cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response: evolution of training in gastroenterology and hepatology: working together is the solution.

Response: Evolution of Training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Working Together Is the Solution
Growth factor induction of cytosolic protein tyrosine kinase activity in human haemopoietic progenitor cells isolated by flow cytometry.

We employed a highly sensitive method to assay protein tyrosine kinase activity in extracts of subpopulations of CD34+ bone marrow progenitor cells isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting in an attempt to better define how growth-factor induction of enzymatic activity relates to progenitor cell maturation. FACS analysis confirmed that, under the conditions employed, essentially all of the CD34 + cells in adult human marrow that lacked the CD38 antigen were devoid of the myeloid maturation marker CD33 as well as the lineage antigens : CD10, 13, 14, 15, 16. 19, 71 and glycophorin A. A variable portion (50-90%) of these CD34 + , CD38 - progenitor cells expressed HLA-DR. CD34 + , CD38 - cells that did not express HLA-DR were found to lack detectable levels of either membrane or cytosolic tyrosine kinase activity. HLA-DR + progenitor cells that lacked CD38 possessed elevated levels of cytosolic tyrosine kinase activity but only low levels of plasma membrane activity. In contrast, CD34 + cells that expressed CD38 (and HLA-DR) possessed high levels of membrane-associated tyrosine kinase activity. A cocktail of haemopoietic growth factors that included IL-3, IL-6 and stem cell factor effectively induced tyrosine kinase activity in CD34 + . CD38 - , HLA-DR - progenitor cells. Growth factor induction of tyrosine kinase activity in these cells was not inhibited by actinomycin D or cyclohexamide. Most of the tyrosine kinase activity induced by these growth factors was recovered from the cytosolic fraction of disrupted cells. Thus, induction of cytosolic tyrosine kinase activity is an early event in the response of uncommitted haemopoietic cells to haemopoietic growth factors. Subsequent activation of membrane tyrosine kinases may initiate key transduction processes as these cells begin to differentiate.
Evaluating changes in forest condition potentially related to acidic deposition: an example using red spruce

Abstract Individual tree and stand responses to air pollutants, often inferred from changes in crown condition, mortality and growth rates, are difficult to correlate with each other because these data are often not measured on the same tree or plot. In evaluating changes in any of these measures it is necessary to define expectation for normal changes over time. Of the three measures, radial increment is the only one which has a temporal component to develop a historical expectation. Therefore, to develop an expectation of change in radial growth in the absence of high levels of acidic deposition, radial growth chronologies of red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) from forest survey data in northern Maine were analyzed. Rather than concentrate on recent (post-1960) increases or decreases in radial increments, the entire radial growth chronology was analyzed for possible influences of disturbance events and stand development. As a result, two periods of large growth reductions are evident over the past 60 years. In the early 1930s, a trend of decreased radial growth was preceded by growth increases in the 1920s. The 1920s increase resulted from the release of understory trees and recovery of surviving trees, following a severe budworm epidemic. Likewise, a trend of decreased radial growth after 1960 was preceded by a growth increase in the 1940s. Release of the red spruce trees in the 1940s is believed in part to be the result of a regional birch decline that began in the mid-1930s. These increases and subsequent decreases in radial growth are expected given the disturbance events and natural dynamics of the stands. However, even if the growth trend departed from expectations (e.g. after accounting for stand disturbances), unless air pollutant levels are identified and measured for those forest survey sites, the strongest statement that could be made for this example or any similar situation is that a change in tree condition has been detected for which acidic deposition or air pollutants cannot be excluded as a cause.
Cardiovascular effects of serotonin.

The major target for circulating serotonin (released from aggregating platelets) appears to be the blood vessel wall (although little evidence is available), suggesting a role for the monoamine in controlling cardiac function. In cerebral blood vessels, serotonergic neurons are present, implying a potential serotonergic neurogenic control. Serotonin causes contraction of most large arteries and veins; it also causes contraction of venules. This is due mainly to direct activation of vascular smooth muscle, although amplification of the response to other endogenous vasoconstrictors (e.g., angiotensin II and norepinephrine) as well as facilitated release of norepinephrine may contribute. In peripheral blood vessels, the receptors mediating the contractions evoked by serotonin belong mainly to the 5-HT2-serotonergic subtype; in the coronary and cerebral arteries, this need not be the case. Vasodilator responses to serotonin are seen mainly at the arteriolar level, but they can also be observed in larger blood vessels. They can be caused by the release of other endogenous vasodilators (e.g., vasoactive intestinal polypeptide), direct relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, inhibition of adrenergic neurotransmission, or production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s). The dilator responses to serotonin are mediated by receptors with characteristics similar to 5-HT1-serotonergic binding sites. Aggregating platelets release enough serotonin to evoke both constrictor and dilator responses. The absence of endothelium may change the primary response to aggregating platelets from relaxation to contraction. The responsiveness of the blood vessel wall to serotonin can be augmented acutely by local hypoxia or by cooling. It is exaggerated in blood vessels taken from hypertensive or atherosclerotic animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nasal prongs continuous positive airway pressure: a simple yet powerful tool.

* Abbreviations: CLD = : chronic lung disease • VLBWI = : very low birth weight infant • NP-CPAP = : nasal prongs continuous positive airway pressure • ELBWI = : extremely low birth weight infant • CPAP = : continuous positive airway pressure • HMD = : hyaline membrane disease The recent article by Van Marter et al,1 discussing the association between barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and chronic lung disease (CLD) in the very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) weighing <1500 g was of great interest. They observed a significantly lower incidence of CLD in the VLBWI at Children's Hospital of New York–Columbia University compared with 2 other centers affiliated with Harvard University in Boston. The difference in incidence of CLD was wide, 4% versus 22%. The lower incidence of CLD was true for all gestational age and birth weight subcategories. Columbia University is recognized for its strategy of early use of nasal prongs continuous positive airway pressure (NP-CPAP).2 The association of low incidence of CLD and the use of NP-CPAP was reported earlier in 1987 by Avery et al.2 This association was confirmed in a survey of other 11 American neonatal centers.3 In Sweden, a citywide survey in neonatal units in Stockholm confirmed the feasibility of the early use of NP-CPAP.4 The early use of NP-CPAP is not only successful in the VLBWI, but also in the extremely low birth weight infant (ELBWI) weighing <1000 g. In September 1997, at the George Washington University Department of Newborn Service we emphasized the use of NP-CPAP as the primary mode of respiratory support in all premature …
Otitis media, fluctuant hearing loss, and speech-language outcomes: a preliminary structural equation model.

The goals of this study were to estimate the risk for lowered speech-language outcomes associated with early recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) with and without hearing loss and to develop a preliminary descriptive-explanatory model for the findings. Three statistical approaches were used to assess associations among OME, hearing loss, and speech-language outcomes. Participants were a subsample of 70 children followed prospectively in the Dallas Cooperative Project on Early Hearing and Language Development (Friel-Patti & Finitzo, 1990). Findings indicated that hearing levels at 12-18 months were significantly associated with speech delay and low language outcomes at 3 years of age. The risk for subclinical or clinical speech delay at 3 years of age was 2% for children with less than 20 dB average hearing levels at 12-18 months and 33% for children with greater than 20 dB average hearing levels at 12-18 months. A structural equation model (Joreskog & Sorbom, 1993) indicated that the significant and substantial effects of hearing levels at 12-18 months on speech status at 3 years were significantly mediated by language status at 3 years. Discussion includes implications of these findings for alternative speech perception models linking early OME and hearing loss to later speech-language disorder.
The influence of gender, grasp type, pinch width and wrist position on sustained pinch strength

Abstract Sustained pinch strength data were collected from eight male and eight female subjects using a modified Caldwell regimen for pinch strength. Four independent variables were investigated: gender, wrist position, grasp type, and pinch width. All main effects were significant at the α = 0.05 level, and several 2-way interactions were significant. The effects of wrist position and grasp type were fairly well predicted by previous research; however, no published research has investigated the effects of pinch width. Based on the results of this study, it appears that the optimal pinch width is close to 5 cm, and this value may be different for males and females. The data reported here are considerably lower than other published data, probably because previous research has concentrated on peak strength, suggesting that peak pinch strength data should be used with caution as they may overestimate pinch strength capabilities.
Hepatic arterial floxuridine and leucovorin for unresectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. New dose schedules and survival update.

Background. We studied three new dose schedules of hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine (FUDR) and leucovorin and update survival analysis of a previously reported trial using these drugs by hepatic arterial infusion for patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. Methods. Untreated patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer were treated with three dose schedules: Group D, FUDR (0.3 mg/kg/day) and leucovorin (30 mg/m2day) as a 14-day continuous infusion through an implantable hepatic arterial pump alternating with a 4-week rest period; Group E, a lower dose of FUDR (0.25 mg/kg/day) and leucovorin (30 mg/m2day) as a 14-day infusion alternating with 2 weeks of saline; and Group F, FUDR (0.3 mg/kg/day) with a lower leucovorin dose (15 mg/m2/day) for 2 weeks followed by a 2-week rest. Results. In 42 patients with unresectable hepatic metastases, the complete-plus-partial response rate was 56%, with a median survival of 24.2 months. Complete-plus-partial response rates for groups D, E, and F were 30%, 54%, and 75%, respectively. Twelve percent of the 42 patients developed biliary sclerosis; the percentages of patients per group were 17%, 15%, and 6%, respectively. Updated median survival of the original 24 patients treated with FUDR and leucovorin by hepatic arterial infusion and these 42 new patients (66 total) was 28.8 months. One-, two-, three-, four-, and five-year survival rates were 86%, 62%, 31%, 15%, and 7%, respectively. Conclusions. Hepatic arterial chemotherapy with FUDR and leucovorin for patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma yields a high response rate and 1- and 2-year survivals of 86% and 62%, respectively. Although a lower dose of leucovorin (15 mg/m2) with FUDR produces a high response rate with less toxicity, before larger scale trials are initiated, further investigation is needed to reduce toxicity. A study of hepatic arterial dexamethasone with FUDR and leucovorin has been initiated for this purpose. Cancer.
Combined Policies and Ideologies in an American International School

Immersed in host countries around the globe, American international schools serve about a quarter of a million Americans. These schools can often be perceived as representatives of U.S. schools in the international setting. This study has a twofold purpose: to introduce students to the philosophy, policies, and practices of American schools overseas and to provide ethical considerations in the diffusion and implementation of policies that influence teaching and learning practices.
Classless Society and One-Party State Ideology in Africa

This paper is designed to explore the theory which relates the oneparty state ideology to the class conditions prevalent in African societies. It is not my intention to argue against the one-party state and for the multiparty system because the latter seems inappropriate for Africa at its present stage of development. This article is an attempt to analyze critically one aspect of the African one-party state ideology rather than to evaluate the whole doctrine that only one-party states can lead African states toward rapid development and national unity.
Exact solution of the no-wait flowshop scheduling problem with a comparison to heuristic methods

Abstract Intermediate storage utilization provides a key constraint in the scheduling of multistep batch processes. In some cases, unstable intermediates must b
Abstract 5093: Nucleolin phosphorylation profiling under normal and cellular stress conditions

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Nucleolin (NCL) is a ubiquitous nucleolar phosphoprotein that integrates critical cellular processes, from cell growth (ribosome biogenesis) and cell proliferation to cell cycle arrest and cell death. Deregulation of these processes often lead to different pathological conditions including cancer and heightened levels of nucleolin are often found in a variety of tumors. Nucleolin is highly phosphorylated at the N-terminus by two major kinases: interphase casein kinase 2 (CK2) and mitotic cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). Although increased nucleolin phosphorylation by CK2 is finely regulated in exponentially dividing cells, the role of nucleolin phosphorylation in regulating cell cycle remains largely unexplored. The high content of acidic stretches in the N-terminus of nucleolin protein limits the effective use of mass-spectrophotometry as well as our ability to generate various phosphorylation-specific nucleolin antibodies. In this study, we used novel phosphate-binding tag to analyze nucleolin phosphorylation in human osteosarcoma cells. With phosphate affinity gel electrophoresis and subsequent western analyses, we have enabled the detection and quantification of different phosphorylation states of nucleolin during interphase as well as in mitosis. CK2 phosphorylated nucleolin (as in interphase) has multiple bands that migrate slower when bound to phos-tag as compared to hypo-phosphorylated nucleolin mutant (6/S*A, where six consensus CK2 sites were modified from serine to alanine and hence defective in undergoing phosphorylation). In contrast, a single hyper-phosphorylated nuclolin band was predominant in mitotic arrested cells. Furthermore, we elucidated nucleolin phosphorylation patterns under various cellular stresses e.g. DNA damage (UV, CPT) as well as kinase stimulation (e.g. arachidonic acid) or inhibition by CK2-specific inhibitor CX4945. Our data provide for the first time informative nucleolin phosphorylation patterns during different cellular conditions. This profiling of nucleolin phosphoprotein is essential in understanding the role of nucleolin phosphorylation in various cellular processes as well as during cellular response to stress. This work is supported by grants PSC/CUNY 66740-00 44 and CA175794. Citation Format: Kenneth Ng, Allana Rodriguez, Anjana D. Saxena. Nucleolin phosphorylation profiling under normal and cellular stress conditions. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5093. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5093
Lightly-doped polysilicon bridge as a flow meter

Abstract A polysilicon bridge 200 μm long, 5 μm wide and 1.5 μm thick with a light-doped region 1.9 μm long at its center is used as a low-power flow meter. Experiments on the current-voltage characteristics and the flow-meter behavior are interpreted in terms of mechanical and electrical models. An analytical model of the electrical-conduction mechanism in polysilicon resistors at both low and high bias levels is derived to model performance. The heating power needed for the lightly-doped polysilicon-bridge flow meter is only 2 mW for acceptable sensitivity at moderate flow rates.
Integration of domain problem solving with natural language dialog: the missing axiom theory

An important problem in developing natural language dialog systems is to computationally specify when and why the system should speak. This paper proposes interruptible theorem proving as a solution. Theorem proving is used to determine when domain goals are complete. Language is used to acquire missing axioms that may be inhibiting proof completion. The paper describes this missing axiom theory for use of language and how it enables the needed dialog processing behaviors to be achieved. The theory is illustrated with a sample dialog segment obtained from actual use of an implemented dialog system. Performance results of this system based on more than 140 dialogs are also given.
Order of assembly of human DNA repair excision nuclease.

Human excision nuclease removes DNA damage by concerted dual incisions bracketing the lesion. The dual incisions are accomplished by sequential and partly overlapping actions of six repair factors, RPA, XPA, XPC, TFIIH, XPG, and XPF·ERCC1. Of these, RPA, XPA, and XPC have specific binding affinity for damaged DNA. To learn about the role of these three proteins in damage recognition and the order of assembly of the excision nuclease, we measured the binding affinities of XPA, RPA, and XPC to a DNA fragment containing a single (6-4) photoproduct and determined the rate of damage excision under a variety of reaction conditions. We found that XPC has the highest affinity to DNA and that RPA has the highest selectivity for damaged DNA. Under experimental conditions conducive to binding of either XPA + RPA or XPC to damaged DNA, the rate of damage removal was about 5-fold faster for reactions in which XPA + RPA was the first damage recognition factor presented to DNA compared with reactions in which XPC was the first protein that had the opportunity to bind to DNA. We conclude that RPA and XPA are the initial damage sensing factors of human excision nuclease.
Contrasting Roles of IL-22 and IL-17 in Murine Genital Tract Infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Murine genital tract infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae has previously been found to induce IL-17 which is important in both recruitment of neutrophils and prompt clearance of the infection. As IL-22 is another Th17-related cytokine that has been implicated in the immune responses in several infection models, we investigated its role in vaginal gonococcal infection of mice. Production of IL-22 was observed in response to stimulation with N. gonorrhoeae in both mouse splenic mononuclear cells and vaginal tissue explants cultured ex vivo. Tissue from mice genetically deficient in IL-22 showed diminished production of IL-6 and the CXC chemokine KC in response to N. gonorrhoeae, whereas IL-17 and the chemokines LIX and MIP-2α were produced to the same extent as in wild-type tissue. IL-22-deficient mice were unexpectedly resistant to genital tract infection with N. gonorrhoeae in vivo, but showed no change in the influx of neutrophils to the site of infection. These results reveal divergent roles for IL-17 and IL-22 in response to gonococcal infection.
Characterization of nonvolatile compounds formed during thermal oxidation of 1-linoleyl-2,3 distearin III. Evidence for presence of dimeric fatty acids

Pure 1-linoleyl-2,3-distearin, which had been subjected to thermal oxidation at 200C, was separated into its polar fatty acid fraction by solvent partitioning. Further fractionation was achieved via thin layer chromatography and partition column chromatography. These data, as well as data obtained from combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, indicated the presence of dimeric compounds.
Race and popular cinema: The rhetorical strategies of whiteness in city of joy

This essay analyzes the hegemonic representations of whiteness in contemporary Hollywood cinema. By specifically focusing on the 1992 Hollywood film City of Joy, this essay examines the rhetorical strategies through which whiteness is enacted in popular culture in relation to non‐white “natives” of the “third world.” The essay also illustrates the rhetorical intersections between whiteness and gender. A central argument of this essay is that an understanding of the politics through which non‐white groups are culturally marginalized simultaneously requires an examination of the politics through which whites are centered and legitimized in cultural practices.
Nucleon-nucleon potentials including πNΔ coupling effects

Abstract We show that in the nonrelativistic limit the two-pion exchange contribution to the nucleon-nucleon (NN) interaction can be well approximated by the twice iterated static pion-exchange potentials that couple the NN channel with the NΔ (1236 resonance) and ΔΔ channels. A phenomenological short (ω-meson) range potential is added to the pion-exchange potentials to study the NN phase shifts and the deuteron properties. The S- and P- state phase shifts can be well explained in this model with a very reasonable short-range interaction. The Δ-percentage in the deuteron is found to be ≈ 0.6%. Probably because of the nonrelativistic approximations, the D-state phase shifts at E lab > 100 MeV are not too well reproduced.
Effects of Bursectomy and Splenectomy of White Leghorn Roosters on Subsequent Northern Fowl Mite Populations

Abstract White Leghorn roosters bursectomized at one day of age, splenectomized at 21 days of age, or bursectomized at one day of age and splenectomized at 21 days of age were infested with the northern fowl mite (NFM) 1 at 22 to 23 weeks of age. No significant differences in NFM populations were observed in the bursectomized, splenectomized, bursectomized and splenectomized, or control roosters during the 24-week infestation period.
Hartmannella vermiformis Inhibition of Legionella pneumophila Cultivability

Hartmannella vermiformis and Acanthamoeba polyphaga are frequently isolated from drinking water and permissive to Legionella pneumophila parasitization. In this study, extracellular factor(s) produced by H. vermiformis and A. polyphaga were assessed for their effects on cultivability of L. pneumophila. Page’s amoeba saline (PAS) was used as an encystment medium for H. vermiformis and A. polyphaga monolayers, and the culture supernatants (HvS and ApS, respectively) were assessed against L. pneumophila growth. Compared to PAS and ApS, HvS significantly inhibited L. pneumophila strain Philadelphia-1 (Ph-1) cultivability by 3 log10 colony forming unit (CFU) mL−1 after 3 days of exposure compared to <0.5 log10 CFU mL−1 reduction of strain Lp02 (P < 0.001). Flow cytometric analysis revealed changes in the percentage and cultivability of three bacterial subpopulations: intact/slightly damaged membrane (ISM), undefined membrane status (UD), and mixed type (MT). After 3 days of HvS exposure, the MT subpopulation decreased significantly (31.6 vs 67.2 %, respectively, P < 0.001), while the ISM and UD subpopulations increased (+26.7 and +6.9 %, respectively) with the ISM subpopulation appearing as viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells. HvS was separated into two fractions based on molecular weight, with more than 99 % of the L. pneumophila inhibition arising from the <5 kDa fraction (P < 0.001). Liquid chromatography indicated the inhibitory molecule(s) are likely polar and elute from a Novapak C18 column between 6 and 15 min. These results demonstrate that H. vermiformis is capable of extracellular modulation of L. pneumophila cultivability and probably promote the VBNC state for this bacterium.
Development of the Attitudes Toward Vegetarians Scale

AbstractStudies have explored the motivations behind the decision to become vegetarian, and have explored the well being of vegetarians. However, little research has focused on the social psychological and interpersonal aspects of vegetarianism. The focus of this study was to develop a scale designed to measure attitudes toward vegetarians (ATVS). This scale measures a one-factor construct with adequate internal consistency. The ATVS correlated significantly with the construct of authoritarianism, and, as expected, the ATVS did not correlate significantly with social desirability. In addition, attitudes toward vegetarians were found to be generally positive. The positive attitudes toward vegetarians may be the result of using a college student population that was overwhelmingly female.
Minimal androgenic activity of a new oral contraceptive containing norethindrone acetate and graduated doses of ethinyl estradiol.

The pharmacokinetics and androgenic activity of Estrostep®, a new oral contraceptive providing low-dose estrogen in a graduated sequence with a constant dose of progestin, were characterized in an open-label, nonrandomized study in 17 normally cycling women treated for three cycles with Estrostep. Women received 1 mg of norethindrone acetate daily combined with 20 μg of ethinyl estradiol daily for the first 5 days (1/20), 30 μg of ethinyl estradiol daily for the next 7 days (1/30), and 35 μg of ethinyl estradiol daily for 9 days (1/35). No medication was given for 7 days in each cycle to allow for withdrawal bleeding. Serial blood samples for the measurement of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone concentrations were collected on days 5, 12, and 21 of the third treatment cycle for the 1/20, 1/30, and 1/35 dose, respectively. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone were measured at baseline, on day 1 of cycles 2 and 3 (SHBG only), and on days 5, 12, and 21 of cycle 3. Mean steady-state plasma ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone concentrations increased over cycle 3. The increases in ethinyl estradiol concentrations were proportional to dose. The increases in norethindrone concentrations were related to ethinyl estradiol-dependent increases in SHBG concentrations, which were 218%, 253%, and 296% of baseline values on days 5, 12, and 21, respectively. Mean plasma free testosterone concentrations decreased 47%, 60%, and 64% below baseline on days 5, 12, and 21 of cycle 3, respectively. Graduated ethinyl estradiol doses combined with a constant norethindrone acetate dose progressively increase SHBG and decrease free testosterone, which overrides any theoretic concerns of androgenic activity of norethindrone acetate. Although true androgenic activity can be determined only by assessing endpoints such as acne, hirsutism, and lipids in large controlled trials, the observed changes in circulating SHBG and free testosterone concentrations indicate that Estrostep has little, if any, intrinsic androgenic activity.
An elementary proof of the Petersson-Knopp theorem on Dedekind sums

Abstract A brief and elementary proof of Petersson and Knopp's recent theorem on Dedekind sums is given. The proof is based on a result of Subrahmanyam.
Patterns of host and flea communities along an elevational gradient in Colorado

Patterns in community composition across a landscape are the result of mechanistic responses and species inter- actions. Interactions between hosts and parasites have additional complexity because of the contingency of host presence and interactions among parasites. To assess the role of environmental changes within host and parasite communities, we surveyed small mammals and their fleas over a dynamic elevational gradient in the Front Range in Colorado, USA. Communities were characterized using several richness and diversity metrics and these were compared using a suite of frequentist and random- ization approaches. We found that flea species richness was related to the number of host species based upon rarefaction, but no patterns in richness with elevation were evident. Values of diversity measures increased with elevation, representing that small-mammal and flea communities were more even upslope, yet turnover in composition was not related to examined variables. The results suggest there are strong local effects that drive these small-mammal and flea communities, although the breadth of flea species is tied to host availability.
Several nongenotoxic carcinogens uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

Abstract A number of plasticizers and lipid-lowering drugs induce peroxisomes and cause hepatocellular carcinoma in rodents by mechanisms which remain unknown. In this study, seven structurally dissimilar peroxisome proliferating agents were shown to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. For example, perfluorooctanoate (0.5 mM) increased succinate-induced (state 4) mitochondrial respiration by over 50% while stimulation of state 3 respiration with ADP was minimal (i.e., uncoupling occurred). Interestingly, compounds which are potent carcinogens in vivo (e.g. Wy-14.643 and perfluorooctanoate) were more powerful uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in vitro than weak tumor-causing agents (e.g., valproate). Uncoupling also occurred in vivo. Basal rates of oxygen uptake in perfused livers from chronically treated rats were increased from 137 ± 7 μmol g1/h in pair-fed controls to 153 ± 5 μmol g1/h after 2.5 months of feeding Wy-14.643 (0.1% w/v in diet). Concomitantly, rates of urea synthesis from ammonia, a process highly dependent on ATP supply, were reduced almost completely from 104 ± 10 μmol g1/h to 13 ± 6 μol g1/h. Bile flow, another energy dependent process, was also reduced significantly by treatment with Wy-14.643 in vivo for 24 h. Taken together, these data indicate that energy supply for cellular processes such as urea synthesis and bile flow was disrupted in vivo due to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by Wy-14.643. It is proposed that peroxisomal proliferators accumulate in the liver where they uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and interfere with cellular energetics.
The effects of reduced fertility, method of ascertainment, and a second unlinked locus on affected sib-pair marker allele sharing.

The method of affected sib-pair marker allele sharing has been used not only for the detection of linkage, but also for discerning inheritance. The application of this method has included the tacit assumption of no selective disadvantage for affected individuals. For some of the disorders analyzed by this method, this assumption is not tenable. Also, the method of ascertainment of affected sib pairs is not taken into account. It is shown here that the ascertainement procedure and reduced reproductivity of affected individuals can alter the expected distribution of affected sib-pair marker allele sharing. The effect is greatest for a recessive disease susceptibility locus. While the effect of reduced reproductivity is to inflate the gene frequency necessary to account for the observed distribution, a second unlinked disease susceptibility locus can diminish this effect. Application to type 1 diabetes shows that according to a simple recessive model with 50% penetrance, to observed distribution of affected sib-pair HLA haplotype sharing requires a gene frequency in the range of 0.55–0.60, much greater than estimates previously proposed. According to such a model, the frequency of disease would be around 15%, clearly out to range of the observed frequency of 0.4%.
Electron beam position stabilization with a piezo-electric optical correction system

Abstract A piezo-electrically controlled optical correction system was successfully used to reduce the helicity-correlated pulse-to-pulse position differences of a laser spot to better than ±100 nm at a pulse rate of 600 Hz. Using a simple feedback algorithm, average position differences of Δ x =−3.5±4.2 nm and Δ y =2.6±6.6 nm were obtained over a 6 h period. This optical correction system was successfully used in the polarized electron source at the Bates Linear Accelerator Center to stabilize the position of the electron beam during the recent SAMPLE experiment. Because this experiment measures a parity violating signal at the 10−6 level, it is sensitive to systematic effects which are correlated with the helicity of the incident electrons. One potentially large systematic effect is the helicity-correlated motion of the incident electron beam. By using this optical correction system, electron beam position differences at the location of the experiment were routinely kept well below ±100 nm, with averages over the entire two month run of Δ x =6.4±2.3 nm and Δ y =−3.5±2.0 nm.
Lymphocytic duodenitis: a possible predictor of response to gluten withdrawal in patients with functional GI disease

Lymphocytic duodenitis: a possible predictor of response to gluten withdrawal in patients with functional GI disease
Separation of cyclic 3',5'-AMP from ATP, ADP, and 5'-AMP by precipitation with inorganic compounds.

Abstract A variety of inorganic compounds, which combine to produce insoluble salts or which are themselves insoluble in water, have been tested for their ability to separate cyclic 3′,5′-AMP from ATP, ADP, and 5′-AMP. It was found that this separation could be effected not only by the Be(OH) 2 ZnSO 4 combination reported in the literature, but also by combinations of ZnSO 4 and BaCl 2 , Na 2 CO 3 and BaCl 2 , Na 2 SO 4 and BaCl 2 , ZnSO 4 and Na 2 CO 3 , and Na 2 CO 3 and CdCl 2 ; and by suspensions of BaCO 3 , BaSO 4 , or ZnCO 3 . None of the inorganic compound combinations tested separated cyclic 3′,5′-AMP from adenosine. The inorganic compound precipitation method provides a simple but efficient method to separate cyclic 3′,5′-AMP from ATP, ADP, and 5′-AMP. It is evident that certain advantages are offered if such a procedure is included to remove ATP, ADP, and 5′-AMP prior to the column, thin-layer, gas-liquid, or paper chromatography in the assay of adenyl cyclase, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, 5′-nucleotidase, or other enzyme activity.
Using Chaos for Fluid Mixing in Pulsed Micro Flows

Even though mixing is crucial in many microfluidic applications where biological and chemical reactions are needed, efficient mixing remains a challenge since the Reynolds number of these flows is typically low, thus excluding turbulence as a potential mechanism for stirring. While various approaches relying on clever geometries, cross-flows, miniature stirrers or external fields have been used in the past, our work has focused on generating stirring in microchannels of simple geometry by merely pulsing flow rates at the inlets through which the two fluids are brought into the device. Flow visualizations from experiments, as well as numerical simulations, have indicated that the majority of the mixing takes place in the confluence region. Even though it has been shown in previous work that good mixing can be achieved at relatively large scales using this technique, one of the challenges is to make sure that mixing occurs at small scales (i.e., particle scales) as well. To address this issue, we carefully study the dynamics of tracer particles using both computational fluid dynamics and dynamical systems theory, and explore the parameter space in terms of the Reynolds number, Strouhal number and phase difference between the two inlet flows. Specifically, we generate a bifurcation diagram in which both regular and chaotic dynamics occur. As expected, the chaotic regime exhibits stretching and folding of material lines at all (large and small) scales, and is thus promising as an effective mixing tool.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
N,N'-o-Phenylenedi[1,4-14C]maleimide. Its synthesis and application in the cross-linking of Escherichia coli succinic thiokinase.

Abstract 1. 1. The syntheses of N , N ′- o -phenylenedi[1,4- 14 C]maleimide (60–70% yield) and the unlabeled ortho and para isomers (40–50% yield) have been carried out on a milligram scale. 2. 2. Use of the 14 C-labeled compound with Escherichia coli succinic thiokinase showed that the crosslinking agent combined with the β subunit first in the formation of αβ dimer. Incorporation of about 2.5 moles of the reagent (40% of this bound bifunctionally) was sufficient to inhibit enzyme activity completely.
Liquid Crystal Perylene Diimide Films Characterized by Electrochemical, Spectroelectrochemical, and Conductivity versus Potential Measurements

Electrochemical techniques are used to characterize thin polycrystalline films of a liquid crystal perylene diimide. Cyclic voltammograms show evidence for strong attractive interactions between the perylene diimide molecules and suggest that the film undergoes two structural rearrangements to accommodate reduction to the anionic and dianionic states. Spectroelectrochemical measurements support this interpretation. The redox conductivity of the film as a function of electrochemical potential was measured with the use of interdigitated array electrodes. The conductivity reaches the semiconducting level before the occurrence of the first noticeable reduction wave. The maximum conductivity, 4.4 × 10-2 S/cm, occurs when the film is reduced by 1 equiv of electrons, in contrast to the expectation that this state should be a Mott insulator.
Any admissible cycle‐convergence behavior is possible for restarted GMRES at its initial cycles

We show that any admissible cycle-convergence behavior is possible for restarted GMRES at a number of initial cycles, moreover the spectrum of the coefficient matrix alone does not determine this cycle-convergence. The latter can be viewed as an extension of the result of Greenbaum, Ptak and Strakos (SIAM Journal on Matrix Analysis and Applications 1996; 17(3):465–469) to the case of restarted GMRES. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retinal ganglion cell degeneration following loss of postsynaptic target neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the adult cat

Kainic acid was used to produce selective degeneration of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the adult cat. This degeneration mimics the rapid loss of geniculate neurons seen after visual cortex ablation in the neonate. Following survivals of 2, 4, or 6 months, the geniculate was injected with horseradish peroxidase and the retinae were examined for the presence of retrogradely labeled cells. Analysis of ganglion cell density in peripheral nasal retina revealed a 58% loss of cells overall at 6 months. The proportion of cells labeled with horseradish peroxidase decreased more rapidly, until none were labeled at 6 months. Separate analysis of small, medium, and large ganglion cell populations revealed that only medium-sized cells were lost at 2 months whereas both medium and large cells were lost at 4 and 6 months. By 6 months, 92% of medium cells and 65% of large cells had degenerated. These results show that mature retinal ganglion cells in the cat maintain a dependence on target integrity for their continued survival. When the appropriate target is lost, the ganglion cells respond first by axon terminal retraction and then by cell death.
Effective Observation Unit Treatment of Decompensated Heart Failure

There is little information on the effectiveness of emergency department (ED) observation unit (OU) heart failure (HF) therapy. The authors' objective was to evaluate outcomes after implementation of an ED-OU treatment protocol for HF exacerbation. Unblinded assessment of the effectiveness of an HF protocol was performed, controlled by outcome for 9 months prior to implementation. This included diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, cardiology consultation, close monitoring, patient education, and discharge planning. Adverse outcomes were defined as the 90-day rates of ED HF revisits, hospital HF readmissions, or death, as determined by chart review, computer database search, and phone follow-up. One hundred fifty-four patients were enrolled; 50 entered before, and 104 after protocol implementation. Only six (12%) in the preprotocol and one (1%) of the postprotocol group were lost to follow-up. After an OU visit, postprotocol 90-day ED HF revisit rates declined 56% (0.90-0.51; p<0.0000) and the 90-day HF rehospitalization rate decreased 64% (0.77-0.50; p=0.007). The 90-day rates of death and OU HF readmission decreased from 4% to 1% (p=0.096) and 18% to 11% (p=0.099), respectively. An intensive outpatient ED OU HF management protocol safely decreases 90-day rates of emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations.
Insoluble particulate antigen(s) in cell-mediated immunity of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Abstract Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in patients with Graves' disease, chronic thyroiditis, and primary hypothyroidism was observed by assay of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (LMC) and leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI). Lymphocyte responsivity to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) is normal in these diseases. In the LMC assay, lymphocytes of patients in each category responded to the antigens of thyroid homogenates, but not to purified human thyroglobulin. Cytotoxicity is least in Graves' disease and most obvious in primary hypothyroidism. In the LMI assay, patients' lymphocytes responded to thyroid microsomal-mitochondrial antigens, but not to thyroid cell sap. Lymphocytes of Graves' disease patients also responded to liver microsomal mitochondrial antigens. The particulate antigens lost activity when solubilized by ultrasonication or KCL extraction. There is no correlation between the PHA responsivity of lymphocytes and thyroid function, or between CMI and serum antithyroid antibodies or thyroid size. Treated and untreated patients had similar evidence of CMI. These data indicate that function of thymus-derived lymphocyte in vitro is not disturbed in autoimmune thyroid disease and that CMI against thyroid antigens can be demonstrated by assay of LMC and LMI. Insoluble particulate antigens appear more important than soluble antigens in CMI. LMC, presumably induced by soluble cytotoxic factor, “Lymphotoxin,” may play an important role in the progress of the autoimmune thyroid disease to hypothyroidism.
Evaluation of absolute saturation coverages of carbon monoxide on ordered low-index platinum and rhodium electrodes

Abstract The limitations on evaluating surface concentrations, and hence fractional coverages θCOsat, for saturated irreversibly adsorbed CO adlayers on low-index platinum and rhodium electrodes by anodic voltammetry are discussed with particular reference to Pt(111). In agreement with Feliu et al., substantially higher θCOsat estimates (about 0.9) are obtained by this means in aqueous sulfuric acid than in perchloric acid (0.6–0.7). Additional evidence from nonelectrochemical methods, however, indicates that the latter estimate approximates the true θCOsat, values. In particular, thin-layer IR spectrophotometry enables θCOsat values to be extracted from the absorbance of the OCO stretch for the CO2 product. This procedure yields θCOsat values for all six platinum and rhodium low-index faces that are close to (within about 10% of) the values obtained at the corresponding metal-ultrahigh vacuum interfaces at low temperatures. Some likely systematic errors in the conventional voltammetric analysis are discussed in the light of the present results.
THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL INTRAMOLECULAR DIELS-ALDER REACTION LEADING TO A BACCATIN III CONSTRUCT BEARING OXYGEN FUNCTIONALITY AT C10

Abstract Application of the IMDA reaction creates a steroidal-C 1 -deoxybaccatin III hybrid.
FURTHER STUDIES ON THE PURIFICATION OF THROMBIN

Purified biothrombin (bovine) was fractionated with the use of amberlite IRC-50 columns to obtain resin thrombin with an activity of 4100 units/mg. dry weight or 45,000 units/mg. tyrosine. As obtai...
Adherence to asthma treatment guidelines among children in the maryland medicaid program

Abstract Background: Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children. However, adherence to asthma treatment guidelines in children is poor. The factors associated with this nonadherence are not well understood. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess adherence to national asthma treatment guidelines in pediatric Medicaid enrollees in Maryland. Factors associated with nonadherence and with short-term persistence in nonadherence were studied. Methods: Adherence was assessed by applying 7 criteria to Maryland Medicaid claims data for children with asthma between the ages of 5 and 18 years. These criteria were based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). To examine patterns of nonadherence to guidelines, each patient's asthma medication use was compared over 2 consecutive 6-month periods. Results: The most frequently failed treatment criterion was lack of use of anti-inflammatory inhalers in persistent asthma (20.2%). Compared with younger children (5–8 years) older children (9–18 years) were at higher risk of failing several of the criteria, including overuse of beta 2 -agonist inhalers, inappropriate use of salmeterol, and lack of use of inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs. Prevalence of nonadherence was significantly different during the 2 periods (31.2% vs 18.9%; P Conclusions: Based on this study of Maryland Medicaid claims data, approximately one third of children with asthma are not being treated in accordance with current treatment guidelines. Older children are at higher risk than younger children for nonadherence to NAEPP guidelines. Adherence to asthma treatment guidelines varies over time, suggesting that patients' regimens should be monitored frequently.
Review of "Survey of public attitudes toward computers in society by Ahl, David H." Creative Computing 1, 6 (Nov.-Dec. 1975), 49-51.

This paper is the first comprehensive effort to survey and review the literature on computer science education published since Curriculum 68 [Report of the ACM Curriculum Committee on Computer Science, Comm. ACM 11, 3 (March 1968), 151-197]. Over 200 items are listed in the bibliography; they are dlscussed in coherent subject areas such as the philosophy of computer science programs, description of programs, descriptions of courses, and specialized areas such as master's degree and small-college programs.
“A Victory for Secular India”? Hindu Nationalism in the 2004 Election

At least since the last decade of the 20th century, there has been strong scholarly interest in a perceived global wave of religious nationalism. Critical to that movement was the most important recent development in Indian politics, the rise of the Hindu right. Commentators lamented a fundamental change in the Indian body politic, the demise of India's celebrated secularism. However, others predicted that the Hindu nationalists would be forced to move to the center to gain votes, jettisoning much of their peculiar ideology in the process. The 2004 national parliamentary election was a crucial test of these contending interpretations. Would the Bharatiya Janata Party rely on its established arsenal of communally controversial issues? Would it emphasize themes designed to appeal to a broader audience? Analyzing reports published in national newspapers and news magazines, I will reach the surprising conclusion that the answer to both of these questions is yes.