cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extrapleural pneumonectomy followed by intracavitary intraoperative hyperthermic cisplatin with pharmacologic cytoprotection for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma: A phase II prospective study

Objective We sought to prospectively determine the feasibility and safety of hyperthermic intraoperative intracavitary cisplatin perfusion immediately after extrapleural pneumonectomy in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who were surgical candidates underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy followed by hyperthermic intraoperative intracavitary cisplatin perfusion, consisting of a 1-hour lavage of the chest and abdomen with cisplatin (42 degrees C) at 225 mg/m(2). Pharmacologic cytoprotection consisted of intravenous sodium thiosulfate with or without amifostine. Morbidity and mortality were recorded prospectively. Results Ninety-six (79%) of 121 enrolled patients underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy, of whom 92 (76%) received hyperthermic intraoperative intracavitary cisplatin perfusion after extrapleural pneumonectomy. Fifty-three (58%) patients had epithelial tumors, and 39 (42%) had nonepithelial histology. Hospital mortality was 4.3%. Morbidity (grade 3 or 4, 49%) included atrial fibrillation in 22 (23.9%) patients, venous thrombosis in 12 (13%) patients, and laryngeal nerve dysfunction in 10 (11%) patients. Nine patients had renal toxicity, which was attributable to cisplatin in 8 of them. Among the 27 patients who also received amifostine (910 mg/m(2)), 1 patient had grade 3 renal toxicity attributable to cisplatin. Recurrence of malignant pleural mesothelioma was documented in 47 (51%) patients, with ipsilateral recurrence in 17.4% of patients. The median survival of the 121 enrolled patients was 12.8 months. Conclusions Hyperthermic intraoperative intracavitary cisplatin perfusion following extrapleural pneumonectomy can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The use of amifostine in addition to sodium thiosulfate might reduce cisplatin-associated renal toxicity. Hyperthermic intraoperative intracavitary cisplatin perfusion following extrapleural pneumonectomy might enhance local control in the chest.
Wearables and Robots: A Shared View

Looks at how roboticists can use wearables as a development platform for the sophisticated robots of the future. Wearables provide a way for computers to share our experiences. For wearables to serve as a robotics platform, their sensing ability must he comparable to a robot's. Fortunately, because wearables and robots operate with similar goals and constraints, they already use many of the same types of sensors, including cameras, microphones, and accelerometers. High-end wearables and robots benefit from better sensing and greater mobility, so their designs tend to use the latest small, low-power sensors
Glucocorticoids inhibit expression of Fc receptors on the human granulocytic cell line HL-60.

GLUCOCORTICOIDS decrease levels of circulating peripheral lymphocytes and immunoglobulins, inhibit mitogen- and antigen-induced blastogenesis of cultured lymphocytes and decrease bactericidal activity of granulocytes and other phagocytic cells1–4. Fc receptors on granulocytes are thought to play a vital part in adherence of antibody-coated particles to the surfaces of these cells, a step which initiates phagocytosis5. Factors which regulate the expression of the Fc receptor could therefore influence phagocytic capability, and it has been suggested that glucocorticoids might act in such a way6,7. We report here that glucocorticoids inhibit expression of the Fc receptor on the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 (ref. 8). This inhibition is not accompanied by increased cell death, reduced proliferation or a general reduction in protein synthesis.
Prolonged ventricular fibrillation-salvage using a new percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system.

Abstract In recent years there have been dramatic technologic advances in the hemodynamic support systems available to patients with cardiovascular collapse. These include intraaortic balloon pumps, 1,2 ventricular assist devices 3,4 and the total artificial heart. 5,6 For satisfactory function, the intraaortic balloon pump requires a stable cardiac rhythm. The other modalities require experienced surgical and ancillary staff for insertion and maintenance of the devices. In this report we describe an early successful experience with a new portable percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (CPS-Bard) requiring minimal technologic support, in a patient with refractory ventricular fibrillation.
Coronary Angioplasty in Diabetic Patients: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Registry

Background Patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. To date, the baseline status and subsequent outcomes of diabetic coronary angioplasty (percutaneous trans...
Trasylol (aprotinin) decreases kidney Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 levels following renal ischemia and reperfusion injury

Introduction. Acute renal failure (ARF) may be an ominous complication of circulatory arrest in cardiac surgical patients. Aprotinin is used as a therapeutic adjunct to preserving hemostasis by inhibiting protease-mediated fibrinolysis. Aprotinin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may be renal protective. However, it is unknown whether aprotinin decreases renal proinflammatory cytokine production following I/R. Indeed, other agents which have reduced renal IL-1beta and IL-6 have protected renal function in this setting. We hypothesized that aprotinin would decrease renal IL-1beta and IL-6 production following I/R. Methods. Adult male rats were subjected to unilateral I/R with varying lengths of both ischemia and reperfusion, with and without clinically relevant dosing and administration of aprotinin prior to the insult (clinically aprotinin is given prior to circulatory arrest). At various time points, the kidneys were harvested and the tissue homogenates were assayed for IL-1beta and IL-6 (ELISA). All experiments were approved by the Indiana University Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Results. One-hour ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion significantly increased renal tissue IL-1beta and IL-6 levels (P < 0.05 versus sham, ANOVA with Bonferroni/Dunn). Aprotinin significantly (P < 0.05) decreased renal IL-1beta and IL-6 levels at this time point. Aprotinin also significantly decreased renal IL-1beta at the 1 h ischemia/4 h reperfusion time point. At no point did aprotinin increase production of either cytokine. Conclusions. Aprotinin decreases renal proinflammatory cytokine production following I/R. Further study will be needed to determine if aprotinin decreases renal tubular apoptosis and acute renal failure following such conditions. If so, aprotinin may be useful as an adjunct to preserving renal function following diverse planned ischemic events.
Interaction of Stimulus-Driven Reorienting and Expectation in Ventral and Dorsal Frontoparietal and Basal Ganglia-Cortical Networks

Shifts of attention to unattended stimuli (stimulus-driven reorienting) are often studied by measuring responses to unexpected stimuli, confounding reorienting and expectation. We separately measured the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent signal for both factors by manipulating the probability of salient visual cues that either shifted attention away from or maintained attention on a stream of visual stimuli. The results distinguished three networks recruited by reorienting. Right temporoparietal junction (TPJ), the posterior core of a ventral frontoparietal network, was activated more by cues for shifting than maintaining attention independently of cue location and probability, acting as a switch. TPJ was separately modulated by low probability cues, which signaled a breach of spatial expectation, independently of whether they shifted attention. Under resting conditions, TPJ activity was correlated [resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging, (rs-fcMRI)] with right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), an anterior component of the ventral network. Nevertheless, IFG was activated only by unexpected shifts of attention, dissociating its function from TPJ. Basal ganglia and frontal/insula regions also were activated only when reorienting was unexpected but showed strong rs-fcMRI among themselves, not with TPJ/IFG, defining a distinct network that may retrieve/activate commands for shifting attention. Within dorsal frontoparietal regions, shifting attention produced sustained spatially selective modulations in intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and frontal-eye field (FEF), and transient less selective modulations in precuneus and FEF. Modulations were observed even when reorienting was likely, but increased when reorienting was unexpected. The latter result may partly reflect interactions with lateral prefrontal components of the basal-ganglia/frontal/insula network that showed significant rs-fcMRI with the dorsal network.
Oestradiol and SERM treatments influence oestrogen receptor coregulator gene expression in human skeletal muscle cells.

Aim: Oestrogen receptors (ER) are present in human skeletal muscle (hSkM) cells; however, the function of the receptor is currently unknown. We investigated the influence of oestradiol and selective ER modulators [tamoxifen (TAM), raloxifene (RAL)] on ER coregulator mRNA expression in hSkM. Methods: Human skeletal muscle cells were treated with 10 nm oestradiol, 5 μm TAM and 10 μm RAL over a 24-h period. Following the treatment period, mRNA expression was quantified using real-time PCR to detect changes in ER-α, ER-β, steroid receptor coactivator (SRC), silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT), MyoD, GLUT4 and c-fos. Results: ER-α mRNA expression increased with all three drug treatments (P < 0.05) while there was no change in mRNA expression of ER-β in hSkM cells. mRNA expression of SRC increased and SMRT decreased with oestradiol, TAM and RAL in hSkM cells (P < 0.05). Importantly, mRNA expression of MyoD increased with oestradiol and decreased with TAM and RAL in hSkM cells (P < 0.05). mRNA expression of GLUT4 increased with oestradiol and RAL and decreased with TAM in hSkM cells (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings are novel in that they provide the first evidence that oestradiol and selective ER modulators influence ER-α function in hSkM cells. This demonstrates the importance of the ER and alterations in its coregulators, to potentially prevent sarcopenia and promote muscle growth in postmenopausal women using these forms of hormone replacement therapy.
Effects of anxiety on storage and retrieval processes in short-term memory.

The effects of anxiety on storage and retrieval processes in short-term memory were investigated. 8-word units of high and low encodability were tested under conditions of free and prompted recall using strong or weak cues. Results during both test periods showed superior recall under conditions of strong cueing, high encodability, and low anxiety. An interpretation localizing the effects of anxiety in trace formation or storage phases was favored over a retrieval interpretation.
Resting-state functional connectivity in multiple sclerosis: An examination of group differences and individual differences

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, resulting in physical and cognitive disturbances. The goal of the current study was to examine the association between network integrity and composite measures of cognition and disease severity in individuals with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), relative to healthy controls. All participants underwent a neuropsychological and neuroimaging session, where resting-state data was collected. Independent component analysis and dual regression were employed to examine network integrity in individuals with MS, relative to healthy controls. The MS sample exhibited less connectivity in the motor and visual networks, relative to healthy controls, after controlling for group differences in gray matter volume. However, no alterations were observed in the frontoparietal, executive control, or default-mode networks, despite previous evidence of altered neuronal patterns during tasks of exogenous processing. Whole-brain, voxel-wise regression analyses with disease severity and processing speed composites were also performed to elucidate the brain-behavior relationship with neuronal network integrity. Individuals with higher levels of disease severity demonstrated reduced intra-network connectivity of the motor network, and the executive control network, while higher disease burden was associated with greater inter-network connectivity between the medial visual network and areas involved in visuomotor learning. Our findings underscore the importance of examining resting-state oscillations in this population, both as a biomarker of disease progression and a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Pharmacological modulators of nitric oxide signaling and contextual fear conditioning in mice

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is a retrograde neuronal messenger that participates in synaptic plasticity, including late-phase long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term memory (LTM) formation. Our recent studies have shown that nNOS knockout (KO) mice have a severe deficit in contextual fear conditioning compared to wild type (WT) counterparts (Kelley et al. 2009). Given the role of the nNOS gene in fear conditioning, we investigated whether systemic administration of modulators of NO signaling affect the formation of contextual and cued fear memories and the effects of these modulators on cyclic 3′5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the hippocampus and amygdala. The preferential nNOS inhibitor S-methyl-l-thiocitrulline (SMTC; 10–200 mg/kg) was administered (IP) to WT mice, and the NO donor molsidomine (10 mg/kg) was administered (IP) to nNOS KO mice either 30 min pretraining or immediately posttraining. Pretraining SMTC administration to WT mice impaired both short- and long-term memories of contextual (36% inhibition) but not cued fear conditioning. Pretraining molsidomine administration to nNOS KO mice improved their deficit in short- and long-term memories of contextual fear conditioning (46% increase). Posttraining drug administration had no effect on WT and nNOS KO mice. The systemic administration of SMTC dose-dependently decreased cGMP concentrations down to 25% of control, while molsidomine increased cGMP concentration (three- and five-fold) in amygdala and hippocampus, respectively. These findings suggest that neuronal NO and its downstream second messenger cGMP are important for acquisition and subsequent consolidation of LTM of contextual fear conditioning.
Adsorption and chlorination of dibenzo-p-dioxin and 1-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on fly ash from municipal incinerators

Abstract Adsorption and chlorination reactions for dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) and 1-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1-MCDD) on fly ash were characterized quantitatively using laboratory-based simulation of stack emissions with air and HCl-air atmospheres. Influences of contact time and temperature were studied and results showed behavior of DD and 1-MCDD consistent with that for 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Di-, tri-, and tetra-chlorinated dioxins were major compounds produced from heterogenous phase reactions of DD and 1-MCDD with HCl in air. Total conversion through reactions alone were as high as 81% and 58% respectively.
Microcapsules with three orthogonal reactive sites

Polymeric microcapsules containing reactive sites on the shell surface and two orthogonally reactive polymers encapsulated within the interior are selectively labeled. The capsules provide three spatially separate and differentially reactive sites. Confocal fluorescence microscopy is used to characterize the distribution of labels. Polymers encapsulated are distributed homogeneously within the core and do not interact with the shell even when oppositely charged.
Euclidean proton response in light nuclei

Green's-function Monte Carlo methods are used to determine the Euclidean proton response of light nuclei from a realistic Hamiltonian containing two- and three-nucleon potential models. Final-state interactions are exactly included in this approach. The calculated Euclidean proton response functions for the $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ nucleus are found to be in excellent agreement with those obtained from an analysis of the longitudinal response functions measured in (e,e') experiments at the Bates and Saclay laboratories.
Emerging Miniaturized Proteomic Technologies to Study Cell Signaling in Clinical Samples

Recording the state and dynamics of intracellular signaling networks in clinical specimens can help identify and validate biomarkers, but may also prove useful in developing and monitoring targeted therapies. Studying cell signaling on a system-wide level in solid tissue, however, is often not feasible using mass spectrometry, because this technique generally requires relatively large sample quantities. A number of promising miniaturized proteomic technologies have emerged, which circumvent these limitations and offer the ability to monitor protein abundances and posttranslational modification states in a multiplexed and quantitative fashion. These technologies have the potential to accelerate molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, and may ultimately facilitate the broad adoption of personalized approaches to patient management and treatment.
A systematic study of the variables involved in the reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography of oxyethylated alkyl sulfate surfactants

Abstract Reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography was used to separate a homologous series of oxyethylated alkyl sulfate surfactants derivable from waste animal fats. The separations were designed on the basis of a systematic study of the variation in the R F values and spot shapes and areas of the anionic surfactants with the major variables of the chromatographic system. The best separations were obtained with commercially available glass plates covered with a 250-μm layer of Alumina H, Alumina G or Silica Gel G impregnated with a 3–5% (v/v) solution of n -dodecanol ethanol, at 15–30° using tanks pre-equilibrated and developed with a 3:2 (v/v) methanol-ammonia solution solvent system. The use of pinacryptol yellow (0.05% w/v in water) together with an ultraviolet viewing chamber was found to be the most satisfactory spot detection procedure. Sample sizes of 0.1–10 μg in 0.5–2.0 μl of solution were applied with a Hamilton syringe or capillary micropipets 2 cm above the base of the plate. A 100-ml volume of solvent was added to the tanks and the solvent was permitted to run a distance of 15 cm from the spotting line. The present study lays the foundation for effecting excellent separations of other homologous series of anionic surfactants.
Steered agile beams program support for Army requirements

The use of lasers in Army communications has many advantages, such as a broad bandwidth, covertness, reduced weight and size, freedom from allocating frequencies, and difficulty of intercept or jamming. The major shortfalls of using lasers are the need for line-of-sight and the potential for atmospheric degradation. The line-of-sight issue becomes a problem when either the transmitter or receiver are moving. In these instances, there is a need to develop a means of automatically acquiring and locking onto other laser devices to assure intra-beam communications. The Steered Agile Beams (STAB) program is designed to develop this technology. This presentation highlights how the STAB technology is being prepared for transition to the services.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein: Three-dimensional structure of a reconstituted membrane lattice in negative stain

The three-dimensional structure of a negatively stained hexagonal membrane lattice containing the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex and phospholipids has been determined to 30-A resolution by image reconstruction from electron micrographs. This lattice has p321 symmetry, a lattice constant of 125 A and a thickness of 75 A. The monomer is shown to be an elongated molecule about 65 A long in the dimension perpendicular to the plane of the membrane. It spans the hydrophobic domain of the membrane in an asymmetric fashion, projecting [unk]20 A from one surface and less from the other. On the basis of this image and available biochemical data, the structure of the complex in the native thylakoid membrane is proposed.
Understanding the Structural Changes of the Calcium Binding S100A1 Protein with Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The S100A1 protein is ubiquitous in the human body and is particularly localized to the heart and brain tissue, within which it may influence the onset of debilitating cardiomyopathy or Alzheimer's disease. S100A1 is a homodimer that binds four calcium ions to drive a conformational change, whereby two helices separate to expose target protein binding sites. However, the physiochemical drivers of this conformational transition between the apo (no bound ions) to the holo (bound ions) states remain unclear. To understand the atomistic basis of conformational changes in S100A1, we performed nanosecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations (MD) of the apo and holo states in explicit solvent. These MD studies reveal a variety of conformational trends including helical orientations, hydrogen bond contacts, and backbone fluctuations of the calcium binding regions. In response to previous studies demonstrating that the addition of polar functional groups to cysteine residue 85 (Cys85) increases the calcium ions’ binding affinity, we furthermore examined the influence of glutamic acid and glutamine mutations at site 85 (Cys85Glu/Cys85Gln) on the aforementioned conformational behavior. We finally relate structural differences between the apo and holo states for the wild-type and Cys85 mutant cases to alterations on S100A1's experimentally observed alterations in calcium handling. We speculate that similar trends may emerge in similar calcium-binding proteins.
Depression in Children and Adolescents

This article briefly summarizes the research on depression in young people Although depression is rare in the general population of minors, it is diagnosed in a significant percentage of pediatric and child psychiatry patients DSMIII criteria are useful in making a diagnosis, but depressed young people also have conduct problems and anxiety disorders Preliminary reports of family studies indicate a strong prevalence of affective psychopathology in the pedigrees of depressed young people Peer and family relationships are impaired in depressed children Research on treatment outcome is in early stages Regardless of treatment response, many patients have relapses throughout their childhood and adolescence.
Parameter Synthesis in Nonlinear Dynamical Systems: Application to Systems Biology

The dynamics of biological processes are often modeled as systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODE). An important feature of nonlinear ODEs is that seemingly minor changes in initial conditions or parameters can lead to radically different behaviors. This is problematic because in general it is never possible to know/measure the precise state of any biological system due to measurement errors. The parameter synthesis problem is to identify sets of parameters (including initial conditions) for which a given system of nonlinear ODEs does not reach a given set of undesirable states. We present an efficient algorithm for solving this problem that combines sensitivity analysis with an efficient search over initial conditions. It scales to high-dimensional models and is exact if the given model is affine. We demonstrate our method on a model of the acute inflammatory response to bacterial infection, and identify initial conditions consistent with 3 biologically relevant outcomes.
Activation in vitro of glucose-6-phosphatase, inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase and related enzymes: relationship to microsomal membrane structure.

Abstract 1. 1. The elevation in enzymatic activity of certain microsomal enzymes caused in vitro by treatment with NH 4 OH or deoxycholate has been studied in relationship to the appearance of the membranes in corresponding electron micrographs. 2. 2. When freshly prepared liver microscomes were treated at 0° with NH 4 OH (about pH 9.8), activation of glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9), inorganic pyrophosphatase, inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase and inorganic pyrophosphate glycerol phosphotransferase was not instantaneous. 3. 3. Exposure to NH 4 OH for 15 to 30 min at 30° or contact for many hours at o° resulted in a maximum in vitro elevation of the enzyme activities that was approximately quantitatively equal to that observed instantaneously with such detergents as deoxycholate or Triton X-100. 4. 4. An electron microscopic study of NH 4 OH-activated microsomes at 0° showed that ribosomes were largely retained on the membranes when about 50% of maximum stimulation of enzymatic activities occurred. Longer exposure at 0° or brief warming at 30° with NH 4 OH, effecting full enzymatic activation, resulted in detachment of most of the ribosomes. The resulting membranes resembled those seen after exposure to inorganic pyrophosphate. 5. 5. The enzymatic activity of smooth microsomal membrane subfractions was capable of a percentage increase in vitro as great or greater than that of ribosome-rich rough membranes. 6. 6. Activation in vitro of these membrane enzymes is probably due to conformational changes in the membrane itself rather than to removal of ribosomes from their membrane attachment.
Molecular dynamics investigation of the influence of anionic and zwitterionic interfaces on antimicrobial peptides’ structure: Implications for peptide toxicity and activity

Molecular dynamics simulations of three related helical antimicrobial peptides have been carried out in zwitterionic diphosphocholine (DPC) micelles and anionic sodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS) micelles. These systems can be considered as model mammalian and bacterial membrane interfaces, respectively. The goal of this study is to dissect the differences in peptide composition which make the mutant peptides (novispirin-G10 and novispirin-T7) less toxic than the parent peptide ovispirin (OVIS), although all three peptides have highly antibacterial properties. Compared to G10 and T7, OVIS inserts deepest into the DPC micelle. This correlates well with the lesser toxicity of G10 and T7. There is strong evidence which suggests that synergistic binding of hydrophobic residues drives binding of OVIS to the micelle. The helical content of G10 and T7 is reduced in the presence of DPC, and this leads to less amphipathic peptide structures, which bind weakly to the micelle. Simulations in SDS were carried out to compare the influence of membrane electrostatics on peptide structure. All three peptides bound strongly to SDS, and retained helical form. This corresponds well with their equally potent antibacterial properties. Based on the simulations, we argue that secondary structure stability often leads to toxic properties. We also propose that G10 and T7 operate by the carpet mechanism of cell lysis. Toxicity of peptides operating by the carpet mechanism can be attenuated by reducing the peptide helical content. The simulations successfully capture experimental binding states, and the different depths of binding of the three peptides to the two micelles correlate with their antibacterial and toxic properties.
The efficacy of autologous platelet gel in pain control and blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: An analysis of the haemoglobin, narcotic requirement and range of motion

Biological materials used to assist in haemostasis following total knee arthroplasty have been the subject of much recent research. Autologous platelet gel is a substance that is derived from platelet-rich plasma extracted from the patient's blood and centrifuged perioperatively, and is applied to exposed tissues, synovium and the lining of the wound at closure. Concentrating and applying these factors directly to the wound at the end of a total knee arthroplasty procedure may lead to more complete haemostasis, a reduction in perioperative blood loss, accelerated tissue repair and decreased postoperative pain. In this study, 98 unilateral total knee arthroplasties were evaluated retrospectively, 61 of which involved the intaroperative use of platelet gel, and 37 of which served as control subjects. Outcomes analysed were postoperative haemoglobin changes, intravenous and oral narcotic requirements, range of motion on discharge and total days in hospital. Patients receiving platelet gel during surgery had less postoperative blood loss as measured by differences in the preoperative and postoperative haemoglobin on day 3 (2.7 vs. 3.2 g/dl; P=0.026). The narcotic requirement was less in the platelet gel group for both intravenous (17.0 vs. 36.3 mg/day; P=0.024) and oral (1.84 vs. 2.75 tabs/day; P=0.063) medication. This group also achieved a higher range of motion prior to discharge (78.2 vs. 71.9; P=0.052) and were discharged an average of 1 day earlier than their control counterparts. Though further prospective trials are necessary, this study indicates that the application of autologous platelet gel may lead to improved haemostasis, better pain control and a shortened hospital stay.
Estrogen receptor interaction with estrogen response elements.

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-activated enhancer protein that is a member of the steroid/nuclear receptor superfamily. Two genes encode mammalian ER: ERα and ERβ. ER binds to specific DNA sequences called estrogen response elements (EREs) with high affinity and transactivates gene expression in response to estradiol (E2). The purpose of this review is to summarize how natural and synthetic variations in the ERE sequence impact the affinity of ER–ERE binding and E2-induced transcriptional activity. Surprisingly, although the consensus ERE sequence was delineated in 1989, there are only seven natural EREs for which both ERα binding affinity and transcriptional activation have been examined. Even less information is available regarding how variations in ERE sequence impact ERβ binding and transcriptional activity. Review of data from our own laboratory and those in the literature indicate that ERα binding affinity does not relate linearly with E2-induced transcriptional activation. We suggest that the reasons for this discord include cellular amounts of coactivators and adaptor proteins that play roles both in ER binding and transcriptional activation; phosphorylation of ER and other proteins involved in transcriptional activation; and sequence-specific and protein-induced alterations in chromatin architecture.
A mathematical model of rat collecting duct. II. Effect of buffer delivery on urinary acidification.

A mathematical model of the rat collecting duct (CD) is used to examine the effect of delivered load of bicarbonate and nonbicarbonate buffer on urinary acidification. Increasing the delivered load...
Performance limiting micropipe defects in silicon carbide wafers

Reports on the characteristics of a major defect in mass-produced silicon carbide wafers which severely limits the performance of silicon carbide power devices. Micropipe defects originating in 4H- and 6H-SiC substrates were found to cause pre-avalanche reverse-bias point failures in most epitaxially-grown pn junction devices of 1 mm/sup 2/ or larger in area. Until such defects are significantly reduced from their present density (on the order of 100's of micropipes/cm/sup 2/), silicon carbide power device ratings will be restricted to around several amps or less. >
Single-neuron labeling in the cat auditory nerve

Single auditory nerve fibers in the cat were labeled intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase. The sample of fibers was selected to represent different response types over a wide range of characteristic frequencies. All 56 labeled neurons were found to be radial fibers innervating inner hair cells, suggesting that none of the single-unit data reported to date has been from the outer hair cell innervation. Differences in rates of spontaneous discharge and thresholds to tones among these labeled neurons were closely correlated with morphological differences in the caliber and location of their unmyelinated terminals on the body of the inner hair cell.
Controversies about Extended-Spectrum and AmpC Beta-Lactamases

Many clinical laboratories have problems detecting extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases. Confusion exists about the importance of these resistance mechanisms, optimal test methods, and appropriate reporting conventions. Failure to detect these enzymes has contributed to their uncontrolled spread and sometimes to therapeutic failures. Although National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards recommendations exist for detecting ESBL- producing isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., no recommendations exist for detecting ESBLs in other organisms or for detecting plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases in any organisms. Clinical laboratories need to have adequate funding, equipment, and expertise to provide a rapid and clinically relevant antibiotic testing service in centers where these resistance mechanisms are encountered.
Uncertainty analysis of forest carbon sink forecast with varying measurement errors: a data assimilation approach

Aims Accurate forecast of ecosystem states is critical for improving natural resource management and climate change mitigation. Assimilating observed data into models is an effective way to reduce uncertainties in ecological forecasting. However, influences of measurement errors on parameter estimation and forecasted state changes have not been carefully examined. This study analyzed the parameter identifiability of a process-based ecosystem carbon cycle model, the sensitivity of parameter estimates and model forecasts to the magnitudes of measurement errors and the information contributions of the assimilated data to model forecasts with a data assimilation approach. Methods We applied a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to assimilate eight biometric data sets into the Terrestrial ECOsystem model. The data were the observations of foliage biomass, wood biomass, fine root biomass, microbial biomass, litter fall, litter, soil carbon and soil respiration, collected at the Duke Forest free-air CO2 enrichment facilities from 1996 to 2005. Three levels of measurement errors were assigned to these data sets by halving and doubling their original standard deviations. Important Findings Results showed that only less than half of the 30 parameters could be constrained, though the observations were extensive and the model was relatively simple. Higher measurement errors led to higher uncertainties in parameters estimates and forecasted carbon (C) pool sizes. The longterm predictions of the slow turnover pools were affected less by the measurement errors than those of fast turnover pools. Assimilated data contributed less information for the pools with long residence times in long-term forecasts. These results indicate the residence times of C pools played a key role in regulating propagation of errors from measurements to model forecasts in a data assimilation system. Improving the estimation of parameters of slow turnover C pools is the key to better forecast long-term ecosystem C dynamics.
HIGHER DERIVATIVE ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX ABSORPTION SPECTRA

— –A small computer on line with a single-beam spectrophotometer was used to obtain absorption spectra and higher derivatives (up to the fourth) of the absorption spectra. The spectral resolution was markedly enhanced in the higher derivative curves. The computer was also used to synthesize absorption spectra from Gaussian, Lorentzian and mixed Gaussian-Lorentzian band shapes in order to explore the higher derivative analysis of completely defined spectra.
Liver-Artery Interactions via the Plasminogen-CD36 Axis in Macrophage Foam Cell Formation New Evidence for the Role of Remote Organ Crosstalk in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory vascular disorder. Population studies linked hypercholesterolemia with coronary risk several decades ago. In the 1990s, preclinical and clinical evidence on lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) established that cholesterol not only promotes atherogenesis but also triggers the onset of acute thrombotic complications. Hypercholesterolemia promotes endothelial cell activation, recruiting circulating monocytes into the arterial wall, where they differentiate into macrophages. These proinflammatory phagocytes then become lipid-laden foam cells, a hallmark of atherosclerosis.1–3 Although the direct role of loaded lipids remains obscure, these activated macrophage foam cells (as gauged by the expression of high levels of proinflammatory factors such as cytokines and chemokines) activate vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells, and neighboring macrophages and induce the infiltration of additional immune cells into the lesion, which amplifies the atherogenic milieu in arteries. Matrix-degrading enzymes released by foam cells, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and thrombogenic factors (eg, tissue factor) may reduce the mechanical stability of atherosclerotic plaques and trigger acute thrombosis.4 A global proteomic analysis by Becker et al5 in control and cholesterol-loaded macrophages identified 46 proteins that respond to sterol loading of macrophages in vivo. These proteins participate in lipid binding, cytoskeletal regulation, and vesicle-mediated transport and are enriched in factors associated with causative roles in atherogenesis.5 Article see p 1209 The underlying mechanisms for foam cell formation remained obscure until the 1980s.6 Joseph L. Goldstein and Michael S. Brown reported that although the incubation of macrophages in culture with native LDL did not substantially cause foam cell formation, the cells rapidly took up chemically modified LDL (acetyl LDL) and became foamy cells, which led to the discovery of the acetyl LDL receptor by the same group and the subsequent cloning of the scavenger receptor A-I by Monty Krieger and Tatsuhiko Kodama. …
Perils of Partial Mark-to-Market Taxation

As part of its proposal for comprehensive tax reform, the House Ways and Means Committee has suggested mark-to-market taxation for derivatives, but apparently not for the underlying assets. Such a partial mark-to-market system would create opportunities for investors to have negative effective tax rates and thereby extract billions of dollars from the U.S. Treasury on an annual basis. I explain the nature of such strategies, develop the underlying theory, and provide specific empirical examples of how they would have worked if the proposed regime had been in place historically. I also describe revisions to the reform proposal that would address the concerns that I raise. In light of my findings, I suggest that Congress either abandon or substantially revise the current proposal.
Comparative Drought Response in Eleven Diverse Alfalfa Accessions

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production is negatively affected by drought stress. This is particularly true for alfalfa grown on non-irrigated rangelands. Thus, the development of drought-tolerant alfalfa cultivars is of great significance. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate 11 alfalfa accessions including several that are adapted to rangeland conditions and two commercial accessions, for their performance under drought condition. Water supply was adjusted based on the transpiration rate of individual plants to compensate for 100, 75, 50 or 25 % of transpirational water loss. We found that RS, a naturalized alfalfa collected from the Grand River National Grassland in South Dakota, showed the best resistance to drought condition. It showed the smallest reduction in stem elongation (36 %), relative growth rate (14 %), and shoot dry mass (40 %) production under the severest drought tested in this study relative to the non-drought treatment. While RS showed less biomass production under well-watered conditions, it produced similar or more shoot biomass under drought conditions compared to other accessions. Associated with the drought resistance or less sensitivity to drought, RS showed greater capability to maintain root growth, shoot relative water content, and leaf chlorophyll content compared to other accessions. Different from other accessions, RS showed increasing water use efficiency (WUE) as water deficit became severe, reaching the greatest WUE among 11 accessions. Our results suggest that RS is a valuable genetic resource that can be used to elucidate physiological and molecular mechanisms that determine drought resistance in alfalfa and to develop alfalfa with improved WUE.
Introduced Species, Impacts and Distribution of

Introduced species are numerous and have increased with globalization. All regions undergo invasions, but islands have suffered disproportionately. The greatest impact is habitat modification: vegetation grazed by introduced animals or overgrown by introduced plants, and changed fire, hydrological, and nutrient regimes. Invaders outcompete, eat, and infect natives, and hybridize with them. Invaders sometimes act indirectly, and they can exacerbate one another's impacts. Often impacts are delayed. Some delays end because of environmental changes. Introduced species evolve in their new environments, and this can exacerbate impacts. In some cases, newly introduced genotypes can cause a harmless species to become invasive.
Practical therapeutic implications of immaturity.

RECENTLY, there has been considerable agitation concerning harmful effects of a few particular drugs administered to premature infants and also to infants during the neonatal period. It may be presumptuous to state that the administration of drugs at any period during life involves risk, but hazard increases with lack of knowledge of biochemistry and physiology of the organism. Inadequacies in pharmacologic knowledge are in particular evidence in pediatric medicine. It is becoming more and more apparent that the neonatal infant demonstrates characteristic organ and tissue functions much different from those encountered in the mature individual. This new information has not been sufficiently utilized by some clinical investigators or by manufacturers of pharmaceutical agents. When a drug is administered it is metabolized in a definite fashion, and an overdose may yield unpleasant and sometimes deadly effects.
Beyond Words of Exhortation: The Congressional Prescription for Vigorous Federal Enforcement of the Clean Water Act

After surveying the serious decline in enforcement at the U.S. EPA that occurred during the early years of the Reagan administration, this article takes a hard look at EPA’s enforcement responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. The primary enforcement provision of the Clean Water Act, section 309, contains a confusing melange of mandatory and discretionary language. The resolution of the apparent ambiguities found in section 309 requires a thorough consideration of the statute’s legislative history to determine, if possible, what Congress intended to achieve through the use of this language. In order to place that legislative material in its proper context, however, it is necessary to start with an examination of the problems with federal water pollution enforcement that Congress meant to cure in 1972, as well as the specifics of that cure. The article, therefore, examines both the history of federal water pollution enforcement prior to 1972 and the contours of the enforcement scheme created in 1972. It then examines the legislative history of section 309 at length. The legislative history demonstrates that, although Congress gave EPA complete discretion to institute civil enforcement, Congress did impose a mandatory duty upon EPA to issue administrative compliance orders for particular violations of the Clean Water Act. That duty, however, is not a rigid command. Congress intended to infuse this mandatory duty with limited discretion: first, to determine whether the Act has been violated, and second, to establish appropriate priorities for federal enforcement based on the seriousness of the violation, its relationship to national policy, and whether, in some instances, a state agency has undertaken appropriate enforcement action. While citizen suits are available to hear actions where EPA is alleged to have violated such a mandatory duty, the article suggests a form of limited judicial review that should enable the courts to fulfill Congress’s intent to ensure vigorous administrative enforcement within a framework that relies heavily upon the expert judgment and experience of EPA.
Auditor Underreporting and Premature Sign-Off: A Behavioral Study

This study examined the potential for auditors to underreport the time spent on an audit task or to under audit when encountering time-budget pressures. The sample includes 152 managers and 342 seniors who responded to a vignette in which auditor history and an audit's time-budget status were manipulated. The results indicate that underreporting is still a problem which may occur in over 67 percent of the over-time situations. The research indicates that auditors with a history of time-budget problems are more likely to underreport but not to sign-off prematurely.
High-seas fish wars generate marine reserves

The effective management of marine fisheries is an ongoing challenge at the intersection of biology, economics, and policy. One way in which fish stocks-and their habitats-can be protected is through the establishment of marine reserves, areas that are closed to fishing. Although the potential economic benefits of such reserves have been shown for single-owner fisheries, their implementation quickly becomes complicated when more than one noncooperating harvester is involved in fishery management, which is the case on the high seas. How do multiple self-interested actors distribute their fishing effort to maximize their individual economic gains in the presence of others? Here, we use a game theoretic model to compare the effort distributions of multiple noncooperating harvesters with the effort distributions in the benchmark sole owner and open access cases. In addition to comparing aggregate rent, stock size, and fishing effort, we focus on the occurrence, size, and location of marine reserves. We show that marine reserves are a component of many noncooperative Cournot-Nash equilibria. Furthermore, as the number of harvesters increases, (i) both total unfished area and the size of binding reserves (those that actually constrain behavior) may increase, although the latter eventually asymptotically decreases; (ii) total rents and stock size both decline; and (iii) aggregate effort used (i.e., employment) can either increase or decrease, perhaps nonmonotonically.