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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Adaptation to chronic length change in explanted airway smooth muscle.

It has been shown that airway smooth muscle in vitro is able to maintain active force over a large length range by adaptation in the absence of periodic stimulations at 4 degrees C (Wang L, Paré PD, and Seow CY. J Appl Physiol 90: 734-740, 2001). In this study, we show that such adaptation also takes place at body temperature and that long-term adaptation results in irreversible functional change in the muscle that could lead to airway hyperresponsiveness. Rabbit tracheal muscle explants were passively maintained at shortened and in situ length for 3 and 7-8 days in culture media; the length-tension relationship was then examined. The length associated with maximal force generation decreased by 10.5 +/- 3.8% (SE) after 3 days and 37.7 +/- 8.5% after 7 or 8 days of passive shortening. At day 3, the left shift in the length-tension curve due to adaptation at short lengths was reversible by readapting the muscle at a longer length. The shift was, however, not completely reversible after 7 days. The results suggest that long-term adaptation of airway smooth muscle could lead to increased muscle stiffness and force-generating ability at short lengths. Under in vivo condition, this could translate into resistance to stretch-induced relaxation and excessive airway narrowing.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2003

An adaptive metabolic demand model for protein and amino acid requirements.

The shortcomings of the metabolic implications of the current protein requirements model are reviewed, and an alternative model, validated with [1-(13)C]leucine balance results in human adults, is presented and evaluated in the context of defining protein requirements. The model identifies metabolic demands for amino acids as comprising a small fixed component and a variable adaptive component that is relatively insensitive to acute food or protein intake, but which changes slowly with a sustained change in intake, enabling N equilibrium to be achieved. The model accounts for the apparent low efficiency of utilisation of animal proteins in N balance studies and enables more realistic efficiency values to be measured within an experimental framework that takes account of the adaptive metabolic demand. However, the complex relationship between the adaptive metabolic demand and habitual level and quality of protein intake prevents prediction of protein quality by amino acid scoring, which can markedly underestimate actual values. In contrast to the current model, for fully adapted individuals risk of deficiency (i.e. negative N balance after complete adaptation) will only start to increase when intakes fall below the range of the true minimum requirements, i.e. a value that is currently unknown, but likely to be between 0.40 and 0.50 g/kg per d at the lower end of the reported distribution of requirements. At intakes greater than this with additional metabolic demands varying directly with intake, deficiency is only likely as a short-term response to a change to a lower intake within the adaptive range. Thus, for adults satisfying energy needs on most mixed human diets, intakes will be within the adaptive range, and N equilibrium ceases to be a useful indicator of nutritional adequacy of protein. In the context of prescriptive dietary guidelines it may be expedient to retain current values until the benefits (and any risks) of protein intakes within the adaptive range can be quantified. However, from a diagnostic perspective, indicators other than N balance need to be identified, since maintenance of N balance can no longer be used as a surrogate of adequate protein-related health.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Orientation and movement in unusual force environments.

A manned space mission to Mars might take as long as 1 year each way. Consequently, artificial gravity is being considered as a way of preventing the debilitating effects of long-duration exposure to microgravity on the human body. The present article discusses some of the problems associated with adapting to the rotation levels that might be used to generate artificial gravity. It also describes how exposure to background-force levels greater or less than the 1-G force of Earth gravity affects orientation and movement control. The primary emphasis of the article is that human movement and orientation control are dynamically adapted to the 1-G force background of Earth and that accommodation to altered force levels or to rotating environments requires a wide range of adaptive changes.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1966

The separation of cone mechanisms in dark adaptation.

1. In dark adaptation the threshold is raised as though the bleaching of visual pigment generated an equivalent background. Now Stiles has shown that real coloured backgrounds act selectively upon the various colour mechanisms, so we ask: ;Do equivalent backgrounds from coloured bleachings also act selectively?'2. When dark adaptation was plotted using a blue test flash (Fig. 1b) following bleaching by orange light a kinked curve was obtained. The upper branch was shown to have the same dark adapted threshold as Stiles blue (pi(1)) mechanism and the lower branch as his green (pi(4)) mechanism. The pi(4) dark adaptation curve alone (unkinked) was obtained using a white instead of an orange bleach.3. Dark adaptation curves were obtained in which the test flash was presented upon various steady backgrounds. In conditions where only pi(4) was involved (Fig. 3) the experimental results fitted the curves calculated on the assumption that the equivalent background of bleaching simply adds to the real background in raising the threshold-a condition already established for rods.4. In conditions where pi(4) and pi(1) were both present (blue test, yellow-green background and white bleach) kinked dark adaptation curves were obtained (Fig. 2) where the upper branch (pi(4)) coincided with those of Fig. 3 and the lower were due to pi(1).5. The blue mechanism recovers in dark adaptation at about the same rate as red and green, or slightly slower.6. Dark adaptation curves with red (pi(5)) and green (pi(4)) limbs can be obtained after a deep red bleach (Fig. 4) using a red test flash and a green background. The red and the green limbs were also plotted alone in their entirety by slightly changing the conditions.7. We are led to the idea of three colour mechanisms that adapt as independently one of another after bleaching as they do with backgrounds.8. Though this simple independence accounts for the wide and conspicuous range of adaptive phenomena, we have encountered some special conditions (not here described) that seem to imply a measure of interaction between the different colour mechanisms.

Adaptation, Ocular↗
PubMed1997

The natural history of amphibian skin secretions, their normal functioning and potential medical applications.

Amphibians occupy a wide range of habitat types from arid deserts to deep freshwater lakes; they may spend most of their life underground or high in cloud forest canopy. Some are found north of the Arctic Circle and can tolerate freezing conditions, while others have evolved a range of adaptations to avoid desiccation in some of the hotter areas of the world. The skin plays key roles in the everyday survival of amphibians and their ability to exploit a wide range of habitats and ecological conditions. The normal functions of the skin are surveyed and Eisner's biorational approach to chemical prospecting--seeking clues from an animal's behaviour and its interactions with its environment to reveal the presence of chemical compounds with potential medical or veterinary applications--is applied to amphibians. The biology and natural history of amphibian skin, its glands and their secretions are briefly reviewed. Four categories of compounds are found in the granular or poison glands, these are: biogenic amines, bufodienolides (bufogenins), alkaloids and steroids, peptides and proteins. Toads, particularly members of the genus Bufo, are identified as a particularly convenient and useful source of granular gland secretions. The potential medical-pharmaceutical significance of products derived from amphibian skin secretions is discussed. The need for a humane approach to this work is noted.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1998

Molecular adaptations in psychrophilic bacteria: potential for biotechnological applications.

Bacteria which live in cold conditions are known as psychrophiles. Since so much of our planet is generally cold, i.e. below 5 degrees C, it is not surprising that they are very common amongst a wide variety of habitats. To enable them to survive and grow in cold environments, psychrophilic bacteria have evolved a complex range of adaptations to all of their cellular components, including their membranes, energy-generating systems, protein synthesis machinery, biodegradative enzymes and the components responsible for nutrient uptake. Whilst such a systems approach to the topic has its advantages, all of the changes can be described in terms of adaptive alterations in the proteins and lipids of the bacterial cell. The present review adopts the latter approach and, following a brief consideration of the definition of psychrophiles and description of their habitats, focuses on those adaptive changes in proteins and lipids, especially those which are either currently being explored for their biotechnological potential or might be so in the future. Such applications for proteins range from the use of cold-active enzymes in the detergent and food industries, in specific biotransformations and environmental bioremediations, to specialised uses in contact lens cleaning fluids and reducing the lactose content of milk; ice-nucleating proteins have potential uses in the manufacture of ice cream or artificial snow; for lipids, the uses include dietary supplements in the form of polyunsaturated fatty acids from some Antarctic marine psychrophiles.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1981

Intimate play and marital adaptation.

LITTLE attention has been given to the contribution of spontaneous, idiosyncratically elaborated "intimate play" to marital adjustment. This exploratory paper draws upon research and clinical interviews with married couples, ethological observations and children's play, and psychoanalytic object relations conceptions of adaptive regression. An understanding of intimate play is developed based on intrapsychic structures and interpersonal process, with several dimensions explored and illustrated in depth: its context, ritualizations, growth-potentiating aspects, and the range of adaptations it reflects. Intimate play is seen as having a role in positive bonding, communication, and conflict reduction, and more generally, as tending to stabilize a marital relationship. The clinical implications of the various phenomena associated with intimate play are also considered.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Snow skiing for the physically disabled.

The sport of snow skiing by the physically disabled, which originated in Europe in 1935 and first received attention in the United States in the 1940s, is reviewed in terms of opportunities available, instructions, adaptive equipment necessary, and benefits provided. Persons with a wide variety of disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, hemiplegia, amputation, blindness, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy) can participate. Accordingly, a wide range of adaptive equipment is available--including outrigger skis, flip-skis, canting wedges, ski bras, "toe spreaders," sit-skis, and mono-skis--to allow safe enjoyment of the sport. Programs for instruction of the disabled skier are increasing in number and popularity, and numerous opportunities are available to enter competitive events sponsored by National Handicapped Sports. Both the participants and the instructors relate the numerous physical and psychologic benefits that can be derived from skiing; the sport provides an almost universal enjoyment of the sense of freedom and independence. Snow skiing is an enjoyable, beneficial, outdoor cold-weather activity that the disabled population can safely learn with proper instruction.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2005

[Compensatory-adaptive responses of the rabbit fetuses developed under different intrauterine conditions, to noradrenaline administration].

In 9 experimental rabbit fetuses (with reduced uterine-placental blood frow), noradrenaline administration led to an obvious thermogenic response and heart rate increase, but not in intact rabbits. Obviously the noradrenaline dosage corresponds to the range of adaptive capacities of the functional systems in intact fetuses and so does not induce any shifts of the homeostasis parameters in them. The experimental fetuses prove to be more vulnerable to stresses, and homeostasis parameter shifts in them are statistically significant.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2003

Base compositions of genes encoding alpha-actin and lactate dehydrogenase-A from differently adapted vertebrates show no temperature-adaptive variation in G + C content.

There is a long-standing debate in molecular evolution concerning the putative importance of GC content in adapting the thermal stabilities of DNA and RNA. Most studies of this relationship have examined broad-scale compositional patterns, for example, total GC percentages in genomes and occurrence of GC-rich isochores. Few studies have systematically examined the GC contents of individual orthologous genes from differently thermally adapted species. When this has been done, the emphasis has been on comparing large numbers of genes in only a few species. We have approached the GC-adaptation temperature hypothesis in a different manner by examining patterns of base composition of genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase-A (ldh-a) and alpha-actin (alpha-actin) from 51 species of vertebrates whose adaptation temperatures ranged from -1.86 degrees C (Antarctic fishes) to approximately 45 degrees C (desert reptile). No significant positive correlation was found between any index of GC content (GC content of the entire sequence, GC content of the third codon position [GC(3)], and GC content at fourfold degenerate sites [GC(4)]) and any index of adaptation temperature (maximal, mean, or minimal body temperature). For alpha-actin, slopes of regression lines for all comparisons did not differ significantly from zero. For ldh-a, negative correlations between adaptation temperature and total GC content, GC(3), and GC(4) were observed but were shown to be due entirely to phylogenetic influences (as revealed by independent contrast analyses). This comparison of GC content across a wide range of ectothermic ("cold-blooded") and endothermic ("warm-blooded") vertebrates revealed that frogs of the genus Xenopus, which have commonly been used as a representative cold-blooded species, in fact are outliers among ectotherms for the alpha-actin analyses, raising concern about the appropriateness of choosing these amphibians as representative of ectothermic vertebrates in general. Our study indicates that, whereas GC contents of isochores may show variation among different classes of vertebrates, there is no consistent relationship between adaptation temperature and the percentage of thermal stability-enhancing G + C base pairs in protein-coding genes.

Actins↗
PubMed2002

Community outreach: a call for community action.

For a variety of reasons, end-stage renal disease disproportionately affects minority populations. Factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural differences, and genetic variations, are all involved. In addition, there are often real and perceived barriers for these patient groups in fully accessing the healthcare system. Thus, there is a real need for the development of specific outreach programs that target these high-risk communities. In developing such programs, it is important to realize that there is not a homogeneous 'ethnic community', but rather, like any large demographic grouping, a diverse population. These differing communities will all have different requirements and needs and, thus, outreach programs need to be wide-ranging and adapted for individual, local communities, to ensure that all target audiences are reached. The core aims for these outreach programs must be raising disease awareness and education among minority patients. To achieve this goal, a wide range of organizations need to be actively involved, including national and--importantly--local, community-based patient organizations, and hospital management corporations, as well as local radio and television companies to advertise the outreach initiatives. However, any outreach campaign will need to be combined with policy changes and further research into kidney disease among minority groups if real improvements in outcomes are to be achieved.

Community-Institutional Relations↗
PubMed2001

Kinetics of aerobic cometabolism of chlorinated solvents.

The objectives of this paper are to review the wide range of kinetic models that have been introduced to describe the cometabolic oxidation of chlorinated solvents, to compare modeling approaches and associated experimental data, and to discuss knowledge gaps in the general topic of cometabolism kinetics. To begin, a brief description of the mechanism of oxygenase enzyme metabolism and its qualitative effects on cometabolic degradation kinetics is given. Next, a variety of kinetic expressions that have been used to describe cometabolism, ranging from adaptations of simple metabolic relationships to the development of complex equations that account for intracellular concentrations of key reaction species, are presented. A large number of kinetic coefficients published for a variety of oxygenase populations degrading a broad range of chlorinated solvents are categorized and compared. The discussion section of the paper contains an exploration of knowledge gaps that exist in our understanding of the kinetics of aerobic chlorinated solvent cometabolism. Specific topics covered include: the use of half saturation constants (Ksc and Ksg) as estimates for inhibition constants (Kisc and Kisg) in saturation modeling expressions, the specific nature of chlorinated solvent induced product toxicity and the capability for cells to recover from toxic effects, and methods for incorporating reducing energy limitations into cometabolism models. Finally, the applicability of the broad range of kinetic modeling approaches to scale-up and field applications for in situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents is discussed.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of amplified spontaneous pattern ventilation in postoperative patients. Comparison with pressure support].

HYPOTHESIS: Amplified spontaneous pattern (ASP) ventilation is a new method for giving partial support by reproducing, in an amplified manner, the patients' own spontaneous flow wave form, thereby optimizing patient adaptation to support. OBJECTIVES: To study clinical use of ASP ventilation for the first time in terms of flow wave form, patient synchronization, ventilation pattern, work of breathing (WOB), and inspiratory effort by transpulmonary pressure (TPP) and to compare ASP and pressure support ventilation applied in a similar clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We studied 20 patients after heart surgery during weaning from controlled ventilation. Each patient was ventilated during 4 phases of 15 min each with two similar levels of support using ASP and PS applied successively and randomly. Maximum support (ASPmax and PSmax) was that which was set to give the same respiratory frequency (F) and tidal volume (VT) as that recorded during the earlier period of controlled ventilation. Half support (PEA1/2 and PS1/2) was set for half the aforementioned levels. At the end of each phase we obtained gas measurements and flow (V) curves and VT and pressure in airways and esophagus (Pes) to measure F, VT, the ratio of inspiratory to total time (TI/TTOT and TPP, as well as the VT/Pes loop with a mechanical ventilation monitor. The WOB was determined by measuring area under the curve (Campbell's method). RESULTS: We observed no significant differences between the two modes, with similar levels of support, with regard to ventilation (PaCO2) or ventilatory pattern (F, VT, TI/TTOT). De-adaptation occurred, however, eight times with PS (25%) but never with ASP. WOB and TPP decreased with PS when level of support increased, whereas with ASP these variables were constant regardless of level of amplification within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Adaptation to support is better with ASP than with PS during postoperative weaning and causes no significant respiratory work overload.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1991

Adaptation to vestibular disturbances: some clinical implications.

A knowledge of the mechanisms used in adaptation to vestibular lesions is important for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Here we discuss commonly encountered circumstances--habitual wearing of spectacles, unilateral or bilateral labyrinthine dysfunction--that call for adaptation. The context specificity of vestibular adaptation is emphasized because of its crucial role in designing programs of physical therapy. The pharmacological manipulation of plasticity, either purposeful facilitation, or inadvertent retardation, is an area of current investigation of direct clinical importance. Finally, the wide range of adaptive responses and strategies available to participate in the compensatory process is emphasized, so that they can be marshalled together to optimize vision and balance.

Adaptation, Ocular↗
PubMed1987

Development of an agar phantom adaptable for simulation of various tissues in the range 5-40 MHz.

A phantom, electrically adaptable for simulation of various tissues, was developed using agar as the jelly. This phantom has the following features: the dielectric property is specified in the range 5-40 MHz, the conductivity can be varied between 0.02 and 1.23 S m-1, the permittivity can be varied between 35 and 80, preparation and handling are readily facilitated; the original shape is retained for over one year, and it is free from deterioration caused by mould for at least one year.

Agar↗
PubMed1999

Adaptation of 2f1-2f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission in young-adult and old CBA and C57 mice.

The phenomenon of efferent-mediated adaptation of 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was investigated in two strains (CBA/JNia and C57BL/6JNia) of mice of various ages using stimuli presented monaurally or binaurally. The present study demonstrated the existence of the DPOAE adaptation phenomenon in mice analogous to that previously reported in cats. The present data were fitted with one- or two-exponential functions. With a one-exponential fit in 2-month old mice, the adaptation magnitude ranged from 0 to 4 dB with the average value of 0.5 to 1.6 dB and the average time constant was 0.5 to 2.3 s. With a two-exponential fit, the shorter time constant was 0.3 to 1.7 s. The adaptation magnitude and time constant were similar between the monaural and binaural stimulations. We observed that there was a statistically significant decrease of adaptation magnitude in older CBA mice with age-related hearing loss when compared with young adult mice. The results from the young adult mice should be useful in future studies, e.g., a study of developmental changes in post-natal mice, or changes accompanying an alteration in the central auditory system arising from any etiology. We suggest that this phenomenon can be used as a tool for advancing basic knowledge of the auditory system and for assessing an impairment of the olivocochlear system, e.g., in aging.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1997

Positional changes in the mandibular condyle and amount of mouth opening after sagittal split ramus osteotomy with rigid or nonrigid osteosynthesis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate postoperative positional changes in the mandibular condyle and mouth opening in patients undergoing sagittal split ramus osteotomy with either rigid or nonrigid osteosynthesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The forty-six patients with mandibular prognathism underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular set back followed by fixation with one of four methods: circumferential wire (n = 11), lag screw technique (n = 10), positional screw technique (n = 10), or miniplates (n = 15). The changes in the condylar position were assessed by measuring the angle of the condylar long axis (the condylar angle) on submentovertex radiographs. Mouth opening was evaluated by measuring the interincisal distance immediately after the release of maxillomandibular fixation and by monitoring the duration of trismus. RESULTS: Regardless of the procedure used the condylar angle increased in most patients after surgery (80 of 92 condyles). Although the amount of increase tended to be higher with rigid osteosynthesis than with nonrigid osteosynthesis, no significant differences were observed among the groups. Mouth opening was not significantly influenced by the type of osteosynthesis, and no patient complained of limitation 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although inward rotation of the condyle frequently occurs after osteosynthesis regardless of the procedure used, the changes in condylar position are within the range of adaptability of the patient.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation of a noise reduction system for the assessment of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions.

A recently proposed noise reduction system intended to facilitate the assessment of click-evoked otoacoustic emission (CEOAE) in noisy environments [Comput. Biol. Med. 30, 341 (2000)] is evaluated using 13 normally hearing ears and 9 ears with a sensorineural hearing loss. The noise reduction system is based on an adaptive noise canceller design using an additional noise-only reference microphone and intended to reduce externally generated noise. The system is tested in quiet and at different levels of white noise. The three main design parameters of the noise reduction system (adaptation time constant, length of the adaptive filter, and position of the noise reference microphone) are varied systematically in different experiments. With the noise reduction system active, CEOAE can be assessed correctly at noise levels which are 5 to 9 dB higher than without the noise reduction system. For the range of adaptation time constants considered (65.6 to 656 ms), no statistically significant effect on the amount of noise reduction is observed. Noise reduction is highest when the reference microphone is positioned close to the ear probe. Using this reference microphone position and adaptive filters of 6.56 ms in length, average noise reductions of 7.17 to 8.50 dB are achieved.

Acoustic Stimulation↗