cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma xenograft models of PNT225X, a chemically unmodified DNA oligonucleotide directed against the BCL2 locus

4889 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) incidence and mortality have been steadily increasing over the past 30 years. While rituximab-containing combination regimens are efficacious in patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) and other subtypes, relapse rates are high and new therapies are still needed. PNT225X was designed to target a specific non-coding region within the BCL2 locus, thereby initiating a cell death program in malignant cells. PNT225X consists of a chemically unmodified, DNA oligonucleotide encapsulated in a novel liposomal formulation for intravenous (IV) use that protects the oligo from degradation by circulating nucleases. Antitumor efficacy in vivo was investigated in 2 NHL models: 1) In SCID mice bearing advanced, subcutaneous (SC) implants of the WSU-DLCL2 xenograft model of DLCL, an IV daily x 5 regimen at an optimal dose of 10 mg/kg of PNT225X produced 4/8 complete regressions (CR), 1/8 partial regressions (PR), and a 131% median tumor growth delay (TGD) (p=0.0002), with 2/8 tumor-free survivors (TFS) at study termination (day 81). There were no treatment-related deaths and mean nadir weight loss was Based on its single-agent and combination efficacy in NHL models, PNT225X is in preclinical development in preparation for clinical trials.
Head Ultrasound Resistive Indices Are Associated With Brain Injury on Diffusion Tensor Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Background Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with dysfunctional cerebral autoregulation. Resistive index (RI) measured in the anterior cerebral artery on transfontanellar head ultrasound is a noninvasive measure of blood flow and may indicate autoregulation dysfunction. We tested whether RI was associated with brain injury on diffusion tensor imaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methods Seventy-five neonates who underwent therapeutic hypothermia for HIE were enrolled. Resistive index values were obtained from head ultrasound performed at the end of therapeutic hypothermia. Apparent diffusion coefficient scalars were measured on MRIs performed before day of life 10. Results Lower RI was associated with lower apparent diffusion coefficient in the centrum semiovale, basal ganglia, thalamus, and posterior limb of the internal capsule. Combining RI and Apgar scores improved the ability to distinguish injury severity on MRI relative to either metric alone. Conclusions Low RI correlated with worse brain injury on diffusion tensor imaging and may serve as an early marker of brain injury in cooled HIE neonates.
Hyaluronan/CD44 axis regulates S100A4-mediated mesenchymal progenitor cell fibrogenicity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Despite modest improvement in patient outcomes from recent advances in pharmacotherapy targeting fibrogenic signaling pathways, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains a major unsolved clinical...
Study of military blood banking and crossmatching using blood group antigens stored over five months in ACD-adenine.

Abstract : The A and B erythrocyte antigens retain their reactivity beyond 42 days when stored in ACD-adenine at 4-6C. The Rho antigen is satisfactory for use in crossmatch procedures up to 42 days; however, Rh antigens decline in reactivity on longer storage under these conditions at 4-6C. The Kell antigen is suitable for crossmatch procedures after 42 days' storage in ACD-adenine and all red cell antigens tested from the integral donor tubing segments of ACD-adenine stored blood were satisfactory throughout 42 days' storage for crossmatch procedures. (Author)
Extracorporeal Treatment of Cast Nephropathy

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), most commonly caused by cast nephropathy resulting from precipitation of free light chains (FLC) in renal tubules. AKI may be irreversible and require dialysis and predicts a poor prognosis. Reduction in serum FLC concentration is thought to be associated with improved likelihood of kidney function recovery in MM patients with AKI. Plasma exchange (PE), by removing circulating FLC, has been used as a treatment modality to improve kidney function in MM, although its efficacy remains uncertain. Extracorporeal treatment with extended high cutoff hemodialysis (HCO-HD) has also recently been studied as a potentially more effective means of FLC removal. Both PE and HCO-HD may be beneficial in some patients, but only when used as adjuncts to successful chemotherapy. Further research is necessary to establish the specific efficacy of each of these extracorporeal methods in the treatment of cast nephropathy.
A proposal for conglomerate disclosure: The contribution form income statement

Abstract The recent growth of the conglomerate merger has necessitated revisions of traditional thinking in a number of different areas. Joe J. Cramer, Jr., and Thomas Iwand probe into the problem of divisional reporting in financial accounting theory brought on by the conglomerate merger. The Securities and Exchange Commission has indicated that in the near future it might require conglomerates to use product line methods of disclosure, which most corporations oppose. The authors explore this method of disclosure by first discussing the preparation of a product line income statement. They then present and explain a product line statement used by an American corporation. Cramer and Iwand suggest strongly that the contribution form of the income statement is superior to full income statements by product lines. They conclude by raising the possibility that the problem of antitrust policy applicable to conglomerate mergers may be incorrectly connected with the problem of financial disclosure.
Desensitization of the mGluR6 transduction current in tiger salamander On bipolar cells.

Light depolarizes retinal On bipolar cells, opening the cation-selective channels that are responsible for producing the synaptic current. In this study, the basic features of light-induced signals were mimicked by bathing slices of salamander retina with an agonist for the mGluR6 receptor that is expressed on the dendrites of On cells, and then displacing the agonist with the mGluR6 antagonist (RS)-a-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (CPPG). The transduction current that is activated by this protocol rapidly shuts off, or desensitizes. Desensitization was highly correlated with the concentration and the type of Ca2+ buffer that was dialysed into the cell: When Ca2+ buffering was minimized by dialysing cells with 0.5 mm EGTA, the steady-state response was reduced to approximately 40% of the peak response. Buffering with 10 mm EGTA reduced desensitization, while BAPTA completely eliminated it. Removing external Ca2+ also prevented desensitization, suggesting that entry of Ca2+ through the transduction channel provides the trigger. The time course of desensitization was measured by using a voltage jump protocol to rapidly increase Ca2+ influx, and could be fitted with a single time constant on the order of 1 s, in good agreement with previously published rates of desensitization to steps of light in this species. It is proposed that Ca2+-dependent shut-off of the On bipolar cell transduction current may contribute to the conversion of sustained to transient light responses that predominate in the inner retina.
Population-Based Studies

Most of the studies this monograph is concerned with—hospital-based studies of pregnant diabetic women—were conducted in special medical facilities, including diabetes clinics, i.e. facilities whose patients may have needed special care, and who therefore may not have been a true cross-section of all pregnant diabetic women in that time and place.
Evaluating model performance and parameter behavior for varying levels of land surface model complexity

[1] This paper investigates model performance and parameter behavior for a range of land surface model (LSM) complexity across a variety of vegetated surfaces. Although LSMs are used routinely in regional and global climate (and weather) prediction, there has been limited rigorous testing of these models across a range of biomes. A systems-based approach is used to compare five commonly used LSMs (BUCKET, CHASM, BATS1e, BATS2, and Noah) across five different vegetated sites (pasture, short grass, cropland, tropical rain forest, and semiarid desert). Results indicate that there is no “perfect” model and that additional complexity (defined as additional physical representation in a model) does not necessarily equate to improved performance. In general, the medium complexity BATS1e model has the most consistent performance, with overall lower errors across the sites. Results also indicate that prescribed parameter meanings are not consistent across the various LSM formulations. A comparison of BATS1e and BATS2 parameters reveals significant differences in behavior across the study sites. These findings have key implications for general application of a single model across a range of global biomes and for model intercomparison studies where parameters are preassigned to participating models.
Photorefractive nonlinear optics for optical computing

Photorefractive crystals such as BaTiO/sub 3/, LiNbO/sub 3/, SBN, BSO, GaAs, InP are efficient nonlinear optical media for the generation of phase conjugate waves, multi-wave mixing and the recording of dynamic holograms. Nonlinear optics using these materials offers unique capabilities in parallel processing of information. This paper discusses recent advances in optical computing using photorefractive nonlinear media. Specifically, we discuss our results on parallel matrix-matrix processors, and spectrally parallel logic operations. >
TWO BIOGRAPHIES OF NAPOLEON

The central argument of this review essay is that the British and French traditions of biography, and specifically Napoleonic biography, are quite different. The two works under consideration are outstanding examples of the differences. Boswell's Life of Johnson is the cornerstone of modern British biography, and Andrew Roberts follows this example. Although Johnson was not a political or military figure but a man of letters, Roberts's biography of Napoleon adheres to the close focus on a single man, with only limited excursions beyond his hero's life and deeds. In addition, Roberts's work is essentially a military biography, and his considerable strengths lie here. The French, without a Boswell, have relegated biography to a lesser role, until recently. Patrice Gueniffey, in what will be a multi-volume work—this first volume goes only to 1802—is more interested in Napoleon's place in the history of Europe, and especially Revolutionary France. Napoleon is often confined to the wings while Gueniffey sets the stage. Roberts's judgments and assessments, while shrewd and informed, are often more conventional than those of Gueniffey, who sees the Egyptian campaign as one of the important keys to understanding the young Bonaparte and his subsequent career. He is also deeply interested in fixing Bonaparte's place in the French Revolution. Because Gueniffey ends his first volume with the Consulate, a more detailed comparison of the two works is not possible.
Fixed illumination system

A series of eight fixed-illumination (FI) probes are proposed for to replace the presently used, manually inserted and operated illumination probes for the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). Illumination probes are used in the inspection of the vacuum-vessel internal components and allow photographs to be made for permanent records. Inspection can be made either remotely with the plasma TV diagnostic system, or locally by visual observation through unobstructed vacuum windows. The present system (three probes) is labor intensive, time consuming, requires the presence of personnel in the test cell, possesses no interlocks, and is not compatible with the D-T radiation-shielding configuration. The proposed probes will be staggered around the top and bottom of the vacuum vessel, permanently mounted in 10-in circular ports in the vessel's interior. Four lamps are mounted on a flat inconel plate and a cylindrically shaped pivoting shutter is used to protect the lamps from deposits during plasma operation. The shutter functions as a thermal radiation shield for the port during probe operation and is operated by a pneumatic linear actuator which has a stroke of 4 in. Motion is transferred from the actuator to the shutter by a stainless steel cable. Current is supplied to the lamps with vacuum feedthroughs. The probe is interlocked, preventing its use during machine operation. A prototype probe has been fabricated and is undergoing testing. >
Classification of breast masses in ultrasonic B scans using Nakagami and K distributions

Classification of breast masses in greyscale ultrasound images is undertaken using a multiparameter approach. Five parameters reflecting the non-Rayleigh nature of the backscattered echo were used. These parameters, based mostly on the Nakagami and K distributions, were extracted from the envelope of the echoes at the site, boundary, spiculated region and shadow of the mass. They were combined to create a linear discriminant. The performance of this discriminant for the classification of breast masses was studied using a data set consisting of 70 benign and 29 malignant cases. The Az value for the discriminant was 0.96 ± 0.02, showing great promise in the classification of masses into benign and malignant ones. The discriminant was combined with the level of suspicion values of the radiologist leading to an Az value of 0.97 ± 0.014. The parameters used here can be calculated with minimal clinical intervention, so the method proposed here may therefore be easily implemented in an automated fashion. These results also support the recent reports suggesting that ultrasound may help as an adjunct to mammography in breast cancer diagnostics to enhance the classification of breast masses.
α-cellobiose and α-isomaltose from crystalline complexes with sodium iodide

Abstract The crystalline complexes 2NaI·α-cellobiose, NaI·α-cellobiose·2H 2 O, NaI·α-isomaltose, and NaBr·α-isomaltose have been isolated. Sodium iodide adducts were used to prepare crystalline α-cellobiose (98% α) and amorphous α-isomaltose (90% α), previously inaccessible anomeric forms. The disaccharides and their complexes were analyzed for anomeric content by g.l.c., and characterized by polarimetry and n.m.r. and i.r. spectroscopy. The strong influence of sodium iodide on the optical rotation of a number of carbohydrates suggests that complexation with sodium iodide can affect molecular conformation.
Dietary supplementation of magnesium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate and its effect on pork quality during environmental stress

Abstract Market hogs ( n = 160) were allotted to four dietary treatments to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) on improving pork quality during times of environmental stress. The experiment was conducted in four different months (Trial) to evaluate temperature as an environmental stressor. The dietary treatments were: 1) control 2) control + 3.2 g⁎pig-1⁎d-1 of MgSO 4 for a minimum of 14 days prior to slaughter, 3) control + 1.5% NaHCO 3 fed for 48 h prior to slaughter, and 4) control + 3.2 g⁎pig-1⁎d-1 MgSO 4 + 1.5% NaHCO 3 . No differences ( P > 0.05) in pork quality were found between dietary treatments. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage did not differ ( P > 0.05) by Trial whereas measures of pork quality (24 h pH, L , a , and b values, NPPC color scores, drip loss, and Warner Bratzler shear force [WBSF]) values were affected ( P P P a values, and WBSF. Although dietary treatment had no effect on pork quality, the month of the year when pigs were slaughtered played a relevant role in pork quality.
The integrable SU(N) Heisenberg model at finite temperature

Abstract We derive an exact integral representation for the free energy of the integrable SU(N) Heisenberg model with arbitrary color.
Occupancy inferencing from non-intrusive data sources

Intuitively, measurements from utility meters that are associated with a physical space have embedded in them some information about the occupants of that space. Occupancy information can be sensitive yet empowering. On one hand, with the right information, administrators can adjust subsystems to maximize comfort and energy efficiency. On the other hand, sensitive details about occupants may be leaked. We explore the accuracy to which meter data from physical spaces, when subjected to machine learning algorithms, can yield occupancy information. Our results can then be used to devise low-cost mechanisms for occupancy sensing from the opportunistic use of already available data, and to quantify the risk of leaking privacy-sensitive inferences.
Information graph model and application to online advertising

We present an algorithm which adapts a graph-based ranking model to the context of the problem of improving the process of serving advertisements to users. We transform the ad-based clickstream data into a heterogeneous graph model which respects differences in feature types (e.g. geolocation features, or browser-history features). The heterogeneous network model generates meaningful rankings of features which are predictive for each ad, as demonstrated by our classifier's performance. We also discuss how, in addition to serving as the basis for a classifier, this model may also provide an informative view of the data, which is not possible with black-box approaches, and which therefore makes it very suitable to the problem space of targeted ad serving.
High levels of dietary carbohydrate increase glucose transport in poult intestine

The hypothesis was proposed that the carbohydrate in the first diet fed to turkey hatchlings upregulates the glucose transport system. Heavy and light body mass poults were observed to determine differences in glucose transport and carbohydrate digestion. Poults were weighed immediately posthatching. Heavy poults were at least +/-2 S.D. above the mean whereas light poults were at least +/-S.D. below the population mean (62.5 +/- 0.4). Each group was randomly assigned to one of two diets. One diet contained 50% carbohydrate and the remaining diet had 15% carbohydrate. Although the diets were isocaloric, differing carbohydrate (corn starch) and fat (cottonseed oil) content had significant effects on body masses within 3 days. Poults fed low carbohydrate weighed more than those on high carbohydrate perhaps because fat is a preferred energy substrate in the neonatal turkey. Greater carbohydrate in the diet increased glucose uptake and maltase activity compared to diets containing more fat. Heavier poults at hatching remained heavier at 3 days posthatching. No differences between body mass categories were noted in glucose uptake measurements. Thus, differences seen in growth rates may not be attributed to glucose transport in the jejunum. It is concluded that turkeys belong to the class of birds in which the poults respond to more carbohydrate in the diet by increasing plasma T(3) concentrations, upregulating the glucose transport system, and increasing enzymatic activity as with maltase.
Paraffin dehydrocyclization. Part 9. Conversion of n-octane with PtSn catalysts at atmospheric pressure

Abstract Tin alters the activity and stability of a series of Pt-alumina catalysts. Depending upon the support, dehydrocyclization may occur by a monofunctional metal catalysed pathway or in combination with a bifunctional pathway involving both metal and support. The initial tin added by coimpregnation with Pt is found to decrease the activity of a catalyst based on acidic alumina but to promote the activity of one based on a nonacidic support. When the catalyst based on an acidic alumina contains sufficient tin to eliminate the acidity of the support, and thereby the bifunctional pathway, the activity pattern vs. Sn/Pt ratio for the nonacidic and acidic based catalysts have a similar form. For similar Sn/Pt bulk compositions, a catalyst based upon coprecipitated tin-aluminum oxide differs significantly from the one based on an acidic or non-acidic alumina support. The results show that tin may serve (1) to enhance metal dispersion at lower loading, (2) to form a Pt:Sn = 1:1 alloy with a higher dehydrocyclization activity than Pt alone, (3) to modify the aromatics selectivity from the dehydrocyclization of n-octane and (4) to poison acid sites and thereby eliminate the more rapid pathway to produce aromatics.
Bounding the mass of the graviton using gravitational-wave observations of inspiralling compact binaries

If gravitation is propagated by a massive field, then the velocity of gravitational waves (gravitons) will depend upon their frequency as ${(v}_{g}{/c)}^{2}=1\ensuremath{-}(c/f{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{g}{)}^{2}$, and the effective Newtonian potential will have a Yukawa form $\ensuremath{\propto}{r}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}r/{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{g})$, where ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{g}{=h/m}_{g}c$ is the graviton Compton wavelength. In the case of inspiralling compact binaries, gravitational waves emitted at low frequency early in the inspiral will travel slightly slower than those emitted at high frequency later, resulting in an offset in the relative arrival times at a detector. This modifies the phase evolution of the observed inspiral gravitational waveform, similar to that caused by post-Newtonian corrections to quadrupole phasing. Matched filtering of the waveforms could bound such frequency-dependent variations in propagation speed, and thereby bound the graviton mass. The bound depends on the mass of the source and on noise characteristics of the detector, but is independent of the distance to the source, except for weak cosmological redshift effects. For observations of stellar-mass compact inspiral using ground-based interferometers of the LIGO-VIRGO type, the bound on ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{g}$ could be of the order of $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ km, about double that from solar-system tests of Yukawa modifications of Newtonian gravity. For observations of massive black hole binary inspiral at cosmological distances using the proposed Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the bound could be as large as $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}$ km. This is three orders of magnitude weaker than model-dependent bounds from galactic cluster dynamics.
Combinatorial chemistry identifies high-affinity peptidomimetics against α4β1 integrin for in vivo tumor imaging

Small peptide-based agents have attracted wide interest as cancer-targeting agents for diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy. There is a need to develop new high-affinity and high-specificity peptidomimetic or small-molecule ligands against cancer cell surface receptors. Here we report on the identification of a high-affinity peptidomimetic ligand (LLP2A; IC50 = 2 pM) against alpha4beta1 integrin using both diverse and highly focused one-bead-one-compound combinatorial peptidomimetic libraries in conjunction with high-stringency screening. We further demonstrate that LLP2A can be used to image alpha4beta1-expressing lymphomas with high sensitivity and specificity when conjugated to a near infrared fluorescent dye in a mouse xenograft model. Thus, LLP2A provides an important tool for noninvasive monitoring of alpha4beta1 expression and activity during tumor progression, and it shows great potential as an imaging and therapeutic agent for alpha4beta1-positive tumors.
A note on a transformation under censoring with application to partial least squares regression

Abstract In many applications of statistics, one is interested in the characteristics of a time-to-event variable Y , which, by itself, is not observable. Instead, one observes T = min ( Y , Z ) where Z is a censoring variable. Such data are common in biomedical, engineering and other applications as well as in a competing risks set-up. In this note, we provide a transformation based on the survival function of the censoring variable which allows one to recover the conditional expectation of Y from the observable T . We discuss various ramifications of this result and describe its application in partial least squares regression of censored time-to-event data.
Update on apraxia

Apraxia is classically defined as difficulty performing learned, skilled gestures. In this review, we describe the range of motor impairments classified as apraxia, focusing on ideomotor limb apraxia. We present several prominent models of praxis to explain the variety of difficulties seen in patients with apraxia. We also discuss the large-scale frontal-parietal-basal ganglia network thought to underlie praxis. In this context, we highlight the common occurrence of limb apraxia in corticobasal degeneration, a neurodegenerative condition characterized by frontal, parietal, and basal ganglia disease.
Rapid Compositional Analysis of Microalgae by NIR Spectroscopy

One of the challenges associated with the development of algal biofuels is the rapid determination of the composition of algae. The oil content in particular is important in a biofuels production process and selecting the right algal strain from a pool of potentially thousands of candidates remains difficult. This article discusses how near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a technology that could be used for distinguishing algal strains and more importantly, differentiating between high and low oil content of biomass.
Synthesis of superconducting nanocables of FeSe encapsulated in carbonaceous shell.

The recent discovery of superconductivity in iron selenide has attracted considerable attention due to the simplicity of composition, unconventional nature of superconductivity, and ease of synthesis. We have synthesized superconducting FeSe nanowires with a simple catalyst-aided vapor transport reaction at 800 °C in an inert atmosphere. The precursors were chosen to be elemental Se and iron acetylacetonate [FeIII(C5H8O2)3]. These vaporized very easily, thereby facilitating transport, and also contributed to the formation of a carbonaceous shell encapsulating the FeSe nanowires. The superconductivity of these nanocables was confirmed through magnetic measurements and a Tc of ≈8 K was obtained for an ensemble of nanocables. The length of FeSe filling inside the carbon nanofibers could be varied by controlling the reaction conditions while the diameter of nanowires was dependent on the thickness of Au–Pd coating used as a catalyst. Extensive analysis through high-resolution microscopy revealed that there wa...
Metabolic effects of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) in primary neuron cultures

Disruption of mitochondrial function has been proposed as an action of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) that is responsible for its toxicity. In order to characterize effects of MPP+ on energy metabolism in primary culture neurons, we monitored levels of several metabolites in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells exposed to MPP+. The toxin produced a rapid concentration-dependent reduction in intracellular phosphocreatine (PCr), amounting to a 50–80% decrease within 30–60 min at 50 μM, that was maintained through the 1 week exposure interval examined. In contrast, ATP levels remained comparable to those of untreated neurons for approximately 4 days, at that time a 50% reduction in ATP was observed in association with a decrease in cell viability. Acute decreases in PCr were accompanied by increases in creatine such that the total creatine levels were maintained. Lactate levels in the culture medium were significantly increased (from 4.5 to 6.0 mM) within 6 hr after addition of MPP+, with a concentration dependence similar to that observed for the reduction in PCr. Increased lactate production in the presence of MPP+ coincided with a more rapid depletion of glucose in the culture medium. MPP+ induced a rapid and sustained decrease in intracellular pH calculated from the creatine kinase equilibrium, and this acidification is considered primarily responsible for the observed decrease in PCr. These studies provide direct evidence that toxic concentrations of MPP+ have acute effects on energy metabolism in primary culture neurons, consistent with an increased dependence on glycolysis to meet metabolic demand, but indicate that toxicity is not associated with overt, immediate failure to maintain cellular ATP. J. Neurosci. Res. 62:814–820, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE EFFECT OF SOME CHEMICALS ON PURIFIED INFLUENZA VIRUS

A study was made of the effect of 0.05 and 0.5 N solutions of 20 different chemicals on the activity of purified PR8 influenza virus in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. It was found by tests in chick embryos and in mice that virus activity was destroyed by strong oxidizing agents such as iodine, by salts of heavy metals, by mercurochrome, by formaldehyde, and by the detergents phemerol, roccal, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Reducing agents appeared to have little if any inactivating effect with the exception of 0.05 N ascorbic acid. At the concentrations tested, sulfathiazole sodium exerted only a weak inactivating effect. 0.5 N phenol inactivated the virus promptly, but solutions of the strength more commonly used for bactericidal purposes were only weakly virucidal. The virus appeared relatively unaffected by glucose, ammonium sulfate, calcium chloride, sodium thiosulfate, and arginine.
Expression of molecular chaperones and vesicle transport proteins in differentiating oligodendrocytes

The major stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation are defined by the presence or absence of certain myelin-specific proteins. Events leading to the successful processing of these proteins, such as the folding, assembly, and trafficking of these proteins through the biosynthetic pathway, are largely undefined. In the present study, we have examined both cultured primary oligodendrocytes and immortalized oligodendrocyte cell lines for the presence of molecular chaperones and/or vesicle transport proteins. We find that a select set of these proteins are expressed relatively early in oligodendrocyte differentiation, whereas a characteristically different set of proteins are expressed at later stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation. In other systems, these proteins participate in the folding and assembly of protein complexes, in the prevention of protein aggregation, as well as the trafficking of proteins via vesicles to specific subcellular destinations including the plasma membrane. Some of the chaperones and/or vesicle transport proteins investigated in this study may play a pivotal role in the certain aspect of myelin biogenesis. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:769–780, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Efficient and effective branch reordering using profile data

The conditional branch has long been considered an expensive operation. The relative cost of conditional branches has increased as recently designed machines are now relying on deeper pipelines and higher multiple issue. Reducing the number of conditional branches executed often results in a substantial performance benefit. This paper describes a code-improving transformation to reorder sequences of conditional branches that compare a common variable to constants. The goal is to obtain an ordering where the fewest average number of branches in the sequence will be executed. First, sequences of branches that can be reordered are detected in the control flow. Second, profiling information is collected to predict the probability that each branch will transfer control out of the sequence. Third, the cost of performing each conditional branch is estimated. Fourth, the most beneficial ordering of the branches based on the estimated probability and cost is selected. The most beneficial ordering often includes the insertion of additional conditional branches that did not previously exist in the sequence. Finally, the control flow is restructured to reflect the new ordering. The results of applying the transformation are on average reductions of about 8p fewer instructions executed and 13p branches performed, as well as about a 4p decrease in execution time.
Polishing effect on anodic titania nanotube formation

Abstract Titania nanotubes represent exciting opportunities in solar cell, sensing, and catalytic applications. In this work, four different surface polishing conditions: as-received, chemical polishing, mechanical polishing, and electropolishing, are studied in order to understand the effect of different surface conditions on the anodization process and nanotube morphology. At the same anodization condition of 100 V in 0.1 M NH4F ethylene glycol at 0 °C for 3 min, the as-received and mechanically polished samples show nano-tubular surfaces while the chemically polished and electropolished samples have oxide layers on the top of the nanotubes. The nanotube morphologies, anodization current vs. time curves, and the bottom barrier layers are all related to the Ti surface conditions. The electropolished surface leads to the most homogeneous TiO2 nanotube formation.
Contribution of the Actinobacteria to the growing diversity of lantibiotics

Currently, 76 lantibiotics have been described; the vast majority being produced by members of the Firmicute phylum of bacteria. There is a growing number being identified from the Actinobacteria phylum and some of these exhibit novel modifications leading to an increased functional diversity among lantibiotics. In this review, we discuss the currently characterized lantibiotics highlighting the expanding diversity provided by those from the Actinobacteria. This increased diversity has the potential to expand lantibiotic applications as antimicrobials in foods and pharmaceuticals. In addition, a phylogenetic classification system based on the full prepropeptide sequences showed remarkable consistency with current classification systems and may provide a more rapid and convenient means for classifying lantibiotics.
Diagnosing Barrett's esophagus: reliability of clinical and pathologic diagnoses.

Background The accuracy of a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis is not well studied. Objective Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of a clinical Barrett's esophagus diagnosis and the reproducibility of an esophageal intestinal metaplasia diagnosis. Methods All patients with a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis between 1994 and 2005 were identified by use of International Classification of Disease (ICD) and Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) coding. Subsets received manual record review (endoscopy/pathology reports), slide review by a referral pathologist (interrater reliability), and 2 blinded reviews by the same pathologist (intrarater reliability). Setting An integrated health services delivery system. Main Outcome Measurements Accuracy of electronic clinical diagnosis and reproducibility of esophageal intestinal metaplasia diagnosis. Results A total of 2470 patients coded with Barrett's esophagus underwent record review; a subgroup (616) received manual pathology slide review. Review confirmed a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis for 1533 (61.9%) patients: 437 of 798 subjects (54.8%) with a SNOMED diagnosis alone, 153 of 671 subjects (26.8%) with an ICD diagnosis alone, and 940 of 1101 subjects (85%) who had both a SNOMED and an ICD diagnosis. The same metaplasia diagnosis occurred with 88.3% of subjects (original vs referral pathologist, interrater reliability; κ = .42, 95% CI, 0.34-0.48). The referral pathologist made the same metaplasia diagnosis twice for a given patient for 88.6% of subjects (intrarater reliability, 2 reviews by same pathologist; κ = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.35-0.93). Limitations The accuracy of a Barrett's esophagus diagnosis likely represents the minimum number, given the strict criteria. Conclusions A community pathologist's diagnosis of esophageal intestinal metaplasia is likely to be confirmed by a referral pathologist. Electronic diagnoses of Barrett's esophagus overestimate the prevalence, although they are usually confirmed in patients with both a SNOMED and ICD diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus.
Management of intrarenal peripelvic cysts

Abstract The results of surgical management of 11 cases of apparent intrarenal peripelvic cysts are presented. One unsuspected malignant tumor was found in spite of the benign appearance of the lesion on preoperative nephrotomogram and selective renal angiography. The unique features of peripelvic cysts, which make their diagnosis and treatment particularly difficult, are discussed. The necessity for surgical management of peripelvic cysts to relieve obstruction and preserve renal tissue is stressed.
In-season heat stress compromises postharvest quality and low-temperature sweetening resistance in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.)

The effects of soil temperature during tuber development on physiological processes affecting retention of postharvest quality in low-temperature sweetening (LTS) resistant and susceptible potato cultivars were investigated. 'Premier Russet' (LTS resistant), AO02183-2 (LTS resistant) and 'Ranger Russet' (LTS susceptible) tubers were grown at 16 (ambient), 23 and 29 °C during bulking (111-164 DAP) and maturation (151-180 DAP). Bulking at 29 °C virtually eliminated yield despite vigorous vine growth. Tuber specific gravity decreased as soil temperature increased during bulking, but was not affected by temperature during maturation. Bulking at 23 °C and maturation at 29 °C induced higher reducing sugar levels in the proximal (basal) ends of tubers, resulting in non-uniform fry color at harvest, and abolished the LTS-resistant phenotype of 'Premier Russet' tubers. AO02183-2 tubers were more tolerant of heat for retention of LTS resistance. Higher bulking and maturation temperatures also accelerated LTS and loss of process quality of 'Ranger Russet' tubers, consistent with increased invertase and lower invertase inhibitor activities. During LTS, tuber respiration fell rapidly to a minimum as temperature decreased from 9 to 4 °C, followed by an increase to a maximum as tubers acclimated to 4 °C; respiration then declined over the remaining storage period. The magnitude of this cold-induced acclimation response correlated directly with the extent of buildup in sugars over the 24-day LTS period and thus reflected the effects of in-season heat stress on propensity of tubers to sweeten and lose process quality at 4 °C. While morphologically indistinguishable from control tubers, tubers grown at elevated temperature had different basal metabolic (respiration) rates at harvest and during cold acclimation, reduced dormancy during storage, greater increases in sucrose and reducing sugars and associated loss of process quality during LTS, and reduced ability to improve process quality through reconditioning. Breeding for retention of postharvest quality and LTS resistance should consider strategies for incorporating more robust tolerance to in-season heat stress.
Comparing the Responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Dash), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (Mhq), and Patient Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (Prwhe) for Hand Fractures

tion problems 16% and participation goals 45% of the time. However, both body structures and functions (M5 3.14, SD5 +/.68) and participation (M5 3.17, SD5 +/.73) were considered weekly to daily when determining discharge from therapy. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that participants most frequently used performance based tools to assess body structures/functions, but informal methods to consider participation. Participation appeared more often in goals set than in problems identified in case vignettes. However, when anticipating patient discharge, therapists gave impairment and participation equal consideration. This study breaks new ground in that it is the first to address the clinical reasoning process relative to the use of participation among practicing therapists. Its findings provide an insight into how participation is a dynamic part of the evaluation process, underused until time-sensitive, physical issues are addressed, with reliable and valid participation tools seldom used.
Separation Tests of Low-Grade Gold Ore with High Sulfur and Arsenic

With the rise of gold prices, a large amount of gold resources will be exploited, which leads to more and more refractory gold ore appeared. It has very important practical significance to accelerate the development of refractory gold resources. This paper has done the separation tests of low-grade gold ore with high sulfur and arsenic from Tianmashan, Tong Ling in China. The chemical elements component, mineral composition, and the dissemination of mineral and gold have been analyzed. The separation flowsheet tests have been explored, and the preliminary results and appropriate reagent regime have been obtained.
Bioabsorbable composites. I: Fundamental design considerations using free radically crosslinkable matrices

Bioabsorbable composites have been fabricated, consisting of poly (glycolic acid) surgical mesh embedded in free radically crosslinked poly (D, Iactide-co-8-caprolactone) fumarate- or poly(D, Iactide-co--glycolic acid) fumarate-based matrices. Styrene and methyl methacrlate were investigated as hydrophobic comonomers and were found to significantly improve the degree of crosslinking, tensile strength and retention of physical properties during the initial stages of degradation particularly styrene. Hydrolytic degradation studies showed that the neat poly(D, L-lactide-co-8caprolactone) fumarate matrix dwas excessively hydrophilic, failing after 10 days of immersion; a matrix modified with 25 wt% styrene underwent a steady, nearly linear loss in mass over a period of 35 days without fragmentation. A composite based on neat poly (D, L-lactide-co-8-caprolactone) fumarate displayed a tensile strength of 37 Mpa and modulus of 107 Mpa; addition of 25 wt% styrene yielded tensile strength and modulus of 64 Mpa and 689 Mpa, respectively. A silane coupling agent was shown to dramatically improve the fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion; tensile strength of a poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) fumarate compsite was increase from 84 to 92 MPa upon fiber pretreatment. Improved adhesion was also demonstrated using SEM. Bioabsorbable composites are rigid at biological temperatures, but some can be custom formed at elevated temperatures, which might be useful in certain surgical applications.
Proton and electron transfer in molybdenum complexes: Implications for molybdenum enzymes☆

Abstract The reaction of sodium molybdate with o -aminobenzenethiol in acidic aqueous ethanol leads to the isolation of Mo(SNHC 6 H 4 ) 3 , in which each coordinated amino group is singly deprotonated. This result, and others from the literature, are used to illustrate the change in the acidity of ligands coordinated to Mo as a function of both oxidation state and the number of bound oxo-groups. Thus, ligands which may be coordinated to Mo in enzymes may change their p K a values from less than to greater than the physiological pH as the oxidation state decreases. The Mo site may therefore have both proton and electron transfer capacity and since all substrate reactions involve the flow of both protons and electrons it is suggested that the Mo site couples the flow of electrons and protons. In line with this notion, simple mechanistic schemes are presented which explain a number of features of the action of Mo in enzymes. Analogies are drawn between Mo and Re chemistry and it is suggested that Re complexes and Re substituted enzymes (if and when prepared) may provide useful complementary information in the study of Mo chemistry.
Ovule rescue efficiency of Gossypium hirsutum × G. arboreum progeny from field-grown fruit is affected by media composition and antimicrobial compounds

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is reproductively isolated from G. arboreum L. via post-zygotic breeding barriers. Literature on somatic embryogenesis of cotton suggests a number of media modifications that might also prove useful for ovule rescue of interspecific crosses. Additionally, endogenous microbes are common in field grown cotton and these potential contaminants must be controlled if interspecific progeny are to be obtained via large-scale field crossing followed by ovule or embryo culture. This study compared nine tissue culture media and two antimicrobial overlay treatments in a factorial design. The overlay treatments were: a 2 ml overlay of 250 mg l−1 cefotaxime, 50 mg l−1 tetracycline HCl, 2.5 mg l−1 amphotericin B, and 50 mg l−1 benomyl applied when the ovules were plated, and no overlay. All of the media in the factorial also contained 250 mg l−1 cefotaxime. Crosses were made in a field at Stoneville, MS between the upland cultivar DeltaPine 90 and the G. arboreum accession A2-190. Antimicrobial compounds greatly improved the efficiency of obtaining interspecific cotton progenies from field-grown fruit. Germination was not affected by the overlay nor did overlay treatment interact with media. Media significantly affected germination. Of the media studied, the highest frequency of germination was observed for MSB with 1.9 g l−1 additional KNO3. The addition of 0.5 g l−1 asparagine and 1 g l−1 glutamine did not affect the number of seedlings obtained. A filter paper growing surface or the addition of 0.5 mg l−1 NAA and 0.05 mg l−1 kinetin were disadvantageous.
A surrogate method for assessment of β2-integrin-dependent adhesion of human eosinophils to ICAM-1

We have developed and validated an inexpensive and equivalent method for measuring eosinophil adhesion by beta(2)-integrin to endothelial ICAM-1 using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a surrogate for the immunoglobulin supergene. The number of adherent eosinophils on BSA or ICAM-1 coated microplates was quantified by residual eosinophil peroxidase activity. Non-stimulated eosinophils did not adhere to either BSA or ICAM-1. However, after IL-5 stimulation, either BSA or ICAM-1 caused comparable and concentration-dependent adhesion of eosinophils. Eosinophil adhesion was rapid and occurred within 15 to 30 min of incubation for either BSA or ICAM-1. Preincubation of cells with CD11b or CD18 antibody specifically decreased adhesion to either BSA or ICAM-1. IL-5, PAF and fMLP all induced adhesion of eosinophils to either BSA or ICAM-1 in a concentration-dependent manner, and the optimal IL-5, fMLP and PAF concentrations for adhesion to BSA were the same as for adhesion to ICAM-1. BSA-binding was specific for beta(2)-integrin; neither alpha-CD49d mAb directed against the alpha(4)-chain or alpha-CD29 directed against the common beta(1)-chain of VLA-4 blocked adhesion to BSA or ICAM-1 controls. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase) inhibitor, wortmanin, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, U0126, all inhibited IL-5-induced eosinophil adhesion to either BSA or ICAM-1 comparably. These results indicate that BSA is a reliable and economical surrogate ligand for ICAM-1 adhesion to beta(2)-integrin-dependent adhesion to ICAM-1. Ligation characteristics of BSA are identical to those for soluble ICAM-1, and the assay is suitable for assessment of signal transduction pathways mediating adhesion.
Long Segmented Filamentous Organisms in Broiler Chicks: Possible Relationship to Reduced Serum Carotenoids

Abstract Over the past several years, broiler flocks at the author's laboratory have exhibited low serum carotenoid levels. This phenomenon has not been related to exceptionally low carotenoids in the feed or to known protozoan or viral infections. However, long segmented filamentous organisms (LSFO) have been identified in the pale chicks. An inverse correlation between LSFO counts and serum carotenoid levels was not observed, but prevention of LSFO infection consistently resulted in higher carotenoid values. Young chicks were very susceptible to naturally acquired LSFO infection, but the organisms decreased in number with time and became very difficult to find by the time the chicks were 7 wk old. Segments of LSFO containing endospores were detected in mucosal smears. This observation, along with the extreme ease of natural infection, suggests that LSFO are transmitted by dust-borne spores. Transmission can be prevented by fumigation of housing with formaldehyde vapors.