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It is important to evaluate whether a new treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) provides additive benefit to background foundational treatments. As such, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF in addition to baseline treatment with specific doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies.

Crossbred ewe lambs of eight genetic types (Dorset × ¾ Dorset, DD; Dorset × ¾ Finn, DF; Finn × ¾ Dorset, FD; Finn × ¾ Finn, FF; Romanov × ¾ Dorset, RD; Romanov × ¾ Finn, RF; Romanov × Western, RW; and Western × Western, WW) were used to determine age and weight at conception, conception rate, ovulation rate, litter size and prenatal mortality. Ninety-eight percent of lambs were pregnant. Age at conception in days, ovulation rate (number of corpora lutea) and litter size for the eight groups were as follows: DD, 236 ± 5, 1.5 ± .1, 1.3 ± .2; DF, 218 ± 4, 1.5 ± .1, 1.4 ± .1; FD, 234 ± 5, 2.2 ± .1, 1.8 ± .1; FF, 228 ± 4, 2.6 ± .1, 2.3 ± .1; RD, 209 ± 5, 2.2 ± .2, 2.0 ± .1; RF, 213 ± 3, 2.7 ± .1, 2.4 ± .1; RW, 222 ± 5, 2.1 ± .2, 2.1 ± .2, 2.1 ± .2; WW, 247 ±5, 1.0 ± .1, 1.0 ± .2. Lambs sired by Romanov conceived at an earlier (P<.01) age than those sired by Dorset and Finn rams (210 ± 3 vs 225 ± 3 and 220 ± 3 d). Ovulation rate and litter size were similar for Romanov- and Finn-sired lambs (2.5 ± .1 and 2.2 ± .1 vs 2.4 ± .1 and 2.1 ± .1) and smaller for Dorset-sired lambs (1.5 ± .1 and 1.4 ± .1). Romanov additive effects, expressed as deviations from Dorset Horn, were negative for age at conception (P<.05) and positive for ovulation rate and litter size (P<.01). Maternal effects of Romanov could not be estimated due to incompleteness of the mating design. Finnish Landrace additive effects for ovulation rate and litter size were also positive and significant (P<.01), but somewhat lower than those of the Romanov. Finnish Landrace maternal effects on weight and age at conception and ovulation rate were negative and significant as compared with Dorset Horn. Prenatal mortality was not significantly different among the crosses. Prenatal mortality was a function of ovulation rate. Lambs ovulating 1,2,3 and 4 ova had a prenatal mortality of 0, 13, 17 and 18%, respectively.

Crossbred ewe lambs of eight genetic types (Dorset × 3/4 Dorset, DD; Dorset × 3/4 Finn, DF; Finn × 3/4 Dorset, FD; Finn × 3/4 Finn, FF; Romanov × 3/4 Dorset, RD; Romanov × 3/4 Finn, RF; Romanov × Western, RW; and Western × Western, WW) were used to determine age and weight at conception, conception rate, ovulation rate, litter size and prenatal mortality. Each cross was represented in five different lamb crops born in winter, spring, summer and fall. High conception rates (>88%) were obtained in all crops of ewe lambs, even in those born in June and exposed to rams the same year. Only Western ewe lambs born in June and exposed to rams in year of birth achieved low conception (59%). Ewe lambs born in October and missing the breeding season in the year of birth were more than 100 d older than ewe lambs born earlier in the calendar year and bred the same year. Prenatal mortalities varied widely (8 to 18%) among lamb crops, with management suspected to be a factor. Additive genetic effects in ovulation rate and litter size of the Romanov were similar to that of Finn, Romanov crosses (RF, RD, RW) conceived at the youngest age (226, 227, 231 d), demonstrating that Romanov is an early-maturing breed.

A group of crossbred Dorset or Finnish Landrace ewes maintained under a synthetic light regimen (Light Treatment, 4 mo long days — 16 h light, 4 mo short days — 8 h light) and exposed to rams every 8 mo (January 1, September 1, May 1) was compared for lamb production over a period of 4.5 yr with two other comparable groups under natural daylight conditions, one exposed to rams once a year in the fall (Control I) and the other every 8 mo (Control II). Conception rates across breed type of ewe were 92% for Control I, 66% for Control II and 83% for Light Treatment ewes. Conception rates for May breedings only were 16% in Control II and 88% in Light Treatment ewes. Prolificacies of crossbred Finn ewes were higher (P<.05) than those in crossbred Dorset ewes of Control I (258 vs 193%), Control II (187 vs 165%) and Light Treatment (238 vs 163%). The annual production at lambing from the crossbred Finn and Dorset ewes in Control I was 251 and 206 lambs/100 ewes exposed to rams, respectively. Corresponding productions were 231 and 178 for Control II and 296 and 211 for Light Treatment ewes. Mortality of lambs from the crossbred Finn ewes (27%) was higher (P<.01) than that from the crossbred Dorset ewes (12%). Annual attrition of the crossbred Dorset ewes in Control I, Control II and Light Treatment groups was 5.2, 5.4 and 5.4%, respectively. Corresponding percentages of the crossbred Finn ewes were 7.0, 8.8 and 11.2. Overall assessment in productivity, expressed as kilograms of lamb marketed/ewe, was 243 for the crossbred Finn and 257 for the crossbred Dorset ewes (P>.05). The same trait across breedtype of ewe for Controls I and II and Light Treatment was 243, 241 and 266 kg (P>.05). Light control was a reliable agent for induction of estrus, but ewe and lamb management procedures must be optimized in order to capitalize on additional lambs.

A method for construction of a neopenis in female-to-male transsexual patients is described. The method consisted of inferior transposition of a rectus abdominis island muscle flap with resurfacing using a radial forearm free flap. Excellent internal support and a natural looking appearance was achieved. This technique was considered to be better than any other previously used method of neophalloplasty.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk) have recently raised considerable interest in view of their essential role in the regulation of the cell division cycle. The structure−activity relationships of cdk inhibition showed that the 1, 3, and 7 positions of the purine ring must remain free, probably for a direct interaction, in which it behaves as a hydrogen bond acceptor. Olomoucine (6-(benzylamino)-2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-9-methylpurine, OC), roscovitine (6-(benzylamino)-2(R)-[[1-(hydroxymethyl)propyl]amino]-9-isopropylpurine), and other N⁶,2,9-trisubstituted adenines were found to exert a strong inhibitory effect on the p34^cdc2/cyclin B kinase. Removal or change of the side chain at position 2 or the hydrophobic group at position 9 dramatically decreased the inhibitory activity of olomoucine or roscovitine. Inhibition of cdk with OC and related compounds clearly arrests cell proliferation of many tumor cell lines at G1/S and G2/M transitions and also triggers apoptosis in the target tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, from a pharmacological point of view, OC may represent a model compound for a new class of antimitotic and antitumor drugs.

We performed genetic engineering to fuse enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to the N terminus of RTA, expressed the fusion protein in Escherichia coli, purified and reassociated EGFP−RTA with plant RTB, and purified EGFP−ricin by size exclusion HPLC. The fusion heterodimer was able to bind galactosides, intoxicate cells, and show strong fluorescence. Mammalian cells incubated with EGFP−ricin showed strong cell surface fluorescence at 4 °C and, on incubation at 37 °C, distributed initially to endosomes and then to Golgi vesicles. Variable sensitivity of mammalian cells to ricin and ricin fusion proteins may be due in part to different patterns of intracellular routing. Cells were incubated with ricin or EGFP−ricin, and inhibition of protein synthesis was measured. Human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells were 10-fold more sensitive to ricin and 85-fold more sensitive to EGFP−ricin than human epidermoid carcinoma KB cells. Epifluorescence microscopy of cells incubated with EGFP−ricin showed greater localization of the fluorescence signal in the Golgi compartments in Hep3B cells than in KB cells. These data support a model requiring a Golgi-dependent step in cell intoxication by ricin. The work further identifies the usefulness of green fluorescent protein fusions in the study of retrograde transport of internalized peptides.

By using the finite element (FE) method and experimental modal analysis, including time average holography, natural frequencies and modes of vibration are investigated for the stepwise increase in the water level in a vertical thin-walled steel cylindrical shell. Specifically, rather curious changes are described in some eigenmodes of the shell caused by the rise in the water level. The agreement between the numerical results and the measurement is excellent in most cases studied. Ahmad shell elements with reduced integration for thin shells and quadratic fluid elements for inviscid incompressible fluid are used in the FE representation of the fluid-structure interaction model. A simple method of reduction of large fluid-structural eigenvalue problems to a standard form of reduced order is tested. It is based on incomplete modal and spectral decomposition in the FE model of the structurein vacuo. The experimentally verified FE analysis can be used in vibration?!studies of more complicated shell-fluid systems.

DNA encoding ricin B chain was derived from preproricin genomic DNA and ligated into the baculovirus transfer vector, pAcGP67A. Co-transfection of Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells with BaculoGold DNA was followed by limiting dilution purification of recombinant baculovirus. Infection of SF9 cells at a multiplicity of infection of 1 in the presence of 25 mM lactose produced 3 mg/l of soluble, glycosylated, 34 kDa protein immunoreactive with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to ricin B chain. The recombinant ricin B chain had similar lectin-binding activity to plant ricin B chain. The recombinant protein reassociated with ricin toxin A chain similarly to ricin toxin B chain and the recombinant heterodimers had similar cell cytotoxicity to ricin.

Naegleria fowleri amoebae were lysed by adult fresh human serum, and their multiplication was inhibited in culture medium supplemented with 10% fresh human serum. Heat inactivation (56 degrees C, 30 min) of serum abrogated these lytic and inhibitory effects. Absorption of human serum with amoebae failed to reduce immunoglobulin levels, and no specific antibody was detected in untreated or treated sera by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Conversion of C3 and C3i occurred after incubation of n. fowleri with serum which had been treated with ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid, indicating activation of complement via the alternative pathway.

Data on 1522 Rambouillet and Romnelet lambs from 75 sires were used. The traits studied were: birthweight (BW), weaning weight (WW), grease and clean fleece weight (GF, CF), staple length (SL), wool grade (WG), wool yield (WY), average daily gain and total gain (ADG, TG), feed efficiency (FE) and final weight (FW). TG and FE were obtained from a 126-day postweaning test. Least squares analyses were used to estimate the effects of year, age of dam, sex, type of rearing, sires and regression of birth weight on birthdate, or of weaning weight and post-weaning traits on age at weaning or of wool traits on age at shearing. Estimates of genetic parameters were obtained for each breed from paternal half-sib analysis. The heritability estimates for the two breeds were in close agreement except for WG (Rambouillet, 0.10, Romnelet, 0.45). Moderate heritabilities were obtained for BW (0.30, 0.28), GF (0.31, 0.29), CF (0.23, 0.37), SL (0.25, 0.39), TG (0.23, 0.22) and FW (0.26, 0.03).

Heritability estimates were calculated for 11 traits in rams and ewes of Rambouillet and Romnelet sheep. The traits were birth weight, weaning weight, average daily and total post-weaning gain, final weight, feed efficiency, grease and clean fleece weight, staple length, wool grade and wool yield. None of the estimates between the two sexes differed significantly.Genotype-sex interaction in each trait and within breed was tested by a statistical model in which effects of year, age of dam, type of rearing, sex, sire and all first order interactions of sex with the remaining factors were included. No significant genotype-sex interaction was detected in either breed. The genetic correlations between the two sexes were very close to unity in 18 of the 22 traits in the two breeds. Only the correlations for birth weight, grease fleece weight and clean fleece weight in Rambouillet and feed efficiency in Romnelet appeared to deviate markedly from unity. Thus it appears that genotype-sex interactions are not important in these groups of sheep.

CONSTRUCTION of conventional selection indexes requires a knowledge of the genetic parameters of the population. With consideration of the relative economic importance and the genetic parameters, breeding plans can be developed.A prerequisite to the success of these breeding plans is the accurate estimation of the genetic parameters. Each estimate has its sampling error and the more traits used in a conventional selection index the more errors are involved. It is, therefore, very important that the genetic parameters, used for constructing the indexes, be reliable estimates derived from suitable data. This information is not always readily available, especially to the commercial cow-calf operator. Indexes calculated by a simple method that does not require estimates of genetic parameters would be useful. Also, a commercial producer must frequently select young females without any direct information on their performance in the particular trait and must use information on the females' performance in other traits or on performance of ancestors.

A MAJORITY of ranchers are cow-calf operators. Calves are reared from birth to weaning and then sold as feeders. Profit for these enterprises seems to depend primarily on the weight of calves at weaning. The importance of the grade of the weaned calf is still highly debatable and its impact on the profit of a commercial cattle producer remains to be demonstrated. Thus, it appears that the primary interest of these producers would concentrate on the improvement of weaning weight. Slight attention might possibly be paid to the grade of the weaned calves.When improvement of more than one trait is desired the use of a selection index is recommended (Hazel and Lush, 1943). Yet, only a few reports concerning selection indexes for weaning traits in beef calves are available (Lehmann et al., 1961; High, 1970). The present study constructed indexes using the three most frequently measured production traits in a cow-calf operation. These traits were: birth weight, weaning weight and weaning grade.

Phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated for birth weight, weaning weight and type score from data collected on beef cattle at four North Carolina locations from 1952 through 1968. These data represented records of 1692 progeny of 48 sires. Data of paternal half-sibs were analyzed according to a least-squares linear model which included effects due to location, year, sex, age of dam, sires nested within year and regression on date of birth or age at weaning. All environmental factors were significant (P<.01). The heritabilities obtained were: birth weight, 0.67; weaning weight, 0.50; type score, 0.36.In addition, the genetic variance of each trait was estimated by the methods of maternal half-sibs and dam-offspring regression. In order to estimate five causal components of variance and covariance, i.e., direct additive genetic variance, additive genetic variance for maternal effects, genetic covariance between direct and maternal effects, permanent environmental maternal variance and random environmental variance, the dominance deviations were assumed to be unimportant and eliminated from consideration. Also, it was necessary to assume hypothetical ratios between the maternal genetic and the maternal permanent environmental variance. Sizable maternal components of variance and negative genetic covariances between direct effects and maternal effects were detected in all traits.

A novel technique referred to as free bending in rotating rollers was employed to refine the initial structure and to produce gradient fine-grained microstructures in the Cu0.5Zr alloy and commercially pure titanium (CP Ti). A newly designed die allowing a continuous and repetitive movement of a workpiece through a set of rollers in a channel bent by 90 degrees was employed to produce a series of billets after different numbers of passes resulting in different strains imposed on the billet. Microstructure evolution with increasing number of passes was characterized by precise measurements of microhardness (HV) distribution along the cross section of individual billets. The heterogeneous distribution of HV observed after a single pass was transformed to almost a uniform one in the whole cross section of the billets after 8 passes. EBSD analysis and TEM observations revealed a significant microstructure refinement in both materials after the final stage of processing. A homogeneous microstructure with an average grain size of about 300 nm was observed in CP Ti, whereas the microstructure of the Cu0.5Zr alloy was not fully refined and exhibited a bimodal grain size distribution. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical modelling of strain distribution by FEM.

Abstract: Retroperitoneal teratomas can have characteristic roentgenographic findings. Three children with that neoplasm had roentgenographic assessments of the tumor which revealed similar “shardlike” calcifications. The effect of the tumor on the kidneys produced hypertension in all the patients which abated post-operatively. Extensive imaging evaluations in similar patients seems unnecessary since the findings are virtually pathognomonic. Only a single urinary tract study and plain film investigation of the abdomen are advised prior to expeditious surgery.

The paper gives short information about the results of monitoring the electrical properties of an earth-fill dam during the application of a nutrient aqueous solution used in the method BioSealing. Monitoring is carried out using a Z-meter device when applying the method of electrical impedance spectrometry and, in some cases, is part of a system of monitoring seepage through the earth-fill dam of the water reservoir by its administrator. Information about the changes that take place in the body of the dam during the movement of the water level in the reservoir or after the influence of weather changes or human activity are given through the monitored changes in the electrical parameters of the soil of the dam with time.

Processing of metastable titanium alloys by severe plastic deformation provides an opportunity to achieve exceptional grain refinement, to enhance the strength and to affect phase transformations occurring during thermal treatment. The main aim of this study is to investigate the microstructure of ultra-fine grained (UFG) material and effect of microstructural changes on phase transformations in metastable b-Ti alloy Ti-15Mo. Metastable b-Ti alloys are currently the most studied Ti-based materials with prospective use in medicine. Ti-15Mo alloy after solution treatment contains metastable b-phase. Metastable o-phase and stable a-phase particles are formed upon annealing,. Solution treated Ti-15Mo alloy was deformed by high pressure torsion (HPT) at room temperature. Severely deformed structure after HPT with grain size of ~200 nm was studied by transmission electron microscopy. In-situ electrical resistance measurements showed significant changes in undergoing phase transformations when compared to coarse-grained (CG) material. Scanning electron microscopy revealed heterogeneous precipitation of a-particles at grain boundaries (GB). Due to the high density of GBs in UFG structure, these precipitates are very fine and equiaxed. The study demonstrates that SPD is capable of enhancing mechanical properties due to grain refinement and via affecting precipitation processes in metastable b-Ti alloys.

The preparation of the title compounds (XII) and (XVIII) is reported.