Calcium-independent activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by ceramide

The endothelial isoform of NO synthase (eNOS) is targeted to sphingolipid-enriched signal-transducing microdomains in the plasma membrane termed caveolae. Among the caveolae-targeted sphingolipids are the ceramides, a class of acylated sphingosine compounds that have been implicated in diverse cellular responses. We have explored the role of ceramide analogues in eNOS signaling in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Addition of the ceramide analogue N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide; 5 μM) to intact BAEC leads to a significant increase in NO synthase activity (assayed by using the fluorescent indicator 4,5-diaminofluorescein) and translocation of eNOS from the endothelial cell membrane to intracellular sites (measured by using quantitative immunofluorescence techniques); the biologically inactive ceramide N-acetyldihydrosphingosine is entirely without effect. C2-ceramide-induced eNOS activation and translocation are unaffected by the intracellular calcium chelator 1,2-bis-o-aminophenoxyethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). Using the calcium-specific fluorescent indicator fluo-3, we also found that C2-ceramide activation of eNOS is unaccompanied by a drug-induced increase in intracellular calcium. These findings stand in sharp contrast to the mechanism by which bradykinin, estradiol, and other mediators acutely activate eNOS, in which a rapid, agonist-promoted increase in intracellular calcium is required. Finally, we show that treatment of BAEC with bradykinin causes a significant increase in cellular ceramide content; the response to bradykinin has an EC50 of 3 nM and is blocked by the bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist HOE140. Bradykinin-induced ceramide generation could represent a mechanism for longer-term regulation of eNOS activity. Our results suggest that ceramide functions independently of Ca2+-regulated pathways to promote activation and translocation of eNOS, and that this lipid mediator may represent a physiological regulator of eNOS in vascular endothelial cells.

Psychometric behaviour of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) in the Spanish national health survey 2006

Background: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a tool to measure the risk for mental disorders in children. The aim of this study is to describe the diagnostic efficiency and internal structure of the SDQ in the sample of children studied in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006. Methods: A representative sample of 6,773 children aged 4 to 15 years was studied. The data were obtained using the Minors Questionnaire in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006. The ROC curve was constructed and calculations made of the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity and the Youden J indices. The factorial structure was studied using models of exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA). Results: The prevalence of behavioural disorders varied between 0.47% and 1.18% according to the requisites of the diagnostic definition. The area under the ROC curve varied from 0.84 to 0.91 according to the diagnosis. Factor models were cross-validated by means of two different random subsamples for EFA and CFA. An EFA suggested a three correlated factor model. CFA confirmed this model. A five-factor model according to EFA and the theoretical five-factor model described in the bibliography were also confirmed. The reliabilities of the factors of the different models were acceptable (>0.70, except for one factor with reliability 0.62). Conclusions: The diagnostic behaviour of the SDQ in the Spanish population is within the working limits described in other countries. According to the results obtained in this study, the diagnostic efficiency of the questionnaire is adequate to identify probable cases of psychiatric disorders in low prevalence populations. Regarding the factorial structure we found that both the five and the three factor models fit the data with acceptable goodness of fit indexes, the latter including an externalization and internalization dimension and perhaps a meaningful positive social dimension. Accordingly, we recommend studying whether these differences depend on sociocultural factors or are, in fact, due to methodological questions.

Ballads and songs of Indiana,

Some of the songs have unaccompanied melodies.

Canconer popular.

Each volume originally published separately as individual numbers containing a single song, with descriptive notes.

Arion : a collection of four-part songs for male voices, in separate vocal parts with piano score, mainly to be sung without accompaniment /

Mode of access: Internet.

Arion; a collection of four-part songs for male voices, in separate vocal parts with piano score, mainly to be sung without accompaniment.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motettenm Kirchenmusik für Chor mit Orgelbegleitung und für Chor a capella.

Words in German or Latin. Selections 5, 6, 7 in Latin with German translations; Selection 12, English with German translation.

L'arte del violino : 25 capricci = L'art du violon : 25 caprices = The art of the violin : 25 caprices = Die Kunst des Violinspiels : 25 Capricen = El arte del violʹin : 25 caprichos /

Pref. in Italian, French and English.

Chansonnier du XVIe siècle : édition populaire à l'usage des Sociétés chorales et des amateurs, en notation moderne avec clefs usuelles, nuances & indications d'exécution /

Pl. no.: S. 1501 C./S. 1523 C., R.L. 11126 & Cie/R.L. 11149 & Cie.

Quant j'ai ouy le tabourin = Whene'er the tambourine I hear /

At head of title: Trois chansons.

Trois chansons = Three chansons /

Cover title.

Alte und neue Studenten-Lieder mit Bildern und Singweisen.

Unaccompanied melodies.

Missa Fortuna desperata /

Latin words.

Revue des traditions populaires.

Includes music (unaccompanied melodies)

Vijf geestelijke liederen voor concertgebruik ingericht

For chorus (SATB), Unaccompanied.