Inverse diffusion methods for data peak separation

Previous methods for separation of overlapping data peaks include geometrical assessment and Fourier deconvolution. On the basis of inverse diffusion theory, we present new separation methods suitable for convenient programming and rapid calculation of Gaussian area contributions. Both continuum and discrete inverse diffusion models are described. Example computations are given for biological data: density gradient centrifugation, isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, and high-pressure liquid chromatography.     

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Presenting With Ventricular Tachycardia: A Rare Presentation

A 25-year-old previously asymptomatic pregnant woman at 36 weeks'' gestation was noticed to have repetitive monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. A dilated left ventricle with moderately reduced systolic function was found on echocardiographic examination. This is a very rare presentation of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) presenting with repetitive monomorphic ventricular tachycardia.     

Effect of neurotensin on pancreatic function in man

The effect of neurotensin on submaximally-stimulated hepatobiliary and pancreatic secretion was studied in 6 healthy subjects. An intravenous infusion of neurotensin 1.4 ± 0.3 pmol/kg/min, designed to reproduce plasma neurotensin immunoreactivity levels within the physiological range, produced a significant increase in pancreatic bicarbonate output. Plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide rose by 83 ± 16 pmol/l and were associated with a small reduction in trypsin, but no significant change in bilirubin outputs.     

Central Exendin‐4 Infusion Reduces Body Weight without Altering Plasma Leptin in (fa/fa) Zucker Rats

Objective: To investigate whether chronic administration of the long‐acting glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist exendin‐4 can elicit sustained reductions in food intake and body weight and whether its actions require an intact leptin system. Research Methods and Procedures: Male lean and obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats were infused intracerebroventricularly with exendin‐4 using osmotic minipumps for 8 days. Results: Exendin‐4 reduced body weight in both lean and obese Zucker rats, maximum suppression being reached on Day 5 in obese (8%) and Day 7 in lean (16%) rats. However, epididymal white adipose tissue weight was not reduced, and only in lean rats was there a reduction in plasma leptin concentration. Food intake was maximally suppressed (by 81%) on Day 3 in obese rats but was reduced by only 18% on Day 8. Similarly, in lean rats food intake was maximally reduced (by 93%) on Day 4 of treatment and by 45% on Day 8. Brown adipose tissue temperature was reduced from Days 2 to 4. Plasma corticosterone was elevated by 76% in lean but by only 28% in obese rats. Discussion: Chronic exendin‐4 treatment reduced body weight in both obese and lean Zucker rats by reducing food intake: metabolic rate was apparently suppressed. These effects did not require an intact leptin system. Neither does the absence of an intact leptin system sensitize animals to exendin‐4. Partial tolerance to the anorectic effect of exendin‐4 in lean rats may have been due to elevated plasma corticosterone and depressed plasma leptin levels, but other counter‐regulatory mechanisms seem to play a role in obese Zucker rats.     

Ultrasonic signalling by a Bornean frog

Among anuran amphibians, only two species, Odorrana tormota and Huia cavitympanum, are known to possess recessed tympanic membranes. Odorrana tormota is the first non-mammalian vertebrate demonstrated to communicate with ultrasonic frequencies (above 20 kHz), and the frogs' sunken tympana are hypothesized to play a key role in their high-frequency hearing sensitivity. Here we present the first data on the vocalizations of H. cavitympanum. We found that this species emits extraordinarily high-frequency calls, a portion of which are comprised entirely of ultrasound. This represents the first documentation of an anuran species producing purely ultrasonic signals. In addition, the vocal repertoire of H. cavitympanum is highly variable in frequency modulation pattern and spectral composition. The frogs' use of vocal signals with a wide range of dominant frequencies may be a strategy to maximize acoustic energy transmission to both nearby and distant receivers. The convergence of these species' call characteristics should stimulate additional, phylogenetically based studies of other lower vertebrates to provide new insight into the mechanistic and evolutionary foundations of high-frequency hearing in all vertebrate forms.