cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the structure of the calcium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase from rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract The linear arrangement of the three fragments of Ca 2+ -ATPase from rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum with molecular weights of 20,000, 30,000, and 45,000 obtained by limited tryptic hydrolysis was determined by locating the NH 2 -terminal acetylated methionyl residue of the original peptide in the M r = 20,000 fragment. Since both the M r = 20,000 and 30,000 polypeptides originate from a M r = 55,000 fragment which is distinct from the M r = 45,000 polypeptide, the sequence of these three fragments was determined to be 20,000, 30,000, and 45,000. The M r = 20,000 fragment was further cleaved by cyanogen bromide to yield a M r = 7,000 COOH-terminal fragment which is relatively hydrophilic. The NH 2 -terminal portion is rich in glutamyl residues. The COOH-terminus of the M r = 30,000 fragment was determined by both digestion with carboxypeptidases and cyanogen bromide cleavage. Using the partial amino acid sequence of the Ca 2+ -ATPase, it was deduced that the active site phosphoaspartyl residue is 154 amino acids from the COOH-terminus of the M r = 30,000 fragment and hence approximately 35,000 M r from the NH 2 -terminus of the original Ca 2+ -ATPase molecule. Furthermore, it was shown that the two tryptic cleavages of the Ca 2+ -ATPase generating these three large fragments were both single hydrolyses of arginylalanine peptide bonds.
Free association, free recall, and stimulated recall compared

Three primary methods of recall (free association, free recall, stimulated recall) and two modifications of them (modified free association, modified stimulated recall) were defined by use of three variables: (a) presence or absence of prior laboratory training, (b) presence or absence of E controlled test stimulation, and (c) test instructions to free associate or to recall Data obtained from approximately 300 Ss and an earlier set of 600 revealed the differential effectiveness of all three primary methods in recall and misrecall.
Murine in vitro whole bladder model: a method for assessing phenotypic responses to pharmacologic stimuli and hypoxia.

Aims Recent advances in genetic manipulation have allowed for over expression or deletion of selective genes in mice. This offers urologic investigators new means of understanding bladder function in the context of normal development or the response to outlet obstruction. It is important to correlate any genetic manipulations in mice with specific phenotypic properties such as voiding patterns, or muscle strip physiology. We describe a simple in vivo whole bladder preparation that may be used to study the phenotypic changes in bladder function. Methods Murine bladders were mounted on a 30 gauge needle and mounted in an organ chamber containing a physiologic buffer solution. Passive bladder properties were assessed with cystometry, and active contractile responses were measured in response to electrical field stimulation and agonists. The effects of hypoxia were also studied. Results Compliance in the murine bladder is dependent upon actin myosin interactions, and increased in the presence of calcium free buffer and EGTA. The sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a smaller role in the contraction of murine bladder than in other species. Murine bladder smooth muscle demonstrated a remarkable ability to withstand hypoxia. Conclusions This simple model can be adapted to help study the murine bladder smooth muscle phenotype under highly controlled circumstances. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sound Velocity and Adiabatic Compressibility of Liquid Helium Three

The velocity of first sound at 5 Mc/sec was measured in liquid ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ between 0.34 and 3.14\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The results are fitted within 0.2% by the equation $u=183.9\ensuremath{-}5.98{T}^{2}\ensuremath{-}0.130{T}^{3}\ensuremath{-}0.00176{T}^{8}$ (m/sec). Initial pressure coefficients of the sound velocities and a number of derived thermodynamic quantities are also reported.
Exact finite range calculations of light-ion induced two-neutron transfer reactions

Abstract Exact finite-range (EFR) distorted-wave Born approximation calculations were performed for light-ion induced two-neutron transfer reactions, by using a technique to calculate the form factors rather fast. The use of this method made it possible to carry out calculations even when realistic light-ion wave functions and multi-configurational two-neutron wave functions were used and large transferred angular momenta were considered. It was found that, at lower bombarding energies, the predictions of the EFR and zero-range calculations agree very closely both in angular distributions and relative magnitudes of the cross sections, though they differ significantly in absolute magnitude. As the bombarding energy increases, the discrepancy between the predicted absolute magnitude becomes still larger, and noticeable differences are seen even in relative cross sections. For all the energies considered, the EFR calculations predicted the absolute magnitudes of the experimental cross sections to within a factor of several units.
EFFECTS OF SERUM FROM PATIENTS WITH KAWASAKI DISEASE ON CULTURED ARTERIAL ENDOTHELIAL AND SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

The possible presence of a toxic substance in the serum of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) causing the pathogenesis of the disease was investigated by examining the effects of acute phase serum (Kawasaki serum, KS) from 9 patients with KD on viability and growth of cultured calf aortic smooth muscle (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC). All sera were heat inactivated, and filter sterilized. DNA content of these cultures incubated with KS (5%) and in age-matched control sera (CS) were similar after 3 d. (10.4 ± 0.4 vs. 11.8 ± 0.6 ug/cm for EC; 3.0 ± 0.3 vs. 2.4 ± 0.3 ug/cm for SMC). In these cultures, the rates of protein synthesis measured by tyrosine incorporation from 72-96 h was 7.8 ± 0.5 vs. 8.2 ± 0.5 nmol tyr/24 h/cm in EC, and 3.0 ± 0.4 vs. 2.2 ± 0.2 nM tyr/cm /24 h in SMC (N.S.). In independent experiments, KS (10%) promoted DNA and protein synthesis by SMC and EC over 24 h to the same extent as CS (10%). No cytopathic effect due to KS was observed by phase contrast microscopy at any time point or concentration (from 2-10%). Using DNA content, rates of protein synthesis, and morphologic criteria of viability we observed no difference between the effects of KS and CS on SMC and EC. Therefore, a direct toxic effect of KS does not appear to explain the pathogenesis of the arterial lesions that characterize Kawasaki disease.
Constructive role of noise: Fast fluctuation asymptotics of transport in stochastic ratchets

The constructive role of random fluctuations is studied in the context of transport in stochastic ratchets. We discuss the interplay of independent white (thermal) and discrete (external) noises and their generation of transport in anisotropic potentials. The constructive cooperation of such fluctuations is most apparent in the asymptotic limit of fast discrete-valued noise, a limit which presents some interesting mathematical features. We describe the asymptotic analysis of the current in the limit of fast external noise, pointing out the strong qualitative dependence of the current on the interplay of the independent noise sources and its surprising sensitivity to the regularity of the underlying anisotropic ratchet potential.
Induction chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer with clinically evident mediastinal node metastases : the role of postoperative radiotherapy

Abstract Survival for clinical Stage IIIa (T1–3, N2) non-small cell lung cancer is very poor because of poor local disease control and systemic spread. To address these shortcomings, we initiated a treatment program with induction chemotherapy, surgery, and postoperative radiation reserved for patients with residual disease at thoracotomy. Between 1984 and 1986, 41 patients with clinically evident N2 disease were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by resection and the selective use of intraoperative brachytherapy. All patients with tumor in the resection specimen received two cycles of chemotherapy and 15 patients received radiation therapy. With a median follow-up of 5.4 years, overall survival is 27% at 3 years, and 12% at 5 years. Despite the adverse selection process median survival is 19 months for patients receiving postoperative radiation therapy, and 22 months for the more favorable patients not requiring radiation therapy, supporting the selective use of postoperative radiation in this setting. In summary, this treatment has yielded good median survival and long-term survival for some of the patients. However, the ultimate value of this approach can only be determined by prospective trials which compare it to standard therapy.
Simulation of PWR Crud

Corrosion products deposit on Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) fuel rod cladding surfaces and can create a number of issues including increased cladding temperature, elevated cladding corrosion, and the precipitation of boron species within the deposits. The deposits can also release and lead to increased radiation fields on system ex-core surfaces. These effects can vary widely from plant-to-plant. The amount of the deposits, commonly known as crud, is an important factor in determining the impact, but other parameters such as crud thickness, porosity, and composition are also thought to be important.The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has sponsored a number of programs to better understand the characteristics of crud and its effects. Crud has been sampled by fuel scraping and by collecting suspended crud during operation and during fuel cleaning. The chemistry and structure of the crud was then characterized. These data were then used to create simulated crud in laboratory heated rod tests. These tests explored how the crud deposits affected heat transfer at the rod surface and the interaction between the crud and the simulated coolant.This paper discusses the nature of PWR crud and some of the practical aspects of crud simulation. Different approaches to laboratory crud creation will be reviewed, and the success in matching plant crud characteristics will be shown, with special emphasis on the production of crud for thermal conductivity measurement.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Molecular diagnostic tests for ascertainment of genotype at the rod cone dysplasia 1 (rcd1) locus in Irish setters

Rod-cone dysplasia type 1 (rcd1) is one of several canine photoreceptor degenerations, collectively termed progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), that afflict different breeds of dogs. The rcd1 phenotype is an early onset autosomal recessive disease caused by a nonsense amber mutation, at codon 807, in the canine gene for the β-subunit of rod cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (canine PDEB). The mutation involves a G to A transition at nucleotide position 2420, which presumably would cause premature termination of the canine PDEB protein by 49 amino acid residues. In both a small pedigree study of Irish setters from the United Kingdom and in larger canine pedigree studies in the United States, this gene defect has been found to be the only mutation causing rcd1. Here we report development of a diagnostic test which unequivocally distinguishes the three genotypes at the rcd1 locus: rcd1/rcd1 (homozygous mutant, affected); rcd1/+ (heterozygous, carrier); and +/+ (homozygous normal, wildtype).
Pathogenic mechanisms in HBV- and HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal cancer, with increasing worldwide incidence, that is mainly associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. There are few effective treatments partly because the cell- and molecular-based mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of this tumour type are poorly understood. This Review outlines pathogenic mechanisms that seem to be common to both viruses and which suggest innovative approaches to the prevention and treatment of HCC.
Tame combings, almost convexity and rewriting systems for groups

A finite complete rewriting system for a group is a finite presentation which gives an algorithmic solution to the word problem. Finite complete rewriting systems have proven to be useful in geometric group theory, yet little is known about the geometry of groups admitting such rewriting systems. Here we indicate some of the geometry that is implicit in groups with various types of finite rewriting systems. For example, we show that any group admitting a finite complete rewriting system is tame 1-combable, and if the rewriting system is geodesic, then the group is almost convex. Several properties for finitely presented groups have been defined which can be used to show that a closed P2-irreducible three-manifold has universal cover homeomorphic to R3. For example, work of Poenaru [P] shows that if the fundamental group is infinite and satisfies Cannon’s almost convexity property, then the universal cover is simply connected at infinity, and hence is R3 (see [BT]). Casson later discovered the property C2, which regrettably is presentation dependent, but which also implies that the universal cover is R3 [S-G]. Brick and Mihalik generalized the condition C2 to the quasi-simply-filtered condition [B-M], which is independent of presentation and also implies the covering property. Later Mihalik and Tschantz [M-T] defined the notion of a tame 1-combing for a finitely presented group, which implies the quasi-simply-filtered condition, and showed that asynchronously automatic groups and semihyperbolic groups are tame 1-combable. Using a fairly geometric argument we show that groups with finite complete rewriting systems have tame 1-combings. Using similar techniques, we obtain
Validation of World Health Organization/International Society of Urologic Pathology 2004 classification schema for bladder urothelial carcinomas using quantitative nuclear morphometry: identification of predictive features using bootstrap method.

Objectives Despite the introduction of the new World Health Organization 2004 grading classification, the grading of urothelial carcinoma remains difficult and subjective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of computer-assisted image morphometric analysis as a tool to improve the objectivity of histologic grading of urothelial carcinoma. Methods A total of 75 urinary bladder biopsies from a cohort of patients with a first-time diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma representing low-grade (n = 19) and high-grade (n = 56) urothelial carcinoma were evaluated. Quantititative nuclear morphometry was performed on these biopsies using approximately 80 to 100 cells per case. A total of 17 nuclear morphometry features were extracted, and a bootstrap-based predictor selection using stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed. Subsequently, a validation was performed using the five top features from the logistic regression analyses by implementing a nonparametric discriminant analysis to identify the most discriminative features that predicted for high-grade cases. Results The bootstrap technique included nuclear pleomorphism as the most frequently selected predictor of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (in 213 of 500 replicates). Validation using the top five features in the logistic regression analysis method (pleomorphism, configuration run length, DNA mass, feret-Y, and age) using discriminant analysis gave a resubstitution error of 4%, indicating the usefulness of the selected predictors. Conclusions The present study is the first to provide a morphometric validation of the World Health Organization 2004 system for pathologic grading of bladder cancer. Furthermore, quantititative nuclear morphometry could aid in the objective grading of urinary bladder biopsies. This information might aid the treating physicians in better risk stratification of patients with urothelial carcinoma.
Seismic hazard prediction using a probabilistic-fuzzy approach

Abstract This paper presents a description for extending seismic hazard prediction concepts from probability theory to fuzzy sets theory. The aim is to develop a model for seismic hazard prediction able to reproduce both the randomness and the imprecision in conjunction with earthquake occurences. A particular emphasis is placed upon the treatment of information within a probabilistic-fuzzy mathematical model using the extension principle.
Gaffkya and Microaerophilic Vibrio Interaction1

Summary A gaffkya species isolated from a brucella-bacteriophage culture was demonstrated to inhibit growth of 17 of 18 microaerophilic vibrio strains tested. The zone of inhibition on nutrient, serum, triple sugar iron or yeast extract agar varied from 0.5 to 3 cm. in diameter. Human or sheep blood, plasma or washed red blood cell agar prevented this inhibition. Bacterial antagonisms are common but the ability of gaffkya to suppress the growth of microaerophilic vibrios is unique. Zusammenfassung Zusammenspiel von Gaffkya und mikroaerophilen vibrio Eine Gaffkya-Art, die aus einer Brucellaphagenkultur isoliert worden war, hemmte das kulturelle Wachstum bei 17 von 18 mikroaerophilen Vibrio-Stammen. Der Durchmesser der Hemmzone auf Nahr-, Serum-, Hefeextrakt-und 3fach Zucker-Eisen-Agar (Difco) variierte von 0,5 bis 3 cm. Menschenoder Schafblut, Plasma oder Erythrozyten im Medium verhinderten die Hemmwirkung. Obwohl bakterieller Antagonismus nicht selten ist, stellt doch die wachstumshemmende Fahigkeit von Gaffkya auf mikroaerophile Vibrionen eine ungewohnliche Beobachtung dar. Resume Interaction de Gaffkya et de vibrion microaerophile Une espece de Gaffkya, isolee d'une culture de phages brucelliques, inhibe la croissance sur culture de 17 sur 18 souches de vibrions microaerophiles. Le diametre de la zone d'inhibition sur milieu nutritif, au serum, a l'extrait de levure et sur milieu TSI (Difco) varie de 0,5 a 3 cm. Le sang humain ou de mouton, le plasma ou des erythrocytes ajoutes au milieu empechent cette inhibition. Bien qu'un antagonisme bacterien ne soit pas un fait rare, la faculte de Gaffkya d'inhiber la croissance des vibrions micro-aerophiles represente malgre tout une observation inhabituelle. Resumen Gaffkya e interaccion con los vibriones microaerofilos Una especie Gaffkya, aislada a partir de un cultivo de fagos brucelares, inhibia el crecimiento cultural en 17 de 18 estirpes Vibrio microaerofilas. El diametro de la zona de inhibicion en agar nutritivo, serico, con extracto de levadura y azucar triple-hierro (Difco) variaba desde 0,5 hasta 3,0 cm. La sangre de personas u ovejas, plasma sanguineo o eritrocitos en el medio impedian la accion inhibidora. Aunque no es raro el antagonismo bacteriano, la facultad inhibidora del crecimiento de Gaffkya sobre los vibriones microaerofilos si que es una observacion extraordinaria.
Photochemical and spectral properties of the sulfito rhodium(III) complexes trans-Rh(NH3)4(SO3)CN and Na(trans-Rh(NH3)4(SO3)2)

Abstract The aqueous solution UV spectra of the aqueous Rh(III) sulfito complexes trans -Rh(NH 3 ) 4 (SO 3 )(X) n − (X = CN − ( I ) or SO 3 2− ( II ) are dominated by intense (ϵ max ∼10 4 M −1 s −1 ) absorption bands at λ max 226 ( I ) and 266 ( II ) nm attributed to ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) transitions. Both compounds are photoactive. Photolysis of II at 313 nm leads to Rh(NH 3 ) 4 (SO 3 )(H 2 O) + formation with a quantum yield (0.16±0.01) independent of light intensity ( I a ) and of air, behavior consistent with excitation to a substitution labile ligand field excited state. More complicated behavior was observed with 254 nm photolysis of both I and II which indicates the possible contributions of photoredox pathways originating in the LMCT state(s). The luminescence spectra and lifetimes at 77 K of I and II and of the two cyano complexes [Rh(NH 3 ) 5 CN]Cl 2 and [ trans -RhNH 3 ) 4 CNCl]Cl are also reported. Each of these compounds displays broad bands attributed to emission from ligand field triplet states. Also described is the equilibrium constant for reaction of trans -Rh(NH 3 ) 4 (SO 3 )(H 2 O) + with Cl − in aqueous solution ( K = 0.053 ± 0.007 M).
Aging, working memory, and discrimination learning.

Older adults easily learn probabilistic relationships between cues and outcomes when the predictive event is the occurrence of a cue, but have greater difficulty when the predictive event is the nonoccurrence of a cue (Mutter & Pliske, 1996; Mutter & Plumlee, 2004; Mutter & Williams, 2004). This study explored whether this age-related deficit occurs in a simpler learning context and whether it might be related to working memory (WM) decline. We gave younger and older adults simultaneous discrimination tasks that allowed us to compare their ability to learn deterministic relationships when either the occurrence (feature positive; FP) or the nonoccurrence (feature negative; FN) of a distinctive feature predicted reinforcement. We also included a group of younger adults who performed the discrimination tasks under a concurrent WM load. Both age and WM load had a detrimental effect on initial FP and FN discrimination; however, these effects persisted only in FN discrimination after additional learning experie...
Enhanced nasal retention of hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes.

Hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes (HMP) are polymers with a high content of ionizable groups bonded to hydrophobic groups. Copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) and Pluronic surfactants constitute a special class of HMP whereby poly(propylene oxide) segments act as hydrophobes. The poly(propylene oxide) segments possess temperature-dependent aqueous solubility and the solutions of the Pluronic-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers (MW > 3000000) undergo a sol-gel transition when kept at body temperature. Due to the presence of the poly(acrylic acid) segments, the Pluronic-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers are bioadhesive. We have examined the hypothesis that the in-situ gelling polymer formulations of Pluronic-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers may have an enhanced retention in the nasal cavity. The effects of putative bioadhesive (Carbomer 934P) and thermogelling (Pluronic F127) polymers on nasal clearance were compared with Pluronic-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers using a rat model. The enhancement of the residence time of fluorescent labels by the Pluronic-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers was shown to be 5–8-fold that of Carbomer, and 3–6-fold that of Pluronic F127. The results unequivocally demonstrate the superior retention of the HMP that combines bioadhesive and thermogelling capabilities over either a bioadhesive polyelectrolyte or a polymer of a low molecular weight that undergoes a sol-gel transition.
Separated topologies—A method for relative binding free energy calculations using orientational restraints

Orientational restraints can improve the efficiency of alchemical free energy calculations, but they are not typically applied in relative binding calculations, which compute the affinity difference been two ligands. Here, we describe a new “separated topologies” method, which computes relative binding free energies using orientational restraints and which has several advantages over existing methods. While standard approaches maintain the initial and final ligand in a shared orientation, the separated topologies approach allows the initial and final ligands to have distinct orientations. This avoids a slowly converging reorientation step in the calculation. The separated topologies approach can also be applied to determine the relative free energies of multiple orientations of the same ligand. We illustrate the approach by calculating the relative binding free energies of two compounds to an engineered site in Cytochrome C Peroxidase.
Anti-inflation taxation policy: An alternative to wage and price controls

Abstract One reason the postwar economy has become increasingly inflation prone is that oligopolistic firms tend to act as if demand is completely inelastic for price increases no greater than the expected rate of inflation. Hence, in the absence of mandatory price controls, there is no effective disincentive at the individual firm level to price increases of this magnitude. The policy proposed below provides such a disincentive by linking each firm's tax rate to the increase in its revenues attributable to price changes.
Rapid correction of hyponatremia produces differential effects on brain osmolyte and electrolyte reaccumulation in rats.

Abstract Studies from these and other laboratories have shown that hyponatremia causes marked depletion of both electrolytes and organic osmolytes from the brain. The present studies evaluated brain reaccumulation of both classes of solute after correction of chronic hyponatremia. Hyponatremia was induced by subcutaneoys infusions of 1-deamino-[8- D -arginine]-vasopressin (dDAVP) in rats fed a balanced liquid diet. After 14 days of sustained hyponatremia the dDAVP minipumps were removed causing rapid correction of plasma sodium concentrations from104±1mmol/l to139±1mmol/l in 24 h. Water and solute contents were measured in brain extracts both before and for 5 days after correction of the hyponatremia, and compared to values in normonatremic rats maintained on the same diet for 14 days. Our results demonstrate that electrolytes, particularly Na+ and Cl−, reaccumulate rapidly in the brain, resulting in a significant overshoot above normal control brain Na+ and Cl− contents as early as 24 h after correction. In contrast, organic osmolyte reaccumulation occurs more slowly, requiring 5 or more days for a return to normal control brain contents in most cases. A prominent exception to this pattern was glutamate, which also returned rapidly to normal brain contents within 24 h similar to the electrolytes. Quantitative analysis of brain water and solute contents after correction of hyponatremia indicated that the reaccumulation of electrolytes and organic osmolytes was sufficient to account for the changes in brain volume that occurred. Electrolytes accounted for 91–96% of the brain volume regulation during the first 24–48 h after correction of hyponatremia, but over longer periods of time organic osmolytes replaced some of the initial electrolyte gains and accounted for approximately one-third of the observed volume regulation by 5 days after correction of hyponatremia. These results therefore demonstrate markedly dissimilar patterns of reaccumulation of different classes of solutes in brain tissue following correction of chronic hyponatremia, which may be of significance for the pathological brain demyelination often seen under these conditions.
Formation of fibrin clots in cryopreserved stem cell bags during thawing procedure: lack of impact on engraftment in autologous stem cell transplantation.

Correspondence: Dr RA Mandanas, The University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, Department of Medicine, 920 SL Young WP-2010, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Design and Experiment of Compact and Effective Carbon Foam Recuperative Heat Exchangers

A conceptual design for a compact, lightweight, recuperative heat exchanger with an effectiveness of 98% is presented. This heat exchanger consists of discrete pair of carbon foam blocks packed between thin sheets of stainless steel. The flowpaths were piled alternately in a modular manner so that the hot and cold streams counterflow in the recuperative heat exchanger. Measures were taken to minimize the axial conduction in the heat exchanger. The anisotropic property of carbon foam was exploited to achieve higher effectiveness. The paper shows how the overall effectiveness of the heat exchanger can reach beyond 98% by placing many pair of carbon foam blocks in series. Experiments with four pair of carbon foam blocks were conducted to validate the design concept. Results show that carbon foam can effectively increase heat transfer between the hot and cold streams. With four pair of carbon foam blocks, an effectiveness e total greater than 80% was achieved. An effectiveness e total of 98% can be reached by using 50 pair of carbon foam blocks. This new development has advantages in size and weight and can be easily scaled up for larger heat transfer requirements.
c-Jun N-TERMINAL KINASE INHIBITOR SP600125 MODULATES THE PERIOD OF MAMMALIAN CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

Circadian rhythms are endogenous cycles with periods close to, but not exactly equal to, 24 h. In mammals, circadian rhythms are generated in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus as well as several peripheral cell types, such as fibroblasts. Protein kinases are key regulators of the circadian molecular machinery. We investigated the role of the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), which belong to the mitogen-activated protein kinases family, in the regulation of circadian rhythms. In rat-1 fibroblasts, the p46 kDa, but not the p54 kDa, isoforms of JNK expressed circadian rhythms in phosphorylation. The JNK-inhibitor SP600125 dose-dependently extended the period of Period1-luciferase rhythms in rat-1 fibroblasts from 24.23±0.17–31.48±0.07 h. This treatment also dose-dependently delayed the onset of the bioluminescence rhythms. The effects of SP600125 on explant cultures from Period1-luciferase transgenic mice and Period2Luciferase knockin mice appeared tissue-specific. SP600125 lengthened the period in SCN, pineal gland, and lung explants in Period1-luciferase and Period2Luciferase mice. However, in the kidneys circadian rhythms were abolished in Period1-luciferase, while circadian rhythms were not affected by SP600125 treatment in Period2Luciferase mice. Valproic acid, already known to affect period length, enhanced JNK phosphorylation and, as predicted, shortened the period of the Period1-bioluminescence rhythms in rat-1 fibroblasts. In conclusion, our results showed that SP600125 treatment, as well as valproic acid, alters JNK phosphorylation levels, and modulates the period length in various tissues. We conclude that JNK phosphorylation levels may help to set the period length of mammalian circadian rhythms.
Invader human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 18 assays as adjuncts to HPV screening of cervical papanicolaou smears with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

BACKGROUND: High-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is standard practice for triaging women who have Papanicolaou (Pap) smears with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), however, only 5% to 17% of these women have underlying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN-2)/CIN-3. Recent reports have demonstrated that the presence of either HPV type 16 (HPV-16) or HPV-18 confers an elevated risk for CIN-2/CIN-3. The current study was designed to determine the prevalence of HPV-16 and HPV-18 in ASC-US Pap smears and to determine whether further typing would enhance the risk stratification of patients for CIN-2/CIN-3. METHODS: One hundred seventy-eight Pap smears with ASC-US were screened retrospectively for HR HPV by using the proprietary Invader screening assay followed by typing for HPV-16 and HPV-18 by using Invader type-specific probes on 100 of the samples. Clinical follow-up results were correlated with HPV types. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of the ASC-US samples were positive for HR HPV, the majority of which (70%) harbored non-HPV-16/HPV-18 HR HPV types; 27% were associated with HPV-16, whereas only 3% contained HPV-18. The screening assay indicated that 46% of women who had Pap smears with ASC-US were in need of further HPV-16/HPV-18 typing. Testing for HPV-16 stratified women with ASC-US into 3 groups: 1) 14% of women were positive for HPV-16 and had a high risk (54%) of CIN-2/CIN-3 on follow-up biopsy, 2) 35% of women were positive for non-HPV-16 HPV types and had an intermediate risk (9%), and 3) 51% of women were negative for HPV and had a negligible risk for CIN-2/CIN-3. CONCLUSIONS: The combined application of a proprietary screening assay and a type-specific HPV-16 assay demonstrated global potential for the development of tailored management protocols for women who have Pap smears with ASC-US. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Pyribenzamine activation of the electroencephalogram

Abstract A provocative technique for activating the electroencephalogram with intravenous Pyribenzamine was standardized in the Department of Neurology of the University of Pennsylvania in 1952. Since that time, a total of 562 patients who had normal routine electroencephalograms but in whom a suspected seizure state was to be excluded were studied. Of the total, we considered there was a 45% positive activation either by producing definite EEG changes, focal or diffuse paroxysmal activity, or by clinical behavior which was helpful in establishing the diagnosis. The side effects at the dosage and rate given are mild and do not contraindicate its use clinically. It is felt to be a safe, relatively non-time-consuming procedure to obtain additional information to establish a positive diagnosis in patients with suspected seizures.
Multivariate Polynomial Factorization

Abstract : This paper describes algorithms for factoring a polynomial in one or more variables, with integer coefficients, into factors which are irreducible over the integers. These algorithms are based on the use of factorizations over finite fields and 'Hensel's Lemma construction'. 'Abstract algorithm' descriptions are used in the presentation of the underlying algebraic theory. Included is a new generalization of Hensel's p-adic construction which leads to a practical algorithm for factoring multivariate polynomials. The univariate case algorithm is also specified in greater detail than in the previous literature, with attention to a number of improvements which the author has developed based on theoretical computing time analyses and experience with actual implementations.
Disposable Electrochemical Immunosensor Diagnosis Device Based on Nanoparticle Probe and Immunochromatographic Strip

We describe a disposable electrochemical immunosensor diagnosis device that integrates the immunochromatographic strip technique with an electrochemical immunoassay and exploits quantum dot (QD, CdS@ZnS) as labels for amplifying signal output. The device takes advantage of the speed and low cost of the conventional immunochromatographic strip test and the high sensitivity of the nanoparticle-based electrochemical immunoassay. A sandwich immunoreaction was performed on the immunochromatographic strip, and the captured QD labels in the test zone were determined by highly sensitive stripping voltammetric measurement of the dissolved metallic component (cadmium) with a disposable screen-printed electrode, which is embedded underneath the membrane on the test zone. The new device coupled with a portable electrochemical analyzer shows great promise for in-field and point-of-care quantitative testing of disease-related protein biomarkers. The parameters (e.g., voltammetric measurement of QD labels, antibody immobilization, the loading amount of QD-antibody, and the immunoreaction time) that govern the sensitivity and reproducibility of the device were optimized with IgG model analyte. The voltammetric response of the optimized device is highly linear over the range of 0.1-10 ng mL(-1) IgG, and the limit of detection is estimated to be 30 pg mL(-1) in association with a 7-min immunoreaction time. The detection limit was improved to 10 pg mL(-1) using a 20-min immunoreaction time. The device has been successfully applied for the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in human serum sample with a detection limit of 20 pg mL(-1). The results were validated by using the commercial PSA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and showed high consistency. The new disposable electrochemical diagnosis device thus provides a rapid, clinically accurate, and quantitative tool for protein biomarker detection.
Pemphigus vulgaris antibody identifies pemphaxin. A novel keratinocyte annexin-like molecule binding acetylcholine.

Because pemphigus vulgaris (PV) IgGs adsorbed on the rDsg3-Ig-His baculoprotein induced blisters in neonatal mice, it was proposed that anti-desmoglein 3 (Dsg 3) autoantibody causes PV. However, we found that rDsg3-Ig-His absorbs autoantibodies to different antigens, including a non-Dsg 3 keratinocyte protein of 130 kDa. This prompted our search for novel targets of PV autoimmunity. The PV IgG eluted from a 75-kDa keratinocyte protein band both stained epidermis in a pemphigus-like pattern and induced acantholysis in keratinocyte monolayers. Screening of a keratinocyte λgt11 cDNA library with this antibody identified clones carrying cDNA inserts encoding a novel molecule exhibiting ∼40% similarity with annexin-2, named pemphaxin (PX). Recombinant PX (rPX-His) was produced inEscherichia coli M15 cells, and, because annexins can act as cholinergic receptors, its conformation was tested in a cholinergic radioligand binding assay. rPX-His specifically bound [3H]acetylcholine, suggesting that PX is one of the keratinocyte cholinergic receptors known to be targeted by disease-causing PV antibodies. Preabsorption of PV sera with rPX-His eliminated acantholytic activity, and eluted antibody immunoprecipitated native PX. This antibody alone did not cause skin blisters in vivo, but its addition to the preabsorbed PV IgG fraction restored acantholytic activity, indicating that acantholysis in PV results from synergistic action of antibodies to different keratinocyte self-antigens, including both acetylcholine receptors and desmosomal cadherins.
Altered ovarian regulation of wound healing during aging.

AbstractThe healing rate of full-thickness skin lesions is slower in senescent female rats (22-23 months) than in their young adult (5-6 months) counterparts. Fifty percent wound closure times were 9.46 ± 0.31 and 6.45 ± 0.40 days, respectively (P < 0.001). Ovariectomy significantly slows the healing process in the mature group but not in the senescent animals. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with low-dose estradiol (0.3 μg/kg body wt) restores the healing rate to nearly normal in mature rats and accelerates the healing rate relative to sham-operated controls in senescent rats. Thus, decreased healing rates in senescent female rats may be due in part to reduced estrogenic potentiation of healing.
Assessment of Body Weight Status and Macronutrient Consumption Patterns of Preschool Children

This study was conducted to assess the food and macronutrient consumption patterns of Head Start preschool children and their body weight status. Three data collections were conducted over 15 months with 125 children attending either morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) sessions. Sample portions from Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Snack (S) were photographed and weighed; individual student’s plates were photographed and plate waste was both photographed and weighed; consumption and nutrient content for each meal/child/day was calculated using Nutritionist Pro v. 14.0. Over half of the subjects (52%) were female; 50% were Caucasian, 22% were African American, 10% were Hispanic, and 18% were Other, primarily of mixed race. The mean age was 5 months, average height and weight were 107.9 cm and 19.3 kg, respectively; the mean BMI was 16.5 kg/m2. Most (58%) of the children were Normal weight status, 19% were Overweight, and 18% were Obese; 20% of the males were Obese compared to 16% of females. Energy (kcal) and protein (g) offered was: B = 219 and 9; L = 353 and 17; S = 126 and 3; amounts consumed were B = 136 and 5; AM-L = 239 and 12; PM-L = 192 and 9; and S = 110 and 3. AM and PM children obtained only 22% and 18% of their daily energy requirement, respectively, while protein intakes were 2–3 times higher than the recommended one-third RDA. Children in the AM session had significantly higher nutrient intakes than those in the PM session. Children preferred energy-dense and familiar foods; acceptance rates for fresh fruit (33%–42%), raw vegetables (22%–29%), and cooked vegetables (15%–34%) were low. Food consumption patterns may be regulated by familiar foods and home food preferences. Preschool programs need to offer nutritionally balanced, palatable, and attractive meals and learning activities focused on increasing students’ acceptance of unfamiliar foods, especially fruits and vegetables.
An absence of a certain class of periodic solutions in the Navier-Stokes equations

In the case of the 3D Navier-Stokes equations, it is proved that there exists a constantɛ>0 with the following property: Every time-periodic solution with a period smaller thanɛ is necessarily a stationary solution. An explicit formula for ɛ is also provided.
Aging in place

Most older persons do not live in nursing homes, but manage to stay in the community with help from friends and relatives.1 When middle-aged persons are asked where they wish to stay as they age, 78% choose to stay in their own home; however, in the old-old, deterioration in neighborhood quality and living with others in the community decreased life satisfaction.2 White et al3 found that there is wide variation in preferences of older persons and their family members, with some seeing items that had a high value, for others as being undesirable. Although persons who are disabled or severely demented often have little choice but to move to an institution, even among this group, most manage to stay in the community.4,5 The long term care spectrum includes understanding the resources needed to allow older persons to “age in place” or to choose living facilities that are different from nursing homes and how to prevent further deterioration in their health. In Denmark, for instance, since 1984 new nursing homes have not been built but rather there has been a focus on “elderly housings” (“Aelderboliges”). These are handicapped accessible homes allowing the older person to remain in the community as they become disabled. In the United States, “The Green House” is an equivalent development.6 These are small units serving 10 to 12 residents with private rooms, including a bathroom, kitchen, and dining and living room. In a small study, the quality of life was equal to that of nursing homes and showed an improved functional status.7 Although there are a number of articles on these small, homelike care environments at present, studies have not clearly demonstrated an advantage or that they are cost effective.8 The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics position statement strongly supported older persons having the choice to live at home.9 Aging in place is the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely and independently as one ages. In the United States, this concept was first created in the Beacon Hill Village in Boston where a group of older persons came together in 2001 to provide mutual support to enable them to remain independent in their own home as long as possible. This has led to the “Village Model,” a consumer-driven approach to allow aging in place.10 Commercially, a number of continuing care retirement communities have been developed that offer housing associated with an assisted living facility and a nursing home on the same campus. To allowolder persons to live maximally in their own living space requires the development of
Effect of processing conditions on the structural gradients developed in injection-molded poly(aryl ether ketone) (PAEK) parts. I. Characterization by microbeam X-ray diffraction technique

Depending on the processing conditions, poly(arylene ether ketone) exhibits unique structural gradients as a result of its thermomechanical history when it is injection-molded. Gapwise structure gradients change from a fully amorphous to multilayer amorphous–semicrystalline–amorphous and, finally, to a uniformly semicrystalline one when mold temperature is increased. When injection speed is decreased, the crystallized layers become thicker, and at very slow injection speeds, the crystalline layers developed near the two surfaces of the parts approach each other at the core. These structure variations were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, and a matrixing microbeam X-ray diffraction (MMBX) technique developed in our laboratories. The relationship between the structure gradients developed and the processing variables and the cavity geometry are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Organogenesis and Plantlet Formation from Organ- and Seedling-Derived Calli of Rice (Oryza sativa)

Callus was induced in different somatic organs of Oryza sativa L. Specific minimum 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) concentrations in the medium were necessary for the induction of callus from different organs while high levels of 2,4-D (6–10 mg/l) induced callus formation in each organ tested. The optimum 2,4-D concentration for callus induction and growth for root-derived calli was 2 mg/l and for leaf-derived 6 mg/l. Root and shoot organogenesis were induced in both root- and leaf-derived calli by sub-culturing to a medium lacking 2,4-D. Root organogenesis occurred at a higher frequency than shoot organogenesis. Shoot organogenesis rarely occurred in calli without differentiated roots. Increased age of callus cultures almost completely inhibited shoot development. The addition of the cytokinin 6-γ,γ-dimethylallyl-amino purine partially restored the potential for shoot organogenesis. Whole plants were easily recovered from the calli and grown to maturity with some plants exhibiting phenotypic abnormalities.
Simoedosaurus dakotensis, new species, a diapsid reptile (Archosauromorpha; Choristodera) from the Paleocene of North America

ABSTRACT A partly complete skeleton from the late Paleocene of western North Dakota is described as Simoedosaurus dakotensis, n. sp., and is compared with European individuals of the genus. This specimen represents the earliest occurrence of the genus and is the first species to be recognized from North America. Skull characters that differ from the type species and indicate an early stage of development are: shorter muzzle; marginal teeth of more uniform size; larger lachrymal and a broader and longer skull table. Postcranial distinctions from its close ally Champsosaurus, with which it is often confused, are also presented, and its association with crocodilians is noted.
Endopeptidase Activity in Cotton Cotyledons During Development

Summary Protease levels in cotton cotyledons were monitored from germination until abscission. When assayed by the radial diffusion assay, there were three peaks of activity; one at germination, one at the time of autotropy, and one at senescence.
Monocyclization of N-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)-1,2-diphenylethylamines to the 4-aryl-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-iH-3-benzazepine ring system

Abstract Treatment of N-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)-2-phenyl-1-(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)ethylamine (2a) and N-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)-1-(4-amino-2,3,5-trifluorophenyl)-2-phenylethylamine (2b) with perchloric acid afforded monocyclized 4-aryl-1-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines 4a,b.
Kidney Disease and Hypertension in Blacks: Scope of the Problem

H YPERTENSION is a major health problem in African Americans (hereafter referred to as "black"). Data from Moriyama et al and from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that blacks (both male and female) have a much higher level of blood pressure than whites. 1,2 In addition, the onset of hypertension in blacks seems to be much earlier and of greater severity.3 The prevalence of health problems caused by or associated with hypertension, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, also has been reported to be higher in blacks. For example, data from the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program show the rate of stroke in blacks to be twice that in whites. Savage suggested that electrocardiographically determined left ventricular hypertrophy as a complication of uncontrolled hypertension occurs earlier and may be more malignant in blacks than in whites. 5 The prevalence of kidney disease, especially end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is presumed to be caused by hypertension, has been reported from local and regional studies to be higher in blacks and Hispanic populations compared with whites.. The analysis reported here was performed with data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) to define the scope of kidney disease associated with hypertension on a national level.