bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inconsistent determination of overweight by two anthropometric indices in girls with Turner syndrome
Authors: Isojima Tsuyoshi , Yokoya Susumu , Ito Junko , Horikawa Reiko , Tanaka Toshiaki
Published: December 2008

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) as classified by the two major anthropometric indices, body mass index (BMI) and weight‐for‐height (WFH) and to make growth reference charts of them for comparison with those of the normal population.

Method: The samples for analysis were obtained from a retrospective cohort. In total, 1447 girls' cross‐sectional data were analysed. Subjects were divided into four groups by ages: group A (0–5.99 years), B (6–10.99 years), C (11–15.99 years) and D (16–20.99 years). The cut‐off values of overweight by BMI and WFH were those of the 90th percentile and 120 percent, respectively and the prevalence was calculated. For constructing growth reference charts, the LMS method was used.

Results: The prevalence of overweight differed between the two indices. The proportions of the coincidental classification in all subjects, group A, B, C and D were 82.53%, 89.96%, 91.79%, 69.98% and 60.61%, respectively. These differences corresponded to the difference of age‐dependent patterns of the two indices from those of the normal population, as judged from the growth charts constructed with all subjects.

Conclusion: A discrepancy in the prevalence of overweight as classified by BMI and WFH for girls with TS was detected.
Birth weight charts for gestational age in 63 620 healthy infants born in Peruvian public hospitals at low and at high altitude
Authors: Gonzales Gustavo F , Tapia Vilma
Published: December 2008

Aim: To construct distribution curves for birth weight, length and head circumference using a large sample of infants born at low (150 m) and high (3000–4400 m) altitude.

Methods: Cross‐sectional analysis of a perinatal database. All live singleton deliveries from public hospitals during 2001–2006 (gestational age from 26 to 42 weeks) with no history of perinatal deaths or smoking and no current obstetric complications (n = 63 620) were included. Fractional polynomial regression models were used to smooth curves for each gestational age.

Results: Mean and median birth weight differences between those born at low and high altitudes reached statistical significance after 35 and 33 weeks, respectively. Values of the 10th percentile were higher at low altitude from 36 weeks, whereas values at the 90th percentile were different from 34 weeks. In the Peruvian growth curves, birth weight was greater at each gestational age than in the curves derived by Lubchenco.

Conclusion: Altitude affects growth patterns; these growth standards will provide useful references for the care of the newborn in highland populations. In addition, the data have implications for the antepartum management of pregnant patients undergoing sonographic evaluation of fetal weight in whom new definitions of what represents small or large for gestational age in utero can result in differences in time or mode of delivery.
Biochemical analysis of the human DMC1‐I37N polymorphism
Authors: Hikiba Juri , Takizawa Yoshimasa , Ikawa Shukuko , Shibata Takehiko , Kurumizaka Hitoshi
Published: December 2008

The DMC1 protein, a meiosis‐specific DNA recombinase, promotes homologous pairing and strand exchange. The I37N single nucleotide polymorphism of the human DMC1 protein was reported as a result of human genome sequencing projects. In this study, we purified the human DMC1‐I37N variant, as a recombinant protein. The DMC1 protein is known to require DNA for efficient ATP hydrolysis. By contrast, the DMC1‐I37N variant efficiently hydrolyzed ATP in the absence of DNA. Like the conventional DMC1 protein, the DMC1‐I37N variant promoted strand exchange, but it required a high Ca2+ concentration (4–8 mm), a condition that inactivates the strand‐exchange activity of the conventional DMC1 protein. These biochemical differences between the DMC1 and DMC1‐I37N proteins suggest that the DMC1‐I37N polymorphism may be a source of improper meiotic recombination, causing meiotic defects in humans.
A comparative study of methylglyoxal metabolism in trypanosomatids
Authors: Greig Neil , Wyllie Susan , Patterson Stephen , Fairlamb Alan H.
Published: December 2008

The glyoxalase system, comprising the metalloenzymes glyoxalase I (GLO1) and glyoxalase II (GLO2), is an almost universal metabolic pathway involved in the detoxification of the glycolytic byproduct methylglyoxal to d‐lactate. In contrast to the situation with the trypanosomatid parasites Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi, this trypanothione‐dependent pathway is less well understood in the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei. Although this organism possesses a functional GLO2, no apparent GLO1 gene could be identified in the T. brucei genome. The absence of GLO1 in T. brucei was confirmed by the lack of GLO1 activity in whole cell extracts, failure to detect a GLO1‐like protein on immunoblots of cell lysates, and lack of d‐lactate formation from methylglyoxal as compared to L. major and T. cruzi. T. brucei procyclics were found to be 2.4‐fold and 5.7‐fold more sensitive to methylglyoxal toxicity than T. cruzi and L. major, respectively. T. brucei also proved to be the least adept of the ‘Tritryp’ parasites in metabolizing methylglyoxal, producing l‐lactate rather than d‐lactate. Restoration of a functional glyoxalase system by expression of T. cruzi GLO1 in T. brucei resulted in increased resistance to methylglyoxal and increased conversion of methylglyoxal to d‐lactate, demonstrating that GLO2 is functional in vivo. Procyclic forms of T. brucei possess NADPH‐dependent methylglyoxal reductase and NAD+‐dependent l‐lactaldehyde dehydrogenase activities sufficient to account for all of the methylglyoxal metabolized by these cells. We propose that the predominant mechanism for methylglyoxal detoxification in the African trypanosome is via the methylglyoxal reductase pathway to l‐lactate.
Reduced FAS transcription in clones of U937 cells that have acquired resistance to Fas‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Blomberg Jeanette , Ruuth Kristina , Jacobsson Maria , Höglund Andreas , Nilsson Jonas A. , Lundgren Erik
Published: December 2008

Susceptibility to cell death is a prerequisite for the elimination of tumour cells by cytotoxic immune cells, chemotherapy or irradiation. Activation of the death receptor Fas is critical for the regulation of immune cell homeostasis and efficient killing of tumour cells by apoptosis. To define the molecular changes that occur during selection for insensitivity to Fas‐induced apoptosis, a resistant variant of the U937 cell line was established. Individual resistant clones were isolated and characterized. The most frequently observed defect in the resistant cells was reduced Fas expression, which correlated with decreased FAS transcription. Clones with such reduced Fas expression also displayed partial cross‐resistance to tumour necrosis factor‐α stimulation, but the mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor receptors was not decreased. Reintroduction of Fas conferred susceptibility to Fas but not to tumour necrosis factor‐α stimulation, suggesting that several alterations could be present in the clones. The reduced Fas expression could not be explained by mutations in the FAS coding sequence or promoter region, or by silencing through methylations. Protein kinase B and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, components of signalling pathways downstream of Ras, were shown to be activated in some of the resistant clones, but none of the three RAS genes was mutated, and experiments using chemical inhibitors could not establish that the activation of these proteins was the cause of Fas resistance as described in other systems. Taken together, the data illustrate that Fas resistance can be caused by reduced Fas expression, which is a result of an unidentified mode of regulation.
Peyronie’s Disease Intervention Trials: Methodological Challenges and Issues
Authors: Müller Alexander , Mulhall John P.
Published: December 2008

Introduction

Peyronie’s Disease (PD) has been studied for more than 260 years since Francois de la Peyronie’s description in 1743. Based on the current literature, the prevalence of PD seems 3–9% with an average age of onset in the fifth life decade. Much effort has been spent on developing nonsurgical treatment options to cure or at least prevent disease progression.

Aim

The recent examination of drug trials for erectile dysfunction has led us to assess PD trial methodology more closely.

Methods

An Iinternet search on PubMed was performed using MeSH words PD, clinical trials, oral, transdermal, intralesional and shock wave therapy focusing on 26 representing studies published over the last 15 years.

Mean Outcome Measures

A comprehensive review of the current literature on nonsurgical treatment options for PD was conducted to address methodological issues and challenges in PD trials highlighting trial design, patient population, and symptom and sign assessment.

Results

The majority of the reviewed studies are underpowered and the heterogeneity in the methodological approach and patient assessment between the studies is one of the remarkable findings from our review. Studies should use a uniform means of defining the degree and type of penile deformity and a large enough cohort of patients should be studied for adequate study power. An ideally designed PD intervention trial should comprise: (i) a randomized, placebo-controlled design; (ii) with a PD patient set representative of the general PD population; and (iii) a comprehensive symptom and sign assessment before and at the end of treatment which includes an assessment of at least deformity, pain, and sexual function.

Conclusion

A number of challenges exist for the design of PD intervention trials and deciphering the data generated from them. The field would benefit greatly from a consensus statement or guidelines development on the design and conduct of such trials.
DRYING CHARACTERISTICS AND MILLING QUALITY ASPECTS OF PADDY DRIED WITH GAS‐FIRED INFRARED
Authors: LAOHAVANICH JUCKAMAS , WONGPICHET SEREE
Published: December 2008

Wet paddy was dried under different process conditions applying a laboratory gas‐fired infrared (GIR) dryer. Peak wavelength of infrared emitted and initial moisture content of paddy were varied to study the drying behavior. The available thin‐layer drying models were fitted to the drying data. Then, the modified Page model was chosen with higher coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9985 − 0.9695) and best‐fitted over other models, based on comparing the values of root mean square deviation (RMSD), average percentage of error (%E) and chi‐square (χ2) between the observed and predicted moisture ratios. Qualities of GIR and temper‐dried wet paddy in terms of head rice yield and whiteness were evaluated. Response surface methodology found that an increase in GIR drying time could increase head rice yield. However, an increase in both GIR drying time and tempering time could decrease the whiteness. The contour overlay graph could then be used for determining the appropriate drying conditions, depending on the industrial or user requirement.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Infrared (IR) drying technology has appeared as one of the potential alternatives to the traditional heating methods for obtaining high‐quality dried agro‐products. For long‐grain paddy drying, there is at present a dearth of reports exploring IR drying kinetics, and even in such reports, milling quality was the focus of investigation with respect to appropriate drying process conditions. This study has presented the modeling determination and explanation on milling qualities of paddy dried with gas‐fired infrared dryer. The drying process has provided a guideline on basic information to build a commercial drying system. Finally, these results would have practical applications for maintaining or increasing the milling qualities of paddy in the existing industry.
SOME PHYSICOMECHANICAL AND NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF BARBERRY (BERBERIS VULGARIS L.) FRUITS
Authors: AKBULUT MEHMET , ÇALIŞIR SEDAT , MARAKOĞLU TAMER , ÇOKLAR HACER
Published: December 2008

The barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) fruits growing wild in Turkey were analyzed for some physical (dimensions, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, bulk density, fruit density, volume, terminal velocity, hardness and porosity) and chemical (moisture, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanin and phenolics, crude protein, crude oil, crude energy, crude fiber, ash, pH, acidity, alcohol‐soluble extract and color) properties. Mineral content of barberry fruits growing wild in Turkey was determined by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. The average pulp mass ratio, thickness, width, length, mass, volume, geometric mean diameter, sphericity and projected area were measured as 75.59%, 3.51 mm, 3.32 mm, 7.69 mm, 0.07 g, 71 mm3, 4.46 mm, and 0.58 and 0.2535 cm2, respectively. The energy, reducing sugar, protein, cellulose, oil, ash, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total anthocyanin and soluble solid matter values of barberry fruits were established as 69.25 kcal/g, 6.52%, 10.32%, 9.42%, 0.84%, 1.12%, 3.10%, 256.48 mg/kg, 789.32 mg/100 g, 931.05 mg/kg and 19.4%, respectively. It is very important to evaluate the technological properties of equipment used in harvesting, transportation, storage and processing of fresh fruits. Also, the information supplied on the proximate composition of the barberry fruit is highly beneficial for human nutrition.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The chemical properties such as ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and phenolic compounds, reducing sugar, crude protein, crude fiber, crude oil, ash and mineral contents of barberry fruits are mostly important for human nutrition and processing. In addition, it is very important to establish the physical properties of equipment used in harvesting, transportation, storage and processing of fresh fruits. However, further studies are necessary to understand the physical properties for equipment design and to provide necessary information for the use of wild edible fruits.
QUALITY EVALUATION OF MESQUITE (PROSOPIS JULIFLORA) PODS AND CASHEW (ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE) APPLE SYRUPS
Authors: GUILHERME A.A. , HONORATO T.L. , DORNELLES A.S. , PINTO G.A.S. , BRITO E.S. , RODRIGUES S.
Published: December 2008

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the quality of honey‐like syrups obtained from mesquite pods (Prosopis juliflora) and cashew (Anacardium occidentale) apple juice. The syrups were obtained through vacuum concentration of the plant extracts. Physicochemical parameters (soluble solid content, protein content, pH, acidity, water activity and specific gravity) were evaluated considering the quality parameters for honeys. The mineral content was determined by atomic absorption and flame photometry. The results were compared to the published data for honeys from several parts of the world. Mesquite pod syrup and cashew apple syrup presented quality parameters statistically different from the values reported by other authors for honeys from several parts of the world. The syrups presented superior nutritional quality than honeys regarding their mineral contents. These honey‐like syrups might be considered a good mineral source for human nutrition. Mesquite pod syrup presented a nutritional value superior to cashew apple syrup.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The concentration of fruit juices and plant extracts is a good way of preserving foodstuffs without the need of additives or the use of refrigerated systems. In this work, vacuum concentration of mesquite pod extracts and cashew apple juice was carried out to obtain syrups with high sugar content. The quality properties of the final product were evaluated. Syrups obtained from plant extracts present minerals, color, aroma and flavor compounds. Syrups rich in minerals and sugars obtained from plant extracts or fruit juices are suitable for food industry applications such as flavor agents for yogurts, syrups for pastry and candies, ice creams, toppings and fillings for bakery products, savory sauces or as preserves. In confectionary industries, plant syrups can be used to replace glucose syrups (caramels, toffees, gums, fudges), which are the most common syrups used in the industry. Syrups can also be directly consumed like honeys and maple syrup. However, little information on these honey‐like products has been published. The syrups studied herein were shown to be a good source of minerals for human nutrition.
ANALYSIS OF VARIABLES AND MODELING OF GEVUINA AVELLANA OIL EXTRACTION WITH ETHANOL NEAR AZEOTROPE CONDITIONS
Authors: FRANCO DANIEL , SINEIRO JORGE , NÚÑEZ MARÍA JOSÉ
Published: December 2008

Oil extraction from Gevuina avellana Mol. (Chilean hazelnut) with ethanol, near the conditions of its azeotrope with water, was carried out in this work. The effects of solubility, liquid‐to‐solid ratio and moisture content of ethanol were studied using 92% ethanol, azeotropic (96%) and absolute ethanol (99.9%) as solvents. Water content had a high effect on oil solubility, which reached 140 g/L in 99.9% ethanol, whereas it was 40 g/L with azeotropic ethanol. Oil accounted for 93% of total extractable compounds with absolute ethanol.

Kinetics studies of the extraction process were performed at 50C, giving as a result apparent diffusivity values near 10
−11 
m2/s, being the highest values obtained for ethanol 92% (7.5–16 × 10−11). It was also found that the higher the liquid‐to‐solid ratio, the higher the diffusivity. Simulation of four‐stage countercurrent extraction with azeotropic ethanol yielded 23.5% oil extraction, whereas simulation of four‐stage cross‐flow extraction yielded 40.7%. Ethanol can be an alternative to batch cold pressing or hexane solvent extraction, for G. savellana seeds or meal processing.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The results presented in this paper are applicable for obtaining oil from oilseeds by extraction with ethanol. It includes relevant results for the optimization of extraction conditions and particularly those regarding liquid‐to‐solid ratio and percentage of water. Considering the more specific focus of this research, the results are applicable to obtaining Gevuina avellana oil by using an ethanol‐based process, which will allow to avoid one of the cold‐pressing process drawbacks: the high oil content of the meal, which is a factor limiting its lifetime.
MULTI‐OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCT RANGE OF BAKING SYSTEMS
Authors: HADIYANTO  , BOOM R.M. , VAN STRATEN G. , VAN BOXTEL A.J.B. , ESVELD D.C.
Published: December 2008

The operational range of a food production system can be used to obtain a variation in certain product characteristics. The range of product characteristics that can be simultaneously realized by an optimal choice of the process conditions is inherently limited. Knowledge of this feasible product range and the limitations therein would be of great help to the process/product innovator. In this article, the method of Pareto analysis, in combination with dynamic optimization, was introduced to map the feasibility range for multi‐objective optimization problems. The Pareto front obtained for a set of conflicting objectives divides the product specification space into a feasible and a nonfeasible area. For process design, such an analysis is a versatile tool to evaluate different options and to search for extension of the operational range. In this work, such Pareto analysis was applied for bakery production. Bakery products might have conflicting specifications for the final quality (crispness, brownness and moisture content). The analysis shows how the feasible area was changed as the initial dough water content is modified. Furthermore, it was proven that by modification of the process (i.e., application of multiheating systems – combined convective, microwave and radiation heating), the feasible area was extended significantly. Taking these options into account, the operational range of bakery systems was improved significantly.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In bakery operation design, it is required to know the information about how the Pareto solution can be used to find the possibilities to extend the feasible region and to improve the flexibility of the system. In this study, the optimization for multi‐objective function in bakery operation was investigated by changing the product formulation, i.e., changing initial water content, and by changing the process system, i.e., introducing multiheating strategy. It was concluded that, by changing both the product formulation and process system, the process flexibility and product range could be enlarged. Therefore, the results presented in this article may be useful for the designer to improve current bakery processes.
MICROTOPOGRAPHY AND BACTERIAL ADHERENCE TO FOOD CONTACT SURFACES EVALUATED BY SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY AND EPIFLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: CARELI ROBERTA TORRES , DE ANDRADE NÉLIO JOSÉ , DE FÁTIMA FERREIRA SOARES NILDA , RIBEIRO JÚNIOR JOSÉ IVO , ROSADO MARCÍLIA SANTOS , PINHEIRO LUIZ LÍVIA MARIA , BERNARDES PATRÍCIA CAMPOS
Published: December 2008

Microtopography of food contact surfaces used in the food industry, such as stainless steel AISI 304 #4, double‐faced smooth polyurethane (PU), and PU coated with cloth, double‐faced rugous PU, polyvinyl chloride coated with thin cloth, polyvinyl chloride coated with thick cloth, silicon coated with cloth, granite and marble, was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Also, the adhesion of Pseudomonas fluorescens to surfaces was evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy. Several types of imperfections were observed in the different surfaces: protuberances and cracks with diameters of 5.1 and 8.8 µm; elevations of about 3.2 µm and micro‐holes with a diameter of 6.45 µm; undulations and depressions with diameters of 26.5 and 6.9 µm, respectively, and porous surfaces about 6.12 and 13.44 µm long. The numbers of adhered cells reached 5.5–6.5 log DMC/cm2. Surfaces coated with thick cloth and marble and granite surfaces showed the highest number (P < 0.05) of adhered cells. Choosing smooth surfaces helped to control bacterial adherence.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This research shows important information for people dealing with food quality control, quality management, risk assessment, risk management hazard analysis by critical point control and good manufacturing practices, which are well‐recognized food safety tools. The number of manufactured foods has widely increased to meet the increasing number of consumers and sometimes the hygiene procedures in the food industry are poor or overlooked. It is essential that those responsible for producing food be knowledgeable about the characteristics of the material surfaces used to make the equipment, utensils and conveyors to help in the control of foodborne diseases. The viable alternatives to avoid or minimize food contamination are (1) improving surface quality related to microtopography by improving surface production process; (2) choosing surfaces with better characteristics concerning microtopography to control the adherence process and biofilm formation; and (3) implementing effective controls of cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
The Effects of Large Osmolality Variations on the Gastric Mucosal Ion Permeability
Authors: Frenning Bertil
Published: December 2008

NaCl solutions were instilled into ligated unstimulated whole stomach pouches in cats for 30 min. On instillation of distilled water or 310 or 620 mM NaCl the net fluxes of NaCl were roughly proportional to the mean concentration difference between the gastric lumen and the blood. On instillation of more than 620 mM NaCl the absorption was larger than expected from this proportionality, a result believed to be due to an increase in the permeability of the gastric mucosa on instillation of such hyperosmotic solutions. Instillation of distilled water or 310 or 620 mM NaCl had only minor effects on the net flux of hydrogen ions out of the stomach during subsequent instillations of 170 mM HCl, In comparison with the controls. On instillation of HCI subsequent to an instillation of 620 mM NaCl the net fluxes of sodium ions and water into the stomach were significantly increased over the control level and there was a net influx of chloride ions instead of a net efflux. This result was probably due to secretion of a NaCl containing fluid. On instillation of 170 mRI HCl subsequent to an instillation of 930 or 1550 mM NaCl the net effluxes of hydrogen ions also were significantly increased over the control levels. The concentration of NaCl in the instilled solution needed to obtain an effect on the gastric mucosal ion permeability, both during the instillation of NaCl and on subsequent instillation of 170 mM HCl, was thus larger than 620 mM.
Metabolism of 14C‐histamine in Amphibians (Bufo bufo) and Reptiles (Pseudemys scripta and Testudo hermanni)
Authors: Eliassen K. A. , Reite O. B.
Published: December 2008

The metabolism of parenterally administered 14C‐histamine was studied in the toad (B. bufo), the terrapin (P. scripta) and the tortoise (T. hermanni). Paper chromatography and isotope dilution techniques were used for estimation of 14C‐rnetabolites in urine. Urinary excretion of radioactivity usually exceeded 50 % of the total dose within 24–48 h of administration of 14C‐histamine. Methylation of histamine to 1.4‐methylhistamine and further oxidation to 1.4‐methylimidazoleacetic acid was quantitatively the most important pathway for histamine degradation, accounting for about 80 and 50 % of the radioactivity in urine of the toad and the reptiles, respectively. Oxidative deamination of histamine to imidazoleacetic acid also took place in all the studied species. In toad urine imidazoleecetic acid was found in the free form only, whereas in urine from both reptilian species most of it was bound to ribose.
The Distensibility of the Resistance Vessels in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) as Compared with Normotensive Control Rats (NCR)
Authors: Hallbäck Margareta , Lundgren Yen , Weiss Lilian
Published: December 2008

Earlier studies on human essential hypertension, as well as on SHR, suggest that an increased media thickness, partly encroaching upon the vascular lumen, forms the main background of the increased flow resistance in primary hypertension (e.g. Folkow et al. 1970). In the present investigation a comparison was made concerning the distensibility of the resistance vessels in order to further explore the proposed difference in vascular design. The simultaneously perfused hindquarter vessels of SHR and NCR were exposed to sudden, repeated shifts of pressure and flow, first at maximal vasodilatation and then at stable levels of smooth muscle tone, induced by barium ions or noradrenaline. Relative changes of vascular internal radius (ri) were calculated from the pressure‐flow values, assuming ri to be proportional to 4 flow conductance. For given changes in distending pressure (Pd), the SHR resistance vessels exhibited considerably smaller percentual ri changes than the NCR ones, whether starting from the same Pd, the same ri, or even when both Pd and ri were initially kept identical in NCR and SHR by exposing the SHR vessels to lower concentrations of constrictor agents. This evidence of reduced vascular distensibility in SHR was obvious both at maximal dilation and, particularly, when smooth muscle tone was increased. This strongly supports the view that especially the media component of the SHR resistance vessels is enhanced in bulk, thus markedly influencing both “active” and “passive” resistance changes.
Studies on the Accumulation of Noradrenaline and 5‐Hydroxytryptamine by Cholesterol‐Phospholipid Microvesicles
Authors: Ahtee Liisa , Johnson S. M.
Published: December 2008

A study was made of the accumulation of the monoamines, 5‐hydroxytryptarnine and noradrenaline, by phospholipid vesicles of similar chemical composition to the natural monoaminr storage vesicles. Although the artificial vesicles would accumulate the monoamines against a concentration gradient they were far inferior in this respect to the natural vesicles. The accumulation of the monoamines was studied as a function of time, temperature and the chemical composition of the vesicles, and the effect of osmotic shock, reserpine, metaraminol and calcium on the release of the monoamines was noted. The results indicated that the binding of 5‐hydroxytryptamine was increased by acidic phospholipids but that noradrenaline was unaffected. A temperature rise only marginally inreased the monoamine accumulation. Reserpine slightly retarded the release of noradrenalinc.
Effects of 6‐OH‐Dopamine on the Autonomic Nerves of the Rabbit Myometrium
Authors: Hervonen Antti , Kanerva Lasse
Published: December 2008

The degeneration of the terminal network of sympathetic nerve fibres in the rabbit uterus and oviduct were studied after treatment with 6‐OH‐Dopamine. The majority of the fluorescent fibres of the myometrial smooth muscle disappeared 24 h after the treatment. The recovery of the fluorescence required 4–7 weeks. At the finestructural level, no adrenergic axon terminals could be identified while the nonadrenergic axons and axon terminals seemed intact. Complete adrenergic denervation caln be achieved by the use of 6‐OH‐dopamine also in those regions, which are innervated through the “short adrtnergic neurones”.
Effects of Lanthanum on the Coupling between Membrane Excitation and Contraction of Isolated Frog Muscle Fibres
Authors: Andersson K.‐E. , Edman K. A. P.
Published: December 2008

The effects of lanthanum on the electrical and mechanical activities of isolated muscle fibres from the frog were investigated. Lanthanum, in the range 0.05–0.3 mM, produced characteristic, concentration dependent changes of the isometric twitch. There was an increase in latent period, increase in rate of tension development, potentiation of peak twitch amplitude, and a prolongation of the relaxation period. Lanthanum produced no change of the resting potential, hut caused a graded reduction in rate of rise, amplitude, and rate of fall of the action potential. At concentrations of the metal ion exceeding 0.3 mM, the mechanical response was complicated by impaired excitation, leading to a diminution of the twitch response and failure to produce a fused tetanus. Exposure to still higher concentrations of lanthanum (≥ 0.5 mM) made the fibre electrically inexcitable. The lanthanum‐induced changes were completely reversible on removal of the metal ion from the bath. Lanthanum in a concentration of 0.1 mM could be used as a substitute for calcium to maintain a normal resting membrane potential and twitch response. The results suggest that lanthanum and calcium act on a common site in the membrane. The alterations in twitch kinetics produced by lanthanum are discussed in relation to changes of action potential and mechanical threshold.
Interaction between Prostaglandins and Calcium Ions on Noradrenaline Release from the Stimulated Guinea Pig Vas Deferens
Authors: Hedqvist Per
Published: December 2008

In the superfused guinea pig vas deferens, prostaglandin E2 (1–10 ng/ml) caused a dose dependent and reversible depression of the overflow of 3H‐noradrenaline in response to trans‐mural stimulation. Increasing the calcium concentration in the superfusion medium from 1.8–5.4 mM enhanced the overflow of 3H‐noradrenaline and reversed the inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E2. Closely similar effects were obtained with prostaglandin E1. In the presence of elevated calcium (5.4 mM), prostaglandin E2 was still inhibitory, but the dose‐effect curve was significantly shifted to the left, making the compound less effective in inhibiting the overflow of 3H‐noradrenalhe. The results are compatible with, and add further weight to the consideration that prostaglandins of the E series restrict the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into the neuron.
The Effect of Water Diuresis and Antidiuretic Hormone on the Regional Renal Red Cell Flow
Authors: Persson A. E. G. , Schnermann J. , Ulfendahl H. R. , Wolgast M. , Wunderlich P.
Published: December 2008

The possible role of the renal medullary hemodynamics in the formation of hypertonic and hypotonic urine was examined in 9 mongrel dogs, using an indicator‐dilution technique with 32‐P labelled red cells internal detection with small needle‐shaped semiconductor detectors. The red cell flow was estimated from

a) the mean transit time calculated by dividing the area of the indicator‐dilution curve by the peak activity and

b) the regional red cell volume determined as the ratio of intrarenal equilibrium activity to red cell equilibrium activity in whole blood.

In water diuresis, as induced by 200–400 ml of a hypotonic saline‐glucose solution, the red cell flow showed a small and barely significant increase estimated at 19 %, 18 % and 10 % for the cortical, outer medullary and inner medullary circulations, respectively. After the administration of antidiuretic hormone at a rate of 1.5 mU/min and kg the cortical and outer medullary red cell flows (but not the inner medullary) were significantly reduced towards the control values. It is concluded that the conditions of water diuresis and antidiuresis as due to the action of ADH are not accompanied by marked changes in the renal medullary blood flow.
Muscle Glycogen Utilization during Exercise after Physical Training
Authors: Karlsson Jan , Nordesjö Lars‐Olof , Saltin Bengt
Published: December 2008

5 male subjects exercised at a mean oxygen uptake of 2.3 1× min‐1 (≅ 65 % of Vo2, max) before and after 2 months of physical training for 90 min and 120 min, respectively. Mean maximal oxygen uptake increased by 11 % (p < 0.05), and the mean R‐value during the submaximal work decreased from 0.93 to 0.89 (p < 0.01). Plasma levels for FFA and glucose during exercise were unaffected by training. The mean rate of muscle glycogen breakdown in the thigh between 20 and 90 min of prolonged work could be estimated to be 0.66 before and 0.41 mmol glucose units × kg‐1 wet muscle × min‐1 after training (p < 0.01). Part of the reduced glycogen utilization could be explained by a less pronounced lactate production in the trained stage. It is concluded that a short period of physical conditioning results in a decredse in glycogen utilization and an enhanced fat oxidation.
Vascular and Metabolic Effects of Theophylline, Dibuturyl Cyclic AMP and Dibuturyl Cyclic GMP in Canine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in situ1
Authors: Fredholm Bertil B.
Published: December 2008

In canine subcutaneous adipose tissue theophylline (2×10‐‐4M), cAMP and ATP (10‐‐5M), and DBcAMP (8×10‐‐4M) increased blood flow by by approximately 100 per cent. These compounds also antagonized sympathetic vasoconstriction. Theophylline and DBcAMP increased glycerol release dose‐dependently, while cAMP and ATP were ineffective up to I mM. Theophylline (0.4–0.8 mM) potentiated the lipolytic effect of nerve stimulation, while 2–8 mM apparently caused maximal stimulationPer se. DBcAMP did not affect FFA release following nerve stimulation, while DBcGMP potentiated. The apparent rate of re‐esterification, glucose uptake and lactate release was decreased by theophylline. DBcAMP (0.1–0.4 mM) had no effect on these parameters, while DBcGMP at the same concentration decreased re‐esterification and lactate release. Stimulated overflow of3H from tissues prelabelled with L‐3H‐noradrenaline was reduced to 50 per cent by ATP (0.1–0.4 mM), but was unaffected by DBcAMP and DBcGMP at the same concentration. The results support the view that cAMP mediates the metabolic actions of sympathetic nerve stimulation in canine subcutaneous adipose tissue. The relationship between cAMP and vascular reactions may be more complex.
The Role of Blood Platelets in Pulmonary Responses to Microembolization with Barium Sulphate
Authors: Bø G. , Hognestad J. , Vaage J.
Published: December 2008

Intravenous administration to cats of a barium sulphate suspension caused a temporary and marked increase in the pulmonary vascular resistance. On repeated infusions there was a gradual decrease in this pulmonary response. At the same time there occurred a marked fall in the number of circulating blood platelets. Another group of cats were made thrombocytopenic beforehand by treatment with anti‐platelet serum In such cats infusions of barium sulphate gave no or very weak pulmonary vascular response. The presence of a certain number of circulating blood platelets is thus necessary for barium sulphate infusions to have their marked effects on the pulmonary circulation. It appears that the essential effect of barium sulphate in this connection is to cause blood platelet alterations, with aggregation and probably a subseqent release of vasoactive materials.
Aspects of the Relative Roles of Peripheral Vasoconstriction and Vagal Bradycardia in the Establishment of the “Diving Reflex” in Ducks
Authors: Blix Arnoldus Schytte , Gautvik Eva Løwer , Refsum Helge
Published: December 2008

The effects of α‐adrenergic (Phenoxybenzamine) and parasympathetic (Atropin) blockade on the cardiovascular response to diving in the duck has been studied. With no significant reduction in the immediate, slight fall in heart rate, a‐adrenergic blockade caused peripheral vasodilatation, and virtually abolished the more delayed phase of profound bradycardia during diving. Atropinization eliminated both elenients of the diving bradycardia., while the arterial and venous pressure greatly increased, suggesting that intense activation of the vasoconstrictor fibres was maintained during submersion. It is concluded that the gradual but profound intensification of the initial, slight bradycardia in the dividing duck is a matter of a secondary reflex adjustment to the pressure level.
Human Muscle Spindle Discharge during Isometric Voluntary Contractions. Amplitude Relations between Spindle Frequency and Torque
Authors: Vallbo A. B.
Published: December 2008

During isometric voluntary contractions, the impulse frequency in muscle spindle afferents was analysed in relation to the contraction intensity in man. Single unit impulses from the finger flexor muscles were recorded with percutaneously inserted tungsten needle electrodes from the median nerve. The spindle frequency increased with the contraction intensity. For very weak contractions the increase was steep but levelled off to attain an average slope of 32.8 ips/Nm at the metacarpo‐phalangeal joint for the primaries and 22.8 ips/Nm for the secondaries when the muscles to a single finger were activated. The close relation between spindle frequency and torque suggests parallel modulations of the skeletomotor and the fusimotor outputs during voluntary contractions. The dominating type of fusimotor outflow was of the static type but clear indications of increased dynamic fusimotor outflow were also seen. Quantitative considerations of the spindle frequency as a function of contraction intensity and as a function of muscle length suggest that the muscle spindles and their central connections do not constitute a very powerful mechanism for holding the muscle at constant length when the load varies.
Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebral Metabolic Rate for Oxygen in Rats with Porta‐Caval Anastomosis
Authors: Eklöf Bo , Holmin Torsten , Jóhannsson Halldór , Siesjö Bo K.
Published: December 2008

Regional cerebral blood flow and cerebral arteriovenous differences in oxygen content were studied in rats provided with a porta‐caval shunt. The arteriovenous oxygen differences decreased, while cerebral blood flow was unchanged. It is concluded that rats with a porta‐caval anastomosis have a reduction in cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen, possibly due to reduced functional demands.
Pharmacological Exposure of Components in the Autonomic Control of the Diving Reflex
Authors: Andersen Harald T. , Blix Arnoldus Sch.
Published: December 2008

The autonomic mechanisms controlling cardio‐vascular adjustments to diving have been studied in ducks using drugs which block adrenergic a‐receptors (phentolamine) or deplete catechol‐amine stores (reserpine). In animals thus treated there was a marked change in the cardiovascular reflex pattern upon diving. The vasoconstrictor response regularly seen in normal, submerged animals appeared to be abolished, and the diving bradycardia was only poorly developed. As a consequence, the treated animals had lost their capability to endure submersion for prolonged periods of time, the catecholamine depleter being more effective in this respect than the α‐receptor blocking agent. However, if noradrenaline was administered to a submerged animal pre‐treated with reserpine, peripheral vasoconstriction and bradycardia took place momentarily. It is concluded that the initial, quick slowing of the heart, which takes place upon submersion, results from an immediate parasympathetic activity associated with the reflex apnoea. The profound diving bradycardia gradually developing may be due to baroreceptor stimulation related to the peripheral vasoconstriction.
Drug Effects on Isolated Artery Strips from Two Teleosts, Gadus morhua and Salmo gairdneri
Authors: Holmgren Susanne , Nilsson Stefan
Published: December 2008

The presence of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors in the celiac arteries of the cod,Gadus morhua, and the rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri, has been investigated. Affinities and intrinsic activities of different catecholamines and acetylcholine have been determined from cumulative dose‐response curves. The pD2‐value for acetylcholine was 6.62 ± 0.20 in the rainbow trout arteries, while the cod arteries only responded to acetylcholine in concentrations of 10‐‐2M or more. In both species the potencies of the catecholamines producing contraction of the arteries were in the order adrenaline > noradrenaline > phenylephrine, while isoprenaline did not contract the preparations. In cod arteries competitive antagonism was obtained with yohimbine (pA2= 7.3), phentolamine (pA2= 8.0) and propranolol (pA2= 6.1), while phenoxybenzamine produced non‐competitive blockade of the response to noradrenaline (pM50= 6.9). It is concluded that although the rainbow trout celiac artery could possess double innervation, it is unlikely that a cholinergic vasomotor innervation plays any role in regulating the cod celiac artery. A solely adrenergic alpha receptor mediated innervation is therefore proposed for the cod celiac artery.
Differences in Recruitment Order and Discharge Pattern of Motor Units in the Early and Late Flexion Reflex Components in Man
Authors: Grimby Lennart , Hannerz Jan
Published: December 2008

The recruitment order of motor units in the normal and pathological flexion reflex in man was studied by electromyographic techniques. The following findings were made: (1) the recruitment order is different in the early, phasic and in the late, tonic flexion component; (2) this difference is eliminated so that the recruitment order of the late reflex component is also used in the early reflex component if the motoneurone pool is subliminally facilitated in advance; (3) the first motor unit in the early component of the non‐facilitated pathological flexion reflex tends to discharge a higher frequency than does the first motor unit in the late reflex component. It is suggested that short reflex arcs may favour phasic motoneurones while long reflex arcs and long‐lasting states of facilitation favour tonic motoneurones.
Pressure‐Volume Characteristics of the Interstitial Fluid Space in the Skeletal Muscle of the Cat
Authors: Eliassen E. , Folkow B. , Hilton S. M. , ÖBerg B. , Rippe B.
Published: December 2008

Pressure‐volume characteristics of the interstitial fluid space in cat skeletal muscle were determined by plethysmographic recordings of the tissue volume changes following net capillary filtration or absorption. The concomitant changes in interstitial fluid pressure (Pif) were assessed by estimating the isovolumetric capillray pressure (Pci). In resting muscle Pci averaged 13.7 mni Hg during perfusion with blood, having an average colloid osmotic pressure of 18.3 mm Hg. As there is no net fluid exchange, these findings indicate a balancing filtration iorce of 4.6 mm Hg which is exerted chiefly by the colloid osmotic pressure of the tissue fluid (πif), with the possible contribution of a slightly subatmospheric Pif.

A reduction of tissue fluid volume of 30 % led to a reduction of Pci of approximately 4 mm Hg, while doubling the volume raised Pci by 3–4 mm Hg. Since these Pci changes must be partly ascribed to alterations in πif, the actual changes in Pif were even smaller. The compliance of the interstitial fluid space in skeletal muscle is therefore high (above 1.4 ml/100 g tissue × mm Hg) within the normal range of Pif. The large extravascular fluid dept in skeletal muscle is thus easily mobilized to replenish the circulatory system when capillary pressure falls. as after a blood loss.
The Effect of Dopa on the Spinal Cord. 8. Presynaptic and “Remote” Inhibition of Transmission from Ia Afferents to Alpha Motoneurones
Authors: Bergmans J. , Burke R. , Fedina L. , Lundberg A.
Published: December 2008

In unanesthetized spinal cats, injected with l‐DOPA, intra‐axonal recording was used to investigate the primary afferent depolarization (PAD) evoked in different species of afferents by volleys in the flexor reflex afferents (FRA). It was confirmed that a late PAD is evoked in la afferents and usually not in Ib or cutaneous afferents. Some late PAD was observed in a few group II muscle afferents. Intracellular recording from motoneurones revealed a considerable depression of the Ia EPSP during the late PAD evoked from the FRA after DOPA, but it was diffkult to attribute this entirely to the PAD in Ia afferents since there was also a late postsynaptic conductance increase in the motoneurones. A further analysis was made on acute spinal cats not injected with DOPA, in which a late P.4D sometimes is evoked by FR24 volleys, without the late postsynaptic soma effects in motoneurones. The marked depression of the Ia EPSP evoked from the FRA under these conditions has a longer duration than the PAD in la afferent terminals. It is postulated that two mechanisms contribute to the Ia EPSP depression, presynaptic inhibition and “remote inhibition”; the latter action persisting after the repolarization of Ia afferents. The results are discussed in relation to reflex regulation of stepping.
Diurnal Variation of Serum Immunoassayable Thyrotropin (TSH) Concentration in the Rat
Authors: Leppäluoto J. , Ranta T. , Tuomisto J.
Published: December 2008

The diurnal variation in the immunoassayable TSH content of sera of female and male adult rats under conditions of 12 hours' light and 12 h darkness was determined. In the females the TSH level rose gradually from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. and then declined, in the males the level rose from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. and then declined. Scattering of individual values was great (mean coefficient of variation was 0.45–0.46). For the estimation of the serum TSH level these determinants should be known.
Longitudinal Propagation of Myogenic Activity in Rabbit Arteries and in the Rat Portal Vein
Authors: Bevan John A. , Ljung Bengt
Published: December 2008

Longitudinal spread of induced activity was analysed in the rat portal vein and rabbit aorta and compared to propagation in the brachial, radial, ear, mesenteric, femoral and posterior tibial arteries of the rabbit. Isometric force in spiral strips or intact preparations was measured during superfusion with Krebs' solution. The lower 20 per cent of the preparation could be selectively exposed to exogenous noradrenaline (NA) or to transmural field stimulation. Propagation was inferred to occur when the amplitude of the local response, relative to that when the entire preparation was stimulated, exceeded the relative length of the locally stimulated tissue. No propagation was found in the rabbit aortic strip. Propagation was less in proximal than in distal muscular arteries. The calculated distance of propagation was greatest in the rat portal vein. The intact limb vessel preparations reponded to NA with phasic contractions. In the ear artery, here was propagation only of the first phase of this biphasic response. These results show that different sections of the rabbit vascular tree display individuality in their ability to support propagation. In general, propagation in the arterial tree appears to be greatest in the smaller vessels.