Genetic structure at three spatial scales is consistent with limited philopatry in Ricord's Rock Iguanas ().

is an endemic iguana from Hispaniola Island and is threatened on the IUCN Red List. The main threats are predation by introduced mammals, habitat destruction, and hunting pressure. The present study focused on two nesting sites from Pedernales Province in the Dominican Republic.

Using the past to contextualize anthropogenic impacts on the present and future distribution of an endemic Caribbean mammal.

Island species are difficult to conserve because they face the synergy of climate change, invasive species, deforestation, and increasing human population densities in areas where land mass is shrinking. The Caribbean island of Hispaniola presents particular challenges because of geopolitical complexities that span 2 countries and hinder coordinated management of species across the island. We employed species distribution modeling to evaluate the impacts of climatic change and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of an endemic mammal of conservation concern, the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus).

Measurement of atmospheric pollutants associated with oil and natural gas exploration and production activity in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest.

Oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) activities generate emissions from diesel engines, compressor stations, condensate tanks, leaks and venting of natural gas, construction of well pads, and well access roads that can negatively impact air quality on both local and regional scales. A mobile, autonomous air quality monitoring laboratory was constructed to collect measurements of ambient concentrations of pollutants associated with oil and natural gas E&P activities. This air-monitoring laboratory was deployed to the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) in northwestern Pennsylvania for a campaign that resulted in the collection of approximately 7 months of data split between three monitoring locations between July 2010 and June 2011.

Advancing adsorption and membrane separation processes for the gigaton carbon capture challenge.

Reducing CO2 in the atmosphere and preventing its release from point-source emitters, such as coal and natural gas-fired power plants, is a global challenge measured in gigatons. Capturing CO2 at this scale will require a portfolio of gas-separation technologies to be applied over a range of applications in which the gas mixtures and operating conditions will vary. Chemical scrubbing using absorption is the current state-of-the-art technology.

Method for detection of trace metal and metalloid contaminants in coal-generated fuel gas using gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry.

There exists an increasing need to develop a reliable method to detect trace contaminants in fuel gas derived from coal gasification. While Hg is subject to current and future regulations, As, Se, and P emissions may eventually be regulated. Sorbents are the most promising technology for the removal of contaminants from coal-derived fuel gas, and it will be important to develop a rapid analytical detection method to ensure complete removal and determine the ideal time for sorbent replacement/regeneration in order to reduce costs.

Interaction of Perchloroethylene with Cerium Oxide in Three-Way Catalysts.

The role of cerium oxide on direct oxidation of perchloroethylene (PCE) by a three-way catalyst was explored. In the absence of an external oxidizing agent, PCE was oxidized over an alumina supported Pt/Rh three-way catalyst. We hypothesize that the chlorine atoms in the adsorbed PCE interact with oxygen in CeO(2), reducing the cerium to create CeCl(3).

Catalytic Dechlorination of Gas-phase Perchloroethylene under Mixed Redox Conditions.

The validity of a new method to destroy gas-phase perchloroethylene (PCE) is demonstrated at bench scale using a fixed-bed reactor that contains a Pt/Rh catalyst. Hydrogen and oxygen were simultaneously fed to the reactor together with PCE. The conversion efficiencies of PCE were sensitive to H(2)/O(2) ratio and reactor temperature.

Thermocatalytic destruction of gas-phase perchloroethylene using propane as a hydrogen source.

The use of propane in combination with oxygen to promote the destruction of perchloroethylene (PCE) over a platinum (Pt)/rhodium (Rh) catalyst on a cerium/zirconium oxide washcoat supported on an alumina monolith was explored. Conversions of PCE were measured in a continuous flow reactor with residence times less than 0.5s and temperatures ranging from 200 to 600 degrees C.

Mixed redox catalytic destruction of chlorinated solvents in soils and groundwater.

A new thermocatalytic method to destroy chlorinated solvents has been developed in the laboratory and tested in a pilot field study. The method employs a conventional Pt/Rh catalyst on a ceramic honeycomb. Reactions proceed at moderate temperatures in the simultaneous presence of oxygen and a reductant (mixed redox conditions) to minimize catalyst deactivation.

Beyond palliative mastectomy in inflammatory breast cancer--a reassessment of margin status.

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer is a locally advanced tumor with an aggressive local and systemic course. Treatment of this disease has been evolving over the last several decades. The aim of this study was to assess whether current therapies, both surgical and chemotherapeutic, are providing better local control (LC) and overall survival (OS).

Demonstration of functionally different interactions between phospholipase C-gamma and the two types of platelet-derived growth factor receptors.

Phosphorylated tyrosine residues in receptor tyrosine kinases serve as binding sites for signal transduction molecules. We have identified two autophosphorylation sites, Tyr-988 and Tyr-1018, in the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) alpha-receptor carboxyl-terminal tail, which are involved in binding of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma). The capacities of the Y988F and Y1018F mutant PDGF alpha-receptors, expressed in porcine aortic endothelial cells, to bind PLC-gamma are 60 and 5% of that of the wild-type receptor, respectively.

Tyr-716 in the platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor kinase insert is involved in GRB2 binding and Ras activation.

Ligand stimulation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor leads to activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase and autophosphorylation of the intracellular part of the receptor. The autophosphorylated tyrosine residues mediate interactions with downstream signal transduction molecules and thereby initiate different signalling pathways. A pathway leading to activation of the GTP-binding protein Ras involves the adaptor molecule GRB2.

A unique autophosphorylation site in the platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor from a heterodimeric receptor complex.

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) alpha and beta receptors undergo dimerization as a consequence of ligand binding. Depending on the PDGF isoform (PDGF-AA, -AB or -BB), homodimers or heterodimers of receptors are formed. In this study, we have used transfected porcine aortic endothelial cells, coexpressing cDNAs for the alpha receptor and the beta receptor at comparable levels, to investigate the properties of the alpha beta-heterodimeric receptor complex.

Differential NPY mRNA expression in granule cells and interneurons of the rat dentate gyrus after kainic acid injection.

Using in situ hybridization histochemistry neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA expression was investigated after intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid (KA) and after local application of KA or quinolinic acid into the dentate gyrus of the rat. Enhanced concentrations of NPY mRNA were observed in interneurons of the hilus, including presumptive fusiform neurons and pyramidal-shaped basket cells already 4 hours after initiation of limbic seizures by KA (10 mg/kg, i.p.

Regulation of MHC class I synthesis and expression by human neutrophils.

Human peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN) treated with granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) increase the amount of class I 42-kDa H chain and 12-kDa L chain, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m), that they synthesize by 2.1- and 2.6-fold, respectively.

Recombinant human retinoic acid receptor alpha. Binding of DNA and synthetic retinoids to the protein expressed in Escherichia coli.

The human retinoic acid receptor alpha was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was found to be very unstable in several E. coli strains, probably due to proteolysis.

The promoter of the human parathyroid hormone gene contains a functional cyclic AMP-response element.

We have screened the sequence of the 394 base pairs upstream of the main transcriptional start site of the promoter of the human parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene for well-known protein recognition motifs with the aim to identify potential positive or negative regulatory elements. Within this region we found a potential cAMP-response element (CRE) besides several other putative binding sites for transcription factors. We fused promoter regions that contain this element and extend beyond the transcription start site to an appropriate reporter gene (CAT) and transfected different cell lines with these constructs.

Intravenous infusions of nitroprusside, dobutamine, and nitroglycerin are compatible.

It is now customary practice to couple separately metered infusions via a manifold to a common catheter that enters the patient. Nitroprusside, however, is considered incompatible with all other medications. Critically ill patients who require multiple infusions of vasoactive and inotropic medications would benefit if physicians had additional information regarding compatibility of nitroprusside with other commonly used infusions.

Cytoplasmic pH and anchorage-independent growth induced by v-Ki-ras, v-src or polyoma middle T.

We had previously shown that spreading of normal cells on tissue culture plastic coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins led to an increase in cytoplasmic pH (pHi). Since alkalinization of the cytoplasm is associated with activation of a number of signaling pathways that control growth, and is itself required for cell growth, we proposed that this phenomenon could explain, at least in part, why growth of normal cells is anchorage-dependent. Preliminary results showed that pHi in cells transformed by the ras or src oncogenes had an alkaline pHi even when completely round.

Ivermectin in loiasis and concomitant O. volvulus and M. perstans infections.

Two clinical studies were carried out in Gabon, Africa to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ivermectin in the treatment of patients with Loa loa infection. In the first study, 35 patients received single oral doses of ivermectin, 5-200 mcg/kg body weight. Blood microfilariae levels did not decrease after a single oral 5, 10, 30, or 50 mcg/kg dose of ivermectin, but levels did decrease after doses of 100, 150, and 200 mcg/kg.

Identification of a high-affinity receptor for interleukin 1 alpha and interleukin 1 beta on cultured human rheumatoid synovial cells.

In this report the binding of recombinant human interleukins 1 alpha and 1 beta (rIL-1 alpha and rIL-1 beta) to primary cultures of human rheumatoid synovial cells is measured and compared to the concentrations of these mediators required for stimulation of PGE2 production by these same cells. The average concentration of IL-1 alpha required for half-maximal stimulation of PGE2 was 4.6 +/- 1.

Expression in Escherichia coli of fully active recombinant human IL 1 beta: comparison with native human IL 1 beta.

Although complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding human interleukin 1 beta (IL 1 beta) have been cloned in several laboratories, there are as yet no data demonstrating that recombinant IL 1 beta (rIL 1 beta) molecules expressed from such cDNA are faithful, fully active replicas of the native protein secreted by human monocytes. To this purpose, cDNA sequences corresponding to the exact NH2-terminus and amino acid sequence of mature, monocyte-derived human IL 1 beta were placed under control of the inducible trp-lac (TAC) fusion promoter and were expressed in E. coli strain JM105.

Identification of a high-affinity receptor for native human interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 1 alpha on normal human lung fibroblasts.

Native human IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha stimulated prostaglandin E2 secretion by human embryonic lung fibroblasts at half-maximal concentrations of 3 +/- 1.2 pM (+/- SEM) and 10 +/- 2.3 pM, respectively.