cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The diuretic effect of digitalis

Abstract Digitalis, when given to the healthy human subject in therapeutic doses and under experimental conditions laid down in this study seems to exert slight, if any, diuretic effect. The diuretic effect of digitalis in cases of cardiac failure with edema is uncertain; such effect may be marked, slight, or absent. It is suggested that in the treatment of congestive heart failure and edema digitalis be employed for its beneficial cardiac effect, and that other substances be also employed for their superior and more certain diuretic action.
Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I catalytic mutants reveal an alternative nucleophile that can catalyze substrate cleavage.

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I (Tdp1) catalyzes the repair of 3′-DNA adducts, such as the 3′-phosphotyrosyl linkage of DNA topoisomerase I to DNA. Tdp1 contains two conserved catalytic histidines: a nucleophilic His (Hisnuc) that attacks DNA adducts to form a covalent 3′-phosphohistidyl intermediate and a general acid/base His (Hisgab), which resolves the Tdp1-DNA linkage. A Hisnuc to Ala mutant protein is reportedly inactive, whereas the autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease SCAN1 has been attributed to the enhanced stability of the Tdp1-DNA intermediate induced by mutation of Hisgab to Arg. However, here we report that expression of the yeast HisnucAla (H182A) mutant actually induced topoisomerase I-dependent cytotoxicity and further enhanced the cytotoxicity of Tdp1 Hisgab mutants, including H432N and the SCAN1-related H432R. Moreover, the HisnucAla mutant was catalytically active in vitro, albeit at levels 85-fold less than that observed with wild type Tdp1. In contrast, the HisnucPhe mutant was catalytically inactive and suppressed Hisgab mutant-induced toxicity. These data suggest that the activity of another nucleophile when Hisnuc is replaced with residues containing a small side chain (Ala, Asn, and Gln), but not with a bulky side chain. Indeed, genetic, biochemical, and mass spectrometry analyses show that a highly conserved His, immediately N-terminal to Hisnuc, can act as a nucleophile to catalyze the formation of a covalent Tdp1-DNA intermediate. These findings suggest that the flexibility of Tdp1 active site residues may impair the resolution of mutant Tdp1 covalent phosphohistidyl intermediates and provide the rationale for developing chemotherapeutics that stabilize the covalent Tdp1-DNA intermediate.
Integrin-linked kinase is involved in matrix-induced hepatocyte differentiation.

Hepatocytes have restricted proliferative capacity in culture and when cultured without matrix, lose the hepatocyte-specific gene expression and characteristic cellular micro-architecture. Overlay of matrix-preparations on de-differentiated hepatocytes restores differentiation. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a cell-matrix-adhesion protein crucial in fundamental processes such as differentiation and survival. In this study, we investigated the role of ILK, and its binding partners PINCH, α-parvin, and Mig-2 in matrix-induced hepatocyte differentiation. We report here that ILK is present in the liver and localizes at cell-matrix adhesions of cultured hepatocytes. We also show that ILK, PINCH, α-parvin, and Mig-2 expression level is dramatically reduced in the re-differentiated hepatocytes. Interestingly, hepatocytes lacking ILK undergo matrix-induced differentiation but their differentiation is incomplete, as judged by monitoring cell morphology and production of albumin. Our results show that ILK and cell-matrix adhesion proteins play an important role in the process of matrix-induced hepatocyte differentiation.
Spontaneous vs. naloxone-induced abstinence in dependent rats self-administering L-Alpha-Acetylmethadol (LAAM) or morphine

Rats maintained dependence by the self-administration of LAAM or morphine. Following the substitution of saline for LAAM, REM sleep was not disrupted, and the frequency of lever pressing for saline self-injections peaked at about 24 hr. In contrast, following the substitution of saline for morphine, REM sleep was suppressed for 24 hr while the frequency of lever pressing for saline self-injections peaked within 8 hr. When abstinence was induced by hourly iv naloxone injections, REM sleep occurrences were suppressed to a similar degree and for similar durations during naloxone-induced abstinence from both morphine and LAAM. These results suggest that the level of physical dependence maintained during self-administration of LAAM and morphine was similar. The relatively mild abstinence syndrome that was seen during saline substitution in LAAM-dependent rats was most likely related to the long plasma half-lives of the pharmacologically active N-demethylated metabolites of LAAM.
Fully micro-fabricated VECSEL at 850 nm

We report the demonstration of a fully micro-fabricated vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) operating at wavelengths near 850 nm. The external-cavity length is on the order of 25 microns, and the external mirror is a dielectric distributed Bragg reflector with a radius of curvature of 130 microns that is micro-fabricated on top of the active semiconductor portion of the device. The additional cavity length, relative to a VCSEL, enables higher output power and narrower laser linewidth, and micro-fabrication of the external mirror preserves the manufacturing cost advantages of parallel lithographic alignment.
Yield of corn as affected by potassium on a coastal plain soil

Abstract Corn (Zea mays L.) yields were determined over a four year period on Kalmia sandy loam soil at Georgetown, Delaware. Yields were not significantly increased by the application of K fertilizer. Potassium soil test level was not significantly correlated with corn yield. Multiple extraction and leaching and changes in soil test K indicated that this soil has a K equilibrium which is reestablished sufficiently rapid to supply K to a growing corn crop.
Posterior fossa hemorrhage in term newborns

Posterior fossa hemorrhage detected by computed tomography (CT) in seven term newborns was managed by nonsurgical means. All infants were developmentally normal two to four years later with the exception of one infant who died with a massive posterior fossa hemorrhage. Two infants with extensive hemorrhages developed hydrocephalus. Spinal fluid drainage and diuretic therapy resulted in the resolution of hydrocephalus in one infant and delayed the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the other. This series documents normal outcome in nonsurgically managed neonatal posterior fossa hemorrhages of varying degrees of severity.
Long-term potentiation in vivo in the intact mouse hippocampus

We describe the characteristics of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the intact mouse. Perforant path stimulation evokes both a population excitatory postsynaptic potential (pop-EPSP) and a population spike potential (pop-spike) from the hippocampal dentate gyrus in urethane anesthetized animals. LTP, as measured by increased pop-spike amplitude and pop-EPSP slope, was successfully induced and reliably maintained at a stable level for at least 12 h, the longest time tested. The LTP-inducing stimulus (3 trains of 400 Hz, 8 0.4 ms pulses/train) used in two strains of mice was less by half than that used in rat. These parameters for inducing LTP were also successfully applied to obtain LTP in two different transgenic mouse strains: one bearing a F1/Gap-43 promoter-lacZ fusion gene and another which overexpresses the S100 beta gene. We also examined the effects of protein synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide (CXM) and anisomycin (ANI). When CXM or ANI was given 30 min before LTP induction, there was no persistent loss of LTP at the 4 h time point. However, if CXM was given 4 h before LTP induction, significant decay of the potentiated responses occurred 90 min after induction. Half of the animals receiving CXM but not ANI showed a complete and sudden elimination of the entire response after the LTP-inducing stimulus. It was speculated that loss of a constitutively-expressed housekeeping protein, for example a calcium buffering protein, with an estimated half-life of 2 h would lead to an inability to buffer LTP-induced alterations, such as intracellular calcium elevation, increasing intracellular calcium to toxic levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Rhythms of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in brain of chick and their inhibition by light

Melatonin was recently shown to be a component of the antioxidative defense system of organisms due to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. Pharmacologically, melatonin stimulates the activity of the peroxide detoxifying enzyme glutathione peroxidase in rat brain and in several tissues of chicks. In this report, we studied the endogenous rhythm of two antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, in five regions (hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum, cortex and cerebellum) of chick brain and correlated them with physiological blood melatonin concentrations. Glutathione peroxidase exhibited a marked 24 h rhythm with peak activity in each brain region which had acrophases about 8 h after lights off and about 4 h after the serum melatonin peak was detected. Glutathione reductase activity exhibited similar robust rhythms with the peaks occurring roughly 2 h after those of glutathione peroxidase. We suggest that neural glutathione peroxidase increases due to the rise of nocturnal melatonin levels while glutathione reductase activity rises slightly later possibly due to an increase of its substrate, oxidized glutathione. The exposure of chicks to constant light for 6 days eliminated the melatonin rhythm as well as the peaks in both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. These findings suggest that the melatonin rhythm may be related to the nighttime increases in the enzyme activities, although other explanations cannot be excluded.
Landmine-detection prescreeners based on feature-level fusion of SAR and HSI data

Many automatic target detection (ATD) algorithm suites include a prescreener as an initial link in their processing chains. It assists the downstream algorithms by eliminating many potential false alarms while still retaining a large percentage of the objects of interest, thereby allowing for greater specialization by the downstream algorithms. Many such prescreeners have been implemented for individual sensors-for example the constant false alarm rate detectors of radar systems or the RX (Reed-Xiaoli) detection algorithms of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems. In this paper we examine straightforward methods for fusing the outputs from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and HSI prescreeners to create a multi-sensor prescreening algorithm. We begin by examining the sensor phenomenology for a specific operational scenario, and we incorporate this phenomenological information into both the individual sensor prescreener designs and the final fusion algorithm design. We describe how the SAR and HSI prescreener detects are associated with one another prior to fusion. Finally, we describe multiple fusion methodologies-namely a method based on the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence and a method based on a Bayesian approach under an assumption of independence. We compare results from each fusion algorithm with those obtained using a single sensor.
The use of rigid internal fixation in mandibular fractures complicated by osteomyelitis

Purpose: Reports on treatment of “infected” mandibular fractures with open reduction and rigid internal fixation (RIF) consist of either isolated cases or mixed series of patients with soft tissue infections or inadequately documented osteomyelitis. The definition of “infected fracture” is often vague and may include both soft tissue or bone sepsis. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, seven patients with mandibular fractures and documented osteomyelitis were treated by a protocol that included open reduction and RIF. Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99mTc) and Indium 111 (111In) radionuclide scans, bone cultures, and microscopic examination were used to document the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. The infections were treated with antibiotics, incision and drainage, and surgical debridement. Reconstruction plates that were large enough to provide four holes in each bone segment were used for RIF of the fractures and simultaneous reconstruction of the osseous defects. Results: After an average follow-up of 26 months, all patients remained infection free, and the fracture sites were stable. Five of the seven patients had inferior alveolar nerve dysfunction after treatment; no other significant complications were noted. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the protocol of simultaneous debridement, reduction, and RIF is a satisfactory method for treatment of mandibular fractures complicated by osteomyelitis. Prospective studies and longitudinal follow-up of larger numbers of patients would be desirable to confirm these findings.
Modulation of enteroviral proteinase cleavage of poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) by conformation and PABP-associated factors

Poliovirus (PV) causes a drastic inhibition of cellular cap-dependant protein synthesis due to the cleavage of translation factors eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and poly(A) binding protein (PABP). Only about half of cellular PABP is cleaved by viral 2A and 3C proteinases during infection. We have investigated PABP cleavage determinants that regulate this partial cleavage. PABP cleavage kinetics analyses indicate that PABP exists in multiple conformations, some of which are resistant to 3C(pro) or 2A(pro) cleavage and can be modulated by reducing potential. Cleavage reactions containing a panel of PABP-binding proteins revealed that eukaryotic release factor 3 (eRF3) and PABP-interacting protein 2 (Paip2) modulate and interfere with the cleavage susceptibility of PABP, whereas all other PABP-binding proteins tested do not. We show that PABP on cellular polysomes is cleaved only by 3C(pro) and that Paip2 does not sediment with polysomes. Also, viral polysomes contained only full-length PABP, however, cellular or viral ribosomes were equally susceptible to 3C(pro) cleavage in vitro. Finally, we determined that precursor 3CD and mature 3C(pro) have equivalent cleavage activity on purified PABP, but only 3C(pro) cleavage activity was stimulated by PABP-binding viral RNA. The results further elucidate complex mechanisms where multiple inherent PABP conformations and protein and RNA interactions both serve to differentially regulate PABP cleavage by 3CD, 3C(pro) and 2A(pro).
What is the best evidence for the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Background There are many different treatment methods for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). It was the purpose of this study to review the results from the literature for different methods of SCFE treatment and on the basis of level of evidence determine the current best evidence treatment. Methods A systematic review of the literature was undertaken. Treatment results were grouped into 2 categories. The first was all methods without surgical hip dislocation, and the second was all methods in which surgical dislocation was used. Results For stable SCFEs without surgical dislocation, the best recommended treatment (mostly level IV) recommends in situ single screw fixation over multiple pin fixation, epiphysiodesis, osteotomy, or spica cast. For the unstable SCFEs without surgical dislocation (all level IV), the best recommended treatment is urgent reduction with decompression and internal fixation. For both stable and unstable SCFEs, the short-term small series in the literature (all level IV) does not demonstrate an advantage or improvement in outcomes compared with in situ single screw fixation for stable SCFE and urgent reduction, decompression, and internal fixation in unstable SCFEs. Conclusions A systematic review of the literature recommends on the basis of level of evidence that the best treatment for a stable SCFE is single screw in situ fixation and for unstable SCFEs urgent gentle reduction, decompression, and internal fixation. Level of evidence Level IV, systematic review of level IV studies.
Evaluation of traumatic brain injury: Brain potentials in diagnosis, function, and prognosis

The focus of this review is an analysis of the use of event-related brain potential (ERP) abnormalities as indices of functional pathophysiology in survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI may be the most prevalent but least understood neurological disorder in both civilian and military populations. In the military, thousands of new brain injuries occur yearly; this lends considerable urgency to the use of highly sensitive ERP tools to illuminate brain changes and to address remediation issues. We review the processes thought to be indexed by the cognitive components of the ERP and outline the rationale for applying ERPs to evaluate deficits after TBI. Studies in which ERPs were used to clarify the nature of cognitive complaints of TBI survivors are reviewed, emphasizing impairment in attention, information processing, and cognitive control. Also highlighted is research on the application of ERPs to predict emergence from coma and eventual outcome. We describe primary blast injury, the leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in present day warfare. The review concludes with a description of an ongoing investigation of mild TBI, aimed at using indices of brain structure and function to predict the course of posttraumatic stress disorder. An additional goal of this ongoing investigation is to characterize the structural and functional sequelae of blast injury.
Imaging evaluation of the postoperative knee ligaments

Until the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evaluation of ligament reconstruction of the knee was largely based on clinical examination and radiographs. MRI is the modality of choice for noninvasive evaluation of reconstructed ligaments, menisco-capsular structures and soft tissues. This article reviews the surgical techniques, normal and abnormal appearances of the ACL and PCL grafts and common complications following ligament reconstruction.
Effects of Nighttime Air Temperature During Kernel Development of Field‐Grown Rice on Physicochemical and Functional Properties

ABSTRACT Elevated nighttime air temperatures (NTATs) occurring during critical grain-filling stages affected rice physicochemical properties, which impacted functional quality. Six cultivars were grown at multiple field locations from northern to southern Arkansas during 2007 to 2010. Nighttime temperatures were recorded throughout production at each of the locations, and 95th percentiles of NTATs were calculated for each cultivar's reproductive (R) stages. Amylose content and crude protein content decreased linearly, whereas total lipid content increased linearly, with increasing NTATs occurring during the grain-filling stages (R6–R8). Effects of NTAT on proximate composition influenced functional properties. Peak viscosities increased linearly as NTAT increased, whereas setback viscosities decreased. Setback viscosities were linearly correlated to NTATs for medium-grain cultivars, but correlations were quadratic for the long-grain cultivars. Gelatinization temperatures increased linearly with increasing...
MCI-embedded motion compensated prediction for quality enhancement of frame interpolation

A new technique based on motion compensated prediction is investigated in this research to enhance the quality of interpolated frames in frame-rate up-conversion applications. To playback temporally subsampled video at the full frame-rate, motion compensated interpolation (MCI) is usually employed to reconstruct skipped frames by referencing the decoded frames and motion vectors between them. Since the conventional motion estimation scheme (as adopted in H.26X and MPEG-X) adopts the block matching algorithm (BMA) only between reference and predicted frames, the derived motion vectors for skipped frames are limited in supporting MCI at the decoder end. Thus, by embedding the MCI module in the encoder loop, the performance gain of an embedded encoder improves the frame interpolation accuracy of the decoder. In particular, a two-step approach is considered in this work. First, by incorporating compensation efficiency of both predicted and interpolated frames, a refining scheme for reference motion vectors is proposed. Next, efficient weighting of reference motion vectors, which is similar to window weighting of overlapped block motion compensation (OBMC), is adopted to enhance deformable block-based MCI with four vertex motion vectors. Experimental results are provided to illustrate the performance gain of the proposed frame interpolation scheme.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of soil amendments at a heavy loading rate associated with cover crops as green manures on the leaching of nutrients and heavy metals from a calcareous soil.

The potential risk of groundwater contamination by the excessive leaching of N, P and heavy metals from soils amended at heavy loading rates of biosolids, coal ash, N‐viro soil (1:1 mixture of coal ash and biosolids), yard waste compost and co‐compost (3:7 mixture of biosolids to yard wastes), and by soil incorporation of green manures of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and sorghum sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × S. bicolor var. sudanense) was studied by collecting and analyzing leachates from pots of Krome very gravelly loam soil subjected to these treatments. The control consisted of Krome soil without any amendment. The loading rate was 205 g pot− 1 for each amendment (equivalent to 50 t ha− 1 of the dry weight), and the amounts of the cover crops incorporated into the soil in the pot were those that had been grown in it. A subtropical vegetable crop, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), was grown after the soil amendments or cover crops had been incorporated into the soil. The results showed that the concent...
A TWO‐FACTOR MODEL OF THE EFFECTS OF OFFICE AUTOMATION ON EMPLOYMENT

We distinguish two factors through which new information technologies will affect office employment. On one hand, office automation will enhance productivity, meaning a given amount of work can be accomplished with less labor. On the other, office workload is apt to increase in response to enhanced information handling capabilities, implying demand for additional workers. The balancing of these two factors dictates office employment. An interactive Delphi forecast based on this two‐factor model predicts modest declines in office work required — a frightening prospect for a society also anticipating continuing declines in manufacturing and agricultural work requirements.
Fluoro-ketones IV. Synthesis of phenylperfluoroalkyl ketones - mechanism of reaction between phenyllithium and fluoroesters

Abstract Although fluorine containing ketones (R f C(O)R f and R f C(O)R, R f = perfluoroalkyl) have been prepared from the reaction between organolithium reagents and perfluoroalkyl esters, the reaction has not found general applicability. Variable yields of ketones and co-production of secondary and tertiary alcohol by-products have in most instances been experienced. We have examined in more detail the factors e.g., temperature, mode of addition and perfluoroalkyl ester structure which influence ketone product and by-products formation. By controlling experimental conditions excellent yields of C 6 H 5 C(O)R f compounds can be attained. A lithium salt of a hemiketal (II) has been isolated and shown to be the active intermediate in the production of the ketone. The stability of the salt and its potential reaction with the solvent dictates the type of reaction products. Low temperature favors stability of the lithium salt of the hemiketal whereby high yields of ketones are produced on hydrolysis.
Mating types in screwworm populations

Response is given to questions raised by L.E. LaChance, et al., regarding the types of screwworm that occur in Mexico and anatomical differences in male genitalia among types. Errors in chromosome length and arm ratios are discussed. Results of testing the V-81 strain (sterile males) indicate that mating barriers exist even at high release rates. Mating discrimination must be high for a population to withstand an excess of sterile flies. The relevance of this to eradication programs is discussed. (RJC)
The Association Between Epidural Labor Analgesia and Maternal Fever

The association between epidural labor analgesia and maternal fever is complex and controversial. Observational, retrospective, before-and-after, and randomized controlled trials all support the association, with the most current evidence supporting the mechanistic involvement of noninfectious inflammation. Considering the clinically significant neonatal consequences that have been previously demonstrated, and the possibility of more common subclinical fetal brain injury that animal models imply, the avoidance of maternal fever during labor is imperative. With the current popularity of epidural analgesia in labor, it is important that clinicians delineate how epidurals cause maternal fever and how to block the noninfectious inflammatory response that seems to warm a subset of women laboring with epidurals.
Use of zebrafish as a model to understand mechanisms of addiction and complex neurobehavioral phenotypes

Despite massive research efforts the exact pathogenesis and pathophysiology of addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia and autism remain largely unknown. Animal models can serve as tools to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of these disorders. In recent years researchers are turning to zebrafish as it allows easy access to all developmental stages and imaging of pathological processes as well as automated behavioral quantification coupled with large scale screening and mutagenesis strategies. This review summarizes studies conducted over the last few years which demonstrate the relevance of the zebrafish model to human diseases including addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Resolution of hepatitis B virus-related membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis after orthotopic liver transplantation

The most well-described renal disease associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is membranous glomerulonephritis; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is described much less frequently. The course of HBV-associated renal disease after liver transplantation has not been described to date. We present a 15-year-old girl with HBV-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and end-stage liver disease, in whom, after cadaver liver transplantation, clinical and histological resolution of renal disease was observed. Resolution was associated with diminution of circulating HBV surface antigen levels.
A Fast Recursive Algorithm to Calculate the Reliability of a Communication Network

This paper describes a recursive algorithm to calculate the probability that all paths between two nodes in a given network are interrupted. It is assumed that all links are undirected and that links and nodes fail with given probabilities. These failures are assumed to be statistically independent. The probability that two nodes are disconnected is expressed in terms of the probability that pairs of nodes are disconnected in subnetworks smaller than the original one. The advantage of the algorithm given in this paper compared to other known procedures results from the fact that, in most cases, these subnetworks can be considerably simplified. These simplifications lead to considerable savings in computing time.
The Spatial Distribution of Nematode Trophic Groups across a Cultivated Ecosystem

In order to better understand the spatial distributions of soil trophic groups and the potential significance of these distributions to ecosystem functioning we initiated a study to describe the within-site variability of nematode feeding groups in a row-crop ecosystem. Soil cores were removed from a 48-ha corn (Zea mays) field in the U.S. Midwest prior to spring planting, and nematodes were identified by phenotypic criteria to four groups: bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores/predators, and plant parasites. Within-site variability was high for all groups; population counts spanned two orders of magnitude, with coef- ficients of variation ranging from 40-130% (n = 115-138 soil samples). Probability dis- tributions were strongly lognormal. Geostatistical analysis showed that a major part of this variability was spatially dependent; variograms suggest that 70-99% of sample population variance was related to spatial autocorrelation over our geographic range of 6-80 m, except for the parasitic group, for which we detected no autocorrelation to 1200 m. Maps of nonparasitic feeding groups across the field showed large multi-hectare areas of low to moderate population densities, with sub-hectare clusters of high-density populations towards one end of the site. Individual feeding groups were only weakly correlated with one another across the field (Kendall's T < 0.363, P < 0.001). Edaphic factors (bulk density, texture, pH, C availability, N availability) could collectively explain <30% of the variability in the nonparasitic groups across the area sampled. Results suggest that important soil food web components are strongly patterned at sub- hectare scales in this site. That this patterning is maintained in an ecosystem subjected to the homogenizing influences of annual soil tillage and a monoculture plant population is remarkable, and suggests that such patterning may be even more common in less-disturbed sites. Inclusion of these patterns in studies of ecosystem processes and soil community dynamics may significantly improve soil trophic models and our understanding of the relationship between soil populations and ecosystem function.
The Use of a Xenogeneic Collagen Matrix as an Interpositional Soft-Tissue Graft to Enhance Peri-Implant Soft-Tissue Outcomes: A Clinical Case Report and Histologic Analysis

Introduction: Keratinized and dense peri-implant soft tissue around implants has been associated with better tissue health, less bone loss, and improved esthetics. The purpose of this case report is to evaluate a new, xenogeneic collagen matrix (CM) as an interpositional soft-tissue graft to enhance peri-implant soft-tissue thickness. To our knowledge, this is the first such case report to include soft-tissue biopsies and histologic analysis.Case Presentation: After extraction and bone grafting of a mandibular left first molar, the patient received a dental implant, and CM was used as an interpositional soft-tissue graft. Clinical healing was uneventful, and the impression of enhanced soft-tissue volume/thickness was observed. At 10 weeks, biopsies were taken from the operative site and from a contralateral, non-operated site. Histologic assessment of the operative site demonstrated normal squamous epithelium and lamina propria. Tissue growing into the residual CM also appeared normal, with no inflammator...
Photoluminescence of silicon nanostructures formed by ion beam implantation

A new method was used to fabricate nanometer-scale structures in Si for photoluminescence (PL) studies. He ions were implanted to form a dense subsurface layer of small cavities (1-8 nm diameters). The implanted specimens were either annealed in H or anodized with HF to evaluate the quantum confinement model for PL from porous Si. Incomplete passivation apparently prevented PL in the H-annealed specimens. Implantation combined with anodization produced a substantial blue shift relative to anodization alone, which is consistent with quantum confinement.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition by L-NAME Prevents Brain Acidosis during Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rabbits

This experiment examined the effects of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition on brain intracellular pH, regional cortical blood flow, and NADH fluorescence before and during 3 h of focal cerebral ischemia using in vivo fluorescence imaging. Thirty fasted rabbits under 1% halothane were divided into four treatment groups receiving N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) intravenously at 20 min prior to ischemia (0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg L-arginine) and two control groups (nonischemic and ischemic). In ischemic controls, brain pH(i), declined to 6.73 +/- 0.03 at 30 min and remained acidotic through the remainder of the ischemic period. In the 0.1 mg/kg group, brain pH(i) fell after 30 min of ischemia to 6.76 +/- 0.05 (p < 0.05), but then improved progressively despite occlusion. In the 1 mg/kg group, brain pH(i), remained normal despite middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. In the 10 mg/kg group and in the combined L-NAME + L-arginine group, pH(i) fell after 30 min of ischemia to 6.81 +/- 0.03 (p < 0.05) and remained acidotic. During occlusion, regional cortical blood flow dropped in a dose-dependent manner. After 3 h of ischemia, regional cortical blood flow was 33.9 +/- 10.9 and 25.1 +/- 8.9 ml/100 g/min at doses of 0.1 and 10.0 mg/kg, respectively, L-NAME treatment did not significantly alter the increased NADH fluorescence that accompanied occlusion. This study shows that L-NAME can prevent intracellular brain acidosis during focal cerebral ischemia independent from regional cortical blood flow changes. This experiment suggests that NO is involved in pH(i) regulation during focal cerebral ischemia.
A genetically engineered human IgG with limited flexibility fully initiates cytolysis via complement.

Abstract A causal link between antigen induced conformational change and functional activity has been previously suggested for the triggering of immunoglobulin effector functions. To test this hypothesis an immunoglobulin with greatly restricted Fab flexibility has been created by site-directed mutagenesis. Serine 119 , a residue at the elbow in the first heavy chain constant domain of a mouse-human chimeric immunoglobulin, was replaced by cysteine 119 . The resulting mutant immunoglobulin had an additional intramolecular disulfide bond connecting the two heavy chains. This newly introduced covalent bond between antigen binding arms gave rise to a compact ‘tethered’ conformation which displayed lowered segmental flexibility as determined by nanosecond fluorescence depolarization anisotropy. However, the ability of this tethered immunoglobulin to initiate lysis of target cells via the complement cascade was unimpaired. Therefore, it is likely that allosteric or distortive mechanisms of conformational change induced complement activation which require unhindered ‘twist’ and/or ‘waggle’ motions of Fab are untenable.
SnapShot: Force Spectroscopy and Single-Molecule Manipulation

The deflection of a cantilever is measured using a laser beam and position-sensing detector to obtain force and displacement for both imaging and force spectroscopy. In force spectroscopy, the cantilever is attached to one end of the protein or DNA sample while the other end is immobilized on the surface. The force and position of the tip are measured as the surface is moved away from the tip, providing the force-extension curve of the sample.High spatial resolution (0.5–1 nm); temporal resolution (>1 KHz); high force range (10–10
Co-occurrence of Xp21 microduplication encompassing the DMD locus in conjunction with 17p12/PMP22 microduplication in a female with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A

We report on the molecular detection of two microduplications involving chromosomes Xp21.1–Xp21.2 and 17p12 in a 35-year-old female with clinical phenotype of Charcot–Marie– Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) documented by chromosomal microarray analysis. The 17p12 microduplication was approximately 1.32 Mb in size and contained eleven genes including the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), while the Xp21.1–Xp21.2 microduplication was estimated to be 626 Kb in size and contained part of the dystrophin (DMD) gene. Constitutional interstitial microduplication of 17p12 segment encompassing the PMP22 gene has been reported in individuals with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A. Defects in the DMD gene (deletion, duplication, or mutation) are associated with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD and BMD). Combined microduplications of Xp21/DMD with 17p12/PMP22 are extremely rare with only one published report of a male patient with changes in both the DMD and PMP22 genes.
Molecular mechanisms activating muscle protein degradation in chronic kidney disease and other catabolic conditions

Muscle atrophy is a prominent feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is frequent in other catabolic conditions. Results from animal models of these conditions as well as patients indicate that atrophy is mainly owing to accelerated muscle proteolysis in the ubiquitin-proteasome (Ub-P'some) proteolytic system. The Ub-P'some system, however, rapidly degrades actin or myosin but cannot breakdown actomyosin or myofibrils. Consequently, another protease must initially cleave the complex structure of muscle. We identified caspase-3 as an initial and potentially rate-limiting proteolytic step that cleaves actomyosin/myofibrils to produce substrates degraded by the Ub-P'some system. In rodent models of CKD and other catabolic conditions, we find that caspase-3 is activated and cleaves actomyosin to actin, myosin and their fragments. This initial proteolytic step in muscle leaves a characteristic footprint, a 14-kDa actin band, providing a potential diagnostic tool to detect muscle catabolism. We also found that stimulation of caspase-3 activity depends on inhibition of IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity; inhibiting PI3K in muscle cells also leads to expression of a critical E3-ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme involved in muscle protein breakdown: atrogin-1/MAFbx. Thus, protein breakdown by caspase-3 and the ubiquitin-proteasome system in muscle are stimulated by the same signal: a low PI3K activity. These responses could yield therapeutic strategies to block muscle atrophy.
Irreversible thermodynamic analyses of nonisothermal isotopic interdiffusion in ionic solids

Abstract Nonisothermal isotope interdiffusion in a stoichiometric ionic solid is analyzed in the light of irreversible thermodynamics, and the evolution of isotopic concentration profiles is predicted for the first time on the basis of the approximate but highly accurate time-dependent analytic solutions. To facilitate discussion, the analysis is carried out for the specific system Mg 16 O 1− x 18 O x . It has been found that the response of the system to an applied temperature gradient is of quasi-molecular nature involving electrically neutral lattice molecules (Mg x Mg O x o ) x or molecular vacancies V x Mgo . As a consequence, the profile bears no influence of the thermomigration at all. A possible experiment to measure thermomigration through marker movement is discussed and a numerical estimate is made of the time required for the experiment.
PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF INTEREST IN PRENATAL GENETIC SCREENING

The purpose of the study was to identify psychosocial predictors of interest in prenatal genetic testing. Analysis of data from 886 responses in the 1996 Louisville Metropolitan Survey indicate that factors such as demographic characteristics and scores on health locus of control that predict utilization of other preventive health care are less applicable to predicting attitudes toward genetic testing. Regression analyses indicated that political orientation, identification with religion, and attitudes against abortion predicted less favorable responses to a question about prenatal genetic testing. Abortion attitudes were particularly strong indicators of respondents' stated interests in testing. The findings have practical implications in terms of promoting preventive health care. Personal values may lead individuals to believe that prenatal testing leads to the intention of abortion.
Can physical warmth (or coldness) predict trait loneliness? A replication of Bargh and Shalev (2012).

In recent years, psychologists have become increasingly interested in the extent to which abstract concepts can be “embodied” in physical experiences. Bargh and Shalev (2012) demonstrated that individuals who experienced physical coldness (in the form of a cold pack) reported that they were lonelier than individuals who experienced physical warmth (in the form of a hand warmer) (Bargh & Shalev, 2012). Using procedures that were very similar to those in the original study and a sample size that was more than 5 times larger, we found that there was no difference between conditions, a finding that failed to replicate the original study. People who held a cold pack did not report that they were lonelier than people who held a warm pack. Holding a cold pack versus a warm pack also did not have an effect on people’s personality traits. Overall, we suggest that there needs to be further research to determine if there is a connection between physical warmth and interpersonal warmth. SCIENTIFIC A BSTRACT Bargh and Shalev (2012) hypothesized that experiencing physical coldness will lead individuals to report greater loneliness than if they experienced physical warmth. In their Study 2, they conducted an experiment in which they showed that participants who held a cold pack reported higher trait loneliness (as measured by a short form of the UCLA Loneliness Scale; Russell, 1996) than participants in the warm condition. We attempted to replicate this potentially practically important finding in a high-powered study (N 260). We also assessed the Big Five personality traits to determine if warmth or coldness might lead to changes in self-reported personality traits (particularly agreeableness). Our results showed that holding a hand warmer or cold pack for 1 min had no effect on trait loneliness in our study, with an effect size of essentially zero. The effect remained nonsignificant after excluding participants who reported any suspicion about the connection between the warmth-coldness manipulation and the measure of loneliness. There were also no effects of the cold (vs. warm) packs on personality traits. The question of the potential connection between physical warmth or coldness and loneliness warrants further research before it can be accepted.
Coitus and antepartum haemorrhage.

Summary The relationship of coitus to antepartum haemorrhage was explored in a longitudinal study of 56 568 pregnancies. The frequency of the haemorrhages was 19/1000 births when women reported no recent coitus compared with 30/1000 when there had been recent coitus (p <0·001). The frequency of the bleeding increased with the frequency of coitus. The correlation between coitus and bleeding was independent of other factors known to increase the risk of antepartum bleeding including cigarette smoking, hypertension, advancing maternal age and placenta praevia.
A view from Berlin: Colonel Frederick trench and the development of British perceptions of German aggressive intent, 1906–1910

This essay traces the image of Germany that emerges from the reports of Colonel Frederick Trench (1857–1942), British military attache in Berlin from 1906 to 1910. At this time, the British Army possessed only the most limited intelligence‐gathering apparatus and had to rely heavily on the reports of military attaches for information about their continental rivals. Trench, who believed that Germany planned to wage war against Britain and said so categorically in his reports, was the main source of data on the German Army. From the limited surviving records of who read these reports and how they responded to them, this essay posits that Trench's views contributed to the growing British perception of a German threat, a perception that did much to influence British strategic planning in this period.
The preparation of polonium sources from radon bulbs

Abstract A detailed description is given of the technique developed at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington for the production of strong pure polonium sources by the method of I. Curie.Contrary to current opinions in this country, this method is neither difficult nor tedious. A complete double purification of the RaD from Radon bulbs can be carried out in several hours a day on four or five successive days.A recent source produced by the author had a surface-density of 30 millicuries per square centimeter, with 95 percent. of the particles having ranges greater than 3.57 cm. according to measurements made by E. Pollard at Yale University.
ART based adaptive pole placement for neurocontrollers

Abstract Indirect adaptive control of low order plants that are subjected to parametric variations arising from changes in operating environment requires real time dynamic system identification. In this paper, we propose a control scheme that utilizes a nearest neighbor search type of classifier capable of learning to dynamically identify these variations in plant parameters. The neural network architecture employed is based on the Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART-II) proposed by Carpenter and Grossberg (1987a, 1987b, 1987c, 1987d). An adaptive pole placement controller for a slow time varying linear second order system is implemented based upon this architecture to assess the performance of the network and the overall control scheme with the neural network in the control loop. The control strategy is based upon identification of changes in the time response characteristics of the system to standard test signals which are assessed by the network. A pole placement algorithm is utilized to relocate the poles of the overall closed loop system by altering the gains of the process controller to obtain desired system response. Experimental studies on a simulated system employing a Proportional Derivative controller are encouraging.
Lower Nutritional Status and Higher Food Insufficiency in Frail Older US Adults

Frailty is a state of decreased physical functioning and a significant complication of ageing. We examined frailty, energy and macronutrient intake, biomarkers of nutritional status and food insufficiency in US older adult (age $60 years) participants of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n 4731). Frailty was defined as meeting $2 and pre-frailty as meeting one of the following four-item criteria: (1) slow walking; (2) muscular weakness; (3) exhaustion and (4) low physical activity. Intake was assessed by 24 h dietary recall. Food insufficiency was self-reported as ‘sometimes’ or ‘often’ not having enough food to eat. Analyses were adjusted for sex, race, age, smoking, education, income, BMI, other co-morbid conditions and complex survey design. Prevalence of frailty was highest among people who were obese (20·8 %), followed by overweight (18·4 %), normal weight (16·1 %) and lowest among people who were underweight (13·8 %). Independent of BMI, daily energy intake was lowest in people who were frail, followed by pre-frail and highest in people who were not frail (6648 (SE 130), 6966 (SE 79) and 7280 (SE 84) kJ, respectively, P,0·01). Energy-adjusted macronutrient intakes were similar in people with and without frailty. Frail (adjusted OR (AOR) 4·7; 95 % CI 1·7, 12·7) and pre-frail (AOR 2·1; 95 % CI 0·8, 5·8) people were more likely to report being food insufficient than not frail people. Serum albumin, carotenoids and Se levels were lower in frail adults than not frail adults. Research is needed on targeted interventions to improve nutritional status and food insufficiency among frail older adults, while not necessarily increasing BMI.
Fast and flexible persistence: the magic potion for fault-tolerance, scalability and performance in online data stores

Summary form only given. We examine the architecture of computer systems designed to update, integrate and serve enterprise information. Our analysis of their scale, performance, availability and data integrity draws attention to the so-called 'storage gap'. We propose 'persistent memory' as the technology to bridge that gap. Its impact is demonstrated using practical business information processing scenarios. We conclude with a discussion of our prototype, the results achieved, and the challenges that lie ahead.