bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of the environmental education of students in non‐environmental majors at four‐year institutions in the USA
Authors: Wolfe Vickie L.
Published: November 2002

Chief academic officers at four‐year institutions in the USA were surveyed electronically to examine the extent to which these institutions provide for the environmental education of students in non‐environmental majors, and to identify various approaches to increasing environmental literacy at the college level. Of the 496 responding institutions (representing a 42.3 percent response rate), 11.6 percent indicated that an “environmental literacy” course was required of all students, and 55.0 percent reported that such a course was available and countable toward the institution’s general education requirements. At least one “environmental” minor (e.g. Environmental Science, Environmental Studies) was offered at 33.7 percent of the institutions; 39 percent reported the existence of an “environmental” academic program that offered a course appropriate for non‐majors. Discusses various approaches to achieving environmental literacy at the college level and statistical differences in survey responses among Carnegie classifications, from Research to Baccalaureate; between public and private institutions; and among geographical regions.
Towards more sustainable transportation
Authors: Balsas Carlos J. L.
Published: November 2002

Environmental concerns are growing trends in higher education. However, some universities still have mixed reactions towards incorporating sustainability into urban and regional planning curricula. In the arena of transportation planning education, traditional curricula have underestimated the contribution of bicycle and pedestrian planning to create more sustainable transportation systems. To reverse this trend, the US Department of Transportation has developed a sample course on bicycle and pedestrian planning with the intention of distributing it through planning and engineering schools. The objective is to discuss and report the results of the first attempt to teach this sample course in Massachusetts. Closes with four lessons learned in communicating sustainability in transportation planning education.
Incorporating cleaner production and environmental management systems in environmental science education at the University of Girona
Authors: Martin Maria J. , Rigola Miquel
Published: November 2002

The field of environmental science and engineering is rapidly evolving. The focus has shifted more and more from the end‐of‐pipe to pollution‐prevention oriented strategies for sustainability. Cleaner production requires new attitudes, knowledge and skills for all professionals to assure that preventive environmental strategies are integrated into planning and development activities throughout society. When preparing the curriculum for the new studies in Environmental Sciences at the University of Girona in 1993, it was considered essential to introduce pollution‐prevention‐oriented courses for future graduates. “Compatible Technologies” and “Minimisation of the Industrial Environmental Impact” are two courses supplementing each other to address the integrated approach to industry environmental issues. Describes the objectives of these two courses as well as the main topics included, and the methodology applied.
The study programme “Environmental protection and impact assessment” at the University of Latvia
Authors: Spricis Andris
Published: November 2002

Reviews trends in environmental protection and sustainability in Latvia and introduces a programme in this field at the University of Latvia in Riga. Concludes that regional changes are necessary.
Is it all in the books?
Authors: Boersema J.J. , Barendse G.W.J. , Bertels J. , de Wit A.E.
Published: November 2002

Conducts an analysis of the content and scope of textbooks in environmental science, and discusses what to do about possible shortcomings. In almost all introductory courses, teachers and students make use of textbooks. One may therefore safely assume that the content of these books reflects somehow what is thought to be relevant to the teaching and knowledge of environmental sciences. Scope and content may therefore represent what is considered to be the core curriculum, at least in the eyes of the editors and writers of these books. The analysis is confined to 12 textbooks published over the last five years, of which ten are in the English language, paying most attention to those widely used. Important research questions were: What perspective do the books take? Is their scope clearly depicted? How are environmental problems defined? What are the major issues and concepts dealt with? How are they structured? What is left out and/or missed? None of the books examined takes a disciplinary stance. In nearly all, chooses a thematic approach, with strong emphasis on Earth as a living system, and on the human‐environment interrelationship. There is a rather strong overlap in themes and concepts used, suggesting the existence of a shared “body of knowledge”, which is quite promising when striving after a core curriculum. Social and societal aspects come relatively late on the stage, mostly in the second or third part of the books, when implementation of measures is at stake. In several textbooks, environmental problems are taken as problems formulated and defined by natural scientists. Interdisciplinary methodology does not get proper attention.
The relationship between supply chain quality management practices and organizational performance
Authors: Kuei Chu‐Hua , Madu Christian N. , Lin Chinho
Published: November 2002

This study tests middle managers’ perceptions on the association between supply chain quality management practices and organizational performance. Two instruments were used for the study: a revised version of Saraph et al.’s quality management instrument and Madu et al.’s organizational performance instrument. The data were classified into three groups based on the level of supply chain quality practices. It is observed that high quality‐tendency systems tend to perform better than low quality‐tendency systems on cost savings. High quality‐tendency organizations can be differentiated from medium quality‐tendency organizations in areas such as productivity, sales growth, and earning growth. Medium quality‐tendency systems seem to be differentiated from low quality‐tendency systems on indicators like employee satisfaction, productivity, and sales growth. Our results suggest that organizational performance could be enhanced through improved supply chain quality management.
Consolidation of China’s quality transformation efforts: a review
Authors: Chin Kwai‐Sang , Pun Kit‐Fai , Hua Hong‐Ming
Published: November 2002

The development, maintenance and improvement of quality efforts rest significantly on several internal and external enablers that encompass the building of quality infrastructure, changes in quality culture, transfer of technology, skills and management, integration of quality management practices, and so on. This paper reviews the contemporary quality concepts, and presents a glimpse into the major developments in the quality management domain in China. China’s experiences verified that the transformation process has gone through several phases, and finally attained the synergy of total quality management and compliance requirements of internationally recognized standards. China’s quality transformation efforts have been promoted through legislation and by the building of an institutional infrastructure. Moreover, the Chinese Government has played a directive role in shaping the context and institutional structure of Chinese enterprises and affecting the quality transformation efforts throughout the country.
The criterion weights of the EFQM excellence model
Authors: Eskildsen Jacob K. , Kristensen Kai , Jørn Juhl Hans
Published: November 2002

This paper examines the weight structure of the EFQM excellence model. This is done through a survey among 756 chief executive officers from Danish companies who responded to a self‐assessment questionnaire. The data from this survey have been analysed through factor score regression based on confirmatory factor analysis on 5,000 bootstrapped samples. The analysis shows that the perceived criterion weights vary from the current allocation in the EFQM excellence model. This deviation is so substantial that the allocation of weights between the enabler and the result block vary considerably from the actual allocation in the EFQM excellence model. Furthermore, it seems as if Danish companies perceive the enabler criteria as equally important but this is not the case for the result criteria.
Integrated health care and telemedicine
Authors: Subba Rao Siriginidi
Published: November 2002

Briefly discusses the impact of information technology on medicine and health care. Introduces the concept of an integrated health information system, and details its functions and its benefits, especially for developing countries. Defines telemedicine and describes its origin, scope and functioning. Details its advantages, namely the expansion and export of skills, and explains its use in fetal telemedicine, teleendoscopy, telemedical education and telepathology.
Creating innovation
Authors: Man John
Published: November 2002

Discusses the nature of innovation and creativity, with particular reference to technological growth. Suggests, with examples, the nature of innovative approaches to problem situations. Identifies an “innovation mindset”, and suggests ways in which such a mindset can be created and supported, and innovation can be triggered.
Paper chase
Authors: Whitehead Emma
Published: November 2002

Outlines the changes in office processes and procedures resulting from a change from paper‐based to network‐based technologies. Suggests that these changes need a review of the supply and management of office technologies. Offers simple guidelines as to how this review might be undertaken.
Radon in a disused mine in Cornwall, UK
Authors: Gillmore Gavin K. , Pearce Gillian , Denman Antony R.
Published: November 2002

A study has been undertaken of radon levels in an abandoned metalliferous mine in South‐West England. Measurements have been taken in Gunnislake Old Adit using a variety of techniques. Radon gas levels of between 30,000Bq m‐3 and 69,000Bq m‐3 have been noted in this mine, associated with radon progeny levels of between 2.6 and 4.8 working levels. These radon levels pose a health risk for regular visitors to such mines.
Collaboration: the key to value creation in supply chain management
Authors: Horvath Laura
Published: November 2002

As global markets grow increasingly efficient, competition no longer takes place between individual businesses, but between entire value chains. Collaboration through intelligent e‐business networks will provide the competitive edge that enables all the participants in a value chain to prevail and grow. Collaboration requires individual participants to adopt simplified, standardized solutions based on common architectures and data models. Time to market is critical, and participants will have to forego the luxuries of customization and modification that characterized the proprietary infrastructures of the past.
The distribution and extent of agrifood chain management research in the public domain
Authors: Cunningham David C.
Published: November 2002

A global literature search identified only 123 formal, peer reviewed journal articles relating to chain management in the agrifood industry. The papers, published from 1987 to August 2000, were distributed unevenly across industry sectors and parts of the world. These quantitative results suggest that many of the opportunities for the agrifood industry to benefit from chain management research are yet to be explored. Information published in fora other than scholarly journals represents the bulk of the agrifood chain management literature. Acknowledges and discusses the relevance of this research and commentary.
Research at the “margin” Challenges for scholars working outside the “American‐European” domain
Authors: Walters Peter G.P.
Published: November 2002

There is a lack of global focus in much of the international business and marketing literature. Most researchers have a low propensity to undertake studies outside the North American/European mainstream and it is difficult to judge the robustness of important theoretical frameworks on a global basis. Underlying reasons for this include data‐collection constraints, methodological issues arising from the dominance of “Western” theory, the hegemony of English as the language of scholarly research and publication issues.
Examining the consequences of sales management control strategies in European field sales organizations
Authors: Baldauf Artur , Cravens David W. , Piercy Nigel F.
Published: November 2002

The effective management of sales organizations is important to managers of international marketing operations spanning multiple countries, but also to managers of local operations who may question the validity of many of the prescriptions of US‐based research. Studies sales management control in companies in Austria and the UK to contribute a European perspective on behaviour‐based control compared to outcome‐based control. Focuses on the pivotal role of the field sales manager compared to prior research at the salesperson and chief sales executive levels. Confirms the robustness of the behaviour‐based control in these international contexts, and also contributes a number of new insights to the general sales management control research literature. Identifies a number of important research directions in this important area, as well as implications for managers of international selling organizations.
A comparison of the purchasing and consumption behaviour of Slovenian and other Eastern European consumers
Authors: Rojsek Ica
Published: November 2002

Formation of a single market within the EU and democratisation and development of a market economy in Eastern Europe undoubtedly enhance standardisation of marketing in the European area. Multinational companies planning to enter the Eastern European market frequently assume that this region is culturally and economically undifferentiated. The purpose of the study is to analyze whether the purchasing and consumption behaviour of Slovene consumers is similar to that of consumers from other Eastern European countries. The attention is focused on the following five dimensions: orientation towards domestic brands versus Western brands, experimentation with unknown brands and new products; brand loyalty; quality orientation and quality indicators; and price sensitivity.
An international investigation of cultural and demographic effects on domestic retail loyalty
Authors: Straughan Robert D. , Albers‐Miller Nancy D.
Published: November 2002

Noting the lack of research on cultural effects on retailing, the present study uses the cultural framework developed by Hofstede as the foundation for an investigation of loyalty to domestic retailers. A multi‐country survey of consumer attitudes about domestic versus international retailers explored the effects of two cultural variables (individualism and uncertainty avoidance), two individual‐level demographic variables (age and sex), and one country‐level demographic variable (the ratio of imports to GDP). Results indicated that cultural individualism is negatively correlated with loyalty to domestic retailers, uncertainty avoidance is positively related to loyalty to domestic retailers, the ratio of foreign imports to GDP is negatively correlated to loyalty to domestic retailers, and men exhibit greater loyalty to domestic retailers than women do. Age was not a significant predictor. A procedure is presented for extending these findings to more than 45 additional countries. Implications of these findings for international strategic planning by retailers and directions for future academic exploration are discussed.
Benefits and challenges of global sourcing: perceptions of US apparel retail firms
Authors: Cho Jinsook , Kang Jikyeong
Published: November 2002

Investigates various benefits and challenges that retail firms perceive in global sourcing, and how those benefits and challenges differ in terms of firms’ demographic and managerial characteristics. Data were collected from 148 apparel retail firms. Three benefits factors (competitive advantage, quality assurance and service enhancement) and four challenge factors (logistics, regulations, cultural difference and country uncertainty) were identified. The types and levels of benefit factors a firm achieved from global sourcing were significantly different in terms of the product type and import volume. The challenge factors associated with global sourcing were also different in terms of the product type, percentage of imports, experience, and regions of sourcing. Information provided by this study expands our understanding of sourcing activities by apparel retailers which have significant presence in the global sourcing landscape in the USA.
NICE gets tooled up
Authors: Beattie Valerie , Hockley Brian
Published: November 2002

To date over 20 guidelines or technology appraisals have been issued. At first, it seemed implicit that these guidelines would be subject to the audit process and that NICE would provide guidance and practical support for undertaking this activity. NICE have now issued a template for the audit of NICE guidelines based on a multi‐level approach. While audit of NICE guidance is an essential element of the whole clinical governance agenda, the burden of work that this could introduce to Trusts may be unsustainable. Suggests possible alternatives to auditing NICE guidance and proposes the use of a minimum dataset and full exploitation of electronic means of data harvesting.
Consortium management of triple therapy cost pressures for HIV/AIDS in the North East of England
Authors: Tregoning David , Craven Barrie M.
Published: November 2002

Reviews NHS policy for the introduction of new technology and drug developments into the NHS with reference to HIV therapy. Also reviews current policy issues related to NHS rationing and priority setting with reference to commissioning services for HIV infection and AIDS. Confirms the destabilisation of HIV contracts in the North East of England caused by the introduction of double therapy in 1996 and triple therapy in 1997 in relation to the above policy areas. Also reviews purchaser and provider contracting following the introduction of triple therapy for HIV infection. Finally, concludes by reviewing local policy and management arrangements and recommendations for change.
Aminosalicylate monitoring in primary care: an audit and protocol
Authors: Ridd Matthew J.
Published: November 2002

Primary care practitioners in the UK today undertake more responsibility for the management of chronic diseases than ever before, including the monitoring of medications initiated in the secondary care setting. This has not necessarily been accompanied by the introduction of guidelines or additional funding. Examining the aminosalicylate group of drugs (sulfasalazine, mesalazine, olsalazine and balsalazide), it was found that despite their potential to cause life‐threatening adverse reactions, there is no agreed protocol on the most appropriate type and frequency of monitoring. A search of the literature confirmed that there is a paucity of evidence from which to construct a guideline. An audit of one family practice suggests current levels fall short of a minimal standard. Based on the current best available evidence, a protocol is suggested for aminosalicylate monitoring. Other groups of drugs warrant similar attention in primary care, and issues regarding funding for the responsibility and cost of monitoring need addressing.
Clinical governance as a restructuring of quality assurance processes: shifting the focus from corporate to clinical action
Authors: Franks Antony J.
Published: November 2002

Presents a model for clinical governance developed from the work of Sutherland, Dawson and Mintzberg. The model relates existing quality assurance processes to three key components of quality maintenance, namely skills, outcomes and processes. Argues that from such a model the relevant actions for clinicians are easier to identify and the respective needs for corporate and clinical service level actions become easier to understand. In addition four generic questions are presented which allow detailed examination of a clinical service while addressing broad principles of clinician behaviour, continuous improvement of services, patient expectations and appropriateness of interventions. This approach of using simple generic models which can be easily adapted to a specific setting provides usable tools for understanding, enquiry and change, and encourages the continuing appropriate exercise of well‐maintained skills.
Prototypes, virtues and the ethics of practice
Authors: Robinson Viviane M.J.
Published: November 2002

While in agreement with the broad coherentist approach of Evers and Lakomski, the position taken here is that coherentism, in itself, does not provide a sufficiently developed normative framework to underpin an ethics of educational administration. The coherentist approach to ethics is that the requirements of survival and social problem solving ensure the development of neurally‐based moral prototypes. Following writers such as Clark and Flanagan, argues that the normative resources of coherentism should be enriched by sententially expressed normative standards, and that the approach to such standards taken by virtue ethicists is fruitful. Virtue ethicists reject a rule‐based approach to morality and embrace the idea of moral prototypes. This is consistent with a naturalised epistemology, including the learning of ethical administrative practice.
Riding the E and L roller‐coaster
Authors: Allison Derek J.
Published: November 2002

Offers a critical commentary on the Evers and Lakomski research programme as summarized in their article, “Theory in educational administration: naturalistic directions”. The origins of their naturalistic epistemology are reviewed and some of its limitations for understanding social action considered, especially the limitations it imposes on understanding social behaviour at the level of meaning. Brief attention is given to their coherence criteria, particularly to the manner in which these should be appropriately employed in theory choice. Concludes with a short consideration of the general problem of developing theory in educational administration and the appropriate role for modern science.
Evers and Lakomski’s search for leadership’s holy grail (and the intriguing ideas they encountered along the way)
Authors: Donmoyer Robert
Published: November 2002

Critiques the 15‐year research program of Colin W. Evers and Gabriele Lakomski. Significant contributions are highlighted and the significance of each of the highlighted contributions is discussed, since apparent problems with Evers and Lakomski’s substantive contributions to the field are also considered. In addition, critiques Evers and Lakomski’s discipline‐like way of working, which is oriented toward constructing the most inclusive and parsimonious theory that can be developed to make sense of educational administration practice. This disciplinary orientation is judged to be problematic, because, it is argued, educational administration is best conceptualized as a public policy field rather than as an academic discipline. The implications of the public policy field conceptualization are explored and this discussion is used further to highlight positive and problematic features of Evers and Lakomski’s research program.
Let me tell you a story: an evaluation of the use of storytelling and argument analysis in management education
Authors: Gold Jeff , Holman David
Published: November 2002

Social constructionist perspectives are becoming increasingly influential in organisational and management studies. Evaluates an experientially based personal development module on a management diploma that was re‐designed according to social constructionist ideas about learning and managerial activity. In particular, the paper assesses whether storytelling and argument analysis are viable elements in experientially based teaching, and considers how they mediate the processes of learning and action. It is concluded that storytelling and argument analysis are viable techniques, that they facilitate multiple perspective taking and negotiation and help in the creation of intelligible solutions in joint action with others. While accepting that there are a number of difficulties with the approach, we suggest that it provides management educators with another method of experiential learning, and that it is particularly appropriate to those wishing to encourage managers to explore and develop social constructionist perspectives in a practical and action orientated way.
Some considerations about interactions between regulation and technological innovation: the case of a sustainable technology, biodegradable materials in Germany
Authors: Delaplace Marie , Kabouya Hakim
Published: November 2002

Aims to present some theoretical considerations about the interaction between government regulation and technological innovation, in the specific case of an emerging environmental technology: biodegradable materials in Germany. Shows the important role regulation plays in the innovation process. However, regulation is only one part of the whole system which influences the development of a technological innovation.
Participative thinking: “seeing the face” and “hearing the voice” of social situations
Authors: Shotter John
Published: November 2002

Offers an alternative to the Western view that rational and systematic thought about actualities or realities is crucial if we are to solve the problems facing us. Some of the possible features of an alternative, participatory way of thinking are explored as distinct from the disengaged or detached forms of thought and discourse we currently employ in the academic and intellectual spheres of our lives.
Learning from research perspectives in collaborative working
Authors: Chesterman Danny
Published: November 2002

Offers an overall framework for understanding the complexities of collaborative working. After an analysis of the forces against collaborating, a social constructionist perspective is taken. A model to connect and integrate individual and collective perspectives is then presented and examined.
Single‐channel properties of native and cloned rat vanilloid receptors
Authors: Premkumar Louis S. , Agarwal Sanjay , Steffen Deborah
Published: November 2002

The responses of single‐channel currents to capsaicin were recorded using the giga‐seal patch‐clamp technique in cell‐attached and excised (inside‐out/outside‐out) patches from embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones in culture and in Xenopus oocytes heterologously expressing the rat vanilloid receptor (rVR1). Native and cloned vanilloid receptor (VR)‐mediated currents exhibited outward rectification. In both the DRG neurones and oocytes expressing VR1, the chord conductances at −60 and +60 mV were ≈50 and ≈100 pS, respectively. At positive potentials, the channel exhibited a single conductance state. In contrast, at negative potentials, brief sojourns to subconductance states were apparent. The probability of the channel being open (Po) was dependent on the transmembrane voltage and the patch configuration (i.e. cell‐attached vs. excised). In both DRG neurones and oocytes, the Po was greater at positive (+60 mV) than at negative (‐60 mV) potentials. In cell‐attached patches, the Po was approximately twofold higher, regardless of the applied potential. Most likely, the outward rectification observed in whole‐cell currents is due to the voltage dependence of single‐channel conductance and Po. The open‐time distributions of single‐channel currents recorded from native and cloned VRs in the presence of low agonist concentrations (0.01‐0.03 μm) were best fitted with three exponential components. The closed‐time distributions were best fitted by five exponential components. At higher concentrations (0.5‐1 μm), an additional component was required to fit the open‐time distribution, and the number of exponential components needed to fit the closed‐time distributions was reduced to two. The overall mean open time at +60 mV was ≈4 ms, compared to ≈1.2 ms at −60 mV. However, the overall mean closed time was not voltage dependent. There were no significant differences between the native and cloned receptors. A comparison of single‐channel properties of native and heterologously expressed VR channels indicates that expression of the rVR1 subunit alone can account for the single‐channel behaviour of the majority of the native VRs. These results suggest that either native VRs are made up of VR1 subunits, or the incorporation of subunits other than VR1 does not influence the functional properties.
Force enhancement following muscle stretch of electrically stimulated and voluntarily activated human adductor pollicis
Authors: Lee Hae‐Dong , Herzog Walter
Published: November 2002

For electrically stimulated muscles, it has been observed that maximal muscle force during and after stretch is substantially greater than the corresponding isometric force. However, this observation has not been made for human voluntary contractions. We investigated the effects of active muscle stretch on muscle force production for in vivo human adductor pollicis (n= 12) during maximal voluntary contractions and electrically induced contractions. Peak forces during stretch, steady‐state isometric forces following stretch, and passive forces following muscle deactivation were compared to the corresponding isometric forces obtained at optimal muscle length. Contractions with different stretch magnitudes (10, 20, and 30 deg at a constant speed of 10 deg s−1) and different speeds (10, 20, and 60 deg s−1 over a range of 30 deg) were performed in triplicate in a random order, balanced design. We found three novel results: (i) there was steady‐state force enhancement following stretch in voluntarily contracted muscles; (ii) some force enhancement persisted following relaxation of the muscle and (iii) force enhancement, for some stretch conditions, exceeded the maximum isometric force at optimal muscle length. We conclude from these results that voluntary muscle contraction produces similar force enhancement to that observed in the past with electrically stimulated preparations. Therefore, steady‐state force enhancement may play a role in everyday movements. Furthermore, these results suggest that non‐uniformities in sarcomere length do not, at least not exclusively, account for the force enhancement following active muscle stretch, and that the stretch magnitude‐dependent passive force enhancement observed here may be responsible for the enhancement of force above the isometric reference force at optimal muscle length.
Role of cardiac‐renal neural reflex in regulating sodium excretion during water immersion in conscious dogs
Authors: Miki Kenju , Hayashida Yoshiaki , Shiraki Keizo
Published: November 2002

The present study was undertaken to determine the role of cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors in inducing the sustained reduction of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and concomitant changes in sodium excretion occurring during water immersion (WI) in intact dogs. Seven cardiac‐denervated dogs were chronically instrumented for measuring RSNA, systemic arterial (Pa), central venous (Pcv) and left atrial pressures (Pla). WI initially decreased RSNA in cardiac denervated dogs by 10.0 ± 5.5 %; thereafter the RSNA fell to a nadir of 18.5 ± 5.6 % (P < 0.05) at 40–80 min of WI and then returned toward the pre‐immersion level. Renal sodium excretion increased significantly by 211 ± 69 % (P < 0.05) only during the first 20–40 min of WI. WI increased Pa, Pcv and Pla in a step manner from 94 ± 3 to 108 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.05), from 1.4 ± 0.5 to 12.3 ± 1.0 mmHg (P < 0.05) and from 4.9 ± 0.6 to 15.4 ± 1.2 mmHg (P < 0.05), respectively. These responses in RSNA and sodium excretion to WI in the cardiac‐denervated dogs were significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated compared with those in a previous group of intact dogs. These data suggest that the attenuated responses of neural and excretory response to WI observed in cardiac‐denervated dogs can be attributed to an interruption of afferent input originating from the cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors to the central nervous system.
The temporal relationship between glycogen phosphorylase and activation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex during adrenaline infusion in resting canine skeletal muscle
Authors: Roberts Paul A. , Loxham Susan J. G. , Poucher Simon M. , Constantin‐Teodosiu Dumitru , Greenhaff Paul L.
Published: November 2002

The present study examined the effect of adrenaline infusion on the activation status of glycogen phosphorylase and the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and on the accumulation of glucose‐6‐phosphate (G‐6‐P) and acetylcarnitine in resting canine skeletal muscle. The study was performed in an effort to gain some insight into the temporal relationship between glycogen phosphorylase and PDC activation in vivo in skeletal muscle, which is currently unresolved. Multiple muscle samples were obtained from canine brachial muscle (n= 10) before and during (1, 3, 7 and 15 min) adrenaline infusion (0.14 μg (kg body mass)−1 min−1, i.v.). Adrenaline infusion increased glycogen phosphorylase ‘a’ by > 2‐fold above basal levels after 3 min (pre‐infusion = 9.2 ± 1.1 vs. 3 min = 22.3 ± 4.0 mmol glucosyl units (kg dry muscle)−1 min−1, P < 0.05). The concentration of G‐6‐P increased transiently from its basal concentration at 1 min (pre‐infusion = 1.5 ± 0.2 vs. 1 min = 4.4 ± 0.9 mmol kg dry muscle)−1, P < 0.01), declined to its pre‐infusion concentration at 3 min (P < 0.05), and then increased again after 7 min of infusion (P < 0.05). The PDC was activated following 7 min of adrenaline infusion (pre‐infusion = 0.22 ± 0.04 vs. 7 min = 1.04 ± 0.15 mmol acetyl‐CoA (kg wet muscle)−1 min−1, P < 0.01), and this degree of activation was maintained for the duration of infusion. During the first 3 min of infusion, the concentration of acetylcarnitine declined (pre‐infusion = 3.8 ± 0.3 vs. 3 min = 1.6 ± 0.2 mmol (kg dry muscle)−1, P < 0.05), before transiently increasing at 7 min above the 3 min concentration (3 min = 1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 7 min = 5.1 ± 1.0 mmol (kg dry muscle)−1, P < 0.01). This is the first study to demonstrate that adrenaline can indirectly activate the PDC in skeletal muscle in vivo at rest. The results demonstrate that adrenaline increased glycogen phosphorylase activation and glycolytic flux within 3 min of infusion, but took several more minutes to activate the PDC. This temporal relationship, combined with a probable adrenaline‐induced increase in metabolic rate (and thereby resting ATP demand), resulted in the biphasic changes in G‐6‐P and acetylcarnitine with infusion time.
Response of rat muscle to acute resistance exercise defined by transcriptional and translational profiling
Authors: Chen Yi‐Wen , Nader Gustavo A. , Baar Keith R. , Fedele Mark J. , Hoffman Eric P. , Esser Karyn A.
Published: November 2002

To further understand molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle hypertrophy, expression profiles of translationally and transcriptionally regulated genes were characterized following an acute bout of maximally activated eccentric contractions. Experiments demonstrated that translational mechanisms contribute to acute gene expression changes following high resistance contractions with two candidate mRNAs, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and elongation factor‐1 alpha (EF1α), targeted to the heavier polysomal fractions after a bout of contractions. Gene profiling was performed using Affymetrix Rat U34A GeneChips with either total RNA or polysomal RNA at one and six hours following contractions. There were 18 genes that changed expression at one hour and 70 genes that were different (60 genes increased:10 genes decreased)at six hours after contractions. The model from this profiling suggests that following high resistance contractions skeletal muscle shares a common growth profile with proliferating cells exposed to serum. This cluster of genes can be classified as ‘growth’ genes and is commonly associated with progression of the cell cycle. However, a unique aspect was that there was induction of a cluster of tumour suppressor or antigrowth genes. We propose that this cluster of ‘antigrowth’ genes is induced by the stress of contractile activity and may act to maintain skeletal muscle in the differentiated state. From the profiling results, further experiments determined that p53 levels increased in skeletal muscle at 6 h following contractions. This novel finding of p53 induction following exercise also demonstrates the power of expression profiling for identification of novel pathways involved in the response to muscle contraction.
Functional expression of the hyperpolarization‐activated, non‐selective cation current If in immortalized HL‐1 cardiomyocytes
Authors: Sartiani Laura , Bochet Pascal , Cerbai Elisabetta , Mugelli Alessandro , Fischmeister Rodolphe
Published: November 2002

HL‐1 cells are adult mouse atrial myocytes induced to proliferate indefinitely by SV40 large T antigen. These cells beat spontaneously when confluent and express several adult cardiac cell markers including the outward delayed rectifier K+ channel. Here, we examined the presence of a hyperpolarization‐activated If current in HL‐1 cells using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique on isolated cells enzymatically dissociated from the culture at confluence. Cell membrane capacitance (Cm) ranged from 5 to 53 pF. If was detected in about 30 % of the cells and its occurrence was independent of the stage of the culture. If maximal slope conductance was 89.7 ± 0.4 pS pF−1 (n= 10). If current in HL‐1 cells showed typical characteristics of native cardiac If current: activation threshold between −50 and −60 mV, half‐maximal activation potential of −83.1 ± 0.7 mV (n= 50), reversal potential at −20.8 ± 1.5 mV (n= 10), time‐dependent activation by hyperpolarization and blockade by 4 mm Cs+. In half of the cells tested, activation of adenylyl cyclase by the forskolin analogue L858051 (20 μm) induced both a ≈6 mV positive shift of the half‐activation potential and a ≈37 % increase in the fully activated If current. RT‐PCR analysis of the hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels (HCN) expressed in HL‐1 cells demonstrated major contributions of HCN1 and HCN2 channel isoforms to If current. Cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations in spontaneously beating HL‐1 cells were measured in Fluo‐3 AM‐loaded cells using a fast‐scanning confocal microscope. The oscillation frequency ranged from 1.3 to 5 Hz and the spontaneous activity was stopped in the presence of 4 mm Cs+. Action potentials from HL‐1 cells had a triangular shape, with an overshoot at +15 mV and a maximal diastolic potential of −69 mV, i.e. more negative than the threshold potential for If activation. In conclusion, HL‐1 cells display a hyperpolarization‐activated If current which might contribute to the spontaneous contractile activity of these cells.
Secretion and cell volume regulation by salivary acinar cells from mice lacking expression of the Clcn3 Cl− channel gene
Authors: Arreola Jorge , Begenisich Ted , Nehrke Keith , Nguyen Ha‐Van , Park Keerang , Richardson Linda , Yang Baoli , Schutte Brian C. , Lamb Fred S. , Melvin James E.
Published: November 2002

Salivary gland acinar cells shrink when Cl− currents are activated following cell swelling induced by exposure to a hypotonic solution or in response to calcium‐mobilizing agonists. The molecular identity of the Cl− channel(s) in salivary cells involved in these processes is unknown, although ClC‐3 has been implicated in several tissues as a cell‐volume‐sensitive Cl− channel. We found that cells isolated from mice with targeted disruption of the Clcn3 gene undergo regulatory volume decrease in a fashion similar to cells from wild‐type littermates. Consistent with a normal regulatory volume decrease response, the magnitude and the kinetics of the swell‐activated Cl− currents in cells from ClC‐3‐deficient mice were equivalent to those from wild‐type mice. It has also been suggested that ClC‐3 is activated by Ca2+‐calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II; however, the magnitude of the Ca2+‐dependent Cl− current was unchanged in the Clcn3−/‐ animals. In addition, we observed that ClC‐3 appeared to be highly expressed in the smooth muscle cells of glandular blood vessels, suggesting a potential role for this channel in saliva production by regulating blood flow, yet the volume and ionic compositions of in vivo stimulated saliva from wild‐type and null mutant animals were comparable. Finally, in some cells ClC‐3 is an intracellular channel that is thought to be involved in vesicular acidification and secretion. Nevertheless, the protein content of saliva was unchanged in Clcn3−/‐ mice. Our results demonstrate that the ClC‐3 Cl− channel is not a major regulator of acinar cell volume, nor is it essential for determining the secretion rate and composition of saliva.
Reduced function of endothelial prostacyclin in human omental resistance arteries in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Suzuki Yoshikatsu , Hattori Tomonori , Kajikuri Junko , Yamamoto Tamao , Suzumori Kaoru , Itoh Takeo
Published: November 2002

It remains unclear in pre‐eclampsia whether or not a functional change occurs in the role played by prostacyclin in endothelium‐dependent relaxation in resistance arteries. We examined this using human omental resistance arteries (obtained from pre‐eclamptic or normotensive pregnant women) in the presence of NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NNA, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase). In endothelium‐intact strips from both groups, 9,11‐epithio‐11,12‐methano‐thromboxane A2 (STA2, a thromboxane A2 mimetic) produced a contraction. Diclofenac (an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase) enhanced the STA2 contraction only in the normotensive pregnant group (1.4 times control, P < 0.01). In the presence of STA2, bradykinin (0.1 μm) produced an endothelium‐dependent relaxation in both groups, the relaxation being significantly smaller for the pre‐eclamptic group (P < 0.002). Diclofenac significantly attenuated the bradykinin‐induced relaxation only for the normotensive pregnant group (31 % inhibition, P < 0.001). The bradykinin‐induced membrane hyperpolarization consisted of diclofenac‐sensitive and ‐insensitive components. The former, but not the latter, was significantly smaller in pre‐eclampsia (‐4.3 vs.−2.6 mV, P < 0.05). The concentrations of 6‐keto‐PGF1α (a stable metabolite of prostacyclin) in these arteries were significantly lower in pre‐eclampsia in both the absence and presence of bradykinin (about 0.2‐0.4 times the normotensive pregnant value in each case, P < 0.01). By contrast, both the relaxation and the membrane hyperpolarization in response to beraprost (10 nm, a stable analogue of prostacyclin) were similar between the two groups. We conclude that, in pre‐eclampsia, a reduced part is played by prostaglandins in the endothelium‐dependent relaxation seen in resistance arteries and that this may be due to a reduced production of prostacyclin by the endothelium.
Excitation‐ and β2‐agonist‐induced activation of the Na+−K+ pump in rat soleus muscle
Authors: Buchanan Rasmus , Nielsen Ole Bækgaard , Clausen Torben
Published: November 2002

In rat skeletal muscle, Na+‐K+ pump activity increases dramatically in response to excitation (up to 20‐fold) or β2‐agonists (2‐fold), leading to a reduction in intracellular Na+. This study examines the time course of these effects and whether they are due to an increased affinity of the Na+‐K+ pump for intracellular Na+. Isolated rat soleus muscles were incubated at 30 oC in Krebs‐Ringer bicarbonate buffer. The effects of direct electrical stimulation on 86Rb+ uptake rate and intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) were characterized in the subsequent recovery phase. [Na+]i was varied using monensin or buffers with low Na+. In the [Na+]i range 21–69 mm, both the β2‐agonist salbutamol and electrical stimulation produced a left shift of the curves relating 86Rb+ uptake rate to [Na+]i. In the first 10 s after 1 or 10 s pulse trains of 60 Hz, [Na+]i showed no increase, but 86Rb+ uptake rate increased by 22 and 86 %, respectively. Muscles excited in Na+‐free Li+‐substituted buffer and subsequently allowed to rest in standard buffer also showed a significant increase in 86Rb+ uptake rate and decrease in [Na+]i. Na+ loading induced by monensin or electroporation also stimulated 86Rb+ uptake rate but, contrary to excitation, increased [Na+]i. The increase in the rate of 86Rb+ uptake elicited by electrical stimulation was abolished by ouabain, but not by bumetanide. The results indicate that excitation (like salbutamol) induces a rapid increase in the affinity of the Na+‐K+ pump for intracellular Na+. This leads to a Na+‐K+ pump activation that does not require Na+ influx, but possibly the generation of action potentials. This improves restoration of the Na+‐K+ homeostasis during work and optimizes excitability and contractile performance of the working muscle.
Leptin directly acts within the hypothalamus to stimulate gonadotropin‐releasing hormone secretion in vivo in rats
Authors: Watanobe Hajime
Published: November 2002

It is still not known whether leptin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone, acts directly within the hypothalamus to stimulate the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)‐luteinizing hormone (LH) system. In order to address this question, the present study examined the effects of direct intrahypothalamic perfusions with leptin on the in vivo release of GnRH in ovarian steroid‐primed ovariectomized rats utilizing the push‐pull perfusion technique. Both α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and neuropeptide Y were also measured in the hypothalamic perfusates. In normally fed animals, the leptin infusion was without effect on the release of these three hypothalamic peptides and also without effect on plasma LH and prolactin (PRL), whether leptin was infused into the medial preoptic area (where the majority of GnRH neuronal cell bodies exist) or the median eminence‐arcuate nucleus complex (where axon terminals of GnRH neurons are located). In contrast, in 3‐day fasted rats leptin was effective in stimulating the secretion of GnRH, α‐MSH, and LH, regardless of the site of perfusion. These three hormones were increased in a temporal order of α‐MSH, GnRH and LH. Irrespective of the site of perfusion, leptin was without effect on the release of neuropeptide Y. Only when leptin was infused into the median eminence‐arcuate nucleus complex was PRL secretion also stimulated, although its onset was 1 h behind that of LH. The leptin‐induced elevations of GnRH, α‐MSH, LH and PRL were all dose‐dependently stimulated by subnormal (1.0 ng ml−1) and normal (3.0 ng ml−1) concentrations of leptin, but at higher concentrations (10 ng ml−1) it did not produce additional effects. Leptin infusion into the anterior hypothalamic area, a control site equidistant from both the medial preoptic area and the median eminence‐arcuate nucleus complex, did not produce a significant change in any of the hormones in either the fed or fasted rats. These results demonstrate for the first time that leptin can act at both the cell bodies and axon terminals of GnRH neurons to stimulate the release of the neurohormone in vivo, and they also suggest that α‐MSH may play a significant intermediary role in linking leptin and GnRH secretion.