Characterization of mutated transforming growth factor-beta s which possess unique biological properties

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent regulator of cell growth and differentiation. On the basis of the crystal structure of TGF-beta 2, we have designed and synthesized two mutant TGF-beta s, TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73). Although both of these molecules inhibited the growth of Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cells and LS1034 colorectal cancer cells, which are affected equally by TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) was much less potent than TGF-beta 1 or TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) at inhibiting the growth of LS513 colorectal cancer cells which are growth-inhibited by TGF-beta 1 but not TGF-beta 2. Both TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) increased levels of mRNAs for fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor with Mv1Lu cells, whereas only TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and not TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) up-regulated the mRNA level of carcinoembryonic antigen in LS513 cells. The expression level of carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA in LS1034 cells was not altered by either wild-type or mutant TGF-beta s. Receptor labeling experiments demonstrated that TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) bound with high affinity to the cell-surface receptors of Mv1Lu, LS1034, and LS513 cells while TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) bound effectively to the receptors of Mv1Lu and LS1034 cells but much less to the receptors on LS513 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Why psychologists don't think like philosophers.

H. H. Kendler (see record 1994-09190-001), in his article on psychology and the ethics of social policy, argues in part that ethical imperatives cannot be inferred from empirical data. This argument is cited in opposition to what is purported to be the position of the American Psychological Association on the abortion issue. It is suggested that PhD candidates in psychology be well versed in the philosophical issues and debates that are the foundation for the formation of ethical principles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive treatments for eating disorders.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is applicable to all eating disorders but has been most intensively studied in the treatment of bulimia nervosa (BN). CBT is designed to alter abnormal attitudes about body shape and weight, replace dysfunctional dieting with normal eating habits, and develop coping skills for resisting binge eating and purging. CBT is effective in reducing all core features of BN and shows good maintenance of therapeutic improvement. Although superior to therapy with antidepressant drugs, CBT has not been shown to be consistently superior to alternative psychological treatments. Different hypotheses about CBT's mechanisms of action are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonsulfhydryl-reactive phenoxyacetic acids increase aqueous humor outflow facility

PURPOSE: The phenoxyacetic acid, ethacrynic acid (ECA), has potential use in glaucoma therapy because it acts to increase aqueous outflow in vivo and in vitro. In human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cell culture, ECA acts to change cell shape and attachment, effects that have been correlated with microtubule (MT) alterations and chemical sulfhydryl (SH) reactivity. To further explore these actions, we evaluated two non-SH reactive phenoxyacetic acids, inadcrinone and ticrynafen, and the MT-disrupting drug vinblastine. METHODS: Excised bovine and porcine eyes were perfused and outflow facility measured. Calf pulmonary artery endothelial and HTM cells were grown in culture and cytoskeletal effects evaluated after drug treatment. RESULTS: Indacrinone, ticrynafen, and vinblastine all caused an increase in outflow facility. In contrast with ECA, the outflow effects of indacrinone and ticrynafen were not blocked by excess cysteine. Although indacrinone and ticrynafen produced changes in cell shape in vitro, the beta-tubulin staining pattern of treated cells was not altered. Vinblastine caused cell shape change and the expected MT disruption. CONCLUSIONS: Phenoxyacetic acids can increase aqueous outflow facility and alter HTM cell shape and attachment in vitro by a non-SH, non-MT mechanism (which is probably shared also by ECA). These findings suggest the possibility of a broader class of glaucoma drugs that may be directed at the HTM. An understanding of the cellular target for these drugs has implications both for potential glaucoma therapy and for the cytoskeletal mechanisms involved in normal outflow function.     

Application profile for ISDN

The authors examine some key data processing applications to be used in conjunction with the voice and facsimile services as a platform for deploying ISDN (integrated services digital network) in North America. Special emphasis is placed on the emerging standards of both Accredited Standards Committees (ACS) T1 and X3 in an attempt to harmonize the computer and telecommunication industries towards providing the user with an integrated platform that is vendor-transparent and ubiquitous. This generic platform, which spans a large spectrum of businesses, is presented as a base context for defining user-specific needs and incubating the applications that directly relate to businesses. Distributed transaction processing, electronic data interchange, information retrieval, electronic mail, and file transfer together with seven supplementary services for voice and G4 facsimile are proposed for ISDN deployment in the marketplace. The authors describe how the relevant standards may be exercised through the various ISDN channels and emphasize the value of the North American ISDN User's Forum for commercializing this platform     

Deuterated liquid scintillator (NE230) as a fast neutron detectorfor cold-fusion and other research

Deuterated scintillators (NE230) can provide, without time-of-flight, usable neutron energy spectra for neutrons E _n⩾1 MeV. The authors have assembled and calibrated several of these detectors and used them in experiments searching for d+d fusion-neutron emission (E_n, 2.5 MeV) in Pd+D ₂O electrolysis and Ti+D₂ adsorption at LN temperatures. The detectors yielded direct fusion-neutron spectra and set limits in the Pd+D and Ti+D experiments of <7×10^-24 fusion n/s/dd pair and <3×10^-24 fusion n/s/dd pair respectively. In addition, these detectors have been used for in-beam accelerator experiments requiring coincidence between fast neutrons and scattered ions     

Pressurized fluidized-bed hydro retort ing of raw and beneficiated Eastern oil shales

Bench-scale tests were conducted with raw and beneficiated shales in an advanced multi-purpose research reactor. Raw Alabama shale and raw and beneficiated Indiana shales were retorted at 515 °C using hydrogen pressures of 4 and 7 MPa. Shale feed rates were 15 to 34 kg h⁻¹. High oil yields and carbon conversions were achieved in all tests. Oil yield from Alabama shale hydroretorted at 7 MPa was 200% of Fischer assay. Raw and beneficiated Indiana shales hydroretorted at 7 MPa produced oil yields of 170 and 195% of Fischer assay respectively. Total carbon conversions were >70% for all tests conducted at 7 MPa.