cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circular dichroism of insulin a chain in water: Trifluoroethanol mixtures: Use of linear and nonlinear least squares analysis

Circular dichroic spectra obtained for S-carboxymethylated insulin A chain in water: trifluoroethanol mixtures show that a marked conformational transition occurs as the concentration of trifluoroethanol is increased to (v/v) 83% to give a polypeptide containing about 43% of the residues in the alph-helical conformation. Several proposed methods of analysis, including both linear and two nonlinear lest squares methods, were unable to quantitate the amount of beta-structure present in the polypeptide in 83% trifluoroethanol. Examination of the methods of analysis lead to the conclusion that the current models for far UV CD analysis are not adequare for the data obtained in this study and shows that nonlinear least squares procedures may lead to erroneous conclusions.
Sports Injuries in a High School

A 1-year study was undertaken investigating all sports injuries at a large high school. A total of 1283 student athletes participated in sports and suffered 280 injuries for an overall injury rate of 22%. The largest injury rate was in football (61%) followed by girls and boys gymnastics, wrestling, and boys basketball. Five sports had no injuries--boys' tennis, golf, boys' and girls' swimming, and girls' water polo. Severity of injury was measured by number of days lost per injury. Girls' track had the greatest number of days lost per injury (320) followed by girls' basketball, girls' cross country, boys' track, and boys' wrestling. Sprains and strains accounted for 57% of all injuries. Of the injured athletes, 87 were seen by a physician and only 5 athletes required surgery. The small number of serious injuries requiring surgery suggests that a motivated and competent pediatrician can play an integral role as a team physician.
Cardiac arrest during adult liver transplantation: A single institution's experience with 1238 deceased donor transplants

Liver transplantation (LT) is one of the highest risk noncardiac surgeries. We reviewed the incidence, etiologies, and outcomes of intraoperative cardiac arrest (ICA) during LT. Adult cadaveric LT recipients from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2009 were reviewed. ICA was defined as an event requiring either closed chest compression or open cardiac massage. Cardiac arrest patients who recovered with only pharmacological interventions were excluded. Data included etiologies and outcomes of ICA, intraoperative deaths (IDs) and hospital deaths (HDs), and potential ICA risk factors. ICA occurred in 68 of 1238 LT recipients (5.5%). It occurred most frequently during the neohepatic phase (60 cases or 90%), and 39 of these cases (65.0%) experienced ICA within 5 minutes after graft reperfusion. The causes of ICA included postreperfusion syndrome (PRS; 26 cases or 38.2%) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE; 24 cases or 35.3%). A higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was found to be the most significant risk factor for ICA. The ID rate after ICA was 29.4% (20 cases), and the HD rate was 50.0% (34 cases). The 30-day patient survival rate after ICA was 55.9%, and the 1-year survival rate was 45.6%: these rates were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those for non-ICA patients (97.4% and 85.1%, respectively). In conclusion, the incidence of ICA in adult cadaveric LT was 5.5% with an intraoperative mortality rate of 29.4%. ICA most frequently occurred within 5 minutes after reperfusion and resulted mainly from PRS and PTE. A higher MELD score was identified as a risk factor. Liver Transpl 19:1262–1271, 2013. © 2013 AASLD.
The Relationship of the Canine Femoral Head to the Femoral Neck: An Anatomic Study with Relevance for Hip Arthroplasty Implant Design and Implantation

Objectives (1) To evaluate a novel method for characterizing the relationship of the canine femoral head to the femoral neck and (2) to determine whether the femoral head is symmetrically positioned upon the femoral neck. Study Design Cadaveric study. Sample Population Cadaveric dog femurs (16 dogs, 32 femurs) Methods Femurs were photographed in frontal and sagittal planes simultaneously using 2 cameras positioned orthogonally. Ten measurements were made by 2 independent observers and agreement assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Repeatability in specimen positioning was assessed by repositioning and imaging a single femur10 times. Results ICC values exceeded 0.6 for 8 of the 10 different measurements made. Mean ± SD femoral head offset ratios in the frontal and sagittal planes were 0.14 ± 0.08 and 2.66 ± 1.16. The mean specimen positioning error (±SD) for the single specimen that was repositioned 10 times was 0.93° ± 1.92° and 2.39° ± 1.13° in the frontal and sagittal planes, respectively. Conclusions Correlations between observers were moderately strong or strong for 8 of 10 measurements. Specimen positioning was repeatable. The offset ratios indicate that dogs have a substantial cranial and ventral offset of the femoral head from the femoral neck.
Diffusion across a battery separator with isolated areas. II

Abstract Investigations of the physical and chemical characteristics of a modified polyethylene battery separator and observations of its performance in the heat-sterilizable AgO-Zn battery have led to proposing that the transport properties of this material may depend on particular heterogeneous aspects. In this study a computer program developed for anlyses of complex thermophysical problems was used to obtain descriptions of diffusion acrioss a model of a heterogeneous, inert membrane having isolated permeable areas on its surfaces.
A system for measuring soil physical properties in the field

Abstract An automated soil sampler and a system for measuring the physical properties of soil cores in the field were developed for the study of soil compaction and tillage effects on soil physical properties. The system measures the bulk density, air-filled porosity, intrinsic air permeability, and moisture content on 47.6 mm diameter soil cores as well as measuring cone penetration resistance in the field. Results of a laboratory calibration study illustrated that the system measures the soil properties with acceptable accuracy. A main benefit of the system was the fact that it could measure all of the above properties on ten core samples down to a depth of 0.5 m, typically within 15 min. A field compaction study showed that the system was capable of detecting the effects of a 15.2 tonne axle load on the soil down to a depth of 0.4 m, 1 year after compaction.
Characterization of a virG mutation that confers constitutive virulence gene expression in Agrobacterium

Transformation of plants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is mediated by a set of virulence (vir) genes that are specifically induced by plant signal molecules through the VirA/VirG two-component regulatory system. The plant signal is transmitted from VirA to VirG by a cascade of phosphorylation reactions followed by the sequence-specific DNA binding of the VirG protein to the vir gene promoters which then activates their transcription. In this report, we describe a VirG mutant which is able to activate vir gene expression independently of the VirA molecule and the two plant signal molecules, acetosyringone and monosaccharides. A strain of Agrobacterium containing this virG gene but lacking a functional virA gene was able to induce tumours on all three plants that were tested. A single amino acid change of asparagine (N) to aspartate (D) at position 54, adjacent to the site of VirG phosphorylation, aspartate 52, resulted in this constitutive phenotype. In vitro phosphorylation experiments showed that the mutant protein cannot be phosphorylated by VirA, suggesting that the negative charge resulting from the N to D switch mimics the phosphorylated conformation of the VirG molecule. The same amino acid change in the virG gene of the supervirulent strain A281 also resulted in a constitutive phenotype. However, the vir genes were not induced to high levels when compared with the levels of the constitutive virG of strain A348.
Absolute infrared intensity measurements on the fundamental of NO

Abstract The integrated intensity for the fundamental vibration-rotation band of NO has been redetermined, using the method of self-broadening. The cell length was measured by performing an absolute calibration experiment with CO, the integrated intensity (α CO ) of which was assumed to have the value α CO = 237 cm -2 -atm -1 at room temperature. Our best estimate for α NO is 128 ± 10 cm -2 -atm -1 at S.T.P.
Cesarean section and the risk of overweight in grade 6 children

We examined the relationship between cesarean section (C-section) and the risk of overweight and obesity in children in grade 6 (mean age, 11.92 years; standard deviation = 0.34). Data from phase I through phase III of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used. Children with complete data from 1991 through 2004 were included in this study (n = 917). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for potential confounding and to evaluate the association of C-section and childhood overweight and obesity. Compared to children delivered vaginally, children delivered by C-section had approximately twice the likelihood of being overweight (odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.27–2.73) or obese (OR = 1.87, 95 % CI = 1.19–2.95). However, when examined according to sex, males delivered by C-section had an increased risk for being overweight (OR = 1.78, 95 % CI = 1.01–3.12) and obese (OR = 2.58, 95 % CI = 1.36–4.88), while females had an increased risk only for being overweight (OR = 1.99, 95 % CI = 1.17–3.39). Conclusion: C-section was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity in children in grade 6, but the relationship differed according to gender. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to examine the long-term effect of delivery mode on the risk of childhood overweight.
Methods for Counteracting Groupthink Risk: A Critical Appraisal

This paper examines methods for counteracting groupthink defined as the extreme concurrence seeking exhibited by decision making groups, typically under conditions of high threat and cohesion Janis, 1982. The authors identify three major categories of interventions potentially capable of mitigating groupthink tendencies: a traditional recommendations originally hypothesized by Janis, b methods for enhancing intellectual conflict during the decision making phase, and c procedures designed to minimize pressures for the activation of group social identity defenses. The authors critically review the limited research empirically examining these recommendations, identify both advantages and disadvantages associated with implementing these interventions, and discuss conditions under which they are likely to be effective and ineffective.
Synthesis and infrared spectra of 16O- and 18O-substituted oxomolybdenum complexes☆

Abstract A series of complexes of stoichiometry Mo18O2(LL)2, Mo18O(LL)2, Mo218O3(LL)4 and Mo218O4(LL)2 (LL = S2CNR2, S2P(OR)2, S2PR2; not all compounds were formed with each ligand) was produced by: (a) the controlled hydrolysis with H218O of diazene adducts, Mo(LL)2(RN2R)2 (cis Mo18O2(LL)2 and Mo218O4(LL)4); (b) reduction of Mo18O2(LL)2 with tertiary phosphine (Mo18O(LL)2) and (c) combination of these two products (Mo218O3(LL)4). Reaction of Mo218O4(LL)2 with H2S gave Mo218O3S(LL)2. By comparison of the spectra of these products with their 16O analogues (prepared similarly or by literature methods), definitive unambiguous assignments of both terminal and bridging molybdenum-oxygen stretching vibrations were made. Many incorrect assignments and disagreements in the literature were thus resolved. These assignments may be important in the identification of the various molybdenum cores in a variety of molybdenum-containing species.
Real options and technology management: Assessing technology migration options in wireless industry

The wireless industry is currently undergoing a major transition from second generation (2G) to third generation (3G) wireless technologies. The paper attempts to assess wireless technology migration options using the real options approach (ROA) to support the wireless network operators' strategic decisions: to migrate or not, if so, which migration path to take. The preliminary result shows that the evolution of wireless network technologies between generations is desirable, but not within generations. Finally, from a strategic perspective, we should consider the possible challenges that may hinder migration. By identifying these challenges, we can be more watchful of transition pitfalls and can choose a better alternative.
Grand Challenges in Computational Physiology and Medicine

in terms of statistical inference. Models must be able to reconstruct the data on which they are based, and this should be demonstrated clearly when publishing models. Second, models must make predictions (hypotheses) that can be tested experimentally. Model predictions may or may not be supported by results from the experimental studies they motivate. In either case, by using models to generate testable hypotheses about system function, we can better appreciate what is and is not known about the mechanisms underlying function. All models will fail at some point. Such failures can be highly informative, and modelers must be willing to communicate both the successes and failures of their models to the community. By following this approach, a closed loop can be established in which model-based hypothesis generation motivates experimental testing and model refinement. Third, a goal of modeling should be to fit into the paradigm of upward and downward pathways of causality. That is, if function does not solely reside at any one level of biological organization, then the process of developing and refining models based on data obtained at a specific hierarchical level should build toward the goal of identifying and accurately capturing the behavior of those variables which are the connection points between levels. This is the only way in which integrative (often referred to as multi-scale) models that provide deep insights into physiological function will ever be developed. Finally, models of disease, which will likely take the form of normal physiological systems models operating in a different parameter regime (Belair et al., 1995; Huang et al., 2009), must not only be reconstructive and predictive, they must guide the way to improved therapies.
The synthesis and high‐level expression of a β2‐adrenergic receptor gene in a tetracycline‐inducible stable mammalian cell line

High-level expression of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in functional form is required for structure–function studies. The main goal of the present work was to improve expression levels of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) so that biophysical studies involving EPR, NMR, and crystallography can be pursued. Toward this objective, the total synthesis of a codon-optimized hamster β2-AR gene suitable for high-level expression in mammalian systems has been accomplished. Transient expression of the gene in COS-1 cells resulted in 18 ± 3 pmol β2-AR/mg of membrane protein, as measured by saturation binding assay using the β2-AR antagonist [3H] dihydroalprenolol. Previously, we reported the development of an HEK293S tetracycline-inducible system for high-level expression of rhodopsin. Here, we describe construction of β2-AR stable cell lines using the HEK293S-TetR-inducible system, which, after induction, express wild-type β2-AR at levels of 220 ± 40 pmol/mg of membrane protein corresponding to 50 ± 8 μg/15-cm plate. This level of expression is the highest reported so far for any wild-type GPCR, other than rhodopsin. The yield of functional receptor using the single-step affinity purification is 12 ± 3 μg/15-cm plate. This level of expression now makes it feasible to pursue structure–function studies using EPR. Furthermore, scale-up of β2-AR expression using suspension cultures in a bioreactor should now allow production of enough β2-AR for the application of biophysical techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and crystallography.
Structure of a Duplex DNA Containing a Thymine Glycol Residue in Solution

Oxidative stress, ionizing radiation, and other events can induce the oxidation of the thymine in DNA to thymine glycol. The presence of thymine glycol can have significant biological consequences, and there are specific repair enzymes for thymine glycol in a wide range of organisms. The structure of a duplex DNA containing a single thymine glycol (5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymidine) has been determined by the combined use of NMR and restrained molecular dynamics. The duplex of d(C1G2C3G4A5Tg6A7C8G9C10C11) paired with d(G22C21G20C19T18A17T16G15C14G13G12), with Tg indicating thymine glycol, has been used for these studies. The structure shows that the thymine glycol induces a significant, localized structural change with the thymine glycol largely extrahelical. This structural information is consistent with the biological consequences of thymine glycol in DNA. This structure is compared with that of a DNA duplex with an abasic site in the same sequence context.
Exploring VCR use as a leisure activity

On the basis of a uses‐and‐gratifications perspective, this exploratory study examined the TV viewing and VCR use of a sample of 119 households with VCRs. The instrument developed for use in this study consisted of a TV and VCR diary in which respondents recorded a variety of information related to each viewing (or recording) occasion for 1 week. The results suggest that although the ability to manipulate the broadcast schedule was a valued feature of the VCR, VCR use merely enhanced established patterns of TV viewing rather than significantly altered TV viewing or leisure behavior. The playback function of the VCR represented a primarily solitary activity pursued for entertainment and relaxation. Watching rented movies represented a primarily social activity pursued for entertainment, relaxation, and companionship. An equal number of television programs were viewed alone as were viewed with others.
Gravity highs and crustal structure, Omineca crystalline belt, northeastern Washington and southeastern British Columbia

The Omineca crystalline belt of northeastern Washington and southeastern British Columbia is characterized by a regional Bouguer gravity high, and individual gneiss domes within the terrane are marked by local gravity highs. Models of crustal structure which satisfy the limited available seismic refraction data and explain the gravity highs over the gneiss terrane permit the hypothesis that the metamorphic core complexes are the surface expression of a zone of dense infrastructure that makes up the top 20 km of the crust within the crystalline belt.
Iron-Regulated Expression of Alginate Production, Mucoid Phenotype, and Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains of non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) origin do not produce significant amounts of extracellular alginate and are nonmucoid. In CF, such isolates can become mucoid through mutation of one of the genes ( mucA , mucB , mucC , or mucD ) that produce regulatory factors that sequester AlgU, required for increased expression of alginate genes. Mutation of the muc genes in the nonmucoid PAO1, PA14, PAKS-1, and Ps388 strains led to increased levels of extracellular alginate and an obvious mucoid phenotype, but only under iron-limiting growth conditions (≤5 µM), not under iron-replete conditions (≥10 µM). In contrast, >50% of P. aeruginosa isolates from chronic CF pulmonary infections expressed increased levels of alginate and mucoidy both under iron-limiting and iron-replete conditions (i.e., iron-constitutive phenotype). No single iron regulatory factor (e.g., Fur, PvdS) was associated with this loss of iron-regulated alginate expression and mucoidy in these CF isolates. However, the loss of only pyoverdine production, or its uptake, abrogated the ability of P. aeruginosa to produce a robust biofilm that represents the Psl-type of biofilm. In contrast, we show that mutation of the pyoverdine and pyochelin biosynthesis genes and the pyoverdine receptor (FpvA) lead to iron-constitutive expression of the key alginate biosynthesis gene, algD , and an explicitly mucoid phenotype in both iron-limiting and iron-replete conditions. These data indicate that alginate production and mucoidy, in contrast to other types of biofilms produced by P. aeruginosa, are substantially enhanced under iron limitation. These results also have compelling implications in relation to the use of iron chelators in the treatment of P. aeruginosa CF infections. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading model for the investigation of biofilms. While data have been generated about the role of iron in alginate-independent (Psl/Pel) biofilm development, there is a paucity of data regarding the role of iron in alginate production and its associated mucoid phenotype. We demonstrate that biologically relevant levels of iron that exist in the airway mucus of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have a substantial influence on production of alginate and the overt mucoid phenotype, pathognomonic of P. aeruginosa infections in CF. Mucoid mutants of non-CF P. aeruginosa isolates are mucoid only under iron limitation and do not express increased levels of alginate under iron-replete growth conditions. However, a significant number of long-term CF isolates lost their iron-regulated expression of increased alginate production and mucoidy and became iron constitutive for these properties. In contrast to the formation of Psl-type biofilms, increasing iron limitation ultimately leads to an iron-constitutive expression of alginate and mucoidy.
Ear advantages for temporal resolution in baboons

On the assumption that temporal resolution underlies an individual's ear advantage for speech perception, one would predict an ear advantage for a temporal resolution task to correlate precisely with an ear advantage for the discrimination of consonant-vowel syllables that differ in their temporal features. A gap detection task that required the resolution of brief silent intervals in bursts of noise was employed to test this hypothesis in four baboons. The findings offer support for such a hypothesis and thus increase the feasibility of an animal model of functional asymmetry in the auditory system.
The role of Fas and FasL as mediators of anticancer chemotherapy.

Fas Ligand (FasL) is a member of the TNF superfamily that induces apoptosis in susceptible cells upon cross-linking of its own receptor, Fas (Apo-1/CD95). FasL-induced apoptosis contributes to immune homeostasis and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Several groups have suggested that it also participates in the mechanism of action of DNA-damaging anticancer drugs. However, others have disputed this hypothesis, based largely on the inability of exogenously added anti-Fas/FasL reagents to attenuate drug-induced apoptosis in their studies. In this minireview, we discuss the most recent evidence for and against the involvement of FasL/Fas in the sensitivity and resistance to chemotherapy in a variety of models. In our own model of Ewing's sarcoma (ES), we have extensively investigated the involvement of the FasL/Fas pathway in doxorubicin (Dox)-induced apoptosis. We have generated clones of the Fas-sensitive, Dox-sensitive ES cell line SK-N-MC that were either Fas-resistant or FasL-deficient, and found that they were significantly resistant to Dox. Cleavage of FasL by MMP-7 (matrilysin) protected the parental SK-N-MC cells from Dox, whereas inhibition of MMP-7 activity increased their sensitivity. Transfection of a construct encoding soluble (decoy) Fas protected SK-N-MC cells from Dox. However, incubation with anti-Fas or anti-FasL neutralizing antibodies or exogenous addition of pre-synthesized recombinant soluble Fas decoy protein had no protective effect. This raises the possibility that the proposed Fas/FasL suicidal interaction may take place in an intracellular compartment and thus is not accessible to exogenously added reagents. Therefore, commercially available Fas/FasL neutralizing reagents may not be a reliable indicator of the involvement of the Fas pathway in anticancer-drug-induced apoptosis and experiments using these agents should be carefully re-evaluated. The combined use of MMP inhibitors with conventional, cytotoxic chemotherapy may hold therapeutic benefit.
Significance of exaggerated natriuresis after angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade or angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibition in obese Zucker rats.

SUMMARY 1. Obese Zucker rats (OZR) were shown to be salt-sensitive in that they develop hypertension when placed on a high-salt diet. Because angiotensin (Ang) II is a major antinatriuretic factor, the present studies were undertaken to determine whether the characteristic of salt-sensitivity of OZR is associated with an enhanced antinatriuretic function of endogenous AngII. 2. The extent of AngII-mediated antinatriuresis was investigated in OZR and lean Zucker rats (LZR) using candesartan (100 μg/kg, i.v.), a selective angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist, and ramipril (1 mg/kg, i.v.), an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The total number of AngII binding sites and their affinity were also assessed in renal cortical tubular membrane preparations of OZR and LZR using a specific radioligand-binding assay. Plasma renin activity was determined using a standard radioimmunoassay. 3. Both candesartan and ramipril produced substantially greater increases in urinary sodium excretion and urine flow in OZR and these effects were significantly greater than those observed in LZR. These observations suggest that basal antinatriuretic function of endogenous AngII is exaggerated in OZR. 4. The functional overexpression of AngII was not due to any alterations in the affinity or the total number of AngII binding sites in renal cortical tubular membranes. Higher plasma renin values in the OZR could have contributed to the phenomenon. 5. In conclusion, marked diuresis and natriuresis after AT1 receptor blockade and/or ACE inhibition suggest that the extent of endogenous AngII-mediated sodium transport under basal conditions is greatly augmented in OZR. It is proposed this phenomenon may be a contributing factor for the salt- sensitivity in the OZR.
Foamlike nanostructures created from dendritic platinum sheets on liposomes

The synthesis of novel dendritic platinum sheets of 2-nm thickness by the reduction of an aqueous metal complex with ascorbic acid in the presence of liposomes is reported. Variation of the reaction conditions, including incorporation of a tin porphyrin photocatalyst within the liposomal bilayer to initiate seed-particle growth, allows access to a diverse range of platinum nanostructures, including dendritic nanosheets of uniform diameters and convoluted foamlike structures composed of interwoven dendritic nanosheets. The mechanism of formation of these nanomaterials is investigated with regard to the photocatalytic generation of platinum nanoparticle seeds, the autocatalytic dendritic growth, and the templating on liposomes. The discrete nanospheres of foamlike platinum are of particular interest, as they may have advantages over conventional platinum black in some applications. For example, they will likely exhibit improved electrical connectivity and mass-transport properties in electrocatalytic applic...
The thermal annealing of 60Co in irradiated tris-(ethylenediamine)-cobalt(III) nitrate

The rate of annealing of the Co/sup 60/ was studied by heating samples of the irradiated salt for various lengths of time in an oven at 60 or 100 deg before analysis. The retention of samples annealed at room temperature or at 60 deg and then annealed at 100 deg reached the same value as that of a sample annealed at 100 deg throughout. This suggests that completing annealing reactions do not occur in this system and that the retentions of all irradiated samples would reach the same plateau-value on prolonged annealing, regardless of the annealing temperature. It was concluded that the annealing of Co/sup 60/ in tris-(ethylenediamine)-cobalt(III) nitrate cannot be readily described in terms of two first order reactions. (P.C.H.)
Antibodies against macrophages that overlap in specificity with fibroblasts

Antibodies against macrophages that overlap in specificity with fibroblasts. Background Fibroblasts can be misidentified as macrophages because both cell types share antigens that are associated with popular antibodies targeting the monocyte/macrophage lineage. With the recent description of fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1), we revisited the specificity of antibodies directed against macrophages to determine systematically which antibodies best distinguish both cell types in fibrotic tissues. Methods Tissue fibrosis was produced in mice carrying the GFP transgene encoding green fluorescent protein under the control of the FSP1 promoter. Single cell suspensions from these marked tissues were submitted for flow cytometry using antibodies against Mac-1, Mac-2, Mac-3, F4/80, CD68, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, and CD45, and cDNA amplification of mRNA encoding the above target antigens was performed using specific primer sets in sorted pools of cells. Fibrotic tissues were also stained by immunohistochemistry with the same antibodies and examined under confocal microscopy. Results Comparison overlap between FSP1 + fibroblasts with each of the macrophage markers demonstrated that all antimacrophage antibodies (Mac-1, Mac-2, Mac-3, CD68, MHC class II, and CD45) except one (F4/80) recognize both cell types. Conclusion Antibodies directed against F4/80 clearly distinguish macrophages from FSP1 + fibroblasts in fibrotic tissues and is the preferred antibody in mice.
The Ty1 integrase protein can exploit the classical nuclear protein import machinery for entry into the nucleus

Like its retroviral relatives, the long terminal repeat retrotransposon Ty1 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae must traverse a permanently intact nuclear membrane for successful transposition and replication. For retrotransposition to occur, at least a subset of Ty1 proteins, including the Ty1 integrase, must enter the nucleus. Nuclear localization of integrase is dependent upon a C-terminal nuclear targeting sequence. However, the nuclear import machinery that recognizes this nuclear targeting signal has not been defined. We investigated the mechanism by which Ty1 integrase gains access to nuclear DNA as a model for how other retroelements, including retroviruses like HIV, may utilize cellular nuclear transport machinery to import their essential nuclear proteins. We show that Ty1 retrotransposition is significantly impaired in yeast mutants that alter the classical nuclear protein import pathway, including the Ran-GTPase, and the dimeric import receptor, importin-α/β. Although Ty1 proteins are made and processed in these mutant cells, our studies reveal that an integrase reporter is not properly targeted to the nucleus in cells carrying mutations in the classical nuclear import machinery. Furthermore, we demonstrate that integrase coimmunoprecipitates with the importin-α transport receptor and directly binds to importin-α. Taken together, these data suggest Ty1 integrase can employ the classical nuclear protein transport machinery to enter the nucleus.
Institutionalized Older Adults and Their Future Orientation

: This study hypothesized: 1) that as the duration of institutional living increases, the future orientation of active older adults contracts; and 2) that this constriction in future temporal orientation means less opportunity for interaction in the institutional environment. To test the first hypothesis, 100 active female residents in six institutions for the aged were evaluated regarding future orientation, by means of Cottle's Experiential Inventory. The opportunity for interaction was measured by Pincus's Psychosocial Dimensions in the Institutional Environment. The findings indicated that, irrespective of age, the residents became less futureoriented or their orientation became less recent, as the length of institutional residence increased. The second hypothesis was not supported; in fact, the reverse was true.
A comparison of nasal clearance after treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis with budesonide and mometasone.

Abstract Objective: Evidence in vitro suggests that benzalkonium chloride, a preservative in many intranasal preparations, interferes with ciliary function and thus could potentially interfere with mucociliary transport, the mechanism for clearing secretions from the nasal cavity. Study Design: We performed a parallel randomized study with 10 subjects in each arm comparing Rhinocort AQUA (an intranasal steroid [budesonide] spray without benzalkonium chloride) and Nasonex (an intranasal steroid [mometasone furoate] spray with benzalkonium chloride). Before and after 2 weeks of treatment, subjects completed a Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and underwent a measurement of nasal clearance of a radioactive colloidal spray into the nose. Results: The groups were matched at entry for nasal clearance, even though there was variability among subjects. The amount of change after 2 weeks of treatment (Δ before versus after treatment) showed a significant difference in nasal clearance favoring budesonide. After 2 weeks of treatment, both budesonide and mometasone demonstrated overall improvement in quality of life as assessed by the RQLQ. Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclusion: Our study extends the observation in vitro that demonstrates the adverse effect of benzalkonium chloride on cilia to a measurement in vivo of clearance. The effects after 2 weeks might not reflect changes after longer periods of treatment. Significance: To determine the clinical significance of the small improvement in mucociliary transport will require large clinical trials. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;128:220-7.)
Genome-wide association studies of antidepressant outcome: A brief review

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of antidepressant treatment outcome have been at the forefront of psychiatric pharmacogenetics. Such studies may ultimately help match medications with patients, maximizing efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. The hypothesis-free approach of the GWAS has the advantage of interrogating genes that otherwise would have not been considered as candidates due to our limited understanding of their function, and may also uncover important regulatory variation within the large regions of the genome that do not contain protein-coding genes. Three independent samples have so far been studied using a genome-wide approach: The Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression sample (STAR*D) (n=1953), the Munich Antidepressant Response Signature (MARS) sample (n=339) and the Genome-based Therapeutic Drugs for Depression (GENDEP) sample (n=706). None of the studies reported results that achieved genome-wide significance, suggesting that larger samples and better outcome measures will be needed. This review discusses the published GWAS studies, their strengths, limitations, and possible future directions.
How does competition affect bank systemic risk

Abstract Using bank level measures of competition and co-dependence, we show a robust negative relationship between bank competition and systemic risk. Whereas much of the extant literature has focused on the relationship between competition and the absolute level of risk of individual banks, in this paper we examine the correlation in the risk taking behavior of banks. We find that greater competition encourages banks to take on more diversified risks, making the banking system less fragile to shocks. Examining the impact of the institutional and regulatory environment on bank systemic risk shows that banking systems are more fragile in countries with weak supervision and private monitoring, greater government ownership of banks, and with public policies that restrict competition. We also find that the negative effect of lack of competition can be mitigated by a strong institutional environment that allows for efficient public and private monitoring of financial institutions.
Examination of in vivo influences on bioluminescent microbial assessment of corrosion product toxicity.

Abstract The composition of ionically dissolved and precipitated corrosion products from both free corrosion of ASTM F75 Co–Cr–Mo and galvanostatic polarization of Co–Cr–Mo and F138 316L stainless steel was determined using differential pulse polarography and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. A bacterial bioluminescence assay, Microtox ® , was used to assess the toxicity of the solid and dissolved corrosion products produced by galvanostatic polarization and the individual ions within them. The role of in vivo salinity, temperature, and protein content as modulators of corrosion product toxicity assessment was investigated empirically and mechanistically. Co–Cr–Mo products were found to be more toxic than those of 316L, and the most toxic ions were Cr 6+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ . Ringer's solution potentiated the toxicity of the more toxic metal ions and reduced the toxicity of the less toxic ions. Using theoretical analysis in conjunction with experimental measurements, the ions in both alloys were found to interact in an antagonistic fashion. The presence of albumin was found to decrease metal toxicity, presumably by chelation.
The genetics of the immune response.

In the preceding paper, Dr Ondin discussed the genetic control of features of the immunoglobulins that characterize them as antigens. This focuses attention principally on parts that do not include the specific combining site of the antibody molecule, for their characterization as antigens reflects properties of the constant regions of the component light and heavy chains. In contrast, this paper is concerned with the genetic control of the portions of the immunoglobulin molecules responsible for their properties as antibody—that is on the portions responsible for specific combination with an antigenic determinant—presumably the variable portions of the component chains of those molecules. The immunoglobulins present such a fascinating genetic problem because we are not accustomed to observing such a seemingly endless variety of combining specificities imprinted on such a closely similar group of proteins. Enzymes as a group show an enormous range of exquisite specificities, but even in one organism or one tissue, as the specificity of the enzyme changes, the character of the protein changes completely. The situation with the immunoglobulins is quite different. Their constant regions fall, as Dr Oudin has told you, into about half a dozen classes based on their serological characteristics and other structural features. As far as is known, the specificities as antibodies appear in all classes without restriction.
Characterization of psal and psaL Mutants of Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002: A New Model for State Transitions in Cyanobacteria

The psaI and psaL genes were characterized from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002. The gene organization was different from that reported for other cyanobacteria with psaI occurring upstream and being divergently transcribed from the psaL gene. Mutants lacking PsaI or PsaL were generated by interposon mutagenesis and characterized physiologically and biochemically. Mutant strains PR6307 (delta psaI), PR6308 (psaI-) and PR6309 (psaL-) had doubling times similar to that of the wild type under both high- and low-intensity white light, but all grew more slowly than the wild type in green light. Only monomeric photosystem I (PS I) complexes could be isolated from each mutant strain when Triton X-100 was used to solubilize thylakoid membranes; however, approximately 10% of the PS I complexes from the psaI mutants, but not the psaL mutant, could be isolated as trimers when n-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside was used. Compositional analyses of the mutant PS I complexes indicate that the presence of PsaL is required for trimer formation or stabilization and that PsaI plays a role in stabilizing the binding of both PsaL and PsaM to the PS I complex. Strain PR6309 (psaL-) was capable of performing a state 2 to state 1 transition approximately three times more rapidly than the wild type. Because the monomeric PS I complexes of this mutant should be capable of diffusing more rapidly than trimeric complexes, these data suggest that PS I complexes rather than phycobilisomes might move during state transitions. A "mobile-PS I" model for state transitions that incorporates these ideas is discussed.
The Efficacy of a Topical Lidocaine/Prilocaine Anesthetic Gel in 35% Trichloroacetic Acid Peels

BACKGROUND A topical formulation of lidocaine and prilocaine has been shown to provide effective anesthesia for certain superficial skin treatments. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a topical self-occluding gel containing lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 3.5% in reducing the discomfort of 35% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels. METHODS Ten patients who had previously undergone 35% TCA peels were treated with this anesthetic gel prior to their second 35% TCA peel. They rated their level of discomfort in comparison with their previous peel with no anesthesia. RESULTS Eight of 10 patients reported at least a 40% reduction in discomfort. However, there was a tendency for the anesthetic gel to enhance the depth of the peel. CONCLUSION Topical lidocaine/prilocaine gel is an effective agent for reducing the discomfort associated with 25% TCA peeling. However, it should only be used with TCA below 30% concentrations due to its ability to enhance the depth of the peel.
Significance of changes in renal and hepatic L-glutamic acid dehydrogenase activity in hypophysectomized or normal rats treated with growth hormone or thyroxin.

LARGELY as a result of studies by Braunstein and co-workers (1939, 1945), attention has been directed to a pathway of amino acid catabolism in which transaminases and L-glutamic acid dehydrogenase are involved. It seemed of obvious interest to determine whether or not the activity of the latter enzyme in tissues is diminished during growth induced with somatotrophin preparations, for it is conceivable that the observed anabolic effects might be due in part to interference with the oxidative deamination of glutamic acid formed from other amino acids by transamination. experimental For our studies of L-glutamic acid dehydrogenase, normal and hypophysectomized Sprague-Dawley rats of the same age were obtained simultaneously from the same source.1 Since these animals were also used for studies on tissue cathepsin, details concerning the design of experiments, growth hormone preparation, diet, handling of tissues, and some of the methods of analysis, have already been given (Mathies, Palm, and Gaebler, 1951).
Sinking One's Teeth into Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter: Lessons of Cadmus

Because the myth of Cadmus makes striking use of the image of teeth and involves the issue of foreign cultural penetration, it offers a productive van- tage point from which to view So Long a Letter, for the latter too pays distinc- tive attention to teeth and of course to the issue of colonialism. This article takes the myth as a point of departure in order to highlight the narrator Ramatoulaye's unacknowledged inconsistencies and conflicts both in the cultural and emotional domains. This allows for an increased appreciation of the text's subtleties in characterization, narration, and genre classifica - tion, and it adds to questions about Ramatoulaye's narrative reliability and about too facile an interpretation of this novel's progressive inspiration.
MANAGING ENGINEERING CHANGE: MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND MANUFACTURING COSTS

Engineering changes in the design of a product, while attractive from a marketing viewpoint (in terms of increased sales opportunities, matching competitors innovations, etc.) cause disruptions in the manufacturing function of a firm. These disruptions include delays or backorders in the delivery of both committed-orders and forecast-demands of existing products, increased capacity requirements that could result in greater use of subcontracts, higher component inventories, and obsolescence of certain components. In this paper, we establish how the marketing opportunities and manufacturing costs associated with engineering changes can be managed so as to enhance the firm's profits over a planning horizon. Using an optimization model, we show that an enhanced product with increased marketing opportunities may not immediately replace the existing product; it may be phased in over a period of time. We further illustrate how the firm's overall profit, and the mechanics of phasing out the old product and phasing in the new product, are affected by factors such as the manufacturing lead time of the new product, its market attractiveness as compared to the old product, capacity availability, subcontracting premiums, and backorder costs. We develop several insights that allow managers to quickly establish whether an engineering change would be desirable and discuss a multitude of options that may be used to further enhance their desirability. Finally, we show that if the phase out period of the old product is set arbitrarily, rather than optimally, the result may be a substantial reduction in overall profits.
III-V semiconductor thin films via laser ablation/ionization of I-III-V Zintl-phase materials

Experimental results, related to a novel laser-assisted technique for deposition of III-V semiconductor thin-films, are presented. The method involves precursors in the form of I-III- V Zintl-phase materials. While such compounds exhibit a variety of useful properties, the presence of the group I element is a major concern--in terms of the desired final product it can be considered a major impurity that has to be removed. To address this situation, we employ a strategy, based on the difference in the ionization potentials for the constituent elements, that can be described in brief as (1) laser ablation of a I-III-V compound, (2) removal of the group I element by selective gas-phase laser ionization and extraction in an electric field, and (3) subsequent re-deposition of the III-V compound. For a particular I-III-V Zintl-phase compound, potassium indium antimonide, K4In4Sb6, time-of-flight mass spectra clearly demonstrate high yield selective gas phase ionization and removal of potassium from the ablation plume. Deposition conditions have been found for scaling of the above removal process macroscopically to thin film growth. The deposits have been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy and the results confirm significant depletion of potassium from thin films deposited via the proposed ablation/ionization removal technique. An assessment is made as to the viability of the process and implications for possible applications of this research as related to film growth are discussed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The School Lives of Jewish Children and Youth in the Third Reich

In 1933 the Central Organization of German Jews estimated that there were about 60,000 school-aged Jewish children through age fourteen in Germany.1 Besides the normal concerns of growing up, hostility from the society around them, and anxieties in families under severe stress, these children faced a variety of tribulations in schools. In fact, compared to their elders, whose loss of jobs and businesses proceeded more erratically, this generation faced a far more drastic deterioration in the atmosphere at public school and among non-Jewish friends and a drastic reduction in their aspirations. Gender played an important role in the expectations of parents and also determined how children interacted with peers and the ways in which they envisioned their futures, but from 1933 on, few children experienced a carefree childhood.