A 1.375-approximation algorithm for sorting by transpositions.

Sorting permutations by transpositions is an important problem in genome rearrangements. A transposition is a rearrangement operation in which a segment is cut out of the permutation and pasted in a different location. The complexity of this problem is still open and it has been a 10-year-old open problem to improve the best known 1.

Characterization of the solitary pulmonary nodule: 18F-FDG PET versus nodule-enhancement CT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to directly compare nodule-enhancement CT and 18F-FDG PET in the characterization of indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) greater than 7 mm in size.

Materials And Methods: Examinations from patients undergoing both nodule-enhancement CT and 18F-FDG PET to characterize the same indeterminate SPN were reviewed. For nodule-enhancement CT, an SPN was considered malignant when it showed an unenhanced to peak contrast-enhanced increase in attenuation greater than 15 H.

A diet quality index for American preschoolers based on current dietary intake recommendations and an indicator of energy balance.

Objective: Based on current dietary intake recommendations and a recommendation to limit sedentary activity in preschoolers, an overall diet quality index for preschoolers (RC-DQI) incorporating a component for energy balance to measure adequacy of nutrition for growth, development, and disease prevention was developed.

Design/subjects: The newly developed index was used in nationally representative samples of 2- to 5-year-olds in the US Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-96 and 1998 (n=5,437). Index components included added sugar, total fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, total and whole grains, fruits, vegetables, excess fruit juice, dairy, iron, and an interaction term of total daily energy intake and sedentary behavior (television time).

AI-700 pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and exhaled elimination kinetics in rats.

The purpose of these studies was to determine the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and exhaled elimination kinetics in rats for intravenously administered AI-700, which consists of porous microspheres containing decafluorobutane (DFB), for use as an ultrasound contrast agent. [Pd]-AI-700 was administered intravenously to rats (10 mg microspheres/kg). Blood and tissue samples collected at specified times were analyzed for palladium by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Protein-free fed-batch culture of non-GS NS0 cell lines for production of recombinant antibodies.

Presented is a novel antibody production platform based on the fed-batch culture of recombinant, NS0-derived cell lines. A standardized fed-batch cell culture process was developed for five non-GS NS0 cell lines using enriched and optimized protein-free, cholesterol-free, and chemically defined basal and feed media. The process performed reproducibly and scaled faithfully from the 2-L to the 100-L bioreactor scale achieving a volumetric productivity of > 120 mg/L per day.

Carrageenan/MIV-150 (PC-815), a combination microbicide.

Objective: The objective of this article is to study the effect of PC-815, a novel combination microbicide containing carrageenan and the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) MIV-150, in blocking HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections in vitro as compared with Carraguard alone.

Goal: The goal of this study was to develop a combination microbicide that is more efficacious than Carraguard against HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Study Design: The microtiter syncytial assay was used to evaluate: 1) the antiviral and virucidal activity of MIV-150 against HIV-1MN; 2) the additive effect of MIV-150 when combined with carrageenan; and 3) a possible interference of seminal fluid in the antiviral activity of these compounds.

Replacement of the metabolically labile methyl esters in the alkenyldiarylmethane series of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with isoxazolone, isoxazole, oxazolone, or cyano substituents.

The alkenyldiarylmethanes (ADAMs) are a unique class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that have potential value in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. However, the potential usefulness of the ADAMs is limited by the presence of metabolically labile methyl ester moieties. A series of novel ADAMs were therefore designed and synthesized in order to replace the metabolically labile methyl ester moieties of the existing ADAM lead compounds with hydrolytically stable, fused isoxazolone, isoxazole, oxazolone, or cyano substituents on the aromatic rings.

Derivation and characterization of cholesterol-independent non-GS NS0 cell lines for production of recombinant antibodies.

Presented is an antibody production platform based on the fed-batch culture of recombinant NS0-derived cell lines. NS0 host cells, obtained from the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC, Salisbury, UK, Part No. 85110503), were first adapted to grow in a protein-free, cholesterol-free medium.

Evolution of novel O-methyltransferases from the Vanilla planifolia caffeic acid O-methyltransferase.

The biosynthesis of many plant secondary compounds involves the methylation of one or more hydroxyl groups, catalyzed by O-methyltransferases (OMTs). Here, we report the characterization of two OMTs, Van OMT-2 and Van OMT-3, from the orchid Vanilla planifolia Andrews. These enzymes catalyze the methylation of a single outer hydroxyl group in substrates possessing a 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene moiety, such as methyl gallate and myricetin.

Comparison of energy expenditure estimates from 4 physical activity questionnaires with doubly labeled water estimates in postmenopausal women.

Background: Physical activity energy expenditure (EE) is an important determinant of health, and epidemiologists have used various methods, such as physical activity and energy intake recalls and records, to estimate energy cost. However, most epidemiologic studies have not validated these methods against the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique for measuring EE.

Objective: The aim was to compare EE estimated by 4 physical activity questionnaires with that obtained with the DLW technique in free-living postmenopausal women.

Mutant mice with small amounts of BubR1 display accelerated age-related gliosis.

Aging is an intricate biological process thought to involve multiple molecular pathways. The spindle assembly checkpoint protein BubR1 has recently been implicated in aging since mutant mice that have small amounts of this protein (BubR1(H/H) mice) develop several early aging-associated phenotypes. The phenotype within the brain of BubR1(H/H) mice has not yet been established.

High dry bean intake and reduced risk of advanced colorectal adenoma recurrence among participants in the polyp prevention trial.

Adequate fruit and vegetable intake was suggested to protect against colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas; however, several recent prospective studies reported no association. We examined the association between fruits and vegetables and adenomatous polyp recurrence in the Polyp Prevention Trial (PPT). The PPT was a low-fat, high-fiber, high-fruit, and vegetable dietary intervention trial of adenoma recurrence, in which there were no differences in the rate of adenoma recurrence in participants in the intervention and control arms of the trial.

RNA helicase A is necessary for translation of selected messenger RNAs.

RNA helicase A (RHA) is a highly conserved DEAD-box protein that activates transcription, modulates RNA splicing and binds the nuclear pore complex. The life cycle of typical mRNA involves RNA processing and translation after ribosome scanning of a relatively unstructured 5' untranslated region (UTR). The precursor RNAs of retroviruses and selected cellular genes harbor a complex 5' UTR and use a yet-to-be-identified host post-transcriptional effector to stimulate efficient translation.

Postnatal environment overrides genetic and prenatal factors influencing offspring obesity and insulin resistance.

There is growing evidence that the postnatal environment can have a major impact on the development of obesity and insulin resistance in offspring. We postulated that cross-fostering obesity-prone offspring to lean, obesity-resistant dams would ameliorate their development of obesity and insulin resistance, while fostering lean offspring to genetically obese dams would lead them to develop obesity and insulin resistance as adults. We found that obesity-prone pups cross-fostered to obesity-resistant dams remained obese but did improve their insulin sensitivity as adults.

An evaluation of the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of African-American men and their female significant others regarding prostate cancer screening.

This study examines the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of African-American men and their female significant others regarding prostate cancer screening. Study flyers and a television interview were used to recruit participants into the study that took place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Six focus groups were conducted: four with African-American men and two with female significant others.

Diffuse bronchiolar disease due to chronic occult aspiration.

Objective: To describe clinical, radiological, and histopathologic features of diffuse bronchiolar disease due to chronic occult aspiration.

Patients And Methods: We identified 4 patients encountered from July 2001 to January 2004 who had persistent respiratory symptoms and lung Infiltrates and who were eventually diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy as having diffuse bronchiolar disease due to chronic occult aspiration. Medical records, radiological studies, and histopathologic specimens were reviewed to assess their clinicoradiologic presentation and diagnostic features.

School competitive food policies: perceptions of Pennsylvania public high school foodservice directors and principals.

The objectives of this study were to describe the extent, nature, and enforcement of school competitive food policies in Pennsylvania public high schools and to determine if there are differences between school foodservice directors' and principals' perceptions of the existence and enforcement of these policies. A survey was distributed to 271 school foodservice directors and 100 principals in a representative, random sample of high schools. Two hundred twenty-eight school foodservice directors (84%) and 79 principals (79%) returned surveys.

Factors associated with the offering and sale of competitive foods and school lunch participation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify factors that predict offering and sale of competitive foods, as well as factors that predict average daily participation in school lunch.

Design: Surveys were distributed to 271 school foodservice directors in a random sample of high schools in Pennsylvania that were selected to be representative of the entire population of high schools in Pennsylvania based on chosen demographic characteristics.

Subjects: Two hundred twenty-eight school foodservice directors (84%) returned surveys.

Calorie intake misreporting by diet record and food frequency questionnaire compared to doubly labeled water among postmenopausal women.

Objective: We assessed the extent of energy misreporting from the use of a self-administered 7-day diet record (7-DDR) and a widely used food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) compared to total energy expenditure from doubly labeled water (DLW) in a group of postmenopausal women.

Design: At baseline, 65 healthy postmenopausal women were instructed to fill out the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) FFQ and a 7-DDR. Average total energy expenditure using the DLW method was also performed at baseline.

Dietary saturated fat intake is inversely associated with bone density in humans: analysis of NHANES III.

Mounting evidence indicates that the amount and type of fat in the diet can have important effects on bone health. Most of this evidence is derived from animal studies. Of the few human studies that have been conducted, relatively small numbers of subjects and/or primarily female subjects were included.

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of new alkenyldiarylmethane (ADAM) non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) incorporating benzoxazolone and benzisoxazole rings.

The HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) constitute a large and structurally diverse set of compounds, several of which are currently used in the treatment of AIDS. A series of novel alkenyldiarylmethanes (ADAMs) were designed and synthesized as part of an ongoing investigation to replace the metabolically labile methyl ester moieties found in the ADAM pharmacophore with stable modifications that retain the potent anti-HIV activity of the parent compounds. Unsurprisingly, the rat plasma half-lives of the new ADAMs were not improved when compared to the parent compounds, but all of the synthesized ADAMs inhibited the cytopathic effect of HIV-1 in cell culture.

Does nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use modify the effect of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on recurrence of colorectal adenomas?

The Polyp Prevention Trial was designed to evaluate the effects of a high-fiber (18 g/1,000 kcal), high-fruit and -vegetable (3.5 servings/1,000 kcal), low-fat (20% energy) diet on recurrence of adenomatous polyps. Participants > or =35 years of age, with histologically confirmed colorectal adenoma(s) removed in the prior 6 months, were randomized to the intervention or control group.

Chronic nitrofurantoin-induced lung disease.

Objective: To reassess the clinical and radiological features of chronic nitrofurantoin-induced lung disease and eventual clinical outcome.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients with chronic nitrofurantoin-induced lung disease who were seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2002.

Results: The median age of the 18 patients was 72 years (range, 47-90 years) at the time of diagnosis; 17 (94%) were women.

Hot tub lung: presenting features and clinical course of 21 patients.

Background: Hot tub lung is an emerging lung disorder associated with exposure to Mycobacterium avium complex organisms contaminating hot tub water.

Objectives: To define the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with hot tub lung.

Methods: Retrospective review of 21 patients diagnosed with hot tub lung at a tertiary medical center over a 7-year period.