cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Engineering of Stimuli-Sensitive Silkelastin-like Protein Block Copolymers

Differentially charged analogues of block copolymers containing repeating sequences from silk (GAGAGS) and elastin (GVGVP) were synthesized using genetic engineering techniques by replacing a valine residue with glutamic acid. The sensitivity to pH and temperature was examined at various polymer concentrations, ionic strengths, and polymer lengths. The polymers transitioned from soluble to precipitate state over narrow temperature ranges. The transition temperature T(t) (the temperature at which half-maximal spectrophotometric absorption was observed) increased with increasing pH up to pH 7.0 and leveled off above this value for the Glu-containing polymer (17E)(11). T(t) was independent of pH for the Val-containing polymer (17V)(11). It decreased with increasing ionic strength, polymer concentration, and polymer length for both polymers. These results suggest that by substituting charged amino acids for neutral amino acids at strategic locations in the polymer backbone and by control of the length of silkelastin-like block copolymers using genetic engineering techniques, it is possible to precisely control sensitivity to pH, temperature, and ionic strength.
Subsidization of S&Ls under the flat-rate deposit insurance system: Some empirical estimates

This study provides some estimates of the magnitude of the subsidies extracted by S&L holding companies under the present flat-rate deposit insurance system. The results suggest that the flat-rate deposit insurance system induces substantially uneven and inequitable distribution of subsidies among thrift institutions. The analysis of the thrift institutions' asset volatilities over the 1966–1988 period does not support the claim that deregulation of the industry has led to a systematic increase in risk-taking in the industry. On the other hand, we find that a large fraction of the asset volatilities are attributable to firm-specific investment policies and that the risk of the institutions' assets change considerably over time. Taken as a whole, the results suggest that switching to a risk-based deposit insurance system would be economically more efficient than the present scheme. We provide some recommendations for policy changes that can increase the efficacy of risk-based insurance by increasing the level of monitoring by depositors and the financial markets.
Coronary sinus ostial atresia with persistent left superior vena cava

Background. Atresia of the coronary sinus orifice with a persistent left superior vena cava is an intrinsically benign cardiac anomaly with important surgical implications. Methods. The medical records of 5 patients with atresia of the coronary sinus orifice with a persistent left superior vena cava were reviewed retrospectively, and a computer search of the world literature describing this cardiac malformation was undertaken. Results. The 5 patients ranged in age from 9 months to 5 years. In 2, the diagnosis was made preoperatively by angiocardiography, and in 3, the abnormality was found incidentally at the time of cardiotomy for repair of associated congenital heart disease. Four of the 5 patients underwent repair of associated cardiac lesions. During operation, care was taken to avoid disruption of left superior vena cava flow to prevent coronary venous obstruction. All patients survived and are doing well at follow-up. Conclusions. Atresia of the coronary sinus orifice with persistent left superior vena cava is, in itself, a benign anomaly without physiologic consequence. However, the recognition of this lesion during repair of associated cardiac lesions is of vital importance to the cardiac surgeon. Interruption of this sole route of coronary venous drainage can potentially lead to myocardial ischemia and necrosis.
A rapid, simplified procedure for simultaneous assay of norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine from discrete brain areas

Abstract Brain, NE, DA, and 5-HT can be assayed simultaneously from discrete samples by this method, which is based upon the alumina method described by Anton and Sayre, utilizing acid extraction of tissues and a single solvent step. Oxidation and determination of both NE and DA take place in a single sample and may be completed within 1–1.5 hr. Basic extractions of 5-HT and the development of a tissue blank procedure permit the accurate application of the ninhydrin reaction to the determination of 5-HT, resulting in greatly increased sensitivity.
Differences in the BAL proteome after Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in wild type and SP-A-/- mice

Background Surfactant protein-A (SP-A) has been shown to play a variety of roles related to lung host defense function. Mice lacking SP-A are more susceptible to infection than wild type C57BL/6 mice. We studied bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein expression in wild type and SP-A-/- mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae by 2D-DIGE.
The zero point of charge of alpha-alumina

Abstract The zero point of charge of α-alumina was found to occur in aqueous solutions at pH 9.1 ± 0.1. Three independent methods of measurement were used: potentiometric titration for determination of the adsorption density of the potential-determining ions, measurement of the electrophoretic mobility, and determination of maximum subsidence rate. Potassium, chloride, perchlorate, and nitrate ions were all found to be indifferent at the surface of alumina.
The effect of population bottlenecks on mutation rate evolution in asexual populations.

In the absence of recombination, a mutator allele can spread through a population by hitchhiking with beneficial mutations that appear in its genetic background. Theoretical studies over the past decade have shown that the survival and fixation probability of beneficial mutations can be severely reduced by population size bottlenecks. Here, we use computational modelling and evolution experiments with the yeast S. cerevisiae to examine whether population bottlenecks can affect mutator dynamics in adapting asexual populations. In simulation, we show that population bottlenecks can inhibit mutator hitchhiking with beneficial mutations and are most effective at lower beneficial mutation supply rates. We then subjected experimental populations of yeast propagated at the same effective population size to three different bottleneck regimes and observed that the speed of mutator hitchhiking was significantly slower at smaller bottlenecks, consistent with our theoretical expectations. Our results, thus, suggest that bottlenecks can be an important factor in mutation rate evolution and can in certain circumstances act to stabilize or, at least, delay the progressive elevation of mutation rates in asexual populations. Additionally, our findings provide the first experimental support for the theoretically postulated effect of population bottlenecks on beneficial mutations and demonstrate the usefulness of studying mutator frequency dynamics for understanding the underlying dynamics of fitness-affecting mutations.
Morphine withdrawal in mice selectively bred for differential sensitivity to ethanol

Abstract Mice which have been selectively bred for differences in sensitivity to acute doses of alcohol have also been shown to differ in severity of seizures upon withdrawal from chronic alcohol administration. We investigated the responsiveness of these mice to withdrawal from chronic morphine treatment. Mice were made dependent on morphine via pellet implantation, and withdrawal was precipitated with naloxone challenge. Mice which are less sensitive to the hypnotic effects of ethanol (short sleep: SS) displayed more jumping and wet dog shakes during withdrawal than did the more senstive long sleep (LS) mice. In addition, the amount of jumping was dependent on the dose of naloxone in both lines. Differences between lines in naloxone precipitated withdrawal may reflect differences in alterations in extrapyramidal dopaminergic activity, but other substrates for the observed differences cannot be discounted. Finally, the observed difference between SS and LS mice in severity of morphine withdrawal parallels the previously reported difference between these lines in seizure severity during withdrawal from alcohol.
Flat-Topped and Condylomatous Papules in a Lung Transplant Patient

Awoman inherearly60spresentedwitha3-monthhistoryofprogressive, pinkish brown, slightly keratotic, flat-topped papules involving the inner thighs (Figure, A). She had a history of doublelung transplantation for emphysema secondary to alpha1antitrypsindeficiencyandwaschronically immunosuppressedwith tacrolimus, azathioprine, and prednisone. A shave biopsy specimen was obtained (Figure, B). The patient subsequently developed eruptive, innumerable, fleshy, condylomatous perianal papules (Figure, C). A shave biopsy revealed histopathologic features very similar to those in Figure, A, except for thepresenceof amarkedly papillomatous architecture. What is your diagnosis?
Depression of myocardial contractility with low doses of ethanol in normal man.

Depression of myocardial contractility after ethanol ingestion in man has previously been shown only in patients with heart disease. In the present study, normal subjects, aged 23-30 years, ingested six ounces of 43% alcohol over a two hour period (Group I, 6 subjects) or a one hour period (Group II, 5 subjects). Systolic time intervals were measured every 15 min from simultaneous ECG, phonocardiogram and carotid pulse tracings. Heart rate, total electromechanical systole and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) were not changed at any time from pre-alcohol values and, except for a small (5 mm Hg) and transient change in diastolic pressure in Group II, aortic pressures also were unchanged. However, in Group I, after 60 min, at a blood ethanol of 74 ± 3 mg%, left ventricular depression was manifested by increased pre-ejection period (PEP) from 90 ± 2 to 96 ± 3.1 msec, isovolumic time (IVT) from 44 ± 3.5 to 52 ± 4 (P < .01), and PEP/LVET ratio from 0.299 ± 0.009 to 0.323 ± 0.01 (P < .05). Further depressio...
Psychologic Influence on Experimental Pain Sensitivity and Clinical Pain Intensity for Patients with Shoulder Pain

Pain-related fear and pain catastrophizing are two central psychologic factors in fear-avoidance models. Our previous studies in healthy subjects indicated that pain-related fear, but not pain catastrophizing, was associated with cold pressor pain outcomes. The current study extends previous work by investigating pain-related fear and pain catastrophizing in a group of subjects with shoulder pain, and included concurrent measures of experimental and clinical pain. Fifty nine consecutive subjects seeking operative treatment of shoulder pain were enrolled in this study (24 females, mean age = 50.4, sd = 14.9). Subjects completed validated measures of pain-related fear, pain catastrophizing, and clinical pain intensity and then underwent a cold pressor task to determine experimental pain sensitivity. Multivariate regression models used sex, age, pain-related fear, and pain catastrophizing to predict experimental pain sensitivity and clinical pain intensity. Results indicated that only pain-related fear uniquely contributed to variance in experimental pain sensitivity (beta = −.42, p < .01). In contrast, sex (beta = −.29, p = .02) and pain catastrophizing (beta = .43, p < .01) uniquely contributed to variance in clinical pain intensity. These data provide additional support for application of fear-avoidance models to subjects with shoulder pain. Our results also suggest that pain-related fear and pain catastrophizing may influence different components of the pain experience, providing preliminary support for recent theoretical conceptualizations of the role of pain catastrophizing.
Relations between forcing sequences and inexact Newton iterates in Banach space

We use inexact Newton iterates to approximate a solution of a nonlinear equation in a Banach space. Solving a nonlinear equation using Newton iterates at each stage is very expensive in general. That is why we consider inexact Newton methods, where the Newton equations are solved only approximately and in some unspecified manner. In the elegant paper [6] natural assumptions under which the forcing sequence is uniformly less than one were given based on the first-Frechet derivative of the operator involved. Here, we use assumptions on the second Frechet-derivative. This way, we essentially reproduce all results found earlier. However, our upper error bounds on the distances involved are smaller.
Evidence for a Better Nodal Staging System for Melanoma: The Clinical Relevance of Metastatic Disease Confined to the Sentinel Lymph Nodes

The hypothesis tested in this study was whether patients with stage III metastatic melanoma confined to their sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) had a more favorable prognosis than patients who had SLN and non-SLN (NSLN) metastases. Patients were identified who were clinically negative in their regional basins but with lymphatic mapping were found to have positive SLNs (331 patients). All patients subsequently underwent a complete lymph node dissection of the lymphatic basin involved, and the total number of metastatic SLNs and NSLNs were documented. As the regional metastatic disease involves NSLNs, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) decreases. For patients with a total of 2 nodes positive, those with disease confined to the SLNs had a significant better prognosis (DFS and OS: P < .00001) than those in whom 1 SLN and 1 non-SLN was involved. This difference was apparent for those patients with N2 and N3 disease (2 or more nodes positive in their regional basin). A multivariate regression analysis that included Breslow thickness, ulceration, number of positive nodes, and NSLN positivity showed that NSLN positivity (P = .0019) was the most powerful predictor of DFS and OS. When metastatic melanoma overwhelms the SLN and involves NSLNs, the biologic behavior changes to portend a worse survival, regardless of the total node count positive. These data make the argument that the current N staging system should be changed to incorporate SLN vs NSLN involvement.
A generalized model for metabolomic analyses: application to dose and time dependent toxicity

As metabolomic technology expands, validated techniques for analyzing highly dimensional categorical data are becoming increasingly important. This manuscript presents a novel latent vector-based methodology for analyzing complex data sets with multiple groups that include both high and low doses using orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) coupled with hierarchical clustering. This general methodology allows complex experimental designs (e.g., multiple dose and time combinations) to be encoded and directly compared. Further, it allows for the inclusion of low dose samples that do not exhibit a strong enough individual response to be modeled independently. A dose- and time-responsive metabolomic study was completed to evaluate and demonstrate this methodology. Single doses (0.1–100 mg/kg body weight) of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), a common model of hepatic cholestasis, were administered orally in corn oil to male Fischer 344 rats. Urine samples were collected pre-dose and daily through day-4 post-dose. Blood samples were collected pre and post-dose to assess indices of clinical toxicity. Urine samples were analyzed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and the spectra were adaptively binned to reduce dimensionality. The proposed methodology for NMR-based urinary metabolomics was sensitive enough to detect ANIT-induced effects with respect to both dose and time at doses below the threshold of clinical toxicity. A pattern of ANIT-dependent effects established at the highest dose was seen in the 50 and 20 mg/kg dose groups, an effect not directly identifiable with individual principal component analysis (PCA). Coupling the pattern found by the OPLS algorithm and hierarchical clustering revealed a relationship between the 100, 50 and 20 mg/kg dose groups, suggesting a characteristic effect of ANIT exposure. These studies demonstrate that the use of a metabolomics approach with flexible binning of 1H spectra and appropriate application of multivariate analyses can reveal biologically relevant information about the temporal metabolic perturbations caused by exposure and toxicity.
Diagnosis of Reactive Lymphoid Hyperplasia by Chorioretinal Biopsy

We treated a patient with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in whom the diagnosis was made by chorioretinal biopsy. Histopathologic examination and culture of the biopsied specimen allowed us to rule out a neoplastic or infectious process. The biopsy result allowed us to treat him with systemic corticosteroid alone, thus avoiding the potential harmful side effects of other medications, including antituberculous drugs. There were no surgical or postoperative complications. This study confirms the usefulness of chorioretinal biopsy for establishing a diagnosis and formulating a rational treatment plan.
Spatial partitioning of the molecular wave function: Reexamination of the bond‐charge model of covalent binding

Owing to the complexity of many-body quantum interactions, theoretical problems in chemistry almost always necessitate numerical methods of solution. In turn, and somewhat paradoxically, this reliance on computation often precipitates a need for approximate models that can provide a conceptual framework for the interpretation of the accurate numerical solutions. In this report, we reexamine and improve upon the simple bond-charge (SBC) model of Parr and Borkman with the express purpose of examining its role as a suitable intuitive model for bonding energetics. We first discuss the role of spatial partitioning in the SBC model and the molecular-structure approximations that are implicit within the model. We then develop an improved version of the model by including electrostatic repulsion between shared electron pairs; we refer to this enhanced version as a semiempirical charge-cloud (SCC) model. Applying the SCC model to a broad range of diatomics, we find that it is able to predict dissociation energies on a par with simple variational calculations. As an illustrative application of the SCC model, we use it to estimate unknown dissociation energies and rotational constants for a number of alkali dimers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Mycosis fungoides associated with malignant melanoma and dysplastic nevus syndrome.

Background The increased risk of second malignancies, including nonmelanoma skin cancers, in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients has been well documented. However, relatively few studies of malignant melanoma in CTCL patients have been reported. Methods A database of 250 CTCL patients registered over a 3-year period was searched to identify patients with diagnoses of both mycosis fungoides (MF) and malignant melanoma. Results We identified six cases of MF associated with malignant melanoma and one associated with dysplastic nevus syndrome, which is a marker of increased risk of melanoma. In four patients, melanoma was diagnosed along with or before MF. In the remaining two patients, MF was diagnosed prior to melanoma, although dysplastic nevi were noted at the time MF was diagnosed. These two patients received treatment for their MF (one with topical nitrogen mustard and another with radiation therapy and nitrogen mustard) prior to the histologic confirmation of melanoma. Six patients had early stages of MF (IA or IB), while one patient presented with simultaneous erythrodermic mycosis fungoides involving the lymph nodes as well as melanoma metastatic to the lymph nodes from an unknown primary. Conclusion There is an elevated prevalence of malignant melanoma in MF patients compared to the general US population (P < 0.00001) with a relative risk of 15.3 for observing malignant melanoma in MF patients (95% confidence interval 7.0–33.8). Possible pathologic links between the two diagnoses include effects of mycosis fungoides therapies, immunosuppression secondary to mycosis fungoides, and genetic alterations in the p16 tumor suppressor protein.
Favism: Report of a case in a child*

Summary This report deals with the occurrence of an acute hemolytic anemia in an Italian child following the ingestion of two raw fava beans. Jaundice and anemia were the presenting symptoms. Convalescence was rapid and uneventful. No therapy except oral ferrous sulfate was given. The patient has remained in good health over a five-month period of observation. Studies of the toxic properties of the fava bean and antibody response ofthe patient over five months failed to demonstrate definite sensitization as shown by skin tests, passive transfer experiments, and precipitin reactions. The sudden onset of asymptomatic jaundice in an Italian child should necessitate careful questioning for a recent history of fava bean ingestion.
Holocene Lake-Effect Precipitation in Northern Michigan

Holocene sediments from Nelson Lake, on Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, provide isotopic, pollen, and charcoal evidence for a two-step sequence of changes in moisture source and increased lake-effect precipitation during the late Holocene. Between 8000 and 5300 cal yr B.P., a warm, dry climate and zonal atmospheric circulation produced enriched stable oxygen and carbon isotopic values in combination with high percentages of pine pollen and sustained influx of charcoal particles. After 5300 cal yr B.P., decreasing isotopic values in marl and increasing pollen percentages of mesic hardwoods and northern white cedar indicate increased meridional air flow and precipitation from cold winter storms generated in Alberta, Canada. After 3000 cal yr B.P., abrupt declines in values of δ13C and δ18O and increased pollen representation of hemlock, American beech, spruce, and aquatic plants indicate paludification from increased lake-effect snowfall. The moisture was derived from the Great Lakes and transported by Alberta cyclonic storms that were steered across Lakes Superior and Michigan by a southward shift in the modal winter position of the polar jet stream.
Study of high-pressure xenon gas scintillation drift chambers with wave-shifting fiber and CsI photocathode readouts

We are studying high pressure (20 atmospheres) xenon gas scintillation drift chambers for use in hard x-ray astronomy. These detectors combine the concepts of the gas scintillation proportional counter and the time projection chamber, with the scintillation light read out using waveshifting fibers or plane parallel proportional counters with CsI photocathodes. We have operated both a small technical prototype and a large flight prototype chamber. The CSI photocathodes have consistently given quantum efficiencies near 30% for the detection of xenon scintillation light and plane parallel proportional counters filled with methane have provided gains better than 106. The small GSDC with a CsI readout has a measured energy resolution of 6.0% FWHM at 30 keV, within about a factor of two and a half of the ultimate resolution obtainable in the device. The resolution is currently limited by spread of the incident x-ray beam causing a variable fraction of scintillation light to be observed for each event. We report on the development status of this technology.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Molecular areas of phospholipids as determined by 2H NMR spectroscopy. Comparison of phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines

The role of lipid diversity in biomembranes is one of the major unsolved problems in biochemistry. One parameter of possible importance is the mean cross-sectional area occupied per lipid molecule, which may be related to formation of nonbilayer structures and membrane protein function. We have used 2H NMR spectroscopy to compare the properties of 1,2-diperdeuteriopalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE-d62) and 1,2-diperdeuteriopalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC-d62) in the L alpha phase. We find that DPPE has greater segmental order than DPPC, and that this increase in order is related to the smaller area per acyl chain found for DPPE. Values of the mean cross-sectional chain area are calculated using a simple diamond lattice model for the acyl chain configurational statistics, together with dilatometry data. The results obtained for the mean area per molecule are comparable with those from low angle x-ray diffraction studies.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: THE UNI PROGRAM

Summary In September 1992, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation undertook its UNI Program initiative, as part of its Latin American programmes, with the funding of 15 projects, in eight countries, and supporting strategies. The aim of the UNI Program in health professions education is to achieve synchronous development of educational models that are based on local health care systems where there is an important community participation in their management. An overriding problem inhibiting reform in health professions education towards a community orientation is the absence of academic community-based, problem-focused health care systems integrating the functions of health care, research, and teaching which would balance the tertiary-oriented models. The process of community participation is also unclear. All institutions propose major changes in the areas of curriculum, use of new learning opportunities at the community level, and interdisciplinary work. All will involve, as a minimum requirement, medical and nursing education, although 12 projects will also involve dentistry education, and 10 will involve other health professions — pharmacists, social workers, nutritionists, etc. This paper provides an overview of the programme, information on the progress of the 15 projects, and the perspectives to extend the programme to other countries in the Latin America region.
Natural history of the great saphenous vein stump following endovenous laser therapy.

Background: Little is known about the ideal residual length of the great saphenous vein (GSV) stump and its potential role in complications such as acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and recanalization. This study was designed to learn about the natural history of the residual GSV stump length following endovenous laser treatment. Methods: Prospective data were collected from 50 limbs of 50 patients over an 11-month period. Clinical assessment and duplex ultrasound were performed preoperatively, at 24 hours and at 3 months after the procedure. Results: The residual GSV stump decreased in length from a mean of 15 mm at 24 hours to 13 mm at 3 months after the procedure. None of the patients developed acute DVT or proximal recanalization when the laser tip was positioned 28 mm distal to the saphenofemoral junction. Conclusion: Endovenous laser therapy of the GSV for symptomatic reflux is safe and effective. The residual GSV stump decreased in length over a 3-month period.
SU-E-T-383: Can Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Mimic the Dose Distribution of High-Dose-Rate Tandem and Ovoids/ring Brachytherapy?

Purpose: To investigate whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) can mimic the dosimetry of tandem and ovoids/ring brachytherapy. Methods: We selected 5 patients treated with 3D-CT based high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy using 4 tandem and ovoid and 1 tandem and ring case. Manual optimization based on the Manchester system followed by graphical optimization (Nucletron Oncentra MasterPlan or Varian BrachyVision) was performed to deliver 6.0 Gy per fraction to a high-risk CTV while maintaining dose to organs at risk (OAR) below the ABS recommendations. For theoretical SBRT plans, CT images and OAR contours from the HDR plans were imported into Eclipse (Varian). The SBRT plan was created to mimic the heterogeneity of HDR plans by using a simultaneous integrated boost technique to match the V100, V150, and V200 isodose volumes from HDR. The OAR Dmax from HDR was used to define the OAR dose constraints for SBRT. Target coverage, dose spill-out, and OAR doses (D0.1cc, D1cc, and D2cc) between the HDR and SBRT plans were compared for significance using a two-tail paired ttest. Results: The mean isodose volumes for HDR vs. SBRT were 29.4 cc vs. 29.0 cc (V200, p = 0.674), 49.2 cc vs. 56.3 cc (V150, p = 0.017), 95.4 cc vs. 127.7 cc (V100, p = 0.001), and 271.9 cc vs. 581.6 cc (V50, p = 0.001). The D2cc to OAR for HDR vs. SBRT was 71.6% vs. 96.2% (bladder, p = 0.002), 69.2% vs. 101.7% (rectum, p = 0.0003), and 56.9% vs. 68.6% (sigmoid, p = 0.004). Conclusion: SBRT with VMAT can provide similar dose target coverage (V200), but dose spill-out and doses to OAR were statistically significantly higher than HDR. This study clearly demonstrated that brachytherapy can not be substituted with SBRT in gynecologic cervical cancer treatment.
Heat and protease treatment of aqueous humor: effect on cell DNA synthesis and growth.

Rabbit skin and Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were cultured in media containing 20% rabbit aqueous humor as a stimulatory agent. Cell stimulation was quantitated by3H-thymidine uptake. The aqueous humor was either: (1) untreated; (2) heated at 37° C for 60 min; (3) boiled for 2 min; or (4) heated at 37° C for 60 min with 0.025% trypsin, followed by boiling. The effects of the various treatments of aqueous humor on cell stimulation were compared among themselves and to 10% fetal bovine serum. It was found that: (1) heating of aqueous humor at 37° C for up to 60 min had no apparent effect on its ability to stimulate DNA synthesis in culture; (2) boiling and trypsin plus boiling reduced the ability of 20% aqueous humor to promote thymidine uptake to varying degrees; (3) 20% untreated aqueous humor was more effective than 10% fetal bovine serum in stimulating DNA synthesis in Tenon's capsule fibroblasts; skin fibroblasts responded similarly to both media.
CYSTINOTIC FIBROBLASTS ACCUMULATE CYSTINE FROM INTRACELLULAR PROTEIN CATABOLISM

Nephropathic cystinosis is an autosomal recessive disease characterized clinically by renal tubular and glomerular dysfunction and biochemically by intralysosomal cystine accumulation. We have recently reported that aminothiol treatment of cultured fibroblasts from patients with cystinosis produces rapid and complete removal of the stored cystine (1). Subsequent studies (2) showed that such cystine-depleted cells can reaccumulate cystine during incubation in culture medium lacking cystine. Thus, cystine appears to accumulate in these cells from an intracellular source. Potential intracellular sources include (1) GSH, (2)protein, and (3) cystathionine. No activity of the cystathionase pathway has been found by previous investigations in these cells, and none was found under the conditions of cystine depletion in the current investigations. Cells depleted of >80% of their GSH content reaccumulate cystine to the same extent as non-GSH depleted controls. Cells selectively labelled with 35S-cystine in either the GSH + protein pools or GSH pool alone only reaccumulate labelled cystine when the protein pool is labelled. Known inhibitors of protein degredation (NH4Cl and chloroquin) reversibly inhibit cystine reaccumulation in cystine-depleted cells. We conclude that the intralysosomal cystine accumulation observed in cells cultured from patients with cystinosis is derived from protein catabolism. (1) Thoene, J.G. et al. J.Clin.Invest.58:180, 1976. (2) Oshima, R.G. et al. J.Biol.Chem. 251:4287, 1976.
Positively Influencing Gifted Education Policy

The approach proposed by Subotnik, Olszewski-Kubilius, and Worrell (2011) has significant implications for the field of gifted education, many of which would increase advocates' ability to achieve success when working with policy makers. This commentary explores those implications and examines how the proposed approach can be integrated within the field from a policy perspective.
Distributed multi‐vehicle coordinated control via local information exchange

This paper describes a distributed coordination scheme with local information exchange for multiple vehicle systems. We introduce second-order consensus protocols that take into account motions of the information states and their derivatives, extending first-order protocols from the literature. We also derive necessary and sufficient conditions under which consensus can be reached in the context of unidirectional information exchange topologies. This work takes into account the general case where information flow may be unidirectional due to sensors with limited fields of view or vehicles with directed, power-constrained communication links. Unlike the first-order case, we show that having a (directed) spanning tree is a necessary rather than a sufficient condition for consensus seeking with second-order dynamics. This work focuses on a formal analysis of information exchange topologies that permit second-order consensus. Given its importance to the stability of the coordinated system, an analysis of the consensus term control gains is also presented, specifically the strength of the information states relative to their derivatives. As an illustrative example, consensus protocols are applied to coordinate the movements of multiple mobile robots. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demonstration of Insulin in Mammalian Pancreas by the Fluorescent Antibody Method

A method for the staining of mammalian pancreatic islets with a specific fluorescent antibody to insulin using frozen-dried sections rather than those cut with a cryostat is described. Sections were cut on a Servall microtome at 1-2 μ or when embedded in paraffin they were cut at 4-5 μ on a conventional rotary microtome. The latter procedure greatly simplified the search for islets.
Increased longevity in older users of postmenopausal estrogen therapy: the Leisure World Cohort Study.

AbstractObjective:To examine the effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy (ET), including duration and recency of use, on all-cause mortality in older women.Design:As part of a prospective cohort study of residents of a California retirement community begun in the early 1980s, Leisure World Cohort
Alternating leg muscle activation during sleep and arousals: a new sleep-related motor phenomenon?

We describe a quickly alternating pattern of anterior tibialis activation, recorded during nocturnal polysomnography in 16 patients. Polysomnography, usually for sleep-disordered breathing, included surface electromyograms over the anterior tibialis of each leg. Cases were identified from approximately 1,500 studies reviewed in the course of standard clinical care. Patients were 12 men and 4 women (mean age, 41 +/- 15 years; range, 12-70 years). Brief activation of the anterior tibialis in one leg alternated with similar activation in the other leg. Activations occurred at a frequency of approximately 1 to 2 Hz, each lasted between 0.1 and 0.5 seconds, and sequences of alternating activations usually lasted between several and 20 seconds. The phenomenon occurred in all sleep stages but particularly during arousals. Ten of the 16 patients had periodic leg movements during sleep at a rate >/= 5.0 per hour, and 12 of the 16 patients were taking antidepressant medication. Alternating leg muscle activation (ALMA) during sleep, at this relatively high frequency, may be a newly described phenomenon. We speculate that ALMA could represent transient facilitation of a spinal central pattern generator for locomotion, perhaps due to serotonergic effects of antidepressant medication.
Walk-through trap for control of horn flies (Diptera: Muscidae) on pastured cattle.

A walk-through fly trap designed in 1938 by W. G. Bruce was tested for two field seasons in Missouri. Screened elements along both sides of the device functioned as cone traps, thereby catching horn flies, Haematobia irrttans (L.), as they were swept from cattle by strips of carpet hung from the roof. Horn fly control on pastured cattle averaged 54 and 73% when they were afforded access to the trap. Analyses of Diptera captured in the trap indicated that horn flies comprised the most abundant species; face flies, Musca autumnalis De Geer, stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and others were present in smaller numbers. Cattle were not reluctant to use the trap, and no structural problems were observed during the experiment.
Exploiting Geo-Spatial Preference for Personalized Expert Recommendation

Experts are important for providing reliable and authoritative information and opinion, as well as for improving online reviews and services. While considerable previous research has focused on finding topical experts with broad appeal -- e.g., top Java developers, best lawyers in Texas -- we tackle the problem of personalized expert recommendation, to identify experts who have special personal appeal and importance to users. One of the key insights motivating our approach is to leverage the geo-spatial preferences of users and the variation of these preferences across different regions, topics, and social communities. Through a fine-grained GPS-tagged social media trace, we characterize these geo-spatial preferences for personalized experts, and integrate these preferences into a matrix factorization-based personalized expert recommender. Through extensive experiments, we find that the proposed approach can improve the quality of recommendation by 24% in precision compared to several baselines. We also find that users' geo-spatial preference of expertise and their underlying social communities can ameliorate the cold start problem by more than 20% in precision and recall.
Calcium dependence of serotonin-induced changes in rabbit ileal electrolyte transport.

Abstract These studies describe the calcium dependence of the serotonin-induced changes in active electrolyte transport in rabbit ileum in vitro. In the presence of a standard calcium concentration (1.2 mM) in the serosal bathing fluid, serosal serotonin caused a transient increase in short-circuit current and a prolonged decrease in net Na and Cl fluxes. Removing calcium from the serosal (no calcium plus 1 mM EGTA) but not the mucosal bathing fluid inhibited the serotoin-induced increase in ileal short-circuit current, and also completely blocked the serotonin effects on net Na and net Cl fluxes. This inhibition was rapidly reversed by readding calcium. Removing serosal calcium did not inhibit all active electrolyte transport processes, as the effect of a maximum concentration of theophylline (10 mM) was not altered. Similarly, d,l-verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibited the serotonin-induced changes in short-circuit current and in net Na and net Cl fluxes, but did not alter the theophylline effects. In contrast, d-verapamil, a stereoisomer which does not block calcium channels, did not inhibit the serotonin-induced changes. The calcium dependence of these serotonin effects was associated with increased uptake of 45Ca into rabbit ileum, including increaed 45Ca uptake from the serosal surface. Serotonin also increased the rate of 45Ca efflux from rabbit ileum into a calcium-free solution, compatible with serotonin increasing the ileal plasma membrane permeability to calcium. It is postulated that serotonin affects active intestinal electrolyte transport by a mechanism dependent on serosal but not mucosal calcium that involves an increase in the intestinal plasma membrane permeability to calcium, and perhaps an increase in intracellular calcium.
The extraction and isolation of dexamethasone-related compounds

Radiolabeled dexamethasone (9-fluoro-16 alpha-methyl-11 beta, 17, 21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) was utilized to develop a practical and relatively expedient method of detection for dexamethasone and its major metabolite in horse urine. The effects of solvent, pH, salt saturation, and back extraction on the extraction efficiency of dexamethasone-related compounds and the presence of endogenous background were evaluated. Final isolations of dexamethasone and its major urinary metabolite were procured by successive thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in three different developing systems.
Large Hearts in Children Biology or Disease

Daniels et al,1 in this issue of Circulation, used the technique of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to determine lean body mass and asked two questions: What determines echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) mass in children, and is LV mass a modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease? There are important reasons to consider that LV hypertrophy in children may be a coronary heart disease risk factor. LV hypertrophy, as detected by the ECG in hypertensive adults studied in the Framingham Heart Study, is recognized to be a serious risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease.2 In subsequent studies, investigators from that study discovered that the identification of LV hypertrophy by echocardiographic rather than by ECG measures is an even more powerful predictor of coronary heart disease than hypertension.3 4 Therefore, the appearance of echocardiographic LV hypertrophy in adults is an important finding that may presage a disease state. After the identification of risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease in adults, investigators described the distribution of these risk variables …
Oxygen sensitivity and biocompatibility of an implantable paramagnetic probe for repeated measurements of tissue oxygenation

The use of oxygen-sensing water-insoluble paramagnetic probes, such as lithium octa-n-butoxynaphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO), enables repeated measurements of pO2 from the same location in tissue by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In order to facilitate direct in vivo application, and hence eventual clinical applicability, of LiNc-BuO, we encapsulated LiNc-BuO microcrystals in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), an oxygen-permeable and bioinert polymer, and developed an implantable chip. In vitro evaluation of the chip, performed under conditions of sterilization, high-energy irradiation, and exposure to cultured cells, revealed that it is biostable and biocompatible. Implantation of the chip in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue of mice showed that it is capable of repeated and real-time measurements of tissue oxygenation for an extended period. Functional evaluation using a murine tumor model established the suitability and applicability of the chip for monitoring tumor oxygenation. This study establishes PDMS-encapsulated LiNc-BuO as a promising choice of probe for clinical EPR oximetry.
System for In Situ Characterization of Nanoparticles Synthesized in a Thermal Plasma Process

We have designed a particle diagnostic system that is able to measure particle size and charge distributions from low stagnation pressure (≥746 Pa) and high temperature (2000–4000 K) environments in near real time. This system utilizes a sampling probe interfaced to an ejector to draw aerosol from the low pressure chamber. Particle size and charge distributions are measured with a scanning mobility particle sizer. A hypersonic impactor is mounted in parallel with the scanning mobility particle sizer to collect particles for off-line microscopic analysis. This diagnostic system has been used to measure size and charge distributions of nanoparticles (Si, Ti, Si–Ti–N, etc.) synthesized with our thermal plasma reactor. We found that the mean particle size increases with operating pressure and reactant flow rates. We also found that most particles from our reactor are neutral for particles smaller than 20 nm, and that the numbers of positively and negatively charged particles are approximately equal.
Evidence for sulphur implantation in Europa's UV absorption band

The UV spectral characteristics of the Galilean satellites are investigated (using data from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spacecraft) as a function of the orbital position, large-scale areal variability, and temporal dynamics. The discovery of an absorption feature at 280 nm in Europa's reflection spectrum is reported and observations show that the absorption is strongest on the trailing hemisphere (central longitude 270 degrees). The feature resembles SO2 and seems to result from S-O bond formation between deeply implanted sulphur atoms and the adjacent damaged water-ice-lattice. The sulphur supposedly comes from energetic (hundreds of keV) sulphur ions that are present in the Jovian magnetosphere. An appropriate equilibrium condition can be found to match the observed spectral data if sputtering erosion occurs at no greater than approximately 20 meters per one billion years.
Parkinsonism associated with Sjögren's syndrome: three cases and a review of the literature.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a common multisystem autoimmune disorder. As with other autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), SS has been associated with a wide range of neurologic abnormalities. Parkinsonism has been reported previously in five SS patients. We present three additional cases of SS with parkinsonism.
The versatility of free rectus femoris muscle flap: An alternative flap

In the 10-year period from June 1985 to December 1994, 54 free rectus femoris muscle or musculocutaneous flaps were performed at our hospital. It has been one of the most frequently used free muscle flaps in our institution and forms 2% of all free tissue transfers (total, 2,769 cases). In 26 patients, it was used for large wound coverage following debridement or tumor ablation, and in 27 patients, as a functioning free muscle transplantation for brachial plexus palsy or traumatic muscle loss. In one patient the components of the deep aponeurosis, muscle, and overlying skin were used for reconstruction of an abdominal wall defect after neurilemmoma excision. There were two complete failures, one due to diabetic foot infection and one due to venous occlusion. Four had superficial marginal skin necrosis. No significant disability of the donor limb was encountered. Easy approach, rapid harvest, large and reliable overlying skin flap, a single dominant neurovascular pedicle (with large vessel diameter and long motor nerve), easy primary closure of the donor site, and minimal donor site morbidity all make the rectus femoris flap a good alternative flap for free tissue transfer, in addition to the gracilis, rectus abdominis, and latissimus dorsi muscle flap.
On the presence of O-demethylase activity in invertebrates.

Abstract 1. 1. Each of 10 invertebrate species tested was able to de-methylate p-[ 14 CH 3 ] methoxyphenol , giving rise to 14CO2.
Motor development of Native American children on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales.

OBJECTIVE Native American children have not been widely represented in the normative samples of standardized tests assessing motor development. This study investigated the cultural relevance of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS) in 2-year-old Native American children who are typically developing. METHOD The PDMS was administered to a sample of 44 Pueblo children who were 24 months through 35 months of age and typically developing. Each child's family also completed a parent questionnaire addressing the child's development and family demographics. Participant scores were compared with those of the normative sample. RESULTS The sample scored significantly lower than the normative sample (p < or = .001) on the Fine Motor Scale, and, when gender was taken into consideration, all but the older girls (30 months-35 months of age) had significantly lower scores. All but the younger girls (24 months-29 months of age) scored within the normal range on the Gross Motor Scale. CONCLUSION Our results with this small sample suggest that caution be used when comparing motor performance (especially fine motor abilities) of 2-year-old Native American children against the PDMS normative data.