PMD tolerant nonlinear compensation using in-line phase conjugation.

In this paper, we numerically investigate the impact of polarisation mode dispersion on the efficiency of compensation of nonlinear transmission penalties for systems employing one of more inline phase conjugation devices. We will show that reducing the spacing between phase conjugations allows for significantly improved performance in the presence polarisation mode dispersion or a significant relaxation in the acceptable level of polarization mode dispersion. We show that these results are consistent with previously presented full statistical analysis of nonlinear transmission appropriately adjusted for the reduced section length undergoing compensation.

Capacity limits of systems employing multiple optical phase conjugators.

We extend the theory of parametric noise amplification to the case of transmission systems employing multiple optical phase conjugators, demonstrating that the excess noise due to this process may be reduced in direct proportion to the number of phase conjugation devices employed. We further identify that the optimum noise suppression is achieved for an odd number of phase conjugators, and that the noise may be further suppressed by up to 3dB by partial digital back propagation (or fractional spans at the ends of the links).

Electronic dispersion compensation using full optical-field reconstruction in 10Gbit/s OOK based systems.

We investigate the design of electronic dispersion compensation (EDC) using full optical-field reconstruction in 10Gbit/s on-off keyed transmission systems limited by optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR). By effectively suppressing the impairment due to low-frequency component amplification in phase reconstruction, properly designing the transmission system configuration to combat fiber nonlinearity, and successfully reducing the vulnerability to thermal noise, a 4.8dB OSNR margin can be achieved for 2160km single-mode fiber transmission without any optical dispersion compensation. We also investigate the performance sensitivity of the scheme to various system parameters, and propose a novel method to greatly enhance the tolerance to differential phase misalignment of the asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This numerical study provides important design guidelines which will enable full optical-field EDC to become a cost-effective dispersion compensation solution for future transparent optical networks.

Synthesis and LTD4 antagonist activity of 2-norleukotriene analogues.

A series of structural analogues of 4(R)-hydroxy-5(S)-cysteinylglycyl-6(Z)-nonadecenoic acid [4R,5S,6Z)-2-nor-LTD1 (10b), SK&F 101132) has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. (4R,5S,6Z)-2-nor-LTD1 significantly antagonized LTD4-induced contractile responses on isolated guinea pig trachea. The cis double-bond geometry appears to be critical for antagonist activity, whereas the trans isomer 17 exhibited weak contractile activity. Replacement of the cysteinylglycyl moiety with cysteine afforded 20, which retained significant antagonist activity, while lengthening or shortening the lipid tail by five methylene groups resulted in complete loss of activity. The eicosanoid amide 15, glycinamide 14, and C-1 carbinol 18 analogues all possessed antagonist activity, whereas the diol derivative 19 exhibited increased intrinsic agonist activity.

Synthesis and renal vasodilator activity of some dopamine agonist 1-aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine-7,8-diols: halogen and methyl analogues of fenoldopam.

Certain 6-halo-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines were found to be potent D-1 dopamine agonists. The 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl) analogues did not have central nervous system activity because their high polarity inhibited entry into the brain. However, these compounds were potent renal vasodilators. Fenoldopam, the 6-chloro analogue, is an especially significant member of the series, and its synthesis, pharmacology, and clinical properties have been studied extensively. The 6-methyl and 6-iodo congeners were potent renal vasodilators, but nonpotent partial D-1 agonists as measured by stimulation of rat caudate adenylate cyclase. A possible rationalization suggests different receptor reserves for these activities. The 9-substituted benzazepines were either inactive or of low potency as dopamine agonists, while the N-methyl analogues had significant antagonist potency as measured by inhibition of dopamine stimulation of rat caudate adenylate cyclase.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of a series of 5-aryl-4,6-dithianonanedioic acids and related compounds: a novel class of leukotriene antagonists.

A series of 5-alkynyl- and 5-aryl-4,6-dithianonanedioic acids and related compounds has been prepared for evaluation of leukotriene antagonist activity. The alkynyl compounds were prepared by thioacetal exchange from the corresponding acetylenic acetals. The aryl derivatives were synthesized from the appropriate benzaldehydes, most of which were prepared by one of three general routes: Meyers' oxazolin method, a palladium coupling procedure, and a hydroxybenzaldehyde alkylation. The analogues were examined in vitro for their ability to antagonize an LTD4-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle and to compete with [3H]LTD4 for receptor sites on guinea pig lung membrane. A number of structure-activity relationships have emerged from this study. There is an optimal chain length of 10-12 atoms (or its equivalent) in the lipid tail and two methylenes in the polar region. In the aromatic series, the ortho- and meta-substituted compounds have comparable activity, whereas the para derivatives are inactive. Substitution in the aromatic ring and lipid tail is generally well tolerated, with the terminal phenyl (6) and acetylene (33) analogues having especially good activity. Conformational restriction of either the polar region or lipid tail produced compounds devoid of activity. A number of selected analogues were also evaluated in vivo as antagonists of LTD4-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig. The data established these compounds as a novel class of leukotriene antagonists with potential utility for the treatment of asthma and other immediate hypersensitivity diseases.

Decreased attentional responsivity during sleep deprivation: orienting response latency, amplitude, and habituation.

Ever increasing societal demands for uninterrupted work are causing unparalleled amounts of sleep deprivation among workers. Sleep deprivation has been linked to safety problems ranging from medical misdiagnosis to industrial and vehicular accidents. Microsleeps (very brief intrusions of sleep into wakefulness) are usually cited as the cause of the performance decrements during sleep deprivation. Changes in a more basic physiological phenomenon, attentional shift, were hypothesized to be additional factors in performance declines. The current study examined the effects of 36 hours of sleep deprivation on the electrodermal-orienting response (OR), a measure of attentional shift or capture. Subjects were 71 male undergraduate students, who were divided into sleep deprivation and control (non-sleep deprivation) groups. The expected negative effects of sleep deprivation on performance were noted in increased reaction times and increased variability in the sleep-deprived group on attention-demanding cognitive tasks. OR latency was found to be significantly delayed after sleep deprivation, OR amplitude was significantly decreased, and habituation of the OR was significantly faster during sleep deprivation. These findings indicate impaired attention, the first revealing slowed shift of attention to novel stimuli, the second indicating decreased attentional allocation to stimuli, and the third revealing more rapid loss of attention to repeated stimuli. These phenomena may be factors in the impaired cognitive performance seen during sleep deprivation.

The occurrence of chemically induced hormesis.

This paper will provide an overview of the potential general applicability of chemical hormesis. Evidence will be presented on the occurrence of chemical hormesis by chemical classes studied (e.g. heavy metals, polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc.), by affected biological and toxic end points (e.g. growth enzyme activities, DNA-repair capacity, life span, tumor incidence) and by biological/taxonomic systems. Several specific examples of possible hormetic effects with respect to agents of environmental concern, such as chloroform, will be presented along with a discussion of future research directions.

Searching for the phenotypes of schizophrenia.

Use of clinical diagnosis as the phenotype for genetic study is discussed, and criteria for appropriate alternative phenotypes are presented. Then, recent research on four alternatives is discussed: (a) resistance to interference from an associative prime, (b) reaction time crossover, (c) creativity, and (d) socioeconomic achievement. It is concluded that resistance to interference from an associative prime and reaction time crossover at 3-sec. preparatory interval level are the most promising of these candidates.

The organization of exploratory behavior in Down syndrome and nondelayed infants.

The exploratory behaviors of a sample of 11 infants with Down syndrome and 11 nondelayed infants, matched on Bayley mental raw scores and gender, were analyzed. Transitional probabilities and z scores were computed for each possible behavior change as well as frequencies of each behavior. The analyses revealed significant differences in how the 2 samples distribute their exploratory activities. The significant transitional probabilities among the 6 behavioral states revealed a pattern of similarities and differences. In general, both groups of infants organized their exploratory activities in a similar manner. However, there were differences that appeared to depend on the level of exploratory sophistication. The results are discussed in the context of the similarities and differences between the samples.

In vitro microsomal metabolism of the leukotriene receptor antagonist, 5-(2-dodecylphenyl)-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid (SK&F 102,081).

In vivo experiments indicate that the major route of metabolism of SK&F 102,081 [5-(2-dodecylphenyl)-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid] is via omega-oxidation and subsequent beta-oxidation. Therefore, in vitro experiments were designed to characterize the initial reaction of this pathway, omega-hydroxylation. SK&F 102,081 was metabolized by rat hepatic microsomes to two products; mass spectral analysis indicated that these products were the omega (omega) and omega minus one (omega-1) hydroxylated metabolites, 5-[2-(12-hydroxy)dodecylphenyl]-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid and 5-[2-(11-hydroxy)dodecylphenyl]-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid, respectively. NADPH and oxygen were required for the formation of these metabolites. Kinetic analysis of omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylations of SK&F 102,081 indicated that the apparent Km for (omega-1)-hydroxylation (52.6 microM) was approximately 2.5-fold higher than the apparent Km for omega-hydroxylation (22.0 microM). Furthermore, the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, metyrapone, produced differential inhibition of omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylation. In addition, the terminal acetylenic analogue of SK&F 102,081, SK&F 103,600 (5-[2-(11-dodecynyl)phenyl]-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid), produced differential suicide inactivation of SK&F 102,081 omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylations. These studies indicate that the omega- and (omega-1)-hydroxylations of SK&F 102,081 are probably carried out by different isozymes of hepatic cytochrome P-450 in the rat. Furthermore, the isozymes that hydroxylate SK&F 102,081 at the omega- and (omega-1)-positions may be similar to those which mediate similar reactions on endogenous compounds such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

In vivo metabolism of the leukotriene receptor antagonist, 5-(2-dodecylphenyl)-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid (SK&F 102,081) in the guinea pig.

Both leukotrienes and their receptor antagonists possess substantial pharmacologic activity in in vitro systems, but their duration of action in vivo is extremely short. The exact mechanism of rapid inactivation of these lipids is unknown, but is likely due to metabolism. Therefore, the metabolic fate of a model antagonist 5-(2-dodecylphenyl)-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid (SK&F 102,081) was elucidated in anesthetized guinea pigs. Following iv administration of [14C]SK&F 102,081 (5 mg/kg), 85% of injected radioactivity was excreted in bile in 1 hr. Approximately 6% of the radioactivity in bile was associated with parent. At least 14 metabolites were present in bile, 2 of which accounted for almost 60% of the excreted radioactivity. Identification of biliary metabolites revealed that metabolism occurred by two major routes, omega-oxidation with subsequent beta-oxidation and acyl glucuronidation at approximately a 4:1 ratio. Since current structure-activity relationships suggest that omega-oxidation results in the loss of pharmacologic activity of SK&F 102,081, the rapid loss in pharmacologic activity observed in vivo may be due to rapid metabolism.

Metabolism of the leukotriene receptor antagonist 5-(2-(8-phenyloctyl)phenyl)-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid (SK&F 102922) in the guinea pig. Rearrangement of the acyl glucuronide.

A primary route of inactivation of leukotrienes and their receptor antagonists (LTRA) is metabolism by omega oxidation. SK&F 102922 [5-(2-(8-phenyloctyl)phenyl)-4,6-dithianonanedioic acid] is a LTRA that was designed to be resistant to omega oxidation. Therefore, these experiments were designed to characterize the metabolic fate of [14C]SK&F 102922. Following iv administration of SK&F 102922 (5 mg/kg), 80% of injected radioactivity was excreted in bile in 1 hr. At least five metabolites and parent (18% of administered dose) were present in bile. One metabolite (M1), which accounted for less than 10% of the excreted radioactivity, was monohydroxylated. Three metabolites (M2, M3A, and M3B), which together accounted for greater than 50% of excreted radioactivity, had mass spectra consistent with acyl glucuronides. All three metabolites were alkali labile, whereas only one metabolite (M2) was susceptible to beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis. These data indicate that M3a and M3b are nonglycosidic isomers of M2 that were formed by a nonenzymic reaction involving migration of the aglycone (SK&F 102922) from C-1 to C-2, C-3, or C-4 of glucuronic acid. The 1-O-acyl-beta-glucuronide of SK&F 102922 (M2) exhibits pH dependent rearrangement, with half-lives ranging from 1 to greater than 1000 hr. Therefore, acyl glucuronidation can account for much of the metabolic fate of SK&F 102922 and, potentially, other structurally related LTRAs or endogenous leukotrienes themselves.

2-nor-leukotriene analogs: antagonists of the airway and vascular smooth muscle effects of leukotriene C4, D4 and E4.

A structural analog of LTD4, 4R-hydroxy-5S-cysteinylglycyl-6Z-nonadecenoic acid (4R, 5S, 6Z-2-nor-LTD1) has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. It significantly antagonized the contractile action of LTD4, LTC4 and LTE4 in guinea pig airways. In addition, this compound antagonized the in vitro vasoconstrictive effects of LTD4 in the guinea pig pulmonary artery. The study of a series of structural analogs of 4R, 5S, 6Z-2-nor-LTD1 suggests that the spatial separation of the C-1 (eicosanoid) carboxyl relative to the hydroxyl is a critical determinant in LTD4 agonist/antagonist activity.

Synthesis and LTD4-antagonist activity of desamino-2-nor-leukotriene analogs.

A series of desamino-2-nor-leukotriene analogs has been prepared by the reaction of various thiols with several methyl trans-4,5-epoxy-6Z-alkenoates, followed by deprotection. The products were assessed for their ability to antagonize the LTD4-induced contraction of the isolated guinea pig trachea. Several compounds displayed potent leukotriene antagonist activity, i.e., KB values in the sub-micromolar range, while only minimally affecting basal airway tone. The most potent analog, 4-hydroxy-5-(2-carboxyethylthio)-6Z-nonadecenoic acid, antagonized both LTD4- and LTE4-induced contractions of the trachea in an apparently competitive fashion. These agents possess increased potency relative to SK&F 101132, the first leukotriene analog identified as having LT-antagonist activity. Thus, these results demonstrate that deletion of the peptide amino group can produce leukotriene analogs which have minimal intrinsic contractile activity on the isolated guinea pig trachea, yet possess potent leukotriene-antagonistic effects.