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PubMed1996

Environment, social interaction, and physical activity as determinants of functional outcome after cerebral infarction in the rat.

Rats housed in an enriched environment allowing both social interaction and physical activity improve more than rats housed in standard laboratory cages after focal brain ischemia. To determine the relative importance of social and physical activity, rats that sustained ligation of the middle cerebral artery were kept in an enriched environment with opportunities for various activities (group A), housed together in the same size of cage as group A but with no activity-stimulating equipment (group B), or housed in individual cages with a running wheel (group C). There was no significant difference in infarct size between the groups. Limb placement, climbing, balance on an inclined plane, and ability to traverse a beam and a rotating pole were repeatedly tested 2-13 weeks after the operation. During the entire postoperative period, group A performed significantly better than group C in all tests and better than group B on the rotating pole. With time they also performed significantly better than group B in limb placement, climbing, and on the inclined plane. Group B performed significantly better than group C on the inclined plane and in climbing at all times, and by 13 weeks also in the limb placement test and on the beam. Thus, social interaction was superior to wheel-running but an enriched environment allowing free physical activity combined with social interaction resulted in the best performance.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2001

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum in mycosed cadavers of Schistocerca gregaria.

The effects of relative humidity (RH) and temperature on the sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum on mycosed cadavers of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, were assessed in the laboratory. Quantitative assessments of conidial production over 10 days under constant conditions showed that sporulation was optimized at RH > 96% and at temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees C. Under both these conditions >10(9) conidia/cadaver were produced. At 25 degrees C, conidial yield was maximized under conditions in which cadavers remained in contact with damp substrate. Relatively little sporulation occurred at 15 degrees C (< 3 x 10(7) conidia/cadaver) and 40 degrees C (< 4 x 10(6) conidia/cadaver) and no sporulation occurred at 10 or 45 degrees C. Following incubation, conidial yield was closely related to the water content of locust cadavers. In separate tests, locust cadavers were incubated for 10 days under diurnally fluctuating temperature and RH that comprised favorable (25 degrees C/100% RH) alternating with unfavorable (40 degrees C/80% RH) conditions for sporulation. In this case, fewer conidia were produced compared with cadavers that were incubated under the favorable conditions for an equal period cumulatively but were not periodically exposed to unfavorable conditions. However, this reduced sporulation observed with the fluctuating condition was not observed when cadavers were similarly incubated under favorable/unfavorable conditions of temperature but were not periodically exposed to the low RH condition. This result implies that sporulation is a dynamic process, dependent not only on periodic exposure to favorable RH but also on the interrelation of this with low RH. Associated tests and the monitoring of changes in cadaver weights imply that the mechanism driving the reduced sporulation under fluctuating RH is the net water balance of cadavers, i.e. the cumulative ability of the fungus/cadaver to adsorb water necessary for sporulation at high RH is restricted by water loss associated with intermittent exposure to a low RH. The duration of daily exposure to high humidity appears to be a crucial constraint to the recycling ability of M. anisopliae var. acridum.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Sodium arsenite inhibits terminal differentiation of murine C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes.

Cancer represents an imbalance between cell proliferation and differentiation, two processes that are coordinately and antagonistically regulated. Aberrant cell proliferation is considered to be an important etiological factor in the development of arsenic-induced cancer, suggesting that arsenic also dysregulates differentiation. Based on evidence that arsenic modulates mitogenic events that antagonize the process of differentiation, this study addresses the hypothesis that sodium arsenite inhibits insulin/dexamethasone-induced differentiation of C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes; it was further postulated that arsenic-treated cells retain mitogenic responsiveness under differentiating conditions. To test this hypothesis, the differentiation capacity of C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes was examined in control cells and cells treated with sodium arsenite. Differentiation was assessed morphologically and quantified by Oil Red-O staining of accumulated lipids. The effect of long-term arsenic exposure on mitogenic competence was quantified by flow cytometry, [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, and cell counting under conditions favorable for adipocyte differentiation. Results indicate that arsenic inhibits morphological differentiation of wild-type C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes. Short-term arsenic exposure inhibits differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, with arsenic concentrations > or = 3 microM producing a significant inhibition of dexamethasone/insulin-induced lipid accumulation. Furthermore, arsenic-treated cells exhibit an accentuated response to mitogenic stimulation under differentiating conditions. These data suggest that arsenic exposure results in the inhibition of cellular programming required for terminal differentiation of C3H 10T1/2 preadipocytes and that cells acquire mitogenic hyperresponsiveness. The ability of arsenic to dysregulate the balance between proliferation and differentiation is proposed to be one mechanism by which this metalloid causes cancer in humans.

Adipocytes↗

PubMed1997

Soluble fiber and energy regulation. Current knowledge and future directions.

Soluble dietary fiber is a potentially important factor determining our ability to maintain a stable energy balance and avoid obesity. However, clinical metabolic investigations have given conflicting results on the effects of soluble fiber on energy regulation, perhaps for the reasons that a) other dietary components that affect energy regulation have not always be controlled adequately and b) in the past it has been hard to ensure that subjects are consistently compliant with the dietary requirements of soluble fiber protocols. The recent development of techniques for assessing dietary compliance in metabolic studies, combined with increased control of non-fiber dietary variables that influence energy intake, should help ensure more consistent findings in future investigations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Patterns of dynamic irradiance affect the photosynthetic capacity and growth of dipterocarp tree seedlings.

In the deeply shaded understorey of S.E. Asian rain forests the growth and survival of dipterocarp seedlings is limited by their ability to maintain a positive carbon balance. Photosynthesis during sunflecks is an important component of carbon gain in understorey plants. To test the sensitivity of photosynthesis and growth to variation in the pattern of dynamic irradiance, dipterocarp tree seedlings (Shorea leprosula and Hopea nervosa) were grown for 370 days under shaded forest light treatments of equal total daily photosynthetic photon flux density (approximately 3.3 mol m(-2) day(-1)), but characterised by either long flecks (LF) or short flecks (SF). Seedling growth was more than 4-fold greater under LF, compared with SF, in both species. Variation in the relative growth rates (RGR) and light saturated rates of photosynthesis (A(max)) were strongly positively correlated with the mean duration of sunflecks. Variation in RGR was strongly correlated with greater unit leaf rate growth, indicating that photosynthetic carbon gain per unit leaf area was greater under LF. The accumulation of starch in leaves over the diurnal period was 117% greater in both species under LF, compared with SF. Greater carbon gain in seedlings under LF is likely to have resulted from the combination of (1) greater A(max) (S. leprosula 35%, H. nervosa 40%), (2) more efficient dynamic photosynthesis, and (3) greater incident photosynthetic quantum yield, compared with seedlings receiving the SF irradiance treatment. The pattern of dynamic irradiance received by seedlings may significantly impact their growth and survival to a previously unrecognised extent, with important consequences for regeneration processes and hence forest structure and composition.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1976

Inotropic agents and infarct size. Theoretical and practical considerations.

Recent data demonstrating the ability of interventions that alter the balance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply to affect infarct size are reviewed. The effects of inotropic agents on the determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary blood flow are discussed relative to the potential of these drugs to decrease or increase infarct size in the experimental animal and in man. The applicability of the animal data to the clinical situation is discussed and, on the basis of these considerations, guidelines are presented for the use of inotropic agents in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1986

Measurement of oxygen tension in the ischemic myocardium using encased polargraphic oxygen electrodes.

The ability to continuously monitor the delicate balance between blood flow and oxygen consumption would be a great asset in the study of myocardial ischemia. The present study was performed, in anesthetized dogs, to validate the use of encased polargraphic oxygen electrodes in the study of myocardial ischemia. Polargraphic oxygen electrodes were placed in the area to be rendered ischemic at fixed tissue depths of 3 mm (epicardium) and 9 mm (endocardium). Endocardial and epicardial oxygen tensions as well as the ratio of endocardial to epicardial oxygen tension and left circumflex coronary flow were monitored. Ischemia was induced by decreasing left circumflex coronary flow by 50%. Upon completion of a 20-min poststenotic period, endocardial pO2, endocardial/epicardial ratio, and coronary flow were significantly decreased (59 +/- 7, 52 +/- 7, and 55 +/- 4%, respectively) whereas epicardial pO2 was slightly decreased. Nitroglycerin (10 micrograms/kg, i.v.) markedly increased endocardial pO2 and endocardial/epicardial ratio above poststenotic control (13 +/- 5 mmHg and 64 +/- 10%, respectively) whereas epicardial pO2 was not significantly decreased. The increases in endocardial pO2 occurred at a point where coronary flow and mean arterial pressure were not significantly changed. Conversely, dipyridamole (125 micrograms/kg, i.v.) significantly increased coronary flow (26 +/- 2 ml/min/100 g) although it did not appreciably alter endocardial or epicardial pO2. It is concluded that encased polargraphic oxygen electrodes provide a quantitative method for determination of oxygen tension in the ischemic myocardium.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

High, usual and impaired functioning in community-dwelling older men and women: findings from the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Aging.

The objective of this study is to determine the range of complex physical and cognitive abilities of older men and women functioning at high, medium and impaired ranges and to determine the psychosocial and physiological conditions that discriminate those in the high functioning group from those functioning at middle or impaired ranges. The subjects for this study were drawn from men and women aged 70-79 from 3 Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (EPESE) programs in East Boston MA, New Haven CT, and Durham County NC screened on the basis of criteria of physical and cognitive function. In 1988, 4030 men and women were screened as part of their annual EPESE interview. 1192 men and women met criteria for "high functioning". Age and sex-matched subjects were selected to represent the medium (n = 80) and low (n = 82) functioning groups. Physical and cognitive functioning was assessed from performance-based examinations and self-reported abilities. Physical function measures focused on balance, gait, and upper body strength. Cognitive exams assessed memory, language, abstraction, and praxis. Significant differences for every performance-based examination of physical and cognitive function were observed across functioning groups. Low functioning subjects were almost 3 times as likely to have an income of < or = $5000 compared to the high functioning group. They were less likely to have completed high school. High functioning subjects smoked cigarettes less and exercised more than others. They had higher levels of DHEA-S and peak expiratory flow rate. High functioning elders were more likely to engage in volunteer activities and score higher on scales of self-efficacy, mastery and report fewer psychiatric symptoms.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Effectiveness of moderate green tea consumption on antioxidative status and plasma lipid profile in humans.

The antioxidant activity of green tea (GT) has been extensively studied; however, the results obtained from dietary intervention studies are controversial. In the present study we investigated the effect of the addition of two cups of GT (containing approximately 250 mg of total catechins) to a controlled diet in a group of healthy volunteers with respect to a group following the same controlled diet but not consuming GT. Antioxidant status and lipid profile in plasma, the resistance from oxidative damage to lipid and DNA, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in isolated lymphocytes were measured at the beginning and the end of the trial. After 42 days, consumption of GT caused a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant activity [from 1.79 to 1.98 micromol Trolox equivalent (TE)/ml, P<.001], significant decreases in plasma peroxides level (from 412 to 288 Carr U, P<.05) and induced DNA oxidative damage in lymphocytes (from 14.2% to 10.1% of DNA in tail, P<.05), a moderate although significant decrease in LDL cholesterol (from 119.9 to 106.6 mg/dL, P<.05) with respect to control. The present study suggests the ability of GT, consumed within a balanced controlled diet, to improve overall the antioxidative status and to protect against oxidative damage in humans.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Synthesis of complement proteins in the human chorion is differentially regulated by cytokines.

The aim of the current paper was to determine the chorion's contribution to complement synthesis in the placenta and its regulation by cytokines. Biosynthetic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation with polyclonal antibodies was performed in chorionic tissue and chorion-derived cells. Eight complement proteins, factor B, C3, C1r, C1s, C1 inhibitor, factor H, C4 and C2 were detected in chorionic tissue and were secreted extracellularly. In chorion-derived cells, IL-1beta stimulated factor B synthesis but had no effect on C1r, C1 inhibitor, C1s, factor H and C4. TNFalpha had no stimulative effect on any of the complement proteins tested. In contrast, both IL-1beta and TNFalpha highly induced IL-6 secretion in chorion-derived cells, demonstrating the overall responsiveness of these cells to these stimuli. Interestingly, IFN-gamma increased the synthesis of C1s, C1r, C1 inhibitor, C4 and factor H in chorion-derived cells. The fact that the latter two complement proteins have opposing effects on immune activation of the complement cascade demonstrates the complex balance required to both maintain an ability to ward off infections but simultaneously suppress the immune response to enable tolerance of the allograft fetus.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1996

Canal transportation caused by a new instrumentation technique and three standard techniques.

The ability of three different enlarging techniques (balanced force concept, step-back, and recapitulation) and a prototype system to maintain the original canal path during root canal preparation were compared, in vitro, with a theoretical ideally prepared root canal. Measurements were made at the concave and convex sides of the canal at four different levels (1, 4, 5, and 7 mm from apical, respectively). Simulated root canals embedded in clear casting resin and an enlarging computer-supported device were used for this study. The results showed that none of the enlarging techniques used in this study was able to prepare a canal ideally. The prototype system, at level 1, showed an ideal amount of material removed from the concave side and less, in comparison with the other techniques, from the convex side of the canals. The same tendencies persisted at all levels, with the exception of the level 4 concave side.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

PubMed1995

Aphysiologic performance on dynamic posturography.

The remarkable ability of the body to maintain balance is the result of central nervous system integration of sophisticated inputs from the vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems. Strategies by patients with balance dysfunction are aphysiologic when their performance is relatively better on more difficult conditions of sensory conflict than on easier ones. Twenty-two aphysiologic patterns on computerized dynamic posturography were compared with age-matched normal and vestibular patterns. The aphysiologic group performed significantly better than the patients in the vestibular dysfunction group on the most difficult subtests of computerized dynamic posturography, conditions 5 and 6, yet significantly poorer on the easier subtests, conditions 1 through 4. In addition, patients in the aphysiologic group tended to show greater intertrial variability compared with patients in both normal and vestibular system dysfunction groups. A stepwise linear discriminant analysis was used to determine a set of conditions that had significant value in discriminating between the three patient groups. Case studies are presented to further illustrate the clinical usefulness of computerized dynamic posturography testing in the evaluation of patients suspected of having a functional component to their on-feet balance problems.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Physiological principles of vestibular function on earth and in space.

Physiological mechanisms underlying vestibular function have important implications for our ability to understand, predict, and modify balance processes during and after spaceflight. The microgravity environment of space provides many unique opportunities for studying the effects of changes in gravitoinertial force on structure and function of the vestibular system. Investigations of basic vestibular physiology and of changes in reflexes occurring as a consequence of exposure to microgravity have important implications for diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders in human beings. This report reviews physiological principles underlying control of vestibular processes on earth and in space. Information is presented from a functional perspective with emphasis on signals arising from labyrinthine receptors. Changes induced by microgravity in linear acceleration detected by the vestibulo-ocular reflexes. Alterations of the functional requirements for postural control in space are described. Areas of direct correlation between studies of vestibular reflexes in microgravity and vestibular disorders in human beings are discussed.

Acceleration↗

PubMed2000

Injuries and special concerns of female figure skaters.

Figure skaters are often young athletes involved in an extremely stressful, structured environment that is focused solely on skating. These athletes are at risk for a multitude of psychologic concerns, including poor communication skills, performance anxiety, stress, and family issues. Helping athletes develop self-awareness, techniques to control stress and anxiety, motivational strategies, ability to maintain concentration, and emotional balance is best done with the guidance of a sports-trained counseling professional. Communication among the athlete, parents, and coaches is extremely important. Often, coaches tell the athlete how and what to feel, and the athlete falls into a routine of trying to please coaches and parents instead of developing her own persona. The communication between pairs skaters and ice dancers is integral to their success. Excellent interpersonal skills among members of pair teams are advantageous in creating a lasting relationship. Honesty, respect, clarity, consistency, and sincerity are essential components of outstanding teammates and should be cultivated. On the other hand, sarcasm, disrespect, castigation, and ridicule should be addressed immediately and should be discouraged strongly.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed2001

Maternal leptin is elevated during pregnancy in sheep.

Maternal plasma leptin is elevated during pregnancy in several species, but it is unclear to what extent this elevation reflects changes in adiposity or energy balance. Therefore, Karakul ewes (n = 8) were fed to minimize changes in maternal energy status over the pregnancy-lactation cycle. They were studied 20-40 d before breeding and during mid pregnancy (d 50-60 post coitus [PC]), late pregnancy (d 125-135 PC) and early lactation (d 15-22 post partum). Consistent with the maintenance of near energy equilibrium in nongravid maternal tissues, maternal body weight was increased only during late pregnancy when the weight of the conceptus became significant and plasma concentrations of insulin, NEFA and glucose did not vary with physiological state. In contrast, maternal plasma leptin concentration rose from 5.3 to 9.5 ng/mL between prebreeding and mid pregnancy and then declined progressively through late pregnancy and early lactation. Leptin gene expression increased 2.3 fold in maternal white adipose tissue (WAT) from prebreeding to mid pregnancy and declined to prebreeding levels during early lactation. To determine whether tissue response to insulin was involved in this effect, insulin tolerance tests were performed. The maternal plasma glucose response declined from prebreeding to early lactation, but was not correlated with either plasma leptin concentration or WAT leptin mRNA abundance. In conclusion, pregnancy causes an increase in the synthesis of leptin in sheep. This stimulation does not require increases in adiposity or energy balance and is unrelated to the ability of insulin to promote glucose utilization.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diflubenzuron stimulates phosphorylation of a 39 kDa integumental protein from newly molted American cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

We identified a 39 kilodalton (kDa) protein from newly molted American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), isolated from a 100,000 g precipitate of a 1000 g supernatant from an integument homogenate, which exhibited increased phosphorylation following diflubenzuron (DFB) treatment. This 39 kDa phosphoprotein was partially purified from an intracellular membrane vesicle containing fractions obtained by discontinuous sucrose density centrifugation. Both the interfaces of the 30/40% and 40/50% sucrose density layers were found to be enriched in the 39 kDa phosphoprotein. Treatments with various chemicals such as the ionophores valinomycin and A23187, the protonophore carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP), and the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase inhibitor N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), like DFB, were also found to stimulate phosphorylation of 39 kDa protein. These results suggest that by disrupting the normal pH gradient occurring in certain acidic vacuolar-type membrane vesicles, phosphorylation of the 39 kDa protein will be increased. In addition, we found that by decreasing the external pH to 5.0 from about neutral, it was possible to stimulate the phosphorylation activity of this particular protein, and thus stimulate the action of DFB. We concluded the DFB's action is very probably related to its ability to disrupt the normal ionic balance of these vacuolar-type vesicles, leading to eventual disruption of the proton gradient within the vesicles.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed2003

Pilot-scale demonstration of cyclodextrin as a solubility-enhancement agent for remediation of a tetrachloroethene-contaminated aquifer.

The limitations associated with conventional pump and treat technology have generated interest in using enhanced in-situ flushing as an alternative for remediating source zones contaminated with immiscible liquid. This research investigates the effectiveness of cyclodextrin as a solubility-enhancement agent to enhance the removal of tetrachloroethene (PCE) from a physically isolated section of an aquifer. An important component of this project was the implementation of reagent recovery and reuse. This field experiment presented the rare opportunity, under strict regulatory guidance, to inject PCE into the surficial aquifer cell created with two sets of sheet piles driven into an underlying clay unit. The well-controlled conditions specific to this experiment allowed quantification of mass balances, which is problematic for many contaminated field sites. The fact that mass balances can be obtained provides the ability to determine remediation effectiveness with unusual accuracy for a field project. The saturated zone within the test cell was flushed with a 15 wt % cyclodextrin solution. The cyclodextrin solution increased the aqueous concentration of PCE in the extraction-well effluent to as much as 22 times the concentrations obtained during the water flush conducted prior to the complexing sugar flush (CSF). The seven pore-volume CSF removed the equivalent of approximately 33 L of PCE from the subsurface. This equates to 48% of the total initial mass, based on the volume of PCE present prior to the CSF (68.6 L). Conversely, the seven pore-volume water flush conducted prior to the CSF removed the equivalent of 2.7 L of PCE. The use of cyclodextrin as a flushing agent, especially in a recycling configuration, appears to hold promise for successful remediation of chlorinated-solvent-contaminated source zones.

Aluminum Silicates↗

PubMed1976

An enzyme isolated from arteries transforms prostaglandin endoperoxides to an unstable substance that inhibits platelet aggregation.

Microsomes prepared from rabbit or pig aortas transformed endoperoxides (PGG2 or PGH2) to an unstable substance (PGX) that inhibited human platelet aggregation. PGX was 30 times more potent in this respect than prostaglandin E1. PGX contracted some gastrointestinal smooth muscle and relaxed certain isolated blood vessels. Prostaglandin endoperoxides cause platelet aggregation possibly through the generation by platelets of thromboxane A2. Generation of PGX by vessel walls could be the biochemical mechanism underlying their unique ability to resist platelet adhesion. A balance between formation of anti- and pro-aggregatory substances by enzymes could also contribute to the maintenance of the integrity of vascular endothelium and explain the mechanism of formation of intra-arterial thrombi in certain physiopathological conditions.

Animals↗