Cellular roles of kinesin and related proteins

Frequency response characteristics of six popular stethoscopes are reported for the higher frequency range (to 3000 Hz) to supplement equivalent measurements for the lower frequencies (35-1000 Hz) published previously. Spectra of the sounds of swallowing from the throat, transduced with an accelerometer, demonstrate important frequency composition in this higher range. Two stethoscope models were found to have superior transmission characteristics for use in cervical auscultation of swallowing sounds.     

Electron mobility enhancement in strained-Si n-typemetal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors

Enhanced performance is demonstrated in n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with channel regions formed by pseudomorphic growth of strained Si on relaxed Si_1-xGe_x. Standard MOS fabrication techniques were utilized, including thermal oxidation of the strained Si. Surface channel devices show low-field mobility enhancements of 80% at room temperature and 12% at 10 K, when compared to control devices fabricated in Czochralski Si. Similar enhancements are observed in the device transconductance. In addition, buried channel devices show peak room temperature mobilities about three times that of control devices     

Spontaneous regression of familial glioma of the optic nerve in a boy with suspected neurofibromatosis 1 (Recklinghausen''s disease)

A boy with a large intracranial glioma of the optic tract and probable neurofibromatosis of the first type was observed for 8 years since the age of 7 years. A series of MR scans was made over this period. A notable decrease of the tumor size was seen on its signals on the MR scans. This was paralleled by an improvement of the vision acuity, color field, and visual field on the involved eye. Patient's grandmother had an intracranial glioma of the optic nerve with a slight but stable decrease of the visual functions. The tumor shape in the grandmother and grandchild is remarkably similar. This finding in the grandmother and stability of her vision decreased from childhood permit us to propose that the tumor did not develop and even regressed with time.     

Diffusivity of a drug preservative in bromobutyl rubber

Sorption of phenylethyl alcohol (a model drug preservative) by bromobutyl rubber (a polymer used in drug packaging) is characterized by relatively low apparent diffusivities at room temperature (D ≈︁ 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s) and a high solubility that leads to considerable swelling of the polymer. The sorption curves for thin samples exhibit non-Fickian anomalies, which are normally observed only in glassy polymers, including two-stage sorption and sorption overshoot. The desorption curves were much more Fickian. The swelling kinetics were very slow, and true equilibrium was not reached in the time frame of most of the experiments, which ranged up to 78 days. This produced lower apparent diffusivities and higher activation energies for sorption compared to desorption.     

Hypertonicity regulates the function of human neutrophils by modulating chemoattractant receptor signaling and activating mitogen-activated protein kinase p38

Excessive neutrophil activation causes posttraumatic complications, which may be reduced with hypertonic saline (HS) resuscitation. We tested if this is because of modulated neutrophil function by HS. Clinically relevant hypertonicity (10-25 mM) suppressed degranulation and superoxide formation in response to fMLP and blocked the activation of the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2 and p38, but did not affect Ca2+ mobilization. HS did not suppress oxidative burst in response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). This indicates that HS suppresses neutrophil function by intercepting signal pathways upstream of or apart from PKC. HS activated p38 by itself and enhanced degranulation in response to PKC activation. This enhancement was reduced by inhibition of p38 with SB203580, suggesting that p38 up-regulation participates in HS-induced enhancements of degranulation. HS had similar effects on the degranulation of cells that were previously stimulated with fMLP, but had no effect on its own, suggesting that HS enhancement of degranulation requires another signal. We conclude that depending on other stimuli, HS can suppress neutrophil activation by intercepting multiple receptor signals or augment degranulation by enhancing p38 signaling. In patients HS resuscitation may reduce posttraumatic complications by preventing neutrophil activation via chemotactic factors released during reperfusion.     

An additional antecedent of empathic concern: Valuing the welfare of the person in need.

Two experiments examined the role of valuing the welfare of a person in need as an antecedent of empathic concern. Specifically, these experiments explored the relation of such valuing to a well-known antecedent--perspective taking. In Experiment 1, both perspective taking and valuing were manipulated, and each independently increased empathic concern, which, in turn, increased helping behavior. In Experiment 2, only valuing was manipulated. Manipulated valuing increased measured perspective taking and, in part as a result, increased empathic concern, which, in turn, increased helping. Valuing appears to be an important, largely overlooked, situational antecedent of feeling empathy for a person in need. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)