cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability of Lymphatic Mapping After Wide Local Excision of Cutaneous Melanoma

Since the advent of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, patients with cutaneous melanoma have been referred to surgeons for consideration for SLN biopsy, sometimes even after the wide local excision (WLE) of the primary melanoma has been performed. This has raised the question of the reliability and validity of a lymphoscintigram performed for lymphatic mapping of the SLN after there has been anatomic rearrangement of the skin following the WLE of this primary melanoma. We conducted a prospective study of 20 consecutive patients with cutaneous melanomas with thickness less than 1.00 mm, who volunteered to undergo preoperative and postoperative lymphatic mapping to determine if there were any changes in the lymph nodes that were identified following the WLE of the primary melanoma. Each of the patients had a resection with a minimum of 1.0 cm margin, and closure of their wounds with either transposition flap or double advancement flaps. Lymphatic mapping was clearly identified in all 20 patients. One patient declined to undergo postoperative lymphatic mapping. Postoperative lymphatic mapping performed in the remaining 19 patients 2–4 weeks following WLE was identical to the preoperative mapping in 13 patients (68%), showed additional lymph nodes in 4–5 patients (21–26%), and showed fewer lymph nodes in 1–2 patients (5–10%). Lymphatic mapping performed after a WLE of a primary cutaneous melanoma should be as reliable in identifying the SLN as a preoperative lymphatic mapping in 90% of the patients.
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy of the antisynthetase (jo‐1) type associated with noncaseating granulomas

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a heterogeneous group of syndromes that share the finding of chronic muscle inflammation. Recently, serologic subtyping of autoantibodies found in patients with these syndromes has been used to identify distinct clinical entities. We describe a 36-year-old woman who, based on the findings of polymyositis documented by both electromyography and muscle biopsy, features of Raynaud's phenomenon, symmetric polyarthritis, "mechanic's hands," and Jo-1 antibody positivity, was considered to have the antisynthetase subset of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. In addition, the patient had granulomatous synovitis, and noncaseating granulomas were found in a breast nodule. This is the first published report of granuloma formation in the antisynthetase syndrome.
Chemistry of syn-o,o‘-Dibenzene

A new and improved synthesis cis,syn-o,o‘-dibenzene 1 was developed to obtain 1 in larger amounts with improved purity. syn-Dibenzene 1 undergoes thermolysis to two molecules of benzene at a rate slower than that of the thermodynamically more stable anti-dibenzene 2. Kinetic analysis revealed that the higher thermal stability of 1 is due to the higher heat of activation in thermolysis. Photoelectron spectroscopy of 1 showed that the through-bond interaction between the two cyclohexadiene units in o,o‘-dibenzenes is more important than their through-space interaction. A comparative study on the thermolyses of related syn-o,o‘-arene:benzene dimers suggests that thermolyses of syn-o,o‘-arene:benzene dimers proceed via their anti-isomers as an intermediate. syn-Dibenzene 1 also undergoes adiabatic photolysis to one molecule of excited benzene and one molecule of ground-state benzene in good efficiency. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.
Scheduling chain-structured tasks to minimize makespan and mean flow time

We consider the problem of scheduling a set of chains onm > 1 identical processors with the objectives of minimizing the makespan and the mean flow time. We show that finding a nonpreemptive schedule with the minimum makespan is strongly NP-hard for each fixedm > 1, answering the open question of whether this problem is strongly NP-hard for trees. We also show that finding a nonpreemptive schedule with the minimum mean flow time is strongly NP-hard for each fixedm > 1, improving the known strong NP-hardness results for in-trees and out-trees. Finally, we generalize the result of McNaughton, showing that preemption cannot reduce the mean weighted flow time for a set of chains. The last two results together imply that finding a preemptive schedule with the minimum mean flow time is also strongly NP-hard for each fixedm > 1, answering another open question on the complexity of this problem for trees.
Regulation of galanin gene expression in the rat anterior pituitary gland by the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995.

In addition to inducing pituitary tumors in rats, estrogen (E2) markedly increases galanin and PRL gene expression. We previously showed that galanin secretion from pituitary cells in vitro is inhibited by dopamine and somatostatin and stimulated by TRH. The objectives of these in vivo studies were to assess whether the long-acting somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 alters 1) immunoreactive galanin or PRL levels in the anterior pituitary, neurointermediate lobe, hypothalamus, or plasma, 2) pituitary galanin and PRL mRNA levels, and 3) the development of E2-induced pituitary tumors. Ovariectomized Fischer 344 rats were implanted with E2-filled or empty Silastic capsules and treated with or without SMS 201-995 (1.5 mg) via Alzet miniosmotic pumps. Two or 6 weeks later, immunoreactive galanin and PRL levels were determined by RIA. In ovariectomized rats, the somatostatin analog lowered the anterior pituitary content of galanin by 50%, but had no effect on PRL concentrations. E2 increased galanin and PRL levels ...
Doing it with mirrors: low-budget stereographics

Interactive stereoscopic images can be viewed on a graphics workstation by producing side-by-side images and viewing through a simple mirror device. However, it is important that the viewing device have pairs of adjustable nonparallel mirrors so large windows can be viewed without the human's sightlines needing to diverge, or 'look wall-eyed'. Transformations to produce the correct images for this viewing method are described. Previous work applied to the case where both left and right images were to be superimposed and multiplexed in the same region of the screen, often called anaglyphs. Such cases are adequately handled by a translation and an off-axis perspective transformation. The same kind of transformation can be used with a parallel-mirror device, but such devices have practical limitations. This paper shows that nonparallel mirrors require a somewhat more complicated transformation involving scene rotations as well. Derivation of the correct angle of rotation of the main difficulty in computing this transformation. The transformation can be implemented by a sequence of graphics library procedures. Advantages and disadvantages of nonparallel mirror methods are discussed.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Measures of infant behavioral and physiological state regulation predict 54‐month behavior problems

This study investigated whether measures of infant temperament, regulatory disorders, and physiological reactivity and concurrent measures of family environment were predictors of child behavior problems at 54 months of age. The sample consisted of 23 children-mother dyads. The sample recruitment strategy emphasized testing both typical and fussy/difficult infants at 9 months of age. Children were categorized into low and high behavioral problem groups at 54 months of age. The children in the high behavioral problem group were more likely at 9 months to have been temperamentally difficult, to have been classified as regulatory disordered, and to have displayed respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) regulation difficulties. These children also were more likely to come from families described as less cohesive and providing less focus on active/recreational activities when the children were 54 months old. A logistic regression analysis, including only the 9-month infant measures (i.e., difficultness, regulatory disorders classification, and RSA regulation), resulted in a significant model with 100.0% accurate classification into high or low behavioral problem groups. Data suggest that infant measures of behavioral and physiological state regulation may be early indicators of child behavior problems, especially internalizing problems.
Estrogen Mimetic 4-tert-Octylphenol Enhances Ige-Mediated Degranulation of Rbl-2H3 Mast Cells

Allergic diseases such as asthma have been on the rise in recent decades. Environmental or occupational exposure to estrogenic synthetic chemicals is suspected to be a contributing factor, and previous experimental studies indicated that estradiol and some xenoestrogens increase allergic signaling responses, such as degranulation, in immune cells. In the current study, data showed that the estrogen mimetic 4-tert-octylphenol (4tOP) enhances immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated degranulation of mammalian mast cell line RBL-2H3 (RBL). At the noncytotoxic concentrations 10-20 μM, 4tOP significantly increased degranulation in antigen (Ag)-activated RBLs but exerted no marked effect on spontaneous levels. Our data suggest that the industrial chemical 4tOP has the potential to enhance allergic disease in individuals who are exposed.
Saguaro recruitment over their American range: a separation and comparison of summer temperature and rainfall

Abstract Saguaro establishment is limited by moisture in the Sonoran Desert summer, presumably by summer rainfall. This study provides a first look at saguaro regeneration in 30 Arizona populations, and decouples summer rainfall from temperature, despite the strong relationship between these two variables, to determine the effects of each. Partial correlations quantify the success of temperature and precipitation in predicting high juvenile survival. This study finds that, once saguaros receive enough summer moisture (i.e. a population exists), highest maximum July temperature is the variable that best predicts recruitment. Although ultimately limited by water, saguaro regeneration appears to be influenced by maximum summer temperatures more than precipitation. The population structure for all populations shows a large spike among the youngest individuals, suggesting that recruitment continues in populations of this protected species.
A portable random number generator for parallel computers

Simulations on parallel computors require distinct streams of pseudo-random deviates for each processor. A combination generator is proposed which achieves distinct streams through a congruential component, and long period through a Fibonacci component. The algorithm has been coded in Fortran 77, and is suitable for fairly long simulations on machines of up to a thousand processors.
New Aminophenylsilsesquioxanes—Synthesis, Properties, and Epoxy Nanocomposites

New aminophenylsilsesquioxanes, dodecaaminophenylsilsesquioxane (NH2PhSiO1.5)12 (DAPS), and hexadecaaminooctaphenylsilsesquioxane ((NH2)2PhSiO1.5)8 (HDAPS), were prepared from dodecaphenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiO1.5)12 (DPS), and octaphenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiO1.5)8 (OPS), by nitration in fuming HNO3, followed by reduction with HCO2H/Et3N/Pd/C. The effects of the cage structure and numbers of NH2 groups on the chemical and physical properties of these compounds were compared with octaaminophenylsilsesquioxane (NH2PhSiO1.5)8 (OAPS), and analogous epoxy resin nanocomposites. The cage structure does not affect nitration patterns (primarily meta and para), but affects coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs), likely because of overall crosslink densities and because of the epoxy tether structures joining cube vertices. CTEs as low as 25 ± 2 ppm°C–1 were found, perhaps the lowest reported for an unfilled epoxy resin. The thermal stabilities of synthesized HDAPS epoxy nanocomposites were 20–30°C lower than those made with OAPS. This result may be a consequence of less-complete curing due to gelation before stoichiometric curing, caused by the much higher crosslink densities in OAPS.
Kondo effect, one and two Kondo impurities: Implications for the lattice problem

Abstract A review is given of certain aspects of the single-impurity Kondo problem and of the conduction-electron induced (“RKKY”) interaction between two magnetic impurities in a metallic host. The latter can be shown to exhibit a Kondo-like crossover at low temperature. The relevant temperature scale is described. A description of the scaling regimes and the crossovers in this problem is given; they depend on the sign and magnitude of the RKKY coupling. A comparison with numerical calculations is made and the connection of temperature scales and coherence in the two-impurity problem to phenomena in dense Kondo system is made.
The University of Chicago technique of complete intracorporeal pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy

We present the University of Chicago technique for complete intracorporeal robotic-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy. The operative steps of the open procedure were replicated laparoscopically using robotic assistance. Initially, five transperitoneal laparoscopic ports are placed prior to docking the da Vinci S robotic system. A 20 cm ileal segment is isolated, and the gastrointestinal anastomosis is performed in an end-to-end fashion using intracorporeal suturing. The appendix is anastomosed to the right posterior wall of the bladder over an 8F feeding tube in an extravesical fashion. Then, the bladder is incised in a coronal plane, and the simple detubularized ileal on-lay patch is anastomosed to the posterior and anterior walls of the bladder. A suprapubic catheter and pelvic drain are placed. Finally, the Mitrofanoff stoma is then fashioned. Cystography is done at 4 weeks postoperatively. This report suggests that robotic-assisted ileocystoplasty and appendicovesicostomy is feasible. A reasonable outcome with early recovery, resumption of normal activities, and excellent cosmesis can be achieved in select patients. A large case series, however, is necessary to determine whether a robotic-assisted approach provides any significant advantages over conventional open procedures.
Endogenous platelet fibrinogen: its modulation after surface expression is related to size-selective access to and conformational changes in the bound fibrinogen.

Summary. Platelet stimulation results in the release of endogenous platelet fibrinogen which binds to the platelet surface. Previous studies have demonstrated that plasma fibrinogen bound to activated platelets becomes inaccessible to a variety of probes. We have studied endogenous platelet fibrinogen binding to activated platelets by employing an immunopurified polyclonal anti-fibrinogen antibody and F26, a monoclonal anti-fibrinogen antibody, which recognizes fibrinogen only when it is bound to a surface. Employing the Ig or F(ab')2 of the poly- or monoclonal antibody we found a marked decrease of fibrinogen accessibility 30–60 min after platelet activation. In contrast, platelet-bound fibrinogen remains accessible to the Fab fragment of F26 at a constant level for 30 min and increases at 60 min. The reduction of the polyclonal Fab fragment binding at 30 and 60 min is similar to the F26 Ig. These results indicate that the decreased accessibility of bound fibrinogen is related to two mechanisms; (1) that the access route to fibrinogen is size selective for the antibody probes and only small antibody probes, e.g. Fab fragments, can gain access to fibrinogen and (2) fibrinogen undergoes a conformational change(s) after binding which exposes at least one neo-epitope in the D domain of fibrinogen and which may decrease or mask the reactivity of other fibrinogen domains. Only the F26 Fab probe has full access to and identifies fibrinogen present on the platelet surface 60 min after stimulation.
Photosystem I - based biohybrid photoelectrochemical cells.

Abstract Photosynthesis is the process by which Nature coordinates a tandem of protein complexes of impressive complexity that function to harness staggering amounts of solar energy on a global scale. Advances in biochemistry and nanotechnology have provided tools to isolate and manipulate the individual components of this process, thus opening a door to a new class of highly functional and vastly abundant biological resources. Here we show how one of these components, Photosystem I (PSI), is incorporated into an electrochemical system to yield a stand-alone biohybrid photoelectrochemical cell that converts light energy into electrical energy. The cells make use of a dense multilayer of PSI complexes assembled on the surface of the cathode to produce a photocatalytic effect that generates photocurrent densities of ∼2 μA/cm 2 at moderate light intensities. We describe the relationship between the current and voltage production of the cells and the photoinduced interactions of PSI complexes with electrochemical mediators, and show that the performance of the present device is limited by diffusional transport of the electrochemical mediators through the electrolyte. These biohybrid devices display remarkable stability, as they remain active in ambient conditions for at least 280 days. Even at bench-scale production, the materials required to fabricate the cells described in this manuscript cost ∼10 cents per cm 2 of active electrode area.
Inactivation of prostaglandin E1 by ocular tissues in vitro

Abstract We have studied the ability of ocular tissues to metabolize prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) in vitro and compared this activity with other tissues such as the lung and kidney under standard conditions of temperature, pH and substrate concentrations. Much greater loss of biological activity of PGE 1 was observed following incubation for 20 min with supernatant fractions derived from the kidney cortex than with similar fractions derived from the iris/ciliary body. Supernatant fractions of ocular tissues (iris/ciliary body, conjunctiva and lens) metabolized [ 3 H]PGE 1 very slowly when compared to the rapid metabolism of [ 3 H]PGE 1 observed with kidney and lung preparations. For example, only 20–30% of [ 3 H]PGE 1 was metabolized following a 60-min incubation with iris/ciliary body supernatant compared with 80% [ 3 H]PGE 1 lost within 20 min of incubation of kidney cortex or lung supernatants. The disappearance of PGE 1 was accompanied by the formation of a compound with the same Rf value as 15-keto-PGE 1 . The present results indicate that under standard conditions ocular tissues have comparatively little PG dehydrogenase activity and emphasize the importance of the absorptive transport mechanism for the removal of PGs from intraocular fluids.
The effect of solution non-ideality on membrane transport in three-dimensional models of the renal concentrating mechanism

Previous models of the renal concentrating mechanism employ ideal approximations of solution thermodynamics for membrane transport calculation. In three-dimensional models of the renal medulla, predicted urine concentrations reach levels where these idealized approximations begin to break down. In this paper we derive equations that govern membrane transport for non-dilute solutions and use these equations in a three-dimensional model of the concentrating mechanism. New numerical methods were employed that are more stable than those employed previously. Compared to ideal solution models, the urea non-ideality tends to increase predicted osmolarities, whereas NaCl non-ideality decreases predictions.
A hybrid algorithm for reducing matrix bandwidth

A hybrid algorithm for reducing the bandwidth of symmetric matrices is described in terms of a finite element grid. The new algorithm produces significantly lower bandwidths than either the commonly-used Gibbs–Poole-Stockmeyer (GPS) or Cuthill–McKee (CM) algorithms, with run times comparable to the original CM algorithm. The new hybrid algorithm uses the GPS algorithm as a preprocessor to provide a good initial node numbering for the author's node-shuffling algorithm, which accounts for variable degrees-of-freedom per node (DOF/node). The hybrid algorithm was tested on the 30 benchmark problems that were compiled by Everstine, and on 10 supplemental problems with variable DOF/node. Bandwidths and CPU times are presented for all problems.
The syntheses of total macronuclear protein, histone, and DNA during the cell cycle in Euplotes eurystomus

The syntheses of histone, total protein, and DNA during the cell cycle were measured in the macronucleus of Euplotes eurystomus by assaying the incorporation of tritiated amino acids and tritiated thymidine in groups of 800 to 1000 synchronized cells. The synthesis of DNA begins at 30% completion of the cell cycle, proceeds at a constant rate, and ends very shortly before the beginning of macronuclear division. Histone labeling is absent during G1, begins in phase with DNA synthesis, continues at an unchanging rate during the S phase, and ends with the completion of DNA synthesis. The results support the view that the syntheses of histone and DNA are closely coupled events. Label in total protein accumulates at a constant rate during G1 and appears to shift to a slightly higher rate when histone synthesis begins. At division, radioactive DNA, histone, and total protein are distributed equally between the daughter macronuclei without loss of radioactivity. Radioautographic analysis showed that protein labeling occurs throughout the macronucleus during the entire life cycle. There was no clear difference in the degree of protein labeling between replicated and unreplicated regions of the macronucleus. The distribution of label suggests that most of macronuclear protein labeling during the cell cycle is concerned with the events of transcription rather than replication.
Fine-tuning the shape of gold nanorods

Gold nanorods prepared by a seed-mediated growth approach use ∼4-nm gold nanospheres as the seeds and subsequent reduction of metal salt with a weak reducing agent (ascorbic acid) in the presence of a directing surfactant to produce nanorods. If insufficient ascorbic acid is added in the growth step, then metal salt remains. Additional input of ascorbic acid preferentially deposits more metal at the ends of the nanorods, to yield “dogbone”-like structures. Surprisingly, heat treatment of the unpurified gold nanorods (prepared with an insufficient amount of ascorbic acid) yielded fatter gold nanorods; the oxidation product of ascorbic acid appears to act as a reductant at higher temperature. These modified shapes of the gold nanorods directly influence their optical properties.
Ethanol enhances TNF-α–inducible NFκB activation and HIV-1-LTR transcription in CD4+ Jurkat T lymphocytes

During the latent phase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, CD4+ T cells carrying replication-competent proviral HIV-1 DNA play an important role in persistence of the virus. Several cofactors can induce and or amplify HIV-1 replication and negatively affect disease progression and pathogenesis. Ethanol consumption is an important risk factor for HIV-1 infection, and it has been implicated in increased HIV-1 replication and progression of infection. Because tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an important modulator of HIV-1 replication, in the present study we examined the possible effects of ethanol on TNF-alpha-inducible signaling associated with HIV-1 replication in human CD4+ T cells (Jurkat E6-1). We demonstrate that clinically relevant ethanol concentrations significantly potentiate TNF-alpha-inducible NFkappaB. Although ethanol effectively collaborated with TNF-alpha, by itself it did not have a direct effect on NFkappaB activation. The ethanol-dependent potentiation of TNF-alpha-inducible NFkappaB nuclear translocation was observed to involve the enhanced degradation of IkappaBalpha. Additionally, the ethanol-mediated potentiation of TNF-alpha-inducible NFkappaB activation was abrogated by the known antioxidant pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, suggesting an important mechanistic role for reactive oxygen species in this process. In correspondence with its effect on NFkappaB, ethanol was also observed to significantly enhance HIV-1 long terminal repeat-dependent transcription induced by TNF-alpha. Overall, the data provide a molecular basis for the possible role of ethanol as a cofactor that can adversely affect HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis.
Avoid Unnecessary Drug-Related Carbohydrates for Patients Consuming the Ketogenic Diet

Abstract The ketogenic diet is intended for use in patients with epilepsy whose seizures are resistant to conventional drug therapy. It is a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrate and protein content, and is intended to produce ketosis from the incomplete metabolism of fats. It is safe and effective—many patients with severe, drug-resistant epilepsy show improvement. Limiting carbohydrate intake in patients to obtain the necessary ratio of fats to carbohydrates and protein requires careful planning and, in children, parental involvement. Although the ketogenic diet is professionally planned, an unrecognized source of carbohydrates is prescription and over-the-counter medications. If the carbohydrate content of medications is overlooked, ketosis can be inhibited with potential loss of seizure control occurring. Thus, it is essential for care providers and parents to know the carbohydrate content of medications, including not only the typical sugar content, but also the content of reduced carbohydrate (eg, glycerin). From information supplied by drug manufacturers, we determined the carbohydrate content of commonly used medications. By knowing the carbohydrate content of these often used medications, the additional carbohydrate content of the medications can be taken into account and adjustments can be made in the ketogenic diet. J Am Diet Assoc. 2001;101:87-101.
Great expectations: protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell regulation.

lntn)duction of pht)sphoryl groups fror,: ATP onto intracellular proteins by protein kinases (protein phosphorylation) is recognized as a fundamental mechanism for the transduction of extracellular signals. Pit)neering research on the activation of glycogen degradation in response to adrenergic hormones provided the first examples of protein phosphorylation and sequential kinases in 'cascades' as regulatory mechanisms (see reviews in Ref~;. 1,2). The system remains after many years as a dominant paradigm. In the control of cell growth and differentiation, the extracellular signals are
Protective effects of zinc sulfate and l-lysine on acute ethanol toxicity in mice☆

Abstract Survival rates were determined in three groups of male CF-1 mice, treated ip with single and multiple doses of zinc sulfate and/or l -lysine, each alone and in combination, followed by administration of an acute toxic dose of ethanol 1 hr post-treatment. Significant protective effects were observed in all pretreated groups. Zinc and lysine (combined)-treated groups showed a maximal protective effect. Blood ethanol determinations were also made in mice similarly pretreated with zinc sulfate (5 μg/kg) and/or l -lysine (2.5 g/kg) ip and subjected to 4.55 g/kg ethanol ip 1 hr post-treatment. Blood ethanol values were significantly lower in the lysine-treated group ( P P
A FURTHER STUDY OF NITROGEN RETENTION IN THE BLOOD IN EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE NEPHRITIS

These studies, like all studies of the kidney, are difficult of interpretation because of the impossibility of producing a pure glomerular or pure tubular nephritis. Arsenic nephritis in its early stage is physiologically a vascular nephritis, but anatomically tubular, and shows in this stage almost no retention of nitrogen, although studies of urinary nitrogen indicate an increased catabolism. On the other hand, diphtheria nephritis in the early stages is anatomically a nephritis with marked involvement of the glomerulus anatomically, but it is physiologically a tubular form, and in this early stage there is little or no nitrogen retention although studies of metabolism indicate that protein catabolism is increased by the administration of diphtheria toxin. In both cases, however, there appears to come a time when the excreting power of the kidney is exhausted and nitrogen accumulation occurs in the blood. This is much less marked in the arsenic nephritis, with less tubular change, than in diphtheria toxin nephritis with its marked tubular degeneration. This same late accumulation of blood nitrogen is seen in immune serum nephritis, where the tubular changes are persistent and relatively more severe than the glomerular change. It might well be said that this is no argument for the influence of the tubules in the excretion of waste nitrogen because of the general exhaustion of the organism as a whole and of the kidney in particular, and that no positive conclusions can be drawn is indicated by the opening sentence of this summary. Tartrate nephritis was at first considered as purely tubular; but the appearance of occasional glomerular change, as mentioned by Wells in one of his animals, and the fact that the presence of precipitated albumen in the subcapsular space, pointed out by Pearce and Ringer, probably indicates an increased permeability of the tuft capillaries, all lead to the conclusion that although the tubular change predominates, there is, possibly, slight alteration of the glomerulus. This form of nephritis shows the most marked retention of nitrogen, persisting even though the glomeruli show almost no change, tending to clear up with the progress of time and evidently also with the repair of the tubular change, and bearing a direct relation to the dose of tartaric acid and presumably with the degree of tubular change. It must be remembered, however, that the nephritis in the cases of greatest retention is a very severe form, and this again clouds the physiological interpretation of the results. The study shows no reason for altering the conclusions of our earlier studies, but from the interpretation accorded above it appears to throw more stress on tubular change as determining nitrogen retention. It confirms in addition the value of the methods used for studies of this type.
Going beyond compliance: The role of the balanced scorecard

In addition to helping a company become and stay competitive, the balanced scorecard can play an important role in helping a company's board of directors become knowledgeable and uptodate about the business. It can also help improve compliance, especially with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrophysiological Endophenotypes in Rodent Models of Schizophrenia and Psychosis

Schizophrenia is caused by a diverse array of risk factors and results in a similarly diverse set of symptoms. Electrophysiological endophenotypes lie between risks and symptoms and have the potential to link the two. Electrophysiological studies in rodent models, described here, demonstrate that widely differing risk factors result in a similar set of core electrophysiological endophenotypes, suggesting the possibility of a shared neurobiological substrate.
Linear trichromium(II) chains wrapped by unsymmetrical formamidinates

Abstract We describe the preparation and structural characterization of four compounds of the type Cr3(ArPyF)4Cl2, where ArPyF is an unsymmetrical formamidinate, ArNC(H)NPy, (Ar=phenyl, 1, p-anisyl (Ani), 2, p-tolyl (Tol), 3, p-fluorophenyl (PhF), 4 and two regioisomers of formula Cr3(PhPc)Cl2 where PhPcF is the anion of phenylpicolylformamidine. In one of these regioisomers, the ligands are in a cisoid configuration, 5a, while in the other, 5b, three phenyl rings are pointing in one direction and the fourth points to the other direction. All six compounds contain a linear chain of three CrII atoms wrapped by four unsymmetrical formamidinate anions. The terminal CrII atoms also have Cl anions. In 1–5a, the metal chains have relative long CrCr distance that are essentially equivalent (≈2.43–2.46 A) while in 5b the chain is very unsymmetrical with CrCr distances of 2.216(1) and 2.646(1) A. In all compounds, the separation between terminal chromium atoms is significantly longer (≈0.15–0.25 A) than those in Cr3(dpa)4Cl2 (dpa=the anion of dipyridylamine).
Isolation and partial characterization of virus-transformed cell lines representing the A, G and variant complementation groups of xeroderma pigmentosum.

Abstract We have established viral-transformed, apparently permanent (immortalized) cell lines from diploid fibroblasts representative of normal and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) A, G and variant individuals. The XP-G and XP-variant cells represent complementation groups not previously available as permanent lines. All the new permanent cell lines exhibit SV40 T-antigen expression. They are also aneuploid and have growth characteristics typical of viral transformants. They have retained the phenotypes of UV sensitivity, reduced repair synthesis or defective ‘postreplication repair’ appropriate to the XP complementation group they represent. Additionally, the new cell lines are all transfectable with the selectable plasmid pRSV neo . The XP-G and XP-variant cell lines show enhanced transfection with UV-irradiated plasmid DNA; a phenomenon previously reported for normal immortalized cells and for immortalized cells from the A and F complementation groups of XP.
A Reduced Dimension Finite Volume Method for Radiative Heat Transfer in Axisymmetrical Cylinders

This paper presents a modified scheme to analyze the radiative heat transfer in axisymmetrical enclosures using the finite volume method. The modified scheme is derived from the conservation of radiative energy in an infinitely thin slice of an axisymmetrical cylinder. Therefore, the final discretized equations are based on a two-dimensional mesh in the spatial domain, and similar to meshes used for convective and conductive heat transfer analysis. The control angle overlap problem caused by misalignment of solid angles with control volume faces in the angular direction is eliminated. Error caused by the control volume face curvature is also eliminated. Comparison of results for several demonstration cases with literature yields satisfactory results.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Applications of ESI-MS in drug discovery: interrogation of noncovalent complexes

For many years, analytical mass spectrometry has had numerous supporting roles in the drug development process, including the assessment of compound purity; quantitation of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; and compound-specific pharmacokinetic analyses. More recently, mass spectrometry has emerged as an effective technique for identifying lead compounds on the basis of the characterization of noncovalent ligand-macromolecular target interactions. This approach offers several attractive properties for screening applications in drug discovery compared with other strategies, including the small quantities of target and ligands required, and the capacity to study ligands or targets without having to label them. Here, we review the application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to the interrogation of noncovalent complexes, highlighting examples from drug discovery efforts aimed at a range of target classes.
An improved method to obtain high molecular weight DNA from purified micro- and macronuclei of Tetrahymena thermophila

An improved method to obtain high molecular weight DNA from purified macro- and micronuclei of Tetrahymena thermophila is described. Micro- and macronuclear DNA obtained using previously described protocols was degraded and not suitable for the cloning of large (> 100 kb) DNA fragments. Based on the data reported here, we propose that DNA degradation is mainly due to nuclease activity; some micronuclear DNA degradation is due to mechanical shearing as a result of extended periods of blending. We have made modifications to reduce nuclease degradation by minimizing cell lysis, by the early addition of EDTA and by increasing the EDTA concentration (23 mM). To reduce mechanical shearing, cell and nuclear suspensions were blended for shorter periods. High molecular weight micro- and macronuclear DNA was obtained using the new protocol.
The effects of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication on patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease and steroid-dependent asthma

Abstract Background An association between severe reactive airway disease (RAD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children has been previously noted, but the relationship has not been well characterized. This study reports our experience with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and its effect on the pulmonary status of children with severe steroid-dependent RAD. Methods Between January 1993 and June 2011, 235 patients with severe steroid-dependent RAD and medically refractory GERD underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Clinical response, ability to wean oral and inhaled steroids, and changes in pulmonary function testing were tracked during the postoperative period. Results Of 235 patients, 215 (91%) noted significant subjective improvement in their respiratory symptoms by the first postoperative visit at 2 weeks. Eighty percent was successfully weaned off their oral steroids within the first 2 postoperative months. Ninety-five percent reported a decrease in their inhaler use. Twenty-four percent of patients studied had a documented increase in their forced expiratory volume in the initial postoperative period. There were no intraoperative complications and no postoperative respiratory tract infections. Conclusion Children with steroid-dependent RAD and documented GERD refractory to medical management show improvement in their respiratory status after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Many can be weaned off of their oral and inhaled steroids postoperatively.
Fluorous 2,4‐Dichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (F‐DCT) as an Amide Coupling Agent

1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroundecanol displaced 2,4-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine 5 is synthesized and used as a condensation agent for amide synthesis. Two active sites on the triazine ring lead to formation of two equivalents of amidation products. The purification of reaction mixtures is accomplished by plate-to-plate fluorous solid-phase extraction.
Responses to ostracism across adulthood

Ostracism is ubiquitous across the lifespan. From social exclusion on the playground, to romantic rejection, to workplace expulsion, to social disregard for the aged, ostracism threatens a fundamental human need to belong that reflexively elicits social pain and sadness. Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to ostracism because of loss of network members and meaningful societal roles. On the other hand, socioemotional selectivity theory suggests that older adults may be less impacted by ostracism because of an age-related positivity bias. We examined these hypotheses in two independent studies, and tested mechanisms that may account for age differences in the affective experience of ostracism. A study of 18- to 86-year-old participants in the Time-Sharing Experiments for the Social Sciences program showed an age-related decrease in the impact of ostracism on needs satisfaction and negative affectivity. A study of 53- to 71-year-old participants in the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study (CHASRS) showed that ostracism diminished positive affectivity in younger (<60 years) but not older adults. Age group differences in response to ostracism were consistent with the positivity bias hypothesis, were partly explained by age differences in the impact of physical pain, but were not explained by autonomic nervous system activity, computer experience, or intimate social loss or stressful life experiences.
Digital Computer Simulation Model of a Steel-Core Transformer

Differential equations describing a single-phase, multi-winding, steel-core transformer are developed. Non-linear, time-dependent equations are derived to represent hysteresis, saturation and eddy current effects. An efficient solution algorithm is presented and simulation results using equations and the algorithm are included. The resulting model forms a needed addition to existing simulation programs.
Initiating Therapy: When to Start, What to Use

Decisions regarding whether to start combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) during primary infection and when to initiate treatment during chronic infection continue to evolve. Although current data suggest that there may be a benefit to therapy during primary infection, results are inconclusive. Once begun, treatment probably should be continued indefinitely, since its potential advantages disappear over time if treatment is stopped. Recent studies suggest that cART may be useful at higher CD4 cell count thresholds than are currently recommended in several guidelines. Several regimens are acceptable as initial therapy, with tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz favored by many because of potency and ease of administration. Other favored regimens include combinations of 2 nucleoside (or nucleotide) reverse-transcriptase inhibitors and a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor. Some new antiretroviral drugs under study, particularly integrase inhibitors, may prove useful in treatment-naive patients.
Reinventing the Ames Test as a Quantitative Lab That Connects Classical and Molecular Genetics

While many institutions use a version of the Ames test in the undergraduate genetics laboratory, students typically are not exposed to techniques or procedures beyond qualitative analysis of phenotypic reversion, thereby seriously limiting the scope of learning. We have extended the Ames test to include both quantitative analysis of reversion frequency and molecular analysis of revertant gene sequences. By giving students a role in designing their quantitative methods and analyses, students practice and apply quantitative skills. To help students connect classical and molecular genetic concepts and techniques, we report here procedures for characterizing the molecular lesions that confer a revertant phenotype. We suggest undertaking reversion of both missense and frameshift mutants to allow a more sophisticated molecular genetic analysis. These modifications and additions broaden the educational content of the traditional Ames test teaching laboratory, while simultaneously enhancing students' skills in experimental design, quantitative analysis, and data interpretation.
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Their Role in Radiation Response

Ionizing radiation, like a variety of other cellular stress factors, can activate or down-regulate multiple signaling pathways, leading to either increased cell death or increased cell proliferation. Modulation of the signaling process, however, depends on the cell type, radiation dose, and culture conditions. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway transduces signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus in response to a variety of different stimuli and participates in various intracellular signaling pathways that control a wide spectrum of cellular processes, including growth, differentiation, and stress responses, and is known to have a key role in cancer progression. Multiple signal transduction pathways stimulated by ionizing radiation are mediated by the MAPK superfamily including the extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK. The ERK pathway, activated by mitogenic stimuli such as growth factors, cytokines, and phorbol esters, plays a major role in regulating cell growth, survival, and differentiation. In contrast, JNK and p38 MAPK are weakly activated by growth factors but respond strongly to stress signals including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1, ionizing and ultraviolet radiation, hyperosmotic stress, and chemotherapeutic drugs. Activation of JNK and p38 MAPK by stress stimuli is strongly associated with apoptotic cell death. MAPK signaling is also known to potentially influence tumor cell radiosensitivity because of their activity associated with radiation-induced DNA damage response. This review will discuss the MAPK signaling pathways and their roles in cellular radiation responses.
Solving three-player games by the matrix approach with application to an electric power market

In models of imperfect competition of deregulated electricity markets, the key task is to find the Nash equilibrium (NE). The approaches for finding the NE have had two major bottlenecks: computation of mixed strategy equilibrium and treatment of multiplayer games. This paper proposes a payoff matrix approach that resolves these bottlenecks. The proposed method can efficiently find a mixed strategy equilibrium in a multiplayer game. The formulation of the NE condition for a three-player game is introduced and a basic computation scheme of solving nonlinear equalities and checking inequalities is proposed. In order to relieve the inevitable burden of searching the subspace of payoffs, several techniques are adopted in this paper. Two example application problems arising from electricity markets and involving a Cournot and a Bertrand model, respectively, are investigated for verifying the proposed method. The proposed method outperforms a publicly available game theory software for the application problems.
Covariance of ion flux measurements allows new interpretation of Xenopus laevis oocyte physiology.

An animal-vegetal net ionic current identified previously using voltage probe tech- niques in maturing Xenopus laevis oocytes has now been investigated using noninvasive ion-selec- tive microelectrodes. Three-dimensional fluxes of hydrogen (H + ), potassium (K + ), and bicarbonate
Bessel beam spectral-domain high-resolution optical coherence tomography with micro-optic axicon providing extended focusing range

Endoscopic imaging in tubular structures, such as the tracheobronchial tree, could benefit from imaging optics with an extended depth of focus (DOF) to accommodate the varying sizes of tubular structures across patients and along the tree within the same patient. Yet the extended DOF needs to be accomplished without sacrificing resolution while maintaining sufficient sensitivity and speed of imaging. In this Letter, we report on the measured resolution and sensitivity achieved with a custom-made micro-optic axicon lens designed to theoretically achieve an 8 mm DOF. A measured invariant resolution of ~8 μm is demonstrated across a 4 mm measured DOF using the micro-optic axicon while achieving an invariant sensitivity of ~80 dB with a 25 mW input power. Double-pass Bessel beam spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with an axicon micro-optic lens (i.e., <1 mm in diameter) is, for the first time to our knowledge, demonstrated in a biological sample demonstrating invariant resolution and signal-to-noise ratio across a 4 mm measured DOF, which is compared to Gaussian beam imaging.
Possible Correlation between Glycemia and Blood Pressure in Black, Diabetic, Hypertensive Patients

OBJECTIVE:To determine if there is any association between glycemia and blood pressure in black patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus whose antihypertensive medications had been unchanged for six months.DESIGN:Retrospective, from March 1990 through February 1991.SETTING:Internal medicine ambulatory clinic at Detroit Receiving Hospital/University Health Center.PATIENTS:Patients seen during this period with hypertension and type II diabetes. Of the 639 possible subjects, 124 met the following criteria: (1) no change in antihypertensive medications for six months, (2) absence of secondary hypertension, and (3) weight change (if any) was less than five percent. Changes in antihypertensive medication(s) excluded 388 patients, secondary hypertension excluded 3, weight changes of more than five percent excluded 94, and lack of matching postprandial capillary blood glucose (PCBG) values excluded 30. The mean age of the subjects was 66.8 years, mean diabetes duration was 12.0 years, mean PCBG was 10.7 m...