cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Qγ component of intra‐membrane charge movement is present in mammalian muscle fibres, but suppressed in the absence of S100A1

S100A1 is a Ca2+ binding protein that modulates excitation–contraction (EC) coupling in skeletal and cardiac muscle. S100A1 competes with calmodulin for binding to the skeletal muscle SR Ca2+ release channel (the ryanodine receptor type 1, RyR1) at a site that also interacts with the C-terminal tail of the voltage sensor of EC coupling, the dihydropyridine receptor. Ablation of S100A1 leads to delayed and decreased action potential evoked Ca2+ transients, possibly linked to altered voltage sensor activation. Here we investigate the effects of S100A1 on voltage sensor activation in skeletal muscle utilizing whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology to record intra-membrane charge movement currents in isolated flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle fibres from wild-type and S100A1 knock-out (KO) mice. In contrast to recent reports, we found that FDB fibres exhibit two distinct components of intra-membrane charge movement, an initial rapid component (Qβ), and a delayed, steeply voltage dependent ‘hump’ component (Qγ) previously recorded primarily in amphibian but not mammalian fibres. Surprisingly, we found that Qγ was selectively suppressed in S100A1 KO fibres, while the Qβ component of charge movement was unaffected. This result was specific to S100A1 and not a compensatory result of genetic manipulation, as transient intracellular application of S100A1 restored Qγ. Furthermore, we found that exposure to the RyR1 inhibitor dantrolene suppressed a similar component of charge movement in FDB fibres. These results shed light on voltage sensor activation in mammalian muscle, and support S100A1 as a positive regulator of the voltage sensor and Ca2+ release channel in skeletal muscle EC coupling.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Data

For millions of women, breast cancer remains a potentially life-endangering diagnosis. With advances in research, new therapies targeted to tumor biology are emerging to treat the most common form of this disease. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors are a new class of therapeutic agents that have the potential to improve the outcomes of patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR(+)) breast cancer. Three CDK 4/6 inhibitors have been investigated for the treatment of HR(+) breast cancer, including palbociclib (PD 0332991), ribociclib (LEE011), and abemaciclib (LY2835219). Palbociclib recently received accelerated Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of HR(+) metastatic breast cancer in combination with letrozole, and recent data suggest improved outcome when combined with fulvestrant. In this article, the mechanism of action of CDK 4/6 inhibitors, preclinical studies on their efficacy, ongoing clinical trials in breast cancer, and toxicity profiles are reviewed.
Micros and me: leveraging home and community practices in formal science instruction

Critiques of school science from sociocultural perspectives focus on the narrow scope of the science that is presented to students in school, which in turn constrains how children should engage in scientific sense-making in classrooms. We have designed a seven-week instructional intervention, Micros and Me, which attempts to (a) make science more personally consequential to students' lives and cultural memberships, and (b) connect authentic scientific practices deeply with students' repertoires of practice. We report on two iterations of Micros and Me, focusing our analysis on two design issues: (1) how we attempted to broaden the definition of what counts as school science through a self-documentation task, and (2) how the self-documentation task problematized the conception of "culture" in each of the classrooms. We end with design implications for the design of science learning environments that take as their starting point deep knowledge of students' repertoires of practice.
3‐(2‐Bromo­phenyl)‐4‐(triiso­propyl­silyl)­sydnone

Sydnones are, in most cases, extremely stable crystalline compounds that exhibit a distinct polarity. The five-membered heterocyclic ring that characterizes a sydnone is subject to electrophilic substitution. Only with a strongly activating group present will an attached aryl group compete effectively for the electrophile, due to the considerable partial positive change at the quaternary N atom of the sydnone ring. The title compound, C17H25BrN2O2Si, is of interest due to an intra­molecular shift of the silyl-protecting group that occurs between the syndone ring and the aryl ring when treated with n-butyllithium. This was observed while attempting to replace the aryl bromine. With a curiosity into a rationale for this shift, we have examined a series of precursors, this being the first.
Status of warm fog dispersal research

A new concept for dispersing warm fog is presented. This brute force technique uses large volume recycled water sprays. Energy requirements for this technique are an order of magnitude less than those to operate a thermo-kinetic system. An important side benefit is the considerable emergency fire extinguishing capability it provides along the runway. Tests conducted to provide drop spectra measurements and temperature response measurements of suitable water sprays are described. Three mobile firefighting modules capable of spraying up to 630 l/s (10,000 gpm) to a height in excess of 50 m were utilized. Periodic operation of two parallel rows of nozzles in a heavy fog resulted in downwind-correlated increases in the visual range measured with a forward scatter visibility meter.
Causes, Coping and Consequences of Stress at Work

The article reviews the book “Causes, Coping and Consequences of Stress at Work,” edited by Cary L. Cooper and Roy Payne.
Short latency SEPs to median nerve stimulation: Comparison of recording methods and origin of components

Abstract Short latency SEPs recorded in scalp and cervical spine non-cephalic reference leads, cervical spine scalp and scalp-ear leads were obtained in 9 normal subjects and 20 patients in order to provide information concerning the generator sources of potentials recorded using the different derivations. Cervical spine non-cephalic reference leads yielded initially positive bi- or triphasic potentials, which reflect the ascending volley as it approaches the cervical recording electrode from the periphery (positive) and passes under the recording electrode in the spinal cord (negative). Scalp-non-cephalic reference recordings yielded up to 4 positive potentials (P 9 , P 11 , P 13 , P 14 ) followed by a negative potential (N 20 ). Evidence from both normal subjects and patients suggests the following origins for these components. P 9 primarily in proximal segments of stimulated median nerve fibers as they course from axilla to spinal cord, P 11 in spinal cord dorsal columns, P 13 in brain stem lemniscal pathways and P 14 in brain stem or diencephalic lemniscal pathways. Cervical spinal scalp leads yield up to 4 ‘negative’ potentials (N 9 , N 11 , N 13 , N 14 ). Evidence is presented which suggests the following origins for these components. ‘N 9 ’ is a positive potential which is more prominent over the scalp (P 9 ) and rostral cervical spine than it is over the caudal cervical spine. This component has the same origin as P 9 recorded from the scalp. N 11 is contributed to by the initial portion of the negative potential recorded by the cervical electrode which arises in the dorsal columns and a positive potential recorded by the scalp electrode (P 11 ). N 13 is also a composite potential contributed to by a portion of the negative potential recorded by the cervical electrode which reflects spinal cord synaptic activity and the P 13 potential recorded by the scalp electrode. The ‘N 14 ’ inflection is the P 14 potential recorded by the scalp electrode.
Fire history of mixed conifer ecosystems in the Great Basin/Mojave Deserts transition zone, Nevada, USA

Vegetation processes in terrestrial ecosystems are closely linked with wildfire regime, but fire histories at the boundary between the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts of North America are relatively sparse. We investigated wildfire regime and its driving factors before and after Euro-American settlement in high-elevation mixed-conifer ecosystems that are found as “mountain islands” in south-eastern Nevada, USA. Field-based results obtained at the Clover Mountains were compared with those already published for Mt. Irish, less than 100 km away, and also to remotely sensed information provided by the LANDFIRE project, which is commonly used for natural resource management. Annually resolved wildfire history at the Clover Mountains was derived back to year 1500 from fire scar samples taken from 139 ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa) located in six stands. During the 1785–2007 period, when at least 20 recorder trees (and a total of 241 fire scars) were available, the Clover Mountains were characterized by frequent (mean fire interval <10 years) low-severity fires, half of which scarred more than 10 % of recorder trees. The 1877 and 1946 fires scarred 50 % or more of recorder trees and spread to four out of six sampled stands. After the 1946 event, the site has experienced a 61-year fire-free period tied to fire suppression activity starting in the mid-1900s. In comparison with Mt. Irish, the Clover Mountains showed a longer mean fire return interval, larger fires, and some patchy high-severity events, even before Euro-American settlement. Variations in ecosystem composition and associated fire regime in these high-elevation mixed-conifer woodlands were not adequately captured by remotely sensed data used for vegetation management, revealing a need for additional field-based assessments of fire regime characteristics in this region.
A problem on rational invariants

Abstract Let K = k(x1, x2,…, xt) where k is a field and x1, x2,…, xt are algebraically free over k. Let G be a finite group of k-automorphisms of K such that σxi = cix1ai1…xtait for each σ∈G, 1≤i≤t, where ci∈k, aij∈Z. The problem is: is KG=k(y1,y2,…,yt) for some y1,y2,…,yt∈K? The role of the coefficients ci is considered and determined explicity when G is cyclic of prime order. This role is of a cohomological nature. We also solve the stated problem in a very special case.
OD as muddling: Implications for communication consultants

This paper posits that communication consultants, in becoming grounded in the theory and practice of OD interventions, must recognize the subtle, potentially unforeseen problems inherent in most interventions. This argument is developed in three stages. First, OD as a problematic process is discussed by comparing it with Lindblom's analysis of “Muddling Through.” Second, each of the problem areas suggested by this comparison is developed. Finally, implications are derived on the basis of this comparison.
Amyloid resistance in A/J mice is determined by a single gene

WIDESPREAD tissue deposition of the unique fibrous protein amyloid occurs in a variety of human diseases1. ‘Secondary’ amyloidosis arises as a complication of chronic infectious or inflammatory disease and an identical syndrome can be induced in mice by repeated injections of casein2. Little genetic work has been done in this area, probably because development of amyloidosis is often variable, even with a standard induction regimen, and results are inconsistent3. Furthermore, because of the many complex immunological aberrations occurring during the amyloid induction period4, the various experimental manipulaions which can affect it4, and the wide range of induction times seen in different murine strains2, on would expect that multiple genes and alleles would influence amyloidogenesis. Nevertheless, the discovery of the uniquely resistant A strain5 suggested the posiblity of isolating at least part of the genetic analysis of amyloid induction in two inbred strains, CBA/J and A/J, differing markedly in susceptibility to amyloidosis5. We show for the first time that a single gene confers resistance on the A/J strain. Our results imply that genetic factors may also define subpopulations of chronic disease patients who are at greater risk from amyloid disease.
Defining Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables: A Nutrient Density Approach

National nutrition guidelines emphasize consumption of powerhouse fruits and vegetables (PFV), foods most strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk; yet efforts to define PFV are lacking. This study developed and validated a classification scheme defining PFV as foods providing, on average, 10% or more daily value per 100 kcal of 17 qualifying nutrients. Of 47 foods studied, 41 satisfied the powerhouse criterion and were more nutrient-dense than were non-PFV, providing preliminary evidence of the validity of the classification scheme. The proposed classification scheme is offered as a tool for nutrition education and dietary guidance.
Investigation of the turn-off characteristics of a GTO thyristor in an inductive-based pulse forming network

This paper introduces a test circuit that is used to study the turn-off characteristics of a GTO thyristor when used as an opening switch. Specifically a safe-operating-area has been identified which demonstrates that a particular GTO device can successfully turn off as much as three times the maximum rated interruptible current. The text examines mechanisms for GTO turn-off failure and proposes follow-on research initiatives.
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is thought to represent chronic allograft rejection. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD), acute cellular rejection (AR), lymphocytic bronchiolitis (LB), abnormal gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with microaspiration, and allograft infection have all been implicated as causes of BOS. Although BOS is generally considered to be caused by alloimmune responses to non-self tissue, more recent findings suggest that autoimmune responses to self-antigens and the triggering of innate immune responses to environment stimuli may play a significant role in the pathobiology of BOS. Effective treatment of BOS remains elusive, but azithromycin may stabilize and possibly improve FEV1 in patients who meet criteria for BOS, and gastric fundoplication may be beneficial if abnormal GER is detected. Augmented immunosuppression is generally ineffective, and other treatments such as total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) or extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) may not have a significant impact on loss of function. Retransplantation can be considered in carefully selected patients.
Catecholamine-induced myocardial hypoxia in the presence of impaired coronary dilatability independent of external cardiac work.

Abstract Surface electrocardiograms were taken in vagotomized cats over areas of the left ventricle. An adjustable nonoccluding restriction device prevented part of the coronary arterial supply from dilating. Under these circumstances, brief stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic nerves or reflex stimulation of the adreno-sympathetic system through electrically induced muscular “exercise,” or intravenous injection of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine) caused regularly marked elevations of the S-T segment and the T wave, even if concomitant augmentation of cardiac mechanical work was only minimal. Identical electrocardiographic changes were elicited by exogenous anoxia (breathing 100 per cent nitrogen), and by more complete coronary constriction. By contrast, no S-T displacement occurred despite coronary restriction when heavy work loads were imposed upon the heart by noncatecholamine influences, namely, tachycardia produced by electrical stimulation of the right atrium, or high rises of the blood pressure produced by intravenous injection of angiotensin II , or both combined. Neurogenic and blood-borne catecholamines cause severe regional myocardial hypoxia when the normal compensatory coronary dilatation is impaired. Such catecholamine-induced myocardial hypoxia is not caused by the concomitant augmentation of cardiac mechanical work which these neurohormones usually elicit, but by their specific biochemical oxygen-wasting properties. Our findings agree with the clinical experience that in patients with coronary sclerosis attacks of angina pectoris are ordinarily triggered by sympathetic-stimulating, catecholamine-liberating conditions (exercise, emotions and other stresses), and prevented by various antiadrenergic measures. Contrary to traditional belief, it is suggested that anginal symptoms do not occur because “the heart works harder” but because certain areas of the myocardium whose coronary vessels have lost the ability for compensatory dilatation are exposed to the biochemical hypoxiating influence of acute catecholamine discharges accompanying various stresses. Except in cases of far advanced coronary sclerosis, the term “coronary insufficiency” is to be understood as meaning inability of the coronary circulation to compensate by adequate dilatation for sympathogenic (catecholamine-induced) excessive myocardial oxygen losses.
Characteristics of the Mn5Si3-, CaZn5- and CeNi3-type phases

Abstract The Mn5Si3-type structure occurs in the high temperature modification of the heavy rare earth-rhodium alloys of composition Ln5Rh3. It is shown that in the Mn5Si3-type phases the axial ratio increases with increasing values of r a r b or decreasing values of the free electron concentration in the phases. Based on the general trend in the variations, anomalous behavior of either the A- or the B-component atoms is postulated. The CaZn5-type structure is encountered at high temperature ranges in the LnRh5 phases of heavy rare earths. The axial ratio decreases with an increase in r a r b unlike in the Mn5Si3-type phases. Yet the behavior is similar in both cases when variations with respect to free electron concentration are considered. The CeNi3-type structure occurs in the LnRh3 phases of light rare earths (La to Gd, and Y, except Ce) and is favoured when r A r B lies between 1.32 and 1.39. In these phases the axial ratio decreases slightly with increasing values of radius ratio. Based on the variations in the axial ratio, Ce is inferred to be tetravalent in CeNi3, The PuNi3-type prevails at higher values of radius ratio, between 1.39 and 1.50. Cu3Au-type phases have radius ratios ranging between 1.27 and 1.35. The ranges of radius ratio for PuAg3-, TiCu3-, and YZn3-type structures are given, and the occurrence of structures at Ln5X3, LnX5 and LnX3 stoichiometries is reviewed.
Unilateral and bilateral effects of acoustic priming of audiogenic seizures

Abstract One, both, or neither ears of SJL/J and C57BL/6J mice were plugged with glycerine to limit the amount of sound received during priming and testing for audiogenic seizures. Binaural summation was observed, as measured by increasing seizure severity and decreased latency to wild running as a linear function of the number of ears receiving maximal acoustic stimulation. Priming appeared bilateral in young mice, but this apparent discrepancy with the Fuller-Collins findings seemed due to a “superpriming” or auditory overflow effect. Mixed frequencies were also found more effective stimuli than pure tones.
Timing of first embryonic cleavage is a positive indicator of the in vitro developmental potential of porcine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization, somatic cell nuclear transfer and parthenogenesis

Evidence in many species has suggested that those embryos that cleave earliest after fertilization are more developmentally competent than those that cleave relatively later after fertilization. Herein we document this phenomenon in porcine in vitro-fertilized (IVF), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and parthenogenetic (PA) embryos. In vitro-matured pig oocytes were used to generate IVF, SCNT, and PA embryos. At 24 hr post-activation (or insemination; hpa/hpi), embryos were visually assessed, and cleaved embryos were moved into a new culture well. This process was repeated at 30 and 48 hpa/hpi. All embryos were allowed to develop 7 days in culture. For IVF embryos, 39.9%, 24.6%, and 10.5% of fast-, intermediate-, or slow-cleaving embryos, respectively, developed into blastocysts by day 7. For SCNT embryos, 31.8% of fast-, 5.7% of intermediate-, and 2.9% of late-cleaving embryos achieved the blastocyst stage of development. For PA embryos, the percentages of those cleaved embryos that developed to blastocyst were 59.3%, 36.7%, and 7.5% for early-, intermediate-, and late-cleaving embryos, respectively. Using RNA collected from early-, intermediate-, and late-cleaving embryos, real-time PCR was performed to assess the transcript levels of 14 different genes of widely varied function. The qPCR results suggest that maternal mRNA degradation may not proceed in an appropriate pattern in slow-cleaving embryos. These findings (1) confirm that, as observed in other species, earlier-cleaving porcine embryos are more successful at developing in culture than are slower-cleaving embryos, and (2) implicate mechanisms of maternal transcript destruction as potential determinants of oocyte/embryo quality. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 197–207, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Responses from sensilla on antennae of maleHeliothis zea to its major pheromone component and two analogs

For some species, chemical analogs have been identified that can substitute for the major pheromone component and reduce pheromone-trap captures in atmospheric permeation experiments. The ability to substitute these analogs for the major pheromone component in field tests raises the question: Do the same set of olfactory receptor neurons on the insects' antennae respond to both the major component and the effective structural analogs? To investigate this question, extracellular responses were recorded from single sensilla on the antennae of maleHeliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to stimulation with increasing doses of (Z)-11-hexadecenal, the major pheromone component, (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate, and (Z)-1,12-heptadecadiene. Both (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate and (Z)-1,12-heptadecadiene can substitute for (Z)-11-hexadecenal in trap disruption experiments and affect the sexual behavior of males, although neither has been identified in the volatiles released by calling females. All three compounds elicited responses from the same class of pheromone-sensitive receptor neurons over a range of stimulus concentrations. At equivalent stimulus concentrations, however, (Z)-11-hexadecenal elicited about a 10-fold greater response than (Z)-1,12-heptadecadiene. (Z)-9-Tetradecen-1-ol formate elicited a response slightly higher than, but not significantly different from, the response to (Z)-1,12-heptadecadiene.
Parameter selection by discrete mollification and the numerical solution of the inverse heat conduction problems

Abstract A procedure for the numerical solution of the one-dimensional inverse heat conduction problem, based on the computaion of the solution associated with a suitable filtered version of the noisy data by discrete mollification is presented and a parameter choice criterion, which automatically determines the radius of mollification as a function of the amount of noise in the data, is introduced. Several numerical examples of interest are also analyzed, showing the accuracy and stability properties of the method.
A new high performance computer d-c amplifier

A new computer d-c amplifier designed for very fast as well as for real-time analog/hybrid computation combines large bandwidth (30 MHz gain-bandwidth product) and high mid-band gain (68 dB at 10 KHz) with full ± 10V, 30mA output to 5.0 MHz, and low open-loop output im pedance (50 ohms at 10 KHz). High d-c gain (120 dB) and exceptionally low drift (50 pA/°C, 2.5 μV/°C) is obtained with the aid of an inexpensive hot-substrate integrated- circuit preamplifier rather than with conventional chopper stabilization. A three-channel feedforward design employs an overcurrent-protected 30 mA class AB wideband output stage in the high-frequency channel, a feedback-equalized integrated-circuit operational amplifier as the intermedi ate-frequency channel, and the hot-substrate integrated differential amplifier stage as the low-frequency channel. Overcurrent protection makes the new amplifier short- circuit proof.Table 1 shows the performance of the new d-c amplifier.
READING ROMANCE NOVELS IN POSTCOLONIAL INDIA

This article examines the role of Harlequin and Mills and Boon romance novels in the lives of young, single, middle-class women readers in urban India. The article focuses on the readers' interpretations of the novels given the differences in the sites of production of the romance novels and the sociocultural context of reception. Three themes are explored in this study: the influence of romance novels on the readers' expectations of marital sexuality and gender role patterns, the limitations of novels in dealing with the social uncertainties that face the readers as young women in Indian culture, and the generation of readers' social anxieties due to the difference between the content of the novels and the sociocultural context in which they are read. The article concludes with a discussion of its implications for understanding global forms of culture, contested meanings of culturally transposed texts, and the shaping of popular cultural practices in a transnational arena around vectors of gender and soc...
Making the brain plastic: early neuroanatomical staining techniques and the pursuit of structural plasticity, 1910-1970.

The concept of neuronal plasticity is widely used, but seldom defined in the neurosciences. It can signify many different occurrences, such as structural alterations of axons and dendrites (Cotman & Nadler, 1978), behavioural adaptations (Rosenzweig & Bennett, 1996), or physiological changes in synapse formation (Martin et al., 2000) at different stages of health and disease. Although there is such a wealth of research from many disciplines, the neuroanatomical aspects of plasticity are the focus of this paper. It seeks to illuminate the evolution of different concepts of plasticity concerning the structure and circuitry of the central nervous system (CNS). Early modern morphological research on de- and regeneration phenomena in the 19th- and early 20th-century is well documented. These studies, however, almost exclusively concentrated on the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It was one of the major contributions of Santiago Ramon y Cajal (1852-1934), that he applied the concept of regenerative capacities to the CNS. But the term plasticity seemed to have disappeared for about two decades after his death. The ensuing comeback of the expression may be attributed, at least in part, to new neuroanatomical staining and tracing methods. The pursuit of these techniques will serve as a guidepost through varying approaches in different times: It was the 1950s which seemed to spawn the time for new departures in structural investigations of neuronal plasticity.
How teachers and researchers read academic articles

Abstract This study looks at language teachers’ and language researchers’ expectations and evaluations of two kinds of journal articles, either researcher-oriented or teacher-oriented. The results show that teachers and academics use different ways of validating information in journal articles and use the information contained in them in distinctly different ways. Teachers also showed a preference for articles written in a clear, succinct, and personal style. Gee's theory of Discourses is used to analyze the results and discuss possible ramifications for teacher education and the practice of publishing research articles.
Display Of HF Acoustic Holograms Utilizing Liquid Crystals

Recent advances in the field of acoustic holography have shown it to be a very promising technique for the non-destructive imaging of the interiors of opaque objects. High resolution acoustical holography would enable the mapping and characterization of minute hidden flaws in materials, and facilitate the study of their temporal propagation. Acoustical methods are particularly well suited to the visualization of flaws because the large impedance mismatch presented by such a defect causes a strong reflected signal and a pronounced display. It may well be possible to visualize features of a specimen which go undetected by conventional methods.© (1972) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gender Language Style and Group Composition in Internet Discussion Groups

This study focuses on group gender composition and the seeming relatedness between gender roles and group process functions described as task and maintenance, as found on the Internet. The sample was drawn from randomly selected set of 27 online discussion groups from both the Internet and from commercial information services (e.g. Compuserv) using the ProjectH dataset. The 2692 valid messages were coded for language content (fact, apology, first person flaming, status, etc.) that has been related to gender role in other research. Each message was also coded regarding the gender of its author. Results held with the conventional impression that men far outnumber women as participants in online discussion groups. However, results were mixed in regard to the relation of language patterns and group gender composition. Gender composition was related to patterns of computer mediated communication in this context. However, there were an unexpectedly high proportion of participants of indeterminate gender in this dataset, it is difficult to test the hypotheses with precision. However, the sample is comprised of “real-life” groups, so what is lost in experimental control is compensated for in generalization to other uncontrolled settings.
Weakening or loss of antibody reactivity after prewarm technique.

BACKGROUND: The prewarm (PW) technique is a popular approach to determine whether cold antibodies are reacting at 37°C or to detect potentially clinically significant antibodies in the presence of cold autoantibodies. The PW technique has been criticized because of unexpected loss of antibody reactivity and inappropriate use of the method. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera containing 94 antibodies were tested by routine and PW PBS-, LISS-, and PEG-IAT. LISS-IAT was also compared to PW PBS-IAT. Sera were also tested to determine the role of low-affinity antibodies in loss of reactivity by PW methods. RESULTS: PW PBS-IAT and PW LISS-IAT showed that 40 and 47 percent of antibodies were weakened, respectively, compared to LISS-IAT; reactivity for 14 percent of antibodies was completely lost by each PW method. By PW PBS-IAT, 34 percent of antibodies were weakened compared to PBS-IAT. PW PEG-IAT showed weakened reactivity by 56 percent of antibodies compared to PEG-IAT; reactivity of seven out of seven PEG-dependent antibodies was completely lost. Of 67 antibodies, 19 percent were defined as low affinity. Of 64 samples tested by the PW method and for low-affinity antibodies, only 6 of 30 that showed decreased reactivity by the PW method appeared to be due to low-affinity antibodies; only 6 of 12 samples that appeared to contain low-affinity antibodies also showed decreased reactivity by the PW method. CONCLUSION: Antibody reactivity of potentially clinically significant antibodies can be decreased or missed by PW methods. Antibody enhancement media does not ensure antibody detection by PW methods.
A spherical surface measure inequality for convex sets

Let the set C in the Euclidean space of n dimensions be closed, symmetric under reflection in the origin, and convex. The portion of the surface of the unit ball lying in C is shown to decrease in (the uniform) surface measure when C is replaced by AC, the image of C under any linear transformation A with norm no greater than one. Some cases of equality are discussed, and an application is given.
The Trauma and Complicated Grief of Ambiguous Loss

Ambiguous loss is a newly identified type of loss that occurs when a loved one is physically present, but psychologically absent. Dementia is just one example. Because the lost person is here, but not here, grief is frozen, life is put on hold, and people are traumatized. With no official verification of death, no possibility of closure, and no rituals for support, there is no resolution of grief (Boss 1999). Clergy, especially pastoral counselors, can witness and provide comfort for such uncanny loss because people rely on them for support, not just from the clear loss of death, but from the ambiguous losses, catastrophic and ordinary, that inevitably will occur across the life course.
Adrenal suppression secondary to inhaled fluticasone propionate

Background Inhaled glucocorticoids are the medical treatment of choice in many of patients with asthma. Fluticasone propionate is an inhaled glucocorticoid with little systemic bioavailability via the oral route and infrequent association with systemic adverse effects at the recommended dosage. Objective To report a case of adrenal suppression and exogenous glucocorticoid excess from inhaled fluticasone propionate. Methods A 9-year-old girl with a previous history of episodic asthma was placed on 550 μg of fluticasone propionate daily for severe labile asthma diagnosed by history and methacholine challenge. The patient returned 6 months later with complaints of increased appetite, nausea, and feeling “hot and flushed.” On physical exam she had stigmata of Cushing's syndrome. The patient subsequently developed orthostatic hypotension and moderate dehydration following a viral illness. After a long taper of fluticasone propionate the patient's adrenal function returned to normal and she had no acute or chronic exacerbations of her asthma. Results Her 8 am cortisol was undetectable with an ACTH of 21 pg/mL. The serum prolactin, TSH, free thyroxine, insulin-like growth factor I, and renin activity were all normal. An MRI study of her head was also normal. Repeat methacholine challenges while receiving a much smaller dose fluticasone propionate showed a significant decrease in airway reactivity. Conclusion Adrenal suppression can occur from inhaled fluticasone propionate at a dosage less than has been previously reported.
BIOACTIVITY OF CONTROLLED RELEASE FORMULATIONS OF STARCH­ ENCAPSULATED EPTC*

Abstract Using a bioassay technique, the biological activities of starch-encapsulated formulations of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) were determined in relationship to their controlled release characteristics. The bioactivity of the highly volatile herbicide EPTC was retained on a wet soil surface for 6 to 8 days by starch encapsulation utilizing several crosslinking processes (both chemical and non-chemical) and starches with different ratios of amylopectin to amylose. The rate of release, a measure of the integrity of the granule, depended on the nature of the starch and the crosslinking process. With the herbicide EPTC, encapsulation with a pearl or high amylose starch utilizing the jet-cooking process produced the best controlled release formulation even under the most adverse conditions.
In vitro modeling of the ternary interaction in juvenile hormone metabolism

The gradual decline in juvenile hormone (JH) titer followed by its complete clearance early in the last larval instar is required for the onset of the metamorphosis of lepidopterous larvae. JH titer is regulated by both biosynthesis and degradation. Two major pathways for JH metabolism, ester hydrolysis and epoxide hydration, are due to JH esterase (JHE) and JH epoxide hydrolase (JHEH), respectively. In vitro experiments designed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of JH metabolism are described. First, microsomal JHEH in Manduca sexta eggs was identified by using photoaffinity analogs of JH, and purified to homogeneity with ion exchange and hydroxylapatite columns. Purified JHEH from M. sexta eggs was kinetically characterized. The effects of pH and various reagents imply that JHEH in M. sexta eggs and mammalian microsomal EH strongly resemble each other. JH binding protein (JHBP) appears to protect JH from JHEH; however, the hydration of JH-acid is not affected by JHBP because JH-acid is not bound by JHBP, but is a good substrate for JHEH. Thus, the major function of JHEH in M. sexta eggs, which has a cytosolic JHBP, is likely to act as the ultimate scavenger for JH by hydrating JH-acid. Second, although virtually all JH exists as the JHBP·JH complex in hemolymph, JHE nonetheless effectively hydrolyzes JH in a JHBP·JH complex. Circular dichroism experiments suggest the possibility of a direct interaction between JHBP and JHE. These experimental approaches using reconstituted in vitro model systems may elucidate some of the complex interactions in the JH signaling and metabolic pathways. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of intrauterine adhesion treatment by laser hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy, which is a kind of endoscopy, makes it possible to evaluate macroscopically the cervical canal, uterine cavity, and the uterine opening of the oviducts. Laser hysteroscopy is used for removing septa and intrauterine adhesions, polyps, small submucosus myomas, and for endometrium ablation in abnormal metrorrhagias. The paper aims at the initial evaluation of laser hysteroscopy in removing intrauterine adhesions in the cases of 41 infertile women. Among all infertile patients 16 women (39%) conceived. Among others 1 woman (2.5%) did not want to conceive and 19 had other causes of infertility. Thirteen (93%) out of 14 patients with hypomenorrhea before surgery reported improvement of the menstruation cycle after the treatment. Five patients (12%) had adhesions for the second time. The patients had the second laser hysteroscopy. The control diagnostic hysteroscopy showed no adhesions in those cases.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A note on the anisotropy and fabric of highly porous materials

The dependence of the orthotropic elastic constants of a highly porous material upon the stereological parameters characterizing the anisotropy of the porous microstructure has been considered in two recent papers in this journal. In the first paper [1] dimensional arguments were employed to develop to a relationship between ratios of the orthotropic elastic constants and ratios of the mean intercept lengths for a class of cell wall bending models of highly porous materials. In the second paper [2] the general tensorial form of the relationship between the orthotropic elastic constants and the mean intercept length was described without reference to a specific form or type of porous microstructure. The purpose of this note is to observe that the particular relationships obtained from the class of cell wall bending models used in the first paper are proper special cases of the general relationships given in the second paper.
Aging of tubulin at neutral pH

Abstract The aging of calf brain tubulin in neutral solution has been investigated using the techniques of sedimentation velocity and equilibrium, microtubule assembly, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism and sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that tubulin incubated at 4 °C undergoes a slow association process leading to the generation of a 9 S component. The fraction of 9 S component increases progressively with incubation time and appears to follow mono-molecular kinetics. The generation of the 9 S species is paralleled closely by inhibition of microtubule assembly and loss of colchicine-binding ability. Fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectra indicate that tryptophan moieties are perturbed during the aggregation process and that the tubulin dimer undergoes a conformational change. There is no protein degradation up to an incubation period of 50 hours. Sedimentation equilibrium experiments in 6 m -guanidine hydrochloride, both in the presence and absence of 2-mercaptoethanol, indicate that the aggregates are stabilized by disulfide bonds and hydrophobic interactions. At periods of incubation >50 hours, the protein starts to be degraded.
Agreement between face-to-face and telephone-administered mood ratings in patients with rapid cycling bipolar disorder

We examined the reliability and level of agreement between the telephone and face-to-face administration of two mood-rating scales (HIGH-SAD and SIGH-SAD) in patients with rapid cycling bipolar disorder (RCBD). Two clinicians administered the HIGH-SAD and SIGH-SAD to 14 outpatients with RCBD. Patients received consecutive phone and face-to-face mood ratings in a randomized order. Using a paired t-test, no significant differences were found when comparing HIGH-SAD and SIGH-SAD scores administered face-to-face and over the phone. There was a high correlation between the face-to-face and phone administration of both scales as measured by intraclass correlation (r = 0.94 for SIGH-SAD; r = 0.85 for HIGH-SAD). Our results support the use of phone-administered mood ratings as a reliable and convenient method to monitor patients with RCBD.
A Ne-like Cu laser resonantly photo-pumped by a He-like Mg line

Abstract This paper proposes a new laboratory X-ray laser which lases on several 3p→3s transitions near 300 A in neon-like copper (Z=29) and which is resonantly photo-pumped by the 1s2p3P1→1s21S0 emission line in helium-like magnesium (Z=12). The Mg-Cu scheme has the tremendous advantage over other resonantly photo-pumped schemes in that it has higher gain per ion and is less susceptible to radiation trapping effects. Calculations of the gain of these laser transitions in steady-state equilibrium plasmas are presented.
Induction of the Cellular E2F-1 Promoter by the Adenovirus E4-6/7 Protein

The adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) E4-6/7 protein interacts directly with different members of the E2F family and mediates the cooperative and stable binding of E2F to a unique pair of binding sites in the Ad5 E2a promoter region. This induction of E2F DNA binding activity strongly correlates with increased E2a transcription when analyzed using virus infection and transient expression assays. Here we show that while different adenovirus isolates express an E4-6/7 protein that is capable of induction of E2F dimerization and stable DNA binding to the Ad5 E2a promoter region, not all of these viruses carry the inverted E2F binding site targets in their E2a promoter regions. The Ad12 and Ad40 E2a promoter regions bind E2F via a single binding site. However, these promoters bind adenovirus-induced (dimerized) E2F very weakly. The Ad3 E2a promoter region binds E2F very poorly, even via a single binding site. A possible explanation of these results is that the Ad E4-6/7 protein evolved to induce cellular gene expression. Consistent with this notion, we show that infection with different adenovirus isolates induces the binding of E2F to an inverted configuration of binding sites present in the cellular E2F-1 promoter. Transient expression of the E4-6/7 protein alone in uninfected cells is sufficient to induce transactivation of the E2F-1 promoter linked to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase or green fluorescent protein reporter genes. Further, expression of the E4-6/7 protein in the context of adenovirus infection induces E2F-1 protein accumulation. Thus, the induction of E2F binding to the E2F-1 promoter by the E4-6/7 protein observed in vitro correlates with transactivation of E2F-1 promoter activity in vivo. These results suggest that adenovirus has evolved two distinct mechanisms to induce the expression of the E2F-1 gene. The E1A proteins displace repressors of E2F activity (the Rb family members) and thus relieve E2F-1 promoter repression; the E4-6/7 protein complements this function by stably recruiting active E2F to the E2F-1 promoter to transactivate expression.
Minimizing early relapse and maximizing treatment outcomes in hormone-sensitive postmenopausal breast cancer: efficacy review of AI trials

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. Regardless of prognosis, all women with breast cancer are at risk for early recurrence. Nearly 50% of early recurrences occur within 5 years of surgery, and they peak at 2 years after surgery in women treated with adjuvant tamoxifen. Most early recurrences are distant metastases, which strongly correlate with increased mortality. Treatments that mitigate the risk of early distant metastases (DM) are, therefore, likely to improve overall survival in women with early breast cancer (EBC). Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)—anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane—have been investigated as alternatives to tamoxifen for adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) EBC in postmenopausal women (PMW). AIs are better at minimizing risk of early relapse compared with tamoxifen. However, it is not clear if preferential use of AIs over tamoxifen will benefit all PMW with HR+ EBC. The ability to subtype HR+ breast cancer on the basis of biomarkers predictive of response to AIs and tamoxifen would likely be key to determining the most beneficial hormonal treatment within patient subpopulations, but this process requires thorough investigation. Until then, adjuvant therapies that provide the greatest reduction in risk of DM should be considered for all PMW with HR+ EBC. This article reviews the clinical trials of AI adjuvant therapies for hormone-sensitive breast cancer, particularly in the context of how they compare with tamoxifen in minimizing the risk of relapse, occurrence of DM, and breast cancer-related deaths.
Impaired Caveolae Function and Upregulation of Alternative Endocytic Pathways Induced by Experimental Modulation of Intersectin-1s Expression in Mouse Lung Endothelium

Intersectin-1s (ITSN-1s), a protein containing five SH3 (A-E) domains, regulates via the SH3A the function of dynamin-2 (dyn2) at the endocytic site. ITSN-1s expression was modulated in mouse lung endothelium by liposome delivery of either a plasmid cDNA encoding myc-SH3A or a specific siRNA targeting ITSN-1 gene. The lung vasculature of SH3A-transduced and ITSN-1s- deficient mice was perfused with gold albumin (Au-BSA) to analyze by electron microscopy the morphological intermediates and pathways involved in transendothelial transport or with dinitrophenylated (DNP)-BSA to quantify by ELISA its transport. Acute modulation of ITSN-1s expression decreased the number of caveolae, impaired their transport, and opened the interendothelial junctions, while upregulating compensatory nonconventional endocytic/transcytotic structures. Chronic inhibition of ITSN-1s further increased the occurrence of nonconventional intermediates and partially restored the junctional integrity. These findings indicate that ITSN-1s expression is required for caveolae function and efficient transendothelial transport. Moreover, our results demonstrate that ECs are highly adapted to perform their transport function while maintaining lung homeostasis.