cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia in South Asian men.

MicroRNA (miR) are structural components of an epigenetic mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA. There is mounting evidence to support a role for miR in regulation of lipoprotein metabolism by influencing lipoprotein synthesis, reverse cholesterol transport, and insulin signaling. [1] The majority of studies to date have been performed in vitro or in animal models [1], and less is known about the impact of miR on lipoprotein metabolism in humans. South Asians are disproportionately afflicted with early, severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. [2] Dyslipidemia is prevalent in 25% - 65% of the South Asian population, appears to be a primary contributor to disease [3], and is often characterized by normal levels of total cholesterol and LDL, but low HDL and elevated triglycerides [4]. The purposes of this study were to measure miR species known to be prevalent in human blood, to determine their expression in South Asian men with and without atherogenic dyslipidemia using array-based methods, and to validate expression of miR with plausible biologic function in atherogenic dyslipidemia via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Conducting survey research at nursing conferences.

BACKGROUND Conferences can provide large numbers of potential subjects in one location, yet there is little published guidance on how to collect data at a conference site. A computer search revealed no citations on this topic. This article outlines a systematic strategy to plan and perform research at conferences. OBJECTIVES This article provides a step-by-step process to guide researchers in planning and conducting survey research at conferences. DISCUSSION Initial components in planning data collection at a conference include making a timeline and getting permission. Detailed advanced planning involves specific strategies for attracting participants, and for distributing and collecting the questionnaires. Travel provisions and on-site logistical approaches are explained, followed by suggestions for post-conference activities.
Shelburne Falls gneiss dome, Massachusetts

The Shelburne Falls gneiss dome, in the eastern Berkshire Hills of northern Massachusetts, consists of amphibolitic metavolcanics, intruded by sills and complex lit-par-lit injection-zones of a quartz-diorite and its associated volatiles. The dome is surrounded on all sides by the Conway schist, of early Paleozoic age. The dome surface dips outward at gentle angles, and the gneiss-schist contact is conformable, although an original unconformity is suggested in a few places. Sills or apophyses of quartzdionte in the schist are lacking; neither the distribution of metacrysts nor the mineral composition and texture of the schist show relationships to the gneiss contact. It is concluded that the gneiss complex is older than the Conway schist. On the other hand, both the Conway schist and the gneiss have been silicified near the dome border, and chlorite, muscovite, tourmaline, and a few pegmatites have been introduced near-this surface. It seems that these changes occurred during, or soon after, the metamorphism of the Conway sediments. At about the same time a few dikes of quartz-diorite porphyry were intruded into the gneiss and the schist. At least three of them have been tourmalinized, silicified, and micacized.
Evolving pathophysiologic concepts in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasingly recognized as a relatively prevalent disorder (ie, occurring in 3% of adults) that may progress to cirrhosis in 15% to 40% of those who are afflicted. NASH is a subset of a broader diagnostic category, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a term applied to a condition involving the presence of excess fat in the liver with or without inflammation and cellular injury. A diagnosis of NASH is established by the presence of morphologic changes on liver biopsy similar to those seen in alcoholic hepatitis, including hepatocellular fat accumulation, evidence of lobular inflammation and cell injury, and in some cases, progressive fibrosis. Obesity and type 2 diabetes, two conditions associated with insulin resistance, are major risk factors for the development of NASH. Accumulating evidence suggests that the hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance may be important in the pathogenesis of NASH. Clinical trials will now determine whether treatment of insulin resistance is an effective therapy for NASH.
One-gluon exchange and the nuclear strong interaction

Abstract Properties of nuclear matter are calculated with a quark model in the spirit of the MIT bag model. A many-body wave function is written in terms of the quark degrees of freedom. Through this wave function local correlations are put in the many-quark system such that three quarks close to each other are dominantly in a color singlet nucleon state. There is a range of bag model parameters for which the energy per nucleon of this correlated state is lower than that of a quark Fermi gas near normal nuclear matter density.
A New Class of Asynchronous Rotordynamic Response in High-Speed Rotors

Virtually all of the nonlinear rotordynamic phenomena studied in the past result in excitation of rotor response at a dominant frequency at or near the critical frequency at rotational speeds other than the critical speed. In experimental work on a “macro-rig” of a micro-rotor in development some years ago at the Gas Turbine Laboratory of MIT, an unforeseen array of asynchronous response frequencies at other than the critical were noted when the rotor was operated at both subcritical and supercritical speeds. However, those responses were not explored in detail at the time. The patterned responses were apparently related to subharmonic and ultra-subharmonic response, but at frequencies lower than the critical frequency. More recently, the author noted a similar pattern of rotordynamic response in the course of operation at subcritical of an experimental turbomachinery component which was experiencing a local rub between the rotor and stator of an interstage seal. Data from that incident revealed a pattern of asynchronous response that had a very similar appearance to the earlier observation. Using a simple numerical model of a rotor employing a single mass mounted on a massless shaft and a piecewise linear (that is, a bilinear) bearing support stiffness to represent the system, it was possible to replicate the response at individual representative points over a range of sub-, trans-, and supercritical high-speed rotor operation. A generalized expression was derived inductively to represent the individual data points. The resultant pattern of data replicated the patterns of data from the two test vehicles which originally inspired the investigation and suggested the means of their suppression where their presence might be undesirable.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Demonstration of T-Cell-Dependent and T-Cell-Independent Components of 8-Mercaptoguanosine-Mediated Adjuvanticity

The contribution of T cells to potentiation of humoral immunity by the C8-substituted guanine ribonucleosides and the origin of the increased numbers of antigen-responsive B cells generated consequent to their action have been investigated. Augmentation of the antigen-specific antibody response by these nucleosides, exemplified by 8-mercaptoguanosine (8MGuo), can be separated into T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent components, both by use of the T-cell tropic immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporin A, and by experiments using separated populations of T and B cells. Augmentation of adjuvanticity by T cells is hypothesized to involve a B-cell subpopulation not otherwise subject to the action of 8MGuo. This subpopulation could potentially arise by either of two mechanisms, one whereby preexisting antigen-specific B cells undergo clonal expansion, and one in which cells not normally participating in the response are recruited in the absence of clonal expansion. Although the former mechanism makes a minor contribution to adjuvanticity, the latter mechanism appears to be the dominant one, insofar as models in which 8MGuo-induced proliferation fails to occur (such as after irradiation, or in the SJL mouse) nonetheless exhibit strong adjuvant effects. Analysis of precursor frequency of antigen-specific B cells indicates that for each mature, antigen-responsive B cell present in adult murine spleen, an average of four additional cells can be recruited by the conjoint actions of antigen and 8MGuo. One group subject to such recruitment is the immature antigen-specific B cell, whose degree of functional maturity is accelerated in the presence of antigen and 8MGuo.
Abstract 5335: Identification and molecular characterization of pancreatic tumor-initiating cells

Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis of any major malignancy with complex etiology involving both environmental and genetic factors. Despite increasing knowledge in tumor biology, the treatment efficacy in pancreatic cancers has not improved significantly over the past decade. Thus, the identification of novel molecular pathways involved in pancreatic oncogenesis and the development of new and potent therapeutic options are highly desirable. The realization that tumors themselves function as complex organs birthed the concept that cancer cells with tumor-initiating properties of stem cells may be the key drivers of the complex machinery behind oncogenesis. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) have been studied extensively in the hematopoietic system, however it is not known which subpopulation has the highest tumor-initiating potential in pancreatic cancer. We have identified that the CD133 + /CD44 + /ALDH1 + cell population derived from 31 pancreatic adenocarcinomas and 6 pancreatic cancer cell lines, has the highest tumorigenic potential, assessed by in vivo dilution tumor propagation assays in highly immunodeficient (NOD-SCID IL2Rγ-/-) mice. In addition, this population has the highest sphere-forming capacity and is highly resistant to gemcitabine treatment in comparison to the other subpopulations. RNA-sequencing analysis in CD133 − /CD44 − /ALDH1 − and CD133 + /CD44 + /ALDH1 + subpopulations derived from BxPC3 pancreatic cells revealed the transcriptomic alterations between these cell types. Furthermore, gene network analysis revealed enrichment of inflammatory and lipid metabolism networks in pancreatic TICs, suggesting the potential role of inflammation and lipid metabolism in pancreatic TIC function. In addition, a gene network-based FDA-approved chemical library screen revealed that metformin perturbs the activated networks in pancreatic TICs leading to the suppression of their growth. Metformin suppressed pancreatic cancer growth, through suppression of pancreatic TICs, in different pancreatic cancer mouse models. Overall, we propose the identification of a novel pancreatic cancer subpopulation which harbors tumor-initiating properties and is regulated by inflammatory signals, contributing to our understanding of how inflammation is linked to pancreatic oncogenesis in the molecular level. Furthermore, by following a novel strategy, we have identified that metformin suppresses pancreatic tumor growth and relapse through inhibition of pancreatic TIC growth. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5335. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5335
Anti-tumor activity of the crude saponins obtained from asparagus

Abstract The crude saponins from the shoots (edible part of asparagus) of asparagus (asparagus crude saponins; ACS) were found to have antitumor activity. The ACS inhibited the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells in culture and macromolecular synthesis in a dose and time dependent manner. The ACS at 75–100μg/ml range was cytostatic. ACS concentrations greater than 200 μg/ml were cytocidal to HL-60 cells. The ACS at 6 and 50 μg/ml inhibited the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in HL-60 cells by 41, 5, and 4, respectively, or by 84, 68 and 59%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of ACS on DNA synthesis was irreversible.
An age-old printing process goes nano.

Patterning of surfaces has evolved from ancient applications in printed text and art to a host of complex technological applications found today. The desire and ability to shrink patterns to molecular dimensions has enabled new powerful devices, and the need for improved patterning methods continues to be a major research thrust. Commonly referred to as lithographic processes, many advanced printing processes have no true relation to the original concept of lithography. A new paper in this issue of ACS Nano discusses a new form of printing that utilizes block copolymer assemblies as ink reservoirs for pattern transfer. The results show that truly nanometer-sized features can be reproduced accurately over large areas. The parallels to the original form of lithography are quite fascinating, and this new process, called “molecular transfer printing”, may hold great promise as a new tool for nanoscale pattern replication.
Evaluating if patient self-perceptions of competencies have an influence on biological indicators for cardio-metabolic health

The purpose of this retrospective exploratory study was to evaluate how two important aspects of Bandura's theory, conviction of the importance of the behavior, and the self-efficacy to perform the behavior, motivates an individual to change or improve life style behaviors.
High‐LET pion dose contours under the LAMPF biomedical channel by plastic track detector scanning

Cellulose-nitrate plastic track detectors have been tested as high spatial-resolution dosimeters at the Biomedical Channel of the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF) at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory during pilot clinical trials with negative pi mesons (pions). Six plots of dose contours are presented. Reliable macrodosimetry with track detectors would in principle require detector calibration for the particular conditions of geometry and beam parameters in every case but it is interesting that absolute dose values, estimated from data taken with a quite different calibration geometry, were within 20% of agreement with dose values obtained by electronic dosimetry methods. The track detectors measure only the high linear energy transfer (LET) components produced by the pion beam; it is these components which are of special interest in the negative-pion therapy program. Plastic track detectors appear to have many favorable properties for pion dosimetry.
Melatonin receptors: Are there multiple subtypes?

There is now evidence for more than one site of action for the hormone melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine). Recent pharmacological and molecular advances are providing the tools to address the characterization of melatonin receptor subtypes. The development of novel melatonin receptor agonists and antagonists, high-affinity radioligands, quantitative bioassays, and the recent cloning of melatonin receptors are furthering our understanding of native and recombinant melatonin receptors. In this article, Margarita Dubocovich discusses the properties of melatonin receptors, and the basis for their classification into at least two subtypes, the ML1 and ML2.
Angiotensin-II induced hypertension and renovascular remodelling in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 knockout mice.

Background Sustained hypertension induces renovascular remodelling by altering extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are Zn-dependent enzymes that regulate ECM turnover in concert with their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been implicated in hypertensive complications; however, the contribution of individual MMPs/TIMPs in renal remodelling has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TIMP2 deficiency and thus MMP-2 on angiotensin-II (Ang-II) induced renal remodelling. Method C57BL/6J (wild-type) and TIMP2 knockout mice were infused with Ang-II at 250 ng/kg per min for 4 weeks. Blood pressure was measured weekly and end-point laser Doppler flowmetry was done to assess cortical blood flow. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for collagen and elastin analyses. The activity of MMP-9 and MMP-2 was determined by Gelatin zymography. Results Ang-II induced similar elevation in mean blood pressure in TIMP2 and wild-type mice. In TIMP2 mice, Ang-II treatment was associated with a greater reduction in renal cortical blood flow and barium angiography demonstrated decreased vascular density compared with Ang-II treated wild-type mice. Peri-glomerular and vascular collagen deposition was increased and elastin content was decreased causing increased wall-to-lumen ratio in TIMP2 mice compared with wild-type mice receiving Ang-II. Ang-II increased the expression and activity of MMP-9 predominantly in TIMP2 mice than in wild-type mice. Conclusion These results suggest that TIMP2 deficiency exacerbates renovascular remodelling in agonist-induced hypertension by a mechanism that may, in part, be attributed to increased activity of MMP-9.
Enhancing Student Gerocompetencies: Evaluation of an Intergenerational Service Learning Course

This article describes the development and evaluation of an intergenerational service-learning course designed to promote social work gerocompetencies. Service-learning opportunities were structured into the course, including an optional evidence-based falls prevention program, for older adults, entitled A Matter of Balance (MOB). Significant differences between pre- and posttest scores on the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale (GSWCS) were noted for students in the service learning course (n=13). Once MOB was introduced as an independent variable, the MOB participants scored the highest mean posttest scores for 2 GSWCS domains: values, ethics, and theoretical perspectives; and intervention. The benefits of utilizing social work gerocompetencies to guide course objectives, content, and student outcomes are discussed.
Knowledge Discovery in the Blogosphere: Approaches and Challenges

Knowledge discovery in blogs is different from knowledge discovery in areas such as databases or Web documents due to blogs' unique characteristics, which introduce additional mining challenges. Although researchers have investigated several techniques to address different aspects of blog discovery, no comparisons among key knowledge discovery techniques for blogs exist. This article examines three prominent techniques that are frequently applied to discovery in blogs - clustering, matrix decomposition, and ranking. The authors compare them in terms of effectiveness in combating present challenges and their ability to accomplish challenging tasks required for effective blog mining.
The pathogenesis of spina bifida: a study of the relationship between observation, hypothesis, and surgical incentive.

SUMMARY The growth of medical literature concerned with spina bifida since the seventeenth century reveals a stimulating relationship between factual observations upon the complex nature of the malformation, conflicting hypotheses upon its pathogenesis, and changing therapeutic possibilities as a result of advances in surgical technique. This study endeavours to account for this relationship in the particular context of the current renewal of surgical interest in spina bifida. RESUME Pathogenie du spina bifida: etude de la relation entre l'observation, l'hypothese et les tentatives chirurgicales Le developpement de la litterature medicale concernant le spina bifida depuis le XVIIeme siecle revele une relation stimulante entre les faits d'observation sur la nature complexe de la malformation, des hypotheses contradictoires sur sa pathogenie et des possibilites therapeutiques evoluant en fonction des progres de la technique chirurgicale. Cette etude s'efforce de replacer cette relation dans le contexte particulier de l'actuel courant d'interets sur la chirurgie dans le spina bifida. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Pathogenese der Spina bifida: Eine Untersuchung uber das Verhaltnis zwischen Beobachtung, Hypothese und chirwgischem Impetus Das Anwachsen der medizinischen Literatur uber die Spina bifida seit dem 17 Jahrhundert deckt ein stimulierendes Verhaltnis zwischen tatsachlichen Beobachtungen uber die komplexe Natur der Misbildung, gegensatzliche Hypothesen uber ihre Pathogenese und weehselnde therapeutische Moglichkeiten als Ergebnis fortgeschrittener chirurgischer Techniken auf. Diese Untersuchung bemuht sich, dieses Verhaltnis unter der besonderen Berucksichtigung des gegenwartigen neuen Interesses der Chirurgen an der Spina bifida zu erlautern. RESUME N Patogenia de la espina bifida: estudio de la relation entre la observation, la hipotesis y el incentivo quirurgico El aumento de la literatura medica acerca de la espina bifida desde el siglo XVII revela una estimulante relacion entre los hechos observados acerca de su patogenesis y los cambios en las posibilidades terapeuticas como resultado de los adelantos en la tecnica quirurgica. Este estudio engloba esta relacion en el contexto particular del interes quirurgico constantemente renovado de la espina bifida.
Antitumor Agents. 185.† Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Tridemethylthiocolchicine Analogues as Novel Topoisomerase II Inhibitors

Several 1,2,3-tridemethyldeacetylthiocolchicine derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against various human tumor cell lines and for their inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerases in vitro. Exhaustive demethylation of thiocolchicine analogues completely changes their biological profiles. Instead of displaying antitubulin activity, most target compounds inhibited topoisomerase II activity. Only compounds with a larger side chain, such as 15a, 23a, and 24a, did not interfere with topoisomerase II enzymatic functions. The cytotoxicity of target compounds was reduced by 3 orders of magnitude compared to that of colchicine in most cell lines. The hydrophilicity of phenolic compounds might prevent drug passage through the cell plasma membrane and, thus, be responsible for the relatively weak cytotoxicity. To test this hypothesis, 27-30 were prepared from 16a by protecting all hydroxy groups with esters with an aim to facilitate drug transportation. In vitro cytotoxicity assays indicated that 27 was more potent than its parent compound in all tested tumor cell lines and showed tissue selective cytotoxicity with a significant inhibitory effect against KB cells (IC50 = 2.7 microg/mL). Therefore, we propose that 27 acts as a prodrug, liberating 16a to exert its antitopoisomerase activity and, finally, to cause cell death.
The contribution of co-transcriptional RNA:DNA hybrid structures to DNA damage and genome instability

Accurate DNA replication and DNA repair are crucial for the maintenance of genome stability, and it is generally accepted that failure of these processes is a major source of DNA damage in cells. Intriguingly, recent evidence suggests that DNA damage is more likely to occur at genomic loci with high transcriptional activity. Furthermore, loss of certain RNA processing factors in eukaryotic cells is associated with increased formation of co-transcriptional RNA:DNA hybrid structures known as R-loops, resulting in double-strand breaks (DSBs) and DNA damage. However, the molecular mechanisms by which R-loop structures ultimately lead to DNA breaks and genome instability is not well understood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the formation, recognition and processing of RNA:DNA hybrids, and discuss possible mechanisms by which these structures contribute to DNA damage and genome instability in the cell.
Optical Modeling Of The Aging Human Eye

There are a number of models for the human eye developed principally to aid in the understanding of ijefraction and accommodation or the aberrations of the eye system. These use either a uniform lens , a small number of constant index layers as in the Gullstrand mode12, or a gradient index structure.3 However, none of these have addressed themselves to the question of the aging eye as far as we have been able to determine.
Effector Cells of Both Nonhemopoietic and Hemopoietic Origin Are Required for Interferon (IFN)-γ– and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α–dependent Host Resistance to the Intracellular Pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii

Although interferon (IFN)-γ–activated, mononuclear phagocytes are considered to be the major effectors of resistance to intracellular pathogens, it is unclear how they control the growth of microorganisms that reside in nonhemopoietic cells. Pathogens within such cells may be killed by metabolites secreted by activated macrophages or, alternatively, directly controlled by cytokine-induced microbicidal mechanisms triggered within infected nonphagocytic cells. To distinguish between these two basic mechanisms of cell-mediated immunity, reciprocal bone marrow chimeras were constructed between wild-type and IFN-γ receptor–deficient mice and their survival assessed following infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite that invades both hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cell lineages. Resistance to acute and persistent infection was displayed only by animals in which IFN-γ receptors were expressed in both cellular compartments. Parallel chimera experiments performed with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor–deficient mice also indicated a codependence on hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic lineages for optimal control of the parasite. In contrast, in mice chimeric for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an enzyme associated with IFN-γ–induced macrophage microbicidal activity, expression by cells of hemopoietic origin was sufficient for host resistance. Together, these findings suggest that, in concert with bone marrow–derived effectors, nonhemopoietic cells can directly mediate, in the absence of endogenous iNOS, IFN-γ– and TNF-α–dependent host resistance to intracellular infection.
Photocurrent derived from [Ru(bpy)3]2+, oxygen and triethanolamine in a hydrogel matrix

Abstract An examination of the photocurrent produced at a hydrogel electrode impregnated with [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in oxygen containing solutions is presented. Excitation with light at λex=436 nm gave rise to both anodic and cathodic photocurrents, depending upon the solution pH, offset potential and oxygen concentration. The electrode reaction giving rise to the current is attributed to the half reaction OH− + HO2− = O2 + H2O + 2 e−.
The Therapeutic Potential of Nitric Oxide in Lung Transplantation

Endogenously produced oxides of nitrogen appear to play important roles in tissue and organ homeostasis. Endogenous production of nitric oxide, which can be altered in response to various stimuli, can modulate vascular tone, oxyradical cascades, cell adhesion, and other aspects of inflammation. Because exogenously administered (inhaled) nitric oxide can mediate pulmonary vasodilatation and improve pulmonary function in some patients with lung injury, treatment of lung allograft recipients with inhaled nitric oxide may ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury, thereby improving perioperative pulmonary function and diminishing ventilatory support requirements. This review examines the biology of nitric oxide and present data that support its potential therapeutic effects for lung transplant recipients.
The Specificity of Synovial IgM Rheumatoid Factors (RF) for Genetically Engineered IgG Antibodies is not Affected by the Method used to Immortalize RF‐Producing B Cells

Previously, we have shown that some rheumatoid factors (RFs) produced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (EBV-RA-RF) appear to be disease-specific autoantibodies that bind differently to defined epitopes on genetically engineered IgG antibodies, compared with RFs expressed by patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (Wmac-RFs) and healthy immunized donors (HID-RFs). To exclude the possibility that EBV transformation is responsible for these differences, we have now studied 15 other monoclonal IgM RFs from patients with RA that were produced by heterohybridoma-B-cell fusion (HRA-RFs). These HRA-RFs show the same gross specificity profiles for IgG as do their EBV-RA-RF counterparts. However, when the specificities of the HRA-RF and EBV-RA-RF panels were combined and compared with those RFs from patients with Wmac or HID, significant differences in binding specificity were again observed. Hybrid IgG3/4 antibodies made by exon shuffles between the IgG3 and IgG4 wild-type genes, and families of IgG variant antibodies made by site-directed mutagenesis, were used to map the fine specificity of HRA-RFs. The fine specificity of HRA-RFs were also similar to those of EBV-RA-RFs. These studies demonstrate that the method used for immortalizing IgM, RF-producing B cells from RA patients does not influence the specificity of the RFs obtained. Furthermore, some RFs expressed in RA have distinct and unique specificities, and may therefore represent disease-specific autoantibodies.
Contemporary Population Densities and Human Health

High population densities are not associated with high mortality when socio-economic factors are controlled.
Sensitivity and specificity of endocervical curettage and the endocervical brush for the evaluation of the endocervical canal

A series of 87 consecutive Ionization specimens was studied to evaluate the accuracy of endocervical curettage for the detection of dysplasia in the endocervical canal and to investigate the role of the endocervical brush for the outpatient management of patients with atypical Papanicolaou smears. For patients having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia within the endocervical canal in Ionization specimens, the false-negative rate observed for endocervical curettage was 45% and the false-positive rate for the detection of endocervical involvement was 25%. The false-negative rate for the endocervical brush was only 8.4%, but the false-positive rate for endocervical involvement was 62.5%. The false-negative rate of endocervical curettage could be reduced to 16.7% if an abundant volume of endocervical material (as determined by point counting) was required. The utility of endocervical curettage to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in the endocervical canal appears to be dependent on the adequacy of the specimen. The determination of adequacy is a critical factor for the proper interpretation of specimens obtained by endocervical curettage.
Simple determination of the frequency response of piezoelectric tubes

A simple technique for measuring the relative extension or response of a piezoelectric tube as a function of frequency is presented. The method clearly identifies resonant modes of the system. This information is useful in tuning feedback control systems in scanned probe microscopes.
Hsc70 focus formation at the periphery of HSV-1 transcription sites requires ICP27.

BackgroundThe cellular chaperone protein Hsc70, along with components of the 26S proteasome and ubiquitin-conjugated proteins have been shown to be sequestered in discrete foci in the nuclei of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infected cells. We recently reported that cellular RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) undergoes proteasomal degradation during robust HSV-1 transcription, and that the immediate early protein ICP27 interacts with the C-terminal domain and is involved in the recruitment of RNAP II to viral transcription/replication compartments.Methodology/Principle FindingsHere we show that ICP27 also interacts with Hsc70, and is required for the formation of Hsc70 nuclear foci. During infection with ICP27 mutants that are unable to recruit RNAP II to viral replication sites, viral transcript levels were greatly reduced, viral replication compartments were poorly formed and Hsc70 focus formation was curtailed. Further, a dominant negative Hsc70 mutant that cannot hydrolyze ATP, interfered with RNAP II degradation during HSV-1 infection, and an increase in ubiquitinated forms of RNAP II was observed. There was also a decrease in virus yields, indicating that proteasomal degradation of stalled RNAP II complexes during robust HSV-1 transcription and replication benefits viral gene expression.Conclusions/SignificanceWe propose that one function of the Hsc70 nuclear foci may be to serve to facilitate the process of clearing stalled RNAP II complexes from viral genomes during times of highly active transcription.
Phosphorylation and Alternative Splicing of 7B2 Reduce Prohormone Convertase 2 Activation

FAM20C is a secretory kinase responsible for the phosphorylation of multiple secreted proteins in mammalian cells; it has been shown to phosphorylate serine residues within a variety of different bone proteins. In this work we demonstrate that FAM20C also phosphorylates threonines, specifically those within the N-terminal domain of the neuroendocrine chaperone 7B2. Analysis of the primary sequence of 7B2 revealed that three threonine residues in its N-terminal domain are located within FAM20C consensus motifs: Thr73, Thr99, and Thr111. The individual substitution of Thr73 and Thr111 residues by neutral alanines caused a marked decrease in the total phosphorylation of 7B2. Furthermore, the phosphomimetic substitution of Thr111 by Glu clearly diminished the ability of 7B2 to activate pro-prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) in 7B2-lacking SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells, suggesting that the phosphorylation of this residue critically impacts the 7B2-proPC2 interaction. However, the phosphomimetic mutation did not alter...
Victimization Among Preschoolers: Role of Attachment Relationship History

Abstract The association between preschool children's attachment history and a relational pattern labeled “victimization” was examined. The sample consisted of 38 children 4 to 5 years of age. These children were assigned to pairs and observed during a series of free play interactions. The pairings included various combinations of secure and anxious attachment histories. These dyads were rated for the presence or absence of victimization. Results showed that victimization could be reliably identified and was clearly associated with attachment history. Furthermore, the presence of a child with an “avoidant” attachment history was associated with victimization and the presence of a child with a “secure” attachment history was associated with nonvictimization.
Purine Analogs in Lymphoproliferative Disorders

(1993). Purine Analogs in Lymphoproliferative Disorders. Leukemia & Lymphoma: Vol. 11, No. sup2, pp. 153-159.
Medication Adherence of Patients with Selected Rheumatic Conditions: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective Nonadherence with medication treatment has been found to occur in large proportions of patients with a broad range of chronic conditions. Our aim was to perform a systematic review of the literature examining adherence with treatments for inflammatory rheumatic conditions to assess the magnitude of the problem in this patient population. Methods A MEDLINE search of English language literature was performed to identify studies published between January 1, 1985 and November 30, 2007 that evaluated adherence with chronic medications needed in the treatment of rheumatic conditions. Results A total of 20 articles met the criteria for evaluation, the majority of which focused on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Most of the studies examined the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Adherence was assessed based on self-report, pill counts, pharmacy dispensings, openings of pill containers using electronic devices, laboratory assays, and physician assessment. Adherence varied greatly based on the adherence measure used, arthritic condition evaluated, and medication under study. Overall, the highest rates of adherence were based on self-reports for a wide variety of medications and conditions (range of persons reporting adherence was 30 to 99%), while the lowest adherence rates were for allopurinol based on pharmacy dispensings (18-26%). Conclusions Adherence has not been widely examined for most chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions and the few studies that exist used different definitions and populations, thus limiting any conclusions. However, the current literature does suggest that nonadherence is a substantial problem.
The growth of K2B8O13 in its stoichiometric melt

Abstract The temperature dependence of the growth rate of K2B8O13 was determined to 259 deg of undercooling. The crystals showed face ted morphology at all undercoolings and attained a maximum rate of growth of 700 μm/min at 765°C. The viscosity, measured as a function of temperature throughout most of the growth region, could be fit to a Vogel—Fulcher equation. The growth of K2B8O13 in its melt could best be described by a surface nucleation mechanism.
Testate amoebae as proxies for mean annual water‐table depth in Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands of North America

Peatland-inhabiting testate amoebae are sensitive indicators of substrate-moisture conditions and have increasingly been used in palaeohydrological studies. However, to improve accuracy of testate-amoeba-based hydrological inferences, baseline ecological data on rare taxa, a larger geographic network of calibration sites, and incorporation of long-term estimates of water-table depth are needed. Species-environment relationships at 369 sites from 31 peatlands in eastern North America were investigated. Long-term estimates of water-table depth were obtained using the method of polyvinyl (PVC) tape-discolouration. Transfer functions were developed using a variety of models, and validated through jackknifing techniques and with an independent dataset where water-table depths were directly measured throughout the growing season. Results indicate that mean annual water-table depth can be inferred from testate amoeba assemblages with a mean error of 6 to 8 cm, although there is a slight systematic bias. All transfer function models performed similarly and produced similar reconstructions on a fossil sequence. In a preliminary effort towards development of a comprehensive North American calibration dataset, data from this study were combined with previous studies in Michigan and the Rocky Mountains (n ¼ 650). This combined dataset had slightly larger mean errors of prediction (8-9 cm) but includes data for several rare taxa. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrent Febrile Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia in a Chronic Cocaine User: A Case of Levamisole Induced Complications

Cocaine is used by approximately 1.5 million Americans each month and up to 69% of the cocaine seized contains levamisole. The real incidence of cocaine-levamisole induced neutropenia is unclear but probably underestimated. Associated complications include fever, thrombocytopenia, skin-vasculitis disorders, and rarely kidney injury. We present a young male, with chronic active cocaine use presenting with recurrent episodes of febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. He underwent extensive work-up and was treated with many antibiotics and we suspect that his neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were caused by recurrent cocaine-levamisole use.
The Origin of Protein Sidechain Order Parameter Distributions

Previous work by Wand et al. (Nature 2001, 411, 501-504) showed that the NMR order parameters characterizing the amplitude of motion of protein side chains seemed to form a multimodal distribution. At the time, no detailed explanation of this at the molecular level was offered, yet three "classes" of motion were inferred. We have analyzed a larger published data set and found that, although the distribution is multimodal, the evidence for three classes is weak. More significantly, we have been able to provide a simple physical explanation for the distributions based on the results of molecular dynamics simulations. This result will aid in the interpretation of data from NMR dynamics experiments.
The design of digital filters using interactive optimization

It is shown how modern optimization techniques can be used to design digital filters. The high flexibility of this approach makes tractable a large class of specifications, such as special stability requirements. Efficient use of optimization requires a highly interactive environment, such as the Berkeley DELIGHT System. As an example, the design of a low-pass filter is considered.
Development of a patient satisfaction scale

Three studies to develop and test an instrument to measure hospitalized patients' satisfaction with nursing care are reported. Content validation procedures involved both clinicians and patients (N = 75). An inverse relationship of satisfaction scores to negative mood states demonstrated evidence of construct validity. Factor analytic procedures (N = 664) failed to confirm the existence of the subscales initially conceptualized for this instrument and others in common use. Three new factors were identified: dissatisfaction, interpersonal support, and good impression. The dissatisfaction subscale explained 73.6% of the variance and had a high internal consistency (alpha = .91); the reliability coefficients of the other subscales also were high (alpha = .92 and .89). Reliability coefficients for the total instrument in successive testings were .92 (N = 100) and .95 (N = 533).
Electron Beam Irradiation of a Perfluoroalkoxy Fluorocarbon Resin: Tetrafluoroethylene/Perfluoromethyl Vinyl Ether Copolymer

Tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer was exposed to electron beams and analyzed for structural changes and volatiles generated via infrared spectroscopy. When the copolymer is irradiated, gases are produced, mass loss is induced, and acid fluoride end groups are formed in the bulk. CF4, COF2, CO2, and CF3OCF3 are produced with G values of 0.93, 0.31, 0.055, and 0.14, respectively. The sum of the G values for gas formation, 1.43, provides an upper limit estimate for side chain cleavage. The G value for formation of acid fluoride in the bulk is 0.34 and provides a lower limit estimate for main chain scission. Hence, most of the side chain scissioning leads to reactions that do not produce acid fluoride end groups.
Transient climate response to changing carbon dioxide concentration

The time-dependent response of climate changes to changing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is modeled using an energy balance atmospheric model coupled to a one-dimensional upwelling diffusion model of the deep ocean. Such a model introduces time delays so that the calculated globally-averaged temperature lags that which would be predicted by assuming radiative equilibrium. The climate model is coupled to a simple carbon cycle model and a ‘social’ model that simulates decreasing emission in response to increasing global temperatures. The thermal inertia of the system is such that temperatures continue to increase after carbon dioxide concentrations are decreasing.
Longitudinal evaluation of growth changesin class II division 1 subjects

Longitudinal records from the Ohio State University Growth Study were used to compare the skeletal growth changes between Class II division 1 and Class I female subjects between ages 7 and 14. Tensor analysis was used to determine the yearly growth rate and direction. No significant difference was found in cranial base dimension between the Class I and Class II subjects. In Class II subjects, the maxilla (S-N-A) was found to be normally related to the cranial base. However, mandibular position (S-N-B and S-N-Pog) was found to be significantly more retrusive in Class II when compared with Class I subjects. Mandibular length (Ar-Gn) and corpus length (Go-Gn) were found to be shorter in Class II subjects. The ratio of PFH to AFH was found to be smaller in Class II subjects. This is particularly apparent during the pubertal growth period. The y-axis and mandibular plane angle were more open in Class II subjects which also contributed to the retrusive position of the mandible. Maxillo-mandibular difference (A-N-B) between Class I and II subjects was present at age 7 and persisted through puberty, maintaining a greater angle of convexity (A-N-Pg) in Class II subjects. These results suggest that Class II malocclusion can be detected early. The majority of the Class II cases showed mandibular skeletal retrusion or a combination of horizontal and vertical abnormalities of the mandible rather than maxillary protrusion. These skeletal differences remain through puberty without orthodontic intervention. Individual variations were found within each type of malocclusion.
Mutations of a Drosophila NPC1 Gene Confer Sterol and Ecdysone Metabolic Defects

The molecular mechanisms by which dietary cholesterol is trafficked within cells are poorly understood. Previous work indicates that the NPC1 family of proteins plays an important role in this process, although the precise functions performed by this protein family remain elusive. We have taken a genetic approach to further explore the NPC1 family in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The Drosophila genome encodes two NPC1 homologs, designated NPC1a and NPC1b, that exhibit 42% and 35% identity to the human NPC1 protein, respectively. Here we describe the results of mutational analysis of the NPC1a gene. The NPC1a gene is ubiquitously expressed, and a null allele of NPC1a confers early larval lethality. The recessive lethal phenotype of NPC1a mutants can be partially rescued on a diet of high cholesterol or one that includes the insect steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. We also find that expression of NPC1a in the ring gland is sufficient to rescue the lethality associated with the loss of NPC1a and that cholesterol levels in NPC1a mutant larvae are unchanged relative to controls. Our results suggest that NPC1a promotes efficient intracellular trafficking of sterols in many Drosophila tissues including the ring gland where sterols must be delivered to sites of ecdysone synthesis.
Inner arm dyneins from flagella of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Abstract Two dyneins have been isolated from axonemes of Chlamydomonas flagella by a three step procedure consisting of extraction in a high salt containing buffer, hydroxyapatite chromatography and sedimentation in sucrose gradient. A dynein with Mg +2 -dependent ATPase activity 6.0 μmole Pi/min/mg, sedimenting at 12.5S was found associated with a polypeptide of molecular weight 310,000. A second dynein with specific activity of 3.7, sedimenting at 10–11S was found associated with a polypeptide of molecular weight 315,000. In their most purified forms, the two dyneins are complexed with nonstoichiometric amounts of four polypeptides ranging in molecular weight between 42,000 and 19,000. The 42,000 component has been identified previously as an actin-like protein. The high molecular weight subunits of both dyneins and two polypeptides of 28,000 and 19,000 molecular weight were found to be phosphorylated by in vivo pulse-labeling with 32 P-phosphoric acid. All components of the 12.5S and 10–11S dynein complexes, with the exception of the 19,000 polypeptide, form a subset of polypeptides found to be deficient in pf -23, a Chlamydomonas mutant, which is defective for inner arms.