cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional and anatomical relationships between antral gastrin cells and gastrin-releasing peptide neurons

The present studies were directed to examine the effect of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on β-adrenergic stimulated gastrin release by cultured rat antral mucosa and to assess the anatomical relationship between gastrin cells and GRP nerves in rat and human antrum. Peptide-containing cells were identified by application of an avidinbiotin-peroxidase immunocytochemical double staining method utilizing antibodies to GRP and gastrin prepared in rabbits. Rat antral mucosa was cultured for 60 min and gastrin released into the culture medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. Inclusion of antibodies to GRP in culture medium did not affect carbachol-stimulated gastrin release, whereas isoproterenol-stimulated gastrin release into the medium was inhibited significantly by addition of GRP antiserum to the culture medium. GRP-containing neurons and axonal fibers were stained immunocytochemically with diaminobenzidine (reddish-brown specific staining) and were located in the lamina propria adjacent to and surrounding the main lobules of antral glands. After double staining utilizing 4-Cl-1-Naphthol as substrate, blue stained gastrin-containing cells were identified in the middle and deeper regions of antral glands in close proximity to GRP neuronal elements. These studies suggest that β-adrenergic, but not cholinergic, stimulation of gastrin release is mediated, at least in part, through GRP. They also demonstrate intimate anatomical, as well as functional, relationships between gastrin cells and GRP-containing neurons.
Comparisons of hafnia/silica anti-reflection coatings

We report reflectivity, design and laser damage comparisons of our AR coatings for use at 1054 nm and/or 527 nm, and at angles of incidence between 0 and 45 degrees.
PEPTIDES DERIVED FROM RICE BRAN PROTECT CELLS FROM OBESITY AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Bioactive food-derived peptides possess the ability to promote wellness through health benefits by reducing the risk of chronic complications including obesity or age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Their large demand in the global food market has promoted intense research on bioactive peptides able to prevent disease propagation. Our research involved in isolating and characterizing fractions of peptides from rice bran for possible inhibitory effects against Alzheimer's and obesity. Minimal hydrolysis and gastrointestinal juices treatment followed by fractionation resulted in <5 and 5-10kDa fractions. With <5 and 5-10kDa fractions, preadipocytes showed differentiation and proliferation (60%) significantly compared to undifferentiated cells (controls) (25%). Approximately 35% reduction in cytotoxicity of amyloid-induced neuroblastoma cells was observed with peptide fractions, <5 and 5-10kDa compared to the cytotoxicity observed with amyloid-induced cells (control) that were not treated with peptides. A pentapeptide, Glu-Gln-Arg-Pro-Arg (EQRPR) was characterized from the <5kDa fraction showing bioactive effects. It showed nearly 70% adipocyte viability more than control possibly signifying insulin-like differentiation to confer protective role against obesity. It also showed nearly 45% reduction in cell cytotoxicity on amyloid-induced neuronal cells. An efficient and reproducible biocatalytic technology to utilize underutilized co-product such as rice bran to produce anti-Alzheimer's and anti-obese value-added bioactive peptide has been established. This should promote further research as applicable to food industry as a natural nutraceutical ingredient.
An unusual case of biliary bezoar causing small bowel obstruction in a patient with ampullary diverticulum and stapled gastroplasty

Primary small bowel bezoars constitute 0.44% of small bowel obstructions (SBO). We report a case of a man with a history of gastroplasty who presented with lower abdominal pain. Initial examination revealed leucocytosis and serum lipase. CT of the abdomen/pelvis was consistent with pancreatitis, cholelithiasis and a stable, 3.8 cm, ampullary diverticulum, without obstruction of the pancreatic/common bile duct. Considering this was the patient9s first episode of pancreatitis with evidence of cholelithiasis, it seemed prudent that he would benefit from cholecystectomy but not diverticulectomy. Post-cholecystectomy he represented to the hospital with biliary emesis. CT of the abdomen/pelvis revealed postsurgical changes. Owing to non-resolution of the symptoms, 48 h later a small bowel follow-through was obtained that suggested partial SBO. Ultimately, the patient was taken for exploratory laparoscopy and small bowel resection, after a large intramural mass was encountered in the small bowel. Final pathology revealed a 3 cm biliary bezoar causing obstruction and stercoral ulceration.
The effect of the addition of adenine and nucleosides at the beginning of storage on the concentrations of phosphates of human erythrocytes during storage in acid-citrate-dextrose and citrate-phosphate-dextrose.

Bloods collected in ACD and CPD preservatives, supplemented with varying amounts of adenine, inosine, adenosine, and guanosine, were stored anaerobically and aerobically at 4 C for six weeks. At two-week intervals, phosphorylated carbohydrate intermediates of washed red cells were assayed by ion-exchange chromatography. The 2,3-diphospho-glycerate values were higher in the CPD or CPD-supplemented than in the ACD bloods which were at lower pH levels. Generally, the ATP and the sum of adenylate (ΣAd) concentrations were maintained at higher levels for longer periods when bloods were collected in more acidic solutions. The highest ATP and ΣAd levels were observed in ACD-adenine (.075, 0.10 and 0.25 mmole/100 ml blood) and in CPD-adenine (0.5 mmole) anaerobically-stored bloods. Relatively high ATP and ΣAd levels were maintained in blood collected in ACD-inosine -+ adenine + guanosine and in inosine-adenine preservatives. Lower values were obtained with ACD-inosine, ACD-adenosine and ACD-adeno-sine + adenine, in the order listed. The ADP values remained relatively constant during storage. An appreciable increase in AMP concentration was observed only in the adenine-supplemented bloods. The IMP concentration increased in all stored bloods and was particularly marked in the presence of adenosine and least in the adenine-supplemented bloods.
702 CLONING OF cDNA FOR HUMAN ARGININOSUCCINATE SYNTHETASE (ASS) mRNA AND STUDIES OF ENZYME OVERPRODUCTION

In order to study mRNA and DNA alterations in citrullinemia and to explore the basis of metabolite regulation and enzyme overproduction in cultured cells, we have isolated cloned cDNA for ASS. The human cell line RPMI-2650 (wild type, wt) was used to isolate canavanine resistant (Canr) variants which overproduce the enzyme. Activity of ASS in nmol/min/mg protein was as follows: wt cells grown in arginine medium, 0.14; wt cells grown in citrul-line medium, 0.86; and Canr cells grown in either medium, 25.0. Immunological studies indicated similar relative differences in amounts of enzyme antigen. A marked increase in translatable mRNA for ASS was demonstrated in Canr cells. A sucrose gradient fraction of mRNA from Canr cells was used to synthesize cDNA which was cloned in pBR322. A near full length cDNA clone for ASS was identified by differential filter hybridization and the identity confirmed by plasmid selected mRNA translation. Dot hybridizations and blot hybridizations after agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated increased amounts of hybridizable mRNA proportional to the increase in enzyme activity in Canr cells. The patterns of restriction digestion of genomic DNA from wt and Canr cells were indistinguishable. The patterns were complex and suggestive of more than 1 or 2 gene copies. The data suggest that a regulatory difference between Canr and wt type cells allows a major change in mRNA accumulation without gene amplification.
Domestic Sources of Preferences for Arms Cooperation: The Impact of Protest

Although assertions that 'domestic politics matters' are common, it is not always recognized that theorists can assign a range of different roles to domestic factors. This article seeks to demonstrate that much research on domestic variables overlooks a potential role of social protest. Focusing on studies of cooperation and arms control, this article shows that they frequently either treat domestic politics only as a source of constraints that explain failures of cooperation, or view the public as purely reactive to efforts by state leaders to use international cooperation to blunt the impact of domestic problems. An analysis of US willingness to enter strategic arms talks during the Cold War suggests that this view of domestic politics is too narrow. A multivariate statistical analysis, supplemented by case-study evidence, shows that protest against nuclear weapons was a significant source of US decisions to seek strategic arms control. This suggests that theories that incorporate domestic factors need to allow for the possibility that public activism can contribute to changes in state preferences in the direction sought by activists, including a preference for security cooperation.
Worries and worriers in Thailand.

How the health and well‐being of families in northern Thailand might be gendered and class linked was assessed. First, ethnographic data were gathered to contextualize and elaborate the local meanings of the indigenous concepts kaan khit maak, "thinking‐a‐lot,” and kaan khit maak kern pai, "thinking‐too‐much.” What informants were thinking a lot about was assessed. The health implications of the concept of “thinking‐too‐much” were then evaluated in 318 middle‐aged women and their 24‐year‐old children (147 daughters and 154 sons) using the Symptoms of Stress Inventory (SOSI). Findings from the SOSI complemented those from fieldwork, demonstrating that both worrying and symptoms of stress were sex linked as well as associated with poverty and with life cycle stage. It is recommended that educational programs to promote khwaan khit pen, the “ability to think”, among the disadvantaged of society be resumed.
Frequency of Disabling Symptoms in Supraventricular Tachycardia

The purposes of this study were to describe: clinical symptoms in a sample of consecutive patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT); incidence of sudden death, syncope, and other disabling symptoms; whether these symptoms differ by tachycardia mechanism; and to identify predictor variables of syncope in patients with SVT. Data were collected from chart reviews of 167 consecutive patients with SVT admitted for radiofrequency ablation. Three patients (2%) had nonlethal cardiac arrest, and a total of 16% (26 of 183) received at least 1 external direct-current shock for arrhythmia management. Twenty percent of subjects (33 of 167) reported at least 1 episode of syncope which was preceded by palpitations. The most frequent symptoms were: palpitations (96%), dizziness (75%), and shortness of breath (47%). We found atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in 64 patients, atrioventricular-reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) in 59, atrial tachycardia in 22, and atrial flutter in 22. The symptom profiles of patients with AVNRT, AVRT, and atrial tachycardia were very similar, but differed significantly (p <0.05) from those reported in the atrial flutter group. Multivariate analysis showed that heart rate ≥170 beats/min was the only independent risk factor for syncope. Chi-square analysis demonstrated that SVT patients with heart rate ≥170 beats/min had significantly more dizziness and syncope. Thus, despite a low incidence of associated heart disease, and good left ventricular function, there was a high frequency of disabling, potentially life-threatening symptoms associated with episodes of SVT in this sample. SVT can have potentially lethal consequences, and is more disruptive than previously thought.
Chlordecone-induced effects on thermoregulatory processes in the rat.

Abstract To investigate the mechanism(s) involved in chlordecone (CLD)-induced hypothermia, we examined colonic ( T col ) and tail skin ( T sk ) temperatures, preferred ambient temperature ( T a ), evaporative water loss, and metabolic rate following CLD exposure in the rat. Single ip dosages (0, 50, and 75 mg/kg) in corn oil were administered to Fischer-344 rats. At a T a of 22.5°C, T col was reduced by 50 and 75 mg/kg as early as 0.5 hr, and this effect persisted for 4 hr after dosing. T col was increased 24 hr after both CLD dosages. T sk was elevated 2, 3, 4, and 6 hr after 75 mg/kg and 2 hr after 50 mg/kg. At T a of 30.5°C, T col was decreased at early exposure times after both dosages and was increased 3, 4, and 6 hr after 75 mg/kg. At 10.0°C, an enhanced hypothermia was observed 1–6 hr following 50 and 75 mg/kg CLD. The preferred T a was significantly decreased by ⋍2.8°C following CLD exposure while activity within the temperature gradient was unchanged. At 25.0°C, evaporative water loss was decreased while metabolic rate was not affected by CLD administration. To study the enhanced hypothermia at 10.0°C, metabolic rate was measured continuously for 2 hr following 75 mg/kg CLD and found to be significantly different from controls. The intensified hypothermia in the cold may be due to the inability of the CLD-treated rat to stimulate metabolic thermogenesis in response to cold in addition to the loss of body heat following cutaneous vasodilation. These data suggest that CLD-induced hypothermia at a neutral T a is associated with cutaneous vasodilation and not with a decreased metabolic rate or increased evaporative water loss.
Unified theory for abstract parabolic boundary problems—a semigroup approach

This paper presents and abstract semigroup formulation ofparabolic boundary value problems. Smoothness of solutions, represented by a semigroup formula, is the primary object of discussion. The generality of our approach enables us to treat in a unified manner theregularity of solutions to parabolic equations for a large variety of nonhomogeneous boundary value problems. In particular, the approach presented here allows us to translate known regularity results of the elliptic theory directly into regularity results for the parabolic solutions. On the one hand, our theory recaptures known regularity results of the parabolic solutions over smooth spatial domains. On the other hand, however, our theory also covers the case of conical spatial domains, for which the standard assumption ofC∞-boundaries is violated by suitable application of recent relevant results of elliptic theory for such domains. In the concluding section, an application of our general theory to a boundary control problem with a quadratic performance index is presented.
Expansion of a chromosomal repeat in Escherichia coli: roles of replication, repair, and recombination functions

Background Previous studies of gene amplification in Escherichia coli have suggested that it occurs in two steps: duplication and expansion. Expansion is thought to result from homologous recombination between the repeated segments created by duplication. To explore the mechanism of expansion, a 7 kbp duplication in the chromosome containing a leaky mutant version of the lac operon was constructed, and its expansion into an amplified array was studied.
SPACE AND TIME IN COMPUTATION AND DISCRETE PHYSICS

A step can be regarded as an elementary ordering of two objects (or operators). A step is a distinction combined with an action that crosses the boundary of that distinction. The elementary step can be seen as a reference, as a division of space or as a tick of a clock. By looking at the structure of a step, we provide a context that unifies specific aspects of special relativity, Laws of Form, topology, discrete physics and logic design.
Electron microscopist’s view of the Alzheimer’s plaque

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular aggregation and deposition of Amyloid-beta peptide in the form of diffuse and fibrillar plaques. More than 50 years ago electron microscopic studies in humans have characterized the structure of the amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangles. More recently animal models of AD-type amyloidosis have provided excellent opportunities to study plaque structure during the development and expression of AD-type pathology. Ultrastructural data from a variety of transgenic mice overexpressing mutant amyloid precursor proteins, mutant presenilins, with or without human ApoE knock-in isoforms, are highly comparable to classical electron microscopic findings in AD. This review is an attempt to evaluate, from an electron microscopist`s point of view, the structural identity of AD type pathology, and the mature amyloid plaque in particular. Biomedical Reviews 2012; 23: 9-17.
Single dose of tranylcypromine increases human plasma melatonin

From the Psychoendocrine Research Unit, Lafayette Clinic (G.F.O., I.M.McI.), and the Departments of Psychiatry (G.F.O., I.M.McI., R.B., A.K.J., D.A.), and Pharmacology (R.B.McC., G.F.O.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI. Supported in part by NIH Biomedical Research Support Grant RROS384-24 and a research award from Wayne State University. Presented at ACNP meetina, December 1985. Address reprint requests to-Dr. G. F. Oxenkrug, Psychoendocrine Research Unit, Lafayette Clinic, 951 E. Lafayette Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207. Received February 6, 1986; revised March 28, 1986 volved in depression (serotonin and noradrenaline) (Pare and Sandler 1959). However, no clear correlation between antidepressant effect of MAO inhibitors and alterations of monoamine metabolism produced by these drugs has been found (Murphy et al. 1983). Depression has been associated with the increased melatonin sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of bright light (Lewy et al. 1981). The disturbed melatonin circadian rhythm (Mendlewicz et al. 1979) and the combination of decreased nighttime melatonin levels with increased plasma cortisol (Branchey et al. 1982) and abnormal Dexamethasone Suppression Test (Wetterberg 1983) have been also observed in depressed patients. MAO inhibitors have been shown to stimulate melatonin synthesis in rat pineal (Klein and Rowe 1969; Deguchi and Axelrod 1972).
Building a Semantic Lexicon of English Nouns via Bootstrapping

We describe the use of a weakly supervised bootstrapping algorithm in discovering contrasting semantic categories from a source lexicon with little training data. Our method primarily exploits the patterns in sentential contexts where different categories of words may appear. Experimental results are presented showing that such automatically categorized terms tend to agree with human judgements.
Transient stability and control of renewable generators based on Hamiltonian Surface Shaping and Power Flow Control: Part I-theory

The swing equations for renewable generators connected to the grid are developed and a wind turbine is used as an example. The swing equations for the renewable generators are formulated as a natural Hamiltonian system with externally applied non-conservative forces. A two-step process referred to as Hamiltonian Surface Shaping and Power Flow Control (HSSPFC) is used to analyze and design feedback controllers for the renewable generators system. This formulation extends previous results on the analytical verification of the Potential Energy Boundary Surface (PEBS) method to nonlinear control analysis and design and justifies the decomposition of the system into conservative and non-conservative systems to enable a two-step, serial analysis and design procedure. The first step is to analyze the system as a conservative natural Hamiltonian system with no externally applied non-conservative forces. The Hamiltonian surface of the swing equations is related to the Equal-Area Criterion and the PEBS method to formulate the nonlinear transient stability problem. This formulation demonstrates the effectiveness of proportional feedback control to expand the stability region. The second step is to analyze the system as natural Hamiltonian system with externally applied non-conservative forces. The time derivative of the Hamiltonian produces the work/rate (power flow) equations which is used to ensure balanced power flows from the renewable generators to the loads. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is applied to the power flow equations to determine the stability boundaries (limit cycles) of the renewable generators system and enable design of feedback controllers that meet stability requirements while maximizing the power generation and flow to the load. Necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of renewable generators systems are determined based on the concepts of Hamiltonian systems, power flow, exergy (the maximum work that can be extracted from an energy flow) rate, and entropy rate.
Thermal self‐initiation of styrene in the presence of TEMPO radicals: Bulk and miniemulsion

In TEMPO (2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) controlled styrene radical polymerizations, the thermal self-initiation reaction of styrene monomer is one of the main sources for the deviations from ideal living polymerization. However, it is also important because it continuously generates radicals to compensate for the loss of radicals caused by the termination reactions and thereby maintains a reasonable reaction rate. In this report, different initial TEMPO concentrations were used in styrene miniemulsion polymerizations without any added initiator. The consumption rate of TEMPO or radical generation rate was calculated from the length of the induction period and the increasing total number of polymer chains. It was found that there is little difference between the miniemulsions and the corresponding bulk systems in terms of the length of the induction period, which increases linearly with initial TEMPO concentration. After the induction period, the consumption rate of TEMPO or radical generation rate was reduced to a lower level, and a faster initial polymerization rate was found in the bulk system compared to the corresponding miniemulsion system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4921–4932, 2004
Human lung tissue and anaphylaxis: I. The role of cyclic GMP as a modulator of the immunologically induced secretory process

A close relationship between increased concentrations of cyclic GMP in human lung tissue and the capacity for acetylcholine to enhance the immunologic secretion of histamine and SRS-A has been found. Acetylcholine (10(-7) to 10(-11) M) produced parallel increases in both cyclic GMP and the immunologic release of mediators; the muscarinic blocking agent atropine prevented both responses. The increase in cyclic GMP in human lung after acetylcholine stimulation was apparent within 30 sec, peaked by 120 sec, and abruptly returned to control levels thereafter. The ability of acetylcholine to enhance the antigen-stimulated secretion of mediators followed the same time-course. PGF2alpha (3.3 X 10(-4) M to 3.3 X 10(-7) M) increased the cyclic GMP content of human lung tissue in a dose-related fashion. Pretreatment of IgE-sensitized lung tissue with acetylsalicylic acid (10 microgram/ml) had no effect on baseline cyclic nucleotide levels, the capacity for antigen to induce mediator release, or the increase in cyclic GMP and facilitation of the immunologic release of mediators produced by acetylcholine.
New Partnerships Between Dance and Neuroscience: Embedding the Arts for Neurorecovery

Neurorehabilitation applies neuroscience and motor control principles for a pragmatic purpose: to affect the recovery of individuals who have experienced a central nervous system injury. The success or failure of these principles and their application hold life-changing consequences for individuals with neural injury. While art, music and dance therapy are sometimes offered to patients as adjunctive therapy, few attempts have been made to embed the arts within traditional rehabilitation programmes despite preliminary evidence that such implementation improves clinical outcomes. This paper presents the rationale for embedding specific dance-based training techniques within standard rehabilitation protocols. The Embedded Arts project for acute care of brain and spinal cord injury at Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital uses motion capture technology to highlight the personal nature of prescribed rehabilitative movement and to document the recovery process. Lightweight sensors detect patient movement and custom prog...
Changes in hippocampal-evoked responses induced by localized perfusion with high-potassium cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract Local hippocampal responses and interhippocampal responses induced by single-shock stimulation (0.5-0.25/sec) were recorded in 18 cats with chronically implanted electrodes during localized ventricular perfusion with high K+ CSF (9–18 mEq K+/liter at a rate of 0.06–0.1 ml/min). Typical changes appeared soon after the beginning of the perfusion and reached a peak 10–20 min later at the time of initiation of seizure activity. A progressively increasing tertiary slow wave, positive in the apical dendritic layer and negative in the basal dendritic layer, and a concurrent depression of the secondary component of the normal response characterized a first period of change. In a following phase the tertiary wave became wider and wider as the velocity of its decay decreased, and a quaternary wave of opposite polarity followed it like an overshoot. Negative spikes of increasing incidence appeared superimposed on the falling phase of the tertiary wave. Self-sustained seizure activity was triggered 2–4 min after the beginning of this second period by a response displaying the wider tertiary wave and the greatest number of superimposed spikes. The first paroxysmal waves interrupted the quaternary transient before it reached its peak and had an opposite polarity. It is assumed that development of EPSP in dorsal layers of hippocampus, the apical dendrites acting as a source, could explain the changes in the first period and a depression of IPSP at the same level explain those of the last period. Rapid repetitive stimulation in the absence of perfusion cause preconvulsive changes of local hippocampal response very similar to those described above, suggesting an effect of K+ accumulation in extracellular spaces.
Robust Design of North American Power Grid to Mitigate Cascading Failures

Catastrophic cascading system failures such as the August 13th Blackout of 2003 highlight the vulnerability of the North American power grid, and emphasize the need for research to mitigate failure events. The incorporation of robust design, the insensitivity of system performance in the presence of noise (or uncertainty) from both internal and external sources, into existing and future power grid design strategies can increase system reliability. This paper presents a high-level topological network approach to power grid robust optimization as a solution for designing against cascading system failure. A mathematical model was created representing a standard power grid network consisting of generation and demand nodes, as well as node connections based on actual topological transmission line relationships. Each node possesses unique power generation or demand attributes, and various network connection configurations are examined based on system demand requirements. In this model, failure events are initiated by the removal of a single network connection, and remaining loads are redistributed throughout the system. Cascading failure effects are captured when the existing network configuration cannot support the resulting demand load, and transmission line failures continue propagate until the system again reaches a steady state, based on remaining nodes and connections. The primary goal of this research is to facilitate an understanding of design trade-offs between system robustness and performance objectives. In this research, robustness is defined as the resilience to initiating faults, where a robust network has the ability to meet system generation requirements despite propagating network failures. Primary performance objectives are total system cost and the ability to satisfy network demand after a failure, while robustness is represented as the lack of variability in the amount of demand which is satisfied after a failure. By understanding network reactions due to cascading failures, as well as performance trade-offs required to mitigate these failures, reliability in power grid systems can be increased.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Effects of food deprivation on ethanol preference and ingestion by male and female rats

The effect of food deprivation on proportional and milliliter per kilogram (ml/kg) intake of an ethanol solution (10%) was investigated in male and female rats utilizing two-bottle preference tests. Prior to food deprivation, there were no sex differences in either proportional or ml/kg ethanol consumption. Deprivation increased proportional and ml/kg ethanol consumption in both sexes during four 2-day preference tests. Males, however, showed significantly greater proportional, but not ml/kg, ethanol intake than females during deprivation. After returning to ad-lib weights, proportional and ml/kg intake by males remained significantly higher than predeprivation levels. Females, in contrast, returned to predeprivation levels of consumption on both measures. These data suggest that food deprivation produces a sex-dependent shift in taste reactivity.
Light Microscopy, Culture, Molecular, and Serologic Methods for Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) cause a variety of human diseases, ranging from acute to chronic and mild to severe. The absence of curative therapy results in lifelong carriage marked by recurrent outbreaks and allows transmission of the virus to uninfected individuals. Nonspecific lesions, variable presentation, and chronic carriage necessitate the use of different laboratory testing methods appropriate for each presentation. A thorough understanding of the performance characteristics and limitations of available tests is critical for selection of the appropriate test and interpretation of results. Clinical sensitivity, specificity, and selection of the appropriate methodology is paramount to avoid misdiagnosis and guide therapy. In this article we review the different methods for detection and typing of HSV, including light microscopy, culture, serology, and nucleic acid-based tests. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each method for diagnosing HSV infection, cite performance characteristics, and review appropriate clinical uses.
What is the average price of an illicit drug

Estimates of the total dollar value of the markets for illicit drugs are valuable for policy making. Such estimates are usually produced by multiplying estimated consumption by price. This paper argues that the relevant price for such calculations is not simply the price of one standard unit. There are substantial quantity discounts for illicit drugs, and there is a distribution of retail purchase sizes. Hence, the average price paid per gram need not equal the price of one gram. This concept is illustrated with calculations for heroin and cocaine.
Peptidyl molecular imaging contrast agents using a new solid-phase peptide synthesis approach

A versatile method is disclosed for solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) of molecular imaging contrast agents. A DO3A moiety was derivatized to introduce a CBZ-protected amino group and then coupled to a polymeric support. CBZ cleavage with Et2AlCl/thioanisole was optimized for SPPS. Amino acids were then coupled to the aminoDOTA-loaded resin using conventional stepwise Fmoc SPPS to create a product with DOTA coupled to the C-terminus of the peptide. In a second study, the DO3A moiety was coupled to a glycine-loaded polymeric support, and amino acids were then coupled to the amino-DOTA-peptide-loaded resin using SPPS to incorporate DOTA within the peptide sequence. The peptide-(Tm3+-DOTA) amide showed a paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) effect, which demonstrated the utility of this contrast agent for molecular imaging. These results demonstrate the advantages of exploiting SPPS methodologies through development of unique DOTA derivatives to create peptide-based molecular imaging contrast agents.
Satellite cells and myofiber growth in the rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles.

Abstract This study demonstrates a significantly lower incidence of satellite cells in the fast twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) than in the slow twitch soleus muscles both in developing and mature rats. This distinction appears early in myogenesis, before histochemical differentiation is evident in the two muscles. Correlated with the differences in satellite cell population during development are greater rates of increase in myofiber nuclei per myofiber in the soleus than in the EDL. In addition, autoradiographic studies reveal there is more active [3H]thymidine incorporation among satellite cells of the developing soleus than of the EDL. This is expected, as cell mitosis and fusion have previously been shown to be related events [ R. Bischoff (1970) . In “Regeneration of Striatal Muscle and Myogenesis.” Excerpta Medica Int. Congr. Ser. 19). Influence of the nervous system upon satellite cells in developing muscle is shown by a substantial decline in [3H]thymidine incorporation by satellite cell nuclei within 24 hr of denervation in both the soleus and EDL of young rats. In view of the differences in myonuclear and satellite cell populations, growth of the histochemically distinct types of myofibers in the developing soleus and EDL has also been studied. The results indicate that increases in cross sectional area of myofibers in the soleus, particularly Type I fibers, is associated with satellite cell fusion and a progressive rise in the incidence of myonuclei. In contrast, increase in cross sectional area of myofibers in the EDL, particularly Type II glycolyte fibers, is less associated with myonuclear supplement and is more the product of pure muscle hypertrophy. There are thus substantial differences in the patterns of growth between the two muscles.
Electron tomography of nanoparticle clusters: Implications for atmospheric lifetimes and radiative forcing of soot

Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in nature. Their large surface areas and consequent chemical reactivity typically result in their aggregation into clusters. Their chemical and physical properties depend on cluster shapes, which are commonly complex and unknown. This is the first application of electron tomography with a transmission electron microscope to quantitatively determine the three-dimensional (3D) shapes, volumes, and surface areas of nanoparticle clusters. We use soot (black carbon, BC) nanoparticles as an example because it is a major contributor to environmental degradation and global climate change. To the extent that our samples are representative, we find that quantitative measurements of soot surface areas and volumes derived from electron tomograms differ from geometrically derived values by, respectively, almost one and two orders of magnitude. Global sensitivity studies suggest that the global burden and direct radiative forcing of fractal BC are only about 60% of the value if it is assumed that BC has a spherical shape.
Distress proneness and cognitive decline in a population of older persons

The association between distress proneness and cognitive decline was examined in older residents of a biracial community in Chicago. At baseline, participants completed four cognitive tests that yielded a global measure (baseline mean=101.2; standard deviation (SD)=7.8), and a brief measure of the tendency to experience negative emotions (mean=16.5; SD=6.7) based on the Neuroticism scale of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Cognitive testing was repeated twice at three-year intervals. In mixed models that controlled age, sex, race, and education, for each point on the distress proneness scale, global cognitive score was 0.12 unit lower at baseline (p<0.001) and annual rate of decline increased by 0.01 unit (p=0.002), or about 2%. Thus, cognitive decline was about 30% faster in a person highly prone to distress (score=24, 90th percentile) compared to the one low in distress proneness (score=9, 10th percentile). This effect was unchanged after controlling for level of cognitive activity or excluding people with cognitive impairment at baseline, but it was reduced to a trend (p=0.059) after controlling for depressive symptoms. The results suggest that the tendency to experience psychological distress is associated with increased cognitive decline in old age.
Therapy of male osteoporosis with parathyroid hormone

Definable causes of male osteoporosis account for only about 60% of the osteoporotic population. Those for whom no etiology is readily apparent are said to have primary or idiopathic male osteoporosis. In these individuals, histomorphometric studies indicate that this is a disorder that is more typically characterized by low turnover. Although antiresorptive agents such as alendronate have been shown to increase bone mass in men, the rationale for an anabolic agent that can stimulate bone formation is clear. The most attractive anabolic agent at this time is parathyroid hormone (PTH) administered in low dosage and intermittently. Such regimens in experimental animals have been associated with marked gains in bone mass. Slovik et al. showed that parathyroid hormone can increase vertebral bone mass in men with idiopathic osteoporosis. We have conducted the first controlled, randomized, double-blind study of PTH in men with idiopathic osteoporosis. Twenty-three men, 30-68 years old (50 +/- 1.9) with Z-scores less than -2.0 were assigned to a placebo (n = 13) or treatment (n = 10) arm. After 18 months, those who received PTH showed a 13.5 +/- 3% increase in bone mass, significantly greater than the placebo group whose bone density did not change. Femoral neck bone density increased significantly by 2.9 +/- 1.5%. The distal radius site did not change. During an open label extension for an additional 12 months, there was no further increase in bone density in the lumbar spine but the femoral neck continued to show gains. Markers of bone formation and resorption increased in the PTH arm reaching a peak between 9 and 12 months of therapy and declining thereafter. Parathyroid hormone was well tolerated. These results suggest that low-dose intermittent PTH may be an efficacious therapy for men with idiopathic osteoporosis.
Some design considerations on using modulated intense annular electron beams for particle acceleration

The space‐charge wave and the stability of an intense annular electron beam propagating in a metallic pipe are examined. It is shown that the beam can propagate stably in the parameter regime of some proposed experiments where such a beam is used to generate an electromagnetic wake for particle acceleration. Modulation of an intense beam with a large diameter appears promising at high frequencies.
Overview of dementia lacking distinctive histology: pathological designation of a progressive dementia.

The group of progressive dementing illnesses that lack distinctive histologic features includes at least four variants: a cortical type, a thalamostriate type, a motor neuronopathy type and a Ieukogliotic type. While the clinical presentation of some cases is that of anterograde amnesia, progressive aphasia and dysexecutive syndrome are the most common initial symptom complexes. A large number of reported cases are familial, although no abnormal gene has been identified. Pathologically, these illnesses are defined by cortical, hippocampal, striatal, medial thalamic, nigral and motor nuclei cell dropout and astrogliosis. In some cases, white matter gliosis is striking. Identification of specific histological or molecular markers of at least some of these conditions will greatly advance our understanding of these specific conditions as well as dementing illnesses in general.
The role of gastric stasis in tumor-induced anorexia in rats.

Background. The current study was undertaken to determine if changes in gastric emptying contribute to tumor-induced anorexia. Methods. Rats were implanted with the Walker 256 carcinoma, and food intake was measured daily. On days 0, 8, and 15, the rats were fasted overnight, gavage fed a bolus of liquid food, and residual gastric contents were measured 3 hours later. Results. Tumor growth was associated with a progressive decline in voluntary food intake. When the rats were gavage fed 2.5 or 7 ml of liquid food, the percent of gastric contents cleared in 3 hours was unchanged with tumor growth. Conclusions. Changes in gastric emptying did not contribute to decreased food intake with growth of the Walker 256 in rats.
Acceptor RNA Cleavage Profile Supports an Invasion Mechanism for HIV-1 Minus Strand Transfer

Abstract We previously proposed that HIV-1 minus strand transfer occurs by an acceptor invasion-initiated multi-step mechanism. During synthesis of minus strong stop DNA, reverse transcriptase (RT) transiently pauses at the base of TAR before continuing synthesis. Pausing promotes RT-RNase H cleavage of the donor RNA, exposing regions of the cDNA. The acceptor RNA then invades at these locations to interact with the minus strong stop DNA. Whereas primer extension continues on the donor RNA, the cDNA-acceptor hybrid expands by branch migration until transfer of the primer terminus is completed. We present results here showing that the interaction of the acceptor RNA and the cDNA can be determined by examining the time-dependent cleavage of the acceptor RNA by RNase H. Our approach utilizes a combination of RT-RNase H and Escherichia coli RNase H to allow assessment of acceptor-cDNA interactions at high sensitivity. Results show an initial interaction of the acceptor RNA with cDNA at the base of TAR. We observe a time-dependent shift in RNase H susceptibility along the length of the acceptor toward the 5′ end, suggesting hybrid propagation from the initial invasion point. Control experiments validate that the RNase H cleavage profile represents the formation and expansion of the acceptor-DNA interaction and that the process is promoted by the nucleocapsid. Observations with this new approach lend additional support to the proposed multistep transfer mechanism.
Introduction to the Thematic Minireview Series on Redox-active Protein Modifications and Signaling

The dynamics of redox metabolism necessitate cellular strategies for sensing redox changes and for responding to them. A common mechanism for receiving and transmitting redox changes is via reversible modifications of protein cysteine residues. A plethora of cysteine modifications have been described, including sulfenylation, glutathionylation, and disulfide formation. These post-translational modifications have the potential to alter protein structure and/or function and to modulate cellular processes ranging from division to death and from circadian rhythms to secretion. The focus of this thematic minireview series is cysteine modifications in response to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.
Interactions between the regulatory regions of two Adh alleles.

A region (NS1) that acts like an enhancer is located approximately 300 bp upstream of the larval cap site in theAdh gene ofD. melanogaster. When this sequence is deleted (ΔNS1), the gene fails to express ADH protein. Gene expression can be restored by placing a secondAdh gene with an intact enhancer elsewhere on the same plasmid. In these circumstances, both genes are expressed equally regardless of their orientation on the plasmid. In this report we further characterize the interactions that occur when a single enhancer activates expression from a proximal and distant promoter. We have made the following observations: (1) While the two genes are expressed equivalently, their expression relative to a plasmid carrying two intact genes is reduced by a factor of 2 to 6 depending on the orientation of the two genes. (2) The single enhancer drives expression of both genes on any given plasmid molecule. (3) The enhancer does not interact with theAdh gene from which the NS7 region (which spans the larval TATA box) is removed. (4) Expression of the ΔNS1 gene can be restored by an intact gene when both are inserted together into theDrosophila genome via P element-mediated transformation. (5) Increasing the separation between the two genes on a plasmid by up to 15 kbp does not prevent the restoration of expression of the ΔNS1 gene. We propose a model that explains how a single enhancer can stimulate equal expression from two genes.
The mouse C9ORF72 ortholog is enriched in neurons known to degenerate in ALS and FTD

Using transgenic mice harboring a targeted LacZ insertion, we studied the expression pattern of the C9ORF72 mouse ortholog (3110043O21Rik). Unlike most genes that are mutated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which are ubiquitously expressed, the C9ORF72 ortholog was most highly transcribed in the neuronal populations that are sensitive to degeneration in ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Thus, our results provide a potential explanation for the cell type specificity of neuronal degeneration caused by C9ORF72 mutations.
Adaptive optimization of a continuous culture with the use of a bilevel forgetting factor.

An adaptive optimization algorithm using a dynamic identification scheme with a bilevel forgetting factor (BFF) has been developed. The simulation results show superiority of this method to other methods when applied to maximize the cellular productivity of a continuous culture of baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerievisiae. Within the limited ranges of tuning parameters tested the BFF algorithm is found to be superior in terms of initial optimization speed and accuracy and reoptimization speed and accuracy when there is an external change and long term stability (removal of “blowing up” phenomena). Algorithms tested include those based on a constant forgetting factor, an adaptive variable forgetting factor (VFF) and moving window (MW) identification.
The Use of Ultrasound to Identify Fetuses with Macrosoomia in Diabetic Pregnancies: A Review of Current Literature

Diabetic pregnancies are associated with an increased incidence of fetal macrosomia. Prenatal detection of macrosomia is particularly important because of the potential maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with vaginal delivery. Early detection of macrosomia enables the clinician to decease the risk of morbidityeby either fprearing for complications associated with vaginal delivery or changing the timing or route of delivery. M acrosomia is suspected with an estimated faetalweight greate than or eqal to 4,000 g. Two; methods are:used to predict: fetal birth weight The first method is clinical evaluation,:which is based on abdominal palpation of fetal parts and fundatl: size. AThe second metho dis by sonogr aphic examinanon, which is based onfetal biparietal' diameter, abdominal circumferee, and femur length, which are then. plugged into a regression equation to calculat fetal: weight. Clinical techn ques do not relably predict fetal weight. Although ultrasound i's not particularly accurate at determ...