Enterolactone restricts the proliferation of the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line in vitro

Ecological data suggest a long‐term diet high in plant material rich in biologically active compounds, such as the lignans, can significantly influence the development of prostate cancer over the lifetime of an individual. The capacity of a pure mammalian lignan, enterolactone (ENL), to influence the proliferation of the LNCaP human prostate cancer cell line was investigated as a function of cell density, metabolic activity, expression and secretion of prostate specific antigen (PSA), cell cycle profile, and the expression of genes involved in development and progression of prostate cancer. Treatment with a subcytotoxic concentration of ENL (60 μM for 72 h) was found to reduce: cell density (57.5%, SD 7.23, p < 0.001), metabolic activity (55%, SD 0.03, p < 0.001), secretion of PSA (48.50% SD 4.74, p = 0.05) and induce apoptosis (8.33‐fold SD 0.04, p = 0.001) compared to untreated cells. Cotreatment with 10 μM etoposide was found to increase apoptosis by 50.17% (SD 0.02, p < 0.001). Additionally, several key genes (e. g. MCMs, survivin and CDKs) were beneficially regulated by ENL treatment (p < 0.05). The data suggest that the antiproliferative activity of ENL is a consequence of altered expression of cell cycle associated genes and provides novel molecular evidence for the antiproliferative properties of a pure lignan in prostate cancer.     

A note on the meaning of neo-classical location theory and its usefulness as a basis for applied research

This note will argue that the interpretation of neo-classical location-production models, as a possible basis for informing us about real-world phenomena, is not as straightforward as might be supposed. The reason for this is that such models contain implicit assumptions concerning the characteristics of products, the preferences of consumers, and the nature of product input-output hierarchies. Therefore, when we are discussing the behaviour of real-world spatial phenomena, it is necessary to make such assumptions explicit in order to determine the conditions under which such models can be useful analytical tools. It will be shown here that such conditions are so restrictive that these models are not even approximately applicable to most real-world cases. Received: 27 October 1997 / Accepted: 3 May 1999     

Retinal HDR images: Intraocular glare and object size

Abstract— Starting from measured scene luminances, the retinal images of high‐dynamic‐range (HDR) test targets were calculated. These test displays contain 40 gray squares with a 50% average surround. In order to approximate a natural scene, the surround area was made up of half‐white and half‐black squares of different sizes. In this display, the spatial‐frequency distribution approximates a 1/f function of energy vs. spatial frequency. Images with 2.7 and 5.4 optical density ranges were compared. Although the target luminances are very different, after computing the retinal image according to the CIE scatter glare formula, it was found that the retinal ranges are very similar. Intraocular glare strongly restricts the range of the retinal image. Furthermore, uniform, equiluminant target patches are spatially transformed to different gradients with unequal retinal luminances. The usable dynamic range of the display correlates with the range on the retina. Observers report that appearances of white and black squares are constant and uniform, despite the fact that the retinal stimuli are variable and non‐uniform. Human vision uses complex spatial processing to calculate appearance from retinal arrays. Spatial image processing increases apparent contrast with increased white area in the surround. Post‐retinal spatial vision counteracts glare.     

Lifetime total and beverage specific - alcohol intake and prostate cancer risk: a case-control study

Background

We investigated lifetime alcohol consumption and prostate cancer risk in a case-control study conducted in Buffalo, NY (1998–2001).

Methods

The study included 88 men, aged 45 to 85 years with incident, histologically-confirmed prostate cancer and 272 controls. We conducted extensive in-person interviews regarding lifetime alcohol consumption and other epidemiologic data.

Results

Prostate cancer risk was not associated with lifetime intake of total and beverage specific ethanol. In addition we found no association with number of drinks per day (average drinks per day over the lifetime) or drinks per drinking day (average drinks per day on drinking days only over the lifetime). However, we observed an inverse association with the total number of drinking years. Men in the lowest tertile of total drinking years had a two-fold prostate cancer risk than men in the highest tertile (OR 2.16, 95% CI 0.98–4.78, p for trend <0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that alcohol intake distribution across lifetime may play a more important role in prostate cancer etiology than total lifetime consumption.     

Krylov subspace iterative techniques: on the detection of brain activity with electrical impedance tomography

In this paper, we review some numerical techniques based on the linear Krylov subspace iteration that can be used for the efficient calculation of the forward and the inverse electrical impedance tomography problems. Exploring their computational advantages in solving large-scale systems of equations, we specifically address their implementation in reconstructing localized impedance changes occurring within the human brain. If the conductivity of the head tissues is assumed to be real, the pre-conditioned conjugate gradients (PCGs) algorithm can be used to calculate efficiently the approximate forward solution to a given error tolerance. The performance and the regularizing properties of the PCG iteration for solving ill-conditioned systems of equations (PCGNs) is then explored, and a suitable preconditioning matrix is suggested in order to enhance its convergence rate. For image reconstruction, the nonlinear inverse problem is considered. Based on the Gauss-Newton method for solving nonlinear problems we have developed two algorithms that implement the PCGN iteration to calculate the linear step solution. Using an anatomically detailed model of the human head and a specific scalp electrode arrangement, images of a simulated impedance change inside brain's white matter have been reconstructed.     

Nitric oxide breath testing by tunable-diode laser absorption spectroscopy: application in monitoring respiratory inflammation

We used a high-resolution mid-IR tunable-laser absorption spectroscopy (TLAS) system with a single IV-VI laser operating near 5.2 microm to measure the level of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) in human breath. A method of internal calibration using simultaneous eNO and exhaled CO2 measurements eliminated the need for system calibration with gas standards. The results observed from internally calibrating the instrument for eNO measurements were compared with measurements of eNO calibrated to gas standards and were found to be similar. Various parameters of the TLAS system for eNO breath testing were examined and include gas cell pressure, exhalation time, and ambient NO concentrations. A reduction in eNO from elevated concentrations (approximately 44 parts in 10(9)) to near-normal levels (<20 parts in 10(9)) from an asthmatic patient was observed after the patient had received treatment with an inhaled glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory medication. Such measurements can help in evaluating airway inflammation and in monitoring the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapies.     

Compositional programming abstractions for mobile computing

Recent advances in wireless networking technology and the increasing demand for ubiquitous, mobile connectivity demonstrate the importance of providing reliable systems for managing the reconfiguration and disconnection of components. The design of such systems requires tools and techniques appropriate to the task. Many formal models of computation, including UNITY, are not adequate for expressing reconfiguration and disconnection and are, therefore, inappropriate vehicles for investigating the impact of mobility on the construction of modular and composable systems. Algebraic formalisms such as the π-calculus have been proposed for modeling mobility. This paper addresses the question of whether UNITY, a state-based formalism with a foundation in temporal logic, can be extended to address concurrent, mobile systems. In the process, we examine some new abstractions for communication among mobile components that express reconfiguration and disconnection and which can be composed in a modular fashion     

Test Anxiety and Academic Performance in Undergraduate and Graduate Students.

This study investigated the relationship between test anxiety and academic performance in 4,000 undergraduate and 1,414 graduate students and found a significant but small inverse relationship between test anxiety and grade point average (GPA) in both groups. Low-test-anxious undergraduates averaged a B+, whereas high-test-anxious students averaged a B. Low-test-anxious female graduate students had significantly higher GPAs than high-test-anxious female graduate students, but there were no significant GPA differences between low- and high-test-anxious male graduate students. Female undergraduates had significantly higher test anxiety and higher GPAs than male undergraduates, and female graduate students had significantly higher test anxiety and higher GPAs than male graduate students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sonic, electromagnetic and impulse radar investigation of stone masonry bridges

Masonry arch bridge assessment is overviewed strategically. It is proposed that where a bridge fails the load-carrying capacity assessment by a small margin, and it looks to be in good condition, that further investigation be undertaken using NDT techniques. The NDT techniques of radar, sonic and conductivity methods are reviewed and the results from sonic and conductivity NDT surveys are discussed. It is concluded that these techniques are effective and that tomographic plots aid the interpretation of data. It is shown on a full scale twin-arch masonry bridge that both sonics and conductivity could identify the masonry wall thickness. However with respect to sonics, great attention must be paid to recording the data. Meticulous work is also necessary during the preparation and analysis of the sonic data, but good results can be achieved when the correct grid density is set in relation to the goal of the test. The conductivity technique has demonstrated the ability to be a rapid, low cost, non-contacting technique from which tomographic cross-sections, inhomogeneity identification, moisture movement detection over time and layering within the masonry can be achieved. It should be noted that the conductivity method has given detailed information up to a certain depth into the structure, but no data could be collected at deeper locations. Nonetheless its extreme low cost, particularly in terms of time in the post data-collection phase, makes it convenient for repetitive surveys.     

Effects of a preventive cardiology curriculum on behavioral cardiovascular risk factors and knowledge of medical students

We evaluated a Preventive Cardiology Academic Award (PCAA) program designed to integrate preventive cardiology concepts into the medical school curriculum. Diet, preventive cardiology knowledge, preventive cardiology attitudes, exercise behavior, and body mass index were compared at entrance to medical school and during the graduation year. Complete data were available on 94 students (65 men and 29 women). Similar data from students who graduated in 1987, prior to the introduction of the PCAA curriculum, served as a control. Women showed a significant enhancement in attitude towards cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, while both men and women significantly increased their knowledge about CVD prevention. The frequency of planned physical activity decreased significantly in both sexes and men showed a significant increase in body mass index. Men significantly reduced total calories, percent of calories from fat and saturated fat and dietary cholesterol and increased fiber intake. In women, the only significant reduction was in total calories. In comparison to the control class that did not have the program, men receiving the PCAA curriculum reduced dietary cholesterol, dietary fat, saturated fat and monounsaturated fat. Changes in these dietary parameters were nonsignificant for women in comparison to the control class women. Additional analyses showed no systematic secular trends in dietary or other variables in classes entering from 1986 to 1990. We conclude that the PCAA curriculum changes have favorably affected the preventive cardiology knowledge, attitudes and diet of medical students.