Molecular gas temperature and density in spiral galaxies

We combine beam-matched CO-13, CO-12 J = 3 yields 2 and J = 2 yields 1 line data to infer the molecular gas excitation conditions in the central 500 to 1600 pc diameters of a small sample of infrared-bright external galaxies: NGC253, IC342, M 83, Maffei 2, and NGC6946. Additional observations of the J = 1 yields 0 lines of C-18O and CO-13 set limits on the opacity of the CO-13 J = 1 yields 0 line averaged over the central kiloparsec of these spiral galaxies

VLA Limits for Intermediate Mass Black Holes in Three Globular Clusters

The observational evidence for central black holes in globular clusters has been argued extensively, and their existence has important consequences for both the formation and evolution of the cluster. Most of the evidence comes from dynamical arguments, but the interpretation is difficult, given the short relaxation times and old ages of the clusters. One of the most robust signatures for the existence of a black hole is radio and/or X-ray emission. We observed three globular clusters, NGC6093 (M80), NGC6266 (M62), and NGC7078 (M15), with the VLA in the A and C configuration with a 3-sigma noise of 36, 36 and 25 microJy, respectively. We find no statistically-significant evidence for radio emission from the central region for any of the three clusters. NGC6266 shows a 2-sigma detection. It is difficult to infer a mass from these upper limits due to uncertainty about the central gas density, accretion rate, and accretion model.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

Serial whole-brain magnetization transfer imaging in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis at baseline and during treatment with interferon beta-1b

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To determine whether occult disease fluctuates with macroscopic lesions during the natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether therapeutic interventions affect occult disease, we performed serial monthly magnetization transfer (MT) imaging in patients with relapsing-remitting MS in a crossover trial with interferon beta-1b. METHODS: Serial whole-brain magnetization transfer ratios (MTRs) in eight patients with relapsing-remitting MS and in four control subjects were plotted as normalized histograms, and MTR parameters were compared with contrast-enhancing lesions and bulk white matter lesion load. RESULTS: In patients with relapsing-remitting MS, the histographic peak of 0.25 ؎ 0.01 and the histographic mean of 0.21 ؎ 0.01 were statistically lower than corresponding values in control subjects, in whom the histographic peak was 0.27 ؎ 0.01 and the histographic mean was 0.23 ؎ 0.01. When histograms (with MTRs ranging from 0.0 to 0.5) were analyzed by quartiles (quartile 1 to quartile 4) based on histographic area, voxels with low MTRs in quartile 1 (0 to 0.12) increased during the baseline period and corresponded to bulk white matter lesion load. Interferon beta-1b reduced enhancing lesions by 91% and mean bulk white matter lesion load by 15%, but had no effect on MTR in this patient cohort. CONCLUSION: Occult disease in normal-appearing white matter of patients with relapsingremitting MS measured by MTR parallels the waxing and waning pattern of enhancing lesions and bulk white matter lesion load during the baseline period. MTR is not altered by interferon beta-1b, which raises the possibility of ongoing disease in normal-appearing white matter (not detected by conventional MR sequences)

How ready are communities to implement actions to improve diets of adolescent girls and women in urban Ghana?

Background Ghana has reached an advanced stage of nutrition transition, contributing to an increase in nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, particularly amongst urban women. Community involvement is an important factor in the success of efforts to promote healthy eating. The readiness of populations to accept a range of interventions needs to be understood before appropriate interventions can be implemented. Therefore, this study assessed how ready urban communities are to improve diets of women of reproductive age in Ghana. Methods Using the Community Readiness Model (CRM), in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 key informants from various sectors in low income communities across two cities in Ghana: Accra and Ho. The CRM consists of 36 open questions addressing five readiness dimensions (community knowledge of efforts, leadership, community climate, knowledge of the issue and resources). Interviews were scored using the CRM protocol with a maximum of 9 points per dimension (from 1 = no awareness to 9 = high level of community ownership). Thematic analysis was undertaken to gain insights of community factors that could affect the implementation of interventions to improve diets. Results The mean community readiness scores indicated that both communities were in the “vague awareness stage” (3.35 ± 0.54 (Accra) and 3.94 ± 0.41 (Ho)). CRM scores across the five dimensions ranged from 2.65–4.38/9, ranging from denial/resistance to pre-planning. In both communities, the mean readiness score for ‘knowledge of the issue’ was the highest of all dimensions (4.10 ± 1.61 (Accra); 4.38 ± 1.81 (Ho)), but was still only at the pre-planning phase. The lowest scores were found for community knowledge of efforts (denial/resistance; 2.65 ± 2.49 (Accra)) and resources (vague awareness; 3.35 ± 1.03 (Ho)). The lack of knowledge of the consequences of unhealthy diets, misconceptions of the issue partly from low education, as well as challenges faced from a lack of resources to initiate/sustain programmes explained the low readiness. Conclusions Despite recognising that unhealthy diets are a public health issue in these urban Ghanaian communities, it is not seen as a priority. The low community readiness ratings highlight the need to increase awareness of the issue prior to intervening to improve diets

Research Progress Reports, 1962. Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Technology Division, Department of Horticulture.

Tomato variety evaluation for processing, 1962 / W. A. Gould, J. R. Geisman and Wade Schulte -- Evaluation of snap bean varieties for processing, 1962 / Wilbur A. Gould -- Handling and holding studies of mechanically harvested tomatoes. 1. Processed product quality / W. A. Gould, W. D. Bash, J. R. Geisman, D. E. Yingst, G. A. Marlowe and W. N. Brown -- Handling and holding studies of mechanically harvested tomatoes. 2. Spore counts / Winston D. Bash and W. A. Gould -- Handling and holding studies of mechanically harvested tomatoes. 3. pH / Winston D. Bash and W. A. Gould -- Handling and holding studies of mechanically harvested tomatoes. 4. Chlorine residuals / Donald E. Yingst and W. A. Gould -- Removal of insects and residues from sweet corn by washing techniques / J. R. Geisman and W. A. Gould -- Removal of pesticides and radioactive fallout from fruits and vegetables / J. R. Geisman, R. P. Blackmore, R. W. Hirzel and W. S. Stinson -- The effect of apple variety and browning prevention treatments during preparation on the quality of frozen apple pies / D. Robert Davis and James F. Gallander -- Effect of three tomato peeling methods on efficiency and product quality / Wade A. Schulte and W. A. Gould -- Effects of cooling rates on vacuum of canned pumpkin / Winston D. Bash -- New flavors for sauerkraut / J. R. Geisman and Robert Reyda -- Flavor of tomato juice / Wilbur A. Gould, Natholyn Dalton and John Hal Johnson -- Fruit juice blends offer a promising new field for apple cider / D. Robert Davi

Research Progress Reports: Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Technology Division, Department of Horticulture [1967]

Evaluation of snap bean varieties for processing / Wilbur A. Gould and William Hildebolt -- Evaluation of various grape cultivars for processing. I. Table wines ; Recommended fruit varieties for canning and freezing / J. F. Gallander -- Evaluation of tomato varieties for processing / W. A. Gould, J. R. Geisman, C. S. Parrott, J. H. McClelland and W. N. Brown -- The effect of different levels of sugar and acid on the quality of apple fruit juice blends / James Gallander and Harold Stammer -- Epidermal sloughing of snap beans as influenced by processing variables / William Hildebolt and W. A. Gould -- Effect of stannous chloride on the color of glass packed kraut / J. R. Geisman -- Proteins and enzymes in the apple fruit in relation to variety and maturation ; Proteins and enzymes in tomato fruits / Robert L. Clements -- Effect of food additives on quality of canned tomatoes / Wilbur A. Gould -- Effects of selective herbicides on the composition and quality of tomatoes / W. A. Gould, J. R. Geisman, E. K. Alban and John Deppen -- Trace levels of pesticide residues in agricultural commodities in marketing channels / W. A. Gould, J. R. Geisman, E. K. Alban, John Deppen, and P. van Pottlesberghe -- Removal of DDT residues by unit operations in preparing and processing spinach / J. R. Geisman, John Deppen and Benita Yao -- The use of chlorine dioxide in handling and holding mechanically harvested tomatoes / J. R. Geisman, Winston D. Bash, Edwin Schmidt, Jr., Linda Hamrick and W. A. Gould -- Effect of mechanical harvesting and handling of tomatoes on quality of canned tomatoes / Wilbur A. Gould, J. R. Geisman, Edwin Schmidt, Jr., John McClelland and W. N. Brow

Alteration of ribosome function upon 5-fluorouracil treatment favors cancer cell drug-tolerance.

Mechanisms of drug-tolerance remain poorly understood and have been linked to genomic but also to non-genomic processes. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the most widely used chemotherapy in oncology is associated with resistance. While prescribed as an inhibitor of DNA replication, 5-FU alters all RNA pathways. Here, we show that 5-FU treatment leads to the production of fluorinated ribosomes exhibiting altered translational activities. 5-FU is incorporated into ribosomal RNAs of mature ribosomes in cancer cell lines, colorectal xenografts, and human tumors. Fluorinated ribosomes appear to be functional, yet, they display a selective translational activity towards mRNAs depending on the nature of their 5'-untranslated region. As a result, we find that sustained translation of IGF-1R mRNA, which encodes one of the most potent cell survival effectors, promotes the survival of 5-FU-treated colorectal cancer cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate that "man-made" fluorinated ribosomes favor the drug-tolerant cellular phenotype by promoting translation of survival genes

Varespladib and cardiovascular events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome: the VISTA-16 randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE: Secretory phospholipase A2(sPLA2) generates bioactive phospholipid products implicated in atherosclerosis. The sPLA2inhibitor varespladib has favorable effects on lipid and inflammatory markers; however, its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of sPLA2inhibition with varespladib on cardiovascular outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial at 362 academic and community hospitals in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, and North America of 5145 patients randomized within 96 hours of presentation of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to either varespladib (n = 2572) or placebo (n = 2573) with enrollment between June 1, 2010, and March 7, 2012 (study termination on March 9, 2012). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive varespladib (500 mg) or placebo daily for 16 weeks, in addition to atorvastatin and other established therapies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary efficacy measurewas a composite of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, or unstable angina with evidence of ischemia requiring hospitalization at 16 weeks. Six-month survival status was also evaluated. RESULTS: At a prespecified interim analysis, including 212 primary end point events, the independent data and safety monitoring board recommended termination of the trial for futility and possible harm. The primary end point occurred in 136 patients (6.1%) treated with varespladib compared with 109 patients (5.1%) treated with placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95%CI, 0.97-1.61; log-rank P = .08). Varespladib was associated with a greater risk of MI (78 [3.4%] vs 47 [2.2%]; HR, 1.66; 95%CI, 1.16-2.39; log-rank P = .005). The composite secondary end point of cardiovascular mortality, MI, and stroke was observed in 107 patients (4.6%) in the varespladib group and 79 patients (3.8%) in the placebo group (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02-1.82; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with recent ACS, varespladib did not reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and significantly increased the risk of MI. The sPLA2inhibition with varespladib may be harmful and is not a useful strategy to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes after ACS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01130246. Copyright 2014 American Medical Association. All rights reserved