Ford Motor Company

About: Ford Motor Company is a company organization based out in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Internal combustion engine & Signal. The organization has 36123 authors who have published 51450 publications receiving 855200 citations. The organization is also known as: Ford Motor & Ford Motor Corporation.

Repolarization abnormalities in cardiomyocytes of dogs with chronic heart failure: role of sustained inward current.

Abstract: We previously showed that a canine model of chronic heart failure (HF) produced by multiple coronary microembolizations manifests ventricular arrhythmias similar to those observed in patients with chronic HF. In the present study, we used single canine cardiomyocytes isolated from the left ventricle (LV) of normal dogs (n = 13) and dogs with HF (n = 15) to examine the cellular substrate of these arrhythmias. Action potentials (APs) and ion currents were measured by perforated and whole cell patch clamp, respectively. We found prolonged APs and alterations of AP duration resulting in early afterdepolarizations (EADs) at the low pacing rates of 0.5 Hz and 0.2 Hz. Na+ channel blockers saxitoxin (STX, 100 nM) and lidocaine (90 microM) reduced AP duration dispersion and abolished EADs in HF cardiomyocytes. The steady-state current (Iss)-voltage relation, in the voltage range from -25 mV to 25 mV analogous to the AP plateau level, was significantly shifted inward in HF cardiomyocytes. STX and lidocaine shifted the Iss-voltage relationship in an outward direction. The shifts produced by both drugs was significantly greater in cardiomyocytes of dogs with HF, indicating an increase in inward current. In the experimental configuration in which K+ currents were blocked, the density of the steady-state Ca2+ current (ICa) was found to decrease in HF cardiomyocytes by approximately 33%. In contrast, the density of the steady-state Na+ current (INa) significantly (P < 0.01) increased in HF cardiomyocytes (0.17 +/- 0.06 pA/pF) compared with normal cells (0.08 +/- 0.02 pA/pF). The relative contribution of INa to the net inward current was greater in HF cardiomyocytes, as evident from the increased ratio of INa/ICa (from 0.22 to 0.68). These observation support a hypothesis that anomalous repolarization of HF cardiomyocytes is due, at least in part, to an increased steady-state inward Na+ current.

DSM-III-R nicotine dependence in young adults: prevalence, correlates and associated psychiatric disorders.

Abstract: We describe the epidemiology of nicotine dependence and its association with other substance use and psychiatric disorders. Data came from a random sample of young adults, 21-30 years of age, in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area. The NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule was used to ascertain DSM-III-R disorders. Lifetime prevalence of nicotine dependence was 20%. Higher rates were observed in whites, persons with low education and persons who were separated or divorced. Males and females with nicotine dependence had significantly increased odds for alcohol and illicit drug disorders, major depression and one or more anxiety disorder, as compared to non-dependent smokers and non-smokers combined. Among smokers, lifetime prevalence of illicit drug disorders other than marijuana alone, major depression and any anxiety disorder were significantly higher in dependent than non-dependent people. Major depression was associated specifically with nicotine dependence, an association explained in part by neuroticism. This finding suggests that the personality trait of neuroticism might constitute a common predisposition for major depression and nicotine dependence.

Computer virus containment

Abstract: This invention provides a system for the prevention of the spread of a computer virus by intercepting outgoing messages from a computer device and determining whether the message is of an acceptable type. The system is provided as a firedoor that compares outgoing messages to a previously established list of approved actions and, if the message does not conform to an approved action on the list, the firedoor blocks transmission and prevents the virus from spreading any further. If a further embodiment, multiple firedoors are applied in a cascaded series to compare the transmission to different acceptance criteria in tandem.

Functional Recovery in Aged and Young Rats After Embolic Stroke: Treatment With a Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor

Abstract: Background and Purpose— Advanced age is associated with a decrease in brain plasticity compared with the young adult. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor promotes brain plasticity and improves functional outcome after stroke in the young animal. Here, we test the hypothesis that sildenafil provides restorative therapeutic benefit to the aged animal. Methods— Male Wistar rats (aged, 18-month old; young, 3-month old) were subjected to embolic stroke. Saline or sildenafil was administered daily at a dose of 2 mg/kg orally or 10 mg/kg subcutaneously for 7 consecutive days starting 24 hour after stroke onset. Results— Aged rats exhibited significant impairment of functional recovery and reductions of vascular density, and endothelial cell proliferation compared with young rats. Aged rats treated with sildenafil at a dose of 10 mg/kg but not 2 mg/kg, showed significant improvements of functional recovery and concomitant increases in cortical cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)...