bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Chlorpyrifos on Blood Pressure and Temperature Regulation in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Smith Edward G. , Gordon Christopher J.
Published: August 2005

Abstract: Using radiotelemetry to monitor blood pressure and core temperature, studies in our laboratory have shown that a prolonged hypertensive response is elicited in rats exposed to chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate‐based insecticide. Chlorpyrifos inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity, resulting in central and peripheral stimulation of central cholinergic pathways involved in blood pressure regulation. The spontaneously hypertensive rat has been shown to be more sensitive to central cholinergic stimulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that these rats would be more susceptible and sustain a greater hypertensive response when exposed to chlorpyrifos. Heart rate, cardiac contractility, core temperature, and blood pressure were monitored by radiotelemetry in SHRs and their Wistar Kyoto (WKY) normotensive controls following exposure to chlorpyrifos (10 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg, orally). Baseline blood pressure of SHRs was ∼35 mmHg above that of WKYs prior to dosing. SHRs exhibited a greater and more sustained elevation in diastolic, mean and systolic blood pressure following exposure to 25 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos. The rise in blood pressure lasted for ∼56 hours in SHRs compared to ∼32 hours in WKYs. Chlorpyrifos also led to a prolonged elevation in daytime heart rate in both strains. There was a transient elevation in cardiac contractility in both strains lasting ∼7 hr after exposure to chlorpyrifos. The hypothermic response to chlorpyrifos was similar in magnitude and duration for both strains. Plasma cholinesterase activity measured 4 hr after exposure to 25 mg/kg chlorpyrifos was inhibited to ∼40% of control levels in both strains. Using the SHR strain as a model to study susceptible populations, the data suggest that individuals with a genetic predisposition to hypertension may be more susceptible from exposure to organophosphate‐based insecticide, as manifested by an exacerbated hypertensive response.
Potential application for mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Bunnell Bruce A , Deng Weiwen , Robinson Christine M , Waldron Paul R , Bivalacqua Trinity J , Baber Syed R , Hyman Albert L , Kadowitz Philip J
Published: August 2005

Stem cells isolated from various sources have been shown to vary in their differentiation capacity or pluripotentiality. Two groups of stem cells, embryonic and adult stem cells, may be capable of differentiating into any desired tissue or cell type, which offers hope for the development of therapeutic applications for a large number of disorders. However, major limitations with the use of embryonic stem cells for human disease have led researchers to focus on adult stem cells as therapeutic agents. Investigators have begun to examine postnatal sources of pluripotent stem cells, such as bone marrow stroma or adipose tissue, as sources of mesenchymal stem cells. The following review focuses on recent research on the use of stem cells for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and the future application of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular disorders. Key words: stem cells, gene therapy, eNOS, CGRP.
Expression of proteinase-activated receptor 2 on human primary gastrointestinal myofibroblasts and stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis
Authors: Seymour Michelle L , Binion David G , Compton Steven J , Hollenberg Morley D , MacNaughton Wallace K
Published: August 2005

It is known that subepithelial myofibroblast-derived prostaglandin (PG)E2can regulate intestinal epithelial cell functions, and that proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Since PAR2activation has previously been associated with stimulation of PGE2synthesis, we hypothesized that PAR2expressed on primary human gastrointestinal myofibroblasts regulates PGE2synthesis via cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and (or) COX-2, and associated PGE synthases. Primary human myofibroblasts were isolated from the resection tissue of the esophagus, small intestine, and colon. Expression of functional PAR2was determined by RT-PCR and by calcium mobilization in Fura-2/AM-loaded cells. Trypsin and the selective PAR2-activating peptide (PAR2-AP) SLIGRL-NH2stimulated PGE2synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured by enzyme immunoassay. Selective COX inhibition showed PAR2-induced PGE2synthesis to be COX-1 dependent in esophageal myofibroblasts and both COX-1 and COX-2 dependent in colonic cells, consistent with the distribution of COX-1 and COX-2 expression. Although both cytosolic and microsomal PGE synthases were expressed in cells from all tissues, microsomal PGE synthases were expressed at highest levels in the colonic myofibroblasts. Activation of PAR2on gastrointestinal myofibroblasts stimulates PGE2synthesis via different pathways in the colon than in the esophagus and small intestine. Key words: Proteinase-activated receptor, myofibroblast, cyclooxygenase, PGE synthase, prostaglandin E2, esophagus, small intestine, colon.
Characterization of [3H]-forskolin binding sites in young and adult rat brain cortex: identification of suramin as a competitive inhibitor of [3H]-forskolin binding
Authors: Stöhr Jiri , Novotny Jiri , Svoboda Petr
Published: August 2005

Little is know about forskolin binding in the rat brain during ontogenetic development. For this paper, we have characterized specific binding sites for [3H]-forskolin in cerebrocortical membranes from young (12-day-old) and adult (90-day-old) rats. High-affinity, as well as super-high-affinity, [3H]-forskolin binding sites were detected in samples from both age groups tested, and the binding parameters of these sites differed significantly. Whereas the number of high-affinity [3H]-forskolin binding sites was higher by about 50% in adult than in young rats, their affinity was markedly (about 4 times) lower. In the presence of AlF4, the number high-affinity [3H]-forskolin binding sites in samples from young rats rose to the level determined in samples from adult animals, and the number of super-high-affinity sites considerably increased in both age groups. The different characteristics of [3H]-forskolin binding found in cerebrocortical membranes from young and adult rats may be closely related to markedly diminished adenyl cyclase activity in preparations from adult animals. Results of our experiments with suramin indicated that this drug may act as a competitive inhibitor of [3H]-forskolin binding. Key words: rat brain cortex; development; forskolin binding; suramin.
Metabolic and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+cycling responses in human muscle 4 days following prolonged exercise
Authors: Duhamel T A , Green H J , Perco J G , Ouyang J
Published: August 2005

This study investigated the effects of prolonged exercise on muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+cycling properties and the metabolic responses with and without a session of exercise designed to reduce muscle glycogen reserves while on a normal carbohydrate (CHO) diet. Eight untrained males (VO2peak = 3.81 ± 0.12 L/min, mean ± SE) performed a standardized cycle-to-fatigue at 55% VO2peakwhile on a normal CHO diet (Norm CHO) and 4 days following prolonged exercise while on a normal CHO diet (Ex+Norm CHO). Compared to rest, exercise in Norm CHO to fatigue resulted in significant reductions (p < 0.05) in Ca2+uptake (3.17 ± 0.21 vs. 2.47 ± 0.12 µmol·(g protein)–1·min–1), maximal Ca2+ATPase activity (Vmax, 152 ± 12 vs. 119 ± 9 µmol·(g protein)–1·min–1) and both phase 1 (15.1 ± 0.98 vs. 13.1 ± 0.28 µmol·(g protein)–1·min–1) and phase 2 (6.56 ± 0.33 vs. 4.91 ± 0.28 µmol·(g protein)–1·min–1) Ca2+release in vastus lateralis muscle. No differences were observed between Norm CHO and Ex-Norm CHO in the response of these properties to exercise. Compared with Norm CHO, Ex+Norm CHO resulted in higher (p < 0.05) resting Ca2+uptake (3.17 ± 0.21 vs. 3.49 ± 0.24 µmol·(g protein)·min–1and higher ionophore ratio, defined as the ratio of Vmaxmeasured with and without the Ca2+-ionophore A23187, (2.3 ± 0.3 vs. 4.4 ± 0.3 µmol·(g protein)·min–1) at fatigue. No differences were observed between conditions in the concentration of muscle glycogen, the high-energy phosphates (ATP and PCr), or metabolites (Pi, Cr, and lactate). Ex+Norm CHO also failed to modify the exercise-induced changes in CHO and fat oxidation. We conclude that prolonged exercise to fatigue performed 4 days following glycogen-depleting exercise while on a normal CHO diet elevates resting Ca2+uptake and prevents increases in SR membrane permeability to Ca2+as measured by the ionophore ratio. Key words: Ca2+cycling, glycogen depletion, contractile activity, recovery.
Effects of hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol treatment on chylomicron metabolism in hypertensive subjects
Authors: Bernik Márcia MS , Heimann Joel C , Nakandakare Edna R , Cazita Patrícia M , Nunes Valéria S , Rocha Jussara C , Neves Mônica QTS , Quintão Eder CR
Published: August 2005

Modifications in chylomicron metabolism caused by antihypertensive drugs were investigated in hypertensive subjects because previous studies had indicated that diuretics and beta-blockers modify the plasma lipid concentrations through mechanisms that were not fully understood. A triglyceride-rich emulsion resembling lymph chylomicrons, labeled with (3H) triolein and (14C) cholesteryl oleate, was infused intravenously into mildly hypertensive patients after 8 weeks on placebo and subsequently on hydrochlorothiazide (n = 10) or propranolol (n = 8). The residence time of both radioactivities in plasma was utilized for the simultaneous calculation of the particle remnant removal rate and of the lipoprotein lipase activity expressed as a delipidation index = 1  [(3H) triolein residence time/(14C) cholesteryl oleate residence time]. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide diminished the delipidation rate value whereas propranolol mildly increased the removal rate of the remnant particle. These alterations of the chylomicron kinetics were not accompanied by changes in plasma triglycerides, glucose, and insulin concentration as measured in the fasting state. The impairment of the lipoprotein lipase activity by thiazides and the faster removal rate of the whole particle by propranolol could explain the reason why in previous clinical studies the simultaneous use of these drugs does not aggravate the hyperlipidemia known to be induced by thiazides alone. Key words: hydrochlorothiazide, propranolol, hypertension, plasma lipoproteins, chylomicron metabolism.
THREE CYCLIC BRANCHED COVERS SUFFICE TO DETERMINE HYPERBOLIC KNOTS
Authors: PAOLUZZI LUISA
Published: August 2005

Let n > m > 2 be two fixed coprime integers. We prove that two Conway reducible, hyperbolic knots sharing the 2-fold, m-fold and n-fold cyclic branched covers are equivalent. Using previous results by Zimmermann we prove that this implies that a hyperbolic knot is determined by any three of its cyclic branched covers.
ON VASSILIEV INVARIANTS OF ORDER TWO FOR STRING LINKS
Authors: MEILHAN JEAN-BAPTISTE
Published: August 2005

We show that the Casson knot invariant, linking number and Milnor's triple linking number, together with a certain 2-string link invariant V2, are necessary and sufficient to express any string link Vassiliev invariant of order two. Explicit combinatorial formulas are given for these invariants. This result is applied to the theory of claspers for string links.
INTERRELATION OF INTRINSIC DEFECTS AND OPTICAL ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF LITHIUM NIOBATE (LiNbO3) CRYSTALS
Authors: NGURAH MADE D. P. , SAHAR M. R. , SUDIN Md. RADZI
Published: August 2005

The optical absorption of pure lithium niobate ( LiNbO3 ) single crystals were measured from the ultraviolet to the visible range with the incident light being parallel to the z axis of the crystals. The wavelength dependence of the absorption coefficient α and its root α1/2 (α versus hν and α1/2 versus hν, respectively) were calculated and the characteristics of the absorption edges were discussed. The absorption edges below 3.6 eV of all samples are attributable to indirect transition. The energy gap Eg and E′g of the crystals, which correspond to the direct transition and the indirect transition, respectively, and the energy of phonons Ep taking part in the indirect transition were calculated. It was found that the energy band structure depends on [ Li ]/[ Nb ] ratio of lithium niobate crystals. The change of E′g may be attributable to the distortion of energy band structures resulting from the intrinsic defects.
CYTOCHROME P450 AND XENOBIOTIC RECEPTOR HUMANIZED MICE
Authors: Gonzalez Frank J. , Yu Ai-Ming
Published: August 2005

▪ Abstract  Most xenobiotics that enter the body are subjected to metabolism that functions primarily to facilitate their elimination. Metabolism of certain xenobiotics can also result in the production of electrophilic derivatives that can cause cell toxicity and transformation. Many xenobiotics can also activate receptors that in turn induce the expression of genes encoding xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and xenobiotic transporters. However, there are marked species differences in the way mammals respond to xenobiotics, which are due in large part to molecular differences in receptors and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. This presents a problem in extrapolating data obtained with rodent model systems to humans. There are also polymorphisms in xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes that can impact drug therapy and cancer susceptibility. In an effort to generate more reliable in vivo systems to study and predict human response to xenobiotics, humanized mice are under development.
Sex-based physiology prior to political correctness
Authors: Miller Virginia M.
Published: August 2005

This essay examines the historical significance of an APS classic paper that is freely available online: Critchlow V, Liebelt RA, Bar-Sela M, Mountcastle W, and Lipscomb HS. Sex difference in resting pituitary-adrenal function in the rat. Am J Physiol 205: 807–815, 1963 ( http://ajplegacy.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/205/5/807 ).
Effects of Time of Day of Treatment on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Pattern of Patients With Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Hermida Ramón C. , Ayala Diana E. , Calvo Carlos , López José E. , Mojón Artemio , Fontao María J. , Soler Rita , Fernández José R.
Published: August 2005

Patients with resistant hypertension present high prevalence of a non-dipper blood pressure pattern. Recent results indicate that non-dipping is related partly to the absence of 24-hour therapeutic coverage in patients treated with single morning doses. Accordingly, we investigated the impact of treatment time on the blood pressure pattern in 700 patients with resistant hypertension on the basis of clinic measurements who were studied by 48-hour ambulatory monitoring. Among them, 299 patients received all their medication on awakening, and 401 were taking ≥1 antihypertensive drug at bedtime. The percentage of patients with controlled ambulatory blood pressure was double in patients taking 1 drug at bedtime (
P
=0.008). Among the 578 patients with true resistant hypertension, subjects receiving 1 drug at bedtime showed a significant reduction in the 24-hour mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (3.1 and 1.6 mm Hg, respectively;
P
<0.011). This reduction was much more prominent during nighttime (5.1 and 3.0 mm Hg;
P
<0.001). Accordingly, the diurnal/nocturnal blood pressure ratio was significantly increased by 2.7 and the prevalence on non-dipping reduced (56.9 versus 81.9%;
P
<0.001) in patients taking 1 drug at bedtime. Compared with patients receiving all drugs on awakening, subjects with 1 drug at bedtime also showed significant reductions in the average values of glucose, cholesterol, fibrinogen, and urinary albumin excretion (
P
<0.011). In patients with resistant hypertension, pharmacological therapy should take into account when to treat with respect to the rest–activity cycle of each patient to improve control and to avoid the non-dipper pattern associated to higher cardiovascular risk.
Effects of Captopril on the Renin Angiotensin System, Oxidative Stress, and Endothelin in Normal and Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Bolterman Rodney J. , Manriquez Melissa C. , Ruiz M. Clara Ortiz , Juncos Luis A. , Romero J. Carlos
Published: August 2005

There is substantial evidence suggesting that angiotensin II plays an important role in elevating blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats, despite normal plasma renin activity, and that converting enzyme inhibitors (captopril) can effectively normalize blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rats. One mechanism by which angiotensin II induces hypertension is via oxidative stress and endothelin, as seen in subpressor angiotensin II–induced hypertension. In fact, it has been shown that antioxidants lower mean arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. However, the relationship between angiotensin II, oxidative stress, and endothelin in the spontaneously hypertensive rats is still relatively undefined. This study examines the relationship between mean arterial pressure, plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, oxidative stress, and endothelin in spontaneously hypertensive rats compared with normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats, and the effects of captopril on this association. Untreated spontaneously hypertensive rats had increased plasma angiotensin II levels despite normal plasma renin activity, oxidative stress, and endothelin. Captopril treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats lowered mean arterial pressure, angiotensin II, oxidative stress, and endothelin, and increased plasma renin activity. In contrast, captopril increased plasma renin activity (suggesting effective captopril treatment) but did not significantly alter mean arterial pressure, angiotensin II, oxidative stress, or endothelin of Wistar Kyoto rats. These results suggest that in spontaneously hypertensive rats, angiotensin II is a primary instigator of hypertension, and that captopril selectively lowers angiotensin II, oxidant stress, and endothelin, which in turn may contribute to the blood pressure-lowering efficacy of captopril in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Arterial Compression of the Retro-Olivary Sulcus of the Ventrolateral Medulla in Essential Hypertension and Diabetes
Authors: Nicholas Joyce S. , D’Agostino Sabino J. , Patel Sunil J.
Published: August 2005

Pulsatile arterial compression in the retro-olivary sulcus along the surface of the ventrolateral medulla has been postulated as a mechanism in both essential hypertension and diabetes. The objective of this study was to test the independent effect of arterial compression in the retro-olivary sulcus on each of these diseases, using separate logistic regression models to control for other known risk factors. Study design was case–control. The study population consisted of 147 consecutive patients treated for neurological conditions requiring MRI of the posterior cranial fossa. Information on essential hypertension, diabetes, and risk factors for each disease was abstracted from medical records. Presence of arterial compression was determined by blinded review of magnetic resonance images. In the essential hypertension analysis, odds of arterial compression among hypertensive patients were 2.99-times the odds among normotensive subjects (
P
=0.04), controlling for hypertension risk factors such as age, body mass index, race, diabetes, and family history of hypertension. Of compressed hypertensive subjects, 56% were compressed on the left and 44% were compressed on the right. In the diabetes analysis, odds of arterial compression among diabetic subjects were 1.14-times the odds among nondiabetic subjects (
P
=0.83). Of compressed diabetic subjects, 60% were compressed on the left, and 40% were compressed on the right. Results suggest that arterial compression of the retro-olivary sulcus may be an independent risk factor for essential hypertension in this population, supporting the postulate for a treatable (with microvascular decompression) neural mechanism for essential hypertension. However, in the diabetic population, the slight increase in the odds of arterial compression was not significant.
Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Kapetanakis S. , Kearney M.T. , Siva A. , Gall N. , Cooklin M. , Monaghan M.J.
Published: August 2005

Background—

Left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) has emerged as a therapeutic target using cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in selected patients with chronic heart failure. Current methods used to evaluate LVMD are technically difficult and do not assess LVMD of the whole LV simultaneously. We developed and validated real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) as a novel method to assess global LVMD.

Methods and Results—

Eighty-nine healthy volunteers and 174 unselected patients referred for routine echocardiography underwent 2D echocardiography and RT3DE. RT3DE data sets provided time-volume analysis for global and segmental LV volumes. A systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) was derived from the dispersion of time to minimum regional volume for all 16 LV segments. Healthy subjects and patients with normal LV systolic function had highly synchronized segmental function (SDI, 3.5±1.8% and 4.5±2.4%;
P
=0.7). SDI increased with worsening LV systolic function regardless of QRS duration (mild, 5.4±0.83%; moderate, 10.0±2%; severe LV dysfunction, 15.6±1%;
P
for trend <0.001). We found that 37% of patients with moderate to severe LV systolic dysfunction had significant dyssynchrony with normal QRS durations (SDI, 14.7±1.2%). Twenty-six patients underwent CRT. At long-term follow-up, responders demonstrated reverse remodeling after CRT with a significant reduction in SDI (16.9±1.1% to 6.9±1%;
P
<0.0001) and end-diastolic volume (196.6±17.3 to 132.1±13.5 mL;
P
<0.0001) associated with an increase in LV ejection fraction (17±2.2% to 31.6±2.9%;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

RT3DE can quantify global LVMD in patients with and without QRS prolongation. RT3DE represents a novel technique to identify chronic heart failure patients who may otherwise not be considered for CRT.
START Trial
Authors: van Royen Niels , Schirmer Stephan H. , Atasever Bektas , Behrens Casper Y.H. , Ubbink Dirk , Buschmann Eva E. , Voskuil Michiel , Bot Pieter , Hoefer Imo , Schlingemann Reinier O. , Biemond Bart J. , Tijssen J.G. , Bode Christoph , Schaper Wolfgang , Oskam Jacques , Legemate Dink A. , Piek Jan J. , Buschmann Ivo
Published: August 2005

Background—

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was recently shown to increase collateral flow index in patients with coronary artery disease. Experimental models showed beneficial effects of GM-CSF on collateral artery growth in the peripheral circulation. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of GM-CSF in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Methods and Results—

A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed in 40 patients with moderate or severe intermittent claudication. Patients were treated with placebo or subcutaneously applied GM-CSF (10 μg/kg) for a period of 14 days (total of 7 injections). GM-CSF treatment led to a strong increase in total white blood cell count and C-reactive protein. Monocyte fraction initially increased but thereafter decreased significantly as compared with baseline. Both the placebo group and the treatment group showed a significant increase in walking distance at day 14 (placebo: 127±67 versus 184±87 meters,
P
=0.03, GM-CSF: 126±66 versus 189±141 meters,
P
=0.04) and at day 90. Change in walking time, the primary end point of the study, was not different between groups. No change in ankle-brachial index was found on GM-CSF treatment at day 14 or at day 90. Laser Doppler flowmetry measurements showed a significant decrease in microcirculatory flow reserve in the control group (
P
=0.03) and no change in the GM-CSF group.

Conclusions—

The present study does not support the use of GM-CSF for treatment of patients with moderate or severe intermittent claudication. Issues that need to be addressed are dosing, the selection of patients, and potential differences between GM-CSF effects in the coronary and the peripheral circulation.
Native C-Reactive Protein Increases Whereas Modified C-Reactive Protein Reduces Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Knockout Mice
Authors: Schwedler Susanne B. , Amann Kerstin , Wernicke Konstanze , Krebs Alexander , Nauck Matthias , Wanner Christoph , Potempa Lawrence A. , Galle Jan
Published: August 2005

Background—

C-reactive protein (CRP) may have proatherogenic but also vasoprotective properties. We tested the hypothesis that the configuration of CRP (pentameric, or native [nCRP], versus monomeric, or modified [mCRP]) determines these different characteristics in an in vivo model.

Methods and Results—

We investigated the effects of human nCRP and mCRP on the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–knockout (ApoE
−/−
) mice. Treatment with nCRP for 8 weeks (2.5 mg/kg SC weekly) resulted in a 4-fold-higher mean aortic plaque area in 14-week-old female ApoE
−/−
mice compared with the saline controls. In contrast, mean plaque size was decreased by ≈50% in mCRP-treated ApoE
−/−
mice (2.5 mg/kg SC weekly). Using immunohistochemistry, we report the natural presence of the mCRP antigen in saline controls. mCRP antigen was expressed in smooth muscle cells and extracellularly in the vicinity of the plaques to a similar level in both CRP-treated groups and saline controls. mCRP and ApoB colocalized with macrophages and were equally upregulated in all aortic plaques. Vascular cell adhesion molecule expression was increased, and CD154 and intercellular adhesion molecule showed a trend for higher expression in nCRP-treated compared with mCRP-treated mice. CD154 expression in the vessel wall and plaque size correlated significantly. mCRP-treated ApoE
−/−
exhibited higher serum levels of the antiinflammatory interleukin-10 compared with the other 2 groups.

Conclusions—

Here, we show that mCRP and nCRP have opposite effects on atherosclerosis in ApoE
−/−
mice. These data may explain in part the conflicting activities previously reported for CRP in models of atherogenesis.
Impact of Island-Induced Clouds on Surface Measurements: Analysis of the ARM Nauru Island Effect Study Data
Authors: McFarlane Sally A. , Long Charles N. , Flynn Donna M.
Published: August 2005

An Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) was established on the island of Nauru by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program. Analysis of the Nauru99 field experiment data indicated that measurements at the ARCS were affected by a cloud plume that was induced by diurnal heating of the island. During the Nauru Island Effects Study, instrumentation was installed at a second site to develop criteria for identifying when the cloud plume occurs and to quantify its effect on ARCS measurements. The plume directional heading and frequency of occurrence are affected by the large-scale tropical circulation. During the present study, in which an El Niño was developing, Nauru was in a region of active convection, and easterly trade winds were not dominant; plumes were observed in 25% of satellite images, and only one-half of the observed plumes were downwind of the ARCS site. Surface wind direction, surface air temperature, and downwelling solar radiation at the two sites were used to identify periods when the cloud plume affected surface measurements. Differences in low-cloud frequency and surface radiation between plume-affected and non-plume-affected periods were examined. Existence of the cloud plume increased the average low-cloud frequency of occurrence from 20% to 35%, decreased the average downwelling shortwave radiation by 50–60 W m−2, and increased the average downwelling longwave radiation by 5–10 W m−2. Installing a suite of surface meteorological instruments and a global shortwave radiometer at a second site will allow for the long-term quantification of the cloud plume effect on the radiation field at the ARCS site.
Temporal and Spatial Changes of the Agroclimate in Alberta, Canada, from 1901 to 2002
Authors: Shen S. S. P. , Yin H. , Cannon K. , Howard A. , Chetner S. , Karl T. R.
Published: August 2005

This paper analyzes the long-term (1901–2002) temporal trends in the agroclimate of Alberta, Canada, and explores the spatial variations of the agroclimatic resources and the potential crop-growing area in Alberta. Nine agroclimatic parameters are investigated: May–August precipitation (PCPN), the start of growing season (SGS), the end of the growing season (EGS), the length of the growing season (LGS), the date of the last spring frost (LSF), the date of the first fall frost (FFF), the length of the frost-free period (FFP), growing degree-days (GDDs), and corn heat units (CHUs). The temporal trends in the agroclimatic parameters are analyzed by using linear regression. The significance tests of the trends are made by using Kendall’s tau method. The results support the following conclusions. 1) The Alberta PCPN has increased 14% from 1901 to 2002, and the increment is the largest in the north and the northwest of Alberta, then diminishes (or even becomes negative over two small areas) in central and southern Alberta, and finally becomes large again in the southeast corner of the province. 2) No significant long-term trends are found for the SGS, EGS, and LGS. 3) An earlier LSF, a later FFF, and a longer FFP are obvious all over the province. 4) The area with sufficient CHU for corn production, calculated according to the 1973–2002 normal, has extended to the north by about 200–300 km, when compared with the 1913–32 normal, and by about 50–100 km, when compared with the 1943–72 normal; this expansion implies that the potential exists to grow crops and raise livestock in more regions of Alberta than was possible in the past. The annual total precipitation follows a similar increasing trend to that of the May–August precipitation, and the percentile analysis of precipitation attributes the increase to low-intensity events. The changes of the agroclimatic parameters imply that Alberta agriculture has benefited from the last century’s climate change.
Error Statistics of VPR Corrections in Stratiform Precipitation
Authors: Bellon Aldo , Lee Gyu Won , Zawadzki Isztar
Published: August 2005

Errors in surface rainfall estimates that are caused by ignoring the vertical profile of reflectivity (VPR) and range effects have been assessed by simulating how fine-resolution 3D reflectivity measurements at close ranges are sampled by the radar at various ranges and heights. Uncorrected and corrected accumulations from 33 events of mainly stratiform precipitation, with a recognizable melting layer for over 250 h, have been generated using two basic procedures: (a) the “near range” or “inner” VPR and (b) the intensity-dependent “climatological” VPR. The root-mean-square (rms) error structure has been derived as a function of height and range, for accumulations ranging from 5 min to 2 h, for various brightband heights and verification areas. However, it is the errors along the lowest default height that are most relevant. The stratification of the results by the height of the bright band is essential to understand the influence of the bright band with range. The largest errors (>100% at near ranges without correction) are encountered with lower and stronger bright bands. After correction, errors of less than 20% can be achieved with method “a” but only over large verification areas (>100 km2), with long accumulation intervals (>45 min), with bright bands that are relatively high (>2.5 km), and for ranges within ∼130 km. The climatological correction yields errors that are roughly 2 times as large. The results with the inner VPR method can only be obtained by assuming conditions of spatial homogeneity in the VPR structure of the rainfall fields. Simulations of the VPR variability have indicated that larger errors are to be expected in real-time operations, particularly when measurements are made inside the bright band. The magnitude of these errors may approach those of a “realistic climatological” correction that incorporates some uncertainty in the brightband height.
Interannual Variations of Aerosol Optical Depth over Coastal India: Relation to Synoptic Meteorology
Authors: Saha Auromeet , Moorthy K. Krishna , Niranjan K.
Published: August 2005

Interannual variations in spectral aerosol optical depths (AOD) were examined using the data obtained from a chain of ground-based multiwavelength solar radiometers from various locations of the Indian peninsula during the dry winter season (January–March) of 1996–2001. All of the stations revealed significant interannual variations, even though the spatial pattern of the variations differed over the years. These interannual variations were found to be significantly influenced by the extent of the southward excursion of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The years in which the southward excursion of the ITCZ was less (i.e., the years when the wintertime ITCZ was closer to the equator) showed higher AODs than the years in which the ITCZ moved far southward. The spatial variation was found to be influenced by large-scale vertical descent of an air mass over peninsular India, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal.
Comparison of Soil Hydraulic Parameterizations for Mesoscale Meteorological Models
Authors: Braun Frank J. , Schädler Gerd
Published: August 2005

Soil water contents, calculated with seven soil hydraulic parameterizations, that is, soil hydraulic functions together with the corresponding parameter sets, are compared with observational data. The parameterizations include the Campbell/Clapp–Hornberger parameterization that is often used by meteorologists and the van Genuchten/Rawls–Brakensiek parameterization that is widespread among hydrologists. The observations include soil water contents at several soil depths and atmospheric surface data; they were obtained within the Regio Klima Projekt (REKLIP) at three sites in the Rhine Valley in southern Germany and cover up to 3 yr with 10-min temporal resolution. Simulations of 48-h episodes, as well as series of daily simulations initialized anew every 24 h and covering several years, were performed with the “VEG3D” soil–vegetation model in stand-alone mode; furthermore, 48-h episodes were simulated with the model coupled to a one-dimensional atmospheric model. For the cases and soil types considered in this paper, the van Genuchten/Rawls–Brakensiek model gives the best agreement between observed and simulated soil water contents on average. Especially during episodes with medium and high soil water content, the van Genuchten/Rawls–Brakensiek model performs better than the Campbell/Clapp–Hornberger model.
The Expository Times: Making New Connections
Authors: Jack Alison
Published: August 2005

The Expository Times has had a long and distinguished history of serving the needs of ministers and bridging the gap between academic research and parish work. The time has now come to look again at the direction and content of the journal. Next month’s edition will introduce changes which we hope will meet the needs of present and new readers.
‘Brood of Vipers’ (Matthew 3.7; 12.34; 23.33)
Authors: Keener Craig S.
Published: August 2005

According to a widespread tradition in the ancient Mediterranean world (attested in Herodotus, Aelian, Pliny and other writers), vipers killed their mother during their birth, hence were associated with parent-murder. Ancient writers sometimes used parent-murder as an example of one of the worst conceivable crimes, one that invited divine vengeance. Whereas Matthew’s source may apply the image of vipers’ offspring generally to the crowds listening to John the Baptist, Matthew applies it specifically to the Pharisees in all three of the passages where he recounts the image. In two of these instances the Pharisees claim honorable descent; Matthew ironically inverts the value of this claim through this image of vipers’ parent-murder. Matthew utilizes the image for his intra-Jewish polemic, contending that his Jewish-Christian hearers are truer heirs of the patriarchs and prophets than the Pharisees are.
The Myth of the ‘Traditional View of Paul’ and the Role of the Apostle in Modern Jewish-Christian Polemics
Authors: Langton Daniel R.
Published: August 2005

This is the first of two related studies of Jewish approaches to the apostle Paul. The context of the first is that of Jewish-Christian dialogue, while the context of the second is that of intra-Jewish ideological debate. Rarely mentioned by Jewish writers before the nineteenth century, the Apostle to the Gentiles took his place as the Great Apostate in the popular Jewish imagination only in the modern period. Jewish Pauline scholarship proper developed alongside the nineteenth- and twentieth-century reclamation of Jesus as a Jew. The primary context in which Paul’s background and teachings were considered was that of interfaith polemic; the apostle functioned as a means by which individual writers could explore the relationship between Judaism and Christianity more generally. Some of the key figures considered in this schematic survey of the history of the Jewish interpretation of Paul include Heinrich Graetz, Isaac Meyer Wise, Claude Montefiore, Kaufman Kohler, Joseph Krauskaupf, Martin Buber, Hyam Maccoby, Pinchas Lapide and Mark Nanos.
From Priestly Torah to Christ Cultus: The Re-Vision of Covenant and Cult in Hebrews
Authors: Haber Susan
Published: August 2005

Scholars have long recognized the association between covenant and cult in Hebrews. In this epistle the categories of covenant, priesthood and sacrifice are used to validate the continuity of the Christ event with Israelite tradition. Inevitably, however, these comparative categories are also the means by which the discontinuity of the Israelite tradition is affirmed, as the Mosaic covenant and the Levitical cult are replaced by a new covenant in Christ, as well as a new Christ cultus. This investigation focuses on the epistle’s criticism of the Jewish covenant and cult, and demonstrates that its persistent and systematic dismantling of the Levitical code is part of a larger polemic against Judaism.
Communicating Political Economy
Authors: Markusen Ann
Published: August 2005

Good political economic thought and research often fail to reach intended audiences or motivate the change its creators envision because of communication failure. I present a series of techniques for strengthening the writing and oral dissemination of political economic work, drawing on writing teachers from the political and creative writing spheres. The techniques include developing a powerful voice and freeing it from an internal censor, understanding one’s audience, and working with peer feedback. I argue that learning and using these techniques will not only improve the political impact of our work but strengthen the originality of our academic research and writing. Communicative writing and speaking is not enough, but it is a first crucial step in linking theory and research to effective practice.
Engaged Pedagogy and Political Economy
Authors: Rose Nancy E.
Published: August 2005

This article describes the author’s motivations for and development of elements of radical, or engaged, pedagogy in upper-division political economy courses.
Historical Chronology after the Exile according to 1 Enoch 89-90
Authors: Olson Daniel C.
Published: August 2005

The inaccurate historical chronologies of Dan. 9.24-27 and schemas based upon it have contributed to a general denigration of Jewish chronographical capability in the post-Exilic era. But the four-empire rule of the 70 angel-shepherds in the latter part of the ‘Animal Apocalypse’ ( 1 En. 89.59-90.19), a document contemporary with Daniel 9, provides enough data to test the author’s competence in historical chronography. The empires plausibly represent periods of 84 + 162 + 161 + 84 years, for a total of 490 years between the Exile and the Eschaton, similar to Dan. 9.24-27. Since the beginning of the period of the second empire can be dated with some confidence to 520 BCE, dates for the other three periods fall into place automatically, and in each case they fit real history accurately. A re-evaluation of Jewish chronographical capability in the post-Exilic era may be in order.
Eusebius, Polyhistor and Ezekiel
Authors: Jacobson Howard
Published: August 2005

Careful analysis of Eusebius’ technique in quoting historical sources, and accurate assessment and translation of the Greek he used in introducing such quotations, indicates beyond doubt that he did not quote Ezekiel’s play Exagoge directly, but through the mention of Alexander Polyhistor. Recognition of this state of affairs demonstrates that the Moses-exaltation motif in Ezekiel’s drama is properly to be located in the Hellenistic, rather than in the Christian, period.
Garfinkel’s Conception of Time
Authors: Rawls Anne Warfield
Published: August 2005

Garfinkel articulates a significant conception of time - as situated and sequential - that works in tandem with his rendering of social order in terms of situated practices. However, because his treatment of the actor, action, group and time in situated terms differs significantly from more conventional theoretical approaches, critics have often mistakenly interpreted Garfinkel as focused on the individual, and indifferent to the significance of social structures, and their relations through time. What Garfinkel focuses on are practices, not individuals, and he argues that practices constitute the essential foundations of social structure. Given this view, the time dimension of practice is the significant time dimension for any study of communication and/or social order, which are both constituted in and through situations defined by mutual orientation toward practice.
Dalit Women and the Struggle for Justice in a World of Global Capitalism
Authors: Grey Mary
Published: August 2005

This article tackles caste-based poverty by a focus on the position of Dalit women in India. Of 200 million Dalits (= former Untouchables), nearly 50% are women, often referred to a ‘thrice Dalit’, as they suffer from the triple oppressions of poverty, being female and being female Dalits. They are frequently let down by both the Dalit movement itself as well as the women’s movement in India that focuses more on social problems like dowry deaths—more relevant for caste women and not those outside the caste system. Many Dalit women are denied access to education, to meaningful employment, health provision and are the first to suffer the negative effects of globalization. Access to upper caste wells is forbidden. Worst of all, Dalit women are exposed to many forms of violence (including temple prostitution) and are frequently raped as a way to humiliate Dalit men. The degrading work of ‘scavenging’—removing human excrement-falls mostly on Dalit women, since men are more likely to be ‘upwardly-mobile’. Despite all of this, a new strength now emerges in challenging caste boundaries, contributing to self esteem and a stronger sense of identity. The strong spirituality of Dalit women has sustained strength through songs and stories, and in some cases by subverting patriarchy through ironically re-shaping traditional myths. The article ends by suggesting forms of action from Church, society and feminist theology to show solidarity and effect social change for Dalit women.
Organizational communication and awareness: a novel solution for health informatics
Authors: Adams Anne , Blandford Ann , Budd Dawn , Bailey Neil
Published: August 2005

As organizations grow larger and more distributed, the problems of maintaining corporate awareness and effective communication channels escalate. The clinical domain poses particular challenges to maintaining good corporate communications because users have limited time to access information and often have negative technology perceptions. This article highlights how a screen saver application, initially designed to increase privacy and security, developed into a new communication medium improving corporate communication across the organization. An ethnographic study of the application within a hospital setting, analysed using grounded theory methods, details the iterative and organic development of the design through ‘community of practice’ involvement. This application and the evolutionary process through which it was developed were found to not only increase awareness of resources, activities and hospital changes but also positively influence users’ perceptions of, involvement in and ownership of general IT developments. User involvement also raised the importance, for the designers, of application usability, quality and aesthetics.
Global expression profiling of theophylline response genes in macrophages: evidence of airway anti-inflammatory regulation
Authors: Yao Pei-Li , Tsai Meng-Feng , Lin Yi-Chen , Wang Chien-Hsun , Liao Wei-Yu , Chen Jeremy JW , Yang Pan-Chyr
Published: August 2005

Background

Theophylline has been used widely as a bronchodilator for the treatment of bronchial asthma and has been suggested to modulate immune response. While the importance of macrophages in asthma has been reappraised and emphasized, their significance has not been well investigated. We conducted a genome-wide profiling of the gene expressions of macrophages in response to theophylline.

Methods

Microarray technology was used to profile the gene expression patterns of macrophages modulated by theophylline. Northern blot and real-time quantitative RT-PCR were also used to validate the microarray data, while Western blot and ELISA were used to measure the levels of IL-13 and LTC4.

Results

We identified dozens of genes in macrophages that were dose-dependently down- or up-regulated by theophylline. These included genes related to inflammation, cytokines, signaling transduction, cell adhesion and motility, cell cycle regulators, and metabolism. We observed that IL-13, a central mediator of airway inflammation, was dramatically suppressed by theophylline. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA analyses also confirmed these results, without respect to PMA-treated THP-1 cells or isolated human alveolar macrophages. Theophylline, rolipram, etazolate, db-cAMP and forskolin suppressed both IL-13 mRNA expression (~25%, 2.73%, 8.12%, 5.28%, and 18.41%, respectively) and protein secretion (<10% production) in macrophages. These agents also effectively suppressed LTC4 expression.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the suppression of IL-13 by theophylline may be through cAMP mediation and may decrease LTC4 production. This study supports the role of theophylline as a signal regulator of inflammation, and that down regulation of IL-13 by theophylline may have beneficial effects in inflammatory airway diseases.