cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morning Glory Harley

46 A man drove his Harley down the morning glory, the great concrete drain that controls dam flow, and he lived, spewed out onto the spillway. This was the best legend of our teenhood, bar none, beat ing out even the Nebraska Loch Ness monster that lived 162 feet down at the bottom of that dam, a beast bass fishermen on a hot still day would not discuss, would look off to the side of their boats where the dam rose and spit toward the deeper end instead of set you straight. The man on the motorcycle could have been one of those fishermen. The fishermen here were numerous and nameless
Anti-Ri-associated paraneoplastic opsoclonus-ataxia syndrome in a man with transitional cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND There are several case reports describing paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with various forms of bladder carcinoma. Current immunologic analyses have enabled the identification of the antineuronal autoantibodies associated with specific syndromes. METHODS A patient with a history of bladder carcinoma presented with opsoclonus and myoclonus. RESULTS Workup confirmed the presence of anti-Ri antibodies in the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The target Ri antigen was found to be expressed by the tumor. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, there are few reports in the literature describing the long-term clinical follow-up and postmortem evaluation in a patient with this form of paraneoplastic syndrome. More important, the authors believe the current study represents the first time that the presence of anti-Ri antibodies has been noted in a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Cancer 2001;91:1423–8. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Metric universality in nonlinear recurrence

A brief resume of some new, universal features of recurrence relations is presented in a context of possible biological consequences.
Maybe Mom and Dad Were Right: Musings on the Economic Downturn

Law firm leaders of today still have the opportunity to learn from Mom and Dad to scrimp and save, both personally and professionally. If today’s law firm leaders do not learn from their predecessors, they may find themselves marginalized in the legal marketplace, or forced into early retirement. Interestingly, the new associates in our firms, the representatives of Gen Y, may know the answer: we need to leave a smaller footprint, by practicing sustainably, or the recession of ’08-’09 will look like nothing compared to what is to come.
A role for glycosylated serine-rich repeat proteins in gram-positive bacterial pathogenesis.

Bacterial attachment to host surfaces is a pivotal event in the biological and infectious processes of both commensal and pathogenic bacteria, respectively. Serine-rich Repeat Proteins (SRRPs) are a family of adhesins in Gram-Positive bacteria that mediate attachment to a variety of host and bacterial surfaces. As such, they contribute towards a wide-range of diseases including sub-acute bacterial endocarditis, community-acquired pneumonia, and meningitis. SRRPs are unique in that they are glycosylated, require a non-canonical Sec-translocase for transport, and are largely composed of a domain containing hundreds of alternating serine residues. These serine-rich repeats are thought to extend a unique non-repeat (NR) domain outward away from the bacterial surface to mediate adhesion. Thus far, NR domains have been determined to bind to sialic acid moieties, keratins, or other NR domains of a similar SRRP. This review summarizes how this important family of bacterial adhesins mediates bacterial attachment to host and bacterial cells, contributes to disease pathogenesis, and might be targeted for pharmacological intervention or used as novel protective vaccine antigens. This review also highlights recent structural findings on the NR domains of these proteins.
Mechanical and Piezoelectric Properties of Laminated Object Manufactured Ceramics

The strength, density, and d 33 piezoelectric coefficient of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) test bars made via laminated object manufacturing (LOM) were compared to commercial PZT made via pressing and sintering. Test bars were fabricated from both PZT 4 and PZT 5A material. In general, the properties of the LOMed specimens were as good as their commercial counterparts. Fractography showed that most of the PZT specimens failed by normal processing flaws with only a few of the test bars failing due to LOM processing artifacts.
Primary cilium regulates CaV1.2 expression through Wnt signaling.

Primary cilia are sensory organelles that provide a feedback mechanism to restrict Wnt signaling in the absence of endogenous Wnt activators. Abnormal Wnt signaling has been shown to result in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) although the exact mechanism has been debated. Previously, we reported that the calcium channel CaV1.2 functions in primary cilia. In this study, we show that CaV1.2 expression level is regulated by Wnt signaling. This occurs through modulation of mitochondrial mass and activity resulting in increased reactive oxygen species which generate oxidative DNA lesions. We found that the subsequent cellular DNA damage response triggers increased CaV1.2 expression. In the absence of primary cilia where Wnt signaling is upregulated, we found that CaV1.2 is overexpressed as a compensatory mechanism. We show for the first time that CaV1.2 knockdown in zebrafish results in classic primary cilia defects including renal cyst formation, hydrocephalus, and left-right asymmetry defects. Our study shows that suppressed Wnt signaling prevents CaV1.2 expression ultimately resulting in PKD phenotypes. Thus, CaV1.2 expression is tightly regulated through Wnt signaling and plays an essential sensory role in primary cilia necessary for cellular homeostasis. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1926–1934, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disorders of Galactose Metabolism

Three inborn errors of galactose metabolism are known, one for each step in the Leloir pathway of galactose conversion to glucose. The first, galactokinase deficiency, is discovered either through newborn screening for hypergalactosemia, or by the chance finding of reducing substance in urine, or by selective urine screening for galactose in infants or older persons examined for nuclear cataracts. In the undiagnosed newborn drinking milk, cataracts develop insidiously within a few weeks as the only clinical manifestation. Galactose-galactitol-glucose diabetes is the only chemical sign. Diagnosis is made by enzyme assay on blood cells or fibroblasts. For treatment, milk and milk products are eliminated from the diet. In transferase deficiency or galactosemia, the second step in the Leloir pathway is blocked. In most developed countries, this defect is discovered through newborn screening, and the more serious clinical symptoms are avoided by prompt treatment. Infants who remain undiagnosed develop symptoms and signs of liver and kidney failure and succumb to sepsis. Survivors develop cataracts and mental impairment. Diagnosis is suggested by the presence of reducing substance in the urine of the fed newborn, and it is made by enzyme assay on blood cells, a liver biopsy specimen, or fibroblasts. Lifelong exclusion of all galactose from the diet is stipulated, but difficult to achieve. Partial transferase deficiency is more frequent than the complete defect. It is treated by a less-than-complete removal of dietary galactose, usually restricted to the first few months of life. The third defect of the Leloir pathway, epimerase deficiency, occurs in both a benign mild form and a severe and crippling form. Both are discovered through newborn screening, using methods sensitive to galactose-1-phosphate and are diagnosed by enzyme assay on blood cells or fibroblasts. Infants with the mild form do not seem to require treatment. The two documented severe cases showed clinical features reminiscent of untreated galactosemia; their dietary treatment proved difficult and unsatisfactory.
Weak association of glucosamine-containing polymer with the Acholeplasma laidlawii membrane.

Abstract 1. 1. Membrane-incorporated glucosamine does not seem to be covalently attached to membrane proteins as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of native and pronase-digested membranes. 2. 2. Membrane-incorporated glucosamine is readily released from membrane lipid and protein by brief sonication as shown by sucrose density gradient analysis. 3. 3. Membrane-incorporated glucosamine is present in a polymeric form, as shown by comparing column elution profiles for free and membrane-bound glucosamine. 4. 4. It is concluded that the polymer is weakly associated with the membrane and may reside on or near the exterior surface.
Biological effects of certain hydrolysis products of a nitrogen mustard in Paramecium aurelia.

Abstract Single cells of Paramecium aurelia were exposed to known concentrations of certain hydrolytic derivatives of HN2 for known periods of time, the relative activity of each for three different biological effects was measured, and the results were related to changes in biological activity of HN2 solution with time. For each of the effects measured—two vegetative (delay of fission and death of cells) and one genetic (death after autogamy)—the parent amine compound I is most effective, the first cyclic derivative II is the next most effective, and the chlorohydrin III the least. Compounds I and II are at least additive in effect. Loss in activity of HN2 solutions is rapid (85% within 20 min.) and is explainable in terms of changes in concentration of parent and derived compounds with time. It is conceivable that the relatively high activity of the amine I has its basis in the permeability of the cellular membrane to the compound.
Meniscal reconstruction using allograft tissue: An arthroscopic technique

Abstract The treatment of meniscal pathology has changed dramatically over the last decade. This change in treatment has been brought about by our increased knowledge of the functions of the human meniscus: force transmission, increase contact area, decrease contact stress, shock absorption, joint lubrication, nutrition of chondrocytes, and stabilization. Meniscal transplantation has been developed in an attempt to interrupt or retard the progressive joint deterioration that develops in the postmeniscectomy knee. The author's arthroscopically assisted technique for meniscal reconstruction using fresh frozen allograft tissue without disruption of the extensor mechanism or collateral ligaments is described. This technique emphasizes visualization of specific landmarks for each meniscal horn insertion site with creation of osseous tunnels at these corresponding sites to allow for anatomic placement of the meniscal inplant. Only if normal anatomy and kinematics is established can one assume that the transplanted meniscus will provide a beneficial function. The author's believe that the operation should be limited to a select group of individuals who meet specific inclusion criteria in study groups and investigational protocols until long-term results are determined.
Determining the influence of active cells and conditioning layer on early stage biofilm formation using cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract Membrane biofouling is a complicated process and can include both abiotic and biotic fouling. The objective of this research was to determine the contribution of conditioning layer in the presence of active cells to early stage membrane biofouling. Membranes were operated for 4, 11, and 24 h using buffered synthetic water composed of a conditioning layer (130.14 ppm sodium acetate trihydrate) and either inactive (fixed) or active cells (103 cells/mL). This study was performed using cross flow filtration through cellulose acetate (CA) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. Flux decline, biofilm activity, biofilm surface area coverage, and biofilm morphology (surface roughness and skewness) were monitored over time. While biofilm surface area coverage could not effectively distinguish membranes being filtered with active and inactive cells, permeate flux data indicated that the presence of active cells resulted in significantly more flux decline. Feature height analyses (TM-AFM) combined with biofilm metabolic activity assessment allowed the consideration of abiotic and biotic fouling. The membrane resistance increased in the presence of active bacterial cells, regardless of the level of abiotic fouling. However, abiotic fouling and bacterial cell activity are not independent since abiotic fouling serves as a food source that helps activate cells.
A comparative study of in-plume and in-stack collected individual coal fly ash particles

Abstract Various analytical techniques have been used to study the surface and bulk composition of individual fly ash particles which have been collected both within a power plant smokestack and within the plume of that smokestack. A sampling system has been employed which collects the fly ash on dry soft metal substrates (e.g. indium) which is suitable for analysis under clean, ultra high vacuum conditions. Morphology and quasi-bulk composition of individual particles is obtained through the use of a scanning electron microscope (S.E.M.) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence attachment (E.D.X.). After S.E.M. studies, the samples are transferred to a scanning Auger electron spectroscopy system (A.E.S.) for surface analysis and ion beam depth profiling. Results of these experiments show a wide chemical and physical disparity between different particles even in the limited sample size range studied (5–30 μm). There is no evidence for a surface concentration (> 1 %) of high atomic number elements for either the particles collected from within the smokestack or those collected from the plume. A statistically significant difference between the ratios of aluminum to iron has been observed for the in-stack particles as compared with those collected within the plume.
A convenient extension of the linear-quadratic model to include redistribution and reoxygenation.

Purpose At present, the linear-quadratic model for cellular response to radiation can incorporate sublethal damage repair and repopulation. We suggest an extension, termed LQR, to include also the other two "Rs" of radiobiology, cell cycle redistribution, and reoxygenation. Methods and materials In this approach, redistribution and reoxygenation are both regarded as aspects of a single phenomenon, which we term resensitization. After the first portion of a radiation exposure has decreased the average radiosensitivity of a diverse cell population by preferentially sparing less sensitive cells, resensitization gradually restores the average sensitivity of the population towards its previous value. The proposed LQR formula is of the same form as the original LQ formula, but with two extra parameters, an overall resensitization magnitude and a characteristic resensitization time. The LQR model assumes that resensitization is monotonic rather than oscillatory in time, i.e., always tends to increase average cellular sensitivity as overall time increases. We argue that this monotonicity assumption is likely to hold in clinical situations, though a possible extension is discussed to account for oscillatory decay of resensitization effects. Results The LQR model gives reasonable fits to relevant experimental data in the literature, reproducing an initial rise in cell survival, due to repair, as the treatment time is increased, followed by a resensitization-related decrease in survival due to redistribution and/or reoxygenation for treatment times of the order of the cell cycle time, and a final survival increase due to repopulation as the treatment time is increased still further. Conclusion The LQR model is a simple and potentially useful extension of the LQ model for computing more realistic isoeffect relations for early responding tissues, including tumors, when comparing different radiotherapeutic protocols.
Multiphoton Dissociation/Ionization Of Organometallics: The Effect Of Intramolecular Vibrational Relaxation

We have measured one color multiphoton dissociation/ionization (MPD/MPI) spectra for a series of arene molybdenum tricarbonyls. These experiments measure the relative timescales of multiphoton excitation, intramolecular energy redistribution (IER) and unimolecular dissociation under collision free conditions. The results indicate that IER is accelerated by the presence of low frequency vibrations and by molecular structures and bonding which enable a molecule to remain intact longer during the course of multiphoton excitation. The results for the organomolybdenum molecules are consistent with our earlier results obtained in a similar study of organochromium molecules.
A multiplexing/demultiplexing system for use with an intracortical electrode array

A multiplexer/demultiplexer VLSI chip has been designed and fabricated which is suitable for multiplexing or demultiplexing analog information to or from a neuroprosthetic electrode array. This chip, designed for use with the Utah Intracortical Electrode Array, can be used in either a stimulating or recording mode. In either mode, this prototype circuit is capable of routing signals to/from 16 electrodes, using a minimum of 5 wires. The chip utilizes solder bump pads for bonding directly to the back of the electrode array. In this paper, we discuss the design and electrical characteristics of this chip.
Increasing the pump-up rate to polarize 3He gas using spin-exchange optical pumping method

Abstract In recent years, polarized 3He gas has increasingly been used as neutron polarizers and polarization analyzers. Two of the leading methods to polarize the 3He gas are the spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) method and the meta-stable exchange optical pumping (MEOP) method. At present, the SEOP setup is comparatively compact due to the fact that it does not require the sophisticated compressor system used in the MEOP method. The temperature and the laser power available determine the speed, at which the SEOP method polarizes the 3He gas. For the quantity of gas typically used in neutron scattering work, this speed is independent of the quantity of the gas required, whereas the polarizing time using the MEOP method is proportional to the quantity of gas required. Currently, using the SEOP method to polarize several bar-liters of 3He to 70% polarization would require 20−40 h. This is an order of magnitude longer than the MEOP method for the same quantity of gas and polarization. It would therefore be advantageous to speed up the SEOP process. In this article, we analyze the requirements for temperature, laser power, and the type of alkali used in order to shorten the time required to polarize 3He gas using the SEOP method.
Expression of p75NTR in photoreceptor cells of dystrophic rat retinas

Although a gene mutation in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) dystrophic rat results in defective phagocytosis and in accumulation of debris in the subretinal space, the molecular mechanisms leading to photoreceptor cell death remain unclear. In this study, the expression of p75(NTR), the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor incriminated in the apoptosis of developing neurons, was investigated at various stages of retinal degeneration in dystrophic rats using immunohistochemistry, in situ reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and relative RT-PCR. In normal adult retinas, p75(NTR) immunolabeling was observed mainly in the outer limiting membrane, with punctate labeling in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. In 18- to 30-day-old dystrophic retinas, the immunostaining appeared to increase especially in the photoreceptor outer and inner segments. Dense staining was also observed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid. In 60-day-old dystrophic rat retinas, the density of immunolabeling for p75(NTR) increased dramatically in the remaining inner retina, especially in the inner nuclear, inner plexiform, and ganglion cell layers. Post-embedding immunogold labeling of normal retinas verified the distribution of p75(NTR) in photoreceptor cells within the inner segments, cell bodies, and outer segments. The apparent increased intensity in p75(NTR) immunostaining in dystrophic retinas was verified by Western blots and densitometric analyses. In situ RT-PCR and relative RT-PCR further established increased synthesis of p75(NTR) in dystrophic retinas. The increased levels of p75(NTR) in the RPE and photoreceptor cells, the initial sites of injury, during retinal degeneration in dystrophic rats strongly suggest that altered expression of p75(NTR) may be directly involved in photoreceptor death.
Choice of study area and predictors affect habitat suitability projections, but not the performance of species distribution models of stream biota

Abstract Species distribution models (SDMs) that provide extrapolations of species habitat suitability are increasingly being used in stream ecosystems, however the effects of different modelling techniques on model projections remain unknown. We tested how different study areas and predictors affect SDMs by using consensus projections of a fixed set of 224 stream macroinvertebrate species and five algorithms implemented in BIOMOD/R. Four modelling designs were applied: (1) a landscape as a continuous study area without any discrimination between terrestrial and aquatic realms, (2) a stream network masked a posteriori from the previous design, (3) a stream network as the study area during the model-building stage, and (4) same as (3) but with a hydrologically corrected set of predictors. The true skill statistic (TSS) and accuracy of the consensus projections were not influenced by the different designs (TSS ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, accuracy ranged from 0.70 to 0.96). The projections of design (4) yielded a strong reduction in false positive predictions compared to (1) (on average by 56%), (2) (11%) or (3) (8%). Our results show how SDMs with equally high accuracy may differ widely in habitat suitability projections for benthic macroinvertebrates. As model performance and output are not necessarily congruent, habitat suitability projections of stream biota need to be carefully assessed.
Accuracies achievable with indirect measurements of the direct solar irradiance component

Abstract Calculated direct solar irradiances from recording of global and diffuse irradiance are possible. However, to achieve the desired accuracy of 2 per cent of direct solar irradiance, corrections for the cosine error of the pyranometer to measure global irradiance and of the error induced by the shadowband in the diffuse irradiance have to be applied. Results then are satisfactory to zenith angles of approx. 80°.
Electrical Design Features of Waukegan Station

DEVELOPMENT of the Waukegan station through the three periods outlined in the companion paper by J. L. Hecht is described in the present paper. Details of the changes and the reasons for them are given.
Modification of a Super-Sep bottle for paint-on application of a separating medium used in flasking dentures.

Modifying a Super-Sep bottle by adding a brush to the lid for paint-on use allows for the precise application of the separating medium used when flasking dentures. Super-Sep offers many advantages over other commonly used separating mediums: It is virtually dimensionless, allowing for better accuracy; it dries quickly and functions best on moist stone; and it can be poured against immediately. The latter fact means less time is needed before the subsequent layers of stone can be applied when denture flasking. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;85:415-7.)
Pauli effects on "variational" calculations in nuclear matter

The difficulties which arise in the conventional development of the Jastrow method for fermions, from the failure to impose proper wave-function antisymmetry, are exhibited by an extension of the diagrammatic analysis of Pandharipande and Bethe. These problems are readily solved by the use of second quantization and a corresponding modification of the usual cluster expansion. A numerical example for a strong repulsive interaction shows that inaccurate treatment of the antisymmetrization can lead to very large errors in low-order estimates of the energy.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE variational calculations, nuclear matter, Jastrow method, cluster expansion, antisymmetrization.
Cell therapy for epilepsy using GABAergic neural progenitors

Cell transplantation may repair neural circuits in the epileptic brain. Grafted cells should disperse, migrate, and functionally integrate. Generation of inhibitory interneurons with these abilities could be therapeutic in a condition of abnormal neuronal hyperexcitability, that is, epilepsy. This review discusses recent efforts to isolate and transplant interneuron precursor cells derived from the medial ganglionic eminence. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Retinal pigment epitheliopathy after macular hole surgery.

Background: Full-thickness idiopathic macular holes were previously considered untreatable, but surgical intervention has been proposed to collapse the hole and improve vision. This study evaluates the fluorescein angiographic changes that occur after macular hole surgery. Methods: Sixteen patients with stage III idiopathic macular holes underwent pars plana vitrectomy, removal of the posterior hyaloid, peeling of fine epiretinal sheets along the edges of the holes, and fluid-gas exchange. Preoperative fluorescein angiograms were performed, and best-corrected preoperative visual acuity was 20/200 or less in all eyes. Results: Postoperatively, the macular hole disappeared in 12 eyes (75%). In all 12 eyes, retinal pigment epithelial swelling was present, with a unique fluorescein angiographic appearance. This pattern slowly resolved over months, with gradual visual improvement but residual retinal pigment epithelial mottling. Systemic and periocular steroids had no significant impact on the process. Conclusion: The combination of prolonged intraocular gas contact and light exposure exceeding threshold for an already compromised macula appears to be responsible for this pigmentary pattern. Depending on the severity of the pigment epithelial alteration, this unique pattern may portend a guarded visual prognosis in affected patients undergoing successful macular hole repair.
Rifampin and rifabutin and their metabolism by human liver esterases

1. The main metabolites of rifampin and rifabutin in man are their respective 25 deacetylated derivatives, but the enzyme(s) responsible for these biotransformations are not known. 2. In experiments with human liver slices and human liver microsomes, the 25 deacetylated derivatives of these drugs were the main metabolites observed. Slices and microsomes metabolized rifabutin 3-6-fold faster than rifampin, in agreement with their relative clearance in patients. Rifabutin partitioned into slices more avidly than rifampin. 3. In microsomal incubations, deacetylation did not require NADPH, but the amount of metabolite at the end of incubation was affected by NADPH. With NADPH the amount of 25 deacetyl rifabutin decreased, whereas the amount of 25 deacetyl rifampin increased slightly. A panel of liver microsomes from seven donors showed a 3-4-fold difference in the formation of 25 deacetyl rifabutin or 25 deacetyl rifampin, with strong correlation between the production of the two metabolites (r2 = 0.94). 4. T...
Quasielastic light scattering by biopolymers. Center-of-mass motion of DNA in the presence of a sinusoidal electric field

Abstract Quasielastic light scattering is now a well-established technique for rapid determination of diffusion coefficients from the spectral density of Rayleigh scattered light. Application of a constant electric field in the course of a quasielastic light scattering experiment, a technique termed electrophoretic light scattering (ELS), results in a series of peaks that are Doppler shifted by an amount proportional to the superimposed instantaneous velocity of the molecules. Electrophoretic mobilities, diffusion coefficients, and relative concentrations of each component in a polydispersed system can be determined from a single ELS experiment. A theory for polymer dynamics in the presence of an applied sinusoidal field has also been proposed. The present communication presents data in which the center-of-mass of DNA is studied in the presence of a low frequency sinusoidal field. It is shown that: (1) at very low frequencies the power spectrum is composed of several peaks Doppler shifted by an amount proportional to the driving frequency ω (i.e. fundamental and harmonic overtones); (2) the peak amplitude of the fundamental frequency shift is proportionall to 1/ω in accordance with the theory. The advantage of using a sinusoidal applied field instead of a pulsed square-wave is discussed.
Targeted expression of somatostatin in vasopressinergic magnocellular hypothalamic neurons of transgenic mice.

Abstract Somatostatin (SS) is a neuropeptide synthesized in the mammalian brain. To identify the cis-acting elements responsible for neural-specific expression we produced transgenic mice by microinjecting a 15-kb fragment of the mouse SS gene that contains both exons, the intron, 12 kb of the 5′ flanking region, and 2 kb of the 3′ flanking region. As a reporter, a 30-bp oligonucleotide was inserted in the 5′ untranslated region of the SS gene. Four pedigrees of transgenic mice with different chromosomal integrations were identified by Southern blots. In situ hybridizations revealed an unexpected expression of the transgene in the paraventricular, supraoptic, and retro-chiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Conversely, areas with high levels of endogenous SS mRNA, including the periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, reticular nucleus of the thalamus, and hippocampus were devoid of transgene-encoded SS expression. Immunocytochemistry with a pro-SS antibody labeled the identical ectopic hypothalamic and the normal somatostatinergic neurons. Double-staining immunocytochemistry showed colocalization of SS and vasopressin (AVP) in all groups of hypothalamic magnocellular neurons while there was no colocalization of SS and oxytocin. In dehydrated transgenic mice, hypothalamic AVP and transgenic SS mRNA increased 2.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively. Our results indicate that the 15-kb fragment of the SS gene does not provide all the necessary elements to activate its own transcription in somatostatinergic neurons. In addition, the expression of the transgene in vasopressinergic magnocellular neurons suggests that the SS gene fragment contains sequences that are recognized by transcriptional activating factors present in these cells.
Dissociation Between History and Challenge in Patients with Physical Urticaria

Background Physical urticaria is a subtype of chronic urticaria induced by a physical stimulus. Objective To evaluate the consistency between a history of physical urticaria and results of challenge testing. Methods Seventy-six subjects, ages 3 to 77 years old, were referred with the diagnosis of a physical urticaria and were evaluated by using challenge testing directed toward the presenting diagnosis, yet included other stimuli based on history. The majority of subjects were tested to 3 or more stimuli, thus 294 provocation tests were performed. Fifty-seven subjects were surveyed for the status of their physical urticaria at least 1 year after initial evaluation. Results Of the 76 subjects with a positive history of a physical urticaria, 38% (n = 29) were challenge negative to the presenting diagnosis. Eight subjects within the challenge negative group reacted positively to additional testing, thus 28% (n = 21) remained negative to all challenge testing, which allowed discontinuation of medications and avoidance behavior. A negative challenge result was less likely with subjects who presented with cold-induced urticaria (25%), delayed pressure urticaria (25%), and dermatographism (29%), yet more common with cholinergic (65%) and solar urticaria (67%). A 1-year follow-up survey of 57 subjects was consistent with initial results. Nineteen of this subgroup were rechallenged for the presenting diagnosis, and the outcome was unchanged in 17 subjects and, in 2 subjects the urticaria had resolved. Conclusions The diagnosis by history of a physical urticaria should be verified by testing whenever possible and particularly if the condition is judged as severe and thus requires both significant life-style changes and pharmacologic intervention.
Partially carboxylated prothrombins I. Comparison of activation properties and purification of 1- and 0-carboxyglutamyl variants

Abstract In addition to the 7-, 5- and 2-carboxyglutamyl varieties of dicoumarol-induced prothrombins (Malhotra, O.P. (1979) Thromb. Res. 15, 427–463), we have isolated two more atypical prothrombins, one containing 1.1±0.1 γ-carboxyglutamic acid, ‘1-carboxyglutamyl prothrombin’, and the other less than 0.2 ‘0-carboxyglutamyl prothrombin.’ Both variants showed a single component by analytical polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the absence and in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and contained antigenic activity indistinguishable from that of normal prothrombin. The p I of both proteins as assessed by electrofocusing was 4.835±0.015, compared with 4.58 for 10- and 7-, 4.75 for 5- and 4.81 for 2-carboxyglutamyl materials. By the two-stage prothrombin assay procedure, the 1- and 0-carboxyglutamyl variants generated thrombin, respectively 19 and 13% of normal prothrombin, and their activation times ranged from 4 to 7 h, compared with 7 min for normal. Kinetic studies, utilizing the one-stage coagulation assay, showed that both K m and t min (minimal clotting time) increase proportionally with the decrease of γ-carboxyglutamyl residues (from 10 to 7, 5, 2, 1 and 0 γ-carboxyglutamic acids). Each of the five (partially) carboxy prothrombins owe their clotting activity to γ-carboxyglutamyl residues and not to the presence of some normal prothrombin molecules.
Field emission energy distribution from (111) copper

Abstract Theoretical calculations of the field emission energy distributions from (111) Cu are presented. Both bulk and surface state contributions are considered, with the latter in particular being predicted to be predominant in part of the accessible energy region. The d -band contribution is also considered and shown to be small but clearly observable.
Applying stereo SAR to remove height-dependent layover effects from video SAR imagery

This paper describes a correction technique using stereo SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) that improves the image quality of video SAR. The video SAR mode provides a persistent view of a scene centered at the Motion Compensation Point (MCP). The radar platform follows a circular flight path. The effect of height-dependent layover in video SAR imagery is that objects higher than the image plane appear translated towards the along-track direction in the image plane. A Digital Elevation Map (DEM) provides the height of the MCP. A height error in the MCP results in a SAR image that is not centered at the MCP. An objective is to form a sequence of SAR images centering the MCP for each image. This paper details a correlation method performed on a pair of SAR images in order to estimate the layover. Using multiple pairs of images taken from video SAR imagery improves the reliability of the layover estimate. Synthetic target imagery with targets at non-zero heights demonstrates the method. The paper presents 2011-2013 flight data collected by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) implementing the video SAR mode with correction for layover. The flight data demonstrates good video quality with the MCP centered in each video frame.
US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) delivering benefits and the Global HF Radar and glider initiative

The United States Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a user-driven, coordinated network of people, organizations, and technology that generate and disseminate continuous data about our coastal waters, Great Lakes, and oceans supported by strong research and development activities. IOOS® is our Eyes on our Oceans, Coasts and Great Lakes that enable the United States to track, predict, manage, and adapt to changes in our marine environment and deliver critical information to decision makers to improve safety, enhance our economy and protect our environment. IOOS focuses on the “I” or integration. Integration is defined providing rapid access to multi-disciplinary data from many sources and to provide data and information required to achieve multiple goals that historically have been the domain of separate agencies, offices, or programs. There are plenty of examples and efforts underway within US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) that are moving us to a fully integrated system. The United States National Ocean Policy states that we should achieve “an America whose stewardship ensures that the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes are healthy and resilient, safe and productive, and understood and treasured so as to promote the wellbeing, prosperity, and security of present and future generations.” For US IOOS to be a vital contributor to this goal we suggest a need to move beyond Integration and deliver benefits to society. Technologies must be incubated and rapidly inserted to keep the US IOOS system operating effectively and efficiently. Since oceans know no boundaries, US IOOS is also the United States' contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System which is part of the ocean contribution to the Global Earth Observation Systems of Systems (GEOSS). US IOOS is supporting the Blue Planet Initiative under GEOSS.
Effects of sodium and calcium channel blockade on cytosolic calcium oscillations and phasic contractions of myometrial tissue.

OBJECTIVE These studies sought to test the hypothesis that agonist-stimulated cytosolic calcium oscillations and phasic myometrial contractions are dependent on calcium influx through dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels, but not sodium influx through tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels. METHODS Cytosolic calcium imaging studies and in vitro isometric contraction studies were performed using uterine tissue from proestrus/estrus Sprague-Dawley rats. The calcium imaging studies were performed after loading partial thickness strips of myometrium with Fura-2. For the in vitro isometric contraction studies, the contraction data were computer digitalized, analyzed for contraction area, and normalized for cross-section area. The effects of nifedipine (1.0-5 mumol/L), a calcium channel blocker, were compared to tetrodotoxin (0.01-1 mumol/L), a sodium channel blocker. RESULTS Oxytocin-stimulated simultaneous cytosolic calcium oscillations and phasic contractions were completely inhibited by 1 mumol/L nifedipine; in contrast, 1 mumol/L tetrodotoxin had no effect on the oxytocin-stimulated calcium oscillations and contractions. Oxytocin, aluminum fluoride, potassium chloride, and ionomycin stimulated in vitro phasic myometrial contractions. Tetrodotoxin had no effect on these agonist-stimulated phasic contractions, whereas nifedipine produced a significant, dose-related inhibition of the phasic contractile activity. CONCLUSIONS The studies described in this report support the hypothesis that the influx of extracellular calcium is an important component of the cellular mechanisms responsible for the cytosolic calcium oscillations occurring during phasic myometrial contractions. In contrast, sodium influx through tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels does not appear to play a comparably important role.
Trapping Proteins within Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies: Dynamically Tunable Hot-spots for Nanobiosensing

The combination of stimuli-responsive materials with localized surface plasmon resonance nanotransducers provides new leverages in hot spot-based nanosensing. We introduce a simple and effective biodetection method based on the hydro-responsive property of (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES). Gold nanoparticles were adsorbed onto hydro-responsive APTES thin film. The exposure of the film surface to an aqueous solution results in opening inter-particle gaps, allowing analyte binding. A subsequent drying of the sensor surface closes the gap by bringing the nanoparticles to the initial position, thereby trapping the analyte in the most sensitive regions (electromagnetic hot spots). In this reversible configuration, the generation and tuning of the hot spots are independent from both the presence of the analyte and the functionalization of the nanoparticles, which yields highly resolved coupled plasmon bands and provide a general and flexible nanosensing modality. Furthermore, the intensity of the hot spots can be easily and reversibly tuned to obtain picomolar sensitivity.
Developmental renal hemodynamics

Renal blood flow, which is lower in the immature than in the mature animal, achieves adult values in human subjects by 1-2 years of age. The age-related increase in renal blood flow cannot be completely explained by increases in kidney size, since nephrogenesis is complete by 36 weeks' gestation in humans. Thus, other factors, especially changes in renal hemodynamics, are likely to be responsible for the increase in renal blood flow. The increase in renal blood flow appears to be directly related to the decrease in renal vascular resistance during the postnatal period. Decreases in the effect of renal vasoconstrictors, increases in the effect of renal vasodilators, or a combination of the two, may be responsible. Many mediators of vasoconstriction have been studied, including adenosine, catecholamines, endothelin, endogenous digitalis-like peptide, and the renin-angiotensin system. Mediators of vasodilation include endothelium-derived relaxing factor (e.g., nitric oxide), prostaglandins, atrial natriuretic peptide, dopamine, and kinins. However, the decrease in renal vascular resistance with age is most likely related to decreases in activity of the renin-angiotensin system and responsiveness to catecholamines; these effects are modulated by nitric oxide. Other mediators may also be important in determining the age-related decrease in renal vascular resistance, but their exact roles remain to be defined.
The occurrence of an increase in correlation with explicit selection

It is generally believed that correlations and standard deviations measured within an explicitly selected group must be smaller than those within an applicant population. A small data set is used to show that this is not always true, and that both validity and reliability estimates within a selected group can exceed those within the applicant population. The increase in correlation within the explicitly selected group is tied to an increase in standard deviation of the predictor in the selected group. This conclusion extends Levin's (1972) result for the case of incidental selection, selection on an unmeasured third variable. If possible, theoretical derivations should not be limited to the case where the predictor standard deviation in the applicant population exceeds that in the selected group. When such a situation occurs in observed data, it cannot be immediately dismissed as an artifact.
Putative tumor suppressor Lats2 induces apoptosis through downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL

Abstract Lats2, also known as Kpm, is the second mammalian member of the novel Lats tumor suppressor gene family. Recent studies have demonstrated that Lats2 negatively regulates the cell cycle by controlling G1/S and/or G2/M transition. To further understand the role of Lats2 in the control of human cancer development, we have expressed the protein in human lung cancer cells by transduction of a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing human Lats2 (Ad-Lats2). Using a variety of techniques, including Annexin V uptake, cleavage of PARP, and DNA laddering, we have demonstrated that the ectopic expression of human Lats2 induced apoptosis in two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H1299. Caspases-3, 7, 8, and 9 were processed in the Ad-Lats2-transduced cells; however, it was active caspase-9, not caspase-8, that initiated the caspase cascade. Inhibitors specific to caspase-3 and 9 delayed the onset of Lats2-mediated apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2 and BCL-xL, but not the pro-apoptotic protein, BAX, were downregulated in Ad-Lats2-transduced human lung cancer cells. Overexpression of either Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL in these cells lead to the suppression of Lats2-mediated caspase cleavage and apoptosis. These results show that Lats2 induces apoptosis through downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2 and BCL-xL, in human lung cancer cells.
Chronic cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis involvement of the skin is common. The skin lesions of sarcoidosis may be nonspecific, showing a nondiagnostic inflammatory reaction pattern on histologic evaluation. Nonspecific skin lesions are often associated with an acute presentation of sarcoidosis and, in general, portend a good prognosis. Specific sarcoidosis skin lesions reveal typical sarcoid granulomas on histologic examination. These lesions tend to be chronic and require therapy for resolution. This article will review the epidemiology, diagnostic evaluation, and description of the various chronic skin lesions of sarcoidosis. Various images of these skin lesions will be demonstrated.
An Ezrin/Calpain/PI3K/AMPK/eNOSs1179 Signaling Cascade Mediating VEGF-Dependent Endothelial Nitric Oxide Production

Calpain was recently reported to mediate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. In the present study, we investigated detailed molecular mechanisms. VEGF (100 ng/mL) induced a marked increase in endothelial cell production of NO(*), specifically detected by electron spin resonance. This response was abolished by inhibition of calpain with N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal (ALLN) or Calpeptin. Both also diminished membrane-specific calpain activation by VEGF, which was intriguingly attenuated by silencing ezrin with RNA interference. A rapid membrane colocalization of calpain and ezrin occurred as short as 10 minutes after VEGF stimulation. AKT, AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)(s1179) phosphorylations in VEGF-stimulated endothelial cells were markedly enhanced, which were however significantly attenuated by either ALLN, Calpeptin, or ezrin small interfering RNA, as well as by Wortmannin or compound C (respectively for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K] or AMPK). The latter 3 also abolished VEGF induction of NO(*). These data indicate that AMPK and AKT are both downstream of PI3K and that AKT activation is partially dependent on AMPK. The interrelationship between AMPK and AKT, although known to be individually important in mediating VEGF activation of eNOS, is clearly characterized. Furthermore, AMPK/AKT/eNOS(s1179) was found downstream of a calpain/ezrin membrane interaction. These data no doubt provide new insights into the long mystified signaling gap between VEGF receptors and PI3K/AKT or AMPK-dependent eNOS activation. In view of the well-established significance of VEGF-dependent angiogenesis, these findings might have broad and important implications in cardiovascular pathophysiology.