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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Generativity in the play of young people with autism.

Examines the ability of young people with autism to generate ideas for play. Young people with autism, children with learning difficulties, and younger normal children were asked to generate 12 different actions and follow 12 instructions with a car and a doll. The young people with autism were impaired, relative to the controls, at generating original actions with the car, but were as able as the controls to follow the instructions. However, the young people with autism were not impaired at generating original actions with the doll. All three groups produced similar amounts of symbolic play. Possible explanations for the difference in results for the two toys are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

AT(2) but not AT(1) receptor antagonism abolishes angiotensin II increase of the acquisition of conditioned avoidance responses in rats.

In this study we attempted to determine behavioural, including cognitive, consequences of the brain AT(1) (losartan, 2 nmol), AT(2) (PD 123319, 1.5 nmol), and joint AT(1)/AT(2) angiotensin receptors blockade. Male Wistar rats (160-180 g) were injected into the left cerebral ventricle with the above doses of the blockers dissolved in 0.9% NaCl solution (vehicle) or with the vehicle alone. Five minutes later they received, to the right cerebral ventricle, 1 nmol of angiotensin II (Ang II) dissolved in vehicle or the vehicle alone. Ang II consistently increased rate of acquisition of conditioned avoidance response (CARs) and facilitated recall of the passive avoidance behaviour. In one out of the three series of experiments in open field Ang II stimulated rats locomotor activity. Losartan and PD 123319, both ineffective alone, given prior to Ang II abolished all the behavioural changes produced by the peptide except for the Ang II facilitation of CARs acquisition, which was unchanged by losartan. Interestingly, joint injection of losartan and PD 123319 significantly decreased the rate of CARs acquisition both in control and Ang II treated animals. In conclusion, the present data suggest significant though different involvement of both AT(1) and AT(2) angiotensin receptors in cognitive processes.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1991

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Gloucester.

Fourteen people living in or near the city of Gloucester fell ill with Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup (SG) 1 between 27 August and 27 October 1986. Another patient had fallen ill on 30 May. Nine of the 15 were diagnosed retrospectively during a case finding exercise. There were three deaths. Three cases of Pontiac fever were also diagnosed. The source was probably one or more wet cooling towers. Nineteen premises in the city with such towers were identified, and three just outside Gluocester. Samples from 11 of the 22 premises grew Legionella spp.; from nine of these L. pneumophila SG 1 (Pontiac) was isolated. The efficacy of regular addition of biocide in addition to hypochlorite added at the time of disinfection in inhibiting the growth of Legionella spp. was demonstrated. A survey of patients' movements during their likely incubation period showed that there was no single building that all patients had visited, but there were two areas of the city which nearly all had visited or passed through by car. A case-control study demonstrated an association with one of these areas. Cooling towers near both areas may have been sources but the evidence is insufficient to incriminate any single one. The unexpected finding of L. pneumophila SG 1 (Pontiac) in nine towers supports the hypothesis that there may have been multiple sources. Cooling towers may have been contaminated by mains water or by drift from other towers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Quantification of particle number emission factors for motor vehicles from on-road measurements.

The database on particle number emission factors has been very limited to date despite the increasing interest in the effects of human exposure to particles in the submicrometer range. There are also major questions on the comparability of emission factors derived through dynamometer versus on-road studies. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to quantify vehicle number emission factors in the submicrometer (and also supermicrometer) range for stop-start and free-flowing traffic at about 100 km h(-1) driving conditions through extensive road measurements and (2) to compare the emission factors from the road measurements with those obtained previously from dynamometer studies conducted in Brisbane. For submicrometer particles the average emission factors for Tora Street were estimated at (1.89 +/- 3.40) x 10(13) particles km(-1) (mean +/- standard error; n = 386) for petrol and (7.17 +/- 2.80) x 10(14) particles km(-1) (diesel; n = 196) and for supermicrometer particles at 2.59 x 10(9) particles km(-1) and 1.53 x 10(12) particles km(-1), respectively. The average number emission factors for submicrometer particles estimated for Ipswich Road (stop-start traffic mode) were (2.18 +/- 0.57) x 10(13) particles km(-1) (petrol) and (2.04 +/- 0.24) x 10(14) particles km(-1) (diesel). One implication of the conclusion that emission factors of heavy duty diesel vehicles are over 1 order of magnitude higher than emission factors of petrol-fueled passenger cars is that future control and management strategies should in particular target heavy duty vehicles, as even a moderate decrease in emissions of these vehicles would have a significant impact on lowering atmospheric concentrations of particles. The finding that particle number emissions per vehicle-km are significantly larger for higher speed vehicle operation has an important implication on urban traffic planning and optimization of vehicle speed to lower their impact on airborne pollution. Additionally, statistical analysis showed that neither the measuring method (dynamometer or on-road), nor data origin (Brisbane or elsewhere in the world), is associated with a statistically significant difference between the average values of emission factors for diesel, petrol, and vehicle fleet mix. However, statistical analyses of the effect of fuel showed that the mean values of emission factors for petrol and diesel are different at a 5% significance level.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1999

The novel Cer-like protein Caronte mediates the establishment of embryonic left-right asymmetry.

In the chick embryo, left-right asymmetric patterns of gene expression in the lateral plate mesoderm are initiated by signals located in and around Hensen's node. Here we show that Caronte (Car), a secreted protein encoded by a member of the Cerberus/Dan gene family, mediates the Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-dependent induction of left-specific genes in the lateral plate mesoderm. Car is induced by Shh and repressed by fibroblast growth factor-8 (FGF-8). Car activates the expression of Nodal by antagonizing a repressive activity of bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs). Our results define a complex network of antagonistic molecular interactions between Activin, FGF-8, Lefty-1, Nodal, BMPs and Car that cooperate to control left-right asymmetry in the chick embryo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

The problem of gender in family therapy theory.

The field of family therapy is now a continuous process like a car cruising on automatic control with the driver comfortably in the lotus position. Family therapy theory rests on normative concepts of the traditional family and idealized conceptions of family relationships. Inequalities in the family associated with gender have been regarded as of little importance to the development of macro theory in the field. The two most influential therapeutic models, psychodynamic and systemic approaches, are each marked by gender bias. The alpha prejudice of psychodynamic theories exaggerates gender differences; the beta prejudice of systemic approaches ignores them. The construction of gender role concepts has led to a false dichotomy, whether supported by traditionalists or feminists. On close examination, gender role ideals turn out to be simplifications and caricatures. The uncritical use of gender role concepts supports power differences between men and women and ignores the complexities and commonalities of human experience. The failure of family therapy theory to deal with gender issues needs to be addressed if a theory that is not just "more of the same" is to be developed.

Employment↗
PubMed1999

A case of traumatic high thoracic myelopathy presenting dissociated impairment of rostral sympathetic innervations and isolated segmental sweating on otherwise anhidrotic trunk.

A 3 year-old boy developed flaccid paraplegia, anesthesia below T3 and impaired vesical control immediately after a car accident. Three months later, the pupils and their pharmacological reactions were normal. Thermal sweating was markedly reduced on the right side of the face, neck, and shoulder and on the bilateral upper limbs, and was absent below T3 except for band like faint sweating on T7 sensory dermatome. The left side of the face, neck and shoulder showed compensatory hyperhidrosis. Facial skin temperature was higher on the sweating left side. Cervico-thoracic MRI suggested almost complete transection of the cord at the levels of T2 and T3 segments. We discussed the pathophysiology of the dissociated impairment of rostral sympathetic innervations and isolated segmental sweating on otherwise anhidrotic trunk.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1988

Effects of environmental design and police enforcement on violations of a handicapped parking ordinance.

This study presents two experiments that evaluate strategies to reduce violations of a handicapped parking ordinance. The first experiment compared effects of upright versus ground handicapped parking signs on percentage of intervals in which cars were parked illegally. Introducing upright signs produced an immediate reduction in the percentage of intervals of inappropriate use of parking spaces. The second experiment examined effects of a police enforcement program on percentage of intervals of inappropriate use of parking spaces and frequency of inappropriately parked cars. Results showed consistent reductions in percentage of intervals of inappropriate use and number of inappropriately parked cars compared with a control site where no enforcement program was introduced. Implications of the research data for law enforcement and public policy are discussed.

Architectural Accessibility↗
PubMed2005

Integrated microelectronics for smart textiles.

The combination of textile fabrics with microelectronics will lead to completely new applications, thus achieving elements of ambient intelligence. The integration of sensor or actuator networks, using fabrics with conductive fibres as a textile motherboard enable the fabrication of large active areas. In this paper we describe an integration technology for the fabrication of a "smart textile" based on a wired peer-to-peer network of microcontrollers with integrated sensors or actuators. A self-organizing and fault-tolerant architecture is accomplished which detects the physical shape of the network. Routing paths are formed for data transmission, automatically circumventing defective or missing areas. The network architecture allows the smart textiles to be produced by reel-to-reel processes, cut into arbitrary shapes subsequently and implemented in systems at low installation costs. The possible applications are manifold, ranging from alarm systems to intelligent guidance systems, passenger recognition in car seats, air conditioning control in interior lining and smart wallpaper with software-defined light switches.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

Excitation energy transfer in chlorosomes of Chlorobium phaeobacteroides strain CL1401: the role of carotenoids.

The role of carotenoids in chlorosomes of the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium phaeobacteroides, containing bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) e and the carotenoid (Car) isorenieratene as main pigments, was studied by steady-state fluorescence excitation, picosecond single-photon timing and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. In order to obtain information about energy transfer from Cars in this photosynthetic light-harvesting antenna with high spectral overlap between Cars and BChls, Car-depleted chlorosomes, obtained by inhibition of Car biosynthesis by 2-hydroxybiphenyl, were employed in a comparative study with control chlorosomes. Excitation spectra measured at room temperature give an efficiency of 60-70% for the excitation energy transfer from Cars to BChls in control chlorosomes. Femtosecond TA measurements enabled an identification of the excited state absorption band of Cars and the lifetime of their S(1) state was determined to be approximately 10 ps. Based on this lifetime, we concluded that the involvement of this state in energy transfer is unlikely. Furthermore, evidence was obtained for the presence of an ultrafast (>100 fs) energy transfer process from the S(2) state of Cars to BChls in control chlorosomes. Using two time-resolved techniques, we further found that the absence of Cars leads to overall slower decay kinetics probed within the Q(y) band of BChl e aggregates, and that two time constants are generally required to describe energy transfer from aggregated BChl e to baseplate BChl a.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Human constitutive androstane receptor mediates induction of CYP2B6 gene expression by phenytoin.

Compared with its rodent orthologs, little is known about the chemical specificity of human constitutive androstane receptor (hCAR) and its regulation of hepatic enzyme expression. Phenytoin (PHY), a widely used antiepileptic drug, is a potent inducer of CYP2B6 in primary human hepatocytes, but does not activate human pregnane X receptor (PXR) significantly in cell-based transfection assays at the same concentrations associated with potent induction of CYP2B6. Based on this observation, we hypothesized that PHY may be a selective activator of hCAR. In primary human hepatocytes, expression of CYP2B6 reporter genes containing phenobarbital-responsive enhancer module (PBREM) or PBREM/xenobiotic-responsive enhancer module (XREM) response elements were activated up to 14- and 28-fold, respectively, by 50 microm PHY. By contrast, parallel experiments in HepG2 cell lines co-transfected with an hPXR expression vector did not show increased reporter activity. These results indicated that a PXR-independent pathway, which is retained in primary hepatocytes, is responsible for PHY induction of CYP2B6. Further experiments revealed that PHY effectively translocates hCAR from the cytoplasm into the nucleus in both primary human hepatocytes and CAR(-/-) mice. Compared with vehicle controls, PHY administration significantly increased CYP2B6 reporter gene expression, when this reporter construct was delivered together with hCAR expression vector into CAR(-/-) mice. However, PHY did not increase reporter gene expression in CAR(-/-) mice in the absence of hCAR vector, implying that CAR is essential for mediating PHY induction of CYP2B6 gene expression. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that, in contrast to most of the known CYP2B6 inducers, PHY is a selective activator of CAR in humans.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of amygdalar nuclei in alimentary and defensive conditioned reflexes in the rat].

Ninety experimentally naive male white rats were divided into groups with lateral (AL), medial (AME) and central (ACE) amygdalar nuclei lesions, sham-operated and normal controls. The AL-rats showed a facilitation of instrumental conditioned alimentary reflexes (CAR) acquisition and retardation of initial avoidance learning in a shuttle box; the AME-rats exhibited a slower acquisition of the CAR and a facilitation of avoidance conditioning; in the ACE-rats acquisition of the CAR was the same as in controls but avoidance performance was significantly impaired as compared with all experimental groups. It has been assumed that functional non-identity of the amygdalar nuclei in alimentary and avoidance behaviour is caused by dominant drive and by presence of "specific" amygdalar neurones participating in functional systems of the studied behavioural reactions.

Amygdala↗
PubMed2004

[New insights into the pharmacology of the extracellular calcium sensing receptor].

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) belongs to class III of G-protein coupled receptors. The CaR is expressed at the surface of the parathyroid cells and plays an essential role in the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis through the control of parathyroid secretion. The CaR is activated by Ca2+ and Mg2+ present in the extracellular fluids, various di- and trivalent cations, L-aminoacids and charged molecules including several antibiotics. Calcimimetics potentiate the effect of Ca2+ and are proposed to be of therapeutic benefit for the treatment of both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Calcilytics block the Ca2+-induced activation of the CaR. Three-dimensional models of the seven transmembrane domains of the human CaR have been used to identify specific residues implicated in the recognition of calcimimetics and calcilytics. These molecules should be useful for delineating the physiological roles played by the CaR in several tissues and for clarifying the direct effects attributed to extracellular Ca2+.

Calcium↗
PubMed1997

The contribution of otoliths and semicircular canals to the perception of two-dimensional passive whole-body motion in humans.

1. Perception of two-dimensional (2-D) whole-body passive motion in the horizontal plane was studied in twelve blindfolded healthy volunteers: pure rotation in place (180 deg), linear motion (4.5 m) and a semicircular trajectory (radius, 1.5 m; angular acceleration, 0.2 rad s-2) were applied in random sequence by means of a remote-controlled robot equipped with a racing-car seat. The seat orientation in the horizontal plane was controlled by the experimenter, independent of the robot trajectory. Thus different degrees of otolith-canal interaction were obtained. The maximal linear acceleration during the semicircular trajectory was 0.1 g; however, the linear acceleration vector was complex as it rotated relative to the subject's head. 2. In the first of two sessions, subjects were instructed to maintain an angular pointer oriented towards a remote (15 m) previously seen target during the passive movements. In the second session they had to make a drawing of the path of the perceived trajectory, after the movement was finished. 3. The results showed that, on average, the movement of the pointer matched the dynamics of the rotatory component of the 2-D motion well. This suggests that, in the range of linear accelerations used in this study, no appreciable influence of otolith input on canal-mediated perception of angular motion occurred. 4. The curvature of the drawn paths was mostly explained by the input to the semicircular canals. Subjects' reconstruction of motion did not account for the directional dynamics of the input to the otoliths occurring during passive motion. 5. This finding proves that reconstructing trajectory in space does not imply a mathematically perfect transformation of the linear and angular motion-related inputs into a Cartesian or polar 2-D representation. Physiological constraints on the interaction between motion direction and change of heading play an important role in motion perception.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2003

Longitudinal study examining the neurotoxicity of occupational exposure to aluminium-containing welding fumes.

OBJECTIVES: The neurotoxicity of occupational exposure to aluminium (Al)-containing welding fumes has been discussed with controversial results. The aim of the longitudinal study was to examine a group of Al welders for significant central nervous changes in comparison with a non-exposed cohort. METHODS: A group of 98 Al welders (mean age 37 years) in the car-body construction industry, with a median of 6 years of occupational exposure to Al welding fumes, and an education-matched, gender-matched, age-matched control group of 50 car-production workers (mean age 36 years) at the same plant, were included in this longitudinal study. Two cross-sectional studies were done in 1999 and 2001. In the second cross-sectional study 97 welders and 50 controls could be examined. The examination programme consisted, for example, of a standardised anamnesis, focussing on occupational history, education, illnesses, medication, accidents and current alcohol consumption, a physical examination that included neurological status, and the assessment of Al concentration in plasma and urine. The neurobehavioral methods included a symptom questionnaire, modified Q16, and computerised and non-computerised tests: psychomotor performance (steadiness, line tracing, aiming, tapping), verbal intelligence (WST), simple reaction time, digit span, block design (HAWIE), symbol-digit substitution, digit span, switching attention (European neurobehavioral evaluation system, EURO-NES), and standard progressive matrices. The data were analysed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) for repeated measurements with covariates age, education, and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in plasma (CDT). RESULTS. The median Al urine concentration (mean preshift/postshift) was 52.4 microg/g creatinine (2001) and 57.6 microg/g creatinine (1999). Median respirable air dust was 0.67 mg/m(3) (2001) and 0.47 mg/m(3) (1999). Welders and controls did not report significantly more symptoms in the modified Q16. Furthermore, no significant differences in psychomotor performance and other neurobehavioral tasks, except for reaction time, were seen between welders and non-welders. Regression analyses reveal a significant relationship between reaction time and Al excretion in urine that was confounded by other factors. CONCLUSIONS: At present the outcome for reaction time has to be interpreted as a single result. However, as the modified Q16 questionnaire and the rest of the psychomotor performance showed no significant changes, the next cross-sectional study, in 2003, will provide further information on which a final conclusion can be based.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Soluble recombinant coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor abrogates coxsackievirus b3-mediated pancreatitis and myocarditis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Group B coxsackievirus infection can result in organ injury and inflammation. The coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) and decay-accelerating factor (DAF; CD55) have both been identified as receptors for coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). We have shown elsewhere that early DAF-Fc treatment attenuates CVB3-induced myocarditis and virus replication. METHODS: CAR was synthesized as a soluble IgG1-Fc fusion protein (CAR-Fc). In vitro, CAR-Fc blocked infection by 2 different strains of CVB3. A/J mice were infected in vivo with CVB3 and were administered CAR-Fc either 3 days before infection, during infection, or 3 days after infection and were compared with mice infected with virus alone and control animals. RESULTS: All CAR-Fc treatment groups had reduced recoverable infectious virus in the heart. CAR-Fc treatment of mice, either preceding or concurrent with CVB3 infection, resulted in complete inhibition of myocardial lesion area, cell death and inflammation, and viral RNA. Early treatment also completely blocked inflammation and cell death in the pancreas, an organ that is normally very sensitive to infection. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, CAR-Fc is the only protein that has been shown to block coxsackievirus infection of the pancreas. However, regardless of the efficacy of the test protein, target tissue cannot be rescued after day 3 of infection in the A/J mouse model.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A model for experimentally induced temperomandibular joint arthritis in rats: effects of carrageenan on neuropeptide-like immunoreactivity.

Substance P(SP)-, neurokinin A (NKA)-, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) was studied in rats' cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma and perfusates (PF) from the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) at 2, 6 and 24 h following 0.01 ml injection of 2% carrageenan (CAR) into the right TMJ. SP-, NKA-, CGRP- and NPY-LI were significantly increased in both TMJ perfusates of the treated groups compared to controls. Generally an injection with CAR into the right TMJ induced a similar influence of the concentration of SP-, NKA-, CGRP- and NPY-LI in the CSF, plasma and PF at 2, 6 and 24 h following injection. However, the most pronounced changes in neuropeptide-LI occurred intra-articularly in the joint fluid, which indicates that both the sensory and sympathetic nervous system are activated in this joint following osteoarthritis induction by carrageenan.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Ketoconazole and miconazole are antagonists of the human glucocorticoid receptor: consequences on the expression and function of the constitutive androstane receptor and the pregnane X receptor.

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and the pregnane X receptor (PXR) play a major part in the control of drug metabolism and transport. We have previously shown that PXR and CAR expression is controlled by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and proposed the existence of a signal transmission cascade GR-(PXR/CAR)-drug metabolizing and transporter systems. In the current study, we investigated the effect of ketoconazole and other azole-derived drugs, miconazole and fluconazole, on the transcriptional activity of the human GR (hGR) in HeLa and HepG2 cells, and in primary human hepatocytes. The data show that ketoconazole inhibits GR transcriptional activity and competes with dexamethasone for hGR binding. In primary human hepatocytes, ketoconazole inhibits the expression of 1) GR-responsive genes tyrosine aminotransferase and both PXR and CAR; 2) CAR and PXR target genes, including cytochromes P450 (P450) CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4; UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, glutathione S-transferases A1 and A2; and transporter proteins (phase III) solute carrier family 21 form A6 and multidrug resistance protein 2. In parallel experiments, ketoconazole affected neither the expression of GR, the expression of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, nor the inducible expression of CYP1A1 and 1A2. Miconazole behaved like ketoconazole, whereas fluconazole had no effect. We conclude that, in addition to their well known inhibitory effect on P450 enzyme activities, ketoconazole and miconazole are antagonists of hGR. These results provide a novel molecular mechanism by which these compounds may exert adverse and toxic effects on drug metabolism and other functions in human.

Adult↗