cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Studies of 1-Deoxy-D-Xylulose-5-Phosphate Synthase from Deinococcus radiodurans

The non-mevalonate dependent (NMVA) pathway for the biosynthesis of isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate is the sole source of these terpenoids for the production of isoprenoids in the apicomplexan parasites, in many eubacteria, and in plants. The absence of this pathway in higher organisms has opened a new platform for the development of novel antibiotics and anti-malarials. The enzyme catalyzing the first step of the NMVA pathway is 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXPS). DXPS catalyzes the thiamine pyrophosphate- and Mg (II)-dependent conjugation of pyruvate and D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to form 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate and CO2. The kinetic mechanism of DXPS from Deinococcus radiodurans most consistent with our data is random sequential as shown using a combination of kinetic analysis and product and dead-end inhibition studies. The role of active site amino acids, identified by sequence alignment to other DXPS proteins, was probed by constructing and analyzing the catalytic efficacy of a set of targeted site-directed mutants.
Review of high fidelity imaging spectrometer design for remote sensing

We review the design and assessment techniques that underlie a number of successfully deployed space and airborne imaging spectrometers that have been demonstrated to achieve demanding specifications in terms of throughput and response uniformity. The principles are illustrated with telescope designs as well as spectrometer examples from the Offner and Dyson families. We also show how the design space can be extended with the use of freeform surfaces and provide additional design examples with grating as well as prism dispersive elements.
Production as a Service: A Digital Manufacturing Framework for Optimizing Utilization

In current practice, product developers with customized small batch production needs come across the problem of finding capable and flexible manufacturers, whereas manufacturers face underutilization due to inconsistent demand. This paper presents a Production as a Service (PaaS) framework to connect users (consumers or product developers) who have customized small batch manufacturing needs with manufacturers who have existing underutilized resources. PaaS is a cloud-based, centralized framework based on a service-oriented architecture that abstracts the manufacturing steps of a product as individual (production) service requests. Using PaaS, the user is able to reach many capable manufacturers at once and receive quotations for the production request. On the other end, PaaS reduces the effort required to find new customers and enables the manufacturers to easily submit quotations to increase the utilization of their resources. The functionalities and concepts defined in this paper are illustrated through case studies. Note to Practitioners —In order to transition product fabrication from the design phase to manufacturing, there is a need for identifying capable manufacturers with available resources that could be paired with user requirements. We propose Production as a Service (PaaS) in this paper and present initial implementations of the front-end and back-end components with a customizable optimization algorithm. Proposed abstractions and data structures make PaaS a unique, efficient, and intellectual property preserving framework. The current implementation of the framework has been tested with new designs. The PaaS framework has the potential to scale over a large network of manufacturers to effectively coordinate geo-distributed manufacturers for custom manufacturing needs.
Introduction to Neuroimmunology

Neuroimmunology is the neuroscience specialty that focuses on interactions between the nervous system and immune system. It encompasses both basic science fields, as well as clinical disciplines which deal with a special set of central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders (Table 1.1) [1–3]. These disorders result from immune-mediated damage, and require diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that recognize and address this fact.
Overview of Estimation Methods

Our purpose in this chapter is to provide a general roadmap of subnational population estimation methods, which are covered in detail in subsequent chapters. We set the stage for this overview by differentiating between pre-censal, inter-censal, and post-censal estimates and classifying population estimation methods. Finally we describe the variety of methods currently used to estimate population. This focus of this chapter is on population estimates based on usual residence or de jure. We cover de facto (physically present) population estimates in Chapter 16.
Antiretroviral Activity of Carbocyclic Nucleosides and Potential Use of Inosinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors

Analogs of nucleosides and nucleotides are currently receiving increased attention for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-induced diseases. Zidovudine (AZT), an inhibitor of the activity of reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is presently the only approved drug available for the treatment of AIDS. Significant dose-related toxicity has been associated with the administration of AZT to patients with AIDS. Anemia and neutropenia are the most common toxicities observed in such patients and may result in dose reductions or discontinuation of treatment (1,2). Several new compounds are being evaluated both clinically and experimentally as potential therapeutic agents against HIV infectivity (3). The purpose of this paper is to provide some background information on the activity and metabolism of a new carbocyclic guanosine nucleoside analog carbovir (carbocyclic 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydroguanosine, NSC-614846) leading up to the interaction of such compound with inhibitors of the rate-limiting enzyme IMP dehydrogenase of guanine nucleotide metabolism.
Urinary mycoestrogens and age and height at menarche in New Jersey girls

Despite evidence of the endocrine disrupting properties of zearalenone (ZEN) and alpha-zearalanol (zeranol, α-ZAL), they have been minimally studied in human populations. In previous cross-sectional analyses, we demonstrated that 9–10 years old girls with detectable urinary ZEN were of shorter stature and less likely to have reached the onset of breast development than girls with undetectable urinary ZEN. The aim of this study was to examine baseline concentrations of ZEN, (α-ZAL), and their phase-1 metabolites in relation to subsequent growth and timing of menarche using 10 years of longitudinal data. Urine samples were collected from participants in the Jersey Girl Study at age 9–10 (n = 163). Unconjugated ZEN, (α-ZAL), and their metabolites were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Information on height, weight, and pubertal development was collected at a baseline visit with annual follow-up by mail thereafter. Cox regression was used to evaluate time to menarche in relation to baseline ZEN, (α-ZAL), and total mycoestrogen exposure. Z-scores for height and weight were used in mixed models to assess growth. Mycoestrogens were detectable in urine in 78.5% of the girls (median ZEN: 1.02 ng/ml, range 0–22.3). Girls with detectable urinary concentrations of (α-ZAL) and total mycoestrogens (sum of ZEN, (α-ZAL) and their metabolites) at baseline were significantly shorter at menarche than girls with levels below detection (p = 0.04). ZEN and total mycoestrogen concentrations were inversely associated with height- and weight-z-scores at menarche (adjusted β = − 0.18, 95% CI: -0.29, − 0.08, and adjusted β = − 0.10, 95% CI: -0.21, 0.01, respectively). This study supports and extends our previous results suggesting that exposure to ZEN, (α-ZAL), and their metabolites is associated with slower growth and pubertal development in adolescent girls.
Self-Worth Th eory: Retrospection and Prospects

Th is chapter serves a three-fold purpose: First, to acquaint the reader with the basic principles of the Self-worth Th eory of Achievement Motivation; second, to provide an overview of the research conducted over the past quarter-century to validate and expand the empirical and conceptual reach of the theory; and third, to consider various practical classroom applications of Self-worth Th eory for purposes of enhancing the quality of school achievement as well as encouraging those positive motivations that not only draw students to their best eff ort academically, but also increase their willingness to learn and profi t from their learning.
Addressing score comparability in diagnostic classification models: an observed-score equating and linking approach

The purpose of this study is to revamp and examine the observed-score approach for equating scores under diagnostic classification models (DCMs). The observed-score approach was adapted to accommodate the categorical latent traits and scores, a unique property of DCMs. Three simulation studies, each corresponding to a data collection design, were conducted to evaluate the amount of equating error and the improvement in score comparability with the observed-score approach. Findings indicate that (a) DCM scores are robust to form differences when high-quality items are used, and (b) the observed-score approach shows promise for yielding a small amount of equating error and increasing classification accuracy under small sample size conditions.
Ultrasound-Guided Cytosolic Protein Delivery via Transient Fluorous Masks.

The inability to spatiotemporally guide proteins in tissues, and efficiently deliver them into cells, remain key barriers to realizing their full potential in precision medicine. Here, we report ul...
Field Production of Palms

Field production is the most practical means of producing large palm specimens, and it has several advantages over container production. Yield per acre can be maximized compared to many other woody ornamentals because of the columnar growth habit of most palms and their ability to survive transplanting with a minimal root ball. When dug and tied properly, many more palms can be loaded into a standard shipping container than could similarly sized trees. Palms also offer great versatility in the method of field harvesting. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Timothy K. Broschat, Alan W. Meerow, and Jack Miller, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep471
Chromosomal microarray analysis of benign mesenchymal tumors with RB1 deletion.

Summary Spindle cell lipomas/pleomorphic lipomas, mammary-type myofibroblastomas, and cellular angiofibromas are benign mesenchymal tumors that demonstrate histologically overlapping features but with varying anatomic locations and an uncertain etiologic relationship. These tumors have also been found to have an overlapping molecular profile with shared 13q14 deletions, which is the location of the tumor suppressor gene RB1 that encodes the retinoblastoma protein. Molecular studies thus far have largely focused on the RB1 locus, using primarily immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization to characterize RB1 status. However, further characterization of the molecular profile of these lesions, including genome-wide copy number variation, remains to be well defined. The goal of this study is to further characterize the specific RB1 deletions seen in spindle cell lipomas/pleomorphic lipomas, cellular angiofibromas, and mammary-type myofibroblastomas as well as to evaluate these neoplasms for additional molecular abnormalities using the OncoScan™ CNV Plus Assay, which is used for clinical use as a whole-genome copy number microarray-based assay. Ten of eleven cases demonstrated deletion of the RB1 gene with varying deletion size and breakpoints. The majority of additional genetic alterations were chromosomal losses and loss of heterozygosity with rare chromosomal gains. Although only a small subset of mesenchymal neoplasms was evaluated, the principle of creating a novel pairing of the molecular method with the tumor type represents a promising avenue for further study in a variety of tumors.
Development and Implementation of a Community Paramedicine Program in Rural United States.

Introduction Community paramedicine (CP) is an innovative care model focused on medical management for patients suffering from chronic diseases or other conditions that result in over-utilization of healthcare services. Despite their value, CP care models are not widely used in United States healthcare settings. More research is needed to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing CP programs. Our objective was to develop a CP program to better meet the needs of complex, high-utilizer patients in a rural setting. Methods We conducted an observational descriptive case series in a community, 25-bed, critical access hospital and primary care clinic in a rural Wisconsin county. Multiple stakeholders from the local health system and associated ambulance service were active participants in program development and implementation. Eligible patients receiving the intervention were identified as complex or high need by a referring physician. Primary outcomes included measures of emergency department, hospital, and clinic utilization. Secondary measures included provider and patient satisfaction. Results We characterized 32 unique patients as high utilizers requiring assistance in medical management. These patients were enrolled into the program and categorized as high utilizers requiring assistance in medical management. The median age was 76 years, and 68.8% were female. After six months, we found a statistically significant decline in patient utilization for primary care (53.3%, p = .006) and ED visits (59.3%, p = .007), but not for hospitalizations (60%, p = .13, non-significant (NS), compared to the six months preceding enrollment. Overall, the total number of healthcare contacts was increased after implementation (623 before vs 790 after, + 167, +26.8%). Implementation of the CP program resulted in increased overall use of local healthcare resources in patients referred by physicians as high utilizers. Conclusion The implementation of an in-home CP program targeting high users of healthcare resources resulted in a decrease in utilization in the hospital, ED, and primary care settings; however, it was balanced and exceeded by the number of CP visits. CP programs align well with population health strategies and could be better leveraged to fill gaps in care and promote appropriate access to healthcare services. Further study is required to determine whether the shift in type of healthcare access reduces or increases cost.
Cervical Spine Injuries

Approximately 10% of the roughly 12,500 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) sustained annually in the United States are sports related. The most frequent sports responsible for SCI in descending order of incidence and total percentage of all SCIs are: diving (4.5%), football (1.9%), cycling (1.9%), horseback riding (1.0%), and wrestling (0.5%). After motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), sports-related injuries are the second most common cause of neck-related emergency room visits. Cervical spinal cord injuries are most common among hockey, skiing, diving, and American football. Most sports-related cervical spine injuries involve soft tissue trauma such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, and soft tissue contusions. Fortunately, severe cervical spine injuries are rare. However, physicians who treat sports medicine injuries are often responsible for the emergency care of such injured athletes and must know the spectrum of injuries that can occur. Additionally, sports medicine physicians must be familiar with and recognize that these injuries may become chronic despite early management. Some of these chronic conditions include cervical facet arthropathy, myofascial pain syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Proper assessment and management of both acute and chronic cervical spine injures on and off the field is crucial for the sports medicine physician.
Pitch, extension complexity, and covering problems

Abstract We study inequalities with bounded pitch. We first give a polynomial-time algorithm for approximately separating inequalities of bounded pitch for minimum knapsack polytopes, by showing how (not) to extend a similar result for inequalities with bounded coefficients. For general 0 ∕ 1 covering problems, we give a lower bound on the extension complexity of linear relaxations whose feasible points satisfy all inequalities of bounded pitch.
MEDYM: match-early with dynamic multicast for content-based publish-subscribe networks

Design of distributed architectures for content-based publish-subscribe (pub-sub) service networks has been a challenging problem. To best support the highly dynamic and diversified content-based pub-sub communication, we propose a new architectural design called MEDYM - Match-Early with DYnamic Multicast. MEDYM follows the End-to-End distributed system design principle. It decouples a pub-sub service into two functionalities: complex, application-specific matching at network edge, and simple, generic multicast routing in the network. This architecture achieves low computation cost in event matching and high network efficiency and flexibility in event routing. For higher scalability, we describe a novel approach to extend MEDYM to a hierarchy structure called H-MEDYM, which effectively balances the trade-off between event delivery efficiency and server states maintenance. We evaluate MEDYM and H-MEDYM using detailed simulations and real-world experiments, and compare them with major existing design approaches. Results show that MEDYM and H-MEDYM achieve high event delivery efficiency and system scalability, and their advantages are most prominent when user subscriptions are highly selective and diversified.
Expression of integrin and organization of F-actin in epithelial cells depends on the underlying surface.

PURPOSE To evaluate the role of ionic interactions in the cell surface expression of integrins and the organization of F-actin. Understanding these interactions will allow the development of surfaces for prosthetic purposes that will promote the normal expression of adhesion proteins. METHODS Hema (hydroxyethylmethacrylate) hydrogels were used to mimic the charges present on extracellular matrix proteins. The surfaces were modified by the addition of amines (N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate; NDAM) or carboxyl moieties (methacrylic acid). The effects of ionic interactions on cellular spreading and on the expression of proteins were examined by modification of the stoichiometrically defined amounts of positive and negative charges on the Hemas. Changes in intracellular pH and the distribution and localization of protein were monitored using fluorescent markers, spectrofluorometry, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively. The immunohistochemical studies were confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS The data indicate that although cells adhered to all the surfaces, the number of cells possessing adhesion receptors is significantly greater on surfaces with amine functionalities. Cell seeding and plating efficiency after 2 hours were identical on all surfaces. The intracellular pH of epithelial cells grown on surfaces containing NDAM, a tertiary amine, was higher than that of cells grown on Hemas containing only methacrylic acid. Lamellipodial extensions and an extensive actin network were present on surfaces containing 5% NDAM. The alpha 6 subunit was localized along the lateral cell membranes. The alpha 2 and 3 subunits were present along cell membranes and at lamellipodial extensions. Cells cultured on surfaces containing only methacrylic acid did not spread. Actin filaments were not detected, and alpha 6 was negligible on these surfaces. CONCLUSIONS This is a novel approach to understanding cell-substrate interactions, and one that allows quantitative evaluation of the response of cells to defined surfaces. The organization of F-actin is altered by the substrates containing only carboxyl moieties. The distribution of integrin subunits is also altered by the substrate. These results indicate that epithelial cell spreading and protein expression may be regulated by ionic interactions.
EFFECT OF HEMIN ON THE FORMATION OF THE CYTOCHROME SYSTEM OF ANAEROBICALLY GROWN STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS.

Jacobs, N. J. (Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H.), and S. F. Conti. Effect of hemin on the formation of the cytochrome system of anaerobically grown Staphylococcus epidermidis. J. Bacteriol. 89:675-679. 1965.-The cytochrome content and respiratory capacity of cells of a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis grown in complex media under aerobic and anaerobic conditions were determined. Difference spectra revealed cytochromes of the a, b(1), and o types in aerobically grown cells. These cells respired at a rate of 66 muliters of O(2) per hr per mg of cells (dry weight). The cytochrome content of anaerobically grown cells was markedly reduced, and trace amounts only of cytochromes of the b(1) and o type were visible. The respiratory rate, with glucose as substrate, was reduced to about one-tenth of that observed in aerobically grown cells. Cells grown anaerobically in medium supplemented with hemin had as high a content of pigments resembling cytochromes b(1) and o as did aerobically grown cells; the respiratory rate was 60% of that observed in aerobically grown cells. Cytochrome of the a type, similar to that found in aerobically grown cells, was not detected.
Brown Tide Dynamics as a Catastrophe Model

Many coastal embayments along the Atlantic coastline have been plagued, since 1985, with large accumulations of a microalga, Aureococcus anopahagefferens. These algae blooms are known as “brown tides” because of the resulting water color and they have had a deleterious effect on the estuarine environment (Cosper et al., 1987).
An ab initio calculation of the zero-field splitting parameters of the 3A-double prime state of formaldehyde

The spin dipole-dipole and spin-orbit contributions to the zero-field splitting of the 3A-double prime state of formaldehyde have been evaluated at the excited state experimental geometry. Ab initio CI wave functions were generated from a Dunning double zeta plus polarization bases set using 3A-double prime rhf orbitals. Twelve states of each symmetry were used to evaluate the second-order spin-orbit effect. The resulting values of D and E were 0.19 and 0.03 kayser with the principal magnetic axes rotated 36 deg from the CO bond. The values of alpha and beta relative to the inertial axes were calculated to be 0.03 and 0.01 kayser compared to the experimental values of 0.05 plus or minus 0.01 and 0.02 plus or minus 0.02 kayser.
The preservation of atmospheric nitrate in snow at Summit, Greenland

[1] There is great interest in using nitrate (NO3−) isotopic composition in ice cores to track the history of precursor nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) in the atmosphere. NO3−, however, can be lost from the snow by surface processes, such as photolysis back to NOx upon exposure to sunlight, making it difficult to interpret records of NO3− as a tracer of atmospheric NOx loading. In a campaign consisting of two field seasons (May–June) at Summit, Greenland, high temporal frequency surface snow samples were collected and analyzed for the oxygen isotopic composition of NO3−. The strong, linear relationship observed between the oxygen isotopes of NO3−, in both 2010 and 2011, is difficult to explain in the presence of significant postdepositional processing of NO3−, unless several unrelated variables change in concert. Therefore, the isotopic signature of NO3− in the snow at Summit is most feasibly explained as preserved atmospheric NO3− deposition.
Validity of Alternative Fitnessgram Upper Body Tests of Muscular Strength and Endurance among Seventh and Eighth Grade Males and Females.

In a society in which obesity levels have tripled in the past 30 years, the importance of increased fitness levels within the academic setting has become even more critical. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of alternative Fitnessgram upper body tests of muscular strength and endurance among seventh and eighth grade males and females. The recommended test item used to assess students is the 90° Push-Up (90° PSU). However, the Fitnessgram provides alternative assessments to measure upper body strength: the Modified Pull-Up (MPU) and the Flexed Arm Hang (FAH). Adolescent males and females (N = 123) in seventh and eighth grades were administered all three muscular strength and endurance assessments. Males exemplified minimal acceptability for the 90° PSUâ€“MPU and 90° PSUâ€“FAH comparisons. Similar to the results for males, results for females indicated unacceptable reliability estimates for the 90° PSUâ€“MPU and 90° PSUâ€“FAH comparisons. As a result of this study, it is imperative that physical educators and other administrators are aware that implementing the Fitnessgram alternative assessments of muscular strength and endurance may hinder and/or alter an adolescent's healthy fitness zone classification. Thus, future research regarding the muscular strength and endurance test items will ultimately promote a higher level of confidence among practitioners when using the test items interchangeably.
Teeth Whitening and Occupational Licensing

Abstract. The case for occupational licensing, whether for physicians or teeth whiteners, is highly problematic. This paper makes the case for a free market system in certification of quality in medical and dental care, and much else. Purpose: To explore occupational licensure as an infringement of liberty. Design/methodology/approach: a logical and empirical analysis. Findings: teeth whitening regulations serve as an anti-competitive barrier to entry. Originality/value: applying the concept of entry restrictions is not original; applying them to teeth whitening, is. This is of value in that for economic liberty to be promoted, schemes against it such as this one must be analyzed and exposed. Keywords. Restricted entry, Modern guilds, Free enterprise. JEL. I11.
Influence of temperature and congener presence on habitat preference and fish predation in blue ( Paralithodes platypus Brandt, 1850) and red ( P. camtschaticus Tilesius, 1815) king crabs (Anomura: Lithodidae)

Rebuilding fisheries is a difficult process and many stocks that are declared overfished fail to recover even in the absence of fishing pressure. The Pribilof Islands stock of the blue king crab ( Paralithodes platypus Brandt, 1850) in Alaska, USA is one of these recovery failures. To explore how environmental and ecological factors might interact to suppress this stock, we conducted a suite of laboratory experiments to assess the effects of temperature changes and the presence of red king crab ( Paralithodes camtschaticus Tilesius, 1815) on blue king crab habitat preference and fish predation survival. Age-0 blue king crabs exhibited plasticity in habitat preference mediated by changes in water temperature, as well as the presence and density of juvenile red king crabs. While blue king crabs are often associated with shell-hash habitat, increases in water temperature, as well as the presence of red king crab at high densities, caused blue king crab juveniles to shift into habitats with an algal mimic present, a habitat type shown to reduce the predation efficacy of red king crabs. In contrast, red king crabs exhibited fewer changes in habitat preference with changes in water temperature and the presence of a congener. Blue king crabs are therefore behaviorally plastic, switching from strategies of predator avoidance when predator encounter rates are likely low, to predator deterrence strategies when encounter rates are higher. Fish predation trials further support the idea that blue king crabs are more focused on predator avoidance than are red king crabs. In fish predation trials run separately for the two crab species, blue king crabs had higher survival (60%) than red king crabs (33%) when exposed to fish predators. Our results indicate that age-0 blue king crabs can be less vulnerable to fish predation than red king crabs, but future research should assess how fish predation rates change when presented with higher densities of red and blue king crab in mixed assemblages as the observed habitat shifts could affect predation survival.
Positron emission tomography: a tool for better understanding of ventilator-induced and acute lung injury.

Purpose of reviewPET has recently gained traction among several groups of investigators as an imaging tool to study lung pathophysiology in vivo noninvasively on a regional basis. This review aims to present the major findings of PET studies on acute lung injury (ALI) and ventilator-induced lung inj
Inquisition Records from Goa as Sources for the Study of Slavery in the Eastern Domains of the Portuguese Empire

Goan inquisition case summaries from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries provide invaluable information about African and Asian slaves in the Estado da India , the eastern domains of the Portuguese Empire stretching from southern Africa to China. As most of the full trial records have been destroyed, the case summaries fill a crucial gap. The summaries also provide context for extant Goan trials. This article discusses the methodological challenges of using these records. Resume: Les resumes des proces de l'Inquisition de Goa du XVIe siecle et du XVIIe siecle fournissent des informations precieuses sur les esclaves africains et asiatiques de l’Estado da India , la partie orientale de l’empire portugais s’etendant du sud de l’Afrique a la Chine. Etant donne que les dossiers complets de jugements ont ete detruits, les resumes de ces proces comblent une lacune cruciale. Ces resumes donnent aussi le contexte dans lequel se sont deroules les proces a Goa a la meme epoque. Cet article adresse donc le defi methodologique d’utiliser de tels documents.
Nucleic acid hybridization using DNA covalently coupled to cellulose

We describe a method for linking RNA and DNA covalently to finely divided cellulose through a diazotized aryl amine, which reacts primarily with guanine and uracil (thymine) residues of single strands. The high efficiency of coupling and high capacity of the cellulose for nucleic acid make possible a product with as much as 67 mug of nucleic acid per mg of cellulose. The product is especially suitable for hybridization experiments where very low backgrounds are important, and it is stable in 99% formamide at 80 degrees C so that hybridized nucleic acid can be recovered easily. Full length linear Simian Virus 40 (SV40) DNA, produced by cleavage of SV40(I) DNA with S1 nuclease, can be coupled to diazo cellulose with an efficiency of 80-90%, and is effective in hybridization experiments with SV40 DNA, complementary RNA synthesized in vitro from SV40(I) DNA with E. coli RNA polymerase, and the SV40-specific fraction of total RNA from SV40-infected and transformed cells. In these experiments an excess of cellulose-bound DNA was used, and the efficiency of hybridization was about 90% when ribonuclease treatment of the hybrids was omitted.
Influence of different implantation techniques on long-term survival after orthotopic heart transplantation: an echocardiographic study.

Background Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) was initially done by the biatrial technique, although the bicaval technique has recently become more popular. The aim of this study was to compare OHT outcomes when using the bicaval technique vs the biatrial technique. Methods A total of 615 patients were transplanted at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from January 1993 and October 2003 (biatrial technique: n = 293; bicaval technique: n = 322). The average follow-up period was 4.2 ± 2.9 years (range 1 to 11 years). Patients who were supported with a left ventricular assist device (prior to transplant) and who could not be weaned off respiratory support were excluded. Results Patients in both groups were similar with regard to pre-operative characteristics. The peri-operative mortality showed no statistical significant differences between the two groups. The left atrium was significantly more enlarged in the biatrial group. The bicaval group showed a significantly reduced incidence of tricuspid regurgitation. Survival at 10-year follow-up was 87.3% in the bicaval group and 79.9% in the biatrial group ( p Conclusions This study showed that the bicaval technique for OHT offers a better outcome than the biatrial technique. The significant reduction of left atrial size and atrioventricular valve regurgitation in the bicaval group may have a major impact on the long-term preservation of cardiac function and survival.
Biological Assemblies Provide Novel Templates for the Synthesis of Biocomposites and Facilitate Cell Adhesion

Mechanical mismatch and the lack of interactions between implants and the natural tissue environment are the major drawbacks in bone tissue engineering. Biomaterials mimicking the self-assembly process and the composition of the bone matrix should provide new route for fabricating biomaterials possessing novel osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties for bone repair. In the present study, we employ bio-inspired strategies to design de novo self-assembled chimeric protein hydrogels comprising leucine zipper motifs flanked by dentin matrix protein 1 domain, which was characterized as a mineralization nucleator. Results showed that this chimeric protein could function as a hydroxyapatite nucleator in pseudo-physiological buffer with the formation of highly oriented apatites similar to biogenic bone mineral. It could also function as an inductive substrate for osteoblast adhesion, promote cell surface integrin presentation and clustering, and modulate the formation of focal contacts. Such biomimetic "bottom-up" construction with dual osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties should open new avenues for bone tissue engineering.Mechanical mismatch and the lack of interactions between implants and the natural tissue environment are the major drawbacks in bone tissue engineering. Biomaterials mimicking the self-assembly process and the composition of the bone matrix should provide new route for fabricating biomaterials possessing novel osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties for bone repair. In the present study, we employ bio-inspired strategies to design de novo self-assembled chimeric protein hydrogels comprising leucine zipper motifs flanked by dentin matrix protein 1 domain, which was characterized as a mineralization nucleator. Results showed that this chimeric protein could function as a hydroxyapatite nucleator in pseudo-physiological buffer with the formation of highly oriented apatites similar to biogenic bone mineral. It could also function as an inductive substrate for osteoblast adhesion, promote cell surface integrin presentation and clustering, and modulate the formation of focal contacts. Such biomimetic "bottom-up" construction with dual osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties should open new avenues for bone tissue engineering.
A Comparative electron microscopic study of cytoplasmic microtubules and axial unit tubules in a spermatozoon and a protozoan

Cytoplasmic microtubules and axial unit tubules were studied in both sectioned and negatively-stained material. Walls of microtubules of frog lung-fluke (Haematoloechus medioplexus) spermatozoa have a helical substructure, while those of the flagellate, Trypanosoma lewisi, are composed of ten longitudinally-oriented filaments. Cross-bridges occur between some filaments of trypanosome microtubules. Doublet tubules of axial units in both cell types are structurally similar to the trypanosome microtubules, which may indicate similarity of function. Microtubules of fluke spermatozoa appear to be somewhat rigid, are resistant to sonication, and are considered to be mainly supportive. Circular profiles of wall subunits are seen in transverse sections of microtubules of both cell types and in doublet tubules of the trypanosome. Comparisons are made between sectioned and negatively-stained material; while negative-staining better reveals the fundamental substructure of microtubular elements, some distortion appears to occur. In connection with this research, a brief preliminary article demonstrated the presence of subunits in the walls of cytoplasmic microtubules of fluke spermatozoa (Burton, '66). Also, it was shown that the wall of these tubular elements possesses a helical structure, and a diagrammatic representation of the wall structure was set forth.
The effect of feeding maltulose and lactulose on hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities in the rat

Abstract The effect of feeding maltulose, lactulose, and sucrose (ketose disaccharides) and maltose and lactose (aldose disaccharides) on hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities in the rat was studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were starved for 2 days and refed for 2 days diets containing 45% total carbohydrate. Lactulose and lactose were fed at a level of 15% of the diet due to their poor digestibility. Activities of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme (ME) were measured. Hepatic G6PD and ME activities in rats fed maltulose were similar to rats fed maltose. Hepatic ME activity was lower in rats fed maltulose than sucrose. Rats fed lactulose had lower G6PD and ME activities than rats fed lactose. The atudy suggests that in the rat lactulose is less utilizable than lactose, and that maltulose is less lipogenic than sucrose.
Cardiac fluoroscopy for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: A meta analytic review

To evaluate variability in the reported accuracy of fluoroscopically detected coronary calcific deposits for predicting angiographic coronary disease, we applied meta analysis to 13 consecutively published reports comparing the results of cardiac fluoroscopy with coronary angiography. Population characteristics and technical and methodologic factors were analyzed. Sensitivity and specificity for predicting serious coronary disease compare quite well with those from the literature on the exercise ECG and the exercise thallium scintigram. Sensitivity increases and specificity decreases more significantly with patient age, and sensitivity is paradoxically lower in laboratories testing patients with more severe disease, as well as when 70% rather than 50% diameter narrowing is used to define angiographic disease. Work-up and test review bias were also significantly related to reported accuracy.
Expression of cardiac Na channels with appropriate physiological and pharmacological properties in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine whether the Xenopus laevis oocyte can express an exogenous cardiac Na channel that retains its normal physiological and pharmacological properties. Cardiac Na channels were expressed in oocytes following injection of RNA from guinea pig, rat, and human heart and detailed analysis was performed for guinea pig cardiac Na channels. Average current amplitudes were -351 +/- 37 nA with peak current observed at -8 +/- 1 mV. Steady-state inactivation was half-maximal at -49 +/- 0.6 mV for the expressed channels. All heart Na currents were resistant to block by tetrodotoxin compared to Na currents expressed from brain RNA with IC50 values for guinea pig, rat, and human heart of 651 nM, 931 nM, and 1.3 microM, respectively. In contrast, rat brain Na channels were blocked by tetrodotoxin with an IC50 value of 9.1 nM. In addition, the effects of the cardiac-selective agents lidocaine and DPI 201-106 were examined on Na currents expressed from brain and heart RNA. Lidocaine (10 microM) blocked cardiac Na current in a use-dependent manner but had no effect on brain Na currents. DPI 201-106 (10 microM) slowed the rate of cardiac Na channel inactivation but had no effect on inactivation of brain Na channels. These results indicate the Xenopus oocyte system is capable of synthesizing and expressing cardiac Na channels that retain normal physiological and pharmacological properties.
Preliminary Observations on the Effect of Mantle Field Radiotherapy on Salivary Flow Rates in Patients with Hodgkin's Disease

Changes in stimulated and non-stimulated whole saliva flow rates were measured in 11 Hodgkin's disease patients who received therapeutic doses of radiation to a mantle field at the M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. Salivary flow rates were examined before, during, and after radiotherapy. Mean flow rate reductions of 54% for non-stimulated saliva and 55.7% for paraffin-stimulated saliva were observed post-radiotherapy. Flow rates had not returned to pre-irradiation levels in any of the patients who were observed for two to three months after completion of therapy. Results obtained from this preliminary study indicate that most patients who receive therapeutic doses of radiation to a mantle field experience a significant reduction in salivary output which is manifest during the period of treatment and persists for a period of at least two to three months post-radiotherapy.
Common Migraine: Criteria for Diagnosis

SYNOPSIS Current definitions of common migraine are not specific and new criteria are needed. Our concept of common migraine was supported by comparing the features of 100 consecutive patients we diagnosed as common migraine, with past series. The features of our patients with common migraine were then compared with 100 cases of chronic daily headache, the only form of “tension headache” that can unequivocally be differentiated from migraine. The features that occurred significantly (P<0.001) more often in patients with common migraine than in those with chronic daily headache, were nausea, vomiting, unilateral site, throbbing quality, photophobia or phonophobia, increase with menstruation, and a family history of migraine. Criteria using these features, as well as other sets of criteria, were evaluated by retrospectively applying them to the patients diagnosed as having common migraine and chronic daily headache.
A comparison of echocardiographic measures of diastolic function for predicting all-cause mortality in a predominantly male population.

Background Prior studies demonstrating the prognostic value of echocardiographic measures of diastolic function have been limited by sample size, have included only select clinical populations, and have not incorporated newer measures of diastolic function nor determined their independent prognostic value. The objective of this study is to determine the independent prognostic value of established and new echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function. Methods We included 3,604 consecutive patients referred to 1 of 3 echocardiography laboratories over a 2-year period. We obtained measurements of mitral inflow velocities, pulmonary vein filling pattern, mitral annulus motion ( e ′), and propagation velocity ( V p ). The primary end point was 1-year all-cause mortality. Results The mean age of the patients was 68 years, and 95% were male. There were 277 deaths during a mean follow-up of 248 ± 221 days. For patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), all measured parameters except for e ′ were associated with mortality ( P P V p , and pulmonary vein filling pattern were borderline significant ( P V p was associated with survival for both reduced ( P = .02) and preserved LVEF groups ( P = .01). Conclusion In a large, clinically diverse population, most measures of diastolic function were predictive of all-cause mortality without adjustment for patient characteristics. On multivariate analysis, only V p was independently associated with total mortality. This association with mortality may be related to factors other than diastolic function and warrants further investigation.
New species of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) from Mexico and Central America

Eleven new species in the mayfly family Leptophlebiidae are described from larvae from Mexico and Central America. Choroterpes ungulus, n. sp., Thraulodes eccentricus [=Allen and Brusca's Thraulodes sp. B], n. sp., and Thraulodes tenulineus [=Allen and Brusca's Thraulodes sp. D], n. sp., are described from Mexico; Farrodes otiesa, n. sp., Hagenulopsis ingens, n. sp., Hagenulopsis ramosa, n. sp., Terpides diadema, n. sp., Traverella holzenthali, n. sp., and Traverella longifrons [=Allen's Traverella sp. B], n. sp., are described from Costa Rica; Traverella promifrons [=Allen's Traverella sp, C], n. sp., is described from Belize and Costa Rica; and Thraulodes grandis, n. sp., is described from Guatemala.
A comparison of play behavior in nonhospitalized and hospitalized children.

Because play is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions, extended hospitalization may have adverse effects on normal play development in young children. This study compared the playfulness, as well as the level of play development, of three 2-year-old children who had been hospitalized most of their lives for tracheostomies, and three 2-year-olds living at home. Data on the children's play were gathered by videotaping in two standardized play settings and one free play setting. Statistically significant differences in the developmental level of play and in playfulness (i.e., the degree of liveliness and joy exhibited) were found between the two groups in all three settings, and the play age of all six children varied by setting. Quantitative data analysis was supported by qualitative findings. Although the differences between the groups cannot be conclusively attributed to hospitalization alone, certain features of the hospital environment appear to have hampered the development of play.
Head-mounted projective displays for creating distributed collaborative environments

In this paper, we shall present an overview of research in augmented reality technology and applications conducted in collaboration with the 3DVIS Lab and the MIND Lab. We present research in the technology of head-mounted projective displays and tracking probes. We then review mathematical methods developed for augmented reality. Finally we discuss applications in medical augmented reality and point to current developments in distributed 3d collaborative environments.
Configuron dependence on translation of specific condon pairs. I. Helical regions of human alpha and beta globins

Abstract Homologous proteins, which possess similar shapes, functions, and amino acid sequences, are encoded by homologous messenger ribonucleic acids whose codon sequences tend to be similar. It is proposed that helical configurons are generated when certain pairs of contigous codons are translated, and that non-helical configurons appear when other specific pairs of codons are read off. The resulting sequence of configurons comprises the polyconfiguron, which forms the native structure of the protein.
Balloon impasse: a marker for severe mitral subvalvular disease and a predictor of mitral regurgitation in Inoue-balloon percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy.

In certain instances of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy, the Inoue catheter balloon, although deflated and properly aligned, becomes held up or checked at the mitral valve. This “balloon impasse,” observed in 13 of 760 patients undergoing the commissurotomy, reflects severe obstructive subvalvular disease even though echocardiographic evidence suggests otherwise. Our experience shows that the sign portends severe mitral regurgitation if the usual balloon sizing method is used. Such a situation occurred with four of the first six patients. In the next seven patients, the use of smaller balloon catheters (PTMC-18 or PTMC-20) for the initial set of stepwise dilatations averted creation of severe mitral regurgitation. When the “balloon impasse” sign is encountered during the commissurotomy procedure, the catheter selection and balloon sizing method should be judiciously altered. © 1995 Wiley-Liss. Inc.