cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Refrigerated Egg Storage at Two Air Movement Rates

Abstract Eggs were stored for three weeks in two different refrigerators with air movement rates of 9.5 and 5.9 meters per minute (m.p.m.). Half the cartons were closed and half were open. Egg weights, specific gravities, albumen heights, Haugh units, U.S.D.A. scores and pH were recorded. Egg quality loss was gradual and somewhat similar for both rates of air movement. Slightly more egg weight loss occurred at 9.5 m.p.m. of air movement than at 5.9 m.p.m., but the difference was not significant. Open cartons caused non-significant greater egg weight loss and quality decline when compared with closed cartons. All measurements indicated egg quality had been lost when the initial and final measurements were compared.
Defining the Problem of Trafficking: The Interplay of U.S. Law, Donor and NGO Engagement and the Local Context in Latin America

The problem of trafficking has received enormous attentions since the late 1990s, driven in particular by the United States initiatives under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and its subsequent reauthorizations in 2003 and 2005 (the TVPA) and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000) (commonly known as the Polermo Protocol). Under the TVPA, the United States not only declared the war on trafficking a national and international priority, it predicated United States foreign aid, in part, upon compliance with the TVPA's mandate that all states undertake similar efforts. The donor community and local and international NGOs also have aggressively worked on the problem. Trafficking has been the subject of growing media attention throughout the world, drawing attention to the horrors of this form of human rights abuse. Nonetheless, the problem remains ill-defined and efforts to combat it have floundered. Unfortunately, the actors responsible for putting the fight against trafficking on the public agenda, the United States, the donor/NGO community and the media, have at the same time, wittingly or unwittingly, shaped and sometimes distorted our understandings of the problem and the efforts needed to address it. These difficulties are not unique to Latin America, although I will focus my attention there. In order to highlight the overall problem of trafficking, I will begin by identifying the definitional, sociological and legal problem that hinder the development of an accurate assessment of the problem. I focus not upon the empirical problems of research and assessment, an area addressed by others more qualified to do so, but rather upon those issues within the compass of policy makers and advocates. I will then describe the basic features of trafficking in Latin America and identify efforts to address the problem highlighting, in particular, the role by the United States, the TVPA and the donor/NGO community. Finally, I will suggest appropriate methods for limiting the problem and assisting its victims.
Pharmacist Documentation of Fentanyl Patch Orders in an Academic Medical Center

PurposeThe fentanyl transdermal patch label carries a boxed warning indicating that it should only be used in opioid-tolerant patients. Both prescribers and pharmacists must adhere to these recomme...
Estimating exposures to indoor contaminants using residential dust

Residential dust has been used as a medium for assessing human exposures to a constellation of indoor contaminants including radionuclides, persistent organic pollutants, metals, allergens, and tobacco smoke. Here, we review and comment on investigations of household dust levels of particular analytes of health significance, namely polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In doing so, we not only describe methods for collecting and analyzing residential dust, but also describe global patterns in dust levels. Aside from geographic location, we discuss several potential determinants for dust levels of these contaminants. We also review previous estimates of the contribution of dust to overall intake of these three chemical classes and show how residential-dust measurements could be useful in either augmenting or replacing questionnaire-based assessment of human exposures in epidemiological studies. We conclude our review with a discussion of the current gaps in knowledge of worldwide dust levels and suggestions for how residential-dust measurements could be used to describe human exposures to chemicals in developing countries.
Labor Markets and National Culture: Salary Determination in Japanese Baseball

We analyze the determinants of salaries for players in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) using performance data from 2004 to 2006 and compensation data from 2005 to 2007. We find that salaries in NPB are determined by different factors than those that drive salaries in Major League Baseball (MLB). We also find that experience plays a significant role in salary determination, which suggests that the Japanese emphasis on seniority still holds in NPB. Finally, we show that free agency has relatively little impact on salaries in NPB, which suggests that players in NPB are subject to greater monopsony power than players in MLB. Eastern Economic Journal (2012) 38, 479–494. doi:10.1057/eej.2011.25; published online 5 December 2011
Induction of Native Cardiomyocyte Cell Cycle Re-Entry by Transplanted Cells as a Novel Mechanism of Therapeutic Regeneration in the Heart

Background: The extent of cardiomyocyte (CM) turnover in adult mammals remains unclear, while controversy surrounds the putative mechanisms of CM replenishment. Using a genetic fate mapping approach and objective methods of quantification, we investigated the ability of adult CMs to re-enter the cell cycle in the normal, infarcted and cell-treated heart. Methods & Results: Tamoxifen pulsing of bitransgenic MerCreMer-ZEG mice (αMHC promoter driving expression of tamoxifen-inducible Cre), resulted in efficient (~80%) and specific labeling of CMs by GFP. Mice were then subjected to: a) sham surgery, b) myocardial infarction (MI), and c) MI followed by cardiosphere-derived cell (CDC) injection. Mice were pulsed with BrdU daily for up to 5 weeks. CMs, isolated by Langendorff enzymatic dissociation, underwent FACS-sorting for GFP (>98.9% GFP+, with minimal contamination by non-CMs) and subsequent flow cytometry for BrdU and Ki67. The normal adult mouse heart contains a small pool of cycling resident CMs (~0.08%/week, projecting to a CM turnover of ~1.3-4%/yr), which roughly doubles during the first 3 weeks after MI. Transplantation of CDCs further dramatically upregulates the percentage of cycling host CMs (to ~0.7%/week), while boosting heart function, reducing scar size and increasing viable myocardium. Immunocytochemistry of isolated CMs confirmed the flow cytometry results, while PCR microarray analysis showed upregulation of several genes associated with cell-cycle progression in CMs post MI, the expression of which was further amplified by CDC therapy. Cycling CMs are smaller, more mononucleated and primarily located in the infarct border zone. The observed phenomena could not be explained by progenitor cell proliferation, CM polyploidization, bi/multinucleation, cell fusion or DNA repair. Quantitative estimates (by comparing cycling in GFP+ and GFP- CM fractions) indicate that CM proliferation accounts for as much therapeutic regeneration as does recruitment of endogenous stem cells. Conclusions: Bystander-induced proliferation of native cardiomyocytes represents a significant, previously-unrecognized mechanism of cardiac regeneration in response to cell therapy.
The effect of obesity on asthma incidence: moving past the epidemiologic evidence.

The prevalence of both asthma and obesity has significantly increased over the past 20 years, especially among ethnic minorities, a group disproportionably affected by these 2 disorders. According to the latest National Surveillance for Asthma—United States, 1980-2004, African American adults have higher asthma prevalence (7.6% vs 6.7%) and higher asthma-related morbidity including hospital outpatient visits (10.0 vs 4.3 per 100) and emergency department visits (20.2 vs 6.2 per 100) compared with whites. Although the rate of acute care use for asthma has decreased over the past decade, there is a differential improvement by race, with African Americans having 4 times the rate of asthma-related emergency department use of whites. Obesity has also been found to affect African Americans disproportionately, with black women twice as likely to be obese compared with white women. Longitudinal studies looking at the relationship between obesity and asthma have shown increasing body mass index (BMI) to be associated with increased asthma incidence. A recent meta-analysis of 7 prospective studies based primarily on white adults shows obesity to be associated with increased risk of asthma with an odds ratio of 1.92 (CI, 1.43-2.59). There is, however, significant heterogeneity among these studies regarding effect size and sex interactions, with odds ratios ranging from 1.4 to 3.5 this association being most consistent in women, and some studies showing no effects of obesity on asthma incidence in males. However, results from the meta-analysis by Beuther and Sutherland found obesity to be associated with increased risk of asthma in both men and women. This is most likely a result of differences in study design, case definition of asthma, and study populations. Although African Americans are disproportionately affected by both obesity and asthma, the effect of obesity on asthma incidence in that population had not been previously examined. Aside from a direct causal link, the association between obesity and asthma may be mediated via genetics, environment, and psychosocial factors, which may vary among ethnic
Anoikis: cancer and the homeless cell.

A protein has been identified that enables cells to survive when dislodged from their substrate, and to migrate to new sites in the body. Such a mechanism might give cancer cells a significant advantage.
The neutron activation of chlorates and perchlorates and the preparation of 38ClO3− and 38ClO4−

Abstract Conditions were studied for the preparation of chlorate and perchlorate ions tagged with 37 min 38 Cl tracer. Neutron activation of alkali chlorates gives about 5 per cent of the 38 Cl as 38 ClO 3 − and no appreciable amount as 38 ClO 4 − ; activation of the perchlorates gives about 14 per cent of the 38 Cl as 38 ClO 3 − but only negligible amounts as 38 ClO 4 − . Heat treatment of neutron activated NaClO 4 or KClO 4 for 20 minutes at 500°C gives about 10 per cent of the total 38 Cl as 38 ClO 4 − . Anodic oxidation of chloride and oxidation by argentic ion are not promising for the production of tagged perchlorate ion but the latter process can be to prepare tagged chlorate. Separation and identification of chloride, chlorate and perchlorate are accomplished by selective elution by nitrate ion from an anion-exchanger column (order of appearance, Cl − , ClO 3 − and ClO 4 − ). Procedures are given for the preparation of 38 ClO 3 − free of appreciable bulk chlorate or other oxidation states of chlorine, and for milligram amounts of perchlorate tagged with 38 ClO 4 − , free of other oxidation states of chlorine.
Central Adrenergic Regulation of Growth Hormone Secretion in Baboons

Experiments were conducted in conscious baboons restrained in primate chairs to investigate the role of alpha adrenergic mechanisms in the hypothalamus in the regulation of growth hormone. In one study infusion into the third brain ventricle and anterior hypothalamus of an alpha adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, led to a reciprocal fall in serum growth hormone and rise in serum insulin. In a second study microinjection into the ventromedial nucleus of an alpha adrenergic agonist, norepinephrine, led to a rise in serum growth hormone and 17-OHCS. In neither study were levels of plasma glucose, glycerol, free fatty acids, blood pressure or heart rate affected. These data suggest 1) that an alpha adrenergic mechanism in the ventromedial nucleus regulates growth hormone secretion, and 2) that norepinephrine is the physiological mediator of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF).
Effects of polymicrobial communities on host immunity and response

Microorganisms grow as members of microbial communities in unique niches, such as the mucosal surfaces of the human body. These microbial communities, containing both commensals and opportunistic pathogens, serve to keep individual pathogens ‘in check’ through a variety of mechanisms and complex interactions, both between the microorganisms themselves and the microorganisms and the host. Recent studies shed new light on the diversity of microorganisms that form the human microbial communities and the interactions these microbial communities have with the host to stimulate immune responses. This occurs through their recognition by dendritic cells or their ability to induce differential cytokine and defensin profiles. The differential induction of defensins by commensals and pathogens and the ability of the induced defensins to interact with the antigens from these microorganisms may attenuate proinflammatory signaling and trigger adaptive immune responses to microbial antigens in a multistep process. Such an activity may be a mechanism that the host uses to sense what is on its mucosal surfaces, as well as to differentiate among commensals and pathogens.
Ancillary Benefits of Climate Change Mitigation in Russia

This paper demonstrates the strong link between the implementation of a GHG emission mitigation policy and the reduction of human health risk related to air pollution in Russia. The human health risk analysis method was introduced in Russia in the late 1990s. After a few pilot studies, this method has been in studies in several Russian cities with high populations and high air pollution. These studies demonstrate that among the hundreds of pollutants controlled by Russian law, a handful are responsible for up to 90% of human health risk from air pollution (PM$_{10}$ and SO$_{2}$ contribute the most). Fossil fuel combustion is the main source of the aforementioned conventional pollutants. This paper provides an overview of local ancillary benefits studies in selected Russian cities. The countrywide energy study presented in this paper proves that reduction of GHG emissions in the power generation sector would result in the reduction of these conventional pollutants in all regions. A major challenge for Russia in this process is a potential increase of the share of coal in the fuel mix. Such a change would result in the additional loss of 118,000 years of life countrywide. In the Central and Volgo-Viatsky regions additional mortality could increase by more than 30%. As a result of a GHG mitigation policy that avoided an increase in the coal share of the fuel mix could produce ancillary benefits in 2010 around $60 per ton of CO2 emission reduction in power sector alone.
Phenol-croton oil peel: establishing an animal model for scientific investigation.

Background Phenol–croton oil formulas for facial peeling contain a mixture of phenol, croton oil, hexachlorophene foam (Septisol; Steris Corp., Mentor, OH), and water. For years, it was felt that the active ingredient of the solution was phenol, with the view that croton oil was little more than an irritant. Hetter reported, based on clinical experience, that the addition of tiny amounts of croton oil to any concentration of phenol caused a deeper peel. He also noted that the number of applications of a phenol–croton oil solution also enhanced the peel effects. To date, there have been no animal studies that confirm these clinical observations. Objective The purpose of this study was to develop an animal model to further evaluate and refine the hypotheses of Hetter regarding the croton oil solution. Methods At the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, using a porcine animal model, 40 different solutions of phenol, water, croton oil, hexachlorophene foam, and ethyl alcohol, in 8 groupings, were applied to the flank according to grids. On days 1, 8, and 22, clinical observations were made and punch biopsies were obtained from all grids, including controls. All tissue samples were examined by a blinded dermatopathologist. Results The results were analyzed by both clinical and histologic observation. Solutions with any amount of croton oil added had a brisker inflammatory response than solutions without croton oil. The histologic examination of skin biopsies from the phenol-treated cells (with or without croton oil) demonstrated formation of sharply demarcated dermis with parallel collagen fiber bundles arranged horizontally when compared with the elastotic dermis of the control specimens. The depth of peel and time needed for healing were greater with 45 strokes than with 20 or 5 strokes. Replacing water with ethyl alcohol produced a less clinically significant peel. Conclusions Phenol peels more deeply with increasing concentrations. Peel depth increases with increasing concentration of croton oil. Multiple applications of croton oil in phenol increases the depth of peel. The porcine model is a satisfactory model for studying chemoexfoliative agents.
Reduced food consumption increases water intake and modulates renal Aquaporin-1 and-2 expression in autoimmune prone mice

Aquaporin-1(AQP1) and AQP2 are members of the aquaporin family of cell membrane water channel transport proteins and have been implicated in the regulation of renal water excretion. We have previously shown that calorie restriction (CR) relative to ad libitum (AL) feeding extends lifespan and delays the onset of autoimmune kidney disease in lupus-prone (NZBxNZW)F1 (B/W) mice. To determine if AQP1 and/or AQP2 expression is influenced by CR, mice were fed an AL or CR (40% less food) diet until 4 (young) or 9 (old) months of age when mice were sacrificed. Kidneys were removed and the expression of AQP1 and AQP2 was determined at the protein and mRNA levels using western blotting and RT-PCR respectively. While age did not significantly increase AQP1 expression in the AL groups, CR did increase both the protein (1.4-fold) and mRNA (2.4-fold) levels. In old mice, AQP1 expression was higher (1.8-fold) in CR compared to the AL group while CR had no effect in young mice. In contrast, AQP2 showed an age related decrease (55%) in the AL groups and an increase in the protein (8.4-fold) and mRNA (1.7-fold) levels in the CR groups. Relative to AL, CR decreased AQP2 expression at the protein (90%) and mRNA (50%) levels in the young mice while an increase at the protein (2.9-fold) and mRNA (1.9-fold) levels was evident in the old mice. Interestingly, a significant increase in water intake per gram body weight was found in both young and old CR fed mice when compared to their AL counterparts which may contribute to the prevention of autoimmune disease with age and differences in longevity. These data show, for the first time, significant age and diet influences in renal AQP1 and AQP2 expression at both protein and mRNA levels in lupus-prone mice.
Experimental Light Damage Increases Lipofuscin in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

Lipofuscin accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of Japanese quail was investigated in normal and light-damaged animals at 4 months and 12 months of age following a single, 18-hr light-damaging exposure (3000-3200 lx) evaluated 6 weeks postexposure. Quail in a second experimental group light-damaged at 4 months of age were exposed to a second, identical light-damaging exposure at 12 months of age. RPE lipofuscin was quantitatively assessed in three ways: (1) total lipofuscin, expressed as a percentage of the basal RPE cell area, (2) mean number of lipofuscin granules per RPE cell, and (3) mean area of lipofuscin granules. At 12 months of age, control female RPE cells showed substantially more lipofuscin than did males. Animals that received a single damaging light-exposure showed no significant differences in lipofuscin at either age when compared with controls, and none were observed between males and females. However, in the double light-exposure condition, both total lipofuscin and the number of lipofuscin granules were significantly higher in females compared to controls and also, when compared with animals in the single light-exposure condition. Mean lipofuscin granule size decreased in females in the double light-exposure condition when compared with control values. Histopathological evaluation of photoreceptor outer segments and outer nuclear layer indicated that double-exposed, 12-month-old females showed the most severe effects, including a substantial decrease (70%) in rod photoreceptor densities. However, only a small change was observed in cone densities for either sex (12-15%) in this condition. Overall, a strong, negative correlation (r = -0.78) was obtained between total lipofuscin and average rod density across age, sex, control and experimental conditions. A somewhat greater correlation (r = -0.82) was obtained for females, alone. These results suggest that rods, when severely damaged by light exposure, contribute to increased RPE lipofuscin. Age, sex and light-exposure history appear to be critical variables that can influence both the amount of lipofuscin present in RPE cells as well as the relative vulnerability of rod and cone photoreceptors to cumulative light-exposure damage. These results have implications for the development of a variety of age-related changes and diseases of the outer retina, including age-related macular degeneration.
Factors related to injury of shiftworking fire fighters in the Northeastern United States

Fire fighters, who provide society with an essential and life-saving service, are subjected to the effects of shiftwork and to the demands (physical and mental) and dangers of their profession, all of which can contribute to injuries. To identify factors involved in injuries to fire fighters, the timing, frequency, types, and places of occurrence of injuries sustained by fire fighters in three different municipal fire departments were examined. Data was obtained from analysis of Workers' Compensation forms. The most frequent injuries involved inhalation of hazardous materials and lacerations. Ninety-two percent of the injuries occurred at the fire scene, and their causes were related to fire fighting duties, such as rescue, extinguishment and overhaul. Although only 54% of fire alarms nationwide occurred from 12:00 to 16:00 and from 18:00 to 24:00 (42% of a 24 hour day), 68% of the injuries sustained by the fire fighters studied occurred during these time periods. Per alarm, at meal time or on the night shift fire fighters were more likely to be injured. Serious injuries were more prevalent at standardly accepted meal-times. The timing of the highest frequencies of injuries suggests that, due to the shiftwork nature of firefighting, both disruption of eating patterns and fatigue increase the risk of work-related injury to fire fighters. By understanding the contribution of factors, especially human ones, such as altered metabolism (due to disruption) and fatigue (due to time elapsed since awakening, alteration/disruption of sleep-wake pattern, or hypoglycaemia), interventions can be developed, which should decrease the incidence of injuries to fire fighters.
Thermodynamics of magnesian calcite solid-solutions at 25°C and 1 atm total pressure

The stability of magnesian calcites was reexamined, and new results are presented for 28 natural inorganic, 12 biogenic, and 32 synthetic magnesian calcites. The magnesian calcite solid-solutions were separated into two groups on the basis of differences in stoichiometric solubility and other physical and chemical properties. Group I consists of solids of mainly metamorphic and hydrothermal origin, synthetic calcites prepared at high temperatures and pressures, and synthetic solids prepared at low temperature and very low calcite supersaturations (Ωcalcite ≤ 1.5) from artificial sea water or NaClMgCl2CaCl2 solutions. Group I solids are essentially binary s of CaCO2 and MgCO2, and are thought to be relatively free of structural defects. Group II solid-solutions are of either biogenic origin or are synthetic magnesian calcites and protodolomites (0–20 and ∼ 45 mole percent MgCO3) prepared at high calcite supersaturations (Ωcalcite≥ 3) from NaClNa2SO4MgCl2CaCl2 or NaClMgCl2CaCl2 solutions. Group II solid-solutions are treated as massively defective solids. The defects include substitution foreign ions (Na+ and SO42−) in the magnesian calcite lattice (point defects) and dislocations (~2 · 109 cm−2). Within each group, the excess free energy of mixing, GE, is described by the mixing model ge = X(1− x)[A0 + A1(2x − 1)] , where x is the mole fraction of the end-member Ca0.5Mg0.5CO3 in the solid-solution. The values of A0 and A1 for Group I and II solids were evaluated at 25°C. The equilibrium constants of all the solids are closely described by the equation ln Kx = x(1−x)RT[A0 + A1(2x− 1)]+ (1 − x) ln [KC(1− x)]+ x ln (KDx) , where KC and KD are the equilibrium constants of calcite and Ca0.5Mg0.5CO3. Group I magnesian calcites were modeled as sub-regular solid-solutions between calcite and dolomite, and between calcite and “disordered dolomite”. Both models yield almost identical equilibrium constants for these magnesian calcites. The Group II magnesian calcites were modeled as sub-regular solid-solutions between defective calcite and protodolomite. Group I and II solid-solutions differ significantly in stability. The rate of crystal growth and the chemical composition of the aqueous solutions from which the solids were formed are the main factors controlling stoichiometric solubility of the magnesian calcites and the density of crystal defects. The literature on the occurrence and behavior of magnesian calcites in sea water and other aqueous solutions is also examined.
Central Nervous System Toxicity from Cancer Therapies

The central nervous system (CNS) is an organ with a unique profile of vulnerability to antineoplastic treatments. In many cases, CNS neurotoxicity is the dose-limiting side effect of treatment for systemic and CNS neoplasms. Novel methods of delivering radiation and chemotherapy agents have led to recognition of new forms of CNS neurotoxicity. In this article, the authors review the most important CNS toxicities of cancer treatment.
Replenishment of the cellular calcium required for non-immunologic stimulation of mast cell histamine secretion: temperature sensitivity and inhibition by manganese and sodium-free conditions

Mast cells depleted of cellular calcium (Ca) by a 3 hr exposure to Ca-free conditions and then bathed in Ca-free Locke failed to release histamine when stimulated by compound 48/80 or peptides. The cellular Ca required for histamine release could be replenished by a 5 sec exposure to extracellular Ca at 37 degrees C. To inhibit this replenished cellular Ca dependent histamine secretion required an additional 3 hr exposure to Ca-free conditions. When cellular Ca was replenished at 4 degrees C, an additional 2 min incubation at 37 degrees C was required to restore stimulated secretion to a maximum. During this 2 min incubation period the replenished cellular Ca is suggested to be "processed" so that it can be used for secretion. Manganese (Mn) or cobalt added during (but not after) this 2 min incubation period prevented the restoration of histamine release. Preincubation of cellular Ca depleted mast cells in Mn (0.1-1 mM) blocked the effect of subsequent Ca replenishment at 37 degrees C while cobalt and barium were less inhibitory. Neither magnesium nor strontium were inhibitory. Extracellular sodium (Na) was required for the restoration of cellular Ca dependent histamine secretion. Lithium could substitute for Na but rubidium and potassium were ineffective.
Real-time metabolic imaging of tae-induced alterations in tumor metabolism using dynamic nuclear polarization carbon-13 magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo

an N1-S1 hepatocellular carcinoma in a rat model. Materials and Methods: 24 rats with implanted liver N1S1 tumors were divided into 4 groups: control group (n1⁄45, 1 mL normal saline, NS), bland embolization group (TAE, n1⁄44, 10 mg 50-150 micron PVA in 1 mL NS), TAE and caffeic acid group (TAEþCA, n1⁄45, 10mg PVA and 30 mg of caffeic acid in 1 mL NS), and TAE and ferulic acid group (TAEþFA, n1⁄45, 10 mg PVA and 30 mg ferulic acid in 1 mL NS). Embolization was through retrograde catheterization of the gastroduodenal artery and verified through contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US). Tumor volume was measured by US before and twice a week until 4 weeks post-treatment. The repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare differences in pre-treatment tumor volume by group and over time. At 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and histopathologic evaluation performed. Results: There was no significant difference in the initial tumor sizes between each group. The control group showed rapid growth with a volume that was 3,000% larger compared with baseline. In the TAE group, tumor volume increased when compared to pre-treatment volume by 6.7 þ/-11.2%. Both TAEþCA and TAEþFA demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in tumor size when compared to TAE with a decrease in tumor volume by 86.8þ/-10.2% and 71.8þ/10.5%, respectively (po0.0001). Histopathogic evaluation showed marked decreases in amounts of residual tumor and inflammatory changes in the caffeic acid and ferulic acid groups when compared to the TAE group. Conclusion: Embolization with PVA and caffeic acid or ferulic acid provides a statistically significant improved tumor response compared to PVA alone in a rat N1S1 tumor model. Combination treatment through inhibition of both aerobic metabolism through embolization and inhibtion of anaerobic metabolism through lactate transport inhibition is a viable and effective treatment approach that shows great promise.
The neurovascular complications of cocaine

BACKGROUND Cocaine use has been temporally associated with neurovascular complications, including the rupture of intracerebral aneurysms. The purpose of the current study was to determine the type of neurovascular complications associated with cocaine use in our patient population, the temporal relationship between cocaine use and their onset, and whether cocaine users with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) presented with smaller aneurysms at an earlier age than a control group of noncocaine users with SAH. METHODS Thirty-three patients who presented to the Detroit Medical Center with neurovascular sequelae associated with cocaine use were identified. All patients were chronic cocaine users who related a history of recent use confirmed by a drug screen. Cocaine users with SAH were compared to a control group of 44 patients with SAH who presented without evidence of cocaine use. RESULTS Sixteen patients presented with SAH. Twelve patients subsequently underwent four-vessel cerebral arteriogram revealing 14 aneurysms; six patients presented with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and seven patients with evidence of ischemic stroke. Eighteen (54.5%) patients noted onset of their symptoms while using cocaine, 87.9% noted onset within 6 hours of use. Delayed presentation occurred predominantly in patients who suffered ischemic strokes. The average age of patients who used cocaine and presented with SAH secondary to a ruptured intracerebral aneurysm was 32.8 years with an average aneurysm diameter of 4.9 mm versus an average age of 52.2 years with an average aneurysm diameter of approximately 11.0 mm in noncocaine users. Population differences were statistically significant at the p < 0.05 level. Mortality was 27.3% for patients who presented with neurovascular sequelae of their cocaine use, with 77.8% of deaths occurring in patients who presented with SAH. CONCLUSIONS Chronic cocaine use appears to predispose patients who harbor incidental neurovascular anomalies to present at an earlier point in their natural history than similar non-cocaine users.
Tetrahydrogestrinone: discovery, synthesis, and detection in urine

Tetrahydrogestrinone (18a-homo-pregna-4,9,11-trien-17β-ol-3-one or THG) was identified in the residue of a spent syringe that had allegedly contained an anabolic steroid undetectable by sport doping control urine tests. THG was synthesized by hydrogenation of gestrinone and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. We developed and evaluated sensitive and specific methods for rapid screening of urine samples by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) of underivatized THG (using transitions m/z 313 to 241 and 313 to 159) and gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS) analysis of the combination trimethylsilyl ether-oxime derivative of THG (using fragments m/z 240.14, 254.15, 267.16, and 294.19). A baboon administration study showed that THG is excreted in urine. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GM-CSF in Hodgkin disease.

Excerpt To the Editors:I wish to call your attention to three errors in the otherwise excellent paper by Gulati and Bennett (1). Two are minor and involve the SI units for blood cell concentration ...
The disparity between human cell senescence in vitro and lifelong replication in vivo

Cultured human fibroblasts undergo senescence (a loss of replicative capacity) after a uniform, fixed number of approximately 50 population doublings, commonly termed the Hayflick limit. It has been long known from clonal and other quantitative studies, however, that cells decline in replicative capacity from the time of explantation and do so in a stochastic manner, with a half-life of only approximately 8 doublings. The apparent 50-cell doubling limit reflects the expansive propagation of the last surviving clone. The relevance of either figure to survival of cells in the body is questionable, given that stem cells in some renewing tissues undergo >1,000 divisions in a lifetime with no morphological sign of senescence. Oddly enough, these observations have had little if any effect on general acceptance of the Hayflick limit in its original form. The absence of telomerase in cultured human cells and the shortening of telomeres at each population doubling have suggested that telomere length acts as a mitotic clock that accounts for their limited lifespan. This concept assumed an iconic character with the report that ectopic expression of telomerase by a vector greatly extended the lifespan of human cells. That something similar might occur in vivo seemed consistent with initial reports that most human somatic tissues lack telomerase activity. More careful study, however, has revealed telomerase activity in stem cells and some dividing transit cells of many renewing tissues and even in dividing myocytes of repairing cardiac muscle. It now seems likely that telomerase is active in vivo where and when it is needed to maintain tissue integrity. Caution is recommended in applying telomerase inhibition to kill telomerase-expressing cancer cells, because it would probably damage stem cells in essential organs and even increase the likelihood of secondary cancers. The risk may be especially high in sun-exposed skin, where there are usually thousands of p53-mutant clones of keratinocytes predisposed to cancer.
On tests with finite memory in finite time (Corresp.)

The purpose of this correspondence is to display an inductive proof of an optimality result for testing symmetric simple hypotheses concerning a binomial parameter with a three-state memory and n observations. Specifically, it is shown that if one restricts attention to three-state automata allowing transitions only between adjacent states, then no artificial randomization is required in the middle state of the optimal machine. The success in this problem of what will be called simultaneous induction suggests the possibility of obtaining characterizations of optimal automata in more general problems by similar techniques.
AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS.

N o ~ ~ A L L V the body does not manifest allergic reactions to its own antigens, but only to those from another individual or species. The failure of an individual to react to his own body components under ordinary circumstances implies the existence of a mechanism by which the immunologic apparatus, the reticuloendothelial system, can differentiate between one's own antigen and foreign antigens. This mechanism of selfrecognition is assumed by Burnet 1 to result from exposure of the fetus or neonate to antigens during a period of reticuloendothelial system immaturity. In some manner, early exposure to an individual's own antigens results in immunologic tolerance to his normal body constituents upon re-exposure later in life. The failure of the body to maintain its immunologic homeostasis results in autosensitization, a phenomenon in which
Selenium and other elements in freshwater fishes from the irrigated San Joaquin valley, California

Abstract Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) were measured in composite whole-body samples of five fishes — bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and Sacramento blackfish (Orthodon microlepidotus) — from the San Joaquin River system to determine if concentrations were elevated from exposure to agricultural subsurface (tile) drainage. Except for Cr, the concentrations of these elements in fishes from one or more sites were elevated; however, only Se approached concentrations that may adversely affect survival, growth, or reproduction in warm water fishes. Moreover, only Se among the four measured elements exhibited a geographic (spatial) pattern that coincided with known inflows of tile drainage to the San Joaquin River and its tributaries. Historical data from the Grassland Water District (Grasslands; a region exposed to concentrated tile drainage) suggested that concentrations of Se in fishes were at maximum during or shortly after 1984 and have been slightly lower since then. The recent decline of Se concentrations in fishes from the Grasslands could be temporary if additional acreages of irrigated lands in this portion of the San Joaquin Valley must be tile-drained to protect agricultural crops from rising groundwater tables
On the desirable degree of detail in the law

The desirable degree of detail in the law has not been previously discussed. The point of this article is to begin the discussion by raising a number of problems. The first deals with the fact that a highly detailed law cannot, of course, be remembered and, in fact, may be very hard even to discover. Second, if the law is not highly detailed, it is apt to be uncertain in marginal cases, of which there should be many. Detail can be added to the law either by judicial decision or legislation or by some kind of special body as in France. In any event, however, there will certainly be cases in which it is not clear what the law is and there will be at least some obscurities in the law. These problems are discussed and not solved in this paper. It is intended to start the discussion, not finish it.
Velocity-Space Plasma Instabilities due to Self-Interaction of a Single Species

We discuss electrostatic instabilities in an infinite uniform homogeneous plasma imbedded in a uniform magnetic field that are driven by the anisotropy of the velocity distribution function of only one of the species that comprise the plasma. Specifically, we discuss three instabilities that arise when the temperature of the driving species perpendicular to the applied magnetic field is different from its temperature parallel to the magnetic field, and the velocity distribution of the driving species perpendicular to the field is (a) a Maxwellian, (b) a losscone type, and (c) a $\ensuremath{\delta}$ function. Results are presented for two cases when the driving species are (a) the ions and (b) the electrons. Results show that these instabilities appear only when the plasma frequency of the driving species becomes comparable to or larger than its cyclotron frequency.
Isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly (ethylene terephthalate) - Cellulose acetate blends

The isothermal crystallization exotherm was determined at three temperatures for two blends of bottle regrind Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with Cellulose Acetate (CA) as derived by an extrusion process, as well as for the pristine PET. It was observed that the addition of 10 weight-percent CA increased the crystallization rate of PET manifold, which resulted in improved moldability with faster cycle times. The crystallization was observed to be very fast with initiation times of the order of a few seconds, perhaps due to the impurities present in the bottle regrind PET and the synergistic effects of the CA particles. The fast rate of crystallization and high melting point of PET (250 C), and the degradation of CA at temperatures higher than 260 C made extrusion of PET – CA blends difficult. However, increasing the CA content in the blend to 30% decreased the rate of crystallization of PET resulting in an improved extrusion process, but slower cycle times.
Current trends in endodontic treatment by general dental practitioners: report of a United States national survey.

Abstract Introduction In the United States almost 70% of root canal treatment (RCT) is performed by general dentists (GPs), yet little is known about their treatment protocols. Methods A paper survey was mailed to 2000 United States GPs with questions about the types of endodontic cases treated, routine treatment protocols, use of newer technologies, and endodontic continuing education (CE). Results Completed surveys were returned by 479 respondents (24%). GPs who perform RCT (84%) reported providing anterior (99%), bicuspid (95%), and molar (62%) RCT and retreatment (18%). Rubber dam was used always (60%), usually (16%), sometimes (13%), and never (11%). Newer technologies used by GPs included digital radiography (72%), magnification (80%), electronic apex locator (70%), and nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation (74%). Compared with GPs with >20 years of experience, those in practice for ≤10 years were more likely to use rubber dam ( P P P P 20 years were more likely to perform retreatments ( P P 5 hours of CE were more likely to use rotary instrumentation ( P P P P P Conclusions Recent GP graduates (≤10 years) were more likely to adopt new technologies and use rubber dam than those who practiced for >20 years. More experienced GPs were more likely to take on complicated cases than those with fewer years of practice. There was no association between hours of CE and compliance with rubber dam usage.
Enzymatic activity of cytoplasmic particulates of rat liver isolated by gradient centrifugation.

Abstract The relative distribution of several enzymes in respect to size of cytoplasmic particles has been established by centrifugation of rat liver homogenates through concentration-gradient solutions of sucrose. The particle sizes associated with maximum total activity are not necessarily the same as those associated with maximum enzyme concentration.
HuRrying colon cancer progression.

Commentary to:Increased expression of cytoplasmic HuR in familial adenomatous polyposisLodewijk A.A. Brosens, Josbert J. Keller, Leena Pohjola, Caj Haglund, Folkert H. Morsink, Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, Michael Goggins, Francis M. Giardiello, Ari Ristimaki, G. Johan A. Offerhaus
Analysis of Thick Section Composite Laminates Using Effective Moduli

Three-dimensional effective moduli are used in the analysis of thick lami nates consisting of a large number of repeating identical sublaminates. Local stresses and strains in the laminae are recovered from the global average stresses and strains. A global- local method is developed in which the effective modulus theory is used to model the thick laminate except for the local region where accurate stresses are desired. Evaluative ex amples involving delamination cracks and free edge stresses are presented.
An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the valence band structure of indium oxides

The first detailed study of the valence band spectra of indium oxides is presented as part of an XPS examination of the surface chemistry of these systems. The features attributable to In2O3 (india) are analyzed and compared with those for other Group IIIA and IVA oxides. India is suggested to be a very ionic oxide, and the valence band features that indicate this ionicity are described. The system is treated with 900 eV Ar+, a process that seems to remove from the surface such common impurities as hydroxides, while retaining the primary In2O3 chemistry. The ion treatment is also shown to create several discrete, oxygen-deficient peaks deep in the band gap. These may be E' type states. This same process may also produce small quantities of suboxides, such as In(II)O.
The long run relationship between openness and government size: evidence from bounds test

The bounds test is applied to determine the existence of a level relationship between government size, openness, terms of trade volatility, and external risk using time series data from Australia, Canada, England, Norway, Sweden, and the USA. Bounds test results show that the existence of a long run relationship in the USA and Canada, but not in any of the other countries. Long run parameters are estimated using both autoregressive distributed lag and FM-OLS procedures. Results vary from country to country, with some evidence that government size is significantly affected by openness and terms of trade volatility. However, contrary to argument and evidence developed using cross-section data, empirical evidence presented in this paper show that the size of the government has not changed to mitigate the effect of increased income risks associated with greater openness.
Malcolm X’s Conversions: The Interplay of Political and Religious Subjectivities

In this article, I offer a way of thinking about the interplay of political and religious subjectivities in persons’ conversion experiences or faith journeys. More particularly, I contend that a person’s political and religious experiences interact such that political experiences and ideas shape the person’s religious values and beliefs, and vice versa. Malcolm X’s story is used to illustrate this interplay of subjectivities vis-a-vis the varied changes or conversions in his life. The major point here is that the richness and depth of change in Malcolm X’s life (and other figures) are better grasped when we take into account the dynamic intersection of the political and religious.
Combining Ability for Resistance to Sclerotinia Head Rot in Sunflower

Sclerotinia head rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, is a major disease in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The development of hybrids with adequate genetic resistance is necessary to reduce yield losses caused by this disease. The objective of this study was to estimate the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability of a set of female and male oilseed sunflower inbred lines in hybrid combinations for resistance to Sclerotinia head rot. Six female and six male lines were crossed in a factorial mating design. The hybrids were planted in three U.S. environments and in Argentina. Plants were inoculated with a suspension containing 5000 ascospores per milliliter. Sclerotinia head rot disease incidence was measured as percentage of plants attacked on a plot basis. The GCA effects accounted for a greater proportion of the treatment sum of squares than the SCA effects, suggesting that additive gene effects were relatively more important than nonadditive gene effects in the phenotypic expression of resistance to Sclerotinia head rot. The importance of additive gene effects suggests that selection could start at the inbred line development stage. However, hybrids should also be tested since nonadditive gene effects were significant in the individual environments and certain hybrid combinations showed higher or lower disease incidence than would be expected based on the average performance of their parents.