bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining radio occultation refractivities and IR/MW radiances to derive temperature and moisture profiles: A simulation study plus early results using CHAMP and ATOVS
Authors: Borbás Éva , Menzel W. Paul , Li Jun , Woolf Harold M.
Published: November 2003

This paper examines whether the Global Positioning System radio occultation (GPS/RO) measurements of the tropopause region improve tropospheric profile retrievals from infrared and microwave radiometric measurements with the Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (ATOVS) on current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar orbiting satellites and with the future high spectral resolution infrared measurements from the Cross‐track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) planned for the NOAA Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). The paper presents a simulation study wherein statistical regressions are used to infer temperature and moisture retrievals from ATOVS or CrIS brightness temperatures and GPS/RO refractivity data. The ATOVS and GPS/RO combination yields tropospheric profiles in better agreement with radiosondes than profiles inferred from either system alone; GPS/RO improves ATOVS temperature retrievals around the tropopause by 0.8 K and ATOVS tropospheric moisture retrievals by 2.5%. When the infrared measurements are improved to CrIS quality, with over 1000 spectral measurements, the addition of GPS/RO improves temperature retrieval agreement with radiosondes by 0.4 K around and above the tropopause. The paper also presents results from combining real GPS/RO (CHAMP, Challenging Minisatellite Payload) and sounder (ATOVS) data. CHAMP data are evaluated against collocated radiosonde and Numerical Weather Prediction model profiles. Using CHAMP data to establish a regression relationship, real GPS/RO data are found to improve the ATOVS temperature retrievals by 0.5 K near the tropopause.
Functional stochastic modeling and prediction of spatiotemporal processes
Authors: Ruiz‐Medina M. D. , Alonso F. J. , Angulo J. M. , Bueso M. C.
Published: November 2003

Many geophysical processes exhibit complex spatiotemporal interaction. In this paper a class of nonstationary statistical models with finite‐order autoregressive spatiotemporal dynamics is introduced. The associated prediction problem is solved by implementing the Kalman filter in terms of multivariate versions of the spatial Karhunen‐Loève and wavelet transforms. To illustrate the methodology, the AR(2) spatiotemporal interaction model is considered to represent a spatiotemporal data set from near‐surface wind speed. The implementation of the Kalman filter is achieved in terms of the method of moments and the principal component analysis.
Influence of the Arctic Oscillation and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on ice conditions in the Baltic Sea: The wavelet approach
Authors: Jevrejeva S. , Moore J. C. , Grinsted A.
Published: November 2003

Variability in time series of ice conditions in the Baltic Sea is examined within the context of atmospheric circulation represented by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO) winter indices using the wavelet approach. We develop methods of assessing statistical significance and confidence intervals of cross‐wavelet phase and wavelet coherence. Cross‐wavelet power for the time series indicates that the times of largest variance in ice conditions are in excellent agreement with significant power in the AO at 2.2–3.5, 5.7–7.8, and 12–20 year periods, similar patterns are also seen with the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and Niño3 sea surface temperature (Niño3) series. Wavelet coherence shows in‐phase linkages between the 2.2–7.8 and 12–20 year period signals in both tropical and Arctic atmospheric circulation and also with ice conditions in the Baltic Sea. These results are consistent with GCM simulations showing dynamical connections between high‐latitude surface conditions, tropical sea surface temperatures mediated by tropical wave propagation, the wintertime polar vortex, and the AO and with models of sea ice and oceanic feedbacks at decadal periods.
Investigation of the near‐surface soil freeze‐thaw cycle in the contiguous United States: Algorithm development and validation
Authors: Zhang T. , Armstrong R. L. , Smith J.
Published: November 2003

A combined frozen soil algorithm was developed and validated to detect the near‐surface soil freeze/thaw cycle over snow‐free and snow‐covered land areas in the contiguous United States. The combined frozen soil algorithm consists of two parts. (1) Over snow‐free land areas, a passive microwave remote sensing algorithm was used to detect the near‐surface soil freeze/thaw cycle. (2) Over snow‐covered land areas, a one‐dimensional numerical heat transfer model with phase change was used to detect soil freeze/thaw status under snow cover. Using the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) data, the passive microwave algorithm uses a negative spectral gradient between 19 and 37 GHz, vertically polarized brightness temperatures, and a cutoff brightness temperature at 37 GHz with vertical polarization (TB(37V)). SSM/I data and soil temperature data from 26 stations over the contiguous United States from 2 year period, 1 July 1997 through 30 June 1999, were used to calibrate the algorithm (year 1), to validate the algorithm (year 2), and to demonstrate freeze/thaw classification (both years). A cutoff brightness temperature of 258.2 K was obtained on the basis of a linear correlation (r2 = 0.84) between the soil temperature at 5 cm depth and the TB(37V). The combined frozen soil algorithm provides an accuracy for frozen soil detection of about 76% and an accuracy for the correct classification of both frozen and unfrozen soils of approximately 83% with a percent error of about 17%. The combined frozen soil algorithm was used to investigate the timing, duration and number of days, and daily area extent of near‐surface frozen soils over the study area. The primary results indicate that the maximum area extent of frozen ground during the winter of 1997/1998 was about 4.4 × 106 km2 or 63% of the total land area of the contiguous United States, while during the winter of 1998/1999, the maximum extent was about 5.2 × 106 km2 or 74%. The duration of the soil freeze ranges from less than 1 month in the south to over 8 months in the Rocky Mountains. The actual number of days of soil freezing varies from a few weeks to more than several months. The number of near‐surface soil freeze/thaw cycles varied from 1 to more than 11 during the winters of 1997/1998 and 1998/1999, while the average length frozen period varied from less than 20 days to more than 220 days.
A stochastic modeling approach for characterizing the spatial structure of L band radiobrightness temperature imagery
Authors: Parada Laura M. , Liang Xu
Published: November 2003

This study focuses on the statistical characterization of the spatial structure of L band microwave radiobrightness temperature fields retrieved during the Southern Great Plains hydrology experiment of 1997 (SGP97). It is found that the radiobrightness temperature observations of interest can be considered nonstationary scaling processes that exhibit persistence or long memory. This implies that the spatial dependence of observations decays very slowly at large separation distances such that models with exponentially decaying autocorrelation (e.g., autoregressive moving average models or exponential models commonly used in geostatistics) are not appropriate. It is further shown that the radiobrightness temperature fields retrieved during SGP97 exhibit distinct scaling behaviors along the horizontal (west to east) and vertical (south to north) directions. A two‐dimensional implementation of the fractionally integrated moving average (FIMA) time series model is shown capable of capturing the spatial autocovariance structure of the observations. The results presented evince that the FIMA paradigm allows for robust estimation of distinct scaling exponents along the horizontal and vertical directions both in stationary and nonstationary situations. Comparisons to alternative heuristic methods for determining the scaling exponent(s) further demonstrate that FIMA models yield estimates with superior accuracy. Additionally, within the FIMA framework it is possible to jointly and accurately model the spatial dependence of radiobrightness temperature for observations separated by short and long distances.
Recent advances in space‐time statistics with applications to environmental data: An overview
Authors: Mateu J. , Montes F. , Fuentes M.
Published: November 2003

This paper introduces a special section based on general environmental scientific problems, with a particular focus on using atmospheric data. All the papers and authors provide the methodology to study, analyze, predict, and evaluate the spatial‐temporal behavior and the complicated spatial‐temporal structure of the data. The overall aim is to present up‐to‐date developments in spatial and spatiotemporal statistics in the field of the atmosphere, to present on‐going research, and to discuss important problems to be addressed in the near future.
One Hundred Years of Social Psychology Quantitatively Described
Authors: Richard F. D. , Bond Charles F. , Stokes-Zoota Juli J.
Published: November 2003

This article compiles results from a century of social psychological research, more than 25,000 studies of 8 million people. A large number of social psychological conclusions are listed alongside meta-analytic information about the magnitude and variability of the corresponding effects. References to 322 meta-analyses of social psychological phenomena are presented, as well as statistical effect-size summaries. Analyses reveal that social psychological effects typically yield a value of r equal to.21 and that, in the typical research literature, effects vary from study to study in ways that produce a standard deviation in r of.15. Uses, limitations, and implications of this large-scale compilation are noted.
Structural Divisions of Personality and the Classification of Traits
Authors: Mayer John D.
Published: November 2003

Structural models divide the personality system and its associated traits into distinct areas. Four structural models are examined in regard to how well they do this. Three of the models—the trilogy of mind, Freud's structural model, and the recently introduced systems set—divide personality and its traits on conceptual bases. The last model, the 5-factor model, divides personality on an empirical basis. Two demonstration studies showed that expert judges who used the trilogy of mind and the systems set could reliably classify traits according to each set's conceptual divisions. The systems set provided a more reliable, comprehensive organization of traits than the trilogy of mind and generated a division of traits that contrasted provocatively with the 5-factor division.
Effect of two phenanthrene alkaloids on angiotensin II‐induced leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions in vivo
Authors: Estellés Rossana , López‐Martín Javier , Milian Lara , O'Connor José‐Enrique , Martínez‐Losa Magdalena , Cerdá‐Nicolás Miguel , Anam Edet M , Ivorra María Dolores , Issekutz Andrew C , Cortijo Julio , Morcillo Esteban J , Blázquez María Amparo , Sanz María‐Jesús
Published: November 2003

The present study has evaluated the effect of two phenanthrene alkaloids, uvariopsine and stephenanthrine, on angiotensin II (Ang‐II)‐induced leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions in vivo and the mechanisms involved in their activity. Intravital microscopy within the rat mesenteric microcirculation was used.

A 60 min superfusion with 1 nM Ang‐II induced a significant increase in the leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions that were completely inhibited by 1 μM uvariopsine cosuperfusion. A lower dose of 0.1 μM significantly reduced Ang‐II‐induced leukocyte adhesion by 75%.

When Ang‐II was cosuperfused with 1 and 0.1 μM stephenanthrine, Ang‐II‐induced leukocyte responses were significantly diminished. A lower dose of 0.01 μM only affected Ang‐II‐induced leukocyte adhesion.

Both alkaloids inhibited Ang‐II‐induced endothelial P‐selectin upregulation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells stimulated with Ang‐II, in fMLP‐stimulated human neutrophils (PMNs) and in the hypoxanthine–xanthine oxidase system. However, cyclic AMP levels in PMNs stimulated with fMLP were not affected.

Uvariopsine and stephenanthrine inhibited PAF‐induced elevations in intracellular calcium levels in PMNs (IC50 values: 15.1 and 6.1 μM respectively) and blocked the binding of [3H]PAF to these leukocytes. They also reduced PAF‐induced increases in intracellular levels of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide.

In conclusion, stephenanthrine and uvariopsine are potent inhibitors of Ang‐II‐induced leukocyte accumulation in vivo. This effect appears to be mediated through ROS scavenging activity and blockade of PAF receptor. Thus, they have potential therapeutic interest for the control of leukocyte recruitment that occurs in cardiovascular disease states in which Ang‐II is involved.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1057–1067. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705525
Plasma membrane‐associated nucleoside diphosphate kinase (nm23) in the heart is regulated by β‐adrenergic signaling
Authors: Lutz Susanne , Mura Roman A , Hippe Hans Joerg , Tiefenbacher Christiane , Niroomand Feraydoon
Published: November 2003

A receptor‐independent activation of heterotrimeric G proteins by plasma membrane‐associated nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) has been demonstrated in vivo, and elevated levels of NDPK were found in purified sarcolemmal membranes of patients with end‐stage heart failure.

Among 22 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure who underwent cardiac transplantation, those treated with a β‐blocker (n=8) had a 65% lower NDPK content and activity in the cardiac sarcolemma, compared to patients with similar base line characteristics who had no β‐blocker therapy (n=14).

The lower NDPK was associated with a reduced NDPK‐dependent, Gi‐mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity, as assessed by in vitro measurement of adenylyl cyclase activity in the presence of GDP or its kinase‐resistant analog guanosine 5′‐O‐(2‐thio)diphosphate (GDPβS).

We further tested whether treatment with a β‐adrenergic agonist would induce an increase in sarcolemmal NDPK. Rats treated with isoproterenol developed myocardial hypertrophy, and NDPK in the sarcolemma rose by 60% during 14 days of treatment. The β‐blocker propranolol prevented both effects. When hypertrophy was induced with thyroid hormone, NDPK did not increase.

In conclusion, chronic activation of β‐adrenergic receptors increases the binding of NDPK to cardiac sarcolemma, where it may activate heterotrimeric G proteins.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1019–1026. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705527
Histamine induces cytoskeletal changes in human eosinophils via the H4 receptor
Authors: Buckland Karen F , Williams Timothy J , Conroy Dolores M
Published: November 2003

Histamine (0.004–2 μM) induced a concentration‐dependent shape change of human eosinophils, but not of neutrophils or basophils, detected as an increase in forward scatter (FSC) in the gated autofluorescence/forward scatter (GAFS) assay.

The histamine‐induced eosinophil shape change was completely abolished by thioperamide (10 μM), an H3/H4 receptor antagonist, but was not inhibited by pyrilamine or cimetidine (10 μM), H1 and H2 receptor antagonists, respectively. The H4 receptor agonists, clobenpropit and clozapine (0.004–2 μM), which are also H3 receptor antagonists, both induced eosinophil shape change, which was inhibited by thioperamide (10 μM). The H3/H4 receptor agonists, imetit, R‐α‐methyl histamine and N‐α‐methyl histamine (0.004–2 μM) also induced eosinophil shape change.

Histamine induced actin polymerisation (0.015–10 μM), intracellular calcium mobilisation (10–100 μM) and a significant upregulation of expression of the cell adhesion molecule CD11b (0.004–10 μM) in eosinophils, all of which were inhibited by thioperamide (10–100 μM). In addition, the H4 receptor agonist/H3 receptor antagonist clozapine (20 μM) stimulated a rise in intracellular calcium in eosinophils.

Activation of H4 receptors by histamine (1 μM) primed eosinophils for increased chemotactic responses to eotaxin, but histamine (0.1–10 μM) did not directly induce chemotaxis of eosinophils.

Pertussis toxin (1 μg ml−1) inhibited shape change and actin polymerisation responses induced by histamine showing that these effects are mediated by coupling to a Gαi/o G‐protein.

This study demonstrates that human eosinophils express functional H4 receptors and may provide a novel target for allergic disease therapy.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1117–1127. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705530
ATP analogues with modified phosphate chains and their selectivity for rat P2X2 and P2X2/3 receptors
Authors: Spelta Valeria , Mekhalfia Abdelaziz , Rejman Dominik , Thompson Mark , Blackburn G Michael , North R Alan
Published: November 2003

Heteromeric P2X2/3 receptors are much more sensitive than homomeric P2X2 receptors to αβ‐methylene‐ATP, and this ATP analogue is widely used to discriminate the two receptors on sensory neurons and other cells.

We sought to determine the structural basis for this selectivity by synthesising ADP and ATP analogues in which the αβ and/or βγ oxygen atoms were replaced by other moieties (including –CH2–, –CHF–, –CHCl–, –CHBr–, –CF2–, –CCl2–, –CBr2–, –CHSO3–, –CHPO3–, –CFPO3–, –CClPO3–, –CH2–CH2–, –C≡C–, –NH–, –CHCOOH–).

We tested their actions as agonists or antagonists by whole‐cell recording from human embryonic kidney cells expressing P2X2 subunits alone (homomeric P2X2 receptors), or cells expressing both P2X2 and P2X3 subunits, in which the current through heteromeric P2X2/3 receptors was isolated.

ADP analogues had no agonist or antagonist effect at either P2X2 or P2X2/3 receptors. All the ATP analogues tested were without agonist or antagonist activity at homomeric P2X2 receptors, except βγ‐difluoromethylene‐ATP, which was a weak agonist.

At P2X2/3 receptors, βγ‐imido‐ATP, βγ‐methylene‐ATP, and βγ‐acetylene‐ATP were weak agonists, whereas αβ,βγ‐ and βγ,γδ‐bismethylene‐AP4 were potent full agonists. βγ‐Carboxymethylene‐ATP and βγ‐chlorophosphonomethylene‐ATP were weak antagonists at P2X2/3 receptors (IC50 about 10 μM).

The results indicate (a) that the homomeric P2X2 receptor presents very stringent structural requirements with respect to its activation by ATP; (b) that the heteromeric P2X2/3 receptor is much more tolerant of αβ and βγ substitution; and (c) that a P2X2/3‐selective antagonist can be obtained by introduction of additional negativity at the βγ‐methylene.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1027–1034. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705531
Signal transduction for inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 induction by capsaicin and related analogs in macrophages
Authors: Chen Ching‐Wen , Lee Sho Tone , Wu Wen Tung , Fu Wen‐Mei , Ho Feng‐Ming , Lin Wan Wan
Published: November 2003

Although capsaicin analogs might be a potential strategy to manipulate inflammation, the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the effects and action mechanisms of vanilloid analogs on iNOS and COX‐2 expression were investigated in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Capsaicin and resiniferatoxin (RTX) can inhibit LPS‐ and IFN‐γ‐mediated NO production, and iNOS protein and mRNA expression with similar IC50 values of around 10 μM.

Capsaicin also transcriptionally inhibited LPS‐ and PMA‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE2 production. However, this effect exhibited a higher potency (IC50: 0.2 μM), and RTX failed to elicit such responses at 10 μM.

Interestingly, we found that capsazepine, a competitive TRPV1 antagonist, did not prevent the inhibition elicited by capsaicin or RTX. Nevertheless, it mimicked vanilloids in inhibiting iNOS/NO and COX‐2/PGE2 induction with an IC50 value of 3 μM. RT–PCR and immunoblotting analysis excluded the expression of TRPV1 in RAW264.7 macrophages.

The DNA binding assay demonstrated the abilities of vanilloids to inhibit LPS‐elicited NF‐κB and AP‐1 activation and IFN‐γ‐elicited STAT1 activation. The reporter assay of AP‐1 activity also supported this action.

The kinase assay indicated that ERK, JNK, and IKK activation by LPS were inhibited by vanilloids.

In conclusion, vanilloids can modulate the expression of inflammatory iNOS and COX‐2 genes in macrophages through interference with upstream signalling events of LPS and IFN‐γ. These findings provide new insights into the potential benefits of the active ingredient in hot chilli peppers in inflammatory conditions.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1077–1087. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705533
Role of sarcoplasmic reticulum in control of membrane potential and nitrergic response in opossum lower esophageal sphincter
Authors: Zhang Yong , Paterson William G
Published: November 2003

We previously demonstrated that a balance of Ca2+‐activated Cl− current (ICl(Ca)) and K+ current activity sets the resting membrane potential of opossum lower esophageal sphincter (LES) circular smooth muscle at ∼−41 mV, which leads to continuous spike‐like action potentials and the generation of basal tone. Ionic mechanisms underlying this basal ICl(Ca) activity and its nitrergic regulation remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that spontaneous Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) play important roles. The current study investigated this possibility. Conventional intracellular recordings were performed on circular smooth muscle of opossum LES. Nerve responses were evoked by electrical square wave pulses of 0.5 ms duration at 20 Hz.

In the presence of nifedipine (1 μM), substance P (1 μM), atropine (3 μM) and guanethidine (3 μM), intracellular recordings demonstrated a resting membrane potential (MP) of −38.1±0.7 mV (n=25) with spontaneous membrane potential fluctuations (MPfs) of 1–3 mV. Four pulses of nerve stimulation induced slow inhibitory junction potentials (sIJPs) with an amplitude of 6.1±0.3 mV and a half‐amplitude duration of 1926±147 ms (n=25).

1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ), a specific guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, abolished sIJPs, but had no effects on MPfs. Caffeine, a ryanodine receptor agonist, hyperpolarized MP and abolished sIJPs and MPfs. Ryanodine (20 μM) inhibited the sIJP and induced biphasic effects on MP, an initial small hyperpolarization followed by a large depolarization. sIJPs and MPfs were also inhibited by cyclopiazonic acid, an SR Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor. Specific ICl(Ca) and MLCK inhibitors hyperpolarized the MP and inhibited MPfs and sIJPs.

These data suggest that (1) spontaneous release of Ca2+ from the SR activates ICl(Ca), which in turn contributes to resting membrane potential; (2) MLCK is involved in activation of ICl(Ca); (3) inhibition of ICl(Ca) is likely to underlie sIJPs induced by nitrergic innervation.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1097–1107. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705537
Effects of acute treatment with paroxetine, citalopram and venlafaxine in vivo on noradrenaline and serotonin outflow: a microdialysis study in Swiss mice
Authors: David D J P , Bourin M , Jego G , Przybylski C , Jolliet P , Gardier A M
Published: November 2003

This study investigated whether a single administration of a range of doses (1, 4 and 8 mg kg−1, i.p.) of paroxetine, citalopram or venlafaxine may simultaneously increase extracellular levels of 5‐HT ([5‐HT]ext) and noradrenaline ([NA]ext) by using in vivo microdialysis in the frontal cortex (FCx) of awake, freely moving Swiss mice.

In vivo, paroxetine induced similar increases in cortical [5‐HT]ext at the three doses tested, and induced a statistically significant increase in cortical [NA]ext at 4 and 8 mg kg−1. Citalopram increased neither [5‐HT]ext nor [NA]ext at the lowest dose, but increased both neurotransmitter levels at 4 and 8 mg kg−1. At these doses, citalopram induced greater increases in cortical [5‐HT]ext than in [NA]ext. Venlafaxine increased [5‐HT]ext and [NA]ext to about 400 and 140% of the respective basal values at 8 mg kg−1.

Citalopram and paroxetine have the highest potency to increase cortical [5‐HT]ext and [NA]ext, respectively. In addition, the rank of order of efficacy of these antidepressant drugs to increase [5‐HT]ext in vivo in the FCx of mice was as follows: venlafaxine>citalopram>paroxetine, while the efficacy to increase cortical [NA]ext in mice of paroxetine and citalopram is similar, and greater than that of venlafaxine.

In conclusion, extracellular levels of cortical [NA]ext increase with the highest doses of the very selective SSRI citalopram, as well as with the very potent SSRI paroxetine. Surprisingly, the SNRI venlafaxine increased cortical [5‐HT]ext to a greater extent rather than [NA]ext in the range of doses studied in mice.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1128–1136. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705538
Effects of insulin on vascular responses to spinal cord stimulation and vasoactive agents in pithed rats
Authors: Takatori Shingo , Mizote Masako , Zamami Yoshito , Kurosaki Yuji , Kawasaki Hiromu
Published: November 2003

Effects of insulin (2–600 pmol kg−1 min−1, i.v.) on vascular responses to spinal cord (lower thoracic vertebra, Th 9–12) stimulation (SCS) and to i.v. injection of noradrenaline (NA, 125–500 ng kg−1), angiotensin II (Ang II, 40–200 pmol kg−1), acetylcholine (ACh, 1 nmol kg−1), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP, 0.1 nmol kg−1) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 5 μg kg−1) were examined in pithed rats.

In euglycemic pithed rats, low and medium doses of insulin dose‐dependently potentiated vasopressor responses to SCS (2–8 Hz), NA, while higher doses of insulin had little effect on SCS‐ and NA‐induced pressor responses. All doses of insulin significantly augmented pressor responses to Ang II.

In pithed rats with artificially increased blood pressure, SCS (2 and 4 Hz) induced a frequency‐dependent depressor response, which was blocked by infusion of CGRP(8–37) (CGRP receptor antagonist, 60 nmol kg−1 min−1).

In euglycemic pithed rats, low‐doses of insulin significantly attenuated depressor responses to SCS and CGRP, but medium and high doses of insulin remained unaffected.

All doses of insulin significantly inhibited depressor response to ACh, while SNP‐induced depressor response was not significantly affected by any doses of insulin.

These results suggest that insulin at low and medium concentrations increases adrenergic vasoconstriction, which is partly associated with inhibition of CGRPergic nerve function and endothelium function. It is also suggested that lack of insulin effect at higher concentrations may result from acute desensitization of insulin action, possibly via insulin receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1137–1145. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705539
D‐Cycloserine facilitates synaptic plasticity but impairs glutamatergic neurotransmission in rat hippocampal slices
Authors: Rouaud E , Billard J‐M
Published: November 2003

The glycine‐binding site of the glutamatergic N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor subtype (NMDAr) has been proposed as a putative target for treating cognitive impairments in neurodegenerative disorders and schizophrenia. Although behavioural evidence has been accumulated showing that the partial agonist D‐cycloserine (DCS) facilitated learning and memory, physiological mechanisms of the drug still remained to be characterized. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of DCS on glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices, using extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potentials.

We showed that DCS facilitated NMDAr‐mediated synaptic potentials. In addition, we found that the magnitude of NMDAr‐dependent long‐term depression was significantly enhanced by the agonist, while the threshold for the induction of lasting potentiations was lowered.

We found that DCS decreased neurotransmission mediated by α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate subtypes of glutamate receptors. This inhibition was not prevented by the γ‐aminobutyric acid GABAA antagonist bicuculline, but was antagonized by the glycine antagonist strychnine.

These results, therefore, show opposite effects of DCS on NMDA and non‐NMDA synaptic responses within the hippocampus. They also demonstrate that DCS facilitates long‐term synaptic plasticity that may support the DCS‐induced enhanced cognitive performances.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1051–1056. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705541
Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 and activator protein‐1 modulate the upregulation of CYP3A6 induced by hypoxia
Authors: Fradette Caroline , Souich Patrick du
Published: November 2003

Moderate hypoxia in vivo and serum from rabbits subjected to moderate hypoxia (SHYPO) in vitro reduce CYP1A1 and 1A2 P450 isoforms and upregulate CYP3A6. The aim of this project was to investigate the signal transduction pathways implicated in the upregulation of CYP3A6 expression by hypoxia.

Hypoxia in vivo and SHYPO in vitro increased the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and c‐jun, as well as CYP3A6. By electrophoresis mobility shift assay, it was shown that HIF‐1 and activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) bind to CYP3A6 oligonucleotide probe after exposure to hypoxia in vivo and SHYPO in vitro. The effects of hypoxia in vivo or SHYPO in vitro were reproduced by CoCl2 and lead acetate, activators of HIF‐1 and AP‐1, respectively.

PD98059, a p42/44 MAPK inhibitor, prevented the increase of CYP3A6 and c‐jun, but did not impede the increase of HIF‐1α and binding to CYP3A6 oligonucleotide probe. Genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), prevented the increase in HIF‐1α, c‐jun and CYP3A6, as well as HIF‐1 and AP‐1 binding to CYP3A6 oligonucleotide probe. Moreover, hypoxia in vivo induced constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) as well as CAR binding to the CYP3A6 oligonucleotide probe, but not the pregnane X receptor.

In conclusion, hypoxia in vivo and SHYPO induce the expression of CYP3A6. The in vitro induction of CYP3A6 by SHYPO is PTK‐ and p42/44 MAPK‐dependent. The present data support the hypothesis that HIF‐1 and AP‐1 are part of the signalling pathway leading to CYP3A6 induction by hypoxia.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 1146–1154. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705543
Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to static exercise in partially curarized humans
Authors: PAWELCZYK J. A. , PAWELCZYK R. A. , WARBERG J. , MITCHELL J. H. , SECHER N. H.
Published: November 2003

Neural control of the circulation was evaluated during static exercise in 19 subjects by the determination of heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO) and plasma catecholamines. Influence from central command was evaluated during contractions with weakened muscles following partial curarization and reflex influence from metaboreceptors was assessed by post‐exercise muscle ischaemia. Static handgrip increased HR and more so MAP and CO and MAP remained elevated during post‐exercise muscle ischaemia. With partial curarization plasma catecholamines were also increased (P<0.05). Two‐leg extension increased all variables and during post‐exercise muscle ischaemia elevations of HR, MAP and CO were maintained (P<0.05). With partial curarization HR, MAP and plasma noradrenaline were even greater during the contraction. With the involvement of both legs during static exercise, reflex influence from the muscles elevated blood pressure by way of HR and CO and the importance of central command was detectable for HR and MAP as plasma catecholamines became elevated. However, the results indicate a separation between a central command influence on HR and CO related to an increase in plasma catecholamines during a handgrip, while the reflex influence on blood pressure was directed towards total peripheral resistance.
Cyclin D1 and p16INK4A are preferentially expressed in immature and mature myeloma cells, respectively
Authors: Kawano Michio M. , Mahmoud Maged S. , Ishikawa Hideaki
Published: November 2003

Myeloma cells consist of immature, intermediate and mature cells with respect to expression of VLA‐5 (CD49e) and MPC‐1 adhesion molecules. VLA‐5−MPC‐1− immature myeloma cells respond to interleukin 6 (IL‐6) to proliferate in vitro, but VLA‐5+MPC‐1+mature myeloma cells have almost no proliferative activity with higher secretory activity of M‐protein in vitro. In order to further clarify the biological differences between these immature and mature myeloma cells, we examined survival of these cells with or without IL‐6 in vitro, and investigated the underlying mechanism of the proliferative or non‐proliferative character of these cells by examining expression of cell cycle regulators such as cyclin D1 and inhibitors for cyclin‐dependent kinase (Cdk), p16INK4A, p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. In vitro survival of these myeloma cells was examined by flow cytometric quantification of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Immature myeloma cells rapidly entered apoptosis without IL‐6, but mature myeloma cells could survive without IL‐6 as well as normal mature plasma cells. Immature myeloma cells as well as myeloma cell lines expressed cyclin D1 mRNA and protein, but not any Cdk inhibitors. On the other hand, mature myeloma cells did not express cyclin D1 but expressed p16, not p21 or p27, as well as normal mature plasma cells. Therefore these results show that immature myeloma cells constitutively express cyclin D1 and can proliferate, and mature myeloma cells as well as normal mature plasma cells preferentially express p16 and can survive for a long time without proliferation.
Crosslineage TCR delta rearrangements occur shortly after the DJ joinings of the IgH genes in childhood precursor B ALL and display age‐specific characteristics
Authors: Schneider Monika , Panzer Simon , Stolz Frank , Fischer Susanna , Gadner Helmut , Panzer‐Grümayer E. Renate
Published: November 2003

In order to test the hypothesis that the most immature T‐cell receptor (TCR) rearrangements occur after the DJ joining of the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IgH), we analysed the TCR Vδ2–Dδ3 rearrangements in precursor B‐cell leukaemias (PBC ALL) from 25 children younger than 3 years at disease onset and found that most of the junctional regions had N nucleotides inserted. We then selected 14 of these PCB ALLs for DJH (DJ joining of the IgH) characterization. These joining regions showed homology‐directed recombination and lack of N regions, indicating absence of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) activity during their rearrangement. Most leukaemias with a DJH rearrangement without N region have no, or only one, nucleotide in the joining regions of their Vδ2–Dδ3 rearrangements. The N regions of the TCR delta rearrangements displayed ‘age‐specific' differences: in children younger than 3 years of age the N regions were shorter than in those older than 3 years, and the rearrangements frequently contained complete segments. We conclude that the Vδ2–Dδ3 rearrangement in childhood PCB ALLs is an early event following DJH rearrangement and that it occurs shortly before or after the first hit, leading to malignant transformation.
A study of collaboration inpatient treatment between the community psychiatric health services and a psychiatric hospital in Norway
Authors: HOLST H. , SEVERINSSON E.
Published: November 2003

The aim of this study was to examine factors that may have an influence on the collaboration between the health‐care professionals in a psychiatric hospital and two communities’ psychiatric health service departments. Interviews were conducted with three psychiatric nurses, one medical practitioner, one health and social manager and one cultural worker; thus a total of nine informants. The transcribed interview texts were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. The main results showed that the community psychiatric nurses felt a need for more systematic interdisciplinary collaboration. The existing collaboration was characterized by ad hoc meetings. In addition, the need for information about their colleagues’ professional competence was reported. The respondents called for a more regular forum for professional guidance and coordination in relation to particular client cases in order to improve the quality of psychiatric care. There was also a need for collaboration within community health care and a link to psychiatric hospital care in order to better evaluate the outcomes of care provided. In conclusion, the lack of continuity in the collaboration between health‐care professionals may affect the quality of community health services because continuity is a vital component of care.
Nursing practice and the definition of human death
Authors: Edwards Steven D. , Forbes Kevin
Published: November 2003

EDWARDS SD and FORBES K. Nursing Inquiry 2003; 10: 229–235

Nursing practice and the definition of human death

This paper aims to highlight the gap in nursing literature of discussion of the definition of human death — to show that nurses should engage in such discussion. For the nursing role in the care of brain dead patients and their relatives may unwittingly promote and foster a definition of human death which is fundamentally flawed.

A person can be warm, pink, have an independently beating heart and be breathing, yet still be diagnosed as brainstem dead. Nursing literature which discusses issues surrounding brain death (as opposed to brain death itself), proposes that nurses should suppress any reservations which they may have in accepting that a patient with the characteristics described is dead; and that they should try to allay any reservations which relatives of such dead patients might have. But what if the concept of brainstem death is flawed? Surely, as accountable professionals, nurses should not accept the role just referred to without satisfying themselves that the concept of brainstem death is coherent and robust. This paper tries to show that, on examination, this is not the case.

The definition of human death which guides practice in the UK and elsewhere is fundamentally flawed. Instead of suppressing their own intuitions, and the intuitions of patients’ relatives in the management of patients diagnosed as brainstem dead, nurses should critically examine the definition of death which currently informs clinical practice. Our conclusion is that this definition is false.
Lacticacidosis after short‐term infusion of propofol for anaesthesia in a child with osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Kill Clemens , Leonhardt Andreas , Wulf Hinnerk
Published: November 2003

We describe the case of a 7‐year‐old boy with osteogenesis imperfecta, who underwent anaesthesia with propofol–fentanyl–nitrous oxide–suxamethonium for orthopaedic surgery of a distal femur fracture. He developed lacticacidosis after short‐term propofol infusion (150 min, mean infusion rate 13.5 mg·kg−1·h−1) associated with a prolonged recovery time without serious haemodynamic changes. The highest lactate concentration was 9.2 mmol·l−1 at 160 min after discontinuation of propofol. There was no significant increase in body temperature. The boy fully recovered.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the WPPSI for language‐impaired children
Authors: Ottem Ernst
Published: November 2003

The present study used a maximum‐likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the hypothesis that a four‐factor model is the most parsimonious explanation of the structure of the WPPSI for language‐impaired children. Four separate maximum‐likelihood confirmatory factor analyses were performed on a sample of 198 Norwegian language‐impaired children tested with the WPPSI, and on the Norwegian (n= 563) and American (n= 1200) standardization samples. A one‐factor (general), a two‐factor (verbal and performance), three‐factor (parallel to the WISC‐R) and a four‐factor solution composed of “processing dependent” (“knowing how” and “seeing how”) and “knowledge dependent” (“knowing that” and “seeing that”) were imposed on the average intercorrelation matrices of the 11 WPPSI subtests. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the four‐factor latent construct model was the most parsimonious explanation of the structure of the WPPSI for language‐impaired children, as well as for normally developing children.
Groups, group members and individual decision processes: The effects of decision strategy, social interaction style and reception of decision‐threatening information on post‐decision processes
Authors: Eisele Per
Published: November 2003

In two experiments, one conducted at an individual level and one at a group level, it was investigated how decision strategies and the reception of decision‐threatening information affect the degree of post‐decision consolidation for both individual and group decision‐makers. In Experiment 1, roughly half the 55 participants made decisions in three‐person groups and the other half individually. The type of decision strategies subjects employed (compensatory, non‐compensatory, other) was assessed by questionnaire. In two post‐decision sessions, consolidation was assessed using a memory task, either decision‐supporting or decision‐threatening information being provided at the start of the last post‐decision session. In Experiment 2, the same design and procedure were used at a group level. In both experiments, the groups (and the single group members) were analyzed with the SYMLOG instrument. The results indicated that individual decision‐makers consolidated their own decisions more than members of decision‐making groups. There was also greater post‐decision consolidation with the use of non‐compensatory decision strategies as well as with reception of decision‐threatening information, this latter result being seen as providing an explanation for the greater consolidation that individual decision‐makers showed. Furthermore, single task‐oriented group members and groups with a task‐oriented leader consolidated the decision made by their group.
RENAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE SYMPOSIUM: The Longitudinal Chronic Kidney Disease Study: A Prospective Cohort Study of Predialysis Renal Failure
Authors: Perlman Rachel L. , Kiser Margaret , Finkelstein Fredric , Eisele George , Roys Erik , Liu Lei , Burrows‐Hudson Sally , Port Friedrich , Messana Joseph M. , Bailie George , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Saran Rajiv
Published: November 2003

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem: every year the number of Americans living with CKD and requiring renal replacement therapy increases. In addition, individuals with CKD have substantially increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. The Longitudinal Chronic Kidney Dialysis (LCKD) Study is a multicenter, prospective, observational study of patients with moderate to severe CKD that was designed to better describe the course of the disease and the determinants of patient outcomes. Patients with moderate to severe CKD (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] < 60 ml/min/m2) from four academic nephrology clinics were enrolled between 2000 and 2002. Special cardiac and vascular testing has recently commenced as phase II of this study. Areas that have been or are currently being studied include anemia management, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), medication use, and markers of cardiovascular disease. This article describes the LCKD Study in the context of current knowledge of CKD.
RENAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE SYMPOSIUM: Efforts to Determine the Role of Oxidant Stress in Dialysis Outcomes
Authors: Handelman Garry J.
Published: November 2003

The role of elevated markers of oxidant stress needs to be established in longitudinal studies. Oxidant stress markers such as malonaldehyde (MDA), isoprostanes, and breath hydrocarbons warrant rigorous application to outcomes, if they are to be used as clinical parameters. For example, investigations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and several other clinical indicators have shown that these markers can be used to predict outcomes such as morbidity and mortality. Long‐term followup is needed for intervention studies with antioxidants, since effects with short‐term studies may be focused on critically‐ill individuals where intervention would not be expected to be effective. Oxidant stress studies in this population especially need a long‐term approach to test the hypothesis that antioxidant intervention is beneficial.
Redox speciation of chromium in the oceanic water column of the Lesser Antilles and offshore Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
Authors: Sander Sylvia , Koschinsky Andrea , Halbach Peter
Published: November 2003

Chromium redox speciation analysis was carried out onboard ship in several water column profiles off the islands of Dominica, St Lucia and Grenada (Lesser Antilles), and at two stations offshore from the Otago Peninsula (New Zealand). The catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid as complexing reagent and a hanging mercury drop as a working electrode were used. In the samples from the Lesser Antilles, Cr(VI) concentrations ranged around a relatively constant background of 1.5–2.5 nM, except for one higher value of 4.3 nM, whereas Cr(III) was highly variable and reached maximum concentrations of 12 nM. Variable environmental influences, such as hydrothermal activity and atmospheric input, are probable sources for reduced chromium species. In contrast, the Cr(III) contribution was less than 50% of total Cr in subantarctic non-hydrothermal water offshore from the Otago Peninsula and the presence of Cr(III) was restricted to the upper 100 m of the water column. In these depth profiles, Cr (VI) (up to 3.7 nM) was clearly the dominating species.Onboard ship redox speciation was shown to be an effective means to avoid storing artefacts in species determination. We conclude that seafloor hydrothermal activity contributes significantly to the reduced Cr species chemistry of the surrounding seawater.
Hydrogeochemical characteristics and importance of natural and anthropogenic influences on soil and groundwater in reclaimed land adjacent to Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia
Authors: Suh Jeong-Yul , Brown Paul L. , Birch Gavin F.
Published: November 2003

Major ion and trace metal concentrations and physicochemical parameters were measured over a full tidal cycle in groundwater from reclaimed land adjacent to Rozelle Bay in Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia. Materials used for reclaiming the land (construction material waste or dredged marine sediment) predominantly influenced the ion and trace element compositions of the groundwater. The redox behaviour and composition of the soil profiles influenced the behaviour of redox-sensitive elements in the groundwater, for example Mn and Fe. When the water table recedes in drier periods, oxygen ingress can lead to biologically catalysed oxidation reactions resulting in a reduction in pH and an associated increase in the concentration of some trace elements. The dredged marine sediment contains a considerable fraction of shell fragments, leading to elevated bicarbonate levels in the groundwater, which in turn limits some trace element and major ion concentrations. The groundwaters contain higher levels of many trace elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cr) than occur in seawater and the natural hydraulic gradient may lead to elevated concentrations of these elements entering the estuary.