bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chai-Hu-Gui-Zhi-Gan-Jiang-Tang Regulates Plasma Interleukin-6 and Soluble Interleukin-6 Receptor Concentrations and Improves Depressed Mood in Climacteric Women with Insomnia
Authors: Ushiroyama Takahisa , Ikeda Atsushi , Sakuma Kou , Ueki Minoru
Published: September 2005

This study was performed to compare the effects of Chai-hu-gui-zhi-gan-jiang-tang (Saiko-keishi-kankyo-to), an herbal medicine, in improving depressed mood and on plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) concentrations with those of anti-depressants in peri- and post-menopausal women. Ninety patients complaining of menopausal symptoms including insomnia who were diagnosed with mood disorder based on DSM-IV were recruited and separated into two groups (Chai-hu-gui-zhi-gan-jiang-tang group was selected on the basis of SHO for 42 cases, while anti-depressants were used for 48 cases), and plasma IL-6 and sIL-6R concentrations were determined before and after three months of the treatment. There were no significant differences in the decrease in both climacteric and Hamilton depression score after treatment between the two groups. Plasma IL-6 and sIL-6R concentrations were significantly lower in the Chai-hu-gui-zhi-gan-jiang-tang group (-34.8 ± 15.5% and -22.4 ± 14.6%, respectively) than in the anti-depressant group (7.5 ± 4.8% and 2.4 ± 3.8%, respectively) after 3 months of treatment. Correlations between rate of decrease in climacteric score and plasma IL-6 ( R = 0.498, P = 0.0056) and sIL-6R ( R = 0.512, P = 0.0045) concentrations were observed.

Chai-hu-gui-zhi-gan-jiang-tang reduced plasma IL-6 and sIL-6R concentrations in relation to improvement of depressed mood during treatment. The findings of this study suggest that Chai-hu-gui-zhi-gan-jiang-tang has the potential to decrease morbidity by alleviation of stress reactions in peri- and post-menopausal women.
Protective Effect of Propolis Ethanol Extract on Ethanol-Induced Renal Toxicity: Anin VivoStudy
Authors: Liu Chi-Feng , Lin Chia-Hsien , Lin Chun-Ching , Lin Yun-Ho , Chen Chin-Fa , Lin Song-Chow
Published: September 2005

Acute p.o. administration of absolute ethanol (10 ml/kg) to fasted mice would produce extensive renal failure. Pretreatment with p.o. administration of propolis ethanol extract (PEE) could prevent such renal failure effectively and dose dependently. This renal protective effect of PEE may be contributed, at least in part, to its antioxidative activity. The maximal antioxidative effect against absolute ethanol (AE)-induced renal failure could be observed 1 hour after PEE administration. In order to further investigate the renal protective mechanism of PEE, lipid peroxidation and superoxide scavenging activity were conducted in vivo. PEE exhibited dose-dependent antioxidative effects on lipid peroxidation in mice renal homogenate. Results indicated that mice with acute renal failure have higher malonic dialdehyde (MDA) levels compared with those in PEE administered mice. It was concluded that the renal protective mechanism of PEE could be contributed, at least in part, to its prominent superoxide scavenging effect; hence, it could protect, indirectly, the kidney from superoxide-induced renal damages.
Differences in Electrical Conduction Properties Between Meridians and Non-meridians
Authors: Lee Myeong Soo , Jeong Sang-Yong , Lee Yong-Heum , Jeong Dong-Myong , Eo Yoon-Gi , Ko Su-Bok
Published: September 2005

Therapy using the acupuncture meridian system is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrical conduction properties of the meridians. The current conduction and potential profiles were compared after switching the current direction in the Hegu (LI-4) and Quchi (LI-11) meridians and over a non-acupuncture point 1 cm from Quchi (LI-11) in 20 healthy subjects. Both meridians demonstrated significantly higher conductivity between Hegu (LI-4) and Quchi (LI-11) than between Hegu (LI-4) and the non-acupuncture point. The direction of current, peak frequency and absolute potential values in the direction Hegu (LI-4) to Quchi (LI-11) differed significantly from those in the direction Quchi (LI-11) to Hegu (LI-4). These results suggest that the conducting pathways are stronger in the meridians than in the non-meridians and that preferential conduction directions exist between two acupuncture points. These results are consistent with the theories of Qi-circulation and traditional Chinese medicine.
COHERENT RESONANCE AND PHASE LOCKING IN NOISE-DRIVEN EXCITABLE SYSTEMS
Authors: FENG XIAOQIN , ZHENG ZHIGANG
Published: September 2005

The dynamical responses of an excitable FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) system under the drive of an external noise are studied. Noise can induce a sequence of firings. The n:m coherent resonance of the FHN oscillator with an intrinsic natural frequency is shown. This effect is discussed by resorting to the phase dynamics of a spike train and the phase synchronization index γnm.
GLASS FORMING ABILITY OF HARD MAGNETIC Nd55Al20Fe25 BULK GLASSY ALLOY WITH DISTINCT GLASS TRANSITION
Authors: XIA L. , JO C. L. , DONG Y. D.
Published: September 2005

Nd 55 Al 20 Fe 25 bulk sample was prepared in the shape of rods 3 mm in diameter by suction casting. The sample exhibits typical amorphous characters in XRD pattern, distinct glass transition in DSC traces and hard magnetic properties. The distinct glass transition, which is invisible in DSC traces of previously reported Nd — Al — Fe ternary BMGs, allows us to investigate the glass forming ability (GFA) of Nd 55 Al 20 Fe 25 alloy using the reduced glass transition temperature Trg and the recently defined parameter γ. However, it is found that the obtained diameter of the Nd 55 Al 20 Fe 25 glassy rod is much larger than the critical section thickness of the BMG predicted by either Trg or γ. The microstructure of Nd 55 Al 20 Fe 25 as-cast rod was studied and the apparent GFA of the alloy was supposed to be enhanced by the metastable nano-precipitates dispersed within the glassy matrix.
THE ZONE MODULUS OF A LINK
Authors: LANGEVIN RÉMI , MONIOT GRÉGOIRE-THOMAS
Published: September 2005

In this paper, we construct a conformally invariant functional for two-component links called the zone modulus of the link. Its main property is to give a sufficient condition for a link to be split.

The zone modulus is a positive number, and its lower bound is 1. To construct a link with modulus arbitrarily close to 1, it is sufficient to consider two small disjoint spheres each one far from the other and then to construct a link by taking a circle enclosed in each sphere. Such a link is a split link. The situation is different when the link is non-split: we will prove that the modulus of a non-split link is greater than [Formula: see text]. This value of the modulus is realized by a special configuration of linked circles called the Clifford link.

As a corollary, we show that if the thickness of a non-split two-component link embedded in S3 is equal to [Formula: see text], then the link is the standard geometric Hopf link.
GEOMETRIC BROADCAST PROTOCOL FOR HETEROGENEOUS SENSOR NETWORKS
Authors: DURRESI ARJAN , PARUCHURI VAMSI , JAIN RAJ
Published: September 2005

We present Geometric Broadcast for Heterogeneous Sensor Networks (GBS), a novel broadcasting protocol for heterogeneous wireless sensor and actor networks. While broadcasting is a very energy expensive protocol, it is also widely used as a building block for a variety of other network layer protocols. Therefore, reducing the energy consumption by optimizing broadcasting is a major improvement in heterogenous sensor networking. GBS is a distributed algorithm where nodes make local decisions on whether to transmit based on a geometric approach. GBS does not need any neighborhood information and imposes very low communication overhead. GBS is scalable to the change in network size, node type, node density and topology. Furthermore it accommodates seamlessly such network changes, including the presence of actors in heterogeneous sensor networks. Indeed, GBS takes advantage of actor nodes, and uses their resources when possible, thus reducing the energy consumption by sensor nodes. Through simulation evaluations, we show that GBS is very scalable and its performance is improved by the presence of actors. At the best of our knowledge, GBS is the first broadcast protocol designed specifically for heterogeneous sensor and actor networks.
MULTI-AGENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE TO TRADING SYSTEMS
Authors: SHAKSHUKI ELHADI , ABU-DRAZ SAAD
Published: September 2005

Agents for online trading purpose can be seen as a tool that helps computer users to purchase products from distributed resources based on their interests and preferences. One of the major features that determine the success of trading agent is the ability to negotiate with other agents, because most trading tasks involve interaction among agents. This paper presents a peer-to-peer multi-agent system architecture for online trading. The main objective of this system is to address some of the shortcomings that are present in contemporary online trading systems that focused on providing solutions for specific trading issues, such as single attribute-based negotiation, the requirement of an electronic marketplace and variations and status changes within the network. The proposed system architecture is a multi-tier, multi-agent architecture. The system architecture consists of three types of agents that are classified based on their functionality: interface, resource and retrieval agents. The interface agents are the front-end of the system and able to interact with different users to fulfill their needs. At the middle-tier, the resource agents access and capture the contents and the changes of the local information database. The retrieval agents are the back-end of the system and able to travel and interact with other agents at remote host machines. A prototype of this system is implemented using the IBM Aglet SDK.
STAKEHOLDER-ASSISTED MODELLING AND POLICY DESIGN PROCESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING
Authors: MOSTASHARI ALI , SUSSMAN JOSEPH
Published: September 2005

Environmental planning and policy analysis, design and implementation are complicated by the fact that environmental problems are almost always part of a complex sociotechnical system, the behaviour of which is not intuitive. The complexity of the problem necessitates a technical and scientific analysis process, which by its nature excludes the majority of the stakeholders in the given problem. To overcome these challenges, this research proposes the engagement of stakeholders from very early on in the process using computer-assisted visualisation and representation of complex sociotechnical systems. Specifically it proposed the use of system dynamics simulation in illustrating the complex interactions of the different sociotechnical system elements. Using computer simulation of the system, stakeholders can then decide on the best strategies to address the issue on a more objective basis. Ubiquitous computing enables the assessment of a vast number of strategies in a relatively short time.
EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES: TREND ANALYSIS OF TREATY-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS
Authors: SEELARBOKUS CHENAZ B.
Published: September 2005

The literature on environmental regime effectiveness has shown a predilection for behaviour modification studies, whereby effectiveness is associated with a change in the behaviour of relevant actors. There has not been a systematic endeavour to link the implementation of international environmental agreements (IEAs) with improvement in environmental conditions. This article shifts away from the paradigm of behavioural analysis and focuses instead on linking IEA effectiveness with positive environmental changes in treaty-based environmental effectiveness indicators. Thirty-four treaty texts have been analysed to determine potential environmental indicators, and treaty secretariats have been contacted to collect time-series data on the selected indicators. Based on data gathered, trend lines are established for the environmental indicators to depict changes in related global environmental conditions. The results of this exercise show that viewing IEA effectiveness from the environmental modification perspective is promising, though there are serious data limitations still to be overcome.
HAVING AN IMPACT? CONTEXT ELEMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE SEA APPLICATION IN TRANSPORT POLICY, PLAN AND PROGRAMME MAKING
Authors: FISCHER THOMAS B.
Published: September 2005

This paper argues that in order for strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to be effectively applied in transport policy, plan and programme making, the existence of certain context elements is essential. However, currently, these are only partly in place. Elements revolve around formal requirements and clear provisions for SEA, the existence of transparent and consistent value frames, the consideration of traditional decision making approaches, systematic tiering, a willingness to cooperate, an acknowledgement of uncertainties and appropriate funding, time as well as support. Focusing on transport case studies from the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and the U.K., the paper provides some empirical evidence for the importance of these context elements.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS IN THE US: A STUDY OF STATE SULFUR DIOXIDE STANDARDS
Authors: DAVIS MARY E.
Published: September 2005

What determines the environmental regulatory regime of a country or region? This paper addresses the question in detail, using the US and its widely varying environmental policies as the case study. What factors lead some US states to pass strict environmental regulations, while others are content with the baseline standards required at the national level? This work outlines the state environmental choice as a trade-off between the desires of consumers (who want better environmental quality) and of producers (who want less restrictive environmental standards). A rational state legislator maximises her chances of being re-elected by balancing these two competing forces when setting environmental policy.

I test this model by directly analysing the state decision to adopt more restrictive sulfur dioxide regulations than those required by the federal government under the Environmental Protection Agency's "National Ambient Air Quality Standards" program. The statistical results suggest that legislators weigh the relative influence of consumer and producer groups when setting sulfur dioxide standards, in addition to accounting for meteorological influences that affect the cost of compliance with stricter environmental regulations. Limited evidence is also provided to support an inverted-U shaped relationship between income levels and environmental regulations.
PLANT-MEDIATED INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS AND HERBIVOROUS ARTHROPODS
Authors: Stout Michael J. , Thaler Jennifer S. , Thomma Bart P.H.J.
Published: September 2005

▪ Abstract  Plant-mediated interactions between pathogenic microorganisms and arthropod herbivores occur when arthropod infestation or pathogen infection changes the shared host plant in ways that affect a subsequent attacker of the opposite type. Interest in such “tripartite” interactions has increased as the ecological and plant physiological framework for understanding and contextualizing them has developed. The outcomes of plant-mediated interactions are variable, and only a few provisional patterns can be identified at present. However, these interactions can have important consequences not only for individual pathogens and herbivores, but also for the population dynamics of both types of organisms in managed and natural ecosystems. Research has focused on the role of two plant response pathways in mediating tripartite interactions, one involving jasmonic acid and the other salicylic acid. Further studies of plant-mediated interactions will facilitate an understanding of how plants coordinate and integrate their defenses against multiple biotic threats.
SMALL-χ PHYSICS: From HERA to LHC and Beyond
Authors: Frankfurt Leonid , Strikman Mark , Weiss Christian
Published: September 2005

▪ Abstract  We summarize the lessons learned from studies of hard scattering processes in high-energy electron-proton collisions at HERA and antiproton-proton collisions at the Tevatron, with the aim of predicting new strong interaction phenomena observable in next-generation experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Processes reviewed include inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) at small x, exclusive and diffractive processes in DIS and hadron-hadron scattering, as well as color transparency and nuclear shadowing effects. A unified treatment of these processes is outlined on the basis of factorization theorems of quantum chromodynamics, and using the correspondence between the “parton” picture in the infinite-momentum frame and the “dipole” picture of high-energy processes in the target rest frame. The crucial role of the three dimensional quark and gluon structure of the nucleon is emphasized. A new dynamical effect predicted at high energies is the unitarity, or black disk, limit (BDL) in the interaction of small dipoles with hadronic matter, owing to the increase of the gluon density at small x. This effect is marginally visible in diffractive DIS at HERA and will lead to the complete disappearance of Bjorken scaling at higher energies. In hadron-hadron scattering at LHC energies and beyond (cosmic ray physics), the BDL will be a standard feature of the dynamics, with implications for (a) hadron production at forward and central rapidities in central proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions, in particular events with heavy particle production (Higgs), (b) proton-proton elastic scattering, and (c) heavy-ion collisions. We also outline the possibilities for studies of diffractive processes and photon-induced reactions (ultraperipheral collisions) at LHC, as well as possible measurements with a future electron-ion collider.
TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS AND CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS
Authors: Clark Krista L. , Yutzey Katherine E. , Benson D. Woodrow
Published: September 2005

▪ Abstract  Although there have been important advances in diagnostic modalities and therapeutic strategies for congenital heart defects (CHD), these malformations still lead to significant morbidity and mortality in the human population. Over the past 10 years, characterization of the genetic causes of CHD has begun to elucidate some of the molecular causes of these defects. Linkage analysis and candidate-gene approaches have been used to identify gene mutations that are associated with both familial and sporadic cases of CHD. Complementation of the human studies with developmental studies in mouse models provides information for the roles of these genes in normal development as well as indications for disease pathogenesis. Biochemical analysis of these gene mutations has provided further insight into the molecular effects of these genetic mutations. Here we review genetic, developmental, and biochemical studies of six cardiac transcription factors that have been identified as genetic causes for CHD in humans.
PROCESS EVALUATION FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Authors: Butterfoss Frances Dunn
Published: September 2005

▪ Abstract  This review provides a synthesis of published public health and social science literature to determine how process evaluation has been used to examine community participation and its intermediary role in health and social change outcomes. Community participation is defined, and its relationship to other community-development principles and evaluation and research methods is described. Then, case studies and research initiatives help answer questions such as who participates and why? What are the benefits and challenges of community participation? What qualitative and quantitative methods are used in process evaluations to measure community participation? What measures are used to help define the influence of community participation in community-based interventions? A better understanding of these issues is needed to ensure that community participation is valued and used effectively to plan and implement health-promotion initiatives and evaluate their processes and outcomes.
Increased plasma levels of adipokines in preeclampsia: relationship to placenta and adipose tissue gene expression
Authors: Haugen Fred , Ranheim Trine , Harsem Nina K. , Lips Esther , Staff Anne C. , Drevon Christian A.
Published: September 2005

Adipokines are predominantly secretory protein hormones from adipose tissue but may also originate in placenta and other organs. Cross-sectionally, we monitored maternal plasma concentration of adiponectin, resistin, and leptin and their mRNA expression in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and placenta from preeclamptic (PE; n = 15) and healthy pregnant (HP; n = 23) women undergoing caesarean section. The study groups were similar in age and BMI, whereas HOMA-IR tended to be higher in the PE group. In fasting plasma samples, the PE group had higher concentrations of adiponectin (18.3 ± 2.2 vs. 12.2 ± 1.1 μg/ml, P = 0.011), resistin (5.68 ± 0.41 vs. 4.65 ± 0.32 ng/ml, P = 0.028), and leptin (34.4 ± 3.2 vs. 22.7 ± 2.1 ng/ml, P = 0.003) compared with the HP group. Adiponectin and leptin concentrations were still different between PE and HP after controlling for BMI and HOMA-IR, whereas resistin concentrations differed only after controlling for BMI but not HOMA-IR. We found similar mean mRNA levels of adiponectin, resistin, and leptin in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in PE and HP women. When data were pooled from PE and HP women, resistin mRNA levels in adipose tissue also correlated with HOMA-IR ( r = 0.470, P = 0.012) after controlling for BMI and pregnancy duration. Resistin mRNA levels in placenta were not significantly different between PE and HP, whereas leptin mRNA levels were higher in PE placenta compared with HP. Thus increased plasma concentrations of adiponectin and resistin in preeclampsia may not relate to altered expression levels in adipose tissue and placenta, whereas both plasma and placenta mRNA levels of leptin are increased in preeclampsia.
Vasopressin gene transcription increases in response to decreases in plasma volume, but not to increases in plasma osmolality, in chronically dehydrated rats
Authors: Hayashi Masayuki , Arima Hiroshi , Goto Motomitsu , Banno Ryouichi , Watanabe Minemori , Sato Ikuko , Nagasaki Hiroshi , Oiso Yutaka
Published: September 2005

The synthesis of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) is physiologically regulated by plasma osmolality and volume. To clarify how the regulation of AVP gene transcription is affected by chronic dehydration, we examined changes in the transcriptional activities of AVP gene by plasma osmolality and volume in both euhydrated and dehydrated conditions. Euhydrated rats had free access to water, whereas dehydrated rats had been deprived of water for 3 days before experiments. Rats in both conditions were subjected to acute hypertonic stimuli or hypovolemia, and changes in AVP heteronuclear (hn)RNA levels, an indicator of gene transcription, in the SON and PVN were examined with in situ hybridization. The intraperitoneal (ip) injection (2% body wt) of hypertonic (1.5 M) saline increased plasma Na levels by ∼40 meq/l in both euhydrated and dehydrated conditions. However, expression levels of AVP hnRNA in the SON and PVN were increased only in euhydrated, not dehydrated, rats. On the other hand, ip injection of polyethylene glycol decreased the plasma volume by ∼16–20%, and AVP hnRNA levels in the SON and PVN were significantly increased in both conditions. Thus it is demonstrated that signaling pathways regulating AVP gene transcription in the magnocellular neurons were completely refractory to acute osmotic stimuli under the chronic dehydration and that AVP gene transcription could probably respond to acute hypovolemia through different intracellular signal transduction pathways from those for osmoregulation.
Glucose-dependent increase in mitochondrial membrane potential, but not cytoplasmic calcium, correlates with insulin secretion in single islet cells
Authors: Heart Emma , Corkey Richard F. , Wikstrom Jacob D. , Shirihai Orian S. , Corkey Barbara E.
Published: September 2005

We examined the effects of different physiological concentrations of glucose on cytoplasmic Ca2+handling and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and insulin secretion in single mouse islet cells. The threshold for both glucose-induced changes in Ca2+and Δψmranged from 6 to 8 mM. Glucose step-jumps resulted in sinusoidal oscillations of cytoplasmic Ca2+, whereas Δψmreached sustained plateaus with oscillations interposed on the top of these plateaus. The amplitude of the Ca2+rise (height of the peak) did not vary with glucose concentration, suggesting a “digital” rather than “analog” character of this aspect of the oscillatory Ca2+response. The average glucose-dependent elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+concentration during glucose stimulation reached saturation at 8 mM stimulatory glucose, whereas Δψmshowed a linear glucose dose-response relationship over the range of stimulatory glucose concentrations (4–16 mM). Glucose-dependent increases in insulin secretion correlated well with Δψm, but not with average Ca2+concentration. These data show that an ATP-dependent K+channel-independent pathway is operative at the single cell level and suggest mitochondrial metabolism may be a determining factor in explaining graded, glucose concentration-dependent increases in insulin secretion.
Lactate delivery (not oxygen) limits hepatic gluconeogenesis when blood flow is reduced
Authors: Sumida Ken D. , Urdiales Jerry H. , Donovan Casey M.
Published: September 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine, using the isolated liver perfusion technique, whether the limiting factor for hepatic gluconeogenesis (GNG) from lactate was precursor delivery or oxygen availability during reduced flow rates of 0.85 or 0.60 ml·min−1·g liver−1. After a 24-h fast, three different experimental protocols were employed. Protocol 1 examined the impact on GNG when reservoir lactate concentration was maintained but oxygen delivery was elevated via increases in hematocrit (Hct). Elevating the Hct from 22.5 ± 0.8% to 30.9 ± 0.4% at a blood flow of 0.89 ± 0.01 ml·min−1·g liver−1increased the oxygen consumption (V̇o2) but did not augment GNG. Similarly, when the Hct was elevated from 22.5 ± 0.8% to 41.5 ± 0.7% at 0.59 ± 0.04 ml·min−1·g liver−1, V̇o2was increased, but GNG was unaffected. Protocol 2 examined the impact on GNG when Hct was maintained but precursor delivery was elevated via increases in reservoir lactate concentration ([LA]). Specifically, elevating the [LA] from 2.31 ± 0.07 to 3.61 ± 0.33 mM at a flow rate of 0.82 ± 0.04 ml·min−1·g liver−1significantly increased GNG. Similarly, elevating the [LA] from 2.31 ± 0.07 to 4.24 ± 0.37 mM at a flow rate of 0.58 ± 0.02 ml·min−1·g liver−1increased GNG. Finally, we examined the impact of increasing both the oxygen and lactate delivery ( Protocol 3). Again, V̇o2was elevated with increased oxygen delivery, but GNG was not augmented beyond that observed with elevations in lactate delivery alone, i.e., Protocol 2. The results indicate that, during decrements in blood flow, GNG is limited primarily by precursor delivery, not oxygen availability.
Dietary protein and lactose increase translation initiation factor activation and tissue protein synthesis in neonatal pigs
Authors: Frank Jason W. , Escobar Jeffery , Suryawan Agus , Nguyen Hanh V. , Kimball Scot R. , Jefferson Leonard S. , Davis Teresa A.
Published: September 2005

Protein synthesis and eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) activation are increased in muscle and liver of pigs parenterally infused with amino acids and insulin. To examine the effects of enteral protein and carbohydrate on protein synthesis, pigs ( n = 42, 1.7 kg body wt) were fed isocaloric milk diets containing three levels of protein (5, 15, and 25 g·kg body wt−1·day−1) and two levels of lactose (low = 11 and high = 23 g·kg body wt−1·day−1) from 1 to 6 days of age. On day 7, pigs were gavage fed after 4-h food deprivation, and tissue protein synthesis rates and biomarkers of mRNA translation were assessed. Piglet growth and protein synthesis rates in muscle and liver increased with dietary protein and plateaued at 15 g·kg body wt−1·day−1( P < 0.001). Growth tended to be greater in high-lactose-fed pigs ( P = 0.07). Plasma insulin was lowest in pigs fed 5 g·kg body wt−1·day−1protein ( P < 0.0001). Plasma branched-chain amino acids increased as protein intake increased ( P < 0.0001). Muscle ( P < 0.001) and liver ( P ≤ 0.001) ribosomal protein S6 kinase-1 and eIF4E-binding protein phosphorylation increased with protein intake and plateaued at 15 g·kg body wt−1·day−1. The results indicate that growth and protein synthesis rates in neonatal pigs are influenced by dietary protein and lactose intake and might be mediated by plasma amino acids and insulin levels. However, feeding protein well above the piglet’s requirement does not further stimulate the activation of translation initiation or protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and liver.
Erythromycin increases bactericidal activity of surface liquid in human airway epithelial cells
Authors: Ishizawa Kota , Suzuki Tomoko , Yamaya Mutsuo , Jia Yu Xia , Kobayashi Seiichi , Ida Shiro , Kubo Hiroshi , Sekizawa Kiyohisa , Sasaki Hidetada
Published: September 2005

Macrolide antibiotics have clinical benefits in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis and in patients with cystic fibrosis. Although many mechanisms have been proposed, the precise mechanisms are still uncertain. We examined the effects of erythromycin on bactericidal activity of airway surface liquid secreted by cultured human tracheal epithelial cells. Airway surface liquid was collected by washing the surface of human tracheal epithelial cells with a sodium solution (40 meq/l). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were incubated with airway surface liquid, and the number of surviving bacteria was examined. The number of bacteria in airway surface liquid from the cells cultured in medium alone was significantly lower than that in the sodium solution. Furthermore, the number of bacteria in airway surface liquid from the cells treated with erythromycin was significantly lower than that in airway surface liquid from the cells treated with solvent alone. The production of mRNA and protein of human β-defensin-1 and human β-defensin-2 was significantly increased by erythromycin. Bactericidal activity of airway surface liquid was observed at low concentrations (40 meq/l) of sodium but not at higher concentrations (≥80 meq/l). Airway surface liquid did not contain significant amounts of antibiotics supplemented in the culture medium. Erythromycin at the levels in airway surface liquid and in culture medium did not inhibit bacterial growth. These results suggest that erythromycin may increase bactericidal activity of airway surface liquid in human airway epithelial cells through human β-defensins production and reduce susceptibility of the airway to bacterial infection.
Hyperoxia-induced apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression in lung epithelial cells
Authors: De Paepe Monique E. , Mao Quanfu , Chao Yvonne , Powell Jessica L. , Rubin Lewis P. , Sharma Surendra
Published: September 2005

Alveolar epithelial apoptosis is an important feature of hyperoxia-induced lung injury in vivo and has been described in the early stages of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease of preterm newborn). Molecular regulation of hyperoxia-induced alveolar epithelial cell death remains incompletely understood. In view of functional involvement of Fas/FasL system in physiological postcanalicular type II cell apoptosis, we speculated this system may also be a critical regulator of hyperoxia-induced apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hyperoxia on apoptosis and apoptotic gene expression in alveolar epithelial cells. Apoptosis was studied by TUNEL, electron microscopy, DNA size analysis, and caspase assays. Fas/FasL expression was determined by Western blot analysis and RPA. We determined that in MLE-12 cells exposed to hyperoxia, caspase-mediated apoptosis was the first morphologically and biochemically recognizable mode of cell death, followed by necrosis of residual adherent cells. The apoptotic stage was associated with a threefold upregulation of Fas mRNA and protein expression and increased susceptibility to direct Fas receptor activation, concomitant with a threefold increase of FasL protein levels. Fas gene silencing by siRNAs significantly reduced hyperoxia-induced apoptosis. In murine fetal type II cells, hyperoxia similarly induced markedly increased Fas/FasL protein expression, confirming validity of results obtained in transformed MLE-12 cells. Our findings implicate the Fas/FasL system as an important regulator of hyperoxia-induced type II cell apoptosis. Elucidation of regulation of hyperoxia-induced lung apoptosis may lead to alternative therapeutic strategies for perinatal or adult pulmonary diseases characterized by dysregulated type II cell apoptosis.
Expression of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat urinary bladder epithelial cells
Authors: Beckel Jonathan M. , Kanai Anthony , Lee Sun-Ju , de Groat William C. , Birder Lori A.
Published: September 2005

Although nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in both the central and peripheral nervous systems play a prominent role in the control of urinary bladder function, little is known regarding expression or function of nicotinic receptors in the bladder epithelium, or urothelium. Nicotinic receptors have been described in epithelial cells lining the upper gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and the skin. Thus the present study examined the expression and functionality of nicotinic receptors in the urothelium, as well as the effects of stimulation of nicotinic receptors on the micturition reflex. mRNA for the α3, α5, α7, β3, and β4nicotinic subunits was identified in rat urothelial cells using RT-PCR. Western blotting also confirmed urothelial expression of the α3- and α7-subunits. Application of nicotine (50 nM) to cultured rat urothelial cells elicited an increase in intracellular Ca2+concentration, indicating that at least some of the subunits form functional channels. These effects were blocked by the application of the nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. During in vivo bladder cystometrograms in urethane-anesthetized rats, intravesical administration of nicotine, choline, or the antagonists methyllycaconitine citrate and hexamethonium elicited changes in voiding parameters. Intravesical nicotine (50 nM, 1 μM) increased the intercontraction interval. Intravesical choline (1–100 μM) also affected bladder reflexes similarly, suggesting that α7nicotinic receptors mediate this effect. Intravesical administration of hexamethonium (1–100 μM) potentiated the nicotine-induced changes in bladder reflexes. Methyllycaconitine citrate, a specific α7-receptor antagonist, prevented nicotine-, choline-, and hexamethonium-induced bladder inhibition. These results are the first indication that stimulation of nonneuronal nicotinic receptors in the bladder can affect micturition.
Renal expression of the ammonia transporters, Rhbg and Rhcg, in response to chronic metabolic acidosis
Authors: Seshadri Ramanathan M. , Klein Janet D. , Kozlowski Shelley , Sands Jeff M. , Kim Young-Hee , Han Ki-Hwan , Handlogten Mary E. , Verlander Jill W. , Weiner I. David
Published: September 2005

Chronic metabolic acidosis induces dramatic increases in net acid excretion that are predominantly due to increases in urinary ammonia excretion. The current study examines whether this increase is associated with changes in the expression of the renal ammonia transporter family members, Rh B glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg). Chronic metabolic acidosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by HCl ingestion for 1 wk; control animals were pair-fed. After 1 wk, metabolic acidosis had developed, and urinary ammonia excretion increased significantly. Rhcg protein expression was increased in both the outer medulla and the base of the inner medulla. Intercalated cells in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) and in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) in acid-loaded animals protruded into the tubule lumen and had a sharp, discrete band of apical Rhcg immunoreactivity, compared with a flatter cell profile and a broad band of apical immunolabel in control kidneys. In addition, basolateral Rhcg immunoreactivity was observed in both control and acidotic kidneys. Cortical Rhcg protein expression and immunoreactivity were not detectably altered. Rhcg mRNA expression was not significantly altered in the cortex, outer medulla, or inner medulla by chronic metabolic acidosis. Rhbg protein and mRNA expression were unchanged in the cortex, outer and inner medulla, and no changes in Rhbg immunolabel were evident in these regions. We conclude that chronic metabolic acidosis increases Rhcg protein expression in intercalated cells in the OMCD and in the IMCD, where it is likely to mediate an important role in the increased urinary ammonia excretion.
Fibroblast growth factor-23 increases mouse PGE2production in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Syal Ashu , Schiavi Susan , Chakravarty Sumana , Dwarakanath Vangipuram , Quigley Raymond , Baum Michel
Published: September 2005

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been implicated in the renal phosphate wasting in X-linked hypophosphatemia, tumor-induced osteomalacia, and autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets. Recently, we demonstrated that Hyp mice have greater urinary PGE2levels compared with C57/B6 mice and that indomethacin administration in vivo and in vitro ameliorates the phosphate transport defect in Hyp mice. To determine further whether altered prostaglandin metabolism plays a role in the renal phosphate transport defect in Hyp mice, we incubated renal proximal tubules with arachidonic acid. We find that PGE2production was higher in Hyp mice than in C57/B6 mice. Incubation of C57/B6 mouse renal proximal tubules with FGF-23R176Q, an active mutant form of FGR23, increased tubular PGE2production, an effect that was inhibited by 50 μM PD-98059 and 10 μM SB-203580, inhibitors of the MAP kinase pathway. C57/B6 mice injected with FGF-23R176Q had a ∼10-fold increase in PGE2excretion 24 h after intraperitoneal injection of FGF-23R176Q compared with vehicle-treated controls. Finally, we show that PGE2inhibited both phosphate and volume absorption in mouse proximal convoluted tubules perfused in vitro and reduced brush-border membrane vesicle NaPi-2a protein abundance from renal cortex incubated in vitro with PGE2. In conclusion, FGF-23 increases urinary and renal tubular PGE2production via the MAP kinase pathway and PGE2inhibits proximal tubule phosphate transport.
cAMP-dependent stabilization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in LLC-PK1-F+kidney cells
Authors: Dhakras Purabi S. , Hajarnis Sachin , Taylor Lynn , Curthoys Norman P.
Published: September 2005

Phospho enolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyzes a rate-limiting step in hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis. In the kidney, PEPCK expression is enhanced during metabolic acidosis and in response to ANG II and parathyroid hormone. The effect of the latter hormone is mediated, in part, by cAMP. Treatment of subconfluent cultures of LLC-PK1-F+cells, a gluconeogenic line of porcine proximal tubule-like cells, with cAMP produces a pronounced increase in the level of PEPCK mRNA. The luciferase activity of pLuc/3′-PCK-1, a reporter construct that contains the 3′-UTR of the PEPCK mRNA, was increased three- to fourfold by coexpression of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA). This result indicates that cAMP-dependent stabilization may contribute to the increased expression of PEPCK mRNA in LLC-PK1-F+cells. Various pLuc/3′ constructs containing different segments of the 3′-UTR of PEPCK mRNA were used to map the cAMP response to two segments that were previously shown to bind AUF1 and to function as instability elements. A tetracycline-responsive promoter system was used to quantify the effect of forskolin on the half-lives of chimeric β-globin-PEPCK (TβG-PCK) mRNAs. The half-life of the labile βG-PCK-1 mRNA was increased eightfold by addition of forskolin. In contrast, the half-lives of the constructs containing the individual instability elements were increased only twofold. Therefore, the multiple instability elements present within the 3′-UTR may function synergistically to mediate both the rapid degradation and the cAMP-induced stabilization of PEPCK mRNA. The latter process may result from a PKA-dependent phosphorylation of AUF1.
Physiology and Morphology Indicate That Individual Spinal Interneurons Contribute to Diverse Limb Movements
Authors: Berkowitz Ari
Published: September 2005

Overlapping neuronal networks have been shown to generate a variety of behaviors or motor patterns in invertebrates, but the evidence for this is more circumstantial in vertebrates. The turtle spinal cord can produce multiple forms of hindlimb scratching movements as well as hindlimb withdrawal, but it is still uncertain whether individual spinal cord interneurons contribute to the motor output for more than one type of limb motor pattern. In this study, individual spinal cord interneurons were recorded intracellularly in vivo in spinal immobilized turtles, and, after characterization, were filled with Neurobiotin. Interneurons that were rhythmically activated during multiple forms of ipsilateral fictive hindlimb scratching often had axon-terminal arborizations in the ventral horn of the spinal cord hindlimb enlargement. This provides some of the strongest evidence to date that interneurons involved in multiple forms of scratching contribute directly to hindlimb motor output. Moreover, most of these interneurons were also active during contralateral fictive scratching and during ipsilateral fictive hindlimb withdrawal, suggesting that they contribute to motor output for these additional behaviors as well. Such interneurons may provide the cellular basis for the contralateral contributions to ipsilateral scratching that have been demonstrated previously. Taken together, these findings suggest that diverse vertebrate limb movements are produced by spinal cord interneuronal networks that include some shared components.
Membrane Channel Interactions Underlying Rat Subthalamic Projection Neuron Rhythmic and Bursting Activity
Authors: Gillies Andrew , Willshaw David
Published: September 2005

A computational model of the rat subthalamic nucleus projection neuron is constructed using electrophysiological and morphological data and a restricted set of channel specifications. The model cell exhibits a wide range of electrophysiological behaviors characteristic of rat subthalamic neurons. It reveals that a key set of three channels play a primary role in distinguishing behaviors: a high-voltage-activated calcium channel (Cav1.2.-1.3), a low-voltage-activated calcium channel (Cav3.-), and a small current calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa2.1–2.3). Short and long posthyperpolarization rebound responses, low-frequency rhythmic bursting (<1 Hz), higher-frequency rhythmic bursting (4–7 Hz), and slow action and depolarizing potentials are behaviors all mediated by the interaction of these channels. This interaction can generate a robust calcium-dependent extended depolarization in the dendrites (a depolarizing plateau). The diversity observed in the rat subthalamic physiology (such as short or long rebounds, or the presence of low-frequency rhythmic busting) can arise from alterations in both the density and distributions of these channel types and, consequently, their ability to generate this depolarizing plateau. A number of important predictions arise from the model. For example, blocking or disrupting the low-voltage-activated Cav3.- calcium current should mute the emergence of rebound responses and rhythmic bursting. Conversely, increasing this channel current via large hyperpolarizing potentials in combination with partial blockade of the high-voltage-activated calcium channels should lead to the more experimentally elusive in vitro high-frequency bursting.
Concepts of Disease: Their Relevance for Psychiatric Diagnosis and Classification
Authors: Berganza Carlos E. , Mezzich Juan E. , Pouncey Claire
Published: September 2005

To deal effectively with the understanding, description and classification of mental morbid conditions, we must address the intricate concept of disease, illness or disorder in mental health. To do so, one needs to consider biological, psychological and social frameworks. These levels of analysis can offer avenues for greater understanding of the bases of illness as well as better ways of formulating its description and classification. Conceptual, epistemological and empirical data analyses are relevant and necessary. All these efforts should be aimed at serving and advancing the main purposes of classification and diagnosis, the chief encompassing one being enhancement of clinical care and public health. Although no definition of mental disorder may strictly embrace every condition of concern, some flexible definitional guidelines within a biopsychosocial framework may be helpful for advancing psychiatric nosology.
Culture, Context and Experience in Psychiatric Diagnosis
Authors: Kirmayer Laurence J.
Published: September 2005

The semiotic theory underlying psychiatric diagnosis views symptoms as more or less direct consequences of psychopathological processes. However, cognitive social psychology and clinical ethnography make it clear that symptom experience is embedded in culturally based systems of meaning and discursive practices. Physiological perturbations are organized, experienced and expressed in terms of a nested series of cognitive schemas involving knowledge about symptoms, illnesses or other models of affliction and broader sociomoral notions of self and personhood. Individuals have many competing schemas at their disposal. The relative prominence or weight given to a specific model is determined by the social context and purposes for which the person is reflecting on, recollecting or recounting their experience. Accounts of symptoms and illness experience are therefore highly dependent on the social context of narration. Psychiatric nosology and the process of clinical assessment must consider the ways in which psychopathology is shaped by social and cultural contexts including those of the family, workplace, and health care system as well as global professional, economic and political interests.
Anti-Atherogenic Effect of Insulin in vivo
Authors: Kim Tony , Chan Kalam K. , Dhaliwall Jiwanjeet K. , Huynh Nghia , Suen Renee , Uchino Hiroshi , Naigamwalla Dinaz , Bendeck Michelle P. , Giacca Adria
Published: September 2005

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and restenosis. In metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance coexists with hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia has growth-promoting effects, whereas insulin has both growth-promoting and growth-inhibitory effects on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia on vascular cell growth in vivo after arterial injury. Rats fed a low-fat diet were treated with either subcutaneous blank (LFC) or insulin (LFI) implants. Rats fed a high-fat diet also received blank (HFC) or insulin (HFI) implants. After 3 days, rats received balloon carotid injury, and 14 days later they were sacrificed to measure neointimal area and proliferation. Hyperinsulinemia was present in LFI and HFI and hyperlipidemia was present in HFC and HFI. Neointimal area was higher in HFC (0.153 ± 0.009 mm2, p < 0.05) but lower in LFI (0.098 ± 0.005, p < 0.01) than LFC (0.127 ± 0.005). In HFI (0.142 ± 0.008, p < 0.05) neointimal area was not different from HFC or LFC. In conclusion, insulin reduced neointimal growth, but the effect of insulin was diminished by the high-fat diet. Thus, our results demonstrate an anti-atherogenic effect of insulin in vivo and suggest that in metabolic syndrome insulin resistance rather than hyperinsulinemia is the atherogenic risk factor.