cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Importance of hypogonadism and testosterone replacement therapy in current urologic practice: a review

Evaluation of potential candidates for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) includes a complete medical history, physical examination, and hormonal screening. The choice of testosterone assay is important in clinical decision making. TRT should, in theory, approximate natural endogenous production of the hormone. There is no apparent association between TRT and the development of prostate cancer. The administration of exogenous testosterone is not a means of reversing the aging process in men with normal testosterone levels, but it may offer considerable benefit for those with hypogonadism.
Sociocultural Influences on the Explanation of Delinquency for Puerto Rican Youths

The present study examines the contributions of sociocultural context to delinquency theory to explain drug use and nondrug delinquency among Puerto Rican male adolescents in New York City. By inte...
Observational Constraints on the Diffusion of Cosmic-Ray Electrons in Spiral Galaxies

We have performed some quantitative tests of the smearing model for the radio emission in spiral galaxies.
Offshore oil development and maritime conflict in the 20th century: A statistical analysis of international trends

Abstract The breakdown of the 300 year old Grotian regime of freedom of the seas and the subsequent rise in confusion as to acceptable claims for maritime waters is generally reported to date to somewhere towards the middle of the 20th century. It was also around this time that offshore oil developments made states look seriously to protecting their previously mostly ignored continental shelf. The problem looked to be intractable given the failure of the first UN Conference on the Law of the Sea to produce an answer to the question of acceptable territorial sea limits. In this paper, I look to see how the rise in utilization of maritime resources impacted the likelihood of international maritime conflict, focusing in particular on offshore oil and gas. Did the rise in exploitation of these resources (or the fear of such) impact the likelihood of conflict? I examine data on maritime conflicts from the 20th century in the Issue Correlates of War project to determine what, if any, effect the rise of the offshore drilling industry had on the development of maritime conflict.
Alkalinization Is Ineffective for Severe Hyperkalemia in Nonnephrectomized Dogs

Objective: To determine whether alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in near-lethal hyperkalemia either lowers potassium (K) rapidly or shortens duration of cardiac conduction disturbances. Methods: A controlled canine laboratory investigation of 3 treatments for severe hyperkalemia. Conditioned dogs (n = 8; 17–30 kg) received, in random order, 2 mmol/kg of each of 3 treatments (matched in sodium and water) in separate experiments ≥1 week apart: 1.05% NaHCO3 over 60 minutes (infusion therapy); 8.4% NaHCO3 over 5 minutes, then 14 mL/kg sterile water over 55 minutes (bolus therapy); 8.4% NaCl over 5 minutes, then 14 mL/kg sterile water over 55 minutes (saline therapy). Prior to administering one of the above therapies, the animals were anesthetized with 0.5–2.5% isoflurane and ventilated to maintain a normal Pco2. After 30 minutes of equilibration, 2 mmol/kg/hr (loading dose) of a 2-mmol/mL KCl solution was given until idioventricular or relative junctional bradycardic dysrhythmias were sustained for 15 minutes. Then KCl was decreased to 1 mmol/kg/hr (maintenance dose) for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Treatment was begun after 45 minutes of maintenance KCl infusion. Results: The pretreatment K level (all studies) was 9.06 ± 0.82 mmol/L (mean ± SD). Although the mean K level decreased more after saline therapy than after bolus therapy at every time, differences were neither statistically significant nor clinically important during the first 30 minutes. The means of the differences in decreases (saline minus bolus) were small, 0.26 (95% CI, -0.48 to 1.00) at 15 minutes, 0.16 (95% CI, -0.67 to 0.98) at 30 minutes. Dysrhythmia duration was shorter with bolus therapy than for saline therapy in only 1 of 5 dogs (p = 0.38). Conclusions: Hypertonic saline bolus lowered plasma K as effectively as NaHCO3 bolus in this animal model within the first 30 minutes. Clinically meaningful decreases due to alkalinization alone within 30 minutes are unlikely.
Is Toso/IgM Fc receptor (FcμR) expressed by innate immune cells?

Lang et al. have recently published that innate immune cells, including bone-marrow granulocytes and splenic macrophages, express the plasma-membrane protein Toso as a unique regulator of innate immune responses during bacterial infection and septic shock (1). In contrast, we and others have previously reported that the IgM Fc receptor (FcμR), originally designated as Toso or Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule 3, is expressed only by B-lineage cells in mice and is involved in IgM homeostasis, B-cell survival, and humoral immune responses (2, 3). Because of these conflicting results, we have extensively reexamined the cellular distribution of Toso/FcμR and wish to provide some new results and comments.
The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on tissue digoxin concentrations in the dog

Summary The digoxin content of the dog heart was assessed by physical and pharmacologic methods before and after a 30 minute period of cardiopulmonary bypass. The physical measurements, utilizing tritium-labeled digoxin, revealed a loss of radioactivity averaging 23 per cent in the heart, 54 per cent in the kidney and 37 per cent in the liver. The radioactivity of the blood rose five-fold after bypass and, by paper chromatography, unchanged digoxin was found to account for one third of the increased activity. The effective concentration of digoxin and its inotropic metabolites in the heart was also found to be lowered by extracorporeal circulation as determined by acetyl strophanthidin titrations. The experimental methods employed and possible mechanisms responsible for the changes observed are presented.
Effect of pH and Lidocaine on β-Adrenergic Receptor Binding: Interaction During Resuscitation?

Epinephrine and other β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) agonists are often administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a time when acid-base abnormalities and arrhythmias also commonly occur. We tested whether β 2 AR binding is influenced by pH or the antiarrhythmic drug lidocaine, and whether pH might influence the interaction of lidocaine with β 2 ARS. With institutional review board approval and informed consent, 32 venous blood samples were obtained from volunteers. Lymphocytes (which bear β 2 ARS similar to those found in heart) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Specific binding of the βAR ligand 3 H-dihydroalprenolol ( 3 H-DHA) was determined with lidocaine concentrations ranging from 10 −6 to 10 −2 mol/L (n=18 experiments), and with and without lidocaine (n=10 experiments), 100 pmol/L, and with and without QX314 (a permanently charged lidocaine derivative), 1 mmol/L (n=4 experiments). Data are presented as percent of control-specific binding measured at a pH of 7.4. Statistical analysis consisted of Spearman's rank-test. 3 H-DHA-specific binding increased (p 3 H-DHA to the receptor. Lidocaine inhibited 3 H-DHA binding to β 2 ARS in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentration that inhibited specific binding of 3 H-DHA by 50% was 3.1×10 −4 mol/L (95% confidence limits, 1.3×10 −4 to 7.5×10 −4 mol/L). Lidocaine potency at inhibiting β 2 AR binding also increased with increasing pH; thus, there was limited benefit (in terms of increasing binding to β 2 ARS) to increasing pH when lidocaine was present. QX314, despite being present in a 10-fold greater concentration than lidocaine, had no effect on 3 H-DHA binding at any tested pH. The affinity of β 2 ARS for both 3 H-DHA and lidocaine increased with pH. Thus, the response to β 2 AR agonists (when no lidocaine is present) might be expected to be greater with normal or alkalotic pH than under acidotic conditions, supporting the correction of metabolic acidosis to achieve optimal effects from β 2 AR agonists during resuscitation.
Bioabsorbable stents for gastrointestinal endoscopy

Prototype bioabsorbable stents have been developed for urologicand vascular applications and are currently being evaluated for use in the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts. Self-expanding mesh stents composed of biodegradable materials behave similarly to their wire mesh counterparts, but disintegrate and disappear over time. Preliminary results in patients with malignant biliary strictures are encouraging. These stents may offer long-term palliation without precluding subsequent resection for patients in whom malignant strictures are suspected but not confirmed, or for those in whom curative resection is unlikely but not ruled out. In addition, there may be many potential applications for treatment of malignant and benign strictures of the biliary and pancreatic tract, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and colon. Future possibilities for bioabsorbable stents may include drug delivery, gene therapy, and tissue remodeling.
Synthesis and structural characterization of M(PMe3)3(O2CR)2(OH2)H2 (M = Mo, W): aqua-hydride complexes of molybdenum and tungsten.

Mo(PMe3)6 and W(PMe3)4(η2-CH2PMe2)H undergo oxidative addition of the O−H bond of RCO2H to yield sequentially M(PMe3)4(η2-O2CR)H and M(PMe3)3(η2-O2CR)(η1-O2CR)H2 (M = Mo and R = Ph, But; M = W and ...
Ironic Effects of Invoking Common Ingroup Identity

Establishing a common ingroup identity (CII) can reduce intergroup bias. Appeals to CII made by an outgroup member could, however, increase negative intergroup outcomes if perceivers believe that the speaker defines the superordinate group differently than they do. Study 1 demonstrated that people believe that Democrats and Republicans have different conceptions of the superordinate group “Americans.” In Study 2, persuasive appeals invoking CII made by outgroup members were unsuccessful; moreover, differences in shared conceptions of American identity negatively impacted the appeal's success, but only if the speaker invoked CII. These studies describe a theoretical and practical boundary condition on CII as an approach to reducing intergroup bias.
Bacterial contamination of blood: lessons from the past and road map for the future

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Polysiloxane-s-triazinyl ethers.

Polysiloxane-s-triazinyl ether preparation, noting structural and physical properties of compounds
Calculations of magnetic relaxation in type-II superconductors based on various critical-state models

Abstract Theoretical calculations of magnetic relaxation have been made based on flux-creep and various critical-state models for type-II superconductors. The calculated relaxation rates as a function of the externally applied field are in good agreement with experimental data for a Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox crystal. Also discussed are the temperature and field dependence of the magnetic relaxation.
Evaluation And Comparison Of Image Reconstruction Algorithms For Positron Emission Tomography With Time-Of-Flight Information (Tofpet)

Department of Radiology and The Franklin McLean MemorialResearch Institute; The University of ChicagoChicago, Illinois 60637ABSTRACTTwo new image reconstruction algorithms, the"Metz filter method" (MF) and the "simple EMmethod" (SEM), have been developed for TOFPET. Theresults of these new methods were evaluated sys-tematically in computer simulation studies andcompared to those produced by three establishedalgorithms: the most -likely position method (MLP),the confidence weighting method (CW), and theestimated posterior- density weighting method
Acridine Orange Staining for Rapid Diagnosis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis is uncommon, but one of the most severe infectious diseases of the cornea. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis as bacterial or herpes simplex keratitis leads to extensive corneal inflammation and profound visual loss. Therefore, accurate and rapid diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis is essential for successful treatment and good prognosis. We evaluated the usefulness of acridine orange staining from corneal scrapings and contact lens solutions for the rapid diagnosis of four consecutive cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Gram stain and culture on nonnutrient agar plates with Escherichia coli overlay were also made. Corneal scrapings stained with acridine orange revealed yellow-to-orange polygonal, cystic structures consistent with the appearance of Acanthamoeba among inflammatory cells and the corneal epithelial cells. The contact lens case solutions of two patients also showed numerous cysts with double wall. Some organisms from the third patient were identified as Acanthamoeba castellani and others as Acanthamoeba lugdunensis. Based on the acridine orange staining results in four cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis, this stain is recommended as a simple and reliable method for the rapid diagnosis of this disease.
10Gbps Monolithically-Integrated Widely-Tunable Wavelength Converter Using Quantum Well Intermixing

We report on the implementation and performance of an InP centered quantum well intermixed, MZI-SOA all-optical wavelength-converter monolithically-integrated with an SGDBR. We show error-free operation at 10Gbps, and 3dBm output power over 30nm output tuning.
OSMOTICALLY-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN VOLUME AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MITOCHONDRIA ISOLATED FROM RAT LIVER AND BOVINE HEART

Detailed studies correlating changes in mitochondrial optical density, packed volume, and ultrastructure associated with osmotically-induced swelling were performed. Various swelling states were established by incubating mitochondria (isolated in 0.25 M sucrose) at 0°C for 5 min in series of KCl and sucrose solutions ranging in tonicity from 250 to 3 milliosmols. Reversibility of swelling was determined by examining mitochondria exposed to 250 milliosmols media after they had been induced to swell. Swelling induced by lowering the ambient tonicity to approximately 130 (liver mitochondria) and 90 (heart mitochondria) milliosmols involves primarily swelling of the inner compartment within the intact outer membrane. Decreasing the ambient tonicity beyond this level results in rupture of the outer membrane and expansion of the inner compartment through the break. The maximum extent of swelling, corresponding with complete unfolding of the cristae and an increase in over-all mitochondrial volume of approximately 6-fold (liver mitochondria) and 11-fold (heart mitochondria), is reached at approximately 15 (liver mitochondria) and 3 (heart mitochondria) milliosmols. Exposure of liver mitochondria to media of lower tonicity results in irreversibility of inner compartment swelling and escape of matrix material. These changes appear to result from increased inner membrane permeability, possibly due to stretching.
Feeding of irradiated chicken, beef, and pineapple jam to dogs.

Summary Irradiated and nonirradiated chicken, beef, and pineapple jam were added to the diet of dogs (purebred beagles), in an amount equal to 35% of the solids fed, for a period of two years. No adverse effects were demonstrated as evidenced by growth, hematology, food efficiency, reproduction, mortality, gross and microscopic pathology.
Toward the Aesthetic Lifeworld

The practice of music therapy combines the skill and art of a therapist in an attempt to meet the needs of patients. Of import to the music therapy process is the realm of the aesthetic lifeworld of the patient. This article details the properties and stages of the aesthetic lifeworld as they occur throughout the process of music therapy. In this article, the author investigates the individuality of the patient and the experience of music in therapy, with em­ phasis on the role of the music and its aesthetic on the process.
Connecting frames and constructions: A case study of 'eat' and 'feed'

Constructional analysis of corpus data can contribute to the analysis of a semantic frame, as demonstrated by a small corpus study of eat and feed. The EAT/FEED frame forms part of a taxonomy of frames including the superordinate CONSUME frame and subordinate frames of human vs. animal eating; constructional and metaphor data in the corpus shows that English covertly distinguishes human and animal eating. The EAT frame includes three phases (intake, process, and ingest), differentiated lexicogrammatically. The EAT frame also includes three domains in its domain matrix: physical, biological (nutritional) and social, all clearly differentiated by distinct constructions in the corpus. An examination of metaphors with eat and feed in the corpus demonstrate that the target domain contributes image-schematic structure to the metaphorical mapping, contrary to the Invariance Hypothesis.
Effect of Metyrapone on Tryptophan Binding to Rat Hepatic Nuclei

This study evaluated whether metyrapone (2-methyl-1,2-di-3-pyridyl-1-propanone), an inhibitor of endogenous adrenal corticosteroid synthesis via inhibition of cytochrome P-450-mediated steroid hydroxylation, would influence the binding of L-tryptophan to rat hepatic nuclei or nuclear envelopes. Previous publications have indicated that binding of L-tryptophan to hepatic nuclear envelope proteins was saturable, stereospecific, and of high affinity. In this study, we investigated whether metyrapone would influence L-tryptophan binding to rat hepatic nuclei or nuclear envelopes as assayed by in vitro L-(5-3H)tryptophan binding. Our results indicate that the addition of metyrapone in vitro has little influence on L-(5-3H)tryptophan binding to hepatic nuclei or nuclear envelopes. On the other hand, when metyrapone (1 mg/100 g body weight) is tube-fed 30 minutes before killing, the isolated hepatic nuclei show decreased specific L-tryptophan binding (total binding minus nonspecific binding [using 2,000-fold excess of unlabeled L-tryptophan]) compared with controls. Also, addition of metyrapone in vitro to rat liver before homogenization and preparation of nuclei caused the nuclei to show decreased specific tryptophan binding compared with controls. Under these in vitro conditions, SKF 525A, another inhibitor of hydroxylation, showed inhibitory effects similar to those of metyrapone. Thus, metyrapone can interfere with rat liver nuclear envelope receptor binding to L-tryptophan, and possibly acts via its effects on hydroxylation. At high doses, metyrapone (20 mg/100 g body weight) appears to inhibit tryptophan-induced stimulation of hepatic protein synthesis.
A note on the fragmentary Sterkfontein scapula.

Certain features of the Sterkfontein scapular fragment have been examined in the light of available data relating to the form of the scapula in primates. One suggestion currently in the literature, that this fragment is relatively less specialized than the corresponding region of the gibbon and chimpanzee (being more like some extant monkeys), may not be justified.
Current status of DNA sequencing by single molecule detection

Our current experiments further the development of a laser- based technique capable of sequencing an individual strand of DNA. We report the detection and identification of fluorescently labeled nucleotides enzymatically cleaved from DNA strands suspended in flow. We used fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence intensity, or a correlated measure of the intensity and lifetime to identify each individual tagged base traversing the detection region with high accuracy. DNA strands containing a single tetramethylrhodamine labeled uracil and/or a single Rhodamine 6G labeled cytosine were attached to polystyrene microspheres. An optical trap was used to capture and hold a single DNA-laden microsphere nominally 20 microns upstream of the detection region of an ultra- sensitive flow cytometer. The addition of an exonuclease cleaved bases from the 3' end of the fluorescently labeled strand. The cleaved, labeled nucleotides were carried by the flow downstream and detected and identified one-at-a-time with high efficiency by laser-induced fluorescence.
Interaction of global merged interaction region shock with the heliopause and its relation to the 2- and 3-kHz radio emissions

We use the Voyager 2 plasma and magnetic field data together with a one-fluid magnetohydrodynamics model to study the interactions of the 1991 global merge interaction region (GMIR) shock with the termination shock and the heliopause. The 1991 GMIR is an extraordinarily large global solar wind structure in radial, longitudinal, and latitudinal extents. It has a strong shock at the leading edge. After its penetration through the termination shock, the GMIR shock first propagates through the subsonic solar wind, then interacts with the heliopause. The interaction produces a transmitted shock propagating outward in the interstellar medium, and a reflected shock propagating backward in the subsonic solar wind. We identify the reflected shock and the transmitted shock as the possible source of the radio noise detected at Voyagers (Gurnett, et al., 1993). The plasma frequency behind the reflected and the transmitted shock can be responsible for the 2- and 3-kHz radio emissions, respectively. The two bands of radio noise are emitted from sources on both sides of the heliopause starting at about the same time. If the emissions picked up by Voyager are due to f(sub P) radiation, then the heliopause is located at R is approximately = 130 AU. If the emissions are due to 2f(sub P) radiation, the R is approximately 150 AU. Because the relative speed of the interstellar plasma with respect to the sun appears to be sub-Alfvenic, it is very unlikely there is a fast-mode bow shock of the heliosphere.
Active damping of laminated cylindrical shells conveying fluid using 1–3 piezoelectric composites

Abstract In this paper, the performance of the active constrained layer damping (ACLD) treatment for active control of thin laminated cylindrical shells conveying fluid has been investigated. The constraining layer of the ACLD treatment has been considered to be made of vertically or obliquely reinforced 1–3 piezoelectric composite (PZC) materials. A three-dimensional finite element model has been developed for the laminated shells integrated with the patches of ACLD treatment to describe the coupled hydroelastic behavior of the shells. Velocity feedback control law has been implemented to activate the patches. Symmetric and antisymmetric cross-ply and antisymmetric angle-ply shells have been considered for evaluating the numerical results. Emphasis has also been placed on investigating the effect of the variation of the piezoelectric fiber orientation angle in the PZC constraining layer on the performance of the patches.
Zur Kenntnis N-methylsubstituierter Silazane. II. N-Methylsubstituierte Silicium-Stickstoff-Vierringe

Darstellung und Eigenschaften sowie IR- und NMR-Spektren des all-Methylcyclodisilazans und einiger seiner Derivate werden beschrieben. Bemerkenswert ist eine Spiroverbindung, bei welcher alle vier Valenzen des zentralen Siliciumatoms an Vierringstrukturen beteiligt sind. Einige Verbindungen lassen sich bei hoherer Temperatur unter dem gleichzeitigen Einflus von NH4Br in Cyclotrisilazane umlagern.
Sonographic visualization of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (baxter nerve): technique and validation using perineural injections in a cadaveric model.

Objectives The primary purpose of this investigation was to document the ability of high-resolution sonography to accurately identify the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (FBLPN) using sonographically guided perineural injections in an unembalmed cadaveric model. Methods single experienced operator completed sonographically guided perineural FBLPN injections in 12 unembalmed cadaveric specimens (6 right and 6 left) obtained from 10 donors (5 male and 5 female) aged 47 to 95 years (mean, 71 years) with an average body mass index of 24.2 kg/m(2) (range, 17.2-31.6 kg/m(2)). All injections were completed using 22-gauge, 38-mm stainless steel needles to deliver 1 mL of 50% diluted colored latex adjacent to the FBLPN in the abductor hallucis-quadratus plantae (AH-QP) interval. Six injections were completed using a cart-based ultrasound (US) machine and a 17-5-MHz transducer, and 6 were completed using a portable US machine and a 12-3-MHz transducer. Nerve conspicuity was graded on a 4-point scale (1, poor; 4, excellent). After a minimum of 24 hours, study coinvestigators dissected each specimen to assess injectate placement. Results All 12 injections accurately placed latex onto the FBLPN within the AH-QP interval, with 11 of 12 (91%) resulting in complete nerve coverage. Proximal latex overflow to the lateral plantar nerve occurred in 82% of cases (10 of 12). The average distance between the plantar fascia and injected latex was 1.2 cm (range, 1.0-1.75 cm). No vascular injury was seen in any specimen. The average nerve conspicuities were 3.7 (range, 3-4) using the cart-based US machine and 1.8 (range, 1-4) using the portable US machine. Conclusions Sonographic visualization of the FBLPN in the AH-QP interval is feasible and should be considered for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in patients presenting with chronic or atypical heel pain syndromes. Further clinical experience should refine the role of FBLPN sonography and explore the utility of sonographically guided diagnostic and therapeutic FBLPN perineural injections.
Teaching Experientially in the Undergraduate Community Psychology Classroom

Experiential learning is a useful teaching tool in the undergraduate community psychology classroom. In addition to improving student outcomes, experiential learning is particularly relevant for community psychology, as it aligns with several core values of the field and can prompt not only student learning, but also civic engagement, social justice, and community betterment. In this article, we provide an overview of the themed issue on “Experiential Teaching Practices in Undergraduate Community Psychology.” The issue contains a variety of experiential teaching examples that fall into three clusters: (a) individual and group service-learning exercises; (b) using community experiences to augment in-class learning outside of a service-learning context; and (c) ways of having students draw on prior out-of-class or in-class community experiences to increase student understanding.
The Recovery of an Anisotropic Conductivity in Groundwater Modelling

In order to model groundwater flow effectively, one is faced inevitably with the problem of suitably estimating the various subsurface parameters in the differential equations governing the flow from measurements, over time, of the piezometric head at various well sites, together with certain ancillary data. A new method is presented that allows for the estimation of an anisotropic hydraulic conductivity as the unique global minimum of a convex functional.
Rapid kidney allograft failure in patients with polyoma virus nephritis with prior treatment with antilymphocyte agents.

Interstitial nephritis owing to polyoma virus infection (PVi) mimics acute allograft rejection. The risk factors for graft failure associated with PVi are unknown. This prompted us to analyse the relationship between the use of antilymphocyte agents (ALA) and graft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients with PVi. Renal transplant recipients who were diagnosed to have PVi nephritis at the Medical College of Wisconsin were included in this study. PVi nephritis was confirmed by urine cytology and characteristic renal histological findings in a total of 14 cases. Other viruses were excluded by immunohistochemistry studies. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n=7) received ALA (OKT3/ATGAM) as treatment for presumptive acute rejection and Group B (n=7) did not receive ALA therapy. The progression of renal function (GFR) was estimated by a 100/plasma creatinine and an actuarial kidney survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. The demographics (age, gender, race, retransplant and kidney versus. kidney/pancreas), prior treatment with steroids for presumptive acute rejection, and renal function at the time of PVi diagnosis were similar between groups. The fall in GFR/month was 6 mL/min/month with prior ALA therapy compared with 1 mL/min/month in those who did not receive ALA, p=0.002. All seven grafts were lost in the ALA group compared with only two of seven grafts in the other group, p=0.005. The use of ALA was associated with a rapid fall in GFR and graft failure in patients with PVi nephritis. Careful diagnosis of PVi is warranted in renal allograft recipients prior to initiating ALA therapy.
The National Cancer Data Base report on pancreatic cancer.

Background. The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) of the Commission on Cancer gathers data on time trends in stage of disease, treatment patterns, and survival for selected cancers. The most current (1991) data for pancreatic cancer are described here. The NCDB data contain important reference information regarding patient and hospital demographics associated with the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Methods. Three Calls for Data have yielded a total of 17,490 cases for 1985, 1986, and 1991, from 937 hospital cancer registries across the United States. The data for 1991 represent 32% of all pancreas cancer cases for U.S. Results. A higher incidence of more advanced disease was reported for the youngest group of patients, Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, males and patients seen at smaller hospitals. For all patients combined, only 14.2% were reported to have had a pancreatectomy. Older patients, patients from lower income zip codes, and African Americans were somewhat less likely to have received a pancreatectomy. Cancer of the body of the pancreas was the anatomic subsite for which patients with pancreatic cancer were least likely to receive a pancreatectomy. Patients seen at hospitals with larger caseloads and at teaching hospitals were more frequently reported as having had a pancreatectomy. Between 1985-1986 and 1991, there was a trend from treatment with surgery only or radiation only toward more frequent use of combined chemoradiation without surgery. There was less radiation treatment reported as received by patients at hospitals with fewer than 150 annual cancer caseloads compared with hospitals with larger caseload. For patients with resectable tumors, a moderate survival advantage was reported compared with nonresectable tumors: 1-year, 48% versus 23%; 2-year, 24% versus 9%; 3-year, 17% versus 6% respectively. Conclusions. The NCDB provides a powerful tool for examining practice patterns and outcome of cancer care in the U.S. The present report, covering one-third of all patients treated in the U.S. in 1991, confirms the advanced disease status of patients with pancreatic cancer. Minority groups present with more advanced disease and are less likely to undergo resection, currently the only potentially curative therapy. Resectability rates appear to be higher in large caseload hospitals. Cancer 1995; 76:1671–7.
Managing Comorbid Disease in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a unique type of inflammatory arthritis that is associated with skin psoriasis. The concept that PsA is simply a skin and joint disease has been challenged by large epidemiologic studies that link PsA with substantial comorbidity. Important comorbidities related to PsA include premature cardiovascular disease, infectious complications, malignancy risk, osteoporosis, and reduced quality of life. This review focuses on the prevalent comorbid diseases in patients with PsA and highlights how the presence of these associated comorbidities can affect the management of these patients.
Sons of St. Patrick: Quality of Life and Heights of Young Irish Males at Mid-Nineteenth Century

An index of the quality of life for children in Ireland’s four provinces containing thirty-two counties is generated from three domains of information in the (1841) census of Ireland. The average of three regression-weighted indexes derived from educational, demographic and housing data is labelled the Quality of Life for Irish Children—1841 (QUALIC’41). Heights of 1,032 army recruits generated a sub-set of 735 males between the ages of 17 and 20 years. Their heights were indexed to those of the general population in the Galton committee report of 1883. Height indexes are presented and analyzed. The QUALIC’41 index is assessed as a predictor of heights in the late teen years. The heights are compared with Scottish heights from the same period, and are assessed for differences due to the presence of the 1845 famine in the growth pattern of some recruits.
Androgenic regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion: relationship to androgen binding in sheep pituitary.

Castrated ram lambs (wethers) were investigated for sensitivity to androgen feedback and to determine whether this feedback inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) was associated with changes in pituitary androgen receptors. Administration of Silastic capsules containing either dihydrotestosterone or testosterone was found to produce dose-dependent inhibitory effects on serum LH levels in wethers. Physiological dosages of these androgens (i.e., those that produce serum levels of dihydrotestosterone [0.24 ng/ml] or testosterone [2.1 ng/ml] similar to those of intact rams) resulted in differential inhibition of serum LH and LH content of the anterior pituitary. Whereas the inhibitory effect of dihydrotestosterone on pituitary LH content was much more dramatic than that seen with testosterone, the high dosage of testosterone also produced a substantial decrease in pituitary LH content. Responses of the pituitary to changes in serum androgen were compared to responses of the seminal vesicle, which served as a control androgen target organ. Androgen levels were positively correlated with seminal vesicle weights, but pituitary weights were unaffected by castration and/or androgen replacement. Treatments with dihydrotestosterone were associated with decreased cytosol androgen binding activity (i.e., receptors) in pituitary and seminal vesicle, suggesting that both of these tissues were sites of androgen action. Although testosterone inhibited serum LH levels, pituitary cytosol androgen receptors were not affected by changes in serum testosterone. We conclude from these data that dihydrotestosterone is a physiological regulator of pituitary LH secretion in the ram and that further study is needed to investigate the complex actions of testosterone and its metabolites on pituitary function.
Mutagenesis of a bacteriophage lytic enzyme PlyGBS significantly increases its antibacterial activity against group B streptococci.

Group B streptococci (GBS) are the leading cause of neonatal meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is the current prevention strategy given to pregnant women with confirmed vaginal GBS colonization. Due to antibiotic resistance identified in GBS, we previously developed another strategy using a bacteriophage lytic enzyme, PlyGBS, to reduce vaginal GBS colonization. In this study, various DNA mutagenesis methods were explored to produce PlyGBS mutants with increased lytic activity against GBS. Several hyperactive mutants were identified that contain only the endopeptidase domain found in the N-terminal region of PlyGBS and represent only about one-third of the wild-type PlyGBS in length. Significantly, these mutants not only have 18–28-fold increases in specific activities compared to PlyGBS, but they also have a similar activity spectrum against several streptococcal species. One of the hyperactive mutants, PlyGBS90-1, reduced the GBS colonization from >5 logs of growth per mouse to <50 colony-forming units (cfu) 4 h post treatment (∼4-log reduction) using a single dose in a mouse vaginal model. A reduction in GBS colonization before delivery should significantly reduce neonatal GBS infection providing a safe alternative to IAP.
Overlapping, Nonidentical Binding Sites of Different Classes of Nonpeptide Antagonists for the Human Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor

Peptide agonists and antagonists of the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) are widely used to treat a range of reproductive hormone related diseases. Recently, nonpeptide, orally available GnRH-R antagonists have emerged from several chemical classes. To understand how a relatively large peptide-binding pocket can recognize numerous nonpeptide ligands, we undertook a systematic mapping of GnRH-R residues involved in the binding of three nonpeptide antagonists. A region composed of the extracellular portions of transmembrane helices 6 and 7, extracellular loop 3, and the N-terminal domain significantly contributed to nonpeptide antagonist binding. However, each molecule was affected by a different subset of residues in these regions, indicating that each appears to occupy distinct, partially overlapping subregions within the more extensive peptide-binding pocket. Moreover, the resulting receptor interaction maps provide a basis to begin to reconcile structure-activity relationships between various nonpeptide and peptide series and facilitate the design of improved therapeutic agents.
Effects of grower participation on onion IPM demonstrations

This research asked if growers who participated in demonstrations were different from non-participants, and whether any such differences make an impact on demonstration results. We included a non-participant group as a comparison to our demonstration participants, and use a pretest/post-test comparison to assess change which may occur as a result of the demonstration program in contrast to any pre-existing differences which might exist. The results suggest growers' attitude toward and adoption IPM prior to participating in the demonstration have impacts on demonstration results. These results highlight the importance of considering growers' prior attitudes toward the innovation in interpreting the results of research which is designed to show the effectiveness of the innovation.
Adipocyte prolactin: regulation of release and putative functions.

Pituitary-derived prolactin (PRL) is a well-known regulator of the lactating mammary gland. However, the recent discovery that human adipose tissue produces PRL as well as expresses the PRL receptor (PRLR) highlights a previously unappreciated action of PRL as a cytokine involved in adipose tissue function. Biologically active PRL is secreted by all adipose tissue depots examined: breast, visceral and subcutaneous. The expression of adipose PRL is regulated by a non-pituitary, alternative superdistal promoter. PRL expression and release increases during early pre-adipocyte differentiation and is stimulated by cyclic AMP activators, including β adrenergic receptor agonists. PRL release from subcutaneous adipose explants is attenuated during obesity, suggesting that adipose PRL production is altered by the metabolic state. Several lines of evidence indicate that PRL suppresses lipid storage as well as the release of adipokines such as adiponectin, interleukin-6 and possibly leptin. PRL has also been implicated in the regulation of adipogenesis. A newly developed PRL-secreting human adipocyte cell line, LS14, should allow comprehensive examination of the regulation and function of adipocyte-derived PRL. Collectively, these studies raise the prospect that PRL affects energy homeostasis through its action as an adipokine and is involved in the manifestation of insulin resistance.
Translation of ODC mRNA and polyamine transport are suppressed in ras-transformed CREF cells by depleting translation initiation factor 4E.

Abstract Rapid tumor growth and metastasis require increased polyamine metabolism, which is coordinately regulated by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and the polyamine transporter. Both activities are stimulated by ras signalling and are dependent upon protein biosynthesis. T24 ras oncogene expression in rat embryo fibroblasts (CREFT24) induces cellular transformation and malignancy, in part, by stimulating the rate-limiting translation initiation factor, eIF-4E. CREFT24 expressing antisense RNA to eIF-4E (AS4E) have markedly decreased tumor growth rates and metastatic capacity, without altered monolayer growth rates. Herein, we demonstrate that in AS4E, ODC is translationally suppressed resulting in decreased ODC activity. Additionally, exogenous polyamine uptake is suppressed in AS4E cells indicating that AS4E can neither generate nor import the polyamines necessary to support rapid tumor growth. These data provide evidence that eIF-4E is the link between ras-induced malignancy and increased polyamine metabolism and support the hypothesis that eIF-4E plays a pivotal role in mediating ras-induced malignancy.
Intermittent hypoxia exacerbates pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in a mouse model of diabetes mellitus.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on pancreatic function in the presence of diabetes and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that IH would exacerbate pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and alter the fatty acids in the male Tallyho/JngJ (TH) mouse, a rodent model of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN TH mice were exposed for 14 d to either 8 h of IH or intermittent air (IA), followed by an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and tissue harvest. The effect of IH on insulin release was determined by using a β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS During IH, pancreatic tissue pO2 decreased from 20.4 ± 0.9 to 5.7 ± 2.6 mm Hg, as determined by electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry. TH mice exposed to IH exhibited higher plasma glucose levels during the IPGTT (P < 0.001) while the insulin levels tended to be lower (P = 0.06). Pancreatic islets of the IH group showed an enhancement of the caspase-3 staining (P = 0.002). IH impaired the β-AR agonist-mediated insulin release (P < 0.001). IH increased the levels of the total free fatty acids and saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids), and decreased levels of the monounsaturated fatty acids in the pancreas and plasma. Ex vivo exposure of pancreatic islets to palmitic acid suppressed insulin secretion and decreased islet cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Intermittent hypoxia increases pancreatic apoptosis and exacerbates dysfunction in a polygenic rodent model of diabetes. An increase in free fatty acids and a shift in composition towards long chain saturated fatty acid species appear to mediate these effects.
Total pelvic exenteration: The Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center Experience (1987 to 2003)

Abstract Objective. To review the trends, modifications and results of 103 consecutive total pelvic exenterations (TPE) performed at the Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine from 1987 to 2003. Methods. All patients who underwent TPE from January 1987 to December 2003 were included. The medical record, complications, follow-up, clinical status and demographic information were entered in a database. The procedure performed, the method of urinary diversion, colonic diversion, pelvic floor support and vaginal reconstruction were documented. Surviving patients were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the urinary diversion, the vaginal reconstruction and their sexual function since the surgery. Results. 103 pts were identified. Indications for TPE were recurrent cancers of the cervix (95), endometrium (2), colon and rectum (5), vulva (1). Overall 5-year survival was 47%. 5-year survival for pts with recurrent cervix cancer was 48%. Six pts (6%) recurred >5 years after the TPE. 14 pts (14%) had ureteral anastomotic leaks (no difference between ileal conduit 9/65 (14%) versus 5/38 (13%) continent conduit ( P = 0.92). 34 pts (89%) with continent conduits were “continent.” 14 pts (17%) had wound complications. 4 pts (4%) had parastomal hernias. 5/11 (46%) pts who had a low rectal reanastomosis developed recurrence in the pelvis. 21/39 (54%) of pts with continent conduits would choose an ileal conduit if they had the option again. Long-term renal function was similar in pts with ileal and continent conduits. Mesh of any type for pelvic floor reconstruction is associated with infection and bowel/urinary fistulas. VRAM flaps for neovagina fill the pelvic dead space, reduce the risk of fistulas and 20/36 pts (55%) are sexually active. Conclusions. Our overall 5-year survival is encouraging, and modifications in surgical technique have improved the reconstructive phase. Low rectal anastomoses at TPE adversely affects survival. Many of our pts with continent urinary diversions would not choose this method again. Mesh of any type is associated with sepsis and bowel/urinary fistulas. VRAM for neovagina reduces fistula rate and are functional in >55% of pts. TPE remains a potentially curative option for these pts.
THE SIZES OF THE X-RAY AND OPTICAL EMISSION REGIONS OF RXJ 1131-1231

We use gravitational microlensing of the four images of the z = 0.658 quasar RXJ 1131-1231 to measure the sizes of the optical and X-ray emission regions of the quasar. The (face-on) scale length of the optical disk at rest frame 400 nm is R{sub l}ambda{sub ,O} = 1.3 x 10{sup 15} cm, while the half-light radius of the rest frame 0.3-17 keV X-ray emission is R{sub 1/2,X} = 2.3 x 10{sup 14} cm. The formal uncertainties are factors of 1.6 and 2.0, respectively. With the exception of the lower limit on the X-ray size, the results are very stable against any changes in the priors used in the analysis. Based on the Hbeta line width, we estimate that the black hole mass is M{sub 1131} approx = 10{sup 8} M{sub sun}, which corresponds to a gravitational radius of r{sub g} approx = 2 x 10{sup 13} cm. Thus, the X-ray emission is emerging on scales of approx10r{sub g} and the 400 nm emission on scales of approx70r{sub g} . A standard thin disk of this size should be significantly brighter than observed. Possible solutions are to have a flatter temperature profile or to scatter a large fraction of themore » optical flux on larger scales after it is emitted. While our calculations were not optimized to constrain the dark matter fraction in the lens galaxy, dark matter-dominated models are favored. With well-sampled optical and X-ray light curves over a broad range of frequencies, there will be no difficulty in extending our analysis to completely map the structure of the accretion disk as a function of wavelength.« less
Plant Kinesin-Like Calmodulin Binding Protein Employs Its Regulatory Domain for Dimerization.

Kinesin-like calmodulin binding protein (KCBP), a Kinesin-14 family motor protein, is involved in the structural organization of microtubules during mitosis and trichome morphogenesis in plants. The molecular mechanism of microtubule bundling by KCBP remains unknown. KCBP binding to microtubules is regulated by Ca2+-binding proteins that recognize its C-terminal regulatory domain. In this work, we have discovered a new function of the regulatory domain. We present a crystal structure of an Arabidopsis KCBP fragment showing that the C-terminal regulatory domain forms a dimerization interface for KCBP. This dimerization site is distinct from the dimerization interface within the N-terminal domain. Side chains of hydrophobic residues of the calmodulin binding helix of the regulatory domain form the C-terminal dimerization interface. Biochemical experiments show that another segment of the regulatory domain located beyond the dimerization interface, its negatively charged coil, is unexpectedly and absolutely required to stabilize the dimers. The strong microtubule bundling properties of KCBP are unaffected by deletion of the C-terminal regulatory domain. The slow minus-end directed motility of KCBP is also unchanged in vitro. Although the C-terminal domain is not essential for microtubule bundling, we suggest that KCBP may use its two independent dimerization interfaces to support different types of bundled microtubule structures in cells. Two distinct dimerization sites may provide a mechanism for microtubule rearrangement in response to Ca2+ signaling since Ca2+- binding proteins can disengage KCBP dimers dependent on its C-terminal dimerization interface.
Sex and the MHC

Major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecules may play a surprising role in pheromone detection in mammals.