bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetic Properties of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Cerebral Cortex and Cerebellum of Morphine Tolerant Mice
Authors: Bhargava Hemendra N. , Kumar Shailendra , Barjavel Marc J. 
Published: April 2003

The effects of chronic morphine administration on the kinetics of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were determined in the mouse cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Male Swiss-Webster mice were implanted subcutaneously with morphine pellets each containing 25 mg of morphine base for 3 days. Mice implanted with placebo pellets served as controls. NOS activity was determined by measuring the rate of conversion of [<sup>3</sup>H]arginine to [<sup>3</sup>H]citrulline. Morphine pellet implantation increased NOS activity in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Analysis of the Eadie-Hofstee plot indicated that the V<sub>max</sub> of NOS in the cortex and cerebellum was 140 and 228 pmol [<sup>3</sup>H]citrulline formed/min/mg protein and the K<sub>m</sub> values were 9.3 and 10.1 µmol/l, respectively. Mice implanted with morphine pellets had higher V<sub>max</sub> values in both the cortex and cerebellum, but the K<sub>m</sub> values did not differ from those of control mice implanted with placebo pellets. It is concluded that chronic treatment with morphine increases NOS activity in the brain without modifying its substrate affinity.
Acute Natriuretic Effect of Fasidotrilat, a Mixed Inhibitor of Neutral Endopeptidase and Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme, in Rats with Heart Failure
Authors: Marie Christine , Mossiat Claude , Lecomte Jeanne-Marie , Bralet Jean 
Published: April 2003

The acute diuretic and natriuretic effects of fasidotrilat, a mixed inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) were evaluated in control and myocardial-infarcted rats. Fasidotrilat injection (10 mg/kg i.v.) had no significant effect on arterial blood pressure and led to significant elevations in urine volume (+57% in control rats and +114% in infarcted rats) and of urinary sodium excretion (+81% in control rats and +225% in infarcted rats). Comparison between control and infarcted rats showed that fasidotrilat-induced changes in diuresis and natriuresis were higher in infarcted rats (2.4-fold for diuresis and 4.7-fold for natriuresis, p < 0.05), despite a lower perfusion pressure (–10 mm Hg) in infarcted rats. These data show the potential therapeutic interest of mixed NEP/ACE inhibitors in congestive heart failure.
Inhibitors of Synaptosomal γ-Hydroxybutyrate Transport
Authors: McCormick S.J. , Tunnicliff G. 
Published: April 2003

Synaptosomes prepared from mouse brain possess a Na<sup>+</sup>-dependent transport system for γ-hydroxybutyrate displaying saturation kinetics, the transport constant (K<sub>t</sub>) for which was calculated as 31 ± 9 µmol/l. Several γ-hydroxybutyrate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) structural analogues were tested as potential inhibitors of γ-hydroxybutyrate transport. The most effective inhibitor was harmaline (K<sub>i</sub> = 94 ± 21 µmol/l), a known competitive inhibitor of Na<sup>+</sup> binding to certain transport proteins. 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid, 3-(2-furyl)acrylic acid and citrazinic acid also inhibited transport and were competitive with respect to γ-hydroxybutyrate. The least effective γ-hydroxybutyrate analogues were 3-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid (K<sub>i</sub> = 4.1 ± 0.8 mmol/l) 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (K<sub>i</sub> = 6.1 ± 2.8 mmol/l) and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (K<sub>i</sub> = 6.9 ± 3.3 mmol/l), although 2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid and kynurenic acid had no measurable effects. Four inhibitors of GABA transport – nipecotic acid, guvacine, ketamine and β-alanine and GABA itself, were without effect on γ-hydroxybutyrate transport. These results show that certain drugs that structurally resemble γ-hydroxybutyrate have the capacity to compete with γ-hydroxybutyrate at its recognition site on the transporter. By examining the structure of such inhibitors, we can learn more about the properties of the substrate binding site on the carrier protein. Moreover, the absence of inhibition by GABA uptake inhibitors shows that γ-hydroxybutyrate transport is a separate entity from GABA transport.
N-Acetylheparin Pretreatment Reduces Infarct Size in the Rabbit
Authors: Park James L. , Kilgore Kenneth S. , Naylor Keith B. , Booth Erin A. , Murphy Kerri L. , Lucchesi Benedict R. 
Published: April 2003

The ability of the heparin derivative, N-acetylheparin (NHEP) to protect the heart from regional ischemia/reperfusion injury was examined in vivo. NHEP (2 mg/kg i.v.) or vehicle was administered 2 h before occlusion of the left circumflex coronary (LCX) artery. Open-chest, anesthetized rabbits were subjected to 30 min of regional myocardial ischemia followed by 5 h of reperfusion. Myocardial myeloperoxidase activity, membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition and IL-8 generation were assessed in supernatant samples from the area at risk. Infarct size in rabbits pretreated with NHEP (32.5 ± 3.8%, n = 10) decreased by 41% compared to infarct size in rabbits that received vehicle (55.3 ± 4.9%, n = 10; p = 0.002). Accumulation of neutrophils within the ischemic region, as assessed by myeloperoxidase activity, declined by 45% (p < 0.05) in AAR from NHEP-treated animals compared to AAR from vehicle-treated animals. Levels of MAC and IL-8 obtained from AAR were less in NHEP-pretreated animals compared to controls. These results suggest that NHEP may protect the myocardium by inhibiting complement activation and subsequent neutrophil infiltration.
Rabbit versus Rat Urinary Bladder: Effects of in vitro Hypoxia
Authors: Whitbeck Catherine , Barreto Mark , Horan Patrick , Levin Sheila S. , Levin Robert M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> Studies indicate that bladder hypoxia may be an etiological factor for lower urinary tract dysfunction. Rat and rabbit are two species of experimental animals used frequently to study lower urinary tract function and dysfunction. The objective of this study was to compare directly effects of in vitro hypoxia on contractile responses of rat and rabbit urinary bladder to different forms of stimulation. <i>Methods:</i> Sexually mature male New Zealand White rabbits and Sprague-Dawley rats were compared. Each bladder was excised while the animal was anesthetized, and longitudinal bladder strips were cut, then mounted in organ baths. A tension of 2 g was placed on all strips. Effects of 1, 2, 3 and 4 h hypoxia followed by 1 h of reoxygenation on contractile responses of bladder strips to field stimulation (FS), carbachol (100 μmol/l), ATP (1 mmol/l) and KCl (120 mmol/l) were determined. <i>Results:</i> Contractility, per unit tissue mass, of rat bladder strips was significantly greater than that of rabbit bladder strips in response to FS (all frequencies), carbachol, KCl and ATP. Hypoxia (followed by reoxygenation) resulted in time-dependent progressive reduction in contractile responses of bladder strips to all stimuli. Rat bladder was significantly more sensitive to hypoxia than rabbit bladder in response to FS and carbachol. Hypoxia induced similar effects on rat and rabbit bladder responses to ATP and KCl. <i>Conclusion:</i> Rat bladder neurogenic and cholinergic responses are significantly more sensitive to hypoxia than are those of rabbit bladder, which may be due to the rat bladder’s greater contractile force generation and previously reported higher Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ATPase activity.
Stereoselective Inhibition of Ethanol- Induced Gastric Lesions in the Rat by the H<sub>3</sub>-Receptor Agonist (R)-α-Methylhistamine and Its (S)-Configured Isomer
Authors: Morini Giuseppina , Grandi Daniela , Bertaccini Giulio , Leschke Christian , Schunack Walter 
Published: April 2003

The histamine H<sub>3</sub> receptor shows high degree of stereoselectivity for histamine analogues branched in the side chain. The hypothesis that gastroprotection by (R)-α-methylhistamine could be H<sub>3</sub> receptor-mediated was tested by comparing the effect of (R)-α-methylhistamine and of (S)-α-methylhistamine on ethanol-induced histologic lesions in the rat gastric mucosa. Extensive damage was caused by 60 min exposure to absolute ethanol, 91% of the mucosa examined being damaged. Conversely <i>only 23%</i> of the mucosa was damaged after pretreatment with (R)-α-methylhistamine (100 mg/kg i.g.). In the groups pretreated with (S)-α-methylhistamine (55.44 and 166.3 mg/kg i.g.) total damage ranged from 77 to 79%, though it was confined to the upper portion of the mucosa. Morphometric analysis of stained intraepithelial mucosubstances revealed that (R)-α-methylhistamine pretreatment resulted in an increase in number and volume of surface mucous cells, not evident after (S)-α-methylhistamine pretreatment. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed light microscopy evaluations. The two isomers of α-methylhistamine differently affect the response of rat gastric mucosa to absolute ethanol and they appear to differ in their influence on surface mucous cells. A basis for interpreting the effects of the two isomers of α-methylhistamine rests on the high degree of stereoselectivity of H<sub>3</sub> receptors and on the different affinities of the two isomers for these receptors.
2-Oxo-2H-Pyrimido[2,1-b]Benzothiazoles Inhibit Brain Benzodiazepine Receptor Binding in vitro
Authors: Ai Jinglu , Wang Xiaomei , Wahe Helen , Fomum Zacharias Tanee , Sterner Olov , Nielsen Mogens , Witt Michael-Robin 
Published: April 2003

2-Oxo-2H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives were found to inhibit the in vitro binding of <sup>3</sup>H-Ro 15-1788 (<sup>3</sup>H-flumazenil) to rat cortical benzodiazepine receptors with IC<sub>50</sub> values in the range of 0.7–13 μmol/l. The most potent compound, 2-oxo-4-phenyl-2H-pyrimido[2,1-b]- benzothiazole showed a similar potency to inhibit <sup>3</sup>H-Ro 15-1788 binding to membrane preparations of rat brain cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus as well as to various subunit combinations of recombinant human γ-aminobutyric acid<sub>A</sub>/benzodiazepine receptors. Scatchard plot analysis showed that 2-oxo-4-phenyl-2H-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazole is a competitive inhibitor of <sup>3</sup>H-Ro 15-1788 binding to rat brain cortical membrane preparations.
Effect of a Novel Anti-Allergic Agent, HSR-609, on Antigen-Induced Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Mice
Authors: Musoh Keiichi , Maeda Yoshizou , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Inagaki Naoki , Nagai Hiroichi 
Published: April 2003

The effects of a newly synthesized anti-allergic agent, HSR-609, on allergic airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation have been studied in sensitized mice. The effects were compared with those of two histamine H<sub>1</sub> receptor antagonists, cetirizine and terfenadine, and prednisolone. Three inhalations of antigen caused an increase in leukocytes (including eosinophils) with increases in IL-5 in BALF and airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine in BALB/c mice. All drugs were orally administered once a day for 10 days from the day before the first inhalation of antigen. HSR-609 (10 mg/kg) and prednisolone (5 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, whereas cetirizine (10 mg/kg) or terfenadine (100 mg/kg) did not affect this airway response. At the same time HSR-609 inhibited the antigen-induced eosinophilia and IL-5 production in BALF. Prednisolone also showed an inhibitory effect on the airway eosinophilia and IL-5 production but not cetirizine and terfenadine in the same experiments. In addition, HSR-609 (p.o.) dose-dependently suppressed the accumulation of eosinophils elicited by antigen-stimulated D10G4.1 cells, a murine Th2 clone, in peritoneal cavity lavage fluid in AKR/J mice. These results suggest that HSR-609 inhibits allergic airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine probably because of the inhibition of Th2-dependent eosinophilia caused by IL-5. In addition, effects of HSR-609 were different from those of cetirizine and terfenadine concerning the inhibition of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.
A Longitudinal Study of the Development of Temporal Properties of Speech Production: Data from 4 Children
Authors: Smith Bruce L. , Kenney Mary Kay 
Published: April 2003

Abstract
A general conclusion that has emerged from the collective results of a number of studies regarding acoustic characteristics of children’s speech production development is that both the duration and temporal variability of segments, words, and phrases tend to decrease as one considers increasingly older groups of children. While this conclusion is largely appropriate when considering averages for groups of children studied across intervals of several years, the limited amount of longitudinal data that exists suggests that similar patterns may not routinely be observed in the development of individual children, especially when shorter time periods are involved. Cross-sectional, acoustic studies have provided important general descriptions of speech production development, but additional longitudinal investigations are also needed to address issues that cannot be effectively evaluated utilizing cross-sectional data. For example, it was hypothesized in the present study that decreases in duration and variability would be greater when children were younger and that progressively smaller decreases would occur as they became older. Despite general tendencies for decreases in duration and variability to occur with increased age, it was also hypothesized that not all segments and words would be affected to the same extent in this regard. To consider these and related questions, the speech of 4 children was recorded approximately every 7–10 months for periods ranging from 4 to 6 years. There was some support for the notion that duration/variability decreases were greater when children were younger, but often this was not observed. It was also found that whereas some sounds/words decreased in duration across time, others remained relatively constant. Also, within the same word, certain segments became shorter across time, while others remained unchanged. These observations provide a perspective concerning speech production development that represents an important supplement to more general conclusions that have been obtained from group-oriented studies.
Mancunian Intonation and Intonational Representation
Authors: Cruttenden Alan 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThere has been little systematic description of the intonation of English accents other than RP and General American. In the first part of this article the characteristics of the tones of Mancunian intonation are described together with a functional categorisation of these tones, in which a dichotomy is proposed between Open and Closed varieties. In the second part the description is related to the current model of intonation known as ToBI and the inadequacies of a representation of Mancunian tones in a standard and a modified form of ToBI are revealed. A more radical modification of the ToBI approach based on tonal features is proposed.
A Case Report of Caudal Regression Syndrome Associated with an Intraspinal Arachnoid Cyst
Authors: Tsugu Hitoshi , Fukushima Takeo , Oshiro Shinya , Tomonaga Masamichi , Utsunomiya Hidetsuna , Oshima Kazuhiro , Ohjimi Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2003

We report here a rare case of caudal regression syndrome associated with an intraspinal arachnoid cyst. The patient was a 6-month-old baby girl with multicomplex congenital abnormalities: sacrococcygeal dysgenesis and ventral curvature, large terminal cyst (myelocystocele), spinal arachnoid cyst, cerebellar hypertrophy (suspected), high imperforate anus, partial dysgenesis of the large intestine, omphalocele, atresia of the vagina, bilateral incomplete ureter duplication, incomplete pseudoduplicated bladder and bilateral talipes equinovarus. We performed plastic repair of the myelocystocele and perineal lesion for caudal regression syndrome and partial removal of the cyst wall for the intraspinal arachnoid cyst. She has been well for 3 years postoperatively, and her mental development is normal.
Pediatric Low-Grade and Ependymal Spinal Cord Tumors
Authors: Merchant Thomas E. , Kiehna Erin N. , Thompson Stephen J. , Heideman Richard L. , Sanford Robert A. , Kun Larry E. 
Published: April 2003

Our institutional experience with pediatric spinal cord tumors includes 25 patients with the diagnosis of ependymoma (EP; n = 4), myxopapillary ependymoma (MPEP; n = 4), juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA; n = 5), nonpilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I or II, n = 6), and other nonastrocytic spinal cord tumors (n = 6) treated during the period 1974–1999. Nineteen patients required radiation therapy (RT). The median progression-free survival following RT was 65 months (range 1–206 months). Seven patients recurred at an average of 22 months. The EP patients recurred at an average of 8.5 months, while the patients with low-grade astrocytoma recurred at an average of 42 months. Including the 6 nonsurviving patients, the median overall survival was 96 months. Two EP patients died with a progression-free survival of 9 months. One patient with MPEP died of other causes at 7 months. The treatment of pediatric spinal cord tumors should be individualized based on the histologic type. Radical surgery is indicated for nonmyxopapillary EP and low-grade astrocytic tumors. The need for adjuvant therapy most often depends on the extent of resection as well as the tumor type. Patients with disseminated EP, MPEP, JPA and nonpilocytic astrocytoma may achieve long-term progression-free survival with craniospinal irradiation.
Use of a Portable CT Scanner during Resection of Subcortical Supratentorial Astrocytomas of Childhood
Authors: Gwinn Ryder , Cleary Kevin , Medlock Michael 
Published: April 2003

The development of intraoperative imaging has made it possible to visualize shifting brain structures during surgery, and may allow greater intraoperative discrimination of normal and abnormal tissue. This may provide greater confidence to the neurosurgeon to proceed with a more extensive resection while decreasing postoperative morbidity. We investigated the intraoperative use of a portable CT scanner in the resection of 4 cases of supratentorial, subcortical astrocytomas of childhood to assess its usefulness in determining the endpoint of the dissection. We operated on 4 patients, ages 3–17, with astrocytomas. Three were thalamic, and 1 was based primarily in the caudate nucleus. The approach to the basal ganglia was transcallosal in 3 and transtemporal in 1. Specific observations on the intraoperative use of the portable CT scanner included its overall facility, any additional operative time required, the overall quality of the images, intraoperative decisions made based on the images and problems associated with its use. These observations are presented with a review of intraoperative imaging as it pertains to deep pediatric brain tumors. The CT scanner was helpful in limiting the dissection of the hypothalamic and midbrain regions and in localizing remaining abnormal tissue. The scans allowed informed decisions about leaving margins of the tumor which were adjacent to vital structures, but dit not prove to be a decisive factor in providing a complete resection. The following observations are worth noting: (1) average imaging time was 20 min per scan; (2) the extent and location of residual enhancing tumor was easily identified despite other materials in the surgical bed; (3) air/tissue interfaces limit resolution; (4) tumors retain contrast long enough to obtain multiple scans without additional dye, and (5) the cost profile of a mobile CT scanner is superior to that of a fixed intraoperative CT scanner.
Pathological Fear of Cot Death
Authors: Weightman Helen , Dalal Brian M. , Brockington I.F. 
Published: April 2003

Cot death (sudden infant death syndrome) is one of the most common causes of death in the first year of life. Four cases with a pathological fear of cot death are presented. All the patients were depressed and in 2 cases the fear of cot death had an obsessional quality. In all cases there were complications during pregnancy (miscarriage, threatened abortion, recurrent vomiting in last trimester). In 1 case, the patient knew 3 mothers who had suffered cot deaths; in another, the infant was gravely ill in the neonatal period. Pathological fear of cot death can be recognised by the presence of two central features – overvigilance and excessive nocturnal checking of the baby’s breathing. Therapeutic interventions are discussed.
Fury: Heroic, Bestial and Collective
Authors: Rossi Paolo 
Published: April 2003

In his furies and frenzies, man’s humanity is pushed to its outermost limits; his human potential is inordinately stretched. In poetic, heroic frenzy, man reaches the gods and divinity. Yet this poetic frenzy is not an oblivion, but a memory; his frenzy is not born from forgetting himself, but from a strengthening of his own ego. Bestial fury is the tale of the self-destructive consequences of attempting to use ferocity and fury against one’s own enemies, and the endeavors to keep these forces in check and bend them towards one’s own ends. However, the fact that man displays anger and wrath is not the sign of a descent towards the feral, animal realm, but, on the contrary, of an ascent. Man has risen up towards civilization. With this have come collective furies – the common angers of a human multitude, where the single personality is nullified. Might it be that even heroic frenzy, or perhaps above all heroic frenzy, has been liberally used in our times to unleash bestial and collective fury?