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Experimental Trials (experimental + trials)
Selected AbstractsChemosensory Recognition of Familiar and Unfamiliar Conspecifics by Juveniles of the Iberian Wall Lizard Podarcis hispanicaETHOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Enrique Font Chemosensory recognition of familiar conspecifics has been reported in studies with members of several lizard families and may be advantageous to distinguish between intruders and neighbors or group members. However, few species have been studied and information on the ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics by chemosensory means is lacking for most lizard families. In this paper we ask whether juveniles of the Iberian wall lizard Podarcis hispanica (Lacertidae), can discriminate between chemical signals from familiar conspecifics with whom they have shared a terrarium for several months and those from unfamiliar conspecifics housed in a different terrarium. Experimental trials were conducted by transferring juveniles to a test terrarium with a filter paper substrate. We tested the responses of lizards to paper substrates labeled by familiar cage-mates, unfamiliar conspecifics, or unlabeled. Tongue-flicks and other behaviors in response to pheromonal stimuli were recorded for 10 min Juveniles directed more chemosensory behavior towards paper substrates bearing chemicals from familiar conspecifics than towards similar paper substrates labeled by unfamiliar conspecifics. These results indicate that juveniles in this lizard species can recognize familiar conspecifics and discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar individuals using only chemical stimuli. We discuss the role of habituation in familiar conspecific recognition and review possible explanations of the functional significance of this type of discrimination in lizards. [source] The influence of electrospinning parameters on the structural morphology and diameter of electrospun nanofibersJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Valencia Jacobs Abstract Electrospinning is a simple method of producing nanofibers by introducing electric field into the polymer solutions. We report an experimental investigation on the influence of processing parameters and solution properties on the structural morphology and average fiber diameter of electrospun poly ethylene oxide (PEO) polymer solution. Experimental trials have been conducted to investigate the effect of solution parameters, such as concentration, molecular weight, addition of polyelectrolyte in PEO solution, solvent effect, as well as governing parameter, such as applied voltage. The concentration of the aqueous PEO solution has shown noteworthy influence on the fiber diameter and structural morphology of electrospun nanofibers. At lower concentrations of PEO polymer solution, the fibers showed irregular morphology with large variations in fiber diameter, whereas at higher concentrations, the nanofibers with regular morphology and on average uniform fiber diameter were obtained. We find that the addition of polyelectrolytes, such as sodium salt of Poly acrylic acid (PAA) and Poly allylamine hydrochloride (PAH), increases the conductivity of PEO solutions and thereby decreases the bead formation in electrospun nanofibers. The increase in applied voltage has been found to affect the structural morphology of nanofiber while the addition of ethanol in PEO solution diminishes the bead defects. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Effect of protective filters on fire fighter respiratory health: field validation during prescribed burnsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009Annemarie J.B.M. De Vos MPH, ICCert Abstract Background Bushfire smoke contains a range of air toxics. To prevent inhalation of these toxics, fire fighters use respiratory equipment. Yet, little is known about the effectiveness of the equipment on the fire ground. Experimental trials in a smoke chamber demonstrated that, the particulate/organic vapor/formaldehyde (POVF) filter performed best under simulated conditions. This article reports on the field validation trials during prescribed burns in Western Australia. Methods Sixty-seven career fire fighters from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia were allocated one of the three types of filters. Spirometry, oximetry, self-reported symptom, and personal air sampling data were collected before, during and after exposure to bushfire smoke from prescribed burns. Results Declines in FEV1 and SaO2 were demonstrated after 60 and 120 min exposure. A significant higher number of participants in the P filter group reported increases in respiratory symptoms after the exposure. Air sampling inside the respirators demonstrated formaldehyde levels significantly higher in the P filter group compared to the POV and the POVF filter group. Conclusions The field validation trials during prescribed burns supported the findings from the controlled exposure trials in the smoke chamber. Testing the effectiveness of three types of different filters under bushfire smoke conditions in the field for up to 2 hr demonstrated that the P filter is ineffective in filtering out respiratory irritants. The performance of the POV and the POVF filter appears to be equally effective after 2 hr bushfire smoke exposure in the field. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:76,87, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] An Ecological and Economic Assessment of the Nontimber Forest Product Gaharu Wood in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, IndonesiaCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Gary D. Paoli We studied the demographic effect and economic returns of harvesting aromatic gaharu wood from fungus-infected trees of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. at Gunung Palung National Park, Indonesia, to evaluate the management potential of gaharu wood. Aquilaria malaccensis trees openface> 20 cm in diameter occurred at low preharvest densities (0.16,0.32 ha) but were distributed across five of six forest types surveyed. During a recent harvest, 75% of trees were felled, with harvest intensities ranging from 50% to 100% among forest types. Overall, 50% of trees contained gaharu wood, but trees at higher elevations contained gaharu wood more frequently ( 73%) than trees at lower elevation (27%). The mean density of regeneration ( juveniles> 15 cm in height) near adult trees (3,7 m away) was 0.2/m2, 200 times greater than at random in the forest (10/ha), but long-term data on growth and survivorship are needed to determine whether regeneration is sufficient for population recovery. Gaharu wood extraction from Gunung Palung was very profitable for collectors, generating an estimated gross financial return per day of US $8.80, triple the mean village wage. Yet, the estimated sustainable harvest of gaharu wood at natural tree densities generates a mean net present value of only $10.83/ha, much lower than that of commercial timber harvesting, the dominant forest use in Kalimantan. Returns per unit area could be improved substantially, however, by implementing known silvicultural methods to increase tree densities, increase the proportion of trees that produce gaharu wood, and shorten the time interval between successive harvests. The economic potential of gaharu wood is unusual among nontimber forest products and justifies experimental trials to develop small-scale cultivation methods. Resumen: Datos ecológicos y económicos son esenciales para la identificación de productos forestales no maderables tropicales con potencial para la extracción sostenible y rentable en un sistema bajo manejo. Estudiamos el efecto demográfico y los beneficios económicos de la cosecha de la madera aromática gaharu de árboles de Aquilaria malaccenis Lam infectados por hongos en el Parque Nacional Gunung Palung Indonesia para evaluar el potencial de manejo de la madera. Arboles de Aquilaria malaccenis> 20 cm de diámetro ocurrieron en bajas densidades precosecha (0.16,0.32 ha,1) pero se distribuyeron en cinco de los seis tipos de bosque muestreados. Durante una cosecha reciente, 75% de los árboles fueron cortados, con intensidades de cosecha entre 50 y 100% en los tipos de bosque. En conjunto, 50% de los árboles contenían madera gaharu, pero árboles de elevaciones mayores contenían madera gaharu más frecuentemente ( 73%) que árboles de elevaciones menores (27%). La densidad promedio de regeneración ( juveniles> 15 cm de altura) cerca de árboles adultos (de 3 a 7 m de distancia) fue de 0.2 m,2, 200 veces mayor que en el bosque (10 ha,1), pero se requieren datos a largo plazo sobre el crecimiento y la supervivencia para determinar si la regeneración es suficiente para la recuperación de la población. La extracción de madera gaharu de Gunung Palung fue muy redituable, generando un rendimiento financiero bruto estimado en US $8.80 diarios, el triple del salario promedio en la zona. Sin embargo, la cosecha sostenible estimada de madera gaharu en densidades naturales de árboles genera un valor presente neto de sólo $10.83 ha,1, mucho menor que el de la cosecha comercial de madera, uso dominante del bosque en Kalimantan. Sin embargo, los rendimientos por unidad de área podrían mejorar sustancialmente mediante la instrumentación de métodos silviculturales para incrementar la densidad de árboles, incrementar la proporción de árboles que producen madera gaharu y reducir el intervalo de tiempo entre cosechas sucesivas. El potencial económico de la madera gaharu es poco usual entre los productos forestales no maderables y justifica la experimentación para desarrollar métodos de cultivo en pequeña escala. [source] Variation in performance reveals discharge-related energy costs for foraging Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parrECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2006P. S. Kemp Abstract,,, The energetic costs associated with foraging and social interaction for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr was estimated by measuring gross differences in performance (growth and lipid content) during two experimental trials conducted in an artificial river channel, under similar food input at two discharges. The discharges provided velocities within the range commonly experienced by salmon in the wild. Fish growth (second trial) and lipid content (first trial) were the highest at the lower discharge. Fish were less active and used a smaller area of the experimental arena under high flow. These behavioural adjustments are consistent with the reduction of energy costs at high discharge. However, there was no effect of discharge on aggressive behaviour or food intake. Therefore, despite evidence of energy economy in response to high discharge and velocity, the energetic costs of foraging were sufficiently high to cause substantial reduction in performance. In common with the findings of previous studies, dominance status was associated with individual variation in performance and habitat use. [source] Biofilm Growth and Bed Fluidization in a Fluidized Bed Reactor Packed with Support Materials of Low Density,ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2004R.A. Saucedo-Terán Abstract Support materials of low-density for fluidized bed reactors provide several operational advantages, including lower energy requirements and proper biofilm growth balance. The aim of this investigation was to study the extent of biofilm growth and bed fluidization in an experimental reactor, using polyester resin (,pr,=,1220,kg/m3) and vitrified expanded perlite (,vep,=,1710,kg/m3) as alternative support materials to conventional silica sand. A noteworthy amount of biofilm was observed to be attached to both support materials from the very beginning of the bioreactor operation. Nevertheless, there were significant variations in biofilm growth and activity over the course of the experimental trials. For both perlite and polyester beds, the highest biofilm mass and the highest total number of mesophilic bacteria were observed between the 7th and the 10th day, showing a steady state trend at the end of the experimental runs. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal levels were concomitant with biofilm mass and total mesophilic bacteria changes, although the polyester bed efficiency was slightly higher than that for the perlite bed. As expected, the polyester bed was fluidized at a lower re-circulation flow compared to the perlite bed. Reactor back-washing was not required for these support materials since biomass excess was adequately separated by means of a special internal device. The efficiencies of removal of organic matter achieved were acceptable (up to 78,%) despite the low volume of the support material (25,%) and the low hydraulic retention time (30,min). [source] Reduced smoking: an introduction and review of the evidenceADDICTION, Issue 1s1 2000John R. Hughes The major questions about reductions in the number of cigarettesday as a treatment goal are (1) how many smokers can reduce and maintain such reduction, (2) how much compensation will occur, (3) will reduced smoking significantly decrease the risk of smoking and (4) will reduction promote or undermine cessation. Naturalistic studies of smokers who are not trying to stop smoking indicate that a substantial minority of smokers spontaneously reduce their number of cigarettesday and can maintain significant reductions (-7% to -43%) over long periods of time. Six experimental trials of smokers not interested in quitting were able to induce large reductions in cigarettesday (-15% to -63%) using behavioral therapy andor nicotine replacement. Reductions in toxin exposure (carbon monoxide) were not as large but still substantial (-21% to -35%). The three studies with long-term follow-ups found little loss of effects over 6-30 months. Although face-valid, there is no direct test of whether reduced smoking will decrease smoking risks and such a study would need to be very large and last for a long time. None of the above-cited studies indicate that reduction undermines the probability of future cessation attempts and several found reduction promotes future cessation. [source] Influence of wick characteristics on heat pipe performanceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2006Misheck G. Mwaba Abstract The performance of a heat pipe depends on several factors, one of which is the nature of the wick structure. Optimization of heat pipe performance requires wick structures that can provide high capillary pressure, and yet still offer low resistance to fluid flow. The current level of technology being developed in our laboratory makes it possible to engineer desired wick structures both micro- and macroscopically, especially tailored to optimize heat pipe performance. In order to assist the fabrication of unique wick structure, the influence of wick structure characteristics on heat pipe performance is numerically investigated in this work. Numerical methods are an effective tool to significantly reduce the number of experimental trials. Comparisons are made between performances of heat pipe with different wick structures; coarse pore sizes, fine pore sizes and a composite comprised of coarse and fine pore sizes. Results indicate superior performance, with a factor of up to 2, for heat pipe with composite structure combining coarse/fine wick. Validation of the simulation result presented using experimental data is being carried out. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Eucalyptus pollen grain emptying by two Australian nectarivorous psittacinesJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001B. D. Gartrell The relative importance of pollen as a source of protein to vertebrates is controversial. In nectarivorous psittacine birds, field studies support its importance, but an experimental study in a nectarivorous parrot showed that less than 7% of pollen grains were emptied. We investigated pollen grain emptying by two nectarivorous Australian parrots, the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor and the Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna. We used a controlled experiment, and examined pollen located at different levels through the alimentary tract of wild L. discolor. There was significant emptying of pollen grains (x=45.4%±1.91 s.e.) by all birds in the experimental trials. There was also a progressive increase in the percentage of pollen grains emptied at different sites along the alimentary tract in wild birds (crop x=24.2%±4.44 s.e., proventriculus x=34.0%±7.29 s.e., duodenum x=54.3%±5.42 s.e. and distal intestine x=64.2%±4.68 s.e.). The percentage of pollen grains emptied by captive L. discolor in the experimental trial (x=44.1%±2.77 s.e.) was not significantly different from that found in wild L. discolor (x=40.3%±4.25 s.e.). Both species of nectarivorous parrot were able to rapidly ingest large quantities of Eucalyptus pollen and appeared to empty the pollen grains efficiently. Eucalyptus pollen appears to be an important source of protein for these birds. [source] Optimization of polymerase chain reaction-amplified conditions using the uniform design methodJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 8 2004Yang Cao Abstract Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a key procedure in modern molecular biology but may be adversely affected by many factors and it is difficult to optimize reaction conditions; a technically simple and effective method to set up an optimal PCR-amplified system is required. Uniform design (UD) is a method that enables many factors to be investigated. For example, the dhaT gene from Klebsiella pneumoniae was amplified and the optimization of the amplified parameters including concentration of Mg2+, annealing temperature, annealing time and number of cycles based on UD was reported. After only 12 experimental trials, an optimal PCR-amplified result was obtained, demonstrating the value of UD for optimization of PCR. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Behavioral responses of nesting birds to human disturbance along recreational trailsJOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Jennifer R. Smith-Castro ABSTRACT The presence of recreational trails can impact breeding birds either indirectly by altering habitat or the movement patterns of predators or directly if the presence of humans disturbs birds. We examined the behavioral responses of nesting female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) to human disturbance using both experimental and observational approaches. From April to August 2006 and 2007, we monitored Northern Cardinal nests in 18 riparian forests in Ohio, USA. Two experimental trials were conducted at each nest (N= 63), with Flight Initiation Distance (FID, the distance at which a bird flushed from the nest) recorded as we approached nests by walking directly toward them and by walking along trails located variable distances from nests. We also measured flight initiation distance (FID) when nests were approached during routine nest checks (N= 160). Cardinals were six times more likely to flush when nests were approached directly, and females on higher nests were less likely to flush regardless of distance to trail. FID was not significantly influenced by the distance of nests from trails. We found no association between nest survival and the tendency of birds to flush. Rather, nest survival was best explained by nest height. Thus, our findings suggest that the responses of birds to human use of recreational trails have only short-term effects, with no apparent effects of on nest survival. Because the reaction of birds to humans in our study depended on how nests were approached, studies where FID is used as an indicator of sensitivity to human disturbance and is determined by direct approaches may overestimate the potential impact of trails on nesting birds. RESUMEN Los senderos recreativos pueden tener impactos indirectos a las aves reproductoras por la modificación del hábitat o por la alteración de los patrones de movimiento de los depredadores y tambien pueden tener impactos directos por la perturbación de las actividades humanas. Las respuestas del comportamiento de las hembras de la especie Cardinalis cardinalis a la perturbación humana fueron estudiados usando métodos experimentales y observacionales que aplicaron la Distancia del Comienzo de Vuelo (FID por sus siglas en inglés) como una medida de sensibilidad. De Abril , Agosto de los años 2006 y 2007, monitoreamos nidos de Cardinalis cardinalis en 18 sitios de bosque ripario en Ohio, EEUU. Realizamos dos pruebas experimentales para cada nido (N= 63), así que se registró FID para cada nido cuando se hizo un acercamiento al nido o directamente o por el sendero. Adicionalmente, recopilamos la FID para los acercamientos directos durante los chequeos rutinarios de los nidos (N= 160). Era seis veces mas probable que las aves volarían cuando se hizo el acercamiento al nido directamente, que cuando un observador pas' por el sendero. Era menos probable que las aves volarían de los nidos altos, pero la tendencia de volar no era relacionada a la distancia al sendero. La FID no estaba relacionada significativamente a la distancia al sendero ni a la altura del nido. No encontramos ninguna asociación entre sobrevivencia del nido y la tendencia de volar; sino la mejor explicación para el éxito de la anidación fue solo la altura del nido. Por lo tanto, estos resultados sugieren que las respuestas del comportamiento de las aves al uso recreativo de los senderos representan efectos de corto plazo y con pocas consecuencias importantes a la reproducción. Como la reaccion de las aves a los humanos dependia de la manera en que se hicieron los acercamientos, los estudios que utilizan la respuesta de la FID a los acercamientos directos como un indicador de sensibilidad a la perturbación humana podrían sobreestimar los impactos potenciales de los senderos en los nidos. [source] The effects of perceived predation risk on pre- and post-metamorphic phenotypes in the common frogJOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 3 2009C. E. Stamper Abstract Where organisms undergo radical changes in habitat during ontogeny, dramatic phenotypic reshaping may be required. However, physiological and functional interrelationships may constrain the extent to which an individual's phenotype can be equally well adapted to their habitat throughout the life cycle. The phenotypic response of tadpoles to the presence of a predator has been reported for several species of anuran but the potential post-metamorphic consequences have rarely been considered. We reared common frog Rana temporaria tadpoles in the presence or absence of a larval odonate predator, Aeshna juncea, and examined the consequences of the resulting phenotypic adjustment in the aquatic larval stage of the life cycle for the terrestrial juvenile phenotype. In early development tadpoles developed deeper tail fins and muscles in response to the predator and, in experimental trials, swam further than those reared in the absence of a predator. While the difference in swimming ability remained significant throughout the larval period, by the onset of metamorphosis we could no longer detect any differences in the morphological parameters measured. The corresponding post-metamorphic phenotypes also did not initially differ in terms of morphology. At 12 weeks post-metamorphosis, however, froglets that developed from predator-exposed tadpoles swam more slowly and less far than those that developed from tadpoles reared in the absence of predators, the opposite trend to that observed in the larval stage of the life cycle, and had narrower femurs. These results suggest that there may be long-term costs for subsequent life-history stages of tailoring the larval phenotype to prevailing environmental conditions. [source] A concise update on the status of liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus: The challenges in 2002LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2002Hugo E. Vargas Significant improvements in both patient and graft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver failure have been made during the last decade. Recurrence of HBV infection has decreased, even in high-risk patients. Despite ongoing progress, challenges remain for the next millennium, including the determination of cost-effective dosing strategies, treatment of HBV infection in liver transplant recipients, and ramifications of the use of new antiviral agents, specifically, the appearance of resistant strains. This review summarizes the relevant history of OLT for chronic viral hepatitis B, details accepted preventive and therapeutic treatments, and discusses ongoing experimental trials. Emphasis also is placed on new approaches in transplantation as they impact on the care of HBV-infected patients. [source] Antibody responses to the host-protective Taenia solium oncosphere protein TSOL18 in pigs are directed against conformational epitopesPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2010E. ASSANA Summary TSOL18 is a recombinant protein that has been shown in repeated experimental trials to be capable of protecting pigs against challenge infection with the cestode parasite Taenia solium. Antibodies raised by the vaccine are capable of killing the parasite in an in vitro culture and it is believed that antibody and complement-mediated killing of invading parasites is the major protective immune mechanism induced by vaccination with TSOL18. Investigations were undertaken to characterize whether the principal antibody specificities raised by TSOL18 in pigs were against linear or conformational determinants. TSOL18 was expressed in two truncated forms representing either the amino terminal portion or the carboxy terminal portion, with the two truncations overlapping in sequence by 25 amino acids. The original protein (designated TSOL18N,) and the two truncations (TSOL18N, -1 and TSOL18N, -2) were used in inhibition ELISA. TSOL18N, was shown to be capable of completely inhibiting the binding of pig anti-TSOL18N, antibodies to TSOL18N, in ELISA. However, neither TSOL18N, -1 nor TSOL18N, -2, either alone or when combined together, was capable of inhibiting any detectable amount of reactivity of pig anti-TSOL18N, antibodies with TSOL18N,. It is concluded that the dominant antibody specificities, and probably the host-protective specificities, of TSOL18 are conformational epitopes. [source] Dietary protein level and natural food management in the culture of blue (Litopenaeus stylirostris) and white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in microcosmsAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2003L.R. Martinez-Cordova Abstract The effect of dietary protein level and natural food management on the production parameters of blue and white shrimp, as well as on water quality, was evaluated in a microcosms system (plastic pools simulating aquaculture ponds). Two experimental trials were carried out in the facilities of DICTUS, University of Sonora, Northwest México. Treatment with low protein diet (LP) consisted of a low protein input (diet with 250 g kg,1 crude protein) through the culture period; treatment with high protein diet (HP) consisted of a high protein input (diet with 400 g kg,1 crude protein) through the trial, and finally treatment VP consisted of an adjustment of protein input (diets with 250, 350 or 400 g kg,1 crude protein), depending on the abundance of biota (zooplankton and benthos) in the system. Each species responded differently to the treatments. For blue shrimp, low protein input resulted in the lowest final body weight (12.9 ± 0.6 g) and biomass (696.0 g pool,1). Survival and feed conversion ratio were similar in the three treatments. For white shrimp, the best growth, biomass and food conversion ratio were obtained in the low protein input treatment. Water quality parameters such as nitrate, ammonia and organic matter during the two trials, were better for LP and VP treatments. White shrimp seems to have lower protein requirements than blue shrimp. For the blue shrimp culture, adjusting protein input according to natural food abundance (zooplankton and benthos) in the system, seems to be advantageous because of the possibility of getting a production similar to that obtained with a high protein input through the farming period, but at lower feed cost, and with a lower environmental impact. It is concluded that a high protein input through the whole farming period is not the best feeding strategy for any of the two species. [source] Physiological Effects of a Novel Immune Stimulator Drug, (1,4)-,- d -Glucan, in RatsBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Ravishankar Koppada We investigated physiological and immunological effects of a low and a high dose of ,- d -glucan (0.5 and 10 mg/kg), in vivo, testing the hypothesis that intravenous administration of ,- d -glucan does not affect haemodynamic, respiratory, haematological, and immune responses in normal rats. Male rats (300,400 g) were anaesthetized, tracheostomized, and catheterized in one femoral artery and vein. The mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were continuously recorded. The baselines for gas exchange, differential blood cell count, and plasma concentration of TNF-,, IL-1,, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-, were determined. Rats were then randomly assigned to controls (n = 7), a low dose (0.5 mg/kg; n = 10), and a high dose (10 mg/kg; n = 7) of ,- d -glucan for a six 6 hr study period. Gas exchange, differential cell count, plasma concentration of TNF-,, IL-1,, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-,, and mean arterial blood pressure values remained within physiological range. Intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg ,- d -glucan created tachycardia, associated with hyperventilation, and significant reductions in the blood haemoglobin and haematocrit concentrations. We suggest that these in vivo effects of ,- d -glucan should be considered for future clinical and/or experimental trials. [source] Modulatory effects of static magnetic fields on blood pressure in rabbitsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 6 2001Hideyuki Okano Abstract Acute effects of locally applied static magnetic fields (SMF) on pharmacologically altered blood pressure (BP) in a central artery of the ear lobe of a conscious rabbit were evaluated. Hypotensive and vasodilator actions were induced by a Ca2+ channel blocker, nicardipine (NIC). Hypertensive and vasoconstrictive actions were induced by a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N, -nitro- L -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The hemodynamic changes in the artery exposed to SMF were measured continuously and analyzed by penetrating microphotoelectric plethysmography (MPPG). Concurrently, BP changes in a central artery contralateral to that of the exposed ear lobe were monitored. SMF intensity was 1,mT and the duration of exposure was 30,min. A total of 180 experimental trials were carried out in 34 healthy adult male rabbits weighing 2.6,3.8,kg. Six experimental procedures were chosen at random: (1) sham exposure without pharmacological treatment; (2) SMF exposure alone; (3) decreased BP induced by a single intravenous (iv) bolus injection of NIC (100,,M/kg) without SMF exposure; (4) decreased BP induced by injection of NIC with SMF exposure; (5) increased BP induced by a constant iv infusion of L-NAME (10,mM/kg/h) without SMF exposure; (6) increased BP induced by infusion of L-NAME with SMF exposure. The results demonstrated that SMF significantly reduced the vasodilatation with enhanced vasomotion and antagonized the reduction of BP via NIC-blocked Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition, SMF significantly attenuated the vasoconstriction and suppressed the elevation of BP via NOS inhibition in vascular endothelial cells and/or central nervous system neurons. These results suggest that these modulatory effects of SMF on BP might, in part, involve a feedback control system for alteration in NOS activity in conjunction with modulation of Ca2+ dynamics. Bioelectromagnetics 22:408,418, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bladder wall tension during physiological voiding and in patients with an unstable detrusor or bladder outlet obstructionBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2003S. Bross OBJECTIVE To develop and evaluate a new clinical method for measuring bladder wall tension (BWT) on detrusor contraction during physiological voiding and under pathological conditions, as in experimental trials during subvesical obstruction the ability to generate pressure increases, whereas the contractile force per cross-sectional area of detrusor muscle decreases. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 24 patients were divided into three equal groups: group 1 (mean age 58, sd 8.6 years) comprised men with bladder outlet obstruction in accordance with the Abrams-Griffiths nomogram; group 2 (four men and four women, 56, sd 7.2 years) had detrusor instability; and group 3 (54, sd 9.6 years) had normal bladder emptying. BWT, as the detrusor force per cross-sectional area of bladder tissue (in N/cm2), was calculated after a urodynamic evaluation and ultrasonographic estimate of bladder wall thickness. RESULTS In all patients it was possible to measure BWT; the mean (sd) maximum BWT in group 1 was 9.8 (3.9) N/cm2, in group 2 during bladder instability was 11.7 (2.6) N/cm2 and in group 3 was 2.8 (0.5) N/cm2. CONCLUSIONS Estimating BWT in humans is possible by combining a urodynamic evaluation with an ultrasonographic estimate of bladder wall thickness. Further clinical research should elucidate the clinical relevance of BWT under comparable conditions. [source] Cognitive therapy with people with intellectual disabilities: a selective review and critiqueCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 4 2004Peter Sturmey The literature on cognitive therapy with people with intellectual disabilities was selectively reviewed, including application to problems such as anger management, depression and offending. The literature on anger management showed the most promise. The literature on depression was weak. Research on offenders was promising, but no controlled trials were found. Much of the literature incorrectly identified behavioral interventions as cognitive interventions. Many interventions, such as anger management, were in fact packages that included many behavioral interventions, such as relaxation and social skills training, alongside cognitive methods, such as cognitive restructuring. Hence, evaluations of anger management packages can not tell us anything about the effectiveness of cognitive therapy, since cognitive therapy is confounded with behavior therapy. Future directions for research include well controlled experimental trials to evaluate the effectiveness of these packages and the contribution of cognitive therapy to treatment outcome.,Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] |