buckling strains of silicon nanowires. These insights are gained by using nonlinear finite element calculations based upon a multiscale, finite deformation constitutive model that incorporates nanoscale surface stress and surface elastic effects to study the buckling behavior of silicon nanowires that have cross sectional dimensions between 10 and 25 nm under axial compressive loading. The key finding is that, in contrast to existing surface elasticity solutions, the critical buckling strains are found to show little deviation from the classical bulk Euler solution. The present results suggest that accounting for axial strain relaxation due to surface stresses may be necessary to improve the accuracy and predictive capability of analytic linear surface elastic theories.
Inhibition of LH and prolactin release in the cycling rat following inhibition of dopamine-ß-hydroxylase

The effect of fusaric acid, an inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), on luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin levels during the estrous cycle was determined. Fusaric acid was found to cause a selective dose- and time-dependent inhibition of DBH activity in the medial basal hypothalamus without altering tyrosine hydroxylase activity. When DBH was inhibited during the afternoon of diestrus, the proestrous surges of both LH and, to a lesser extent, prolactin were inhibited. These results suggest that noradrenergic neuronal activity in the mediobasal hypothalamus is required during the afternoon preceding proestrus in order for the LH and prolactin surges to occur. It is possible that the rise in serum estrogen during late diestrus 2 is blocked by fusaric acid treatment. This estrogen increase is necessary for LH and prolactin surges to occur during proestrus. When DBH was inhibited during the afternoon of proestrus, the LH and prolactin surges were completely eliminated. This indicates that noradrenergic neuronal activity in the mediobasal hypothalamus during the afternoon of proestrus is important for both the LH and prolactin surges to occur.
Nitric oxide prodrug JS-K inhibits ubiquitin E1 and kills tumor cells retaining wild-type p53

Nitric oxide (NO) is a major effector molecule in cancer prevention. A number of studies have shown that NO prodrug JS-K (O2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) 1-[(4-ethoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate) induces apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it is a promising new therapeutic for cancer. However, the mechanism of its tumor-killing activity remains unclear. Ubiquitin plays an important role in the regulation of tumorigenesis and cell apoptosis. Our earlier report has shown that inactivation of the ubiquitin system through blocking E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme) activity preferentially induces apoptosis in p53-expressing transformed cells. As E1 has an active cysteine residue that could potentially interact with NO, we hypothesized that JS-K could inactivate E1 activity. E1 activity was evaluated by detecting ubiquitin-E1 conjugates through immunoblotting. JS-K strikingly inhibits the ubiquitin-E1 thioester formation in cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of approximately 2 μM, whereas a JS-K analog that cannot release NO did not affect these levels in cells. Moreover, JS-K decreases total ubiquitylated proteins and increases p53 levels, which is mainly regulated by ubiquitin and proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, JS-K preferentially induces cell apoptosis in p53-expressing transformed cells. These findings indicate that JS-K inhibits E1 activity and kills transformed cells harboring wild-type p53.
Programmed death-1/B7-H1 negative costimulation protects mouse liver against ischemia and reperfusion injury†‡

Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/B7-H1 costimulation acts as a negative regulator of host alloimmune responses. Although CD4 T cells mediate innate immunity-dominated ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) in the liver, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study focused on the role of PD-1/B7-H1 negative signaling in liver IRI. We used an established mouse model of partial liver warm ischemia (90 minutes) followed by reperfusion (6 hours). Although disruption of PD-1 signaling after anti–B7-H1 monoclonal antibody treatment augmented hepatocellular damage, its stimulation following B7-H1 immunoglobulin (B7-H1Ig) fusion protected livers from IRI, as evidenced by low serum alanine aminotransferase levels and well-preserved liver architecture. The therapeutic potential of B7-H1 engagement was evident by diminished intrahepatic T lymphocyte, neutrophil, and macrophage infiltration/activation; reduced cell necrosis/apoptosis but enhanced anti-necrotic/apoptotic Bcl-2/Bcl-xl; and decreased proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine gene expression in parallel with selectively increased interleukin (IL)-10. Neutralization of IL-10 re-created liver IRI and rendered B7-H1Ig–treated hosts susceptible to IRI. These findings were confirmed in T cell–macrophage in vitro coculture in which B7-H1Ig diminished tumor necrosis factor-α/IL-6 levels in an IL-10–dependent manner. Our novel findings document the essential role of the PD-1/B7-H1 pathway in liver IRI. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that stimulating PD-1 signals ameliorated liver IRI by inhibiting T cell activation and Kupffer cell/macrophage function. Harnessing mechanisms of negative costimulation by PD-1 upon T cell–Kupffer cell cross-talk may be instrumental in the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis by minimizing organ damage and promoting IL-10–dependent cytoprotection. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Waveguide fabrication in PMMA using a modified cavity femtosecond oscillator

Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is an advantageous material than glass in oceanographic sensing applications because of its inhospitality for marine organisms. Waveguide sensors fabricated in PMMA are often used to measure the parameters in ocean such as PH, CO 2 , O 2 concentrations, etc. A tightly-focused femtosecond laser is often used to produce such a waveguide or even more complicated structures through the nonlinear effect in the bulk of PMMA, with pulse energy at μJ or mJ level. And such a laser system requires the amplifier from chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). The oscillator itself can produce pulse energy only at nJ level which is under the threshold of nonlinear effect. However, in our experiment, a modification to the oscillator cavity, which elongates the cavity length approximately 3 times and as a result, decreases the repetition rate from 93mHz to 32 mHz, can increase the pulse energy to 15 nJ. Under a tight focusing lens (100x 1.40 microscope objective), such an intensity exceeds the nonlinear threshold of PMMA. Thus, waveguide can be fabricated in PMMA using only a femtosecond oscillator and oceanographic sensors can be also made by this simple technique.
Prereaders’ understanding of the function of print: Characteristic trends in the process

The authors of this article investigated how prereaders gain understanding about the function of print. The purpose was to determine if there are characteristic trends in children’s processing of function of print which can be described and which can offer some insight into the process.
On the Seasonal Cycle of the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Although the seasonal cycle of the equatorial Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have many similarities, for example, an annual signal is dominant at the equator even though the sun ‘‘crosses’’ the equator twice a year, different processes determine the seasonal cycles of the two oceans and in the Atlantic different processes are important in the east and west. In the Gulf of Guinea in the eastern equatorial Atlantic, the seasonal cycle of surface winds is primarily in response to seasonal variations in land temperatures so that annual changes in sea surface temperatures are, to a first approximation, the passive response of the ocean to the winds. The seasonal cycle of the western equatorial Atlantic has similarities with that of the equatorial Pacific—both are strongly influenced by ocean‐atmosphere interactions in which the surface winds and sea surface temperature patterns depend on each other—but only in the western equatorial Atlantic are the seasonal variations in sea surface temperature influenced by vertical excursions of the thermocline. These results are obtained by means of a general circulation model of the atmosphere and a relatively simple coupled ocean‐atmosphere model.
Modelling peroxide crosslinking in polyolefins

Abstract This article describes a framework for correct interpretation of cure behaviour. It concludes that several published methods for determining crosslinking kinetics do not accurately represent performance seen with a number of polyolefin elastomers. Commonly used methods of curemeter interpretation were found to be severely flawed because of the combined effects of non-linear evolution of elastically active chains, trapped entanglements and slowly relaxing chain structures. The results indicate that one should not assume proportionality between curemeter torque and crosslink density, especially at low- to mid-range crosslink densities. Such an assumption will lead to a significant overestimation of crosslink density.
Cu–Ni nano-alloy: mixed, core–shell or Janus nano-particle?

Bimetallic nanoparticles like Cu–Ni are particularly attractive due to their magnetic and catalytic properties; however, their properties depend strongly on the structure of the alloy i.e. mixed, core–shell or Janus. To predict the alloy structure, this paper investigates the size and shape effects as well as the surface segregation effect on the Cu–Ni phase diagram. Phase maps have been plotted to determine the mixing/demixing behavior of this alloy according the particle shape. Cu–Ni nanoalloy can form a mixed particle or a Janus one depending on the synthesis temperature. Surface segregation is also considered and reveals a nickel surface-enrichment. Finally, this paper provides a useful roadmap for experimentalists.
Examples of genus two CM curves defined over the rationals

We present the results of a systematic numerical search for genus two curves defined over the rationals such that their Jacobians are simple and have endomorphism ring equal to the ring of integers of a quartic CM field. Including the well-known example y 2 = x 5 - 1 we find 19 non-isomorphic such curves. We believe that these are the only such curves.
Reading Histories of Popular Culture for Man-Crushes, Homoromances, and Other Fraternal Orders of Love

Pre-World War II examples of popular culture reveal surprising tolerance for male homoromance, according to author Jeffery Dennis. His book, We Boys Together: Teenagers in Love Before Girl-Craziness, analyzes media representations of boy-crazy boys before girl-craziness, and documents how compulsive heteronormativity was normalized.
Secrets, Trauma, and the Memory Market (or the return of the repressed in recent Argentine post-dictatorship cultural production)

Since the end of the last Argentine Dictatorship (1976-1983), a number of feature-length films have engaged in the public debate over the legacies of state terrorism. El secreto de sus ojos (2009), Argentina's most recent Oscar winner, is the latest to do so, exploring the effects of more than a decade of impunity on those who lost their loved ones. Suggesting that restoration of a justice system that works can lead to the restoration of full civic engagement in a healthy body politic, the film raises important questions about citizenship and belonging in a post-national era. This essay explores the film's phenomenal success in the global memory market to illuminate what remains at stake in contemporary narratives of reconciliation.
The Nuclear Pore Complex Mediates Binding of the Mig1 Repressor to Target Promoters

All eukaryotic cells alter their transcriptional program in response to the sugar glucose. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the best-studied downstream effector of this response is the glucose-regulated repressor Mig1. We show here that nuclear pore complexes also contribute to glucose-regulated gene expression. NPCs participate in glucose-responsive repression by physically interacting with Mig1 and mediating its function independently of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Surprisingly, despite its abundant presence in the nucleus of glucose-grown nup120Δ or nup133Δ cells, Mig1 has lost its ability to interact with target promoters. The glucose repression defect in the absence of these nuclear pore components therefore appears to result from the failure of Mig1 to access its consensus recognition sites in genomic DNA. We propose that the NPC contributes to both repression and activation at the level of transcription.
Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate predicts overall mortality in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Abstract Background Assessment of overall health is a critical component in the evaluation of patients presenting with clinically localized prostate cancer. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and overall mortality. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of baseline renal function on oncologic outcomes and overall survival following radical prostatectomy. Materials and methods We identified 10,099 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution from 1990 to 2004 with a preoperative serum creatinine available for analysis. eGFR was calculated by the chronic kidney disease-epidemiology formula (CKD-EPI) and reported as ml/min per 1.73 m 2 . Patients were then classified according to their eGFR: 2 . Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the impact of eGFR on postoperative outcomes. Results At the time of surgery, 25 patients (0.1%) had an eGFR 2 , 2,398 (23.7%) between 30 and 60, 7,097 (70.3%) between 60 and 90, and 605 (6.0%) patients had an eGFR >90. eGFR was not associated with oncologic outcomes, including biochemical recurrence, systemic progression or cancer-specific survival ( P > 0.05 for all). However, eGFR was strongly associated with all-cause mortality and non-prostate cancer death. On multivariate analysis, after controlling for age, BMI, prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSA), Gleason score, and clinical stage, eGFR remains a statistically significant predictor of all-cause mortality. Conclusions Assessment of eGFR is an important metric in the overall evaluation of patient health and should be considered in combination with patient age and other medical comorbidities when selecting the initial treatment of prostate cancer. While prostate cancer-specific outcomes do not appear to be impacted by renal function, overall survival is decreased in those with lower and higher than normal eGFR.
Facile and mild solution synthesis of Cu2O nanowires and nanotubes driven by screw dislocations

We report a green synthesis of Cu2O nanowires and nanotubes in aqueous solution by reducing Cu2+ to Cu+ with glucose or fructosevia Fehling's reaction. The screw dislocation-driven growth of Cu2O nanowires and nanotubes is confirmed by imaging the dislocation contrast, the Eshelby twist associated with dislocations and the spontaneously formed hollow nanotubes.