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Selected AbstractsExtracellular cAMP inhibits P2X3 receptors in rat sensory neurones through G protein-mediated mechanismACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010M. V. Mamenko Abstract Aim:, To identify the mechanisms of P2X3 receptor inhibition by extracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones. Methods:, Whole-cell currents were measured in cultured DRG neurones using the combination of voltage and concentration clamp. Results:, We have found that extracellular cAMP inhibits P2X3 -mediated currents in a concentration- and use-dependent manner. The P2X3 currents, activated by ATP applied every 4 min, were inhibited by 55% in the presence of 10 ,m cAMP and by 81% in the presence of 30 ,m cAMP. At 8 min interval between ATP applications the same concentration of cAMP did not alter the currents. Addition of 0.5 mm of guanosine 5,- O -(2-thiodiphosphate) to intracellular solution blocked the inhibitory action of cAMP. The inhibitory effects of cAMP were not mimicked by extracellular application of 30 ,m adenosine. Conclusions:, In this paper, we demonstrate, for the first time, that extracellular application of cAMP to rat sensory neurones inhibits P2X3 receptors via a G protein-coupled mechanism in a use-dependent manner, thus indicating the neuronal expression of specific plasmalemmal cAMP receptor. [source] Two-way active avoidance training-specific increases in phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein in the dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamusEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2005Subhash Saha Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that the activation of pontine-wave (P-wave) generating cells in the brainstem during post-training rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is critical for the consolidation of memory for two-way active avoidance (TWAA) learning in the rat. Here, using immunocytochemistry, we investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of CREB phosphorylation within different parts of the dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus following a session of TWAA training in the rat. We show that the TWAA training trials increased phosphorylation of CREB (p-CREB) in the dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, amygdalo-hippocampal junction (AHi), and hypothalamus. However, the time intervals leading to training-induced p-CREB activity were different for different regions of the brain. In the dorsal hippocampus, p-CREB activity was maximal at 90 min and this activity disappeared by 180 min. In the AHi, activity of the p-CREB peaked by 180 min and disappeared by 360 min. In the amygdala, the p-CREB activity peaked at 180 min and still remained higher than the control at the 360 min interval. In the hypothalamus, at 90 min p-CREB activity was present only in the ventromedial hypothalamus; however, by 180 min this p-CREB activity was also present in the dorsal hypothalamus, perifornical area, and lateral hypothalamus. By 360 min, p-CREB activity disappeared from the hypothalamus. This TWAA training trials-induced spatiotemporal characteristic of CREB phosphorylation, for the first time, suggests that REM sleep P-wave generator activation-dependent memory processing involves different parts of the dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus. [source] Temporal dynamics of dissolved oxygen in a floating,leaved macrophyte bedFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2008KARA GOODWIN Summary 1. Oxygen concentrations in shallow vegetated areas of aquatic systems can be extremely dynamic. In these waters, characterizing the average oxygen content or frequency of low oxygen events (hypoxia) may require high frequency measurements that span seasons and even years. In this study, moored sondes were used to collect 15-min interval dissolved oxygen (DO) readings in an embayment of the tidal Hudson River with dense coverage by an invasive floating leaved plant (Trapa natans) and in adjacent open waters. Measurements were made from late spring to summer over a 2-year period (2005, 2006). 2. Oxygen concentrations were far more dynamic in the vegetated embayment than in the adjacent open waters and while hypoxic conditions never occurred in the open waters, they occurred frequently in the vegetated site. Overall the vegetated site was hypoxic (DO < 2.5 mg L,1) 30% of the time and had an average oxygen concentration of 5.1 mg L,1. Oxygen concentration was significantly (P < 0.0001, anova) related to season, year and tide. Low tide periods during summer of 2006 had the lowest average oxygen concentration and the highest frequency of hypoxia. 3. The greater hypoxia in summer than spring is related to changes in plant morphology. In the spring and early summer when plants are submersed hypoxia occurs at lower frequency and duration than in the summer when dense floating vegetation covers the water. The tidal pattern in oxygen is related to hydrologic exchange with the non-vegetated open waters. Year-to-year variation may be related to relatively small changes in plant biomass between years. 4. Oxygen concentrations in aquatic systems can be critical to habitat quality and can have cascading impacts on redox sensitive nutrient and metal cycling. For some systems with dynamic oxygen patterns neither weekly spot sampling nor short-duration, high-frequency measurements may be sufficient to characterize oxygen conditions of the system. [source] Market reaction to takeover rumour in Internet Discussion SitesACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 1 2006Peter M. Clarkson G14 Abstract We examine the market reaction to takeover rumour postings in the Hotcopper Internet Discussion Site (IDS). Results from the interday analysis show abnormal returns and trading volumes on the day before and the day of the posting. Results of the intraday analysis show abnormal returns and trading volumes during the 10 min posting interval and abnormal trading volume during the 10 min interval immediately preceding it. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the results are robust to concerns regarding potential confounds, credibility and bid,ask spread bias. Taken together, these findings are consistent with the market reacting to the posting of takeover rumours in IDS. [source] The use of an intra-oral injection of ketorolac in the treatment of irreversible pulpitisINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 11 2005A. C. Mellor Abstract Aim, To examine whether an intra-oral injection of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ketorolac), in association with conventional local anaesthetic techniques, would improve the pulp extirpation rate in teeth with irreversible pulpitis. Methodology, A two group double-blind clinical trial was undertaken in the Dental Casualty Department of the University of Manchester School of Dentistry. Patients were randomly allocated to either the test or control group. The test group received an intra-oral injection of ketorolac (30 mg in 1 mL) in the buccal sulcus adjacent to the tooth being treated. After an interval of 15 min, they then received 2.2 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1 : 80 000 epinephrine by buccal infiltration in the maxilla or by inferior dental block in the mandible. The control group received an intra-oral injection of normal saline (1 mL) in the buccal sulcus adjacent to the tooth being treated, followed by the same local anaesthetic regime as the test group after the 15 min interval. Fifteen minutes after the local anaesthetic injections, pulp extirpation was attempted. All patients completed the short-form McGill pain questionnaire prior to treatment and completed identical questionnaires at 6 and 24 h after treatment. Results, The study protocol set the number of patients to be treated at twenty. However, as the study progressed it became apparent that the intra-oral injection of ketorolac caused significant pain to four of the five patients who received it; therefore the study was terminated after ten patients had been treated. The results from the patients treated showed no significant difference in the pulp extirpation rate between the test and control groups. However, patients with higher pain scores at baseline were less likely to have the pulp completely extirpated, irrespective of whether they were in the test or control group. Pain scores for all patients decreased significantly from baseline to 24 h. Conclusion, An intra-oral injection of ketorolac did not improve the pulp extirpation rate in a small group of patients with irreversible pulpitis compared with a placebo. In addition, it was associated with such significant pain on injection that it cannot be recommended as a treatment in this situation. [source] Evaluation of easily applicable pain measurement tools for the assessment of pain in demented patientsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2009A. PESONEN Background and objectives: Difficulties in communication and lack of suitable pain scales may lead to undertreatment of pain in cognitively impaired patients. We performed a study in this type of patients and evaluated the usefulness of four simple pain scales. Patients and methods: We studied 41 hospitalized elderly (76,95 years) who suffered from pain with an acute component. Cognitive function was assessed with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the degree of depression was assessed on the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Pain intensity was assessed at rest and after a pain-provoking movement three times at 2-week intervals by repeating the test at a 10-min interval at each test session. The pain scales were the 50 cm red wedge scale (RWS), the seven-point faces pain scale (FPS), the 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) and the five-point verbal rating scale (VRS). Results: In group MMSE,24, patients were able to use all four scales rather successfully. In the other groups (MMSE 17,23, 11,16 and ,10), only the use of VRS was successful to a reasonable degree (64,85% on average). GDS scores did not correlate with the pain scores, with the exception of pain scores on FPS during movement (P<0.01). The estimations of intensity and frequency of pain performed by nurses failed to correlate with the patient's own pain intensity estimations. Conclusion: Scoring of pain with RWS, FPS and VAS seems to be feasible in elderly patients with a normal cognitive dysfunction. In our study VRS appeared to be applicable in the elderly with a clear cognitive dysfunction, i.e., with MMSE<17. [source] Effect of needle insertion site on ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block in childrenACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2006P. Kundra Background:, Three different sites of needle insertion have been proposed for ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric (ILIH) nerve block. This double-blind study was designed to assess the quality of analgesia produced from these different sites. Methods:, One hundred and thirty-two children of ASA grade I and II were randomly allocated into four groups to receive no nerve block (control group, n = 30) or ILIH block at 1 cm inferio-medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) in group IM (n = 34), 1,2 cm medial to the ASIS in group M (n = 34) and 2 cm superio-medial to the ASIS in group SM (n = 34) with 0.25 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine after induction of anaesthesia. Pain was assessed using the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) pain discomfort scale (APDS) score. The amount and pattern of fentanyl consumed over the ensuing 24-h period was noted. Results:, APDS score and fentanyl requirement were similar in all the study groups but significantly higher until 8 h after surgery in the control group, P < 0.05. Twenty-two out of 102 children in the study groups and all patients in the control group received additional fentanyl during the post-operative period. Only 6 out of 22 children required additional fentanyl supplementation beyond the 30-min interval. Overall failure rate of ILIH nerve block was 6%. Conclusion:, ILIH block can be successfully accomplished from any point if the needle bevel lies between the two muscle planes above and below the internal oblique. [source] In vivo dynamics of CNS sensory arbor formation: A time-lapse study in the embryonic leechDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Michael W. Baker Abstract In the embryo of the leech Hirudo medicinalis, afferent projections of peripheral sensory neurons travel along common nerve tracts to the CNS, where they defasciculate, branch, and arborize into separate, modality-specific synaptic laminae. Previous studies have shown that this process requires, at least in part, the constitutive and then modality-specific glycosylations of tractin, a leech L1 homologue. We report here on the dynamics of growth of these projections as obtained by examining the morphology of single growing dye-filled sensory afferents as a function of time. Using 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy of the intact developing embryo, we obtained images of individual sensory projections at 3 to 30 min intervals, over several hours of growth, and at different stages of development. The time-lapse series of images revealed a highly dynamic and maturation-state-dependent pattern of growth. Upon entering the CNS, the growth cone-tipped primary axon sprouted numerous long filopodial processes, many of which appeared to undergo repeated cycles of extension and retraction. The growth cone was transformed into a sensory arbor through the formation of secondary branches that extended within the ganglionic neuropil along the anterior-posterior axis of the CNS. Numerous tertiary and quaternary processes grew from these branches and also displayed cycles of extension and retraction. The motility of these higher-order branches changed with age, with younger afferents displaying higher densities and greater motility than older, more mature sensory arbors. Finally, coincident with a reduction in higher order projections was the appearance of concavolar structures on the secondary processes. Rows of these indentations suggest the formation of presynaptic en-passant specializations accompanying the developmental onset of synapse formation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 56: 41,53, 2003 [source] Assessment of different techniques for subcutaneous glucose monitoring in Type 1 diabetic patients during ,real-life' glucose excursionsDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010J. K. Mader Diabet. Med. 27, 332,338 (2010) Abstract Aims, To compare the accuracy of two marketed subcutaneous glucose monitoring devices (Guardian RT, GRT; GlucoDay S, GDS) and standard microdialysis (CMA60; MD) in Type 1 diabetic patients. Methods, Seven male Type diabetic patients were investigated over a period of 26 h simulating real-life meal glucose excursions. Catheters of the three systems were inserted into subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal region. For MD, interstitial fluid was sampled at 30- to 60-min intervals for offline glucose determination. Reference samples were taken at 15- to 60-min intervals. All three systems were prospectively calibrated to reference. Median differences, median absolute relative differences (MARD), median absolute differences (MAD), Bland,Altman plot and Clark Error Grid were used to determine accuracy. Results, Bland,Altman analysis indicated a mean glucose difference (2 standard deviations) between reference and interstitial glucose of ,10.5 (41.8) % for GRT, 20.2 (55.9) % for GDS and 6.5 (35.2) % for MD, respectively. Overall MAD (interquartile range) was 1.07 (0.39; 2.04) mmol/l for GRT, 1.59 (0.54; 3.08) mmol/l for GDS and 0.76 (0.26; 1.58) mmol/l for MD. Overall MARD was 15.0 (5.6; 23.4) % (GRT), 19.7 (6.1; 37.6) % (GDS) and 8.7 (4.1; 18.3) % (MD), respectively. Total sensor failure occurred in two subjects using GRT and one subject using GDS. Conclusions, The three investigated technologies had comparable performance. Whereas GRT underestimated actual blood glucose, GDS and MD overestimated blood glucose. Considerable deviations during daily life meal glucose excursions from reference glucose were observed for all three investigated technologies. Present technologies may require further improvement until individual data can lead to direct and automated generation of therapeutic advice in diabetes management. [source] The effects of local anaesthetic solution in the navicular bursa of horses with lameness caused by distal interphalangeal joint painEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003JOHN SCHUMACHER Summary Reasons for performing study: Analgesia of the palmar digital (PD) nerves has been demonstrated to cause analgesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint as well as the sole. Because the PD nerves lie in close proximity to the navicular bursa, we suspected that that analgesia of the navicular bursa would anaesthetise the PD nerves, which would result in analgesia of the DIP joint. Objectives: To determine the response of horses with pain in the DIP joint to instillation of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa. Methods: Lameness was induced in 6 horses by creating painful synovitis in the DIP joint of one forefoot by administering endotoxin into the joint. Horses were videorecorded while trotting, before and after induction of lameness, at three 10 min intervals after instilling 3.5 ml local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa and, finally, after instilling 6 ml solution into the DIP joint. Lameness scores were assigned by grading the videorecorded gaits subjectively. Results: At the 10 and 20 min observations, median lameness scores were not significantly different from those before administration of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa (P,0.05), although lameness scores of 3 of 6 horses improved during this period, and the 20 min observation scores tended toward significance (P = 0.07). At the 30 min observation, and after analgesia of the DIP joint, median lameness scores were significantly improved (P,0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that pain arising from the DIP joint can probably be excluded as a cause of lameness, when lameness is attenuated within 10 mins by analgesia of the navicular bursa. Potential relevance: Pain arising from the DIP joint cannot be excluded as a cause of lameness when lameness is attenuated after 20 mins after analgesia of the navicular bursa. [source] Effects of intravenous lidocaine overdose on cardiac electrical activity and blood pressure in the horseEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2001G. A. MEYER Summary This study aimed to identify blood serum lidocaine concentrations in the horse which resulted in clinical signs of intoxication, and to document the effects of toxic levels on the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems. Nineteen clinically normal mature horses of mixed breed, age and sex were observed. Lidocaine administration was initiated in each subject with an i.v. loading dose of 1.5 mg/kg bwt and followed by continuous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg bwt/min until clinical signs of intoxication were observed. Intoxication was defined as the development of skeletal muscle tremors. Prior to administration of lidocaine, blood samples for lidocaine analysis, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and electrocardiographic (ECG) data were collected. After recording baseline data, repeat data were collected at 5 min intervals until signs of intoxication were observed. The range of serum lidocaine concentrations at which the clinical signs of intoxication were observed was 1.85,4.53 ,g/ml (mean ± s.d. 3.24 ± 0.74 ,g/ml). Statistically significant changes in P wave duration, P-R interval, R-R interval and Q-T interval were observed in comparison to control values, as a result of lidocaine administration. These changes in ECG values did not fall outside published normal values and were not clinically significant. Heart rate, blood pressures and respiratory rates were unchanged from control values. This study establishes toxic serum lidocaine levels in the horse, and demonstrates that there were no clinically significant cardiovascular effects with serum lidocaine concentrations less than those required to produce signs of toxicity. [source] Hepatic phenylalanine metabolism measured by the [13C]phenylalanine breath testEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 4 2001T. Kobayashi Background The amino acid clearance test including phenylalanine is known to reflect liver functional reserve, which correlates with surgical outcome; however, the procedure is not clinically useful because of its laborious and time-consuming nature. This study evaluates whether phenylalanine oxidation capacity measured by a breath test could reflect liver functional reserve. Design We determined phenylalanine oxidation capacity in 42 subjects using the l -[1- 13C]phenylalanine breath test (PBT). The 13CO2 breath enrichment was measured at 10-min intervals for 120 min after oral administration of 100 mg of l -[1- 13C]phenylalanine. Subjects were divided into the following three groups according to their plasma retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 min (ICG R15): Group I (ICG R15 <,10%), Group II (ICG R15 10,20%), and Group III (ICG R15 >,20%). First, we determined the parameters of the phenylalanine oxidation capacity that differentiated these groups and then, using these parameters, we compared the PBT with the ICG clearance test, Child,Pugh classification score and standard liver blood tests. Results The %13C dose h,1 at 30 min and cumulative excretion at 80 min were significantly different among the three groups (P < 0·05). These two parameters significantly correlated with the ICG R15, Child,Pugh classification score (P < 0·0001) and results of standard liver blood tests (P < 0·05). Conclusions Phenylalanine oxidation capacity measured by the PBT was reduced according to the severity of liver injury assessed by the ICG clearance test, Child,Pugh classification, and standard liver blood tests. These results indicate that the PBT can be used as a noninvasive method to determine liver functional reserve. [source] Sympathoexcitatory response to peripheral chemoreflex activation is enhanced in juvenile rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxiaEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Valdir A. Braga In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) produces changes in the autonomic and respiratory responses to acute peripheral chemoreflex activation. To attain this goal, 3-week-old rats were exposed to 10 days of CIH (6% O2 for 40 s at 9 min intervals; 8 h day,1). They were then used to obtain a working heart,brainstem preparation and, using this unanaesthetized experimental preparation, the chemoreflex was activated with potassium cyanide (0.05%, injected via the perfusion system), and the thoracic sympathetic nerve activity (tSNA), heart rate and phrenic nerve discharge (PND) were recorded. Rats subjected to CIH (n= 12), when compared with control animals (n= 12), presented the following significant changes in response to chemoreflex activation: (a) an increase in tSNA (78 ± 4 versus 48 ± 3%); (b) a long-lasting increase in the frequency of the PND at 20 (0.52 ± 0.03 versus 0.36 ± 0.03 Hz) and 30 s (0.40 ± 0.02 versus 0.31 ± 0.02 Hz) after the stimulus; and (c) a greater bradycardic response (,218 ± 20 versus,163 ± 16 beats min,1). These results indicate that the autonomic and respiratory responses to chemoreflex activation in juvenile rats previously submitted to CIH are greatly increased. [source] Metabolic Heat Production, Heat Loss and the Circadian Rhythm of Body Temperature in the RatEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Roberto Refinetti Metabolic heat production (calculated from oxygen consumption), dry heat loss (measured in a calorimeter) and body temperature (measured by telemetry) were recorded simultaneously at 6 min intervals over five consecutive days in rats maintained in constant darkness. Robust circadian rhythmicity (confirmed by chi square periodogram analysis) was observed in all three variables. The rhythm of heat production was phase-advanced by about half an hour in relation to the body temperature rhythm, whereas the rhythm of heat loss was phase-delayed by about half an hour. The balance of heat production and heat loss exhibited a daily oscillation 180 deg out of phase with the oscillation in body temperature. Computations indicated that the amount of heat associated with the generation of the body temperature rhythm (1.6 kJ) corresponds to less than 1% of the total daily energy budget (172 kJ) in this species. Because of the small magnitude of the fraction of heat balance associated with the body temperature rhythm, it is likely that the daily oscillation in heat balance has a very slow effect on body temperature, thus accounting for the 180 deg phase difference between the rhythms of heat balance and body temperature. [source] Short-term spatial and temporal patterns of suspended sediment transfer in proglacial channels, small River Glacier, CanadaHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 9 2004John F. Orwin Abstract Alpine glacial basins are a significant source and storage area for sediment exposed by glacial retreat. Recent research has indicated that short-term storage and release of sediment in proglacial channels may control the pattern of suspended sediment transfer from these basins. Custom-built continuously recording turbidimeters installed on a network of nine gauging sites were used to characterize spatial and temporal variability in suspended sediment transfer patterns for the entire proglacial area at Small River Glacier, British Columbia, Canada. Discharge and suspended sediment concentration were measured at 5 min intervals over the ablation season of 2000. Differences in suspended sediment transfer patterns were then extracted using multivariate statistics (principal component and cluster analysis). Results showed that each gauging station was dominated c. 80% of days by diurnal sediment transfer patterns and ,low' suspended sediment concentrations. ,Irregular' transfer patterns were generally associated with ,high' sediment concentrations during snowmelt and rainfall events, resulting in the transfer of up to 70% of the total seasonal suspended sediment load at some gauging stations. Suspended sediment enrichment of up to 600% from channel storage release and extrachannel inputs occurred between the glacial front and distal proglacial boundary. However, these patterns differed significantly between gauging stations as determined by the location of the gauging station within the catchment and meteorological conditions. Overall, the proglacial area was the source for up to 80% of the total suspended sediment yield transferred from the Small River Glacier basin. These results confirmed that sediment stored and released in the proglacial area, in particular from proglacial channels, was controlling suspended sediment transfer patterns. To characterize this control accurately requires multiple gauging stations with high frequency monitoring of suspended sediment concentration. Accurate characterization of this proglacial control on suspended sediment transfer may therefore aid interpretation of suspended sediment yield patterns from glacierized basins. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quantitative evaluation of strategies for erosion control on a railway embankment batterHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 17 2001Y. Gyasi-Agyei Abstract Strategies for erosion control on a railway embankment batter (side slope) are quantitatively evaluated in this paper. The strategies were centred on control (,do nothing' treatment), grass seeding, gypsum application, jute mat (an erosion control blanket) placement and planting hedgerows of Monto vetiver grass. Rainfall and runoff were monitored at 1 min intervals on 10 m wide embankment batter plots during 1998 and 1999. Total bedload and suspended sediment eroded from the plots were also measured but only for a group of storm events within sampling intervals. It has been demonstrated that vetiver grass is not cost-effective in controlling erosion on railway batters within Central Queensland region. Seeding alone could cause 60% reduction in the erosion rate compared with the control treatment. Applying gypsum to the calcium-deficient soil before seeding yielded an additional 25% reduction in the erosion rate. This is the result, primarily, of 100% grass cover establishment within seven months of sowing. Therefore, for railway embankment batter erosion control, the emphasis needs to be on rapid establishment of 100% grass cover. For rapid establishment of grass cover, irrigation is necessary during the initial stages of growth as the rainfall is unpredictable and the potential evaporation exceeds rainfall in the study region. The risk of seeds and fertilizers being washed out by short-duration and high-intensity rainfall events during the establishment phase may be reduced by the use of erosion control blankets on sections of the batters. Accidental burning of grasses on some plots caused serious erosion problems, resulting in very slow recovery of grass growth. It is therefore recommended that controlled burning of grasses on railway batters should be avoided to protect batters from being exposed to severe erosion. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Is nerve stimulation needed during an ultrasound-guided lateral sagittal infraclavicular block?ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2010Y. GÜRKAN Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasound (US) guidance alone vs. neurostimulation (NS) and US (NSUS) guidance techniques on block performance time and block success rate for the lateral sagittal infraclavicular block (LSIB). Methods: In a randomized and prospective manner, 110 adult patients scheduled for distal upper limb surgery were allocated to the US or the NSUS groups. In the US group, a local anesthetic (LA) was administered only with US guidance to produce a ,U'-shaped distribution around the axillary artery. In the NSUS group, LA was administered under US guidance only after electrolocation of one of the median, ulnar or radial nerve-type responses. A total of 30 ml of LA (10 ml of levobupivacaine 5 mg/ml and 20 ml of lidocaine 20 mg/ml) was administered in both groups. Sensory block was tested at 10 min intervals for 30 min. Successful block was defined as analgesia or anesthesia of all five nerves distal to the elbow. Results: Block success rate was 94.5% in both groups. Block performance time was significantly shorter in the US than the NSUS group (157 ± 50 vs. 230 ± 104 s) (P=0.000). Block onset time was similar in both groups (12.5 ± 4.8 in the US vs. 12.8 ± 5.4 min in the NSUS groups). There were two arterial punctures in the NSUS group. Conclusions: During LSIB performance US guidance alone produces block success rate identical to both US and NS guidance yet with a shorter block performance time. [source] WATER ABSORPTION, LEACHING and COLOR CHANGES DURING the SOAKING FOR PRODUCTION of SOY-BULGURJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2004MUSTAFA BAYRAM ABSTRACT In this study, the soaking process, which is the first step of soy-bulgur production to develop a new type food product, was investigated. the soaking operation was conducted at 30, 50 and 70C for 120 min and samples were taken from the soybean and soaking water at 10 min intervals. Moisture content and color (L, a, b and YI values) of soybean were measured, as well as soluble solids content and color (L, a, b and YI values) of soaking water during the soaking process. the results were analyzed by using ANOVA and Duncan test. Soaking time and temperature were significantly effective (P < 0.05) on all variables, except the time effect on the YI-value. During the soaking, moisture content, lightness (L) and yellowness (b) increased and, redness (a) and yellowness index (YI) of soybean decreased. Soluble solids content, yellowness and yellowness index increased in contrast to a decrease in the lightness and greenness of the soaking water. As a result, soluble solids content in the soaking water increased, which illustrated the leaching of soluble solids from soybean to water. Color of soybean turned to lights, in contrast to darkening and opaqueness of water during soaking. Results showed that the moisture content, soluble solid content, L, a, b and YI values can be successfully modeled using polynomial equations, which can be used to estimate their changes during the soaking operation. [source] Trypsin Inhibitor Activity In Vitro Digestibility and Sensory Quality of Meat-Like Yuba Products as Affected by ProcessingJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002G. Su ABSTRACT: : Soybeans (Glycine max) were soaked and ground to obtain soymilk. The soymilk was cooked in an open tank and held at 85 to 90 deg;C. Yuba films were picked up in 20 min intervals and dried for 20 min. Yuba films were soaked in chicken-flavor solutions (25% and 35%), and baking soda (BS) solutions (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% BS), and cooked at 100 °C for 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min. TIA decreased (p < 0.05) with the increase of heating time and BS concentration. In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) decreased with heating time and BS concentration (p < 0.05). Sensory characteristics were affected by flavor concentration. By using 0% BS, 25% of the chicken flavor concentration, and a short heating time method, meat-like products with low TIA, high IVPD, and good sensory characteristics were obtained. [source] Recent Discoveries on the Control of Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Neurones in Nonhuman PrimatesJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 7 2010E. Terasawa Since Ernst Knobil proposed the concept of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse-generator in the monkey hypothalamus three decades ago, we have made significant progress in this research area with cellular and molecular approaches. First, an increase in pulsatile GnRH release triggers the onset of puberty. However, the question of what triggers the pubertal increase in GnRH is still unclear. GnRH neurones are already mature before puberty but GnRH release is suppressed by a tonic GABA inhibition. Our recent work indicates that blocking endogenous GABA inhibition with the GABAA receptor blocker, bicuculline, dramatically increases kisspeptin release, which plays an important role in the pubertal increase in GnRH release. Thus, an interplay between the GABA, kisspeptin, and GnRH neuronal systems appears to trigger puberty. Second, cultured GnRH neurones derived from the olfactory placode of monkey embryos exhibit synchronised intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i, oscillations and release GnRH in pulses at approximately 60-min intervals after 14 days in vitro (div). During the first 14 div, GnRH neurones undergo maturational changes from no [Ca2+]i oscillations and little GnRH release to the fully functional state. Recent work also shows GnRH mRNA expression increases during in vitro maturation. This mRNA increase coincides with significant demethylation of a CpG island in the GnRH 5,-promoter region. This suggests that epigenetic differentiation occurs during GnRH neuronal maturation. Third, oestradiol causes rapid, direct, excitatory action in GnRH neurones and this action of oestradiol appears to be mediated through a membrane receptor, such as G-protein coupled receptor 30. [source] [13C]-pantoprazole breath test to predict CYP2C19 phenotype and efficacy of a proton pump inhibitor, lansoprazoleALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2009T. FURUTA Summary Background,13CO2 is produced on metabolism of 13C-labelled-pantoprazole ([13C]-pantoprazole) by CYP2C19. Aim, To investigate whether the [13C]-pantoprazole breath test can predict CYP2C19 status and efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in Japanese. Methods, We classified 110 healthy volunteers as rapid metabolizers (RM), intermediate metabolizers (IM) or poor metabolizers (PM) of CYP2C19 by genotyping. Breath samples were collected at 10-min intervals for 60 min after dosing with 100 mg [13C]-pantoprazole. Changes in the carbon isotope ratios (13CO2/12CO2) in carbon dioxide in breath samples were measured and expressed as a delta-over-baseline (DOB) ratio (,). Of the 110 subjects, twenty-two randomly selected subjects underwent intragastric pH monitoring on day 7 of dosing with 30 mg of lansoprazole. Results, The DOB values of RMs were the highest and those of PMs the lowest of the three groups. Statistically significant differences were observed in the area-under-the-curve (AUC)20,60 min of DOB among the three groups. The mean 24-h intragastric pHs attained by lansoprazole 30 mg for 7 days were inversely correlated with the AUC20,60 min of DOB. Conclusions, [13C]-pantoprazole breath test can easily estimate the individual activity of CYP2C19 and predict the efficacy of a PPI (i.e. lansoprazole). This test would be useful for individualized medicine with a PPI. [source] Cisapride inhibits meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and post-prandial gastric acidity in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2002J. D. Gardner Summary Background and aims : KCNQ1 potassium channels in human gastric parietal cells are thought to be involved in gastric acid secretion. As cisapride can inhibit similar channels in other tissues and is an effective treatment for nocturnal heartburn, we examined the effects of cisapride on gastric and oesophageal acidity, gastric emptying and heartburn severity in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Methods : Subjects (n=11) had suffered from heartburn four times or more per week for at least 6 months. Gastric pH and oesophageal pH were measured before, during and after a standard meal ingested over 15 min. Each subject received placebo or 10 mg cisapride orally, 30 min before the beginning of the meal. Meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion was calculated from the amount of HCl required to titrate the homogenized standard meal to pH 2 in vitro and the time required for the pH of the ingested meal to decrease to pH 2 in vivo. Heartburn severity was assessed at 15-min intervals beginning at the end of the meal. Gastric emptying of solids was measured using a [13C]-octanoic acid breath test. Results : Cisapride significantly decreased meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion by 20%, decreased integrated gastric and oesophageal acidity by 50,60% and transiently increased the expiration of 13CO2. Cisapride did not significantly alter heartburn severity. Conclusions : The cisapride-induced decreases in meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion, gastric acidity and oesophageal acidity in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease can account for its beneficial clinical effects. These results also raise the possibility that gastric KCNQ1 potassium channels are important in meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and possibly in the pathophysiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. [source] Pulsed dye densitometry with two different sensor types for cardiac output measurement after cardiac surgery: a comparison with the thermodilution techniqueACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2004C. K. Hofer Background:, Assessment of cardiac output (CO) by the indocyanine green (ICG) dye dilution technique (IDD) with transcutaneous signal detection may be a less invasive alternative to the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of the DDG2001 analyzer (Nihon Kohden Corp, Tokyo, Japan) using a finger (IDDf) and a nose (IDDn) sensor as compared with the thermodilution technique by PAC. Methods:, In 31 consecutive patients after routine cardiac surgery, CO measurements were performed by IDD compared with the thermodilution technique following postoperative haemodynamic stabilization in the intensive care unit. Repeated measurements were made at 30-min intervals. CO was determined by iced water bolus (IWB: mean of three repeated injections) and IDDf or IDDn, respectively (mean of three repeated ICG injections). Results:, Thirty-three per cent of all measurements for IDDf and 9% for IDDn failed due to a missing signal detection. Mean bias for IDDf to IWB was ,0.5 l min,1·m,2 (limits of agreement: ,1.8/0.8 l min,1·m,2) and for IDDn to IWB was ,0.1 l min,1·m,2 (limits of agreement: ,1.6/1.5 l min,1·m,2). Correlation between IDDf and IWB (r = 0.2) was found to be inferior to the correlation between IDDn and IWB (r = 0.5). Conclusion:, The IDD showed a systematic bias compared with the IWB and its performance was limited due to signal detection failure. Therefore, the DDG2001 analyzer cannot be recommended as a substitute for the PAC in routine monitoring of cardiac output after cardiac surgery. [source] Immediate blood pressure-lowering effects of aerobic exercise among patients with chronic kidney diseaseNEPHROLOGY, Issue 7 2008SAMUEL A HEADLEY SUMMARY: Aim: The current study was designed to determine the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on blood pressure responses within the laboratory for 60 min post exercise and in the subsequent 24 h period in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with stages 2,4 chronic kidney disease (age = 54.5 ± 15.2 years, body mass index = 32.0 ± 5.9 kg/m2) on antihypertensive medication completed this study. In random counterbalanced order, subjects were asked to either walk for 40 min at 50,60% VO2peak (oxygen consumption) or, on a separate day, to sit quietly in the laboratory for the same length of time. Following exercise or the non-exercise period, blood pressure was taken at 10 min intervals for 60 min. Subjects then wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for the next 24 h. Results: Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was reduced by 6.5 ± 10.8 compared with the pre-exercise baseline value (130.3 ± 21.1) in the laboratory after exercise and this was greater than after the control period (0.73 ± 10.3, P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) was reduced following exercise (2.5 ± 6.4) compared with the control period (2.1 ± 4.9, P < 0.05). The mean 24 h readings did not differ between exercise or non-exercise days. Conclusion: Acute aerobic exercise leads to reduced blood pressure for at least 60 min within the laboratory in chronic kidney disease patients. [source] Randomized controlled trial of nebulized adrenaline in acute bronchiolitisPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Suriyanarayanapillai Hariprakash Use of both l -epinephrine and racemic epinephrine (adrenaline) has improved clinical symptoms and composite respiratory scores in acute bronchiolitis. The objective of this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was to assess whether there was sufficient improvement in clinical state to reduce hospital admissions. Seventy-five infants aged 1 month to 1 year with a clinical diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis were treated with either 2 ml of 1:1000 nebulized adrenaline or 2 ml of nebulized normal saline administered after baseline assessment and 30 min later. Clinical respiratory parameters were recorded at 15-min intervals for a period of 2 h following the baseline assessment. Admission to hospital was the primary end-point and changes in respiratory parameters were secondary end-points. Fifty percent (19/38) of infants treated with adrenaline were discharged home compared with 38 percent (14/37) of those treated with saline. This 12 percent reduction in rate of admission is not statistically significant (95% CI of difference: ,10% to 35%). There was no difference between treated and placebo groups in respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate or a composite respiratory distress score at 30, 60 or 120 min post-treatment. In this study, nebulized epinephrine did not confer a significant advantage over nebulized saline in the emergency room treatment of acute bronchiolitis. [source] Impact of seasonal scarcity on energy balance and body composition in peasant adolescents from Calakmul, Campeche MexicoAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007José A. Alayón Gamboa A time allocation and anthropometric study were performed on 46 male and 38 female adolescents from 16 peasant households from two different adaptive strategies in the municipio of Calakmul, Campeche Mexico to see if they could maintain energy balance during the annual scarcity season. These strategies were called: "household subsistence agricultural strategy" (HSA) and "household commercial agricultural strategy" (HCA). Each month, from June 2001 to May 2002, adolescents were measured and followed for 24 h. Their activities were recorded at 15 min intervals. Weight for age (W/A), height for age (H/A), body mass index (BMI), arm muscle area, arm fat area, total energy expenditure (TEE), activity energy expenditure (AEE), and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were estimated and the data compared between seasons using a repeated measurements analysis of variance. The results suggest that HCA offers their adolescents better buffering against seasonal scarcity, and that HSA males are better protected than females. HCA adolescents didn't show significant losses of weight, and HCA females lost body fat during the scarcity season. HSA vulnerability was observed in W/A and BMI z score reductions during the scarcity season. It also reflected itself in stunted adolescent males and adolescent females with fewer fat reserves. HSA adolescents reduced their BMR to down regulate their energy expenditure during the scarcity season without reducing TEE and physical activity levels. HSA females lost muscle mass during the scarcity season while HSA males didn't. This difference was associated with a more demanding work schedule throughout the year for females. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of nicotine and caffeine, separately and in combination, on EEG topography, mood, heart rate, cortisol, and vigilancePSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000David G. Gilbert Effects of nicotine and caffeine, separately and in combination, were assessed in 12 male habitual smokers in a repeated-measures design. Caffeine (0-mg vs. two 150-mg doses administered in a decaffeinated/sugar-free cola drink post-baseline and 90 min later) was crossed with nicotine (ad libitum own dosing vs. 1.0-mg machine-delivered dose vs. 0.05-mg machine-delivered dose). Participants smoked a total of five cigarettes at 30-min intervals over a 2-hr period. Caffeine and nicotine had large effect sizes on electroencephalogram (EEG) power; however, these effects were modulated by the eyes open versus closed condition, the other drug, and electrode site. EEG effects of open versus closed eyes tended to be of the same size and direction as those of nicotine and caffeine. However, whereas nicotine increased EEG power in some higher frequency bands in some conditions, caffeine decreased EEG power across almost all conditions. Serum cortisol concentration, vigor, and pleasantness were increased by nicotine, but not by caffeine. Level of depressive mood depended on an interaction of caffeine and nicotine. Vigilance performance was enhanced significantly by caffeine and was increased almost significantly by nicotine. The findings were interpreted in terms of common and differential mechanisms of the two drugs. [source] Mechanisms by which systemic salbutamol increases ventilationRESPIROLOGY, Issue 2 2006Antony E. TOBIN Background and objective: Salbutamol (SAL) has systemic effects that may adversely influence ventilation in asthmatic patients. The authors sought to determine the magnitude of this effect and mechanisms by which i.v. SAL affects ventilation. Methods: A prospective study of nine healthy subjects (eight men, one woman; age 23 ± 1.4 years (SD)) was undertaken. Each subject received i.v. SAL at 5, 10 and 20 µg/min each for 30 min at each dose and was observed for 1 h post infusion. Minute ventilation (V,E), oxygen consumption (V,O2), CO2 production (V,CO2), occlusion pressure (P0.1), heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, glucose, arterial blood gases, lactate and potassium (K+) were recorded at baseline and at 30-min intervals. The effect of 100% oxygen on V,E and P0.1 during SAL infusion at 20 µg/min was observed. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Results: V,E was significantly increased at 20 µg/min SAL (37.8 ± 12.1%, P = 0.01), as were V,O2 (22.5 ± 5.1%, P < 0.01) and V,CO2 (40.9 ± 10.6%, P < 0.01). Ventilation was in excess of metabolic needs as demonstrated by a rise in the respiratory exchange ratio (0.87 ± 0.03 to 0.99 ± 0.04, P < 0.05). Serum lactate rose by 124 ± 30.4% from baseline to 20 µg/min (1.1 ± 0.1 to 2.3 ± 0.25 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and base excess decreased (0.89 ± 0.56 to vs. ,1.75 ± 0.52 mmol/L, P < 0.01) consistent with a lactic acidosis contributing to the excess ventilation. There was no significant differences in V,E or P0.1 with FIO2 = 1.0, suggesting peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation was not responsible for the rise in V,E. At 20 µg/min SAL, K+ fell significantly from baseline (3.8 ± 0.06 to 2.8 ± 0.09 mmol/L, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Systemic SAL imposes ventilatory demands by increasing metabolic rate and serum lactate. This may adversely affect patients with severe asthma with limited ventilatory reserve. [source] Living together: behavior and welfare in single and mixed species groups of capuchin (Cebus apella) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Rebecca Leonardi Abstract There are potential advantages of housing primates in mixed species exhibits for both the visiting public and the primates themselves. If the primates naturally associate in the wild, it may be more educational and enjoyable for the public to view. Increases in social complexity and stimulation may be enriching for the primates. However, mixed species exhibits might also create welfare problems such as stress from interspecific aggression. We present data on the behavior of single and mixed species groups of capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) housed at the Living Links to Human Evolution Research Centre in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo. These species associate in the wild, gaining foraging benefits and decreased predation. But Cebus are also predators themselves with potential risks for the smaller Saimiri. To study their living together we took scan samples at ,15,min intervals on single (n=109) and mixed species groups (n=152), and all occurrences of intraspecific aggression and interspecific interactions were recorded. We found no evidence of chronic stress and Saimiri actively chose to associate with Cebus. On 79% of scans, the two species simultaneously occupied the same part of their enclosure. No vertical displacement was observed. Interspecific interactions were common (>2.5/hr), and equally divided among mildly aggressive, neutral, and affiliative interactions such as play. Only one aggressive interaction involved physical contact and was non-injurious. Aggressive interactions were mostly (65%) displacements and vocal exchanges, initiated almost equally by Cebus and Saimiri. Modifications to the enclosure were successful in reducing these mildly aggressive interactions with affiliative interactions increasing in frequency and diversity. Our data suggest that in carefully designed, large enclosures, naturally associating monkeys are able to live harmoniously and are enriched by each other. Am. J. Primatol. 72:33,47, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of the Pneupac Ventipac portable ventilator in critically ill patientsANAESTHESIA, Issue 11 2001apparatus We assessed adequacy of ventilation in 20 critically ill patients with multiple organ failure using a Pneupac Ventipac portable ventilator and the effects on patients' haemodynamic stability. Baseline data were recorded over 15 min for a range of respiratory, haemodynamic and oxygen transport variables during ventilation with a standard intensive care ventilator (Engström Erica). Patients were then ventilated for 40 min using the portable ventilator. Finally, they were ventilated for a further 40 min using the standard intensive care ventilator. Heart rate, arterial and pulmonary artery pressures were recorded at 5-min intervals throughout the study period. Cardiac index and other haemodynamic data derived from a pulmonary artery catheter were recorded at 20-min intervals. Blood gas analysis was performed and oxygen transport data (oxygen delivery, oxygen consumption and physiological shunt) were calculated at the end of each of the three periods of ventilation. In general, no significant adverse effects of ventilation using the portable ventilator were observed for any of the variables studied. Arterial Po2 increased significantly during ventilation with the portable ventilator, reflecting the use of a higher inspired oxygen fraction during this part of the study. Oxygen consumption decreased significantly in one patient during ventilation by the portable ventilator although none of the other variables measured in this patient was altered. We conclude that ventilation of critically ill patients using the Pneupac Ventipac portable ventilator was safe, satisfactory and associated with minimal adverse effects on respiratory, haemodynamic and oxygen transport variables. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||