cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and Properties of an Acetyl Ester Hydrolase (Acetylesterase) from Lactobacillus plantarum

Abstract Lactobacillus plantarum possesses an acetyl ester hydrolase, E C 3.1.1.6. (acetyl-esterase). The enzyme was purified from cellfree extract by ammonium sulfate precipitation, heat treatment, acetone fractionation, and ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A 50. Maximum enzyme activity was at pH 6.7 and 40C when a solution of triacetin was used as substrate. The activity of acetylesterase was not affected by dilute concentration of heavy metals such as mercury or by respiratory poisons like cyanide and azide. Higher concentration of cyanide and azide however, caused a marked inhibition. The enzyme was only slightly inhibited by specific sulfhydryl reagents. The enzyme had a strong preference for substrate in solution rather than in emulsion and preferentially hydrolyzed substrates containing acetylesters. Triglycerides were hydrolyzed at decreasing rates in the order of triacetin, tripropionin, and tributyrin.
The case study as a jury research methodology

Abstract The case study is defended as a methodology for jury research. The weaknesses of this approach are identified, including lack of internal and external validity. A number of advantages of the case study are then set forth, such as their heuristic value in generating hypotheses about jury behavior and their role in helping understand problematic verdicts in celebrated cases. The article concludes with a discussion of techniques to enhance the quality of case studies among which are attention to careful data collection, consideration of plausible rival hypotheses competing with the interpretation of jury decisions being advanced, and the placing of findings in a larger theoretical context.
Influence of oxic/anoxic fluctuations on ammonia oxidizers and nitrification potential in a wet tropical soil

Ammonia oxidation is a key process in the global nitrogen cycle. However, in tropical soils, little is known about ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and how characteristically variable oxygen regimes affect their activity. We investigated the influence of brief anaerobic periods on ammonia oxidation along an elevation, moisture, and oxygen availability gradient in wet tropical soils. Soils from three forest types were incubated for up to 36 weeks in lab microcosms under three regimes: (1) static aerobic; (2) static anaerobic; and (3) fluctuating (aerobic/anaerobic). Nitrification potential was measured in field-fresh soils and incubated soils. The native ammonia-oxidizing community was also characterized, based on diversity assessments (clone libraries) and quantification of the ammonia monooxygenase α–subunit ( amoA ) gene. These relatively low pH soils appear to be dominated by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), and AOA communities in the three soil types differed significantly in their ability to oxidize ammonia. Soils from an intermediate elevation, and those incubated with fluctuating redox conditions, tended to have the highest nitrification potential following an influx of oxygen, although all soils retained the capacity to nitrify even after long anoxic periods. Together, these results suggest that wet tropical soil AOA are tolerant of extended periods of anoxia.
Lumbar muscle force estimation using a subject-invariant 5-parameter EMG-based model

The use of electromyographic measures, in concert with modeled or empirical representations of muscle physiology, is a common approach for estimation of muscle force. Existing models of the lumbar musculature have allowed model parameters to vary for an individual subject. While this approach improves apparent predictive ability, it loses some degree of construct validity since parameter variability may not be physiologically justifiable. An EMG-based five-parameter model, adapted and generalized from earlier reports, is presented here. Inherent in the model is the requirement of subject-invariant modeling parameters. As a practical analysis tool was desired, the model relies on relatively few calibration constants whose determination is described. Empirical evaluation was undertaken using a database of 398 experimental trials involving lifting and transferring objects of moderate mass. Model performance, evaluated by comparison of measured and predicted lumbar moments, was comparable to earlier models, with r2 mean (S.D.) values of 0.76(0.15) for sagittal plane moments, and rms mean (S.D.) errors of 14.1(7.4), 9.7(5.3), and 8.6(3.6) Nm in the sagittal, frontal, and horizontal planes, respectively. These empirical results and the argument of physiological veracity support the use of a subject-invariant model.
Effects of Glucokinase Activators GKA50 and LY2121260 on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Pancreatic INS-1 Beta Cells

Aims/hypothesis Glucokinase (GK), an enzyme that phosphorylates glucose to form glucose 6-phosphate, serves as the glucose sensor that regulates insulin secretion in beta cells. GK activators (GKAs) activate GK via binding to an allosteric site of the enzyme. GKAs increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and decrease blood glucose levels. Using the differentiated beta cell line INS-1, we investigated the role of GKAs in promoting beta cell growth and survival and preventing beta cell apoptosis induced by chronic exposure to high levels of glucose.
Waldenström macroglobulinemia: What a hematologist needs to know.

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a distinct hematologic malignancy characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow infiltration and the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)M monoclonal protein. Patients typically present at an advanced age, and a substantial proportion are asymptomatic at diagnosis. A unifying diagnosis of WM may be missed by an unsuspecting hematologist, as symptomatic patients present with a multitude of non-specific manifestations. Although constitutional and neuropathy-related symptoms predominate, concomitant IgM-induced hyperviscosity-associated features can provide useful diagnostic clues. There are specific indications for initiation of therapy. This review focuses on the most up-to-date management strategies of WM, in addition to highlighting the recent discoveries of MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations that have shed unprecedented light on the complex signaling pathways, and opened avenues for novel therapeutic targeting. Although WM remains incurable, with the rapid emergence and integration of effective novel therapies, its clinical course appears poised to improve in the foreseeable future.
“Misfearing” — Culture, Identity, and Our Perceptions of Health Risks

Despite knowing that heart disease kills more women each year than all cancers combined, most women fear breast cancer far more — and their health-related behavior reflects this difference. If our sense of risk is less about fact than about feeling, how do we adjust it?
The impact of communication‐handicapped students on high‐school teachers' expectancies, interaction anxiety, and interpersonal perceptions in regular education classes 1

The purpose of the study was to systematically investigate the effects of student deafness on teachers' expectancies of classroom performance, interaction anxiety, and interpersonal perception of mainstreamed deaf students in regular high‐school classrooms. Three target conditions were provided: (1) a nonhandicapped student, (2) a deaf student who communicated using both oral and sign language, and (3) a deaf student who lip‐read and communicated orally. Results indicated that teachers discriminated between the two communication modes only with regard to expectancies. In the case of performance expectancies, the nonhandicapped target was rated highest, followed by the deaf target who communicated orally, followed by the deaf target who used a manual and oral transmission combination. With regard to anxiety, there was significantly lower anxiety reported for the “normal” target. Perceptions of credibility and attraction showed teachers rated the deaf targets significantly higher than the control condition....
Rotation Rates of Particles in Saturn's Rings

Rotational states of particles in Saturn's rings are not directly observable but have been inferred from spacecraft and ground-based observations of their thermal emission. A temperature contrast between night- and daysides of particles in Saturn's C ring during crossing of the planetary shadow has been detected and interpreted as indicating the particles' having spin rates comparable to or less than their orbital frequency. Previous numerical simulations showed such slow rotation when the particles' size distribution was not taken into account. Faster rotation of smaller particles has been suggested, but rotation of ring particles with a broad size distribution has been poorly understood. Here we derive an evolution equation for the rotational energy of ring particles with an arbitrary size distribution and show the results of calculations of rotation rates of particles with a broad size distribution, from centimeters to 10 m. Numerical results show that 10 cm-sized or smaller particles would spin several tens to hundreds of times in one orbital period, while large ones spin slowly. The spin axes of slowly rotating large particles have a tendency to be nearly aligned in the direction normal to the ring plane, while rapidly rotating small particles have random spin orientations. In optically thin rings such as Saturn's C ring, small particles with a spin axis pointing nearly toward the Sun are likely responsible for the observed temperature contrast, as recently pointed out by Morishima & Salo. Rapidly rotating small particles have larger orbital inclinations than slowly rotating large particles; thus, ring particles' rotational states have vertical heterogeneity.
Speaker-independent recognition of connected utterances using recurrent and non-recurrent neural networks

Connectionist learning procedures are applied to the task of speaker-independent continuous speech recognition, creating a system which has achieved a recognition rate of 97% correct in preliminary tests on the Texas Instruments/National Bureau of Standards Connected Digits Database. Two versions of the system were implemented, both of which used four-layer backpropagation networks. One used a static (nonrecurrent) network with a history mechanism, in which the input weights were slaved together, as they are in time-delay neural networks (TDNNs), and the other used a recurrent connection structure similar to that proposed by J.L. Elman (Tech. Rep., Univ. of California, San Diego, April 1988). The final recognition accuracies produced by the two approaches were not significantly different. The networks generated and refined hypotheses about the identity of utterances over successive intervals. The hypotheses generated by the networks were used as input to a Markov-chain-based Viterbi recognizer which produced a final identification of the entire utterance. >
Sex differences in the effects of adolescent stress on adult brain inflammatory markers in rats.

Both basic and clinical research indicates that females are more susceptible to stress-related affective disorders than males. One of the mechanisms by which stress induces depression is via inflammatory signaling in the brain. Stress during adolescence, in particular, can also disrupt the activation and continued development of both the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and –gonadal (HPG) axes, both of which modulate inflammatory pathways and brain regions involved in affective behavior. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that adolescent stress differentially alters brain inflammatory mechanisms associated with affective-like behavior into adulthood based on sex. Male and female Wistar rats underwent mixed-modality stress during adolescence (PND 37–48) and were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 250 μg/kg, i.p.) or saline 4.5 weeks later (in adulthood). Hippocampal inflammatory marker gene expression and circulating HPA and HPG axes hormone concentrations were then determined. Despite previous studies indicating that adolescent stress induces affective-like behaviors in female rats only, this study demonstrated that adolescent stress increased hippocampal inflammatory responses to LPS in males only, suggesting that differences in neuroinflammatory signaling do not drive the divergent affective-like behaviors. The sex differences in inflammatory markers were not associated with differences in corticosterone. In females that experienced adolescent stress, LPS increased circulating estradiol. Estradiol positively correlated with hippocampal microglial gene expression in control female rats, whereas adolescent stress negated this relationship. Thus, estradiol in females may potentially protect against stress-induced increases in neuroinflammation.
Open excision of subglottic hemangioma with microscopic dissection.

Summary Objective To evaluate the efficacy of open excision of subglottic hemangioma utilizing microscopic dissection techniques. Design Retrospective review of case series. Setting Tertiary care teaching children's hospital. Patients The study included 8 patients ages 7 weeks to 8 months. All patients underwent open microscopic excision of subglottic hemangioma between 2000 and 2006. Intervention All patients underwent full pre-operative evaluation including micro-direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. All resections were carried out with an anterior cricoid split and partial laryngofissure. Intra-laryngeal dissections were carried out under a cross-table binocular dissecting microscope. Mucosal preservation was practiced whenever possible. Thyroid ala cartilage graft was used to augment subglottic laryngeal framework. Patients were intubated for 3–7 days prior to reassessment and extubation. Results Eight patients were treated with microscopic open excision of subglottic hemangioma. All patients were successfully extubated. During the follow-up period, 2/8 patients developed early subglottic stenosis that required endoscopic laser treatment. Median follow-up time was 37 months (range 3–84 months). No recurrences have been observed. Conclusion Microscopic dissection adds precision to open excision of subglottic hemangioma. Such precision enables complete excision while accomplishing maximal mucosal preservation, thus limiting the risk of recurrence and subglottic stenosis.
How Scientific Links Combine to Thrive Academic Research in Universities: A Social Network Analysis Approach on the Generation of Knowledge

The generation of knowledge enables the development of adaptive capacities required by organizations that aspire to survive in competitive context; academic institutions are not oblivious to this. In fact, the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge are ingrained within the DNA of university institutions, assuming knowledge creation as primary function to breed scientific publications. In this sense, the organizational study of social network structures turns to be a robust tool for the analysis and comprehension of formal or informal collaborative relationships engaged in the core of any social entity. Through the co-authorship analysis in scientific publications and the utilization of social network analysis (SNA) approach, the present paper examines the structure of influences that reigns in a particular university, identifying those authors who have been capable to generate, foster, and boost a relational network and the entirely intellectual capital of the institution. The conclusions unveil the prevalence of a non-cohesive, uncompleted, and inequitable social network, in which the academic category or status neither determines nor assures a key position within the network.
Does the composition of urine change when collected from disposable diapers and other absorbent materials

The free and conjugated urinary species of non-persistent environmental chemicals or their breakdown products are valid human exposure biomarkers. For convenience, disposable diapers and other absorbent materials are widely used to collect urine specimens from infants and young toddlers. However, the extent to which the different urinary species of the target analytes and other components are recovered after the urine is extracted from these absorbent materials is unknown. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the extraction recovery from disposable diapers, cotton pads, and gauzes of the free versus glucuronidated urinary species of three example chemicals: bisphenol A, triclosan, and 4-methylumbelliferone. Although the glucuronides were almost fully recovered, the free species were not. Our results suggest that, in addition to other sampling considerations, the binding affinity and extraction recovery of the target biomarkers to the material used to collect the urine should be considered. Alternative collection approaches that do not require such an extraction (e.g., urine bags routinely used in hospitals) may be worth exploring. Despite its shortcomings, having urinary concentrations for biomonitoring considerably strengthens the exposure assessment, particularly for infants and young toddlers, and the benefits of including biomonitoring data outweigh their potential limitations.
An improved meniscus surface model for contacting rough surfaces

Based on the Extended-Maugis–Dugdale (EMD) elastic theory, a single asperity capillary meniscus model considering asperity deformation due to both contact and adhesive forces was developed. Specifically included in the single asperity meniscus model was the solid surface interaction inside the contact area. Subsequently, the single asperity model was coupled with a statistical roughness surface model to develop an improved meniscus surface model applicable to a wide-range of humidity levels and adhesion parameter values. Simulations were performed using typical surfaces found in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and magnetic storage hard disk drives to examine the effects of surface roughness and relative humidity. It was found that smoother surfaces give rise to higher adhesive and pull-off forces, and at higher relative humidity levels, the capillary force governs the adhesive behavior. As the humidity decreases, the solid surface interaction increases and needs to be included in the total meniscus adhesion. By integrating the adhesive force-displacement curves, the adhesion energy per unit area was calculated for MEMS surfaces and favorably compared with reported experimental data.
Methotrexate-resistant form of dihydrofolate reductase protects transgenic murine embryos from teratogenic effects of methotrexate

Methotrexate, a potent inhibitor of the ubiquitously expressed enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, induces limb and facial anomalies that resemble vascular disruptions in their evolution and final outcome. Previous studies suggest that inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase is responsible for methotrexate-induced embryopathy, although specific sites of methotrexate activity have not been well defined. In this report, we show that constitutive expression of a methotrexate-resistant form of dihydrofolate reductase in transgenic embryos and their placentas ameliorates methotrexate teratogenicity. However, expression of the transgene in maternal tissues had no significant protective effect. The results confirm the role of dihydrofolate reductase inhibition in the pathogenesis of methotrexate-induced birth defects and provide a foundation for future studies of targeted transgene expression in select embryonic or placental cell populations.
ELIMINATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN PLASMA SIMULATION: THE DARWIN OR MAGNETOINDUCTIVE APPROXIMATION

For many astrophysica1 and magnetic fusion applications, the purely electromagnetic modes generated by real as well as simulation “plasma” fluctuations are a source of high frequency radiation that is often irrelevant to the physics of interest. Unfortunately, a numerical CFL stability limit prevents either making c infinite or Δt large while using the usual explicit Maxwell’s equations for the fields. A modification of Maxwell’s equations, which provides implicitly the field components, circumvents this problem. The solution is to neglect retardation effects so that the electromagnetic propagation speed is effectively infinite. The purely electromagnetic modes in this limit evolve “instantly” to a time-asymptotic configuration about the macroscopic plasma configuration at each new time level. The Darwin or magneto inductive approximation effectively provides infinite propagation speeds for purely electromagnetic modes by converting Maxwell’s equations from hyperbolic to elliptic in character. In practice, this is accomplished by neglecting the solenoidal part of the displacement current. The elimination of the CFL time step constraint more than offsets the substantially more complicated field solution that is required. The details of a numerical implementation of this model will be presented. Numerical examples will be given and extentions of the Darwin field solution to other plasma models also will be considered.
Co-Infection with HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis: immunologic interactions, disease progression, and survival

This article presents the hypothesis that co-in-fections accentuate the intrinsic immunopathologyof HIV and thereby shorten the HIV disease free-interval and survival. Our published experiencewith Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb) co-infectionwith HIV is reviewed. In this longitudinal studyof the efficacy of isoniazid prophylaxis we presentevidence that subclinical co-infections with Mtbshortened the interval for onset of HIV disease andsurvival and that treatment with isoniazid reversedthis. Our preliminary data on lung immunopathol-ogy in active tuberculosis is presented in anotherpaper in this issue by M Gloria Almeida and JRoberto Lapa e Silva who show that inflammatoryhost factors are expressed in the lung. Their ex-pression in this millieu may mediate enhanced HIVreplication. Lastly, we will review the data on theinteractions between immune cells that trigger HIVreplication in a model of how sexually transmitteddiseases may enhance HIV transmission from mento women.Over the last ten years, the paradox of how HIVinfection results in the destruction of the immunesystem, as measured by the number of CD4+ Tcells has recently been unraveled. Many hypoth-eses have been advanced, including the most ex-treme, that HIV does not cause AIDS. Our currentunderstanding on the relationship between viralproduction and turn-over of CD4+ lymphocytesindicates that billions of virions and infected cellsare destroyed every day (Wei et al. 1995, Ho et al.1995a, Wain-Hobson 1995).This vividly illustrates the very hostile envi-ronment created by the immune system. However,HIV counters by massive force of numbers. Solong as a few progenies survive to continue repli-cation HIV ultimately gains the upper hand whenthe immune system can not keep up with the shearnumerical assault of HIV. Clinically this deadlycombat is reflected by the clinical latency period,the calm before the storm of HIV associated ill-nesses and AIDS.The accumulated data are provided by (i) lon-gitudinal studies showing that overall viral loadincreases over months and years, (ii) progressiveloss of CD4 lymphocytes being associated withincreasing viral burden, (iii) much more virions andHIV-infected cells being evident than previouslythought, and (iv) circulating virus detected in pe-ripheral blood are viruses that have escaped fromlymphoid organs, the site of HIV replication anddestruction of the virus (Rasz et al. 1986,Simmonds et al. 1990, Panteleo et al. 1993,Embreton et al. 1993, Piatiak et al. 1993, Pattersonet al. 1993, , Wain-Hobson et al. 1993, Connors etal. 1993, Cao et al. 1995). The most direct datawere recently provided by two research groups(Wei et al. 1995, Ho et al. 1995a) These investi-gators demonstrated that the clearance of periph-eral blood virions (between 10
Transcriptional gene silencing as a genetic therapy for HIV-1

The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) has resulted in a new class of biological agents that can specifically downmodulate HIV-1 gene expression. Delivery of these RNAi-based agents and the emergence of viral resistance present pressing issues in the use of RNAi in a genetic-based therapy for HIV-1. Here, we discuss a potential avenue around viral resistance and a targeted delivery scheme for treating HIV-1-infected individuals involving transcriptional gene silencing. Specifically, the use of small antisense RNAs targeted to the viral promoter regions and delivery by lentiviral-based mobilization-competent vectors expressing these promoter targeted RNAs may prove therapeutically relevant in a genetic therapy-based approach to treating HIV-1 infection.
The adoption and discontinuation of clinical services by local health departments.

Objectives. We identified factors associated with local health department (LHD) adoption and discontinuation of clinical services.Methods. We used multivariate regression with 1997 and 2008 LHD survey and area resource data to examine factors associated with LHDs maintaining or offering more clinical services (adopter) versus offering fewer services (discontinuer) over time and with the number of clinical services discontinued among discontinuers.Results. Few LHDs (22.2%) were adopters. The LHDs were more likely to be adopters if operating in jurisdictions with local boards of health and not in health professional shortage areas, and if experiencing larger percentage increase in non-White population and Medicaid managed care penetration. Discontinuer LHDs eliminated more clinical services in jurisdictions that decreased core public health activities’ scope over time, increased community partners’ involvement in these activities, had larger increases in Medicaid managed care penetration, and had lower LHD ...
Rural youth and anticipatory occupational goal deflection

Abstract The primary objective of this study is an analysis of the occupational projections and anticipatory occupational goal deflection of a sample of predominantly rural Louisiana high school seniors. Two multivariate analysis techniques-least squares analysis of variance and path analysis-are applied to the data. The inclusion of a Guttman-like scale of goal impedance indicates that this variable may have utility as a predictor of AOGD. Several findings that contradict previous research are noted. Implications of these results are discussed and suggestions for future empirical inquiry are presented.
Extractive Metallurgy Program funded

In an effort to concentrate research on ore dressing and metal production, the National Science Foundation (NSF) formed a new basic research program as a part of its Chemical and Process Engineering Division. This program will be under the auspices of NSF's Engineering Directorate. Research is to be supported on every step of extractive metallurgy, from mining to processing to production, and even to reprocessing and disposal. Budgeting for the new program is expected to be on the order of $1.2 million for fiscal year 1981. A program of this nature was apparently considered seriously by the Carter administration as a joint Department of Interior-private industry project of considerable size. Then-Secretary of Interior Cecil Andrus evidently did not support the program, but there is wide agreement throughout the mineral industries and the university community that such research is badly needed for the U.S. to compete. A joint program could benefit by cutting across the many difficult regulations that now are blamed for slowing research in minerals processing in this country.
Functional polymers: from plastic electronics to polymer-assisted therapeutics

Abstract Functional macromolecules once sought almost exclusively for their mechanical or thermal properties are now finding numerous applications in a great variety of areas. In some cases, newly designed functional polymers provide such an array of new properties and functions that they effectively create fields rather than extend or support them. This brief account focusing largely on the work of the author's own laboratory explores recent advances in the design of functional polymers in two seemingly very disparate areas: organic or ‘plastic’ electronics and polymer therapeutics. While at first glance the requirements for functional polymers appear to be quite different for these two areas, the same general design concepts apply, focusing first on the definition of the key properties to be achieved, followed by the establishment of a synthetic blueprint encompassing these aims, and concluding with proof of concept studies. The examples given in this account illustrate the vibrant nature of research in the area of functional polymers and its great potential impact on to-morrow's technologies.
Nonlinear Sierpiński and Riesel numbers

Abstract In 1960, Sierpinski proved that there exist infinitely many odd positive integers k such that k ⋅ 2 n + 1 is composite for all positive integers n . Such values of k are known as Sierpinski numbers . Extending the ideas of Sierpinski to a nonlinear situation, Chen showed that there exist infinitely many positive integers k such that k r ⋅ 2 n + d is composite for all positive integers n , where d ∈ { − 1 , 1 } , provided that r is a positive integer with r ≢ 0 , 4 , 6 , 8 ( mod 12 ) . Filaseta, Finch and Kozek improved Chenʼs result by completely lifting the restrictions on r when d = 1 , and they asked if a similar result exists if k r is replaced by f ( k ) , where f ( x ) is an arbitrary nonconstant polynomial in Z [ x ] . In this article, we address this question when f ( x ) = a x r + b x + c ∈ Z [ x ] . In particular, we show, for various values of a , b , c , d and r , that there exist infinitely many positive integers k such that f ( k ) ⋅ 2 n + d is composite for all integers n ⩾ 1 . When d = 1 or −1, we refer to such values of k as nonlinear Sierpinski or nonlinear Riesel numbers, respectively.
Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of Multicystic Dysplastic Kidneys With and Without Obstruction

Etiology of multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) remains unknown. Not all cases are associated with obstruction. We compared by immunohistochemistry 17 cases of MCDK (10 cases with and seven without obstruction) to 17 controls and 20 fetal kidneys. TGF-β was negative in obstructive MCDKs and positive in nonobstructive MCDK. IGF2 was overexpressed in obstructive and underexpressed in nonobstructive MCDKs. PAX2, BCL-2, and β-catenin were expressed equally in obstructive and nonobstructive dysplasia. TGF-β and IGF2 work by different mechanisms in obstructive and nonobstructive MCDKs, but there are no differences among PAX 2, BCL-2, and β-catenin in obstructive versus nonobstructive dysplasia.
Anatomic Comparison of Lateral Transfer of the Long Flexors for Concomitant Peroneal Tears

Background:Lateral transfers of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) or flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendons have been described for treatment of concomitant, irreparable peroneal tears. This study ev...
Production of phenocopies of the lanceolate mutant in tomato using polar auxin transport inhibitors

Germinating seeds and regenerating shoot apical meristems of tomato exposed to the polar auxin transport inhibitors NPA and HFCA converted normal indeterminate growth of the shoot to that of a determinate pattern. The inhibitors produced linear, tendril-like shoots which phenocopied several forms of the homozygous lanceolate mutant in tomato.
Are We Prepared to Deal With the Alzheimer's Disease Pandemic?

The recent publication of the results of the tarenflurbil trial in which a promising γ-secretase inhibitor failed to show efficacy in treating the sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease represents yet another setback in our efforts to develop disease-modifying agents for the treatment of this dreaded condition.1 Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a line of promising agents that have failed to show any benefit when tested in well-designed clinical trials. Given that those reaching the age of 85 years have a 50% chance of developing this condition, such failures present not only a societal challenge but a very disturbing prospect for each of us. Furthermore, with the graying of the world's population, the sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease is becoming a major burden on our already limited health-care resources. It is estimated that today there are 4–5 million individuals in the United States with this disease and a total of 100 million worldwide. By the year 2050, these numbers are projected to increase to 14 million in the United States and 280 million worldwide. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2010) 88 4, 563–565. doi:10.1038/clpt.2010.84
Development of in vitro matured/in vitro fertilized bovine embryos into morulae and blastocysts in defined culture media

Abstract The techniques of in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of bovine oocytes, with development of the resulting embryos to advanced preimplantation stages in vitro, have gained widespread popularity in recent years because of the potential for obtaining information about regulatory mechanisms, and for inexpensively mass-producing embryos for research or for transfer. However, the efficiency of the techniques (blastocyst yield) is unsatisfactory, due to inadequate information about the requirements of bovine embryos for development in culture, and of oocytes for achieving normal maturation. An experiment was designed to determine effects of using different media for bovine oocyte maturation on subsequent embryo development. Five of seven media tested on oocyte maturation resulted in higher levels of fertilization and/or first cleavage division. In addition, the data indicated that culture conditions for oocyte maturation also affect development to the morula/blastocyst stages. A second experiment evaluated culture conditions for embryo development, using two media (HECM-1 and TCM-199) with or without supplementation by serum and/or oviduct cell conditioning, in a 2×2×2 factorial design. Neither serum supplementation nor conditioning nor the two together increased morula/blastocyst formation (35–46% in all treatments). Serum had a biphasic effect, suppressing the first cleavage division but enhancing morula compaction. No block was observed at the 8- to 16-cell stage with TCM-199 + serum, contrary to many other studies. The data support the hypothesis that the reported stimulation of bovine IVM/IVF embryo development by somatic cell conditioning is due to removal of inhibitory influences from the culture environment. The ability to support development of IVM/IVF embryos to the morula and blastocyst stages in defined media (i.e., without serum or somatic cell conditioning) will help to elucidate the metabolic and nutritional requirements of bovine oocytes and embryos, and to formulated improved culture media. These advances will increase the utility of bovine IVM/IVF for both basic and applied resarch, and for commercial embryo production.
Duplex Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Lower-Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

A 26-year-old woman presented with progressive swelling and pain of the left leg within 2 months after switching to a different oral contraceptive preparation. On examination, she had marked edema and erythema of the leg from the calf to the thigh with significant tenderness to palpation. Pedal pulses were intact. The right leg was normal. Lower-extremity venous duplex ultrasound (VDUS) with B-mode compression maneuvers and Doppler evaluation was performed, and she was found to have an acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the left leg that extended from the common iliac vein into the left calf (Figure 1A–1E). Figure 1. Acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in a 26-year-old woman with left leg swelling. A , B-mode image of a dilated external iliac vein (arrow) next to the external iliac artery (arrowhead). Intraluminal echoes are present, consistent with thrombus. B , Nearly complete loss of compressibility of the external iliac vein, consistent with acute DVT. C , Spectral Doppler waveform analysis with absent venous flow in the thrombosed and occluded external iliac vein (EIV). Lt DIST indicates left distal. D , B-mode image of acute DVT involving the profunda and femoral confluence into the common femoral vein. E , Color-flow Doppler image demonstrating absent flow in the common (CFV) and femoral (FV) vein and minimal flow in the profunda femoral vein (PFV; arrow). VDUS combines 2 components to assess for DVT: B-mode or gray-scale imaging with transducer compression maneuvers and Doppler evaluation consisting of color-flow Doppler imaging and spectral Doppler waveform analysis.1 The technique of compression B-mode ultrasonography for the diagnosis of DVT was first described by technologist Steve Talbot in 1982 and has subsequently been refined to become the diagnostic standard.2 B-mode imaging is used while the lower-extremity veins are compressed along their length with the ultrasound probe …
Blood counts at time of complete remission provide additional independent prognostic information in acute myeloid leukemia.

Prognostic relevance of blood counts at complete remission (CR) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not clear. To address this issue, we analyzed 891 AML patients in first CR. From the data of randomly selected 446 patients (training set), we first established optimal cutoffs for neutrophil and platelet counts and hemoglobin level at CR in terms of relapse-free survival (RFS). Patients whose counts were higher than each optimal cutoff were shown to have significantly better RFS (p < 0.01 for neutrophil and platelets, and p = 0.02 for hemoglobin). Then we tested whether these cutoffs were, after accounting for better known prognostic covariates, also predictive of RFS in the remaining 445 patients (validation set). Our data revealed that higher neutrophil count was independently predictive of longer RFS in the validation set (hazard ratio 1.38, p = 0.02), as was higher platelet count (hazard ratio 1.35, p = 0.04). These findings suggest that blood counts at CR, information readily available, are useful in prognostication in AML.
Managerial Behavior, Uncertainty and Hierarchy: A Prelude to a Synthesis

This study investigates the effect of task uncertainty on the initiating and search behavior of managers. Competing theoretical arguments are assessed empirically using data collected by sampling randomly the work activities of 50 managers. The findings show that different arguments hold for upper level managers than hold for lower level managers, suggesting that explanations for managerial behavior solely in terms of manager-task interaction or solely in terms of hierarchic position will be incomplete or misleading.
Deletion of the murine scavenger receptor CD68

Scavenger receptors (ScRs) are a structurally unrelated family of receptors with the ability to bind modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as a broad range of polyanionic ligands. CD68, whose expression is restricted to mononuclear phagocytes, is a unique ScR family member, owing to its lysosome associated membrane protein (LAMP)-like domain and predominant endosomal distribution. Knockout (ko) mice were generated to directly evaluate the role murine CD68 may play in oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) uptake. However, CD68−/− macrophages took up Ox-LDL robustly. Likewise, no defects were observed in the ability of CD68−/− mononuclear phagocytes to take up or mount an effective innate response against a number of microbes. Curiously, CD68−/− mononuclear phagocytes exhibited a trend toward enhanced antigen presentation to CD4+ T-cells, raising the possibility that CD68 may function either to negatively regulate antigen uptake, loading, or major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) trafficking.
Nonsense-mediated RNA decay: at the ‘cutting edge’ of regulated snoRNA production

Production of multiple functional RNAs from a single primary transcript is an extremely efficient use of genetic information, although it complicates the ability of the cell to independently regulate the production of each RNA. For the case of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) encoded within introns of mRNA genes, Lykke-Andersen and colleagues (pp. 2498-2517) demonstrated that alternative splicing and the SMG6 endonuclease of the nonsense-mediated RNA decay pathway are key regulators that control which RNAs accumulate.
Diastolic release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum: a potential target for treating triggered arrhythmias and heart failure.

Calcium (Ca) handling by the myocyte in chronic heart failure is altered in a number of ways that lead to characteristic dysfunction. The authors of numerous studies have shown depressed cardiac calcium transients in isolated myocytes, leading to decreased contractile function. Among the most
Protein-Ligand Electrostatic Binding Free Energies from Explicit and Implicit Solvation.

Accurate yet efficient computational models of solvent environment are central for most calculations that rely on atomistic modeling, such as prediction of protein–ligand binding affinities. In this study, we evaluate the accuracy of a recently developed generalized Born implicit solvent model, GBNSR6 (Aguilar et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2010, 6, 3613−3639), in estimating the electrostatic solvation free energies (ΔGpol) and binding free energies (ΔΔGpol) for small protein–ligand complexes. We also compare estimates based on three different explicit solvent models (TIP3P, TIP4PEw, and OPC). The two main findings are as follows. First, the deviation (RMSD = 7.04 kcal/mol) of GBNSR6 binding affinities from commonly used TIP3P reference values is comparable to the deviations between explicit models themselves, e.g. TIP4PEw vs TIP3P (RMSD = 5.30 kcal/mol). A simple uniform adjustment of the atomic radii by a single scaling factor reduces the RMS deviation of GBNSR6 from TIP3P to within the above “error mar...
Tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS) exposure, anti-TAPS policies, and students' smoking behavior in Botswana and South Africa

Abstract Objective We examined the change over time in tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship exposure and the concurrent changes in cigarette smoking behavior among students age 13 to 15 years in two African countries with different anti-tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship policies. In South Africa, anti-tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship policies became more comprehensive over time and were more strictly enforced, whereas the partial anti-tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship policies adopted in Botswana were weakly enforced. Method We analyzed two rounds of Global Youth Tobacco Survey data from South Africa (1999, n = 2342; 2011, n = 3713) and in Botswana (2001, n = 1073; 2008, n = 1605). We assessed several indicators of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship exposure along with prevalence of current cigarette smoking and smoking susceptibility for each data round. Logistic regression was used to examine changes over time in tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship exposure and smoking behavior in both countries. Results Between 1999 and 2011, South African students' exposure to tobacco advertising and sponsorship decreased significantly by 16% (p value, Conclusion Enforcement of strong anti-tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship policies is a vital component of effective tobacco control programs in Africa. Such regulations, if effectively implemented, can reduce tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship exposure among adolescents and may influence cigarette smoking behavior.
Cultures of plant cells.

It has recently been shown by Robbins1 that excised seedling root tips about 1 cm. in length, when planted in flasks of sterile liquid or agar media, grow to a limited extent to form organized root tissue with secondary and tertiary root branches. It is interesting to note that no one has observed a tendency for these plant cells to separate as animal cells separate from fragments placed in a nutrient medium. In a recent series of experiments it has been found that the individual plant cells will separate and migrate away from the fragments if the fragments are of a definite size and are cut from a definite part of the plant. This migration is in every way similar to that seen in animal cells.Squash tissue was used for this study. Seedlings were grown aseptically and fragments of primary meristematic tissue were excised from the root tip for culture. They were planted in a drop about 1 mm. thick of a nutrient salt medium similar to Pfeffer's, with the addition of 0.04 per cent peptone, 2 per cent dextrose...
A New Species of Laelaps (Acari: Laelapidae) from Indonesia, with Notes on the Juxtapositus Species-Group

A new species of Laelaps (Acari: Laelapidae) belonging to the Juxtapositus species-group, L. sulawesiensis , from Maxomys hellwaldi, M. musschenbroekii, Rattus hoffmanni and R. marmosurus collected in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is described. Notes on and a key to the 8 species in the group are presented.
The Nymph of the Mayfly Genus Tortopus (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcidae)

Immatures of this genus had not been taken prior to the discovery of large numbers of T. incertus nymphs during a biological survey of the Savannah River. The nymphs honeycomb the clay banks of the river with their burrows and follow the river level up or down, as evidenced by abandoned burrows 5 or 6 feet above low-water level. Apparently the insect requires 2 years to develop from egg to adult, and emergence of adults is restricted to the period from late July to early September. The similarity of the distribution of hairs on the legs, and the type of burrows occupied by the nymphs, suggest that the insect strains its food much as does its African relative Povilla. The nymph of T. incertus is described and figured.
Determining Human Exposure and Sensory Detection of Odorous Compounds Released During Showering

Modeling of human exposure to aqueous algal odorants geosmin (earthy), 2-methylisoborneol (musty), and (trans,cis)-2,6-nonadienal (cucumber, fishy), and the solvent trichloroethylene (sweet chemical), was investigated to improve the understanding of water-air transfer by including humans as sensors to detect contaminants. A mass-transfer model was employed to determine indoor air concentrations when water was used for showering under varying conditions (shower stall volume, water and air flow rate, temperature, aqueous odorant concentration, shower duration). Statistical application of multiple linear regression and tree regression were employed to determine critical model parameters. The model predicted that concentrations detectable to the human senses were controlled by temperature, odor threshold, and aqueous concentration for the steady-state model, whereas shower volume, air flow, and water flow are also important for the dynamic model and initial detection of the odorant immediately after the showering is started. There was excellent agreement of model predictions with literature data for human perception of algal odorants in their homes and complaints to water utilities. TCE performed differently than the algal odorants due to its higher Henry's law constant, in spite of similar gas and liquid diffusivities. The use of nontoxic odorants offers an efficient tool to calibrate indoor air/water shower models.