Applications of Saturn/Apollo automated data system capabilities to problems and environmental impacts of urban transportation

The work plan to achieve the objectives of this project is presented. Tasks discussed include ground truth, remotely sensed data, and the correlation of ground truth and the remotely sensed data

Cognitive Information Processing

Contains goals, background, research activities on one research project and reports on three research projects.Center for Advanced Television StudiesAmerican Broadcasting CompanyAmpex CorporationColumbia Broadcasting SystemsHarris CorporationHome Box OfficePublic Broadcasting ServiceNational Broadcasting CompanyRCA CorporationTektronix3M CompanyProvidence Gravure Co. (Grant)International Business Machines, Inc

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

This review focuses on the expression and function of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), α1-adrenoceptors and relaxin receptors in the male reproductive tract. The localization and differential expression of mAChR and α1-adrenoceptor subtypes in specific compartments of the efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate of various species indicate a role for these receptors in the modulation of luminal fluid composition and smooth muscle contraction, including effects on male fertility. Furthermore, the activation of mAChRs induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Sertoli cell proliferation. The relaxin receptors are present in the testis, RXFP1 in elongated spermatids and Sertoli cells from rat, and RXFP2 in Leydig and germ cells from rat and human, suggesting a role for these receptors in the spermatogenic process. The localization of both receptors in the apical portion of epithelial cells and smooth muscle layers of the vas deferens suggests an involvement of these receptors in the contraction and regulation of secretion.Esta revisão enfatiza a expressão e a função dos receptores muscarínicos, adrenoceptores α1 e receptores para relaxina no sistema reprodutor masculino. A expressão dos receptores muscarínicos e adrenoceptores α1 em compartimentos específicos de dúctulos eferentes, epidídimo, ductos deferentes, vesícula seminal e próstata de várias espécies indica o envolvimento destes receptores na modulação da composição do fluido luminal e na contração do músculo liso, incluindo efeitos na fertilidade masculina. Além disso, a ativação dos receptores muscarínicos leva à transativação do receptor para o fator crescimento epidermal e proliferação das células de Sertoli. Os receptores para relaxina estão presentes no testículo, RXFP1 nas espermátides alongadas e células de Sertoli de rato e RXFP2 nas células de Leydig e germinativas de ratos e humano, sugerindo o envolvimento destes receptores no processo espermatogênico. A localização de ambos os receptores na porção apical das células epiteliais e no músculo liso dos ductos deferentes de rato sugere um papel na contração e na regulação da secreção.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de FarmacologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de FarmacologiaSciEL

α1-Adrenergic receptor subtype function in fetal and adult cerebral arteries

In the developing fetus, cerebral artery (CA) contractility demonstrates significant functional differences from that of the adult. This may be a consequence of differential activities of α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) subtypes. Thus we tested the hypothesis that maturational differences in adrenergic-mediated CA contractility are, in part, a consequence of differential expression and/or activities of α1-AR subtypes. In CA from fetal (∼140 days) and nonpregnant adult sheep, we used wire myography and imaging, with simultaneous measurement of tension and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), radioimmunoassay, and Western immunoblots to examine phenylephrine (Phe)-induced contractile responses. The α1A-AR antagonists (5-MU and WB-4101) completely inhibited Phe-induced contraction in adult but not fetal CA; however, [Ca2+]i increase was reduced significantly in both age groups. The α1D-AR antagonist (BMY-7378) blocked both Phe-induced contractions and Ca2+ responses to a significantly greater extent in adult compared with fetal CA. In both age groups, inhibition of α1A-AR and α1B-AR, but not α1D-AR, significantly reduced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate responses to Phe. Western immunoblots demonstrated that the α1-AR subtype expression was only ∼20% in fetal CA compared with the adult. Moreover, in fetal CA, the α1D-AR was expressed significantly greater than the other two subtypes. Also, in fetal but not adult CA, Phe induced a significant increase in activated ERK1/2; this increase in phosphorylated ERK was blocked by α1B-AR (CEC) and α1D-AR (BMY-7378) inhibitors, but not by α1A-AR inhibitors (5-MU or WB-4101). In conclusion, in the fetal CA, α1B-AR and α1D-AR subtypes play a key role in contractile response as well as in ERK activation. We speculate that in fetal CA α1B-AR and α1D-AR subtypes may be a critical factor associated with cerebrovascular growth and function