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The relationship between the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and tropical cyclone rapid intensification in the northern basins of the Western Hemisphere is examined. All rapid intensification events in the part of the Western Hemisphere north of the equator and the MJO phase and amplitude are compiled from 1974 to 2015. Rapid intensification events and the MJO tend to move in tandem with each other from west to east across the hemisphere, though rapid intensification appears most likely during a neutral MJO phase. The addition of this information to an operational statistical rapid intensification forecasting scheme does not significantly improve forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biphonation, the simultaneous production of two sounds by a single animal, is found in the vocalizations of a range of mammalian species. Its prevalence suggests it plays an important role in acoustic communication. Concurrent vocal and behavioural recordings were made of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) off Bimini, The Bahamas. The occurrence of two types of biphonal signals is reported: burst-pulse whistles with combined tonal and burst-pulse elements, and bitonal whistles. Biphonal whistles are rarely described in reports of dolphin acoustic repertoires, but were common in these dolphins: of all whistles analysed (n = 1211), 26.84% were burst-pulse whistles and 4.71% were bitonal whistles. A subset of whistles (n = 397) were attributed to dolphins of specific age classes, and used to compare prevalence of biphonation across age. Biphonation occurred in 61.54% of sexually mature and 48.32% of sexually immature dolphins’ whistles. Sexually immature dolphins emitted more burst-pulse whistles than older dolphins: 44.13% of sexually immature dolphins’ whistles were burst-pulse whistles, while 15.38% of adult whistles were burst-pulse whistles. Bitonal whistle production was more prevalent in sexually mature dolphins: 41.03% of adult whistles were bitonal, while only 4.19% of sexually immature dolphins’ whistles were bitonal. The prevalence of a biphonal component in specific repeated, stereotyped whistle contours suggests that these acoustic features could be important components of contact calls, or signature whistles. The biphonal components of spotted dolphin whistles may serve to convey additional information as to identity, age or other factors to conspecifics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses blending or substitution of petroleum aviation fuel with biojet fuel would help airlines to cut carbon dioxide emissions. It mentions removing fundamental barriers to cost-effective renewable or biojet fuel is limiting carbon dioxide emissions. it also discusses the views of chemical engineer Bruce Dien on the same.

The article reports on an ongoing research at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to tackle the hatchery and the seafood safety issues. It is reported that ARS microbiologist Gary Richards and technician Michael Watson are analyzing natural enemies of the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus called bacteriophages as potential control agents for Oysters.

The article explores methods developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for weed detection with drones. It mentions how weed detection involved visual inspection and manual crop scouting that deemed greatly inefficient and time-consuming for farmers managing vast arable lands. It discusses how with the advent of drones and advanced data analysis, weed detection can now be done in a seamless and automated manner with drones.

The article explores the vaccination effort of the U.S. government to prevent avian influenza (AI). It discusses the overall cost brought by vaccination to the U.S. economy. As part of the effort, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has conducted research on the development of vaccines for new strains, improved vaccine production methods and better ways to administer them.

The article reports that genomics is the science of connecting genes with the physical traits or processes. It states that genomics is the view of an organism’s DNA landscape and how the genome interacts with the environment and how environment acts on the genes. It mentions that the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are using genomic information to solve agricultural and environmental problems.

Population-level differences in acoustic parameters of delphinid whistles may play a key role in dolphin communication and social interactions by aiding in individual differentiation or identification and may convey other additional information. Concurrent acoustic and video recordings were collected from sympatric species of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in two locations in The Bahamas, and the acoustic parameters of their whistles were described. The acoustic whistle parameters of these two sympatric species in Bimini, The Bahamas, were also compared. The mean acoustic parameters of spotted dolphin whistles in the Bimini community were higher in frequency than those of bottlenose dolphins, but bottlenose dolphins produced whistles that had larger delta and higher maximum frequencies than those of spotted dolphins. Spotted dolphins displayed greater use of whistles with broad-band, non-tonal properties. As with other odontocete species examined so far, the two whistle parameters with the highest intraspecific variability in these species were duration and number of inflection points, which may aid in individual differentiation or identification. Interspecific social, sociosexual, and aggressive encounters have been observed between spotted and bottlenose dolphins in The Bahamas, and differences in acoustic parameters between these two sympatric species may enable them to differentiate between conspecifics and non-conspecifics. Comparisons between whistle acoustic parameters in the Bimini dolphin communities and those reported for other spotted and bottlenose dolphin populations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low molecular weight hydrogels, prepared from glycosyl–nucleoside–lipid amphiphiles, exhibit shear-thinning behaviour and reversible thermally- and mechanically-triggered sol–gel transitions. Using mechanical shear stimulation, the release of entrapped anti-TNFα increases and the released anti-TNFα demonstrates efficacy in in vitro neutralization bioassays. Delivery of anti-TNFα is of general interest and broad medicinal utility for treating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) aims at improving DBS therapy by adjusting stimulation amplitude to patient specific biomarkers tracked in real-time. In Parkinson's disease (PD), a promising closed-loop approach exploits fast fluctuations of beta power (beta bursts) in subthalamic local field potentials (LFP). With this method, stimulation is applied as soon as beta bursts of a given magnitude and duration are detected. However, closed-loop algorithms offer clinicians a wide range of possible settings. This will further increase the parameter space and thus the complexity of DBS programming, ultimately limiting ease of clinical usability. To increase the translational potential of adaptive DBS, this constraint must be overcome by narrowing down the parameter space towards a clinically optimal combination of stimulation settings. Objectives To explore the parameter space of a beta burst driven adaptive DBS algorithm and to characterize its neurophysiological and behavioral correlates in order to identify a clinically optimal parameter combination. Patients & methods A research platform for adaptive stimulation has been designed comprising a stimulation artifact suppressing amplifier, a custom-made software interface and an external neurostimulator. On this platform, a configurable LFP beta burst driven closed-loop algorithm has been implemented. This setup was used to conduct closed-loop stimulation in PD patients undergoing two-stage-surgery for DBS. Rest recordings were combined with a standardized motor task to quantify stimulation-induced behavioral effects. By systematically changing the minimum beta burst duration upon which stimulation is triggered and the amount of smoothing applied to real-time beta power, the parameter space of this algorithm was explored. Results Stimulation patterns were governed by parameter combination with higher minimum burst duration leading to less frequent stimulation. Beta dynamics varied depending on parameter choice. Clinically optimal settings are yet to be explored. Conclusion The choice of adaptive DBS parameter combination strongly influences stimulation patterns and stimulation-induced neurophysiological responses. Combined recordings of neurophysiological and behavioral adaptive DBS correlates for different parameter combinations may pave the way for guiding parameter choice based on electrophysiological evaluation. This may facilitate the clinical translation of adaptive DBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : Beta power in subthalamic local field potentials (LFPs) is a well established biomarker for bradykinesia-rigidity in idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPS) and is a promising feedback signal for adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, the effect of directional stimulation on this biomarker has not yet been elaborated. With new DBS-systems allowing to combine directional stimulation with relatively artifact-free recordings of local field potentials (LFPs), we want to assess the impact of directionality on beta power and motor performance. Patients & Methods : So far, 6 IPS patients implanted with Medtronic SenSight directional electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have been included in the study. LFPs were recorded post-operatively and during a 3 months follow up visit (3MFU) with the patient at rest using the Medtronic Percept PC implantable pulse-generator. Additionally, at the 3MFU, a monopolar review of all segmented contacts (separately and combined as ring) was carried out in the medication "off" state. A rotameter task was used to assess motor performance. Following each block consisting of 2 minutes of rest and 30 seconds of rotation, stimulation amplitude was increased stepwise up to a maximum amplitude of 3 mA or the occurrence of side effects. LFPs were streamed throughout the review. The primary outcome is the reduction of mean beta power with directional stimulation compared with (1) no stimulation and (2) ring stimulation. The secondary outcomes are: (1) Beta burst length distribution, (2) motor performance and (3) rate of side effects with directional compared to ring stimulation. Results : Further patient inclusion to a minimum of 10 patients is planned before the summit. Directional and ring stimulation led to dose-dependent reduction of mean beta power in the STN. Stimulation had an effect on both movement amplitude and velocity. In 4 out of 6 patients, the side effect threshold was higher with directional stimulation compared to ring stimulation. At the summit, we will also report changes in beta burst length distribution with directional compared to ring stimulation and the predictive value of beta power in postoperative intersegmental rest recordings for the clinically most effective directional contact. Conclusion : Our study contributes to characterizing LFP beta power in the context of directional stimulation and its relation to motor performance. This is a prerequisite for combining directional stimulation with beta-driven adaptive DBS, which ultimately could further improve DBS therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To be able to simulate climate change effects on forest dynamics over the whole of Switzerland, we adapted the second-generation DGVM (dynamic global vegetation model) LPJ-GUESS (Lund-Potsdam-Jena General Ecosystem Simulator) to the Alpine environment. We modified model functions, tuned model parameters, and implemented new tree species to represent the potential natural vegetation of Alpine landscapes. Furthermore, we increased the computational efficiency of the model to enable area-covering simulations in a fine resolution (1 km) sufficient for the complex topography of the Alps, which resulted in more than 32 000 simulation grid cells. To this aim, we applied the recently developed method GAPPARD (approximating GAP model results with a Probabilistic Approach to account for stand Replacing Disturbances) (Scherstjanoi et al., 2013) to LPJ-GUESS. GAPPARD derives mean output values from a combination of simulation runs without disturbances and a patch age distribution defined by the disturbance frequency. With this computationally efficient method, which increased the model's speed by approximately the factor 8, we were able to faster detect the shortcomings of LPJ-GUESS functions and parameters. We used the adapted LPJ-GUESS together with GAPPARD to assess the influence of one climate change scenario on dynamics of tree species composition and biomass throughout the 21st century in Switzerland. To allow for comparison with the original model, we additionally simulated forest dynamics along a north-south transect through Switzerland. The results from this transect confirmed the high value of the GAPPARD method despite some limitations towards extreme climatic events. It allowed for the first time to obtain area-wide, detailed high-resolution LPJ-GUESS simulation results for a large part of the Alpine region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on William Saunders, an American horticulturist and superintendent who was tasked by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln to fashion a national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Saunders' contributions as the first U.S. Department of Agriculture horticulturist from 1862-1900 are highlighted. He is also credited for introducing hundreds of economically important plants including Japanese persimmon, Eucalyptus globulus tree, and Japanese cedar.

Models of vegetation dynamics that are designed for application at spatial scales larger than individual forest gaps suffer from several limitations. Typically, either a population average approximation is used that results in unrealistic tree allometry and forest stand structure, or models have a high computational demand because they need to simulate both a series of age-based cohorts and a number of replicate patches to account for stochastic gap-scale disturbances. The detail required by the latter method increases the number of calculations by two to three orders of magnitude compared to the less realistic population average approach. In an effort to increase the efficiency of dynamic vegetation models without sacrificing realism, we developed a new method for simulating stand-replacing disturbances that is both accurate and faster than approaches that use replicate patches. The GAPPARD (approximating GAP model results with a Probabilistic Approach to account for stand Replacing Disturbances) method works by postprocessing the output of deterministic, undisturbed simulations of a cohort-based vegetation model by deriving the distribution of patch ages at any point in time on the basis of a disturbance probability. With this distribution, the expected value of any output variable can be calculated from the output values of the deterministic undisturbed run at the time corresponding to the patch age. To account for temporal changes in model forcing (e.g., as a result of climate change), GAPPARD performs a series of deterministic simulations and interpolates between the results in the postprocessing step. We integrated the GAPPARD method in the vegetation model LPJ-GUESS, and evaluated it in a series of simulations along an altitudinal transect of an inner-Alpine valley. We obtained results very similar to the output of the original LPJ-GUESS model that uses 100 replicate patches, but simulation time was reduced by approximately the factor 10. Our new method is therefore highly suited for rapidly approximating LPJ-GUESS results, and provides the opportunity for future studies over large spatial domains, allows easier parameterization of tree species, faster identification of areas of interesting simulation results, and comparisons with large-scale datasets and results of other forest models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models of vegetation dynamics that are designed for application at spatial scales larger than individual forest gaps suffer from several limitations. Typically, either a population average approximation is used that results in unrealistic tree allometry and forest stand structure, or models have a high computational demand because they need to simulate both a series of age-based cohorts and a number of replicate patches to account for stochastic gap-scale disturbances. The detail required by the latter method increases the number of calculations by two to three orders of magnitude compared to the less realistic population average approach. In an effort to increase the efficiency of dynamic vegetation models without sacrificing realism, and to explore patterns of spatial scaling in forests, we developed a new method for simulating stand-replacing disturbances that is both accurate and 10-50x faster than approaches that use replicate patches. The GAPPARD (approximating GAP model results with a Probabilistic Approach to account for stand Replacing Disturbances) method works by postprocessing the output of deterministic, undisturbed simulations of a cohort-based vegetation model by deriving the distribution of patch ages at any point in time on the basis of a disturbance probability. With this distribution, the expected value of any output variable can be calculated from the output values of the deterministic undisturbed run at the time corresponding to the patch age. To account for temporal changes in model forcing, e.g., as a result of climate change, GAPPARD performs a series of deterministic simulations and interpolates between the results in the postprocessing step. We integrated the GAPPARD method in the forest models LPJ-GUESS and TreeM-LPJ, and evaluated these in a series of simulations along an altitudinal transect of an inner-alpine valley. With GAPPARD applied to LPJ-GUESS results were insignificantly different from the output of the original model LPJ-GUESS using 100 replicate patches, but simulation time was reduced by approximately the factor 10. Our new method is therefore highly suited rapidly approximating LPJ-GUESS results, and provides the opportunity for future studies over large spatial domains, allows easier parameterization of tree species, faster identification of areas of interesting simulation results, and comparisons with large-scale datasets and forest models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the parasite investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 1886 to 1987 at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). Eric P. Hoberg, Agricultural Research Service zoologist, reveals that the USDA records are important in illuminating the history of parasitology in North America and globally. The original line drawings that were completed by USDA scientists Willard W. Becklund and M. L. Walker are also included in the scientific papers.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of progressive heterotopic ossification for which there is presently no cure. FOP is caused by a recurrent heterozygous activating mutation (c.617G>A; R206H) of Activin receptor type IA/Activin-like kinase-2 (ACVR1/ALK2), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor that occurs in all classically affected individuals. The FOP mutation dysregulates BMP signaling and initiates the formation of a disabling second skeleton of heterotopic bone. We generated allele-specific siRNA (ASP-RNAi) duplexes capable of specifically suppressing the expression of the mutant c.617A allele in mesenchymal progenitor cells from FOP patients and showed that this ASP-RNAi approach decreased the elevated BMP signaling that is characteristic of patient cells to levels similar to control cells and restored enhanced osteogenic differentiation to control levels. Our results provide proof-of-principle that ASP-RNAi has potential therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of FOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates colony collapse disorder syndrome which has been attacking honey bee colonies since 2006. The reported defining characteristic of CCD is disappearance of most adult honey bees in a colony leaving behind honey and brood but no dead bee bodies. Beltsville, Maryland's Bee Research Laboratory scientists have notably been looking for CCD causes in 4 categories including pathogens, parasites like Varroa mites or Nosema, environmental stressors and management stressors.

The article presents a fifth series of report from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (ARDS), focusing on its nematode collection. Information regarding the presence of seed gall nematode in the collection, a ban on U.S. wheat imports in Brazil, and the total global crop damage caused by root-knot nematodes.

The article focuses on the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Culture Collection which was established in 1940 at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois. It states that ARS Culture Collection has strains of bacteria and fungi which helps in achieving production of riboflavin (vitamin B2), identified Fusarium mold species as the cause of debilitating eye infections and tests to identify Listeria strains in food borne disease and assist food inspection.

Increasing rates of childhood obesity in the USA and other Western countries are a cause for serious public health concern. Neighborhood and community environments are thought to play a contributing role in the development of obesity among youth, but it is not well understood which types of physical environmental characteristics have the most potential to influence obesity outcomes. This paper reports the results of a systematic review of quantitative research examining built and biophysical environmental variables associated with obesity in children and adolescents through physical activity. Literature searches in PubMed, PsychInfo and Geobase were conducted. Fifteen quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The majority of studies were cross-sectional and published after 2005. Overall, few consistent findings emerged. For children, associations between physical environmental variables and obesity differed by gender, age, socioeconomic status, population density and whether reports were made by the parent or child. Access to equipment and facilities, neighborhood pattern (e.g. rural, exurban, suburban) and urban sprawl were associated with obesity outcomes in adolescents. For most environmental variables considered, strong empirical evidence is not yet available. Conceptual gaps, methodological limitations and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimTo determine the prevalence of glaucoma in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.DesignCross-sectional case series.ParticipantsOne hundred patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea.TestingWithin 48 h of the polysomnographic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea, patients underwent the following tests: intraocular pressure, gonioscopy, automated perimetry, stereoscopic biomicroscopy, and fundascopic assessment for the presence of glaucomatous optic nerve changes.Main outcome measuresThe prevalence of glaucoma in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea and the associations between patient characteristics and both glaucoma and intraocular pressure.ResultsGlaucoma was diagnosed in 27 of 100 patients yielding an estimated prevalence of 27% (95% CI 19–37%). The presence of glaucoma did not correlate with sex, body mass index (BMI), or AHI, but did appear to be associated with age (P=0.014). There was no evidence of a relationship between intraocular pressure and either the apnoea plus hypopnoea index or age.ConclusionThe prevalence of glaucoma in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea is an estimated 27%. Sex, age, body mass index or apnoea plus hypopnoea index are not factors influencing the presence of glaucoma in this population of patients.Eye (2008) 22, 1105–1109; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702846; published online 4 May 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus is believed to involve defects in regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and abnormal activation of B and T lymphocytes. The purpose of this study was to test the therapeutic potential of rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte globulin (ATG), a lymphocyte- depleting agent, in conjunction with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a factor involved in the induction and expansion of Tregs. MRL/lpr mice with active disease were treated with ATG followed by a 12-day course of latent TGF-β1 during the period of lymphocyte repopulation. Treatment with ATG + latent TGF-β1 synergistically inhibited the progression of proteinuria and albuminuria and provided a significant improvement in long-term survival. This therapeutic benefit correlated histologically with reduced glomerular pathology and protein cast formation. The mechanism of action did not involve suppression of autoantibody formation but may involve the activity of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs, which were found to be induced by ATG + TGF-βl treatment in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses colony collapse disorder in bees across the world. During 2006 beekeepers found that their bee colonies were vanishing and they could not find any reasonable explanations. Colony collapse disorder became known in 2007 and is characterized by the disappearance of all adult bees from the hive with juvenile bees and the honey remaining. This disappearance of bees, due to their critical nature relating to agriculture, is serious. Honey bees contribute over $15 billion in value to an estimated 130 crops in agriculture due to their pollination.

The article reports on the efforts of the Hawaii Areawide Fruit Fly Pest Management Program (HAW-FLYPM), a cooperative effort of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The program was designed to control four fruit fly species which have been devastating more than 400 fruits and vegetables in Hawaii for many years. Six techniques were combined in the HAW-FLYPM program: population monitoring, field sanitation, protein bait, male annihilation, release of sterile male fruit flies, and release of bio controls such as plastic wrap. Economic feasibility and sustainability were key elements, and it appears that the successful program has produced a 32 percent return on the investment.

Unintentional infection of laboratory rodents can compromise scientific research as well as the health of the animals and animal handlers. The source of contamination often is unknown, but may be introduced by wild rats from surrounding environments. To determine whether rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA carry infectious agents commonly found in laboratory rodent colonies, we live-trapped 162 rats during 2005 to 2006 and screened them for a panel of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Antibodies against rat coronavirus/sialodacryoadenitis virus (91.7%), Mycoplasma pulmonis (72.9%), cilia-associated respiratory bacillus (52.1%), rat parvovirus/rat minute virus (29.2%), Kilham rat virus (10.4%), Toolan's H-1 virus (10.4%), Sendai virus (4.2%) and Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis virus (4.2%), were detected in wild-caught Norway rats. Antibodies against reovirus and pneumonia virus of mice were not detected in wild Norway rats. Endoparasites, including Nippostrongylus braziliensis (71.6%), Rodentolepis nana or Hymenolepis diminuta (34.4%), Hetarakis spumosa (24.1%) and Trichuris muris (14.8%), as well as ectoparasites (14.8%), were identified in wild-caught rats. The risk of pathogen transmission from wild-caught rats to laboratory colonies needs to be mitigated by minimizing exposures rather than assuming wild animals represent a minimal hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on Africanized honey bees (AHBs) which have been found spreading in four U.S. states--Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana--since fall 2005. No one can say for sure why AHBs suddenly started spreading again, but there are several factors that are likely to have played a part, explains Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman. One reason why AHBs have been found in new places is that more people are looking for them today then ever before. Another factor that may be contributing to this new surge in AHB spread is what's known as "human-assisted transport" --AHBs hitching rides on trucks, ships, and railroad cars from Central and South America to the U.S.

The article summarizes the results of the analysis conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to measure the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among persons killed in motor-vehicle crashes in West Virginia from 2004 and 2005. The analysis determined that the prevalence of drug use was similar to the prevalence of a blood alcohol concentration among persons killed in motor-vehicle crashes. It also suggested that drug use contributes substantially to driver impairment in West Virginia.

The article cites the contributions of scientists from the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to the solution of international agricultural problems. Some of the issues with which ARS scientists had helped solve include the alleged presence of Karnal bunt in U.S. durum wheat in 2004 and the allegations that the country released crop-destroying insects called Thrips palmi in 1996. ARS scientists have also taken on a special role in international efforts to deal with avian influenza.

OBJECTIVE: To Investigate the frequency of valvular heart disease in patients taking pergolide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients seen at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla, between 1998 and 2003 were searched electronically for the word pergolide and the presence of a 2-dimensional echocardiogram. Patients who had not taken pergolide before undergoing echocardlography served as the control group. Echocardiograms were reviewed for the presence of valvular regurgitation. The frequency of valvular disease in patients taking pergolide was calculated and compared with controls. Associations with dosage and years of treatment also were examined. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients made up the pergolide group, and 63 served as controls. When looking at aortic regurgitation (AR) of any degree, 45% of patients in the pergolide group had AR, compared with 21% of controls (P = .006). The frequency of moderate to severe valvular regurgitation in the pergolide group was 11% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4%-22%), 13% (95% CI, 5%-24%), and 13% (95% CI, 5%-24%) for the tricuspid, mitral, and aortic valves, respectively. No statistical difference was identified in the frequency of moderate to severe valvular regurgitation (mitral, tricuspid, or aortic) when compared with controls. There was marginal evidence of an association between a higher daily dosage of pergolide and moderate to severe AR (P = .05). CONCLUSION: The frequency of AR appears to be Increased in patients taking pergolide. Our study suggests that if a cause-effect relationship exists between pergolide and valvular heart disease, it likely occurs at a low but clinically important Incidence and may be associated with dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the significance of the partnerships of the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) with universities and colleges in the U.S. to agricultural research. ARS and the land-grant schools are complementary research systems. ARS, as the in-house research SOL GOLDBERG (D133-1) arm of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), usually has a broad focus or national scope, tackling research with diverse approaches and contexts. The agency is funded by congressional appropriations that can support multi-year, long-term projects not suited to annual or short-term grants. Land-grant schools focus more on solving important local and regional problems. Partnering with ARS from within USDA is the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, which provides grants that support many collaborations between land-grant schools and ARS. The list of accomplishments that have come from partnerships between ARS and land-grant schools is virtually endless. One even resulted in the ultimate scientific kudo. Five ARS and three Cornell University scientists teamed up to become the first to determine the molecular structure of RNA in 1965. Corn variety B76, which came out of a joint ARS-Iowa State University program in the 1970s and 1980s, remains the basis for nearly every seed-parent line of corn in the U.S. INSET: A Share of the Collaborations.

Focuses on the experiments of the U.S. Agricultural Research Service on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). First case of mad cow disease in the U.S.; Types of TSE and early research on the disease; Investigation of the infection process of TSE; Studies on possible genetic resistance to the disease.

Focuses on the risk assessment research of transgenics conducted by Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Primary federal agencies in the U.S. responsible for regulating genetically engineered organisms (GEO); Areas of risk assessment that ARS is suited to study; Issues concerning GEO; Life forms that have been genetically engineered.

An insulin-dependent diabetic woman of 42 years received a combined pancreas and kidney transplant five years prior to referral to our clinic for ophthalmic consultation. Her systemic immunosupression included oral steroids and she subsequently developed huge bilateral central serous retinal detachments affecting both posterior poles and the temporal midperiphery of the left eye. Her vision was reduced to count fingers (CF) in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed diffuse mild retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) staining in both eyes. As an empiric treatment grid laser photocoagulation with an 810 nm diode laser (Iridex Corp., Mountain View, California) was performed with complete resorption of subretinal fluid in both eyes and visual improvement to 20/70 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye at 18 months post-treatment. In patients diagnosed with atypical central serous retinal detachment whose fluorescein angiogram displays widespread RPE damage and in whom systemic steroids are medically necessary, diode grid laser photocoagulation may be a reasonable treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The de novo design of catalytic proteins provides a stringent test of our understanding of enzyme function, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the design of novel catalysts. Here we describe the design of an O2-dependent phenol oxidase whose structure, sequence, and activity are designed from first principles. The protein catalyzes the two-electron oxidation of 4-aminophenol (kcat/KM = 1,500 M-1.min-1) to the corresponding quinone monoimine by using a diiron cofactor. The catalytic efficiency is sensitive to changes of the size of a methyl group in the protein, illustrating the specificity of the design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on Africanized honey bees (AHB), also known as killer bees. History of the AHB and its hybridization; Discussion of breeding between AHB and European honey bees (EHB); Research on the spread and invasion of AHB; Safety precautions against AHB; Study conducted by entomologist Frank A. Eischen on the resistance of AHB to Varroa mites; Challenge of beekeepers in maintaining EHB hives with AHBs surrounding them; Traits that make AHBs undesirable for beekeepers;

Celebrates the efforts of the U. S. Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii in dealing with fruit flies that have been devastating Hawaiian farms and gardens. Reason ARS entomologist Roger Vargas was researching fruit fly control methods; Comments from Vargas; Examples of fruit fly control techniques developed by the ARS laboratory in Hilo. INSET: Gardeners Help Farmers.

Deals with the contributions of the Agricultural Research Service agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture to agricultural progress, in connection to its 50th anniversary in 2003. Accomplishments of the division; Contributions to food safety; Help extended to the decision-making of regulatory agencies. INSETS: More Food Safety Milestones;More Animal Research Milestones;More ARS Crop Improvements;More Natural Resources Milestones

Discusses the boll weevil eradication program in the U.S. Total yield losses and control costs due to the insect pests; Percentage of the program which is funded by cotton growers; Use of biology against the boll weevil; Number of jobs provided by the cotton industry. INSETS: BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO;FEAR NO WEEVIL;What a Difference No Boll Weevil Makes.

Presents information on several consumer products from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research. Use of irradiation to provide consumers with an extra measure of food safety for ground beef; Development of N,N-diethylmeta-toluamide mosquito repellant by ARS research; Variety of fruit, vegetable, nut and berry developed by ARS. INSETS: Tasty Juice;Lactose-Free Milk;Neem Me Up.

Cells of the periodontal pathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans exhibit tight adherence to surfaces such as glass, plastic and hydroxyapatite, a property that probably plays an important role in the ability of this bacterium to colonize teeth and other surfaces. Tight adherence is mediated by long fibrils of bundled pili (fimbriae) that form on the surface of the cell. The flp-1 gene encodes the major pilin protein component of A. actinomycetemcomitans fimbriae. In this study we compared flp-1 DNA sequences from 43 strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans isolated in Europe, Japan and the United States and identified seven distinct flp-1 allelic classes. DNA and predicted protein sequences were almost completely conserved within each flp-1 class but were highly divergent between classes. Most amino acid substitutions occurred in the C-terminus of the pilin protein, a region that has been shown to be important for the bundling and adhesive properties of the pili. flp-1 classes correlated with serotypes and 16S rRNA genotypes in most strains. At least five strains showed evidence of horizontal transfer of flp-1 between strains of different serotypes and 16S rRNA genotypes. Four of the seven flp-1 classes were present in geographically diverse isolates. Strains representing all seven flp-1 classes, but not a strain carrying a transposon insertion in flp-1, bound avidly to polystyrene in an in vitro adherence assay. Strains representing six of the seven flp-1 classes were isolated from localized juvenile periodontitis patients, suggesting that phylogenetically diverse strains carry pathogenic potential. Our findings provide a framework for future biochemical, immunological and genetic studies of A. actinomycetemcomitans fimbriae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major impact of the completion of the human genome sequence is the understanding of disease etiology with deduced therapy. The catalog of monogenic diseases should be easily completed through in silico cloning. The major challenge today is to decipher the polygenic and multifactorial etiology of common diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular, nutritional, allergic, auto-immune, degenerative disorders. In fact every gene, when mutated, is a potential disease gene, and we end up with the new concept of 'reverse medicine', by which we will derive new morbid entities and pathogenic pathways from the knowledge of the structure and function of every gene. A new molecular and supramolecular integrated physiology will help build a molecular pathophysiology of the different syndromes, from which etiologic therapy will derive. The revolution in nosology, the problem of predictive medicine when therapeutic curative or preventive measure are lagging behind, are some of the novel challenges that molecular medicine has to face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on Labex, a soil research program initiated by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria in 2001. Software developed for the program; Types of soil included in the research; Projects that resulted from the program. INSETS: Intellectual Modeling;In Sequence.

Presents information on the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Maryland. Contributions to agricultural research; Information on BARC researchers; Establishment of the research facility.

Deals with the research partnership between the United States (US) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and its Brazilian counterpart EMBRAPA. Features of the EMBRAPA program LABEX, which is a Portuguese term for virtual laboratory; Mutual benefits of the research partnership; Developments in precision agriculture management systems; Significance of the development of intellectual property rights to EMBRAPA and ARS.

Focuses on the plant exploration and collecting efforts under the direction of the United States Agricultural Research Service's National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. Significance of plant exploring and collecting; Plant exploring as an international affair; History of the collecting program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); Information on the USDA plant introduction stations. INSETS: High-impact acquisitions;Exploration in the 1990s.

Discusses the use of computer programs and computer-driven equipment in precision farming. Concept of precision farming; Problems of using computers in precision farming; Advantages of using computers. INSETS: Watering for peanuts, by Jill Lee.;Computing pollution, by Dennis Senft..

Reports on the Agricultural Research Service's efforts to study the effect of the spread of the Africanized honeybee on Mexican agriculture and society. Migration of the bee strain into the United States; Changes from the Africanization of honeybees in Mexico; Requeening as the best way to maintain European honeybees in managed colonies. INSET: Sampling with a bee-vac..