cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative in vitro antimicrobial activity of Chinese medicinal herbs.

Abstract Eighteen herbs used in the treatment of infectious diseases in traditional Chinese medicine were evaluated for in vitro activity against ten microbial pathogens. Lyophilized teas were tested by the agar dilution technique at 100–1600 μg/ml. Eleven of the preparations were active against at least one microorganism and six of these were active against at least three of the test isolates. Huangqin ( Scutellaria sp.) and Huanglian ( Coptis sp.) were each active against five of the isolates. Huangqin inhibited Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris at 200 μg/ml. Huangqin alone showed strong activity against Mycobacterilim smegmatis (⩽100 μg/ml.) and Candida albicans (200 μg/ml.). The antimicrobial activity of various teas, prepared with equal weights of herbs, could be compared against a particular pathogen by considering both the percentage of water-soluble material in the herbs and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the filtered, lyophilized decoctions.
Investigation of microdialysis sampling calibration approaches for lipophilic analytes: doxorubicin.

Microdialysis is an important sampling technique in many pharmacokinetics and pharmacological studies. Applying microdialysis to lipophilic analytes can be difficult as low extraction efficiencies are generally obtained with these types of analytes. In this investigation, the effects of applying microdialysis to the lipophilic compound, doxorubicin are discussed. Using varying concentrations of doxorubicin (DOX) from 1 to 20 μM, in vitro probe calibrations were performed by delivery, recovery and no-net flux. Any changes in the extraction efficiencies calculated were monitored through the addition of an internal standard, antipyrine. DOX was chosen as a representative lipophilic analyte because its red color could be visibly monitored on the probe. At higher concentrations the probe membrane became redder. For delivery experiments, the inlet of the probe was more highly colored than the outlet. The opposite was true for recovery experiments, in which the outlet was more highly colored than the inlet. It was observed that while antipyrine was well-behaved in these experiments, for DOX the extraction efficiency determined by recovery was not the same as the extraction efficiency determined by delivery (p < 0.005, 0.05). It was further observed that for DOX the extraction efficiency determined by a no-net flux experiment was in good agreement with the value determined by delivery and not that determined by recovery. However, the only point in which no DOX was present in the perfusate was not on the no-net flux line. In addition, the transport of DOX across the microdialysis membrane was considerably slower than the transport of antipyrine.
Thermal expansion in insulating materials

A model of thermal expansion in terms of the Morse potential which was developed earlier for low temperatures is extended to high temperatures and applied to a semiempirical calculation of thermal expansion in insulating materials. In this model, the localized quantum mechanical solutions of the Morse potential are combined with the Debye model to give a localized-continuum description of thermal expansion. A set of empirical rules is developed for characterizing the interatomic potential in terms of the Morse potential. These are then applied to the quantitative calculation of thermal expansion in the alkali halide crystals and a group of binary high temperature materials with the aid of the known crystal structures, compressibilities, and Debye temperatures of these materials. Good agreement between calculated and experimental values is obtained for temperatures ranging between 0 K to values near the melting points. A discussion of the underlying basis of the empirical rules is given as well as their likely applicability to a wide range of insulating materials.
Residues 484-508 Contain a Major Determinant of the Inhibitory Epitope in the A2 Domain of Human Factor VIII

The A2 domain (residues 373-740) of human blood coagulation factor VIII (fVIII) contains a major epitope for inhibitory alloantibodies and autoantibodies. We took advantage of the differential reactivity of inhibitory antibodies with human and porcine fVIII and mapped a major determinant of the A2 epitope by using a series of active recombinant hybrid human/porcine fVIII molecules. Hybrids containing a substitution of porcine sequence at segment 410-508, 445-508, or 484-508 of the human A2 domain were not inhibited by a murine monoclonal antibody A2 inhibitor, mAb 413, whereas hybrids containing substitutions at 387-403, 387-444, and 387-468 were inhibited by mAb 413. This indicates that the segment bounded by Arg484 and Ile508 contains a major determinant of the A2 epitope. mAb 413 did not inhibit two more hybrids that contained porcine substitutions at residues 484-488 and 489-508, indicating that amino acid side chains on both sides of the Ser488-Arg489 bond within the Arg484-Ile508 segment contribute to the A2 epitope. The 484-508, 484-488, and 489-508 porcine substitution hybrids displayed decreased inhibition by A2 inhibitors from four patient plasmas, suggesting that there is little variation in the structure of the A2 epitope in the inhibitor population.
Modified new approaches for rapid intravenous access

We studied the venous system at the groin, ankle, and antecubital area in relationship to easily palpable or visible surface landmarks, and developed new approaches or modifications of existing approaches to localize the saphenous vein at the groin, ankle, and the basilic vein in the antecubital area. A prospective crossover study comparing these new cutdown techniques with the most commonly described traditional techniques, was performed, using inexperienced medical personnel. They were divided into two groups, and the average time to successful venous isolation with each method at each of the three sites was studied. Both groups were similar in that all participants were medical personnel (interns, flight nurses, an equal number in each group) who had not previously performed venous cutdowns. In each group, at, all sites, the new cutdown techniques resulted in a more rapid isolation of the vein. This was true in each case regardless of which technique was learned and attempted first.
Treatment of young cretins with triiodothyronine

Abstract Ten cretins diagnosed before the age of 1 yr were treated initially with triiodothyronine. Close monitoring of the patients with special emphasis on their cardiac status showed rapid achievement of a euthyroid state without the development of any significant cardiac dysfunction. It is concluded that triiodothyronine is a safe drug in the initial treatment of cretins.
Detective quantum efficiency of an energy resolving photon counting detector

The output response characteristics of an X-ray photon counting detector are measured experimentally and simulated using a Monte Carlo method in order to quantify the loss of statistical information due to pile-up. The analysis is applied to idealize counting detector models, but is adaptable to realistic event processing that is not amenable to analytic solution. In particular, the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) is calculated as a function of flux rate and shown to have an intermediate zero for the paralyzable case at the maximum periodic rate. The progressive degradation of the spectral response as a function of increasing flux rate is also modeled. Analogous metrics to DQE are defined in regards to the detector's ability to resolve atomic number and enhance image contrast based on atomic number differentiation. Analytic solutions are provided for the output and linearized response statistics and these interpolate well across the Monte Carlo and experimental results.
A Testis-specific Transcription Factor IIA (TFIIAτ) Stimulates TATA-binding Protein-DNA Binding and Transcription Activation

The general transcription factor IIA (TFIIA) stimulates RNA polymerase II-specific transcription by stabilizing the association of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) with promoter DNA, inhibiting repressors of TBP, and facilitating activator-dependent conformational changes in the preinitiation complex. TFIIA is encoded by two genes (alphabeta and gamma) that are highly conserved between human and yeast. Here, we report the molecular cloning of a novel human gene that shares significant sequence similarity to the evolutionarily conserved amino- and carboxyl-terminal domains of TFIIAalphabeta. The TFIIA-related protein (TFIIAtau) was cloned from a testis-specific cDNA library, and its mRNA is expressed predominantly in testis tissue as determined by expressed sequence tag data base analysis and Northern blotting analysis. The TFIIA complex reconstituted with the testis-specific subunit, TFIIA (tau+gamma), formed the TFIIA-TBP-TATA DNA (T-A) and TFIIA-TFIIB-TBP-TATA DNA (TAB) complexes indistinguishably from TFIIA (alphabeta+gamma). TFIIA (tau+gamma) supported basal and activated transcription for most activators in reactions reconstituted with TFIIA-depleted nuclear extracts. However, TFIIA (tau+gamma) was reduced relative to TFIIA (alphabeta+gamma) for stimulating transcription with at least one activator, suggesting that these two forms of TFIIA have activator specificity. These results suggest that TFIIAtau may be important for testis-specific transcription regulation.
Mps1 and Ipl1/Aurora B Act Sequentially to Correctly Orient Chromosomes on the Meiotic Spindle of Budding Yeast

The conserved kinases Mps1 and Ipl1/Aurora B are critical for enabling chromosomes to attach to microtubules so that partner chromosomes will be segregated correctly from each other, but the precise roles of these kinases have been unclear. We imaged live yeast cells to elucidate the stages of chromosome-microtubule interactions and their regulation by Ipl1 and Mps1 through meiosis I. Ipl1 was found to release kinetochore-microtubule (kMT) associations after meiotic entry, liberating chromosomes to begin homologous pairing. Surprisingly, most chromosome pairs began their spindle interactions with incorrect kMT attachments. Ipl1 released these improper connections, whereas Mps1 triggered the formation of new force-generating microtubule attachments. This microtubule release and reattachment cycle could prevent catastrophic chromosome segregation errors in meiosis.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in the spouse of a patient with sleep terrors

A 27-year-old woman who developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a consequence of her husband's severe sleep terror episode is reported. A 29-year-old man suddenly aroused from sleep and jumped through the closed second-story window of the room he shared with his wife, sustaining major lacerations to his arms. He hung onto the roof as his wife screamed at him from the window, and eventually climbed back inside. He was evaluated with polysomnography and was given the diagnosis of sleep terrors, which was effectively treated with behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. During a routine follow-up visit with the patient, his wife's PTSD symptoms came to clinical attention and she was referred for treatment. She demonstrated marked improvement in her condition after an 8 week course of cognitive-behavioral therapy. We conclude that family members of patients with sleep disorders manifesting as violent behaviors during sleep can suffer psychological trauma even if they are not physically injured.
Extensions to the Cost Progress Model: An Analysis of Factors Influencing Unit Cost of Weapon Systems

Abstract The use of cost progress curves (learning curves) to analyze unit costs experienced during the manufacture of items produced from a repetitive process is widespread. The assumption implicit in the use of cost progress curves is that cumulative quantity produced is the primary factor influencing the pattern of unit costs. This paper adds to the cost progress model variables reflecting production rate, company-wide activity and fixed costs, and industry activity. Empirical tests show that each variable enhances the explanation of unit cost, but the importance of the variables depends on the nature of the cost series being analyzed.
Comparison of platinum and platinum-iridium catalysts for heptane reforming at different pressures

The role of iridium in an alumina-supported platinum-iridium bimetallic catalyst was studied by examining the activity/selectivity behavior of platinum, iridium, and platinum-iridium catalysts using n-heptane reforming as a test reaction at 135 and 790 kPa. The iridium component imparted superior dehydrocyclization activity and deactivation resistance to the bimetallic relative to platinum. There appeared to be considerable synergism between platinum and iridium which resulted in suppression of surface coke formation. However, the bimetallic, even when presulfided, exhibited an undesirable higher hydrogenolysis activity, particularly at higher pressure. Comparison of results for the bimetallic catalyst and a mechanical mixture of platinum and iridium catalysts provided indirect evidence for the existence of bimetallic clusters on the platinum-iridium catalyst. This study also demonstrated that catalyst comparisons made near atmospheric pressure are not good indicators of relative performance at commercial conditions.
Facilitation by repetition in recognition memory for tonal pitch

Subjects made delayed pitch comparisons when the standard and comparison tones were separated by a sequence of interpolated tones. In some conditions, a tone of the same pitch as the standard tone was included among the interpolated tones. Recognition performance was superior for sequences where the standard tone pitch was repeated, even compared with control sequences of reduced size. The improvement in performance produced by the repeated tone depended on its position in the intervening sequence. Improvement was substantial and highly significant when the standard tone pitch was repeated in the second serial position of a sequence of six interpolated tones, but small and insignificant when it was repeated in the fifth serial position.
Phase slip in an undulator with pole and BPM errors

A statistical analysis of a corrected electron trajectory through a planar FEL undulator is used to predict the optimal beam position monitor (BPM) spacing. The undulator is composed of modular sections, each containing many dipoles with random field and roll angle errors. Located between each section are inaccurate BPMs, steering correctors, and possibly quadrupole magnets. An analytical formula for electron-to-photon phase errors is derived and used to estimate the best BPM spacing. The results are applied to the LCLS FEL undulator, which has demanding requirements on electron trajectory straightness.
Fabrication and hermeticity testing of a glass-silicon package formed using localized aluminum/silicon-to-glass bonding

A hermetic package based on localized aluminum/silicon-to-glass bonding has been successfully demonstrated. Less than 0.2 MPa contact pressure with 46 mA current input for two parallel 3.5 m wide polysilicon microheaters can achieve a strong and reliable bond in 7 minutes. Accelerated testing in an autoclave shows some packages survive more than 200 hours at 3 atm, 100%RH and 128/spl deg/C. Premature failure has been attributed to some unbonded regions on the failed samples. The bonding yield and reliability has been improved by increasing bonding time and applied pressure. Devices using this process have lasted for more than 320 hours under accelerated conditions. The packaging technology is being applied to vacuum encapsulation of resonant devices.
Variable stiffness actuator based on fluidic flexible matrix composites and piezoelectric-hydraulic pump

Recently, a new biological-inspired fluidic flexible matrix composite (in short, F 2 MC) concept has been developed for linear/torsional actuation and structural stiffness tailoring. Although the actuation and the variable stiffness features of the F 2 MC have been successfully demonstrated individually, their combined functions and full potentials were not yet manifested. In addition, the current hydraulic pressurization systems are bulky and heavy, limiting the potential of the F 2 MC actuator. To address these issues, we synthesize a new variable stiffness actuator concept that can provide both effective actuation and tunable stiffness (dual-mode), incorporating the F 2 MC with a compact piezoelectric-hydraulic pump (in short, PHP). This dual-mode mechanism will significantly enhance the potential of the F 2 MC adaptive structures.
Zero location with respect to the unit circle of discrete-time linear system polynomials

The location of the zeros of discrete systems characteristic polynomials with respect to the unit circle is investigated. A new sequence of symmetric polynomials of descending degrees is defined for the characteristic polynomial and the number of zeros inside and outside the unit circle is shown to be related to a certain sign variation pattern of the polynomials in the sequence. A stability table based on this sequence is presented to obtain the sought distribution of zeros. The new table is close in appearance, size, and number of arithmetic operations to the Routh table used for continuous-time system polynomials. By comparison with the table of Jury, based on the theory of Marden, Cohn, and Schur, the new table involves about half the number of entries and a corresponding significant saving in computations. The study includes a detailed consideration of all possible cases of singular conditions so that the complete information on the number of zeros inside, outside, and on the unit circle is always obtained (including some additional information on possible reciprocal pairs of zeros). Necessary and sufficient conditions for a polynomial to have all its zeros inside the unit circle are obtained as a special outcome. Other additional necessary conditions, that are useful to shorten procedures when the table is used only for testing the stability of the system, are also given.
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with newly evaluated papillary thyroid cancer

Background: This study investigates whether diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for the development of papillary thyroid cancer, using an age-, gender-, and race-matched analysis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 1559 patients with newly evaluated thyroid cancer over a 4-year period at our institution and identified 1313 patients (84%) with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Characteristics of patients with diabetes versus those without diabetes were compared with a chi-square test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test for numeric variables. The prevalence of diabetes among patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma at our institution was compared (using an age-, gender-, and race-matched analysis) with that expected based on data from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the same time period. Results: For patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, the median age was 47 years; 74% were female; 83% were white; and the prevalence of diabetes was 8%. Among those with diabetes, 92% had type 2 diabetes, and 24% were treated with insulin. Risk factors for diabetes included age and race. The prevalence of diabetes among patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma of all ages versus that among patients from NHANES of all ages was not significantly different (RR 1.07, CI 0.88 - 1.28). The prevalence of diabetes among patients with papillary thyroid cancer who were 44 years of age or younger versus that among patients from NHANES who were 44 years of age or younger, however, was significantly increased (RR 2.32, CI 1.37 - 3.66). There was no significant difference when subgroup analysis was performed by gender or race. Conclusions: We found an increased prevalence of diabetes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who were 44 years of age or younger.
EFFECTS OF EARLY STRESS ON ADULT AFFILIATIVE BEHAVIOR

Abstract The recently evolved mammalian species preservative behavior as opposed to the ancient self preservative behavior involves parental care, nursing, social interaction, pair bonding and mutual defense. Gonadal steroids together with oxytocin are critical for this affiliative, attachment behavior. When there is stressful loss of control, gonadotrophins are diminished, and the self preservative, fight–flight catecholamine coping response takes priority. It is suggested that self preservation is associated with left hemispheric brain function and that species preservation is associated with right hemispheric function. Stress during infancy that is severe enough to create insecure attachment has a dissociative effect, disrupting right hemispheric emotional functioning and species preservative behavior, and a permanent bias towards self preservation can become an adult trait. In such a person with impaired affiliation, corticoid responses may be deficient. The coronary type A behavior pattern common in our society exhibits some of this deficiency in species preservative activity. © Published by 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Crystal structure of an ecotin-collagenase complex suggests a model for recognition and cleavage of the collagen triple helix.

The crystal structure of fiddler crab collagenase complexed with the dimeric serine protease inhibitor ecotin at 2.5 A resolution reveals an extended cleft providing binding sites for at least 11 contiguous substrate residues. Comparison of the positions of nine intermolecular main chain hydrogen bonding interactions in the cleft, with the known sequences at the cleavage site of type I collagen, suggests that the protease binding loop of ecotin adopts a conformation mimicking that of the cleaved strand of collagen. A well-defined groove extending across the binding surface of the enzyme readily accommodates the two other polypeptide chains of the triple-helical substrate. These observations permit construction of a detailed molecular model for collagen recognition and cleavage by this invertebrate serine protease. Ecotin undergoes a pronounced internal structural rearrangement which permits binding in the observed conformation. The capacity for such rearrangement appears to be a key determinant of its ability to inhibit a wide range of serine proteases. Collagen is an essential component of the extracellular matrix in higher organisms, and its degradation by specific proteases is a key step in connective tissue remodeling (Woessner, 1991). In vertebrate species, the family of enzymes known as the matrix metalloproteases are respon- sible for collagen cleavage. These enzymes possess an N-terminal 80-amino acid propeptide which is cleaved to generate mature enzyme, a catalytic domain of some 180
Acquiring Visual-Motor Models for Precision Manipulation with Robot Hands

Dextrous high degree of freedom (DOF) robotic hands provide versatile motions for fine manipulation of potentially very different objects. However, fine manipulation of an object grasped by a multifinger hand is much more complex than if the object is rigidly attached to a robot arm. Creating an accurate model is difficult if not impossible. We instead propose a combination of two techniques: the use of an approximate estimated motor model, based on the grasp tetrahedron acquired when grasping an object, and the use of visual feedback to achieve accurate fine manipulation. We present a novel active vision based algorithm for visual servoing, capable of learning the manipulator kinematics and camera calibration online while executing a manipulation task. The approach differs from previous work in that a full, coupled image Jacobian is estimated online without prior models, and that a trust region control method is used, improving stability and convergence. We present an extensive experimental evaluation of visual model acquisition and visual servoing in 3, 4 and 6 DOF.
Diffusion of nitrous oxide into the pleural cavity

We postulated that nitrous oxide transfer into the pleural cavity can occur by diffusion from the alveoli, independent of vascular transport. Under general anaesthesia, six sheep were studied in two phases, a control and an experimental phase. The sheep were anaesthetized, intubated, and received positive pressure mechanical ventilation. A catheter was placed in the right pleural cavity and 150 ml air injected. The animals were ventilated with 100% oxygen. The inspired gas was changed to a mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen, and the rate of increase of nitrous oxide concentration in the pleural space was measured. The animals were then ventilated with 100% oxygen and then killed by exsanguination while ventilation was continued. The inspired mixture was changed to 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen and the rate of increase in nitrous oxide concentration was measured in the pleural space again. During venitilation with nitrous oxide in the living animals, the concentration of nitrous oxide in the pleural cavity increased rapidly and decreased to zero during ventilation with 100% oxygen. During ventilation without circulation, the rate of increase in the concentration of nitrous oxide in the pleural cavity was the same as in the control phase. This suggests that nitrous oxide enters the pleural space by diffusion, rather than by vascular delivery. This mechanism may explain the rapid increase in the volume of pneumothorax if nitrous oxide is given in the inspired gas.
Multiplex Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microspectroscopy and Study of Lipid Vesicles

We report a theoretical description and experimental implementation of multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (M-CARS) microspectroscopy using a picosecond pump beam and a femtosecond Stokes beam. The effect of the chirp in the Stokes pulse on a M-CARS spectrum is studied. Polarization-sensitive detection is utilized for suppression of the nonresonant background and for selective detection of spectrally overlapped Raman bands. M-CARS spectra of liposomes in the C−H stretching vibration region were acquired. Polarization CARS imaging of lipids in live cells based on the M-CARS spectra is demonstrated.
Genotoxic effects of fly ash in bacteria, mammalian cells and animals.

The increasing use of fossil fuels has raised concerns about possible deleterious health effects of the final combustion product, fly ash. Seven ash samples from coal sources obtained from Battelle Columbus Laboratories were evaluated in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutagenicity assay to determine their mutagenic potential. While dimethyl sulfoxide extracts of five samples showed no mutagenicity, sample 102 caused an increase in the number of revertants per plate over controls in TA100 and TA98 with activation by liver homogenate (2-fold and 2.4-fold, respectively), and without (2-fold and 6-fold). This ash was thus evaluated in whole animal studies. Animals treated by inhalation or oral gavage were assayed for the presence of mutagens in the urine, micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes, and chromosomal aberrations in metaphase bone marrow cells. Those animals treated by inhalation were also examined for local damage in the lung. The assay for mutagens in the urine was negative as shown by the Ames assay with TA100 and TA98 and there was no increase in micronuclei or in metaphase aberrations. Histological sections from the animals treated by inhalation did not show the presence of particles, macrophage infiltrations and generalized lung damage. We tested the same fly ash with an in vitromore » cell transformation assay with the cell line Balb/c 3T3 subclone A31-1-13. Although there was not an increase in Type III foci, there was a dose-dependent increase of Type II foci in the treated cells over the controls. In one assay, there was approximately a 14-fold increase in Type II foci in the highest dose (2 mg/ml) compared to the solvent control. One other ash sample induced cell transformation without being markedly cytotoxic, while a third sample was highly toxic but did not induce transformation.« less
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signals through SHP2 to regulate primary mouse myoblast proliferation

Niche localized HGF plays an integral role in G(0) exit and the return to mitotic activity of adult skeletal muscle satellite cells. HGF actions are regulated by MET initiated intracellular signaling events that include recruitment of SHP2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase. The importance of SHP2 in HGF-mediated signaling was examined in myoblasts and primary cultures of satellite cells. Myoblasts stably expressing SHP2 (23A2-SHP2) demonstrate increased proliferation rates by comparison to controls or myoblasts expressing a phosphatase-deficient SHP2 (23A2-SHP2DN). By comparison to 23A2 myoblasts, treatment of 23A2-SHP2 cells with HGF does not further increase proliferation rates and 23A2-SHP2DN myoblasts are unresponsive to HGF. Importantly, the effects of SHP2 are independent of downstream ERK1/2 activity as inclusion of PD98059 does not blunt the HGF-induced proliferative response. SHP2 function was further evaluated in primary satellite cell cultures. Ectopic expression of SHP2 in satellite cells tends to decrease proliferation rates and siSHP2 causes an increase the percentage of dividing myogenic cells. Interestingly, treatment of satellite cells with high concentrations of HGF (50 ng/ml) inhibits proliferation, which can be overcome by knockdown of SHP2. From these results, we conclude that HGF signals through SHP2 in myoblasts and satellite cells to directly alter proliferation rates.
Objective and subjective estimates of human error

It is shown that if subjective estimates of probabilities of events are to be converted to objective estimates by means of one or two empirical anchors, a currently recommended equation can produce meaningless values of probability which exceed unity. This new method guarantees rescaling to keep probability in the range (0, 1). An example is given to demonstrate the approach. >
The Effect of Isordil and Cyclospasmol on Vascular Spasm Induced in the Basilar Artery of the Cat

Vasospasm of the basilar artery of the cat was induced by subarachnoid bleeding and was observed by a transoral approach to the vessel. Intravenous Isordil (2 to 4 mg/kg) given following vasospasm produced vasodilatation with minimal arterial hypotension. Cyclospasmol, administered intravenously after vasospasm or orally prior to vasospasm, was ineffective in relieving or preventing basilar artery spasm.
δ-Tocopherol Is More Active than α- or γ-Tocopherol in Inhibiting Lung Tumorigenesis In Vivo

In contrast to strong epidemiologic, preclinical, and secondary clinical evidence for vitamin E (tocopherols) in reducing cancer risk, large-scale clinical cancer-prevention trials of α-tocopherol have been negative. This vexing contrast helped spur substantial preclinical efforts to better understand and improve the antineoplastic activity of tocopherol through, for example, the study of different tocopherol forms. We previously showed that the γ-tocopherol-rich mixture (γ-TmT) effectively inhibited colon and lung carcinogenesis and the growth of transplanted lung-cancer cells in mice. We designed this study to determine the relative activities of different forms of tocopherol in a xenograft model, comparing the anticancer activities of δ-tocopherol with those of α- and γ-tocopherols. We subcutaneously injected human lung cancer H1299 cells into NCr nu/nu mice, which then received α-, γ-, or δ-tocopherol or γ-TmT in the diet (each at 0.17% and 0.3%) for 49 days. δ-Tocopherol inhibited tumor growth most strongly. γ-Tocopherol and γ-TmT (at 0.3%) also inhibited growth significantly, but α-tocopherol did not. δ-Tocopherol also effectively decreased oxidative DNA damage and nitrotyrosine formation and enhanced apoptosis in tumor cells; again, γ-tocopherol also was active in these regards but less so, and α-tocopherol was not. Each supplemented diet increased serum levels of its tocopherol - up to 45 μmol/L for α-tocopherol, 9.7 μmol/L for γ-tocopherol, and 1.2 μmol/L for δ-tocopherol; dietary γ- or δ-tocopherol, however, decreased serum α-tocopherol levels, and dietary α-tocopherol decreased serum levels of γ-tocopherol. Each dietary tocopherol also increased its corresponding side-chain-degradation metabolites, with concentrations of δ-tocopherol metabolites greater than γ-tocopherol and far greater than α-tocopherol metabolites in serum and tumors. This study is the first in vivo assessment of δ-tocopherol in tumorigenesis and shows that δ-tocopherol is more active than α- or γ-tocopherol in inhibiting tumor growth, possibly through trapping reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and inducing apoptosis; δ-tocopherol metabolites could contribute significantly to these results.
Intra-Annual and Interannual Fidelity to Summer Roost Areas by Female Eastern Pipistrelles, Pipistrellus Subflavus

Bats in forests have strict roosting habitat requirements. The current paradigm in bat conservation has been to identify the specific characteristics of individual roost trees that are selected by bats. Although this strategy is both practical and useful, it is also important to recognize landscape level interactions between bats and their roost habitats. Few studies have documented fidelity patterns of individual bats to specific roost habitat areas both within and between years. If bats are faithful to roost areas, conservation and management practices must incorporate the identification of the minimum size of areas required by bats during the summer season. We provide evidence that female eastern pipistrelles are faithful to small roost areas both within and between years, and that juvenile females exhibit female natal philopatry.
Uncertainty quantification using evidence theory with a cost-effective algorithm

Publisher Summary In this chapter, the Dempster­­–Shafer theory, also known as the evidence theory, is proposed to handle limited data situations as an alternative to classical probability theory for the mathematical representation of uncertainty. Uncertainty quantification in engineering systems has been performed by the popular framework of probability theory. Many scientific and engineering communities identified that there are limitations in using only one framework for quantifying the uncertainty experienced in specific practical applications. For example, in modem air vehicle structural design, the available information for some parameters may not be sufficient to use classical probability theory to quantify the uncertainty unless broad assumptions are added to make the given information complete. The representation of uncertainty in a structural system and a cost-effective methodology of uncertainty quantification are presented for an intermediate complexity wing representing a fighter aircraft.
Protein metabolism during exposure to hyperbaric oxygen.

SummaryMice were exposed to compression with 3 atm (rel.) of an air O2 mixture containing 27% 02 for 72 hr. They were injected with 1 μCi of 14C-lysine at the initiation, 24 and 48 hr after compression was started. The cpm and sp act values of the protein of the carcass were determined. The sp act values were 10, 13, and 14% greater than that of the controls in the three groups. This appeared to be related to reduced food intake rather than any specific effect on nitrogen metabolism.Most of the technical aspects of this project were carried out by Mr. Kenneth Richie.
Recognition ratings and imagery mediation with pictures and words

The effect of stimulus recognition ratings on immediately subsequent response recall in the test-trial of paired-associate learning was evaluated with picture and word stimuli in conjunction with two visual distracting tasks. Recall was reduced by the recognition ratings, but this effect appeared independent of stimulus modality and of visual distraction. It was suggested that the recognition task may disrupt use of imagery mediation but that this disruption does not differ for pictures and words.
The Developing Process of a Caring System for the Elderly and its Systematic Features

This paper aims to report on the developing process of a caring system for the elderly and to explain both the common features and the differences theoretically in the two areas.First, the prejudices of people and sectionalism of organ have resulted in an immature market of caring services for the elderly in the homes. This is the reason why caring services for the elderly are adjusted not through the market system but through the systematization of various organizations.Second, newly established voluntary organizations became engaged in the caring business for the elderly. They had a flexible form asking for members' cooperation under risky conditions and the sectionalism of the administrative systems.Third, the linkage of various organizations by the new system has produced additional merits and contributed not only to the continuation of caring for the elderly in their homes but also to the satisfication of the elderly and the families who use the services. On the other hand, the new system changes from a voluntary form into a formal one as its work developes, because the equal and personal human relations in voluntary organizations makes activities limited and inefficient. As the new system becomes the formal one, however, hierarchical and closed tendencies, such as those in hospital and administrative system, are developing.
Willingness to pay for improved water supplies in rural Ugandan villages

The contingent valuation method was used to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for the operation and maintenance of an improved water source in the villages of Kigisu and Rubona in rural Uganda. The survey was conducted in August 2011 and administered to 122 households out of 400 in the community, gathering demographic information, health and water behaviors, and using an iterative bidding process to estimate WTP per 20 L for a public tap. The data were analyzed using an ordered probit model, which predicts monetary intervals for households9 WTP. The model predicts a mean WTP of 356 Ugandan shillings (USD 0.183) per 20 L from a public tap. It was determined that the number of children in the home and the distance from the existing source are significant in influencing household9s WTP, while income, age, and gender are not.
Hygienic Status of Central Air Conditioning System in Hotels and Emporiums in Sichuan Province

Objective To understand current hygienic status in hotels and emporiums,and to evaluate the effect of hygienic supervision and assessment of central air conditioning ventilation systems in public places.Methods Totally 484 hotels and emporiums with central ventilations were invested,of which 36 units were hygienically extracted and detected.Statistical analysis was carried out on both aspects of investigation and detection.Results Of the 484 units,96.9%,88%,87.4%and 44.2%were respectively equipped with protective net,cleaning holes of air pipe,partition apparatus,disinfection and purification apparatus.Over 90%of the air inlets,air outlets and air condition rooms were in well hygienic status,yet only 33.5%of them could offer qualified detection reports.A proportion of 59.7%air conditioning systems were cleaned or maintained termly;45.9%were once cleaned by professional cleaning organization,yet only 27.3%of them had qualified results of cleaning effect detection.The qualified hygienic detection rate was 47.2%;the qualified rates of accumulated dust,bacteria account and fungi account on the surface of air pipes were 69.4%,66.7%and 77.8%respectively.The positive rate of Legionella pneumophila was 11.1%.Conclusion A pretty portion of hotels and emporiums in Sichuan province were facilitated with hygienic apparatus and were in well hygienic conditions,yet were in need of improvement in unsound aspects of incomplete cleaning,un-professional cleaning troops and comparatively low assessment rate.
Preparation, purification and analyses of thirteen alkali-stable dinucleotides from ribonucleic acid

Of the 16 alkali-stable dinucleotides known to be obtained by hydrolysis of commercial yeast RNA with alkali, 13 were prepared in quantities of the order of 10mg or more. The samples, with only one exception, contain at least 90% of dinucleotide, and spectroscopic constants and nucleotide-sequence determinations, although not conclusive, indicate a high degree of purity of these products. The small dinucleotide fraction in 150g of RNA hydrolysed with alkali (1–2% of the total nucleotides) was separated from the mononucleotides by stepwise ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose columns and resolved into seven fractions containing from one to four different dinucleotides by electrophoresis on paper at pH3.0. These fractions were resolved into their constituent dinucleotides by chromatography in ammonium sulphate. Contamination of the products by impurities from the paper was minimized by washing it before using it for chromatography or electrophoresis and, by using a thick grade of paper (Whatman no. 17), it was possible to handle and purify relatively large quantities of nucleotides.
Cytoprotective effect of sulfate ions in acid-exposed rabbit esophagus.

Sodium sulfate significantly inhibited the decline in epithelial electrical resistance (R) produced by mucosal acidification (pH 1.4) of rabbit esophagus mounted in the Ussing chamber. This protective effect was not due to the cation, to sodium loading, hyperosmolality, or pH change of the mucosal solution. Protection was specific for sulfate ions (SO2–4), since other divalent (HPO2-4) or impermeant anions (gluconate-) failed to prevent the acid-induced decline in R. In vivo studies in HCl-perfused rabbit esophagi confirmed protection by SO2–4. Tissues exposed to SO2–4 and HCl had higher R, lower permeability to H+ and mannitol, and less morphologic damage than controls exposed to HCl. These results suggest that SO2–4 have a unique protective action against acid injury to esophageal epithelia, and this action appears to explain the cytoprotective properties of sucralfate, a clinically effective agent for treating acid-peptic disease in humans.
B cell regulation of the anti-tumor response and role in carcinogenesis

The balance between immune effector cells such as T cells and natural killer cells, and immunosuppressive Treg cells, dendritic, myeloid and monocytic sub-populations in the tumor microenvironment acts to calibrate the immune response to malignant cells. Accumulating evidence is pointing to a role for B cells in modulating the immune response to both solid tumors and hematologic cancer. Evidence from murine autoimmune models has defined B regulatory cell (Breg) subsets that express cytokines such as IL-10, TGF-β, and/or express immune regulatory ligands such as PD-L1, which can suppress T cell and/or natural killer cell responses. Multiple murine tumor models exhibit decreased tumor growth in B cell deficient or B cell depleted mice. In several of these models, B cells inhibit T cell mediated tumor immunity and/or facilitate conversion of T cells to CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regs, which act to attenuate the innate and/or adaptive antitumor immune response. Mechanisms of suppression include the acquisition of inhibitory ligand expression, and phosphorylation of Stat3, and induction of IL-10 and TGF-β, resulting in a Breg phenotype. Breg suppressive activity may affect diverse cell subtypes, including T effector cells, NK cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and/or tumor associated macrophages. B cells may also directly promote tumorigenesis through recruitment of inflammatory cells, and upregulation of pro-angiogenic genes and pro-metastatic collagenases. Breg infiltration has now been identified in a variety of solid tumor malignancies including but not limited to ovarian, gastric, non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic, esophageal, head and neck, and hepatocellular carcinomas. Increasing evidence suggests that recruitment of B cells and acquisition of suppressive activity within the tumor bed may be an important mechanism through which B cells may modulate innate and/or adaptive anti-tumor immunity. B cell depletion in the clinic using anti-CD20 antibodies and/or inhibitors of BTK and/or other signaling pathways, may be a useful strategy for augmenting the anti-tumor immune response.
Abstract 4770: Levels of 5-methyl-cytosine and 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine in hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer death in the world. The US incidence of HCC has tripled between 1975 and 2005 and has been accompanied by improved long term survival rates, but as a result of HCC ‘s poor prognosis, 1-year survival remains lower than fifty percent. Therefore, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease process is currently needed. Epigenetic alterations have been linked to HCC and global genomic hypomethylation is a well known hallmark of the disease. Less is understood about the role hydroxymethylation plays in HCC carcinogenesis. Here, we conducted a study to determine 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels by UPLC/MS/MS in HCC tumor (T) and non-tumor (NT) adjacent tissue DNAs of sixty six individuals treated at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. We analyzed the association between demographic and clinicopathological characteristics and 5mC and 5hmC levels, as well as performed a Cox-survival analysis to determine which factors better predicted survival. Mean levels of 5mC (5mCT = 3.15±0.49% vs.5mCNT = 3.80±0.12% (p Citation Format: Lissette Delgado-Cruzata, Hui Chen Wu, Tiffany Thomas, Abby B. Siegel, Jing Shen, Yu-Jing Zhang, Abhishek Goyal, Christine C. Hsu, Helen Remotti, Regina M. Santella. Levels of 5-methyl-cytosine and 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine in hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4770. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4770
STUDIES IN SPECTRAL NEUTRON FLUX SYNTHESIS.

A study has been made to evaluate two aspects of the spectral synthesis method as formulated by Lorenzini and Robinson: (1) evaluation of spectral synthesis, relative to group collapsing, in terms ...
Acetylcholinesterase activity and time after a peak pesticide-use period among Ecuadorian children

Mother’s Day (May) is a holiday with substantial demand for flowers, associated with heightened flower production and escalated pesticide use. The effect of spray seasons on pesticide exposures of children living in agricultural communities but who do not work in agriculture is poorly understood. In this study, we estimated the association of time after Mother’s Day harvest with children’s acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. AChE is a physiological marker of organophosphate/carbamate pesticide exposures that may take up to 3 months to normalize after its inhibition. We examined 308 children, aged 4–9 years, in Ecuadorian agricultural communities during a low flower-production season but within 63–100 days (mean: 81.5 days, SD: 10.9) after Mother’s Day harvest. We quantified AChE activity (mean: 3.14 U/mL, SD: 0.49) from a single finger-stick sample. We observed positive linear associations between time after the harvest and AChE among participants living near plantations. The associations were strongest among participants living within 233 m [(0.15 U/mL (95% CI 0.02, 0.28)], slightly weaker among participants living within 234–532 m [0.11 U/mL (0.00, 0.23)], and not associated among participants at greater distances. Similar findings were observed across categories of areas of flower plantations within 500 m of homes. These cross-sectional findings suggest that a peak pesticide-use period can decrease AChE activity of children living near plantations. These seasonal pesticide exposures could induce short- and long-term developmental alterations in children. Studies assessing exposures at multiple times in relation to pesticide spray seasons among children who do not work in agriculture are needed.