Associations of social cohesion and quality of life with objective and perceived built environments: a latent profile analysis among seniors.

BACKGROUND: Healthy aging requires support from local built and social environments. Using latent profile analysis, this study captured the multidimensionality of the built environment and examined relations between objective and perceived built environment profiles, neighborhood social cohesion and quality of life among seniors. METHODS: In total, 693 participants aged 66-97 were sampled from two US locales in 2005-2008 as part of the Senior Neighborhood Quality of Life Study (SNQLS). Perceived social cohesion and quality of life were assessed using validated surveys. Six objective (geographic information system (GIS)-based) and seven perceived built environment latent profiles generated in previous SNQLS publications were used for analyses. Mixed-effects models estimated social cohesion and quality of life separately as a function of the built environment profiles. RESULTS: More walkable and destination-rich perceived built environment profiles were associated with higher social cohesion and quality of life. Objective built environment profiles were not associated with social cohesion and only positively associated with quality of life in only one locale (Baltimore/DC). CONCLUSIONS: Latent profile analysis offered a comprehensive approach to assessing the built environment. Seniors who perceived their neighborhoods to be highly walkable and recreationally dense experienced higher neighborhood social cohesion and quality of life, which may set the stage for healthier aging.

Proton vibrational dynamics in lithium imide investigated through incoherent inelastic and Compton neutron scattering.

In the present study we report neutron spectroscopic measurements on polycrystalline lithium imide, namely, incoherent inelastic neutron scattering at 20 K, and neutron Compton scattering from 10 K up to room temperature. From the former technique the H-projected density of phonon states up to 100 meV is derived, while the latter works out the spherically averaged single-particle (i.e., H, Li, and N) momentum distributions and, from this, the mean kinetic energies. Only for H at the lowest investigated temperature, non-gaussian components of its momentum distribution are detected. However, these components do not seem directly connected to the system anharmonicity, being fully compatible with the simple N-H bond anisotropy. Neutron data are also complemented by ab initio lattice dynamics simulations, both harmonic and, at room temperature, carried out in the framework of the so-called "quantum colored noise thermostat" method. The single-particle mean kinetic energies in lithium imide as a function of temperature show a quite peculiar behavior at the moment not reproduced by ab initio lattice dynamics methods, at least as far as H and Li are concerned. As matter of fact, neither their low temperature values nor their temperature trends can be precisely explained in terms of standard phonon calculations.

Spherical momentum distribution of the protons in hexagonal ice from modeling of inelastic neutron scattering data.

The spherical momentum distribution of the protons in ice is extracted from a high resolution deep inelastic neutron scattering experiment. Following a recent path integral Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics study, data were successfully interpreted in terms of an anisotropic Gaussian model, with a statistical accuracy comparable to that of the model independent scheme used previously, but providing more detailed information on the three dimensional potential energy surface experienced by the proton. A recently proposed theoretical concept is also employed to directly calculate the mean force from the experimental neutron Compton profile, and to evaluate the accuracy required to unambiguously resolve and extract the effective proton potential from the experimental data.

Isotope quantum effects on the water proton mean kinetic energy.

A deep inelastic neutron scattering experiment, performed on D(2)O in the stable and metastable liquid phases, provides evidence for isotope quantum effects in the proton or deuteron single particle dynamics along the hydrogen bond. The deuteron mean kinetic energy extracted from the experimental data in the metastable supercooled phase (T = 276.15 K) exceeds the zero point energy and scales as sqrt[2] with that of protons in supercooled light water, at T = 269.15 K. The present data support the suggestion that even small changes in the short range environment of a deuteron or proton have a strong influence on its quantum behavior.

The role of Plantaris Longus in Achilles tendinopathy: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: The Plantaris Longus Tendon (PLT) may be implicated in Achilles (AT) tendinopathy. Different mechanical characteristics may be the cause. This study is designed to measure these. METHODS: Six PLT and six AT were harvested from frozen cadavers (aged 65-88). Samples were stretched to failure using a Minimat 2000™ (Rheometric Scientific Inc.). Force and elongation were recorded. Calculated tangent stiffness, failure stress and strain were obtained. Averaged mechanical properties were compared using paired, one-tailed t-tests. RESULTS: Mean stiffness was higher (p<0.001) in the PLT, measuring 5.71 N/mm (4.68-6.64), compared with 1.73 N/mm (1.40-2.22) in AT. Failure stress was also higher (p<0.01) in PLT: 1.42 N/mm(2) (0.86-2.23) AT: 0.20 N/mm(2) (0.16-0.25). Failure strain was less (p<0.05) in PLT: 14.1% (11.5-16.8) than AT: 21.8% (14.9-37.9). CONCLUSIONS: The PLT is stiffer, stronger than AT, demonstrating potential for relative movement under load. The stiffer PLT could tether AT and initiate an inflammatory response.

Total Endoscopic Ear Surgery in management of cochleocele: A case series.

Cochleocele is an extrusion or herniation of the endosteum, through an incomplete stapes footplate, into the middle ear. The cochleocele may rupture resulting in a cerebrospinal fluid leak into the middle ear space causing a risk of menigitis. We report six cases of Incomplete Partition Type I with cochleocele which have all been successfully treated using a Totally Endoscopic Ear Surgery approach even during infancy. As the first two cases developed post-operative pseudomonas meningitis, preventative strategies are recommended.

The effects of hepatocyte stimulating factor on fibrinogen biosynthesis in hepatocyte monolayers.

The biosynthesis of fibrinogen increased at least eightfold in primary hepatocytes when incubated in the presence of monocyte/macrophage-derived hepatocyte stimulating factor (HSF). The large increase in fibrinogen production is due to increased availability of the mRNAs for the protein since cytodot analysis of cellular RNA showed a 10-12-fold increase in each of the fibrinogen mRNAs. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the time for fibrinogen synthesis, assembly, and secretion was 40-50 min for both control and stimulating conditions. This indicates that the increased production was due principally to the presence of greater amounts of fibrinogen mRNA rather than translation or secretion-specific events. Three lines of evidence indicate that the increase in fibrinogen production was due to HSF effects on transcription: (a) analysis of cytoplasmic levels of each of the fibrinogen mRNAs showed that all three increased at the same rate and to the same extent, demonstrating that HSF affects the three gene products coordinately; (b) Northern gel analysis of cytoplasmic RNA isolated after very brief exposures to HSF showed increases in a large molecular weight fibrinogen RNA precursor; and (c) actinomycin D blocked the HSF-stimulated increase in fibrinogen mRNA species. Furthermore, experiments in which protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide failed to inhibit the increase in fibrinogen mRNAs, indicating new protein synthesis is not required for the HSF stimulation of fibrinogen mRNA. These results are consistent with our hypothesis that HSF is exerting its control of fibrinogen at the level of gene transcription.

Sedentariness and increased visceral adiposity in adult perinatally iron-deficient rats.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal iron deficiency (PID) adversely programs offspring resulting in alterations in adult cardiometabolic function. Increased visceral adiposity is the proposed culprit for these sequelae, and may be potentiated by decreased physical activity. Herein, we determined (i) the effect of PID on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and locomotor activity, and (ii) whether increased VAT is associated with blood pressure responsiveness to increased dietary sodium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Dams were fed a low iron diet (<10 mg/kg Fe) prior to and throughout gestation. From 12 to 35 weeks of age, locomotor activity (assessed by radiotelemetry) in PID offspring was 25% lower compared with control offspring (P<0.001). At 36 weeks of age, PID offspring had 15% more VAT than controls (P<0.05). Furthermore, the elevation of mean arterial pressure (by radiotelemetry) in response to increased sodium intake was approximately twofold greater in the PID offspring (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PID results in increased visceral adiposity, which was associated with enhanced blood pressure responsiveness to dietary salt, perhaps due to programmed sedentary behavior.

Does initial spacing influence crown and hydraulic architecture of Eucalyptus marginata?

Long-term declines in rainfall in south-western Australia have resulted in increased interest in the hydraulic characteristics of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Smith) forest established in the region's drinking water catchments on rehabilitated bauxite mining sites. We hypothesized that in jarrah forest established on rehabilitated mine sites: (1) leaf area index (L) is independent of initial tree spacing; and (2) more densely planted trees have less leaf area for the same leaf mass, or the same sapwood area, and have denser sapwood. Initial stand densities ranged from about 600 to 9000 stems ha(-1), and trees were 18 years old at the time of sampling. Leaf area index was unaffected by initial stand density, except in the most sparsely stocked stands where L was 1.2 compared with 2.0-2.5 in stands at other spacings. The ratio of leaf area to sapwood area (A(l):A(s)) was unaffected by tree spacing or tree size and was 0.2 at 1.3 m height and 0.25 at the crown base. There were small increases in sapwood density and decreases in leaf specific area with increased spacing. Tree diameter or basal area was a better predictor of leaf area than sapwood area. At the stand scale, basal area was a good predictor of L (r(2) = 0.98, n = 15) except in the densest stands. We conclude that the hydraulic attributes of this forest type are largely independent of initial tree spacing, thus simplifying parameterization of stand and catchment water balance models.

Can compressive stress be measured experimentally within the annulus fibrosus of degenerated intervertebral discs?

The aims were to assess the ability of a pressure transducer to measure compressive stress within the annulus fibrosus of degenerated intervertebral discs. Measurements could help to explain the mechanisms of disc failure and low back pain. The methods used were as follows. Thirteen full-depth cores of annulus, 7 mm in diameter, were removed from the middle and outer annuli of two severely degenerated human discs and constrained within a metal cylinder. Then static compressive forces were applied by a plane-ended metal indenter of diameter 6.8 mm, while a strain-gauged pressure transducer, side mounted in a needle of diameter 0.9 mm and calibrated in saline, was pulled through the tissue. The transducer output was converted into stress, and the average measured stress was compared with the nominal applied stress. Measurements were repeated at up to 21 load levels, with the transducer oriented vertically and horizontally. The results showed that the measured and applied stress were linearly related (average r2 = 0.98) with a mean gradient (calibration factor) of 0.98 (vertical stress) and 0.92 (horizontal stress). Gradients ranged between 1.28 and 0.73. Damaged transducers grossly under-recorded 'stress' even though their output remained proportional to applied load. It was concluded that pressure transducers can measure compressive stress inside a degenerated human annulus. The tissue is sufficiently deformable to allow efficient coupling of stress between the matrix and transducer membrane. Damage to the transducer can give misleading results.

Soil water nitrate and ammonium dynamics under a sewage effluent irrigated eucalypt plantation.

Managed forests and plantations are appropriate ecosystems for land-based treatment of effluent, but concerns remain regarding nutrient contamination of ground- and surface waters. Monthly NO3-N and NH4-N concentrations in soil water, accumulated soil N, and gross ammonification and nitrification rates were measured in the second year of a second rotation of an effluent irrigated Eucalyptus globulus plantation in southern Western Australia to investigate the separate and interactive effects of drip and sprinkler irrigation, effluent and water irrigation, irrigation rate, and harvest residues retention. Nitrate concentrations of soil water were greater under effluent irrigation than water irrigation but remained <15 mg L(-1) when irrigated at the normal rate (1.5-2.0 mm d(-1)), and there was little evidence of downward movement. In contrast, NH4-N concentrations of soil water at 30 and 100 cm were generally greater under effluent irrigation than water irrigation when irrigated at the normal rate because of direct effluent NH4-N input and indirect ammonification of soil organic N. Drip irrigation of effluent approximately doubled peak NO3-N and NH4-N concentrations in soil water. Harvest residue retention reduced concentrations of soil water NO3-N at 30 cm during active sprinkler irrigation, but after 1 yr of irrigation there was no significant difference in the amount of N stored in the soil system, although harvest residue retention did enhance the "nitrate flush" in the following spring. Gross mineralization rates without irrigation increased with harvest residue retention and further increased with water irrigation. Irrigation with effluent further increased gross nitrification to 3.1 mg N kg(-1) d(-1) when harvest residues were retained but had no effect on gross ammonification, which suggested the importance of heterotrophic nitrification. The downward movement of N under effluent irrigation was dominated by NH4-N rather than NO3-N. Improving the capacity of forest soils to store and transform N inputs through organic matter management must consider the dynamic equilibrium between N input, uptake, and immobilization according to soil C status, and the effect changing microbial processes and environmental conditions can have on this equilibrium.

Biomechanics of the human intervertebral disc: A review of testing techniques and results.

Many experimental testing techniques have been adopted in order to provide an understanding of the biomechanics of the human intervertebral disc (IVD). The aim of this review article is to amalgamate results from these studies to provide readers with an overview of the studies conducted and their contribution to our current understanding of the biomechanics and function of the IVD. The overview is presented in a way that should prove useful to experimentalists and computational modellers. Mechanical properties of whole IVDs can be assessed conveniently by testing 'motion segments' comprising two vertebrae and the intervening IVD and ligaments. Neural arches should be removed if load-sharing between them and the disc is of no interest, and specimens containing more than two vertebrae are required to study 'adjacent level' effects. Mechanisms of injury (including endplate fracture and disc herniation) have been studied by applying complex loading at physiologically-relevant loading rates, whereas mechanical evaluations of surgical prostheses require slower application of standardised loading protocols. Results can be strongly influenced by the testing environment, preconditioning, loading rate, specimen age and degeneration, and spinal level. Component tissues of the disc (anulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, and cartilage endplates) have been studied to determine their material properties, but only the anulus has been thoroughly evaluated. Animal discs can be used as a model of human discs where uniform non-degenerate specimens are required, although differences in scale, age, and anatomy can lead to problems in interpretation.

Nitric oxide-mediated regulation of chemosensitivity in cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia in tumors is associated with malignant progression, metastatic spread, and increased resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Molecular O(2) is required for the cellular production of nitric oxide (NO) by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS), and NO may block components of the adaptive response to hypoxia. Hence, we hypothesized that hypoxia increases drug resistance in tumor cells by inhibiting endogenous NO production. METHODS: Human breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) and mouse melanoma (B16F10) cells were pre-exposed to 20% O(2), 5% O(2), or 1% O(2), incubated with a pharmacologic inhibitor of endogenous NO production, and then treated with chemotherapeutic agents. Resistance was assessed by colony-formation assays, and western blot analysis was used to measure NOS protein levels. All P values were two-sided. RESULTS: Incubation of MDA-MB-231 tumor cells in 1% O(2) maximally increased their resistance to doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil by 8.5-fold (P =.002) and 2.3-fold (P =.002), respectively, compared with incubation in 20% O(2). B16F10 mouse melanoma cells preincubated in 1% O(2) (versus 20% O(2)) for 12 hours exhibited a twofold increase in resistance to doxorubicin (P<.001). The rapid acquisition of drug resistance after exposure to 1% O(2) could be mimicked by incubating the MDA-MB-231 cells for 12 hours with the NOS inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-Larginine (fivefold increase; P<.001). Conversely, replacement of NO activity by use of the NO-mimetic glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and diethylenetriamine NO adduct produced statistically significant attenuations in the development of resistance of 59% (P<.001) and 40% (P<.001), respectively, in MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment of B16F10 cells with GTN produced a 58% reduction in resistance (P<.001). MDA-MB-231 cells expressed all three isoforms of the NOS enzyme at levels that were not altered by exposure to hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: NO mediates chemosensitivity in tumor cells, and hypoxia-induced drug resistance appears to result, in part, from downstream suppression of endogenous NO production. These results raise the possibility that administration of small doses of NO mimetics could be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapy.

Vertebroplasty reduces progressive ׳creep' deformity of fractured vertebrae.

Elderly vertebrae frequently develop an "anterior wedge" deformity as a result of fracture and creep mechanisms. Injecting cement into a damaged vertebral body (vertebroplasty) is known to help restore its shape and stiffness. We now hypothesise that vertebroplasty is also effective in reducing subsequent creep deformations. Twenty-eight spine specimens, comprising three complete vertebrae and the intervening discs, were obtained from cadavers aged 67-92 years. Each specimen was subjected to increasingly-severe compressive loading until one of its vertebrae was fractured, and the damaged vertebral body was then treated by vertebroplasty. Before and after fracture, and again after vertebroplasty, each specimen was subjected to a static compressive force of 1kN for 1h while elastic and creep deformations were measured in the anterior, middle and posterior regions of each adjacent vertebral body cortex, using a 2D MacReflex optical tracking system. After fracture, creep in the anterior and central regions of the vertebral body cortex increased from an average 4513 and 885 microstrains, respectively, to 54,107 and 34,378 microstrains (both increases: P<0.001). Elastic strains increased by a comparable amount. Vertebroplasty reduced creep in the anterior and central cortex by 61% (P=0.006) and 66% (P=0.017) respectively. Elastic strains were reduced by less than half this amount. Results suggest that the beneficial effects of vertebroplasty on the vertebral body continue long after the post-operative radiographs. Injected cement not only helps to restore vertebral shape and elastic properties, but also reduces subsequent creep deformation of the damaged vertebra.

Brain Structural and Vascular Anatomy Is Altered in Offspring of Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pre-eclampsia is a serious clinical gestational disorder occurring in 3%-5% of all human pregnancies and characterized by endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications. Offspring born of pre-eclamptic pregnancies are reported to exhibit deficits in cognitive function, higher incidence of depression, and increased susceptibility to stroke. However, no brain imaging reports exist on these offspring. We aimed to assess brain structural and vascular anatomy in 7- to 10-year-old offspring of pre-eclamptic pregnancies compared with matched controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Offspring of pre-eclamptic pregnancies and matched controls (n = 10 per group) were recruited from an established longitudinal cohort examining the effects of pre-eclampsia. Children underwent MR imaging to identify brain structural and vascular anatomic differences. Maternal plasma samples collected at birth were assayed for angiogenic factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Offspring of pre-eclamptic pregnancies exhibited enlarged brain regional volumes of the cerebellum, temporal lobe, brain stem, and right and left amygdalae. These offspring displayed reduced cerebral vessel radii in the occipital and parietal lobes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis revealed underexpression of the placental growth factor among the maternal plasma samples from women who experienced pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report brain structural and vascular anatomic alterations in the population of offspring of pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Brain structural alterations shared similarities with those seen in autism. Vascular alterations may have preceded these structural alterations. This pilot study requires further validation with a larger population to provide stronger estimates of brain structural and vascular outcomes among the offspring of pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Comparison of high- and low-diabetes-incidence NOD mouse strains.

The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse is a model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These mice develop insulinopenia and hyperglycemia secondary to beta-cell destruction, which is associated with insulitis and autoantibody production. We have two strains of NOD mice: a low-incidence strain (NOD/Wehi), in which less than 10% females and less than 1% males develop diabetes by 150 days despite intense insulitis, and a high-incidence strain (NOD/Lt), in which most females and many males develop diabetes by 150 days. This phenotypic difference has been maintained for 24 mo despite identical housing in our specific pathogen-free unit. Reciprocal skin grafting and allozyme electrophoresis have not identified a difference between the strains. Mixed-lymphocyte cultures were performed with splenic T-lymphocytes cultured with equal numbers of irradiated stimulator splenocytes for 3-6 days. NOD/Wehi mice demonstrated a heightened syngeneic mixed-lymphocyte response (SMLR), averaging 19% of the allogeneic response to CBA/CaHWehi cells. The response to NOD/Lt stimulator cells was not significantly different from the syngeneic response. In contrast, NOD/Lt mice had an SMLR similar to that of BALB/cAnBradleyWehi control mice, averaging 5% of the allogeneic response. NOD/Lt cells also responded similarly to NOD/Wehi stimulator cells and briskly to allogeneic cells. The heightened SMLR in NOD/Wehi mice may reflect active generation of suppressor function, and this may account for the low incidence of diabetes.

Common therapeutic strategies in the management of sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent complication of treated and untreated cardiovascular disease. In fact, approximately 30% of hypertensives have been found to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) resulting from arterial dysfunction. Recent evidence has suggested that ED may be an early indicator of subclinical cardiovascular disease. In women, the evidence is similar, but more limited, showing that in hypertensive patients there is an increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction involving decreased vaginal lubrication, decreased orgasm, and increased pain. Clouding the issue, however, is that some antihypertensive agents may induce sexual dysfunction in hypertensives with normal sexual function. In contrast to the chronic treatments used in hypertension, therapies for ED involve acute treatments (none currently approved for women) targeting vasodilation of penile arteries, resulting in erection. Common to the treatment of hypertension and ED is that the current therapies were not designed to target underlying disorders of local, neural, vascular, or endocrine origin. In fact, while blood pressure is lowered, and erectile responses are improved with the respective therapies, the causal abnormalities may progress thereby limiting the long-term effectiveness of the medication. Some antihypertensive agents have been shown to have additional effects beyond blood pressure reduction and their impact on sexual function is a key focus of this review. This review examines the current and future strategies for treatments of male and female sexual dysfunction and the potential for therapeutic modalities that go beyond the recovery of the responses by targeting the fundamental mechanisms common to both sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.

Differential development of vascular and cardiac hypertrophy in genetic hypertension. Relation to sympathetic function.

We compared blood pressure, hindquarter vascular resistance properties, left ventricular weight, and norepinephrine kinetics, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and weight-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats at 4, 9, 14, 20, 30, and 50 weeks of age. At 4 weeks, systolic and mean blood pressure measurements were the same in both strains, but the vascular resistance of the fully dilated hindquarter bed was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY rats, with a much larger difference during maximum constriction. Plots of resistance at maximum dilatation and at maximum constriction against body weight suggest that a component of the increase in vascular muscle mass in SHR occurred in the neonatal period preceding hypertension followed by a later component related to the rise in blood pressure. By contrast, left ventricular hypertrophy was minimal at 4 weeks and most of its development paralleled the rise in blood pressure. Sympathetic activity, assessed by norepinephrine fractional rate constant, was higher in SHR than in WKY rats in the left ventricle and kidney through most of the period between 4 and 50 weeks, but was similar in both strains in the muscle bed. This pattern of sympathetic activity will accentuate hypertension once cardiac and vascular hypertrophy are fully established. In all regions, norepinephrine tissue concentration was higher in young SHR and could potentiate the trophic effects of growth factors in early vascular hypertrophy. We suggest that the initial (primary) component of vascular hypertrophy precedes the rise in blood pressure and may be critical in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Possible reasons for the short delay in the rise in blood pressure in young SHR, once the vascular "amplifier" has been established, include high vascularity, immaturity of smooth muscle, and delay in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Vasodilators inhibit acute alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-induced trophic responses in the vasculature.

Cardiovascular hypertrophy plays an important role in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system may be one of the initiating factors responsible for the stimulation of growth processes involved in these structural alterations. We have used a well-established early biochemical marker of cellular growth processes, induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), to determine whether alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-induced vascular trophic responses are dependent on arterial pressure elevation. Hydralazine or felodipine were coadministered to control the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist-induced rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methoxamine (2, 5, or 10 mg/kg s.c.) increased the average MAP (up to 20 mm Hg) and vascular ODC activity (up to ninefold) above control rats over 4 hours. Concomitant administration of hydralazine (0.5, 1.25, or 5 mg/kg s.c.) or felodipine (100 or 250 micrograms/kg s.c.) with methoxamine (10 mg/kg) attenuated the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-induced activation of ODC in the aorta and mesenteric resistance vasculature, as well as the MAP increases. Vasodilators alone did not lower basal vascular ODC activity. The major findings include: 1) alpha 1-adrenergic receptor activation dose-dependently induces vascular ODC activity concomitantly with MAP elevation, 2) vasodilators inhibited both the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-induced MAP increases and the activation of mesenteric vascular and aortic ODC, and 3) the stimulus-response correlation between MAP elevation and mesenteric (r = 0.78) and aortic (r = 0.92) ODC activation was characterized by a logistic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)