bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic activity‐induced manganese‐dependent contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DAIM MRI)
Authors: Aoki Ichio , Tanaka Chuzo , Takegami Tetsuro , Ebisu Toshihiko , Umeda Masahiro , Fukunaga Masaki , Fukuda Kohji , Silva Afonso C. , Koretsky Alan P. , Naruse Shoji
Published: December 2002

Activity‐induced manganese‐dependent contrast (AIM) MRI is a hemodynamic‐independent functional MRI method that used manganese ion as an MR‐detectable contrast agent. In AIM, MnCl2 is infused intra‐arterially after the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is opened with a hyperosmolar agent. Upon functional stimulation of the brain, Mn2+ accumulates in the active region(s) by entering active cells through voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels, causing local signal increases in T1‐weighted images. The contrast of AIM MRI depends strongly on the depth of anesthesia, and the low levels used in somatosensory stimulation studies can lead to significant nonspecific accumulation of manganese ion throughout the brain. The purpose of this study was to produce an AIM functional map of somatosensory stimulation, which separates the stimulation‐specific signal increase from the nonspecific activation due to light anesthesia. A dynamic AIM (DAIM) paradigm was developed, which used sequential MR scans during MnCl2 infusion, prior to and following functional stimulation of the brain. Stimulation‐specific functional maps were produced using time‐course analysis. The new method was tested during glutamate administration and electric stimulation of the rat forepaw. It was shown that DAIM maps are better confined to the specific region of brain activated by somatosensory stimulation as compared to AIM MRI. Magn Reson Med 48:927–933, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concentration measurements downstream of an
insoluble monolayer front
Authors: VOGEL MICHAEL J. , HIRSA AMIR H.
Published: December 2002

The surfactant concentration distribution on a planar uniform flow with a surface-piercing
barrier was measured via the nonlinear optical technique of second-harmonic
generation. The measurements were performed for an insoluble surfactant monolayer
on the air/water interface. A theoretical model balancing surface elasticity and bulk
shear at the interface was developed to predict the concentration profile for any
insoluble monolayer. Measured equations of state, relating the surface tension to the
surfactant concentration, were used in the model along with velocity data obtained
using boundary-fitted digital particle image velocimetry. Theoretical concentration
profiles were in agreement with experimental results. Additionally, global predictions
from the model for four different insoluble surfactant systems also showed agreement
with experimental measurements.
Experimental confirmation of the von Neumann
theory of shock wave reflection transition
Authors: BARBOSA FILIPE J. , SKEWS BERIC W.
Published: December 2002

For many years there has been debate regarding why shock wave reflection off a
solid surface has allowed regular reflection to persist beyond the incidence angles
where it becomes theoretically impossible. Theory predicts that at some limiting angle
the reflection point will move away from the wall and Mach reflection will occur.
Previous studies have suggested that the paradox could be due to the presence of the
growing viscous boundary layer immediately behind the point of reflection, and some
numerical studies support this view. This paper takes the approach of establishing
an experimental facility in which the theoretical assumptions regarding the surface of
reflection are met, i.e. that the reflecting surface is perfectly smooth, perfectly rigid,
and adiabatic. This is done by constructing a bifurcated shock tube facility in which
a shock wave is split into two plane waves that are then allowed to reflect off each
other at the trailing edge of wedge. The plane of symmetry between the waves then
acts as the perfect reflection surface.

Through a careful set of visualization experiments, and the use of multivariate
analysis to take account of the uncertainty in shock Mach number, triple-point
trajectory angle, and slightly different shock wave arrival times at the trailing edge,
the current work shows that the transition from one type of reflection to the other
does indeed occur at the theoretical value. Conventional tests of reflection off a solid
wall show significantly different transition results. Furthermore, it is also shown that
the thermal boundary layer plays an important role in this regard. It is thus confirmed
that viscous and thermal effects are the reason for the paradox. Reasons are also
suggested for the counter-intuitive behaviour of the reflected shock wave angle.
Polydisperse particle-driven gravity currents
Authors: HARRIS THOMAS C. , HOGG ANDREW J. , HUPPERT HERBERT E.
Published: December 2002

The intrusion of a polydisperse suspension of particles over a horizontal, rigid
boundary is investigated theoretically using both an integral (‘box’) model and the
shallow-water equations. The flow is driven by the horizontal pressure gradient
associated with the density difference between the intrusion and the surrounding
fluid, which is progressively diminished as suspended particles sediment from the flow
to the underlying boundary. Each class of particles in a polydisperse suspension has a
different settling velocity. The effects of both a discrete and continuous distribution of
settling velocities on the propagation of the current are analysed and the results are
compared in detail with results obtained by treating the suspension as monodisperse
with an average settling velocity. For both models we demonstrate that in many
regimes it is insufficient to deduce the behaviour of the suspension from this average,
but rather one can characterize the flow using the variance of the settling velocity
distribution as well. The shallow-water equations are studied analytically using a
novel asymptotic technique, which obviates the need for numerical integration of
the governing equations. For a bidisperse suspension we explicitly calculate the flow
speed, runout length and the distribution of the deposit, to reveal how the flow
naturally leads to a vertical and streamwise segregation of particles even from an
initially well-mixed suspension. The asymptotic results are confirmed by comparison
with numerical integration of the shallow-water equations and the predictions of this
study are discussed in the light of recent experimental results and field observations.
Shop windows and smoke-filled rooms: governance and the re-politicisation of Tanzania
Authors: Kelsall Tim
Published: December 2002

In the 1970s politics in Tanzania was substantially a bureaucratic affair. Since the 1980s, however, economic liberalisation, multiparty democracy and governance reforms have on the one hand introduced measures conducive to building a legal-rational bureaucracy and a liberal civil society, and on the other accelerated political struggle for economic resources through personalised regional networks. Paraphrasing Emmanuel Terray, the first trend is described in this article as the manufacture of ‘air-conditioned’ politics, the second as the growth of ‘veranda’ politics. The article argues that donor reforms are not leading in a straight line to liberal governance, but neither is civil society simply being colonised by patrimonial networks. Rather, both ‘air-conditioned’ politics and ‘veranda’ politics are advancing simultaneously, inundating a previously bureaucratised political sphere. The dual character of this ‘re-politicisation’ makes the fate of governance reforms exceedingly difficult to predict.
Spouse similarity for antisocial behaviour in the general population
Authors: GALBAUD DU FORT G. , BOOTHROYD L. J. , BLAND R. C. , NEWMAN S. C. , KAKUMA R.
Published: December 2002

Background. In contrast with the large amount of research on the familial transmission of antisocial behaviour, few studies have investigated similarity between spouses for such behaviour. In addition, none of these studies have examined child conduct disorder (CCD) and adult antisocial behaviour (AAB) separately.

Method. We studied 519 pairs of spouses who completed the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. In each pair, one spouse belonged to a random subsample of persons who had participated in a large population survey and was re-interviewed. Association between spouses for lifetime symptoms and DSM-III criteria of CCD, AAB, antisocial personality disorder and co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses was examined with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results. We observed a moderate association between spouses for the presence of CCD (OR=4·02, 95% CI=2·03–7·96), and a strong association for the presence of AAB (OR=20·1, 95% CI=5·97–67·5). This similarity for AAB was independent of the similarity for CCD and persisted after adjustment for spousal similarity for disorders co-morbid with AAB. An examination of the relationship between marital status and the presence of CCD and/or AAB in the general population sample (from which originated our sample of couples) suggested that the spousal similarity for AAB was more likely attributable to assortative mating rather than marital contamination.

Conclusion. Our finding of a strong similarity between spouses for AAB has significant implications for both clinicians and researchers. It also suggests that adult antisocial behaviour should be considered as a distinct diagnostic entity, an approach which diverges from DSM-IV diagnostic criteria.
Childhood trauma and neuroticism as an adult: possible implication for the development of the common psychiatric disorders and suicidal behaviour
Authors: ROY ALEC
Published: December 2002

Background. Neuroticism is an important personality dimension associated with depressive and anxiety disorders. Both genetic and social factors are thought to contribute to neuroticism. This study aims to examine whether early childhood adversity may be a determinant of neuroticism.

Method. Five hundred and thirty-two abstinent substance dependent patients completed both the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).

Results. There was a significant relationship between total childhood trauma scores on the CTQ and neuroticism scores on the EPQ. There were also significant relationships between neuroticism and CTQ subscores for emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect.

Conclusions. Childhood trauma may be a determinant of neuroticism. This may be one way in which childhood trauma plays a role in the development of psychiatric disorders. General population studies are needed.
Neurocognitive deficits in decision-making and planning of patients with DSM-III-R borderline personality disorder
Authors: BAZANIS E. , ROGERS R. D. , DOWSON J. H. , TAYLOR P. , MEUX C. , STALEY C. , NEVINSON-ANDREWS D. , TAYLOR C. , ROBBINS T. W. , SAHAKIAN B. J.
Published: December 2002

Background. Repeated, self-damaging behaviour occurring in the context of borderline personality disorder (BPD) may reflect impairments in decision-making and planning cognition. However, there has been no systematic neuropsychological examination of these particular cognitive functions in patients diagnosed with BPD. Such investigations may improve our understanding of the possible role of brain dysfunction in BPD and improve the characterization of the psychological difficulties associated with this disorder.

Method. Forty-two psychiatric patients with a diagnosis of DSM-III-R BPD (41 of whom gave a history of self-harm), without a history of specified ‘psychoses’ or current major affective disorder, were clinically assessed before completing computerized tasks of decision-making and planning previously shown to be sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction, and tests of spatial and pattern visual recognition memory previously shown to be sensitive to frontal lobe damage and temporal lobe damage respectively. The performance of the BPD patient group was compared with that of a non-clinical control group consisting of 42 subjects.

Results. The performance of the BPD patients on the decision-making task was characterized by a pattern of delayed and maladaptive choices when choosing between competing actions, and by impulsive, disinhibited responding when gambling on the outcome of their decisions. BPD patients also showed impairments on the planning task. There was no evidence of impaired visual recognition memory. Additional analyses suggested only limited effects of current medication and history of previous substance use disorder.

Conclusions. These findings suggest that BPD is associated with complex impairments in dissociable cognitive processes mediated by circuitry encompassing the frontal lobes. These impairments may mediate some of the behavioural changes evident in BPD. Further work is needed to examine the specificity of these findings.
Adding to our understanding of Gulf War health issues
Authors: HYAMS KENNETH C. , SCOTT KEN
Published: December 2002

In this edition of Psychological Medicine, research findings are reported from two studies of British Gulf War veterans (David et al. 2002; Everitt et al. 2002). Both studies were carried out at King's College ‘Gulf War Illness Research Unit’, which was established in 1996. The two studies were conducted to examine the causes of unexplained symptoms among Gulf War veterans. The results presented in these papers are important because they were derived from well-designed studies that employed a randomized sample of Gulf War veterans and two control populations of non-deployed ‘era’ veterans who served in the early 1990s and troops who participated in another hazardous deployment to Bosnia.

In one study, cognitive function and mood disturbances were evaluated using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and rating scales (David et al. 2002). A significant proportion of Gulf War veterans reporting ill health were found to have both lower cognitive function scores and depressed mood compared to well Gulf War veterans, era veterans and Bosnia troops. Importantly, a strong association was found between depressed mood and poor performance on cognitive function tests. It is noteworthy that among ill Gulf War veterans, most cognitive function measures were within the normal range, although they were significantly lower than those of controls.

Based on these and related research findings, the study investigators concluded that lower performance on cognitive function tests could be explained primarily by mood disturbances. However, they could not rule out the possibility that cognitive difficulties had led to depressed mood or that a neurotoxic environmental exposure had caused both health problems.
Two terms in the lower bound for the
superheating field in a semi-infinite film
in the weak-κ limit
Authors: DEL CASTILLO P.
Published: December 2002

Dorsey et al. [8] have constructed formal solutions for the half-space Ginzburg–Landau
model, when κ is small. Dorsey et al. deduce a formal expansion for the superheating field
in powers of κ½ up to order 4. In this paper, we show how the formal construction gives
a natural way for constructing a subsolution for the Ginzburg–Landau system. We improve
the result obtained by Bolley & Helffer [2], and take a step in the proof of the Parr Formula
[13], getting two terms in the lower bound for the superheating field as κ → 0.
Molecular pharmacology of the human prostaglandin D2 receptor, CRTH2
Authors: Sawyer Nicole , Cauchon Elizabeth , Chateauneuf Anne , Cruz Rani P G , Nicholson Donald W , Metters Kathleen M , O'Neill Gary P , Gervais Francois G
Published: December 2002

The recombinant human prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor, hCRTH2, has been expressed in HEK293(EBNA) and characterized with respect to radioligand binding and signal transduction properties. High and low affinity binding sites for PGD2 were identified in the CRTH2 receptor population by saturation analysis with respective equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) of 2.5 and 109 nM. This revealed that the affinity of PGD2 for CRTH2 is eight times less than its affinity for the DP receptor.

Equilibrium competition binding assays revealed that of the compounds tested, only PGD2 and several related metabolites bound with high affinity to CRTH2 (Ki values ranging from 2.4 to 34.0 nM) with the following rank order of potency: PGD2>13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto PGD2>15‐deoxy‐Δ12,14‐PGJ2>PGJ2>Δ12‐PGJ2>15(S)‐15 methyl‐PGD2. This is in sharp contrast with the rank order of potency obtained at DP : PGD2>PGJ2>Δ12‐PGJ2>15‐deoxy‐Δ12,14‐PGJ2 >>>13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto‐PGD2.

Functional studies demonstrated that PGD2 activation of recombinant CRTH2 results in decrease of intracellular cAMP in a pertussis toxin‐sensitive manner. Therefore, we showed that CRTH2 can functionally couple to the G‐protein Gαi/o. PGD2 and related metabolites were tested and their rank order of potency followed the results of the membrane binding assay.

By Northern blot analysis, we showed that, besides haemopoietic cells, CRTH2 is expressed in many other tissues such as brain, heart, thymus, spleen and various tissues of the digestive system. In addition, in situ hybridization studies revealed that CRTH2 mRNA is expressed in human eosinophils. Finally, radioligand binding studies demonstrated that two eosinophilic cell lines, butyric acid‐differentiated HL‐60 and AML 14.3D10, also endogenously express CRTH2.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1163–1172. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704973
Nitric oxide inhibits uptake of dopamine and N‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) but not release of MPP+ in rat C6 glioma cells expressing human dopamine transporter
Authors: Cao Bo‐Jin , Reith Maarten E A
Published: December 2002

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the influence of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite on dopamine (DA) uptake and release. In the present study, effects of NO donors were studied in rat C6 glioma cells expressing human DA transporter.

[3H]‐DA uptake was inhibited by S‐nitroso‐thiol S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine, spermine/NO, diethylamine/NO (DEA/NO), (Z)‐1‐[N‐(3‐ammoniopropyl)‐N‐(n‐propyl)‐amino]/NO (PAPA/NO), and 3‐morphosynodiomine (SIN‐1) in a rank order correlating with their half lives as NO donors, whereas no effect was observed for diethylenetriamine/NO and dipropylenetriamine/NO, which release NO very slowly.

Hydroxycobalamin, a NO scavenger, but not superoxide dismutase and catalase, enzymes that metabolize superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, respectively, abolished the inhibitory effect of DEA/NO and SIN‐1, indicating that they inhibit DA uptake through a mechanism related to the production of NO but unrelated to the formation of peroxynitrite. In consonance, peroxynitrite did not alter DA uptake in the present system.

DEA/NO and PAPA/NO reduced [3H]‐MPP+ uptake, whereas the release of [3H]‐MPP+ was not modified, demonstrating that NO can inhibit uptake of DA transporter substrate without accelerating DA transporter‐mediated reverse transport of substrate under the same conditions.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1155–1162. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704974
The use of Tris‐Lipidation to modify drug cytotoxicity in multidrug resistant cells expressing P‐glycoprotein or MRP1
Authors: Davey Ross A , Davey Mary W , Cullen Karen V , Wells Xanthe E , Francis Craig L , Williams Hua‐Ming , Yang Qi , Moghaddam Minoo J , Widmer Fred , Whittaker Robert G
Published: December 2002

Increasing the lipophilicity is a strategy often used to improve a compound's cellular uptake and retention but this may also convert it into a substrate for an ATP‐dependent transporter such as P‐glycoprotein or the multidrug resistance‐associated protein (MRP1), which are involved in cellular efflux of drugs. Tris‐Lipidation of compounds is a convenient way of modifying drug lipophilicity and generating an array of derivatives with diverse properties.

To determine the effect of Tris‐Lipidation on a drug's cytoxicity in multidrug resistant cells, various glycyl‐Tris‐mono‐ (GTP1), di‐ (GTP2) and tri‐palmitate (GTP3) derivatives were prepared of the cancer chemotherapeutic drugs chlorambucil and methotrexate, and of the anti‐HIV drug AZT. The cytotoxicity of these derivatives and their parent compounds was determined in the CEM/VLB100 cells with increased P‐glycoprotein expression, the CEM/E1000 cells that overexpress MRP1 and the parent, drug‐sensitive CCRF‐CEM cells.

Increasing the lipophilicity of AZT increased its cytotoxicity in the sensitive CCRF‐CEM parental cell line while decreased cytotoxicity was observed for the methotrexate derivatives. For the chlorambucil derivatives, both increased (GTP1) and decreased (GTP2) cytotoxicity occurred in the CCRF‐CEM cells. With the exception of AZT‐GTP1, all GTP1 and GTP2 derivatives of chlorambucil, methotrexate and AZT had decreased cytotoxicity in the P‐glycoprotein‐expressing CEM/VLB100 cells while chlorambucil‐GTP1, methotrexate‐GTP2 and methotrexate‐GTP3 were the only compounds with decreased cytotoxicity in the MRP1‐overexpressing CEM/E1000 cells.

The number of palmitate residues, the position of derivatisation and the type of linkage all may affect the P‐glycoprotein and MRP1 substrate properties.

Tris‐Lipidation may therefore provide a useful way of manipulating the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1280–1286. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704983
Pharmacological evidence for a novel cysteinyl‐leukotriene receptor subtype in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle
Authors: Walch Laurence , Norel Xavier , Bäck Magnus , Gascard Jean‐Pierre , Dahlén Sven‐Erik , Brink Charles
Published: December 2002

To characterize the cysteinyl‐leukotriene receptors (CysLT receptors) in isolated human pulmonary arteries, ring preparations were contracted with leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and leukotriene D4 (LTD4) in either the absence or presence of the selective CysLT1 receptor antagonists, ICI 198615, MK 571 or the dual CysLT1/CysLT2 receptor antagonist, BAY u9773.

Since the contractions induced by the cysteinyl‐leukotrienes (cysLTs) in intact preparations failed to attain a plateau response over the concentration range studied, the endothelium was removed and the tissue treated continuously with indomethacin (Rubbed+INDO). In these latter preparations, the pEC50 for LTC4 and LTD4 were not significantly different (7.61±0.07, n=20 and 7.96±0.09, n=22, respectively). However, the LTC4 and LTD4 contractions were markedly potentiated when compared with data from intact tissues.

Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) did not contract human isolated pulmonary arterial preparations. In addition, treatment of preparations with LTE4 (1 μM; 30 min) did not modify either the LTC4 or LTD4 contractions.

Treatment of preparations with the S‐conjugated glutathione (S‐hexyl‐GSH; 100 μM, 30 min), an inhibitor of the metabolism of LTC4 to LTD4, did not modify LTC4 contractions.

The pEC50 values for LTC4 were significantly reduced by treatment of the preparations with either ICI 198615, MK 571 or BAY u9773 and the pKB values were: 7.20, 7.02 and 6.26, respectively. In contrast, these antagonists did not modify the LTD4 pEC50 values.

These findings suggest the presence of two CysLT receptors on human pulmonary arterial vascular smooth muscle. A CysLT1 receptor with a low affinity for CysLT1 antagonists and a novel CysLT receptor subtype, both responsible for vasoconstriction. Activation of this latter receptor by LTC4 and LTD4 induced a contractile response which was resistant to the selective CysLT1 antagonists (ICI 198615 and MK 571) as well as the non‐selective (CysLT1/CysLT2) antagonist, BAY u9773.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1339–1345. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704991
In vivo measurement of nitric oxide production in porcine gut, liver and muscle during hyperdynamic endotoxaemia
Authors: Bruins Maaike J , Lamers Wouter H , Meijer Alfred J , Soeters Peter B , Deutz Nicolaas E P
Published: December 2002

During prolonged endotoxaemia, an increase in arginine catabolism may result in limiting substrate availability for nitric oxide (NO) production. These effects were quantitated in a chronically instrumented porcine endotoxaemia model.

Ten days prior to the beginning of the experiments, pigs were catheterized. On day 0, pigs received a continuous infusion of endotoxin (3 μg kg−1 h−1) over 24 h and were saline resuscitated. Blood was drawn from the catheters at 0 and 24 h during primed‐infusion of 15N2‐arginine and P‐aminohippurate to assess 15N2‐arginine to 15N‐citrulline conversion and plasma flow rates, respectively, across the portal‐drained viscera, liver and hindquarter.

During endotoxin infusion a hyperdynamic circulation with elevated heart rate, cardiac index and decreased mean arterial pressure was achieved, characteristic of the human septic condition.

Endotoxin induced NO production by the portal‐drained viscera and the liver. The increased NO production was quantitatively matched by an increase in arginine disposal. Nitrite/nitrate levels remained unchanged during endotoxaemia.

Despite an increased arginine production from the hindquarter and an increased whole‐body arginine appearance rate during endotoxin infusion, the plasma arginine concentration was lower in endotoxin‐treated animals than in controls.

On a whole‐body level, the muscle was found to serve as a major arginine supplier and, considering the lowered arginine plasma levels, seems critical in providing arginine as precursor for NO synthesis in the splanchnic region.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1225–1236. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704993
Nociceptive sensitization by the secretory protein Bv8
Authors: Negri Lucia , Lattanzi Roberta , Giannini Elisa , Metere Alessio , Colucci Mariantonella , Barra Donatella , Kreil Günther , Melchiorri Pietro
Published: December 2002

The small protein Bv8, isolated from amphibian skin, belongs to a novel family of secretory proteins (Bv8‐Prokineticin family, SWISS‐PROT: Q9PW66) whose orthologues have been conserved throughout evolution, from invertebrates to humans.

When injected intravenously or subcutaneously (from 0.06 to 500 pmol kg−1) or intrathecally (from 6 fmol to 250 pmol) in rats, Bv8 produced an intense systemic nociceptive sensitization to mechanical and thermal stimuli applied to the tail and paws.

Topically delivered into one rat paw, 50 fmol of Bv8 decreased by 50% the nociceptive threshold to pressure in the injected paw without affecting the threshold in the contralateral paw.

The two G‐protein coupled prokineticin receptors, PK‐R1 and PK‐R2, were expressed in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and in dorsal quadrants of spinal cord (DSC) and bound Bv8 and the mammalian orthologue, EG‐VEGF, with high affinity. In DSC, PK‐R1 was more abundant than PK‐R2, whereas both receptors were equally expressed in DRG. IC50 of Bv8 and EG‐VEGF to inhibit [125I]‐Bv8 binding to rat DRG and DSC were 4.1±0.4 nM Bv8 and 76.4±7.6 nM EG‐VEGF, in DRG; 7.3±0.9 nM Bv8 and 330±41 nM EG‐VEGF, in DSC.

In the small diameter neurons (<30 μm) of rat DRG cultures, Bv8 concentrations, ranging from 0.2 to 10 nM, raised [Ca2+]i in a dose‐dependent manner.

These data suggest that Bv8, through binding to PK receptors of DSC and primary sensitive neurons, results in intense sensitization of peripheral nociceptors to thermal and mechanical stimuli.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1147–1154. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704995
Functional characterization of tachykinin NK1 receptors in the mouse uterus
Authors: Patak Eva , Pennefather Jocelyn N , Fleming Anna , Story Margot E
Published: December 2002

Contractility studies were undertaken to determine the nature of the receptors mediating responses to tachykinins in uteri of oestrogen‐treated mice.

In the presence of thiorphan, (3 μM), captopril (10 μM) and bestatin (10 μM), substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) produced concentration‐related contractions of uterine preparations. The order of potency was SP NKA>NKB.

Neither atropine (0.1 μM) nor l‐NOLA (100 μM), nor indomethacin (10 μM) alone or in combination with either ranitidine (10 μM) or mepyramine (10 μM), affected responses to SP. These findings indicate that SP actions are not mediated or modulated through the release of acetylcholine, nitric oxide, prostanoids or histamine.

In the presence of peptidase inhibitors, the tachykinin NK1 receptor‐selective agonist [Sar9Met(O2)11]SP, produced a concentration‐dependent contractile effect. The tachykinin NK2 and NK3 receptor‐selective agonists [Lys5MeLeu9Nle10]NKA(4‐10) and [MePhe7]NKB were relatively inactive. The potencies of SP analogues in which Glu replaced Gln5 and/or Gln6 were similar to that of SP.

The tachykinin NK1 receptor‐selective antagonist, SR140333 (10 nM), alone or combined with the tachykinin NK2 receptor‐selective antagonist, SR48968 (10 nM), shifted log concentration curves to SP, NKA and NKB to the right. SR140333 (10 nM) reduced the effect of [Sar9Met(O2)11]SP. SR48968 did not affect responses to SP or [Sar9Met(O2)11]SP, but reduced the effect of higher concentrations of NKA and shifted the log concentration‐response curve to NKB to the right. The tachykinin NK3 receptor‐selective antagonist, SR 142801 (0.3 μM), had little effect on responses to SP and NKB.

We conclude that the tachykinin NK1 receptor mediates contractile effects of SP, NKA and NKB and [Sar9Met(O2)11]SP in myometrium from the oestrogen‐primed mouse. The tachykinin NK2 receptor may also participate in the responses to NKA and NKB.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1247–1254. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704996
Presynaptic cross‐talk of β‐adrenoreceptor and 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor signalling in the modulation of glutamate release from cerebrocortical nerve terminals
Authors: Wang Su‐Jane , Coutinho Victoria , Sihra Talvinder S
Published: December 2002

The presynaptic interactions between facilitatory β‐adrenoreceptors and inhibitory 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) receptors modulating glutamate release from cerebrocortical nerve terminals were examined.

4‐Aminopyridine (4‐AP, 1 mM)‐evoked glutamate release was facilitated by the membrane permeant cyclic‐3′,5′‐adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, 8‐bromo‐cAMP (8‐Br‐cAMP), used to directly activate cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA).

The β‐adrenoreceptor agonist, isoprenaline (ISO), effected a concentration‐dependent potentiation of 4‐AP‐evoked glutamate release which was abolished by the β‐adrenoreceptor antagonist, propranolol, and the PKA inhibitor, Rp‐cyclic‐3′,5′‐adenosine‐monophosphothioate (Rp‐cAMPS).

5‐HT receptor activation by 100 μM 5‐HT produced an inhibition of 4‐AP‐evoked glutamate release in nerve terminals. The inhibitory effect of 5‐HT could be mimicked by the selective 5‐HT1A receptor agonist, 8‐hydroxy‐dipropylaminotetralin (8‐OH‐DPAT) and antagonized by 1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐4‐(4‐phthalimidobutyl)piperazine (NAN‐190).

When 5‐HT (or 8‐OH‐DPAT) was used in conjunction with ISO or 8‐Br‐cAMP, the β‐adrenoreceptor‐ and PKA‐mediated potentiation of glutamate release was abrogated.

The inhibitory crosstalk of 5‐HT1A receptors to β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated facilitation of glutamate release was abolished in the presence of NAN‐190.

Examination of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ influx revealed that, while ISO and 5‐HT alone caused a respective potentiation and diminution of the 4‐AP‐evoked increase in [Ca2+]c, the co‐presence of 5‐HT abolished the ISO mediated potentiation of Ca2+ influx.

Together, these results suggest that β‐adrenoreceptors and 5‐HT1A receptors coexist on the cerebrocortical nerve terminals and that the cross‐talk between the two receptor signalling pathways occurs at a locus downstream from cAMP production, possibly at the level of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ influx.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1371–1379. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705045
Characterization of a charybdotoxin‐sensitive intermediate conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel in porcine coronary endothelium: relevance to EDHF
Authors: Bychkov Rostislav , Burnham Matthew P , Richards Gillian R , Edwards Gillian , Weston Arthur H , Félétou Michel , Vanhoutte Paul M
Published: December 2002

This study characterizes the K+ channel(s) underlying charybdotoxin‐sensitive hyperpolarization of porcine coronary artery endothelium.

Two forms of current‐voltage (I/V) relationship were evident in whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings of freshly‐isolated endothelial cells. In both cell types, iberiotoxin (100 nM) inhibited a current active only at potentials over +50 mV. In the presence of iberiotoxin, charybdotoxin (100 nM) produced a large inhibition in 38% of cells and altered the form of the I/V relationship. In the remaining cells, charybdotoxin also inhibited a current but did not alter the form.

Single‐channel, outside‐out patch recordings revealed a 17.1±0.4 pS conductance. Pipette solutions containing 100, 250 and 500 nM free Ca2+ demonstrated that the open probability was increased by Ca2+. This channel was blocked by charybdotoxin but not by iberiotoxin or apamin.

Hyperpolarizations of intact endothelium elicited by substance P (100 nM; 26.1±0.7 mV) were reduced by apamin (100 nM; 17.0±1.8 mV) whereas those to 1‐ethyl‐2‐benzimidazolinone (1‐EBIO, 600 μM, 21.0±0.3 mV) were unaffected (21.7±0.8 mV). Substance P, bradykinin (100 nM) and 1‐EBIO evoked charybdotoxin‐sensitive, iberiotoxin‐insensitive whole‐cell perforated‐patch currents.

A porcine homologue of the intermediate‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel (IK1) was identified in endothelial cells.

In conclusion, porcine coronary artery endothelial cells express an intermediate‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel and the IK1 gene product. This channel is opened by activation of the EDHF pathway and likely mediates the charybdotoxin‐sensitive component of the EDHF response.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 137, 1346–1354. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705057
PROJECTIVE MODULES OVER THE FUZZY FOUR-SPHERE
Authors: VALTANCOLI P.
Published: December 2002

We describe how to reduce the fuzzy four-sphere algebra to a set of four independent raising and lowering oscillator operators. In terms of them we derive the projector valued operators for the fuzzy four-sphere, which are the global definition of k-instanton connections over this noncommutative base manifold.
COUPLED 3D WAVE EQUATIONS WITH IRREGULAR FLUID-ELASTIC INTERFACE: THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: NAGEM RAYMOND J. , LEE DING
Published: December 2002

A coupled three-dimensional fluid-elastic wave propagation mathematical model has been developed to handle environmental interactions in the ocean between a fluid medium and an elastic bottom. The existing model combines three-dimensional fluid and elastic wave propagation models with the incorporation of a set of horizontal fluid-elastic interface conditions. This paper extends the above model to consider an irregular fluid-elastic interface. The theoretical development of the irregular fluid-elastic interface equations is presented. Comparison of the fluid-elastic irregular interface to the horizontal case is one of the major objectives of this paper. Another major objective of this paper is the construction of a complete set of three-dimensional fluid-elastic wave equations, including the irregular interface, in a form suitable for stable numerical solution.
PROPELLER NOISE FROM A LIGHT AIRCRAFT FOR LOW-FREQUENCY MEASUREMENTS OF THE SPEED OF SOUND IN A MARINE SEDIMENT
Authors: BUCKINGHAM MICHAEL J. , GIDDENS ERIC M. , SIMONET FERNANDO , HAHN THOMAS R.
Published: December 2002

The sound from a light aircraft in flight is generated primarily by the propeller, which produces a sequence of harmonics in the frequency band between about 80 Hz and 1 kHz. Such an airborne sound source has potential in underwater acoustics applications, including inversion procedures for determining the wave properties of marine sediments. A series of experiments has recently been performed off the coast of La Jolla, California, in which a light aircraft was flown over a sensor station located in a shallow (approximately 15 m deep) ocean channel. The sound from the aircraft was monitored with a microphone above the sea surface, a vertical array of eight hydrophones in the water column, and two sensors, a hydrophone and a bender intended for detecting shear waves, buried 75 cm deep in the very-fine-sand sediment. The propeller harmonics were detected on all the sensors, although the s-wave was masked by the p-wave on the buried bender. Significant Doppler shifts of the order of 17%, were observed on the microphone as the aircraft approached and departed from the sensor station. Doppler shifting was also evident in the hydrophone data from the water column and the sediment, but to a lesser extent than in the atmosphere. The magnitude of the Doppler shift depends on the local speed of sound in the medium in which the sensor is located. A technique is described in which the Doppler difference frequency between aircraft approach and departure is used to determine the speed of sound at low-frequencies (80 Hz to 1 kHz) in each of the three environments, the atmosphere, the ocean and the sediment. Several experimental results are presented, including the speed of sound in the very fine sand sediment at a nominal frequency of 600 Hz, which was found from the Doppler difference frequency of the seventh propeller harmonic to be 1617 m/s.
Three cases of tetrasomy 9p
Authors: Dhandha S. , Hogge W. A. , Surti U. , McPherson E.
Published: December 2002

We report three cases of tetrasomy 9p, two of which were confirmed prenatally. All three had characteristic findings on ultrasound and at birth. We also present a review of the literature, which suggests that a recognizable phenotype for this condition is emerging. Common findings on prenatal ultrasound include intrauterine growth restriction, ventriculomegaly, cleft lip or palate, and renal anomalies. These findings can provide a clue toward the prenatal diagnosis of this condition. There is also a clearly recognizable phenotype at birth. Facial characteristics include hypertelorism, broad nasal bridge/bulbous or beaked nose, cleft lip/palate, ear anomalies, and micrognathia. The exact extent of the isochromosome does not seem to predict severity, but mosaic cases are less severe, or at least have a greater probability of survival. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of GFAP gene mutation in hereditary adult‐onset Alexander's disease
Authors: Namekawa Michito , Takiyama Yoshihisa , Aoki Yoko , Takayashiki Norio , Sakoe Kumi , Shimazaki Haruo , Taguchi Tomohiro , Tanaka Yasufumi , Nishizawa Masatoyo , Saito Ken , Matsubara Yoichi , Nakano Imaharu
Published: December 2002

Alexander's disease, a leukodystrophy characterized by Rosenthal fibers (RFs) in the brain, is categorized into three subtypes: infantile, juvenile, and adult. Although most are sporadic, occasional familial Alexander's disease cases have been reported for each subtype. Hereditary adult‐onset Alexander's disease shows progressive spastic paresis, bulbar or pseudobulbar palsy, palatal myoclonus symptomatologically, and prominent atrophy of the medulla oblongata and upper spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging. Recent identification of GFAP gene mutations in the sporadic infantile‐ and juvenile‐onset Alexander's disease prompted us to examine the GFAP gene in two Japanese hereditary adult‐onset Alexander's disease brothers with autopsy in one case. Both had spastic paresis without palatal myoclonus, and magnetic resonance imaging showed marked atrophy of the medulla oblongata and cervicothoracic cord. The autopsy showed severely involved shrunken pyramids, but scarce Rosenthal fibers (RFs). Moderate numbers of Rosenthal fibers (RFs) were observed in the stratum subcallosum and hippocampal fimbria. In both cases, we found a novel missense mutation of a G‐to‐T transition at nucleotide 841 in the GFAP gene that results in the substitution of arginine for leucine at amino acid residue 276 (R276L). This is the first report of identification of the causative mutation of the GFAP gene for neuropathologically proven hereditary adult‐onset Alexander's disease, suggesting a common molecular mechanism underlies the three Alexander's disease subtypes.
Focal laminar cortical MR signal abnormalities after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Dreier Jens P. , Sakowitz Oliver W. , Harder Anja , Zimmer Claus , Dirnagl Ulrich , Valdueza José M. , Unterberg Andreas W.
Published: December 2002

In the autopsy studies of patients with delayed ischemic neurological deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage, a predominance of cortical lesions has been observed. Similar to the autopsy descriptions in the literature, we present magnetic resonance images visualizing focal laminar cortical lesions around a fissure or sulcus in two patients, who initially did not undergo surgery, with delayed ischemic neurological deficits. This magnetic resonance imaging pattern may provide a clue to the diagnosis if the patient does not present to the emergency room with the acute hemorrhage but with delayed ischemic neurological deficits.
Electrorheological effects of polyaniline‐type electrorheological fluids
Authors: Zhang Liucheng , Su Kai , Li Xiucuo
Published: December 2002

Three kinds of particles—polyaniline (PANI), poly(o‐toludine) (POT), and brominated polyaniline (Br‐PANI)—were synthesized. With chlorinated paraffin as a disperse oil, their electrorheological (ER) effects were determined so that the influence of the phenyl substitute group on the ER effects could be considered. POT exhibited the strongest ER effect, whereas the Br‐PANI ER effect was relatively poor. With the concept of polarization, this phenomenon was interpreted. The influence of the antidoping condition on the ER effects was also examined. An optimal antidoping condition was found for each kind of particle. Composite PANI/polyacrylamide (PAAm) and PANI/lithium polyacrylate (PAA‐Li) particles were further prepared by emulsion polymerization. The testing results showed that the composite particles with certain amounts of PAAm or PAA‐Li exhibited good ER effects. The dielectric and conductive behaviors were also determined so that the results could be explained. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 733–740, 2003
Studies on morphology and mechanical properties of PP/HIPS blends from postconsumer plastic waste
Authors: Santana Ruth M. Campomanes , Manrich Sati
Published: December 2002

The aim of this work was to study the compatibilizing effect of the triblock copolymer poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) on the morphology and mechanical properties of virgin and recycled polypropylene/high‐impact polystyrene (PP/HIPS) blends. The components of the blend were obtained from municipal plastics waste (MPW), with the PP obtained from blue mineral water bottles, symbolized as PPb, and the HIPS from disposable cups. These materials were preground, washed only with water, dried with hot air, and ground again (PPb) or agglutinated (HIPS). Blends of PPb and HIPS in three weight ratios (6:1, 6:2, and 6:3) were prepared, and three concentrations of SEBS (5.0, 6.0, and 6.7% w/w) were used for investigations of its compatibilizing effect. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that SEBS reduced the diameter of HIPS dispersed particles that were globular and fibril shaped, along with improving the adhesion between the dispersed phase and the matrix. On the other hand, SEBS interactions with PPb and HIPS influenced the mechanical properties of the compatibilized PPb/HIPS/SEBS blends. The optimal concentration of SEBS was 5 wt % for application to composite films with similar characteristics to synthetic paper. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 747–751, 2003
Dielectric behavior of PVDF/POMA blends that have a low doped POMA content
Authors: Gregorio Rinaldo , Malmonge Luiz Francisco , Ferreira Guilherme Fontes Leal , Dos Santos Wilson Nunes , Mattoso Luiz Henrique Capparelli
Published: December 2002

The real (ε′) and imaginary (ε″) components of the complex permittivity of blends of PVDF [poly(vinylidene fluoride)] with POMA [poly(o‐methoxyaniline)] doped with toluenosulfonic acid (TSA) containing 1, 2.5, and 5 wt % POMA–TSA were determined in the frequency interval between 102 and 3 × 106 Hz and in the temperature range from −120 up to 120°C. It was observed that the values of ε′ and ε″ had a greater increase with the POMA–TSA content and with a temperature in the region of frequencies below 10 kHz. This effect decreased with frequency and it was attributed to interfacial polarization. This polarization was caused by the blend heterogeneity, formed by conductive POMA–TSA agglomerates dispersed in an insulating matrix of PVDF. The equation of Maxwell–Garnett, modified by Cohen, was used to evaluate the permittivity and conductivity behavior of POMA–TSA in the blends. A strong decrease was observed in POMA–TSA conductivity in the blend, which was bigger the lower the POMA–TSA content in the blend. This decrease could have been caused either by the POMA dedoping during the blend preparation process or by its dispersion into the insulating matrix. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 752–758, 2003
Visualization of surface and subsurface morphology: The effect of processing on a rubber‐modified thermoplastic
Authors: Edwards S. A. , Roy Choudhury N. , Provatas M.
Published: December 2002

In typical injection‐molding processes, variation in the quality of the surface finish is often encountered. To understand the mechanism of common surface defect formation, we investigated the effect of processing parameters on the morphological features of a commercially supplied polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate rubber‐modified thermoplastic blend. A compositional analysis of the material was performed with thermogravimetric analysis. Acid and alkaline etching, in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy, was used to characterize the effect of various injection times, packing pressures, and material temperatures on the morphology of processed parts. Chemical etching revealed that the injection molding had a large influence on the morphology of the thermoplastic, particularly on the surface, where preferential phase segregation produced a highly oriented polycarbonate skin layer. The degree of molecular orientation on the surfaces of molded parts had a significant effect on the efficiency of both the acid‐ and alkaline‐etching techniques. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 774–786, 2003
Ionic elastomers based on carboxylated nitrile rubber and calcium oxide
Authors: Ibarra L. , Alzorriz M.
Published: December 2002

The properties of carboxylated nitrile rubber crosslinked through ionic crosslinks with calcium oxide (CaO) have been studied at two reaction temperatures (100 and 150°C). These properties increase with the CaO content to reach an optimum level, after which they tend to drop again as the level of CaO increases further. The changes in the properties are directly proportional to the amount of carboxylate formed. At any CaO content, a rise in the temperature and the corresponding reduction in the reaction time have a favorable effect on the properties. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 805–813, 2003
Modeling the oxidative degradation of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene
Authors: Medhekar Vinay , Thompson Robert W. , Wang Aiguo , McGimpsey W. Grant
Published: December 2002

Understanding the sequence of reactions that occur in ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) following 60Co γ irradiation has been the focus of numerous experimental studies. In the study reported here, we have incorporated recent experimental findings into a mathematical model for UHMWPE oxidation. Simulation results for shelf aging and accelerated aging are presented. It is shown that very reasonable simulations of shelf‐aging and accelerated‐aging data can be obtained. It is also shown that simulations of shelf aging in reduced oxygen environments predict that the subsurface peaks of ketones will be shifted to the exterior surface. In vivo aging can be simulated if we assume that the oxygen level in the synovial fluid is about one‐eighth that of atmospheric levels. Some reduced irradiation doses are predicted to significantly reduce the ketone formation for shelf‐aging periods of up to 10 years. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 814–826, 2003