bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Ising spins with antiferromagnetic bonds on a triangular lattice
Authors: Ismail G. , Salem A.
Published: May 2003

Six‐coupled Ising spins on a triangular lattice with antiferromagnetic (AF) nearest neighbour and ferromagnetic (F) next‐nearest neighbour interactions are investigated by Glauber dynamics. The system is fully frustrated and has seven non‐trivial local energy minima in both clusters. The ground state has four degenerate states with energy –6. These states are separated by the energy barrier ΔE = 4.0 to invert spins in the ground state. The dynamics of AF‐F and F‐AF coupling clusters are solved exactly. Each cluster contributes as many long relaxation times as it has non‐trivial local energy minima. The barriers against inversion of the clusters take only two values, 0 and 4|J|. In the paramagnetic case (PM), there is no diverging relaxation time. In the ferromagnetic case (FM), there is only one long‐lived mode. The longest relaxation times follow an Arrhenius law. Both AF‐F and F‐AF clusters undergo a zero‐temperature phase transition. The real and imaginary parts of the dynamic susceptibility display maxima if plotted versus temperature. The frequency dependence of the susceptibilities explain the effect of frustration. The real part reveals two plateaus and the imaginary part displays two corresponding maxima if they are plotted as functions of the logarithm of frequency. The Argand plots show two overlapping semicircles for fixed frequency at low temperature, indicating the time separation of the modes.
Importance of effective two‐body interaction extracted from third‐order pseudopotential energy and a realistic evaluation of non‐pairwise forces in simple metals
Authors: Haldar S. , Sen D.
Published: May 2003

Calculation of metallic pair interaction, extracted from higher order pseudopotential energy in the case of Al shows excellent agreement with recent ab initio calculation based on large set of experimental data. The calculation performed with ab initio pseudopotential has provided comprehensive unified study of various metallic properties of a number of simple metals. Analysis of the perturbation calculation beyond second order is shown to yield a reasonable estimate for the non‐pairwise interaction in these metals.
Nonlinear optical properties of a new substituted cluster: C48N12
Authors: Liu Hong , Chen Jiangwei
Published: May 2003

We attempted to investigate the doping effect on the nonlinear optical properties of heavier substituted fullerenes by using the extended Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model. It is found that heavier substituted doping of C60 does not necessarily lead to a higher nonlinear optical polarizability value, because the delocalized character of π electrons in this system disappears with heavier substituting.
Volume and pressure dependence of the Grüneisen parameterγat high temperature
Authors: Cui Guang‐lei , Chen Li‐rong
Published: May 2003

In this paper, starting from the relation between the Anderson–Grüneisen parameterδ(T, P) and the second Grüneisen parameterq, we obtain a new computing formula for the volume and pressure dependence of the Grüneisen parameterγat high temperature. Applying this formula to sodium chloride, lithium, sodium, and potassium in different pressure ranges, we find that the calculated values of the Grüneisen parameterγare in good agreement with the experimental values.
Vortex edge barriers and critical current density in granular superconductors
Authors: Belevtsov L. V.
Published: May 2003

Type‐II superconductors, even without bulk pinning and in the absence of a macroscopic Bean–Livingston surface barrier for vortex penetration, can exhibit barriers for flux penetration. We investigated some new edge barriers based on the laminar model, that are governed by the anisotropy ratio, grain coupling strength, and grain size. Expressions describing the pinning potential Up and critical current density Jc are derived for magnetic fields near Hc1. It is shown that edge barrier effects play a substantial role in a realistic description of the critical current density for both MgB2 and high‐Tc superconductors.
Spin waves in a semi‐infinite XY ferromagnet
Authors: Spirin Denis V.
Published: May 2003

We examine theoretically the spin waves in a semi‐infinite XY ferromagnet placed in an external magnetic field parallel to the surface via the Green's function formalism. The spectra of bulk and surface spin waves are obtained. It is shown that the surface of a semi‐infinite XY ferromagnet supports surface spin waves with root dispersion law. However, the penetration depth of these waves is almost the same as for the Heisenberg model.
The radial breathing mode frequency in double‐walled carbon nanotubes: an analytical approximation
Authors: Dobardžić E. , Maultzsch J. , Milošević I. , Thomsen C. , Damnjanović M.
Published: May 2003

We study the breathing‐like phonon modes of double‐walled carbon nanotubes in a simple analytical model by considering the tube walls as coupled oscillators. The force constant of the oscillator coupling is found to be proportional to the inner tube diameter. Thus, only for small‐diameter tubes, the shift of the breathing‐like phonon mode frequencies (relative to the radial breathing modes of the isolated layers) scales with the tube diameter D. For tubes with larger diameter the in‐phase breathing‐like phonon mode frequency is inversely proportional to the diameter (like the radial breathing modes of the single wall carbon nanotubes), while the out‐of‐phase mode approaches asymptotically, as 1/D2, the graphite B2g phonon mode frequency.
Fibroblast growth factor‐10 upregulates Na,K‐ATPase via the MAPK pathway
Authors: Upadhyay D , Lecuona E , Comellas A , Kamp D.W , Sznajder J.I
Published: May 2003

We studied the effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐10) on alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) Na,K‐ATPase regulation. Within 30 min FGF‐10 increased Na,K‐ATPase activity and α1 protein abundance by 2.5‐fold at the AEC plasma membrane. Pretreatment of AEC with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor U0126, a Grb2‐SOS inhibitor (SH3‐b‐p peptide), or a Ras inhibitor (farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI 277)), as well as N17‐AEC that express a Ras dominant negative protein each prevented FGF‐10‐mediated Na,K‐ATPase recruitment to the AEC plasma membrane. Accordingly, we provide first evidence that FGF‐10 upregulates (short‐term) the Na,K‐ATPase activity in AEC via the Grb2‐SOS/Ras/MAPK pathway.
Evidence linking the Pseudomonas oleovorans alkane ω‐hydroxylase, an integral membrane diiron enzyme, and the fatty acid desaturase family
Authors: Shanklin John , Whittle Edward
Published: May 2003

Pseudomonas oleovorans alkane ω‐hydroxylase (AlkB) is an integral membrane diiron enzyme that shares a requirement for iron and oxygen for activity in a manner similar to that of the non‐heme integral membrane desaturases, epoxidases, acetylenases, conjugases, ketolases, decarbonylase and methyl oxidases. No overall sequence similarity is detected between AlkB and these desaturase‐like enzymes by computer algorithms; however, they do contain a series of histidine residues in a similar relative positioning with respect to hydrophobic regions thought to be transmembrane domains. To test whether these conserved histidine residues are functionally equivalent to those of the desaturase‐like enzymes we used scanning alanine mutagenesis to test if they are essential for activity of AlkB. These experiments show that alanine substitution of any of the eight conserved histidines results in complete inactivation, whereas replacement of three non‐conserved histidines in close proximity to the conserved residues, results in only partial inactivation. These data provide the first experimental support for the hypotheses: (i) that the histidine motif in AlkB is equivalent to that in the desaturase‐like enzymes and (ii) that the conserved histidine residues play a vital role such as coordinating the Fe ions comprising the diiron active site.
Estimation of the amniotic fluid volume using the Cavalieri method on ultrasound images
Authors: Sahin B , Alper T , Kökçü A , Malatyalioglu E , Kosif R
Published: May 2003

Objectives: Presently, a design‐based and practical method for measuring amniotic fluid volume (AFV) for routine clinical examinations has not been proposed. In this study we describe a new method, which combines the Cavalieri method with ultrasound imaging to estimate AFV. Methods: We measured the AFVs of 14 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, and repeated our measurements three times for each woman. Parallel planimetric ultrasonographic images were obtained at every 2 cm along the longitudinal uterine axis. AFVs were calculated as the total of the multiples of the estimated cut surface areas by the section thickness. Results: The mean estimated AFV was 380.5 cm3. The coefficient of error of each measurement was calculated and the mean was 0.108. The coefficient of correlation between the amniotic fluid index and our AFV estimations was 0.87. Conclusions: Design‐based and efficient estimation of AFV is possible with the combination of consecutive ultrasound images and the Cavalieri method.
The experience of loneliness of Canadian and Czech youth
Authors: Rokach Ami , Bauer Natasha , Orzeck Tricia
Published: May 2003

The present study examined the influence of cultural background on adolescents’ experience of loneliness. Eighty Canadians and 168 adolescents from the Czech Republic formed the participants pool. They answered a 30‐item yes/no questionnaire. The questionnaire is composed of five subscales, namely: Emotional distress, Social inadequacy and alienation, Growth and discovery, Interpersonal isolation, and Self‐alienation. Results revealed a mixed pattern of differences between the two cultures, with Canadian youth scoring higher than the Czechs only on Emotional distress, while that trend was reversed in Social inadequacy and alienation and Interpersonal isolation. Gender differences within cultures were also examined.
Yeast RNA helicases of the DEAD‐box family involved in translation initiation
Authors: Linder Patrick
Published: May 2003

RNA helicases of the DEAD‐box and related families have been found to be required for all processes involving RNA molecules. Biochemical and genetic analyses have shown that at least two RNA helicases are required for translation initiation in yeast. Although it is generally believed that these enzymes are necessary to unwind secondary structures in the 5′ untranslated region of mRNAs, their exact role has not been convincingly shown. We discuss here our present knowledge of the function of eIF4A and Ded1p, two DEAD‐box proteins required for translation in eukaryotic cells.
Two sides of economic openness: non-tariff barriers to trade and capital controls in transition countries, 1993–2000
Authors: Bodenstein T. , Plümper T. , Schneider G.
Published: May 2003

This article presents new measures of foreign economic openness in the transition countries that allow us to distinguish between non-tariff barriers to trade and capital controls. We argue that this distinction is important for the analysis of foreign economic relations in the postcommunist world. While most states lowered barriers to trade since 1993, they increased the number of capital controls, which had been low at the beginning of the transition process. The ELITE (Economic Liberalization in the Transition Economies) data set, which is based on the IMF statistics on exchange arrangements and exchange restrictions and encompasses 24 transition countries, further demonstrates important exceptions to this trend. The comparison of the ELITE indicators with alternative measurements of economic openness indicates the need to move towards more refined analyses of the political economy of the transition process.
Patients’ Perspectives on Statin Therapy for Treatment of Hypercholesterolaemia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Tolmie Elizabeth P , Lindsay Grace M , Kerr Susan M , Brown Malcom R , Ford Ian , Gaw Allan
Published: May 2003

Background: Health Care Practitioners’ attempts to implement secondary prevention targets for coronary heart disease (CHD) may be restricted by low rates of persistence with statin therapy. There is a need to understand why some patients, despite having established CHD and elevated cholesterol, do not comply with their prescribed statin regimen. Aim: To explore patients’ perspectives on compliance with statin therapy. Setting: Primary care, West of Scotland. Methods: The research approach was qualitative. Thirty-three patients prescribed statin therapy and identified as having different patterns of compliance (poor moderate and good) were interviewed. The in-depth interviews were conducted on a one to one basis. Patients prescribed statin therapy for less than three months were excluded. Data were analysed thematically with the assistance of QSR Nudist. Findings: From analysis of the narrative data, two broad categories, i.e. ‘ Patient–health care provider communication’ and ‘ Health beliefs’ were identified. These categories encompassed six main themes: ‘ Initiation of therapy’; ‘ Subsequent feedback’; ‘ Sources of misconceptions’; ‘ Unconditional acceptance’; ‘ Conditional acceptance’; ‘ Deferment and Rejection’. Acceptance of and compliance with statin therapy appeared to be associated with the provision, interpretation and feedback of information during patient-practitioner consultations, and patients’ beliefs about personal health status, cholesterol, and recommended cholesterol-lowering strategies. Conclusions: Patients’ beliefs and understanding about cholesterol, and the role of cholesterol modifying strategies should be determined prior to the initiation of therapy and at appropriate intervals thereafter.
In vitro Regulation of β1 and β3 Integrin Subunits in Endometrial Epithelial Cells From Normal Endometrium
Authors: Pierro Emilia , Minici Francesca , Alesiani Ornella , Monica Loredana D. , Anna Maria M , Muncuso Salvatore , Lanzone Antonio
Published: May 2003

OBJECTIVE:  To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) on integrin expression.

DESIGN:  Cultures of endometrial epithelial cells from normal endometrium.

SETTING:  All endometrial specimens were obtained from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Catholic University, Rome, Italy.

PATIENTS:  Four patients with normal menstrual cycles undergoing operative laparoscopy for non‐endometrial problems.

INTERVENTION:  Endometrial samples were collected by uterine courettings.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:  Immunocytochemistry for β1 and β3 integrin subunits.

RESULTS:  PGE2 clearly enhances both β1 and β3 integrin subunit expression. IL‐1β seem to slightly increase only β3 subunit expression.

CONCLUSIONS:  In light of the critical role played by eicosanoids in endometrial differentiation, we suggest that PGE2 is also involved in local paracrine regulation of integrin expression.
Serotonin upregulates the activity of phagocytosis through 5‐HT1A receptors
Authors: Freire‐Garabal M , Núñez M J , Balboa J , López‐Delgado P , Gallego R , García‐Caballero T , Fernández‐Roel M D , Brenlla J , Rey‐Méndez M
Published: May 2003

In this study, we investigated whether serotonin could regulate the in vitro activity of phagocytosis through 5‐hydroxytryptamine or serotonin (5‐HT1A) receptors.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured with serotonin and the activity of phagocytosis was assessed by the uptake of zymosan and latex particles added to the culture media. Specific binding of [3H]8‐OH‐DPAT and immunohistochemistry using an affinity‐purified anti‐5‐HT1A‐receptor antibody were assayed in the macrophages. In addition, we took advantage of the availability of pharmacological inhibitors of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) to explore its role in the regulation of the 5‐HT1A receptor.

Serotonin increased the in vitro activity of phagocytosis in a dose‐dependent manner. The 5‐HT1A receptor agonist (±)‐8‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propyl‐amino)‐tetralin (R(+)‐8‐OH‐DPAT) reproduced these effects. Serotonin‐ or R(+)‐8‐OH‐DPAT‐induced increases in phagocytosis were blocked by the 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 and the NF‐κB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. Moreover, mouse peritoneal macrophages expressed specific binding sites for [3H]8‐OH‐DPAT when cultivated in the presence of zymosan or latex beads. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of the 5‐HT1A receptor protein in the macrophages.

These results show that serotonin can upregulate the activity of peritoneal macrophages through 5‐HT1A receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 457–463. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705188
P2Y receptor regulation of cultured rat cerebral cortical cells: calcium responses and mRNA expression in neurons and glia
Authors: Bennett Gillian C , Ford Anthony P D W , Smith Jacqueline A M , Emmett Caroline J , Webb Tania E , Boarder Michael R
Published: May 2003

We have investigated increases in cytosolic Ca2+ in response to nucleotides in mixed rat cerebrocortical cultures (neurons and glia in similar numbers) and in essentially neuron‐free glial cultures.

In both cultures, the agonist‐response profile was 2‐methylthioADP(2MeSADP)>2‐methylthioATP(2MeSATP)>ADP>ATP>adenosine 5′‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate), consistent with a P2Y1 receptor. The maximal responses to 2MeSADP, 2MeSATP and ADP were identical, but that to ATP was higher.

Suramin, pyridoxal‐phosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid, reactive blue 2 (RB2), and adenosine biphosphate (A3P5P) were antagonists with apparent pA2 values of 5.5 for suramin, 6.4 for RB2, and 4.7 for A3P5P.

Single cell imaging divided the cells from the mixed neuronal–glial cultures into two populations: responsive (neurons) and unresponsive (glial cells) to high [K+]. The response of cells to nucleotides was almost exclusively limited to those not responsive to high K+.

In the presence of extracellular Mn2+, the response of the mixed cultures to 30 mM K+ and 20 μM Bay K 8644 was attenuated. However, when 2MeSADP was added there was no reduction in response in cultures previously loaded with Mn2+. This further indicated that the 2MeSADP response was not in the neurons.

Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction studies detected transcripts for P2Y1, P2Y4 and P2Y6 in RNA preparations from embryonic rat cortex, and from both mixed and glial cultures. P2Y2 transcripts were not detected in the embryonic cortex.

Based on this and previous work, it is proposed that the principal P2Y influences in the brain are on cytosolic Ca2+ in glial cells and presynaptic sites on neurons.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 279–288. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705242
Roles for CCK1 and 5‐HT3 receptors in the effects of CCK on presympathetic vasomotor neuronal discharge in the rat
Authors: Saita Mitsuhiko , Verberne Anthony J M
Published: May 2003

The role of peripheral 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT3) receptors and cholecystokinin type 1 (CCK1) receptors in the inhibitory effects of phenylbiguanide (PBG) and CCK on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and the discharge of presympathetic vasomotor neurones of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) was studied in α‐chloralose‐anaesthetized rats.

CCK (1 and 4 μg kg−1, i.v.) and PBG (2 and 10 μg kg−1, i.v.) reduced arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and inhibited the discharge of single RVLM presympathetic vasomotor neurones in a dose‐related manner.

Devazepide (0.5 mg kg−1, i.v.), a selective CCK1 receptor antagonist, blocked the effects of CCK on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and neuronal discharge but did not significantly alter these responses to PBG. MDL72222 (0.1 mg kg−1, i.v.), a selective 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist, blocked the effects of PBG on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and presympathetic neuronal discharge. MDL72222 attenuated the effects of CCK on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and RVLM presympathetic neuronal discharge. Vehicle did not significantly alter any of the responses to CCK or PBG.

These experiments suggest that systemically administered CCK acts directly through CCK1 receptors to modulate sympathetic vasomotor function. In addition, the actions of CCK also are partly dependent on activation of 5‐HT3 receptors. CCK may release 5‐HT which then acts at 5‐HT3 receptors to produce sympathetic vasomotor inhibition. In contrast, the actions of PBG are entirely dependent on 5‐HT3 receptors and are independent of any actions at the CCK1 receptor.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 415–423. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705245
Colitis: it is not just for the colon anymore
Authors: Linden David R
Published: May 2003

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 185–186. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705250
Involvement of H2O2 in superoxide‐dismutase‐induced enhancement of endothelium‐dependent relaxation in rabbit mesenteric resistance artery
Authors: Itoh Takeo , Kajikuri Junko , Hattori Tomonori , Kusama Nobuyoshi , Yamamoto Tamao
Published: May 2003

The mechanism underlying the enhancement by superoxide dismutase (SOD) of endothelium‐dependent relaxation was investigated in rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries.

SOD (200 U ml−1) increased the production of H2O2 in smooth muscle cells (as indicated by the use of an H2O2‐sensitive fluorescent dye).

Neither SOD nor catalase (400 U ml−1) modified either the resting membrane potential or the hyperpolarization induced by acetylcholine (ACh, 1 μM) in smooth muscle cells.

In arteries constricted with noradrenaline, the endothelium‐dependent relaxation induced by ACh (0.01–1 μM) was enhanced by SOD (200 U ml−1) (P<0.01). This action of SOD was inhibited by L‐NG‐nitroarginine (nitric oxide (NO)‐synthase inhibitor) but not by either charybdotoxin+apamin (Ca2+‐activated‐K+‐channel blockers) or diclofenac (cyclooxygenase inhibitor).

Neither ascorbate (50 μM) nor tiron (0.3 mM), superoxide scavengers, had any effect on the ACh‐induced relaxation, but each attenuated the enhancing effect of SOD on the ACh‐induced relaxation. Similarly, catalase (400 U ml−1) inhibited the effect of SOD without changing the ACh‐induced relaxation.

In endothelium‐denuded strips constricted with noradrenaline, SOD enhanced the relaxation induced by the NO donor 1‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐3‐(N‐methyl‐3‐aminopropyl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐triazene (NOC‐7) (P<0.05). Ascorbate and catalase each attenuated this effect of SOD.

H2O2 (1 μM) enhanced the relaxation on the noradrenaline contraction induced by NOC‐7 and that induced by 8‐bromo‐cGMP, a membrane‐permeable analogue of guanosine 3′,5′ cyclic monophosphate (cGMP).

SOD had no effect on cGMP production, whether measured in endothelium‐intact strips following an application of ACh (0.1 μM) or in endothelium‐denuded strips following an application of NOC‐7 (0.1 μM).

It is suggested that in rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries, SOD increases the ACh‐induced, endothelium‐dependent relaxation by enhancing the action of NO in the smooth muscle via its H2O2‐producing action (rather than via a superoxide‐scavenging action).

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 444–456. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705255
Angiopoietin‐1 inhibits endothelial permeability, neutrophil adherence and IL‐8 production
Authors: Pizurki Lara , Zhou Zongmin , Glynos Konstantinos , Roussos Charis , Papapetropoulos Andreas
Published: May 2003

Angiopoietin‐1 (Ang1) is an angiogenic growth factor that binds to the Tie2 receptor on vascular endothelium, promoting blood vessel maturation and integrity. In the present study, we have investigated whether Ang1 also possesses anti‐inflammatory properties by determining its effects on endothelial barrier function, neutrophil (PMN) adherence to endothelial cells (EC) and production of the PMN chemotactic factor interleukin‐8 (IL‐8).

Pretreatment of endothelial monolayers with Ang1 attenuated the permeability increase induced by thrombin in both lung microvascular cells and a human endothelial cell line. Similarly, Ang1 prevented the permeability‐inducing effects of platelet‐activating factor, bradykinin and histamine.

Pretreatment of EC with Ang1 also reduced the adherence of PMN to EC stimulated by thrombin. In contrast to its ability to counteract the increase in monolayer permeability brought about by various inflammatory agents, Ang1 did not affect the ability of histamine, PAF, or tumor necrosis factor‐α to stimulate PMN adherence to EC.

In addition to its ability to inhibit PMN adherence, Ang1 diminished IL‐8 production from EC challenged with thrombin in a concentration‐dependent manner.

When EC were preincubated with the specific Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y‐27632, we observed a reduction in PMN adherence in response to thrombin, as well as a decrease in thrombin‐stimulated IL‐8 production. Coincubation of monolayers with Y‐27632 and Ang1 did not further attenuate the above‐mentioned responses. However, Ang‐1 failed to inhibit the activation of RhoA in response to thrombin, suggesting that inhibition of EC adhesiveness for PMN and IL‐8 production by Ang1 does not result from reduced ROCK activation.

We conclude that Ang1 can counteract several aspects of the inflammatory response, including endothelial permeability, PMN adherence to EC as well as inhibition of IL‐8 production by EC.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 329–336. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705259
Castration decreases amylase release associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor downregulation in rat parotid gland
Authors: Busch Lucila , Borda Enri
Published: May 2003

The mechanism and receptor subtypes involved in carbachol‐stimulated amylase release and its changes after castration were studied in parotid slices from male rats.

Carbachol induced both amylase release and inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation in parotid slices from control and castrated rats, but castration induced a decrease of carbachol maximal effect. The effect of castration was reverted by testosterone replacement.

The selective M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor antagonists, pirenzepine and 4‐diphenylacetoxy‐N‐methylpiperidine methiodide, respectively, inhibited carbachol‐stimulated amylase release and IP accumulation in a dose‐dependent manner in parotid slices from control and castrated rats.

A diminution of binding sites of muscarinic receptor in parotid membrane from castrated rats was observed. Competition binding assays showed that both, M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes are expressed in membranes of parotid glands from control and castrated rats, M3 being the greater population.

These results suggest that amylase release induced by carbachol in parotid slices is mediated by phosphoinositide accumulation. This mechanism appears to be triggered by the activation of M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes. Castration induced a decrease of the maximal effect of carbachol evoked amylase release and IP accumulation followed by a diminution in the number of parotid gland muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 139, 399–407. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705260
Cost‐effectiveness and patient satisfaction with pregnancy day care for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Dunlop Lisa , Umstad Mark , McGrath Gabrielle , Reidy Karen , Brennecke Shaun
Published: May 2003

Objective: To quantify the cost‐effectiveness of, and evaluate patient satisfaction with, day care for management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study.

Setting: Pregnancy Day Care Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne.

Sample: A total of 1200 consecutive women attending with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

Methods: Sociodemographic details and perinatal outcome were entered in a purpose designed computer program. A satisfaction questionnaire was administered to 130 women. Clinical costing data were calculated by casemix analysts to compare traditional inpatient and day care models of care.

Results: An admission to the Pregnancy Day Care Centre cost an average of $684.85 less than a traditional inpatient admission. Women had an overwhelming preference for day care.

Conclusion: Pregnancy day care is a cost‐effective method of providing care for women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Women prefer day care to inpatient care.
Down syndrome screening: What do health professionals know?
Authors: Tyzack Katrina , Wallace Euan M.
Published: May 2003

Abstract Objective: To assess the level of knowledge about Down syndrome screening among a sample of health professionals providing antenatal care.

Design: A structured questionnaire‐based survey.

Setting: Health professionals allied to a tertiary level maternity hospital in metropolitan Melbourne.

Methods: A self‐administered questionnaire was given or posted to 166 health care providers to assess their knowledge of prenatal Down syndrome screening.

Results: A total of 140 completed surveys were returned (83% response rate), including 70 from general practitioners, 34 from midwives, 33 from obstetricians and three from geneticists. Of these, 130 confirmed that they regularly counsel women about prenatal screening for Down syndrome. Sixteen per cent of those indicated that they only offered testing to selected ‘high risk’ women rather than all women. Overall, there was a high level of awareness regarding the gestations at which the commonly used screening tests are offered but a poor appreciation of the relative performances of those tests. Seventy‐eight (60%) of those counselling indicated that they discussed detection and screen positive rates specific for the age of the woman. However, less than 10% were able to provide those rates.

Conclusion: Knowledge of Down syndrome screening was variable among those who regularly counsel women about these tests. The results of the present survey highlight the need for professional education about prenatal screening.
Survey of current prenatal screening for Down syndrome in Australian hospitals providing maternity care
Authors: Lawrence Kathryn , Crowther Caroline A.
Published: May 2003

Background: The present study assessed the screening tests for Down syndrome available to women within Australian hospitals.

Methods: Postal questionnaires.

Results: A total of 282 (57%) hospitals responded with over two‐thirds offering some form of screening test which varied by geographical region and level of institution. First trimester maternal serum screening was offered by 11% of hospitals. Nuchal translucency screening was offered by 52% of hospitals with higher use in Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales than in the other regions. Second trimester maternal serum screening was offered by 75% of hospitals with higher rates in Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and the lowest rate in Queensland.

Conclusions: A high proportion of women are offered screening but with wide variation in the tests used.
An Integrated Approach to Veteran and Military Mental Health: An Overview of the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health
Authors: Creammer Mark , Singh Bruce
Published: May 2003

Objective: To provide an overview of the development of mental health services for veterans and currently serving military personnel in Australia, with reference to the role of the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (ACPMH).

Conclusions: Recent years have seen significant changes in attitudes to the mental health sequelae of military service. The ACPMH, working in collaboration with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as well as with clinicians, researchers, and consumers around Australia, acts as a focus for an integrated approach to veteran and military mental health. The active involvement of both the ADF and DVA in the challenge of mental health provides new opportunities to address psychiatric morbidity at every stage, from recruitment, through deployments and discharge, to veteran status. The ACPMH is in a unique position to facilitate an integrated approach to prevention, intervention, policy development, training, research, and evaluation in order to ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of world's best practice in veteran and military psychiatry. The Centre is also uniquely placed to offer those same services in the field of traumatic stress to the broader community.
Patient with XY Karyotype and Female Phenotype: Description and Psychological Implications
Authors: Kraya Niazi
Published: May 2003

Objective: To describe a case of XY karyotype and female phenotype.

Conclusions: This is a rare syndrome. Some differences between this syndrome, transexualim and hermaproditism are explained, and the clinical, including psychological implications, are then discussed. The need for psychological assessment and intervention for the child and the family is highlighted as well as some cultural issues pertinent to the present case.
Should the RANZCP Comment about the Political and Social Issues of the Day? The Opinions of Australian Fellows and Trainees
Authors: Rey Joseph M. , Walter Garry , Giuffrida Michael
Published: May 2003

Objective: To establish RANZCP Fellows’ and trainees’ views about the College practice of speaking about topical sociopolitical issues.

Method: A survey of Fellows and trainees residing in Australia.

Results: Approximately half of both groups (1039 Fellows and 311 trainees) returned the questionnaire. The majority of Fellows who participated in the survey (64%) and trainees (76%) approve or strongly approve of the practice. A substantial minority (22%) of Fellows disapproves or disapproves strongly. The rate of disapproval for trainees is smaller (12%).

Conclusions: The majority of Fellows and trainees currently approve of the College being an active participant in some societal debates.
Evaluating a GP Consultative Psychiatric Service in an Australian Metropolitan Hospital District
Authors: Emmerson Brett , Frost Aaron , Powell Jacinta , Ward Warren , Barnes Mark , Frank Rowena
Published: May 2003

Objective: The aim was to develop a psychiatric assessment and advisory service for local general practitioners (GPs).

Method: In July 2001, five full-time psychiatrists at Royal Brisbane Hospital each dedicated a 1-h appointment per week in their hospital private practice clinic to assess patients referred by local GPs. The ‘Psych Opinion’ clinic was advertised through the Division of General Practice Newsletter. After 12 months, the referrals to the clinic had been disappointing so two surveys were carried out: one to the GPs who had used the service and the other to those who had not referred.

Results: Feedback from the GPs who had used the service showed a high level of satisfaction with the service. The second survey of the GPs who had not referred showed a strong endorsement of the concept but there was poor awareness of the service's existence.

Conclusions: This model offers a way for public sector psychiatrists to provide timely assessments to local GPs without additional funding. There is strong support and willingness from the GPs to refer. However, the need to actively market the service both initially and on an ongoing basis is highlighted.
Faith and Hope
Authors: Clarke David
Published: May 2003

Objective: The words ‘faith’ and ‘hope’ are generally associated with religious discourse, yet they are fundamental human concepts. In the present paper the phenomena of faith and hope and their place in the discourse of psychiatry are explored.

Conclusions: The concepts of faith and hope are not explicit in the language of psychiatry. It is suggested that this is a result of the cultural gap that exists between psychiatrists and the Australian community, assisted by a clinical approach that seeks to avoid exploration of the difficult experiences of helplessness and hopelessness. Hope and faith are multilayered phenomena involving a belief about things of which we are uncertain accompanied by an expectancy and/or conviction. Many things in life are uncertain. However, the ‘reasonableness’ of a belief is an important judgement that psychiatrists make. Hopefulness (genuine hope as compared to false hope) and optimism are associated with positive health outcomes. Hopelessness is associated with poor outcomes. Psychiatrists need to be able to explore issues of hope and faith with patients at times of life crises in order to facilitate adjustment. This can be an important part of the treatment of a depressed or demoralized person.
Trainee Perceptions of Teaching of Different Psychotherapies
Authors: Foulkes Paul
Published: May 2003

Objective: To investigate the perceptions of senior psychiatric trainees regarding the extent and satisfaction of the teaching during psychiatric training of five different psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dynamic therapy, family therapy, group therapy and supportive therapy.

Method: A 60-item questionnaire was completed by 95 senior psychiatric trainees in Australia and New Zealand. This questionnaire used Likert scales to examine the degree of satisfaction in the quality of teaching received in the five psychotherapies. The teaching mostly consisted of seminars and supervision. Qualitative responses were also sought regarding the experience of teaching and suggestions for improvement.

Results: Satisfaction rates in the quality of teaching varied from 7 to 41% and in the extent of teaching ranged from 4 to 20%. Trainees wished for more training in CBT, group, family and supportive therapies, practical seminars, and better supervision.

Conclusions: Psychiatric trainees view the extent and quality of teaching in the psychotherapies as being deficient. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Place of Structured Psychotherapies in Clinical Practice
Authors: Robertson Michael
Published: May 2003

Objective: To critically evaluate the place of structured psychotherapies in contemporary psychiatric practice.

Conclusions: Structured psychotherapies are a valuable intervention in psychiatrists’ management of mental illness and psychological distress. They enjoy the support of a solid evidence base of efficacy, although the information provided by empirical research is misleading if not balanced with the wisdom of clinical experience. These treatments do not represent a cost-effective alternative to longer-term therapies. In the hands of experienced clinicians, structured psychotherapies can be highly effective in a variety of practice settings and help to deliver quality mental health care along the bio-psycho-social model.
Effect of prey quantity and temperature on nest demography of social wasps
Authors: Nadeau H. , Stamp N.
Published: May 2003

Abstract. 1. To determine the effect of prey quantity and temperature on nest demography of social wasps (Polistes fuscatus), field experiments were conducted, in which wasps were provided with a low quantity of caterpillars (approximately nest subsistence level) or high quantity (three times as much). In addition, in the third year, the nest boxes were modified to be relatively cool (white and insulated) or warm (black).

2. In 1997 and 1998, high‐food nests had a high proportion of cells containing developing offspring, produced more offspring, and had disproportionately more female offspring compared with low‐food nests.

3. In 1999, the cool and warm nest boxes exhibited a daily average difference of 1.3 °C and a maximum difference of 6.9 °C. The warm high‐food nests produced more offspring than any other treatment. The cool high‐food nests produced similar numbers of offspring as the cool low‐food and warm low‐food treatments.

4. As indicated by a surplus of uncapped cells, foundresses of low‐food nests, which would have had the egg‐laying potential to produce many offspring, apparently sacrificed eggs to provide a food supplement for the developing offspring. This pattern plus more time observed foraging suggests considerable expenditure of energy by foundresses, in response to the low supply of food.

5. Importantly, these results indicate that an interactive effect of prey quantity and temperature on offspring production occurred, which may reflect the different effects on developmental rate and growth rate at cool versus warm nest temperatures.
APOEɛ4 influences the pathological phenotype of Alzheimer's disease by favouring cerebrovascular over parenchymal accumulation of Aβ protein
Authors: Chalmers K. , Wilcock G. K. , Love S.
Published: May 2003

The relative amounts of amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) in cerebral blood vessels and parenchyma vary considerably amongst patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this variability, the underlying genetic and environmental determinants are still unclear, as are the functional consequences. Polymorphisms in APOE, the gene for apolipoprotein E (ApoE), influence the risk of developing AD and of deposition of Aβ within the brain. We examined the relationship between the APOE genotype and the relative extent of accumulation of Aβ as plaques within the cerebral parenchyma and in cortical blood vessels in the form of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), in autopsy brain tissue from 125 AD cases and from 53 elderly, neurologically normal controls of which 19 had CAA without other neuropathological features of AD. In the AD cases, we also assessed whether the severity of CAA was related to the age of onset and duration of dementia, risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease, and histologically demonstrable cerebral in‐farcts or foci of haemorrhage. The APOE genotype was determined by a standard polymerase chain reaction‐based method. Paraffin sections of frontal, temporal and parietal lobes were immunolabelled for Aβ and the parenchymal Aβ load (total Aβ minus vessel‐associated Aβ) was quantified by computer‐assisted image analysis. CAA severity was scored for cortical and leptomeningeal vessels. The relevant clinical data were obtained from the database of the South West Brain Bank. In AD, we found the severity of CAA to be strongly associated with the number of ɛ4 alleles (P < 0.0001) but the parenchymal Aβ load to be independent of APOE genotype. Cases with severe CAA had a lower parenchymal Aβ load than had those with moderate CAA (P = 0.003). Neither the severity of CAA nor the parenchymal Aβ load correlated with age of onset, duration of disease or age at death, and the severity of CAA also did not correlate with the presence of cerebral infarcts or foci of haemorrhage. These findings indicate that possession of the APOEɛ4 allele favours vascular over parenchymal accumulation of Aβ in AD. This may influence the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in ɛ4‐associated AD.
Comparison of the neuropathological characteristics of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) in mice
Authors: Brown D. A. , Bruce M. E. , Fraser J. R.
Published: May 2003

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) belong to a group of diseases called the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Transmission studies in inbred mice (strain typing) provided overwhelming evidence that vCJD arose from BSE. In this study, we compare the patterns of neuropathology in a panel of three inbred mouse strains (RIII, C57BL and VM) and one cross (C57BL × VM) infected with either vCJD or BSE. For each mouse strain, patterns of abnormal prion protein (PrPres) deposition, astrocytosis and vacuolation were similar in the vCJD‐ and BSE‐challenged mice. Prion protein (PrP)‐positive plaques were prominent in the VM and C57BL × VM mice in addition to diffuse PrPres accumulation, whereas only diffuse PrPres labelling was observed in the RIII and C57BL mice. The hippocampus was targeted in all mouse strains, as was the cochlear nucleus in the medulla, both showing consistent severe vacuolation and heavy PrPres deposition. Although the targeting of PrPres was similar in the BSE‐ and vCJD‐infected brains, the amount and intensity of PrPres observed in the brains treated with formic acid during fixation was reduced considerably. The distribution of astrocytosis was similar to the targeting of PrPres deposition in the brain, although some differences were observed in the hippocampi of mice challenged with vCJD. We conclude that there are no significant differences in the targeting of neuropathological changes observed in the BSE‐ and vCJD‐infected mice, consistent with the previous evidence of a link between BSE and vCJD.
Expression of the interferon‐induced MxA protein in viral encephalitis
Authors: Lampe J. B. , Schneider‐Schaulies S. , Aguzzi A.
Published: May 2003

MxA protein accumulates cytoplasmically in response to interferon stimulation, and mediates resistance against several viruses. In order to test whether MxA may serve as a diagnostic tool for viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS), we performed MxA immunohistochemistry on biopsies and autopsies of 57 patients with neurological disorders of known viral and nonviral aetiology. MxA was detectable in all HIV patients with proven opportunistic viral encephalitis, in all patients suffering from isolated viral encephalitis, in one of three HIV patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis, and in one case of micronodular encephalitis. No MxA was detectable in HIV patients with isolated HIV encephalitis or HIV infection accompanied by an opportunistic nonviral disorder. We were unable to show MxA expression in a variety of nonviral inflammatory and noninflammatory disorders of the CNS. Several cases of Rasmussen's encephalitis and multiple sclerosis tested negative, arguing against their possible viral aetiology. Two‐colour immunohistochemistry identified macrophages and activated microglia as MxA expressing cells. In all studied cases MxA expression was accompanied by a marked T‐cell infiltrate. Therefore, the detection of MxA‐protein is a sensitive adjuvant marker for those cases of viral encephalitis which are accompanied by pronounced lymphocytic infiltrates.
Early manifestation and recognition of C2 complement deficiency in the form of pyogenic infection in infancy
Authors: Litzman J , Freiberger T , Barton̆ková D , Vlková M , Thon V , Lokaj J
Published: May 2003

Objective:  Although frequently asymptomatic, C2 complement component deficiency may lead to severe pyogenic infections or lupus‐like illness. In the present report, we describe infectious manifestations in infancy and childhood in our C2‐deficient patients.

Method:  A retrospective study of clinical manifestation in three patients was carried out. C2 deficiency was proved both by undetectable serum C2 level and typical homozygous 28 bp deletion of the C2 gene.

Results:  All patients were hospitalized at least once by the age of 12 months, each had one episode of meningitis in infancy, one also had arthritis with septicaemia. Infections of the respiratory tract were the causes of other hospitalizations. Two patients also suffered from frequent mild respiratory tract infections; in both patients, decreased immunoglobulin IgA and immunoglobulin IgG2 or immunoglobulin IgG3 levels were recorded.

Conclusion:  Our observations point to an early manifestation of C2 deficiency within the first year of life, with meningitis as the most severe complication. The severity of immunodeficiency may be influenced by concomitant deficiencies of immunoglobulin isotypes.