The purpose was to study the toxicity of drugs known to generate free radicals on isolated pancreatic islets. The accumulattion of "8"6Rb"+ by mouse pancreatic islets was measured in vitro. Exposing the islets to 6-hydroxydopamine, minhydrin, or phenazine methosulphate + NADH inhibited the Rb"+ uptake, whereas paraquat or acetylphenylhydrazine had no effect. This effect of 6-hydroxydopamine was prevented by either of the hydroxyl radical scavengers, sodium benzoate and mannitol, but not by the non-scavenger,urea; ninhydrin was partially protected against by mannitol but not by benzoate. Protection against 6-hydroxydopamine was also afforded by D-glucose but not by L-glucose or 3-O-methyl-D-glucose; none of the sugars protected against ninhydrin. In damaging islet beta-cells and in being protected against by D-glucose, 6-hydroxydopamine closely resembles the diabetogenic drug, alloxan. It is suggested that protection against ...
Active oxygens produced by low-dose irradiation can induce the synthesis of proteins involved in the active oxygen reduction path and can activate the chemical self-defense mechanisms in vivo, which can alleviate the injuries caused by active oxygens themselves. The following findings suggests that it is not only by low-dose irradiation that can induce the responses described above but also by any physical and/or chemical stresses which can produce small amount of active oxygens in vivo. 1. X-irradiation with 0.5 Gy and/or water immersion and restraint induced heat shock protein (HSP)70 in rat stomach cells. HSP70 was also induced in adrenal cells by paraquat administration. 2. The SOD activity in pancreas of rat significantly increased by #gamma#-irradiation with 0.5 Gy. 0.5 Gy irradiation preceeding the alloxan administration significantly suppressed the increase in pancreatic lipid peroxides and in blood glucose levels, degranulation in ...
Previous studies using in vitro cell culture systems have shown the role of the dynamin-related GTPase Opa1 in apoptosis prevention and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance. However, it remains to...Full Text Available
Pancreatic amyloid deposits of amylin are a hallmark of Type II diabetes and considerable evidence indicates that amylin oligomers are cytotoxic to beta-cells. Many efforts are presently spent to find out naturally occurring molecules, or to design synthetic ones, able to hinder amylin aggregation or to protect cells against aggregate cytotoxicity. In this context, a protective effect of some polyphenols against amyloid cytotoxicity was reported. Actually dietary polyphenols are endowed with multiple health benefits, and extra virgin olive oil is attracting increasing interest as a source of these substances. Here, we investigated the effects on amylin aggregation and cytotoxicity of the secoiridoid oleuropein aglycon, the main phenolic component of extra virgin olive oil. We found that oleuropein, when present during the aggregation of amylin, consistently prevented its cytotoxicity to RIN-5F pancreatic ...
Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), formerly known as pancreatic abscess is a late complication of acute pancreatitis. It can be lethal, even though it is rare. This critical review provides an overview...Full Text Available
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis in middle-aged patients, and is characterised by a marked infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma...Full Text Available
Standard pancreatic resections, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, or total pancreatectomy, result in an important loss of normal pancreatic parenchyma and may cause impairment...Full Text Available
The most common causes of omental sac collections (OSC) are necrotic pancreatitis (90%) and pancreatic trauma (10%). Acute OSC is a form of local peritonitis in acute pancreatitis, subacute OSC are caused by internal pancreatic fistulas. The clinical and radiological signs, enzymatic activity of the exudate, morphological features of peritonitis were investigated. Treatment of acute OSC included conservative measures, of subacute OSC-surgical procedures. PMID:9163152
We have identified the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase syk as a marker of differentiation/tumor suppressor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Syk expression is lost in poorly differentiated PDAC...Full Text Available
Pain caused by chronic pancreatitis is medically intractable and resistant to conventional interventional or surgical treatment. We report a case of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for intractable pain...Full Text Available
Objectives:Cachexia is common in pancreatic cancer and may have an influence on longterm survival but few studies have investigated this in patients with operable tumours. Therefore,...Full Text Available
BackgroundGastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) frequently occur in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). It has been reported that GIST may co-exist with pancreatic endocrine...Full Text Available
Patients with pancreatic cancer normally present with advanced disease that is lethal and notoriously difficult to treat. Survival has not improved dramatically, despite routine use of chemotherapy...Full Text Available
The virtual lack of well-characterized metastatic pancreatic cancer tissues for study has limited systematic studies of the metastatic process of this deadly disease. To address this important...Full Text Available
BackgroundASCL1 role in pancreatic endocrine tumourigenesis has not been established. Recently it was suggested that ASCL1 negatively controls expression of the...Full Text Available
Of 868 patients admitted with pancreatitis between 1971 and 1976, coexisting hyperbilirubinemia was noted in 125 (14%). The patient population was primarily composed of alcoholics (84%) with chronic...Full Text Available
We examined the association between N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and NAT2) haplotype and risk of pancreatic cancer by genotyping eight...Full Text Available
Recently, there has been significant progress in the development of genetically-engineered mouse (GEM) models. By introducing genetic alterations and/or signaling alterations of human pancreatic cancer...Full Text Available
AIM: To distinguish anastomotic from parenchymal leakage at duct-to-mucosa reconstruction of the pancreatic remnant.METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 68 pancreaticod-uodenectomies performed...Full Text Available
Pancreatic cysts are challenging lesions to diagnose and to treat. Determining which of the five most common diagnoses—pancreatic pseudocyst, serous cystic neoplasm (SCN), solid pseudopapillary...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe elevated serum and peritoneal cytokine concentrations responsible for the systemic response syndrome (SIRS) and multiorgan failure in patients with severe acute pancreatitis...Full Text Available
The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of nodal micrometastasis detected by immunohistochemistry in patients that had undergone curative surgery for pancreatic cancer....Full Text Available
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal human malignancy with dismal prognosis and few effective therapeutic options. Novel agents that are safe and effective are urgently...Full Text Available
A hitherto unrecognized variant of solid-pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is reported. The tumor presented in the pancreatic tail of a 44-year-old female patient. It was a well-defined, solid...Full Text Available
Autoimmune pancreatitis is frequently associated with elevated serum and tissue IgG4 levels in the adult population, but there are few reports of pediatric autoimmune pancreatitis, and even fewer reports...Full Text Available
BackgroundDespite an ever-improving understanding of the molecular biology of cancer, the treatment of most cancers has not changed dramatically in the past three decades and drugs that do not discriminate between tumor cells and normal tissues remain the mainstays of anticancer therapy. Since Hsp90 is typically involved in cell proliferation and survival, this is thought to play a key role in cancer, and Hsp90 has attracted considerable interest in recent years as a potential therapeutic target.MethodsWe focused on the interaction of Hsp90 with its cofactor protein p60/Hop, and engineered a cell-permeable peptidomimetic, termed "hybrid Antp-TPR peptide", modeled on the binding interface between the molecular chaperone Hsp90 and the TPR2A domain of Hop.ResultsIt was demonstrated that this designed hybrid Antp-TPR peptide inhibited the interaction of Hsp90 with the TPR2A domain, inducing cell death of breast, pancreatic, renal, lung, prostate, ...
Autoreactive cytotoxic CD8 T-cells (CTLs) play a key pathogenic role in the destruction of insulin-producing beta-cells resulting in type 1 diabetes. However, knowledge regarding their targets is limited, restricting the ability to monitor the course of the disease and immune interventions. In a multi-step discovery process to identify novel CTL epitopes in human preproinsulin (PPI), PPI was digested with purified human proteasomes, and resulting COOH-fragments aligned with algorithm-predicted HLA-binding peptides to yield nine potential HLA-A1, -A2, -A3 or -B7-restricted candidates. An UV-exchange method allowed the generation of a repertoire of multimers including low-affinity HLA-binding peptides. These were labeled with quantum dot-fluorochromes and encoded in a combinatorial fashion, allowing parallel and sensitive detection of specific, low-avidity T-cells. Significantly increased frequencies of T-cells against four novel PPI epitopes (PPI(4-13)/B7, ...
In spite of the improved imaging techniques currently available, mortality for pancreatic cancer is still high, and pancreatics is often diagnosed only in its advanced stages. The authors investigated the value of different imaging techniques - i.e., US, CT, and ERCP - for an early diagnosis, when a more effective (curative?) treatment can be suggested. Fifty-six cases of pancreatic cancer and 36 cases of chronic pancreatitis were evaluated. The results indicate that ERCP, with the help of statistical methods, is superior to US and CT not only in evaluating early neoplastic or inflammatory lesions, but also for their differential diagnosis. In the letter case, ERCP can sometimes be used as a valid alternative to fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
Background:Solid pseudopapillary tumor is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with uncertain to low malignant potential. This is an uncommon neoplasm with many pseudonyms, occurring...Full Text Available
Background This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and follow-up results of endoscopic papilletomy (ESP) with pancreatic and biliary duct stent placement for ampullary tumors. The therapeutic approach to benign ampullary tumors remains unsettled. The ESP procedure is a curative treatment option for benign papillary tumors, but ESP raises concerns about a relatively high risk for procedure-related complications such as pancreatitis. A pancreatic stent may protect against complications. Methods Between September 2000 and June 2008, 36 patients with ampullary tumors confined to the mucosa and no intraductal tumor growth underwent ESP. The preprocedural diagnostic tools included endoscopic ultrasound, transpapillary intraductal ultrasound, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancr...
The typical MRI features of the most common pancreatic diseases, such as pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, have been established. However, even in these common pancreatic disorders, MRI correlation with the underlying pathology is limited for clinical reasons. We emphasize MR-pathological correlation of inflammatory and neoplastic pancreatic changes, including pancreatitis, adenocarcinoma, acinar cell carcinoma, rare cystic and solid pancreatic neoplasms, and islet cell tumors. By highlighting the correlation of key pathological features with MR findings, a better understanding of the MR appearance of pancreatic pathology can be provided. In addition, MRI may prove a powerful tool in detection and characterization of pancreatic tumors. (orig.) [Deutsch] Das MR-tomographische Erscheinungsbild von ...
Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) is a secretory pancreatic protein present in small amounts in normal pancreas and overexpressed during the acute phase of pancreatitis. In this paper, the authors describe the cloning, characterization, and chromosomal mapping of the human PAP gene. The gene spans 2748 bp and contains six exons interrupted by five introns. The gene has a typical promoter containing the sequences TATAAA and CCAAT 28 and 52 bp upstream of the cap site, respectively. They found striking similarities in genomic organization as well as in the promoter sequences between the human and rat PAP genes. The human PAP gene was mapped to chromosome 2p12 using rodent-human hybrid cells and in situ chromosomal hybridization. This localization coincides with that of the reg/lithostathine gene, which encodes a pancreatic secretory protein structurally related to PAP, suggesting that both genes ...
The current investigation attempted to confirm the beneficial actions of a chemically characterized Radix Astragali decoction (AM-W) against type 2 diabetic (T2D) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Using a case/control...Full Text Available
Authors retrospectively analyzed the CT findings of mediastinal lesions in surgically or clinically confirmed 37 cases at Kosin Medical College during recent 4 years from September 1979 to August 1983. 1. Among 37 caes, malignant lymphoma were 7 cases, thymoma and vascular lesion or anomaly were 5 cases respectively, benign teratoma and tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis and neurogenic tumor were 4 cases respectively, pericardial cyst were 2 cases, bronchogenic cyst, non-specific cyst, pancreatic pseudocyst, mesothelioma, Bochdalek hernia was 1 case respectively. 2. The sex ratio between male and female was about 1 : 1 and the majority of the patients with malignant lymphoma and teratoma was under 20 years old. 3. CT findings of the each mediastinal lesion. 1) Primary mediastinal malignant lymphoma. (1) A large, matted, continuous and midline-crossing mass was observed in the superior and the anterior mediastinums in all cases. (2) In 3 cases, irregular lower ...
To investigate the problems of the Hanaro stent (Solco Intermed, Seoul, Korea) when used in the palliative treatment of patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. Between January 2000 and May 2001, the treatment of 46 patients with malignant biliary obstruction involved percutaneous placement of the Hanaro stent. Five patients encountered problems during removal of the stent's introduction system. The causes of obstruction were pancreatic carcinoma (n=2), cholangiocarcinoma (n=2), and gastric carcinoma with biliary invasion (n=1). In one patient, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and stent insertion were performed as a one-step procedure, while the others underwent conventional percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for at least two days prior to stent insertion. A self-expandable Hanaro stent, 8-10 mm in deameter and 50-100 mm in lengh, and made from a strand of nitinol wire, was used in all cases. Among the ...
To evaluate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of using a polyurethane-covered expandable nitinol stent in the palliative treatment of malignant duodenal obstruction. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a polyurethane-covered expandable nitinol stent was placed in 12 consecutive patients with malignant duodenal obstructions. All presented with severe nausea and recurrent vomiting. The underlying causes of obstruction were duodenal carcinoma (n=4), pancreatic carcinoma (n=4), gall bladder carcinoma (n=2), distal CBD carcinoma (n=1), and uterine cervical carcinoma (n=1). The sites of obstruction were part I (n=1), part II (n=8), and III (n=3). Due to pre-existing jaundice, eight patients with part II obstructions underwent biliary decompression prior to stent placement. An introducer sheath with a 6-mm outer diameter and stents 16 mm in diameter were employed, and to place the stent, and after-loading technique was used. Stent placement was technically successful in ...
Objective: Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP tumor) is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with low malignant potential, which usually affects female patients in the second or third decades of life. It is a non-functional, slow-growing neoplasm that very often reaches considerable size before the first symptoms appear. Symptomatology is frequently related to tumor size. Surgical excision is usually curative in most cases. Infrequently the tumor can appear in male patients or in aged women, which can make the diagnosis more difficult. Some patients develop liver metastases in the follow-up that can be resected. Our purpose is to review the radiological and pathological findings of SPTP with emphasis on these infrequent cases. Subjects and methods: The medical records and radiological findings of patients who underwent surgery for SPTP between 2000 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Study eligibility required that patients had undergone surgical resection ...
Objective: Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP tumor) is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with low malignant potential, which usually affects female patients in the second or third decades of life. It is a non-functional, slow-growing neoplasm that very often reaches considerable size before the first symptoms appear. Symptomatology is frequently related to tumor size. Surgical excision is usually curative in most cases. Infrequently the tumor can appear in male patients or in aged women, which can make the diagnosis more difficult. Some patients develop liver metastases in the follow-up that can be resected. Our purpose is to review the radiological and pathological findings of SPTP with emphasis on these infrequent cases. Subjects and methods: The medical records and radiological findings of patients who underwent surgery for SPTP between 2000 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Study eligibility required that patients had undergone surgical resection ...
Nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are rare and generally asymptomatic. A 68-year-old woman who had refused treatment for a pancreatic mass, revealed by ultrasonography to be 55 mm in diameter, was referred to us again 29 months later with jaundice. Investigations showed an 82-mm tumor in the head of pancreas, exposed from the papilla of Vater to the duodenal lumen. After biliary decompression and drainage, we performed pancreatoduodenectomy with resection of the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein, followed by reconstruction using a cylindrically customized autologous graft harvested from the right ovarian vein. The tumor was resected curatively. Microscopically, it consisted of trabecular and ribbon-like arrangement of neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemical staining wa...
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1. Proteolytic enzyme activities were examined in the pancreas of zinc-deficient and control rats. 2. No change was detected in trypsin-plus-chymotrypsin activity. 3. Carboxypeptidase activity was...Full Text Available
BACKGROUNDSolid-pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare pancreatic tumors with malignant potential. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of patients with...Full Text Available
We report here a case of a pathologically proven solitary fibrous tumor of the pancreas. A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of a pancreatic mass that was found incidentally....Full Text Available
AIM: To investigate differential points of solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas and pancreatic endocrine tumor (PET).METHODS: Ten cases of SPN and fourteen cases of PET were studied...Full Text Available
Menin, which is encoded by the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene, is a tumor suppressor and transcriptional regulator. Menin controls proliferation and apoptosis of cells, especially pancreatic...Full Text Available
This case report describes the second known instance of a multifocal capillary pancreatic neoplasm. Both cases occurred in young African American females. A less-than-total pancreatectomy was performed...Full Text Available
Middle segment pancreatectomy (MSP) is a new operation where the advantages of parenchymal preservation are counterbalanced by a high postoperative complication rate and unease among surgeons with adopting...Full Text Available
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) results from insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, in the setting of hyperglucagonemia. Glucagon is a 29 amino acid peptide hormone, which is secreted from...Full Text Available
Pancreatic islet transplantation into the liver provides a possibility to treat selected patients with brittle type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, massive early β-cell death increases the number...Full Text Available
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the management of biliary and pancreatic disease. Some of the complications of the procedure,...Full Text Available
In spite of their rarity, cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are characterized by existing or potential malignancy that cannot be ignored during decisive process with regard to the choice of treatment....Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe goal of the study was to investigate the genetic and molecular basis of a novel syndrome of marked hyperglucagonemia and pancreatic α cell hyperplasia...Full Text Available
Nerve growth factor (NGF), a survival factor for neurons enforces pain by sensitizing nociceptors. Also in the pancreas, NGF was associated with pain and it can stimulate the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) respond to NGF with apoptosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, one of the strongest pro-fibrogenic activators of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) induced NGF and its two receptors in an immortalized human cell line (ihPSC) and primary rat PSC (prPSC) as determined by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. In contrast to HSC, PSC expressed both NGF receptors, although p75NTR expression was weak in prPSC. In contrast to ihPSC TGF-b activated both Smad signaling cascades in prPSC. NGF secretion was diminished by the activin-like kinase (ALK)...
The solid-pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) of the pancreas is a rare type of exocrine pancreatic neoplasm. SPT predominantly affects young women and female children, and is usually discovered incidentally. This tumor is generally benign with a low incidence of malignancy. A 13-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital with a few weeks' history of mild abdominal pain and jaundice. On physical examination, there was no palpable mass. The laboratory tests showed increased SR, CRP, high bilirubin, amylase and lipase serum levels. Ultrasound imaging revealed a solid lesion in the region of the pancreatic head. On MRI, precise tumor localization in the head of the pancreas with pancreatic duct dilatation and compression of the common bile duct were visualized. Pancreaticoduodenectomy and cholecystectomy was performed with good clinical outcome. Microscopic and immunohistochemical studies indicated that tumor cells were typical of SPT ...
The mortality in undrained abdominal abscesses is high with a mortality rate ranging between 45 and 100%. The outcome in abdominal abscesses, however, has improved due to advances in image guided percutaneous interventional techniques. The main indications for the catheter drainage include treatment or palliation of sepsis associated with an infected fluid collection, and alleviation of the symptoms that may be caused by fluid collections by virtue of their size, like pancreatic pseudocele or lymphocele. The single liver abscesses may be drained with ultrasound guidance only, whereas the multiple abscesses usually require computed tomography (CT) guidance and placement of multiple catheters. The pancreatic abscesses are generally drained routinely and urgently. Non-infected pancreatic pseudocysts may be simply observed unless they are symptomatic or cause problems such as pain or obstruction of the biliary or the ...
In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, pancreatic islet dysfunction results in part from cytokine-mediated inflammation. The ubiquitous eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), which is the...Full Text Available
The nucleotide sequence of the 5'-terminal oligonucleotides produced by pancreatic RNase digestion of bacteriophage T3 RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) transcripts of T3 DNA has been determined. The sequence...Full Text Available
Background/AimsAlthough endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been introduced and its use has been increasing in Korea, there have not been many reports...Full Text Available
Extracellular ATP has been proposed as a paracrine signal in rodent islets, but it is unclear what role ATP plays in human islets. We now show the presence of an ATP signaling pathway that enhances...Full Text Available
The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is taken as an example of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours, given the standard characteristics of this procedure, whatever the nature of the primitive tumour. Management of ZES includes: anatomical localization of gastrinoma and of possible metastases, in 60 % of cases this step conditioning therapeutic indications and chances of cure; search of a type 1-multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN A), in 25 % of cases; therapeutic indications: ablative surgery with curative intent in case of gastrinoma and of resectable liver metastases, palliative treatment otherwise: anti-secretory drugs, somatostatin analogues, chemotherapy and interferon {alpha}; long-term follow-up of patients with resected tumour. At each step, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium 111-pentetreotide does play a pivotal role. (author). 110 refs.
Purpose of this item is to report the CT patterns of pancreatic mesenchymal lesions and to investigate the capabilities and limitations of this technique in terms of characterization. In selected cases, CT can provide virtually diagnostic information (lipoma and teratoma), or at least highly suggestive findings (NHL, plexiform neurofibroma, lymphangioma). Moreover, knowledge of the variable morphostructural patterns of mesenchymal hisototypes (SCH, Sarcoma etc.) permits to include them in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses. [Italian] Scopo di questo rapporto e' descrivere gli aspetti semeiologici dei tumori mesenchimali del pancreas con la TC verificandone le possibilita e i limiti per la caratterizzazione. Pur nella rarita' dei reperti considerati, la TC puo' consentire l'effettiva caratterizzazione in alcuni casi (lipoma, neurofibroma plessiforme, linfangioma) o includere anche istotipi meno ...
We have studied the impact of overexpression of an intracellular signaling protein, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), on the survival and function of encapsulated islet tissue used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The dimensions of the encapsulated tissue can impact the stresses placed on the tissue and ILK overexpression shows the ability to extend function of dissociated cells as well as intact islets. These results suggest that lost cell-extracellular matrix interactions in cell encapsulation systems can lead to decreased insulin secretion and ILK signaling is a target to overcome this phenomenon. (communication)
Porcine pancreatic lipase immobilized on celite particles has been employed as a catalyst for the esterification of dodecanol and decanoic acid in a predominantly organic system. Solvent influence on the equilibrium position and on the catalyst activity has been studied using 20 solvents, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, ketones, nitro- and halogenated hydrocarbons, and esters. The equilibrium constant for esterification correlates well with the solubility of water in the organic solvent, which in turn shows a good relationship with a function of Guttman's donor number and the electron pair acceptance index number of the solvent. This may be rationalized in terms of the requirements for solvation of water and of the reactants. The catalyst activity, measured as the initial rate of the esterification reaction, is best correlated as a function of both n-octanol-water partition coefficient (log P) and either the electron pair acceptance index or ...
The authors have cloned a full-length putative rat pancreatic lysophospholipase cDNA by an improved mRNA isolation method and cDNA cloning strategy using (/sup 32/P)-labelled nucleotides. These new methods allow the construction of a cDNA library from the adult rat pancreas in which the majority of recombinant clones contained complete sequences for the corresponding mRNAs. A previously recognized but unidentified long and relatively rare cDNA clone containing the entire sequence from the cap site at the 5' end to the poly(A) tail at the 3' end of the mRNA was isolated by single-step screening of the library. The size, amino acid composition, and the activity of the protein expressed in heterologous cells strongly suggest this mRNA codes for lysophospholipase.
Glucagon plays critical roles in regulating glucose homeostasis, mainly by counteracting the effects of insulin. Consequently, the dysregulated glucagon secretion that is evident in type 2 diabetes has significant implications in the pathophysiology of the disease. Glucagon secretion from pancreatic -cells has been suggested to be modulated by blood glucose, signals from the nervous system and endocrine components. In addition to these regulators, intraislet factors acting in a paracrine manner from neighbouring -cells are emerging as central modulator(s) of -cell biology. One of the most important of these paracrine factors, insulin, modulates glucagon secretion. Indeed, the -cell-specific insulin receptor knockout (IRKO) mouse manifests hypersecretion of glucagon in the postprandial stag...
PURPOSE: To determine the recommended dose of radiotherapy when combined with full-dose gemcitabine and erlotinib for unresected pancreas cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with unresected pancreatic cancer (Zubrod performance status 0-2) were eligible for the present study. Gemcitabine was given weekly for 7 weeks (1,000 mg/m(2)) with erlotinib daily for 8 weeks (100 mg). A final toxicity assessment was performed in Week 9. Radiotherapy (starting at 30 Gy in 2-Gy fractions, 5 d/wk) was given to the gross tumor plus a 1-cm margin starting with the first dose of gemcitabine. A standard 3 plus 3 dose escalation (an additional 4 Gy within 2 days for each dose level) was used, except for the starting dose level, which was scheduled to contain 6 patients. In general, Grade 3 or greater gastrointestinal toxicity was considered a dose-limiting toxicity, except for Grade 3 anorexia or Grade 3 fatigue alone. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were treated (10 men and 10 ...
Insulitis is considered the histopathological hallmark of type I diabetes. In the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, diabetes has never been observed in the absence of insulitis. The in vivo detection of insulitis could be of relevance for early prediction of diabetes. As approximately 15% of islet-infiltrating lymphocytes express interleukin 2 receptors, the authors have labelled recombinant inter-leukin 2 with "1"2"3I and used this radiopharmaceutical to detect insulitis by gamma camera imaging. The authors studied 71 prediabetic NOD and 27 normal Balb/c mice. Labelled #alpha#-lactalbumin was used as the control protein. In the first set of experiments the tissue distribution of radiolabelled interleukin 2 in isolated organs from animals sacrificed at different time points was studied. Higher radioactivity was detected in the pancreas of NOD mice injected with labelled interleukin 2, as compared to NOD mice receiving labelled #alpha#-lactalbumin. In another set of experiments, gamma ...
The aim of this study was to compare multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) findings between cases of sclerosing cholangitis with autoimmune pancreatitis (SC-AIP) and infiltrative extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IEC). We retrospectively assessed MDCT findings from 16 IEC cases and 13 SC-AIP cases. MDCT findings were analyzed with regard to location, length, wall thickness, contour, stricture wall enhancement pattern, proximal duct diameter, and the presence of diffuse concentric thickening in the proximal duct and gallbladder wall thickness. Stricture length, stricture wall thickness, and proximal duct diameter were significantly smaller for SC-AIP than for IEC: 19.3#+-#8.7 vs. 31.8#+-#12.0 mm (P=0.004), 2.1#+-#1.3 vs. 4.1#+-#1.3 mm (P<0.001), and 9.2#+-#3.9 vs. 13.3#+-#5.0 mm (P=0.012), respectively. SC-AIP was correlated with stricture location in both the intrapancreatic and hilar hepatic bile ducts, concentric stricture contour (P<0.001), and ...
Vildagliptin is a potent and selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes that improves glycemic control by enhancing alpha- and beta-cell responsiveness to glucose. Two open-label, single-dose, randomized, crossover studies in healthy subjects (ages 18-45 years) investigated the dose proportionality of vildagliptin pharmacokinetics (n = 20) and the effect of food (n = 24) on vildagliptin pharmacokinetics. There was a linear relationship (r(2) = 0.999) between vildagliptin doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)). Dose proportionality was assessed using a statistical power model [X = alpha x (dose)(beta)]. The 90% confidence intervals of the proportionality coefficient, beta, for AUC(0-infinity) (1.15-1.19) and C(max) (1.04-1.14) indicated that deviations from dose proportionality were ...
Radiation therapy has had a significant and an expanded role in the management of cancer of the pancreas during the last decade. In particular, for locally advanced disease, radiation therapy has improved the median survival of patients to 1 year. Intraoperative electron beam therapy has been applied to unresectable and resectable pancreatic cancer in an attempt to enhance local control of disease and to improve patient survival. This paper presents a survey of the role of radiation therapy in treatment of cancer of the pancreas, provides information on the radiobiological aspects of this treatment modality and details the physical and dosimetric characteristics of intraoperative radiation therapy with electrons. Presented are the design specifics of an applicator system, central axis beam data, applicator parameters, dose distribution data, shielding, treatment planning and means of verification. Emphasis is placed on the collaboration and cooperation necessary ...
Radiation therapy has had a significant and an expanded role in the management of cancer of the pancreas during the last decade. In particular, for locally advanced disease, radiation therapy has improved the median survival of patients to 1 year. Intraoperative electron beam therapy has been applied to unresectable and resectable pancreatic cancer in an attempt to enhance local control of disease and to improve patient survival. This paper presents a survey of the role of radiation therapy in treatment of cancer of the pancreas, provides information on the radiobiological aspects of this treatment modality and details the physical and dosimetric characteristics of intraoperative radiation therapy with electrons. Presented are the design specifics of an applicator system, central axis beam data, applicator parameters, dose distribution data, shielding, treatment planning and means of verification. Emphasis is placed on the collaboration and cooperation necessary ...
The authors studied the resolution of racemic glycidol through esterification with butyric acid catalyzed by porcine pancreatic lipase in organic media. A screening of seven solvents (log P values between 0.49 and 3.0, P being the n-octanol-water partition coefficient of the solvent) showed that neither log P nor the logarithm of the molar solubility of water in the solvent provides good correlations between enantioselectivity and the properties of the organic media. Chloroform was one of the best solvents as regards the enantiometic purity (e.p.) of the ester produced. In this solvent, the optimum temperature for the reaction was determined to be 35C. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at a water content of 13 [plus minus] 2% (w/w). The enantiomeric purity obtained was 83 [plus minus] 2% of (S)-glycidol butyrate and did not depend on the alcohol concentration or the enzyme water content for values of these parameters up to 200 mM and 25% (w/w), respectively. ...
A radioimmunoassay is described for the molluscan neuropeptide, Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH"2(FMRFamide). The antibody used is C-terminal-specific and shows slight but significant (1-2%) cross-reactivity with chicken pancreatic polypeptide (APP). The assay has been used to identify in rat brain extracts a pair of molecules that may represent mammalian counterparts of FMRFamide. Their concentrations were highest in spinal cord and hypothalamus (>10 pmol.g"-_1) and lowest in cerebellum and striatum (<3.5 pmol.g"-_1). The two immunoreactive peptides were separated on CM ion-exchange chromatography where they appeared to be less basic than FMRFamide. On Sephadex G50 gel filtration one eluted in a similar position to FMRFamide and the other slightly earlier suggesting it may be of higher molecular weight. The rat immunoreactive components do not correspond to previously described neuropeptides or hormones, and may be members of a new group of mammalian neuropeptides with ...
Gallstone is a common disease with a 10% prevalence in the United States and Western Europe. However, it is only symptomatic in 20-30% of patients, with biliary pain "colic" being the most common symptom. Complications of asymptomatic gallstone disease are generally rare, with an incidence of <1 %/yr. The most common complications of gallstone disease are acute cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis, ascending cholangitis, and gangrenous gallbladder. Less frequent complications include Mirizzi syndrome, cholecystocholedochal fistula, and gallstone ileus. Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystocholedochal fistula are two manifestations of the same process that starts with impaction of a gallstone in the gallbladder neck that results in obstruction of the bile duct, causing jaundice. The gallstone may erode into the bile duct, causing cholecystocholedochal fistula. Gallstone ileus refers to small bowel obstruction resulting from the impaction of one or more gallstones after ...
Serum ferritin levels were measured in 72 normal subjects and in 214 cases with various diseases by an immunoradiometric assay. In normal subjects, the serum ferritin levels were 27-230 ng/ml. Elevated serum ferritins were observed in most cases with iron excess and acute hepatitis. Markedly elevated levels were found in the majority of cases with acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma, hepatoma, and pancreatic cancer. High ferritin levels were also found in other malignant diseases. However, the range overlapped broadly with that of nonmalignant diseases. The serum ferritin correlated significantly with serum iron in normals and in those with iron deficiency anemia. In most nonmalignant cases, the serum ferritin and iron levels distributed on a regression line obtained from levels in normals and those with iron deficiency anemia. However, 92% of the malignant cases showed a serum ferritin to iron ratio higher than that of normal subjects. The estimation of the serum ...
Nodular hepatic involvement of multiple myeloma is very rare. We report here on a case of nodular hepatic involvement of multiple myeloma that mimicked intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In patients with multiple myeloma, hepatic involvement of the multiple myeloma might be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatic mass.
Six genes involved in the heparan sulfate and heparin metabolism pathway, DSEL (dermatan sulfate epimerase-like), EXTL1 (exostoses (multiple)-like 1), HS6ST1...Full Text Available
Dissecting the genes involved in complex traits can be confounded by multiple factors, including extensive epistatic interactions among genes, the involvement of epigenetic regulators, and the variable...Full Text Available
The RNA packaging process for retroviruses involves a recognition event of the genome-length viral RNA by the viral Gag polyprotein precursor (PrGag), an important step in particle morphogenesis. The...Full Text Available
Recently, we demonstrated that the central ghrelin signalling system, involving the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1A), is important for alcohol reinforcement. Ghrelin targets a key mesolimbic circuit involved...Full Text Available
The cell types involved in the cellular immune response were studied with the GVH in vitro as a test system. Comparison of the activities of cells of different lymphoid organs in the...Full Text Available
Klebsiella pneumoniae is able to grow anaerobically with citrate as a sole carbon and energy source by a fermentative pathway involving the Na+-dependent citrate...Full Text Available
The aim of this study was to investigate whether astroglia in the medullary dorsal horn (trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis; Vc) may be involved in orofacial neuropathic pain following trigeminal...Full Text Available
The incidence of arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction of the inferior wall varies with the affected segment and increases when there is right ventricular involvement. This paper provides a...Full Text Available
Ataxin-3, the protein involved in Machado-Joseph disease, is able to bind ubiquitylated substrates and act as a deubiquitylating enzyme in vitro, and it has been involved in the modulation of protein...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe MYC transcription factors are known to be involved in the biology of many human cancer types. But little is known about the Myc/microRNAs cooperation in the regulation...Full Text Available
The effect of UV radiation in the wavelength region 230 nm to 302 nm on the ability of an irradiated mammalian cell to reactivate UV-irradiated mammalian virus was tested. An action spectrum for radiation enhanced reactivation (RER) is presented. The shape of the action spectrum points to a combined nucleic acid-protein target for UV radiation effects on this cellular parameter. An analysis of the results of others involving the biochemical and photobiological events involved in RER does not allow us to distinguish which macromolecule is the major contributor to this effect. Studies involving an analogous phenomenon in bacteris (Weigle reactivation) imply that RER and WR amy involve similar mechanisms. (author).
Photodiode Scintillation Detector for Anticoincidence Shielding An important goal of space research is to understand the physics involved in the activity of ...
Information Technology Glossary of Terms. Applets: Programs that run inside net browsers, usually in Java and typically involving modestly interactive ...
... Considering these observations, it is most likely that Brucela proteins involved in protective immunity will preferentially stimulate INF-g producing T ...
A case of metastatic Ewing's sarcoma to the skull is presented, demonstrating the superiority of magnetic resonance imaging over other imaging modalities to exclude CNS involvement. Precise delineation of different tumor components in extradural location contained in an intact dural rim together with compressed cortex showing no signs of tumorous involvement constituted an MRI appearance allowing us to exclude tumor outgrowth into the brain. (orig.).
We wanted to determine the technical and clinical efficacy of placing a self-expandable PTFE-covered nitinol stent for the management of inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. Thirty six patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstructions were treated by placement of self-expandable PTFE-covered nitinol stents (S and G Biotech Corporation, Seongnam, Korea). Clinical evaluation was done with assessment of the serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels, which were measured before and after stent placement within 1 week, at 1 month and at 3 months. The patient survival rate and stent patency rate were calculated with performing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Successful stent placement was achieved in all the patients without procedure-related complication. Pancreatitis as an early complication occurred in two cases. The serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly decreased after the procedure. During the follow-up, recurrent ...
To evaluate repeated hepatic intraarterial chemotherapy (HIC) as a palliative treatment option for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastases of various origins that were progressive under systemic chemotherapy. Between 2002 and 2006, 55 patients were treated in 4-week intervals (mean five sessions). Combined gemcitabine/mitomycin was administered intraarterially within 1 h. Tumor response was evaluated after the third session according to RECIST. Treated tumor entities were colorectal carcinoma (CRC) (n = 12), breast cancer (BC) (n = 12), cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) (n = 10), pancreatic (n = 4), ovarian (n = 3), gastric, cervical, papillary (each n = 2), prostate, esophageal carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma (each n = 1), cancer of unknown primacy (CUP) (n = 5). All patients tolerated the treatment well without any major side effects or complications. In total, there were 1 complete response (CR), 19 partial responses (PR), 19 stable (SD) and 16 progressive ...
The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) developed neoplastic disorders when experimentally exposed both in the laboratory and field to chemically contaminated sediment from Black Rock Harbor (BRH), Bridgeport, Connecticut. Neoplasia was observed in oysters after 30 or 60 days of continuous exposure in a laboratory flow-through system to a 20 mg/L suspension of BRH sediment plus postexposure periods of 3, 30, or 60 days. Composite tumor incidence was 13.6% for both exposures. Tumor occurrence was highest in the renal excretory epithelium, followed in order by gill, gonad, gastrointestinal, heart, and embryonic neural tissue. Regression of experimental neoplasia was not observed when the stimulus was discontinued. In field experiments, gill neoplasms developed in oysters, deployed in cages for 30 days at BRH and 36 days at a BRH dredge material disposal area in Central Long Island Sound, and kidney and gastrointestinal neoplasms developed in caged oysters deployed 40 days in Quincy ...
CT of the gastrointestinal tract is commonly performed after administration of a high-density diluted iodinated oral contrast material. However, because if inadequate mixing of the contrast material with the gastrointestinal contents, pseudotumor and poor mucosal visualization are frequently shown on abdominal CT. To overcome these problem, 10% corn oil emulsion (COE) is tested as an alternative oral contrast agent in 40 patients. We analyse patients tolerance, gastric mucosal visualization and discrimination of pancreas from the duodenal C-loop to 10% COE in 40 patients compared with those obtained from 35 patients, who was received high-density diluted iodinated oral contrast agent (gastrografin). The results are as follows : 1. Patients' tolerance to 10% COE is similar to that to conventional oral contrast agent. 2. Image of the gastric mucosa from patients receiving 10% COE is superior to that receiving oral contrast agent. 3. The discrimination between ...
CT of the gastrointestinal tract is commonly performed after administration of a high-density diluted iodinated oral contrast material. However, because if inadequate mixing of the contrast material with the gastrointestinal contents, pseudotumor and poor mucosal visualization are frequently shown on abdominal CT. To overcome these problem, 10% corn oil emulsion (COE) is tested as an alternative oral contrast agent in 40 patients. We analyse patients tolerance, gastric mucosal visualization and discrimination of pancreas from the duodenal C-loop to 10% COE in 40 patients compared with those obtained from 35 patients, who was received high-density diluted iodinated oral contrast agent (gastrografin). The results are as follows : 1. Patients' tolerance to 10% COE is similar to that to conventional oral contrast agent. 2. Image of the gastric mucosa from patients receiving 10% COE is superior to that receiving oral contrast agent. 3. The discrimination between ...
Malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities are rare and often diagnosed late in the course of the disease. These tumors can extend into regions such as the orbit and brain, where treatment is difficult. Ten patients with non treated sinonasal malignant neoplasms and radiological evidence of tumor extension into the orbit and brain were studied with computed tomography. Five (50%) tumors were epithelial neoplasms whereas squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type (3 cases). The ethmoidal sinus was the most common site of origin of the tumors (40%), followed by the maxillary sinus (30%) and nasal cavity (30%). A total of 16 orbits were involved since 6 patients (60%) had bilateral orbital involvement. The tumors extended more often into the orbits through erosion of the medial and inferior orbital bones. All orbital compartments were involved in the majority of the orbits. Tumoral extension into the cranial cavity was ...
Radiological findings of chest and abdominal wall involvement in Hodgkin's disease are reported. This manifestation was diagnosed in one patient in the primary staging and in two patients during the course of the disease. Typical radiological findings are soft tissue masses in the chest and abdominal wall, in two cases with continous tumor growth of enlarged mediastinal lymphnodes into the anterior chest wall. The axial computed tomography is the best method to evaluate the extent of chest and abdominal wall involvement in Hodgkin's disease.
This paper is intended to describe how the citizens who are living near power plants or more generally nuclear facilities can be involved in the radiological control of their environment. Through the experience of the last twenty years, the article describes the conditions of the progressive setting up of a non- governmental system of control to build its principles of action and put them into practice. Three kinds of actions are described, the first two dealing with the problems in France and the last one related to a post-accidental situation in the contaminated areas of Belarus. The conclusion underlines how important it is to encourage this kind of involvement in order to increase public awareness of nuclear activities and their consequences. (authors)
Viral infections are frequently cited as a major environmental factor involved in subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroid diseases This review examines the data related to the role of viruses in...Full Text Available
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved, catabolic process that involves the entrapment of cytoplasmic components within characteristic vesicles for their delivery to and degradation within lysosomes....Full Text Available
... cations, and precision UUV navigation ... In addition, conventional teleoperation of robots is not ... would involve an autonomous mobile robot capable of ...
The author discusses the formulation and application of the theory of quasi-catastrophes for the behaviour and properties of tachyons. This approach assists in the interpretation of experiments where tachyons may be involved. (W.D.L.).
The author attempts to clear up the causal 'paradox' often associated with the existence of tacyons. This leads to a discussion of the nature of tachyon messages and the problems involved in their interpretation. (W.D.L.).
This report discusses the experimental setup of experiment 814 at Brookhaven AGS. This experiment involves the collision of silicon ions with target nuclei. The detector systems are discussed primarily. (LSP)
Given the widely accepted notion of whole person education in Confucian societies such as Hong Kong, Mainland China and Singapore, it is surprising that research literature originated in these societies pays little attention to how students learn and develop through out-of-class experiences at university. There is little research evidence on how the prevailing culture among student social communities (residential halls and student societies/clubs) influences students? social involvement and development. This paper examines 42 Chinese students? social experiences and development during their freshman year at a Hong Kong university. The majority of them were intensively involved in out-of-class activities. Their active social involvement was both a response to the culture of student communit...
A binary mixture of imipramine HCl and chlordiazepoxide was determined by three different spectrophotometric methods. The first method involved determination of imipramine HCl and chlordiazepoxide using...Full Text Available
BackgroundAlternative splicing is an important mechanism mediating the diversified functions of genes in multicellular organisms, and such event occurs in around 40-60% of human...Full Text Available
ContextCorticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), through the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and other brain stress systems, is involved in the emotional dysregulation...Full Text Available
BackgroundMost reports of scientific misconduct have been focused on principal investigators and other scientists (e.g., biostatisticians) involved in the research...Full Text Available
Endogenous opioid peptides are substances involved in cell communication. They are present in various organs and tissues of the male and female reproductive tract, suggesting that they may regulate...Full Text Available
There is considerable evidence that purines are vasoactive molecules involved in the regulation of blood flow. Adenosine is a well known vasodilator that also acts as a modulator of the response to...Full Text Available
Recent evidence indicates that the evolution of ultrasonic hearing in echolocating bats and cetaceans has involved adaptive amino acid replacements in the cochlear gene prestin. A substantial...Full Text Available
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a multi-systemic disease being characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies that involves both arterial and venous systems resulting in arterial...Full Text Available
Synthetic polymers and nanomaterials display selective phenotypic effects in cells and in the body that affect signal transduction mechanisms involved in inflammation, differentiation, proliferation,...Full Text Available
Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is a chronic, wasting, widespread mycobacteriosis of ruminants. It involves extensive mycobacterial shedding, which accounts for the high contagiousness, and ends...Full Text Available
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process that involves the invagination and degradation of cytoplasmic components through an autophagosomelysosome track. Autophagy functions...Full Text Available
Necrotizing sialometaplasia, is a benign inflammatory lesion primarily involving the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. The lesion often presents itself as a deep-seated palatal ulcer with clinical...Full Text Available
The basic biology of the menstrual cycle is a complex, coordinated sequence of events involving the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, ovary, and endometrium. The menstrual cycle with all its...Full Text Available
... The AAT Z mutation involves a single amino acid substitution (glutamine for lysine) at position 342, resulting in abnormal folding and polymerization of the ...
The Liver Carcinogenesis Section uses the modern technologies of molecular biology, cell biology, protein chemistry and genetics to investigate the biochemical and genetic pathways involved in human liver cancer.
Amotivation is a telling hallmark of negative symptomatology in schizophrenia, and it impacts nearly every facet of behavior, including inclination to attempt the difficult cognitive tasks involved...Full Text Available
In animal models, single-gene mutations in genes involved in insulin/IGF and target of rapamycin signalling pathways extend lifespan to a considerable extent. The genetic, genomic and epigenetic influences...Full Text Available
The management of risks of explosives are described. Administrative and procedural controls are considered. The safety management plan involves hazard identification, risk analysis, assessment and control. The current position of explosives safety is considered. 4 tabs.
swimmers in or around the water. Designate a responsible adult who can swim and knows CPR to watch swimmers in or around water. The supervisor should not be involved in any...
CAAX proteins are widely involved in global cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. As an important modulator of biological activity, signal transduction via protein...Full Text Available
The Systems Development Group and the Pharmacy Service of the Washington D.C. VAMC are involved in automating the administrative and clinical data requirements of a satellite out-patient pharmacy....Full Text Available
Recent field observations have shown that the atmospheric plumes of quiescently degassing volcanoes are chemically very active, pointing to the role of chemical cycles involving halogen species and...Full Text Available
AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and their association with clinical and functional characteristics in elderly outpatients.METHODS: The study involved 3238 outpatients...Full Text Available
By the turn of the century, American farmers and ranchers will be producing food and fiber through the application of highly sophisticated systems that involve a broad spectrum of relevant factors--from...Full Text Available
Training of health professionals commonly involves multiple sites in order to best utilize the available clinical material. However, this makes it difficult to achieve continuity in the presentation...Full Text Available
Involving effects of media, opinion leader and other agents on the opinion of individuals of market society, a trader based model is developed and utilized to simulate price via supply and demand. Pronounced effects are considered with several weights and some personal differences between traders are taken into account. Resulting time series and probabilty distribution function involving a power law for price come out similar to the real ones.
Cardiac tumours may display diverse symptoms through potential involvement of any structure of the heart. We describe a case of a highly malignant thymoma with involvement of different cardiac structures with important haemodynamic compromise. With the high sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detection of intracardiac masses, computed tomography and magnetic resonance add essential structural preoperative information on the tumour and surrounding tissue as vessels, pleura, lung and mediastinum.
This report presents information and analysis to assist BLM in clarifying oil shale research needs. It provides technical guidance on research needs in support of their regulatory responsibilities for onshore mineral activities involving oil shale. It provides an assessment of research needed to support the regulatory and managerial role of the BLM as well as others involved in the development of oil shale resources on public and Indian lands in the western United States.
By using a laser and maser in tandem, it is possible to obtain laser action in the hot exhaust gases involved in heat engine operation. Such a "quantum afterburner" involves the internal quantum states of working gas atoms or molecules as well as the techniques of cavity quantum electrodynamics and is therefore in the domain of quantum thermodynamics. As an example, it is shown that Otto cycle engine performance can be improved beyond that of the "ideal" Otto heat engine.
BackgroundTo evaluate whether P2X receptors are involved in responses to noxious pulp stimulation, the P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptor agonist α,β-methyleneATP...Full Text Available
This note outlines the economic theory behind the theory of uncovered interest parity and some of the econometric issues involved in testing and interpretation. I illustrate some of the issues involved by estimating a rolling regression of the forward premium regression from 22 years of eight major currencies. I also conclude that Pippenger's model is not consistent with the theory of UIP and that furthermore there are severe econometric problems in estimating his model. The forward premium anomaly remains a paradox in international finance that is important and worthwhile to understand more fully.
Comprehensive Structural Integrity is a reference work which covers all activities involved in the assurance of structural integrity. It provides engineers and scientists with an unparalleled depth of knowledge in the disciplines involved. The new online Volume 11 is dedicated to the mechanical characteristics of materials. This paper contains the chapter 11.02 of this volume and is structured as follows: Test techniques; Analysis; Fracture behavior; Fracture toughness tests for nonmetals.
Background. In multiple myeloma 5 different infiltration patterns can be differentiated: 1. Normal appearance of bone marrow, 2. focal involvement, 3. homogeneous diffuse infiltration, 4. combined diffuse and focal infiltration, 5. 'salt-and pepper' pattern with inhomogeneous bone marrow with interposition of fat islands. Methods. For the fast and total acquisition of all patterns a combination of a T1-weighted spin echo sequence and a fat suppression technique is superior. The focal involvement is clearly demonstrated as areas of high signal intensity on e.g. STIR images. Diffuse involvement can be quantified objectively by calculation of the percentage of signal intensity increase after contrast material injection. MRI is superior to X-ray in focal and diffuse involvement. With ultrafast sequences a 'screening' of the whole red bone marrow as for myeloma infiltration is possible. Prognosis. In ...
One important market related capability for firms which seek to develop radical innovations is the competence to involve the 'right' users at the 'right' time in the 'right' form. While former studies have identified a rather passive role of users in the radical innovation process, this paper focuses on the involvement of such users that are in the position to play an active role as inventors and (co)-developers. A multiple case study analysis was conducted in the field of medical technology. Five radical innovation projects within four firms were selected including medical robots and computer-assisted navigation systems. The case study analysis reveals that firms who closely interact with specific users benefit significantly for their radical innovation work. These users have a high motivation toward new solutions, are open to new technologies, possess diverse competencies, and are embedded into a very supportive environment.
This final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) presents the results of a project that involves the building of a joint biogas plant serving 60 farmers and industrial companies with an annual processing capacity of 45,000 tons. The plant is to produce biogas to be fed into the gas mains and will not only reduce nutrient loading in a region with an extensive livestock industry but also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using the gas as a motor fuel. The importance of the project with respect to both the environment and energy policy-making is discussed and the costs involved are examined. Details are presented on the technology used and on the material flows involved. Figures are quoted on energy production. The various biogenic substrates used, such as food wastes, waste oils, cereal wastes and used mushroom substrates, are discussed, as is the use of the solid and liquid outputs of the digester in farming ...
Purpose - This paper aims to discuss the procedures and methods developed at Washington State University to digitize and make accessible historic moving images. Design/methodology/approach - The paper describes the selection and the use of low-cost technologies to transfer analog film to digital formats. Issues related to the conversion, description, and online hosting of digital films are also addressed. Findings - Though the steps involved in digitizing film are not trivial, the benefits of access both for the public and archives staff outweigh the expense and labor involved. The procedures described in this paper involve low upfront costs and are sustained through cost recovery fees. Research limitations/implications - The focus of this paper is on managing, describing, and providing on...
The human erythrocyte (RBC) Rh blood group system consists of a complex of distinct integral membrane polypeptides with physical properties common to the aminophospholipid transporter responsible for the transbilayer movement of phosphatidylserine (PS) in RBC. To assess the involvement of Rh polypeptides in PS translocation, the aminophospholipid translocase was labeled with a photoactivatable PS analogue, "1"2"5I-azido-PS, and with an inhibitor of PS transport, "1"2"5I-labeled 2-(2-pyridyldithio)ethylamine. The ability of monoclonal Rh antibodies to immunoprecipitate the labeled transporter was determined. Immunoprecipitated Rh polypeptides were found to be labeled with the aminophospholipid translocase markers, suggesting that Rh proteins are involved in the transbilayer movement of PS.
A destructive spondyloarthropathy is reported in four patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal disease. In a separate investigation a controlled, prospective radiographic study of the cervical spine revealed this spondyloarthropathy in 4 (15%) of 26 long-term dialysis patients. A single disk level was involved in three patients, and two disc levels were involved in one patient. This spondyloarthropathy correlated with the duration of dialysis but not with the radiographic evidence of renal osteodystrophy or severity of laboratory abnormalities associated with hyperparathyroidism. Three of these four patients also had discovertebral erosions or destruction involving the lumbar spine. Cervical spine flexion views revealed evidence of ligamentous laxity or instability in three (12%) dialysis patients, all with vertebral resorption and disc space narrowing. It is postulated that this instability may ...
Seed dispersal involves several complex stages that can be affected by multiple peripheral processes. Thus, a major dispersal event can be followed by secondary dispersal, which can reduce density-dependent mortality and consolidate the dispersal phase. But predation events can also follow, and predation of seeds in feces is particularly interesting because it can heavily alter the fate of seeds dispersed through vertebrate guts. Our review of 20 cases involving this kind of interaction found that research has chiefly been in tropical and subtropical areas (85% of cases), suggesting that it is a minor phenomenon at higher latitudes. However, the small size of both the seeds and predators involved may have caused this process to go unnoticed outside the tropics. We tested the presence of pr...
Progress made during the first phase effort of the Solar-Thermal Full-System Experiment is summarized. This is one of a number of projects in the Solar-Thermal Subprogram involved with the development of solar central receiver hardware and systems for future use by utilities. The main emphasis is on systems that use Brayton-Cycle (gas turbine) equipment. The project summarized involves the planning and design of a complete Brayton-Cycle solar central receiver experimental system that would include all components of a commercial-size electric utility solar power plant. The objective of the overall project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a complete Brayton-Cycle, solar-fossil hybrid central receiver system. Major objectives of the Phase I effort summarized are to plan and design the experiment in detail and to organize a utility Test and Operating Group that would be directly involved in the development and ...
Animal facilities generate a large amount of used bedding containing excrement as medical waste. We developed a recycling system for used bedding that involves soft hydrothermal processing. In this...Full Text Available
The mechanisms involved in amino acid and sugar uptake by developing maize kernels were investigated. In the pedicel region of maize kernel, the site of nutrient unloading from phloem terminals, amino acids are accumulated in considerable amounts and undergo significant interconversion. A wide spectrum of enzymatic activities involved in the metabolism of amino acids is observed in these tissues. Subsequently, amino acids are taken up by the endosperm tissue in processes which require energy and the presence of carrier proteins. Conversely, no evidence was found that energy and carriers are involved in sugar uptake. This process of sugar uptake is not inhibited by metabolic inhibitors and shows nonsaturable kinetics, but the uptake is pH-dependent. L-glucose is taken up at a significantly reduced rate in comparison to D-glucose uptake. Based on analysis of radioactivity distribution among sugar fractions after incubations ...
This report summarizes the research done on artificial photosynthesis by the Calvin Group between 1970 and 1995 when the program was terminated. It contains a compilation of the personnel involved as well as a bibliography of publications supported by the project.
The soil fungus Trichoderma atroviride, a mycoparasite, responds to a number of external stimuli. In the presence of a fungal host, T. atroviride produces...Full Text Available
The purine adenosine appears to be involved in regulation of coronary vascular tone. Little is known concerning the levels and distribution of adenosine and related purines in the extracellular fluid...Full Text Available
Investigations of superdense compression touch on such problems as ultrahigh-frequency oscillations of matter in the generation of gravitational waves, the powerful pumping of hard coherent radiation, and the laboratory simulation of stellar interiors. This paper reviews the theory of supercompression and discusses some experiments involving multifoil collision supercompression.
The study involved 110 randomly selected dairy farms located in the Ontario, Canada counties of Bruce, Grey, Huron, Oxford, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington. Herds were classified as "intensive" and "extensive"....Full Text Available
Background:The US military is currently involved in large, lengthy, and complex combat operations around the world. Effective military operations require optimal health of deployed...Full Text Available
Domestic, low-level exposure to radon gas is considered a major environmental lung-cancer hazard involving DNA damage to bronchial cells by α particles from radon progeny. At domestic exposure...Full Text Available
Peripheral subunit binding domains (PSBDs) are integral parts of large multienzyme complexes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. PSBDs facilitate shuttling of prosthetic groups between different catalytic...Full Text Available
AimsIt is unclear as to which mediators are involved in mediating the response to nasal mannitol challenge, a novel osmotic stimulus.MethodsA...Full Text Available
BackgroundAKXD recombinant inbred strains of mice have proven to be very useful in the identification of potential oncogenes and tumor suppressors involved in the development of...Full Text Available
Splice products of the Kiss1 protein (kisspeptins) have been shown to be involved in a diverse range of functions, including puberty, metastasis and vasoconstriction in large human arteries. Circulating...Full Text Available
Many bacterial pathogens produce extracellular proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix of the host and therefore are involved in disease pathogenesis. Dichelobacter nodosus...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between intimate partner violence, rape and HIV among South African men.DesignCross-sectional study involving...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe pregnane X receptor (PXR; NR1I2), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, regulates the expression of metabolic enzymes and transporters involved...Full Text Available
Methods and materials employed by NCL to reclaim treatment of overburden dumps in opencast projects are described. These involve controlling slope stability and erosion (for example by covering with geosynthetic composites or jute/coir mat) and installing a drainage system before planting trees, shrubs and grass. 1 photo.
BackgroundSubtle alternative splicing events involving tandem splice sites separated by a short (2-12 nucleotides) distance are frequent and evolutionarily widespread in eukaryotes,...Full Text Available
BackgroundAcetaminophen, the major active metabolite of acetanilide in man, has become one of the most popular over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic agents, consumed by millions...Full Text Available
Abstract The Read Thesaurus (Version 3 of the Read Codes) is a controlled medical vocabulary produced during the Clinical Terms Projects with the involvement of over 2,000 health care...Full Text Available
The aspartate receptor involved in chemotaxis is modified by methyl esterification at four distinct glutamate residues during the adaptive response of this receptor. To explain the high degree of specificity...Full Text Available
Today, hospitals are involved extensively in social marketing and promotional activities. Recently, investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that routine testing...Full Text Available
Total thyroidectomy involving the adjacent structures of the trachea can cause tracheal damage such as early tracheal necrosis. The authors describe the first case of anterior tracheal necrosis following...Full Text Available
Terminal differentiation of many vascular cells involves cell wall changes. Cells first elongate their primary wall, then lay down a lignified secondary wall, which is often followed by digestion of...Full Text Available
The exocyst is an evolutionarily conserved octameric complex involved in polarized exocytosis from yeast to humans. The Sec3 subunit of the exocyst acts as a spatial landmark for exocytosis through...Full Text Available
Efficiency of translation termination relies on the specific recognition of the three stop codons by the eukaryotic translation termination factor eRF1. To date only a few proteins are known to be involved...Full Text Available
Disorders of mitochondrial fat metabolism lead to sudden death in infants and children. Although survival is possible, the underlying molecular mechanisms which enable this outcome have not yet been...Full Text Available
The objectives of this study were to select and initially characterize mutants of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv Williams) with decreased ability to reduce nitrate. Selection involved...Full Text Available
Leptin is involved in the endocrine control of energy expenditure and body weight regulation. Previous studies emphasize a relationship between hypoxic states and leptin concentrations. The aim of this...Full Text Available
Background:Endothelin-1 may be involved in the development of diabetic microangiopathy. We studied the effect of endothelin-1 blockade on myocardial microcirculation during coronary...Full Text Available
Human chromosomal fragile sites are specific loci that are especially susceptible to DNA breakage following conditions of partial replication stress. They often are found in genes involved in tumorigenesis...Full Text Available
Contemporary high dimensional biological assays, such as mRNA expression microarrays, regularly involve multiple data processing steps, such as experimental processing, computational processing, sample...Full Text Available
Recurrent or primary carcinoma of the breast en cuirasse, which may involve the skin of the entire thorax and abdomen, cannot be controlled by means of surgery or conventional local irradiation. The...Full Text Available
A regulatory locus on the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome, designated sar, is involved in the expression of cell wall proteins, some of which are potentially important in the pathogenesis of endocarditis....Full Text Available
AIMS/BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to document visual function and acuity in patients with Aicardi syndrome, and to determine whether there is any relation between ocular features of the syndrome...Full Text Available
Adipocyte differentiation is a complex developmental process that involves the coordinated interplay of numerous transcription factors. PPARγ has emerged as a master regulator of adipogenesis...Full Text Available
SummaryBackgroundThe US FDA has been collecting information on medical devices involved in significant adverse advents since 1984. These reports have...Full Text Available
Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) often exhibit impaired executive function, particularly in experimental tasks that involve response conflict and require adaptive behavioral...Full Text Available
Most genetic changes that promote tumorigenesis involve dysregulation of G1 cell cycle progression. A key regulatory site in G1 is a growth factor–dependent restriction point (R) where cells...Full Text Available
The aspirin esterase activity of human plasma is due to butyrylcholinesterase and albumin. Our goal was to identify the amino acid residues involved in the aspirin esterase activity of albumin....Full Text Available
A 1984 American Association of the Academy of Sciences study of more than 150 successful science in-service programs developed a list of their characteristics, which included: Strong academic component in mathematics, science, and communications, focused on enrichment rather than remediation; academic subjects taught by teachers who are highly competent in the subject matter and believe that students can learn the materials; heavy emphasis on the applications of science and mathematics and careers in these fields; integrative approach to teaching that incorporates all subject areas, hands-on opportunities, and computers; multiyear involvement with students; recruitment of participants from all relevant target populations; opportunities for in-school and out-of-school learning experiences; parental involvement and development of base of community support; specific attention to removing educational inequalities related to race and gender; ...
A 1984 American Association of the Academy of Sciences study of more than 150 successful science in-service programs developed a list of their characteristics, which included: Strong academic component in mathematics, science, and communications, focused on enrichment rather than remediation; academic subjects taught by teachers who are highly competent in the subject matter and believe that students can learn the materials; heavy emphasis on the applications of science and mathematics and careers in these fields; integrative approach to teaching that incorporates all subject areas, hands-on opportunities, and computers; multiyear involvement with students; recruitment of participants from all relevant target populations; opportunities for in-school and out-of-school learning experiences; parental involvement and development of base of community support; specific attention to removing educational inequalities related to race and gender; ...
URA5 genes encode orotidine-5′-monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (OMPpase), an enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. We cloned the Histoplasma capsulatum URA5...Full Text Available
Several different neuronal populations are involved in regulating energy homeostasis. Among these, agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons are thought to promote feeding and weight gain; however, the...Full Text Available
In this study we compared the molecular signalling elicited by rexinoids, selective retinoid X receptor (RXR)-activators, in several organs (i.e. liver, kidney,...Full Text Available
The parathyroid hormone receptor (PTHR) is a class B G protein-coupled receptor that plays critical roles in bone and mineral ion metabolism. Ligand binding to the PTHR involves interactions to both...Full Text Available
This is a report of surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and aneurysms of the abdominal aorta from which the visceral vessels arise during the 18 year period from April 5, 1960,...Full Text Available
This report shows the probability of a catastrophic accident involving the WIPP waste hoist system. Calculations and mitigation to reduce the probability of an accident and to minimize the impact of such an accident should be included. 10 refs., 8 figs., 4 tabs.
Cleavage of membrane-associated proteins with the release of biologically active macromolecules is an emerging theme in biology. However, little is known about the nature and regulation of the involved...Full Text Available
Edema factor (EF) and CyaA are calmodulin (CaM)-activated adenylyl cyclase exotoxins involved in the pathogenesis of anthrax and whooping cough, respectively. Using spectroscopic, enzyme kinetic and...Full Text Available
Recent reports suggested that phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL)-3 might be involved in colorectal carcinoma metastasis with an unknown mechanism. Here we demonstrated that PRL-3 expression was...Full Text Available
Plasma exchange (PE) is currently being used to treat a variety of disorders involving immune complexes, such as polyarteritis nodosa. This procedure removes endogenous toxic components that accumulate...Full Text Available
The human opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 is a multihost pathogen that can infect Arabidopsis. We found that PA14 pathogenesis in Arabidopsis involves the...Full Text Available
The insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway is a conserved regulator of longevity, development, and metabolism. In Caenorhabditis elegans IIS involves activation of DAF-2 (insulin/IGF-1...Full Text Available
The Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe; pdbe.org) is actively involved in managing the international archive of biomacromolecular structure data as one of the partners in the Worldwide Protein Data Bank...Full Text Available
SummaryPAS domains sense oxygen, redox potential and light, and are implicated in behavior, circadian rhythmicity, development and metabolic regulation. Although PAS domains are...Full Text Available
While specific signalling cascades involved in aging, such as the insulin/IGF-1 pathway, are well-described, the actual metabolic changes they elicit to prolong lifespan remain obscure. Nevertheless,...Full Text Available
PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of ophthalmic abnormalities in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome) and T-cell lymphoma involving the skin and...Full Text Available
Jul 8, 2008 ... This case involves the flow over the ONERA M6 wing. ... The wind tunnel tests are documented by Schmitt and Charpin in the AGARD Report AR-138 ... supersonic flow, shocks, and turbulent boundary layers separation). ...
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic infestation of the central nervous system. Most cases of NCC are to related and/or associated with inflammation within the cerebral parenchyma....Full Text Available
The mechanism of cytokinesis has been difficult to define because of the short duration and the temporal-spatial dynamics involved in the formation, activation, force production, and disappearance of...Full Text Available
Feed samples from 94 cases involving fungal contamination and suspected mycotoxicosis of farm animals in western Canada were examined during 1982-1994 to assess the incidence of mycotoxins. Samples...Full Text Available
Congenital deformities involving the coverings of the nervous system are called neural tube defects (NTDs). NTD can be classified as neurulation defects, which occur by stage 12, and postneurulation...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe precise mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not known. Early stages of RA often have non-specific symptoms, delaying...Full Text Available
The HTLV-1 Tax protein both activates viral replication and is involved in HTLV-1-mediated transformation of T lymphocytes. The transforming properties of Tax include altering the expression of select...Full Text Available
Reliable values of x-ray and gamma-ray attenuation coefficients of elements and compounds are required in spectrometry as well as in many other scientific, engineering and medical disciplines involving photon radiation
Many lifespan-modulating genes are involved in either generation of oxidative substrates and end-products, or their detoxification and removal. Among such metabolites, only lipoperoxides have the ability...Full Text Available
Maternal prenatal undernutrition predisposes offspring to higher adiposity in adulthood. Mechanisms involved in these programming effects, apart from those described in central nervous system development,...Full Text Available
A feasibility study to determine what materials and geometric systems would be required for fabrication of a camouflage system that would instantaneously cover a military vehicle in order to disrupt its characteristic shape or outline. The program involve...
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) comprise a group of degenerative muscle disorders characterized by progressive muscle wasting and often premature death. The primary defect common to most MDs involves disruption...Full Text Available
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder, which produces profound deficits in volitional motor control. Following medical stabilization, recovery from SCI typically involves long term rehabilitation....Full Text Available
Method for inhibiting the formation of foulants on petrochemical equipment which involves adding to the petrochemical, during processing, a composition comprising a thiodipropionate and either a dialkyl acid phosphate ester or a dialkyl acid phosphite ester.
The exposure of cells to several metal ions stabilizes HIF-1α protein. However, the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. They may involve inhibition of hydroxylation by either...Full Text Available
Ten subjects balanced their own body or a mechanically equivalent unstable inverted pendulum by hand, through a compliant spring linkage. Their balancing process was always characterized by repeated...Full Text Available
Localized mRNA provides spatial and temporal protein expression essential to cell development and physiology. To explore the mechanisms involved, considerable effort has been spent in establishing new...Full Text Available
A case of {beta}-thalassemia intermedia with spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis, which was successfully treated by blood transfusion, is presented. Emphasis was made on the MRI appearance of extramedullary hematopoiesis on different pulse sequences. The theories that aimed to explain the involvement of the epidural space by extramedullary hematopoiesis are discussed.
Many lessons in autoimmunity — particularly relating to the role of immune privilege and the interplay between genetics and neuroimmunology — can be learned from the study of alopecia...Full Text Available
BackgroundTo better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in trunk motion during a tennis serve, this study aimed to examine the (1) relative motion of the middle and lower...Full Text Available
We investigate terms with four derivatives in the low-energy action of closed Bose strings. Our analysis is consistent with the possibility that the action involves only curvatures of an affine connection with torsion. The torsion is provided by the antisymmetric tensor gauge field.
A 65-year-old man suffering from ascending aorta aneurysm and atherosclerotic three vessel disease without left main involvement underwent aortic root replacement with coronary ostia reimplantation...Full Text Available
Circuit modification associated with learning and memory involves multiple events, including the addition and remotion of newborn cells trough adulthood. Adult neurogenesis and gliogenesis were mainly...Full Text Available
Disruption of circadian rhythms may be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. Recently, we detected the significant association between prokineticin 2 receptor...Full Text Available
A 30-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Kaposi's sarcoma had a palpable thyroid mass and cervical lymphadenopathy. Nuclear medicine and ultrasound scans revealed multiple thyroid nodules. Results of biopsy showed Kaposi's sarcoma metastatic to the thyroid.
Chemokine receptors control leukocyte chemotaxis and cell-cell communication but have also been associated with pathogen entry. GPR33, an orphan member of the chemokine-like receptor family,...Full Text Available
All molybdenum enzymes except nitrogenase contain a common molybdenum cofactor, whose organic moiety is a novel pterin called molybdopterin (MPT). To assist in elucidating the biosynthetic pathway of...Full Text Available
The soluble subcellular fraction of a chlB mutant contains an inactive precursor form of the molybdoenzyme nitrate reductase, which can be activated by the addition to the soluble fraction of protein...Full Text Available
AMP-activated-protein-kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor and regulator of cellular and whole-body energy metabolism and plays a key role in regulation of lipid metabolism. Since lipid metabolism...Full Text Available
In regions of high bone loading, the mechanoresponsive osteocytes inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption by producing signaling molecules. One possible candidate is matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein...Full Text Available
Previous experimental data from various laboratories indicate that endotoxin of gram-negative oral microorganisms might be one of the most important bacterial products involved in bone resorption during...Full Text Available
An in vitro assay for curative antibody present in plasma of mice cured of Trypanosoma musculi is described. The assay involves the addition of plasma to a sample of infected blood, followed by hourly...Full Text Available
The intramembrane aspartyl protease γ-secretase plays a fundamental role in several signaling pathways involved in cellular differentiation and has been linked with a variety of human diseases,...Full Text Available
Mass mortalities among seals and dolphins inhabiting contaminated marine regions have led to speculation about a possible involvement of immunosuppression associated with environmental pollution. To...Full Text Available
BackgroundMastitis in dairy cattle results from infection of mammary tissue by a range of micro-organisms but principally coliform bacteria and Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus...Full Text Available
The definition of “minor” veins in leaves is arbitrary and of uncertain biological significance. Generally, the term refers to the smallest vein classes in the leaf, believed to function...Full Text Available
The supramammillary nucleus (SuM) provides substantial projections to the hippocampal formation. This hypothalamic structure is involved in the regulation of hippocampal theta rhythm and therefore...Full Text Available
Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Hepatic involvement was reported in about 11% of patients with sarcoidosis. However, cases of sarcoidosis in which the granuloma...Full Text Available
Cigarette smoke (CS) induces recruitment of inflammatory cells in the lungs leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in lung inflammation and injury. Nicotinamide...Full Text Available
We report 3 cases of gastric carcinoids with hypergastrinemia. Case 1: A 60-year-old man had a 2 cm carcinoid of the stomach and underwent partial resection. Involvement of...Full Text Available
The objectives of this study were to investigate the flocculation/flotation characteristics of combined sewer overflow through laboratory and field testing. The concept involves the introduction of chemicals and buoyant flotation aids into the overflow and the subsequent cofloccu...
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is involved in skeletal development of the vertebrate. Gain-of-function mutations of FGF receptors (FGFR) cause craniosynostosis, premature fusion of the skull,...Full Text Available
To study the expression of Fc receptors in human alveolar macrophages (AM), the cells were collected from 12 healthy controls and 22 patients with sarcoidosis and the activity involved in binding to...Full Text Available
The delivery of proteins and organelles to the vacuole by autophagy involves membrane rearrangements that result in the formation of large vesicles called autophagosomes. The mechanism underlying autophagosome...Full Text Available
It has been postulated that thrombin binds to endothelial cells through, at least in part, cell surface glycosaminoglycans such as heparan sulfate, which could serve as antithrombin cofactor on the...Full Text Available
TSH receptor (TSHR) plays a central role in regulating thyroid function and is targeted by IgGs in Graves’ disease (GD-IgG). Whether TSHR is involved in the pathogenesis of thyroid associated...Full Text Available
Clostridium perfringens type A food poisoning is the second most commonly identified bacterial food-borne illness. Sporulation contributes to this disease in two ways: (i) most food-poisoning...Full Text Available
In the Archaea only a handful of ribonucleases involved in RNA processing and degradation have been characterized. One potential group of archaeal ribonucleases are homologues of the bacterial RNase...Full Text Available
Trypanothione reductase (TryR) is a key enzyme involved in the oxidative stress management of the Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites, which helps to maintain an intracellular reducing environment...Full Text Available
Investigations of enzymes involved in DNA metabolism have strongly benefited from the establishment of single molecule techniques. These experiments frequently require elaborate DNA substrates, which...Full Text Available
1. This study analyzes the mechanisms involved in the responses to ouabain in cat cerebral and femoral arteries and characterizes the electrogenic Na+ pump present in these vessels. The latter was accomplished...Full Text Available
The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of isoenzymes involved in the detoxication of a variety of electrophilic xenobiotics. The present investigation demonstrates that GST activity and...Full Text Available
BackgroundNF-κB is a survival signaling transcription factor complex involved in the malignant phenotype of many cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The citrus...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeven genes involved in folate metabolism are located on chromosome 21. Previous studies have shown that folate deficiency may contribute to mental retardation in Down's...Full Text Available
Bone metastases of an Ewing's sarcoma were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), when bone scan, CT and plain films were still normal. This is due to the ability of MRI to detect intramedullary metastases before involvement of the cortex. (Auth.).
Exposure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to hypoxia is known to alter the expression of many genes, including ones thought to be involved in latency, via the transcription factor DevR...Full Text Available
The distribution of α-galactosidase (α-d-galactoside galactohydrolase [EC 3.2.1.22]) in Cucurbita pepo has been determined in an attempt to assess its involvement...Full Text Available
Depending on the location, dermatoses can produce blemishes that severely impair quality of life and require highly effective treatment that is otherwise used for extensive skin involvement. We report...Full Text Available
Forty resected cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were classified into four types according to the gross appearance; type I: mass forming type (n=8), type II: mass forming with periductal infiltrating type (n=20), type III: periductal infiltrating type (n=9) and type IV: intraductal growth type (n=3). Diagnostic features of these four types were studied. Peripheral enhancement was a common angiographic feature and tumor stains were recognized in 88%, 20%, 0%, 33%, respectively. Angiography and dynamic computed tomography (D-CT) were useful in differential diagnosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. Accuracy rate in diagnosis of portal vein involvement by angiography and D-CT was 82% and 91%, respectively. MRI was more useful in tumor detection than D-CT in cases with attenuation difference, in 55% of type II and in 75% of type III. Increase of arterial involvement, biliary tract involvement and portal vein ...
The development of structural barriers for nuclear waste packages involves selection of candidate materials, their screening by mechanical and corrosion testing, rigorous accelerated testing, and evaluation and comparison with other package elements. This document presents results from work conducted on titanium and ferrous alloys.
A new process for the hydrogenation of coal in the presence of wide-cut coal tar was proposed; it involves cavitation treatment, mixing with catalytic additives, and heating the resulting mixture at an elevated pressure in an atmosphere of hydrogen. The yields of hydrocarbon fractions to 300?C and gas condensate were evaluated.
Health education and awareness involves providing knowledge about causes of illness and choices to promote a change in individual behaviour and, thus, improves survival of individuals. Studies have,...Full Text Available
A serological trapping technique for detecting rotaviruses is described which involves coating electron microscope grids with protein A and specific rotavirus antiserum. The presence of a layer of antibodies...Full Text Available
Recently Stephen Theriault and I found an elementary construction of Anick's spaces and proved their main properties(arXiv:0710.1024).In this work the fundamental fibration is decomposed. This is useful in studying maps out of Anick's spaces and will be needed in order to determine it's universal properties.
DNA replication in Escherichia coli cells lacking protein HU was studied. HU has been suggested to be involved in the initiation of replication from in vitro studies. The isolated HU mutants, however,...Full Text Available
Epidemiological data indicate that children conceived in vitro have a greater relative risk of low birth-weight, major and minor birth defects, and rare disorders involving imprinted...Full Text Available
Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cytoplasmic pH during an acid-load have been studied in Acer pseudoplatanus cells. Two main processes,...Full Text Available
Drawing on published tobacco document research and related sources, this article applies Farnsworth and Holden's conceptual framework for the analysis of corporate power and corporate involvement...Full Text Available
It has previously been established that muscles become active in response to deviations from a threshold (referent) position of the body or its segments, and that intentional motor actions result from...Full Text Available
General balance laws and constitutive relations are developed for convective hydrothermal geothermal reservoirs. A fully interacting rock-fluid system is considered; typical rock-fluid interactions involve momentum and energy transfer, and the dependence ...
Shilajit has been used traditionally in folk medicine for treatment of a variety of disorders, including syndromes involving excessive complement activation. Extracts of Shilajit contain significant...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn cancer research, most clinical variables have already been investigated and are now well established. The use of transcriptomic variables has raised two problems: restricting...Full Text Available
BackgroundMost rapidly evolving gene families are involved in immune responses and reproduction, two biological functions which have been assigned to the carcinoembryonic antigen...Full Text Available
Cocaine is a worldwide used drug and its abuse is associated with physical, psychiatric and social problems. The mechanism by which cocaine causes neurological damage is very complex and involves several...Full Text Available
Mechanisms regulating sexual differentiation of the zebra finch song system appear to include both genetic and hormonal factors. Sorting Nexin 2 (SNX2), which is involved in trafficking proteins...Full Text Available
In Pseudomonas paucimobilis UT26, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH) is converted by two steps of dehydrochlorination to a chemically unstable intermediate, 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-1,4-cyclohexadiene...Full Text Available
Sphingomonas (formerly Pseudomonas) paucimobilis UT26 utilizes γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), a halogenated organic insecticide,...Full Text Available
Sphingomonas (formerly Pseudomonas) paucimobilis UT26 utilizes γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), a halogenated organic insecticide,...Full Text Available
In this report we assessed retrospectively the usefulness of Thallium-201 chloride scintigraphy for diagnosing malignant tumors of the maxillofacial region. Thallium-201 chloride scintigraphy was performed on 74 patients with malignant tumors and 8 patients with benign tumors, and a retention index was calculated from the early and delayed scintigrams (delayed accumulation ratio/ early accumulation ratio). This retention index depended on the blood flow of tumors and the affinity of tumors with Thallium-201 chloride. The retention index was large for malignant tumors (avg.: 1.05) and small for benign tumors (avg.: 0.78). Concerning the degree of malignancy (the histological type and the degree of tumor involvement), the retention index was higher in highly malignant tumors (1.20 for poorly-differentiated tumors and 1.19 for aggressive-involvement-type tumors) and lower for tumors of low malignancy (1.02 for well-differentiated tumors and 0.98 ...
Recently, there have been multiple high-profile incidents involving the release of classified government information. Perhaps most prominent was Wikileaks.org's unauthorized publication of more than 600,000 classified Department of Defense documents. Such...
Proprioceptive sensory signals inform the CNS of the consequences of motor acts, but effective motor planning involves internal neural systems capable of anticipating actual sensory feedback....Full Text Available
The membrane properties of isolated cultured microglia have been extensively studied but it is important to understand their properties in situ, where they protect the brain against...Full Text Available
RNA is involved in a variety of chromatin modification events, ranging from large-scale structural rearrangements to subtle local affects. Here, we extend the evidence for RNA–chromatin interactions...Full Text Available
Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous Ca2+ influx pathway involved in control of multiple cellular and physiological processes including cell proliferation. Recent evidence...Full Text Available
The binding mode of telomestatin to G-quadruplex DNA has been investigated using electrospray mass spectrometry, by detecting the intact complexes formed in ammonium acetate. The mass measurements show...Full Text Available
1. The effect of capsaicin pre-treatment on adrenal catecholamine (CA) secretion in response to stress is controversial. In earlier experiments performed under pentobarbitone anaesthesia, the release...Full Text Available
E-cadherins belong to a family of membrane-bound, cellular adhesion proteins. Their adhesive properties mainly involve the two N-terminal extracellular domains (EC1 and EC2). The junctions between these...Full Text Available
CART peptides are endogenous neurotransmitters that are involved in a variety of physiologic functions. Injection of CART 55-102 into the nucleus accumbens produces no effect, but when co-administered...Full Text Available
The major emphasis of this past year's research effort toward characterizing the responses of the cardiovascular system of the military working dog has been to obtain renal hemodynamic information from dogs involved in various stages of obedience, scoutin...
Several independent studies of bacterial degradation of nitrate ester explosives have demonstrated the involvement of flavin-dependent oxidoreductases related to the old yellow enzyme (OYE) of yeast....Full Text Available
DYF-13, originally identified in C. elegans within a collection of dye-filling chemosensory mutants, is one of several proteins that have been classified as putatively involved...Full Text Available
Unruptured cerebral aneurysms often present with neuro-ophthalmological symptoms but ocular autonomic involvement from an aneurysm of the posterior circulation has not previously been reported. A patient...Full Text Available
IntroductionBRAF (v raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homologue B1) is a serine-threonine kinase involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway, known...Full Text Available
Data from an epidemiological study in Ontario, involving 304 dairy herds, were used to identify associations between selected production indices and lipoarabinomannan antigen serological test results...Full Text Available
He said due to DoD's early involvement in the creation of the Internet (a product of DARPA), it has more address space at its disposal than most other organizations worldwide....
The protein kinase CK2 (formerly casein kinase II) is thought to be involved in light-regulated gene expression in plants because...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: Angiosarcoma of the scalp is a rare, aggressive, and deadly cancer that affects mainly elderly Caucasian men. OBJECTIVES: The insidious and masquerading presentation of angiosarcoma poses...Full Text Available
The expression of tripartite multidrug efflux pumps such as MexA-MexB-OprM in Pseudomonas aeruginosa contributes to intrinsic resistance to a wide variety of antimicrobials, including...Full Text Available
Decreased cognitive performance reduces independence and quality of life for aging individuals. Healthy brain aging does not involve significant neuronal loss, but little is known about the...Full Text Available
Life-history theory predicts that traits involved in maturity, reproduction and survival correlate along a fast–slow continuum of life histories. Evolutionary theories and empirical results...Full Text Available
Neurons are born throughout adulthood in the hippocampus and show enhanced plasticity compared to mature neurons. However, there are conflicting reports on whether or not young neurons contribute...Full Text Available
Genetic test systems involving microorganisms and liver enzyme preparations may be insufficient to detect compounds that require breakdown by enzymes provided by the microbial flora of the intestinal...Full Text Available
The repair process of damaged tissue involves the coordinated activities of several cell types in response to local and systemic signals. Following acute tissue injury, infiltrating inflammatory cells...Full Text Available
BackgroundObesity is one of the principal causative factors involved in the development of metabolic syndrome. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an energy sensor that regulates...Full Text Available
Advanced Glycated End Products (AGEs) are formed by non-enzymatic protein glycation and are implicated in several physiological aspects including cell aging and diseases. Recent data indicate that bacteria...Full Text Available
The conventional IMRT planning process involves two stages in which the first stage consists of fast but approximate idealized pencil beam dose calculations and dose optimization and the second...Full Text Available
The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) plays a central role in the regulation of the female reproductive behavior lordosis, a behavior dependent upon the sequential activation of receptors for the ovarian...Full Text Available
The interaction of long-chain fatty acids with cells is important for their uptake and metabolism, as well as their involvement in signalling processes. The majority of long-chain fatty acids circulating...Full Text Available
PurposeHyperglycemia and hypertension contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy, and this may involve alterations in the normal retinal cell cycle. In this work, we examined...Full Text Available
Background:With the advent of newer antipsychotic drugs, side effects such as sexual dysfunction have been a major contributor toward treatment compliance. There are only...Full Text Available
Picocyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus are important contributors to marine primary production and are ubiquitous in the world's oceans. This genus is genetically diverse, and...Full Text Available
Gene expression profiling has played an important role in cancer risk classification and has shown promising results. Since gene expression profiling often involves determination of a set of...Full Text Available
Leaf senescence is a developmentally programmed degeneration process, which is fine tuned by a complex regulatory network for plant fitness. However, molecular regulation of leaf senescence is poorly...Full Text Available
This study examines the longitudinal relationship between personal and sexual partner incarceration and subsequent HIV risk behaviors among drug-involved men and their primary female sexual...Full Text Available
The primary method for neuronal communication involves the extracellular release of small molecules that are packaged in secretory vesicles. We have developed a platform to separate, lyse, and...Full Text Available
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is characterized by mucocutaneous and visceral telangiectasia and involves several organs with vascular malformations. It is an autosomal dominant disease and is...Full Text Available
The conifer Picea abies (Norway spruce) defends itself against herbivores and pathogens with a terpenoid-based oleoresin composed chiefly of monoterpenes (C10) and diterpenes...Full Text Available
Synthetic complementary oligonucleotides are useful hybridization probes for the detection of mRNAs and genes encoding proteins for which only a partial amino acid sequence is known. Usually this involves...Full Text Available
...parents or guardians and for assent by children. 46.408 Section 46.408 Public...SUBJECTS Additional Protections for Children Involved as Subjects in Research ...parents or guardians and for assent by children. (a) In addition to the...
BackgroundPathophysiological mechanisms involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are complex and none has identified reliable markers useful in routine patient evaluation....Full Text Available
The research has involved the characterization of catalyst acidity, [sup 2]D NMR studies of Bronsted acid sites, and kinetic, calorimetric, and spectroscopic studies of methylamine synthesis and related reactions over acid catalysts. Approach of this work was to explore quantitative correlations between factors that control the generation, type, strength, and catalytic properties of acid sites on zeolite catalysts. Microcalorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy have provided information about the nature and strength of acid sites in zeolites. This was vital in understanding the catalytic cycles involved in methylamine synthesis and related reactions over zeolite catalysts.
SummaryInitial results from the use of activated dolomite from QUESTOR project L1 have proved extremely encouraging in terms of metallic ion (also phosphate, nitrate and dye) removal from wastewater, with capacities in some instances in excess of commercially available activated carbons.This new project involves investigating actual plant effluent in laboratory scale columns and the design of a pilot scale rig for on site trials. The project also involves investigating disposal options and an economic [continued...
Abstract Reticulate pattern is one of the most important dermatological signs of a pathological process involving the superficial vascular networks. Vascular malformations, such as cutis marmorata congenita telangiectasia and benign forms of livedo reticularis, and sinister conditions, such as meningococcal meningitis or Sneddon's syndrome, can all present with a reticulate pattern. The clinical presentation and morphology is determined by the nature and extent of the underlying pathology and the involvement of a particular vascular network. This review has been divided into four instalments. In the present paper, we discuss the anatomy and physiology of the complex network of vascular structures that support the function of the skin and subcutis.
The debate about whether or not animals have foresight has focused on whether animals can be shown to have episodic future thinking, that is the ability to travel mentally in time and see themselves in the future. This focus has distracted from consideration of other forms of foresight that animals demonstrate. We propose a framework for examining future-oriented behaviours and then discuss the evidence for future thinking in animals. In the final section we examine some perspectives of future thinking and suggest that there are future-oriented capabilities of animals that do not involve mental time travel but may yet involve future thinking which deserve further investigation. PMID:20522320
Outage is a specific period of time for radiation protection in a nuclear power plant, in which the radiation risk and collective dose are both at the highest level. In this article, the practice and experience of occupational exposure control in the outages of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant are introduced through following aspects: early involvement in outage preparation by radiation protection service, control of source term, radiation protection and safety management in the outage implementation processes, the effectiveness of the plant's safety management network and overall involvement of all staffs of the plant, experience feedback and continuous improvement in radiation protection management, etc
The economy of Poland depends to a large extent upon the exploitation of its vast rich coal reserves for which new mines will have to be sunk and existing mines modernized. Two avenues of coal conversion are being followed. Both involve hydrogenation but one is based on solvent extraction of coal and the other on its pyrolysis. At present large scale established methods of chemical treatment are those which involve the production of coke, production of town-gas, production of synthesis gas and partial oxydation. Total weight amounts to 21,000,000 tons.
This very significant and useful report assessed state-of-the-art geothermal technologies. The findings presented in this report are the result of site visits and interviews with plant owners and operators, representatives of major financial institutions, utilities involved with geothermal power purchases and/or wheeling. Information so obtained was supported by literature research and data supplied by engineering firms who have been involved with designing and/or construction of a majority of the plants visited. The interviews were conducted by representatives of the Bonneville Power Administration, the Washington State Energy Office, and the Oregon Department of Energy during the period 1986-1989. [DJE-2005
During 2009, the Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, went live with MetaLib, a federated search engine from Ex Libris. This paper presents the implementation process, addresses resource accessibility issues, and suggests a number of resources that can be consulted about these issues. Readers can apply similar strategies to projects involving federated search systems, as many implementation projects involve the same basic considerations presented here. The author did not find any studies specifically focused on configurations of MetaLib resources, so this content should be singularly useful.
Information security involves many branches of effort, including information assurance, host level security, physical security, and network security. Computer network security methods and implementations are given a top-down description to permit a medically focused audience to anchor this information to their daily practice. The depth of detail of network functionality and security measures, like that of the study of human anatomy, can be highly involved. Presented at the level of major gross anatomical systems, this paper will focus on network backbone implementation and perimeter defenses, then diagnostic tools, and finally the user practices (the human element). Physical security measures, though significant, have been defined as beyond the scope of this presentation.
This article examines the interplay between globalising and localising forces occurring in a child welfare reform project in South Korea. Focusing especially on care and education services for children and families provided by the Korean 'Dream Start' programme, which provides comprehensive health, parental involvement and welfare services to low-income children and their families, I discuss its involvement in the process of 'glocalisation'. Drawing on Foucaultian ideas, I conducted a critical discourse analysis of the policy documents of Dream Start. The article concludes by discussing local resistance to the creation of a cosmopolitan child and the dual qualities of inclusion/exclusion inscribed in the Dream Start project.
A complete guide to 7000 key decision makers and 2800 organizations actively involved in energy today, the 1983 Directory updates the changes in state and Congressional energy offices that resulted from the 1982 elections, the reshuffling at DOE, the shifts of jurisdiction at the Department of the Interior, and the increasing role of the private sector in funding energy research and development. New features include the addition of nearly 100 major venture-capital firms and key public-affairs contacts. The Directory also features an Annual Energy Review highlighting development that will have international effects in the coming year.
Direct nuclear reactions are commonly understood in terms of distorted wave (DW) formalisms. In the case of a single nucleon knockout or transfer reaction the DW analysis provides a reasonable understanding of the observed data. On the other hand the predictions based on different available information inputs have been verified with the observations consistently. In the case of direct reactions involving nuclear clusters however, the DW predictions have been found to disagree with the observations in most cases. The outcome of these and other improvements in the intermediate energy nuclear phenomena involving direct reactions are highlighted. (author). 13 refs., 18 figs.
Botulinum neurotoxin is produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. The neurotoxin inhibits acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thus interfering with overall muscular contraction. Botulinum neurotoxin is commonly used for the following medical conditions: cervical dystonia, upper limb spasticity, blepharospasm, strabismus, and hyperhydrosis. However, the use of botulinum neurotoxin was recently approved for the prophylaxis of headaches in adults with chronic migraines. The proposed mechanism of botulinum neurotoxin is no longer solely limited to the inhibition of acetylcholine. There are new mechanisms emerging that involve inhibition of proinflammatory agents and neuropeptides involved in chronic pain. Consequently, there is a disruption of the overall sensory feedback loop...
Malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities are rare and often diagnosed late in the course of the disease. These tumors can extend into regions such as the orbit and brain, where treatment is difficult. Ten patients with non treated sinonasal malignant neoplasms and radiological evidence of tumor extension into the orbit and brain were studied with computed tomography. Five (50%) tumors were epithelial neoplasms whereas squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type (3 cases). The ethmoidal sinus was the most common site of origin of the tumors (40%), followed by the maxillary sinus (30%) and nasal cavity (30%). A total of 16 orbits were involved since 6 patients (60%) had bilateral orbital involvement. The tumors extended more often into the orbits through erosion of the medial and inferior orbital bones. All orbital compartments were involved in the majority of the orbits. Tumoral extension into the cranial cavity was ...
The present study was undertaken to determine the involvement of calcium-protein kinase C pathway in the mechanism of action of Escherichia coli heat stable enterotoxin (STa) apart from STa-induced activation of guanylate cyclase in human colonic carcinoma cell line COLO-205, which was used as a model cultured cell line to study the mechanism of action of E. coli STa. In response to E. coli STa, protein kinase C (PKC) activity was increased in a time-dependent manner with its physical translocation from cytosol to membrane. Inhibition of the PKC activity in membrane fraction and inhibition of its physical translocation in response to IP_3-mediated calcium release inhibitor dantrolene suggested the involvement of intracellular store depletion in the regulation of PKC activity. Among different PKC isoforms, predominant involvement of calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC#alpha#) was specified using isotype-specific ...
This report presents findings from the first year of a two-year study of interactive efforts involving utilities and non-utility parties (NUPS) working together to prepare plans, develop Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs, or otherwise promote integrated planning and the use of cost-effective DSM measures. Of the ten cases covered in the current study, seven involved the collaborative approach to NUP involvement, which generally is marked by intensive utility-NUP interactions designed to reach consensus on a broad range of important issues; in collaboratives, outside consultants often are provided to enhance the technical capabilities of the NUPS. Another of the cases in this study involved a cooperative arrangement,'' whereby a utility and a NLT worked together in a focused short-term effort to develop a single DSM program. The intense interaction involved in ...
This report presents findings from the first year of a two-year study of interactive efforts involving utilities and non-utility parties (NUPS) working together to prepare plans, develop Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs, or otherwise promote integrated planning and the use of cost-effective DSM measures. Of the ten cases covered in the current study, seven involved the collaborative approach to NUP involvement, which generally is marked by intensive utility-NUP interactions designed to reach consensus on a broad range of important issues; in collaboratives, outside consultants often are provided to enhance the technical capabilities of the NUPS. Another of the cases in this study involved a ``cooperative arrangement,`` whereby a utility and a NLT worked together in a focused short-term effort to develop a single DSM program. The intense interaction involved in this approach ...
Primary adenocarcinomas of the urinary bladder are uncommon, and the molecular pathways are currently not well defined. In this study, we assessed the association between biologic markers and clinicopathologic characteristics in a cohort of 21 patients with primary urinary bladder adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for cell cycle-specific markers, including p53, p21, p27, Ki-67, and cyclin E, were performed on sections of a tissue microarray construct. The tumors were high grade in 12 (57%) and pT2 or higher in 18 (86%); lymph nodes were involved in 6 cases (29%); and there was pathologic evidence of schistosomiasis in 14 (67%). The best prognostic combination of markers was combined alterations in p27 and Ki-67 and was associated with stage (P = .012), grade (P = .005), DNA ploidy (P = .005), and lymph node involvement (P = .04). Stage, lymph node involvement, combined alterations of p27 and Ki-67, and combined ...
Intrathecal _1_9_8Au colloid and methotrexate were administered to 27 children (between 1972 and 1981) with non-lymphatic leukaemia, 21 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and two with Ewing's sarcoma to prevent CNS involvement. In one boy with non-lymphatic leukaemia a stable remission after a three-year period of cytostatic treatment ended with isolated CNS involvement. No isolated CNS recurrence occurred in children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving regular radiogold administration. Combined iris and CNS recurrence occurred in one child with non-Hodkin lymphoma. Eleven of 21 children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have been in complete initial remission for 4-39 months without cytostatic treatment. Late cerebral complications have not been observed after _1_9_8Au colloid and methotrexate. (orig.).
NFAT involvement in adipocyte physiological processes was examined by treatment with CsA and/or GSK3{beta} inhibitors (Li{sup +} or TZDZ-8), which prevent or increase NFAT nuclear translocation, respectively. CsA treatment reduced basal and TNF{alpha}-induced rates of lipolysis by 50%. Adipocytes preincubated with Li{sup +} or TZDZ-8 prior to CsA and/or TNF{alpha}, exhibited enhanced basal rates of lipolysis and complete inhibition of CsA-mediated decreased rates of lipolysis. CsA treatment dramatically reduced the mRNA levels of adipocyte-specific genes (aP2, HSL, PPAR{gamma}, ACS and Adn), compared with control or TNF{alpha}-treatment, whereas Li{sup +} pretreatment blocked the inhibitory effects of CsA, and mRNA levels of aP2, HSL, PPAR{gamma}, and ACS were found at or above control levels. NFAT nuclear localization, assessed by EMSA, confirmed that CsA or Li{sup +} treatments inhibited or increased NFAT nuclear translocation, respectively. These results show ...
Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement, whether primary by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus - HIV - itself, or secondary (toxoplasmosis or lymphoma) is remarkably frequent in AIDS, in 40 to 70% of cases, depending upon the author. In order to study the natural history of this illness, a cohort of 25 asymptomatic seropositive patients have been established. Every 6 months these patients undergo biological and clinical examinations, as well as Magnetic Resonance brain scans. After two examinations at a 6 month's interval, the first results are reported. Out of these 25 cases, 9 present anomalies: One patient with diffuse cerebral atrophy and 8 others with high signal intensity areas on T2 weighted sequences, like those of the Multiple Sclerosis. No relationship could be demonstrated between the existence of these lesions and various criteria such as age, sex, risk factors and T4 cells count. The nature of these lesions is not lear. They certainly indicate early ...
The primary aim was to evaluate delayed contrast-enhanced MRI in depicting perineural spread of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) and consequently to determine the capability of MRI/MRCP for staging CCC. Fifteen patients that underwent MRI/MRCP and surgical treatment were retrospectively included. Two radiologists evaluated MR images to assess delayed periductal enhancement, extent of bile duct stenosis, liver parenchymal and vascular involvement and presence of liver atrophy. An agreement between delayed enhancement of the bile duct walls and perineural neoplastic spread showed a very good correlation factor (0.93). The overall accuracy in detecting biliary neoplastic invasion was higher for delayed T1-weighted images (93.3%) than for the MRCP images (80%), and T1-delayed image increased the MR accuracy in assessing the neoplastic resectability (p < 0.05). MRI correctly predicted vascular involvement in 73% and liver ...
Astrocyte dysfunction is implicated in course of various age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic injection of D-galactose can cause a progressive deterioration in learning and memory capacity and serve as an animal model of aging. To investigate the involvement of astrocytes in this model, oxidative stress biomarkers, biochemical and pathological changes of astrocytes were examined in the hippocampus of the rats with six weeks of D-galactose injection. D-galactose-injected rats displayed impaired antioxidant systems, an increase in nitric oxide levels, and a decrease in reduced glutathione levels. Consistently, western blotting and immunostaining of glial fibrillary acidic protein showed extensive activation of astrocytes. Double-immunofluorescent staining further showed activated astrocytes highly expressed inducible nitric oxide synthase. Electron microscopy demonstrated the degeneration of astrocytes, especially in the aggregated area of synapse and ...
In the presence of hydroxyl anion, both formaldehyde and glyoxal are known to undergo rearrangements involving intermolecular and intramolecular hydride transfer (the Cannizzaro and Benzilic acid rearrangements respectively). The authors report ab initio SCF-MO calculations of the transition state geometries, the activation barriers, and the hydrogen isotope effects for these two reactions. The structure of the transition state for the rection involving formaldehyde is usually basis set dependent, becoming more linear and symmetrical as the basis set size increases. In contrast, the analogous transition state for the glyoxal reaction involves a highly non-linear hydride transfer. They find the isotope effects to be quite low for the Cannizzaro reaction, and significantly larger for the non-linear benzilic acid rection, in apparent contradiction to Westheimer's suggestion the isotope effects reach a maximum for linear ...
Preliminary field investigations suggest three detachments in the Sadlerochit and Shublik Mountains: (1) the Kingak Shale, (2) along the pre-Mississippian unconformity, and (3) within the pre-Mississippian basement. Thrust faults that cut the overlying Mississippian and younger section have horizontal displacements of 5-8 km and emplace pre-Mississippian rocks on Cretaceous strata. A large number of smaller thrust faults, responsible for deformation of the pre-Mississippian surface contribute to shortening. Structures involving the pre-Mississippian section trend east-west whereas earlier formed structures related to the Kingak Shale decollement trend east-northeast-to west-southwest. Possible exploration leads beneath the coastal plain include: (1) large, broad, basement involved structural culminations that may have subtle seismic expressions and (2) pre-Mississippian potential reservoirs thrust over Cretaceous source beds. Possible ...
Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica SA is the operator of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant and the second largest energy producer in Romania, after Hidroelectrica, ensuring 18% of the internal energy demand. The production of nuclear power differs from other industrial activities through the risks it involves and through the legacy it leaves to the future generations, i.e. the nuclear waste. Taking into account these considerations, public acceptance represents a constant preoccupation for nuclear companies around the world. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a new practice in the nuclear industry. After a long tradition of involvement in the life of the local community through the Social Program for Cernavoda, Nuclearelectrica has initiated a CSR campaign with the theme 'Welcome a tree in your family', addressed to pupils and high school students from Cernavoda. By this campaign, we aimed at creating relevance, not just green lots and ...
The type III secretion system among Gram-negative bacteria is known to deliver effectors into host cell to interfere with host cellular processes. The type III secretion system in Yersina, Pseudomonas and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli have been well documented to be involved in the bacterial pathogenicity. The existence of type III secretion system has been demonstrated in neuropathogenic E. coli K1 strains. Here, it is observed that the deletion mutant of type III secretion system in E. coli strain EC10 exhibited defects in the invasion and intracellular survival in Acanthamoeba castellanii (a keratitis isolate) compared to its parent strain. Next, it was determined whether type III secretion system plays a role in E. coli K1 survival inside Acanthamoeba during the encystment process...
How do people understand questions about cause and prevent? Some theories propose that people affirm that A causes B if A's occurrence makes a difference to B's occurrence in one way or another. Other theories propose that A causes B if some quantity or symbol gets passed in some way from A to B. The aim of our studies is to compare these theories' ability to explain judgements of causation and prevention. We describe six experiments that compare judgements for causal paths that involve a mechanism, i.e. a continuous process of transmission or exchange from cause to effect, against paths that involve no mechanism yet a change in the cause nevertheless brings about a change in the effect. Our results show that people prefer to attribute cause when a mechanism links cause to effect. In contr...
DFNA5 was first identified as a gene causing autosomal dominant hearing loss (HL). Different mutations have been found, all exerting a highly specific gain-of-function effect, in which skipping of exon 8 causes the HL. Later reports revealed the involvement of the gene in different types of cancer. Epigenetic silencing of DFNA5 in a large percentage of gastric, colorectal and breast tumors and p53-dependent transcriptional activity have been reported, concluding that DFNA5 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in different frequent types of cancer. Despite these data, the molecular function of DFNA5 has not been investigated properly. Previous transfection studies with mutant DFNA5 in yeast and in mammalian cells showed a toxic effect of the mutant protein, which was not seen after transfection ...
Motivated by the discovery of superconductivity in alkali and alkaline earth fullerides, this program was undertaken both to understand the nature of and expand the range of materials demonstrating superconductivity. The first approach involved attempts to modify the fullerene cage by incorporating heteroatoms in the structure and the preparation and photophysical properties of nitrogen and sulfur doped fullerenes were studied in detail. The second approach involved examining the stoichiometry and effect of preparative conditions on the behavior of alkali, alkaline earth, lanthanide and mixed ion fullerides. In particular, the authors have elaborated on a technique for making such salts using liquid ammonia or aliphatic amines as solvents. Thirdly, modeling studies were undertaken to predict the properties of heterohedral fullerines and metal - C60 complexes, and theoretical guidelines were developed for understanding the reactivity of the ...
The aims of this study were to quantify the severity and extent of subclinical interstitial lung disease as depicted on HRCT and to study the relationship between the patterns of lung disease quantified by HRCT and the functional parameters and bronchoalveolar lavage findings in patients with rheumatic diseases. The results confirm that HRCT is a sensitive tool in detecting interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatic diseases with no signs and symptoms of pulmonary involvement. The relationship between the different HRCT patterns and bronchoalveolar lavage cell profiles can identify patients at higher risk of developing irreversible lung fibrosis. A long-term, prospective follow-up study is needed to determine whether these patients will develop over pulmonary disease.
A simple method is presented for the separation of lead-203 from copper-backed thallium cyclotron targets. The procedure involves cation-exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid-acetone mixtures. Further purification involves anion-exchange chromatography in nitric acid-hydrobromic acid mixtures. A cation-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can handle as much as 15 g of thallium and 160 mg of copper. An anion-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can separate lead from up to 200 mg of thallium and 10 mg of copper. Separations are extremely sharp and less than 0.1 ..mu..g of thallium and less than 0.1 ..mu..g of copper remain in the lead-203 fraction.
A simple method is presented for the separation of lead-203 from copper-backed thallium cyclotron targets. The procedure involves cation-exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid-acetone mixtures. Further purification involves anion-exchange chromatography in nitric acid-hydrobromic acid mixtures. A cation-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can handle as much as 15 g of thallium and 160 mg of copper. An anion-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can separate lead from up to 200 mg of thallium and 10 mg of copper. Separations are extremely sharp and less than 0.1 #mu#g of thallium and less than 0.1 #mu#g of copper remain in the lead-203 fraction. (author).
Fgf receptor 2c (Fgfr2c) was expressed in mature adipocytes of mouse white adipose tissue (WAT). To examine the role of Fgfr2c in mature adipocytes, we generated adipocyte-specific Fgfr2 knockout (Fgfr2 CKO) mice. The hypertrophy impairment of adipocytes in the mesenteric WAT but not in the subcutaneous WAT and decreased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were observed in Fgfr2 CKO mice. Although the expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in the mesenteric WAT was essentially unchanged, the expression of uncoupling protein 2 potentially involved in energy dissipation was significantly increased. Among potential Fgf ligands for Fgfr2c, Fgf9 was preferentially expressed in the mesenteric WAT. The present findings indicate that Fgfr2c potentially activ...
Radiosensitization by lactate, pyruvate, nalidixic acid and novobiocin was studied in exponentially growing SH-18L human lung fibroblasts. All the chemicals had a slight radiosensitizing effect at a low concentration and a definite effect at a higher one. Decreases in the D_0 and/or Dq values were present in each dose survival curve. Fibroblasts incubated with the low concentration of each chemical for 24 hrs after X irradiation showed no reduction in intracellular ATP content, whereas, the higher concentration produced a significant decrease. These observations suggest that the decrease in the ATP content may be involved in the radiosensitization of human fibroblasts at high concentrations of these chemicals. In contrast, radiosensitization at a low concentration is not explained by a relationship to ATP content. Different mechanisms may be involved in radiosensitization at low and high concentrations of these chemicals. (author).
At the quark level there are basically two types of contributions of R-parity violating supersymmetry (Rep SUSY) to neutrinoless double beta decay: the short-range contribution involving only heavy virtual superpartners and the long-range one with the virtual squark and neutrino. Hadronization of the effective operators, corresponding to these two types of contributions, may in general involve virtual pions in addition to close on-mass-shell nucleons. From the previous studies it is known that the short-range contribution is dominated by the pion exchange. In the present paper we show that this is also true for the long-range Rep SUSY contribution. Therefore, we conclude that the Rep SUSY contributes to the neutrinoless double beta decay dominantly via charged pion exchange between the decaying nucleons.
This issue of Carbon Market Perspectives on 'Pathways for implementing REDD+: Experience from carbon markets and communities' discusses the role of carbon markets in scaling up investments for REDD+ in developing countries. Nine articles authored by experienced negotiators on REDD+, carbon market actors, project developers and other leading experts share experiences and make suggestions on the key elements of a future international REDD+ regime: Architecture and underlying principles, measuring, reporting and verification (MRV), private-sector involvement, the rights of indigenous people and local communities, biodiversity conservation and environmental integrity. The articles are grouped under three main topics: the lessons of existing REDD+ projects; the future REDD+ regime and the role of carbon markets; and experiences and ideas about the involvement of indigenous people and local communities. (LN)
Pneumonia caused by Mannheimia haemolytica is an important disease of domestic sheep (DS, Ovis aries) and cattle (BO). M. haemolytica is a normal commensal of the upper respiratory tract in ruminants, but during stress and viral infection it breaches the host innate mucosal defense and descents into lungs causing fibrinous pleuropneumonia. Leukotoxin (Lkt) produced by M. haemolytica is cytolytic to all subsets of ruminant leukocytes. Earlier, we and others have shown that DS and BO LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) can mediate Lkt-induced cytolysis. It is not clear whether CR4 (CD11c/CD18), which is involved in chemotaxis, phagocytosis and regulates host immune response can also mediate Lkt-induced cytolysis in ruminants. The host innate immune response to M. haemolytica is poorly ...
Response Surface Methodology (RSM) via Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to optimize the alkaline hydrolysis of paddy straw to improve ferulic acid extraction. The parameters involved, namely temperature (^oC), concentration of NaOH (M) and duration of extraction (h) are screened by Full Factorial Studies (FFD). The result obtained from FFD was 0.518% (5.18mg/g). The interactions between each parameters involved were studied using Central Composite Design (CCD). Upon optimization, the percentage of ferulic acid improved from 0.518% to 0.817% (8.17mg/g). The optimum conditions obtained from this study are 125^oC, 3.90M, 2.30h for temperature, concentration of NaOH and extraction time, respectively. This result shows a significant improvement than the previous published work. Details o...
Boiling jet impingement cooling is currently being explored to cool power electronics components. In hybrid vehicles, inverters are used for DC-AC conversion. These inverters involve a number of insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), which are used as on/off switches. The heat dissipated in these transistors can result in heat fluxes of up to 200 W/cm{sup 2}, which makes the thermal management problem quite important. In this paper, turbulent jet impingement involving nucleate boiling is explored numerically. The framework for these computations is the CFD code FLUENT. For nucleate boiling, the Eulerian multiphase model is used. The numerical results for boiling water and R113 jets (submerged) are validated against existing experimental data in the literature. Some representative IGBT package simulations that use R134a as the cooling fluid are also presented. (author)
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is associated with a dismal prognosis; however, curative resection may offer a chance of cure. Various factors should be considered in the surgical planning for curative resection. These factors include extent of bile duct involvement, relationship between portal vein and tumor involvement, diffuse hepato duodenal ligament infiltration, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal seeding, and hepatic volume. Using high-quality volume data from multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and adequate postprocessing images, radiologists can provide various types of information, imperative for curative resection of a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. This review illustrates the role of MDCT in the preoperative workup of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Summary Many important moral decisions, particularly at the policy level, require the evaluation of choices involving outcomes of variable magnitude and probability. Many economic decisions involve the same problem. It is not known whether and to what extent these structurally isomorphic decisions rely on common neural mechanisms. Subjects undergoing fMRI evaluated the moral acceptability of sacrificing a single life to save a larger group of variable size and probability of dying without action. Paralleling research on economic decision making, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum were specifically sensitive to the "expected moral value" of actions, i.e., the expected number of lives lost/saved. Likewise, the right anterior insula was specifically sensitive to outcome p...
Up to now, P diffusion in Ge is modeled with an effective diffusivity involving at most a quadratic dependence with the free electron concentration (n). However, recent theoretical studies suggest the existence of a triply negatively charged state for the free vacancy in germanium and experimental data indicate that the E center (PV pair) in Ge has a double acceptor state. These two facts would be consistent with a diffusivity model involving a cubic dependence with n. In this paper the validity of this approach is checked for both pure thermal diffusion (intrinsic and extrinsic) and implanted phosphorus, using either our own experiments or other data available from the literature. Although some discrepancies still exist in some cases for the redistribution of implanted P, it is shown that the introduction of this cubic dependence significantly improves the overall agreement as compared with the usual model.
Subcutaneous involvement frequently occurs in maxillary sinus carcinoma. Radical resection does not include removal of the skin at risk. In standard postoperative wedge-pair treatment plans, the surface dose is dependent upon beam weighting, beam energy, and patient contour. Thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurements were performed to evaluate the surface dose of patients undergoing postoperative irradiation of maxillary sinus carcinoma following primary resection. When 60 Gy was delivered to isocenter with a 45 degrees wedge pair and 6 MV photons with 1 cm bolus, the subcutaneous tissues at risk received {approximately} 30 Gy. Based upon presented TLD measurements, supplemental electron beam therapy to the subcutaneous tissues if primarily involved should be considered.
The largest outbreak of cryptosporidiosis reported in the United Kingdom, involving 575 confirmed cases (of which 474 met an agreed case definition), occurred in the county of Devon during August and September of 1995. The descriptive epidemiology supports the hypothesis that the outbreak was associated with the consumption of cold tap water in the area served by a particular water treatment works. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in treated water samples at the time of the outbreak. Although the epidemiological analysis provided strong circumstantial evidence of a waterborne outbreak, the data were not recorded in a manner that made them admissible in criminal proceedings taken by the Drinking Water Inspectorate against the water company involved. The need to carry out an analytical study in conjunction with the identification and characterisation of the pathogen in the drinking water and the practicalities of agreeing criteria for ...
Apart from presenting the marginal legal conditions the research program contains a brief description of current pollution abatement measures, representative heating systems and individually suitable pollution abatement technologies and an account of the determination of the concentration of major pollutants. The comparative evaluation of heating systems assesses their environmental effects, i.e. air pollution caused by heating systems. The determination of the costs of available heat is followed by an overall evaluation of the results obtained with special regard to the costs involved by pollution abatement measures.
This paper is part of a study that assessed the level of commitment of primary schools of remote area dwellers (RADs) to basic education between October 2004 and April 2005. The research question focused on the level of commitment of schools to universal basic education, school-community partnership in school governance and parental involvement in the way the curriculum was delivered. Questionnaire and interviews were used. The results show a significant relationship between teachers' perceptions and variables such as district, qualifications, age, location, and experience. There is consistency between teachers' perceptions and children's academic performance. It has been found that learner achievement in RADs schools is low and that parents are not actively involved in their children's education due to the policy environment and school management practices.
Abstract Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) may be used for therapeutic applications. Culture conditions such as the serum source may impact on cell quality and the onset of replicative senescence. We have examined the effect of culturing hMSCs in autologous serum (AS) versus fetal bovine serum (FBS) on factors involved in in vitro replicative senescence. hMSCs from four donors were cultured in 10% FBS or 10% AS until they reached senescence. Cells were harvested at early passage and near senescence to study factors known to be involved in cellular senescence. The number of population doublings till senescence was similar for cells cultured in FBS, but varied greatly for hMSCs cultured in AS. FBS cells accumulated in S phase of cell cycle. This could not be explained by increased express...
A multivariate logistic regression model, based upon National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) data for calendar years 1999-2008, was developed to predict the probability that a crash-involved vehicle will contain one or more occupants with serious or incapacitating injuries. These vehicles were defined as containing at least one occupant coded with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of greater than or equal to 15, in planar, non-rollover crash events involving Model Year 2000 and newer cars, light trucks, and vans. The target injury outcome measure was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led National Expert Panel on Field Triage in their recent revision of the Field Triage Decision Scheme (American College of Surgeons, 2006). The ...
Modern scientific computing involves organizing, moving, visualizing, and analyzing massive amounts of data from around the world, as well as employing large-scale computation. The distributed systems that solve large-scale problems will always involve aggregating and scheduling many resources. Data must be located and staged, cache and network capacity must be available at the same time as computing capacity, etc. Every aspect of such a system is dynamic: locating and scheduling resources, adapting running application systems to availability and congestion in the middleware and infrastructure, responding to human interaction, etc. The technologies, the middleware services, and the architectures that are used to build useful high-speed, wide area distributed systems, constitute the field of data intensive computing. This paper explores some of the history and future directions of that field.
Gravitational waves are propagating fluctuations of gravitational fields, that is, '' ripples '' in space-time, generated mainly by moving massive bodies. These distortions of space-time travel with the speed of light. Every body in the path of such a wave feels a tidal gravitational force that acts perpendicular to the wave's direction of propagation; these forces change the distance between points, and the size of the changes is proportional to the distance between these points thus gravitational waves can be detected by devices which measure the induced length changes. The frequencies and the amplitudes of the waves are related to the motion of the masses involved. Thus, the analysis of gravitational waveforms allows us to learn about their source and, if there are more than two detectors involved in observation, to estimate the distance and position of their source on the sky. (author)
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) remains to be the most effective long-term treatment for obesity and its associated comorbidities, but the specific mechanisms involved remain elusive. Because RYGB patients appear to no longer be preoccupied with thoughts about food and are satisfied with much smaller meals and calorically dilute foods, brain reward mechanisms could be involved. Just as obesity can produce maladaptive alterations in reward functions, reversal of obesity by RYGB could normalize these changes or even further reset the food reward system through changes in gut hormone secretion, aversive conditioning and/or secondary effects of weight loss. Future studies with longitudinal assessments of reward behaviors and their underlying neural circuits before and after surgery wil...
Reactive chemical transport models developed over the past decade have generally relied on the assumption that local thermodynamic equilibrium is achieved at all times between aqueous species in a given system. Consequently, homogeneous aqueous systems characterized by a number of kinetically slow reactions, particularly problems involving organic species, cannot be satisfactorily modeled. In this study, we present a prototype computer model, KINETRAN, which is designed to handle kinetically-controlled homogeneous reactions in the aqueous phase, along with the transport of the various species involved, through geologic media. 31 refs., 53 figs., 10 tabs.
Fuel Management at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) involves more than just the usual ex-core and in-core management of standard fuel and non-fuel components between storage locations and within the core since it is primarily an irradiation test facility. This mission involves testing an ever increasing variety of fueled and non-fueled experiments, each having unique requirements on the reactor core as well as having its own individual impact on the reload design. This paper describes the fuel management process used by the Westinghouse Hanford Company Core Engineering group that has led to the successful reload design of nine operating cycles and the irradiation of over 120 tests.
This report summarizes the results of a research programme which involves the development of a laboratory experimental facility for the simulation and study of hydro-thermo-mechanical processes in saturated geomaterials with low permeability. The experimentation involves a synthetic cement based porous material made of cement grout which possesses permeabilities in the range of dense unfractured sandstones or shale. Specially manufactured pore-pressure transducers were installed within the cylindrical block at locations adjacent to a plane free boundary. The block was saturated with the periodic application of a vacuum. In its saturated state the plane boundary of the block was subjected to heating via a circular heater the temperature of which was maintained constant. The resulting pore pressure generation along with temperature at these locations was monitored continuously. The results of a series of experiments are documented and further ...
Erythroid differentiation regulator (Erdr1) was first discovered in mouse leukemia cell lines and functions as a stress-related survival factor. This study investigated whether Erdr1 regulates murine melanoma progression, as well as the mechanism involved in Erdr1-regulated metastasis. The expression of Erdr1 is negatively correlated with IL-18 expression, which has a pro-cancer effect in melanoma. To study the role of Erdr1 as an anti-cancer factor, cell migration, invasion, and proliferation were measured. Erdr1 overexpression markedly inhibited the level of cell migration, invasion, and proliferation in B16F10 cells in vitro. In addition, Erdr1 overexpression significantly suppressed melanoma lung colonization, metastasis, and tumor growth in vivo. To identify the factors involved in Er...
... Jillian Kilby is a civil engineer and director of J L Kilby Pty Ltd based between Walgett and Brewarrina in North West NSW. Building an engineering company in rural NSW combines Jillianrsquo;s passions for quality projectengineering services, and rural communities. It is also testament to her determination to build a career no matter where she chose to live. Her company has a strong focus on improving ... Some of Jillianrsquo;s recent projects include involvement in an alternate inland highway feasibility study, a water study at Brewarrina, a multipurpose jetty tender in Wyndham, Western Australia, and project management of the SES yard development in Walgett. Jillian is involved in Engineers Australiarsquo;s Sydney Division. She was the chairman of the Civiland Structural Panel in 2009, is a current board member of the ...
To form a licensing basis for a new methodology for a fuel channel safety analysis code for CANDU-6 nuclear reactor, a CATHENA model for a post-blowdown fuel channel analysis has been developed, and tested for a high temperature thermal-chemical experiment CS28-1 [Lei, Q.M., 1993. Post-test analysis of the 28-element high-temperature thermal-chemical experiment CS28-1. In: 4th International Conference on Simulation Methods in Nuclear Engineering, Montreal, PQ, 1993]. Pursuant to the objective of this investigation, the current study has focused on understanding the involved phenomena, their interrelations, and how to maintain a good accuracy of the temperature and H2 generation rate prediction without losing the important physics of the involved phenomena. The transient simulation results ...
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has the necessary equipment and trained personnel to respond to a large number of hazardous material spills and fires or other emergencies resulting from these spills including injured personnel. This response capability is further expanded by the agreements that LLNL has with a number of outside response agencies. The Hazards Control Department at LLNL functions as the central point for coordinating the response of the equipment and personnel. Emergencies involving hazardous waste are also coordinated through the Hazards Control Department, but the equipment and personnel in the Toxic Waste Control Group would be activated for large volume waste pumpouts. Descriptions of response equipment, hazardous waste locations communication systems, and procedures for personnel involved in the emergency are provided.
The paper presents some aspects relating to the importance of a good communication and cooperation between all factors involved in procurement process at Societatea Nationala 'Nuclearelectrica', SNN. In order to comply with the internal and international rules related to safety in nuclear field and public procurement requirements and for maintaining a high standard of operational performance of Cernavoda NPP, adequate procurement systems were developed by SNN SA. The importance of human factor and the training activities for all personnel from this chain of procurement process is the main key issue to maintain high quality of their activities considering that procurement documents are reviewed and approved before to be issued by all departments involved in procurement process. The specialized department for public acquisition is supervising that the procurement processes initiated at the level of branches, in accordance with their needs and ...
Decontamination and decommission activities related to the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) involve the trapping and recovery of radiolitically generated uranium hexafluoride and fluorine. Although fission product radiolysis was known to generate F{sub 2}, the formation of UF{sub 6} and its transport from the fuel salt was unexpected. Some of these gaseous radiolysis products have been moving through the gas piping to a charcoal bed since the reactor was shut down in 1969. Current and planned remediation and clean-up activities involve the trapping of the gaseous products, deactivation and treatment of the activated charcoal bed, stabilization and reconditioning of the fuel salt, and recovery of the uranium. The chemical aspects of these processes, including radiolytic generation mechanisms, reactions between uranium hexafluoride and fluorine and trapping materials such as activated charcoal, activated alumina, and sodium fluoride, along ...
Data are presented to support the hypothesis that the initial step in the morphologic transformation of irradiated rodent (BALB/3T3) cells is a frequent cellular event involving a large fraction of the irradiated population. This process appears to involve DNA damage, but not to represent a targeted mutation in specific structural gene(s). Morphologic transformation and immortalization appear to be distinct steps in the overall process of transformation. In contradistinction to rodent cells, immortalization is a very rare event in human diploid cells which is induced at extremely low frequencies. The hypothesis is presented that immortality develops among clones of cells bearing stable chromosomal rearrangements which emerge during the proliferation of a population of radiation damaged cells.
Records of 154 patients with Ewing's sarcoma treated at the National Cancer Institute were reviewed to assess the incidence and risk of developing isolated central nervous system (CNS) Ewing's sarcoma. Sixty-two of the 154 patients had received CNS irradiation and intrathecal (i.t.) methotrexate as part of their initial therapy to prevent the occurrence of isolated CNS Ewing's sarcoma. The risk of developing isolate CNS Ewing's sarcoma was greatest within the first two years after diagnosis and was approximately 10%. The overall risk of CNS recurrence in the group of patients receiving DNS treatment was similar to the group receiving no therapy directed to the CNS. The occurrence of isolated CNS involvement was not prevented by the use of CNS irradiation and i.t. methotrexate. Because of a lack of efficacy to the CNS irradiation regimen, current treatment regimens do not include therapy directed to CNS.
The effects of O and C ion implantation with different implantation doses on the yellow luminescence (YL) from unintentional doped n-type GaN have been studied by the photoluminescence (PL) spectra. O and C ions were implanted in the GaN samples with different doses from 1.0 x l013 to 1.0 x l017cm-2. Post-annealing was done in a quartz open-tube furnace under flowing N2 gas for 30 min at 950 degree C. By comparing with N ion implanted samples, it is assumed that different deep-level centers involving in the YL were produced in GaN after O and C ion implantation. In addition, with a dose of 1017 cm-2, the concentration of deep C centers involving in the YL was enhanced markedly. (authors)
A fast multipole transformation is adapted to the evaluation of summations that occur in global climate calculations when transforming between spatial and spherical harmonic representations. For each summation, the timing of the fast multipole transformation scales linearly with the number of latitude gridpoints, but the timing for direct evaluations scales quadratically. In spite of a larger computational overhead, this scaling advantage renders the fast multipole method faster than direct evaluation for transformations involving greater than approximately 300 to 500 gridpoints. Convergence of the fast multipole transformation is accurate to machine precision. As the resolution in global climate calculations continues to increase, an increasingly large fraction of the computational work involves the transformation between spatial and spherical harmonic representations. The fast multipole transformation offers a significant reduction in ...
In this paper, we propose a bid optimizer for sponsored keyword search auctions which leads to better retention of advertisers by yielding attractive utilities to the advertisers without decreasing the revenue to the search engine. The bid optimizer is positioned as a key value added tool the search engine provides to the advertisers. The proposed bid optimizer algorithm transforms the reported values of the advertisers for a keyword into a correlated bid profile using many ideas from cooperative game theory. The algorithm is based on a characteristic form game involving the search engine and the advertisers. Ideas from Nash bargaining theory are used in formulating the characteristic form game to provide for a fair share of surplus among the players involved. The algorithm then computes the nucleolus of the characteristic form game since we find that the nucleolus is an apt way of allocating the gains of cooperation among the search engine and ...
Lymphomatous processes involving the skin can be managed effectively by total skin electron beam irradiation. A technique using weekly doses (400 rad for each of 6 successive weeks) has been employed...Full Text Available
The maximum fissile fuel production capacity of three conceptual fusion breeder systems is examined on the basis of the dominant isotopic-balance processes. Compact relationships involving system power output, plasma and energy multiplication, and parameters which describe the fuel cycle and neutron spectrum in the blanket are established. It is found that the fusion breeder, as characterized herein, possesses a substantial fissile fuel breeding capacity the extent of which is governed primarily by the neutron spectrum in the conversion blanket and the break-even condition of the plasma.
Ewing's sarcoma and Triton's tumor are two uncommon bone tumors of the skull that have nonspecific clinical and imaging features. However, imaging methods are important in the detection of the lesions during the diagnostic investigation in order to evaluate the extent of the bone lesions, involvement of the soft tissues and brain, and to determine the presence of local recurrence and metastases. The confirmatory diagnosis relies on histological studies and immunohistochemistry. The authors report two cases of patients with these tumors and present the radiological findings. (author)
Secretary Cheney's 1990 Annual Report to the President and the Congress established the requirement for the Unified Commanders in Chief to be prepared for Third World conflict involving roles and missions requiring, 'mobile, highly ready, well equipped fo...
In 1960s V.Geodakian proposed a theory that explains sexes as a mechanism for evolutionary adaptation of the species to changing environmental conditions. In 2001 V.Iskrin refined and augmented the concepts of Geodakian and gave a new and interesting explanation to several phenomena which involve sex, and sex ratio, including the war-years phenomena. He also introduced a new concept of the "catastrophic sex ratio." This note is an attempt to digest technical aspects of the new ideas by Iskrin.
Recently, Wang et al. proposed a three-party simultaneous quantum secure direct communication (3P-SQSDC) scheme with EPR pairs, which enables three involved parties to exchange their secret messages simultaneously by using an EPR pair. This work proposed an enhancement on Wang et al.'s scheme. With the enhancement, the communications in the improved 3P-SQSDC can be paralleled and thus improves the protocol efficiency.
Multiple memory systems are involved in parallel processing of spatial information during navigation. A series of studies have distinguished between hippocampus-dependent ‘spatial’ navigation,...Full Text Available
An extension of data mining, text mining involves the extraction of information and knowledge from unstructured text. This constantly evolving field is increasingly used by major corporations, such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. Featuring contributions from leading researchers in the field, this book provides a detailed overview of text mining theory, applications, and visualization. The theory section discusses text mining, information retrieval, latent semantic analysis, pagerank, latent Dirichlet allocation, and probabilistic relational models. In the section on text mining applications,
An interpretation of effects connected with the possible existence of tachyons, i.e. particles moving at a velocity higher than the velocity of light, is given. It is proposed that if there exist in nature particles with super-luminal velocities then they are likely to be found in domains of extremely small space-time intervals #DELTA#xx10"-"1"6cm and #DELTA#t<10"-"2"6s, in which processes involving a violation of spatial and temporal parities are playing an important role.
High and ultra-high strength steels for pipelines are produced by properly handling the steel microstructure. The metallurgical principles involved in the microstructure control are presented, with emphasis on TMCP processing, that comprises conventional controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling. (author)
Pacini (1973) has considered basic theoretical expectations regarding the magnetic dipole radiation and unipolar induction of pulsars, taking into account observational results. The present investigation is concerned with the difference between the two braking mechanisms. Attention is also given to a statistical study involving a comparison of the two braking mechanisms with observations. The study makes use of the observational data for the distribution of apparent beamwidth, and a geometrical method. The obtained results agree with the theory of magnetic dipole radiation.
Previously it was shown that the host-range gene of the Bratislava strain of avain sarcoma virus (B77 virus) spontaneously mutates with a very high rate. The wild-type B77 virus called B77 virus-II,...Full Text Available
...prediction of involvement and saying hasta la vista to global warming and also be a celebrating president obama ...too late to save our planet from the perils of global warming ? john f. kennedy once said ...grandchildren and say we did little to stop the advance of global warming ? we will make a difference ...
... This is an amount less that the measurement accuracy of even the best meteorological instruments . So, is it really worth committing to 40 years of drastic carbon emissions reductions (which necessarily involves increasing the cost of hydrocarbon fuels in order to reduce fuel consumption, and force an industry-wide conversion to much more expensive alternative energy sources), all so that after nearly all of us are ...
We propose a scheme with potential experimental realization to generate 'polarization' entanglement between two atomic ensembles and show one of the applications - a novel secure communication allowing asymptotically key distribution and quasisecure direct communication. The scheme involves laser manipulation of atomic ensembles, adjustable quarter- and half-wave plates, beam splitters, polarizing beam splitters and single-photon detectors, and well fits the status of the current experimental technology.
Physiological properties involved in divergent cadmium (Cd) accumulation among rice genotypes were characterized using the indica cultivar ‘Habataki’ (high Cd in grains)...Full Text Available
This review examines the characteristics of the compression-ignition type of dual-fuel engine and the combustion phenomena that affect these characteristics. The specific areas covered involve normal combustion processes, the nature and origin of engine knock, operation with LNG, and the effect of intake temperature on combustion efficiency and exhaust composition.
The review is devoted to the use of ionic liquids as solvents, immobilized organocatalysts and reagents in reactions involving carbon acids and 1,3-dipoles, which are widely used to prepare practically valuable organic compounds of various classes. The characteristic features of processes in the presence of ionic liquids, the effects of the structure of cations and anions on the regio-, stereo- and enantioselectivities of reactions and methods of recovery of ionic liquids are considered.
Ethyl azidoformate reacts, on thermolysis with acenaphthylene, to give a 1:2 adduct involving sequential aziridine formation, ring-opening to a 1,3-dipolar pyridinium-2,6-betaine, and trapping of the dipole with acenaphthylene. The structure of the adduct was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
The use of Chelex resin for the synthesis of radioactive lead complexes has been explored. The process involved immobilization of {sup 203}Pb on the resin and subsequent elution of complexed lead by chelating agents. {sup 203}Pb complexes derived from meso- and racemic dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA, rac-DMSA) were prepared and assessed for stability in vitro.
The use of Chelex resin for the synthesis of radioactive lead complexes has been explored. The process involved immobilization of "2"0"3Pb on the resin and subsequent elution of complexed lead by chelating agents. "2"0"3Pb complexes derived from meso- and racemic dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA, rac-DMSA) were prepared and assessed for stability in vitro.
The authors present here several recent measurements involving associate production of photons and jets at the Tevatron. In particular, inclusive photon + met from D0, and photon + b-jets and photon + b-jet + leptons + MET from CDF are described in some detail. These measurements offer a good test of QCD predictions in rather complex final states.
The initiation and progression of several forms of retinal degenerations involve excessive, repetitive, and/or sustained oxidative stress that, in turn, mediate photoreceptor cell damage and...Full Text Available
PETROBRAS/TRANSPETRO Pipelines and Terminals have 500 regular employees and 5.064 out sourced workers in its Southeast Division. The out sourced employees work under 125 contracts involving a wide range of activities such as maintenance, pipeline operation, pipeline launching, engineering, administrative and auxiliary services. Among these workers, 1.200 peoples are subjected to occupational exposure, which may be present in the industrial process or in the products transported in our pipelines, e.g. industrial noise, sulfidric gas, toluene, xylene and benzene (recognized as a carcinogen according to ACGIH and Brazilian Ministry of Labour). Our PPRA (acronym in Portuguese for Occupational Exposure Prevention Program) involves the workforce and fosters health by anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of the situations that may result in injuries. Further actions include the procurement of equipment for detection of these agents not ...
This 'Issues in Ecology' article from the Ecological Society of America provides information about the consequences of nutrient enrichment along the US coast. It describes problems such as harmful algal blooms (HABs), anoxia, hypoxia, and dead zones. It explains which nutrients are involved and describes implications of excess nutrients in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River basin. The article features several color photographs, maps, and diagrams.
As part of a handbook on the efficient use of energy a chapter is included which is intended to give an appreciation of the principles and problems involved in the generation of nuclear power. The subject is discussed under the following headings: introductory nuclear physics; basic reactor physics; thermal reactors; fast reactors; fuel reserves and utilization; environmental considerations; nuclear fusion. (U.K.).
This review briefly describes current efforts to develop superradiant sources of coherent radiation for the sub-nanometer range of wavelenghs, using nuclear rather than the atomic or molecular transitions that are stimulated in existing lasers. First the radiative (including Raman) interactions of nuclei with those of atoms and molecules are compared; then the present status of research on the fundamental problems involved in stimulating nuclear gamma radiation is described. (author). 20 refs.; 2 figs.
Current information suggests that chemical carcinogenesis is a multistep process with one of the best studied models in this regard being the two-stage carcinogenesis system using mouse skin. The effects of several carcinogens and tumor promoters in various sequences of application were studied to examine the nature of the process. The actions of several tumor inhibitors were compared. (ACR)
Objective: To investigate the value ofMSCT in observing the direct findings of hilar cholangiocarcinoma1Methods Multislice helical CT studies were performed on the upper abdomen in 19 consecutive patientswith painless jaundice1 Precontrast and dynamic contrast enhanced (25 s phase and 60 s phase) scanswere conducted, and 3D imageswere reconstructed using enhanced raw data in 15 cases1 The direct CT findings of hilar cholangiocarcinoma were studied by three radiologists respectively in a 32scale strategy1 The morphological features and extension of bile duct involvement by hilar cholangiocarcinoma were analyzed1 All the 19 caseswere pathologically p roved as hilar cholangiocarcinoma by surgery (15 cases) and ERCP ( 4 cases) 1 Results The direct findings and extension of hilar cholangiocarcinoma could be demonstrated in 14 out of 15 3D reconstruction images, 8 out of 19 in 25 s phase, and 7 out of 19 in 60 s phase of contrast enhancement scans, respectively ( P < ...
Goal was developing optical methods for study of dynamic processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In the past year, optical second harmonic generation was used for time-resolved measurements of thallium deposition on Cu(111). The studies of carrier dynamics in photo-excited materials have involved both steady-state and picosecond time-resolved luminescence measurements following photoexcitation of the semiconductor material.
The precipitation of excess silicon interstitials into dislocation loops is modeled. This situation occurs when an amorphous layer is created at the surface in order to avoid boron channeling and form shallow p junctions. The modeling of the nucleation of these extended defects is included into the process simulator IMPACT-4. Their density and mean radius are calculated for several annealing times and temperatures and they are compared with experimental characterizations. This is the first step towards a full modeling of the complex processes involved in the transient enhanced diffusion of boron.
This study provides information on energy resource development and the efforts of State and local communities in the Rocky Mountain, Appalachian, and coastal regions to deal with the related social and economic impacts. It also provides information on the range of options and resources generally available to States and local communities from local, State, industry, and Federal sources to plan for and mitigate the adverse effects of energy development. Onsite visits and interviews with State, local, and Federal officials and private industry involved in mitigating socioeconomic impacts were made.
Reported on here are studies of various methods for liquefying coal. Hydropyrolysis as an alternative method for producing liquid hydrocarbons and a carbon enriched char is discussed. Other methods described involve supercritical gas extraction of coal and use of natural gas as a hydrogenating agent. Relevant waste water treatments are discussed as well. 65 refs., 9 figs.
The authors propose an integrated indicator of pump-rod couplings that allows both the couplings and the pump operations to be appraised according to the given formula. (Formula provided). The dynamic relationships of rod operations were determined with nomographs. These relationships involve such factors as: the type and size of the sucker-rod string; the pressure load at the equalizer head and its correlation to threshold pressure at pump discharge; pump diameter; the rod weight and construction; and integral reliability indicators.
Certain transition metal chalcogenides are promising materials for use as cathodes in nonaqueous lithium batteries involving the intercalation into these layered compounds. The electrochemical behavior of the chalcogenides depends on various properties such as structure, stoichiometry, electrical conductivity, crystal morphology, etc. The influence of these properties and of the ultimate practical application of the battery on the selection of cathode material is discussed. Battery performance of selected cathode materials is discussed and life limitations due to the limited cycle life of lithium anodes are outlined. 15 refs.
The capacity of bones to adjust their mass and architecture to withstand the loads of everyday activity derives from the ability of their resident cells to respond appropriately to the strains engendered....Full Text Available
The potential market for irradiated chicken breasts was investigated using a mail survey and a retail trial. Results from the mail survey suggested a significantly higher level of acceptability of irradiated chicken than did the retail trial. A subsequent market experiment involving actual purchases showed levels of acceptability similar to that of the mail survey when similar information about food irradiation was provided.
Transducin {alpha} subunits are members of a large family of G-proteins and play an important role in phototransduction in rod and cone photoreceptors. We report the localization of the human cone {alpha} transducin (GNAT2) gene using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on chromosome 1 in band p13. The recent assignment of a gene for Stargardt`s disease to the same chromosomal region by linkage analysis prompted us to investigate the possible role of GNAT2 in the pathogenesis of this disease. Stargardt`s disease is characterized by degeneration in late childhood or early adulthood of the macula of the retina, a region rich in cones. We screened patients with Stargardt`s disease, with or without peripheral cone involvement as monitored by the full-field ERG, for mutations in this gene. We investigated 66 unrelated patients including 22 with peripheral cone dysfunction for mutations in the coding region of the GNAT2 gene using polymerase chain reaction-single ...
Substantial damages at main components of steam turbines do not have to result inevitably in an exchange of the components concerned. Rather a preliminary or final repair is possible which also considers the cause of the damage. An important condition with the technically complex questions is an appropriate qualification and experience of all involved persons. The common task of operators, manufacturers and insurance companies is to preserve the balance from costs, expenditure of time and risk.
Although matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in cardiomyocytes contractility dysfunction, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) mitigates the effect of MMP-9, and proteinase-activated...Full Text Available
With the lifting of the top dome of the Windscale (AGR) Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor earlier this year, the decommissioning team has begun to dismantle the heaviest of the reactor components. In defining the tasks involved, the most important criterion was to minimise the radiation exposure expected to be received by the team members. The manager of the WAGR decommissioning project describes the preparation undertaken and the final lifting of the top dome in this article. (author).
The paper shortly recapitulates the background to and the importance of the principle of channeling of liability to the operator, contained in the international Conventions in the field of nuclear liability. It tries to outline the main problems involved in the process of backfitting in some more detail and to describe part of the work that has been done in Sweden and elsewhere to try to solve them. Finally, the paper contains some concluding remarks indicating that no entirely satisfactory solution to the problem is presently at hand. (orig./HP)
Potential strategic missions for laser weapons, particularly those involving space-based lasers, are discussed. The functions of space-based lasers and the history of their conceptual development are summarized, and the problems of implementing such systems, including the building of a suitable laser and power source, and resolving the problem of optics, are discussed. Ongoing development programs are described, and the contrasting views of the necessity and usefulness of strategic laser systems are set forth.
sinensis), the otter (Lutra lutra) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) can be mentioned as ...conflict relates to damage caused by the grey seal to coastal fisheries, whereas in Germany damages ...For example species like the grey seal involved in the conflicts may benefit from the by-catch regulation.
...in your blue fuller says global warming summit on the top general information ...this because a lot of times when we talk about global warming and climate change we really focus on the ice ...site ? one organization is called global warming one-on-one and it's run by ...can actually go to global warming one-on-one and and ...something to ? slow global warming but sometimes you feel alone so the big deal if i changed my life ...
Despite intensive efforts, the intracellular signaling pathways that mediate apoptosis remain unclear. The human B lymphoma cell line, B104, possesses characteristics that make it an attractive model...Full Text Available
Institutional issues play a critical, but often overlooked, role in the implementation of renewable energy systems. This paper briefly reviews the institutional arrangements involved in deploying renewable energy from both the sender and receiver perspectives, giving the institutional basis principal characteristics, and pros and cons of each institution. It then offers several perspectives on the critical issues facing the deployment of renewable energy systems before offering a number of potential institutional based solutions. (author)
By a variant version of Fountain Theorem due to Zou [W. Zou, Variant fountain theorems and their applications, Manuscripta Math. 104 (2001) 343-358], the existence of infinitely many solutions is obtained for a class of biharmonic equations where the nonlinearity involves a combination of superlinear and asymptotically linear terms.
The existence of enterobacterial common antigen in Yersinia enterocolitica and its absence in Brucella abortus were utilized in an attempt to provide a method to distinguish Brucella infections from...Full Text Available
Authors describe diagnostic dilemma of differentiating pyelonephritis with lymphomatous involvement of kidney in a known case of lymphoma. FDG uptake pattern was non-discriminatory and pyelonephritis diagnosed retrospectively on follow up study. Authors emphasize the importance of recognition of features and subtle clues of infection evident on CT component of PET-CT. (author)
The first fully-documented study into the quantitative impact of errors in operational spreadsheets identified an interesting anomaly. One of the five participating organisations involved in the study contributed a set of five spreadsheets of such quality that they set the organisation apart in a statistical sense. This virtuoso performance gave rise to a simple sampling test - The Clean Sheet Test - which can be used to objectively evaluate if an organisation is in control of the spreadsheets it is using in important processes such as financial reporting.
Organic molecules are a significant and highly varied component of atmospheric aerosols. Measurement of aerosol composition and improvements in our understanding of the complex chemistry involved in their formation and aging are being aided by innovations in soft ionization aerosol MS. (To listen to a podcast about this feature, please go to the Analytical Chemistry multimedia page at pubs.acs.org/page/ancham/audio/index.html.). PMID:21275431
Thlaspi caerulescens is a heavy metal hyperaccumulator plant species that is able to accumulate extremely high levels of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in its shoots (30,000 μg...Full Text Available
The Coordinated Research Project is a topical collection of research agreements and contracts. The research contracts are awarded with financial support of about 10-20% of the total contract cost. Among the activities of the project is the organization of consultant group meetings and workshops involving several international experts and representatives of users and developers of border radiation monitoring equipment. The project also supports in coordinating the development of equipment and techniques for up-to-date border monitoring and in establishing of a process for providing nuclear forensics support to member states
sFlt-1 (soluble Flt-1) potently inhibits angiogenesis by binding extracellularly to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). In the present paper, we report that hypoxia down-regulates sFlt-1 expression...Full Text Available
HCV-Ag-specific TH17 cells secrete IL17, a cytokine involved in autoimmune diseases and regulated by IL10 and TGF-b. 5–12% of patients with chronic HCV infection have hypothyroidism. We evaluated...Full Text Available
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are known to modulate intracellular effectors involved in cardiac function. We recently reported homocysteine (Hcy)-induced ERK-phosphorylation was suppressed...Full Text Available
Aim: To evaluate magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) with high-resolution dynamic gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the imaging features of hilar cholangiocarcinoma that relate to tumour extent and influence resectability. Materials and methods: Twenty-six patients that underwent resection were reviewed. Tumour location and extent, lobar atrophy, the degree of portal vein and hepatic artery involvement were recorded. The findings were correlated with surgical and histopathological findings. Results: Biliary assessment was concordant in 14 and discordant in eight of 14 stented and four of 12 non-stented patients. In 63/82 veins and 43/74 arteries results were fully concordant. The mean sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) in predicting involvement of the main portal vein (MPV) at surgery were 83.3, 100, 100, and 92.5%; of the left main branch of the portal vein (LPV) ...
This 2001 edition of the guide to UK renewable energy companies examines the geothermal heat pump sector, and discusses the technology involved, installations of geothermal heat pumps, the activity in the UK market with increased interest in UK geothermal heat pump products from abroad, and developments in the building sector. The UK government's increased support for the industry including its sponsorship of the Affordable Warmth programme, and the future potential of ground source systems are discussed.
This 2001 edition of the guide to UK renewable energy companies examines the geothermal heat pump sector, and discusses the technology involved, installations of geothermal heat pumps, the activity in the UK market with increased interest in UK geothermal heat pump products from abroad, and developments in the building sector. The UK government's increased support for the industry including its sponsorship of the Affordable Warmth programme, and the future potential of ground source systems are discussed.
The objective of this study was to identify and assess the present and future dimensions of environmental effects and impacts of various energy generation alternatives, and to place safety and environmental risks associated with the nuclear industry in Canada in perspective with the risks from other sources. It was found that nuclear power generation involves a comparable risk to that of conventional methods of thermoelectric power generation.
This document deals with energy management in buildings. It presents the conditions for a good implementation of energy management. These conditions include the total involvement of the management and the training of the staff. The structure of this implementation is presented together with the tools for an efficient energy management. Eventually, information on air quality and comfort in buildings is provided, as well as the management of complaints linked to them. (TEC). 1 tab.
This paper illustrates how the techniques developed by the authors for capital cost targeting of mass exchange networks can be applied to determination of capital investment targets for reduction in effluent for existing systems involving mass exchange. The results is an impact diagram which shows the relationship between effluent reduction and capital investment, indicating a region of limiting return on investment as well as the maximum possible reduction in effluent. (au)
Previous studies demonstrated that perinatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a major class of brominated flame retardants, may affect thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations by inducing...Full Text Available
During this report period our research efforts have concentrated on studies of the dissociation reactions of model peptides and other biologically important molecules. In addition, a considerable amount of research effort has been directed toward improving the apparatus used for laser-ion beam photodissociation. The instrumental improvements include some changes on the original apparatus, but most of this effort involved designing a second generation laser-ion beam photodissociation instrument.
The report describes the studies carried out to design a non-destructive system for the radiological characterization of packages containing LLW and MLW. This technique is applied for quantitative and qualitative gamma emitters determination in packages with homogeneous and heterogeneous matrices as well as the development of a maximum activity points location system. Development involves also the automatization for its industrial use.
This work shows the influence of the consumer density (density/km) in rural electric networks implementation costs. The analysis of the costs aims the criteria definition for the calculation of the financial involving rates of the rural consumer density. 3 figs., 10 tabs.
A program to modernize existing computer control and data analysis in a precision gamma-scanning system is described. This involves interfacing a new computer-based multichannel analyzer to existing equipment through a CAMAC system with an intelligent crate controller and writing software for scan control and data reduction. Both hardware and software requirements are discussed. 6 figures.
Out of one hundred cases of the urinary bladder abnormalities examined by this method, CT staging and pathological correlations were investigated in 61 cases of the urinary bladder neoplasms. Accuracy of CT staging was 87% in this series with possible exception of 6 cases involving the bladder base and dome. CT scan using this method is the most reliable procedure to determine the treatment modalities of the urinary bladder tumors.
The authors assess the role of Computed Topography in the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma (MM) and investigate if Computed Tomography findings can influence the clinical approach, prognosis and treatment. 273 multiple myeloma patients submitted to Computed Tomography June 1994, to December, 1996. The patients were 143 men and 130 women (mean age: 65 years): 143 were stage I, 38 stage II and 92 stage III according to Durie and Salomon's clinical classification. All patients were submitted to blood tests, spinal radiography and Computed Tomography, the latter with serial 5-mm scans on several vertebral bodies. Computed Tomography despicted vertebral arch and process involvement in 3 cases with the vertebral pedicle sign. Moreover, Computed Tomography proved superior to radiography in showing the spread of myelomatous masses into the soft tissues in a case with solitary permeative lesion in the left public bone, which facilitated subsequent biopsy. As for ...
A comparison was made of the advantages and disadvantages of two codes, SAND-II and FERRET, for determining the neutron flux spectrum and uncertainty from experimental dosimeter measurements as anticipated in the FFTF Reactor Characterization Program. This comparison involved an examination of the methodology and the operational performance of each code. The merits of each code were identified with respect to theoretical basis, directness of method, solution uniqueness, subjective influences, and sensitivity to various input parameters.
A multiple comparison approach using whole genome transcriptional arrays was used to identify genes and pathways involved in calorie restriction/dietary restriction (DR) life span extension in Drosophila....Full Text Available
Communicating and collaborating online are becoming common requirements in education. The specialized notations and symbols necessary for some content areas where mathematical expressions are part of the conversation require that users select appropriate communication tools. The purpose of this article is to describe tools that can be used for online, asynchronous or synchronous communication involving mathematical expressions.
Three book reviews and five essays address the problems of governing coastal regions. The books reviewed and the articles covered the institutions and programs involved in resource management, the balance of local and state interests in coastal conservation and developments, a consensus on coastal planning issues, and a growing trend in state-local collaborative planning. Four of the articles pertain to California, and one focuses on programs in Maine, Rhode Island, and Washington. 135 references. (DCK)
The paper discusses the status of coal as a raw material and energy source. After referring to coal preparation and the costs it involves the author deals with coal/liquid suspensions and their fueling uses. Access is given to different aspects concerning the use of coal for electric power and heat generation. They include pollution abatement measures, economic analyses and fuel engineering in the case of coal. Further sections are dedicated to upgrading procedures such as the gasification, liquefaction and coking of coal. A bibliography informs the reader about further publications available on the subject. (HAG).
This report attempts to bring together available information on the coal deposits of Antarctica and discuss factors that would be involved if these deposits were to be explored and mined. Most of the reported principal coal deposits in Antarctica lie generally within the Transantarctic Mountains: the majority are of Permian age and are present in the Victoria Group of the Beacon Supergroup. Several other deposits have been recorded in East Antarctica and in the Antarctic Peninsula, including minor occurrences of Mesozoic and Tertiary coal and carbonaceous shale.
ERDA's coal liquefaction program is reviewed, especially the progress with several pilot plant operations. Other items involve the possible recovery of organic chemicals from coal liquids, the filtration of coal liquids, some experiments on hydrogenation and carbonization, and renovation of the Cresap materials and equipment test facility. (LTN)
Divided into diagnostic and treatment sections, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the most common medical procedures performed in modern clinical settings. Each section presents common names for the procedure; an outline of the disease or injury for which the procedure is performed; a brief review of the anatomical structures and physiological processes that are involved; staffing, equipment, and pre-procedure requirements; a detailed description of the procedure itself; and, a discussion of expected outcomes as well as potential complications. Each chapter includes a summary and
DescriptionThis project continues DEFRA's commitment to the International Programme on Chemical Safety, a joint WHO/ILO/UNEP programme. DEFRA's contribution involves preparing Environmental Health Criteira Documents (EHCs), Concise International Chemical Assessments Documents (CICADS) and input to the OECD test Guidelines Programme and gneral risk assessment guidance. Peer reviews of documents prepared through other research in the IPCS network have also been carried out,as well as attending and hosting ta [continued...
The tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides infects man worldwide, particularly in Asian countries. Rarely, the central nervous system is involved; such a case is presented here. In the total of 12 reported cases, including the case described, the worm presented clinically as a mass suspicious for neoplasm or chronic abscess cavity. Surgical removal was invariably curative in each case. Although infrequent, the possibility of tapeworm infection should be entertained in the evaluation of intracranial masses in patients who have visited exotic locales. PMID:2191089
Two cellular DNA regions representing common domains for proviral DNA integration ( Mlvi -1 and Mlvi -2) have been identified in Moloney murine leukemia virus-induced rat thymic lymphomas. Cellular...Full Text Available
A radiochemical method of separation of {sup 203}Hg from {sup 181}Hf is described. The method involves separation by Dowex 50W- X 8, 100-200 mesh, cation exchange resin using 1 M hydrochloric acid as the eluant. The chemical yield for the separation of mercury is > 85% and the decontamination factor is >10{sup 4}. The {sup 181}Hf can be eluted from the column by 4 M HCl.
A technique has been developed for joining a large calcium fluoride crystal to a stainless-steel flange by means of a silver transition ring. The process involves both vacuum brazing using a copper-silver alloy and air brazing using silver chloride. This paper describes the procedure used in fabricating a high-vacuum leak-tight calcium fluoride window assembly.
The CLIC (Compact Linear Collider) high-gradient RF structure testing program has been carried out in order to gain insight into the physical processes involved in RF breakdown, determine the mechanisms that limit gradient and produce damage so that technical concepts can be developed which allow higher accelerating gradients. Two main paths towards higher gradients have emerged from this program, and the performances of two new structures which incorporate them are presented.
Sputter-removal rates of overlayer and interfacial species on silicon are analyzed to determine sputtering yields for the species involved. Sputtering yields up to two orders of magnitude lower than those measured for silicon are found, and the results are interpreted in terms of a cascade mixing process which continually reburies much of the overlayer material beyond the escape depth of the sputtered atoms.
Sputter-removal rates of overlayer and interfacial species on silicon are analyzed to determine sputtering yields for the species involved. Sputtering yields up to two orders of magnitude lower than those measured for silicon are found, and the results are interpreted in terms of a cascade mixing process which continually reburies much of the overlayer material beyond the escape depth of the sputtered atoms.
REXFOR is a development corporation involved in the creation of sustainable economic development for Quebec`s forest sector. Through partnerships, it intervenes in the development and processing of forest resources. This annual report provides an overview of industrial, sylvicultural and forest activities for the current year. A financial review of the current year is given along with a retrospective of the last five years. Financial statements are included.
The apex dimensions and length are calculated as a function of current for the ion-emitting jet in liquid-metal ion sources (LMIS). The results agree well with observations. Since the final expressions are analytical, they give more insight into the fundamental mechanisms involved than do numerical calculations. Some implications of the model are discussed concerning focused ion beam (FIB) systems employing LMIS. (author).
[5'-"3H]-3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine (3) was prepared at a specific activity of 14.0 Ci/mmol by a two-step synthetic sequence involving controlled oxidation of the unlabelled compound (1) to the 5'-aldehyde (2) followed by reduction with ["3H]-NaBH_4. Purification was performed by preparative TLC. The radiochemical purity was 99.2%. (author).
This report summarizes activities of the Amarillo National Resource Center for Plutonium during the quarter. The report describes the Electronic Resource Library; DOE support activities; current and future environmental health and safety programs; pollution prevention and pollution avoidance; communication, education, training, and community involvement programs; and nuclear and other material studies, including plutonium storage and disposition studies.
Electric cars have long been seen as science fiction. This may be changing. As the 1990s began, several companies chose to launch publicity campaigns for electric vehicles. In California, experimental programmes are gaining momentum, in the context of LA's appalling air pollution problems and tightening clean air standards. Supporters claim that electric motive power is a key to solving several environmental problems involving atmospheric pollution. These claims are examined. (author).
Microorganisms can degrade saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes) not only under oxic but also under anoxic conditions. Three denitrifying isolates (strains HxN1, OcN1, HdN1) able to grow under anoxic conditions...Full Text Available
Ribosomal protein L 10 from the livers of trout, hen, and rat was found to be the main target for 2-nitro-4-azidobenzoyl-Phe-tRNA in affinity labelling experiments. Therefore, despite somewhat different electrophoretic mobilities, this protein seems to be involved in the organization of the peptidyl transferase centre in ribosomes of various vertebrates. (author).
The metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) has been reported to be involved in cocaine and alcohol self-administration. However, the role of mGluR7 in relapse to drug seeking is unknown....Full Text Available
Motor proteins couple steps in ATP binding and hydrolysis to conformational switching both in and remote from the active site. In our kinesin·AMPPPNP crystal structure, closure of the active...Full Text Available
In order to evacuate the residual power in a nuclear reactor, a thermal valve system is presented for the modification of the heat exchange conditions at the pool exchanger level, which avoids the use of mechanical valves on the pipes. The system involves a vessel containing the exchanger, with openings at the upper end of the vessel and means for feeding the fluid at the lower end, and means for controlling the opening width.
In this comprehensive review of current research on isotopic variations of elements in extraterrestrial materials, the variations were classified in terms of the major process involved in the modification of the isotopic composition of the element concerned. Maximum isotopic variations of each element were retrieved from publications which were available in Tokyo up to December 1985, and are presented in tabular form. (author).
Results are reported in the areas of: chiral fermions and anomalies, superstring finiteness, superstring phenomenology, spin splittings in heavy quarkonia, low-energy limits of superstring, a supersymmetric electroweak model with a light squark, scalar quark bound states, fermionic tachyons and Poincare representations, relativistic dynamics of spin-one particles and deuteron-nucleus scattering, interactions involving higher spin massless particles, and classical action at a distance theories which contain a cutoff. (LEW)