cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Local Mechanical Properties of Lipid Bilayers are Altered by Amyloid-Forming Proteins

A vast number of protein misfolding diseases are characterized by the formation of nanoscale protein aggregates generally termed amyloids. Such diseases include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and type 2 diabetes. While the precise mechanism by which amyloidogenic aggregates are toxic remains unclear, various amyloid-forming proteins interact strongly with lipid membranes. We investigated how mechanical properties of model total brain lipid extract bilayers are altered when exposed to different amyloid-forming proteins (As, huntingtin, synthetic polyQ peptide, and amylin) utilizing in situ tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning probe acceleration microscopy (SPAM). The advantage of the SPAM technique is that provides nanoscale spatially resolved maps of tip/sample tapping forces, which are directly correlated to mechanical properties of the surface. As a result, mechanical changes of lipid membranes can be mapped and correlated with changes in surface topography associated with protein aggregation. using this technique, we demonstrate that lipid bilayer structure is disrupted by amyloid-forming proteins. Disrupted regions of the bilayer were associated with decreased compression modulus and reduced adhesion to the AFM probe. Both of these observed mechanical changes are consistent with a decrease in the packing efficiency of the lipids within the bilayer. The interpretation of the mechanical changes in the lipid bilayers as measured by the SPAM technique were validated via numerical simulations of the tip/surface force interaction under a variety of conditions. These changes in bilayer mechanical properties associated with exposure to amyloid forming proteins may represent a common mechanism leading to membrane dysfunction in protein misfolding diseases.
Hormone Therapy in Prostate Cancer: LHRH Antagonists versus LHRH Analogues

GnRH agonists have a proven and well-established role in the management of prostate cancer. Further adaptations of the amino-acid sequence led to the development of antagonists with potential therapeutic uses, including a possible role in prostate cancer patients. Treatment of prostate cancer with GnRH agonists results in an initial flare of symptoms that may be prevented by co-administration of a steroidal or non-steroidal antiandrogen. However, this can be associated with additional adverse effects. Clinical studies have shown that GnRH antagonists produce a rapid decline in testosterone but without the disease flare. However these short-term effects have yet to be proven to lead to long-term survival benefits. There have been some reports that antagonists may be associated with adverse effects due to histamine release leading to severe allergic reactions. GnRH agonists are currently available in a range of depot formulations, allowing treatment to be tailored to the patient's needs. At present, the antagonists are only available as on-month depot formulations, which may limit their clinical use. Abarelix should be given intramuscularly. It is the first GnRH antagonist which is approved by the FDA for patients with advanced prostate cancer who should be treated under a risk management program. In Europe, abarelix has not been registered yet.
Use of stable isotopes to study carbohydrate and fat metabolism at the whole-body level

The present review discusses the advantages and limitations of using stable-isotope tracers to assess carbohydrate and fat metabolism at the whole-body level. One advantage of stable- (v. radioactive-) isotope tracers is the relative ease with which the location of a label within a molecule can be determined using selected-ion-monitoring GC-mass spectrometry (SIM-GC-MS). This technique minimizes potential problems due to label recycling, allows the use of multiple-labelled compounds simultaneously (e.g. to quantify glucose cycling), and perhaps most importantly, has led to the development of unique stable-isotope methods for, for example, quantifying gluconeogenesis. However, the limited sensitivity of SIM-GC-MS sometimes requires that relatively large amounts of a stable-isotope tracer be used, thus increasing cost and potentially altering metabolism. At least theoretically, stable- (or radioactive-) isotope tracers can also be used in conjunction with indirect calorimetry to estimate utilization of muscle glycogen or triacylglycerol stores, thus potentially circumventing the need to obtain muscle biopsies. These calculations, however, require certain critical assumptions, which if incorrect could lead to major errors in the values obtained. Despite such limitations, stable-isotope tracers provide a powerful and sometimes unique tool for investigating carbohydrate and fat metabolism at the whole-body level. With continuing advances in availability, instrumentation and methods, it is likely that stable-isotope tracers will become increasingly important in the immediate future.
Koch, Foglietti, and Fisher reply

In a reply to the comment on vortex{minus}glass state superconductivity of YBaCuO,on balance the authors believe that the data reported show strong evidence for a vortex{minus}glass phase. (AIP)
Reduction of endotoxin-induced inflammation of the middle ear by polymyxin B

Endotoxin (ET) is an aggregate of lipo-oligosaccharide and protein found in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. A potent mediator of inflammatory responses, ET has been detected in middle ear effusions from patients with otitis media with effusion and chronic suppurative otitis media and used to induce inflammation of the middle ear mucosa and disruption of mucociliary transport in experimental animals. Polymyxin B, a polypeptide antibiotic, has been shown to bond to and inactivate the ET molecule. This study investigated the efficacy of polymyxin B as a modulator of the inflammatory response to endotoxin in the middle ear. In a guinea pig model, cellular infiltrate, effusion volume, and mucosal edema in response to ET were reduced in the presence of polymyxin B. These results suggest a potential role for the use of polymyxin B in the management of middle ear effusion.
LCL-filter-based bi-directional converter for connectivity of microgrids involving sustainable energy sources

In this paper, the design and implementation of a three phase bi-directional LCL-filter-based AC/DC converter is presented. The developed controlled converter is used for connectivity between DC distribution systems and the main utility grid. The performance of the developed converter will be compared with that of an L-filter based converter in terms of voltage regulation, control robustness, efficiency, harmonics and physical properties. Results show that, replacing the L-filter with an LCL filter increases the average efficiency of the converter mainly due to the reduction of the size of the inductors and their internal resistance. Also, the THD decreases significantly by using LCL filters. The obtained results verify the validity and applicability of the developed converter.
Recent progress in the understanding of exciton dynamics within phosphorescent OLEDs

Excited states of organic molecules (excitons) are the heart of any organic electroluminescent device. They mediate the conversion of injected charges – electrons and holes – into photons. Phosphorescent emission originating from triplet excitons is especially important, as it is to date the only general route to enable unity charge-to-photon conversion efficiencies. In this paper, we discuss the key aspects of excitons, following the excited state lifecycle. First, we review fundamentals of singlet and triplet exciton formation in organic semiconductors, followed by a discussion of concepts that aim to alter the singlet-to-triplet formation rates to enable higher electroluminescence yields in the fluorescence manifold. Subsequently, we focus on the exciton distribution within the organic semiconductor material during its lifetime. The processes involved ultimately determine organic light-emitting diode (OLED) performance and are especially key in the development of concepts for white emission, where precise balance of the exciton between different emitter species control the emitted color. We close this paper with discussion of non-linear effects at high excitation levels that, to date, limit the high brightness efficiency of phosphorescent OLEDs.
An ontology for generating descriptions about natural outdoor scenes

We present an image ontology useful for generating descriptive texts about highly unconstrained natural outdoor images, taken under many different conditions - lighting, varying viewpoints, etc. The ontology pre-defines the visual content we are interested in describing. Unlike other image description techniques, which tend to be purely object-centric, we utilize a holistic scene ontology for description. The primitive units defined by the ontology are extracted from an image via stochastic processes. Similarly, attributes of the units, also specified by the ontology, are evaluated. Binary and tertiary relationships between relevant primitives are also evaluated. The values, attributes and relationships of the primitive units are combined, based on a pre-defined set of production rules, in such a way as to generate rich, descriptive sentences about the image. Evaluation strategies are implemented to quantitatively test the meaningfulness of the generated sentences. Results indicate that the proposed scene ontology aids in generating highly relevant, naturalistic and meaningful sentences describing natural outdoor images.
The effects of iodination on the receptor binding affinity of ovine prolactin

Abstract A completely iodinated form of ovine prolactin was prepared using lactoperoxidase. The iodination was characterized using gel filtration, electrophoresis and fluorescence analysis. Complete iodination corresponds to a 33% decrease in intrinsic tryptophanyl fluorescence (275348). Each ovine prolactin molecule possesses four iodination sites which cannot be distinguished by kinetic analysis. The receptor binding capacity of the tetraiodoprolactin was also assayed using the particulate fraction from female rat livers. Although the total binding capacity of native and iodoprolactins is indistinguishable, significant differences in receptor binding behavior were observed.
Response of placental vasculature to high glucose levels in the isolated human placental cotyledon

We report the effect of high glucose infusion on vascular resistance in isolated human placental cotyledons perfused with Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate solution containing 80 mg/dl (4.4 mmol/L), 160 mg/dl (8.8 mmol/L), or 320 mg/dl (17.6 mmol/L) D-glucose (n = 6). Placental vascular resistance remained constant during 25-minute perfusion periods with 80 mg/dl followed by 160 mg/dl glucose solution. Subsequent perfusion with 320 mg/dl glucose produced a significant increase in placental vascular resistance. Placentas were also studied in which the placental cotyledon was sequentially perfused for 25-minute periods with solutions containing glucose at 80 mg/dl followed immediately by 320 mg/dl (n = 5). Placental vascular resistance remained constant throughout perfusion with 80 mg/dl glucose solution but increased significantly after beginning perfusion with 320 mg/dl glucose. We conclude that the increase in placental vascular resistance appears to be a function of the high glucose level rather than the duration of glucose perfusion.
Estimating Rhododendron maximum L. (Ericaceae) Canopy Cover Using GPS/GIS Technology

ABSTRACT In the southern Appalachians, Rhododendron maximum L. (Ericaceae) is a key evergreen understory species, often forming a subcanopy in forest stands. Little is known about the significance of R. maximum cover in relation to other forest structural variables. Only recently have studies used Global Positioning System (GPS) technology as a field-based method to map the perimeter of shrub patches as a means of estimating canopy cover. We assessed the viability of using GPS technology to accurately measure R. maximum canopy cover in mountainous terrain; and we compared canopy cover to other R. maximum abundance variables, forest structural attributes, and environmental factors. We selected forty 20 × 40 m permanent plots at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in western North Carolina to employ a variety of methods (visual estimates, GPS, and x-y coordinate measurements) to estimate canopy cover of R. maximum within each plot. We found a positive relationship between the GPS method and the more accurate x-...
ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL (CH)/PHOSPHOLIPID(PL) MOLAR RATIO IN RED CELL MEMBRANES-AN ACQUIRED DEFECT IN CIRRHOSIS WITH ARTERIOHEPATIC DYSPLASIA

ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL (CH)/PHOSPHOLIPID(PL) MOLAR RATIO IN RED CELL MEMBRANES-AN ACQUIRED DEFECT IN CIRRHOSIS WITH ARTERIOHEPATIC DYSPLASIA
Drinking water standards for radionuclides: the dilemma and a possible resolution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undertaking a revision of existing standards for radionuclides in drinking water. The Safe Drinking Water Act specifies that any revision "shall maintain or provide for greater protection of the health of persons." This provision appears to require that existing standards (maximum contaminant levels, MCLs) cannot be relaxed. Such a requirement presents a dilemma for two reasons. First, EPA has shown that the MCL for radium was not cost-effective. Second, MCLs for beta/gamma-emitting radionuclides incorporate outdated approaches to estimating dose from ingestion of radionuclides and, thus, appear to violate provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act concerning the use of sound science in setting standards. We suggest that this dilemma can be resolved based on an argument that the standard for protection of public health mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act is one of applying best-available technology for removal of contaminants from drinking water at a reasonable cost, not one of meeting previously established MCLs.
Identification of Polymorphic Loci in Ambystoma annulatum and Review of Cross-species Microsatellite Use in the Genus Ambystoma

We screened 74 published microsatellite primers in Ambystoma annulatum, a species for which no microsatellite markers have been developed. Overall, we had a moderate success rate, identifying 11 polymorphic microsatellites previously developed in four different species of Ambystoma. We also conducted a review of the literature, collecting all published cross-species applications of microsatellite markers within the genus Ambystoma. From this, we identified 20 loci that have amplified in three or more species. Our synthesis of microsatellite use within the genus Ambystoma should prove valuable to future molecular research, especially in species without developed markers and for studies in species that may already have microsatellites, but are being conducted far from the region where individuals were collected for original development of species-specific loci.
Capillary electrophoresis micro X-ray fluorescence: a tool for benchtop elemental analysis.

A new tool was developed for separation and elemental detection by interfacing a simple capillary electrophoresis (CE) apparatus, constructed using a thin-walled fused-silica capillary, with a benchtop energy-dispersive micro X-ray fluorescence (MXRF) system. X-ray excitation and detection of the separated analytes was done using an EDAX Eagle II micro X-ray fluorescence system equipped with a polycapillary Rh target excitation source and a SiLi detector. It was demonstrated that this prototype system could be used for the separation and detection of species containing two different metals from one another, specifically Cu and Co. Free Co could also be separated from Co bound to cyanocobalamin (vitamin B-12). Two organic compounds were also separated from one another, a large biological protein, ferritin, from a small biological organic, cyanocobalamin. Preliminary average detection limits obtained on this system were on the order of 10-4 M and compared favorably to those reported for the similar techniqu...
B12 — Dependent methionine synthetase as a potential target for cancer chemotherapy

Methionine synthetase, a B1 2-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate and homocysteine to yield tetrahydrofolate and methionine, has been purified to homogeneity from Escherichia coli K-12. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 186,000 and contains 1 mole of B1 2 r per mole of protein. Activation of the enzyme, which involves conversion of the prosthetic group to methyl-B1 2, requires adenosyl methionine plus TPNH and two flavoproteins (molecular weights of 27,000 and 19,400, respectively). These flavoproteins have also been obtained in pure form. Knowledge of the structural characteristics and catalytic mechanism of the bacterial methionine synthetase has provided guidance for parallel studies on the enzyme from L1210 mouse leukemia cells. Interference with the action of the L1210 methionine synthetase, as a possible means of preventing cell replication, has been considered in terms of the following direct and indirect approaches: (a) use of substrate analogs, (b) inhibition of transport of 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate into the cells; (c) use of adenosyl methionine analogs; (d) use of methyl-B1 2 analogs; (e) inhibition of the conversion of B1 2 to methyl-B1 2; and (f) inhibition of the transport of B1 2 into the cells.
Kinship is Dead. Long Live Kinship. A Review Article

Still at the end of the Second World War, kinship studies remained anthropology's signature stock in trade. In the United States, they perhaps competed with investigations into the relationship between culture and personality for disciplinary pride of place. In Great Britain and France, they reigned singularly supreme, the crowning glory both of functionalism and of an emerging structuralism. Meyer Fortes's Web of Kinship Among the Tallensi was grand, but Claude Levi-Strauss's Structures elementaires de la parente was an even grander consummation of the myriad field reports, typological classifications, analytical comparisons and methodological programmatizations, and theoretical and metatheoretical speculations of the preceding several decades. Not even Levi-Strauss succeeded in establishing a proper paradigm, an intellectual and procedural model of sufficient force to launch a properly "normal" science. He always had his critics. But no one before him had gone so far in reaffirming that kinship really did merit its disciplinary reputation, that it was after all virtually everything it was touted to be: If liable to variation and devolution, it was among the most integral and durable of cultural domainsindeed, culturally universal, not merely as a matter of fact but as a matter of
Representations of Function Algebras, Abstract Operator Spaces, and Banach Space Geometry

Let G be the closed unit ball of some norm on Cn, and let A(G) be the closure of the polynomials in the sup norm. We prove that if n ⩾ 5 then there is a contractive representation of A(G) as operators on a Hilbert space which is not completely contractive. Our technique involves introducing a numerical invariant α(X) for a normed space X which measures the difference between the minimal operator space structure which can be assigned to X, MIN(X), and the maximal structure, MAX(X). We estimate α(X) using Banach space techniques. We also prove that if X is any infinite dimensional subspace of the space of continuous functions on a compact Hausdorff space, then there exists a bounded linear map on X which is not completely bounded.
The histochemical demonstration of protein in epithelial mucins.

SYNOPSIS Although the saccharide side chains of epithelial mucins in situ (presumably glycoproteins) can be readily stained, it is difficult to demonstrate the protein core of such mucins histochemically, even following attempts to remove the saccharide residues by various chemical and enzymatic treatments. A protein presumed to be extrinsic to the mucin may be demonstrated directly, under certain circumstances, by the acid dye Biebrich scarlet and indirectly by the increase in basophilia following brief proteolysis. Thiol and disulphide groups in mucins may be demonstrated by both direct and indirect techniques.
Photosynthetic responses and anatomical features of two marine macroalgae with different CO2 compensation points

Abstract Codium decorticatum (Woodward) Howe and Udotea flabellum (Ellis and Solander) Lamouroux are marine, siphonaceous macroalgae in the Chlorophyta. The C. decorticatum thallus consisted of chloroplastic and achloroplastic filaments of 132 μm diameter, while the filaments of the U. flabellum thallus were small (24 μm diameter) and chloroplastic. At 2 mM dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), photosynthesis in C. decorticatum , but not in U. flabellum , was inhibited by O 2 ; the CO 2 compensation points in these algae were high and low (54 and 7 μl CO 2 l −1 ), respectively. Growth under different temperature, photoperiod and CO 2 regimes failed to alter the CO 2 compensation points, indicating stability in the high and low photorespiratory states. Both macroalgae were shade species, with light compensation and saturation points for photosynthesis of 5–10 and 250 μmol quanta m −2 s −1 , respectively. Although U. flabellum had a greater photosynthetic affinity for CO 2 and HCO 3 − than C. decorticatum , neither was saturating at seawater DIC levels (2.0 mM at pH 8). Apparent K m values indicated free CO 2 was preferred, but the high HCO 3 − in seawater was probably the major photosynthetic DIC source. The photosynthetic Q 10 of U. flabellum was almost twice that of C. decorticatum ; the former was able to photosynthesize and grow at temperatures above 30°C, whereas the latter could not. For U. flabellum , a C 4 -like mechanism is probably a factor minimizing photorespiration and influencing its tropical distribution, whereas C 3 -like photosynthesis in C. decorticatum may account for its high photorespiration and more temperate range.
Aging of membrane transport mechanisms in the central nervous system--high affinity glutamic acid transport in rat cortical synaptosomes.

Abstract The kinetics of the sodium dependence of high affinity glutamic acid transport has been studied in synaptosomes from two and thirty month old rats. The data were fitted to kinetic models, and the minimal model giving best fit was identified for each age group. This minimal best fit model was found to be identical for both young and aged animals. Although there had occurred no basic change with age in the mechanism by which carrier, sodium, and glutamate interact in the transport process, substantial quantitative changes were found to occur; these changes result in a reduced transport capacity in the aged animals. The rate equation for the best fit model was utilized to define and calculate certain parameters which were then used to quantitatively compare the transport mechanism in young and aged animals.
Reactivity of the tyrosine residues of tobacco mosaic virus protein with iodine

Abstract Of the four tyrosine residues in tobacco mosaic virus protein the only one which is readily available to iodination in the intact virus is that nearest the C-terminus, residue 139 of the 158-member long chain. Both its mono- and diodo-derivatives are formed and stable in the intact virus. In the isolated virus protein all four tyrosines react at neutrality and 25 °, although at varying rates (No. 139 > 2 > 70, 72). However, at or below 20 °, only residues 139 and 2 react. The ability of the virus protein to aggregate to rods is not impaired by iodination of residue 139.
Comment on the characterization of the giant quadrupole resonance in 208Pb as reported from pi +/ pi - scattering.

Studies of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$/${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ inelastic excitation of the giant quadrupole resonance in $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ have been interpreted as implying a quadrupole matrix element ratio for neutron to proton excitations of ${M}_{\mathrm{n}/{M}_{\mathrm{p}=3.8}}$, and a reduced electric transition rate of B(E2)\ensuremath{\uparrow}=1010\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}600 ${e}^{2}$${\mathrm{fm}}^{4}$. These values are in strong disagreement with the results of a large body of inelastic light-ion scattering data as well as recent electron scattering results, all of which are consistent with a predominantly isoscalar character for this resonance. A similar situation prevails for the scattering of 400-MeV $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ and 1428-MeV $^{17}\mathrm{O}$ ions where Coulomb excitation is important, and the inelastic cross sections are very sensitive to B(E2)\ensuremath{\uparrow} as well as the hadronic interaction strength. Studies of the photon decay of the giant quadrupole resonance are also in good agreement with random phase approximation calculations that imply a predominantly isoscalar character; this agreement would be destroyed if the interpretation of the pion experiment were correct.
The Oscillation of Slender Elliptical Inviscid and Newtonian Jets: Effects of Surface Tension, Inertia, Viscosity, and Gravity

The motion of inviscid and Newtonian jets issuing from elliptical orifices is analyzed. The analysis is not confined to small departures of the jet free surface from a circular cylindrical mean surface, but rather is fully nonlinear. Two types of behavior are perdicted: (1) In the presence of surface tension the major axis of the elliptical jet cross-section alternates between perpendicular directions with distance down the jet. (2) When surface tension is neglected, the transformation occurs only once, after which the jet flattens into a sheet perpendicular to the major axis of the orifice
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Endemic Sri Lankan Shrew Genera: Solisorex and Feroculus

Sri Lanka has a rich diversity of shrews: ten species in four genera, with two genera and five species endemic to the island. In the current study we use complete cytochrome-b mitochondrial gene sequences to infer the relationships of two Sri Lankan monotypic genera Solisorex and Feroculus. Maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses revealed that Solisorex is an old lineage that forms the sister group to all other crocidurines. In contrast, Feroculus is nested within Suncus. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 43 (2): 65-71, 2014
Physiological effects of variants in human uncoupling proteins: UCP2 influences body-mass index

The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence from more than 40 studies that naturally occurring variants of uncoupling proteins 1–3 (UCP1–3) have detectable physiological effects in humans. Although UCP1 is known to influence mitochondrial proton leak in vitro and core body temperature in mice, genetic studies in humans have produced only weak evidence for association of naturally occurring variants with body-mass index (BMI); the best-reported P value is 0.01. In contrast, current evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that UCP2 and 3 influence BMI, since the best reported P values are better: four studies report associations of 0.001 (2 studies) to 0.002 (1 study) and 0.005 (1 study) for a UCP2 insertion/deletion variant, while the best P values for association of UCP3 with BMI are 0.003 (1 study) and 0.0037 (1 study). UCP2 and 3 are adjacent to each other on chromosome 11 and variants in each are in linkage disequilibrium. Thus, variants in UCP2 or 3 may influence results from association studies of variants in the other. Since UCP2 has a greater influence on BMI in humans than UCP3, then the two most likely hypotheses are that only UCP2 affects BMI, and positive results for UCP3 result from linkage disequilibrium to UCP2, or both UCP2 and 3 affect BMI. It is unlikely that only UCP3 influences BMI. UCP2 associations have been observed in a variety of ethnic groups, including Caucasians, African Americans, South Indians and Chinese. Consistent results from diverse ethnic groups are concordant with the hypothesis that the UCP2 insertion/deletion variant itself underlies the association with BMI.
The effects of hibernation on the in vitro synthesis of DNA by hamster lymphoid tissue.

DNA synthesis was studied in vitro in lymphoid tissue taken from hibernating, cold adapted and active golden hamsters in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of suppressed DNA synthesis during hibernation. The rates of DNA synthesis at temperatures varying from 4 to 37°C were greatest in cells from active animals, less from cold adapted and least from hibernating animals. The depression in cells from cold adapted animals was 70% reversible by returning the animals to a warm environment 40 minutes before they were sacrificed but the hibernating animals had to be aroused for more than 12 hours before their rates recovered, suggesting a different mechanism responsible for depression in these two instances. Radioautographic and biochemical measurements of DNA synthesis in cells taken from hibernating animals indicated that the depressed synthesis seen during hibernation is the result of a reduction in the percentage of cells engaged in DNA synthesis. This implies that the low body temperatures of hibernation produce a block in the cell cycle of lymphoid cells not unlike that observed when other mammalian cells are exposed to cold in vitro.
Adolescent Geographic Relocation: Theoretical Perspective

This article analyzes the literature related to adolescent geographic relocation. A model of transitions developed by Chick & Meleis (1986) is the basis for the analysis. This analysis suggests that adolescent relocation is a type of life transition, and the relocated adolescents constitute an at-risk population for health status alterations. The relocation transition is defined and its dimensions delineated through the literature review. Preventive nursing intervention for future research and theory development related to adolescent geographic relocation are proposed.
Diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism in men

Androgen deficiency is diagnosed by ascertainment of characteristic signs and symptoms and consistently low testosterone levels, measured preferably in the morning using a reliable assay. The clinical presentation of androgen deficiency varies with the age of its onset, genetic factors, prior treatment, and other host factors. Androgen deficiency can be treated using any one of the approved testosterone formulations after consideration of pharmacokinetics, patient preference, cost, and potential formulation-specific adverse effects. Prostate and breast cancer, erythrocytosis, untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, and severe lower urinary tract symptoms are contraindications for testosterone therapy. Testosterone therapy should be accompanied by a standardized monitoring plan that includes periodic ascertainment of symptomatic improvement and lower urinary tract symptoms, measurements of testosterone level, hematocrit, and PSA, digital prostate examination, and general health evaluation. While the benefit to risk ratio is generally favorable in healthy young men with classical hypogonadism due to diseases of the testes, pituitary and the hypothalamus, neither the clinical benefits of testosterone therapy on patient-important outcomes nor its long-term risks in older men with age-related decline in testosterone level are known.
An Exact Theoretical Solution for Predicting the Apparent Poisson’s Ratio of Articular Cartilage: A Charged-Hydrated Biological Tissue — The Triphasic Paradigm

The triphasic theory has been successfully used to model the mechano-electrochemical behaviors of soft charged hydrated tissue such as articular cartilage. However, the general equations describing such materials are highly complex and nonlinear. In this study, we have linearized these equations with respect to small strains, and using regular perturbation and similarity methods, analytic solutions have been obtained for the lateral expansion of a cylindrical specimen during the unconfined at both steady state, and at short times. Our results showed that the variation of apparent Poisson’s ratio is only dependent on an important governing parameter ζ, defined by the ratio of osmotic pressure change due to compression to the elastic stress change. From the short-time solution, the lateral expansion decreased with the square root of time.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Sex differences in β-adrenergic responsiveness of action potentials and intracellular calcium handling in isolated rabbit hearts.

Cardioprotection in females, as observed in the setting of heart failure, has been attributed to sex differences in intracellular calcium handling and its modulation by β-adrenergic signaling. However, further studies examining sex differences in β-adrenergic responsiveness have yielded inconsistent results and have mostly been limited to studies of contractility, ion channel function, or calcium handling alone. Given the close interaction of the action potential (AP) and intracellular calcium transient (CaT) through the process of excitation-contraction coupling, the need for studies exploring the relationship between agonist-induced AP and calcium handling changes in female and male hearts is evident. Thus, the aim of this study was to use optical mapping to examine sex differences in ventricular APs and CaTs measured simultaneously from Langendorff-perfused hearts isolated from naive adult rabbits during β-adrenergic stimulation. The non-selective β-agonist isoproterenol (Iso) decreased AP duration (APD90), CaT duration (CaD80), and the decay constant of the CaT (τ) in a dose-dependent manner (1–316.2 nM), with a plateau at doses ≥31.6 nM. The Iso-induced changes in APD90 and τ (but not CaD80) were significantly smaller in female than male hearts. These sex differences were more significant at faster (5.5 Hz) than resting rates (3 Hz). Treatment with Iso led to the development of spontaneous calcium release (SCR) with a dose threshold of 31.6 nM. While SCR occurrence was similar in female (49%) and male (53%) hearts, the associated ectopic beats had a lower frequency of occurrence (16% versus 40%) and higher threshold (100 nM versus 31.6 nM) in female than male hearts (p<0.05). In conclusion, female hearts had a decreased capacity to respond to β-adrenergic stimulation, particularly under conditions of increased demand (i.e. faster pacing rates and “maximal” levels of Iso effects), however this reduced β-adrenergic responsiveness of female hearts was associated with reduced arrhythmic activity.
Mammalian Prion Protein Suppresses Bax-induced Cell Death in Yeast

Several lines of evidence suggest that PrPC, the non-infectious form of the prion protein, may function to protect neurons and other cells from stress or toxicity. In this paper, we report on the use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system to assay the cytoprotective activity of PrPC. The mammalian pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, confers a lethal phenotype when expressed in yeast. Since overexpression of PrPC has been found to prevent Bax-mediated cell death in cultured human neurons, we explored whether PrP could also suppress Bax-induced cell death in yeast. We utilized a form of mouse PrP containing a modified signal peptide that we had previously shown is efficiently targeted to the secretory pathway in yeast. We found that this PrP potently suppressed the death of yeast cells expressing mammalian Bax under control of a galactose-inducible promoter. In contrast, cytosolic PrP-(23–231) failed to rescue growth of Bax-expressing yeast, indicating that protective activity requires targeting of PrP to the secretory pathway. Deletion of the octapeptide repeat region did not affect the rescuing activity of PrP, but deletion of a charged region encompassing residues 23–31 partially eliminated activity. We also tested several PrP mutants associated with human familial prion diseases and found that only a mutant containing nine extra octapeptide repeats failed to suppress Bax-induced cell death. These findings establish a simple and genetically tractable system for assaying a putative biological activity of PrPC.
Pancreatic Function during Hypothermia in the Isolated Canine Pancreas

RECENTLY, Veghelyi et al.1 have reported that pancreatic hypothermia leads to diminished pancreatic secretion and diminished enzyme output. Using the isolated denervated canine pancreas2, we have been able to perfuse the gland with a cooled perfusate and to analyse the pancreatic secretion for volume and protein output.
Elemanolides from Zinnia peruviana

Abstract Zinnia peruviana from Honduras afforded two new acetal-type elemanolides as well as a mixture consisting primarily of zinaflorin III.
Prevalence of iron deficiency in children with Down syndrome.

Objectives To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a sample of children with Down syndrome (DS) and to evaluate the effect of macrocytosis on the diagnosis of ID/IDA in these children. Study design Children with DS ≥12 months of age who were followed at the Duke University Medical Center Comprehensive DS Clinic from December 2004 to March 2007 were screened for ID/IDA with a complete blood count, reticulocyte count, iron panel, and erythrocytic protoporphyrins. Results A total of 114 children were enrolled, with a median age of 4.7 years. ID was identified in 12 subjects (10%), and IDA was identified in 3 subjects (3%). ID/IDA would not have been accurately diagnosed in 13 of 15 subjects (86%) if red blood cell (RBC) indices alone had been used for screening. Abnormal RBC indices with low transferrin saturation were 100% sensitive for ID/ IDA screening. Conclusions Prevalence of ID/IDA in children with DS was comparable with that in the general pediatric population. Macrocytosis had implications for screening of ID/IDA with only RBC indices. We suggest ID/IDA screening in DS children be done with a laboratory panel at least including complete blood count, reticulocyte count, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin.
Histamine restricts cancer: nothing to sneeze at

Histamine produced by immature myeloid cells restricts the expression of inflammatory mediators and regulates leukocyte recruitment to sites of tissue stress. Unexpectedly, cancer susceptibility is increased in mice lacking histamine, thus revealing a previously unknown mechanism whereby immature myeloid cells contribute to cancer development (pages 87–95).
Repression of 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase Involves Histone Deacetylase 2 and Snail in Colorectal Cancer

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) promotes cancer progression by modulating proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and the immune response. Enzymatic degradation of PGE(2) involves the NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). Recent reports have shown a marked diminution of 15-PGDH expression in colorectal carcinomas (CRC). We report here that treatment of CRC cells with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, including sodium butyrate and valproic acid, induces 15-PGDH expression. Additionally, we show that pretreatment of CRC cells with HDAC inhibitors can block epidermal growth factor-mediated or Snail-mediated transcriptional repression of 15-PGDH. We show an interaction between Snail and HDAC2 and the binding of HDAC2 to the 15-PGDH promoter. In vivo, we observe increased Hdac2 expression in Apc-deficient mouse adenomas, which inversely correlated with loss of 15-Pgdh expression. Finally, in human colon cancers, elevated HDAC expression correlated with down-regulation of 15-PGDH. These data suggest that class I HDACs, specifically HDAC2, and the transcriptional repressor Snail play a central role in the suppression of 15-PGDH expression. These results also provide a cyclooxygenase-2-independent mechanism to explain increased PGE(2) levels that contribute to progression of CRC.
On the Measurement of Naturalization

This paper proposes a new way of measuring naturalization, which takes into account both emigration and death. I argue that the new method corrects for underestimation and thus provides a more accurate measure of the concept. Using data from six groups of the 1973 immigrant cohort and multiple-decrement life table techniques, I estimated and compared naturalization measures derived from new and old methods. The results show that failure to control for emigration has a significant effect on the measurement of naturalization, particularly if an immigrant group has relatively high rate of emigration. Some further substantive implications of this new method are also explored.
Phase space cooling and PP colliding beams of fermilab

It has recently been suggested1 that the present high energy synchrotrons at CERN and Fermilab could be operated as pp storage rings with a center-of-mass energy of some 800 GeV. The Fermilab Energy Doubler/Saver, in addition, would be quite suitable as a high performance storage ring, producing collisions at 2 TeV in the center-of-mass. In order to achieve useful luminosity it is necessary to: 1) collect antiprotons from ˜-80 GeV protons colliding on a stationary target, 2) cool the phase space of the initially diffuse p's, and 3) accumulate the cooled p's over cycles. Several methods have been devised to carry out this repetitive accumulation and cooling. 2,3,4
Cell cycle-dependent reactivity with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67 during myeloid cell differentiation

The specificity and sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody Ki-67 in identifying proliferating cell compartments was tested with the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 using multi-parameter flow cytometry. While correlated measurements of DNA content and Ki-67 immunofluorescence indicated that the antigen was present in all phases of the cell cycle, reactivity with the antibody was highest in proliferating S and G2+M cells. The analysis of the BrdU content of cells sorted on the basis of reactivity with Ki-67 showed a correlation between Ki-67 reactivity and BrdU uptake. In HL-60 cells induced to differentiate with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the loss of reactivity with Ki-67 paralleled the exit of cells from the cell cycle. This was not observed in DMSO-resistant HL-60 cells. These results validate the usefulness of the Ki-67 antibody for determining the proliferative stage of mammalian cells in culture.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

During severe sepsis, organ dysfunction is an important predictor of poor outcomes. Animal and human studies suggest that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a detrimental role in organ dysfunction in severe sepsis. However, MIF is a key mediator of the innate immune response and is necessary for resistance to certain infections. We provide a broad overview of the beneficial and detrimental effects of MIF in sepsis. The interplay between MIF and glucocorticoids, which may play a critical role in sepsis, is also examined.
Theory of quasiperiodic lattices. II. Generic trace map and invariant surface

The generic trace map is established for binary quasiperiodic lattices represented by any irrational number. This is a generalization of the renormalization-group method of Kohmoto, Kadanoff, and Tang (KKT) for the Fibonacci lattice. All the trace maps for any quasiperiodic lattice preserve the same invariant surface first discovered by KKT. There is a special set of points on the invariant surface, which we call the invariant six-cycle. These are fixed points of the trace maps. We are able to obtain representations of the trace maps or scaling transformations on the invariant six-cycle. This enables us to determine the periods of the trace maps, which are very important in order to know the scaling property of the electronic wave function and energy spectrum at the band center.
Unrecognized pertussis infection in adolescents

• Little information is available regarding the level of immunity to Bordetella pertussis among adolescents. We measured serum antibodies in 156 healthy adolescents to the following pertussis antigens: pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and 69-kd outer membrane protein. In an attempt to identify intercurrent pertussis infections, we also obtained a total of 43 repeated samples during the following 5 years. Using a 50% or greater rise in IgG enzymelinked immunosorbent assay titers to define seroconversion, we found an annual incidence of 6.1%; by alternative definitions of seropositivity, the predicted annual incidence of infection ranged from 1.2% to 8.2%. These data suggest that infection with B pertussis is common in the adolescent population. ( AJDC . 1993;147:575-577)
Corticosterone levels as indicators of habitat quality: effects of habitat segregation in a migratory bird during the non-breeding season

During the non-breeding season, many species of territorial migratory birds exhibit a non-random pattern of habitat distribution, with males and females occupying different habitats. In this study, we examined possible physiological consequences arising from such habitat segregation in one migrant passerine species, the American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), on its non-breeding grounds in Jamaica, West Indies. For 2 years, we measured concentrations of corticosterone, at the time of capture (baseline) and 30 min after capture (profile of acute corticosterone secretion), in redstarts in two distinct habitats, one occupied predominately by males and one mostly by females. All redstarts in both habitat types exhibited similar concentrations of baseline corticosterone levels in fall (October), whereas in spring (March–April), redstarts in female-biased habitat exhibited significantly higher baseline levels regardless of age or sex. In fall, all individuals in both habitats exhibited significant increases in corticosterone concentration with capture and handling, but in spring only redstarts (both sexes) in male-biased habitat continued to exhibit acute corticosterone secretion. Redstarts in female-biased habitat had elevated baseline corticosterone levels and reduced acute corticosterone secretion. In spring, baseline corticosterone concentration was negatively correlated with body mass, suggesting muscle catabolism associated with high corticosterone concentrations or possibly that birds are leaner as a result of increased foraging effort. These results indicate that redstarts (primarily females) in female-biased habitats suffered a decline in physiological condition, which could in turn influence their departure schedules, migration patterns and even their condition and arrival schedules on the breeding grounds. Thus, segregation of populations into habitats of different quality during the non-breeding period may have ramifications throughout the annual cycle of such migratory species. Furthermore, these results show the usefulness of plasma corticosterone levels as indicators of physiological condition and thus habitat quality for birds during the non-breeding period.
Effects of Radiant Heat on Market-Size Broiler Chicks Grown in a Cyclic High Temperature Environment

Abstract PREVIOUS studies showed that broiler chicks grown in a high temperature environment during the latter part of the production period had poorer growth rates and feed conversion than those grown in a more moderate temperature (Winn and Godfrey, 1967; Huston, 1965; Adams et al., 1962; Joiner and Huston, 1957). Chicks grown in the open-wall, noninsulated-roof houses in some areas of the U. S. are not only subjected to high temperature and in some instances high temperature and humidity environments, but also to an additional radiant heat load from the hot roof, walls and surroundings. Few, if any, data are available to show what effects the radiant heat load during the period of high temperature and/or humidity have on the performance of broiler chicks which are near market size. Authors observed in previous studies that chick mortality was higher on hot, sunny days in a noninsulated-roof house than in an insulated-roof…