bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of the Ca2+ Blocking Site of Acid-sensing Ion Channel (ASIC) 1
Authors: Paukert Martin , Babini Elena , Pusch Michael , Gründer Stefan
Published: September 2004

Acid-sensing ion channels ASIC1a and ASIC1b are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by H+ in the physiological range of pH. The apparent affinity for H+ of ASIC1a and 1b is modulated by extracellular Ca2+ through a competition between Ca2+ and H+. Here we show that, in addition to modulating the apparent H+ affinity, Ca2+ blocks ASIC1a in the open state (IC50 ∼ 3.9 mM at pH 5.5), whereas ASIC1b is blocked with reduced affinity (IC50 > 10 mM at pH 4.7). Moreover, we report the identification of the site that mediates this open channel block by Ca2+. ASICs have two transmembrane domains. The second transmembrane domain M2 has been shown to form the ion pore of the related epithelial Na+ channel. Conserved topology and high homology in M2 suggests that M2 forms the ion pore also of ASICs. Combined substitution of an aspartate and a glutamate residue at the beginning of M2 completely abolished block by Ca2+ of ASIC1a, showing that these two amino acids (E425 and D432) are crucial for Ca2+ block. It has previously been suggested that relief of Ca2+ block opens ASIC3 channels. However, substitutions of E425 or D432 individually or in combination did not open channels constitutively and did not abolish gating by H+ and modulation of H+ affinity by Ca2+. These results show that channel block by Ca2+ and H+ gating are not intrinsically linked.
Determinants of Anion Permeation in the Second Transmembrane Domain of the Mouse Bestrophin-2 Chloride Channel
Authors: Qu Zhiqiang , Hartzell Criss
Published: September 2004

Bestrophins have been proposed to constitute a new family of Cl channels that are activated by cytosolic Ca. We showed previously that mutation of serine-79 to cysteine in mouse bestrophin-2 (mBest2) altered the relative permeability and conductance to SCN. In this paper, we have overexpressed various mutant constructs of mBest2 in HEK-293 cells to explore the contributions to anion selectivity of serine-79 and other amino acids (V78, F80, G83, F84, V86, and T87) located in the putative second transmembrane domain (TMD2). Residues selected for mutagenesis were distributed throughout TMD2, but mutations at all positions changed the selectivity. The effects on selectivity were rather modest. Replacement of residues 78, 79, 80, 83, 84, 86, or 87 with cysteine had similar effects: the permeability of the channel to SCN relative to Cl (PSCN/PCl) was decreased three- to fourfold and the relative SCN conductance (GSCN/GCl) was increased five- to tenfold. Side chains at positions 78 and 80 appeared to be situated close to the permeant anion, because the electrostatic charge at these positions affected permeation in specific ways. The effects of charged sulfhydryl-reactive MTS reagents were the opposite in the V78C and F80C mutants and the effects were partially mimicked by substitution of F80 with charged amino acids. In S79T, switching from Cl to SCN caused slow changes in GSCN/GCl (τ = 16.6 s), suggesting that SCN binding to the channel altered channel gating as well as conductance. The data in this paper and other data support a model in which TMD2 plays an important role in forming the bestrophin pore. We suggest that the major determinant in anion permeation involves partitioning of the permeant anion into an aqueous pore whose structural features are rather flexible. Furthermore, anion permeation and gating may be linked.
Mechanisms of Regulation of Epithelial Sodium Channel by SGK1 in A6 Cells
Authors: de la Rosa Diego Alvarez , Păunescu Teodor G. , Els Willem J. , Helman Sandy I. , Canessa Cecilia M.
Published: September 2004

The serum and glucocorticoid induced kinase 1 (SGK1) participates in the regulation of sodium reabsorption in the distal segment of the renal tubule, where it may modify the function of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). The molecular mechanism underlying SGK1 regulation of ENaC in renal epithelial cells remains controversial. We have addressed this issue in an A6 renal epithelial cell line that expresses SGK1 under the control of a tetracycline-inducible system. Expression of a constitutively active mutant of SGK1 (SGK1TS425D) induced a sixfold increase in amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current (Isc). Using noise analysis we demonstrate that SGK1 effect on Isc is due to a fourfold increase in the number of functional ENaCs in the membrane and a 43% increase in channel open probability. Impedance analysis indicated that SGK1TS425D increased the absolute value of cell equivalent capacitance by an average of 13.7%. SGK1TS425D also produced a 1.6–1.9-fold increase in total and plasma membrane subunit abundance, without changing the half-life of channels in the membrane. We conclude that in contrast to aldosterone, where stimulation of transport can be explained simply by an increase in channel synthesis, SGK1 effects are more complex and involve at least three actions: (1) increase of ENaC open probability; (2) increase of subunit abundance within apical membranes and intracellular compartments; and (3) activation of one or more pools of preexistent channels within the apical membranes and/or intracellular compartments.
The β1 Subunit Enhances Oxidative Regulation of Large-Conductance Calcium-activated K+ Channels
Authors: Santarelli Lindsey Ciali , Chen Jianguo , Heinemann Stefan H. , Hoshi Toshinori
Published: September 2004

Oxidative stress may alter the functions of many proteins including the Slo1 large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (BKCa). Previous results demonstrated that in the virtual absence of Ca2+, the oxidant chloramine-T (Ch-T), without the involvement of cysteine oxidation, increases the open probability and slows the deactivation of BKCa channels formed by human Slo1 (hSlo1) α subunits alone. Because native BKCa channel complexes may include the auxiliary subunit β1, we investigated whether β1 influences the oxidative regulation of hSlo1. Oxidation by Ch-T with β1 present shifted the half-activation voltage much further in the hyperpolarizing direction (−75 mV) as compared with that with α alone (−30 mV). This shift was eliminated in the presence of high [Ca2+]i, but the increase in open probability in the virtual absence of Ca2+ remained significant at physiologically relevant voltages. Furthermore, the slowing of channel deactivation after oxidation was even more dramatic in the presence of β1. Oxidation of cysteine and methionine residues within β1 was not involved in these potentiated effects because expression of mutant β1 subunits lacking cysteine or methionine residues produced results similar to those with wild-type β1. Unlike the results with α alone, oxidation by Ch-T caused a significant acceleration of channel activation only when β1 was present. The β1 M177 mutation disrupted normal channel activation and prevented the Ch-T–induced acceleration of activation. Overall, the functional effects of oxidation of the hSlo1 pore-forming α subunit are greatly amplified by the presence of β1, which leads to the additional increase in channel open probability and the slowing of deactivation. Furthermore, M177 within β1 is a critical structural determinant of channel activation and oxidative sensitivity. Together, the oxidized BKCa channel complex with β1 has a considerable chance of being open within the physiological voltage range even at low [Ca2+]i.
New Insights on the Voltage Dependence of the KCa3.1 Channel Block by Internal TBA
Authors: Banderali Umberto , Klein Hélène , Garneau Line , Simoes Manuel , Parent Lucie , Sauvé Rémy
Published: September 2004

We present in this work a structural model of the open IKCa (KCa3.1) channel derived by homology modeling from the MthK channel structure, and used this model to compute the transmembrane potential profile along the channel pore. This analysis showed that the selectivity filter and the region extending from the channel inner cavity to the internal medium should respectively account for 81% and 16% of the transmembrane potential difference. We found however that the voltage dependence of the IKCa block by the quaternary ammonium ion TBA applied internally is compatible with an apparent electrical distance δ of 0.49 ± 0.02 (n = 6) for negative potentials. To reconcile this observation with the electrostatic potential profile predicted for the channel pore, we modeled the IKCa block by TBA assuming that the voltage dependence of the block is governed by both the difference in potential between the channel cavity and the internal medium, and the potential profile along the selectivity filter region through an effect on the filter ion occupancy states. The resulting model predicts that δ should be voltage dependent, being larger at negative than positive potentials. The model also indicates that raising the internal K+ concentration should decrease the value of δ measured at negative potentials independently of the external K+ concentration, whereas raising the external K+ concentration should minimally affect δ for concentrations >50 mM. All these predictions are born out by our current experimental results. Finally, we found that the substitutions V275C and V275A increased the voltage sensitivity of the TBA block, suggesting that TBA could move further into the pore, thus leading to stronger interactions between TBA and the ions in the selectivity filter. Globally, these results support a model whereby the voltage dependence of the TBA block in IKCa is mainly governed by the voltage dependence of the ion occupancy states of the selectivity filter.
An upper bound for positive solutions of the equation Δ𝑢=𝑢^{𝛼}
Authors: Kuznetsov S.
Published: September 2004

In 2002 Mselati proved that every positive solution of the equation

Δ
u
=

u
2

\Delta u=u^2

in a bounded domain of class

C
4

C^4

is the limit of an increasing sequence of moderate solutions. (A solution is called moderate if it is dominated by a harmonic function.) As a part of his proof, he established an upper bound (in terms of the capacity of

K
K

) for solutions vanishing off a compact subset

K
K

of

∂
E

\partial E

. We use a different kind of capacity (we call it the Poisson capacity) and we establish in terms of this capacity an upper bound for solutions of

Δ
u
=

u
α

\Delta u=u^\alpha

with

1
>
α
≤
2

1>\alpha \le 2

. This is a part of the program: to classify all positive solutions of this equation.
Realisation of Lusztig cones
Authors: Caldero Philippe , Marsh Bethany , Morier-Genoud Sophie
Published: September 2004

Let

U
q

(

g

)

U_q(\mathfrak {g})

be the quantised enveloping algebra associated to a simple Lie algebra

g

\mathfrak {g}

over

C

\mathbb {C}

. The negative part

U
−

U^-

of

U
q

(

g

)

U_q(\mathfrak {g})

possesses a canonical basis

B

\mathcal {B}

with favourable properties. Lusztig has associated a cone to a reduced expression

i

\mathbf {i}

for the longest element

w
0

w_0

in the Weyl group of

g

\mathfrak {g}

, with good properties with respect to monomial elements of

B

\mathcal {B}

. The first author has associated a subalgebra

A

i

A_{\mathbf {i}}

of

U
−

U^-

, compatible with the dual basis

B

∗

\mathcal {B}^*

, to each reduced expression

i

\mathbf {i}

. We show that, after a certain twisting, the string parametrisation of the adapted basis of this subalgebra coincides with the corresponding Lusztig cone. As an application, we give explicit expressions for the generators of the Lusztig cones.
Re–entrant corner flows of the upper convected Maxwell fluid
Authors: Evans Jonathan D.
Published: September 2004

Steady planar flow of the upper convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid is described for re–entrant corners with angles 180°/α, where ½ ⩽α< 1. Local to the corner we consider a class of similarity solutions associated with the inviscid flow equations which arise from the dominance of the upper convective stress derivative in the constitutive equations. These solutions, first noted by Hinch, hold in an outer (core–flow) region and give stress singularities ofO(r−2(1−α)) (withrthe radial distance from the corner) and a stream function behaviour ofO(rnα). Herenis a parameter defining distinct solutions within this similarity class. We match such solutions to wall boundary layers, in which viscometric behaviour is retrieved. We discuss two types of boundary–layer structure. The first is a single–layer structure, previously noted by Renardy. This single layer occurs forn= 3 −αand has the viscoelastic balance of the constitutive equations holding uniformly within it. Here we complete previous analysis by considering the downstream case. The second type of boundary layer considered is a double–layer structure, which we discuss for the range 1 <n< 3 −α. Now the elastic balance of the constitutive equations holds within its main region, with a thinner region closer to the wall in which the relaxation terms are recovered. This structure extends the range of the core similarity solutions and has not been previously noted.
Regionality in the world city network
Authors: Taylor Peter J.
Published: September 2004

Recent research on measuring world city network formation has shown a mixture of hierarchical and regional tendencies. Using specially created data, the relative importance of these tendencies, and different regional sets of world cities, are evaluated using a discriminant analysis research model. It is found that regionality is at least as important as hierarchy amongst world cities. This contradicts the world city literature where the concept of a “world city hierarchy” dominates and regional patterning of world cities is relatively neglected. As well as suggesting a reorientation in world cities research, these findings have wider implications for globalisation in general. The latter is not, and I argue cannot, produce a homogeneous global space, which is what a single global hierarchy implies. Rather, it is always the case that globalisation processes simultaneously create more than one large scale of social activity.
Cities and nested hierarchies
Authors: Hill Richard Child
Published: September 2004

We need a more nuanced way of looking at the relationship between globalisation and the city; a framework that can accommodate substantial differences as well as growing similarities among world metropolises and give both global integration and local distinctiveness their rightful due. I propose and illustrate one such framework in this paper, based upon the principle of nested hierarchy. In the view espoused here, cities are lodged within an interdependent world order divided among differently organised regional formations and national systems. The economic base, spatial organisation and social structure of the world's major cities are determined by the entire multi‐level configuration – global niche, regional formation, national development model, and local historical context – in which each city participates. Growing interdependence in the global whole is perfectly consistent with differentiation within and among regional, national, and city levels of the system. As constituent elements of the global order, cities both facilitate the globalisation process and follow their own, relatively autonomous trajectories.
How Moscow is becoming a capitalist mega‐city
Authors: Kolossov Vladimir , O'Loughlin John
Published: September 2004

The article focuses on the trends that are transforming Moscow into a new world city, manifested in its new role in global communication networks, economic restructuring, and in particular the rapid development of service economy and especially of banking and other business services. Like other world cities, the transformation of Moscow from a Soviet to a world city accelerates social polarisation and increases contrasts between the historical centre and most other parts of the urban space. The authors consider the contemporary strategies of urban management and the relationship between the interests of the state, municipal authorities, private capital, and the majority of Moscovites. Special attention is paid to an analysis of the location of new activities and to the patterns of their spatial combinations. They are explained by historical factors and the heritage of socialist urban planning in the capital.
Some preliminary notes on actor–observer anthropology
Authors: Galibert Charlie
Published: September 2004

The epistemic continuum of anthropology extends “ideally” from the position of a detached observer to that of an implicated actor. Yet this sketch raises questions. From the side of detached observation, do not structures and forms takes the place of the actor, who becomes, so to speak, the observer verifying his own models? Is not participant observation self‐limiting when it posits the ideal of fusion of consciousness, which forbids it from asking the question of otherness? Finally, when the actor assumes the status of observer, is there not the risk of seeing what one already believes, of failing to achieve detachment?

The extreme position of objective observer comes up against the specific otherness (the identity) of a subjectivity that is out of reach, and the extreme position of subjective actor comes up against the impossibility of objectivation. An ideally theoretical ethnography is blocked by the actor's irreducible quiddity and an ideally naïve ethnography by the exoticism of theory. In one case, the approach comes down to “anthropology in the absence of Man”; in the other to “Man in the absence of anthropology”.

The purpose of the article is to show that an anthropology that conjoins actor and observer is possible in an approach that combines a “state of the issue” and an essay in anthropological epistemology.
Metabolic cost of lengthening, isometric and shortening contractions in maximally stimulated rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Beltman J. G. M. , Van Der Vliet M. R. , Sargeant A. J. , De Haan A.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  The present study investigated the energy cost of lengthening, isometric and shortening contractions in rat muscle (n = 19).

Methods:  With electrical stimulation the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle was maximally stimulated to perform 10 lengthening, isometric and shortening contractions (velocity 25 mm s−1) under experimental conditions (e.g. temperature, movement velocity) that resemble conditions in human movement.

Results:  Mean ± SD force–time‐integral of the first contraction was significantly different between the three protocols, 2.4 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2 and 1.0 ± 0.2 N s, respectively (P < 0.05). High‐energy phosphate consumption was not significantly different between the three modes of exercise but a trend could be observed from lengthening (7.7 ± 2.7 μmol ∼ P muscle−1) to isometric (8.9 ± 2.2 μmol ∼ P muscle−1) to shortening contractions (10.4 ± 1.6 μmol ∼ P muscle−1). The ratio of high‐energy phosphate consumption to force–time‐integral was significantly lower for lengthening [0.3 ± 0.1 μmol ∼ P (N s)−1] and isometric [0.6 ± 0.2 μmol ∼ P (N s)−1] contractions compared with shortening [1.2 ± 0.2 μmol ∼ P (N s)−1] contractions (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The present results of maximally stimulated muscles are comparable with data in the literature for voluntary human exercise showing that the energy cost of force production during lengthening exercise is ∼30% of that in shortening exercise. The present study suggests that this finding in humans probably does reflect intrinsic muscle properties rather than effects of differential recruitment and/or coactivation.
Pressure‐independent cardiac effects of angiotensin II in pigs
Authors: Broomé M. , Haney M. , Häggmark S. , Johansson G. , Åneman A. , Biber B.
Published: September 2004

Background:  Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potent vasoconstrictor with an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Earlier results have shown a positive acute inotropic effect of Ang II in anaesthetized pigs together with significant vasoconstriction. This investigation was designed to study cardiac effects of Ang II, when blood pressure was maintained constant by experimental means.

Methods:  Ang II (200 μg h−1) was infused in anaesthetized pigs (n = 10) at two different arterial blood pressures, the first determined by the effects of Ang II alone, and the second maintained at baseline blood pressure with nitroprusside. Cardiac systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by analysis of left ventricular pressure–volume relationships.

Results:  Heart rate, end‐systolic elastance (Ees) and pre‐load adjusted maximal power (PWRmax EDV−2) increased at both blood pressure levels, although less when blood pressure was kept constant with nitroprusside. The time constant for isovolumetric relaxation (τ1/2) was prolonged with Ang II alone and shortened with Ang II infused together with nitroprusside.

Conclusion:  Ang II infusion in the pig has inotropic and chronotropic properties independent of arterial blood pressure levels, although the effects seem to be blunted by pharmacological actions of the nitric oxide donor nitroprusside.
Effects of acute moderate exercise on the phagocytosis of Kupffer cells in rats
Authors: Yano H. , Kinoshita S. , Kira S.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  This study investigated the function of Kupffer cells, and particularly their role as immunocompetent cells that come into contact with gut‐derived endotoxin, in the acute exercise of rats.

Methods:  Female Fischer 344 rats were run on a treadmill at 21 m min−1 for 60 min on a 15% grade.

Results:  Afterwards, the number of latex particles in the liver was higher in the exercising rats than that in resting rats and an increase in the number of latex particles phagocytosed by each Kupffer cell was noted. The plasma endotoxin concentration was significantly higher in the exercise group than in the resting rats, and the small intestine was damaged by the exercise. Plasma corticosterone and thyroxine 4 levels were unchanged. Although the number of Kupffer cells was unchanged by acute exercise, the number of CD14‐positive Kupffer cells increased. Plasma liver enzyme activities were slightly increased by acute exercise, whereas plasma tumour necrosis factor‐α was not detected.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that moderately intense exercise increases the phagocytosis of Kupffer cells, and that it might be induced by endotoxemia of portal blood caused by intestinal mucosal lesions resulting from acute exercise.
The stimulatory effect of α‐melanotropin on progesterone release from rat granulosa cells is inhibited by interleukin‐1β and by tumour necrosis factor‐α
Authors: Piatti V. , Celis M. E. , Durando P. E.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  Several studies have shown that a variety of peptides and cytokines are involved in ovarian regulatory mechanisms; however, their exact function is still unclear. In this work we study whether the administration of peptide α‐melanotropin and the cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) on their own modify the release of progesterone in cultured granulosa cells (GC) from pro‐oestrous rats. We also investigate an interaction between these cytokines and α‐melanotropin in the modulation of progesterone secretion.

Methods:  Granulosa cells were collected from the ovaries of female Wistar rats and cultured for up to 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of α‐melanotropin, cytokines or a combination of both. Progesterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results:  The addition of α‐melanotropin in a dose of 0.01 and 0.1 mm had no effect on progesterone release, whereas a dose of 1 mm significantly increased progesterone release (P < 0.01) compared with the control culture. Progesterone release was not modified when different concentrations of interleukin‐1β or TNF‐α were added to the cell cultures. However, when interleukin‐1β or TNF‐α were added simultaneously with 1 μmα‐melanotropin, a significant reduction (P < 0.01 for interleukin‐1β and P < 0.05 for TNF‐α) of the steroid release was found with respect to the α‐melanotropin‐treated group.

Conclusions:  These results lead us to suggest that, although α‐melanotropin stimulates progesterone release in pre‐ovulatory GC, this effect is blocked by the presence of interleukin‐1β or TNF‐α.
Control of breathing in newborn mice lacking the beta‐2 nAChR subunit
Authors: Dauger S. , Durand E. , Cohen G. , Lagercrantz H. , Changeux J.‐P. , Gaultier C. , Gallego J.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  To study the ventilatory and arousal/defence responses to hypoxia in newborn mutant mice lacking the β2 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Methods:  Breathing variables were measured non‐invasively in mutant (n =31) and wild‐type age‐matched mice (n = 57) at 2 and 8 days of age using flow barometric whole‐body plethysmography. The arousal/defence response to hypoxia was determined using behavioural criteria.

Results:  On day 2, mutant pups had significantly greater baseline ventilation (16%) than wild‐type pups (P < 0.02). Mutant pups had a decreased hypoxic ventilatory declines. Arousal latency was significantly shorter in mutant than in wild‐type pups (133 ± 40 vs. 146 ± 20 s, respectively, P < 0.026). However, the duration of movement elicited by hypoxia was shorter in mutant than in wild‐type pups (14.7 ± 5.9 vs. 23.0 ± 10.7 s, respectively, P < 0.0005). Most differences disappeared on P8, suggesting a high degree of functional plasticity.

Conclusion:  The blunted hypoxic ventilatory decline and the shorter arousal latency on day 2 suggested that disruption of the β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors impaired inhibitory processes affecting both the ventilatory and the arousal response to hypoxia during postnatal development.
Exercise and myocardial tolerance to ischaemia‐reperfusion
Authors: Lennon S. L. , Quindry J. C. , French J. P. , Kim S. , Mehta J. L. , Powers S. K.
Published: September 2004

It is well established that both short‐term (1–5 days) and long‐term (weeks to months) high intensity exercise (i.e. 70–75%VO2max) provides cardioprotection against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury. However, it is unclear if moderate intensity exercise will also provide cardioprotection.

Aim:  Therefore, these experiments compared the protective effects of moderate vs. high intensity exercise in providing defense against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury.

Methods:  Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of three‐experimental groups: (1) sedentary (control); (2) moderate intensity treadmill exercise (60 min day−1 at ∼55%VO2max); or (3) high intensity treadmill exercise (60 min day−1 at ∼75%VO2max). Hearts were exposed to 20 min of global ischaemia followed by 30 min reperfusion in an isolated working heart preparation.

Results:  Compared with sedentary rats, both moderate and high intensity exercised rats maintained a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of pre‐ischaemia cardiac output and cardiac work (cardiac output × systolic blood pressure) during reperfusion. No differences in the percent recovery of cardiac output and heart work existed (P > 0.05) between the two exercise groups.

Conclusions:  These data reveal that both moderate and high intensity exercise training provide equivalent protection against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury.
Evaluation of a triple sugar test of colonic permeability in humans
Authors: Anderson A. D. G. , Jain P. K. , Fleming S. , Poon P. , Mitchell C. J. , MacFie J.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  Conventional dual sugar tests of intestinal permeability assess only the stomach and small intestine. A novel triple sugar method of assessing colonic permeability has recently been described in animals. This utilizes the non‐fermented sweetener sucralose, in addition to conventional sugars. It has been postulated that this test enables the simultaneous assessment of small‐intestinal and colonic barrier function in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the triple sugar test using healthy volunteers and ileostomists.

Methods:  Twenty‐one healthy volunteers and 18 ileostomists underwent the triple sugar test. After an overnight fast, subjects drank a solution containing lactulose (5 g), rhamnose (1 g) and sucralose (5 g). Urine was collected for 0–5 h and 5–19 h. Urinary sugars were quantified using HPLC, and 5 and 24‐h excretion calculated. Nineteen control subjects and 16 ileostomists also underwent a 51Cr‐EDTA permeability test. Permeability data were presented as medians (IQR), and differences between groups analysed with Mann–Whitney U‐tests.

Results:  Lactulose excretion and the 5‐h lactulose/rhamnose (L/R) ratio were similar in controls and ileostomists [L/R ratio 0.024 (0.022–0.034) vs. 0.025 (0.022–0.035), P = 0.955]. Twenty‐four hours excretion of sucralose was significantly higher in control subjects compared with ileostomists [1.41% (1.17–1.68) vs. 0.96% (0.64–1.2), P = 0.003]. The same pattern was seen with 51Cr‐EDTA [2.73% (2.06–3.76) vs. 2.06% (1.55–2.71), P = 0.037] and with lactulose [0.52% (0.42–0.60) vs. 0.25% (0.16–0.35), P = 0.002].

Conclusions:  Both sucralose and 51Cr‐EDTA underwent significant colonic absorption. A significant amount of lactulose also appeared to be absorbed in the colon. This unexpected finding requires further study.
Human soleus muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise
Authors: Trappe T. A. , Raue U. , Tesch P. A.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  It is generally believed the calf muscles in humans are relatively unresponsive to resistance training when compared with other muscles of the body. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the muscle protein synthesis response of the soleus muscle following a standard high intensity bout of resistance exercise.

Methods:  Eight recreationally active males (27 ± 4 years) completed three unilateral calf muscle exercises: standing calf press/heel raise, bent‐knee calf press/heel raise, and seated calf press/heel raise. Each exercise consisted of four sets of 15 repetitions (∼15 repetition maximum, RM, or ∼70% 1RM). Fractional rate of muscle protein synthesis (FSR) was determined with a primed constant infusion of [2H5]phenylalanine coupled with muscle biopsies immediately and 3 h following the exercise in both the exercise and non‐exercise (resting control) leg.

Results:  FSR was elevated (P < 0.05) in the exercise (0.069 ± 0.010) vs. the control (0.051 ± 0.012) leg. Muscle glycogen concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in the exercise compared with the control leg (Decrease from control; immediate post‐exercise: 54 ± 5; 3 h post‐exercise: 36 ±4 mmol kg−1 wet wt.). This relatively high amount of glycogen use is comparable with previous studies of resistance exercise of the thigh (i.e. vastus lateralis; ∼41–49 mmol kg−1 wet wt.). However, the exercise‐induced increase in FSR that has been consistently reported for the vastus lateralis (∼0.045–0.060% h−1) is on average ∼200% higher than reported here for the soleus (0.019 ± 0.003% h−1).

Conclusions:  These results suggest the relatively poor response of soleus muscle protein synthesis to an acute bout of resistance exercise may be the basis for the relative inability of the calf muscles to respond to resistance training programs.
Adenosine A1 receptors are necessary for protection of the murine heart by remote, delayed adaptation to ischaemia
Authors: Schulte G. , Sommerschild H. , Yang J. , Tokuno S. , Goiny M. , Lövdahl C. , Johansson B. , Fredholm B. B. , Valen G.
Published: September 2004

Aims:  Adenosine is involved in classic pre‐conditioning (PC) in most species, acting through especially adenosine A1 and A3 receptors. We studied whether the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) was important for remote, delayed adaptation to ischaemia using a mouse with targeted deletion of the A1R gene.

Methods:  Remote, delayed adaptation was evoked by brain ischaemia (BIPC) through bilateral ligation of the internal carotid arteries. Through microdialysis probes placed in the brain and the abdominal aorta, we found that plasma adenosine increased following carotid artery ligation. Twenty‐four hours after ligation, hearts were isolated, Langendorff perfused and subjected to 40 min global ischaemia and 60 min reperfusion. Hearts from sham operated and BIPC animals either with (A1R+/+) or without (A1R−/−) the gene for the adenosine A1R were compared with each other.

Results:  In wild types, BIPC reduced infarct size and improved functional recovery during reperfusion, but BIPC did not protect hearts of A1R−/− mice. There were no significant differences between sham‐operated A1R+/+ and A1R−/− in recovery of function or infarct size. The mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 and c‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) were phosphorylated during reperfusion of sham treated hearts. The increase in ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation detected was attenuated in hearts of BIPC or A1R−/− animals.

Conclusion:  During BIPC adenosine acting on the A1R appears necessary for myocardial protection. MAPK signalling may possibly be involved in organ protection during the delayed phase of remote, delayed adaptation.
The effect of AVP‐V1 receptor stimulation on local GFR in the rat kidney
Authors: Roald A. B. , Tenstad O. , Aukland K.
Published: September 2004

Aim:  Arginine vasopressin (AVP) might influence urinary concentration ability by altering the intrarenal distribution of glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Methods:  To study this possibility we have measured the intracortical distribution of GFR following acute AVP‐V1 receptor stimulation in anaesthetized female Sprague–Dawley (SPD) rats during euvolemia and water diuresis by the aprotinin method, allowing two consecutive measurements of zonal GFR in the same kidney.

Results:  Acute i.v. bolus injection of 50 ng V1 receptor agonist ([Phe2, Ile3, Orn8]‐vasopressin) followed by a continuous infusion of 5 ng min−1 in euvolemic rats reduced GFR by 25% in outer cortex (OC), 20% in middle cortex (MC) and 19% in inner cortex (IC) relative to vehicle infusion (all P < 0.05). In water diuretic rats V1 receptor agonist reduced GFR by 22% in OC, 10% in MC and 11% in IC relative to vehicle infusion (P < 0.05). GFR decreased slightly more in OC than in MC and IC in both euvolemic and water diuretic rats (P < 0.05) indicating a distribution of GFR towards MC and IC. Acute infusion of the selective non‐peptide V1 receptor antagonist OPC‐21268 in euvolemic rats reduced GFR by 14% in OC, 13% in MC and 11% in IC relative to vehicle infusion (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between the layers.

Conclusions:  The change in distribution of GFR not only between OC and IC, but also between OC and MC suggests that the afferent/efferent arterioles and not the medullary vasa recta is the main site of resistance change. We conclude that acute i.v. infusion of V1 receptor agonist in high doses reduces GFR more in superficial than in deep cortex in both euvolemic and water diuretic rats and that this may be of some importance for water conservation, adding to the V2‐ receptor effect on water permeability of the collecting ducts.
Are Foreign Institutional Investors Good for Emerging Markets?
Authors: Frenkel Michael , Menkhoff Lukas
Published: September 2004

Portfolio flows channelled via institutional investors were the most dynamic capital flows to emerging markets in the 1990s. We use an asymmetric information framework to derive five propositions about the effects of the activities of foreign institutional investors on emerging markets. We confront these propositions with existing empirical evidence on the financial sector of emerging markets and conclude that institutional investors do not automatically generate benefits for emerging markets. Therefore, capital account and financial market liberalisation needs to be accompanied by careful regulation.
Is FDI Integrating the World Economy?
Authors: Mody Ashoka
Published: September 2004

FDI's spectacular growth, in diverse forms, during the past two decades represented an important force generating greater economic integration. FDI increased substantially in relation to global productive capacity, cross border mergers and acquisitions component of FDI put domestic corporate laggards on notice, and the spread of FDI to non‐tradable service sectors generated the possibility that these traditionally low productivity sectors would be brought closer to the standards of international efficiency. Yet, FDI did not perform an integrating role in a more fundamental sense. There is little evidence that FDI served to speed up income convergence across countries. This was the case for two reasons. First, FDI flows remained highly concentrated. Second, the benefits from FDI appear to have accrued principally where conditions were already conducive to investment and growth. Hence, though cross‐country disciplines through bilateral, regional and multilateral efforts are important in reducing the distortions that lead to misallocation of capital, domestic efforts to raise absorptive capacity will ultimately be critical. Efforts to increase labour mobility, as foreseen, for example, under GATS, could have a significant effect in raising the benefits from FDI as the more mobile labour serves to bridge the cultural, institutional and contractual differences across nations.
‘New Green’ Pragmatism in Germany – Green Politics beyond the Social Democratic Embrace?
Authors: Blühdorn Ingolfur
Published: September 2004

Coalitions with left-of-centre parties have traditionally been regarded as the only viable option for Green parties that have shed their stance of radical opposition. The German Greens are investigated as a case study putting this assumption into doubt. Historical analysis of their relationship with the Social Democratic Party reveals how they slipped into life-threatening dependency on the latter. A survey of consecutive reinterpretations of the positioning formula ‘Neither right, nor left but ahead’ maps the struggle for an independent Green identity. An appraisal of recent debates about Conservative– Green alliances investigates the basis for Green coalition politics beyond the Social Democratic embrace.
Defeat at Home? Issue-Ownership and Social Democratic Support in Scandinavia
Authors: Blomqvist Paula , Green-Pedersen Christoffer
Published: September 2004

The aim of this article is to account for the differences in electoral support for social democratic parties in Scandinavia in recent years. The main argument put forward is that the relative success of the Swedish Social Democratic Party (SAP) in preserving voter support compared to the major decline for both the Danish and Norwegian social democrats should be understood by focusing on two factors, both related to the phenomenon of issue-voting. We argue that the relative success of the SAP must been seen in light of the way in which traditional political issues, like employment and social welfare, have continued to dominate Swedish political debates, whereas in Norway and Denmark, new political issues, particularly immigration, have sailed up the political agenda and paved the way for new right-wing parties which attract social democratic voters. Secondly, we believe that one issue in particular, that of the future of the welfare state, is important for preserving social democratic support. Therefore, it is also relevant that the Swedish Social Democratic Party appears to have been more successful than social democratic parties in the neighbouring countries in convincing voters that it is the party best suited to preserve the existing welfare system.
Being Muslim: Islam, Islamism and Identity Politics
Authors: Ismail Salwa
Published: September 2004

The paper explores the construction of both Muslim and Islamist identities and the ways in which they interact, converge and diverge. This exploration is set against the background of debates on the nature of Islamism and its positioning vis-à-vis modernity and post-modernity. The paper argues that processes of modernity and post-modernity may be at work in the production of Muslim identities, but highlights the need to examine how different dimensions of identity formation such as socio-economic position, gender, age and lifestyle enter into the formation of Muslim selves. This is made necessary if we accept the premise of the sociality and historicity of religion.
Brood size reduction in Nicrophorus vespilloides after usurpation of carrion from Nicrophorus quadripunctatus (Coleoptera: Silphidae)
Authors: SUZUKI Seizi
Published: September 2004

Burying beetles bury small vertebrate carcasses, which become food for their larvae. They sometimes usurp carcasses occupied and buried by other beetles. Brood sizes of intraspecific and interspecific intruders were examined using Nicrophorus quadripunctatus as the resident. The brood sizes of usurpers were not reduced relative to control brood sizes when the usurper was conspecific, but were reduced when the usurper was heterospecific (N. vespilloides).
Epizootics and behavioral alteration in the arctiid caterpillar Chionarctia nivea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) caused by an entomopathogenic fungus, Entomophaga aulicae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales)
Authors: YAMAZAKI Kazuo , SUGIURA Shinji , FUKASAWA Yu
Published: September 2004

We observed epizootics and behavioral alteration in the arctiid caterpillar Chionarctia nivea after infection by an entomopathogenic fungus, Entomophaga aulicae, in April at a riverbank in Kyoto Prefecture, central Japan. The density of arctiid cadavers infected with E. aulicae was 1.31 individuals/m2. The critically ill caterpillars crawled up the dead stems of grasses and herbs such as the common reed Phragmites communis and the Japanese mugwort Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii to die at and near the highest parts of the stems, while the healthy larvae usually wandered on the ground and fed on the leaves of small herbs. This behavioral difference could be caused by infection with E. aulicae to enhance dispersal of conidia by active discharge in Entomophthorales with the aid of wind and rainfall.
Species specificity in photoperiodic control of nymphal development in four species of cricket from north‐west China
Authors: ARAI Tetsuo , LIU Ju‐Peng , HUANG Chun‐Mei , CHENG Xin‐Yue , WATARI Yasuhiko , TAKEDA Makio
Published: September 2004

Photoperiodic regulation of nymphal development was examined in four species of cricket collected in the Xinjiang‐Uygur Autonomy Region, China (approximately 43°N, 81–89°E). Fifty percent of individuals of Modicogryllus frontalis reared at 28°C reached adulthood in approximately 80 days in conditions of 11 h light : 13 h dark (LD 11:13) to 14:10, and in approximately 95 days under LD 15:9 to 16:8. Melanogryllus desertus started adult emergence earliest under LD 16:8 at 28°C, but some individuals required much longer to mature, and thus two peaks of adult emergence occurred at approximately 60 and 160 days after hatching. More individuals hatched during the late peak in LD 18:6 than in LD 16:8. The mean nymphal period was approximately 100 days in LD 11:13 to 14:10. Both species showed short‐day type photoperiodic responses, but Mo. frontalis developed faster than did Me. desertus. The latter occupied a wider range of habitat conditions and was more variable in life cycle than the former. Modicogryllus burdigalensis started adult emergence earliest in LD 16:8 at 28°C in the six photoperiods tested, most adults emerging within 60 days. The mean nymphal period was 80 days in LD 15:9, 135 days in LD 14:10 and 80–100 days in LD 11:13 to 13:11, showing an intermediate type of photoperiodic response. Acheta domesticus was a long‐day type species, and the proportion of delayed individuals increased with decreasing photoperiod. In the dry climate of Xinjiang‐Uygur, nymphal overwintering seems to be successful in all of the four different patterns of nymphal development.
Redescription of two East Asian species of the tribe Epeolini (Hymenoptera: Apidae; Nomadinae)
Authors: RIGHTMYER Molly G.
Published: September 2004

The two Asian species supposedly belonging to the genus or subgenus Triepeolus Robertson, Epeolus tsushimensis Cockerell and Triepeolus ventralis (Meade‐Waldo), are redescribed and illustrated. Epeolus tsushimensis is confirmed to be a member of the genus Epeolus on the basis of the male genitalia and internal sterna.
Biology of Anagrus atomus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the grape leafhopper Arboridia kermanshah (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: HESAMI Shahram , SEYEDOLESLAMI Hossein , EBADI Rahim
Published: September 2004

Biology, morphology and oviposition behavior of Anagrus atomus (Linnaeus), an egg parasitoid of the grape leafhopper Arboridia kermanshah Dlabola in Isfahan, Iran, were investigated. Adults were smaller than those so far reported from other regions. Females continuously drummed on plant surfaces with their antennae to search for host eggs. Parasitoid eggs hatched 2–3 days after oviposition, and A. atomus had two larval instars. First instar larvae were sacciform and immobile. Second instar larvae appeared 4 days after oviposition and were very active, and doubled their body length. The prepupal and pupal stages lasted for 1 and 5–6 days, respectively. Adult emergence began 16 days after oviposition, and peaked on day 17.
Genus Pagastia Oliver (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Japan, with description of a new species
Authors: ENDO Kazuo
Published: September 2004

A new species, Pagastia hidakamontana sp. nov., is described from the alpine zone of the Hidaka Mountains in Hokkaido, Japan. Pagastia orthogonia Oliver, so far known only from the Nearctic Region, is newly recorded from Japan and redescribed. Females of P. lanceolata (Tokunaga) and P. nivis (Tokunaga) are redescribed, and the synonymy of P. lanceolata with Syndiamesa (Lasiodiamesa) crassipilosa Tokunaga (= Pseudodiamesa crassipilosa) is proposed. Keys to males and females of Japanese species of the genus are provided.
Skill Is Not Enough: Seeking Connectedness and Authority in Mediation
Authors: Honeyman Christopher , Goh Bee Chen , Kelly Loretta
Published: September 2004

Coauthor Christopher Honeyman was struck by the flagging “marketability” of mainstream professionally trained mediators in the U.S. More and more parties were choosing retired judges and other practitioners who were not classically trained mediators to help them resolve their disputes. Searching for an explanation of this phenomenon, Honeyman found a possible answer in Melbourne, Australia, where he listened with a Western ear to the presentations of coauthors Loretta Kelly and Bee Chen Goh about the importance of connectedness and individual perceptions of authority to the parties in the mediation of indigenous disputes. In this article, the authors present case histories from Australia and Malaysia to illustrate these concepts. They contend the same concepts are behind the shifting of the market for mediation in the United States.
Two Paths to Peace: Contrasting George Mitchell in Northern Ireland with Richard Holbrooke in Bosnia–Herzegovina
Authors: Curran Daniel , Sebenius James K. , Watkins Michael
Published: September 2004

At first glance, one might expect great similarities between the approaches of two U.S. third parties, both white male Democrats, who acted during the 1990s to resolve two ethnic and religious‐based conflicts in Europe. Yet, although each man achieved a substantial measure of success, at least in the short to medium term, a closer comparison of their approaches along a number of strategic dimensions serves to illustrate dramatic differences in the ways and means of third party actions. This article details such a comparison, and in the process sharpens the existing literature on international mediation and calls into question easy generalizations about the determinants of success by third parties in these kinds of conflicts.