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[Perceived distributions of opinions in young generation and their parents' generation regarding sex roles].

This study examined how people perceive the distributions of opinions about sex roles, in particular, how they saw generational differences in the opinions. Undergraduates and their parents were asked to estimate the opinion distributions in young generation as well as in their parents' generation. They were also asked to indicate their own opinions and the degree of their involvement with the issue. Main results were as follows: First, generation gaps were perceived; the respondents estimated that there would be stronger support for relatively liberal opinions in young generation than in their parents' generation, while the generation gaps were perceived in the reverse direction regarding relatively traditional opinions. Second, although this tendency was found for both sexes, it was more pronounced for female respondents. Third, fathers with higher personal involvement with the issue estimated stronger support for liberal opinions, while mothers with higher personal involvement estimated weaker support. This tendency in mothers was more salient in those who themselves supported relatively liberal opinions.

Adult↗

[Determination of residual activities in 99mTc generators and 81mKr generators].

The residual activities present in spent 99Mo-99mTc generators and 81Rb-81mKr generators were determined from a view point of the disposal of radiopharmaceuticals. The results showed that seven kinds of residual nuclides such as 95Zr-95Nb, 103Ru, 90Sr, etc. were found in 99mTc generators with maximum level of 740 Bq/3.7 GBq (0.02 muCi/100 mCi) at one year after the reference date. In 81mKr generators one year old, six nuclides such as 57Co, 83Rb, 84Rb and others remained and these activities were less than 3.7 kBq/370 MBq (0.1 muCi/10 mCi). On the basis of these data, the disposal of 99mTc generators and 81mKr generators is discussed.

Humans↗

Changes in epidermal growth factor receptor expression and competence to generate glia regulate timing and choice of differentiation in the retina.

Previous studies demonstrated that the level of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-Rs) expressed by progenitor cells in the newborn (P0) rat retina was limiting for the generation of Muller glial cells but not for proliferation. To determine whether EGF-R signaling biases cells to generate a specific cell type or regulates more general processes during progenitor cell development, we have introduced extra copies of the EGF-R into progenitor cells at earlier stages (E15 and E18), when different cell types are produced. We show that progenitor cells in early embryonic retina (E15) normally express lower levels of EGF-Rs than progenitor cells in later retina (E18 and P0). Whereas lower levels of stimulation of endogenous and virally transduced EGF-Rs enhanced proliferation, higher levels reduced proliferation, resulting in premature differentiation. At E15, very few EGF-R-Infected progenitor cells differentiated prematurely into Muller glial cells, unlike E18 and P0 cells, even when they were exposed to an older retinal environment. Higher levels of EGF-R-mediated signaling alone therefore do not specify a glial fate, indicating that competence to generate glia is temporally regulated by additional mechanisms. The differences in EGF-R expression observed among retinal progenitor cells at distinct developmental stages may instead help to define signaling thresholds which delay or accelerate their differentiation.

3T3 Cells↗

A universal algorithm for an improved finite element mesh generation Mesh quality assessment in comparison to former automated mesh-generators and an analytic model.

The FE-modeling of complex anatomical structures is not solved satisfyingly so far. Voxel-based as opposed to contour-based algorithms allow an automated mesh generation based on the image data. Nonetheless their geometric precision is limited. We developed an automated mesh-generator that combines the advantages of voxel-based generation with improved representation of the geometry by displacement of nodes on the object-surface. Models of an artificial 3D-pipe-section and a skullbase were generated with different mesh-densities using the newly developed geometric, unsmoothed and smoothed voxel generators. Compared to the analytic calculation of the 3D-pipe-section model the normalized RMS error of the surface stress was 0.173-0.647 for the unsmoothed voxel models, 0.111-0.616 for the smoothed voxel models with small volume error and 0.126-0.273 for the geometric models. The highest element-energy error as a criterion for the mesh quality was 2.61x10(-2) N mm, 2.46x10(-2) N mm and 1.81x10(-2) N mm for unsmoothed, smoothed and geometric voxel models, respectively. The geometric model of the 3D-skullbase resulted in the lowest element-energy error and volume error. This algorithm also allowed the best representation of anatomical details. The presented geometric mesh-generator is universally applicable and allows an automated and accurate modeling by combining the advantages of the voxel-technique and of improved surface-modeling.

Algorithms↗

Results of transvenous occlusion of secundum atrial septal defects with the fourth generation buttoned device: comparison with first, second and third generation devices. International Buttoned Device Trial Group.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess safety and effectiveness of the fourth generation buttoned device in dosing atrial septal defects (ASDs) and to test the hypothesis that introduction of double button reduces unbuttoning rate without reducing effectiveness. BACKGROUND: Because of the high unbuttoning rate (7.2%) with first, second and third generation buttoned devices, the device was modified (fourth generation) so that there were two radiopaque spring buttons 4 mm apart on the button loop attached to the occluder. METHODS: During a four-year period ending in September 1997, 423 patients, ages 1.5 to 80 years (median 16 years), underwent closure of ASD at 40 medical centers around the world. RESULTS: The ASD size varied between 5 and 30 mm (median 17 mm). The device size varied between 25 and 60 mm. Unbuttoning occurred in 4 (0.9%) of 423 patients. Effective occlusion, defined as no (n = 343) or trivial (n = 34) residual shunt on echo-Doppler studies performed within 24 h of the procedure, was demonstrated in 377 patients (90%). Thus, the unbuttoning rate (0.9 vs. 7.2%) decreased (p<0.01) while effective occlusion rate (90 vs. 92%) remained unchanged (p>0.1) with this device, compared with earlier generation devices. During follow-up from one month to five years (23+/-15 months), 21 (5%) of 417 patients required surgical (n = 12) or transcatheter (n = 9) reintervention, mostly to treat significant residual shunt. In the remaining patients there was gradual reduction and disappearance of the residual shunt. No wire integrity problems were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the fourth generation buttoned device is as effective as earlier generation devices, but without significant unbuttoning. Follow-up results remained good, with a reintervention-free rate of 89% at five years.

Adolescent↗

When the central executive lets us down: schemas, attention, and load in a generative working memory task.

Participants were asked to generate a single sequence of numbers in between two bounds. By varying the requested sequence length and way in which the question is posed, this paradigm enables assessment of the contributions to central executive functioning of schema, focus of attention, and load. With sequences of three or four numbers, a quarter of the sample failed fully to comply with the instructions. They generated an incorrect number of numbers or went outside the specified bounds. With sequences of six numbers, more than half of the sample infringed one or more of the constraints. Participants consistently generated sequences with particular generic properties. The overall frequency and patterns of infringements suggest that a substantial proportion of participants focused their conceptual attention on sequence content and often neglected the problem of how thelength and boundary constraints were going to be evaluated either before or during response delivery.

Attention↗

Generation and decay of the immune response to a progressive fibrosarcoma. I. Ly-1+2- suppressor T cells down-regulate the generation of Ly-1-2+ effector T cells.

It was shown that the progressive growth of the immunogenic meth A fibrosarcoma in its semisyngeneic host results in the generation of concomitant immunity to the growth of a tumor implant. The generation of immunity occurred between days 6 and 9 of tumor growth and was associated with the generation of sensitized T cells that were capable, on passive transfer, of causing regression of a 3-d tumor in gamma-irradiated recipients. After day 9 of tumor growth, concomitant immunity and the T cells able to passively transfer it were progressively lost, and this was associated with the generation of splenic suppressor T cells able to suppress the expression of adoptive immunity against an established tumor in T cell-deficient ( TXB ) recipients. The T cells that passively transferred concomitant immunity were shown to be of the Ly-1-2+ phenotype, in contrast to the T cells that transferred suppression, which were shown with the same reagents to be Ly-1+2-. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the progressive growth of an immunogenic tumor results in the generation of Ly-1-2+-sensitized effector T cells that fail to reach a number sufficient to destroy the tumor because their generation is down-regulated by tumor-induced Ly-1+2- suppressor T cells.

Animals↗

Generating monodisperse pharmacological aerosols using the spinning-top aerosol generator.

Pharmacological aerosols of precisely controlled particle size and narrow dispersity can be generated using the spinning-top aerosol generator (STAG). The ability of the STAG to generate monodisperse aerosols from solutions of raw drug compounds makes it a valuable research instrument. In this paper, the versatility of this instrument has been further demonstrated by aerosolizing a range of commercially available nebulized pulmonary therapy preparations. Nebules of Flixotide (fluticasone propionate), Pulmicort (budesonide), Combivent (salbutamol sulphate and ipratropium bromide), Bricanyl (terbutaline sulphate), Atrovent(ipratropium bromide), and Salamol (salbutamol sulphate) were each mixed with ethanol and delivered to the STAG. Monodisperse drug aerosol distributions were generated with MMADs of 0.95-6.7 microm. To achieve larger particle sizes from the nebulizer drug suspensions, the STAG formed compound particle agglomerates derived from the smaller insoluble drug particles. These compound agglomerates behaved aerodynamically as a single particle, and this was verified using an aerodynamic particle sizer and an Andersen Cascade Impactor. Scanning electron microscope images demonstrated their physical structure. On the other hand using the nebulizer drug solutions, spherical particles proportional to the original droplet diameter were generated. The aerosols generated by the STAG can allow investigators to study the scientific principles of inhaled drug deposition and lung physiology for a range of therapeutic agents.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Recombinant adenoviruses with large deletions generated by Cre-mediated excision exhibit different biological properties compared with first-generation vectors in vitro and in vivo.

In vivo gene transfer of recombinant E1-deficient adenoviruses results in early and late viral gene expression that elicits a host immune response, limiting the duration of transgene expression and the use of adenoviruses for gene therapy. The prokaryotic Cre-lox P recombination system was adapted to generate recombinant adenoviruses with extended deletions in the viral genome (referred to here as deleted viruses) in order to minimize expression of immunogenic and/or cytotoxic viral proteins. As an example, an adenovirus with a 25-kb deletion that lacked E1, E2, E3, and late gene expression with viral titers similar to those achieved with first-generation vectors and less than 0.5% contamination with E1-deficient virus was produced. Gene transfer was similar in HeLa cells, mouse hepatoma cells, and primary mouse hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo as determined by measuring reporter gene expression and DNA transfer. However, transgene expression and deleted viral DNA concentrations were not stable and declined to undetectable levels much more rapidly than those found for first-generation vectors. Intravenous administration of deleted vectors in mice resulted in no hepatocellular injury relative to that seen with first-generation vectors. The mechanism for stability of first-generation adenovirus vectors (E1a deleted) appeared to be linked in part to their ability to replicate in transduced cells in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the deleted vectors were stabilized in the presence of undeleted first-generation adenovirus vectors. These results have important consequences for the development of these and other nonintegrating vectors for gene therapy.

Adenovirus E1 Proteins↗

Mechanisms of pattern generation underlying swimming in Tritonia. IV. Gating of central pattern generator.

Swimming behavior in the marine mollusc Tritonia diomedea is episodic, consisting of a series of alternating dorsal and ventral flexions initiated by a brief sensory stimulus. The swim motor pattern is generated by a network formed of four groups of premotor interneurons: cerebral cell 2 (C2), dorsal swim interneurons (DSIs), and two types of ventral swim interneurons (VSI-A and VSI-B). The initiation and maintenance of swimming depends on the establishment of a long-lasting ramp depolarization in both the premotor, pattern-generating interneurons, and the motor neurons (i.e., flexion neurons). Voltage clamp was used to measure the membrane current responsible for the ramp depolarization. In all cell classes the current had two components: a tonic inward current, which decayed as the swim progressed, and phasic inward current waves, which provided the synaptic drive during each swim burst. The ramp current in the flexion neurons and in C2 was generated largely by activity within the interneuronal pattern-generating network (PGN). The ramp current could be mimicked by driving activity in the pattern-generating interneurons. In VSI-B, the tonic component of the ramp current was independent of activity within the PGN and appeared to be derived from the long-lasting effect of an extrinsic input. The phasic components of the ramp, however, were dependent on PGN activity. The phasic inward current waves were blocked when pattern generation was prevented. In addition, phasic inward currents similar to those occurring during swimming could be produced by driving the C2. The tonic component of the ramp current in a DSI was dependent both on extrinsic inputs and PGN activity. Extrinsic inputs appeared to control the first 10-15 s of the tonic current. At longer times, activity within the DSI population itself maintained the ramp current. When one DSI was driven in a quiescent preparation, all other DSIs were inhibited, yet the DSIs are known to be coupled by monosynaptic, reciprocal excitatory synapses. This effect could be explained by the action of an unidentified inhibitory interneuron (I-neuron), which was excited by DSIs and in turn inhibited all other DSIs. The DSIs were therefore coupled reciprocally by both monosynaptic excitation and polysynaptic inhibition. Activity in C2 switched the DSI-DSI interaction from inhibition to excitation by inhibiting the I-neuron.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗

Comparison of one first-generation and three second-generation methods for the determination of CA 125.

The monoclonal antibody OC125 (Centocor, Inc, Malvern, PA) was the basis for the first generation of one-step immunoradiometric assays (IRMA), used to detect the glycoprotein CA 125. Recently two-step IRMAs were developed: the CA 125 second-generation assays. In these new assays the CA 125 capture antibody is the M11 monoclonal antibody coated on a solid phase and the OC125 monoclonal antibody is used as tracer. We compared one first-generation radioassay and three second-generation assays (two radioassays and one ELISA) both analytically and clinically. The ELISA method showed the best within-assay precision and the best curve fitting characteristics. In the clinical comparison, none of the correlations between the first-generation and second-generation methods were really satisfactory; however, the cutoff level of 35 U/ml was confirmed. The four CA 125 assays do not yield equal results. As a consequence, the evolution of CA 125 serum concentrations during disease monitoring is not reliable when different determination methods are used consecutively.

Analysis of Variance↗

Resident-generated versus instructor-generated cases in ethics and professionalism training.

BACKGROUND: The emphasis on ethics and professionalism in medical education continues to increase. Indeed, in the United States the ACGME will require residency programs to include professionalism training in all curricula by 2007. Most courses focus on cases generated by the course instructors rather than on cases generated by the trainees. To date, however, there has been no assessment of the utility of these two case discussion formats. In order to determine the utility of instructor-generated cases (IGCs) versus resident-generated cases (RGCs) in ethics and professionalism training, the author developed an innovative course that included both case formats. The IGCs were landmark cases and cases from the experience of the course instructors, while the RGCs were selected by the residents themselves. Residents were then surveyed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each format. RESULTS: Of twenty-two second and third year residents, fourteen completed surveys (response rate 64%). Residents were nearly evenly split in preferring RGCs (38%), IGCs (31%), or not preferring one to the other (31%). 29% stated that they learn more from the RGCs, 21% stated that they learn more from the IGCs, and 50% stated that they did not find a difference in their learning based on format. In general, residents surveyed prefer a mix of formats. Residents tended to find the RGCs more relevant and interesting, and felt the IGCs were necessary to ensure adequate breadth of cases and concepts. CONCLUSION: Based on our relatively small sample at a single institution, we believe that educators should consider incorporating both instructor-generated and resident-generated cases in their ethics and professionalism curricula, and should evaluate the utility of such a model at their own institution. Further work is needed to illuminate other potential improvements in ethics and professionalism education.

Curriculum↗

Evaluation of first- and second-generation assays for detection of antibody to hepatitis C virus in non-A, non-B chronic liver diseases--evaluation of 1st and 2nd-generation assays in NANBH.

The positive rates of the second-generation enzyme-linked immunoassay (2nd-generation assay), and two first-generation immunoassays (C100-3 and KCL-163 assay) to test for anti-HCV antibodies in the serum of patients with non-A, non-B chronic liver disease were determined. The clinical usefulness of these assays was also evaluated. The group positive for the 2nd-generation assay alone was compared with that positive for the 2nd-generation and C100-3 assays with respect to the serum GPT levels determined simultaneously with the antibodies. The latter group showed slightly higher GPT levels. These findings suggest that the 2nd-generation assay is useful for the diagnosis of hepatitis C, and that C100-3 and KCL-163 assays are useful indicators of the activity of hepatic disorders.

Adult↗

Zirconium molybdate gel as a generator for technetium-99m--II. High activity generators.

The characteristics of zirconium molybdate gels were described in Part I of this paper. Here it is shown that zirconium molybdate gel, prepared from neutron irradiated molybdenum oxide with 99Mo specific activities between 4.3 and 13.5 GBq g-1 is sufficiently stable for use as a matrix in preparation of high activity 99mTc generators. Elution efficiencies of generators containing from 2 to 6 g of gel ranged from 83 to 50% for 10 mL elutions. Generators containing 150 g of gel were eluted with efficiencies of 80-98%, with the activity peak in the first 50 mL. Radionuclidic impurities were considerably below the limits set by the British Pharmacopoeia. Although the pH of eluates was less than 4, subsequent treatment with a small zirconium oxide bed provided adjustment to within BP limits, and reduced 99Mo impurity levels tenfold to values near 10(-4)%. No significant differences were found between the biodistributions in rats of radiopharmaceuticals prepared with pertechnetate from gel generators and those from other generators.

Animals↗

Platelet activation and its role in thrombin generation in platelet-induced thrombin generation time.

Platelet-induced thrombin generation time (PITT) is a newly developed global coagulation assay in which a small amount of partially anticoagulated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is rotated in a disc-shaped cuvette within the light beam of a photometer. The time intervals from onset of rotation until aggregation and coagulation of the sample are registered. The aim of our study was to compare platelet activation with generation of thrombin during rotation of PRP in PITT system. Aliquots of PRP were taken before, 1, 3, and 8 min after the onset of rotation as well as at the beginning of aggregation and shortly before coagulation. Thrombin activity was measured with chromogenic substrate S-2238. We have also measured the level of generated prothrombin activation fragment 1+2 (F1+2), which reflects the concentration of liberated thrombin. Platelet activation was assayed by means of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) concentration and registration of the aggregation. The concentrations of the F1+2, PF4, beta-TG increased very slowly from the beginning of the test until aggregation occurred. From the start of aggregation, the levels of F1+2 rose rapidly. In contrast to the F1+2 measurements, thrombin activity has not been detected from onset of rotation until the end of the test. Only trace thrombin activity was detectable just after the plasma sample had been clotted in the cuvette. Our results demonstrate that there exists a close relationship between platelet activation and thrombin generation. Viable platelets, which adhered to the cuvette walls, form an active template on which thrombin can be generated from prothrombin.

Adult↗

Effective generation of transgenic mice by Bovine papillomavirus type 1 based self-replicating plasmid that is maintained as extrachromosomal genetic element in three generations of animals.

The objective of our study was to analyze the efficiency and the properties of the inheritance of the Bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) replicator-based plasmid used as vector system for generation of transgenic animals. Previously, we have characterized a series of self-replicating plasmid vectors containing all viral factors necessary and sufficient for stable extrachromosomal replication of the BPV1 genome in the tissue culture system. We also demonstrated that the designed replicating vector system has a considerable benefit in the transgene expression, if compared to the regular expression vector. The vector, which showed the highest stability and maintenance function in the tissue culture was chosen for generation of the transgenic mice by pronuclear injections of the circular supercoiled plasmid. This method resulted in successful production of transgenic animals. Transmission efficiency of the vectors into the F(1) generation of animals varied between 0 and 48%, whereas transmission into the F(2) generation was uniformly near 50%. The maintenance of the vector-plasmids in the F(2) generation of transgenic animals as extrachromosomal genetic element was demonstrated by rescue of the plasmid into the Escherichia coli.

Animals↗