On the geometrical material structure of anelasticity

Summary G-structures are the geometric backbone of the theory of material uniformity in continuum mechanics. Within this geometric framework, anelasticity is seen as a result of evolving distributions of inhomogeneity reflected as material nonintegrability. Constitutive principles governing thetime evolution of the G-structure underlying the finite-strain theory of anelasticity (e.g., plasticity) are proposed. The material Eshelby stress tensor is shown to be thedriving force behind this evolution. This should allow for a thermodynamically admissible formulation of anelasticity viewed as a G-structure evolution.     

The bone marrow stromal environment is a major factor in myeloma cell resistance to dexamethasone

The expression of several markers of epithelial cell proliferation was analyzed to establish baseline data for future chemoprevention studies of oral premalignant lesions. Punch biopsies (n = 60) from three different sites of oral mucosa (bucca, lateral tongue, and the floor of the mouth) were obtained from 20 normal donors of both sexes. After formaldehyde fixation and paraffin embedding, immunohistochemistry was used to detect the proliferation markers Mib-1, cyclin D1, and centromere-associated protein CENP-F. Analysis of sections stained for the three markers showed similar patterns, i.e., a low labeling index (LI) in the basal layer and a high LI in the parabasal layer at all three intraoral sites. No proliferative activity was seen above the parabasal layer (superficial layer). All sites showed similar Mib-1 LI values for the proliferative markers. The tongue epithelium exhibited higher parabasal LIs of cyclin D1 and CENP-F than did the other two sites. No significant differences were detected between smokers and nonsmokers. The data from normal mucosa were compared with those from low (n = 30)- and high (n = 17)-grade dysplastic leukoplakias. The Mib-1 LI showed a very significant change, with a 9-fold increase in the basal layer LI in dysplastic leukoplakias. Cyclin D1 and CENP-F showed similar trends with increments of up to 7-fold in the basal layer of high-grade dysplasia. Although the proliferative activity of the parabasal layer was similar in normal and leukoplakic epithelia, the superficial layer showed a significant increment in proliferative activity mainly in high-grade leukoplakia. These studies suggest that proliferation markers in the basal and superficial cells of premalignant lesions may serve as surrogate end point biomarkers for chemoprevention trials.     

On the modification of reprints.

Defends the practice of modifying reprints of journal articles to amend typographical and other errors that can affect meaning. A standard should be developed for dealing with such errors by hand writing corrections, including a list of errata, or issuing professionally corrected reprints with the notation that corrections have been made. (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.     

Information Assurance Technology Forecast 2008

A virtual roundtable (featuring panelists Steven Bellovin, Terry Benzel, Bob Blakely, Dorothy Denning, Whitfield Diffie, Jeremy Epstein, and Paulo Verissimo) discussing the next 15 years in computer security.     

The Xcad-2 gene can provide a ventral signal independent of BMP-4

Patterning of the marginal zone in the Xenopus embryo has been attributed to interactions between dorsal genes expressed in the organizer and ventral-specific genes. In this antagonistic interplay of activities, BMP-4, a gene that is not expressed in the organizer, provides a strong ventralizing signal. The Xenopus caudal type homeobox gene, Xcad-2, which is expressed around the blastopore with a gap over the dorsal lip, was analyzed as part of the ventral signal. Xcad-2 was shown to efficiently repress during early gastrula stages the dorsal genes gsc, Xnot-2, Otx-2, XFKH1 and Xlim-1, while it positively regulates the ventral genes, Xvent-1 and Xvent-2, with Xpo exhibiting a strong positive response to Xcad-2 overexpression. Xcad-2 was also capable of inducing BMP-4 expression in the organizer region. Support for a ventralizing role for Xcad-2 was obtained from co-injection experiments with the dominant negative BMP receptor which was used to block BMP-4 signaling. Under lack-of-BMP-signaling conditions Xcad-2 could still regulate dorsal and ventral gene expression and restore normal development, suggesting that it can act downstream of BMP-4 signaling or independently of it. Xcad-2 could also inhibit secondary axis formation and dorsalization induced by the dominant negative BMP receptor. Xcad-2 was also shown to efficiently reverse the dorsalizing effects of LiCl. These results place Xcad-2 as part of the ventralizing gene program which acts during early gastrula stages and can execute its ventralizing function in the absence of BMP signaling.     

Algal blooms in the spread and persistence of cholera

Cholera has been long associated with the seasonality of coastal algal blooms off Bangladesh. Using fluorescent antibody (FA) techniques, microbiologists have now identified a viable, non-cultivable form of Vibrio cholerae in a wide range of marine life, including cyanobacteria (Anabaena variabilis), diatoms (Skeletonema costatum), phaeophytes (Ascophyllum nodosum), in copepod molts, and in freshwater vascular aquatic plants (water hyacinths and duckweed). In unfavourable conditions V. cholerae assumes spore-like forms; with proper nutrients, pH and temperature, it reverts to a readily transmissible and infectious state. Nitrates and phosphates in sewage and fertilizers cause eutrophication, and scientists report an increase in intensity, duration and shifts in the biodiversity of algal blooms in many coastal, brackish and fresh waters worldwide. V. cholerae has been isolated from phyto- and zooplankton in marine and fresh waters near Lima, Peru. V. cholera 01, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba, may have arrived in the Americas in the bilge of a Chinese freighter. There, in the abundant coastal sea life along the Latin American Pacific coast, nourished by the Humboldt current and eutrophication, it found a reservoir for surviving unfavourable conditions. It is hypothesized that the algae and Vibrio populations grew exponentially; consumed by fish, mollusks and crustacea, a heavy 'inoculum' of carriers infected with V. cholerae was generated and transported into multiple coastal communities.