Weak-link Josephson Junctions Made from Topological Crystalline Insulators.

We report on the fabrication of Josephson junctions using the topological crystalline insulator Pb_{0.5}Sn_{0.5}Te as the weak link. The properties of these junctions are characterized and compared to those fabricated with weak links of PbTe, a similar material yet topologically trivial. Most striking is the difference in the ac Josephson effect: junctions made with Pb_{0.5}Sn_{0.5}Te exhibit a rich subharmonic structure consistent with a skewed current-phase relation. This structure is absent in junctions fabricated from PbTe. A discussion is given on the origin of this effect as an indication of novel behavior arising from the topologically nontrivial surface state.

Survival Benefit of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Gastric Cancer following Gastrectomy and Extended Lymphadenectomy.

Purpose. Although randomized trials suggest a survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (XRT) for gastric adenocarcinoma, its use in patients who undergo an extended lymphadenectomy is less clear. The purpose of this study was to determine if a survival benefit exists in gastric cancer patients who receive adjuvant XRT following resection with extended lymphadenectomy. Methods. The SEER registry was queried for records of patients with resected gastric adenocarcinoma from 1988 to 2007. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results. Of 15,060 patients identified, 3,208 (21%) received adjuvant XRT. Adjuvant XRT was independently associated with improved OS (HR 0.67, CI 0.64-0.71) and DSS (HR 0.69, CI 0.65-0.73) in stages IB through IV (M0). This OS and DSS benefit persisted regardless of the extent of lymphadenectomy. Furthermore, lymphadenectomy with >25 LN resected was associated with improved OS and DSS compared with <15 LN or 15-25 LN. Conclusion. This population-based study shows a survival benefit of adjuvant XRT following gastrectomy that persists in patients who have an extended lymphadenectomy. Furthermore, removal of >25 LNs results in improved OS and DSS compared with patients who have fewer LNs resected.

The effect of humic acid on uptake/adsorption of copper by a marine bacterium and two marine ciliates.

The effect of humic acid (HA) on Cu uptake by a bacterium and two bacterivorus ciliates was investigated. The presence of HA resulted in a statistically significant (p<0.001) decrease in Cu associated with bacteria that were exposed to 67 microg Cu L(-1). Complexation of Cu appears to lower the availability of Cu with respect to bacterial cell surface binding and uptake. For ciliates, 10 mg HA L(-1) significantly reduced uptake of Cu by Uronema, but did not reduce uptake of Cu by Pleuronema. Uronema exposed to 67 microg Cu L(-1) accumulated 54% less Cu when 10 mg HA L(-1) was present (0.50 pg ciliate(-1) vs 0.23 pg ciliate(-1)). Uronema feeding on V. natriegens, took up less than half as much Cu as unfed Uronema when exposed to Cu without HA (0.41 pg Cu fed ciliate(-1) vs 0.86 pg Cu unfed ciliate(-1), but only 40% less when exposed to Cu and HA (0.31 pg Cu fed ciliate(-1) vs 0.51 pg Cu unfed ciliate(-1)). The lower % reduction attributable to fed ciliates in the presence of HA suggests that some of the Cu associated with HA is available through trophic processes.

Changes in carotenoid intake in the United States: the 1987 and 1992 National Health Interview Surveys.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the changes in carotenoid intake between 1987 and 1992 among US adults by sociodemographic characteristics and high-risk groups for chronic disease; and to identify the dietary sources of specific carotenoid intake. DESIGN: A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was collected from a representative sample of respondents to the 1987 and 1992 National Health Interview Surveys throughout two calendar quarters. Black and white adults, 18 to 69 years old, participated in 1987 (n = 8,161) and 1992 (n = 8,341). METHOD: FFQ data were matched and linked to the US Department of Agriculture-National Cancer Institute carotenoid food composition database for analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Mean differences in carotenoid intake over time were compared by sociodemographic characteristics and region of the country, after adjustment for sampling weights in a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Mean intake of the carotenoid lutein declined among white women (18%), among adults aged 40 to 69 years (16%), among persons with 9 to 12 years of education (11%), among nondrinkers (18%), among drinkers of 1 to 6 alcoholic drinks/ week (7%), among smokers (former smokers by 11%, current smokers by 7%, and never smokers by 9%), among income groups (< $20,000 by 7%, > or = $20,000 by 9%), and residents in the south and northeast (by 13% each, respectively). Mean intake of the carotenoid lycopene increased among white men (9%), among adults aged 18 to 39 years and aged 40 to 69 years (by 5% and 6%, respectively), among those with 13 years of education or more (12.5%), among alcohol drinkers (by 10% and 7% for 1 to 6 vs 7 or more drinks/week, respectively), among former and current smokers (by 6% each), among those with incomes > or = $20,000 (8%), and among residents in the west (16%) and midwest (5%). All differences described were statistically significant (P < .01). APPLICATION: The decline in lutein intake (from dark green leafy vegetables), particularly in white women, may have public health implications as a result of the recognized inverse association between carotenoid intake and disease risk.

The impact of lifestyle characteristics on carotenoid intake in the United States: the 1987 National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared mean carotenoid intake in the United States by demographic and lifestyle variables to identify potential high-risk subgroups for disease. METHODS: Adults 18 to 99 years of age (n = 22 080) completed a food frequency questionnaire in the 1987 National Health Interview Survey, and mean carotenoid intakes were estimated. RESULTS: Carotenoid intakes were lower among Whites (vs Blacks), current smokers (vs nonsmokers), nondrinkers (vs drinkers), adults 18 to 39 years of age (vs those 40 to 69 years of age), frequent restaurant consumers (vs those who ate at home), and less educated (vs college-educated) persons. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of a carotenoid-rich diet should be communicated to high-risk subgroups.

Specific and total carotenoid intakes among oral contraceptive and estrogen hormone users in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To compare carotenoid intakes between hormone users and nonusers in a nationally representative sample of US women by demographic and lifestyle characteristics and to identify those with potentially greater risk for disease. DESIGN: Data from the 1987 National Health Interview Survey's-Epidemiology Supplement food frequency questionnaire were linked to the USDA-NCI Carotenoid database to estimate mean total and specific carotenoid intakes. SUBJECTS: Women (n = 8,962) were grouped by menopausal status and classified by hormone use into premenopausal oral contraceptive users/nonusers (n = 5,918) and postmenopausal estrogen replacement hormone users/nonusers (n = 3,044). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Mean carotenoid intakes and standard errors were weighted using SUDAAN and adjusted for potential confounding factors using multiple linear regression analysis. Statistically significant differences were at p values < 0.01. RESULTS: Compared to nonusers, oral contraceptive users had lower specific carotenoid intakes. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics differed between oral contraceptive users/nonusers and were examined in relation to carotenoid intakes. More oral contraceptive users than nonusers were married, highly educated, drank alcoholic beverages, and smoked. After adjustment for these factors in a multiple linear regression model, the associations between oral contraceptive use and carotenoid intake remained statistically significant. Mean carotenoid intakes were not significantly different among estrogen hormone replacement users versus nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Oral contraceptive users have lower dietary carotenoid intakes than nonusers. Since oral contraceptive users smoke and drink more than nonusers, and both factors are associated with lower carotenoid intakes, oral contraceptive users form a potential high risk group for disease.

Tracking the Response of Burkholderia cepacia G4 5223-PR1 in Aquifer Microcosms.

The introduction of bacteria into the environment for bioremediation purposes (bioaugmentation) requires analysis and monitoring of microbial population dynamics to define persistence and activity from both efficacy and risk assessment perspectives. Burkholderia cepacia G4 5223-PR1 is a Tn5 insertion mutant which constitutively expresses a toluene ortho-monooxygenase that degrades trichloroethylene (TCE). This ability of G4 5223-PR1 to degrade TCE without aromatic induction may be useful for bioremediation of TCE-containing aquifers and groundwater. Thus, a simulated aquifer sediment system and groundwater microcosms were used to monitor the survival of G4 5223-PR1. The fate of G4 5223-PR1 in sediment was monitored by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, a colony blot assay, and growth on selective medium. G4 5223-PR1 was detected immunologically by using a highly specific monoclonal antibody which reacted against the O-specific polysaccharide chain of the lipopolysaccharides of this organism. G4 5223-PR1 survived well in sterilized groundwater, although in nonsterile groundwater microcosms rapid decreases in the G4 5223-PR1 cell population were observed. Ten days after inoculation no G4 5223-PR1 cells could be detected by selective plating or immunofluorescence. G4 5223-PR1 survival was greater in a nonsterile aquifer sediment microcosm, although after 22 days of elution the number of G4 5223-PR1 cells was low. Our results demonstrate the utility of monoclonal antibody tracking methods and the importance of biotic interactions in determining the persistence of introduced microorganisms.

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme by des-Leu10-angiotensin I: a potential mechanism of endogenous angiotensin-converting enzyme regulation.

Des-Leu10-angiotensin I is a nonapeptide generated from angiotensin I by the action of carboxypeptidase-like activities residing in the human platelet and mast cell. This nonapeptide was found to inhibit rabbit lung angiotensin-converting enzyme (peptidyl-dipeptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.15.1) with a Ki of 3.1 X 10(-7) M. The mechanism of inhibition was competitive. Inhibition of human serum angiotensin-converting enzyme by des-Leu10-angiotensin I was comparable in magnitude to inhibition by bradykinin and angiotensin III. These results suggest that limited proteolysis of angiotensin I by cells resident in vascular tissue may result in the generation of an endogenous inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Such pathways may play roles in controlling levels of vasoactive peptides at local vascular sites.

Pyoderma gangrenosum involving the head and neck.

In six patients with pyoderma gangrenosum, the head and neck region was a major site of ulcerative skin disease. In two patients, the disease was limited to this anatomic site. Corticosteroids were effective therapy in five cases. In one case, occurring in association with ulcerative colitis, total proctocolectomy was required to control ulcerative scalp disease. Detailed histologic examination of a primary lesion in one case with 0.5-micron sections demonstrated morphologic evidence of mast cell activation, suggesting that mast cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process in pyoderma gangrenosum.

A human platelet angiotensin I-processing system. Identification of components and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme by product.

Mechanisms controlling the local generation of angiotensin II by vascular tissue are incompletely understood. Human platelets were examined for their ability to metabolize angiotensin I. Platelet-dependent angiotensin I metabolism was detected by a high performance liquid chromatography assay which allowed quantitation of angiotensin I substrate utilized and products formed. The major product of platelet-dependent angiotensin I metabolism was identified as des-Leu10-angiotensin I. The platelet des-Leu10-angiotensin I-generating activity had a pH optimum of 6.0-6.5 and was inhibited 100% by mersalyl acid (10(-4) M), 86% by leupeptin (10(-4) M), and 95% by iodoacetamide (10(-2) M). The activity had an approximate Mr = 70,000 as determined by Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. Intact human platelets stimulated with calcium ionophore (1-10 microM) released 13.7-30.8% of the des-Leu10-angiotensin I-generating activity. Des-Leu10-angiotensin I, the major product of platelet angiotensin I metabolism, inhibited human serum and purified rabbit lung angiotensin-converting enzymes with an I50 of 3.7 X 10(-6) and 2.0 X 10(-6) M, respectively. These results suggest that the platelet may control local angiotensin II formation at vascular sites both by metabolism of the precursor peptide angiotensin I and by generation of an endogenous angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, des-Leu10-angiotensin I. This platelet-dependent pathway may contribute to the control of local levels of vasoactive peptides, such as bradykinin and angiotensin II, so as to alter local tissue blood flow.

Chemistry of a human monocyte-derived cell line (U937): identification of the angiotensin I-converting activity as leukocyte cathepsin G.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme, a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase, catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II. The finding of angiotensin-converting enzyme in dexamethasone-stimulated cultured monocytes and alveolar macrophages prompted the examination of a human monocyte-like cell line (U937) for angiotensin I-converting activity. Conversion of angiotensin I (5 X 10(-5) mol/L) to angiotensin II by U937 cell extracts (10(4) - 4 X 10(6) cells) was detected, and the pH optimum for the reaction was 7.0 to 8.0. The U937 cell angiotensin I-converting activity was purified to homogeneity by carboxymethylcellulose chromatography and trasylol affinity chromatography. The purified protein performed similarly to purified human neutrophil cathepsin G on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-gradient PAGE), elicited a reaction of complete identity with neutrophil cathepsin G when diffused against anti-cathepsin G antiserum, and had quantitatively similar angiotensin I-converting activity as neutrophil cathepsin G. Neutrophils and U937 cells had 143 and 52 times greater angiotensin I-converting capability than cultured monocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells, suggesting the relative importance of mobile cells containing cathepsin G in the local generation of angiotensin II. These data identify the angiotensin I-converting activity of the U937 cell as leukocyte cathepsin G and provide evidence that the U937 cell has neutrophil-like as well as monocyte-like characteristics.

Alopecia mucinosa. Report of a case with diffuse alopecia and normal-appearing scalp skin.

A 69-year-old man had reversible generalized thinning of the scalp hair and normal-appearing scalp skin that proved to be secondary to follicular mucinosis. This case illustrates that when mild degrees of follicular degeneration and inflammation occur in this disorder, physical findings other than alopecia may be absent. In rare instances, follicular mucinosis can occur as a chronic diffuse noncicatricial alopecia.

Design of a protective splint for nonhuman primate extremities.

A splint was designed that effectively protected a nonhuman primate extremity following an injury or experimental procedure. The splint was fabricated from a thermoplastic material. Fabrication was simple, rapid, inexpensive, and versatile.

Cactus bristle implantation. Report of an unusual case initially seen with rows of yellow hairs.

A 45-year-old man was seen in a hospital emergency room with regularly arranged rows of yellow hairs on his arm. A detailed investigation disclosed the occurrence of cactus bristle implantation from a house cactus. This implantation resulted in a severe acute dermatitis that evolved during a four-week period into a chronic granulomatous foreign-body reaction.

The influence of sow dietary lipids and choline on piglet survival, milk and carcass composition.

Twenty-one crossbred gilts and 75 crossbred sows were randomly assigned to six treatments for examination of the effect of lipid feeding and choline level on baby pig survival. Dietary variables were supplemental fat and choline in a 3 X 2 factorial arrangement. Fat treatments were no supplemental fat, 10% corn oil and 10% animal fat; choline treatments were 0 and 500 ppm supplemental choline from choline chloride. Baby pig survival and litter weight at 21 days were improved (P less than .05) by supplemental fat. Lipid treatments also improved (P less than .05) percentage survival among piglets in the weight ranges of 909 g or less, 1,136 to 1,362 g and 1,363 to 1,589 grams. Lipid feeding increased survival by 18.5% among the piglets weighing less than 909 grams. Piglets fasted for 60 hr had 47.7% less (P less than .05) total lipids and 90.5% less (P less than .05) glycogen than 12-hr-old, nonfasted piglets. The feeding of corn oil significantly affected percentages of carcass fatty acids. Percentages of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic and linoleic acids decreased during fasting, indicating good utilization, while percentages of stearic and arachidonic acids increased, indicating poorer utilization during fasting. Milk from control sows, which had received a gestation diet containing 4% added poultry fat prior to treatment, was only slightly lower in energy and lipid content (nonsignificant) than milk from sows on the lipid treatment. Corn oil affected (P less than .05) the percentage of fatty acids in milk. Additional choline appeared to have no beneficial effect in any phase of the experiment. Choline did not increase lipid mobilization or piglet survival.