cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Buprenorphine‐naloxone treatment responses differ between young adults with heroin and prescription opioid use disorders

Background and Objectives Opioid use disorder among young adults is rising sharply with an increase in morbidity and mortality. This study examined differences in treatment response to a fixed dose of buprenorphine-naloxone between heroin (HU) and prescriptions opioids (POU) users. Methods Eighty opioid dependent young adults (M = 22 years) were treated with buprenorphine-naloxone 16–4 mg/day for 8 weeks. Differences between HU (N = 17) and POU (N = 63) on changes in weekly opioid use, opioid craving, withdrawal, and depression symptoms were analyzed with mixed-effects regression models. Results The HU had an overall mean proportion of weekly opioid use of .32 (SD = .14) compared to POU's weekly mean of .24 (SD = .15) showing a significant main effect (Z = 2.21, p = .02). Depressive symptoms (CES-D scores) were elevated at baseline for both groups (HU: M = 23.1, SD = 11.9; PO: M = 22.2, SD = 9.4), but only POU improved significantly to a score of 9.88 (SD = 7.4) compared to HU's score of 18.58 (SD = 10.3) at week 8 (Z = 2.24, p = .02). There were no significant differences in treatment retention, craving, or withdrawal symptoms. Discussion and Conclusions Treatment response to 16-4 mg/day of buprenorphine–naloxone was significantly diminished for heroin users relative to opioid prescription users in weekly opioid use. Heroin users also had persistent depressive symptoms suggesting the need for close monitoring. Scientific Significance These data suggest that young heroin users might require higher doses of buprenorphine. (Am J Addict 2017;XX:1–7)
Examining latent classes of smartphone users: Relations with psychopathology and problematic smartphone use

Abstract Little is known about how people use their smartphones, and whether usage patterns are related to psychopathology and problematic smartphone use. We sampled 296 college students, and administered self-report scales to assess frequency of using various smartphone features, and problematic smartphone use. We also assessed psychopathology constructs (ruminative thinking and emotion regulation deficits), and demographics (age and gender) as potential covariates of smartphone use patterns. Using latent class analysis, we identified two distinct classes of smartphone feature use, with one class representing especially heavy use (particularly that of social networking, audio and visual entertainment, and image- and video-taking), and the other class involving light use (particularly that of social networking, audio entertainment and image- and video-taking). Higher levels of rumination, and higher levels of cognitive reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy, were related to the heavy use class. The heavy use class scored higher on all problematic smartphone use outcome variables. Results aid in understanding the nature and relation of smartphone usage patterns to psychopathology and problematic smartphone usage.
The Energy Costs of Prematurity and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Experience

Premature neonates are in an energy deficient state due to (1) oxygen desaturation and hypoxia events, (2) painful and stressful stimuli, (3) illness, and (4) neurodevelopmental energy requirements. Failure to correct energy deficiency in premature infants may lead to adverse effects such as neurodevelopmental delay and negative long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. The effects of energy dysregulation and the challenges that clinicians in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) face in meeting the premature infant’s metabolic demands are discussed. Specifically, the focus is on the effects of pain and stress on energy homeostasis. Energy deficiency is a complex problem and requires a multi-faceted solution to promote optimum development of premature infants.
Dynamic chromo-angular-modal excitation of multimode waveguides via acousto-optic deflection (Conference Presentation)

Photonic time stretch has been a successful imaging and spectroscopy technique that provides single-shot and real-time performance by employing highly dispersive optical elements to slow down the modulated optical signals and overcome the speed bottleneck present at analog-to-digital conversion. Photonic time stretch has also been generalized to warped stretch with tailored chromatic dispersion profiles, enabling non-uniform (foveated) sampling. However, such tailored profiles are currently only available with fixed elements which cannot be reconfigured, lowering the robustness of such systems and limiting their applicability to static samples and environments that have relatively constant sample statistics. To address this limitation, we demonstrate an arbitrarily programmable source of chromatic dispersion which has a 1-ns wide delay range, and inherently devoid of ghost artifacts common in spectral phase-based optical devices. Extending the concept of chromo-modal dispersion (CMD), we use an acousto-optic deflector to create a digitally synthesized and modulated angular spread of optical wavelengths, which are then coupled into the chosen waveguide mode of a multimode fiber to create the desired modal dispersion. The range and tunability enables us to on-the-fly reconfigure and correct optical dispersion. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrate real-time channel noise correction via optical feedback for warped stretch spectroscopy at 36.6 MHz.
Computerized Cognitive Training to Improve Mood in Senior Living Settings: Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose This two-arm, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate a computerized cognitive speed of processing (SOP) training known as Road Tour in the generally older group of adults residing in assisted living (AL) and related senior housing. Study aims focused on depression-related outcomes that were observed in earlier SOP studies using Road Tour with younger, home-dwelling seniors. Study design and baseline outcomes are discussed. Participants and methods A community-based design engaged AL and related senior living settings as partners in research. Selected staff served as on-site research assistants who were trained to recruit, consent, and train a target of 300 participants from AL and independent living (IL) programs to use the intervention and attention-control computerized training. Ten hours of initial computerized training was followed by two booster sessions at 5 and 11 months. Outcome measures included Useful Field of View (UFOV), 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), 12-item Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CESD-12), 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorders GAD-7), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and SF-36 Health Survey. Assessments occurred before randomization (pre-training), post-training, 26 and 52 weeks. Results A total of 351 participants were randomized to the intervention (n=173) and attention-control (n=178) groups. There were no significant differences between groups in demographic characteristics with the exception of education and reported osteoporosis. There were no significant differences in study outcomes between groups at baseline. Participants in AL had significantly lower SOP and self-rated health, and significantly higher depression, anxiety and pain when compared to those in IL programs on the same campus. Conclusions Compared to earlier SOP training studies using Road Tour, this sample of senior living participants were older, reported more health conditions and poorer overall health, had lower UFOV scores and greater depressive symptoms at baseline. Moreover, participants in AL had greater health challenges than those in IL.
Policy Issues Raised by Structured Products

The structured products market has experienced explosive growth in the United States over the last five years. The market is expected to continue growing 20%-25% each year, given the still comparatively small size of the U.S. market and the expected increase in demand for fixed-income type investments by retiring baby-boomers. While often performing an invaluable role in facilitating the transfer of risk and improving the ability of investors to more fully diversify their portfolios, these products also raise important investor protection concerns. Investment banks are increasingly offering structured products to retail investors through their broker networks. Whether retail investors adequately understand the complicated payoff structure of these products, which often include embedded options, and the implicit fees being charged for these products is the source of these investor protection concerns. The illiquidity of most structured products, including even listed ones, heightens these concerns. The current regulation of structured products and possible reforms are examined with these investor protection concerns in mind.
Toward Practical Activity Recognition: Recognizing Complex Activities with Wide Variations

Most activity classifiers focus on recognizing application-specific activities that are mostly performed in a scripted manner, where there is very little room for variation within the activity. These classifiers are mainly good at recognizing short scripted activities that are performed in a specific way. In reality, especially when considering daily activities, humans perform complex activities in a variety of ways. In this work, we aim to make activity recognition more practical by proposing a novel approach to recognize complex heterogeneous activities that could be performed in a wide variety of ways. We collect data from 15 subjects performing 8 complex activities and test our approach while analyzing it from different aspects. The results show the validity of our approach. They also show how it performs better than the state-of-the-art approaches that tried to recognize the same activities in a more controlled environment.
Role of Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (Mip)-Lα in Granulomatous Inflammation

Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 is a low MW, LPS-inducible monocyte and neutrophil chemotactic cytokine which may be important in inflammation and pulmonary granuloma formation. The present study examined the kinetic generation, and in vivo relevance of murine MIP- lα utilizing synchronous pulmonary Schistosoma mansoni egg granulomas. Antigenic MIP-lα was measured in 24 hr supernatants from whole granulomas cultured (700/ml) with or without soluble egg antigen (SEA) utilizing an ELISA developed in our laboratory. Intact primary granulomas isolated at various times of development from normal mice showed low backgroud levels of MIP- lα production (<1 ng/ml), however, when challenged with antigen demonstrated significant production of MIP-lα beginning at day 8 (2.6 ng/ml) and peaking at day 16 (16.8 ng/ml). Intact pulmonary granulomas isolated from acutely infected mice demonstrated high backgroud levels of MIP-lα production (peaking at day 2; 7.8 ng/ml). Likewise, background levels from chronic infection granulomas (day 2; 5.6 ng/ml) were similar to acute granulomas. Antigen stimulation increased expression of MIP- lα at all time points with granulomas from acutely infected (peaking at day 2; 16 ± 4.6 ng/ml) but not chronically infected (peaking at day 8; 3.45 ± 1.3 ng/ml) mice. Treatment of mice with polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse MIP-lα (6,125 ± 310 um2) abrogated 8 day primary pulmonary granuloma formation when compared to normal serum control group (12,704 ± 1154 um2). Anti-MIP-lα sera also decreased granuloma formation in lungs of acutely (4-day; 27,897 ± 2400 um2), but not chronically (4-day; 15257 + 1058 um2) infected mice compared to normal serum treated groups (36,010 ± 2507 and 17319 ± 1016 um2, respectively).
Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy: the anterior approach including bilateral suprarenal-hilar dissection.

SUMMARY In summary, several conclusions can be drawn from our experience. Chemotherapy is opening new avenues in the management of these patients. It allows us to leave patients with Stage A disease untreated, with close follow-up. Should Stage C disease develop, the patient can be salvaged with appropriate and aggressive combination chemotherapy, as our cases were. Patients with Stage A disease should have a 100 per cent survival rate if the retroperitoneum is dissected appropriately and the patient is followed closely postoperatively. Several options exist for the postoperative management of patients with Stage B disease. Three courses are under cooperative study: (a) no treatment, as in Stage A; (b) one-drug chemoprophylaxis with actinomycin D; and (c) combination chemotherapy from the outset. We have treated with actinomycin D therapy. Those patients who developed Stage C disease have been switched to combined chemotherapy with cis-platinum, Velban, and bleomycin. Since 1974, all our patients with Stage B disease who progressed to Stage C have achieved complete remission with this three-drug combination. Another new horizon is the potential for chemical cytoreduction of disseminated Stage C disease; persistent abdominal disease can then be resected. It is this author’s opinion that chemotherapy provides a safer, more extensive initial cytoreduction than the contrary approach of primary surgical cytoreduction and postoperative chemotherapy. Serotesting for the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and for alpha-fetoprotein has been a helpful means of following patients with Stage B disease and for detecting tumor before it can be seen by any of the conventional radiologic methods. Although the future of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy is still unclear, and improvements in noninvasive staging will doubtless continue (serotesting for tumor-associated antigens, ultrasound, axial tomography, and lymphangiography), it would seem unlikely that completely accurate staging can be obtained without surgical dissection and histologic nodal examination. We have had recent experience with several patients in whom all these preoperative tests for metastases (including serotesting) were negative, yet they had evidence of multiple tumorous nodes on microscopic examination. This suggests that the role of surgical staging with histologic nodal study will remain central to the accurate definition of the disease status and direction of therapy. Furthermore, retroperitoneal surgery, completely done, seems to have positive influence on patient survival in this disease.
Identifying and Quantifying Personnel Skill Gaps

One of the issues organizations face is identifying the required skills needed for a position and then evaluating if their personnel have these skills or if there is a “skills gap”. A “skills gap” ...
Heterogeneous effect of aging on vasorelaxation responses in large and small arteries.

Aging is associated with impaired vascular function characterized in part by attenuated vasorelaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Due to structural and functional differences between conduit and resistance arteries, the effect of aging on vasorelaxation responses may vary along the arterial tree. Our purpose was to determine age-related differences in vasorelaxation responses in large and small arteries. Responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were assessed in abdominal aorta (AA), iliac arteries (IA), femoral arteries (FA), and gastrocnemius feed arteries (GFA) from young and old male rats. ACh-mediated vasorelaxation was significantly impaired in old AA and IA. SNP-mediated vasorelaxation was impaired in old AA. To investigate a potential mechanism for impaired relaxation responses in AA and IA, we assessed eNOS protein content and interactions with caveolin-1 (Cav-1), and calmodulin (CaM) via immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis. We found no age differences in eNOS content or interactions with Cav1 and CaM. Combined data from all rats revealed that eNOS content was higher in IA compared to AA and FA (p < .001), and was higher in GFA than AA (p < .05). Cav1:eNOS interaction was greater in FA than in AA and IA (p < .01), and in GFA compared to IA (p < .05). No differences in CaM:eNOS were detected. In conclusion, age-related impairment of vasorelaxation responses occurred in the large conduit, but not small conduit or resistance arteries. These detrimental effects of age were not associated with changes in eNOS or its interactions with Cav-1 or CaM.
Upper Airway Obstruction Due to Primary Laryngeal Blastomycosis in a Dog.

ABSTRACTA 9 yr old female spayed Labrador retriever presented for progressive dyspnea. Inspiratory stridor and inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea were present, consistent with an upper airway obstr...
Effect of Cigarette Rod Length on Puff and Post-Puff Respiration Topography, Respiratory Co, and Subjective Ratings in Smokers

The habitual smokers (5 males and 5 females) smoked their preferred brands of cigarettes under three different conditions separated by 30 min intervals. These three smoking conditions were presented in a counterbalanced order across a total of 10 days. Each of the three conditions involved taking eight puffs in a normal fashion at a fixed interpuff interval which varied from 45–65 sec. The three experimental conditions were: 1) Whole cigarette -one cigarette Smoked progressively down the burning rod to within 5 mm of filter, 2) Full Length -one puff taken from each of eight full length cigarettes, and 3) Butt Length -one puff taken from each of eight butt length cigarettes prepared by clipping off all but 5 mm of burnable tobacco rod distal to filter.
Regional Anesthesia for Outpatient Surgery

Outpatient surgery has seen a tremendous increase in volume in recent years. With this increase in volume, an increase in painful, invasive surgery has occurred. A result of this change has been poor outpatient pain control in this surgical setting [1, 2]. This has presented anesthesiologists with a challenging environment, in particular with regard to pain management. Of great value is regional anesthesia.
Abstract 19105: Basis for Biochemical Discordance Between Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Anti-factor Xa in Patients with Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device on Unfractionated Heparin Infusion

Introduction: Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) has been the mainstay of therapy for bridging and treatment of suspected device thrombosis/hemolysis in Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device (CF-LVAD), however the optimal monitoring test has not been prospectively evaluated. We previously reported that that Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and anti-Xa levels measured simultaneously are frequently discordant in these patients. Hypothesis: Warfarin administration and hemolysis might be the biochemical basis for discordance between aPTT and anti-Xa in patients with CF-LVAD requiring UFH. Methods: A prospective observational study consisting of 38 patients with HeartMateII, consecutively admitted for UFH therapy with simultaneous measurements of aPTT and anti-factor Xa levels. Patients were stratified based on requirement of UFH for either sub-therapeutic INR or suspected device thrombosis. Patients were grouped according to whether the paired values fell within or outside the concordant therapeutic range, when discordant thromboelastography and factor analysis were performed. Results: Anti-Xa and aPTT were concordant 41.9% of the time in those getting treated for sub-therapeutic INR and only 18.8% in the group that getting treated for hemolysis/ device thrombosis. Data pairs with a supratherapeutic aPTT values were most likely to be associated with an INR ≥1.5, (p Conclusions: The relationship between aPTT and anti-factor Xa is not consistent in patients with CF-LVAD and the most common pattern was a supra-therapeutic aPTT relative to anti-factor Xa . Elevated LDH which is the sign for hemolysis and warfarin administration might contribute to an increased incidence of discordance.
Demonstration of a Choline Requirement for Optimal Keratinocyte Growth in a Defined Culture Medium

Nutrient requirements for proliferation and differentiated function of individual cell types can be determined using cell culture methodologies. Human epidermal keratinocytes are stimulated to grow by choline supplementation in the presence of myo-inositol when grown in a commercial nutrient medium containing six other defined supplements. The optimal range of choline concentrations varied among donor cell lines, but consistently fell between 36 microM and 180 microM. Addition of 72 microM choline increased cell yield to 250 +/- 38% of that produced by myo-inositol supplementation alone and 92 +/- 8% of that produced by addition of a highly mitogenic hypothalamic extract, which was previously required for good growth in this culture system. Supplementation of the basal medium with both the extract and choline resulted in 165 +/- 13% of the cell yield observed with the extract addition alone. Supplementation with other phospholipid precursors did not further increase keratinocyte growth. Neither dermal fibroblasts nor epidermal melanocytes were stimulated by supplementation with choline, suggesting the high keratinocyte requirement is unusual. This completely defined culture medium for keratinocyte growth should prove useful in analyzing the role of phospholipids and other nutrients in human epidermis.
Seasonal distribution of acute myocardial infarction in the second National Registry of Myocardial Infarction.

Abstract Objectives. This observational study sought to determine whether cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) reported to the second National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI-2) varied by season. Background. The existence of circadian variation in the onset of AMI is well established. Examination of this periodicity has led to new insights into pathophysiologic triggers of atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Although a seasonal pattern for mortality from AMI has been previously noted, it remains unclear whether the occurrence of AMI also displays a seasonal rhythmicity. Documentation of such a pattern may foster investigation of new pathophysiologic determinants of plaque rupture and intracoronary thrombosis. Methods. We analyzed the number of cases of AMI reported to NRMI-2 by season during the period July 1, 1994 to July 31, 1996. Data were normalized so that seasonal occurrence of AMI was reported according to a standard 90-day length. Results. A total of 259,891 cases of AMI were analyzed during the study period. Approximately 53% more cases were reported in winter than during the summer. The same seasonal pattern (decreasing occurrence of reported cases from winter to fall to spring to summer) was seen in men and women, in different age groups and in 9 of 10 geographic areas. In-hospital case fatality rates for AMI also followed a seasonal pattern, with a peak of 9% in winter. Conclusions. The present results suggest that there is a seasonal pattern in the occurrence of AMIs reported to NRMI-2 that is characterized by a marked peak of cases in the winter months and a nadir in the summer months. This pattern was seen in all subgroups analyzed as well as in different geographic areas. These findings suggest that the chronobiology of seasonal variation in AMI may be affected by variables independent of climate.
Repeatability performance of non-contact probes in the 500–750GHz band

We present the repeatability performance of an automated non-contact probe system for on-wafer device and integrated circuit characterization in the 500–750 GHz band. Unlike conventional contact-probe systems, a computer controlled x-y translation stage is employed to realize a completely automated non-contact probe setup. Thanks to this simplicity, far superior repeatability performance can be achieved with great ease. We present the repeatability study specifically for the 500–750 GHz band utilizing a precision servo system with 1 micron translation accuracy. At 625 GHz, our setup achieves 2.2° deviation in phase and 4.4%˙ deviation in magnitude for 25 successive measurements spanning over 1.5 hours. This fully computerized non-contact probe system also facilitates intermittent re-calibrations that are normally needed for reliable sub-mmW measurements.
Is prostate cancer changing?: Evolving patterns of metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) most commonly metastasizes to the bone, and less commonly to nonosseous sites (eg, lymph nodes, liver, lung). With new therapies extending survival in mCRPC, it was hypothesized that the pattern of metastases is changing over time. The pattern of metastatic disease was evaluated in men with mCRPC, as reported in baseline characteristics of prospective clinical trials over 2 decades. METHODS This study identified all phase 2 and 3 therapeutic studies in men with mCRPC in PubMed and American Society of Clinical Oncology abstracts from 1990 to 2012. Studies were excluded if they did not report demographic data and sites of metastasis, or excluded patients with a specific site of metastatic disease (except brain). For each type of metastasis, weighted least squares linear regression models were used to evaluate temporal trends. RESULTS A total of 290 eligible studies (270 phase 2 studies and 20 phase 3 studies) involving 19,110 patients were identified. Between 1990 and 2012, the rate of nonosseous metastasis increased significantly at 1.6% per year (P < .0001), whereas the rate of osseous metastasis decreased at 0.5% per year (P < .0001). The rate of lymph node metastasis increased at 1.4% per year (P < .0001), but the rate of liver and lung metastasis remained relatively stable. CONCLUSIONS A notable change was found in the pattern of metastasis in patients with mCRPC. Because these evolving patterns may have important implications in treatment selection and prognosis, it is crucial that future clinical trials of patients with mCRPC define patients with a uniform reporting of nonosseous metastasis. Cancer 2014;120:833–839. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Large active retrodirective arrays for solar power satellites

An active retrodirective array (ARA) transmits a beam toward the apparent source of an illuminating signal called the pilot. The array produces the RF power. Retrodirectivity is achieved by retransmitting from each element of the array a signal whose phase is the 'conjugate' of that received by the element. Application of the ARA to the solar power satellite concept has been proposed. A method of providing a reference phase is described, called 'central phasing', which eliminates the need for a rigid structure ordinarily needed in order to realize accurate retrodirectivity.
Social anxiety and resistance techniques in risky sexual scenarios: A possible mechanism of increased risk of victimization☆

Abstract Victims of sexual assault are never to blame, but increasing a woman's ability to effectively defend against unwanted sexual advances may help reduce risk of sexual victimization. This two-part study sought to examine social interaction anxiety as a risk factor of sexual victimization. A total of 1095 undergraduate females completed an online survey to assess social anxiety and other variables, of whom a subsample (n = 136) completed the subsequent in-lab study in which predicted use of resistance techniques in a risky sexual situation was assessed. Controlling for past victimization, social interaction anxiety did not predict use of assertive or polite resistance techniques but did predict passive responding at the lowest two levels of sexual coercion in a series of three escalating sexual advances (i.e., breast fondling, genital fondling, and rape threat) in a story depicting a risky sexual situation. Overall, findings suggest that social anxiety may increase college women's risk of sexual victimization by increasing passivity during risky sexual situations, which has implications for risk reduction programs and for psychotherapy with women who present with high social anxiety.
Surgical treatment of mild hallux valgus deformity: the state of practice among academic foot and ankle surgeons.

Background:The purpose of this study was to determine the operative procedure of choice among academic foot and ankle surgeons practicing in the United States for treatment of mild hallux valgus deformity.Methods:A hypothetical patient was created: a 60-year-old woman with a mild hallux valgus deformity (first intermetatarsal angle of 11 degrees and hallux valgus angle of 22 degrees). The patient complained of pain around the bunion, nonoperative treatment had failed, and she desired operative correction. The case was sent to academic foot and ankle surgeons to identify their operative treatment of choice. The overall response rate was 83.7% (128 of 153). To be included in the study group each surgeon had 1) foot and ankle patients comprising 50% or more of their clinical practice and 2) direct responsibility for teaching orthopaedic surgery residents. One hundred and three respondents met the inclusion criteria and formed the study group.Results:Eighty-seven percent (90 of 103) reported that they would u...
Detection of Parvovirus B19 Capsid Proteins in Testicular Tissues

Objective To detect B19 capsid proteins, VP1 and VP2, in testicular tissues, both normal and tumor, using immunohistochemistry. Methods Samples of normal, fetal, and tumor testicular tissue (n = 31) and normal testicular DNA (n = 1) were tested for the presence of B19. Immunohistochemistry staining was used for the detection of viral capsid proteins VP1 and VP2. Polymerase chain reaction with 4 primer sets was used to test for the presence of B19 DNA in a normal testicular sample. Results B19 capsid protein VP1 and VP2 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 6 (85.7%) of 7 normal testicular samples and 17 (73.9%) of 23 tumor samples. The findings from a normal fetal testicular sample were equivocal. B19 DNA was detected in normal testicular DNA with 4 of the 4 primer sets used. Conclusion In contrast to previous reports, B19 capsid proteins VP1 and VP2 have now been detected in both normal and tumor testicular tissue. The persistence of B19 in a diverse range of tissues, including the testes, requires more research into the molecular mechanisms by which B19 can enter these cells, as well as the possible etiologic roles in chronic diseases, including cancer.
On the investigation of the D(n,2n)p reaction at 14 MeV☆

Abstract A system to investigate the deuteron break-up processes with the detection of two neutrons in the three particle final state is presented. Various ways to reduce the large background inherent to this type of experiment are discussed.
Regulation of androgen and estrogen receptors in male excurrent ducts of the goat: An immunohistochemical study

Background: Since androgens and/or estrogens must bind with specific receptors in order to elicit a response at the target organ(s), it is important to understand factors that regulate expression of androgen receptors (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER). Hence, the objective of the study is to determine the relative significance between circulating andro- gen (CA) and luminal androgen (LA) in maintaining normal expression of AR and ER in male excurrent ducts. Methods: Mature Nubian goats were subjected for 15 days each to the following treatments: (1) bilateral orchidectomy, (2) bilateral orchidec- tomy and testosterone treatment, (3) unilateral ligation of the extratesticu- lar rete, and (4) unilateral orchidectomy. Tissues from different segments of the excurrent ducts were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in Paraplast-plust. Antigenic sites for AR and ER were immunolocalized using PG-21 rabbit antirat/human antibody and H-222 rat antihuman monoclonal antibody, respectively. The avidin-biotin horseradish peroxi- dase procedure was used to identify positive immunoreactivity. Negative controls included incubation of sections with irrelevant IgG in place of primary antibody. Results: In intact animals, whereas AR were found in epithelial, connec- tive tissue, and peritubular smooth muscle cells of the efferent ductules, regions I-V of the epididymis, and ductus deferens, ER were confined to nonciliated cells of the efferent ductules. Bilateral orchidectomy caused a severe loss of both AR and ER staining. Testosterone replacement to orchidectomized animals restored staining of both AR and ER to the intact level. Neither unilateral ligation of the extratesticular rete nor unilateral orchidectomy had any effect on AR or ER immunostaining. Conclusion: Circulating androgen alone, without any input from lumi- nal androgen or other rete fluid contents, can regulate expression of both androgen receptor and estrogen receptor. Anat. Rec. 250:164-171, 1998.
Functions and social consequences of infant–adult male interaction in a captive group of lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

The functions and social consequences of infant-adult male interaction in a captive group of lowland gorillas were evaluated. The two males repeatedly attempted to interact with the infant, the infant sometimes attempted to interact with the males, and the mother usually interrupted interactions between male and infant. Infant-directed actions by the two males frequently showed their interest in the infant and infrequently showed care giving toward her; their other infant-directed actions occurred near the time of excitement or of playful actions between adults. Male-directed actions by the infant frequently showed its interest in one male and infrequently showed care seeking from him. All infant-adult male interactions but one occurred in the less stimulating of the gorillas' two enclosures. Boredom and the mother's frequent thwarting of contact between a male and infant are suggested as influences on the males' interest in the infant. The data suggest that availability of interesting objects alleviated the boredom of captivity for males and thus dissuaded them from seeking stimulation which sometimes resulted in harmful behaviors toward the infant.
Breeding experience, alternative reproductive strategies and reproductive success in a captive colony of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

Birds exhibit a remarkable diversity of different reproductive strategies both between and within species. Species such as the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) may evolve the flexible use of alternative reproductive strategies, as well as benefit from prior breeding experience, which allows them to adaptively respond to unpredictable environments. In birds, the flexible use of alternative reproductive strategies, such as extra-pair mating, has been reported to be associated with fast reproduction, high mortality and environmental variability. However, little is known about the role of previous breeding experience in the adaptive use of alternative reproductive strategies. Here we performed an in-depth study of reproductive outcomes in a population of domesticated zebra finches, testing the impact of prior breeding experience on the use of alternative reproductive strategies and reproductive success. We provide evidence that older females with prior breeding experience are quicker to initiate a clutch with a new partner and have increased success in chick rearing, even in a captive colony of zebra finches with minimal foraging demands. We also find evidence that the breeding experience of other females in the same social group influences reproductive investment by female zebra finches. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the use of alternative reproductive strategies in female zebra finches is associated with previous failed breeding attempts with the same pair partner. The results provide evidence that age and breeding experience play important roles in the flexible use of both facultative and adaptive reproductive strategies in female zebra finches.
Prophylaxis for Neonatal Group B Streptococcus Infections

For the past two decades, group B streptococcus (GBS) has been the pathogen most frequently isolated from neonates with invasive bacterial disease. This is a review of the relevant aspects of microbiology, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations and a summary of the major studies of prevention strategies that led to the development of the 1996 consensus guidelines for prevention of perinatal GBS disease. There is now sufficient experience to know that > or = 80% of cases of early onset GBS disease can be prevented when a protocol for intrapartum chemoprophylaxis with either penicillin or ampicillin is implemented consistently within a delivery population. Present controversies revolve around the choice between a universal screening-based strategy versus a risk factor-based strategy, optimal management of the neonate born to a mother who received intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis, and effective methods to ensure implementation. The present guidelines will likely be refined as additional experience is gained.
Phenotypic characterization of epiphycan-deficient and epiphycan/biglycan double-deficient mice.

Summary Objective To characterize the in vivo role epiphycan ( Epn ) has in cartilage development and/or maintenance. Methods Epn -deficient mice were generated by disrupting the Epn gene in mouse embryonic stem cells. Epn /biglycan ( Bgn ) double-deficient mice were produced by crossing Epn -deficient mice with Bgn -deficient mice. Whole knee joint histological sections were stained using van Gieson or Fast green/Safranin-O to analyze collagen or proteoglycan content, respectively. Microarray analysis was performed to detect gene expression changes within knee joints. Results Epn -deficient and Epn/Bgn double-deficient mice appeared normal at birth. No significant difference in body weight or femur length was detected in any animal at 1 month of age. However, 9-month Epn/Bgn double-deficient mice were significantly lighter and had shorter femurs than wild type mice, regardless of gender. Male Epn -deficient mice also had significantly shorter femurs than wild type mice at 9 months. Most of the deficient animals developed osteoarthritis (OA) with age; the onset of OA was observed earliest in Epn / Bgn double-deficient mice. Message RNA isolated from Epn / Bgn double-deficient knee joints displayed increased matrix protein expression compared with wild type mice, including other small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) members such as asporin, fibromodulin and lumican. Conclusion Similar to other previously studied SLRPs, EPN plays an important role in maintaining joint integrity. However, the severity of the OA phenotype in the Epn/Bgn double-deficient mouse suggests a synergy between these two proteins. These data are the first to show a genetic interaction involving class I and class III SLRPs in vivo .
Conformation of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain: circular dichroism of long and short fragments.

Abstract The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II consists of tandemly repeated copies of a heptapeptide with the Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7 consensus sequence. This repeat contains two overlapping SPXX motifs that can adopt a β-turn conformation. In addition, each CTD repeat contains the PXXP sequence characteristic of the left-handed helix of polyproline II (PII) found in SH3 domain ligands and the PXY sequence that is the target for WW domains. We have studied CTD fragments using circular dichroism (CD) to characterize the conformation of the CTD in water and in the hydrogen bond-promoting solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE). In water, an eight-repeat fragment is predominantly unordered, but at 32 °C has PII and β-turn contents estimated to be about 15 % and less than 10 %, respectively. In 90 % TFE, the β-turn fraction is estimated to be about 75 %, the remainder being unordered and PII conformations. The Tyr side-chains are ordered to a significant extent in 90 % TFE. Replacement of the fully conserved Pro residues by α-aminoisobutyric acid leads to a large increase in β-turn. Replacement of Ser2 by Ala does not substantially alter the CTD conformation in water or TFE. Ser5 replacement by Ala increases the PII content in water and affects the conformation in TFE-rich solutions. Phosphorylation of Ser2 and Ser5 has little effect in water, but Ser2 affects the conformation in TFE-rich solution in much the same way as Ser5→Ala substitution. The CD of the full-length murine CTD in water is similar to that of the eight-repeat fragment, indicating little difference in conformation with increasing chain length beyond eight repeats. The roles of PII and β-turn in the interaction of CTD with its target proteins (mediator and RNA-processing components) are discussed. The most likely interactions are between PII and WW or SH3 domains, or with some unknown PII-binding motif.
Reconstitution of Yeast and Arabidopsis RNA Polymerase α-like Subunit Heterodimers

Abstract Two subunits of about 36–44 kDa and 13–19 kDa in the eukaryotic nuclear RNA polymerases share limited amino acid sequence similarity to the α subunit in Escherichia coliRNA polymerase. The α subunit in the prokaryotic enzyme has a stoichiometry of 2, but the stoichiometry of the α-like subunits in the eukaryotic enzymes is not entirely clear. To gain insight into the subunit stoichiometry and assembly pathway for eukaryotic RNA polymerases, in vitro reconstitution experiments have been carried out with recombinant α-like subunits from yeast and plant RNA polymerase II. The large and small α-like subunits from each species formed stable heterodimers in vitro, but neither the large or small α-like subunits formed stable homodimers. Furthermore, mixed heterodimers were formed between corresponding subunits of yeast and plants, but were not formed between corresponding subunits in different RNA polymerases from the same species. Our results suggest that RNA polymerase II α-like heterodimers may be the equivalent of α homodimers found in E. coli RNA polymerase.
Slow dissociation of 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-galactosyl-(1→3)-N-acetyl β-D-galactosaminide from its complex with peanut agglutinin

Abstract Interaction of peanut agglutinin with MeUmbβGalβ(1→3)GalNAc was followed with the stopped-flow technique. The mechanism is a simple bimolecular association with k+ = 7.1 × 103 M−1. s−1 and k− = 0.24 s−1 at 25°C. The very slow dissociation rate of the complex strongly supports earlier conclusions that the combining site of peanut agglutinin is complementary to the Galβ(1→3)GalNac structure.
Toward patient-friendly cell-level dosimetry.

Dosimetry for targeted radionuclide therapy is a relatively young field. Although initial work can be traced back to the late 1940s ( [1][1] ), the MIRD Committee formalism that forms the foundation for most current approaches was published in the mid 1970s ( [2][2] ), and the drive for improved
The accumulation of sugars in potato tubers at low temperature and some associated enzymatic activities

Abstract A comparison was made of the activities of several enzymes involved in sugar transformations in potatoes stored both at low temperature and at room temperature. Whole tubers were used, and a technique comparing halves of the same potato was developed. The potato halves and the whole tubers showed similar patterns except the halves went through the pattern more rapidly. The enzymes studied were phosphohexose isomerase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldolase, and invertase. Within 4 days sucrose accumulated in the potato halves at low temperature followed by increases in reducing sugars. The results could not be explained by a simple lowering of respiration rate at low temperatures. A probable sequence of events appears to be that low temperature induces in the tuber (1) a temporary decrease in aldolase activity, (2) an increase in sucrose, (3) increased invertase activity, (4) accumulation of reducing sugars, followed by (5) a lowering of the activity of phosphohexose isomerase.
The nature of the symbiosis between Indo-Pacific anemone fishes and sea anemones

Under the general heading of symbiosis, defined originally to mean a “living together” of two dissimilar species, exist the sub-categories of mutualism (where both partners benefit), commensalism (where one partner benefits and the other is neutral) and parasitism (where one partner benefits and the other is harmed). The sea anemone-fish (mainly of the genus Amphiprion) symbiosis has generally been considered to benefit only the fish, and thus has been called commensal in nature. Recent field and laboratory observations, however, suggest that this symbiosis more closely approaches mutualism in which both partners benefit to some degree. The fishes benefit by receiving protection from predators among the nematocyst-laden tentacles of the sea anemone host, perhaps by receiving some form of tactile stimulation, by being less susceptible to various diseases and by feeding on anemone tissue, prey, waste material and perhaps crustacean symbionts. The sea anemones benefit by receiving protection from various predators, removal of necrotic tissue, perhaps some form of tactile stimulation, removal of inorganic and organic material from on and around the anemone, possible removal of anemone “parasites”, and by being provided food by some species of Amphiprion.
Case Mix Controlled Service Use and Expenditures in the Social/Healt Maintenance Organization Demonstration

BACKGROUND The social health maintenance organization (S/HMO) demonstration was implemented, in part, to determine if the presumed integration of acute and chronic care in these plans could produce sufficient savings to allow plans to offer expanded and chronic care benefits without increased cost to the Medicare program. METHODS S/HMO members and a sample of fee-for-service (FFS) recipients were tracked over three years to assess their utilization experience. Analyses controlled for case mix, using Grade of Membership procedures. RESULTS In 1987, the last year of risk sharing, S/HMOs reported higher total expenditures than FFS in each health status class. For the "healthy," differences were largest for physician care. In other classes, differences in nonskilled nursing or home care use were noted. In 1988, the first year of full risk, Seniors Plus had equivalent or lower expenditures relative to FFS for all classes. Elderplan had lower expenditures in four of six classes and provided more service to the "frail" and the "acutely ill." SHP had higher expenditures in all classes because of higher hospital and nursing home expenditures. Medicare Plus II had higher expenditures in all classes, for physician, nonskilled nursing home, and home care expenditures. CONCLUSIONS Overall plan losses and higher expenditures among a number of case mix groups suggest a need for refinement of S/HMO operations--especially in case management relationships to medical care and in the selection of "high risk" cases.
In vitro zinc stimulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme activities in various tissues of zinc-deficient rats

Abstract Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities and the effect of the in vitro addition of zinc on ACE activities were studied in various tissues obtained from weanling Sprague-Dawley male rats fed diets containing either 7.7 (zinc-deficient) or 770 μmol of zinc/kg of diet (control) ad libitum for 21 days. Tissue zinc concentrations were measured by atomic-absorption-spectrophotometric method and ACE activities by radioassay using [ 3 H]hippuryl-glycyl-glycine as the substrate. The stimulation of ACE by the in vitro addition of zinc was measured using zinc at a concentration of 17 μmol/L. Plasma ACE activities in zinc-deficient rats were significantly lower than in controls, while ACE activities in lung were two times higher in zinc-deficient rats than in controls. ACE activities in testis were similar in zinc-deficient and control rats. The in vitro addition of zinc increased plasma ACE activities by 70% in zinc-deficient rats, while it had no effect in controls. In lung, testis and aorta, ACE activities were increased significantly by the in vitro addition of zinc in both zinc-deficient and control rats. Plasma ACE stimulation by the in vitro addition of zinc, a measure of apoenzyme production, may be used to evaluate zinc nutriture.