Probing Atmospheric Electric Fields in Thunderstorms through Radio Emission from Cosmic-Ray-Induced Air Showers

We present measurements of radio emission from cosmic ray air showers that took place during thunderstorms. The intensity and polarization patterns of these air showers are radically different from those measured during fair-weather conditions. With the use of a simple two-layer model for the atmospheric electric field, these patterns can be well reproduced by state-of-the-art simulation codes. This in turn provides a novel way to study atmospheric electric fields.

Transcription activator protein 1 mediates alpha- but not beta-adrenergic hypertrophic growth responses in adult cardiomyocytes

In some models of cardiac hypertrophy, activation of activator protein 1 (AP-1) correlates with growth. However, AP-1 is also activated by stimuli not involved in cardiac growth. This raises the following questions: does AP-1 plays a causal role for cardiomyocyte growth, and is this role model or stimulus dependent? We used a single model to address these questions, i.e., ventricular cardiomyocytes of adult rats, and two growth stimuli, i.e., alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists [10 microM phenylephrine (PE) and 1 microM isoprenaline (Iso), respectively]. After 1 h of stimulation with PE, mRNA expression of c-Fos and c-Jun was upregulated to 185 +/- 32 and 132 +/- 13% of control. Fos and Jun proteins formed the AP-1 complex. PE stimulated DNA binding activity of AP-1 to 165 +/- 22% of control within 2 h and increased protein synthesis to 161 +/- 27% of control and cross-sectional area to 126 +/- 4% of control. Inhibition of AP-1 binding activity by cAMP response element (CRE) decoy oligonucleotides abolished both of these growth responses. Iso stimulated AP-1 binding activity to 203 +/- 19% of control within 2 h and stimulated protein synthesis to 145 +/- 17% of control. However, the growth effect of Iso was not abolished by CRE decoys: Iso increased protein synthesis to 158 +/- 17% of control in the presence of CRE. In conclusion, AP-1 is a causal mediator of the alpha-adrenergic, but not the beta-adrenergic, growth response of cardiomyocytes.

Use of anticholinergics in veterinary anaesthesia

This viewpoint examines the time-honoured and popular use of anti-cholinergics in veterinary anaesthesia. The disadvantages of routine use and specific indications for the use of these useful drugs are discussed.

Self-inflicted shotgun injuries to the face: a case report

Shotgun injuries to the face are difficult to care for due to the often massive tissue and bone destruction and the complications that can accompany these injuries. Psychological responses from the family, significant other, and nursing staff in dealing with disfiguring and sometimes fatal injuries are additional challenges that nurses will face.

The effects of remoxipride and chlorpromazine on eye movements and psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers

Fifteen healthy male volunteers received single doses of 100 mg immediate release remoxipride (IR), 150 mg controlled release remoxipride (CR), 50 mg chlorpromazine (CPZ), 2 mg lorazepam (LZ), and placebo in a randomised, five-period cross-over study. Both saccadic (SEM) and smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM) as well as a battery of psychomotor performance tests were assessed at 1.5-h intervals over 9 h following drug administration. The areas under the response-time curves and the maximum effect during the study period were analysed by analysis of variance. The most consistent impairments were produced by LZ. The neuroleptics caused impairments to SEM, and tended to impair critical flicker fusion, continuous attention and both paced and unpaced versions of the digit-symbol substitution test as well as subjective measures of sedation. Only LZ impaired SPEM. Neither paced nor unpaced psychomotor tests distinguished between neuroleptics and benzodiazepines. The low therapeutic doses of IR and CR produced similar impairments to a sub-therapeutic dose of CPZ. Selectivity of pharmacological action does not appear to predict selectivity of effect on psychomotor function.

Two cases of agenesis of the vermis of cerebellum, with fusion of the dentate nuclei and cerebellar hemispheres

Two cases are reported of the rare anatomical abnormality of fusion of the cerebellar hemispheres with agenesis of the vermis. The cases are the more unusual since they show prolonged survival and the absence of other major fusion abnormalities in the nervous system.

Nasal neuroblastoma secreting vasopressin. A case report

A patient with a nasal neuroblastoma was found to have hypertension and severe hyponatraemia. Radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy were ineffective in reducing the size and vascularity of the neoplasm. Assay of tumor tissue post mortem revealed high levels of arginine vasopressin. The possibility of vasopressin formation to be added to the better known potential hormonal secretory activities of neuroblastomas.