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Synovial sarcoma is a high-grade soft tissue malignancy, for which current cytotoxic chemotherapies provide limited benefit. Although histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are known to suppress synovial sarcoma in vitro and in vivo, the exact mechanism is not clear. In this study, we report a central role of the transcription factor, early growth response-1 (EGR1), in the regulation of HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptotic cell death in synovial sarcoma. The SS18-SSX oncoprotein, characteristic of synovial sarcoma, maintains EGR1 expression at low levels, whereas it is significantly increased after HDAC inhibitor treatment. On the contrary, EGR1 knockdown leads to a decrease in HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptosis. Moreover, we find that under these conditions phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) is upregulated and this occurs through direct binding of EGR1 to an element upstream of the PTEN promoter. Using a combination of gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we show that EGR1 modulation of PTEN contributes to HDAC inhibitor-induced apoptosis in synovial sarcoma. Finally, restoration of EGR1 or PTEN expression is sufficient to induce synovial sarcoma cell death. Taken together, our findings indicate that SS18-SSX-mediated attenuation of an EGR1–PTEN network regulates synovial sarcoma cell survival, and that HDAC inhibitor-mediated apoptosis operates at least in part through reactivation of this pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of organic chemicals to Vibrio fischeri, river bacteria, algae, Daphnia magna and fishes were analysed. The results showed that the toxicity of chemicals to narcotics was dependent on hydrophobicity. A single model for both polar and non-polar narcotics was developed by inclusion of a polarity descriptor as well as the hydrophobic parameter. The highly hydrophobic polar narcotics could be treated as non-polar narcotics because their polar functional group(s) make(s) a relatively small contribution to polarity as compared with their hydrophobicity. In order to investigate the toxic mechanism of action for reactive compounds, the response-surface approach was used to develop models derived from easily calculated descriptors. The stepwise analysis selected the octanol/water partition coefficient and a polarity descriptor to parameterize bio-uptake and reactivity, respectively, for seven species. Benzoic acids can be easily absorbed into the unicellular bacteria, but this is not the case for multicellular D. magna and fish. Their toxicity to V. fischeri is much higher than that to D. magna and carp. Regression analysis was performed based on the model that we developed for ionizable compounds. Good correlations were observed by introducing the correction factor for ionizable compounds. The toxic mechanisms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2)-converting bacteriophages ca n infect and lysogenized other bacteria in vivo and in vitro, and thus contribute to the genotypic heterogeneity of infected host. However, the global transcription patterns accompanying the lysogenic infection of Escherichia coli coli host have not been clearly resolved. In this study, we compared the gene expression profiles of Stx2 phage ΦMin27(Δstx::cat) converted and naïve E. coli MG1655 hosts using microarray analyses. It was identified that conversion by ΦMin27(Δstx::cat) had a direct effect on the global expression of bacterial host genes as 166 genes were found to be differentially expressed (104 up-regulated and 62 down-regulated). These genes were predominantly responsible for bacterial central metabolism, transport and transcription. It was shown that in addition to the down-regulation of genes involved in synthesis of Thi an d protein transporters, expression of genes associated with bacterial energy production (e.g., fadABDEHIJL, aceK and acnA) were also suppressed. Conversely, a significantly larger number of genes were up-regulated, including transport genes, flagellar synthesis genes ( fliDESTZ) and acid resistant genes (e.g., gadEW, hdeABD and adiY). Our study also discovered conversion of ΦMin27(Δstx::cat) could change host physiological character. The converted cells had increased acid tolerance at low pH and promoted swimming motility on semisolid agar surface compared to the uninfected bacterial host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on compression injuries as the most common cause of peroneal neuropathy. It states that leg-crossing and prolonged immobility can cause compression injuries which damage the head of fibula. It mentions the application of ankle-foot orthotsis (AFO) devices can serve as a primary remedy for peroneal neuropathy or foot drop and that treatments for the condition are not fully based on concrete science. Moreover, the study suggests that foot drop can be prevented.

The solid solution of (1-x)BiFeO3-xDyFeO3 was prepared by solid state reactions in the form of ceramics. The effects of chemical modification by means of aliovalent ionic substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+ on the structure and dielectric properties were investigated. A morphotropic phase boundary bridging the perovskite rhombohedral phase and the orthoferrite orthorhombic phase was identified at x around 0.1. The chemical modification was found to stabilize the perovsite phase. The dielectric performance of the solid solution was improved by the substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+, which decreased the electric conductivity by reducing oxygen vacancies, as evidenced by the decrease in loss tangent values. Magnetic hysteresis and large saturated magnetization (0.5 μB/f.u.) were realized in 0.92BiFeO3-0.08DyFeO3 with 2% substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+, which is believed to arise from the disruption of the spiral spin modulation after structural modification, and the interaction between the spins of the Dy3+ and Fe3+ at low temperatures which decouples the antiferromagnetic order between the Fe3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Prevention of postpartum haemorrhage is essential in the pursuit of improved health care for women. However, limited literature is available for comparing the use of oxytocin agonist carbetocin with syntometrine in women undergoing vaginal deliveries. We aimed to compare intramuscular carbetocin with intramuscular syntometrine for the routine prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in women who deliver vaginally. Design Prospective double-blind randomised controlled trial. Setting Tertiary referral centre. Population Pregnant women with no contraindication for vaginal delivery recruited from January 2005 to April 2008. Methods Participants were randomised to receive either syntometrine or carbetocin during the third stage of labour. Main outcome measures Primary outcome measure was postpartum haemorrhage requiring additional uterotonics. Secondary outcome measures were the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (≥500 ml), severe postpartum haemorrhage (≥1000 ml) and adverse effects profile. Results Women in the carbetocin group (13.5%) and in the syntometrine group (16.8%) had postpartum haemorrhage requiring additional uterotonics ( P = 0.384). 1.6% of women in each group had postpartum haemorrhage ( P = 1.0) and the estimated blood loss during the third stage of labour was similar between the two groups ( P = 0.294). Women who had syntometrine were four times more likely to experience nausea (RR = 4.2; 95% CI 2.2–7.8) and vomiting (RR = 4.3; 95% CI 1.9–9.5) compared with women who had carbetocin. Tremor, sweating, retching and uterine pain were also more likely in the syntometrine group compared with the carbetocin group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Carbetocin has an efficacy similar to syntometrine for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage, but is associated with less adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although amiodarone plus angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and catheter ablation may improve sinus rhythm maintenance of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), their clinical efficacies have not been compared. This prospective cohort study was designed to compare clinical efficacy of catheter ablation and amiodarone plus losartan on sinus rhythm maintenance in patients with paroxysmal AF. Materials and methods A total of 240 patients with paroxysmal AF were assigned to four groups. CPVA group ( n = 60) was treated with circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA), SPVI group ( n = 60) with segmental pulmonary vein isolation, AMIO group ( n = 60) with amiodarone and AMIO + LO group ( n = 60) with amiodarone plus losartan. The endpoint was documented recurrence of AF > 30 s by Holter or conventional 12-lead ECG in the 1-year follow-up period. Results During 12 months of follow-up, the primary end point was reached in 28 patients in CPVA group, 14 patients in SPVI group, 25 patients in AMIO group and 13 patients in AMIO + LO group, respectively. The sinus rhythm in SPVI and AMIO + LO group were significant higher than that in CPVA and AMIO group ( P < 0·01 and 0·025), and no difference between CPVA and AMIO group. The maintenance rate of sinus rhythm in SPVI group was similar to that in AMIO + LO group. Conclusions This study demonstrates that segmental pulmonary vein isolation in preventing AF recurrence is similar to amiodarone plus losartan, but it is superior to CPVA and amiodarone alone in patients with paroxysmal AF. Larger multicentre studies are needed to confirm its long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Opiate addiction is associated with upregulation of cAMP signaling in the brain. cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), a nuclear transcription factor, is a downstream component of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway, which has been shown to regulate different physiological and psychological responses of drug addiction. RACK1, the protein receptor for activated C kinase 1, is a multifunctional scaffolding protein known to be a key regulator of various signaling cascades in the CNS. RACK1 functions specifically in integrin mediated activation of ERK cascade and targets active ERK. We examined if RACK1 is involved in the mechanism of drug addiction by regulating CREB in mouse hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Several expressions were observed. Chronic administration of morphine made the expression of RACK1 and CREB mRNA increase in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The expression of RACK1 and CREB protein was strongly positive in CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus of morphine-treated mice brain, especially the pyramidal neurons in the DG of the hippocampus. Using the small interfering RNA technology, we determined that the expression of CREB mRNA was decreased in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of morphine-treated mice. The expression of RACK1 and CREB protein was negative in CA1, CA3 and DG of hippocampus. These findings suggest that morphine reward can influence the expression of RACK1 in mouse hippocampus and prefrontal cortex through regulating CREB transcription. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research examined students' cognitive and affective responses to an academic advising Web site. Specifically, we investigated whether exposure to our Web site increased student reports that they would access university Web sites to obtain various types of advising information. A depth-of-processing (DOP) manipulation revealed this effect as students engaged in semantic processing of Web content but not when they engaged in superficial examination of the physical appearance of the same Web site. Students appeared to scan online academic advising materials for information of immediate importance without noticing other information or hyperlinks (e.g., regarding internships and careers). Suggestions are presented for increasing the effectiveness of academic advising Web sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients receiving regular hemodialysis sessions have been known to suffer from fatigue and depression. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of far infrared ray (FIR) stimulation on acupoints of patients suffering from renal failure who are receiving regular hemodialysis. Patients receiving long-term and regular hemodialysis who volunteered for this procedure were randomly selected to undergo either FIR or heat pad (HP) therapy to determine the impact of FIR treatment on these patients. Both the activities of the autonomic nervous system and changes in quality of life were measured before and after treatment to determine the effectiveness of the FIR treatment. Results from this study show that FIR therapy decreases both stress and fatigue levels of these patients. It also stimulates autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in patients who are diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and are receiving regular hemodialysis (HD). Therefore, benefits of FIR stimulation on these patients are clearly demonstrated in this preliminary study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interface shear strength between a soil nail and the surrounding soil is required in the design analysis and safety assessment of a soil nailed structure, such as a slope, retaining wall or excavation. It has been found that a number of factors may influence the interface shear strength, such as the normal stress, soil properties, soil nail surface roughness, degree of saturation and grouting pressure. Some initial results from field pullout tests on soil nails grouted under pressure have indicated that the grouting pressure contributes to the pullout resistance. Pressure grouting is a cost-effective method for increasing the soil nail pullout resistance, thus improving the performance of the nailed structure. Studies on the soil nail failure mechanisms and quantitative data from tests investigating how grouting pressure influences the pullout resistance are, however, very limited. First, this paper introduces a laboratory soil nail pullout box with full instrumentation and a special pressure grouting device and its set-up. Second, the paper describes the test procedures and a programme for studying the influence of pressure grouting. The paper presents representative test results. The influence of the grouting pressure together with overburden soil pressure on the pullout resistance is examined. From the test results, relationships between pullout resistance and grouting pressure are obtained and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is proposed to guarantee bandwidth (BW) or latency of network-on-chip. This method contains three kernels: traffic classification; flit-based switching; path pre-assignment and link-BW setting. Compared with the traditional circuit-switch method, the proposed method can guarantee the latency between one flit's generation in the source node and its reception in the destination node. This method also supports a wide range of traffic types such as latency critical, low BW traffic and streaming data which only have BW requirement. Moreover, router and network interface which support the proposed method are implemented and a maximum latency formula is developed. Simulation and synthesis results show that this method can guarantee the BW and latency well and is relatively low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays an important role in modulating cellular signalling, but its role in metastasis is not well defined. A significant reduction in Cav-1 levels was detected in lymph node metastases as compared with primary tumour of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specimens (P<0.0001), confirming the downregulation of Cav-1 observed in a highly metastatic M4 cell lines derived from our orthotopic xenograft model. To investigate the function of Cav-1 in metastasis of HNSCC, we compared stable clones of M4 cells carrying human cav-1 cDNA (CavS) with cells expressing an empty vector (EV) in vitro and in the orthotopic xenograft model. Overexpression of Cav-1 suppressed growth of the CavS tumours compared with the EV tumours. The incidence of lung metastases was significantly lower in animals carrying CavS tumours than those with EV tumours (P=0.03). In vitro, CavS cells displayed reduced cell growth, invasion, and increased anoikis compared with EV cells. In CavS cells, Cav-1 formed complex with integrin beta1 and Src. Further application of integrin beta1 neutralising antibody or Src inhibitor PP2 to EV cells illustrated similar phenotypes as CavS cells, suggesting that Cav-1 may play an inhibitory role in tumorigenesis and lung metastasis through regulating integrin beta1- and Src-mediated cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar laser Rayleigh scattering yields quantitative, two-dimensional measurements of differential diffusion in a turbulent propane-helium jet issuing into air. The jet exit Reynolds number ranges from 1000 to 3000, corresponding to estimated outer-scale Reynolds numbers from 4300 to 13 000. Using a technique originally proposed by Bilger and Dibble [Combust. Sci. Technol. 28, 161 (1982)], the imaging measurements allow direct determination of a normalized scalar difference quantity ξ. For the lower Re, significant differential diffusion develops in the pretransitional portion of the flow. Downstream of the turbulent transition, radial profiles of mean ξ take on a characteristic form, with an excess of the less-diffusive propane on the jet boundary. This characteristic form is independent of Reynolds number, and is thus apparently independent of the degree of differential diffusion in the pretransition range. Evolution of the ξ fields in the turbulent part of the flow is surprisingly consistent with the mixing of conventional scalar quantities. Fluctuation profiles of ξ have a self-similar, bimodal shape for each Re, and power spectra of ξ are monotonically decreasing, with a distinct k-5/3 inertial range. This spectral form is at odds with prior analytical and computational results in isotropic turbulence, which predicted that the spectrum would show a peak intermediate between the diffusive cutoffs of the individual scalars. The discrepancy appears to be due to the forcing applied in the simulations; the differential diffusion in the experiments preferentially develops in the jet near field, so the resulting evolution is more akin to a decay process. This is further emphasized by the observation that the thickness of ξ structures in the jet decreases with downstream distance. The present results indicate that consideration of differential diffusion must account for the details of the flow configuration, particularly the uniformity of turbulence levels. This has important implications for reacting flows, where local laminarization by heat release can be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents and to explore the psychological features associated with Internet addiction. Methods A total of 2620 high school students from four high schools in Changsha City were surveyed using Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (the edition for children, EPQ), Time Management Disposition Scale (TMDS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The mean age of whole sample was 15.19 years (ranging from 12 years to 18 years). According to the modified YDQ criteria by Beard, 64 students who were diagnosed as Internet addiction (the mean age: 14.59 years) and 64 who were diagnosed as being normal in Internet usage (the mean age: 14.81 years) were included in a case–control study. Results The rate of Internet use among the surveyed adolescents was 88%, among which the incidence rate of Internet addiction was 2.4%. The Internet addiction group had significantly higher scores on the EPQ subscales of neuroticism, psychoticism, and lie than the control group ( P < 0.05). The Internet addiction group scored lower than the control group on the TMDS subscales of sense of control over time, sense of value of time, and sense of time efficacy ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Internet addiction group had also significantly higher scores on the SDQ subscales of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, total difficulties and lower scores on the subscale of prosocial behaviours ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The present study suggests that Internet addiction is not rare among Chinese adolescents. In addition, adolescents with Internet addiction possess different psychological features when compared with those who use the Internet less frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping accurately vegetation type is one of the main challenges for monitoring arid and semi-arid grasslands with remote sensing. The multi-angle approach has been demonstrated to be useful for mapping vegetation types in deserts. The current paper presents a study on the use of directional reflectance derived from two sensor systems, using two different models to analyse the data and two different classifiers as a means of mapping vegetation types. The multiangle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR) and the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) provide multi-spectral and angular, off-nadir observations. In this study, we demonstrate that reflectance from MISR observations and reflectance anisotropy patterns derived from MODIS observations are capable of working together to increase classification accuracy. The patterns are described by parameters of the modified Rahman-Pinty-Verstraete and the RossThin-LiSparseMODIS bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) models. The anisotropy patterns derived from MODIS observations are highly complementary to reflectance derived from radiances observed by MISR. Support vector machine algorithms exploit the information carried by the same data sets more effectively than the maximum likelihood classifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the relationship between reported salad consumption and serum nutrient levels as well as dietary adequacy, as defined by nutrient intakes, in relation to the National Academy of Science Food and Nutrition Board Guidelines, in pre- and postmenopausal women and in men of comparable ages. Design: Analyses of 24-hour recalls were conducted to determine dietary intake using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Salad consumption was assessed based on intakes of salad, raw vegetables, and salad dressing. Subjects: Nine thousand four hundred-six women and 8,282 men aged 18 to 45 years and older than 55 years were examined between 1988 and 1994. Statistical Analyses: Regressions were used to model associations between salad and raw vegetable consumption and selected serum nutrient outcomes. Usual nutrient intake distributions were estimated using the Iowa State University method for adjustment of the distribution. The Estimated Average Requirement method was used to determine the proportion of subjects with inadequate intake for each nutrient. Results: The consumption of salads, raw vegetables, and salad dressing was positively associated with above-median serum micronutrient levels of folic acid, vitamins C and E, lycopene, and α- and β-carotene. Each serving of salad consumed was associated with a 165% higher likelihood to meet the recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin C in women and 119% greater likelihood in men. Conclusions: Salad consumers tended to have more favorable intakes of vitamins C and E, folic acid, and carotenoids, after adjustment for other differences. The significant and consistently higher serum values of these vitamins among salad consumers suggest that they are being well absorbed from salad. Salad, salad dressing, and raw vegetable consumption can be an effective strategy for enhancing nutritional adequacy and increasing vegetable consumption in the population at large. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effectiveness of an Introductory Psychology course module on racism was assessed using a short questionnaire immediately afterwards and then later at the end of the semester. Students of color were consistently more aware of the prevalence and manifestations of racism in U.S. society today, compared to White students. White students also appeared to exhibit self- serving biases related to ethnicity-based privileges. Reported attitude changes were not correlated with actual attitude changes, as assessed with this questionnaire. Overall, this course module was effective in changing the attitudes about racism in White students, yet its effect was limited. On the other hand, given the permanence of racist attitudes and beliefs, any measurable success in this context should be celebrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated factors associated with intention to screen for colorectal cancer among Chinese people age 40 yr. and older. In-depth individual interviews were conducted. Participants were recruited from urban middle-class communities in Taichung, Taiwan through homogeneous, criterion, and snowball sampling strategies (N 32). Immersion and crystallization techniques were used in data analysis. Member check was used to ensure data quality. Analysis showed that factors related to intentions to have fecal occult blood tests were influenced by the inconvenience (61%) and the unpleasant screening procedure (29%), while participants' gastrointestinal symptoms or family history (32%) and physicians' recommendation or patients' self-health conditions (25%) were more important to intentions for a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy screening. This study suggests tailoring strategies and messages to encourage use of various screening. Unique cultural issues, such as avoidance of facing problems (28%), embarrassment (23%), or lack of acceptance of preventive behaviors (16%), were also discussed with recommendations provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the research presented here is to assess the factors controlling the remotely sensed signal returned in the solar wavelengths from Chihuahuan Desert grass-shrub transition canopy-soil complexes. The specific objectives were twofold: to evaluate the importance of the different elements (overstorey, understorey, soil) in the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of a Chihuahuan Desert grass-shrub transition zone; and to explore the behaviour of simple parametric and explicit scattering models with respect to observations. The first objective was approached by simulations using the Radiosity Graphics Method (RGM), with surface parameters provided by measurements of plant locations and dimensions obtained over two contrasting 25 m 2 plots. The second was approached through simulations of bidirectional reflectance factors (BRFs) by both the RGM and a Simplified Geometric Model (SGM) developed for inversion purposes. The modelled BRFs were assessed against multi-angle observations (MAO) - samples of the BRDF at a wavelength of 650 nm acquired from the air at up to six view zenith angles and three solar zenith angles. The results show that the understorey of small forbs and sub-shrubs plays an important role in determining the brightness and reflectance anisotropy of grass-shrub transition landscapes in relation to that of larger shrubs such as mesquite and ephedra. This is owing to the potentially high density of these plants and to the fact that there is also a varying proportion of black grama grass and prone grass litter associated with snakeweed abundance. Both of these components darken the scene. The SGM performed well measured against both the RGM and the MAO at the MAO acquisition angles (R 2 of 0.98 and 0.92, respectively) and good correlations were obtained between RGM and SGM when modelling was performed at a wider range of angular configurations (R 2 ≈0.90). The SGM was shown to be highly sensitive to its adjustable parameters. Both models underestimated BRF magnitude with respect to the MAO by a small amount (<6%), showing increasing divergence from the backscattering into the forward-scattering direction. A remaining problem for operational model inversions using MAO is the a priori estimation of understorey and grass abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This preliminary investigation built on the work of Johnson and Sigler (2000), indicating that the public was highly intolerant of wife abuse and increasingly willing to criminalize its occurrence. Videotaped or written scenes containing domestic violence were presented to college students who were asked to indicate the seriousness of each situation, as well as respond to the question, “Is a call to 911 emergency services justified?” The results suggested that these participants were highly intolerant of both physical and nonphysical spousal abuse and that they reliably viewed 911 calls to be justified following scenes with physical violence and no physical injury, as well as scenes with verbal threats, but no physical violence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper suggests approaches to simulate scaling effects of thermal emission from non-isothermal pixels with a typical three-dimensional structure. We simulate effective emissivities of various V-shaped valleys by using our Monte Carlo method under the isothermal assumption. An analytical formula of the effective emissivities is derived based on photon rebounding between surfaces in the valleys. The comparison between the simulated and the analytically modelled effective emissivities shows that the analytical formula is highly accurate. After simulating effective emissivities of the V-shaped valley under several non-isothermal conditions, we find that the structure and component temperature difference of a pixel cause the scaling effects of thermal emission of the pixel. The results, therefore, prove that Planck's law has to be corrected for remote sensing to estimate land surface temperature with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile genetic elements are often employed for constructing gene fusions or to perform mutagenesis. mariner transposons are well-suited to such applications because of their low site specificity, in vitro activity, and exceptionally broad host range. This report describes a mariner-based method for rapidly creating a large number of insertion mutants that can be converted to in-frame epitope fusions in a single step. First, a mariner-based vector is used to deliver a FLP recombinase substrate randomly into a target molecule. Expression of the FLP recombinase is then induced to catalyse the excision of sequences flanked by FLP recombinase target recognition sites, leaving behind a triple-FLAG epitope. The reversibility of the excision event provides opportunities for using genomic targeting methods easily to create transcriptional or translational fusions to genes of interest. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In chorusing species, males seem to be spaced non-randomly, and their vocal interactions may be governed by particular behavioral rules. We monitored patterns of vocal interactions in a natural bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) chorus to determine the probability with which calls of individual frogs would follow each other's in dyadic sequences. Expected probabilities of responses in a dyad were calculated based upon the joint probabilities of calling (relative calling rates) of the individual frogs; observed probabilities of response reflected the actual number of following responses in each dyad. Results of statistical tests comparing observed and expected probabilities of responding revealed that, when dyads were closely spaced, observed probabilities of a following response were significantly less than the expected probabilities. Conversely, when dyads were composed of more distant males, observed probabilities of responding were significantly greater than expected. Observed probabilities of response were correlated with inter-male distances; males called more frequently than expected following calls of far neighbors, and less frequently than expected following calls of near neighbors. These data suggest that males attend to both nearby and distant callers, and adjust the onset of their own vocalizations appropriately. Males may be actively inhibited by calls of their near neighbors, and their calling may be actively elicited by the calls of their far neighbors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an infectious disease caused mainly by Candida albicans. Kangfuxin (KFX) is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation made from Periplaneta americana extracts, which promotes wound healing and enhances body immunity and also acts as an antifungal agent. Here, we evaluated the effect of KFX in the treatment of VVC in vitro and in vivo. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of KFX against C. albicans ranged from 7·65 to 20·57%. In addition, KFX was more efficient than fluconazole (FLC) in inhibiting the drug‐resistant C. albicans, and the effect was more intense after 8 h. The KFX treatment also exhibited good activity in vivo. It restored the body weight and reduced the vulvovaginal symptoms in mice induced with VVC. It downregulated the expression of the hyphae‐related gene, HWP1, thus inhibiting the growth and development of C. albicans hyphae. It also increased the number of neutrophils and promoted the secretion of interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A); however, the levels of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) decreased in mice with VVC. We deduce that KFX effectively treats vaginal candidiasis in two ways: by inhibiting the growth and development of mycelia to reduce colonization of C. albicans and by promoting the secretion and release of IL‐17A and neutrophils in high numbers to fight C. albicans infection. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of KFX for the clinical treatment of VVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes bacterial virulence using in vivo examination of genes. Utilization of in vivo expression technology (IVET) and signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM); Relevance of early screens on in vivo-induced genes; Advantages and disadvantages of IVET and STM; Development of genomic analysis and mapping by in vitro transposition.

Focuses on a study that examined the influences of reciprocating force with ribs skewed to the flow of heat transfer. Overview of the test module used for the experiment; Methodology; Constructional details of heat trasnfer test module.

This article describes a detailed experimental investigation of heat transfer in a reciprocating square-sectioned duct fitted with transverse ribs. The parametric conditions involved several nominal Reynolds numbers ranging from 2,700 to 9,000 with five different reciprocating frequencies, namely, 0, 0.415, 0.83, 1.25, and 1.67 Hz. This resulted in a pulsating number, which represented the ratio of reciprocating force to inertial force effect, varying from 0 to 10.5. Inside the reciprocating ribbed duct the typical effects of flow reciprocation on heat transfer were illustrated by examining the periodic spatial-time distributions of Nusselt number. The amplitude of the timewise variable reciprocating Nusselt number was dependent on the axial location and increased with increases of Reynolds number. The time-averaged heat transfer due to flow reciprocation could be accounted for by the pulsating number and, in general, the heat transfer level increased with increases of the pulsating number. At a pulsating number of 10.5, the spatial-time-averaged Nusselt number value could reach about 165% of the equivalent stationary level, which demonstrated the possibility to further enhance the heat transfer via the use of ribs for reciprocating ducts. This study has been motivated by the need to improve the cooling performance of the internal coolant passages inside the pistons of heavy-duty marine diesel engines and to account for the effect of reciprocating motion on the heat transfer within these coolant channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the use of signature-tagged transposon mutagenesis (STM) to conduct a screen for random insertion mutations that affect colonization in the suckling mouse model for Vibrio cholerae. Number of mutants with transposon insertions in toxin coregulated pilus biogenesis genes isolated using STM; Colonization defects caused by insertions in lipopolysaccharide, biotin and purine biosynthetic genes.

Studies the role of Doa locus of the Drosophila melanogaster in the expression of the copia retrotransposon. Increase in quantities of transcripts in both long-terminal repeats (LTRs) of the element of copia element; Structural alteration of those initiating 5'LTR; Doa mutation homozygosity; Modulation of severity of copia-induced mutations.

Background: Studying the differential impact of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs across the stages of colorectal neoplasia from early adenoma to cancer is critical for understanding the benefits of these widely used drugs. Methods: With 13 years of follow‐up, the authors prospectively evaluated the association between aspirin and ibuprofen use and incident distal adenoma (1221 cases), recurrent adenoma (862 cases), and incident colorectal cancer (CRC; 2826 cases) among men and women in the population‐based Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. With multivariable‐adjusted models, odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for adenoma incidence and recurrence and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident CRC were determined. Results: The authors observed a significantly reduced risk of incident adenoma with ibuprofen use (≥30 vs <4 pills per month: OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.60‐0.95]; Ptrend =.04), particularly advanced adenoma (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.28‐0.83]; Ptrend =.005). Among those with a previous adenoma detected through screening, aspirin use was associated with a decreased risk of advanced recurrent adenoma (≥30 vs <4 pills per month: OR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.36‐0.87]; Ptrend = 0.006). Both aspirin (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.81‐0.96]; Ptrend <.0001) and ibuprofen use (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.70‐0.93); Ptrend = 0.003) ≥30 versus <4 pills per month were significantly associated with reduced CRC risk. Conclusions: In this large prospective study with long‐term follow‐up, a beneficial role for not only aspirin, but also ibuprofen, in preventing advanced adenoma and curbing progression to recurrence and cancer among older adults was observed. This large, population‐based, prospective study with long‐term follow‐up demonstrates a beneficial role for not only aspirin, but also ibuprofen, in preventing advanced adenoma and curbing progression to recurrence and cancer among older adults. The protection offered by these widely used nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs is notably significant against the development of advanced adenoma, an important target for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Most cervical cancers are directly linked to oncogenic or high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. This study evaluates associations between diet quality and genital HPV infection in women. Methods This study included 10 543 women from the 2003–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The outcome was the genital HPV infection status (HPV-negative, low-risk [LR] HPV, and HR-HPV). Dietary quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), in which a higher score indicates a better diet quality. Results Women who did not consume total fruits (15.8%), whole fruits (27.5%), or green vegetables and beans (43%) had a significantly higher risk of HR-HPV infection than women who complied with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (HR-HPV odds ratio = 1.76, 1.63, and 1.48 for a HEI score of 0 vs 5, respectively) after adjusting confounding factors. Similar results of these food components on LR-HPV infection were found. In addition, intake of whole grains and dairy was inversely associated with LR-HPV infection. Conclusions This study showed that women who did not eat fruits, dark-green vegetables, and beans had a higher risk of genital HR-HPV infection. Intake of these food components is suggested for women to prevent HPV carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop multiferroics with large magnetization and polarization, we have prepared the (1-x)BiFeO3–xDyFeO3 (BF-DF) solid solution and systematically studied its properties. A morphotropic phase transition from rhombohedral perovskite (R3c) to orthorhombic orthoferrite (Pbnm) was found at x around 0.1. The magnetic properties of BiFeO3 were improved by the introduction of Dy3+ on the perovskite A site. Chemically modified Bi0.9Dy0.1Fe1-xTixO3+x/2 ceramics by aliovalent ionic substitution of Ti4+ for Fe3+ with excess Bi2O3 exhibit weak ferromagnetism and a typical ferroelectric hysteresis loop with a large remnant polarization of 23 μC/cm2 at room temperature and a large saturated magnetization (Ms=0.5 μB/f.u.) at 2 K. These properties entitle the BF-DF solid solution one of few multiferroic materials that exhibit both decent magnetization and electric polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A selective wet-etching method for micro-fabricating As2S3 glass ridge waveguides, using CS2 solution with iodine as an oxidising reactant, has been developed. The proposed method is based on photo-induced changes in chalcogenide glasses, and therefore can be free of photomasks and photoresists. The optical properties of such etched ridge waveguides have been tested and they exhibit a more than 2 dB/cm loss reduction compared to laser direct-written channel waveguides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Rural women are underrepresented in cancer research. We hypothesized that providing access to a research study to rural, medically underserved women who were receiving their breast cancer screening using a mobile mammography unit would increase the representation of rural women in a cancer cohort study. Design: This study is a cross-sectional study using a cohort of women who have been recruited to a breast cancer study in Arkansas. Setting: Recruiters accompanied a mobile mammography unit, the MammoVan, to implement a novel method for reaching and recruiting underrepresented rural Arkansas women into the study. Participants include 5850 women recruited from 2010 through 2012 as part of the Arkansas Rural Community Health (ARCH) study. Results: Participants recruited during their mammography screening on the MammoVan tended to be more rural, less educated, and more likely to be non-Hispanic than those recruited in other venues. A significant difference was not noted for race or age. Conclusion: Collaboration with the MammoVan greatly aided the recruitment of rural participants. These strategies can facilitate the representation of this historically underserved and understudied rural population in future research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Rural women are underrepresented in cancer research. We hypothesized that providing access to a research study to rural, medically underserved women who were receiving their breast cancer screening using a mobile mammography unit would increase the representation of rural women in a cancer cohort study. Design: This study is a cross-sectional study using a cohort of women who have been recruited to a breast cancer study in Arkansas. Setting: Recruiters accompanied a mobile mammography unit, the MammoVan, to implement a novel method for reaching and recruiting underrepresented rural Arkansas women into the study. Participants include 5850 women recruited from 2010 through 2012 as part of the Arkansas Rural Community Health (ARCH) study. Results: Participants recruited during their mammography screening on the MammoVan tended to be more rural, less educated, and more likely to be non-Hispanic than those recruited in other venues. A significant difference was not noted for race or age. Conclusion: Collaboration with the MammoVan greatly aided the recruitment of rural participants. These strategies can facilitate the representation of this historically underserved and understudied rural population in future research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slider surface texturing is a promising new way to improve the tribological performance of future hard disk drives with very low flying heights. In this study, proximity recording sliders with a design flying height of 6 nm at 20 m/s were textured using oxygenated plasma etching. In order to protect the read-write element, texturing of sliders was performed after positioning a mica mask over the read-write element. The tribological and read-write performance of the slider before texturing was compared with the tribological and magnetic performance of the same slider after texturing. It was found that no degradation of the read-write performance occurred and that the tribological performance of the slider was improved after texturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the experience of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) using a home-administered kit that requires no stool handling for cob rectal cancer screening among Chinese people age 40 and older. 304 participants were recruited from 10 worksites in Taiwan. Both oral and written instructions on how to use the test kit were provided. After participants completed the screening test, their experiences were documented through structured open-ended probing survey questions. Although analysis showed some challenges for Chinese participants as first time users, the overall reactions and perceived advantages towards the kit were promising. Interventions should consider the participant's stage of adaptation to new screening strategies, literacy, and environmental conditions. Since no known research has been conducted among Chinese people with a kit, experience provides valuable qualitative insights for planning intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multimode fibre Bragg grating (MMFBG) based wavelength-switching erbium-doped fibre laser is reported. With a simple singlemode fibre to MMFBG structure, a novel wavelength-selection technique is developed to achieve the wavelength-switching by changing the mode coupling condition in the multimode fibre. 31 discrete lasing wavelengths are obtained over a wide wavelength range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xanthan gum is modified with formaldehyde to improve the dissolution rate. The FT-IR spectra and the X-ray diffraction spectra both show that chemical modification reduces intermolecular interactions and crystallinity. Viscosity measurements show that the chemically modified gum dissolves more rapidly than before. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

INTRODUCTION Alterations in DNA methylation profiles have been associated with cancer, and can be influenced by environmental factors such as smoking. A small but growing literature indicates there are reproducible and robust differences in methylation levels among smokers, never smokers, and ex-smokers. Here, we compared differences in salivary DNA methylation levels among current and exsmokers (at least 2 years abstinent). METHODS Smokers (n=26) and ex-smokers (n=30) provided detailed smoking histories, completed the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), and submitted a saliva sample. Whole-genome DNA methylation from saliva was performed, and ANCOVA models and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for the differences between groups and the performance of significant CpG sites. RESULTS After controlling for race, age, and gender, smokers had significantly lower methylation levels than ex-smokers in two CpG sites: cg05575921 (AHRR) and cg21566642 (ALPPL2). Based on the ROC analyses, both CpGs had strong classification potentials (cg05575921 AUC=0.97 and cg21566642 AUC=0.93) in differentiating smoking status. Across all subjects, the percent methylation of cg05575921 (AHRR) and cg21566642 (ALPPL2) positively correlated with the length of the last quit attempt (r=0.65 and 0.64, respectively, p<0.001) and PASAT accuracy (r=0.29 and 0.30, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In spite of the small sample size and preliminary research, our results replicate previously reported differences in AHRR hypomethylation among smokers. Furthermore, we show that the duration of smoking abstinence is associated with a recovery of methylation in ex-smokers, which may be linked to a reduced risk of smoking-associated diseases. The association with cognitive performance suggests that the hypomethylation of AHRR in saliva may reflect systemic exposure to cigarette-related toxicants that negatively affect cognitive performance, and should be validated in larger studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes procedures designed to demonstrate Nuttin's (1985) name letter effect in an undergraduate social psychology class. Preference for objects or events related to oneself. Nature of subjects, procedure and results of the study.

Double-heterojunction bipolar transistors have been fabricated on InGaAs(P)/InP with current gains of up to 200. Transistors with a p+-InGaAs/N-InP base/collector junction exhibited drastic gain reduction at low collector bias voltages which is ascribed to the electron repelling effect of the conduction-band spike formed at the collector heterojunction. To overcome this complication a thin n-InGaAs transition layer was inserted between the ternary base and the InP wide-gap collector. The resulting nN double-layer collector structure leads to excellent current/voltage characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]