bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of resistance training and protein supplementation on bone turnover in young adult women
Authors: Mullins Nicole M , Sinning Wayne E
Published: August 2005

Background

The strength of aging bone depends on the balance between the resorption and formation phases of the remodeling process. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction of two factors with the potential to exert opposing influences on bone turnover, resistance exercise training and high dietary protein intake. It was hypothesized that resistance training by young, healthy, untrained women with protein intakes near recommended levels (0.8 g·kg-1·d-1) would promote bone formation and/or inhibit bone resorption, and that subsequent supplementation to provide 2.4 g protein·kg-1·d-1would reverse these effects.

Methods

Bone formation was assessed with serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin (OC), and bone resorption with urinary calcium and deoxypyridinoline (DPD). Biochemical, strength, anthropometric, dietary, and physical activity data were obtained from 24 healthy, untrained, eumenorrheic women (18–29y) at baseline, after eight weeks of resistance training (3 d·wk-1, ~1 hr·d-1; 3 sets, 6–10 repetitions, 13 exercises, 75–85% maximum voluntary contraction), and after 12 weeks of resistance training and 10 days of protein/placebo supplementation. Subjects were randomized (double-blind) to either a high protein (HP) or training control (TC) group and, during the final 10 days, consumed either enough purified whey protein to bring daily protein intake to 2.4 g·kg-1·d-1, or an equivalent dose of isoenergetic, carbohydrate placebo.

Results

Strength, lean tissue mass, and DPD increased significantly in both groups over time, while percent body fat and BAP decreased (repeated measures ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05, Bonferroni correction). No significant changes were observed for serum OC or urinary calcium, and no significant group (TC, HP) × time (baseline, week 8, week 12) interactions emerged for any of the biochemical measures.

Conclusion

(1) Twelve weeks of high-intensity resistance training did not appear to enhance bone formation or inhibit bone resorption in young adult women, as assessed by biochemical markers of bone metabolism. (2) Subsequent maintenance of a high protein intake for 10 days in these regularly-training, calcium-replete women also showed no effects on bone metabolism.
Hegemony and Hidden Transcripts: The Discursive Arts of Neoliberal Legitimation
Authors: GREENHOUSE CAROL J.
Published: August 2005

In this article, I offer a reading of James Scott's Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts (1990) from an inverted standpoint: Whereas Scott's focus is on resistance from below, mine is on resistance from above. My case study involves some of the more prominent legal and political responses to the attacks of September 11, 2001—notably the President's Military Order of November 13, 2001, establishing military tribunals for noncitizen detainees charged with terrorism. My analysis supports Scott's thesis regarding the discursivity of resistance while challenging some of his conclusions regarding the form and content of hegemony, as read in the current neoliberal milieu. With respect to the military tribunals, I argue that their establishment represents an extension of executive power rehearsed prior to the attacks, and that the politicization of security in the United States involves institutions and issues that have long antecedents in partisan political terms.
Beyond “the State” and Failed Schemes
Authors: LI TANIA MURRAY
Published: August 2005

In this article, I propose five ways to move beyond the analytical scheme of James Scott's Seeing Like a State (1998). I question the spatial optic that posits an “up there,” all‐seeing state operating as a preformed repository of power, spread progressively outward to “nonstate” spaces beyond its reach. I highlight the role of parties beyond “the state” that attempt to govern—social reformers, scientists, and the so‐called nongovernmental agencies, among others. I look beyond authoritarian high modernism to the more general problematic of “improvement” emerging from a governmental rationality focused on the welfare of populations. I explore the recourse to mētis (contextualized, local knowledge and practice) situated beyond the purview of planning. Finally, I reframe the question posed by Scott—why have certain schemes designed to improve the human condition failed?—to examine the question posed so provocatively by James Ferguson: What do these schemes do? What are their messy, contradictory, conjunctural effects?
An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Mobility, Architectural Investment, and Food Sharing among Madagascar's Mikea
Authors: KELLY ROBERT L. , POYER LIN , TUCKER BRAM
Published: August 2005

Ethnoarchaeology is a field of study that aims to provide the information needed to draw reliable behavioral inferences from archaeological data. In this study, data from four settlement types (permanent villages, forest hamlets, seasonal hamlets, and foraging camps) of a forager–farmer population in southwestern Madagascar are examined from an archaeological perspective. Doing so shows that house size, house post diameter variability, outdoor workspace, trash disposal, and feature diversity jointly sort out settlements of different lengths of occupation. However, the relationship between mobility and material culture is not simply a product of the length of stay; it is also affected by differences in the social environments of settlements of different occupational lengths. Using the behavioral ecology of food sharing, we show that certain architectural changes that ensure privacy are expected to occur as settlements become larger and more permanent. These observations from Madagascar should be applicable to other areas.
The Bioarchaeology of Identity in Spanish Colonial Florida: Social and Evolutionary Transformation before, during, and after Demographic Collapse
Authors: STOJANOWSKI CHRISTOPHER M.
Published: August 2005

In this article, I consider the effects of Spanish missionization on indigenous identity and biological interaction patterns. Odontometric data were recorded for 26 skeletal samples dating to three time periods: precontact (C.E. 1200–1400), early mission (C.E. 1600–1650), and late mission (C.E. 1650–1700). Population genetic analyses generated estimates of regional genetic variation (FST) and intersample genetic distances. Genetic variation during the precontact period was limited despite documented linguistic and cultural variation. Variation increased during the early mission period, indicating a decline in between‐group interaction despite inclusion within a single colonial sociopolitical framework. During the late mission period, variation declined significantly, indicating a dramatic reduction in between‐group variability consistent with genetic drift and gene flow between communities. I discuss these results in terms of archaeological and historical models of postcolonial transformation and suggest an emerging polyethnic community was resident in La Florida preceding the subsequent diaspora caused by burgeoning European military conflict in eastern North America.
A Prospective Study of 245 Open Digital Fractures of the Hand
Authors: CHOW S. P. , PUN W. K. , SO Y. C. , LUK K. D. K. , CHIU K. Y. , NG K. H. , NG C. , CROSBY C.
Published: August 2005

We report a prospective study of 245 open digital fractures of the hand in 201 patients. Management followed clear guidelines set out in protocol. The incidence of infection (2.04%) and non-union (2.45%) was low. Proximal phalangeal fractures and comminuted fractures did worst and associated significant soft tissue injuries had a particularly deleterious effect on the outcome. A classification based on the different soft-tissue components involved is proposed. In fractures associated with simple lacerations or isolated digital nerve injury only, one can expect about 40% good results and about 25% poor results. Where extensor tendon injury or extensive skin loss are also present, there will be approximately 18% good results and 50% poor results. If there is also injury to the flexor tendon or more than one component of significant soft-tissue damage, about 80% will be poor and good results are rare.
The Use of the Extensor Indicis Proprius as a Vascularised Tendon Graft
Authors: VERMEYLEN J. , MONBALLIU G.
Published: August 2005

The use of the extensor indicis proprius tendon as a vascularised tendon graft is described. It is supplied by the second dorsal metacarpal artery in a distally-based manner. We report two cases in which we used this tendon for flexor tendon reconstruction.
Acute Calcific Tendinitis in the Hand and Wrist
Authors: DILLEY D. F. , TONKIN M. A.
Published: August 2005

Three cases of acute calcific tendinitis in the hand and wrist are described. The frequent misdiagnosis of this condition is discussed in the tight of these cases and a review of the literature.
Comparison of the biophysical and trophic characteristics of the Bering and Barents Seas
Authors: Hunt George L. , Megrey Bernard A.
Published: August 2005

The eastern Bering Sea and the Barents Sea share a number of common biophysical characteristics. For example, both are seasonally ice-covered, high-latitude, shelf seas, dependent on advection for heat and for replenishment of nutrients on their shelves, and with ecosystems dominated by a single species of gadoid fish. At the same time, they differ in important respects. In the Barents Sea, advection of Atlantic Water is important for zooplankton vital to the Barents Sea productivity. Advection of zooplankton is not as important for the ecosystems of the southeastern Bering Sea, where high levels of diatom production can support production of small, neritic zooplankton. In the Barents Sea, cod are the dominant gadoid, and juvenile and older fish depend on capelin and other forage fish to repackage the energy available in copepods. In contrast, the dominant fish in the eastern Bering Sea is the walleye pollock, juveniles and adults of which consume zooplankton directly. The southeastern Bering Sea supports considerably larger fish stocks than the Barents. In part, this may reflect the greater depth of much of the Barents Sea compared with the shallow shelf of the southeastern Bering. However, walleye pollock is estimated to occupy a trophic level of 3.3 as compared to 4.3 for Barents Sea cod. This difference alone could have a major impact on the abilities of these seas to support a large biomass of gadoids. In both seas, climate-forced variability in advection and sea-ice cover can potentially have major effects on the productivity of these Subarctic seas. In the Bering Sea, the size and location of pools of cold bottom waters on the shelf may influence the likelihood of predation of juvenile pollock.
Dependence of the electronic structure of self-assembled (In,Ga)As∕GaAs quantum dots on height and composition
Authors: Narvaez Gustavo A. , Bester Gabriel , Zunger Alex
Published: August 2005

While electronic and spectroscopic properties of self-assembled In1−xGaxAs∕GaAs dots depend on their shape, height, and alloy compositions, these characteristics are often not known accurately from experiment. This creates a difficulty in comparing measured electronic and spectroscopic properties with calculated ones. Since simplified theoretical models (effective mass, k∙p, parabolic models) do not fully convey the effects of shape, size, and composition on the electronic and spectroscopic properties, we offer to bridge the gap by providing accurately calculated results as a function of the dot height and composition. Prominent features of our results are the following: (i) Regardless of height and composition, the confined electron energy levels form shells of nearly degenerate states with a predominant s,p,… orbital character. On the contrary, the confined hole energy levels form shells only in flat dots and near the highest hole level (HOMO). (ii) In alloy dots, the electrons s-p splitting depends weakly on height, while the p-p splitting depends nonmonotonically due to alloy fluctuations. In pure, nonalloyed InAs∕GaAs dots, both these splittings depend weakly on height. Furthermore, the s-p splitting is larger, while the p-p has nearly the same magnitude. For hole levels in alloy dots, the s-p splitting decreases with increasing height (the splitting in tall dots being about four times smaller than in flat dots), whereas the p-p splitting remains nearly unchanged. Shallow, pure, nonalloyed dots have a s-p splitting of nearly the same magnitude, whereas the p-p splitting is about three times larger. (iii) As height increases, the s and p characters of the wave function of the HOMO becomes mixed, and so does its heavy-hole and light-hole characters. (iv) In alloy dots, regardless of height, the wave function of low-lying hole states are localized inside the dot. Remarkably, in nonalloyed InAs∕GaAs dots these states become localized at the interface as height increases. The localized states are nearly degenerate and polarized along [11¯0] and [110]. This localization is driven by the peculiarities of the biaxial strain present in the nanostructure.
A multiphase equation of state of three solid phases, liquid, and gas for titanium
Authors: Pecker S. , Eliezer S. , Fisher D. , Henis Z. , Zinamon Z.
Published: August 2005

A multiple-phase equation of state of the α phase, β phase, ω phase, liquid, and gas for titanium is presented. This equation of state is thermodynamically consistent, based on a three-term semiempirical model for the Helmholtz free energy. The parameters of the free energy are first evaluated from the experimental data and solid-state theoretical calculations. Then, the values of the parameters are adjusted using a numerical minimization scheme based on the simplex algorithm, to values that best reproduce measured phase diagrams and other experimental data. The predicted phase diagram shows a compression-induced β-ω transition, up to a β-ω-liquid triple point at ∼45GPa and ∼2200K. For pressures above this triple point, the melting occurs from the ω phase. Moreover, no β-ω transition is predicted along the Hugoniot curve starting at STP conditions.
Growth kinetics of core-shell-structured grains and dielectric constant in rare-earth-doped BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Liu Gang , Wang Xiao-hui , Lin Y. , Li L.-T. , Nan Ce-Wen
Published: August 2005

The solute-drag-dependent growth kinetics of core-shell-structured grains in rare-earth-doped BaTiO3 ceramics was studied based on an analytical description of the diffusion of rare-earth atoms doped. Dependence of the sizes of grain core and shell on the sintering conditions, dopant content, and starting powder size was quantitatively revealed. The effective dielectric constant of the ceramics was calculated in terms of the relative contents of the ferroelectric core and paraelectric shell. The calculations are in good agreement with the experimental observations.
ReducedPU.1expression causes myeloid progenitor expansion and increased leukemia penetrance in mice expressing PML-RARα
Authors: Walter Matthew J. , Park John S. , Ries Rhonda E. , Lau Steven K. M. , McLellan Michael , Jaeger Sara , Wilson Richard K. , Mardis Elaine R. , Ley Timothy J.
Published: August 2005

PU.1 is a member of the ETS family of transcription factors that is known to be important for hematopoietic development. Recently, haploinsufficiency for PU.1 has been shown to cause a shift in myelomonocytic progenitor fate toward the myeloid lineage. We have previously shown that transgenic mice expressing PML-RARα (PR) and RARα-PML frequently develop acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in association with a large (>20 Mb) interstitial deletion of chromosome 2 that includesPU.1. To directly assess the relevance of levels of expression ofPU.1for leukemia progression, we bred hCG-PR mice withPU.1+/-mice and assessed their phenotype. Young, nonleukemic hCG-PR ×PU.1+/-mice developed splenomegaly because of the abnormal expansion of myeloid cells in their spleens. hCG-PR ×PU.1+/-mice developed a typical APL syndrome after a long latent period, but the penetrance of disease was 84%, compared with 7% in hCG-PR ×PU.1+/+mice (P< 0.0001). The residualPU.1allele in hCG-PR ×PU.1+/-APL cells was expressed, and complete exonic resequencing revealed no detectable mutations in nine of nine samples. However, PR expression in U937 myelomonocytic cells and primary murine myeloid bone marrow cells caused a reduction inPU.1mRNA levels. Therefore, the loss of one copy ofPU.1through a deletional mechanism, plus down-regulation of the residual allele caused by PR expression, may synergize to expand the pool of myeloid progenitors that are susceptible to transformation, increasing the penetrance of APL.
Variation in IL-1β gene expression is a major determinant of genetic differences in arthritis aggressivity in mice
Authors: Ohmura Koichiro , Johnsen Alyssa , Ortiz-Lopez Adriana , Desany Paul , Roy Matt , Besse Whitney , Rogus John , Bogue Molly , Puech Anne , Lathrop Mark , Mathis Diane , Benoist Christophe
Published: August 2005

In humans and in animal models, susceptibility to arthritis is under complex genetic control, reflecting influences on the immunological processes that initiate autoimmunity and on subsequent inflammatory mechanisms in the joints. The effector phases are conveniently modeled by the K/BxN serum transfer system, a robust model well suited for genetic analysis where arthritis is initiated by pathogenic Ig. Here, we mapped the genetic loci distinguishing the high-responder BALB/c vs. low-responder SJL strains. After computational modeling of potential breeding schemes, we adapted a stepwise selective breeding strategy, with a whole-genome scan performed on a limited number of animals. Several genomic regions proved significantly associated with high sensitivity to arthritis. One of these regions, on distalchr2, was centered on the interleukin 1 gene family. Quantitation of transcripts of theIl1aandIl1bcandidate genes revealed a 10-fold greater induction ofIl1bmRNA in BALB/c than in SJL splenocytes after injection of LPS, whereasIl1ashowed much less difference. The differential activity of theIl1bgene was associated with a particular sequence haplotype of noncoding polymorphisms. The BALB/c haplotype was found in 75% of wild-derived strains but was rare among conventional inbred strains (4/33 tested, one of which is DBA/1, the prototype arthritis-susceptible strain) and was associated with vigorousIl1bresponses in a panel of inbred strains. Inbred strains carrying this allele were far more responsive to serum-transferred arthritis, confirming its broad importance in controlling arthritis severity.
The Transcribed 165-bp CentO Satellite Is the Major Functional Centromeric Element in the Wild Rice SpeciesOryza punctata
Authors: Zhang Wenli , Yi Chuandeng , Bao Weidong , Liu Bin , Cui Jiajun , Yu Hengxiu , Cao Xiaofeng , Gu Minghong , Liu Min , Cheng Zhukuan
Published: August 2005

Centromeres are required for faithful segregation of chromosomes in cell division. It is not clear what kind of sequences act as functional centromeres and how centromere sequences are organized in Oryza punctata, a BB genome species. In this study, we found that the CentO centromeric satellites in O. punctata share high homology with the CentO satellites in O. sativa. The O. punctata centromeres are characterized by megabase tandem arrays that are flanked by centromere-specific retrotransposons. Immunostaining with an antibody specific to CENH3 indicates that the 165-bp CentO satellites are the major component for functional centromeres. Moreover, both strands of CentO satellites are highly methylated and transcribed and produce small interfering RNA, which may be important for the maintenance of centromeric heterochromatin and centromere function.
Tissue distribution of the murine phosphomannomutases Pmm1 and Pmm2 during brain development
Authors: Cromphout K. , Keldermans L. , Snellinx A. , Collet J. F. , Grünewald S. , De Geest N. , Sciot R. , Vanschaftingen E. , Jaeken J. , Matthijs G. , Hartmann D.
Published: August 2005

The most common type of the congenital disorders of glycosylation, CDG‐Ia, is caused by mutations in the human PMM2 gene, reducing phosphomannomutase (PMM) activity. The PMM2 mutations mainly lead to neurological symptoms, while other tissues are only variably affected. Another phosphomannomutase, PMM1, is present at high levels in the brain. This raises the question why PMM1 does not compensate for the reduced PMM2 activity during CDG‐Ia pathogenesis. We compared the expression profile of the murine Pmm1 and Pmm2 mRNA and protein in prenatal and postnatal mouse brain at the histological level. We observed a considerable expression of both Pmms in different regions of the embryonic and adult mouse brain. Surprisingly, the expression patterns were largely overlapping. This data indicates that expression differences on the cellular and tissue level are an unlikely explanation for the absence of functional compensation. These results suggest that Pmm1 in vivo does not exert the phosphomannomutase‐like activity seen in biochemical assays, but either acts on as yet unidentified specific substrates or fulfils entirely different functions.
Corticofugal feedback for auditory midbrain plasticity elicited by tones and electrical stimulation of basal forebrain in mice
Authors: Zhang Yunfeng , Hakes Jacqueline J. , Bonfield Stephan P. , Yan Jun
Published: August 2005

The auditory cortex (AC) is the major origin of descending auditory projections and is one of the targets of the cholinergic basal forebrain, nucleus basalis (NB). In the big brown bat, cortical activation evokes frequency‐specific plasticity in the inferior colliculus and the NB augments this collicular plasticity. To examine whether cortical descending function and NB contributions to collicular plasticity are different between the bat and mouse and to extend the findings in the bat, we induced plasticity in the central nucleus of the mouse inferior colliculus by a tone paired with electrical stimulation of the NB (hereafter referred to as tone‐ESNB). We show here that tone‐ESNB shifted collicular best frequencies (BFs) towards the frequency of the tone paired with ESNB when collicular BFs were different from tone frequency. The shift in collicular BF was linearly correlated to the difference between collicular BFs and tone frequencies. The changes in collicular BFs after tone‐ESNB were similar to those found in the big brown bat. Compared with cortical plasticity evoked by tone‐ESNB, the pattern of collicular BF shifts was identical but the shifting range of collicular BFs was narrower. A GABAA agonist (muscimol) or a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist (atropine) applied to the AC completely abolished the collicular plasticity evoked by tone‐ESNB. Therefore, our findings strongly suggest that the AC plays a critical role in experience‐dependent auditory plasticity through descending projections.
Cardioprotective effects of estradiol include the activation of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in cardiac mitochondria
Authors: Ohya Susumu , Kuwata Yukiko , Sakamoto Kazuho , Muraki Katsuhiko , Imaizumi Yuji
Published: August 2005

The molecular components of the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels that are functionally expressed in mitochondria (mitoKCa) in cardiac myocytes have not been identified. Our experimental results show that the transcript corresponding to the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel β1-subunit (BK-β1) is substantially expressed in mammalian heart. A yeast two-hybrid assay showed the BK-β1 protein can interact with a mitochondrial protein, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (Cco1). Results from immunocytochemical experiments also demonstrated that BK-β1 interacted with Cco1 and colocalized in rat cardiac mitochondria. Furthermore, 17β-estradiol, which enhances the activity of the BK channel α-subunit only in the presence of the β1-subunit, significantly increased flavoprotein oxidation in rat ventricle myocytes and decreased the rate of cell death under simulated ischemia. Single-channel recordings from mitochondrial inner membrane indicated that the activity of mitoKCa, which had a conductance of ∼270 pS, was enhanced by 17β-estradiol and blocked by paxilline. In combination, the present study revealed a new mechanism for the cardioprotective effects of 17β-estradiol, which include the activation of mitoKCa via the interaction with BK-β1. BK-β1 may be an important molecular component that functionally couples with both Cco1 and mitoKCa pore-forming α-subunit.
Endothelin-1 expression in vascular adventitial fibroblasts
Authors: An Sheng Jun , Boyd Ryan , Wang Ying , Qiu Xiaofan , Wang Hui Di
Published: August 2005

Endothelial cells are a major source of endothelin (ET)-1, but the possibility that vascular adventitial fibroblasts generate ET-1 has not been explored. We hypothesized that aortic adventitial fibroblasts have the ability to produce ET-1, which may contribute to extracellular matrix synthesis. Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were isolated from mouse aorta and incubated with various concentrations of angiotensin II (ANG II). mRNA levels of preproET-1 and type I procollagen were detected with relative RT-PCR. ET-1 levels in culture medium were measured with ELISA. Protein levels of procollagen were detected with Western blotting. ANG II (10 and 100 nM, 1 μM) induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in preproET-1 mRNA levels ( P < 0.05). Induction of preproET-1 mRNA was accompanied by release of immunoreactive peptide ET-1 ( P < 0.05). ANG II-evoked increases in preproET-1 mRNA expression and ET-1 release were blocked by losartan (100 μM), an AT1 receptor antagonist, but not PD-123319 (100 μM), an AT2 receptor antagonist. To further confirm our findings, we cloned and then sequenced vascular fibroblast preproET-1 bidirectionally with T7 and M13 reverse sequencing primers. Their nucleotide sequences were identical to preproET-1 cDNA from mouse vascular endothelial cells (accession no. AB081657 ). Moreover, ANG II-induced type I procollagen mRNA and protein expression were inhibited by BQ-123 (10 μM), an ETA receptor inhibitor, but not BQ-788 (10 μM), an ETB receptor inhibitor, suggesting a significant role of adventitial ET-1 in regulation of extracellular matrix synthesis. The results demonstrate that vascular adventitial fibroblasts are able to synthesize and release ET-1 in response to ANG II.
Myocardial infarction and heart failure in the db/db diabetic mouse
Authors: Greer James J. M. , Ware Derek P. , Lefer David J.
Published: August 2005

Clinical studies have reported that the incidence and severity of myocardial infarction is significantly greater in diabetics compared with nondiabetics after correction for all other risk factors. The majority of studies investigating the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury have focused on otherwise healthy animals. At present, there is a paucity of experimental investigations on the pathophysiology of heart failure in diabetic animals. We hypothesized that the severity of myocardial reperfusion injury and the development of congestive heart failure would be markedly enhanced in the db/db diabetic mouse. Accordingly, we studied the effects of varying durations of in vivo myocardial ischemia and reperfusion on the incidence of heart failure in db/db diabetic mice. Nondiabetic and db/db diabetic mice (10 wk of age) were subjected to 30, 45, or 60 min of left coronary artery occlusion and 28 days of reperfusion. Survival at 24 h of reperfusion was 100% in nondiabetic mice subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia and 88% in nondiabetic mice subjected to 45 min of myocardial ischemia. In contrast, survival was 53% in db/db diabetic mice subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia and 44% in db/db mice after 45 min of myocardial ischemia. Prolonged survival in nondiabetic mice was not significantly attenuated when compared during the 28-day follow-up period with all groups experiencing >90% survival. Prolonged survival was significantly decreased in db/db mice after both 30 and 45 min of myocardial ischemia compared with sham controls. Furthermore, we observed a significant degree or left ventricular dilatation, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiac contractile dysfunction in db/db mice subjected to 45 min of myocardial ischemia and 28 days reperfusion. In nondiabetic mice subjected to 45 min of myocardial ischemia, we failed to observe any changes in left ventricular dimensions or fractional shortening. These studies provide a feasible experimental model system for the investigation of heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction in the db/db diabetic mouse.
NO responsiveness in pulmonary artery and airway smooth muscle: the role of cGMP regulation
Authors: Kwak Young L. , Jones Keith A. , Warner David O. , Perkins William J.
Published: August 2005

The purpose of this study was to assess intrinsic smooth muscle mechanisms contributing to greater nitric oxide (NO) responsiveness in pulmonary vascular vs. airway smooth muscle. Canine pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASM) and tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips were used to perform concentration response studies to an NO donor, (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA-NO). PASM exhibited a greater NO responsiveness whether PASM and TSM were contracted with receptor agonists, phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively, or with KCl. The >10-fold difference in NO sensitivity in PASM was observed with both submaximal and maximal contractions. This difference in NO responsiveness was not due to differences in endothelial or epithelial barriers, since these were removed, nor was it due to the presence of cGMP-independent NO-mediated relaxation in either tissue. At equal concentrations of NO, the intracellular cGMP concentration ([cGMP]i) was also greater in PASM than in TSM. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition using isobutylmethylxanthine indicated that the greater [cGMP]iin PASM was not due to greater PDE activity in TSM. Expression of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) subunit mRNA (2 ± 0.2 and 1.3 ± 0.2 attomol/μg total RNA, respectively) and protein (47.4 ± 2 and 27.8 ± 3.9 ng/mg soluble homogenate protein, respectively) was greater in PASM than in TSM. sGCα1and sGCβ1mRNA expression was equal in PASM but was significantly different in TSM, suggesting independent regulation of their expression. An intrinsic smooth muscle mechanism accounting for greater NO responsiveness in PASM vs. TSM is greater sGC activity.
Growth and density-dependent regulation of NO synthase by the actin cytoskeleton in pulmonary artery endothelial cells
Authors: Kondrikov Dmitry , Han Hye-Rim , Block Edward R. , Su Yunchao
Published: August 2005

We previously reported association of eNOS with actin increases eNOS activity. In the present study, regulation of activity of eNOS by actin cytoskeleton during endothelial growth was studied. We found eNOS activity in PAEC increased when cells grew from preconfluence to confluence. eNOS activity was much greater in PAEC in higher density than those in lower density, suggesting increase in eNOS activity during cell growth is caused by increase in cell density. Although eNOS protein contents were also increased when endothelial cells grew from preconfluence to confluence, magnitude of increase in eNOS activity was much higher than increase in eNOS protein content, suggesting posttranslational mechanisms played an important role in regulation of eNOS activity during endothelial growth. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed eNOS was colocalized with G-actin in preconfluent cells in perinuclear region, with both G-actin in perinuclear area and cortical F-actin in plasma membrane in confluent cells. There was more β-actin coimmunoprecipitated with eNOS in Triton X-100-soluble fraction in confluent cells in later growth phase and in high density. Decrease in eNOS association with β-actin by silencing β-actin expression using β-actin siRNA causes inhibition of eNOS activity, NO production, and endothelial monolayer wound repair in PAEC. Moreover, PAEC incubation with cytochalasin D and jasplakinolide resulted in increases in eNOS/actin association and in eNOS activity without changes in eNOS protein content. Yeast two-hybrid experiments suggested strong association between eNOS oxygenase domain and β-actin. These results indicate increase in eNOS association with actin is responsible for greater eNOS activity in confluent PAEC.
In vivo antimuscarinic actions of the third generation antihistaminergic agent, desloratadine
Authors: Howell G , West L , Jenkins C , Lineberry B , Yokum D , Rockhold R
Published: August 2005

Background

Muscarinic receptor mediated adverse effects, such as sedation and xerostomia, significantly hinder the therapeutic usefulness of first generation antihistamines. Therefore, second and third generation antihistamines which effectively antagonize the H1 receptor without significant affinity for muscarinic receptors have been developed. However, both in vitro and in vivo experimentation indicates that the third generation antihistamine, desloratadine, antagonizes muscarinic receptors. To fully examine the in vivo antimuscarinic efficacy of desloratadine, two murine and two rat models were utilized. The murine models sought to determine the efficacy of desloratadine to antagonize muscarinic agonist induced salivation, lacrimation, and tremor. Desloratadine's effect on the cardiovascular system was explored in both rodent models.

Results

In the pithed rat, both desloratadine (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) and the muscarinic M2 selective antagonist, methoctramine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.), inhibited negative inotropic (left ventricular dP/dt) effects caused by oxotremorine, a nonselective muscarinic agonist (p < 0.05). Negative chronotropic effects caused by oxotremorine were inhibited by desloratadine, methoctramine, and the muscarinic M3 selective antagonist, 4-DAMP (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.). A late positive inotropic event observed after the initial decrease was inhibited by all three test compounds with desloratadine and 4-DAMP being the most efficacious. In the conscious animal, inhibition of baroreflex-mediated bradycardia was evaluated. Unlike atropine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.), desloratadine did not alter this bradycardia. The antimuscarinic action of desloratadine on salivation, lacrimation, and tremor was also explored. In urethane-anesthetized (1.5 g/kg, i.p.) male ICR mice (25–35 g) desloratadine (1.0, 5.0 mg/kg) did not inhibit oxotremorine-induced (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) salivation, unlike atropine (0.5 mg/kg) and 4-DAMP (1.0 mg/kg). In conscious mice, desloratadine failed to inhibit oxotremorine-induced (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) salivation, lacrimation, and tremor. However, desloratadine did inhibit oxotremorine-induced tremor in phenylephrine pretreated animals.

Conclusion

The presented data demonstrate that the third generation antihistamine, desloratadine, does not significantly antagonize peripheral muscarinic receptors mediating salivation and lacrimation, therefore, xerostomia and dry eyes should not be observed with therapeutic use of desloratadine. Our data also indicate when administered to a patient with a compromised blood-brain barrier, desloratadine may cause sedation. Patients with compromised cardiovascular systems should be closely monitored when administered desloratadine based on our results that desloratadine has the ability to interfere with normal cardiovascular function mediated by muscarinic receptors.
Closed chamber globe stabilization and needle capsulorhexis using irrigation hand piece of bimanual irrigation and aspiration system
Authors: Sethi Harinder S , Dada Tanuj , Rai Harminder K , Sethi Prabhpreet
Published: August 2005

Background

The prerequisites for a good capsulorhexis include a deep, well maintained anterior chamber, globe stabilization and globe manipulation. This helps to achieve a capsulorhexis of optimal size, shape and obtain the best possible position for a red glow under retroillumination. We report the use of irrigation handpiece of bimanual irrigation aspiration system to stabilize the globe, maintain a deep anterior chamber and manipulate the globe to a position of optimal red reflex during needle capsulorhexis in phacoemulsification.

Methods

Two side ports are made with 20 G MVR 'V' lance knife (Alcon, USA). The irrigation handpiece with irrigation on is introduced into the anterior chamber through one side port and the 26-G cystitome (made from 26-G needle) is introduced through the other. The capsolurhexis is completed with the needle.

Results

Needle capsulorhexis with this technique was used in 30 cases of uncomplicated immature senile cataracts. 10 cases were done under peribulbar anaesthesia and 20 under topical anaesthesia. A complete capsulorhexis was achieved in all cases.

Conclusion

The irrigating handpiece maintains deep anterior chamber, stabilizes the globe, facilitates pupillary dilatation, and helps in maintaining the eye in the position with optimal red reflex during needle capsulorhexis. This technique is a safe and effective way to perform needle capsulorhexis.
Quantitative assessment of harmonic power doppler myocardial perfusion imaging with intravenous levovist™ in patients with myocardial infarction: comparison with myocardial viability evaluated by coronary flow reserve and coronary flow pattern of infarct-related artery
Authors: Tani Tomoko , Tanabe Kazuaki , Tani Minako , Ono Fumie , Katayama Minako , Tamita Koichi , Kaji Shuichiro , Yamamuro Atsushi , Nagai Kunihiko , Shiratori Kenichi , Morioka Shigefumi , Kihara Yasuki
Published: August 2005

Background

Myocardial contrast echocardiography and coronary flow velocity pattern with a rapid diastolic deceleration time after percutaneous coronary intervention has been reported to be useful in assessing microvascular damage in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Aim

To evaluate myocardial contrast echocardiography with harmonic power Doppler imaging, coronary flow velocity reserve and coronary artery flow pattern in predicting functional recovery by using transthoracic echocardiography.

Methods

Thirty patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction underwent myocardial contrast echocardiography at rest and during hyperemia and were quantitatively analyzed by the peak color pixel intensity ratio of the risk area to the control area (PIR). Coronary flow pattern was measured using transthoracic echocardiography in the distal portion of left anterior descending artery within 24 hours after recanalization and we assessed deceleration time of diastolic flow velocity. Coronary flow velocity reserve was calculated two weeks after acute myocardial infarction. Left ventricular end-diastolic volumes and ejection fraction by angiography were computed.

Results

Pts were divided into 2 groups according to the deceleration time of coronary artery flow pattern (Group A; 20 pts with deceleration time ≧ 600 msec, Group B; 10 pts with deceleration time < 600 msec). In acute phase, there were no significant differences in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction (Left ventricular end-diastolic volume 112 ± 33 vs. 146 ± 38 ml, ejection fraction 50 ± 7 vs. 45 ± 9 %; group A vs. B). However, left ventricular end-diastolic volume in Group B was significantly larger than that in Group A (192 ± 39 vs. 114 ± 30 ml, p < 0.01), and ejection fraction in Group B was significantly lower than that in Group A (39 ± 9 vs. 52 ± 7%, p < 0.01) at 6 months. PIR and coronary flow velocity reserve of Group A were higher than Group B (PIR, at rest: 0.668 ± 0.178 vs. 0.248 ± 0.015, p < 0.0001: during hyperemia 0.725 ± 0.194 vs. 0.295 ± 0.107, p < 0.0001; coronary flow velocity reserve, 2.60 ± 0.80 vs. 1.31 ± 0.29, p = 0.0002, respectively).

Conclusion

The preserved microvasculature detecting by myocardial contrast echocardiography and coronary flow velocity reserve is related to functional recovery after acute myocardial infarction.
Nursing home residents with multiple sclerosis and dementia compared to other multiple sclerosis residents
Authors: Buchanan Robert J , Martin Raymond A , Moore Linda , Wang Suojin , Ju Hyunsu
Published: August 2005

Cognitive impairment may be a significant symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting about one half of MS patients in study samples similar to the general MS population. An interesting question is what role dementia, of any aetiology, plays in the cognitive ability of people with MS. The objective of this research is to learn more about nursing home residents with MS and dementia, identifying how they differ from other residents with MS. We developed profiles of MS residents with dementia using the Minimum Data Set and compared these profiles to other residents with MS. Nursing home residents with MS and dementia are admitted to nursing facilities at an older age and seem less likely to have physical impairments but more mood and behaviour problems than other MS residents at admission. A cortical variant of MS may be more prevalent than previously suspected and may be a factor responsible leading to nursing home admission in this subgroup of patients. Further clinical analysis of this subgroup would be necessary to support this contention.
Apo E in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis: the Apo E-o4 allele is associated with progression of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Pinholt M , Frederiksen J L , Andersen P S , Christiansen M
Published: August 2005

Objective: To investigate the association between apolipoprotein E (Apo E) genotype in multiple sclerosis (MS) and acute monosymptomatic optic neuritis (ON) in a genetically homogeneous population with a high frequency of the Apo o4 allele. Background: The association between heterozygosity of Apo o4 and the development of MS is thoroughly investigated, while the association between homozygosity of Apo o4 and the development of MS is insufficiently studied. The association between Apo E genotype and disease progression remains controversial. Methods: 475 patients were included, 385 with MS and 90 with ON, consecutively seen in the MS clinic in the County of Copenhagen. Clinical data were obtained from medical records and degree of disability was determined prospectively using the Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Blood samples were used for Apo E genotyping. Disease progression was evaluated by the progression index (PI=EDSS/disease duration). Apo E genotype distribution was compared with 361 healthy controls. Results: The Apo o genotype distribution in the MS and ON groups was similar to the controls. The rate of disease progression in the group of MS patients with a disease duration of 10 years or less was significantly faster in the Apo o4 positive group (heterozygosity and homozygosity for Apo o4) (PI=1.41) compared to the Apo o4 negative group (PI=0.92) (P=0.009). Observing the MS subgroups, we found that the group of patients with RRMS had a faster rate of disease progression in the Apo o4 positive group (PI=1.12) compared to the Apo o4 negative group (PI=0.77) (P=0.024). Conclusions: Apo E genotypes do not influence the development of MS and ON. The Apo o4 allele seems to predispose carriers with MS to a faster progression of disease.
Validation of the NARCOMS Registry: fatigue assessment
Authors: Marrie Ruth Ann , Cutter Gary , Tyry Tuula , Hadjimichael Olympia , Campagnolo Denise , Vollmer Timothy
Published: August 2005

Participants in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry report disability using Performance Scales (PS), which assess eight domains. We aimed to validate the PS fatigue subscale (PSF) using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) as external criteria. We measured correlations between the PSF and age, disease duration and PS subscales to assess construct validity. The PSF correlated strongly with the MFIS (r=0.72, p<0.0001) and FSS (r=0.75, p<0.0001). Correlations between the PSF and age, disease duration were low, indicating divergent validity. Correlations between the PSF and spasticity, sensory and mobility PS scales were moderate, indicating convergent validity. The PSF has adequate criterion and construct validity in MS.
Concordance for multiple sclerosis in Danish twins: an update of a nationwide study
Authors: Hansen T , Skytthe A , Stenager E , Petersen H C , Brønnum-Hansen H , Kyvik K O
Published: August 2005

The occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in twins has not previously been studied in complete nationwide data sets. The existence of almost complete MS and twin registries in Denmark ensures that essentially unbiased samples of MS cases among twins can be obtained. In this population-based study, virtually all Danish MS cases among twins born before 1983 with onset of MS after 1948 and diagnosis before 1 January 1997 were identified. Of 13 286 MS cases, 178 were twins and, of these 164 twin pairs were discordant and seven were concordant. We found significantly higher proband-wise concordance among monozygotic twins than dizygotic twins, with estimated proband-wise concordances of 24% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5-39%) for monozygotic and 3% (95% CI: 0-8%) for dizygotic twins. Thus, a monozygotic twin whose co-twin has MS has a 24% risk of developing the disease, while the corresponding risk for a dizygotic twin is only 3%. Our results largely confirm previously published concordance estimates and indicate that genetic factors are of importance in susceptibility to MS.
A highly immunogenic trivalent T cell receptor peptide vaccine for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bourdette D N , Edmonds E , Smith C , Bowen J D , Guttmann C RG , Nagy Z P , Simon J , Whitham R , Lovera J , Yadav V , Mass M , Spencer L , Culbertson N , Bartholomew R M , Theofan G , Milano J , Offner H , Vandenbark A A
Published: August 2005

Background: T cell receptor (TCR) peptide vaccination is a novel approach to treating multiple sclerosis (MS). The low immunogenicity of previous vaccines has hindered the development of TCR peptide vaccination for MS. Objective: To compare the immunogenicity of intramuscular injections of TCR BV5S2, BV6S5 and BV13S1 CDR2 peptides in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA) with intradermal injections of the same peptides without IFA. Methods: MS subjects were randomized to receive TCR peptides/IFA, TCR peptides/saline or IFA alone. Subjects were on study for 24 weeks. Results: The TCR peptides/IFA vaccine induced vigorous T cell responses in 100% of subjects completing the 24-week study (9/9) compared with only 20% (2/10) of those receiving the TCR peptides/saline vaccine (P =0.001). IFA alone induced a weak response in only one of five subjects. Aside from injection site reactions, there were no significant adverse events attributable to the treatment. Conclusions: The trivalent TCR peptide in IFA vaccine represents a significant improvement in immunogenicity over previous TCR peptide vaccines and warrants investigation of its ability to treat MS.
Ancient North American Art Surfaces in the Art World: A Review of Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand
Authors: HOLLOWELL JULIE
Published: August 2005

Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand rated as a must‐see for anyone with an interest in art of the ancient Americas or ancient art in general—an exhibition whose breadth and depth in terms of visual material would be difficult, if not impossible, to replicate. This review takes a look beyond the immediate frame of the exhibition at some additional context related to the appreciation of these objects as ancient art, including some reflection on the original objectives of the exhibition and what appeared, at least to this anthropologist, as palpably missing or unspoken.