Showing papers by "University of Illinois at Chicago published in 1982"

The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract: The 1971 preliminary criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were revised and updated to incorporate new immunologic knowledge and improve disease classification. The 1982 revised criteria include fluorescence antinuclear antibody and antibody to native DNA and Sm antigen. Some criteria involving the same organ systems were aggregated into single criteria. Raynaud's phenomenon and alopecia were not included in the 1982 revised criteria because of low sensitivity and specificity. The new criteria were 96% sensitive and 96% specific when tested with SLE and control patient data gathered from 18 participating clinics. When compared with the 1971 criteria, the 1982 revised criteria showed gains in sensitivity and specificity.

Hidden Variables, Joint Probability, and the Bell Inequalities

Abstract: It is shown that the following statements about a quantum correlation experiment are mutually equivalent. (1) There is a deterministic hidden-variables model for the experiment. (2) There is a factorizable, stochastic model. (3) There is one joint distribution for all observables of the experiment, returning the experimental probabilities. (4) There are well-defined, compatible joint distributions for all pairs and triples of commuting and noncommuting observables. (5) The Bell inequalities hold.

Connections with l**p bounds on curvature

Abstract: We show by means of the implicit function theorem that Coulomb gauges exist for fields over a ball inR n when the integralL n/2 field norm is sufficiently small. We then are able to prove a weak compactness theorem for fields on compact manifolds withL p integral norms bounded,p>n/2.

Emotional disturbance and mental retardation: diagnostic overshadowing.

Abstract: Two experiments evaluated the effects of the condition of mental retardation on psychologists' impressions of emotional problems of a retarded subject. In Experiment 1 we found that the same debilitating phobia was less likely to be considered an example of a neurosis or an emotional disturbance when the subject also was suggested to be mentally retarded as compared to intellectually average. Experiment 2 provided a conceptual replication of the results of Experiment 1 and extended findings of diagnostic overshadowing to cases involving schizophrenia and personality disorder. The magnitude of these effects did not differ significantly as a function of whether the case description suggested schizophrenia or personality disorder. The results validate the existence of a diagnostic overshadowing phenomenon.

5-azacytidine selectively increases gamma-globin synthesis in a patient with beta+ thalassemia.

Abstract: 5-Azacytidine is a cytidine analogue that is capable of activating repressed genes in tissue-culture cells and has been shown to increase hemoglobin-F production in anemic baboons. This drug was administered to a patient with severe beta-thalassemia in an attempt to stimulate hemoglobin-F production. After seven days of 5-azacytidine treatment, gamma-globin synthesis increased approximately sevenfold, temporarily normalizing the patient's unbalanced globin synthesis. Erythropoiesis became more effective, leading to a temporary increase in the absolute reticulocyte count (from 5000 to 22,000 per cubic millimeter) and in hemoglobin concentration (from 8.0 to 10.8 g per deciliter). Hypomethylation of bone-marrow DNA near both the gamma-globin and epsilon-globin genes was directly demonstrated. At the time of peak drug effect, about 7000 gamma-globin messenger RNA molecules were present per erythroid bone-marrow cell, in contrast to 10 to 15 epsilon-globin messenger RNA molecules per cell. 5-Azacytidine selectivity increases gamma-globin synthesis and therefore provides a new approach to the treatment of severe beta-thalassemia. Further studies will be required to evaluate the efficacy, risks, and long-term toxicity of 5-azacytidine (or related compounds) before this approach can be used as a therapy for patients with disorders of hemoglobin synthesis.

Removable singularities in Yang-Mills fields

Abstract: We show that a field satisfying the Yang-Mills equations in dimension 4 with a point singularity is gauge equivalent to a smooth field if the functional is finite. We obtain the result that every Yang-Mills field overR 4 with bounded functional (L 2 norm) may be obtained from a field onS 4=R 4∪{∞}. Hodge (or Coulomb) gauges are constructed for general small fields in arbitrary dimensions including 4.

5-Azacytidine stimulates fetal hemoglobin synthesis in anemic baboons

Abstract: In an attempt to stimulate Hb F synthesis in baboons by means other than erythropoietic stress, we considered the possibility that an agent that inhibits methylation of CpG sequences in DNA may be effective. 5-Azacytidine, a cytosine analogue that cannot be methylated, is such an agent. Animals whose packed red cell volume was maintained at approximately 20% by bleeding were given 10 daily intravenous injections of the drug (6 mg/kg) in 12 days. Hb F levels in these animals started to increase on day 5 of this regimen and peak levels, which were 6-30 times higher than those produced by bleeding alone, occurred 5-7 days after the last dose of the drug. In animals previously identified as genetically "high" or "low" Hb F responders, the maximal Hb F levels were 70-85% and 35-40% respectively. In dose-response studies 5-azacytidine given daily at 3-4 mg/kg produced maximal Hb F increases. The drug did not correlate the percentage (number) of Hb F-containing cells (F cells) beyond the maximal number achieved by bleeding alone and thus its main effect was to increase Hb F per F cell. The finding that Hb F synthesis can be modulated to such a high degree by a drug may have therapeutic implications--e.g., in sickle cell anemia, in which stimulation of Hb F synthesis may prevent sickling.

A new frequency channel assignment algorithm in high capacity mobile communication systems

Abstract: A new algorithm for frequency channel assignment in mobile radio communication is proposed. The algorithm uses flexible fixed channel assignment which enables the calls having all their nominal channels busy to borrow channels from the neighboring cells provided that co-channel interference will not result. The borrowed channel cannot be used in three interfering cells; therefore reassignment strategy is used when a call is terminated on a nominal channel to switch a call in progress in a borrowed channel to that nominal one and set free the borrowed channel in the three interfering cells. Thus the traffic carried on borrowed channels is minimized. Also different call switching strategies are proposed to give priority to some channels to be used by the nominal cells and other channels to be borrowed by neighboring cells. These strategies considerably reduce the blocking probability. A simulation study of the algorithm was carried out on 49 hexagonal zones having uniform traffic density. Also a combined telephone and dispatch traffic was included in the simulation study. The results showed that the new algorithm is better than the other channel assignment schemes. This can be applied in high capacity mobile communications systems to utilize the spectrum efficiently.

Biodegradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in soil by a pure culture of Pseudomonas cepacia.

Abstract: A pure culture of Pseudomonas cepacia AC1100 was able to degrade and grow in presence of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid in soil. At optimum temperature (30 degrees C) and moisture content (15 to 50% [wt/vol]) strain AC1100 could degrade as much as 95% of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid at high concentration (1 mg/g of soil) within 1 week.

Effects of Estrogens and Antiestrogens on Estrogen Receptor Dynamics and the Induction of Progesterone Receptor in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract: Antiestrogens appear to be useful in the treatment of endocrine-responsive breast cancers in humans. In an attempt to understand their interactions with breast cancer cells, we have examined the effects of estrogens (estradiol and diethylstilbestrol), and antiestrogens with a range of affinities for estrogen receptor (ER), on intracellular ER dynamics and biological response (progesterone receptor) induction in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The triphenylethylene antiestrogens studied are α-{ p -[2-(1-pyrrolidino)ethoxy]phenyl}-4-methoxy-α′-nitrostilbene (CI628), α-{ p -[2-(1-pyrrolidino)ethoxy]phenyl}-4-hydroxy-α′-nitrostilbene (CI628M), cis -{3-[p-(1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1-naphthyl)phenoxy]-1,2-propanediol} (U23,469), and cis -{3-[p-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-2-phenyl-1-naphthyl)phenoxy]-1,2,propanediol} (U23,469M). The relative binding affinities of the antiestrogens CI628, CI628M, U23,469, and U23,469M for cytoplasmic ER (ERC) were 1.0, 17, 0.04, and 34%, respectively, in which the affinity of estradiol is considered 100%. Receptor-saturating concentrations of CI628, CI628M, estradiol, and diethylstilbestrol (200, 10, 10, and 10 nM, respectively) caused complete ERC depletion and peak nuclear ER accumulation within 1 hr. The nuclear receptor (ERN) sites declined thereafter and stabilized at near-control levels (1.2 pmol ERN per mg DNA) by 2 to 5 hr, resulting in a new loss (processing) of approximately 50% of total cellular ER. In contrast, U23,469 (2000 nM) promoted complete depletion of ERC and quantitative accumulation as ERN within 5 min, but the total ER content remained constant thereafter (no processing). U23,469M (60 nM) promoted complete ERC depletion and quantitative nuclear accumulation, but the number of ERN sites subsequently declined slowly to reach the control level by Day 5. Among these compounds, estradiol and diethylstilbestrol (0.1 to 1000 nM) promoted a 600% increase in cytoplasmic progesterone receptor (5 days, control = 0.2 pmol/mg DNA). Cl628M and U23,469M (1 to 10 nM) produced only a 300% increase, and U23,469 and Cl628 (0.1 to 1000 nM) did not promote any increase. These results indicate that: ( a ) ER translocation to the nucleus and progesterone receptor induction appear to be related to ligand affinity; ( b ) antiestrogens can differ substantially from one another in their dynamics of interaction with ER and in their abilities to stimulate increases in cellular progesterone receptor; ( c ) processing of ER by antiestrogens such as CI628 does not ensure subsequent induction of progesterone receptor; and ( d ) an apparently complex relationship exists between the presence and duration of hormone receptor complexes in the nucleus and the induction of progesterone receptor in MCF-7 cells. Since all four antiestrogens inhibit MCF-7 cell growth but differ in their ability to increase cellular progesterone receptor levels, these studies indicate that growth and progesterone receptor induction are phenomena that are independently modulated by antiestrogens in these human breast cancer cells.

Internal group combustion of liquid droplets

Abstract: A quasi-steady internal group combustion model of a spherical droplet cloud has been developed to assess the effects of the collective behavior of fuel droplets on combustion characteristics and cloud structures. Analytical solutions are obtained for the predictions of the distributions of the temperature, concentrations of fuel vapor, and oxidizer in strongly and weakly interacting zones. Overall burning rate under internal group combustion mode at various flame penetration is also obtained. Numerical analysis is carried out to determine the combustion behavior of droplet clouds at some selected group combustion numbers. It was found that for a cloud of n-butylbenzene droplets, the group envelope flame is stabilized on the boundary of the droplet cloud for a group combustion number of 1.36. As the group combustion number decreases, the envelope flame penetrates into the droplet cloud and divides the cloud into two zones; a strongly interacting zone located inside the group envelope flame and a weakly interacting zone established between the envelope flame and the boundary of the cloud. In the strongly interacting zone, the droplet vaporizes and the vapor produced is consumed at the group envelope flame. The droplets in a weakly interacting zone burn with an envelope flame surrounding eachmore » droplet. When the group combustion number decreases to 0.1, the group envelope flame degenerates into a point flame at the center of the droplet cloud.« less

Epidemiologic studies of mandibular dysfunction: a critical review.

Abstract: w hen epidemiologic methods identify a large percentage of the population as “sick” with some disease or disorder, concern may arise about a possible “epidemic.” In the case of mandibular dysfunction, recent epidemiologic studies suggest that as many as three fourths of the population may, to some degree, be affected by this disorder. If these studies are accepted as presented, the dental profession is obliged to attempt identification of the large number of affected individuals and then to either advise or treat them appropriately. There are serious doubts, however, about whether the findings of these studies should be accepted without first raising critical questions regarding their validity. Two major issues must be considered: (1) Have conventional epidemiologic methods been correctly applied to the study of mandibular dysfunction? (2) Have proper inferences been drawn from the findings? The concerns of population medicine, or epidemiology, are different from those of the clinical disciplines. In population medicine, groups replace individuals as the focus of study. The study of the distribution and dynamics of diseases in human populations can provide clinicians and researchers with answers to important questions, such as: (1) Can we identify those persons most likely to become ill? (2) What common features of susceptibility or exposure do these people share? (3) What is the natural history of the disease if not treated? In addition, epidemiologic studies may elucidate the causal relationships of a particular disease, which then establishes the basis for programs of prevention and control. Epidemiology has contributed dramati-

Potential sweetening agents of plant origin. iii. organoleptic evaluation of stevia leaf herbarium samples for sweetness

Abstract: A total of 184 Stevia leaf samples taken from herbarium specimens, representing 110 species and 121 taxa, were screened organoleptically for their taste sensation. Fragments of a 62-year-old leaf of S. rebaudiana exhibited a potent and prolonged sensation of sweetness, thereby indicating the stability of its sweet ent-kaurene glycoside constituents to drying, preservation, mounting and storage. No other leaf samples exhibited an intensity of sweetness equivalent to that of S. rebaudiana, though 18 species and varieties were considered to exhibit a sweet taste. These taxa appear to be promising candidates for future phytochemical investigation for new and known ent-kaurene glycosides.

Mass loading, sleep apnea, and the pathogenesis of obesity hypoventilation.

Abstract: To define the roles of mechanical loading, respiratory neuromuscular control, and sleep apnea in the pathogenesis of obesity hypoventilation, respiratory muscle drive and output, assessed by diaphragmatic electromyogram (EMGdi) and mouth occlusion pressure (P 0.15), respectively, were determined during CO2 chemostimulation in nonobese volunteers who were subjected to abdominal mass loading, and in three groups of markedly obese patients: eucapnic obese without sleep apnea (O), eucapnic obese with sleep apnea (OSA), and hypercapnic obese with sleep apnea (OH). The P0.15 responses were decreased in OSA and OH, but the EMGdi responses were not significantly different from those in control subjects. In O patients EMGdi responses were significantly greater than those in control subjects as well as those in OSA and OH patients. EMGdi and P0.15 responses increased in all nonobese subjects when they were subjected to mass loading. We conclude that both OSA and OH patients were equally unable to develop the expected increase in respiratory muscle drive and output. The presence of sleep apnea, possibly by causing nocturnal hypoxemia and/or sleep fragmentation, may result in impaired mass load compensation and predispose obese patients to develop hypercapnia.

Involvement of plasmids in total degradation of chlorinated biphenyls

Abstract: Acinetobacter sp. stain P6 has previously been reported to utilize biphenyl (BP) and chlorinated BPs, with accumulation of corresponding chlorbenzoic acids. Arthrobacter sp. strain M5 was isolated as a contaminant in the culture of Acinetobacter sp. strain P6 growing on 4-chlorobiphenyl and showed properties similar to P6 in the degradation of chlorinated BPs. Both strains harbored an identical plasmid of 53.7 megadaltons. These strains spontaneously lost the ability to utilize BP and 4-chlorobiphenyl with high frequency (4 to 8%) after overnight growth in nutrient broth. The BP/sup -/ derivatives could not regain the BP-assimilating ability (reversion frequency, <10/sup -9/ per cell per generation) but retained the plasmid with small, detectable deletions. BP/sup +/ P6 cells grown on BP or benzoate oxidized BP and 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl and produced meta cleavage compounds from the latter compound (lambda/sub max/, 434 nm) and also from catechol (lambda/sub max/, 375 nm) through the meta pathway. On the other hand, benzoate-grown BP/sup -/ segregants totally lost the BP-metabolizig activities and oxidized catechol through the ortho pathway. A combined culture of the chlorinated BP-dissimilating P6 or M5 strain (harboring the putative 53.7-megadalton plasmid specifying conversion of chlorobiphenyl to chlorobenzoic acids) and genetically constructed mono- or dichlorobenzoate-utilizing pseudomonads (harboringmore » plasmids encoding complete utilization of mono- or dichlorobenzoates) allowed greater than 98% utilization of mono- and dichlorobiphenyls, with the liberation of equivalent amounts of chloride ions.« less

Cortisol and corticotrophin in burned patients.

Abstract: : In a study of 36 men burned in a fire, based on sequential early morning samples, plasma cortisol concentration was elevated in proportion to burn size. Plasma corticotrophin (ACTH) was not correlated with burn size, suggesting that factors other than ACTH contribute to the elevated cortisol. Cortisol levels did not fall on the days preceding death in nonsurvivors. During 24-hour sampling, burned patients exhibited a fitted cortisol curve mean that was elevated in proportion to burn size, a rhythm amplitude that was significantly less than that in uninjured controls, and a normal peak time. Metabolic rate, rectal temperature, and urinary catecholamine excretion were also elevated in proportion to burn size. Although plasma cortisol was positively correlated with metabolic rate and with temperature, this appeared to result from a common relationship of these variables with burn size. On the other hand, urinary catecholamine values significantly reduced the residual variance of metabolic rate and temperature after accounting for variance related to burn size. Cortisol appears to be less prominent than catecholamines as a possible mediator of the elevated thermogenesis.

Non-Newtonian Fluids in Circular Pipe Flow

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on heat transfer behavior of viscoelastic fluid in turbulent pipe flow Although the asymptotic values of the heat transfer and friction factor can be calculated, there exist no firm criteria for determining whether asymptotic conditions exist Predictions of the intermediate values of the friction and heat transfer are not yet possible, even if the rheology and the thermal properties of the aqueous polymer solution are known To deals with the problems, the Weissenberg or Deborah number has to be taken into account The behavior of viscoelastic fluids flowing turbulently in noncircular channels or over external surfaces represents a relatively unexplored area of fluid mechanics Open channel flow of viscoelastic fluid is another interesting field currently being investigated The chapter concludes that to approach turbulent heat transfer behavior analytically, the usual and simplest method is to solve the uncoupled energy equation using the empirically determined velocity profile Hence, it is essential to understand the fluid mechanics of non-Newtonian fluids as well as the rheology

Home Environment and School Learning

Abstract: From a systematic search of educational, psychological, and sociological literature, 18 studies of 5,831 school-aged students on the correlation of home environment and learning in eight countries over a 19-year period were selected. Correlations (the units of analysis) of intelligence, motivation, and achievement with indexes of parent stimulation of the student in the home are considerably higher than those with indexes of socioeconomic status (SES); specifically the medians (and ranges) of 92 simple correlations of home environment and learning are .37 (and .02 to .82) and of 62 multipleregression-weighted composites are .44 (and .23 to .81). Jackknifed regression estimates indicate that gender and SES of the sample affect the sizes of the correlations and suggest priorities for future primary investigations. The analyses suggest that ability and achievement are more closely linked to the sociopsychological environment and intellectual stimulation in the home than they are to parental socioeconomic sta...