[1] We report pan-arctic terrestrial snowmelt trends for the period 1979 -2008 derived from spaceborne microwave brightness temperature (Tb) and study the correlation between these trends and the Arctic Oscillation (AO). Melting is detected using a spatially and temporally dynamic algorithm using the difference between daytime and nighttime Tb values (Diurnal Amplitude Variations, DAV). Results indicate statistically significant negative trends for melt onset and end dates as well as for the length of the melt season. On the average, over the past 30 years melt has been starting (finishing) $0.5 days/year ($1 days/ year) earlier and the length of the melting season is shortening by $0.6 days/year. Results indicate that the AO index variability can explain up to 50% of the melt onset variability over Eurasia and only 10% of that over North America, consistent with spatial patterns of surface temperature changes related to the AO.

31p nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in vivo and fluorometry were used to measure muscle ATP, total creatine, pH, and Mg2+ in vivo; and to calculate creatine phosphate (CrP), the ratios-of CrP/inorganic phosphate (Pi), CrP/ ATP, free ADP levels, and the free-energy change in ATP hydrolysis so nutritional effects could be ascertained. These parameters were determined in vivo in resting control, 2-dfasted, and hypocalorically fed rats and in animals similarly hypocalorically fed and then refed. The ATP, Pi, and intracellular Mg2+ levels were comparable in the four groups. When the fasted and underfed animals were compared with the control and refed animals, there were falls in the ratios of CrP/Pj and CrP/ATP, in the calculated CrP, and the free-energy change of ATP hydrolysis, but a rise in the calculated free ADP. In the hypocaloric group, intracellular pH fell significantly and a large peak was noted in the phosphodiester region. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that ATP levels are maintained at the cost of CrP, suggesting that ATP production is disturbed by aerobic and anaerobic mechanisms.

Independent of a history and/or clinical signs of cardiovascular disease, glaucoma patients exhibit abnormal autonomic function.

No abstract

A previous study suggested that muscles from hypocalorically fed rats were limited in their ability to rephosphorylate ADP. During muscle contraction hydrolysis of ATP results in an increase in phosphorus, free ADP, AGATp, and a reduction in phosphocreatine levels that is reversed during rest by rephosphorylation of ADP to ATP and the resynthesis of phosphocreatine by ATP. We therefore hypothesized that these changes would be restored more slowly during postcontraction rest in hypocalorically fed rats as compared with controls. We compared controls fed ad lib to 2-d fasted and hypocalorically fed rats, losing 20% of their weight. We also compared hypocalorically fed rats that had been refed ad lib for 7 d with agematched controls fed ad lib. The results showed that ATP, muscle pH, and total muscle creatine levels were not different in all groups. The raised phosphorus and AGATp levels and lower phosphocreatine /phosphorus ratio at the end of contraction changed more slowly during rest in the hypocaloric rats. These abnormalities were partially corrected by refeeding. The data taken as a whole support the concept of impaired rephosphorylation of ADP in malnourished muscle that is not completely restored by refeeding in stimulated muscle. (J. Clin.