cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aromatase inhibitor treatment of menorrhagia and subsequent pregnancy in a patient with familial hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome.

Objective To describe the clinical management of menorrhagia in a woman with hyperparathyroidism–jaw tumor syndrome (HPT-JT). Design Case report. Setting Large translation research hospital. Patient(s) A 26-year-old nulligravid woman with familial HPT-JT presented with life-long menorrhagia resistant to progesterone intrauterine device (IUD) therapy and a desire for fertility. Intervention(s) Aromatase inhibitor therapy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical response to therapy and pregnancy. Result(s) Imaging demonstrated an enlarged endometrial lining and thickening of the junctional zone. At operative hysteroscopy, multiple atypical endometrial polyp-like lesions filled the entire uterine cavity and were removed. Histologic evaluation demonstrated the lesions to be adenomyomas with an abundance of aromatase expression. Postoperative treatment included an aromatase inhibitor. The patient's menorrhagia, which had previously been resistant to progesterone IUD therapy, resolved with the aromatase inhibitor. After 10 months of this treatment, the aromatase inhibitor was discontinued and a repeated hysteroscopy revealed a markedly improved uterine cavity. The patient subsequently became pregnant on her first natural cycle and delivered a healthy term infant. Conclusion(s) Aromatase inhibitors may represent a novel treatment for benign uterine pathology in HPT-JT.
Mating patterns and a test for female mate choice in Etheostoma spectabile (Pisces, Percidae)

Neither size nor breeding color correlated with spawning success of male orangethroat darters, Etheostoma spectabile (Pisces, Percidae), under natural field conditions. When females were presented experimentally with a simultaneous choice they spent no more time in proximity to large than small males, and were subsequently no more likely to spawn with large than with small males. Females also displayed no preference for bright versus dull males. Males and females did not differ significantly in size. Etheostoma spectabile may lack sexual size dimorphism as a result of the lack of female choice for size and the ineffectiveness of male attempts to monopolize females, or selection may be for increased size of females. Males are not dwarfs because of sperm competition. Contest competition among males appeared to be important in initiating spawnings but many males obtained spawnings by participating in ongoing spawning events. Etheostoma spectabile is an example of a sexually dimorphic species with no evident female preference for male size or color.
Subcellular localization of early biochemical transformations in cancer-activated fibroblasts using infrared spectroscopic imaging.

The tumor microenvironment, or stroma, is chemically and morphologically modified during carcinoma progression. The predominant cell type in the stroma, the fibroblast, maintains collagen properties in normal tissue and often transformed during tumor progression. Biochemical changes within fibroblasts upon initial cancer activation, however, are relatively poorly defined. Here, we hypothesized that Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging could potentially be employed to examine these early transformations. Further, we employ attenuated total reflectance (ATR) microscopy to characterize subcellular spectra and their changes upon transformation. We characterized fibroblast transitions upon stimulation with both a molecular agent and a carcinoma-mimicking cellular co-culture system. Changes were predominantly observed in the 1080 cm−1 and 1224 cm−1 peak absorbance, commonly associated with nucleic acids, as well as in the band at 2930 cm−1 associated with the C–H stretching of proteins in the cytoplasmic compartment. In conclusion, biochemical changes in cancer-associated fibroblasts that express α-SMA are dominated by the cytoplasm, rather than the nucleus. This ensures that spectral changes are not associated with proliferation or cell cycle processes of the cells and the cells are undergoing a true phenotypic change denoted by protein modifications in the cell body.
Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase isozymes catalyze the synthesis of 3-phosphate-containing phosphatidylinositol signaling molecules.

Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinases (PIP5Ks) utilize phosphatidylinositols containing D-3-position phosphates as substrates to form phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate. In addition, type I PIP5Ks phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, while type II kinases have less activity toward this substrate. Remarkably, these kinases can convert phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate in a concerted reaction. Kinase activities toward the 3-position phosphoinositides are comparable with those seen with phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate as the substrate. Therefore, the PIP5Ks can synthesize phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and two 3-phosphate-containing polyphosphoinositides. These unexpected activities position the PIP5Ks as potential participants in the generation of all polyphosphoinositide signaling molecules.
Congenital branchiogenic anomalies

Abstract The embryology of the branchial system of arches, pouches and clefts is briefly reviewed. From a correlation of embryologic facts and clinical findings in cases of lateral fistulae and cysts of the neck it is believed that these lesions develop most commonly from the second branchial cleft and branchial pouch. The congenital sinuses of the ear and preauricular region are believed to develop from an incomplete fusion of the lobules which normally coalesce to form the ear. Lateral, cartilaginous pedunculated or sessile tabs of the neck would appear to represent anomalous formations from the second or third branchial arch. The symptoms of auricular or lateral cervical sinuses are referable to: (1) discharge of mucoid material originating in the lining membrane; (2) discharge of desquamated cells from the lining epithelium if this be of the squamous type; or (3) recurring local inflammation. The lateral congenital cysts of the neck may be troublesome because of local swelling, of recurring infection, or because of reflex disturbances by pressure on the vagus nerve. The cartilaginous rests of the neck are important only from the point of view of cosmetic disfigurement. The small auricular and preauricular sinuses can be treated by injection of sclerosing fluids or by endothermy coagulation. When there has been recurrent infection in a preauricular sinus with consequent destruction of subcutaneous tissue, the lesion is best treated by excision. If a cervical fistula is small and has little discharge, no treatment is necessary, but if the discharge is bothersome, or if there has been repeated infection, the entire tract should be excised. A lateral cervical cyst should be excised, and any tract communicating with it should also be removed. The operative incision for the neck lesions should never be parallel to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, but should always be made in the direction of the neck folds. In those cases in which extensive dissection of the neck is necessary, adequate exposure can be obtained by the use of two horizontal incisions placed in a stair step fashion. When such incisions are carefully closed and the skin edges are approximated with continuous subcuticular sutures, the resulting scars are minimal and are almost invisible.
Heats of fusion and phase equilibria in the MgOSiO2 system

Abstract Many theoretical methods can and do give excellent calculated phase diagrams for the magnesium oxide - silica system, including straightforward Redlich-Kister power series in five or six terms. This system has been reexamined in detail to show that the various methods can be made equivalent, to evaluate the thermodynamic properties of the liquid phase, and to confirm and establish values for the heats of fusion in kJ mol −1 of MgSiO 3 , 48.8; Mg 2 SiO 4 , 92.9; and MgO, 57.65.
10Be analysis of a Quaternary weathering profile in the Virginia Piedmont

Samples from a residual weathering profile in the Virginia Piedmont have been analyzed for cosmogenic 10Be. Concentrations are highest in clay-rich soil and decrease exponentially to a depth of about 15 m. Despite uncertainties about the processes by which 10Be may be intercepted before entering the solum and eroded after incorporation, a minimum age may be calculated for the regolith. This calculation is based on the delivery rate of 10Be and its decay rate and suggests that this residual profile developed during a period no shorter than 8 × 105 yr. The calculated minimum age may be within a factor of 2 of maximum-age estimates based on surface lowering by erosion and on the rate of rock weathering to saprolite. The vertical distribution of 10Be in the profile could result from a steady-state balance of deposition, weathering, radioactive decay, and erosion.
Extraction of pertechnetate and perrhenate from water with deep-cavity [CpFe(arene)](+)-derivatized cyclotriveratrylenes.

Technetium-99 (β-, t1/2 = 2.15 × 105 years) is produced in a 6% fission yield from fission reactors. Technetium-99 continues to be of major concern at various nuclear sites because of its mobility in its most common chemical form during the reprocessing cycle and in the environment. Under these oxic aqueous environments the chemical form of Tc is typically Tc(VII)O4-, which is difficult to remove. Methods for pertechnetate removal to date have mixed results and pose further environmental concerns. Utilization of new cyclotriveratrylene host materials for the extraction of pertechnetate from 0.9% saline into nitromethane has shown high selectivity and efficiency. A deep-cavity host, tris[cyclopentadienyliron(II) arene]cyclotriguiasylene (2), has shown >95% extraction of pertechnetate and perrhenate into nitromethane from saline in the presence of competing anions, outperforming previously reported materials.
Experimental measurements and electron correlation theory of third-order nonlinear optical processes in linear chains

In this paper, we summarize detailed measurements of the frequency dependence of (gamma) ijkl(-(omega) 4;(omega) 1,(omega) 2,(omega) 3) for the third-order nonlinear optical processes dc-induced second harmonic generation (DCSHG) and third harmonic generation (THG) by wedge Maker fringe techniques recently completed for several important linear polyene structures.
Iron catalysis in the reaction of grignard reagents with alkyl halides

Abstract The stoichiometry and kinetics of the reaction between various Grignard reagents and alkyl halides with an iron catalyst have been examined in tetrahydrofuran solutions. The catalytic iron species is produced in situ by the reduction of iron-(II) and -(III) halides by Grignard reagent. The activity of the catalyst is dependent on the solvent and deactivation by ageing is attributed to aggregation of the catalytic iron species. The catalytic process is postulated to occur via a redox cycle, in which the oxidative addition of alkyl halide to a reduced form of iron is followed by disproportionation of the alkyliron intermediates to regenerate the iron catalyst. Alkyl radicals are formed in the step involving oxidative addition. Thus, styrenepreferentially scavenges only that alkyl moiety derived from the alkyl halide. Side reactions involving the catalytic exchange of Grignard reagent with alkene and alkyl halide are also described.
Changing access to hospital care: Altered values at the academic health center

Under the impact of cultural, economic and legislative forces the traditional role of the university health center is changing. The academic health center is rapidly evolving from a relatively undifferentiated general hospital, primarily responsible for the education of undergraduate students of medicine, into a center of clinical research, caring for very specialized mixes of patients, and having as its primary educational mission the training of subspecialists. The nature of the forces responsible for this change are analyzed, and some of its possible consequences for the definition of quality health care, for the shape of medical practice and medical education, and for the allocation of resources for health care are explored. This exploration suggests that the functional separation of the medical school from the highly technical, clinical research center is inevitable. This in turn may exacerbate tensions within medicine between the physician as scientist and as healer, between curative and preventive practice and between personal and public health. Although the effects of this separation on medical education remain obscure, it has already occasioned the most comprehensive review of the medical curriculum since the time of Flexner. Out of this is likely to develop a more generalist view of the education of future physicians.
Regulation of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase in cells treated with a synergistic antiviral combination of alpha interferon and acyclovir.

Alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) and acyclovir (ACV) are synergistic in their anti-herpes simplex virus activities. IFN-alpha treatment reduced the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) activity present in cells 6 h postinfection, while steady-state levels of TK mRNA remained at or above the amount in infected, untreated cells. The inhibition of TK production by IFN-alpha treatment appeared to be transient and translational, not transcriptional. Images
Lipid Requirement for Long‐lived Morphine‐dependent Activations of Adenylate Cyclase of Neuroblastoma × Glioma Hybrid Cells

: Morphine or norepinephrine at 10 μM inhibit adenylate cyclase of NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells and gradually, over a period of 12 h or more, elicit a compensatory, persistent increase in adenylate cyclase activity. The cells are then dependent upon the receptor ligand for maintenance of normal cyclic AMP levels. Serum lipids or linoleic acid are required for the full expression of the long-lived morphine-dependent increase in adenylate cyclase activity, but serum lipids are not required for inhibition of the enzyme by morphine. Serum lipids are also not required for the full expression of the norepinephrine-dependent increase in adenylate cyclase activity. In the NG108-15 model system, therefore, the acquisition of dependence upon morphine can be dissociated from the inhibition of adenylate cyclase by morphine as well as from the acquisition of dependence upon another receptor ligand, norepinephrine.
Question of ALT flare during switch to adefovir from lamivudine: A single center open-label, randomized, safety study (June 17, 2005 to February 5, 2009)†

Earlier clinical studies have reported an ALT flare greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal in some patients with chronic hepatitis B when their lamivudine (LAM) treatment was switched to adefovir (ADV) therapy. The current study compared the safety of switching directly to ADV versus overlapping LAM and ADV for 3 months followed by ADV monotherapy. Patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving LAM therapy for ≥6 months were eligible for the study regardless of the presence of LAM resistance, HBeAg status or serum ALT levels. Eighteen patients (13 males) were randomized to direct switch to ADV and 17 patients (10 males) to overlap. HBV-DNA, ALT, albumin, and total bilirubin were assayed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Study drugs were discontinued at the end of 12 months with the follow up at 3 and 6 months. The decision to continue antiviral therapy was made at the discretion of the investigator. Baseline ALT levels were similar between the direct switch and overlap group: median ALT (U/L) was 44.0 (16–266) and 33.0 (19–367) for direct switch for overlap group, respectively (P = 0.42). No ALT flare was noted at 3 months in either group: median ALT decreased from 44.0 to 34.5 U/L in the direct switch group, and from 33.0 to 23.0 in the overlap group. Furthermore, no patient in either group exhibited ALT flare throughout the 12 months. This study did not show an ALT flare during switch to ADV at 3 months or at any time later. J. Med. Virol. 82:1489–1493, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The role of stress on the language-independence and code-switching phenomena

this investigation studies the extent to which stress affects the assumed functional separation of coordinate bilingual's linguistic organization. Spanish/English bilinguals were subjects in a GSR linguistic conditioning experiment using two intensities of buzzer sounds (stressful conditions) and two lists of words. One word for each list functioned as the conditioned stimulus. Generalization to semantically, phonemically, and unrelated words occurred in both languages and buzzer conditions. We found a differential impact of the buzzer on the functional separation of the languages, although not in the direction predicted. We concluded that stress produced code-switching, and hence, a primitivization of the subject's cognitive and linguistic functioning is assumed to have occurred. These findings are important in understanding the way stress affects the bilingual's languages at the linguistic and cognitive levels. They are also important in understanding the role of stress in language development and in the transfer of linguistic information.
Weed levels did not alter rice grain yield response to nitrogen.

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) research field plots are likely to have nearly complete weed control whereas normal farmer field‐grown rice often have considerably greater weed populations. Consequently, a disparity might exist between nitrogen (N) requirements for producing maximum yields, in weedy (such as in some farmer fields) versus weed‐free rice (such as field research plots). We conducted a 2‐year field study at Keiser, AR. Using paired plots, we compared weed control effects, at several preflood ? rates (0–112 kg ? ha‐1) on yield, yield components, harvest index and weed weights. Rice yield responses to preflood ? fertilization were similar with and without weed pressure. Consequently, ? fertilization recommendations based on research plots with little or no weed pressure are valid for research plots and grower fields with much greater levels of weed pressure.
Lever height and free operant avoidance learning in rats

Two experiments examined the free operant avoidance behavior of rats trained with a lever placed either 6 cm or 1.9 cm above the floor grids. In each experiment, better first-session performance was found with the lower lever. But Experiment 2 showed that this initial advan tage faded with additional training, and similar acquisition curves were obtained with the two levers. The results suggested that the lower lever, permitting the rats to take advantage of a natural defensive reaction to shock (running), facilitated initial contacts with the lever but had little influence in the learning to use the lever to develop shock postponement behavior.
Bidirectional axonal transport of45Ca2+: Studies in isolated frog sensory, motor and sympathetic neurons,Aplysia cerebral ganglion and the goldfish visual system

Summary The divalent radionuclide, 45 Ca 2+ , was axonally transported at a rapid rate in the 5 distinct neuronal systems studied. These were the isolated primary afferent sensory neurons, spinal motor neurons and sympathetic neurons of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana , the isolated cerebral ganglion neurons of the sea mollusk, Aplysia californica , and in the retinal ganglion cells of the goldfish, Carassius auratus . The axonal transport of calcium was blocked by the neurotubule binding alkaloid, colchicine, and by the inhibition of perikaryal protein synthesis with cylcoheximide. These results suggest the universal nature of calcium axonal transport and its association with newly synthesized transported protein. They are consistent with the possibility that calcium binds macromolecules to the transport substrate or alternatively may reflect the binding of calcium to transported species with an affinity for divalent cations. The decline in labeled calcium in the goldfish optic tectum, following rapid axonal transport from the eye, indicated that this cation readily exchanges across the synaptic terminal membrane. The dynamic state of transport related calcium at the nerve terminal was further emphasized by the uptake and retrograde axonal transport from the primary afferent terminals of the spinal cord. This study demonstrates the accessibility of the neuronal cell body and nerve endings to exogenous radioactive calcium and suggests the possibility that axonally transported calcium may provide an index of the relative calcium movement across neuronal membranes under various physiologic conditions.
Gamut Mapping Spatially Varying Reflectance with an Improved BRDF Similarity Metric

Recent spatially varying reflectance (svBRDF) printing systems can reproduce an input document as a combination of matte, glossy and metallic inks. Due to the limited number of inks, this reproduction process incurs some distortion. In this work, we present an svBRDF gamut mapping algorithm that minimizes distortions in the angular and spatial domains. To preserve a material's perceived variation with lighting and view, we introduce an improved BRDF similarity metric that builds on both experimental results on reflectance perception and on the statistics of natural lighting environments. Our experiments show better preservation of object color and highlights, as validated quantitatively as well as through a perceptual study. As for the spatial domain, we show how to adapt traditional color gamut mapping methods to svBRDFs. Our solution takes into account the contrast between regions, achieving better preservation of textures and edges. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Competing Goals, Experience, and Litigation Consciousness on Auditors' Judgments

This study uses an experiment to examine the interactive effect of goals and experience on auditors' inventory write-off assessments and the role of litigation consciousness in mediating this effect. We find that when presented with a competing compliance and client relations goal, more experienced auditors were more likely to recommend an inventory write-off than less experienced auditors. However, when presented with only a compliance goal, auditors were equally likely to recommend an inventory write-off. The finding that less experienced auditors are more influenced by client relations goals suggests that the early socialization into the profession may be dominated by client relations concerns rather than litigation concerns. Mediation results suggest that auditors' litigation consciousness is a significant mechanism which helps drive the interactive effect of goals and experience on auditors' inventory write-off assessments. Implications for research, practice, and regulation are discussed.
Montecassino and the Old Beneventan chant

The term ‘Old Beneventan’ describes the archaic non-Gregorian chant found chiefly in two eleventh-century Graduals in the chapter library at Benevento. This is perhaps in part a translation of Dom Hesbert's ‘Ancien rit beneventain’, with a hint of analogy to the ‘Old Roman’ chant. The term means that this chant is ‘Old’, that is, that it pre-dates the introduction of Gregorian chant into southern Italy; and that it is ‘Beneventan’. But both words need to be evaluated carefully.
Direct measurement of DNA affinity landscapes on a high-throughput sequencing instrument

Nutiu et al. repurpose an Illumina sequencer to quantitatively measure binding affinities between protein and DNA. The data reveal the complex interdependency among binding motif positions and allow improved prediction of gene expression.
Carbonatation of ca(oh)2 investigated by thermal and x‐ray diffraction methods of analysis

The carbonatation of calcium hydroxide has been re-investigated using thermal and X-ray diffraction methods of analysis. The crystal size and morphology of Ca(OH)2 vary with the method of preparation, which also affects the rate and mechanism of the carbonatation reaction. This is also dependent upon the relative humidity established prior to carbonatation. The form of the thermograms is described and the nature of the changes responsible for the peaks discussed.
MAPKAP Kinase-2 Is a Cell Cycle Checkpoint Kinase that Regulates the G2/M Transition and S Phase Progression in Response to UV Irradiation

The cellular response to DNA damage is mediated by evolutionarily conserved Ser/Thr kinases, phosphorylation of Cdc25 protein phosphatases, binding to 14-3-3 proteins, and exit from the cell cycle. To investigate DNA damage responses mediated by the p38/stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) axis of signaling, the optimal phosphorylation motifs of mammalian p38alpha SAPK and MAPKAP kinase-2 were determined. The optimal substrate motif for MAPKAP kinase-2, but not for p38 SAPK, closely matches the 14-3-3 binding site on Cdc25B/C. We show that MAPKAP kinase-2 is directly responsible for Cdc25B/C phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding in vitro and in response to UV-induced DNA damage within mammalian cells. Downregulation of MAPKAP kinase-2 eliminates DNA damage-induced G2/M, G1, and intra S phase checkpoints. We propose that MAPKAP kinase-2 is a new member of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase family that functions in parallel with Chk1 and Chk2 to integrate DNA damage signaling responses and cell cycle arrest in mammalian cells.
Caffeine as a repellent for slugs and snails

At high concentrations this stimulant becomes a lethal neurotoxin to garden pests. Most commercial products for snail and slug control contain either metaldehyde or methiocarb as the active ingredient1, the residues of which are not permitted in food crops in the United States2. We have discovered that solutions of caffeine are effective in killing or repelling slugs and snails when applied to foliage or the growing medium of plants. Because caffeine is a natural product and is classified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a GRAS ('generally recognized as safe') compound3, it has potential as an environmentally acceptable alternative toxicant for the control of slugs and snails on food crops.
The Inverse Hall-Petch Effect—Fact or Artifact?

This paper critically reviews the data in the literature which gives softening—the inverse Hall-Petch effect—at the finest nanoscale grain sizes. The difficulties with obtaining artifactfree samples of nanocrystalline materials will be discussed along with the problems of measurement of the average grain size distribution. Computer simulations which predict the inverse Hall-Petch effect are also noted as well as the models which have been proposed for the effect. It is concluded that while only a few of the experiments which have reported the inverse Hall-Petch effect are free from obvious or possible artifacts, these few along with the predictions of computer simulations suggest it is real. However, it seems that it should only be observed for grain sizes less than about 10 nm.
A semi-implicit ocean circulation model using a generalized topography-following coordinate system

Abstract We introduce a new ocean circulation model featuring an improved vertical coordinate representation. This new coordinate is a generalized o-coordinate; however, it is capable of simultaneously maintaining high resolution in the surface layer as well as dealing with steep and/or tall topography. The model equations are the three-dimensional, free surface, primitive equations with orthogonal curvilinear coordinates in the horizontal and the new general coordinate in the vertical. Vertical mixing is treated implicitly by the generalized Crank-Nicolson method based on a Galerkin finite element formulation. Two alternate parameterizations of surface mixing are incorporated, based respectively on the approaches of Price, Weller, and Pinkel and Mellor and Yamada. Finally, a quadrature formula of Lagrange interpolation is employed to produce a more accurate calculation of pressure and vertical velocity. Three tests are used to demonstrate the accuracy, stability, and applicability of the model: the diurnal cycling of the surface mixed layer, flow around a tall seamount, and a regional simulation of the California current system.
Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of levamisole in treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a chronic, painful, ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa, which affects up to 60 % of the population. No effective cure or treatment is available. Levamisole is a drug reported to restore deficient immunologic states to normal and to reduce the incidence and severity of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Sixty-five patients with attacks of recurrent aphthous stomatitis which recurred at least every 2 months were entered in a double-blind evaluation of the therapeutic effect of levamisole on their disease. Fifty-seven completed the double-blind study by taking the supplied medication for six recurrences of their aphthous lesions. Forty-two of those completing the double-blind study entered an open study to evaluate the long-term effects of levamisole on recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Each patient took the supplied medication at the onset of each recurrence of their aphthous lesions. They were examined and evaluated at each recurrence of their lesions. The levamisole was supplied in 50-mg tablets and taken by mouth at a dosage of 150 mg daily for 3 days. Pregnant patients were excluded from the study. A reduction in the duration of the aphthous lesions from 10.7 days to 6.07 days was obtained in the double-blind study by the group taking levamisole. The placebo group had a reduction from 10 to 8.62 days. The reduction in the duration of the lesions continued in both groups in the open study. No reduction was noted in the days between recurrences of the lesions in the double-blind or open study. No changes were noted in the RBC, WRC, differential white count, hemoglobin or hematocrit. Nineteen patients (33%) experienced side effects to levamisole. The most frequent reported were nausea, dysgeusia and hyperosmia.
Molecular basis of differential sensitivity of insect sodium channels to DCJW, a bioactive metabolite of the oxadiazine insecticide indoxacarb

Indoxacarb (DPX-JW062) was recently developed as a new oxadiazine insecticide with high insecticidal activity and low mammalian toxicity. Previous studies showed that indoxacarb and its bioactive metabolite, N-decarbomethoxyllated JW062 (DCJW), block insect sodium channels in nerve preparations and isolated neurons. However, the molecular mechanism of indoxacarb/DCJW action on insect sodium channels is not well understood. In this study, we identified two cockroach sodium channel variants, BgNav1-1 and BgNav1-4, which differ in voltage dependence of fast and slow inactivation, and channel sensitivity to DCJW. The voltage dependence of fast inactivation and slow inactivation of BgNav1-4 were shifted in the hyperpolarizing direction compared with those of BgNav1-1 channels. At the holding potential of −90 mV, 20 μM of DCJW reduced the peak current of BgNav1-4 by about 40%, but had no effect on BgNav1-1. However, at the holding potential of −60 mV, DCJW also reduced the peak currents of BgNav1-1 by about 50%. Furthermore, DCJW delayed the recovery from slow inactivation of both variants. Substitution of E1689 in segment 4 of domain four (IVS4) of BgNav1-4 with a K, which is present in BgNav1-1, was sufficient to shift the voltage dependence of fast and slow inactivation of BgNav1-4 channels to the more depolarizing membrane potential close to that of BgNav1-1 channels. The E1689K change also eliminated the DCJW inhibition of BgNav1-4 at the hyperpolarizing holding potentials. These results show that the E1689K change is responsible for the difference in channel gating and sensitivity to DCJW between BgNav1-4 and BgNav1-1. Our results support the notion that DCJW preferably acts on the inactivated state of the sodium channel and demonstrate that K1689E is a major molecular determinant of the voltage-dependent inactivation and state-dependent action of DCJW.
Terminal-Area Aircraft Tracking Using Hybrid Estimation

A bottleneck to the flow of air traffic is in the traffic around airports. Accurate tracking of aircraft movements around airports is important to improve traffic capacity and safety. We propose a hybrid estimation algorithm that uses the knowledge of departure or arrival aircraft flight plans and nominal flight profiles to improve tracking of aircraft movements around airports. The algorithm also provides an accurate estimation of aircraft flight modes that is often used in conflict detection, intent inference, and trajectory prediction algorithms. In the algorithm, we first develop a methodology to model flight mode transitions based on typical aircraft landing profiles, takeoff profiles, and standard flight routes around airports. Based on the model, we derive a conditional mode transition matrix that is dependent (or conditioned) on the continuous state of the aircraft. The aircraft-tracking problem is then solved using a hybrid estimation algorithm. We also present an analytical result that reduces the dimension, and hence the computational cost, of a multivariate integral that arises due to the continuous-state-dependent mode transition matrix. We present two simulation examples to illustrate the performance of our aircraft-tracking algorithm.
A 15 N tracer technique for assessing fine root production and mortality

We tested a 15N tracer technique to assess fine root production and mortality based on temporal measurements of the 15N mass in fine root structural tissues and the 15N concentration of the plant-available soil N pool. The results of a pilot study indicated that this technique is based on sound methods and reasonable assumptions. The 15N tracer technique avoids most of the major limitations which hinder existing methods and may provide valuable insight into the rates and controls of fine root production and mortality in terrestrial ecosystems.
CEREBRAL PALSY AND NEWBORN CARE. I: SECULAR TRENDS IN CEREBRAL PALSY

SUMMARY Reports of cerebral palsy prevalence rates per live births in recent decades in western nations show a mixed pattern. Declining rates were noted in Bristol, England, and in Denmark; but more recently a rising rate was noted in Ireland. In Western Sweden a decline has been followed by a recent rise, and in Western Australia a rise has been followed by a decline. Rates with not statistically significant changes have ben found in Iceland and Birmingham, England, and over the seven-year span of the US Collaborative Perinatal Project, although their over-all direction was downward. No single factor is likely to explain the trends observed.
APP physiological and pathophysiological functions: insights from animal models

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been under intensive study in recent years, mainly due to its critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). β-Amyloid (Aβ) peptides generated from APP proteolytic cleavage can aggregate, leading to plaque formation in human AD brains. Point mutations of APP affecting Aβ production are found to be causal for hereditary early onset familial AD. It is very likely that elucidating the physiological properties of APP will greatly facilitate the understanding of its role in AD pathogenesis. A number of APP loss- and gain-of-function models have been established in model organisms including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish and mouse. These in vivo models provide us valuable insights into APP physiological functions. In addition, several knock-in mouse models expressing mutant APP at a physiological level are available to allow us to study AD pathogenesis without APP overexpression. This article will review the current physiological and pathophysiological animal models of APP.
Sisters in Arms: Incest, Miscegenation, and Sacrifice in Catharine Maria Sedgwick's Hope Leslie

This essay argues that Catharine Sedgwick's 1827 novel, Hope Leslie, posits an American identity forged in structurally incestuous families of siblings connected through a joint ethic of sacrifice. Sedgwick foregrounds chosen, affective relationships and relationally constituted subjects by theorizing miscegenation and incest–exogamy and endogamy–not as mutually exclusive but as identical with each other.
Modulation of neuronal entrainability by epilepsy-associated currents and noise: a spectral approach

During an epileptic seizure a wave of population activity is moving through neural tissue. To understand its development it is crucial to know whether or not the neurons are going to be recruited into the wave. We derive an indirect indication for how easy it would be for the neurons to be recruited, by estimating their entrainment ability to periodic pulsatile stimulus. We are especially interested to know how the entrainment ability is modified when intrinsic properties of the cell are altered, particularly properties of the currents that have been implicated in certain kinds of epilepsy. In this study we investigate the effects of periodic stimulation on two (noisy) neuron models: including an M-type potassium and a hyperpolarizing cation (H-) current, respectively. The (over/under)-expression of these channels has been associated with epileptogenesis [1]. Varying the maximal conductances of the M- and H-currents qualitatively changes the shape and magnitude of the model neurons’ phase resetting curves (PRCs) [2]. We begin by representing the neurons by their noisy phase resetting curves (PRCs), where the PRCs’ variances are computed according to [3]. From these data we create stochastic phase map, taking careful account of the possibility of multiple inputs per cycle. The stochastic phase map takes phase of a spike relative to the periodic stimulus and maps it to the phase of the subsequent spike. Next, we compute and analyze the spectrum of the Markov transition operator for this stochastic circle map. Pathwise dynamic properties, such as stochastic periodicity (phaselocking), stochastic quasi-periodicity, and chaotic behavior, can be distinguished using the geometry of the transition operator’s spectrum [4]. As a result, a measure of neuron’s ability to entrain is obtained. Notably, this entrainability measure, unlike commonly used vector strength is computed from the operator, without the need to resort to direct simulations. The procedure is repeated for a number of parameter combinations (M- or H- current maximal conductance, noise level, stimulus strength, stimulus frequency) to explore the dependence of the phase maps’ spectral properties (and resulting entrainability) on intrinsic and input parameters.
High-grade dural arteriovenous fistula simulating a bilateral thalamic neoplasm

Dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF) provide a diagnostic challenge and must be part of a broad differential in pursuit of a difficult diagnosis or unusual presentation. This case report demonstrates an initially misguided diagnosis of bilateral thalamic neoplasm and demonstrates the importance of continued pursuit until the correct diagnosis is obtained. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a dAVF simulating a bilateral thalamic neoplasm. We present a patient with a provisional diagnosis of bilateral thalamic neoplasm based on clinical history and an advanced imaging workup including MR spectroscopy. Subsequent biopsy suggested venous congestion, hypoxia, and edema without neoplasia. Routine post-operative CT the following day revealed suggestion of dAVF due to the presence of residual contrast from prior unrelated abdominal CT. Cerebral angiography eventually revealed a Cognard grade IIb dAVF. Trans-arterial Onyx embolization resulted in a dramatic clinical and radiographic improvement. This case highlights an unusual presentation and challenging diagnosis of a dAVF and the importance of pursuing the correct diagnosis.
Application of a quasi-static EM solver to optimization of low inductance film capacitors

A large high voltage film capacitor typically consists of numerous “windings” connected in series and parallel, as necessary to achieve the desired voltage and capacitance rating. The discharge properties of such a capacitor are determined by the equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL) of the overall assembly, as determined by the properties of the individual windings combined with the structure into which they are assembled, as well as the frequency dependent impedance of the load. A quasi-static electromagnetic solver has been used to compute the frequency-dependent ESR and ESL of capacitor structures which minimize capacitor inductance. The properties are frequency-dependent as a result of the variation in the relative values of resistive and inductive impedances with frequency, which changes the current distribution in the structure and, therefore, the magnetic field (and resulting inductance) as well as power dissipation (resistance) generated by current flow. The ultimate objective is to optimize film capacitors for ns discharge applications and compute the discharge characteristics into a given load.
Hypertension in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat is Linked to the Y-Chromosome

The objective of our study was to determine the genetic influence on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats using genetic crosses. Blood pressure was measured by tail sphygmomanometry from 8 to 20 weeks of age. Blood pressure was significantly higher from 12 to 20 weeks in the male offspring derived from WKY mothers x SHR fathers as compared with male offspring derived from SHR mothers X WKY fathers (180 +/- 4 versus 160 +/- 5 mm Hg, p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the blood pressure of the F1 females, further supporting Y chromosome linkage and not parental imprinting. The blood pressure data from F2 males derived from reciprocal crosses of parental strains were consistent with the presence of a Y-linked locus, but not with an X-linked locus controlling blood pressure. The data strongly suggest that hypertension in the SHR has two primary components of equal magnitude, one consisting of a small number of autosomal loci with a second Y-linked component.
Anticytokine Autoantibody–Associated Immunodeficiency*

Anticytokine autoantibodies are an emerging mechanism of disease in previously healthy adults. Patients with these syndromes demonstrate a unique infectious phenotype associated with neutralizing autoantibodies that target a specific cytokine. Examples include anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies and disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria; anti-granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies and cryptococcal meningitis; anti-interleukin (IL)-6 autoantibodies and staphylococcal skin infection; and anti-IL-17A, anti-IL-17F, or anti-IL-22 autoantibodies and mucocutaneous candidiasis in the setting of either APECED (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy, candidiasis, ectodermal dystrophy syndrome) or thymoma. Other anticytokine autoantibodies may contribute to an infectious phenotype such as anti-granulocyte colony stimulating factor and anti-IFN-α autoantibodies, although the strength of the association is less clear. Their identification not only affects disease management but also may uncover key mechanisms of host defense against specific organisms. Furthermore, it raises the possibility that currently idiopathic diseases will someday be explained by a yet unidentified anticytokine autoantibody. This review focuses on the current understanding, both clinical and mechanistic, of anticytokine autoantibody-associated immunodeficiency.
Second Primary Malignancies in CTCL Patients from 1992 to 2011: A SEER-Based, Population-Based Study Evaluating Time from CTCL Diagnosis, Age, Sex, Stage, and CD30+ Subtype

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a diverse group of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas with malignant T lymphocytes localizing in the skin. CTCL can mainly be classified as mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, or primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoma. Patients with CTCL have an increased risk of developing second primary malignancies. Our objective was to analyze the overall incidence of second primary malignancies in patients with CTCL by age, sex, stage, and the primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative subtype of CTCL, as this group has usually been excluded from previous analyses. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to evaluate CTCL cases diagnosed between 1992 and 2011. We calculated the multiple primary standardized incidence ratio, comparing the observed incidence of second primary malignant neoplasms in the CTCL patient population versus the general population. CTCL is associated with an overall increased risk of cancers. This incidence is greatest within the first year of diagnosis. The risk of secondary Hodgkin disease is greatest in patients aged ≥60 years; the risk of secondary non-Hodgkin lymphoma is greatest in patients aged 20–39. Males demonstrated a significantly increased risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma, while females showed a significantly increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary malignancy. Overall, secondary malignancy incidence was significantly elevated for stage I and IV CTCL. Patients with CD30+ CTCL had a significantly higher incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and urinary cancers than the general population. Occult secondary malignancies, particularly lymphomas, should be considered in adult CTCL patients, including those with the CD30+ subtype.
Preparation of high specific activity tritium labeled 6α,9,-difluoro-11β,21-dihydroxy-16α,17-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(oxy)]pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-one, fluocinolone acetonide

Fluocinolone acetonide was tritiated by selective reduction of the 1,2-double bond of the O-protected analog under tritium, followed by re-establishment of the 1,2-double bond and deprotection. Protection of both hydroxyl functionalities was required. The product was obtained with specific activity 36.8 Ci/mmol. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dimension: an instrumentation tool for virtual execution environments

Translation-based virtual execution environments (VEEs) are becoming increasingly popular because of their usefulness. With dynamic translation, a program in a VEE has two binaries: an input source binary and a dynamically generated target binary. Program analysis is important for these binaries, and both the developers and users of VEEs need an instrumentation system to customize program analysis tools. However, existing instrumentation systems for use in VEEs have two drawbacks. First, they are tightly bound with a specific VEE and thus are difficult to reuse without a lot of effort. Second, most of them can not support instrumentation on both the source and target binaries.This paper presents Dimension, a flexible tool that provides instrumentation services for a variety of VEEs. To our knowledge, it is the first stand-alone instrumentation tool that is specially designed for use in VEEs. Given an instrumentation specification, Dimension can be used by a VEE to provide customized instrumentation, enabling analyses on both the source and target binaries.We present two case studies demonstrating that Dimension can be reused easily by different VEEs. We experiment with the two cases and show that the same instrumentation provided by Dimension does not lose efficiency compared to its manual implementation for that particular VEE (the average performance difference is within 2%). We also illustrate that by interfacing with a special VEE that has the same source and target binary formats, Dimension can be used to build an efficient dynamic instrumentation system for traditional execution environments.