cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TNF-α in smoke inhalation lung injury

Hales, Charles A., T. H. Elsasser, Peter Ocampo, and Olga Efimova. TNF-α in smoke inhalation lung injury.J. Appl. Physiol. 82(5): 1433–1437, 1997.—Adult respiratory distress syndrome is a major cause of morbidity in fire victims. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is edematogenic and has been associated with the etiology of other forms of adult respiratory distress syndrome. In the sheep lymph fistula model, we measured TNF-α after 48 (n = 7) or 128 (n = 3) breaths of cotton smoke and compared this with sham controls (n = 5) or controls in which left atrial pressure was elevated to 20 mmHg (n = 5) to increase lymph flow in the absence of inflammation. Smoke induced a rise in lymph flow and pulmonary arterial pressure with either no fall in lymph-to-plasma protein ratio (128 breaths) or a modest fall in lymph-to-plasma protein ratio (48 breaths), consistent with a change in microvascular permeability as well as a rise in microvascular pressure. Lymph concentration of TNF-α fell in both groups, although lymph ...
Derivation of Green-Type, Transitional and Uniform Asymptotic Expansions from Differential Equations. V. Angular Oblate Spheroidal Wavefunctions $\overline{ps}$ $_{n}^{r}$ (n, h) and $\overline{qs}$ $_{n}^{r}$ (n, h) for Large h

The formal techniques of earlier papers (Jorna 1964a, b, 1965a, b) are applied to the differential equation for oblate spheroidal wavefunctions, y(z,h) say, with h$^{2}$ large. The integro-differential equation arising in the reformulated Liouville-Green method is solved by: (i) direct iteration, yielding asymptotic expansions valid in the region |z| $\simeq $ $\frac{1}{2}$$\pi $; (ii) taking its Mellin transform and solving the resulting difference equation iteratively. This approach leads to new asymptotic expansions valid for z $\simeq $ 0 and $\pi $, and also to the more general uniform expansion. Both methods yield, concurrently, expansions for the eigenvalues and the corresponding functions themselves. As a particular application, expansions are derived for the periodic angular oblate spheroidal wavefunctions $\overline{qs}$(z, h).
The Effects of Inorganic Salts on the Multiplication of Bacterial Viruses

terial plating technic, i.e., an agar-peptone medium containing one or more electrolytes. It is well known that the virus titer as determined by the plaque count method is proportional, but not necessarily equal, to the actual number of particles per unit volume.1 The term "efficency of plating" has been applied to the fraction of virus particles in a given suspension which finally register as countable plaques. Presumably, the efficiency of plating is always less than unity for two reasons: a) attachment of virus to dead bacteria, and b) attachment of virus to viable bacteria not actively growing. Since bacteriophage does not multiply on susceptible host cells unless the latter are actively dividing,2 a) and b) reduce the efficiency of plating. In addition to these two factors, we have found a third, viz., the type and concentration of inorganic salt, which causes a drastic apparent reduction of efficiency with certain virus-host sys-
Preventive Care for Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Review of Changing Technology

Preventive care and patients' health behaviors cah have dramatic impacts on the course of coronary heart disease (CHD). Although the importance of preventive care is accepted by most health care pr...
Comparison of corn and barley with and without ruminal buffer in supplements fed in wheat straw-based diets to beef steers.

Ruminal fiber digestion is often decreased by supplementation of readily fermentable carbohydrates. Five ruminally cannulated beef steers were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to evaluate the effects of grain type (corn vs barley) and ruminal buffer (Na sesquicarbonate; 0 vs 1.2% of dietary DM) on ruminal digestion and fermentation in wheat straw-based diets. Grain supplements were 30% of the dietary DM. The 2 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments included a control supplement that consisted primarily of soybean meal. Diets were fed once daily and were formulated to be 10% CP (DM basis). In situ DM (ISDMD) and NDF (ISNDFD) disappearance of wheat straw was measured at 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 96 h incubation. To examine the effects of time after supplementation, 8-h incubations were performed at 0 to 8, 4 to 12, 8 to 16, 12 to 20, and 16 to 24 h after supplementation. Corn diets resulted in lower (P < .05) ISDMD for the 12- to 20- and 16- to 24-h periods than did barley diets. Averaged across 8-h intervals, the control treatment had greater ISDMD (P < .01) and ISNDFD (P < .05) than the grain treatments. Treatment differences were not observed for ISDMD and ISNDFD after 8 h of incubation. Ruminal fluid pH for barley diets was greater at 0, 16, and 20 h and less at 4 h after feeding than for corn diets (treatment x hour; P < .01). Propionate concentration was greater (P < .05) for corn than for barley diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Studies of the metabolism of diethyl p-nitrophenyl phosphorothionate (parathion) and benzphetamine using an apparently homogeneous preparation of rat liver cytochrome P-450: effect of a cytochrome P-450 antibody preparation.

A procedure is described for simultaneous purification of cytochrome P-450 and partial purification of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase from the livers of phenobarbital-treated rats. Using a reconstituted system containing these enzymes, we have examined the metabolism of benzphetamine and parathion. Both dilauroylphosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate must be present in the reconstituted system for maximal metabolism of these two substrates. Excluding deoxycholate from an otherwise complete reconstituted system decreases the rate of metabolism of benzphetamine by about 80%, and of parathion by approximately 40%. The maximal rates of metabolism of benzphetamine and parathion using this rat liver reconstituted system resemble those observed using reconstituted systems containing cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase similarly prepared from the livers of phenobarbital-treated rabbits. An antibody (or antibodies) to the rat liver cytochrome P-450 has been prepared by injecting this enzyme into rabbits. Using Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis, this antiserum exhibits good reactivity against rat liver cytochrome P-450 but poor reactivity with apparently homogeneous cytochrome P-450 purified from the livers of phenobarbital-treated rabbits. In contrast, using quantitative immunoprecipitation, some affinity of the rat liver cytochrome P-450 antibody for rabbit liver cytochrome P-450 can be demonstrated. The antibody preparation also inhibits the ability of a rabbit liver reconstituted system to metabolize parathion. However, in all cases, the antibody preparation is much more active against rat liver cytochrome P-450.
Major World Fishing Nations

It is important in our studies to have firmly in mind a concept of the relative value of the world fisheries. This concept is especially important in today’s world of rapid communication and transport of goods, as is understanding how large imports and exports of fish affect market demand and price. It is the kind of information fishery biologists and fishery managers need for determining the status of fish stocks when they design plans to manage these resources for maximum yield. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has the arduous task of collecting and publishing these figures for fisheries worldwide. Total world fish catch has increased from about 22 mmt in 1938 to 96.9 mmt in 1991 exclusive of marine mammals and aquatic plants. These FAO statistics show a fourfold increase in production during this time (Table 10.1).
A NOTE ON THE RELATION BETWEEN MAHALANOBIS DISTANCE AND WEIGHTED REGRESSION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the relation between Mahalanobis distance and weighted regression. It considers two normal p -dimensional populations. Let δ be the vector of the differences of the population means and Σ the population variance-covariance matrix. One gets Δ 2 = δ Σ −1 δ / p . In samples, the vector δ is replaced by d , a vector of the differences of sample means in the samples taken from the two populations.
Transcriptional Interference Promotes Rapid Expression Divergence of Drosophila Nested Genes

Nested genes are the most common form of protein-coding overlap in eukaryotic genomes. Previous studies have shown that nested genes accumulate rapidly over evolutionary time, typically via the insertion of short young duplicate genes into long introns. However, the evolutionary relationship between nested genes remains unclear. Here, I compare RNA-seq expression profiles of nested, proximal intra-chromosomal, intermediate intra-chromosomal, distant intra-chromosomal, and inter-chromosomal gene pairs in two Drosophila species. I find that expression profiles of nested genes are more divergent than those of any other class of genes, supporting the hypothesis that concurrent expression of nested genes is deleterious due to transcriptional interference. Further analysis reveals that expression profiles of derived nested genes are more divergent than those of their ancestral un-nested orthologs, which are more divergent than those of un-nested genes with similar genomic features. Thus, gene expression divergence between nested genes is likely caused by selection against nesting of genes with insufficiently divergent expression profiles, as well as by continued expression divergence after nesting. Moreover, expression divergence and sequence evolutionary rates are elevated in young nested genes and reduced in old nested genes, indicating that a burst of rapid evolution occurs after nesting. Together, these findings suggest that similarity between expression profiles of nested genes is deleterious due to transcriptional interference, and that natural selection addresses this problem both by eradicating highly deleterious nestings and by enabling rapid expression divergence of surviving nested genes, thereby quickly limiting or abolishing transcriptional interference.
Comparison of Single-Coil and Dual-Coil Implantable Defibrillators: A Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a meta-analysis of studies comparing defibrillation threshold (DFT) and outcomes with single-coil and dual-coil implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) systems. Background Use of dual-coil rather than single-coil defibrillator leads may lower the DFT with a transvenous ICD system; however, dual-coil ICDs may have higher lead-related complications. Methods Sixteen studies, each with more than 10 human subjects, that compared single-coil and dual-coil ICD systems were included for the final analysis after a comprehensive publication search using predefined search terms and additional search from cross-references. A test of heterogeneity, pooling, and meta-analysis of the data from the studies were performed using R statistical software. A random effects model was used for meta-analysis. Results Data pooled from 14 studies analyzed for difference in DFT showed an estimated difference in mean DFTs between single-coil and dual-coil ICDs of 0.81 J (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31 to 1.30 J), thus favoring dual-coil ICDs. However, pooled data from 5 studies revealed no difference in first-shock efficacy for dual-coil ICDs compared with single-coil ICDs (estimated overall odds ratio: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.78; p = 0.85). The all-cause mortality rate analyzed from 4 studies was lower in patients with single-coil ICDs (estimated hazard ratio: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83 to 0.99). Conclusions There was a marginal difference in the defibrillation threshold of transvenous ICDs between single-coil and dual-coil lead systems. However, first-shock efficacy was no different between the 2 groups, and patients with single-coil ICDs had favorable all-cause mortality rates on the basis of data from nonrandomized studies. Potential risks and benefits of single-coil and dual-coil ICD leads should be carefully weighed.
Anticarcinogenic Activity of Protease Inhibitors Overview

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There is known to be a great variation in cancer incidence with diet, as has been recently reviewed (Grobstein et al., 1982). Epidemiological data suggest that environmental, specifically nutritional, factors play a major role in the etiology of cancer at many different sites (Grobstein et al., 1982; Doll and Peto, 1981; Correa, 1981; Phillips, 1975). There are now many different epidemiological studies which suggest that components of vegetables, particularly legumes (Correa, 1981), might play a beneficial role in lowering the incidence of cancer (some examples of such studies are given in the references cited above). Legumes are known to contain high levels of protease inhibitors (Birk, 1974). Rice, maize, and beans, all of which are known to contain high levels of protease inhibitors (Birk, 1974, 1975), in the diet are associated with a reduced incidence of colon, breast, and prostate cancers (Correa, 1981). The intake of breads and cereals, food sources which are also known to contain high levels of protease inhibitors, has been associated with a lowered incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancers (Winn et al., 1984). Other studies with high levels of protease inhibitors in the diet have also suggested a reduced risk of developing colorectal and breast cancers (Blondell, 1988). The role of vegetable-derived protease inhibitors as active cancer chemopreventive agents is discussed in several other chapters in this volume (e.g., Chapter 1).
A prospective examination of the impact of high levels of exercise training on sedentary behaviour.

AbstractThe aim of this study is to determine changes in sedentary behaviour in response to extensive aerobic exercise training. Participants included adults who self-selected to run a marathon. Sedentary behaviour, total activity counts and physical activity (PA) intensity were assessed (Actigraph GT3X) for seven consecutive days during seven assessment periods (−3, −2, and −1 month prior to the marathon, within 2 weeks of the marathon, and +1, +2, and +3 months after the marathon). Models were fitted with multiple imputation data using the STATA mi module. Random intercept generalized least squares (GLS) regression models were used to determine change in sedentary behaviour with seven waves of repeated measures. Results: Twenty-three individuals (mean ± Sx: 34.4 ± 2.1y, 23.0 ± 1.9% fat, 15 women, 8 men) completed the study. Marathon finishing times ranged from 185 to 344 minutes (253.2 ± 9.6 minutes). Total counts in the vertical axis were 1,729,414 lower one month after the race, compared with two mont...
Electrochemical synthesis and hydrophilicity of micro-pored aluminum foil

Abstract Materials with textured surfaces have attracted great interests due to the unique characteristics, such as high specific surface area, light weight, and excellent electronic or magnetic performances. Current approaches to manufacture porous materials have been limited by being complicated, costly, and time-consuming. Here we demonstrate a facile and cost-effective method to fabricate an unprecedented macropore-arrayed structure on an aluminum foil through electrochemical etching. The process was carried out at a galvanostatic mode of electrochemical reaction, in which the aluminum foil was the working electrode. The electrolytic solution contained perchloric acid and ethanol. Pores were observed using various characterization techniques such as digital optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and interferometer. With extended etching time, the pore density was increased while the pore size remained to be consistent (~15 μm in diameter). Further examination showed that the surface hydrophilicity was improved due to the existence of pores. The increased pore density is responsible for reduced contact angle. The new finding offers the potential economical and practical applications of the pored aluminum surface in designing novel hierarchical structures.
A Systematic Approach to Achieving High Performance Hybrid Lighting Phosphors with Excellent Thermal- and Photostability

The authors have designed and synthesized a family of high-performance inorganic–organic hybrid phosphor materials composed of extended and robust networks of one, two, and three dimensions. Following a bottom-up solution-based synthetic approach, these structures are constructed by connecting highly emissive Cu4I4 cubic clusters via carefully selected ligands that form strong CuN bonds. They emit intensive yellow-orange light with high luminescence quantum efficiency, coupled with large Stokes shift, which greatly reduces self-absorption. They also demonstrate exceptionally high framework- and photostability, comparable to those of commercial phosphors. The high stabilities are the result of significantly enhanced CuN bonds, as confirmed by the density functional theory (DFT) binding energy and electron density calculations. Possible emission mechanisms are analyzed based on the results of theoretical calculations and optical experiments. Two-component white phosphors obtained by blending blue and yellow emitters reach an internal quantum yield as high as 82% and correlated color temperature as low as 2534 K. The performance level of this subfamily exceeds all other types of Cu–I based hybrid systems. The combined advantages make them excellent candidates as alternative rare-earth element-free phosphors for possible use in energy-efficient lighting devices.
A Quick Reference on Chloride

Chloride is an essential element, playing important roles in digestion, muscular activity, regulation of body fluids, and acid-base balance. As the most abundant anion in extracellular fluid, chloride plays a major role in maintaining electroneutrality. Chloride is intrinsically linked to sodium in maintaining osmolality and fluid balance and has an inverse relationship with bicarbonate in maintaining acid-base balance. It is likely because of these close ties that chloride does not get the individual attention it deserves; we can use these facts to simplify and interpret changes in serum chloride concentrations.
Microcomputer Aided Transient Analysis

Microcomputer-aided transient analysisIn this paper a mathematical model based on differential equations and state variables is used to describe the transients in an electric circuit. The numerical...
The Correlation between the Binding of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin to Luteal Cells and Plasma Membrane of Luteal Cells

Granulosa cells as well as luteal cells maintained in tissue culture require a low but constant level of LH or hCG to stay differentiated (1,2).It can therefore be assumed that all factors regulating the appearance or disappearance (modulation) of the receptor sites for gonadotropins are of importance for the luteotrophic function and the differentiation of luteal cells. To study the modulation of the receptor sites in luteal cells maintained in tissue culture, one needed a binding technique specific enough to detect small variations in receptor concentration under different culture conditions. Also, since luteal cells are obtained by enzymatic digestion, and since it had been shown that proteolytic enzymes can destroy receptors (3–7), one must be assured that such a treatment does not significantly alter the characteristics of the binding of gonadotropins to their receptors. In this communication we compare the binding characteristics of hCG to bovine luteal membranes and bovine luteal cells obtained by enzymatic treatment (7). We have been able to show that the binding was identical and that the enzyme treatment needed to dissociate the luteal cells before putting them into culture did not affect the receptor site for gonadotropins.
Associations of prenatal and early life dietary inflammatory potential with childhood adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in Project Viva.

SummaryBackground Limited information exists regarding the association between early-life diet and cardiometabolic risk. Objectives Examine associations of dietary inflammatory index (DII) in pregnancy and early childhood (3–5 years) with adiposity, blood pressure and metabolic markers in mid-childhood (6–10 years). Methods Among 992 mother–child pairs from Project Viva, a pre-birth cohort, we examined associations of DII scores with outcomes using multivariable linear regression adjusted for child age and sex and maternal age, BMI, education, parity, smoking, race and income. Results Mean (SD) maternal DII in pregnancy was −2.6(1.4) units and in child DII in early childhood was 0.3(0.7). Mean mid-childhood BMI z-score was 0.40(0.98) units. In boys only, DII in early childhood was associated with higher BMIz (adjusted β = 0.16 units per unit DII, 95%CI 0.02, 0.29), waist circumference (0.93 cm; −0.07, 1.92) and skin fold thicknesses (1.12 mm; 0.01, 2.23). Dietary inflammatory index in the highest quartiles during both pregnancy and in early childhood, compared to the lowest quartiles, was associated with higher waist circumference (2.4 cm; 0.14, 4.6) in all children, and BMIz in boys (0.78 units; 0.34, 1.22). Associations with BP and metabolic markers were null. Conclusions A pro-inflammatory diet in pregnancy and early childhood may promote the development of adiposity.
Cardiovascular benefits of the newer medications for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is growing in pandemic proportions and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common, accounting for about 90-95% of diagnosed diabetes in United States adults. Individuals with T2DM have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events compared with their non-diabetic counterparts, and CV mortality is responsible for around 80% of the mortality in T2DM. Emerging evidence suggest that in T2DM patients, hyperglycemia plays a little role in the progression of CV disease, and metabolic risk factors like insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia are the major culprits in the initiation and progression of CV disease. This calls for development of drugs which control hyperglycemia as well as the various metabolic risk factors in T2DM patients to improve CV outcomes. Recent clinical trials of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors showed encouraging CV outcomes in T2DM patients, which are attributed to the diverse extra-pancreatic effects of these medications. This review article will discuss the CV benefits of the newer incretin based therapies and SGLT-2 inhibitors as observed in their CV safety trials. As T2DM or insulin resistance syndrome, CV disease, and HF and frequently coexistent, it would be interesting to design studies evaluating the combinations of GLP-1 RAs, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and pioglitazone in T2DM patient at an elevated CV risk, and in non-diabetic patients with insulin resistance to study the possible CV protective role of these combinations.
Body Mass Index 50 kg/m2 and Beyond: Perioperative Care of Pregnant Women With Superobesity Undergoing Cesarean Delivery.

ImportanceSuperobesity, defined as body mass index 50 kg/m2 or greater, is the fastest-growing obesity group in the United States. Currently, 2% of pregnant women in the United States are superobese, and 50% will deliver via cesarean delivery.ObjectiveTo review evidence of perioperative care during
Nanotechnology in Urology: History of Development and Applications in Urology

In 1959, future Nobel Laureate (1965) Dr. Richard Feynman presented a landmark lecture entitled “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” to the American Physical Society where he postulated the miniaturization of science and challenged the audience: “How small can you make machinery?” Dr. Feynman’s early visions and conceptual thoughts of shrinking down our understanding of the physical realm and examining the elemental parts on a small scale was the earliest invitation for our exploration into the realm of nanotechnology [1].
Preparing and Rebuilding After Natural Disasters: A New Public Health Normal!

An introduction is presented in which the authors discuss various reports within the journal on topics including natural disaster-related preparations and rebuilding efforts, public health in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and climate change.
Yield and fruit quality of grafted tomatoes, and their potential for soil fumigant use reduction. A meta-analysis

Grafted fresh market tomatoes are widely used in commercial production throughout Europe and Asia, and interest among commercial producers in the Americas has increased in recent years. Many field trials have found dramatic net economic return increases relative to non-grafted scion cultivars. However, optimal yields require growing conditions that satisfy the agronomic needs of both rootstock and scion cultivars. Most commercial rootstocks are resistant to multiple soilborne pathogens, allowing grafted plants to maintain high yields in pathogen-infested fields without the use of soil pesticides, including fumigants. Here we comprehensively and quantitatively review, for the first time, all available published trial data on fruit quality and yield of grafted tomatoes. Collectively, 159 publications included 202 different rootstocks, 126 geographic locations, and 1023 experimental treatments. Yield performance varies with the specific rootstock/scion combinations and with the conditions of a given production system. Among 949 heterograft treatments (rootstock/scion of different cultivars), grafted plant yields were not significantly higher in 65% of the cases, yet they averaged a 37% yield increase for all data. In addition, grafted/non-grafted yield ratios in 105 experimental treatments with rootstock ‘Maxifort’ varied dramatically by scion. However, European trials used completely different scions than US trials, so the roles of scion and geographical differences remain unclear. Concerns that grafting might contribute to inferior fruit quality (pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, lycopene, vitamin C, firmness, “taste”) seem unfounded in general, though isolated cases show dramatic differences. Grafted tomatoes show promise to reduce the usage of various soilborne pathogen treatments, with 33% of commercial tomato rootstocks either resistant or highly resistant to seven or more common soilborne pathogens. Our approach integrated trial data from around the world, though limitations in available data complicated our analysis of relationships between some experimental variables and fruit yields and quality.
The relationship of resting and exercise blood pressure in subjects with essential hypertension before and after drug treatment with propranolol.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between clinic resting blood pressure (BP) and exercise BP in subjects with established essential hypertension during placebo and propranolol-treated phases. DESIGN Prospective, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. SETTING University-affiliated medical center. PATIENTS A convenience sample of 38 patients with essential hypertension, 34 men and four women, who ranged in age from 22 to 62 years (mean = 44 years, SD = 10.7). Subjects were diagnosed with mild to moderate diastolic or mixed systolic/diastolic essential hypertension at least 1 year before study entry. They had no clinical evidence of secondary hypertension, diabetes, heart, liver, pulmonary, or renal disease. OUTCOME MEASURES Resting and exercise BP. INTERVENTION Antihypertensive medication was tapered off and subjects were free of all prescription drug treatment for 2 weeks. They received placebo for an additional 2 weeks. Subjects then received treatment with propranolol at a dose necessary to control resting blood pressure for 4 to 6 weeks. At the end of both the untreated and treated phases, subjects were given a graded maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. RESULTS Propranolol effectively reduced mean resting and maximal exercise BP. The nonsignificant correlation between clinic resting and maximal exercise systolic BP was low in both phases. The correlation between clinic resting and maximal exercise diastolic BP was only moderate, but statistically significant (untreated, r = 0.43; p < 0.01; treated, r = 0.53; p < 0.001). For systolic BP or diastolic BP, there were no significant relationships between percent drop in BP because of propranolol at rest or maximal exercise. Clinic resting BP was not a valid predictor of maximal exercise BP. Degree of control of clinic resting BP was not a valid predictor of control observed at maximal exercise. CONCLUSIONS Resting BP should not be used as a predictor of BP during maximal exercise in the untreated condition or with treatment with propranolol.
mRNA levels of alpha1(VI) collagen, alpha1(XII) collagen, and beta ig in rabbit cornea during normal development and healing.

Purpose Type VI and XII collagens and beta ig, major components of the interfibrillar matrix, may maintain proper spacing among collagen fibrils, necessary for corneal transparency. During normal corneal stroma development and healing, changes in mRNA levels of these proteins were measured to determine whether differences in steady state levels are indicative of the unique structure produced by each corneal tissue. Methods A full-thickness excision wound was made in each cornea of six adult rabbits and allowed to heal for 1, 2, or 4 weeks. Scar tissue from two rabbits (four scars) were used from each time period and processed for RNA extraction. Total RNA from 23-day-old fetal rabbit corneas (equivalent to approximately 1 week of stromal development) and 8-day-old neonate corneas (equivalent to approximately 3.5 weeks of stromal development) was also extracted. Relative quantities of alpha1(VI) collagen, alpha1(XII) collagen, beta ig, and beta-actin mRNAs were determined by competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was used as a housekeeping gene. Results Increased mRNA levels for alpha1(VI) and alpha1(XII) collagens, beta ig, and beta-actin were seen during the first 2 weeks of healing and were followed by a decrease in 4-week-old scars. Similar increases were seen in fetal corneas with a further increase in the neonate. Differences in the beta ig mRNA levels relative to that of alpha1(XII) collagen in fetal stroma and in comparison with 1-week-old wounds suggest a higher production of beta ig in early healing tissue. Conclusions Alterations of mRNA levels during healing and development are consistent with the cellular events and deposition of extracellular matrices in these corneal tissues. Assuming that extracellular matrix protein production is regulated at the transcriptional level, relative changes in beta ig and collagen mRNA levels reflect differences in protein deposition in early fetal and healing tissues. This is consistent with differences in the organization of the interfibrillar matrices of these tissues and their transparency.
Water tunnel techniques for force measurements on cavitating hydrofoils

The paper reviews briefly experimental techniques and data-correction procedures developed in connection with studies in the High Speed Water Tunnel, California Institute of Technology, for hydrofoil force measurements. The matters discussed relate chiefly to problems of force measurement in cavitating flow and to procedures devised to solve them. Items considered in this connection are water-tunnel balances, the effects of tip-clearance flows, tare corrections, the importance of cavity-pressure measurements, cavitation scaling, tunnel-wall effects, and hydroelastic effects.
Respiratory-Related Leg Movements of Sleep Are Associated With Serotonergic Antidepressants But Not Bupropion

Study Objectives:Respiratory-related leg movements (RRLMs) may contribute to the cardiovascular risk associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), ...
Synergistic combinations of azoles and antihistamines against Candida species in vitro

Fungal infections are a major cause of skin and mucosal membrane disease. Immunocompromised individuals, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, are most susceptible to fungal infections. With a growing population of immunocompromised patients, there are many reports of increasing numbers of infections and of fungal strains resistant to current antifungals. One way to treat drug-resistant infections is to administer combinations of drugs to patients. Azoles are the most prescribed antifungals, as they are broad-spectrum and orally bioavailable. Terfenadine (TERF) and ebastine (EBA) are second-generation antihistamines, with EBA being used in many countries. In this study, we explored combinations of seven azole antifungals and two antihistamines (TERF and EBA) against a panel of 13 Candida fungal strains. We found 55 out of 91 combinations tested of TERF and EBA against the various fungal strains to be synergistic with the azoles. To evaluate the efficiency of these combinations to inhibit fungal growth, we performed time-kill assays. We also investigated the ability of these combinations to disrupt biofilm formation. Finally, we tested the specificity of the combinations towards fungal cells by mammalian cytotoxicity assays. These findings suggest a potential new strategy for targeting drug-resistant Candida infections.
Policeman for the World: The Impact of Extraterritorial FCPA Enforcement on Foreign Investment and Internal Controls

We show that a mid-2000s increase in extraterritorial enforcement of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), characterized by greater international regulatory cooperation and more frequent use of the FCPA’s accounting provisions, has a significant deterrent effect on foreign direct investment in high-corruption-risk countries. The decrease in investment is at least as large for non-US as for US firms, suggesting that widespread extraterritorial enforcement helps to create a level foreign-investment playing field. Firms under US jurisdiction with fundamental characteristics that make it more difficult to maintain effective internal controls invest less in high-corruption-risk countries after the FCPA enforcement increase, suggesting regulatory compliance costs play a role in deterring investment. Consistent with investments in accounting systems being one way firms limit enforcement risk when investing in high-corruption-risk countries, firms pursuing new investments spend more time evaluating potential targets and firms with existing investments report fewer restatements related to unintentional errors.
Neurostimulation in Clinical Practice

Neurostimulation is the process of mechanically or electrically stimulating a nervous tract. Stimulation is most commonly used as a therapy for Parkinson’s Disease and, more frequently, as an analgesic strategy for chronic pain states. Several modalities, devices, and techniques exist, each with varying efficacy. This chapter will discuss stimulation for relief of chronic pain.
Advanced HTML and Form Elements

The first time I saw a web page, I was amazed at hypertext links, images, advanced layout, colours and fonts. Of these, hypertext links already existed in another protocol on the web: gopher. Gopher used a series of index pages to navigate a site; the links on one index would take you to another index page or to some text file. Libraries were the principal users of the gopher protocol. A lot of information could be retrieved using gopher; however, it never became popular like the web. It was the remaining features that made the web as popular as it is: images, advanced layout, colours and fonts.
Clinical Outcomes During Admissions for Heart Failure Among Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background Heart failure (HF) admissions in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are becoming more common. We compared in‐hospital and readmission events among adults with and without CHD adm...
Structuring Effective Student Teams.

The policy analysis class had an auspicious beginning. Experienced practitioners from city and county government and nonprofit organizations had submitted a variety of interesting and timely issues for analysis. Students, working in teams, were clearly excited by the opportunity to address real problems and were actively engaged in the process of analyzing the issues. It wasn't until the middle of the semester that everything fell apart.
Muscle biology and meat quality – challenges, innovations, and sustainability

Abstract The demand for beef as a protein source is increasing worldwide, although in most countries beef accounts for considerably less than half of total meat consumption. Beef also provides a highly desirable eating experience in developed countries and, increasingly, in developing countries. The sustainability of beef production has different meanings in the various geographical and socio-economic regions of the world. Notable differences exist across countries in the production of beef. These reflect differences in factors including natural resource availability and climate, population size, traditional culture and degree of economic development including industrial and technological developments. Many countries are addressing the issue of food security, i.e., producing enough food to feed their growing populations. Increasing the number of myofibers (muscle fibers) prenatally would lead to increase lean yield, thereby attenuating the anticipated shortage of meat worldwide. However, several decades of research have failed to increase in the number of myofibers in utero. A realistic solution to increasing the amount and efficiency of beef production is through the use of s-adrenergic agonists (s-AA). Feeding s-AA to beef cattle increases muscle mass and improves average daily gain, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage. Acceptance of growth-promoting substances is problematic, especially in Europe, due to concerns with the environment and the perception of residues of s-AA in beef. This review addresses the importance of beef production in developing and developed countries; the growth and development of muscle; determinants of beef quality; and the use of s-AA on the growth of muscle and meat quality in beef cattle.
The impact of sleeve gastrectomy on renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease varies with severity of renal insufficiency

Abstract Background Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is known, in general, to improve renal function in patients with obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD), its effect on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) stratified by the stage of CKD is less clear. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the impact of sleeve gastrectomy on renal function in a stratified cohort of patients with CKD. Setting University Hospital. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 1932 patients who met National Institutes of Health’s guidelines for metabolic surgery and underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy performed by 1 of 3 surgeons. One hundred sixty-four patients with CKD stages 1 through 4 were identified. Results Mean follow-up period was 1.57 ± 1.0 years. Mean age was 56.4 ± 9.9 years with a preoperative body mass index of 47 ± 9 kg/m2, which decreased to 38.9 ± 8.7 kg/m2 at most recent follow-up (P Conclusion Renal function, as measured by eGFR, in patients with stages 1 and 4 CKD did not improve after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; in contrast, eGFR in patients with CKD stages 2 and 3 significantly improved. Early surgical referral and intervention may be important in achieving the greatest improvement in eGFR and possibly delaying or reversing progression to end-stage renal disease.
Litigation Patterns in Oncologic Nephrectomies: A 30-Year Review.

Introduction: The litigious environment encompassing the medical–legal domain is an increasing concern for surgical fields, with urology being no exception. The objective of our study was to system...
Prebriefing: A Principle-Based Concept Analysis

Abstract Background Prebriefing is a concept that continues to develop in the simulation literature; however, no clear framework exists for it. Method A principle-based concept analysis examined prebriefing to determine its maturity as a concept and develop a theoretical definition. Results The findings of the concept analysis were used to develop a phase-based theoretical definition of prebriefing that integrates the three domains of learning into three elements of prebriefing. Conclusion Review of the prebriefing literature demonstrated considerable overlap of prebriefing and participant preparation and an opportunity for further research to clarify the elements and role of preparation and prebriefing in nursing simulation.
Motivations of Individuals

This chapter covers a wide array of motivational theories. It starts with a review of well-known practical perspectives, such as equity theory and expectancy theory. From there, a discussion of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s motivational hygiene theory is conducted. A prominent theory of motivation, self-determination theory, is then covered and applied to the sports industry. The chapter finishes by examining contemporary constructs (i.e., authenticity and grit) and their potential application within the sports industry.
Diffusion weighted imaging as a biomarker of retinoic acid induced myelomeningocele

Neural tube defects are a common congenital anomaly involving incomplete closure of the spinal cord. Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a severe form in which there is complete exposure of neural tissue with a lack of skin, soft tissue, or bony covering to protect the spinal cord. The all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induced rat model of (MMC) is a reproducible, cost-effective means of studying this disease; however, there are limited modalities to objectively quantify disease severity, or potential benefits from experimental therapies. We sought to determine the feasibility of detecting differences between MMC and wild type (WT) rat fetuses using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging techniques (MRI). Rat dams were gavage-fed ATRA to produce MMC defects in fetuses, which were surgically delivered prior to term. Average diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were obtained for each fetus. Brain volumes and two anatomically defined brain length measurements (D1 and D2) were significantly decreased in MMC compared to WT. Mean ADC signal was significantly increased in MMC compared to WT, but no difference was found for FA signal. In summary, ADC and brain measurements were significantly different between WT and MMC rat fetuses. ADC could be a useful complementary imaging biomarker to current histopathologic analysis of MMC models, and potentially expedite therapeutic research for this disease.
Methods for the isolation and characterization of constituents of natural products: XVII. A simple microhydrogenation technique

Abstract A simple, rapid procedure is described for complete hydrogenation of micro-and submicrogram amounts of unsaturated compounds. Hydrogenation is conducted on a microcolumn of Celite impregnated with palladium chloride and is complete within 5 min. The method has been applied to methyl esters of fatty acids, alcohols, and acids.
Cleptobiosis in the ant Ectatomma ruidum in Nicaragua

Observations of the ponerine antEctatomma ruidum suggested that this is a cleptobiotic species which appears to use the pheromone trails of other ant species to locate individual workers carrying food. To test this hypothesis an arena was set up to quantify the position of eachE. ruidum that entered the arena with respect to its position on or off a well-established foraging trail ofPheidole radoszkowskii, a myrmicine. Encounters betweenE. ruidum andP. radoszkowskii are described. Quantitative data and behavioral observations support the cleptobiosis hypothesis. This study adds yet another dimension to the diverse array of foraging strategies of the Ponerinae.
REMOVAL OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS STERNE SPORE FROM COMMERCIAL UNPASTEURIZED LIQUID EGG WHITE USING CROSS-FLOW MICROFILTRATION

The validity of a cross-flow microfiltration (MF) process for separation of an avirulent strain of Bacillus anthracis (BA) spores from commercial unpasteurized liquid egg white (LEW) was examined. Unpasteurized LEW was inoculated with BA to a level of approximately 106 spores/mL and microfiltered using a 1.4-micron ceramic membrane. Permeate flux increased at a rate of 50 L/h m2 per unit pH decrease, which is almost 30 times greater compared with the rate of increase in flux due to a unit increase in temperature. Spore removal efficiency was at least 6.14 log10 spores/mL. In a storage stability study, microfiltered LEW showed no outgrowth of spores for 21 days at 4C. Egg white protein permeation, and hence the functional properties, were unaffected during MF. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Bacillus anthracis (BA), a spore-forming bacterium and a potential biothreat agent, could be used as an atypical foodborne pathogen for intentional contamination of the food supply. Thermal pasteurization is effective only for pathogens that are in vegetative forms such as Salmonella, but ineffective for destroying spore-forming pathogens, such as BA. Also, egg proteins' ability to form foam or gel is severely destroyed during pasteurization, since egg albumin is highly heat sensitive. There is a serious need in the agri-industry to develop an effective intervention strategy for removal of B. anthracis from high value foods such as liquid eggs. The current study describes a microfiltration process that is capable of removing almost 99.9999% BA spores from liquid egg white (LEW) without affecting egg white's ability to form foam or gel, and hence may provide an option for safety and security of liquid foods such as LEW.
Properties of lac P2 in vivo and in vitro. An overlapping RNA polymerase binding site within the lactose promoter.

Abstract The Escherichia coli lac ‡ promoter has been shown to contain an RNA polymerase binding site (P2) that overlaps with, and is shifted 22 base-pairs upstream from the normal lac promoter (P1). In this paper, we provide RNA polymerase protection data obtained in vitro that show that, in the absence of CAP-cAMP, in vitro P2 is the preferred polymerase binding site on the P+ template. In the presence of CAP-cAMP, polymerase binding to P2 is reduced and more polymerase is bound at P1. Two lac P1 “−35 region” mutations, L157 and 4, which increase the homology between this region and the consensus “−10 region” sequence, are both shown to have an increased affinity for polymerase binding at P2. CAP-cAMP is also able to decrease the amount of polymerase bound to P2 and to increase the amount bound to P1 on these mutant promoter fragments. P2 does not initiate transcription efficiently in vivo. Nuclease S1 mapping experiments detect only a low level of transcription from one of the P2 “up” mutations, but no β-galactosidase synthesis is directed by this mutant. Mutations such as L157 and 4, which alter the P2 −10 region, also alter lac P sensitivity to CAP-cAMP in vivo, suggesting that the P2 sequence plays a role in CAP-cAMP regulation of lac P. Possible roles for P2 in vivo are discussed.