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Showing papers by "University of Aberdeen published in 1992"


Journal ArticleDOI
18 Dec 1992-Science
TL;DR: In this article, an arachidonylethanthanolamide (anandamide) was identified in a screen for endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptor and its structure was determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and confirmed by synthesis.
Abstract: Arachidonylethanolamide, an arachidonic acid derivative in porcine brain, was identified in a screen for endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptor. The structure of this compound, which has been named "anandamide," was determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and was confirmed by synthesis. Anandamide inhibited the specific binding of a radiolabeled cannabinoid probe to synaptosomal membranes in a manner typical of competitive ligands and produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the electrically evoked twitch response to the mouse vas deferens, a characteristic effect of psychotropic cannabinoids. These properties suggest that anandamide may function as a natural ligand for the cannabinoid receptor.

5,283 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Stephen G. Oliver1, Q. J. M. van der Aart2, M. L. Agostoni-Carbone3, Michel Aigle, Lilia Alberghina3, Despina Alexandraki, G. Antoine4, Rashida Anwar1, Juan P. G. Ballesta, Paule Bénit4, Gilbert Berben, Elisabetta Bergantino, N. Biteau, P. A. Bolle, Monique Bolotin-Fukuhara5, Anthony G. A. Brown1, Alistair J. P. Brown6, J. M. Buhler, C. Carcano3, Giovanna Carignani, Håkan Cederberg, R. Chanet4, Roland Contreras, Marc Crouzet, B. Daignan-Fornier5, E. Defoor7, M. Delgado, Jan Demolder, C. Doira5, Evelyne Dubois, Bernard Dujon8, A. Düsterhöft, D. Erdmann, M. Esteban, F. Fabre4, Cécile Fairhead8, Gérard Faye4, Horst Feldmann9, Walter Fiers, M. C. Francingues-Gaillard5, L. Franco, Laura Frontali10, H. Fukuhara4, L. J. Fuller11, P. Galland, Manda E. Gent1, D. Gigot, Véronique Gilliquet, Glansdorff Nn, André Goffeau12, M. Grenson13, P. Grisanti10, Leslie A. Grivell14, M. de Haan14, M. Haasemann, D. Hatat15, Janet Hoenicka, Johannes H. Hegemann, C. J. Herbert16, François Hilger, Stefan Hohmann, Cornelis P. Hollenberg, K. Huse, F. Iborra5, K. J. Indje1, K. Isono17, C. Jacq15, M. Jacquet5, C. M. James1, J. C. Jauniaux13, Y. Jia16, Alberto Jiménez, A. Kelly18, U. Kleinhans, P Kreisl, G. Lanfranchi, C Lewis11, C. G. vanderLinden19, G Lucchini3, K Lutzenkirchen, M.J. Maat14, L. Mallet5, G. Mannhaupet9, Enzo Martegani3, A. Mathieu4, C. T. C. Maurer19, David J. McConnell18, R. A. McKee11, F. Messenguy, Hans-Werner Mewes, Francis Molemans, M. A. Montague18, M. Muzi Falconi3, L. Navas, Carol S. Newlon20, D. Noone18, C. Pallier5, L. Panzeri3, Bruce M. Pearson11, J. Perea15, Peter Philippsen, A. Pierard, Rudi J. Planta19, Paolo Plevani3, B. Poetsch, Fritz M. Pohl21, B. Purnelle12, M. Ramezani Rad, S. W. Rasmussen, A. Raynal5, Miguel Remacha, P. Richterich21, Aki Roberts6, F. Rodriguez3, E. Sanz, I. Schaaff-Gerstenschlager, Bart Scherens, Bertold Schweitzer, Y. Shu15, J. Skala12, Piotr P. Slonimski16, F. Sor4, C. Soustelle5, R. Spiegelberg, Lubomira Stateva1, H. Y. Steensma2, S. Steiner, Agnès Thierry8, George Thireos, Maria Tzermia, L. A. Urrestarazu13, Giorgio Valle, I. Vetter9, J. C. van Vliet-Reedijk19, Marleen Voet7, Guido Volckaert7, P. Vreken19, H. Wang18, John R. Warmington1, D. von Wettstein, Barton Luke Wicksteed6, C. Wilson10, H. Wurst21, G. Xu, A. Yoshikawa17, Friedrich K. Zimmermann, J. G. Sgouros 
07 May 1992-Nature
TL;DR: The entire DNA sequence of chromosome III of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined, which is the first complete sequence analysis of an entire chromosome from any organism.
Abstract: The entire DNA sequence of chromosome III of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined. This is the first complete sequence analysis of an entire chromosome from any organism. The 315-kilobase sequence reveals 182 open reading frames for proteins longer than 100 amino acids, of which 37 correspond to known genes and 29 more show some similarity to sequences in databases. Of 55 new open reading frames analysed by gene disruption, three are essential genes; of 42 non-essential genes that were tested, 14 show some discernible effect on phenotype and the remaining 28 have no overt function.

811 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
04 Apr 1992-BMJ
TL;DR: The higher diagnosis rate for asthma is due not simply to changes in diagnostic fashion but reflects an increase over the past 25 years in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, which in turn may reflect a more general change inThe prevalence of atopy was particularly noticeable in boys.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE--To estimate changes in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the reported diagnoses of asthma, eczema, and hay fever in primary school children in Aberdeen between 1964 and 1989. DESIGN--Determination of incidence prevalence and prevalence from survey data. SETTING--Aberdeen, Scotland. PARTICIPANTS--2743 primary school children (aged 8-13) from 1964 and 4003 [corrected] from 1989. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Survey data on whether, according to the parent or guardian, the child wheezed or was troubled with shortness of breath; the number of episodes of breathlessness in the past year; and whether asthma, eczema, or hay fever had ever been diagnosed. RESULTS--Questionnaires were completed by the parents of 2510 children in 1964 and 3403 children in 1989. The prevalence of wheeze rose from 10.4% in 1964 to 19.8% in 1989, and the prevalence of episodes of shortness of breath increased from 5.4% to 10.0%. In both surveys wheeze and shortness of breath were more prevalent in boys than in girls. The reported diagnosis of asthma rose from 4.1% to 10.2%, hay fever from 3.2% to 11.9%, and eczema from 5.3% to 12%. The proportion of boys suffering from eczema rose from 47.7% to 60.0%. Hay fever showed a similar increase, from 49.4% to 60.1%, in boys over the 25 year period. Though the parents of a higher proportion of children with wheeze were aware of the diagnosis of asthma in 1989, because of the increased prevalence of wheeze the absolute number of parents of wheezy children who were not aware of a diagnosis of asthma increased from 7.4% to 9.6% of the population studied. CONCLUSION--The higher diagnosis rate for asthma is due not simply to changes in diagnostic fashion but reflects an increase over the past 25 years in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, which in turn may reflect a more general change in the prevalence of atopy, the increase in which was particularly noticeable in boys. This increase explains some of the increase in hospital admission rates for children with asthma.

668 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper compares and contrast the objectives of principal component analysis and exploratory factor analysis, and suggests that in some cases it may be useful to rotate certain principal components if and when that is appropriate.
Abstract: In this paper we compare and contrast the objectives of principal component analysis and exploratory factor analysis. This is done through consideration of nine examples. Basic theory is presented in appendices. As well as covering the standard material, we also describe a number of recent developments. As an alternative to factor analysis, it is pointed out that in some cases it may be useful to rotate certain principal components if and when that is appropriate.

475 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A knowledge of the modulation of phagocytes function, with activation by various substances and suppression by others, is important if protective responses are to be achieved by up-regulating phagocyte activity.

410 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This procedure of single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) is adapted for studying DNA damage and repair induced by UV-C-radiation, using HeLa cells, and results of the electrophoretic method are expressed in terms of DNA break frequencies.
Abstract: DNA breaks in eukaryotic cells can be detected by alkaline electrophoresis of cells embedded in agarose. DNA containing breaks extends in the direction of the anode forming an image resembling the tail of a comet. We have adapted this procedure of single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) for studying DNA damage and repair induced by UV-C-radiation, using HeLa cells. UV-C itself does not induce DNA breakage, and though cellular repair of UV-C damage produces DNA breaks as intermediates, these are too short-lived to be detected by SCGE. Incubation of UV-C-irradiated cells with the DNA synthesis inhibitor aphidicolin causes accumulation of incomplete repair sites to a level readily detected by SCGE even after doses as low as 0·5 J m−2 and incubation for as little as 5 min. We have also used SCGE to study UV-C-dependent incision, repair synthesis and ligation in permeable cells. Finally, we have incubated permeable cells, after UV-C-irradiation, with exogenous UV endonuclease, examining the consequent breaks bo...

355 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that radiography can be used to assess social relationships within groups of Fish allowing the assessment of feeding hierarchies in larger groups of fish than would be possible by observational techniques.
Abstract: Three groups of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, (initial weight 40 g) were fed one of three rations (low, medium or high) for 73 days. Consumption by individual fish within the three ration groups was measured on four occasions (days 27, 55, 64 and 72) using radiography. Food intake by individual fish varied between days and this variability was expressed using the coefficient of variation (CV). Dominant fish within each ration group were defined as individuals with the greater share of the group meal and these fish had low CVs for food intake indicating relatively little variation in daily consumption. By contrast, the fish which had consumed a low mean proportion of the group meal displayed high CVs for food intake, indicating considerable variability in the sizes of individual meals consumed by these fish. As group ration increased, the range of meal sizes and individual CVs in daily feeding decreased, suggesting that the strength of the feeding hierarchy and the variability in individual consumption decreased as food availability increased. It is suggested that radiography can be used to assess social relationships within groups of fish allowing the assessment of feeding hierarchies in larger groups of fish than would be possible by observational techniques.

333 citations


Book ChapterDOI
19 May 1992
TL;DR: A computer program which understands a greyscale image of a face well enough to locate individual face features such as eyes and mouth is described.
Abstract: We describe a computer program which understands a greyscale image of a face well enough to locate individual face features such as eyes and mouth. The program has two distinct components: modules designed to locate particular face features, usually in a restricted area; and the overall control strategy which activates modules on the basis of the current solution state, and assesses and integrates the results of each module.

294 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A quantitative theory is developed which explains the general occurrence of the mixed cation (alkali) erect in glassy material and shows that the anomalous dependence of conductivity on the modifer content in single alkali glasses follows a simple power-law relation.
Abstract: A model for ion transport in glass is presented which is based on the experimental evidence that cations in glass create and maintain their own characteristic environments. By postulating the existence of a site memory effect, we are able to visualize the formation of conducting pathways. We develop a quantitative theory which explains the general occurrence of the mixed cation (alkali) erect in glassy material and, in addition, shows that the anomalous dependence of conductivity on the modifer content in single alkali glasses follows a simple power-law relation

267 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the climate, soil, structure and floristics of dry forests in West Africa are summarised, showing that these forests have two-peak annual rainfall between 850 and 1350 mm, with 6-10 dry months (< 100 mm rain) each year.
Abstract: . The climate, soil, structure and floristics of dry forests in West Africa are summarised. Data from Ghana show that these forests have two-peak annual rainfall between 850 and 1350 mm, with 6–10 dry months (< 100 mm rain) each year; by relatively nutrient-rich soils developed over a variety of rock types; by short stature (tallest trees 10-40 m) relatively high deciduousness in the upper canopy and evergreenness in the understorey; and by a distinctive flora which changes gradually towards areas of higher rainfall but abruptly at the forest-savanna boundary. Dry forests near the forest-savanna boundary form a distinctive sub-type as a result of occasional encroachment by litter fires which have become more common in the 1980's. Evidence is presented to suggest that many parts of the forest zone in West Africa may have been subject to fires most often in the dry forest types. Past fires are likely to have had a profound influence on the composition of the present forest canopy. Fire mortality is greatest in small trees, whilst drought (without fire) kills more large trees. This thinning process allows rapid recolonisation especially by Marantaceous and Zingiberaceous forbs and by pioneer trees. Seedlings of canopy trees grow beneath these colonising plants. Recurrent fires seriously impede the recovery of burnt forest and are a principal concern for the rehabilitation of dry forests.

241 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that Portland cements are very similar worldwide but supplementary materials such as fly ash and slag are less well-specified and the main immobilizing potential of cement systems comes from their high internal pH allowing precipitation of many nuclides as hydroxides.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This piece attempts to record the variety of labels currently used to describe state/interest relations, to show the overlap between certain of these labels, and how they relate one to the other.
Abstract: . This introduction seeks to sketch out the relationship between a variety of terms that are used in contemporary discussion of the interaction between Government/State and interest groups. It starts with a short reflection on the main theories of interest intermediation — pluralism and corporatism — and argues for reserving the term policy network as a generic label embracing different types of network relationship. This piece thus attempts to record the variety of labels currently used to describe state/interest relations, to show the overlap between certain of these labels, and how they relate one to the other. The existing confusion of labels signal a greater variety than they deliver.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that there are polyol pathway related abnormalities for contraction, some aspects of endothelium-independent relaxation, but particularly for endot helium-dependent relaxation in aorta from chronic streptozotocin-diabetic rats.
Abstract: The effects of 3 months streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus on contraction and relaxation of aorta were examined in vitro. A further diabetic group was treated with a novel sulphonylnitromethane-based aldose reductase inhibitor for 3 months following diabetes induction. Diabetes resulted in reduced maximal tension production, particularly for responses to phenylephrine (p < 0.001) and serotonin (p < 0.001). However, with aldose reductase inhibitor treatment, responses were in the non-diabetic range. The ratio of maximum contractions to noradrenaline and phenylephrine were 28 % elevated by diabetes (p < 0.01), which may suggest increased α2-adrenoreceptor-mediated responses. Endothelium-independent relaxation to glyceryl trinitrate was unaffected by diabetes or treatment. By contrast, there were 38 % deficits in endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (p < 0.001) and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (p < 0.001) with diabetes which were prevented by aldose reductase inhibitor treatment (p < 0.001). A 121 % shift in the concentration giving a 50% maximum effect for acetylcholine towards lower sensitivity with diabetes (p < 0.001) was also largely corrected by treatment (p < 0.001). A non-diabetic group treated with aldose reductase inhibitor showed a 30 % decrease in the 50 % effective concentration for acetylcholine (p < 0.05). A 15 % deficit in maximum relaxation to the ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener cromakalim for the diabetic group (p < 0.001) was prevented by aldose reductase inhibitor treatment (p < 0.01). We conclude that there are polyol pathway related abnormalities for contraction, some aspects of endothelium-independent relaxation, but particularly for endothelium-dependent relaxation in aorta from chronic streptozotocin-diabetic rats. If found in the appropriate circulatory beds, these could potentially contribute to the putative vascular basis of some of the complications of diabetes. Their amelioration could account for many of the beneficial effects of aldose reductase inhibitors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The role of genetic improvement in short rotation forestry and the power of the clonal approach to induce resprouting in wood species are discussed.
Abstract: An understanding of ecophysiology of the crop is critical to the effective management of short rotation forest crops. There are many interacting ecophysiological factors such as canopy structure and development, water and nutrient use efficiency, root architecture and function, sustainability of coppicing, which, through a deeper understanding, can be manipulated through genetic improvement and silvicultural practice. These complex factors are discussed, and areas requiring further research to elucidate the nature of the processes are highlighted.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that most primary forest bird species were present in areas selectively logged eight years previously, however, certain taxa, such as flycatchers, woodpeckers, trogons and wren-babblers, became comparatively rare.
Abstract: In lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia, most primary forest bird species were present in areas selectively logged eight years previously. However, certain taxa, notably flycatchers, woodpeckers, trogons and wren-babblers, became comparatively rare. In contrast, nectarivorous and opportunistic frugivorous species were significantly more abundant. Few species appeared to change foraging height, but netting rates suggest that the activity of some species had increased, or that some birds ranged over larger areas after logging. Although there is still much to be learned about the survival of birds in logged forest, large areas of this habitat are important for bird conservation. However, the susceptibility of logged forest to fire, and our present incomplete understanding of bird behaviour and population dynamics in logged forests mean that they should not be considered by conservationists as alternatives to reserves of primary forest.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed an analysis technique that can be used to calculate the transferred harmonics using amplitude modulation (AM) theory in a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link.
Abstract: Power converters are known to be generators of harmonics on both their AC and DC sides. They also transfer existing harmonics from one side to the other side with an associated change of frequency. Analysis techniques that can be used to calculate these transferred harmonics using amplitude modulation (AM) theory are proposed. The authors also show how, in a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link, the converters can intercouple the AC and DC systems and can thus act as a transfer medium for harmonics. Examples that show how to calculate these harmonics are given and comparisons are made with a computer-aided design (CAD) model as a check on the accuracy of the method. >


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Clinical follow‐up, although not of statistical significance, suggests that regression in thin lesions is a sinister histological feature, and moderate and severe regression were seen slightly more often in men.
Abstract: Five hundred and sixty-three primary cutaneous melanomas were assessed for the presence of histological regression in relation to the thickness of the lesion and features such as sex, anatomical location and clinical outcome Regression was more common in thin lesions, being seen in 46% of thin (less than 15 mm) lesions, 32% of intermediate (15-30 mm) lesions and 9% of thick (greater than 30 mm) lesions However, severe regression was only identified in 65% of thin lesions, 52% of intermediate lesions and 15% of thick melanomas Regression was more common in superficial spreading melanomas and in lesions from the trunk and lower limb Moderate and severe regression were seen slightly more often in men Clinical follow-up, although not of statistical significance, suggests that regression in thin lesions is a sinister histological feature

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings that (−)‐Δ9‐THC and (+)‐DMH are highly potent as inhibitors of the twitch response of the mouse vas deferens and guinea‐pig myenteric plexus preparation and that DMH shows considerable stereoselectivity suggest that the inhibitory effects of cannabinoids in these preparations are mediated by cannabinoid receptors.
Abstract: 1. The psychoactive cannabinoids (-)-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol ((-)-delta 9-THC) and the 1,1-dimethyl-heptyl homologue of (-)-11-hydroxy-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol ((-)-DMH) both inhibited electrically-evoked contractions of the mouse isolated vas deferens and the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig small intestine. 2. Concentrations of (-)-delta 9-THC and (-)-DMH that decreased twitch heights by 50% were 6.3 and 0.15 nM respectively in the mouse vas deferens and 60 nM and 1.4 nM respectively in the myenteric plexus preparation. (-)-DMH was about 40 times more potent than (-)-delta 9-THC in both preparations, supporting the notion that their mode of action in each tissue is the same. 3. The psychically inactive cannabinoid, (+)-DMH, had no inhibitory effect in the mouse vas deferens at a concentration of 30 nM, showing it to be at least 1000 times less potent than (-)-DMH. In the myenteric plexus preparation, (+)-DMH was about 500 times less potent than its (-)-enantiomer. 4. The inhibitory effects of sub-maximal concentrations of (-)-delta 9-THC were not attenuated by 300 nM naloxone. 5. The findings that (-)-delta 9-THC and (-)-DMH are highly potent as inhibitors of the twitch response of the mouse vas deferens and guinea-pig myenteric plexus preparation and that DMH shows considerable stereoselectivity suggest that the inhibitory effects of cannabinoids in these preparations are mediated by cannabinoid receptors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the CaOAl 2 O 3 ǫ 3, CaSO 4 ǔ 2 O system has been investigated at 50°C and 85°C, by calculations of the equilibrium solubility surfaces of AH 3, C 3 AH 6, CH, ettringite, monosulphoaluminate, and gypsum.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that competitive groups may be asymmetrical contests in which a female Nuclear Animal is of more value to the Principal Escort than to a Challenger, particularly if the former's defence of her represents mate-guarding.
Abstract: It has been hypothesized that humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, competitive groups represent intrasexual competition by males for access to a mature female The composition and dynamics of these groups was studied between 1989 and 1991 in Samana Bay, West Indies The sex of group participants was determined by molecular analysis of skin biopsies Groups showed similar characteristics of size and movement as those described from other breeding areas, except that only one group contained a calf The sex was determined of 141 participants in 44 competitive groups In 21 of these groups, we were able to biopsy all participants No group contained more than one female, but seven of the wholly sampled groups (all of them small) consisted entirely of males Of 22 animals who were ''positively'' assigned the role of Nuclear Animal, 17 were female, and five were male Similarly, of 24 biopsied Principal Escorts, 23 were male and one female All 24 biopsied Challengers were male Of 55 animals who were either classified as Secondary Escort, or whose role could not be categorized, 51 were male and four female In 8 cases, associated pairs of males exhibiting no aggression towards each other were observed to either enter or leave a competitive group together Of 16 individuals resighted on more than one day, all but one were males These data suggest that: 1 While most groups (as predicted) represent male-male competition for a single female, observers should be cautious in their assumptions; 2 All-male groups may represent dominance sorting by unfamiliar conspecifics; 3 Females may occasionally aggressively repel advances by unwanted males; 4 While unlikely in light of present knowledge, the possibility that males form coalitions cannot be dismissed We suggest that competitive groups may be asymmetrical contests in which a female Nuclear Animal is of more value to the Principal Escort than to a Challenger, particularly if the former's defence of her represents mate-guarding

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a model for the probability distribution of the rainflow stress range based on a mixed-distribution Weibull model whose parameters can be evaluated from only two spectral properties, namely the irregularity factor I and a bandwidth parameter β 0.75, is presented.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An epidemiological study of Crohn's disease has been conducted in northeastern Scotland since 1955 and in the Orkney and Shetland Islands since 1966 through the end of 1988; there were 856 verified cases on the mainland and 58 in the northern isles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple analysis of ecological parameters may be used to quantify the extent to which logging affects the forest ecosystem and the extent of which it recovers over time in two tropical rain forests in South-east Asia.
Abstract: The adoption of tropical rain forest management systems that conserve both timber stocks and the environment is increasingly viewed as a necessary development to maintain both the tropical timber trade and the forests themselves. There are no theoretical reasons why such systems should not be achievable. Ecological studies of vertebrate animal populations, and of wider ecosystem processes, can assist foresters in designing more appropriate forestry systems and in their long-term monitoring. Data are presented from two Forest Reserves in South-east Asia, Tekam in Peninsular Malaysia and Ulu Segama in Sabah, to show how simple analysis of ecological parameters may be used to quantify the extent to which logging affects the forest ecosystem and the extent to which it recovers over time.

Journal ArticleDOI
D. Hockin, M. Ounsted, M. Gorman1, D. Hill, Verena Keller1, M.A. Barker 
TL;DR: What is known about disturbance factors on breeding, breeding success, nest-site choice, population density, community structure, distribution and habitat use is reviewed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggest that in T. brucei infection, the activation of macrophages to produce nitric oxide leads to impaired lymphocyte responses and immunosuppression.
Abstract: African trypanosomes induce a generalized state of immunosuppression in their mammalian hosts. One characteristic of this is a suppression of lymphocyte responses to mitogen, which is mediated by suppressor macrophages. We investigated the involvement of nitric oxide in this phenomenon. Both peritoneal and splenic cell cultures from infected mice released nitrite and this was inhibitable by NG-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA). The release of nitrite correlated with suppressed splenic T cell proliferative responses to concanavalin A. It was shown that adherent spleen cells from infected mice mediate suppression, which could be abrogated by L-NMMA. These results suggest that in T. brucei infection, the activation of macrophages to produce nitric oxide leads to impaired lymphocyte responses and immunosuppression.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The overall increase in incidence and mortality over eleven years in relation to anatomical site and pathological types is 82% and the survival advantage for women persists when appropriate statistical adjustment is made for thickness, ulceration, and histogenetic type.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The main findings were: few studies had been undertaken; they were limited to few areas of health care; their technical execution was often of poor quality; the state of the applied art of CUA is currently open to considerable question.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was concluded that the beneficial effect of preventive lisinopril treatment is likely to depend upon a reduction of peripheral vascular resistance and improvement of tissue blood flow, which implicates relative hypoxia as an important factor in the development of myopathy and neuropathy in experimental diabetes.
Abstract: The effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril on slow and fast twitch muscle contractile properties, nerve conduction and hypoxic resistance, and muscle and nerve capillary density were examined in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Prolongation of soleus contraction and relaxation were partially prevented by treatment (p<0.01). A 22% deficit in fast twitch extensor digitorum longus tetanic tension production was also ameliorated (p<0.01). Sciatic motor and sensory conduction velocity, 25% and 12% reduced by diabetes respectively, were 75% normalized by lisinopril (p<0.01). There was a 47% increase in resistance to hypoxic conduction block with diabetes (p<0.01). Lisinopril treatment resulted in normal hypoxic resistance. Capillarisation of nerve and muscle was little affected by diabetes; however, there was a 17% increase in capillary density in sciatic nerve, and a 40% increase in extensor digitorum longus muscle with lisinopril (p<0.01). For soleus, a smaller treatment-induced increase in capillary density led to an elevated capillary/muscle fibre ratio (p<0.01). These results suggest that lisinopril promoted angiogenesis. It was concluded that the beneficial effect of preventive lisinopril treatment is likely to depend upon a reduction of peripheral vascular resistance and improvement of tissue blood flow, which implicates relative hypoxia as an important factor in the development of myopathy and neuropathy in experimental diabetes.