Decreased cGMP Level Contributes to Increased Contraction in Arteries From Hypertensive Rats Role of Phosphodiesterase 1

Recent evidence suggests that angiotensin II (Ang II) upregulates phosphodiesterase (PDE) 1A expression. We hypothesized that Ang II augmented PDE1 activation, decreasing the bioavailability of cyclic guanosine 3` 5`-monophosphate (cGMP), and contributing to increased vascular contractility. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received mini-osmotic pumps with Ang II (60 ng.min(-1)) or saline for 14 days. Phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions were increased in aorta (E(max)168%+/- 8% vs 136%+/- 4%) and small mesenteric arteries (SMA; E(max)170%+/- 6% vs 143%+/- 3%) from Ang II-infused rats compared to control. PDE1 inhibition with vinpocetine (10 mu mol/L) reduced PE-induced contraction in aortas from Ang II rats (E(max)94%+/- 12%) but not in controls (154%+/- 7%). Vinpocetine decreased the sensitivity to PE in SMA from Ang II rats compared to vehicle (-log of half maximal effective concentration 5.1 +/- 0.1 vs 5.9 +/- 0.06), but not in controls (6.0 +/- 0.03 vs 6.1 +/- 0.04). Sildenafil (10 mu mol/L), a PDE5 inhibitor, reduced PE-induced maximal contraction similarly in Ang II and control rats. Arteries were contracted with PE (1 mu mol/L), and concentration-dependent relaxation to vinpocetine and sildenafil was evaluated. Aortas from Ang II rats displayed increased relaxation to vinpocetine compared to control (E(max)82%+/- 12% vs 445 +/- 5%). SMA from Ang II rats showed greater sensitivity during vinpocetine-induced relaxation compared to control (-log of half maximal effective concentration 6.1 +/- 0.3 vs 5.3 +/- 0.1). No differences in sildenafil-induced relaxation were observed. PDE1A and PDE1C expressions in aorta and PDE1A expression in SMA were increased in Ang II rats. cGMP production, which is decreased in arteries from Ang II rats, was restored after PDE1 blockade. We conclude that PDE1 activation reduces cGMP bioavailability in arteries from Ang II, contributing to increased contractile responsiveness. (Hypertension. 2011;57[part 2]:655-663.)

Manipulation in Newspaper Articles : A Political Discourse Analysis of Lexical Choice and Manipulation in Japanese Newspaper Crisis Reporting in the case of North Korea

This paper analyzes some forms of linguistic manipulation in Japanese in newspapers when reporting on North Korea and its nuclear tests. The focus lies on lexical ambiguity in headlines and journalist’s voices in the body of the articles, that results in manipulation of the minds of the readers. The study is based on a corpus of nine articles from two of Japan’s largest newspapers Yomiuri Online and Asahi Shimbun Digital. The linguistic phenomenon that contribute to create manipulation are divided into Short Term Memory impact or Long Term Memory impact and examples will be discussed under each of the categories.The main results of the study are that headlines in Japanese newspapers do not make use of an ambiguous, double grounded structure. However, the articles are filled with explicit and implied attitudes as well as attributed material from people of a high social status, which suggests that manipulation of the long term memory is a tool used in Japanese media.

A Linguistic Analysis of the Written Production of Second Language Learners : The Variation of Article Usage by Adult Chinese Learners of English

This study aims to test Robertson’s lexical transfer principle, which posits that Chinese learners use demonstratives (particularly this) and the numeral one as markers of definiteness and indefiniteness. This is tested by analysing Chinese learners’ written production collected from the Spoken and Written English Corpus of Chinese Learners 2.0 (SWECCL 2.0). The purpose is to understand the variation of article usage by adult Chinese learners of English. More specifically, the study examines to what extent articles, possessive and demonstrative pronouns are used in Chinese learners’ English and how definite and indefinite articles are used by the Chinese learners. Findings suggest that Robertson’s lexical transfer principle was corroborated by the present study. In addition, Chinese learners prefer to use demonstrative determiners, the possessive determiner our, and the numeral one to perform the function of marking definiteness and indefiniteness. In particular, the learners try to use the demonstrative determiners that and this in the anaphoric function instead of the definite article, and the demonstrative determiner those is frequently used in the cataphoric function. What is more, the learners use the numeral one as a marker of indefiniteness, and it is also used as a marker of definiteness in the anaphoric function. Further, the possessive determiner our is used as a marker of definiteness in larger situation uses referring to something unique. To this end, the study is able to show that the definite article is used to perform the function of marking indefiniteness, and in some particular contexts the definite article functions as a Chinese specifier in Chinese learners’ English. Also, the indefinite article is frequently used in quantifier phrases but is rarely used in other functions. There are three main reasons that may explain why Chinese learners use determiners variously. Firstly, the choice of determiners by Chinese learners is influenced by linguistic contexts. Secondly, because of learning strategies, Chinese learners try to ignore the anaphoric function and cataphoric function that they are not yet ready to process in article usage. Thirdly, interlanguage grammar influences the optionality in the use of articles. 

Ellipsis as a marker of interaction in spoken discourse

In this article, we discuss strategies for interaction in spoken discourse, focusing on ellipsis phenomena in English. The data comes from the VOICE corpus of English as a Lingua Franca, and we analyse education data in the form of seminar and workshop discussions, working group meetings, interviews and conversations. The functions ellipsis carries in the data are Intersubjectivity, where participants develop and maintain an understanding in discourse; Continuers, which are examples of back channel support; Correction, both self- and other-initiated; Repetition; and Comments, which are similar to Continuers but do not have a back channel support function. We see that the first of these, Intersubjectivity, is by far the most popular, followed by Repetitions and Comments. These results are explained as consequences of the nature of the texts themselves, as some are discussions of presentations and so can be expected to contain many Repetitions, for example. The speech event is also an important factor, as events with asymmetrical power relations like interviews do not contain so many Continuers. Our clear conclusion is that the use of ellipsis is a strong marker of interaction in spoken discourse.

The use of the pronouns we, us, and our in political speeches : A comparative study of the inaugural addresses of Bush and Obama

Pronouns carry considerable importance in language. The speaker’s identity and connection to the audience emerges through the consistent use of certain pronouns (De Fina, 1995). This research is about the use of we, us, and our in political discourse. Specifically, their use will be examined in the inaugural addresses of George W. Bush in 2005 and Barack Obama in 2009. The aim of this research is to examine the frequencies and the co-occurrences of these pronouns and then compare their use in these two speeches. More specifically, how do the pronouns examined affect the message and enhance hearer credibility. This is done by applying (a) a quantitative corpus linguistics analysis and (b) qualitative analysis of the context of use. The results show that there is a difference in frequency of pronoun use; however, the usage of pronouns is rather similar in the two speeches

Topic- and mode-sensitive interaction strategies : Functions of ellipsis in oral communication

In this article, we discuss ellipsis as an interactive strategy by analysing the author’s textchat corpus and the VOICE corpus of English as a Lingua Franca. It is found that there were fewer repetitions in the textchat data, and this is explained as a consequence of the textchat mode. Textchat contributions are preserved as long as the chat is active or has been saved, and therefore users can scroll through and review the discussion, compared to the more fleeting nature of oral conversation. As a result, repetition is less necessary. The frequency of other functions identified could be attributed to the topic of discourse. Discussions involve much ellipsis used to develop discourse, although some were self-presentations with repetition used to confirm details. Back-channel support and comments were often low because speakers instead used forms like yeah as supportive utterances.

Cartas oficiais norte-riograndenses dos séculos XVIII, XIX e XX : constituição e caracterização de um corpus diacrônico

The diachronic studies marked the first decades of the 20th century in Brazilian linguistics, passing by an ostracism period after the 50s. Mainly from the 90s especially with the project, created in 1997, Para a história do português brasileiro (PHPB), which has systemized, in national ambit, the programme related to the area of diachrony the historical studies retake forces and have gradually increased since then. Our work is set in the new scene of Brazilian historical linguistics and it is associated to two research programmes: i) the constitution of a diachronic corpus; ii) the diachrony of text and discourse. As regards the first programme, we made effort to constitute a diachronic corpus of official letters about Rio Grande do Norte, we called cartas oficiais norte-rio-grandenses, written in 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The chosen for bureaucrat letters occurred for they represent a textual category very productive in historical contexts, mostly 18th and 19th centuries, in which the command of writing was the least and also because they bring, almost always explicitly, the information of where, when, for whom and from whom, as remembers Fonseca (2003). The rules for constituting the corpus were based, although not strictly, on the orientation from PHPB. In respect to the second programme, we set up on the ideas of coserian base came from the studies on discourse traditions (TD) (Koch, 1997; Kabatek, 2006) amongst which that the texts are shaped so as to follow their own tradition (Coseriu, 2007), and we turned to Diplomatics (Belloto, 2002) in order to do the characterization of this corpus by the application of concepts from Diplomatics and TD as well as by the presentation of the structures that form those official letters: their textual genres, a kind of TD, with their macrostructures; and some of their formulaic expressions (microstructures), another sort of TD. This stage of characterizing will pay attention, as far as possible, to the dynamic between tradition and innovation that happen in the actualization of those textual structures along the centuries. This work intends to contribute with the researches connected to Historical Linguistics in Rio Grande do Norte, more specifically the ones related to the constitution of diachronic corpora and to TD; and with the study of official documents, textual category about which there are almost no studies (cf. Silveira, 2007)

Tatuagem da palavra : educação sentimental do corpo no corpus poético de Maria Teresa Horta

While looking to the body and finding it engraved by cultural, imaginary and power-related texts through a discourse embodied in itself, this research proposes a new vertiginous approach to it by analyzing the following works: Poesia completa II, more specifically, Educação sentimental, and Novas cartas portuguesas. Such transgressive and performatic works are from Maria Teresa Horta (1937-), Portuguese writer, who proposes a new education by a renewed language: a sentimental education spawned from the erotic element. Starting from the deconstruction of the view over the spoiled body and exposed in Novas cartas portuguesas, from the poetic texts in Educação sentimental, as well as in remaining ones in Poesia completa II, Horta disassembles and reassembles the body, giving a new meaning to the symbols that surround us and our experiences. Other than proposing to all, men and women, such new meaning of the behavior and current practices models, Horta s education allows, through a performance action, the construction of a stage for female identity, free from the phallic influence. A new identity, able to handle all holy and profane characteristics of women, discarding the chromatic lens of sin. Horta s poetry emerges as a new proposal of literary labor

Relationships between cagA, vacA, and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori and DNA damage in the gastric mucosa

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is believed to dispose carriers to gastric cancer by inducing chronic inflammation. The inflammatory processes may result in the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that damage DNA. In this study, we investigated the relationships between DNA damage in the gastric mucosa and cogA, vocA, and iceA genotypes of H. pylori. The study was conducted with biopsies from the gastric antrum and corpus of 98 H. pylori-infected and 26 uninfected control patients. H. pylori genotypes were determined by PCR and DNA damage was measured in gastric mucosal cells by the Comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis). All patients were nonsmokers, not abusing alcohol, and not using prescription or recreational drugs. Levels of DNA damage were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the H. pylori-infected patients than in uninfected patients. In comparison with the level of DNA damage in the uninfected controls, the extent of DNA damage in both the antrum (OR = 8.45; 95% Cl 2.33-37.72) and the corpus (OR 6.55; 95% Cl 2.52-17.72) was related to infection by cagA(+)/vocAs1m1 and iceA1 strains. The results indicate that the genotype of H. pylori is related to the amount of DNA damage in the gastric mucosa. These genotypes could serve as biomarkers for the risk of extensive DNA damage and possibly gastric cancer. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In vitro PGF2 alpha production by endometrium and corpus luteum explants from pregnant and nonpregnant diestrus bitches and placental explants from pregnant bitches

To better understand the process of slow luteal regression of the nonpregnant cycle in dogs and the acute luteolysis that occurs prepartum, the present study investigated in vitro PGF2 alpha production by the endometrium, corpus luteum and placental explants obtained at known times of the cycle from pregnant bitches (days 63, 64 and immediately postpartum; day 0 = estimated day of the ovulatory LH surge) and from nonpregnant diestrus bitches (approximately days 65, 75 and 85). Both basal PGF2 alpha production and its production in the presence of the protein kinase C (PKC) stimulator 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) were determined. For PDBu-supplemented incubations, mean PGF2 alpha production (pg/mL/mg/6 h) by endometrium explants of the nonpregnant bitches in late diestrus was highest on day 65 (205 +/- 87) and reduced to low levels (38 +/- 17 and 11 +/- 11) on days 75 and 85, respectively. The production by corpus luteum explants from these bitches was significantly less on day 65 (46 +/- 14) than that of the day 65 endometrium explants, and was slightly increased on day 85 (103 +/- 52). The corresponding mean PGF2 alpha production by the endometrium explants of pregnant bitches was on average much greater (i.e., two to three-fold) compared to nonpregnant bitches (P < 0.01) and involved high concentrations at day 64 (1523 +/- 467) and postpartum, compared to somewhat lower levels on day 63 (830 +/- 65); luteal PGF production (165 +/- 4) was also higher than in nonpregnant bitches around day 65. For pregnant bitches, PGF production per gram of tissue in the endometrium explants was greater than for the CL or placenta explants (180 +/- 37). Therefore, the endometrium of the pregnant bitch has an increased capability to produce PGF2a immediately prepartum, which on a tissue weight basis, exceeds that of either corpora lutea or the placenta. However, assuming a larger mass of placental tissue in vivo, we inferred that the placenta may contribute substantially to peripheral PGF concentrations. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Canine corpus luteum regression: Apoptosis and caspase-3 activity

The present study evaluated the occurrence of apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in the canine corpus luteum during the period of luteal regression in eight pregnant and nine nonpregnant diestrus bitches. Intact luteal cells were obtained from corpora lutea in both peripartum pregnant bitches and nonpregnant diestrus bitches at approximately 65 d (range 63-68) after estrus, but not at days 75 and 85 in nonpregnant bitches. In all bitches, apoptotic cells were rarely detected and when present, those cells were more easily detected using the hematoxylin and eosin technique than using the critical electrolyte concentration technique. The luteal structures at 75 and 85 d of diestrus had histological characteristics similar to a corpus albicans. Caspase-3 activity was detected in morphologically normal corpora lutea from both pregnant and diestrus bitches around day 65, and also in the later structures considered corpus albicans tissue. These results suggested that apoptosis may not be the major mechanism involved in canine functional luteal regression, and that caspase-3 participated in both functional and morphological luteolysis and in the tissue reorganization involved in corpus albicans formation. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Alternative low doses and routes of administering a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue to induce luteolysis in Nelore cows

The present study was conducted in order to verify the efficacy of lower doses and alternative routes of a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue, luprostiol (PGF), for the induction of luteolysis and the precipitation of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus). A conventional dose (15 mg) of PGF was compared to doses lower than the conventional dose, which ranges from 10 to 50%, that were administered intramuscularly (IM), intravulvosubmucosally (IVSM), or in the Bai-hui acupuncture site located within the lumbosacral area. The cows were administered PGF 8 day after estrus in the presence of a corpus luteum, and randomly assigned to the following groups: G1 (positive control), 15 mg, IM (n = 23); G2, 7.5 mg, IM (n = 23); G3, 3.75 mg, I M (n = 24); G4, 7.5 mg, IVSM (n = 25); G5, 3.75 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 24); and G6, 1.5 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 25). The results indicated that 50% of a conventional dose of PGF (7.5 mg) resulted in a complete luteal regression (plasma progesterone < 1 ng/ml) at Hour 48, and hastened estrus, regardless of whether or not PGF was administered IM or IVSM. Comparatively, 10 or 25% of the conventional dose, even when administered to the Bai-hui acupoint, resulted in an initial reduction in the concentration of progesterone at Hour 24, followed by an increase observed at Hour 48. In conclusion, 25% of a conventional PGF dose administered via the Bai-hui acupoint proved inadequate to induce a complete luteal regression, whereas 50% of a conventional dose administered IM or IVSM was found to be the minimal dose required to induce effectively a complete luteal regression, and to precipitate the onset of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows.

Plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F-2-alpha (PGFM), progesterone and estradiol in pregnant and nonpregnant diestrus cross-bred bitches

The canine corpus luteum (CL) typically sustains elevated plasma progesterone concentrations for 2 months or more, with a peak approximately 15-25 days after ovulation, followed by a slow decline. The processes involved in the slow, protracted regression of the CL over the remaining 1.5-2-month period in nonpregnant bitches and until shortly prepartum in pregnant bitches are not well characterized. The rapid luteolysis that occurs immediately prepartum appears to be a result of a prepartum rise in peripheral PGF. The potential role of PGF in the slow regression process in the several weeks preceding parturition and in nonpregnant bitches after 15-25 days after ovulation is not known. Therefore, plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F-2-alpha (PGFM), progesterone (P-4) and estradiol (E-2) Were determined and compared in bitches during nonpregnant diestrus (n = 9) or pregnancy (n = 8). During the gradual decrease in plasma concentrations of progesterone in both groups, the P-4 pattern appeared unrelated to changes in either E-2 or PGFM concentrations. The PGFM pattern was different between diestrus and pregnant bitches (P > 0.01); there was an apparent progressive but slow increase in PGFM in pregnant bitches from Days 30 to 60, followed by a large increase prior to parturition; concentrations declined immediately postpartum. However, there were no increases in PGFM during the same interval in nonpregnant bitches. Mean estradiol concentrations were sporadically elevated during the last third of pregnancy and less so in nonpregnant diestrus; there was no acute prepartum increase in estradiol associated with the PGFM increase. In summary, although there were no apparent changes in peripheral PGF(2)alpha concentration involved in regulating the slow protracted phase of luteal regression in nonpregnant bitches, modest increases in PGFM may play a role in ovarian function after mid-gestation in pregnant bitches. Furthermore, the acute prepartum rise in PGFM was not dependent on any concomitant increase in estradiol concentrations. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.