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Purpose Diabetic obesity in the leptin-deficient ob/ob mouse is associated with weight gain, and hyperglycemia, along with hyperinsulinemia. We have previously examined the effects of genistein (a naturally occurring isoflavone found in soy) on metabolic disturbances in the ob/ob mouse and demonstrated beneficial effects of genistein (600 mg genistein/kg diet, for 4-weeks) on T3 production and corticosterone status. The goal of this study was to examine whether dietary genistein could prevent, or at least lessen, the typical phenotype in this murine model of diabetic-obesity, and to assess potential sex-differences. Patients and methods The ob/ob mice (male and female) aged 4-5 weeks were randomly assigned to one of two diets for a period of 4-weeks: standard rodent diet, or genistein-containing diet (600 mg genistein/kg diet). Comparisons were made to a lean control group. Results Genistein diet significantly reduced body weight by 12% in females and 9% in males. Genistein significantly lowered serum glucose levels by 18% in females and 43% in males, yet had no effect on serum insulin. Genistein diet significantly lowered serum triglyceride levels in both ob/ob male and female mice returning them to lean levels. In females only, genistein significantly reduced serum pancreatic polypeptide levels by 56% and increased serum GIP levels 2.3-fold. Genistein had sex-dependent effects on hepatic steatosis: in females, genistein further increased the % fat area and the fat droplet diameter 2.6-fold, along with additionally increasing hepatic TBARS. Conclusion The results from this study indicate interesting beneficial effects of genistein diet for both male and female ob/ob mice.

Climate change will be a major driver of change in the agricultural sector in the coming decades, along with changes in population, income, urbanization, dietary preferences, and technology.1 Agriculture is unique among economic sectors in its dependence on temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables, and is thus unique in its sensitivity to changes in those variables. Farmers around the world have long been accustomed to dealing with the vagaries of weather, but climate change is now occurring on a larger scale and will bring bigger challenges in terms of what farmers produce, where and how they produce it, and what we eat.

Agriculture is unique among economic sectors in the nature of impacts from climate change. The production activity that transforms inputs into agricultural outputs involves direct use of weather inputs (temperature, solar radiation available to the plant, and precipitation). Previous studies of the impacts of climate change on agriculture have reported substantial differences in outcomes such as prices, production, and trade arising from differences in model inputs and model specification. This article presents climate change results and underlying determinants from a model comparison exercise with 10 of the leading global economic models that include significant representation of agriculture. By harmonizing key drivers that include climate change effects, differences in model outcomes were reduced. The particular choice of climate change drivers for this comparison activity results in large and negative productivity effects. All models respond with higher prices. Producer behavior differs by model with some emphasizing area response and others yield response. Demand response is least important. The differences reflect both differences in model specification and perspectives on the future. The results from this study highlight the need to more fully compare the deep model parameters, to generate a call for a combination of econometric and validation studies to narrow the degree of uncertainty and variability in these parameters and to move to Monte Carlo type simulations to better map the contours of economic uncertainty.

The International Food Policy Research Institute’s International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) supports analysis of long-term challenges and opportunities for food, agriculture, and natural resources at global and regional scales. IMPACT is continually being updated and improved to better inform the choices that decisionmakers face today. This document describes the latest version of the model. IMPACT version 3 expands the geographic and commodity scope of the model in response to desires expressed by researchers and policymakers to address more complex questions involving climate change, food security, and economic development into the future. IMPACT 3 is an integrated modeling system that links information from climate models (Earth System Models), crop simulation models (for example, Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer), and water models linked to a core global, partial equilibrium, multimarket model focused on the agriculture sector. This model system supports longer-term scenario analysis through the integration of these multidisciplinary modules to provide researchers and policymakers with a flexible tool to assess and compare the potential effects of changes in biophysical systems, socioeconomic trends, technologies, and policies.

Synthetic-jet actuators (SJA) have been employed in a variety of roles including aerodynamic boundary layer control. In their most widespread configurations, these zero net mass-flow devices are actuated by a piezoelectric, periodically-oscillating which alternatively admits and then expels a gas from an enclosed cavity through a nozzle. The cyclic fluid motion in and out of the cavity forms a synthetic outward bound jet. The aim of the current paper is to present the development and validation of a modeling procedure based on finite elements, which includes multiphysics simulation. The SJA model was based on fully-coupled acoustic, structural and piezoelectric modeling. The predicted results were favorably compared to experiment. While coupled fluid-structural piezoelectric models are available, the proposed method is a much more convenient quick-design tool for SJA’S due to reduced computational times based onthe acoustic fluid approximation.

Three cases of arachnodactyly complicated by aneurysm of the aorta are presented. In two of these cases the autopsy findings are described. Autopsy showed a tear in the wall of the aorta, without dissection in one of our patients. Generalized aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta was present in all three cases, with aortic insufficiency. Aneurysm of the aorta is a frequent occurrence in patients with arachnodactyly who reach adulthood. Dissection of the aorta may be responsible for early death in these patients. Generalized dilatation of the aorta may lead to aortic insufficiency and death.

A dissecting aneurysm of the aorta led to formation of a fistula from the aneurysmal sac to the left atrium and caused obstruction of the superior vena cava. We do not know of any previous reports of this clinical syndrome. ( JAMA 233:164-165, 1975)

A symptomatic myelolipoma of the heterotopic adrenal gland was diagnosed as the cause of nephrotic syndrome and was surgically removed. Remission of the nephrotic syndrome promptly ensued. Ultrastructurally, the tumor consisted of well-differentiated cells resembling adrenal cortical cells, bone marrow cells in various stages of differentiation, and lipid cells. Some cells that contained fat were of adrenal cortical origin, but the derivation of most lipid cells and of bone marrow elements could not be deduced from the present ultrastructural findings.

A case of rheumatoid (ankylosing) spondylitis with aortic insufficiency and arteriosclerotic coronary heart disease is presented. Surgical replacement of the aortic valve and aortocoronary bypass grafts were successfully accomplished.

To the Editor. —Malfunction of a permanent cardiac pacemaker is most often manifested by intermittent or absolute cessation of function or by a reduction from the chronic stable pacing rate. On rare occasions, however, pacemaker tachycardia occurs with rate acceleration up to 100 beats per minute, ie, runaway pacemaker. In this report, pseudo-runaway pacemaker, a previously unrecognized phenomenon, will be presented. Report of Cases.—Case 1. —A 46-year-old woman had a R-wave inhibited demand pacemaker inserted for episodic Stokes-Adams attacks with verified high-degree atrioventricular block. The pacing rate was 72 beats per minute (Figure, A). A routine ECG, taken three months later during an emergency room visit for noncardiac chest pain, showed 100% pacemaker capture at 90 beats per minute (Figure, B). Although the pulse generator was implanted only three months earlier, component failure was suspected, and the unit was replaced. Case 2. —A 70-year-old man had a demand

Dr. Goldman, in his fifth edition ofPrinciples of Clinical Electrocardiography, has ably accomplished his objective of presenting the basic concepts of electrocardiography and their clinical application. Written in clear, crisp, concise language, this book details the simpler and some of the more complex theoretical and practical aspects of electrocardiography. For the medical student and house staff physician in particular, as well as practitioners of medicine, the volume will serve as an excellent introductory guide and future reference. The book is profusely illustrated with simplified drawings which permit excellent correlation of electrocardiographic patterns with electrophysiologic principles. For the sake of clarity, Dr. Goldman has purposefully avoided controversial theoretical discussions. For example, he emphasizes the unitarian concept of accelerated conduction and atrial arrhythmias as the theories most widely accepted today. Emphasis also has been placed on the unipolar leads; there is, however, an introductory section on vector cardiography as well. Other