cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cosecretion of Calcitonin Gene Products: Studies With a C18 Cartridge Extraction Method for Human Plasma PDN-21 (Katacalcin)*

PDN-21, the carboxyl-terminal flanking peptide encoded by the calcitonin (CT) gene, has been found in plasma of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and reportedly is cosecreted with CT. To test whether PDN-21 and CT are cosecreted in normal subjects, we developed a RIA for PDN-21 and measured immunoreactive CT and PDN-21 in whole plasma and silica or C18 cartridge extracts of plasma (exCT, exPDN-21) before and after calcium (Ca) infusion (2 mg Ca/kg over 5 min) in nine normal men and nine normal women. Plasma CT and immunoreactive PDN-21 levels were often below the assay detection limits. In contrast, basal exCT and exPDN-21 were detectable in all plasma samples, and the concentrations of both were significantly higher in men than in women [basal exCT (mean +/- SE): men, 4.8 +/- 0.3 ng/L; women, 2.4 +/- 0.3 (P less than 0.001); basal exPDN-21: men, 4.7 +/- 0.3 ng/L; women, 3.3 +/- 0.3 (P less than 0.01)]. Ca infusion sharply increased CT and PDN-21 concentrations in both sexes, but the increments were greatest in men [mean (+/-SE) increment of exCT: men, 37.2 +/- 3.9 ng/L; women, 15.7 +/- 4.3 (P less than 0.002); mean increment of exPDN-21: men, 29.7 +/- 4.7 ng/L; women, 11.0 +/- 3.1 (P less than 0.005)]. The molar concentrations of exCT and exPDN-21 were closely correlated (r = 0.97; P less than 0.001). With our antiserum, the extraction-concentration technique for measurement of PDN-21 had increased sensitivity and decreased nonspecific interference compared to the whole plasma assay. We conclude that CT and PDN-21 are cosecreted from normal thyroid C-cells under the control of extracellular fluid Ca, and that men have greater secretory capacity for both peptides than women. Plasma PDN-21 may serve alternatively to CT as a marker for C-cell activity.
The effects of pteroylglutamic acid deficiency and pteroylglutamic acid replacement on the endocrine glands of the immature chick.

The inter-relationships between vitamins and endocrine physiology have been recognized for some time. Unfortunately the role of vitamins in body economy has been considered principally from the standpoint of body growth, and only recently have other criteria been studied. Endocrine substances and vitamins often affect the same general physiological processes either in the same direction or antagonistically. It is necessary, therefore, to differentiate where possible the specific effects of each in any study of either group. One may cite the well known importance of the pituitary gland to somatic growth (Marx and Evans, 1944), the anabolic effects of testoid sterols on protein metabolism (Kochakian, 1946), the effects of adrenal corticoids on carbohydrate and electrolyte metabolism (Ingle, 1944; and Samuels, 1948), and the part played by the thyroid in general growth processes (Drill, 1943). The report of deleterious effects of pteroylglutamic acid (PGA) deficiency on body growth leads one to question the ...
Risk factors for coronary artery disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract purpose: To estimate the frequency of and examine risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a prospective longitudinal study. patients and methods: Patients with SLE are enrolled in The Johns Hopkins Lupus Cohort, a prospective study of outcomes in 229 subjects with SLE. CAD was defined as angina, myocardial infarction, or sudden death. Data on CAD risk factors were obtained prospectively every 3 months and were analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. results: CAD occurred in 19 (8.3%) of 229 patients with SLE and accounted for 3 (30%) of 10 deaths as of December 31, 1990. Compared to subjects without CAD, those with CAD were more likely to have been older at both diagnosis of SLE (37.1 years versus 28.9 years, p=0.004) and at entry into the cohort (47.1 years versus 34.7 years, p conclusion: Primary and secondary prevention strategies directed at hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity, as well as other known CAD risk factors, should be routinely employed in the management of patients with SLE.
Role of Na,K-ATPase in regulating acidification of early rat liver endocytic vesicles

Endocytic vesicles are acidified by an electrogenic proton pump and a parallel chloride conductance; however, acidification might be decreased if electrogenic transporters, such as Na,K-ATPase, that increase vesicle interior-positive membrane potential were also present. We examined this issue in early rat liver endosomes using ion substitution and inhibitors to alter Na,K-ATPase activity. These early endosomes, labeled for 2 min with the fluorescent fluid-phase marker fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran, consistently acidified faster than endosomes similarly labeled for a 10-min period. In chloride-free media initial rates of acidification of early endosomes were faster in K+ media than in Na+ medium, although addition of K+ to Na+ or Na+ to K+ media to allow Na,K-ATPase to function did not decrease the rate of acidification. In chloride-containing media, rates were the same regardless of cation composition. The Na,K-ATPase inhibitor vanadate was prepared from orthovanadate by several methods, all of which inhibited liver ATPase activity. Two hundred mumol/L vanadate, prepared Cl(-)-free, tended to decrease rates of acidification in all media tested and these effects achieved statistical significance in Cl(-)-free media containing 150 mmol/L K+ or mixtures of Na+ and K+ and in 145 mmol/L KCl/5 mmol/L NaCl medium. Vanadate stocks pH-adjusted with hydrogen chloride increased rates of acidification in sodium gluconate buffers, probably as a result of the effects of the included Cl-. Five mmol/L ouabain (loaded into vesicles by endocytosis) and the membrane-permeable analog strophanthidin (2 mmol/L) both markedly inhibited endosome acidification, regardless of buffer ion composition. Collectively, these results suggest that Na,K-ATPase does not regulate acidification of rat liver early endocytic vesicles, that vanadate may modestly inhibit endosome acidification and that ouabain at high concentrations may inhibit acidification from the vesicle interior face.
Event detection in video using motion analysis

Digital video is being used widely in a variety of applications such as entertainment, surveillance and security. Large amount of video in surveillance and security requires systems capable of processing video to automatically detect and recognize events to alleviate the load on humans and enable preventive actions when events are detected. The main objective of this work is the analysis of computer vision techniques and algorithms to perform automatic detection of specific events in video sequences. This paper presents a surveillance system based on motion analysis and introduces the idea of event probability zones. Advantages, limitations, capabilities and possible solution alternatives are also discussed. The result is a system capable of detecting events of objects moving in opposing direction in a predefined context or running in the scene; the results showed precision greater than 50% and recall greater than 80%.
Child and Parent Characteristics Affecting the Authorization and Expenditure of Funds for Early Intervention Services

This article examines parent and child characteristics that are associated with utilization of funds authorized under Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Child age and the presence of parent service needs are among the variables that influence how much early intervention service is available for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities, as authorized by the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Higher levels of child need were associated with a larger number of services authorized, and greater amounts of unspent funds. It appears that children of high needs parents are less likely to use additional services their children need. These findings are interpreted to suggest that family and child characteristics that promote larger authorizations for Part C services may also limit their ability to utilize all of the services identified in the IFSP. In addition, this study found that contrary to expectations, the home environment was not superior to specialty...
Serum lipids and their associations with viral levels and liver disease severity in a treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis C type 1‐infected cohort

SUMMARY. In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, steatosis and fibrosis have been shown to be inversely associated with total cholesterol (TC) and low- density lipoprotein cholesterol. Steatosis and fibrosis have also been found to be associated with triglyceride (TG) levels; though, the direction of the relationship is inconsistent across studies. The objective of this study was to assess whether viral level and histological factors are associated with the serum lipid profile in a treatment-naive cohort with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. Participants were from the prospective Study of Viral Resistance to Antiviral Ther- apy (Virahep-C). Fasting lipid profiles were analysed for 160 African Americans and 170 Caucasian Americans. Linear regression was used to evaluate associations of each lipid with viral load and liver disease. TG levels were significantly and directly associated with HCV levels (P = 0.0034) and steatosis (P < 0.0001). Other lipid parameters were signifi- cantly lower in those with fibrosis (HDLc (P = 0.001) and TC levels (P = 0.004)) than in those without fibrosis. In patients with HCV genotype 1 infection, more severe liver disease was associated with lower lipid levels, with the exception of TG levels that were directly related to steatosis. The direct relationship between viral load and TG levels is consistent with proposed the mechanisms of very low den- sity lipoprotein/HCV particle secretion. In contrast, the direct relationship between TG level and steatosis is inconsistent with posited mechanisms of HCV-induced steatosis, a possi- ble reflection of HCV genotype 1 infection and a metabolic aetiology of steatosis.
Relation of Age of Parents to Mortality and Sex Ratio of Chicks at Eight Weeks

Abstract PHYSIOLOGICAL characters are very important in breeding poultry for egg production, viability, and disease resistance. For the most part these characters have a low degree of heritability necessitating the use of progeny testing which requires old parents for reproduction. Longevity also offers something of a measure of viability, and family mortality rate affords a useful tool to guide the breeder. This study was undertaken first to discover possible relations between age of parents and the viability of their offspring to eight weeks of age. It was desirable also to learn whether age of parents has any effect on the sex ratio of chicks at eight weeks of age. Observations on the effect of this early mortality on the sex ratio at the age of eight weeks would also be useful. LITERATURE REVIEW Pearl (1940) reported the mortality rate in infants from 20 countries during the first year of life as . . .
Central compartment lymph node dissection

The central compartment of the neck is a common site of local metastasis for thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, knowledge of the surgical techniques for performing a central compartment neck dissection is important for any surgeon who manages patients with thyroid cancer. The use of a standardized surgical approach to the central compartment can minimize morbidity and ensure comprehensive removal of lymph nodes within this region. This article describes the authors' method for performing a comprehensive central compartment neck dissection.
Potato Yield and Tuber Set as Affected by Phosphorus Fertilization

A 3 year field study on a loamy sand soil with medium to high soil test phosphorus (P) concentrations (25 to 33 mg kg−1 Bray P1) was conducted to evaluate the effect of P fertilizer rate, source, and timing, and starter nitrogen (N) rate on potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Russet Burbank) yield, tuber size, tuber set, petiole P concentration, and P uptake and distribution within the plant. Nine fertilizer treatments compared banded P rates of 0, 37, 42, and 74 kg P ha−1, the P sources monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP), P banded at planting vs. split applications at planting and emergence, and starter N rates of 38 and 66 kg N ha−1. Phosphorus fertilizer application increased total tuber yield and yield of undersized tubers (tubers less than 85 g), but decreased the proportion of large-sized tubers (greater than 285 g). Due to the increases in small, unmarketable tubers, P fertilizer application did not have a significant effect on marketable tuber yield (tubers greater than 85 g). The total number of tubers per plant and the number of undersized tubers were also higher, and the number of large tubers was lower, when P was applied compared with the zero P control. Both the number and yield of undersized tubers increased as P application rate increased. Petiole P concentrations were generally consistent with the rate of P applied, but they varied by year in magnitude and their pattern through the season. Petiole P was positively correlated with the number of tubers per plant, but only correlated for 1 year with differences in total yield. Phosphorus application increased total P uptake due primarily to an increase in tuber P concentration. Increases in total uptake and tuber P increased as P application rate increased, but differences in uptake were small relative to the amounts of P applied. Phosphorus source and timing and starter N rate did not consistently affect tuber yield, number, or size, petiole or tuber P concentration, and P uptake. The results of this study indicate that P nutrition can play an important role in regulating tuber set.
A family-oriented psychosocial intervention reduces inflammation in low-SES African American youth

Children of low socioeconomic status (SES) are at elevated risk for health problems across the lifespan. Observational studies suggest that nurturant parenting might offset some of these health risks, but their design precludes inferences about causal direction and clinical utility. Here we ask whether a psychosocial intervention, focused improving parenting, strengthening family relationships, and building youth competencies, can reduce inflammation in low-SES, African Americans from the rural South. The trial involved 272 mothers and their 11-y-old children from rural Georgia, half of whose annual household incomes were below the federal poverty line. Families were randomly assigned to a 7-wk psychosocial intervention or to a control condition. When youth reached age 19, peripheral blood was collected to quantify six cytokines that orchestrate inflammation, the dysregulation of which contributes to many of the health problems known to pattern by SES. Youth who participated in the intervention had significantly less inflammation on all six indicators relative to controls (all P values < 0.001; effect sizes in Cohen's d units ranged from -0.69 to -0.91). Mediation analyses suggested that improved parenting was partially responsible for the intervention's benefits. Inflammation was lowest among youth who received more nurturant-involved parenting, and less harsh-inconsistent parenting, as a consequence of the intervention. These findings have theoretical implications for research on resilience to adversity and the early origins of disease. If substantiated, they may also highlight a strategy for practitioners and policymakers to use in ameliorating social and racial health disparities.
Noninvasive estimation of tissue temperature via high-resolution spectral analysis techniques

We address the noninvasive temperature estimation from pulse-echo radio frequency signals from standard diagnostic ultrasound imaging equipment. In particular, we investigate the use of a high-resolution spectral estimation method for tracking frequency shifts at two or more harmonic frequencies associated with temperature change. The new approach, employing generalized second-order statistics, is shown to produce superior frequency shift estimates when compared to conventional high-resolution spectral estimation methods Seip and Ebbini (1995). Furthermore, temperature estimates from the new algorithm are compared with results from the more commonly used echo shift method described in Simon et al. (1998).
Infected lung cysts

A previously well 31-year-old woman was referred to the thoracic surgical unit following 11 days of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment (amoxycillin then ceftazidime) for ‘flu-like’ illness associated with an unproductive cough and radiographically evident cystic lesions in the left lung (figure 1 and 2). Apart from a vague recollection of ‘air bubbles’ in her lungs in early childhood that was never followed up, she had no medical history of note, and no family history of emphysema. She had previously smoked an average of 15 cigarettes daily for 15 years but had stopped a year earlier. Figure 1 Postero-anterior erect chest X-ray showing left lung cysts Figure 2 Lateral view of lung cysts Examination revealed a pyrexia of 38.1°C, a regular pulse rhythm at 100 beats/min and reduced air entry in the left upper and mid zones of the chest, but no other abnormalities. …
Defining the retinoid binding site in the rod cyclic nucleotide-gated channel.

Rod vision is initiated when 11-cis-retinal, bound within rhodopsin, absorbs a photon and isomerizes to all-trans-retinal (ATR). This triggers an enzyme cascade that lowers cGMP, thereby closing cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. ATR then dissociates from rhodopsin, with bright light releasing millimolar levels of ATR. We have recently shown that ATR is a potent closed-state inhibitor of the rod CNG channel, and that it requires access to the cytosolic face of the channel (McCabe, S.L., D.M. Pelosi, M. Tetreault, A. Miri, W. Nguitragool, P. Kovithvathanaphong, R. Mahajan, and A.L. Zimmerman. 2004. J. Gen. Physiol. 123:521–531). However, the details of the interaction between the channel and ATR have not been resolved. Here, we explore the nature of this interaction by taking advantage of specific retinoids and retinoid analogues, namely, β-ionone, all-trans-C15 aldehyde, all-trans-C17 aldehyde, all-trans-C22 aldehyde, all-trans-retinol, all-trans-retinoic acid, and all-trans-retinylidene-n-butylamine. These retinoids differ in polyene chain length, chemical functionality, and charge. Results obtained from patch clamp and NMR studies have allowed us to better define the characteristics of the site of retinoid–channel interaction. We propose that the cytoplasmic face of the channel contains a retinoid binding site. This binding site likely contains a hydrophobic region that allows the ionone ring and polyene tail to sit in an optimal position to promote interaction of the terminal functional group with residues ∼15 A away from the ionone ring. Based on our functional data with retinoids possessing either a positive or a negative charge, we speculate that these amino acid residues may be polar and/or aromatic.
The regulatory genome and the computer

The definitive feature of the many thousand cis-regulatory control modules in an animal genome is their information processing capability. These modules are “wired” together in large networks that control major processes such as development; they constitute “genomic computers.” Each control module receives multiple inputs in the form of the incident transcription factors which bind to them. The functions they execute upon these inputs can be reduced to basic AND, OR and NOT logic functions, which are also the unit logic functions of electronic computers. Here we consider the operating principles of the genomic computer, the product of evolution, in comparison to those of electronic computers. For example, in the genomic computer intra-machine communication occurs by means of diffusion (of transcription factors), while in electronic computers it occurs by electron transit along pre-organized wires. There follow fundamental differences in design principle in respect to the meaning of time, speed, multiplicity of processors, memory, robustness of computation and hardware and software. The genomic computer controls spatial gene expression in the development of the body plan, and its appearance in remote evolutionary time must be considered to have been a founding requirement for animal grade life.
Sexual dimorphism and tissue specificity in the expression of CYP4F forms in Sprague Dawley rats.

The cytochromes P450 belong to a superfamily of enzymes involved in a diverse array of endobiotic and xenobiotic metabolic pathways. Several members of a novel family of cytochrome P450 (CYP4F), which specifically mediate leukotriene B(4) omega-hydroxylation, have now been identified in various species including rat, mouse, and human. In rats, the CYP4F family consists of four related genes, CYP4F1, CYP4F4, CYP4F5, and CYP4F6. Here we report development of fluorescent real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays (TaqMan), which allow us to carry out specific quantitation of mRNA expression of all four members of this subfamily. Since no inducers for the CYP4F family are known to date, we validated these assays using clofibrate, a known suppressor of rat CYP4Fs. Additionally, Northern blot hybridization was carried out to validate these assays. Using this approach, we demonstrate quantitatively, for the first time, that each of the rat CYP4Fs is expressed in a tissue- and sex-dependent manner showing a significantly higher expression in females vis-a-vis males. Western blot analysis using a CYP4F polyclonal antibody also shows a considerably higher protein expression in female liver, kidneys, and lungs when compared with male rats. Furthermore, we observe a significant decrease in the CYP4F1, CYP4F4, and CYP4F6 message in kidneys and liver of ovariectomized rats when compared with control females. This loss of expression is partially restored by estrogen treatment in both tissues, suggesting a role of estrogen in regulating CYP4F expression.
PTEN augments SPARC suppression of proliferation and inhibits SPARC-induced migration by suppressing SHC-RAF-ERK and AKT signaling

SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) is expressed in all grades of astrocytoma, including glioblastoma (GBM). SPARC suppresses glioma growth but promotes migration and invasion by mediating integrin and growth factor receptor-regulated kinases and their downstream effectors. PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), which is commonly lost in primary GBMs, negatively regulates proliferation and migration by inhibiting some of the same SPARC-mediated signaling pathways. This study determined whether PTEN reconstitution in PTEN-mutant, SPARC-expressing U87MG cells could further suppress proliferation and tumor growth but inhibit migration and invasion in SPARC-expressing cells in vitro and in vivo, and thereby prolong survival in animals with xenograft tumors. In vitro, PTEN reduced proliferation and migration in both SPARC-expressing and control cells, with a greater suppression in SPARC-expressing cells. PTEN reconstitution suppressed AKT activation in SPARC-expressing and control cells but suppressed the SHC-RAF-ERK signaling pathway only in SPARC-expressing cells. Importantly, coexpression of SPARC and PTEN resulted in the smallest, least proliferative tumors with reduced invasive capacity and longer animal survival. Furthermore, direct inhibition of the AKT and SHC-RAF-ERK signaling pathways suppressed the proliferation and migration of SPARC-expressing cells in vitro. These findings demonstrate that PTEN reconstitution or inhibition of signaling pathways that are activated by the loss of PTEN provide potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit SPARC-induced invasion while enhancing the negative effect of SPARC on tumor growth.
Annual primary production: Patterns and mechanisms of change in a nutrient-rich tidal ecosystem

Although nutrient supply often underlies long-term changes in aquatic primary production, other regulatory processes can be important. The Sacramento‐San Joaquin River Delta, a complex of tidal waterways forming the landward portion of the San Francisco Estuary, has ample nutrient supplies, enabling us to examine alternate regulatory mechanisms over a 21-yr period. Delta-wide primary productivity was reconstructed from historical water quality data for 1975‐1995. Annual primary production averaged 70 g C m 22 , but it varied by over a factor of five among years. At least four processes contributed to this variability: (1) invasion of the clam Potamocorbula amurensis led to a persistent decrease in phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) after 1986; (2) a long-term decline in total suspended solids—probably at least partly because of upstream dam construction—increased water transparency and phytoplankton growth rate; (3) river inflow, reflecting climate variability, affected biomass through fluctuations in flushing and growth rates through fluctuations in total suspended solids; and (4) an additional pathway manifesting as a long-term decline in winter phytoplankton biomass has been identified, but its genesis is uncertain. Overall, the Delta lost 43% in annual primary production during the period. Given the evidence for food limitation of primary consumers, these findings provide a partial explanation for widespread Delta species declines over the past few decades. Turbid nutrient-rich systems such as the Delta may be inherently more variable than other tidal systems because certain compensatory processes are absent. Comparisons among systems, however, can be tenuous because conclusions about the magnitude and mechanisms of variability are dependent on length of data record.
Vigorously courting male sticklebacks are poor fathers

Male threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) that are unsuccessful at hatching eggs may provide insufficient parental care or have unhealthy or unfertilized eggs. In this study, most males that were unsuccessful at hatching eggs appeared to be poor fathers because they depleted their energy reserves by vigorously courting females and by maintaining intense nuptial coloration during courtship and parental care, leading to reduced fanning of the eggs. Unsuccessful males differed from successful males by investing more in obtaining a clutch of eggs and less in the eggs once they had them, suggesting a trade-off between investing in courtship and investing in paternal care.
Evolved navigation theory and the plateau illusion

Most people anecdotally feel that the distance extending toward a cliff or slope appears shorter than the same distance extending away from it. This odd impression persists, despite the distance being equal across both conditions and humans encountering such a scenario daily in the navigation of stairs, slopes, curbs, and vertical surfaces protected by handrails. We tested three sets of competing predictions about this previously uninvestigated phenomenon. Data from two experiments coincided with the well-established predictions from evolved navigation theory. Contrary to anecdotal expectations, observers perceive the distance extending toward the edge of a steep slope to be longer than the distance extending away from it. We title this the plateau illusion and suggest that it may be an embodied process that arose over evolutionary time in response to navigation risks.
Multitarget tracking with adaptive detection thresholds

The idea of adjusting the detection thresholds adaptively to enhance the performance of an overall tracking system has been one of the important areas studied in tracking community for the last ten years. However, most of the previous work was developed for single target environments where a simple algorithm such as nearest neighbor (NN) or probabilistic data association (PDA) filter was assumed to be used in the tracking system. We study the issues of adaptive detection thresholds based on the assumption that an optimal assignment algorithm is adopted for a multitarget and cluttered environment. This research is motivated by an important earlier work which makes the analytical evaluation of the optimal assignment algorithm possible. The performance measures considered for determining detection thresholds are the correct association probability and the expected estimation error. The analytical results obtained here represent the upper bound of the tracking performance and can be used for designing and evaluating a tracking system.
Agent Based Technology for Distributed Wireless Networks

Wireless networking has recently witnessed a lot of interest from consumers for its applications in mobile and personal communications. The most important feature of wireless networks is mobility support. However, low and variable bandwidth, high latency, variable transmission delays, and intermittent or unreliable network connections are often encountered in wireless environments. In response to the mentioned problems we adopt agent technology and present a framework which provides the basic functions required by MA-based applications.
The Evolution of Galaxies in Clusters

Clusters of galaxies are laboratories for the study of galaxy evolution. Predictions of the effects of tidal stripping, merging, and accretion are compared to optical observations, particularly in connection with the formation of galaxies in rich clusters. The development of the different morphological types is discussed in terms of models that depend entirely on later evolution and those that rely on initial conditions.
Myrmecochory of the Exotic Plant, Centaurea maculosa: A Potential Mechanism Enhancing Invasiveness

Abstract We hypothesized that the elaiosomes of seeds of the invasive plant, Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed), elicit seed-dispersing behavior by native ants (myrmecochory), potentially providing a mechanism enhancing its invasiveness into native plant communities. Elaiosomes are small nutrient-rich nodes produced on seeds of some plants. Ants collect and disperse elaiosome-bearing seeds, later consuming the elaiosome, but usually discarding the seed intact away from the parent plant. The seeds of C. maculosa possess elaiosomes, suggesting that the dispersal of its seeds and its ability to rapidly spread into native habitats may be enhanced by myrmecochory. We tested for myrmecochory at two Palouse prairie sites in Montana by presenting seeds of C. maculosa and two native dominants, Balsamorhiza sagittata (a forb) and Psuedoroegneria spicata (a bunchgrass). Seeds were presented in choice (seeds of all three plants) and no choice (seeds of only one plant) treatments. At both study sites, ants readily ...
Longevity in small business: The effect of maturity on strategic focus and business performance

Younger and older organizations approach strategic orientation differently. This research uses the theoretical approaches of organizational change, liability of newness, and liability of aging to examine younger and older organizations' approaches in the competitive arena with their varying competitive competencies. Results from a study of 141 small businesses suggest that an external strategic focus is associated with higher performance for younger firms, whereas an internal strategic focus is associated with higher performance for more mature firms.
Advanced care planning: care to plan in advance.

In 1976, California was the first state legally to sanction advance directives (ADs), in the form of living wills. Since that time, judicial and legislative actions have affirmed patients’ rights in decision making at the end of life by standing strongly on the ethical tenets of patients’ self-
Influence of volume expansion on renal diluting capacity in the rat.

1. The functional capacity of Henle9s loop was examined during hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic extracellular fluid volume expansion. To eliminate a possible role of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the alteration of free water excretion, rats with congenital diabetes insipidus were used. The infusion of hypotonic saline resulted in a progressive rise in free water clearance ( C H 2 O ) throughout the range of urine flow ( V ) attained. Similar results were obtained in rats treated chronically with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). The infusion of isotonic saline (sodium chloride, 154 mmol/l) produced an initial rise in C H 2 O until V represented 10% of the filtered load, after which C H 2 O appeared to reach a plateau. The limitation of C H 2 O was more marked when hypertonic saline was infused. Medullary and papillary non-urea solute (NUS) concentration rose progressively with the increasing concentration of the saline solution infused. 2. The greater fractional sodium excretion (FE Na ) after acute isotonic and hypertonic volume expansion is probably the result of inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the collecting duct, although inhibition in the ascending limb cannot be entirely excluded. The depression of C H 2 O as a function of V seen during acute isotonic or hypertonic volume expansion can be attributed in part to enhanced water back-diffusion from the collecting duct consequent to the increasing medullary and papillary interstitial NUS concentration, even in the absence of ADH. 3. Chronic expansion of extracellular fluid volume by DOCA administration did not modify the response to hypotonic saline infusion.
Thalassemia-hemoglobin C disease; a new syndrome presumably due to the combination of the genes for thalassemia and hemoglobin C.

An unusual type of severe chronic hypochromic microcytic anemia in a Negro is described and attributed to the interaction of the hemoglobin C gene with the thalassemia gene. The patient and his father were shown to be carriers of the C trait, the mother and several siblings of the thalassemia gene.
Comparison of Feeding Damage Caused by Four Tetranychid Mite Species on Gas-exchange Rates of Almond Leaves

A dual-isotope porometer measured gas-exchange rates on almond leaves exposed to feeding damage by Panonychus citri, P. ulmi, Tetranychus pacificus , or T. urticae . The feeding injury of all four mite species caused significantly lower rates of stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance, and photosynthesis compared with undamaged controls. No significant differences in gas-exchange rates occurred between species within either genus; however, significant differences between genera were detected. Tetranychus spp. caused lower rates of mesophyll conductance and photosynthesis when compared with Panonychus spp.
Downregulation of the Novel Candidate Tumor Suppressor Gene NCOR2/SMRT in Human Breast Cancer Progression.

Background: We recently described a number of DNA copy number changes that differentiated low grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions with and without associated invasive carcinoma. One of the invasion-associated candidate genes was Nuclear Corepressor 2/Silencing Mediator of Retinoid and Thyroid Receptors (NCOR2/SMRT). This gene is a component of a repressing nuclear receptor complex and a mediator of ER activity. It facilitates recovery from DNA double strand breaks. Previous studies showed that downregulation of the gene was associated with transformation of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from microdissected paraffin sections of formalin fixed low grade DCIS lesions with an invasive component (n=42), as well as morphologically similar DCIS lesions without associated invasion within at least 5 years (n=38). Comparative PCR was performed with GAPDH as the reference gene. In addition, we assayed tissue microarrays (TMAs) by immunohistochemistry using two anti-Smrt antibodies. Three TMAs included 162 interpretable cases of invasive breast carcinoma from Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). One additional TMA included 73 interpretable breast cancers from a previously described cohort from Vienna, Austria. Nuclear staining in neoplastic cells was scored as positive, reduced (significantly weaker compared to admixed benign cells), and negative. Ncor2/Smrt expression was correlated with various patho-biologic variables.Results: Allelic loss of NCOR2/SMRT was observed in 79% (33/42) of DCIS lesions with associated invasion, but in only 26% (10/38) of pure DCIS cases (p Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 3150.
Preliminary Report on the Leonard Rockshelter Site Pershing County, Nevada *

In september, 1949, while in west central Nevada for the purpose of collecting vegetal materials from the lowermost cultural levels of Lovelock cave (Loud and Harrington, 1929) to be used for radiocarbon dating, the author revisited an open rockshelter site some six miles up the valley from Lovelock cave. The site, since named Leonard rockshelter (site 26- Pe-14) after Zenas Leonard who in 1833 traversed the Humbolt Sink area as a member of the Walker expedition (Leonard, 1904), is not referred to by Loud and Harrington. It is the same site from which, in 1936, Thomas Derby mined bat guano and recovered artifacts described in a brief article (Heizer, 1938). The bat guano formed a layer two to three feet thick lying on ancient gravels of Lake Lahontan and beneath a thick accumulation of aeolian dust and rockfall.
Noise Produced by Fabric and Wire Mesh Covered Panels in Low-Speed Anechoic Wind Tunnels

The use of fabric surfaces to shield microphone instrumentation and acoustic absorbers has become standard practice, but little is known about the self-noise produced by these surface treatments. In this study, the self-noise produced by 15 candidate cloth covered perforate surface treatments designed for use on acoustic absorbers was considered. The selfnoise of the surface treatments have distinct high and low frequency regions controlled by parameters of the cloth and underlying perforate geometry. Low frequency noise is primarily influenced by the diameter and open-area ratio of the perforate while high frequency noise is a function of the open-area ratio of the perforate and cloth weave. To minimize low frequency noise, high open-area ratio, small diameter perforate should be used. In contrast, to reduce high frequency noise, low open-area ratio perforate with larger diameter should be used. In either case, increasing the thread count of the surface cloth reduces the self-noise. Two mechanisms were investigated as the source of the low frequency noise: fluctuating mass flow through the perforate aperture and diffraction of the unsteady wall pressure by the perforate edges. The diffraction mechanism tends to estimate the spectral shape more accurately although absolute predictions were not possible due to lack of data regarding the attenuation of the wall pressure fluctuations by the surface cloth.
The Analyses of Global Gene Expression and Transcription Factor Regulation

A major challenge in molecular cell biology lies in understanding how the same genome can give rise to different cell types and how gene expression is regulated. Gene expression and regulation studies focus on the abundance and structure of transcripts as well as how RNA production is controlled. High-throughput sequencing technologies such as RNA sequencing have allowed more accurate profiling of the transcriptome and the rapid identification of differentially expressed genes among samples. The regulation of gene expression is orchestrated by transcription factors. The development of ChIP sequencing assay has made it possible to comprehensively identify transcription factor-binding sites in vivo, allowing rapid unraveling of signaling pathways. The following chapter described the common methods used in studying global gene expression and transcription factor regulation with a special emphasis on bioinformatic analyses. The final section illustrates an example of an integrated gene expression and regulation study for identifying key factors regulating self-renewal and differentiation in hematopoietic precursor cells.
Cause Analysis and Preventive Measures of 10 Incidents of Acute Occupational Poisoning in Chuxiong Prefecture of Yunnan Province

[Objective]To understand the status of acute occupational poisoning occurrence and its regularities of distribution in ChuXiong Prefecture of Yunnan Province,and provide scientific evidence and strategies for prevention and control of acute occupational poisoning. [Methods]Retrospective investigation was adopted to analyze 10 incidents of acute occupational poisoning occurred in ChuXiong Prefecture in 10 years. [Results]Of 10 incidents,146 were poisoned,with attach rate of 66.36%;6 were dead,with fatality rate of 4.11%.Six incidents occurred in township enterprises.Nine incidents occurred in metallurgical and chemical industry,with poisoning attack rate of 73.91%,mainly due to hydrogen sulfide and arsine.The main causes of poisoning were leakage of facilities,production overload,no ventilation and improper individual protection [Conclusion]Acute occupational poisoning should be taken as the focal point of occupational disease prevention which needs corresponding control measures.
A Novel, Experiential Course in Applied Pharmacokinetics

An experiential course in applied pharmacokinetics is discussed. Objectives of the course and methods for conducting such a course are described. Results of student recommendations concerning patients' dosage regimens, along with the types of recommendations made, are outlined.Methods of instruction designed to increase clinical knowledge may best be accomplished through actual patient contact. It appears that this course is well accepted and can be adapted for use in various settings.
Surgical Management of Civilian Gunshot-Induced Spinal Cord Injury: Is It Overutilized?

Study design Retrospective chart review. Objective Assess appropriate utilization of surgery for civilian gunshot-induced spinal cord injuries (CGSWSCI) according to literature standards in a large cohort. Summary of background data CGSWSCI are mechanically stable injuries that rarely require surgery. Nonetheless, we continue to see high numbers of these patients undergo surgical treatment. This study compares indications for surgeries performed in a large cohort of CGSWSCI patients to established indications for surgical management of such injuries. The rate of over-utilization of surgical management was calculated. Methods Four hundred eighty-nine CGSWSCI patients transferred for rehabilitation to our institution between 2000 and 2014 were identified. Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent initial surgical treatment, the specific surgeries performed, and indications given. We assessed appropriateness of surgery according to literature standards. Patients treated surgically were followed to assess for complications and the need for additional intervention and compared to nonsurgical patients. Secondarily, visual analog scale pain scores (0-10) and patient perceived improvement were compared between surgical and nonsurgical patients after telephone survey of both groups. Results Of 489 patients, 91 (18%) underwent initial surgery. Of 91 surgeries, 69 (75%) were not indicated by literature standards. Five of 91 (5.5%) of initially operated patients required a secondary surgery compared with two of 398 (0.5%) of the nonoperative group (P = 0.003). Over-utilization rate of the entire cohort was 14.1%. No difference was seen for pain scores or patient perceived improvement between operative and nonoperative patients. Conclusion We report a high overutilization rate (14%) of surgery for CGSWSCI in our cohort. Surgical management was associated with higher infection and secondary surgery rates compared to nonsurgical management. Surgery done without a clear, demonstrable benefit poses unnecessary risk to patients and accumulates unwarranted healthcare costs. Level of evidence 3.
Electron Beam Effects during In-Situ Annealing of Self-Ion Irradiated Nanocrystalline Nickel.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a valuable methodology for investigating radiation-induced microstructural changes and elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved in the aging and degradation of nuclear reactor materials. However, the use of electrons for imaging may result in several inadvertent effects that can potentially change the microstructure and mechanisms active in the material being investigated. In this study, in situ TEM characterization is performed on nanocrystalline nickel samples under self-ion irradiation and post irradiation annealing. During annealing, voids are formed around 200 °C only in the area illuminated by the electron beam. Based on diffraction patterns analyses, it is hypothesized that the electron beam enhanced the growth of a NiO layer resulting in a decrease of vacancy mobility during annealing. The electron beam used to investigate self-ion irradiation ultimately significantly affected the type of defects formed and the final defect microstructure.
Inhibin activity of preovulatory follicles of gonadotropin-treated and untreated women.

In order to determine whether treatment of endocrinologically normal women with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) led to alternations in follicular fluid inhibin activity and steroids, both inhibin activity and steroid levels were measured in follicular fluid of 10 follicles of 9 women treated with hMG/hCG and in follicular fluid of 15 preovulatory follicles of 15 untreated women. The women were given 150 IU hMG daily from day 3 until the serum estrogen levels were > 300 pg/ml, at which time hMG was discontinued and 10,000 IU hCG was given 50 hours later. Follicular fluid was aspirated from all visible follicles 36 hours after hCG. Women treated with hMG/hCG had multiple (two to five) follicles containing 1.5 to 4.5 ml of follicular fluid and a mature oocyte and elevated serum estrogen (400 to 800 pg/ml) on the day after hCG treatment. At the time of follicular fluid recovery, there was more inhibin activity (204 ± 14 U/10 ml) in the hMG/hCG-stimulated follicles than in unstimulated follicles of a control group of women (65 ± 14, mean ± standard error, P
A Philosophical Critique of Contradiction

Mao’s concept of contradiction is not only the key to his theory of dialectic, but also the very kernel of his entire philosphy, and indeed, of the entire body of his thought and political activities. To explain this central term, however, we will begin with a presentation of ‘dialectical ideas’ in Chinese thought (which is necessary for our discussion both in this chapter and in the next). The presentation aims to show that while there is no systematic, continuous development of ‘dialectic’ as a philosophical term, method or system throughout the history of Chinese philosophy, Chinese thought as a whole is essentially dialectical. To substantiate this claim we will discuss six philosophical ideas (contained in various schools) with the implicit premise that although they are not directly related to each other, they together constitute a ‘dialecticality’ or ‘relationality’ which is a distinguishing characteristic of Chinese thought. Only in the light of all this, will we be able to make a critique of Mao’s concept of contradiction as a philosophical term.
Viral/Nonviral Chimeric Nanoparticles To Synergistically Suppress Leukemia Proliferation via Simultaneous Gene Transduction and Silencing.

Single modal cancer therapy that targets one pathological pathway often turns out to be inefficient. For example, relapse of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) after inhibiting BCR-ABL fusion protein using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) (e.g., Imatinib) is of significant clinical concern. This study developed a dual modal gene therapy that simultaneously tackles two key BCR-ABL-linked pathways using viral/nonviral chimeric nanoparticles (ChNPs). Consisting of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) core and an acid-degradable polymeric shell, the ChNPs were designed to simultaneously induce pro-apoptotic BIM expression by the AAV core and silence pro-survival MCL-1 by the small interfering RNA (siRNA) encapsulated in the shell. The resulting BIM/MCL-1 ChNPs were able to efficiently suppress the proliferation of BCR-ABL+ K562 and FL5.12/p190 cells in vitro and in vivo via simultaneously expressing BIM and silencing MCL-1. Interestingly, the synergistic antileukemic effects generated by BIM/MCL-1 ChNPs were speci...