cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bronchial Asthma: Lessons from Murine Models

Asthma is a member of the family of atopic diseases. In 1923, Coca and Cooke (6) proposed the term atopy to refer to the familial occurrence of asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and dermatitis (atopic dermatitis) associated with positive immediate skin test reactions to environmental antigens, such as ragweed pollen extracts. Prausnitz and Kustner (7) then showed that the sera of allergic patients contain a specific active substance, which in the 1960s was identified by K. Ishizaka and coworkers (8) as the fifth immunoglobulin class, namely IgE. Subsequently, the discovery of an IgE myeloma protein by Johansson and …
Categorical tendencies in imitating self-produced isolated vowels

Abstract An earlier experiment requiring literal imitation of synthetic isolated vowels from [u]-[i] and [i]-[ae] continua [8] was replicated using as stimuli vowels produced by the subjects themselves. Even though imitation accuracy was much improved, the responses deviated from the stimuli in ways similar to those observed previously with synthetic stimuli. That is categorical tendencies (nonlinear stimulus-response mappings of formant frequencies, nonuniform response variability across each continuum, and peaks in formant frequency distributions) were obtained even with stimuli that matched the subjects articulatory capabilities. This rules out one possible explanation of the observed categorical tendencies, viz., that they arise in the perceptual translation of synthetic stimuli into a talker's production space.
Mechanism of Interferon Action: Double-Stranded RNA-Specific Adenosine Deaminase from Human Cells Is Inducible by Alpha and Gamma Interferons

Abstract Treatment of human amnion U cells with interferon increased the steady state level of mRNA encoding the double-stranded (ds) RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (AdD) as measured by Northern gel-blot analysis. A single major dsRNA-specific AdD transcript of ∼6.7 kb was detected; the transcript was induced by both interferon-α (IFN-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Likewise, Western immunoblot analysis revealed that a 150-kDa protein recognized by antiserum prepared against recombinant dsRNA-specific AdD was increased in the human amnion U and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines treated with interferon. Both IFN-α and IFN-γ induced the 160-kDa protein. These results, which establish that dsRNA-specific AdD is an IFN-inducible protein in human cells, have implications regarding the possible role of interferon in persistent vital infections.
Screened Coulomb Pair Potential in Colloidal Interactions in Suspensions Revisited

Although the Derjaguin−Landau−Verwey−Overbeek (DLVO) -screened Coulomb pair interaction potential was derived under restricted theoretical conditions, its current usage on real systems tends to ign...
An Interface to Classical Greek Civilization.

The Perseus Project is compiling a hypertextual data-base of textual and visual materials for the study of classical Greek civilization. This article discusses how the anticipated needs of Perseus users, combined with the current and potential capabilities of information technology, have influenced the selection, organization, and presentation of primary materials in the Perseus system
Uniquely altered DNA replication fidelity conferred by an amino acid change in the nucleotide binding pocket of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract Arginine 72 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (RT), a highly conserved residue among retroviral polymerases and telomerases, forms part of the binding pocket for the nascent base pair. We show here that replacement of Arg72 by alanine strongly alters fidelity in a highly unusual manner. R72A reverse transcriptase is a frameshift and base substitution antimutator polymerase whose increased fidelity results both from increased nucleotide selectivity and from a decreased ability to extend mismatched primer termini. Thus, Arg72-substrate interactions in wild-type human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RT can stabilize incorrect nucleotides allowing misinsertion and promoting extension of mismatched and perhaps misaligned template-primers. In contrast to the higher fidelity at most sites, R72A RT is highly error-prone for misincorporations opposite template T in the sequence context: 5′-CTGG. Surprisingly, this results mostly from a 1200-fold increase in the apparent K m for correct dAMP incorporation. Thus, Arg72 interactions with substrate are critical for the stability of the correct T·dAMP base pair when the 5′-CTGG sequence is present in the binding pocket for the nascent base pair. Collectively, the data show that a mutant polymerase may yield higher than normal average replication fidelity, yet paradoxically place specific sequences at very high risk of mutation.
Dietary arginine fails to protect against cerebrovascular damage in stroke-prone hypertensive rats.

Abstract Stroke-prne spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) develop severe hypertension and cerebrovascular lesions. We investigated the influence of dietary supplementation with l -arginine, an amino acid precursor of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, on blood pressure and stroke in these rats. l -Arginine, administered in the saline drinking solution at 2 or 6 g/l starting at 8.7 weeks of age, was without effect on blood pressure, cerebrovascular lesions, or longevity despite continuous treatment through 14 weeks of age. These findings do not support a beneficial influence of dietary arginine in the cerebrovascular pathology of SHRSP.
PION CHARGE-EXCHANGE SCATTERING ON NUCLEI AND PROTON--NEUTRON CORRELATIONS.

Abstract Theoretical aspects of the (π ± , π o ) reaction in complex nuclei are studied using the impulse approximation and the Chew-Low amplitude for pion-nucleon scattering. Sum rules are developed for the differential cross section integrated over the final pion energy. It is shown that this quantity is sensitive in particular to proton-neutron correlations in the nucleus and thus its measurement may provide useful information on one aspect of nucleon-nucleon correlations. Expressions are presented for the energy-integrated cross section for closed shell or closed subshell nuclei. Numerical results are given in the case of 16 O, where it appears that correlations due to the Pauli exclusion principle are far more significant than those due to the nucleon hard core.
Experimentally Determined Thermochemical Properties of the Malonic Acid/Water System: Implications for Atmospheric Aerosols

The liquid/solid phase diagram, solution heat capacities, water activities, enthalpies of fusion, and eutectic temperature of the malonic acid/water binary system have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and infrared (IR) spectroscopy of thin films. We report here measurements of the ice melting envelope, malonic acid dissolution envelope, and the ice/malonic acid eutectic temperature and composition in this binary system. We also report the first observation of a malonic acid hydrate, possibly C3H4O4·6H2O, using both thermal analysis and IR spectroscopy. We have observed the formation of this hydrate over a large range of concentrations and determined that it can be a significant fraction of samples within that region. We have also determined the enthalpy of fusion of malonic acid, as well as the constant pressure heat capacities of solutions in the concentration range of 5−55 wt % malonic acid from 323 K down to the freezing point of each solution. Water activities have also been d...
Intraday volatility and scaling in high frequency foreign exchange markets

Abstract Recent reports suggest that the stochastic process underlying financial time series is nonstationary with nonstationary increments. Therefore, time averaging techniques through sliding intervals are inappropriate and ensemble methods have been proposed. Using daily ensemble averages we analyze two different measures of intraday volatility, trading frequency and the mean square fluctuation of increments for the three most active FX markets; we find that both measures indicate that the underlying stochastic dynamics exhibits nonstationary increments. We show that the two volatility measures are equivalent. In each market we find three time intervals during the day where the mean square fluctuation of increments can be fit by power law scaling in time. The scaling indices in the intervals are different, but independent of the FX market under study. We also find that the fluctuations in return in these intervals lie on exponential distributions.
The singly constrained assignment problem: a Lagrangian relaxation heuristic algorithm

This manuscript presents a new heuristic algorithm to find near optimal integer solutions for the singly constrained assignment problem. The method is based on Lagrangian duality theory and involves solving a series of pure assignment problems. The software implementation of this heuristic, ASSIGN+1, successfully solved problems having one-half million binary variables (assignment arcs) in less than 17 minutes of wall clock time on a Sequent Symmetry S81 using a single processor. In computational comparisons with MPSX and OSL on an IBM 3081D, the specialized software was from 100 to 1,000 times faster. In computational comparisons with the specialized code of Mazzola and Neebe, we found that ASSIGN+1 was 40 times faster. In computational comparisons with our best alternating path specialized code, we found that ASSIGN+1 was more than three times faster than that code. This new software proved to be very robust as well as fast. The robustness is due to an elaborate scheme used to update the Lagrangean multipliers and the speed is due to the fine code used to solve the pure assignment problems. We also present a modification of the algorithm for the case in which the number of jobs exceeds the number of men along with an empirical analysis of the modified software.
Kearns-Sayre Syndrome Presenting as Complete Heart Block

Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a rare mitochondrial disorder characterized by large-scale deletions of mitochondrial DNA. Neuromuscular and cardiac conduction systems are most commonly involved in these patients. Here, we discuss a 10-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus who presented in complete heart block leading to the diagnosis of KSS. The cardiovascular complications of this syndrome are reviewed and discussed.
In situ ATR-IR study on aqueous phase reforming reactions of glycerol over a Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

Abstract ATR-IR spectroscopy is used to show that Pt/γ-Al2O3 readily activates glycerol in an aqueous environment at room temperature forming surface bound carbon monoxide. CO is present on the surface of the Pt particles as linear (COL) and bridging species (COB). Some of the CO species are even susceptible to water–gas shift at room temperature. The rates of formation and conversion of different CO species strongly depend on the catalyst layer cleaning procedure used prior to the kinetic studies. Exposing the catalyst to hydrogen saturated water induces the formation of adsorbed hydrogen and two linearly bound CO species from impurities on the Pt particles. One of these species is CO primarily interacting with coadsorbed hydrogen, the other is primarily interacting with molecularly adsorbed H2O. All of these species inhibit further CO formation from glycerol. The preferred binding site for adsorbed hydrogen appears to be Pt sites that preferentially form COB. Dissolved oxygen is effective at removing all of these species and produces a CO free Pt surface for subsequent CO formation from glycerol. When oxygen saturated water is used for pretreating the catalyst layer, residual oxygen adsorbed on the Pt initially converts CO formed from glycerol to CO2 and results in slightly reduced apparent rates of CO formation. Pretreatment with alternating flows of hydrogen and oxygen saturated water is the most effective cleaning procedure for Pt/γ-Al2O3. The fastest rates of CO formation are observed after this pretreatment due to the highest concentration of available Pt sites and the availability of some particularly reactive Pt sites. These exceptionally reactive sites preferentially form adsorbed hydrogen and COB species from glycerol and are also active for removal of COB species via water–gas shift.
Skeletal Muscle Cell Mass and Growth: The Concept of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid Unit

Speculation: Two important predictions, contradicting current opinion, arise from his review: Removal of the pituitary causes loss of muscle deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the weanling rat. Exercise causes increase in muscle tissue with a commensurate increase in DNA and protein. Therefore, some of the muscle DNA must be in a dynamic state. Calorie restriction (without protein restriction) imposed during the postweanling period of growth in rats does slow cell multiplication but does not cause permanent growth retardation. Therefore, protein restriction, per se, is probably responsible for permanent growth retardation in the experimental animal.
Chemical contamination of umbilical catheter blood samples by infusates

Summary A study was designed to evaluate the likelihood of chemical contamination when sampling blood for its glucose concentration via an umbilical catheter through which a 10 per cent dextrose solution was being infused. Samples of blood collected in the usual manner utilizing a 1 ml. discard were heavily contaminated when compared to blood sugar levels measured on samples obtained simultaneously by skin puncture. Increasing the discard to 3 ml. reduced the contamination but did not eliminate it.
Global simulations of aerosol amount and size using MODIS observations assimilated with an Ensemble Kalman Filter

A global assimilation that uses an Ensemble Kalman Filter and a set of derived scaling equations is presented for jointly adjusting the amount of atmospheric aerosol and the relative contribution of fine and coarse aerosols. The assimilation uses Department of Energy and National Science Foundation's Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) model and aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (AE) retrievals from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) AE retrievals are used to constrain size over land. The presented system includes 60 ensemble members with a daily analysis, incorporating daily-averaged retrievals. A CAM control simulation and a CAM experiment with data assimilation (CAM-DA) are run for the year 2007. Control run comparisons to MODIS observations reveal a persistent negative bias in AOD, indicating an underprediction of the amount of atmospheric aerosol (CAM: 0.09 (±0.06), MODIS:0.16 (±0.09)). The negative bias decreased in the assimilation run with a globally averaged AOD of 0.12 (±0.05). CAM-DA is able to better capture spatial and temporal variations. A comparison of regional time series reveals the greatest reduction in model bias with respect to both aerosol amount and size over the oceans, especially the Southern Ocean. With respect to land regions, good agreement with AERONET AOD is found over the United States, Europe, and East Asia. Additionally, CAM-DA has clear spatial differences from the control with more aerosol and a larger fine contribution in the Northern Hemisphere. The results also demonstrate the utility in assimilation methodologies for identifying systematic model biases, using the data assimilation correction fields as an indicator.
How to stop being a buzzkill: designing yamove!, a mobile tech mash-up to truly augment social play

Most technology-supported dance games result in gameplay that looks very different than what we know as social dancing. For that matter, most 'social' games can involve a lot of solo staring at screens. Our lab re-examined the role of technology in supporting the dance experience, working with indie game developers and dancers to understand how to truly augment instead of override the joyful social and physical qualities of dancing together. Along the way, we learned some valuable lessons about how to reframe the conceptualization and development of mobile apps meant to augment everyday social experience. In this talk, I'll share these insights, toward opening your eyes as you tackle these kinds of design and development challenges in next-generation mobile applications.
On the detection and recording of voltage dips and interruptions

Voltage variations are the most common power quality events that may result in interruption of different industrial processes and significant financial losses. The electric power utility industry requires significant improvement in the quality of power provided to customers during faults or wide area system disturbance. This is related to the availability of tools that help energy management, planning and protection engineers to understand the processes in order to optimise the operation of the system under different abnormal conditions. The paper describes the most typical power quality events — voltage variations — that have the largest impact on sensitive customers.
Surviving critical illness: acute respiratory distress syndrome as experienced by patients and their caregivers.

Objective To characterize the effects of critical illness in the daily lives and functioning of acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors. Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a systemic critical illness, often report poor quality of life based on responses to standardized questionnaires. However, the experiences of acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors have not been reported. Design We conducted semistructured interviews with 23 acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors and 24 caregivers 3 to 9 mos after intensive care unit admission, stopping enrollment after thematic saturation was reached. Transcripts were analyzed, using Colaizzi's qualitative methodology, to identify significant ways in which survivors' critical illness experience impacted their lives. Setting Medical and surgical intensive care units of an academic medical center and a community hospital. Patients We recruited consecutively 31 acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors and their informal caregivers. Eight patients died before completing interviews. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Participants related five key elements of experience as survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome: 1) pervasive memories of critical care; 2) day-to-day impact of new disability; 3) critical illness defining the sense of self; 4) relationship strain and change; and 5) ability to cope with disability. Survivors described remarkable disability that persisted for months. Caregivers' interviews revealed substantial strain from caregiving responsibilities as well as frequent symptom minimization by patients. Conclusions The diverse and unique experiences of acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors reflect the global impact of severe critical illness. We have identified symptom domains important to acute respiratory distress syndrome patients who are not well represented in existing health outcomes measures. These insights may aid the development of targeted interventions to enhance recovery and return of function after acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Effect of retinoids on the proliferation, morphology and expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein of an anaplastic astrocytoma cell line

We studied the effect of retinoids on the growth and differentiation of a cell line (U 343 MG-A) derived from a human malignant astrocytoma. Cultures treated with all-trans or 13-cis retinoic acid showed a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation and a marked reduction in the mean cell number at the plateau phase of growth (3.5 x 10(6) vs. 1 x 10(7) cells/25 cm2) compared with untreated cultures. At confluence, cells treated with all-trans or 13-cis retinoic acid were contact-inhibited, whereas control cultures showed crowding, piling, and overgrowth. All-trans retinol or retinyl acetate did not inhibit growth. Astrocytoma cultures treated with all-trans retinoic acid (10(-6) M) for 5 days were modestly growth-inhibited but by day 16 had the same numbers of cells as controls; cultures that received all-trans retinoic acid for 9 days were markedly growth-inhibited for 7 days after the drug was removed. All-trans and 13-cis retinoic acid (10(-6) M) prevented the EDTA-induced cell detachment seen in control cultures. Strongly adherent all-trans retinoic-acid-treated astrocytoma cells grew at a slower rate than did readily detached all-trans retinoic-acid-treated or control cells. Cell spreading, an increased cytoplasmic:nuclear ratio, and greater numbers of broadly bipolar cells, some bearing thin cytoplasmic processes, were seen in cultures treated with 10(-6) M all-trans or 13-cis retinoic acid. Small tightly packed cuboidal cells and large broadly bipolar cells were seen in astrocytoma cultures from which all-trans retinoic acid was removed on days 5 and 9. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed more intense staining with antiserum to glial fibrillary acidic protein in cultures treated with 10(-6) M all-trans retinoic acid than in control cultures; electron-microscope examination of similarly treated cultures revealed more abundant 8-10 nm intermediate filaments than in control cultures. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that all-trans or 13-cis retinoic acid caused a dose-dependent increase in the quantity of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the astrocytoma cells.
An efficient algorithm for topology discovery of a blackbox communication network

A blackbox network is a network with an unknown topology that can be used for communications. For example, we can use the Internet for communications but do not have complete information about its topology. In this paper, we model topology discovery of a blackbox network as a graph-theoretic problem and present an efficient algorithm for solving this problem. We give a formal proof of the correctness and analyze the efficiency.
Development and use of the Gill UVW anemometer

A three-component anemometer, developed and refined during the past ten years, measures the three orthogonal wind-speed components directly along the instrument's three axes,X, Y, Z. The basic sensor for each of the three components is a light-weight helicoid propeller driving a tiny precision tachometer generator, which develops a D.C. voltage linearly proportional to the rate of turning of the propeller and reversing in polarity when the direction of rotation reverses. Each propeller turns at a rate almost linearly proportional to the instantaneous wind speed and the cosine of the angle subtended by the wind with the axis of the propeller. Propeller sensors have a starting speed of about 0.2 m s−1; a distance constant of about 1 m; and may be used in winds up to 30 m s−1. Over 500 of these instruments are now in use at research stations throughout the world.
Determining the phase of line objects by measuring their intensity in dark field and bright field illumination

Abstract The in situ phase of a transparent line object can be calculated from measurements of its bright field and dark field intensity. If the sampling aperture is a slit, the background can be subtracted out for increased accuracy. This method can measure phase over a range of approximately 3° to 180°. The theory has been verified by means of an indirect experiment.
Mental Practice in Sport Psychology: Where Have We Been, Where Do We Go?

Research on mental practice for sport performance enhancement is reviewed in this article, which discusses current trends in the use of mental practice by elite athletes and coaches, research findings that appear conclusive, trends supported by research results, and theories to explain mental practice. Recommendations for research designs include operationally defining “mental practice,” organizing classifications of tasks studied, describing mental practice content, assuring equal trials, matching participants, using placebo controls and collecting follow-up data, and considering more complex research designs. Recommendations for practice Include (a) teaching imagery skills, (b) Including relaxation, (c) increasing repetitions of trials, (d) defining the content precisely, (e) using stimulus and response propositions, and (f) alternating physical and mental practice.
Skin-Graft Histocompatibility Within Regional Poultry Research Laboratory Inbred Chicken Lines

Skin grafts were exchanged between specific-pathogen-free chicks within the Regional Poultry Research Laboratory (RPRL) inbred lines that are characterized for retrovirus susceptibility and immunogenetic traits. Lines 61 and 63 were histocompatible whereas lines 15I4 and 15I5 were nearly histocompatible. The RPRL Line 7(2) is only histocompatible within families at present, and line 100 has considerable heterogeneity for minor histoantigens. Reaseheath Line C (RH-C) has been established at the RPRL and its histocompatible. Numerous males in lines 6(1), 6(3), 15I4, and RH-C are able to reject female grafts containing the female-specific histoantigen. Two Ea-B alleles in 15I4 previously detected by blood-typing determined rapid skin graft rejection.
Human Rights Violations and Standard 1.02: Intersections with Human Rights Law and Applications in Juvenile Capital Cases

Intense controversy regarding the role of psychologists in military and national security interrogations led to amendment in 2010 of Standard 1.02 (Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations or ...
In vivo alterations of IFN regulatory factor-1 and PIAS1 protein levels in cystic fibrosis epithelium

Inducible nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) expression has been shown to be reduced in cystic fibrosis (CF) epithelial cells. Reduced NOS2 expression is unexpected, given the inflammatory nature of CF airway disease, and is an indication that cell-signaling mechanisms necessary for proper NOS2 regulation are probably altered in CF epithelium. Therefore, we examined the expression levels of regulatory factors necessary for NOS2 expression in CF epithelium and showed that IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is necessary for full NOS2 expression. Mice lacking IRF-1 expression have diminished epithelial NOS2 expression, as well as reduced NO-dependent chloride transport across the nasal epithelia. Furthermore, IRF-1 protein expression is reduced in nasal and intestinal epithelial cells from CF mice, suggesting a possible mechanism for the CF-related reduction of epithelial NOS2 expression. Active signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (Stat1) is necessary for both NOS2 and IRF-1 expression. We found that protein levels of Stat1 were increased in CF cells, but that the active phosphorylated form of Stat1 was bound to the protein inhibitor of activated Stat1 (PIAS1). We propose that increased levels of PIAS1 diminish certain cell-signaling pathways, resulting in reduced IRF-1 and NOS2 expression in CF epithelial cells.
IFT20 is required for opsin trafficking and photoreceptor outer segment development

The light-detecting outer segments of vertebrate photoreceptors are cilia. Like other cilia, all materials needed for assembly and maintenance are synthesized in the cell body and transported into the cilium. The highly elaborated nature of the outer segment and its high rate of turnover necessitate unusually high levels of transport into the cilium. In this work, we examine the role of the IFT20 subunit of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) particle in photoreceptor cells. IFT20 was deleted in developing cones by a cone-specific Cre and in mature rods and cones by a tamoxifen-activatable Cre. Loss of IFT20 during cone development leads to opsin accumulation in the inner segment even when the connecting cilium and outer segment are still intact. With time this causes cone cell degeneration. Similarly, deletion of IFT20 in mature rods causes rapid accumulation of rhodopsin in the cell body, where it is concentrated at the Golgi complex. We further show that IFT20, acting both as part of the IFT particle and independent of the particle, binds to rhodopsin and RG-opsin. Since IFT20 dynamically moves between the Golgi complex and the connecting cilium, the current work suggests that rhodopsin and opsins are cargo for IFT transport.
Nuclear beta-catenin is required to specify vegetal cell fates in the sea urchin embryo

Beta-catenin is thought to mediate cell fate specification events by localizing to the nucleus where it modulates gene expression. To ask whether beta-catenin is involved in cell fate specification during sea urchin embryogenesis, we analyzed the distribution of nuclear beta-catenin in both normal and experimentally manipulated embryos. In unperturbed embryos, beta-catenin accumulates in nuclei that include the precursors of the endoderm and mesoderm, suggesting that it plays a role in vegetal specification. Using pharmacological, embryological and molecular approaches, we determined the function of beta-catenin in vegetal development by examining the relationship between the pattern of nuclear beta-catenin and the formation of endodermal and mesodermal tissues. Treatment of embryos with LiCl, a known vegetalizing agent, caused both an enhancement in the levels of nuclear beta-catenin and an expansion in the pattern of nuclear beta-catenin that coincided with an increase in endoderm and mesoderm. Conversely, overexpression of a sea urchin cadherin blocked the accumulation of nuclear beta-catenin and consequently inhibited the formation of endodermal and mesodermal tissues including micromere-derived skeletogenic mesenchyme. In addition, nuclear beta-catenin-deficient micromeres failed to induce a secondary axis when transplanted to the animal pole of uninjected host embryos, indicating that nuclear beta-catenin also plays a role in the production of micromere-derived signals. To examine further the relationship between nuclear beta-catenin in vegetal nuclei and micromere signaling, we performed both transplantations and deletions of micromeres at the 16-cell stage and demonstrated that the accumulation of beta-catenin in vegetal nuclei does not require micromere-derived cues. Moreover, we demonstrate that cell autonomous signals appear to regulate the pattern of nuclear beta-catenin since dissociated blastomeres possessed nuclear beta-catenin in approximately the same proportion as that seen in intact embryos. Together, these data show that the accumulation of beta-catenin in nuclei of vegetal cells is regulated cell autonomously and that this localization is required for the establishment of all vegetal cell fates and the production of micromere-derived signals.
Physical therapy post-hallux abducto valgus correction.

This article discusses physical therapy considerations after hallux valgus correction. Hallux valgus is a fairly common occurrence, and corrective surgery is an option when conservative measures fail. Symptoms such as pain, swelling, and difficulty walking may persist after surgical correction of bunion deformity that addresses soft tissue and bone structure. Physical therapy is helpful after corrective hallux valgus surgery to address impairments and continued dysfunction and to improve overall patient outcome expectations. This article describes the benefits of a multifaceted physical therapy program after hallux valgus correction.
An examination of similarity neighbourhoods in young children's receptive vocabularies*

Based on an analysis of similarity neighbourhoods of worlds in children's lexicons, Dollaghan (1994) argues that because of the degree of phonological overlap among lexical items in memory, children must perform detailed acoustic-phonetic analyses in order to recognize spoken words. This is in contradiction to Charles-Luce & Luce (1990), who reported that the similarity neighbourhoods in younger children's expressive lexicons are sparse relative to older children's and adult lexicons and that young children may be able to use more global word recognition strategies. The current investigation re-examined these issues. Similarity neighbourhoods of young children's receptive vocabularies were analysed for three-phoneme, four-phoneme and five-phoneme words. The pattern of the original results from Charles-Luce & Luce (1990) was replicated.
Alliteration in medicine: a puzzling profusion of p's.

Abstract Problem: Puzzling, progressive profusion of alliterative “p9s” in published papers. Purpose: To depict this particular “p” predominance with pinpoint precision. Plan: Periodic, painstaking perusal of periodicals by a professor of paediatrics. Proposal: The “p” plethora is positively perplexing and potentially perturbing. Alliteration is a literary device consisting of repetition of the same starting sound in several words in a sentence.1 Consider, for example, Shakespeare9s playful parody of alliteration in Peter Quince9s prologue in A Midsummer Night9s Dream:
An unusual two-step control of CPEB destruction by Pin1

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is a conserved mechanism that controls mRNA translation and stability. A key protein that promotes polyadenylation-induced translation of mRNAs in maturing Xenopus oocytes is the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein (CPEB). During this meiotic transition, CPEB is subjected to phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination and partial destruction, which is necessary for successive waves of polyadenylation of distinct mRNAs. Here we identify the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase Pin1 as an important factor mediating CPEB destruction. Pin1 interacts with CPEB in an unusual manner in which it occurs prior to CPEB phosphorylation and prior to Pin1 activation by serine 71 dephosphorylation. Upon induction of maturation, CPEB becomes phosphorylated, which occurs simultaneously with Pin1 dephosphorylation. At this time, the CPEB-Pin1 interaction requires cdk1-catalyzed CPEB phosphorylation on S/T-P motifs. Subsequent CPEB ubiquitination and destruction are mediated by a conformational change induced by Pin1 isomerization of CPEB. Similar to M phase progression in maturing Xenopus oocytes, the destruction of CPEB during the mammalian cell cycle requires Pin1 as well. These data identify Pin1 as a new and essential factor regulating CPEB degradation.
Evidence that folding of an RNA tetraloop hairpin is less cooperative than its DNA counterpart

Hairpin secondary structural elements play important roles in the folding and function of RNA and DNA molecules. Previous work from our lab on small DNA hairpin loop motifs, d(cGNAg) and d(cGNABg) (where B is C, G, or T), showed that folding is highly cooperative and obeys indirect coupling, consistent with a concerted transition. Herein, we investigate folding of the related, exceptionally stable RNA hairpin motif, r(cGNRAg) (where R is A or G). Previous NMR characterization identified a complex network of seven hydrogen bonds in this loop. We inserted three carbon (C3) spacers throughout the loop and found coupling between G1 of the loop and the CG closing base pair, similar to that found in DNA. These data support a GNRA motif being expandable at any position but before the G. Thermodynamic measurements of nucleotide-analogue-substituted oligonucleotides revealed pairwise-coupling free energies ranging from weak to strong. When coupling free energies were remeasured in the background of changes at a third site, they remained essentially unchanged even though all of the sites were coupled to each other. This type of coupling, referred to as "direct", is peculiar to the RNA loop. The data suggest that, for small stable loops, folding of RNA obeys a model with nearest-neighbor interactions, while folding of DNA follows a more concerted process in which the stabilizing interactions are linked through a conformational change. The lesser cooperativity in RNA loops may provide a more robust loop that can withstand mutations without a severe loss in stability. These differences may enhance the ability of RNA to evolve.
Text Extraction from the Web via Text-to-Tag Ratio

We describe a method to extract content text from diverse Web pages by using the HTML document's text-to-tag ratio rather than specific HTML cues that may not be constant across various Web pages. We describe how to compute the text-to-tag ratio on a line-by-line basis and then cluster the results into content and non-content areas. With this approach we then show surprisingly high levels of recall for all levels of precision, and a large space savings.
Utilizing multi-functional neuronal responses during different behaviors to uniquely identify all neurons in the leech ganglion

In the leech, we can observe several behaviors – swimming, crawling, shortening, and local-bending – while imaging neuronal activity with voltage-sensitive dyes (VSD) [1]. To understand the underlying neural mechanisms of these behavioral pattern generators, we must understand the functional properties of the neurons and the connectivity between neurons, which requires collecting and synthesizing data across several animals. However, this synthesis is not trivial because more than 70% of the neurons in the leech ganglia have not been identified. We have created a system which utilizes the functional responses of each neuron during these behaviors, as well as during unconventional stimulations, to match homologous pairs of neurons across different animals. Neurons in the leech are almost all multi-functional, in that they are involved in many different behaviors. For a particular neuron, we can use these multi-functional responses as a tag indicating the neuron’s identity. For instance, a neuron in the central packet on the ventral surface can be identified from its neighbors because it oscillates in phase with the dorsal contraction during swimming, and out of phase with the dorsal contraction during crawling. We have developed an algorithm that efficiently combines all of these functional properties as well as each neuron’s morphological properties (soma size and position) to match homologous cells across animals. We have recently developed a new VSD [2] that has given us unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio and temporal resolution of neural activity. This allows us to use cues such as action-potential shape and response timing as further indicators of neuronal identity. Figure ​Figure11 shows VSD recordings of several neurons that can now be identified based on their action potentials – such as the Retzius, Leydig, and N cell, or based on response to stimulations – such as the rapid response of the AP cell or the oscillations of cell 169 during swimming. We have used these functional features to identify almost every neuron in ganglion 10 by matching homologs across many different animals. Each animal reveals a different subset of all neurons in the circuit, which are all combined to identify virtually every cell in the leech ganglion. We have used several statistical functional connectivity techniques to estimate the connection profile of these neurons. With these connectivity predictions, we can probe identified cells with micro-electrodes to validate connections and build up the leech connectome with the knowledge of all of the neurons in the circuit and their functional properties during each behavior. Figure 1 The ventral aspect of the leech ganglion is shown with many of the known cells highlighted in color. About two-thirds are unknown, indicated in white. Several VSD recordings of cells are shown in green. Simultaneous intracellular recordings are shown ...
Nuclear assembly with lambda DNA in fractionated Xenopus egg extracts: an unexpected role for glycogen in formation of a higher order chromatin intermediate

Crude extracts of Xenopus eggs are capable of nuclear assembly around chromatin templates or even around protein-free, naked DNA templates. Here the requirements for nuclear assembly around a naked DNA template were investigated. Extracts were separated by ultracentrifugation into cytosol, membrane, and gelatinous pellet fractions. It was found that, in addition to the cytosolic and membrane fractions, a component of the gelatinous pellet fraction was required for the assembly of functional nuclei around a naked DNA template. In the absence of this component, membrane-bound but functionally inert spheres of lambda DNA were formed. Purification of the active pellet factor unexpectedly demonstrated the component to be glycogen. The assembly of functionally active nuclei, as assayed by DNA replication and nuclear transport, required that glycogen be pre-incubated with the lambda DNA and cytosol during the period of chromatin and higher order intermediate formation, before the addition of membranes. Hydrolysis of glycogen with alpha-amylase in the extract blocked nuclear formation. Upon analysis, chromatin formed in the presence of cytosol and glycogen alone appeared highly condensed, reminiscent of the nuclear assembly intermediate described by Newport in crude extracts (Newport, J. 1987. Cell. 48:205-217). In contrast, chromatin formed from phage lambda DNA in cytosol lacking glycogen formed "fluffy chromatin-like" structures. Using sucrose gradient centrifugation, the highly condensed intermediates formed in the presence of glycogen could be isolated and were now able to serve as nuclear assembly templates in extracts lacking glycogen, arguing that the requirement for glycogen is temporally restricted to the time of intermediate formation and function. Glycogen does not act simply by inducing condensation of the chromatin, since similarly isolated mitotically condensed chromatin intermediates do not form functional nuclei. However, both mitotic and fluffy interphase chromatin intermediates formed in the absence of glycogen can be rescued to form functional nuclei when added to a second extract which contains glycogen. This study presents a novel role for a carbohydrate in nuclear assembly, a role which involves the formation of a particular chromatin intermediate. Potential models for the role of glycogen are discussed.
A high-resolution genetic map of the nervous locus on mouse chromosome 8

Abstract The nervous (nr) mutant mouse displays two gross recessive traits: both an exaggeration of juvenile hyperactivity and a pronounced ataxia become apparent during the third and fourth postnatal weeks. Using an intersubspecific intercross, we have established a high-resolution map of a segment of mouse Chromosome 8 that places thenrlocus in a genomic segment defined byD8Rck1on the centromeric end andD8Mit3on the telomeric end. This map position places thenrlocus within the BALB/cGr congenic region of the C3HeB/FeJ-nrstrain, confirming the accuracy of our study. We used this map position to identify and evaluate three genes—ankyrin 1, cortexin, and farnesyltransferase—as candidates for thenrgene. These three genes were eliminated from consideration but allowed us to establish the conservation of synteny between the region containing thenrlocus and a segment of the short arm of human chromosome 8 (8p21–p11.2). Finally, the incomplete penetrance of thenrphenotype led us to perform a screen for modifier loci, and we present evidence that such a nervous modifier locus may exist on mouse Chromosome 5.
Parenteral Feeding at Two Hypocaloric Levels for Comparison of Glucose-Glycerol Mixture with the Monoglyceride of Acetoacetate on Urinary Nitrogen Losses of the Rat

The monoglyceride of acetoacetate (monoacetoacetin) is a synthetic compound that might serve to reduce the glucose contribution to nonprotein energy in total parenteral nutrition provided it is an effective nutritional source. This study compared monoacetoacetin and glucose-glycerol mixtures as energy in hypocaloric, parenteral feeding of the rat. Four groups of rats were infused with approximately 425 mg N/day along with 11 or 21 kcal/day supplied either by monoacetoacetin or the glucose-glycerol mixture. Body weight and urinary nitrogen were followed for 7 days, and leucine kinetics was measured on day 7. At 11 or 21 kcal/day, rats infused with the monoacetoacetin or the glucose-glycerol mixture had similar body weight losses, urinary nitrogen losses, leucine flux and leucine oxidation rates. When rats receiving the same energy substrate at 11 or 21 kcal/day were compared, the rats receiving the 21 kcal/day by vein lost less body weight and less urinary nitrogen and had a smaller leucine flux. The leucine oxidation rate was unchanged. These data demonstrate that alterations in nitrogen parameters are dependent on the quantity of energy but are independent of the source of energy when monoacetoacetin and glucose-glycerol mixtures are compared. Monoacetoacetin interacts with nitrogen metabolism in healthy rats as effectively a glucose-glycerol mixtures at the hypocaloric levels studied.
Impact of Local and Systemic Alendronate on Simvastatin-Induced New Bone Around Periodontal Defects

Background: Simvastatin has been shown to stimulate new bone growth on rat mandibles, but much of the bone is lost over time. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a locally or systemically applied antiresorptive agent (alendronate) on simvastatin-induced bone formation in and adjacent to a rat periodontal defect.Methods: Fenestration defects were created over mandibular molar roots in 65 mature female Sprague-Dawley rats. Two weeks later, animals were divided into eight groups of eight to nine rats, and three weekly injections around the defect were applied: 1) 0.5 mg simvastatin in ethanol (SIM-EtOH); 2) 0.5 mg simvastatin in alendronate–cyclodextrin conjugate (SIM-ALN-CD); 3) EtOH alone; 4) ALN-CD alone; or 5) no injections. Twenty-four animals were evaluated for new bone width around the defect 21 days after the last injections (short-term) and 41 rats were followed for 48 days (long-term). Three SIM-EtOH groups of long-term rats also were subjected to 2 weeks of daily systemic ALN or...
A urate gene-by-diuretic interaction and gout risk in participants with hypertension: results from the ARIC study

Objective To test for a urate gene-by-diuretic interaction on incident gout. Methods The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study is a prospective population-based cohort of 15 792 participants recruited from four US communities (1987–1989). Participants with hypertension and available single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data were included. A genetic urate score (GUS) was created from common urate-associated SNPs for eight genes. Gout incidence was self-reported. Using logistic regression, the authors estimated the adjusted OR of incident gout by diuretic use, stratified by GUS median. Results Of 3524 participants with hypertension, 33% used a diuretic and 3.1% developed gout. The highest 9-year cumulative incidence of gout was in those with GUS above the median and taking a thiazide or loop diuretic (6.3%). Compared with no thiazide or loop diuretic use, their use was associated with an OR of 0.40 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.15) among those with a GUS below the median and 2.13 (95% CI 1.23 to 3.67) for those with GUS above the median; interaction p=0.006. When investigating the genes separately, SLC22A11 and SLC2A9 showed a significant interaction, consistent with the former encoding an organic anion/dicarboxylate exchanger, which mediates diuretic transport in the kidney. Conclusions Participants who were genetically predisposed to hyperuricaemia were susceptible to developing gout when taking thiazide or loop diuretics, an effect not evident among those without a genetic predisposition. These findings argue for a potential benefit of genotyping individuals with hypertension to assess gout risk, relative in part to diuretic use.