bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Posture and Prolonged Pneumoperitoneum on Hemodynamic Parameters during Laparoscopy
Authors: Meininger Dirk , Westphal Klaus , Bremerich Dorothee H. , Runkel Heiner , Probst Michael , Zwissler Bernhard , Byhahn Christian
Published: January 2008

Background

The present prospective study was designed to evaluate hemodynamic changes associated with head‐down positioning and prolonged pneumoperitoneum during totally endoscopic robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

Methods

Ten American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I–III patients undergoing totally endoscopic robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy were enrolled in the study. Invasive hemodynamic parameters were measured by transpulmonary arterial thermodilution using the PiCCO® system with a femoral artery catheter. Cardiac index (CI), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV), and central venous pressure (CVP) were recorded with the patient in the supine position, after head‐down tilt, intraoperatively after 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h of pneumoperitoneum at an insufflation pressure of 12 mmHg, after deflation still with head‐down positioning, and finally, with the patient in the supine position.

Results

Placing the patient in the Trendelenburg (head‐down) position caused a significant increase in CVP (from 9.9 ± 3.4 to 15.1 ± 2.3 mmHg), whereas all other hemodynamic parameters remained nearly unaffected. The induction of pneumoperitoneum resulted in a significant increase in MAP (from 74.9 ± 12.9 to 95.4 ± 11.9 mmHg). No other parameter was affected. Even at 4 h of pneumoperitoneum only mild hemodynamic changes were observed. After release of the pneumoperitoneum with the patient still in the head‐down position, HR (49.0 ± 4 versus 63.9 ± 12.4 min−1) and after placing the patient in the supine position, CI (2.4 ± 0.2 versus 3.3 ± 0.7 l min−1 m−2) increased significantly, whereas CVP returned to baseline values.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing totally endoscopic radical prostatectomy with 4 h of pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position experienced no significant hemodynamic depression during posture and pneumoperitoneum.
Nephrotoxicity as a cause of acute kidney injury in children
Authors: Patzer Ludwig
Published: January 2008

Many different drugs and agents may cause nephrotoxic acute kidney injury (AKI) in children. Predisposing factors such as age, pharmacogenetics, underlying disease, the dosage of the toxin, and concomitant medication determine and influence the severity of nephrotoxic insult. In childhood AKI, incidence, prevalence, and etiology are not well defined. Pediatric retrospective studies have reported incidences of AKI in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) of between 8% and 30%. It is widely recognized that neonates have higher rates of AKI, especially following cardiac surgery, severe asphyxia, or premature birth. The only two prospective studies in children found incidence rates of 4.5% and 2.5% of AKI in children admitted to PICU, respectively. Nephrotoxic drugs account for about 16% of all AKIs most commonly associated with AKI in older children and adolescents. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, amphotericin B, antiviral agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcineurin inhibitors, radiocontrast media, and cytostatics are the most important drugs to indicate AKI as significant risk factor in children. Direct pathophysiological mechanisms of nephrotoxicity include constriction of intrarenal vessels, acute tubular necrosis, acute interstitial nephritis, and—more infrequently—tubular obstruction. Furthermore, AKI may also be caused indirectly by rhabdomyolysis. Frequent therapeutic measures consist of avoiding dehydration and concomitant nephrotoxic medication, especially in children with preexisting impaired renal function.
The impact of nematode parasites on the behaviour of an Australian lizard, the gidgee skink Egernia stokesii
Authors: Fenner Aaron L. , Bull C. Michael
Published: January 2008

The Australian scincid lizard Egernia stokesii lives in social groups and is infected with two nematode species: Pharyngodon tiliquae and Thelandros trachysauri. This study asked whether those nematodes affected levels of lizard activity in field populations. In a laboratory colony, application of a combination of ivermectin and fenbendazole reduced nematode egg count in lizard scats after 12 weeks. In the field, the same doses of those antihelminthic drugs were applied to lizards in six social groups across three populations, and a saline control was given to lizards in six adjacent groups. Observations showed significant changes in behaviour between the two groups developing over 2 months. Drug‐treated lizards spent more time basking and moved about for longer times during observation sessions. The results suggest that nematode infection altered host behaviour and reduced fitness. No influence of social group size was detected on the impact of parasitic nematodes.
Effects of the herbicide isopropyl‐N‐phenyl carbamate on microtubules and MTOCs in lines of Nicotiana sylvestris resistant and sensitive to its action
Authors: Yemets Alla , Stelmakh Oksana , Blume Yaroslav B.
Published: January 2008

To clarify the mechanism of isopropyl‐N‐phenyl carbamate (IPC) action on higher plant cells the sensitivity of microtubules (cortical network and mitotic arrays) and microtubule organizing centers to IPC treatment (30 μM) in IPC‐resistant and sensitive Nicotiana sylvestris lines was studied. It was clearly demonstrated that IPC does not depolymerize plant MTs but causes the MTOC damage in cells, which results in MTOC fragmentation, splitting of the spindle poles and in abnormal division spindle formation. It was also found that IPC‐resistance of mutant N. sylvestris line correlates not with tubulin resistance to IPC action but possibly with resistance of one of the proteins involved in MTOC composition.
Effects of tyrosine kinase and phosphatase inhibitors on microtubules in Arabidopsis root cells
Authors: Yemets Alla , Sheremet Yarina , Vissenberg Kris , Van Orden Jürgen , Verbelen Jean‐Pierre , Blume Yaroslav B.
Published: January 2008

To investigate the role of tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation processes in plant cells the morphology of Arabidopsis thaliana primary roots and the organization of cortical microtubules (MTs) were studied after inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). It was found that all tested types of PTKs inhibitors (herbimycin A, genistein and tyrphostin AG 18) altered root hair growth and development, probably as a result of their significant influences on MTs organization in root hairs. The treatment also led to MTs reorientation and disruption in epidermis and cortex cells of both elongation and differentiation zones of primary roots. Enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation after treatment with a PTPs inhibitor (sodium orthovanadate) resulted in intense induction of root hair development and growth and caused a significant shortening of the elongation zone. It also led to changes of MTs orientation from transverse to longitudinal in epidermis and cortex cells of the elongation and differentiation zones of the root. From the data obtained we can suppose that tyrosine phosphorylation can be involved in the dynamics and organization of MTs in different types of plant cells.
Prepulse inhibition and “psychosis-proneness” in healthy individuals: An fMRI study
Authors: Kumari Veena , Antonova Elena , Geyer Mark A.
Published: January 2008

Objective

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response provides an operational index of sensorimotor gating that is reliably demonstrable in both human and animal subjects. Patients with schizophrenia, first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia, patients with schizotypal personality disorder and healthy individuals scoring high on psychometric measures of psychosis-proneness display reduced PPI. This study examined associations between individual differences in “psychosis-proneness” and brain activity during a tactile prepulse inhibition paradigm previously found to reveal activation in controls and deficient activation in schizophrenia patients in the striatum, thalamus, insula, hippocampal, temporal, inferior frontal, and inferior parietal regions.

Methods

Fourteen right-handed healthy men underwent psychophysiological testing and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a 15-min tactile PPI paradigm involving the use of tactile stimuli as both the pulse (a 40-ms presentation of 30 psi air-puff) and the prepulse (a 20-ms presentation of 6 psi air-puff presented 30-ms or 120-ms before the pulse). Individual differences in “psychosis-proneness” were assessed with Psychoticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R).

Results

High psychosis-proneness was associated with lower PPI and reduced activity in the inferior frontal gyrus, insula extending to putamen and thalamus, parahippocampal gyrus, and inferior parietal and middle temporal regions. No regional activity correlated positively with psychosis-proneness.

Conclusions

The present observations extend the findings observed previously in people with schizophrenia to people with high psychosis-proneness, providing support to continuum theories of psychosis with implications for understanding trait-related neural deficits in schizophrenia.
Impact of prolonged referral interval on colposcopic outcomes in women with moderate or severe dysplasia
Authors: Fakokunde Biodun , Selo‐Ojeme Dan
Published: January 2008

Objective

To ascertain the impact of long referral to first colposcopy interval on disease outcome in women with high‐grade cervical smear tests.

Methods

Data from 316 women categorized into Group 1 (seen 180 days after referral) and Group 2 (seen within 180 days of referral) were analyzed using χ2 test with Yates correction. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results

Women in Group 1 were less likely to need treatment (33.8% [25/74] vs 55.8% [135/242]; OR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25–0.78; P = 0.0004) and less likely to have high‐grade disease (24.3% [18/74] vs 45.9% [111/242]); OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.21–0.68; P = 0.001) than women in Group 2. There was no significant difference between the groups in proportion of women with invasive disease.

Conclusion

In women with high‐grade smears the need for excisional treatment and the risk of invasive disease may be reduced by prolonged referral interval.
Influences of weight loss on long-term diabetes outcomes
Authors: Aucott Lorna S.
Published: January 2008

Increasing rates of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) follow the obesity ‘epidemic’, with 86% of patients with T2DM being overweight and over half being obese. Literature has highlighted that being overweight or obese increases the risk of diabetes. Weight loss for obese patients is associated with clinical improvements, although this evidence is mostly from short-term studies. As part of a Health Technology Assessment systematic review the long-term (≥2 years) effects of weight loss on change in diabetes-related outcome measures for those with diabetes, or risk of developing diabetes for those without diabetes, was investigated in obese individuals. Eleven studies published between 1966 and 2001 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (Caucasian, BMI >28 kg/m2, adults, no eating disorders, weight loss and changes in diabetes-outcome measures). Results of these studies indicated that intentional weight loss reduces the risk of developing diabetes in the long term and those participants with T2DM often have reduced clinical symptoms and mortality risk. These results have been verified and enhanced by literature published since this review. A similar systematic review was conducted as part of a six-phase project, the PRevent Obesity GRowing Economic Synthesis Study. This review excluded BMI >34 kg/m2 and was restricted to lifestyle interventions (or intentional weight loss). Limited information relating to diabetes was gained, with only a non-significant increasing trend for mortality from diabetes for severe weight cycling practices being suggested. Other results indicated a relationship between weight loss and fasting plasma glucose, but because of the heterogeneity of participation groups and lack of definition in relation to diabetes this relationship was not formalised. In summary, weight loss is beneficial for long-term diabetes outcomes for overweight, obese and morbidly-obese participants. There is little research evidence for those individuals who are overweight or just obese, indicating areas of future research in terms of prevention of both obesity and diabetes.
Impact of food and nutrition interventions on poverty in an informal settlement in the Vaal Region of South Africa
Authors: Oldewage-Theron Wilna H. , Slabbert Tielman J. C.
Published: January 2008

UNICEF has stated that urban poverty is primarily found in squatter settlements. At present 13·5% of all South African households live in informal settlements. The major research question is to what extent does poverty influence the food, nutrition and health of informal-settlement dwellers. The purpose of the present study was to determine the depth of poverty in this community and to measure the possible effect that planned food and nutrition interventions may have on eliminating poverty in this area. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to 340 randomly-selected caregivers. A validated quantified FFQ was administered by trained enumerators as the test measurement for dietary intake and food consumption patterns and 24 h recall was used as the reference measurement, and the data were analysed. A poverty model was used to measure the impact of extra income on the poverty levels of 190 households. Of the respondents 89% lived in Zn shacks and the average household size was 4·9 individuals. The unemployment rate was 94·2% for respondents and 64·9% for their partners. The majority of households (68·8%) had an income of <R 500 (£35) per month and 58·3% spent <R 100 (£6·90) per week on food. The average poverty gap was R 1342·21 (£93) and the poverty gap ratio was 56%. The poverty model showed that an increase of R 500 (£35) in monthly household income results in a poverty gap ratio of 35%. The poverty model confirmed that the impact of food and nutrition interventions on poverty can be measured and that when planning these interventions the model could be used to measure their feasibility. The results indicate that this community is poverty-stricken and has chronic food insecurity, and they will be used to facilitate planning and implementation of sustainable income-generating community-based interventions to promote urban food security and alleviate poverty in this community.
“Names which he loved, and things well worthy to be known”: Eighteenth-Century Jesuit Natural Histories ofParaquariaand Río de la Plata
Authors: de Asúa Miguel
Published: January 2008

Argument

The eighteenth-century natural histories ofParaquaria, a Jesuit province in South America ranging from the tropical forest to Río de la Plata (the River Plate), constitute a rich and consistent tradition of nature writing. The way the material is organized, the frequent use of lists of aboriginal names, and the focus on naming, all attest to the missionaries' preoccupation with language, understandable given that they were engaged in writing dictionaries and thesauri of the native tongues. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, this body of work went through a series of appropriations, reflecting the various intellectual programs that contributed to the making of the national tradition in Argentina. While these natural histories are still often interpreted in terms of Argentina's national history, science, and literature, I will argue that they should be considered a product of a mixed culture oriented toward the practical and religious goals that are characteristic of most of Jesuit missionary culture, the result of the missionaries' attempt at organizing their experience of the wilderness and their encounter with the aboriginal peoples.
Consumerism and the Rise of Balloons in Europe at the End of the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Lynn Michael R.
Published: January 2008

Argument

The history of ballooning has received considerable attention from historians examining the technological innovations behind it as well as from scholars interested in aeronautical anecdotes concerning launches and disasters. The cultural importance of this new machine, however, remains less fully analyzed. This essay explores one facet of that history through a discussion of the commodification of launches in France and Great Britain. These two countries, which have larger middling classes as well as a higher degree of commercialization in general, provided a fertile environment for aeronauts seeking to instruct and entertain an audience willing to fund ballooning. Balloonists had to invent ways to market this scientific discovery and determine how best to attract paying customers. The audience was entertained while simultaneously empowered to act as witnesses to what balloonists presented as a scientific experiment.
Valuing health properly
Authors: HAUSMAN DANIEL M.
Published: January 2008

This comment on Paul Dolan's essay, ‘Developing methods that really do value the “Q” in the QALY,’ seconds his critique of current preference-based methods of valuing health states but disputes both his assumption that health states should be appraised by their bearing on well-being and his conclusion that the bearing of health states on well-being should be measured in terms of subjective experience. This comment defends instead the view that health states should be valued in terms of the range of activities that they permit.
Präventiver und therapeutischer Einsatz von Antibiotika in der Zahnheilkunde
Authors: Mutzbauer Till S. , Imfeld Thomas
Published: January 2008

In der Zahnmedizin werden Antibiotika sowohl prophylaktisch als auch therapeutisch eingesetzt. Die Prävention von infektiösen Erkrankungen, die vom stomatognathen System ausgehen, nimmt zahlenmäßig für den Allgemeinmediziner einen größeren Stellenwert ein als die antibiotische Therapie solcher Infektionen. Während der Patient bei der präventiven Antibiose regelhaft bereits ärztlicherseits vorinformiert bzw. -eingestellt wird, ist die Therapie bakterieller Infektionen im Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferbereich Domäne des Zahnmediziners. Zweck dieser Übersicht ist die Darstellung der Indikationen einer antibiotischen Prävention vor zahnärztlichen Eingriffen durch den Allgemeinmediziner.
Nutrition, diet and dental health — de- and remineralisation of teeth
Authors: Imfeld Thomas
Published: January 2008

Die Ernährung während der Zeit der Zahnentwicklung hat keinen klinisch relevanten Einfluss auf die Kariesanfälligkeit der menschlichen Zähne nach deren Durchbruch. Karies, Erosion und Demastikation sind keine systemisch-bedingten Ernährungskrankheiten, sondern Folgen von lokalen chemischen und mechanischen Nahrungsmitteleinwirkungen auf Zahnoberflächen. Karies ist die Folge chronischer unterminierender Demineralisation der Zähne durch organische Säuren, welche in den bakteriellen Zahnbelägen durch Vergärung von Zucker entstehen. Erosion ist die Folge chronischer oberflächlicher Verluste der Zahnhartsubstanz durch Säuren aus Nahrungsmitteln oder aus dem Magen. Demastikation bezeichnet den mechanischen Abtrag von Zahnsubstanz durch das Kauen. Die physikalisch-chemischen Vorgänge bei der Demineralisation und Remineralisation von Zahnhartsubstanz werden anhand von Schemata erklärt. Initiale kariöse Läsionen ohne Einbruch der Schmelzoberfläche können bei guter Mundhygiene unter Anwendung von Fluorid bei wenig kariogener Diät wieder remineralisiert (geheilt) werden. Einmal eingebrochene Läsionen müssen mit zahnärztlichen Werkstoffen repariert werden, da eine Remineralisation dann nicht mehr möglich ist.
Genetik depressiver Störungen
Authors: Schulte-Körne Gerd , Allgaier Antje-Kathrin
Published: January 2008

Zusammenfassung: Depressive Störungen gehören weltweit zu den häufigsten psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, die die psychische und psychosoziale Entwicklung der Erkrankten nachhaltig beeinflussen. Meist beginnen die Erkrankungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Anhand der Symptomatik, des Verlaufs und der Ursachen werden unipolare Depressionen von bipolaren Störungen, die durch depressive und manische Erkrankungsphasen gekennzeichnet sind, unterschieden. Für die Entstehung dieser Erkrankungen spielen genetische Faktoren eine entscheidende Rolle. Familien- und Zwillingsstudien konnten das erhöhte Erkrankungsrisiko von Kindern in betroffenen Familien und die hohe Heritabilität, insbesondere von bipolaren Störungen, eindrücklich nachweisen. Die Suche nach prädisponierenden Krankheitsgenen mittels Kopplungs- und Assoziationsanalysen konnte in den vergangenen Jahren beachtliche Fortschritte erzielen. Insbesondere das s-Allel des Serotonintransportergens wurde wiederholt als Risikofaktor bestätigt. Meta-Analysen deuten allerdings auf relativ begrenzte Effekte einzelner Gene hin. Neben genetischen Komponenten sind Umweltfaktoren maßgeblich an der Krankheitsgenese beteiligt: Bei unipolaren Depressionen wird die Erkrankungswahrscheinlichkeit bei entsprechender genetischer Disposition wesentlich durch protektive oder pathogene Umweltfaktoren im Sinne einer engen Gen-Umwelt-Interaktion moduliert.
Johannes Trüper - Mittler zwischen Kinderpsychiatrie und Pädagogik
Authors: Gerhard Uwe-Jens , Schönberg Anke , Blanz Bernhard
Published: January 2008

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Die Entwicklung der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie als eigenständige Fachrichtung ist nicht nur als Resultat einer Spezialisierung innerhalb der Medizin bzw. der Psychiatrie zu werten, sondern geht aus dem Zusammenspiel medizinischer, pädagogischer, psychologischer und philosophischer Einflüsse hervor. Innerhalb der wissenschaftlichen Nachbardisziplinen nimmt die Pädagogik und dort insbesondere die Heilpädagogik eine entscheidende Rolle ein. Exemplarisch soll dies am Wirken des Pädagogen Johannes Trüper dargestellt werden. Methodik: Anhand von Literatur- und Archivstudien erfolgt ein kurzer Abriss seines Lebens und die Wertung seines wissenschaftlichen Werkes. Ergebnisse: Trüper gründete nicht nur sein berühmtes Erziehungsheim auf der Sophienhöhe bei Jena 1892, sondern war Mitbegründer der Zeitschrift «Die Kinderfehler» (1896), einer der wichtigsten Periodika für die pädagogische und kinderpsychiatrische Forschung. Der als einer der Pioniere der Kinderpsychiatrie geltende Psychiater und Philosoph Theodor Ziehen erwarb sich praktische kinderpsychiatrische Erfahrungen als Konsiliarius des Erziehungsheims von Trüper. Der Jenaer Psychiater Wilhelm Strohmayer gehört mit seinem Werk «Vorlesungen über die Psychopathologie des Kindesalters für Mediziner und Pädagogen» (1910), dessen Grundlage seine Konsiliartätigkeit auf der Sophienhöhe bildete, ebenfalls zu den Wegbereitern der Kinderpsychiatrie in Deutschland. Schlussfolgerung: Die enge und unmittelbare Zusammenarbeit von Psychiatern und Pädagogen, die in Jena zur frühen Herausbildung des Faches Kinderpsychiatrie geführt hat, kann als eine Besonderheit in der Wissenschaftsentwicklung angesehen werden.
“1-2-3”: Is There a Temporal Number Line?
Authors: Müller Dana , Schwarz Wolf
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Evidence suggests that numbers are intimately related to space ( Dehaene, Bossini, & Giraux, 1993 ; Hubbard, Piazza, Pinel, & Dehaene, 2005 ). Recently, Walsh (2003) suggested that numbers might also be closely related to time. To investigate this hypothesis we asked participants to compare two digits that were presented in a serial manner, i.e., one after another. Temporally ascending digit pairs (such as 2-3) were responded to faster than temporally descending pairs (3-2). This effect was, in turn, qualified by a local SNARC (spatial numerical association of response codes) effect and a local semantic congruity effect (SCE). Moreover, we observed a global numerical SCE only for temporally descending digit pairs. However, we did not observe a global SNARC effect, i.e., an interaction of numerical magnitude and the right/left response hand. We discuss our results in terms of overlearned forward-associations (“1-2-3”) as formed by our ubiquitous cognitive routines to count off objects or events.
Externalizing Visual Images
Authors: McQuiston-Surrett Dawn , Topp Lisa D.
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Two studies investigated whether the recall accuracy of facial details would differ depending on recall method, and also explored the own-race/ethnic bias in face recall. In Experiment 1, Hispanic participants (N = 120) viewed either a Hispanic or a White face and then were asked to recall the face by either giving a physical description or constructing a facial composite. Independent judges then determined the accuracy of the recalled information in both a rating task and a matching task. Results revealed reliably higher accuracy scores for the descriptions over the facial composites but showed no evidence for an own-race bias. A second experiment (N = 120) was conducted to attempt to replicate the description-advantage effect and to further explore the own-race bias in a stronger test using Black faces as the cross-ethnic group. This experiment again showed a description advantage and provided some evidence for an own-race bias in recall similar to that found in the facial recognition literature. Directions for future research based on the current findings are discussed.
Valence Processing Bypassing the Response Selection Bottleneck?
Authors: Fischer Rico , Schubert Torsten
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The activation of semantic categories has often been claimed to occur in an attention-free, unconditionally automatic fashion (e.g., Bargh & Chartrand, 1999 ; Ferguson & Bargh, 2004 ). Using a dual-task procedure we tested whether the activation of valence categories is restricted by dual-task specific attentional limitations. For this reason we implemented a modified Eriksen-flanker task as Task 2 in a psychological refractory period paradigm. Participants were to judge the frequency of a tone in Task 1 and the valence of a target word in the presence of irrelevant flanker words in Task 2. Two different flanker categories ensured the activation of semantic categories instead of S-R based response activation. The most important result was an underadditive interaction between flanker congruency and the amount of temporal overlap between tasks that was independent of flanker type. Following the locus-of-slack logic, we interpret these findings as evidence for Task 2 processing parallel to bottleneck-stage processing in Task 1. This extends previous findings by showing that not only number categories ( Fischer, Schubert, & Miller, 2007 ; Oriet, Tombu, & Jolicouer, 2005 ), but also semantic valence categories can be activated despite dual-task capacity limitations.
Meridional coherence of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
Authors: Bingham Rory J. , Hughes Chris W. , Roussenov Vassil , Williams Richard G.
Published: January 2008

The North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) is associated with deep water formation at high latitudes, and climatically‐important ocean‐atmosphere heat fluxes, hence the current substantial effort to monitor the MOC. While it is expected that, on sufficiently long time scales, variations in the MOC would be coherent across latitudes south of the deep water formation region, it is not clear whether coherence should be expected at shorter timescales. In this paper, we investigate the coherence of MOC variations in a range of ocean models. We find that, across a range of model physics, resolution, and forcing scenarios, there is a change in the character of the overturning north and south of about 40°N. To the north the variability has a strong decadal component, while to the south higher frequencies dominate. This acts to significantly reduce the meridional coherence of the MOC, even on interannual timescales. A physical interpretation in terms of an underlying meridionally coherent mode, strongest at high latitudes, but swamped by higher frequency, more localised processes south of 40°N is provided.
Using spaceborne surface soil moisture to constrain satellite precipitation estimates over West Africa
Authors: Pellarin Thierry , Ali Abdou , Chopin Franck , Jobard Isabelle , Bergès Jean‐Claude
Published: January 2008

This paper describes a methodology to use the passive microwave measurements of the 6.9 GHz bandwidth of the AMSR‐E sensor which is the most sensitive to surface soil moisture, to constrain satellite‐based rainfall estimates over a semi arid region in West‐Africa. The paper focuses on the aptitude of AMSR‐E measurements to inform if rain occurs or not. The study was conducted over a 125 × 100 km2 region located in Niger where a dense recording raingauge network is available to build an accurate ground‐based 3‐hour rainfall product at the 25 × 20 km2 resolution. A satellite‐based rainfall product (EPSAT‐SG), based on both infrared and microwave measurements, was compared to the ground‐based rainfall product. It was shown that EPSAT‐SG overestimates by about 30% the total number of rain events during the 2004 and 2006 rainy seasons. A simple methodology based on the AMSR‐E polarization ratio variations related to the surface soil moisture leaded to suppress a large amount of the wrong rain events.
High‐energy electron beams launched into space by thunderstorms
Authors: Dwyer Joseph R. , Grefenstette Brian W. , Smith David M.
Published: January 2008

Using CGRO/BATSE data, a possible new source of high‐energy electrons and positrons in the earth's inner magnetosphere is presented. These particles are generated within the upper atmosphere by Compton scattering and pair‐production of gamma‐rays originating from near the tropopause as Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes (TGFs). Once created, these energetic electrons and positrons follow the geomagnetic field into the inner magnetosphere where they can be detected in low‐earth orbit, either near the TGF magnetic foot point or at the conjugate point several thousand kilometers away. Approximately 17% of CGRO/BATSE events previously identified as terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes are, in fact, such electrons and positrons. With energies extending above 30 MeV, this previously unidentified population contains some of the most energetic particles accelerated in the near‐earth environment.
Anisotropies and helicities in the solar wind inertial and dissipation ranges at 1 AU
Authors: Hamilton Kathleen , Smith Charles W. , Vasquez Bernard J. , Leamon Robert J.
Published: January 2008

We have constructed a database of ACE observations at 1 AU based on 960 intervals spanning the broadest possible range of solar wind conditions including magnetic clouds. Using spectral analysis of high‐resolution magnetic field data we compare inertial range characteristics with properties in the measured dissipation range. We find that previous conclusions by Leamon et al. (1998a, 1998b, 1998c) are upheld: average wave vectors are more field‐aligned in the dissipation range than in the inertial range, magnetic fluctuations are less transverse to the mean field in the dissipation range, and cyclotron damping plays an important but not exclusive role in the formation of the dissipation range. However, field‐aligned wave vectors play a larger role in the formation of the dissipation range than was previously found. In the process we find significant contrast between these inertial range results and the conclusions of Dasso et al. (2005) who examine larger‐scale fluctuations within the inertial range. Dasso et al. found a dominance of field‐aligned wave vectors in the high‐speed wind and a dominance of quasi‐perpendicular (two‐dimensional) wave vectors in low‐speed winds. We find that the orientation of the wave vectors for the smallest scales within the inertial range are not organized by wind speed and that on average all samples show the same distribution of energy between perpendicular and field‐aligned wave vectors. We conclude that this is due to the time required to evolve the spectrum toward a two‐dimensional state where the smaller inertial range scales examined here evolve more quickly than the larger scales of earlier analysis. Likewise, we find no such organization within the dissipation range.
Kuril Islands tsunami of November 2006: 2. Impact at Crescent City by local enhancement
Authors: Horrillo J. , Knight W. , Kowalik Z.
Published: January 2008

Crescent City (CC) is particularly susceptible to tsunami attack. The combination of tsunami signal enhancement by both distant bathymetric features and local nearshore resonance seems to be responsible for this behavior. Application of global tsunami propagation models to the Kuril Islands Tsunami of November 2006 in the companion paper (Kowalik et al., 2008) delineated the importance of distant bathymetric features for both tsunami wave amplification and for increased duration of the tsunami arriving at CC. These distant features were responsible for delivering the late, high‐energy signal, which was delayed by 2 hours from the predicted arrival time. Additional local amplification and increased duration are caused by the shelf bathymetry adjacent to CC. As the initial tsunami arrives at CC, the shelf trapping mechanism tends to excite the gravest of the natural modes. This oscillation is slowly shifted toward the natural mode closest to the period of the incident tsunami wave packet. Short‐duration wave trains tend to influence the tsunami response at CC harbor in such a way that 1 hour after the first wave arrival a much stronger wave will be generated owing to the tendency of the shelf to initially ring at the frequency of the gravest mode. Practical implications of distant and local amplification relate to the potential hazard near CC, highlighting the need for awareness of the tsunami signal duration. In this respect, two timescales are important for this event: the 2‐hour time delay due to distant bathymetric features and the 1‐hour delay due to local offshore bathymetry.
Midweek increase in U.S. summer rain and storm heights suggests air pollution invigorates rainstorms
Authors: Bell Thomas L. , Rosenfeld Daniel , Kim Kyu‐Myong , Yoo Jung‐Moon , Lee Myong‐In , Hahnenberger Maura
Published: January 2008

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite estimates of summertime rainfall over the southeast U.S. are found on average to be significantly higher during the middle of the work week than on weekends, attributable to a midweek intensification of afternoon storms and an increase in area with detectable rain. TRMM radar data show a significant midweek increase in the echo‐top heights reached by afternoon storms. Weekly variations in model‐reanalysis wind patterns over the region are consistent with changes in convection implied by the satellite data. Weekly variations in rain gauge averages are also consistent with the satellite estimates, though possibly smaller in amplitude. A midweek decrease of rainfall over the nearby Atlantic is also seen. EPA measurements of surface particulate concentrations show a midweek peak over much of the U.S. These observations are consistent with the theory that anthropogenic air pollution suppresses cloud‐drop coalescence and early rainout during the growth of thunderstorms over land, allowing more water to be carried above the 0°C isotherm, where freezing yields additional latent heat, invigorating the storms and producing large ice hydrometeors. The enhanced convection induces regional convergence, uplifting and an overall increase of rainfall. Compensating downward air motion suppresses convection over the adjacent ocean areas. Pre‐TRMM‐era data suggest that the weekly cycle only became strong enough to be detectable beginning in the 1980's. Rain‐gauge data also suggest that a weekly cycle may have been detectable in the 1940's, but with peak rainfall on Sunday or Monday, possibly explained by the difference in composition of aerosol pollution at that time. This “weekend effect” may thus offer climate researchers an opportunity to study the regional climate‐scale impact of aerosols on storm development and monsoon‐like circulation.
Soil nitric oxide emissions from two subtropical humid forests in south China
Authors: Li Dejun , Wang Xinming , Mo Jiangming , Sheng Guoying , Fu Jiamo
Published: January 2008

Due to the dense population, rapid industrialization, and intensified agricultural activities, some regions in Asia are hot spots of airborne nitrogen oxides and also areas with increasing nitrogen deposition. Therefore the cycling of nitrogen gases in Asia might be of increasing importance on both a regional and a global scale for atmospheric chemistry and budgets of nitrogen. Yet, to date, knowledge of soil NO emission is quite limited in Asia, particularly in forest ecosystems. In this study, soil NO emissions in two subtropical humid forests, a broadleaf forest in climax successional stage and a pine forest in primary successional stage, were measured throughout the year 2005 in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, south China. In the broadleaf forest, mean NO emission in wet season (14.9 ng N m−2 s−1) was lower than in dry season (23.8 ng N m−2 s−1). In the pine forest, however, mean NO emission in wet season (17.1 ng N m−2 s−1) was higher than in dry season (7.9 ng N m−2 s−1). In both forests, soil water content was the dominant factor controlling the seasonal patterns of NO emissions, and soil NO emission was significantly correlated to percent water filled pore space (%WFPS) in a quadratic manner (p < 0.001). Annual NO emissions in the broadleaf forest and the pine forest were preliminarily estimated to be 6.1–6.9 and 4.0–4.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively, by using three upscaling methods.
Influence of orbital forcing and sea level changes on sedimentation patterns in the Timor Sea during the last 260 ka
Authors: Moreno Eva , Bassinot Franck , Baudin François , Vénec‐Peyré Marie‐Thérèse
Published: January 2008

A multiproxy study of core MD98‐2166 makes it possible to investigate the influence of orbital forcing and sea level changes on Timor Sea sedimentation during the last 260 ka. Spectral analysis reveals a strong imprint of obliquity in all proxies. This is particularly puzzling for the CaCO3 and total organic carbon (TOC) records since recent data obtained on nearby core MD01‐2378, collected at a shallower water depth, showed a concentration of spectral power in the eccentricity and precession bands. Our results suggest that while sedimentary record in shallower core MD01‐2378 shows a clear low‐latitude response, that of core MD98‐2166 reflects a stronger influence of high‐latitude forcing through deepwater changes. In addition, Rock‐Eval analyses show that part of the organic carbon could be of terrestrial origin, especially during glacial periods. This suggests that glacial/interglacial TOC fluctuations not only reflect changes of marine productivity and/or preservation at the seafloor but also reflect enhanced input of terrestrial material during periods of low sea level.
Increase in Circulating CD34-Positive Cells in Patients with Angiographic Evidence of Moyamoya-like Vessels
Authors: Yoshihara Tomoyuki , Taguchi Akihiko , Matsuyama Tomohiro , Shimizu Yoko , Kikuchi-Taura Akie , Soma Toshihiro , Stern David M , Yoshikawa Hiroo , Kasahara Yukiko , Moriwaki Hiroshi , Nagatsuka Kazuyuki , Naritomi Hiroaki
Published: January 2008

Increasing evidence points to a role for circulating endothelial progenitor cells, including populations of CD34-positive (CD34+) cells, in maintenance of cerebral blood flow. In this study, we investigated the link between the level of circulating CD34+ cells and neovascularization at ischemic brain. Compared with control subjects, a remarkable increase of circulating CD34+ cells was observed in patients with angiographic moyamoya vessels, although no significant change was observed in patients with major cerebral artery occlusion (or severe stenosis) but without moyamoya vessels. Our results suggest that the increased level of CD34+ cells associated with ischemic stress is correlated with neovascularization at human ischemic brain.
The flavonoid luteolin inhibits niacin‐induced flush
Authors: Papaliodis D , Boucher W , Kempuraj D , Theoharides T C
Published: January 2008

Background and purpose:

Sustained release niacin effectively lowers serum cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, while raising HDL. However, 75% of patients experience cutaneous warmth and itching known as flush, leading to discontinuation. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) reduces this flush only by about 30%, presumably through decreasing prostaglandin D2(PGD2). We investigated whether niacin‐induced flush in a rat model involves PGD2and 5‐HT, and the effect of certain flavonoids.

Experimental approach:

Three skin temperature measurements from each ear were recorded with an infrared pyrometer for each time point immediately before i.p. injection with either niacin or a flavonoid. The temperature was then measured every 10 min for 60 min.

Key results:

Niacin (7.5 mg per rat, equivalent to a human dose of 1750 mg per 80 kg) maximally increased ear temperature to 1.9±0.2oC at 45 min. Quercetin and luteolin (4.3 mg per rat; 1000 mg per human), administered i.p. 45 min prior to niacin, inhibited the niacin effect by 96 and 88%, respectively. Aspirin (1.22 mg per rat; 325 mg per human) inhibited the niacin effect by only 30%. Niacin almost doubled plasma PGD2and 5‐HT, but aspirin reduced only PGD2by 86%. In contrast, luteolin inhibited both plasma PGD2and 5‐HT levels by 100 and 67%, respectively.

Conclusions and implications.

Niacin‐induced skin temperature increase is associated with PGD2and 5‐HT elevations in rats; luteolin may be a better inhibitor of niacin‐induced flush because it blocks the rise in both mediators.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1382–1387; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707668; published online 28 January 2008
Role of neuronal voltage‐gated K+channels in the modulation of the nitrergic neurotransmission of the pig urinary bladder neck
Authors: Hernández M , Barahona M V , Recio P , Navarro‐Dorado J , Bustamante S , Benedito S , García‐Sacristán A , Prieto D , Orensanz L M
Published: January 2008

Background and purpose:

As nitric oxide (NO) plays an essential role in the inhibitory neurotransmission of the bladder neck of several species, the current study investigates the mechanisms underlying the NO‐induced relaxations in the pig urinary bladder neck.

Experimental approach:

Urothelium‐denuded bladder neck strips were dissected and mounted in isolated organ baths containing a physiological saline solution at 37 °C and continuously gassed with 5% CO2and 95% O2, for isometric force recording. The relaxations to transmural nerve stimulation (EFS), or to exogenously applied acidified NaNO2solution were carried out on strips pre‐contracted with phenylephrine, and treated with guanethidine and atropine, to block noradrenergic neurotransmission and muscarinic receptors, respectively.

Key results:

EFS (0.2–1 Hz) and addition of acidified NaNO2solution (1 μM–1 mM) evoked frequency‐ and concentration‐dependent relaxations, respectively. These responses were potently reduced by the blockade of guanylate cyclase and were not modified by the K+channel blockers iberiotoxin, charybdotoxin, apamin or glibenclamide. The voltage‐gated K+(Kv) channels inhibitor 4‐aminopyridine, greatly enhanced the nitrergic relaxations evoked by EFS, but did not affect the NaNO2solution‐induced relaxations.

Conclusions and implications:

NO, whose release is modulated by pre‐junctional Kv channels, relaxes the pig urinary bladder neck through a mechanism dependent on the activation of guanylate cyclase, in which post‐junctional K+channels do not seem to be involved. Modulation of Kv channels could be useful in the therapy of the urinary incontinence produced by intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1251–1258; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707669; published online 28 January 2008
Agonist binding, agonist affinity and agonist efficacy at G protein‐coupled receptors
Authors: Strange P G
Published: January 2008

Measurements of affinity and efficacy are fundamental for work on agonists both in drug discovery and in basic studies on receptors. In this review I wish to consider methods for measuring affinity and efficacy at G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Agonist affinity may be estimated in terms of the dissociation constant for agonist binding to a receptor using ligand binding or functional assays. It has, however, been suggested that measurements of affinity are always contaminated by efficacy so that it is impossible to separate the two parameters. Here I show that for many GPCRs, if receptor/G protein coupling is suppressed, experimental measurements of agonist affinity using ligand binding (Kobs) provide quite accurate measures of the agonist microscopic dissociation constant (KA). Also in pharmacological functional studies, good estimates of agonist dissociation constants are possible. Efficacy can be quantitated in several ways based on functional data (maximal effect of the agonist (Emax), ratio of agonist dissociation constant to concentration of agonist giving half maximal effect in functional assay (Kobs/EC50), a combined parameterEmaxKobs/EC50). Here I show thatEmaxKobs/EC50provides the best assessment of efficacy for a range of agonists across the full range of efficacy for full to partial agonists. Considerable evidence now suggests that ligand efficacy may be dependent on the pathway used to assess it. The efficacy of a ligand may, therefore, be multidimensional. It is still, however, necessary to have accurate measures of efficacy in different pathways.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1353–1363; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707672; published online 28 January 2008
Heart rate in the pathophysiology of coronary blood flow and myocardial ischaemia: benefit from selective bradycardic agents
Authors: Heusch G
Published: January 2008

Starting out from a brief description of the determinants of coronary blood flow (perfusion, pressure, extravascular compression, autoregulation, metabolic regulation, endothelium‐mediated regulation and neurohumoral regulation) the present review highlights the overwhelming importance of metabolic regulation such that coronary blood flow is increased at increased heart rate under physiological circumstances and the overwhelming importance of extravascular compression such that coronary blood flow is decreased at increased heart rate through reduction of diastolic duration in the presence of severe coronary stenoses. The review goes on to characterize the role of heart rate in the redistribution of regional myocardial blood flow between a normal coronary vascular tree with preserved autoregulation and a poststenotic vasculature with exhausted coronary reserve. When flow is normalized by heart rate, there is a consistent close relationship of regional myocardial blood flow and contractile function for each single cardiac cycle no matter whether or not there is a coronary stenosis and what the actual blood flow is. β‐Blockade improves both flow and function along this relationship. When the heart rate reduction associated with β‐blockade is prevented by pacing, α‐adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction is unmasked and both flow and function are deteriorated. Selective heart rate reduction, however, improves both flow and function without any residual negative effect such as unmasked α‐adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction or negative inotropic action.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1589–1601; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707673; published online 28 January 2008