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Estimation of fish stock size distributions from survey data requires knowledge about gear selectivity. However, selectivity models rest on assumptions that seldom are analyzed. Departures from these can lead to misinterpretations and biased management recommendations. Here, we use survey data on great Arctic char (Salvelinus umbla) to analyze how correcting for entanglement of fish and nonisometric growth might improve estimates of selectivity curves, and subsequently estimates of size distribution and age-specific mortality. Initial selectivity curves, using the entire data set, were wide and asymmetric, with poor model fits. Removing potentially nonmeshed fish had the greatest positive effect on model fit, resulting in much narrower and less asymmetric selection curves, while attempting to take nonisometric growth into account, by using girth rather than length, improved model fit but not as much. Using simulations we show that correcting for both entanglement and size selectivity produces accurate estimates of mortality rates, while correcting for size selectivity only does not. Our study demonstrates an approach that increases the accuracy of estimates of fish size distributions and mortality rates from survey data. L'estimation de la distribution des tailles au sein de stocks de poissons a partir de donnees tirees devaluations necessite une connaissance de la selectivite des engins. Les modeles de selectivite reposent toutefois sur des hypotheses qui sont rarement analysees. Des ecarts par rapport a ces dernieres peuvent se traduire par des interpretations erronees et des recommandations de gestion biaisees. Nous avons utilise des donnees devaluations relatives a l'omble chevalier (Salvelinus umbla) pour analyser comment des correctifs visant a tenir compte de l'enchevetrement de poissons et de la croissance non isometrique pourraient ameliorer les estimations de courbes de selectivite et, ainsi, les estimations de la distribution des tailles et de la mortalite selon l'age. Les courbes de selectivite initiales obtenues en utilisant l'integralite des donnees etaient larges et asymetriques, et l'ajustement du modele n'etait pas bon. Le retrait des poissons potentiellement non enchevetres a eu le plus grand effet positif sur l'ajustement du modele aux donnees, produisant des courbes de selection beaucoup moins larges et asymetriques, alors que la prise en compte de la croissance non isometrique en utilisant le tour du corps plutot que la longueur a ameliore l'ajustement du modele, mais dans une moindre mesure. Nous demontrons, a l'aide de simulations, que le fait de corriger pour l'enchevetrement et la selectivite des tailles produit des estimations exactes du taux de mortalite, contrairement au fait de corriger seulement pour la selectivite des tailles. L'etude demontre qu'une telle approche accroit l'exactitude des estimations de la distribution des tailles et du taux de mortalite des poissons basees sur des donnees devaluations. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction In freshwater systems several standardized methods exist to estimate community species composition, as well as abundance, biomass, and size distribution of fish stocks, including electrofishing, hydroacoustics, and gillnet surveys. [...]

An examination of Devonian through Pennsylvanian postibullinid edrioasteroids indicates the presence of two clades in the monophyletic subfamily Postibullinae, new subfamily. Postibulla is characterized by the presence of a posterior oral protuberance and a cover plate pattern with three primary plates and includes Postibulla legrandensis, P. lukei, P. keslingi, P. neglecta, and P. alabamaensis new species. Parapostibulla new genus is characterized by double biserial cover plates, the lack of the posterior oral protuberance, and an unusual hydro-gonopore, and includes Parapostibulla hybolopus (Fraunfelter and Utgaard, 1970), P. murphyi new species and Parapostibulla species A. Additional poorly-preserved edrioasteroids are illustrated from the Missourian and Virgilian of Kansas and Iowa that are the youngest known from North America.

A study concludes that the old English word 'apolwarum' means 'pestilence dwellers.' The word is recorded in the Exeter Book, 'Maxims I' in line 198. A new lexical tool compiled for the preparation of the 'Dictionary of Old English' lists a number of words previously unrecorded, which helped in the interpretation of 'apolwarum.' It is possible that 'apolwarum' is a compound invented for the position it occupies in a constructed passage.

A word in the Old English 'Advent' or 'Christ I' was amended to fit the rhyme and meter of the poem. The word, meaning 'to guard', is more suitable since the poem has allusions to Isiah 6:2. The word was probably mispelled and emended by the scribe who copied the poem. The word is located in Line XI which glorifies the Advent and introduces the Seraphim, a class of angels which sing praises to the Lord.

Background: Recently reports of decreased costs and shortened hospital stays associated with the surgical correction of an obstructed ureteropelvic junction have been published. These improvements have been attributed to many recent trends in surgical practice; such as, type of incision and other modifications in surgical technique, advances in laparoscopic surgery, and surgical pathways designed to increase efficiency on a cost and patient care basis. We report our results of age- and disease-matched patients with regard to hospital and operating room costs, operative time, and length of hospitalization to better define the nature of these improvements and to uncover other areas of potential improvement. Methods: A retrospective review of clinical and cost data from patients undergoing an open pyeloplasty via the flank approach between February 1994 and February 1999 was performed. Patients were grouped based upon age ([is greater than] or [is less than] 18 months), those undergoing pyeloplasty alone, and those undergoing pyeloplasty with retrograde pyelography (RGP) alone. Comparisons were made between groups for the entire length of the review and within groups based upon the date of surgery (before or after September 1997). Data were obtained from hospital and clinic records and compared with the two-tailed t test. Results: Pyeloplasty was performed in 108 children, there were no deaths and no complications requiring readmission within three days of the operation. Two patients required readmission within 30 days for complications related to the operation, and three patients required a revision secondary to recurrent obstruction for an overall success rate of 97.2%. Fifty-six patients were older than 18 months of age (mean 88.9 months, range 20-204 months) and 52 patients were less than 18 months of age (mean 4.3 months, range 1-17). There was no significant difference between length of hospitalization, total hospital charges, or ancillary hospital charges (radiology, anesthesiology, pharmacy or laboratory) between these two groups. However, mean operating room charges ($4138 vs. $3398, p=0.0001) and mean operative time (140 minutes vs. 114 minutes, p=0.008) were both significantly lower in the younger patient group. Thirty-two patients underwent pyeloplasty alone and 42 patients underwent pyeloplasty with RGP alone. As expected there was a significant difference in operating room charges ($4092 vs. $3223, p=0.0001) and radiology charges ($143 vs. $23, p=0.02) between these two groups. Interestingly, total hospital costs were also significantly lower in the pyeloplasty only group ($5386 vs. $4778, p=0.04), as all ancillary hospital costs were lower. There was no difference in length of hospitalization between the groups. Of the 42 patients in the RGP group none had any abnormality which altered the planned surgical procedure. Seventy-three operations were performed prior to September 1997 and 35 afterwards. Mean length of hospitalization was 2.6 days in the earlier group and 2.2 thereafter. This difference approached statistical significance (p=0.08). Conclusion: Open pyeloplasty via the flank incision is a safe, efficient and effective treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in patients of all ages. The lower operative time and charges in younger patients likely relates to the lower incidence of RGP in this group. This factor, in addition to the data from the pyeloplasty alone vs. pyeloplasty and RGP alone study arm, points to a large area of potential savings, especially since the information obtained from the RGP did not change the clinical or surgical course of any patient in our study. The trend towards shorter length of hospitalization has occurred despite no significant change in surgical technique or perioperative management, therefore it is felt that this has resulted from changes in general hospital and insurance company practices that as yet, have not affected morbidity and mortality outcomes., W. Barritt Gilbert, MD, John C. Pope, IV, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, and John W. Brock, III, MD, FAAP. Division of Pediatric Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, [...]

Background: Achieving continence with preservation of renal function are goals in the care of patients with bladder exstrophy. Young Dees Ledberter (YDL) bladder neck reconstruction should ideally provide continence and normal voiding dynamics without the need for intermittent catheterization. Herein, we review our experience with bladder neck reconstruction in this population with emphasis on voiding dynamics among those patients doing "well." Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our experience with all patients with exstrophy-epispadias variant since 1992. We reviewed the staged reconstruction of these 24 children (17 classic bladder exstrophy, 2 exstrophy variants, 5 incontinent cpispadias) excluding patients with additional neurogenic dysfunction. 19 patients (13 males, 6 females) have undergone complete reconstruction for continence. 6 patients who required bladder augmentation at the time of bladder neck reconstruction or thereafter are excluded along with 1 patient who underwent continent cutaneous diversion (29%). Subjective and objective data regarding voiding function and complications were collected. Results: 13 patients (9 males, 4 females) have had YDL bladder neck reconstruction with 2 or more years follow-up (mean 4 years). 11 patients have dry intervals of at least 2 hours and are all felt by the parents to do well with voiding. Despite near or total subjective continence and "good" voiding, 8/11 (73%) of this subgroup have clinical problems related to emptying including recurrent urinary tract infections (5), epididymitis (2), and bladder calculi (2). Objective urodynamic findings confirm poor voiding in most patients after YDL. Findings include very slow flow rate (Qmax), high Valsalva pressure, and residual urine. These findings occur with both natural and maximal voiding effort. Conclusion: Bladder neck reconstruction among exstrophy patients can achieve continence without a necessity for intermittent catheterization. In our experience, patients who achieve these goals have an alarming frequency of clinical and urodynamic problems related to emptying. One must question the normalcy of the voiding pattern and the price to achieve continence among exstrophy patients., Elizabeth B. Yerkes, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, John C. Pope, IV, MD, Richard C. Rink, MD(*), John W. Brock, III, MD, FAAP. Division of Pediatric Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical [...]

Background: Spinal dysraphism is the most common cause of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in newborns. Urodynamic findings in these children include uninhibited bladder contractions, bladder areflexia, decreased compliance, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. Early urodynamic studies in patients with spina bifida is recommended to help identify those with bladder characteristics that place them at risk for upper tract deterioration. A new intervention employing closure of the neural tube defect in utero has recently been investigated at our institution in 25 patients. The supposition is that this procedure produces decreased exposure of the spinal cord to the amniotic fluid, which may improve neurologic function. To date, we have studied 16 of these patients with video urodynamics and compared the results to those reported in the literature on myelomeningocele patients without fetal intervention. Methods: Sixteen patients with a mean age of 6.5 months (range 2-12 months) have undergone urodynamic testing including cystometrogram, fluoroscopic evaluation of filling and voiding, electromyographic studies of the pelvic floor and measurement of post void residual. In addition, renal ultrasounds, voiding cystourethrograms, the need for catheterization, the number of urinary tract infections, and medications were reviewed. Results: Six percent of these patients demonstrated uninhibited detrusor contractions while 43% had an areflexic bladder. Nineteen percent demonstrated decreased compliance, and 75% had leak point pressures greater than 40 cm of H2O. Mean bladder capacity was 40 cc with 31% of patients having a much lower capacity than expected for age. Two patients had evidence of upper tract dilatation on previous renal ultrasounds; 2 had evidence of reflux on VCUG; 2 required intermittent catheterization; 1 required anticholinergic therapy; and 1 patient experienced a significant urinary tract infection. Conclusion: The urodynamic findings in this population are comparable to those previously reported in the literature for patients with spina bifida without prenatal closure of the spinal defect. Our lower incidence of urinary tract infections and reflux probably represents more aggressive early urologic management of these patients rather than neurologic improvement. These urodynamic studies were performed very early in life and future evaluation may ultimately reveal improvement in bladder function when compared to other myelodysplastic patients. At this time, however, we recommend that patients with in utero closure of their spinal cord defect be evaluated and treated in the same manner as myelomeningocele patients without fetal intervention., Jeffrey Holzbeierlein, MD, John C. Pope IV, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, Joseph Brunet, MD, Noel Tulipan, MD, and John W. Brock III, MD, FAAP. Divisions of Pediatric Urology, Pediatric [...]

Background: Children with dysfunctional voiding disorders are often subjected to radiologic, cystoscopic or urodynamic evaluations in an effort to find an anatomic or organic cause. Our objective was to determine the role of the above investigations in the evaluation, management and ultimate outcome of a large patient population with voiding dysfunction from within a single institution. Methods: 858 patients with dysfunctional voiding disorders seen from 1991 to 1998 were evaluated retrospectively. A thorough history and physicial with specific emphasis on voiding patterns was elicited and urinalysis performed in all patients. Ultrasound of the urinary system was performed in 808 patients (94%) with 19 (2.2%) patients undergoing IVP. VCUG was performed in 480 patients (56%), 407 of which had a history of urinary tract infection. Cystoscopy was performed in 43 patients (5%) and a formal urodynamic study was performed in 26 (3%). Behavioral therapy was practiced in 620 patients (72%), 395 patients (46%) received antibiotics, 380 patients (44%) received anticholinergics, 135 patients (16%) were placed on bowel regulation regimen for concomitant bowel elimination problems and 53 patients (6.5%) were simply observed. Results: Mean age at referral was 6 years (range 2-14) with 73% of patients being females and 27% being males. The physical examination was unremarkable with regard to the abdomen, back, genitalia, and the neurologic system in all patients. Ultrasound of the upper urinary system was normal in 784 patients (97%) with insignificant pyelectasis seen in 24 (3%). IVP was normal in all 19 studies. VCUG was normal in 310 patients (64.5%). Unilateral and bilateral low grade reflux was seen in 77 and 17 patients respectively. Unilateral high grade vesicoureteral reflux was seen in only 2 children. Urodynamic studies were performed in 26 patients who did not respond to standard management. Detrusor instability was observed in 16 patients, low bladder capacity in 5, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in 3, poor compliance in 5, and sensory urgency and delayed sensation in 1 patient each. One patient had a completely normal study. Cystoscopy revealed normal findings in 14 patients, trabeculations in 20, inflammation in 11 and 2 patients were found to have type 1 posterior urethral valves. Conclusions: The incidence of upper tract changes and positive anatomic findings in patients with voiding dysfunction is too low to justify routine radiologic evaluation and cystoscopy. However, in patients presenting with urinary tract infection, there remains an important role for VCUG. We do not recommend the routine use of urodynamics in patients with voiding disorders as it does not change the management or influence the final outcome. A good history and physical leads to the correct diagnosis and treatment in the vast majority of children. Focus on correction of faulty voiding behavior with judicious use of antibiotics and anticholinergic therapy will lead to a favorable outcome in a vast majority of these children., Dipen J. Parekh, MCh, John C. Pope, IV, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, John W. Brock III, MD, FAAP. Division of Pediatric Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, [...]

Background: Idiopathic hypercalciuria is believed to be the cause of a variety of urinary tract complaints in clinical pediatrics. These complaints include urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria or a combination of the above, often associated with gross or microscopic hematuria. In children, non-calculus manifestations of idiopathic hypercalciuria are reportedly more common than urolithiasis. Our aim was to determine the utility of Ca:Cr ratio in the evaluation of different subsets of functional voiding disorders. Methods: Two hundred and eighty eight patients (288) with functional voiding disorders were evaluated over the last 8 years. Patients presenting with isolated urinary tract infection were not included. A thorough history with emphasis on voiding patterns was elicited and a routine urinalysis was performed in all patients. Based on the above, the patients were divided into 5 groups: Twenty two (22) patients had gross hematuria with dysfunctional voiding pattern (GH+DVP), 102 patients had microhematuria with DVP (MH+DVP), 66 patients had isolated Daytime Frequency of Childhood(DFOC), 45 patients had isolated Dysuria syndrome and 53 patients had combined frequency-urgency-dysuria syndrome (F+U+D) of childhood. The season of presentation was noted to determine a seasonal pattern, if any. A total of 149 patients from the above groups had their urine evaluated for a spot Calcium: Creatinine (Ca:Cr) ratio. Results: Ninety-five (33%) were male, 193 (67%) were female. The mean age was 6.1 (range 2-14 years), and the mean length of symptoms was 10 months (range 1 week-10 years). GH + MH + Pure Pure F+U+D DVP DVP DFOC dysuria Total pts. 22 102 66 65 53 Urine Ca: Cr 14 63 38 27 7 Hypercalciuria 4 (28) 19 (30) 8 (21) 6 (22) 2 (28) (%) The patients were treated predominantly with behavioral therapy and correction of faulty voiding habits, antibiotics and anticholinergics and some patients were put on minor diet modification. A mean follow-up of 6.5 months (range 1 month-10 years) was available in a total of 153 patients (53%) from the above groups. Resolution of symptoms along with marked improvement in voiding habits was seen in 136 patients (89%), a moderate improvement in symptoms was seen in 10 patients (6.5%), and 7 patients (4.5%) had persistent symptoms with minimal improvement. Treatment with thiazides was used in only 6 patients (2%) who had intractable symptoms and a markedly elevated urine Ca:Cr ratio, of whom 5 patients responded favorably. Conclusion: Idiopathic hypercalciuria may play a significant role in patients with functional voiding disorders. It affects the different subsets of voiding disorders with remarkable consistency, though its exact mechanism remains unknown. Although a significant number of patients with voiding dysfunction do have an elevated Ca:Cr ration, the majority of these patients respond nicely to the standard behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy in the form of antibiotics and anticholinergics and treatment directed to hypercalciuria is not required in most cases. Dipen J. Parekh, MCh, John C. Pope, IV, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, John W. Brock III, MD, FAAP. Division of Pediatric Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.3, Dipen J. Parekh, MCh, John C. Pope, IV, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, John W. Brock III, MD, FAAP. Division of Pediatric Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, [...]

Background: The study of congenital obstruction (CO) of the urinary tract has long been hampered by the lack of an adequate animal model. Mice with a null mutation of the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2) are known to have congenital obstruction of the urinary tract with a penetrance and phenotypic expression similar to humans. Many of these animals have significant hydronephrosis with parenchymal thinning and contralateral renal hypertrophy. The changes associated with surgically created unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) are also well known in both wild type and AT2 mice and this study compares renal parenchymal changes of surgical UUO to those of congenital urinary tract obstruction. Methods: AT2 knockout mice with CO at the ureterovesical junction were compared to wild type controls at birth (dO), 3 weeks, and 8 weeks of age. In addition, animals with CO were compared to wild type animals with 1 week of UUO at the UVJ at ages 3 and 8 weeks. There were 6 animals in each group for a total of 48 animals. Obstructed and control kidneys were harvested, fixed in 4% buffered paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin and sectioned. The specimens were stained with periodic acid Schiff, and immunohistochemical staining using anti-smooth muscle actin (SMA), F4/80 (macrophage), and Masson trichrome (fibrosis) was performed. Glomerular size and density were measured planimetrically. Results were quantified and statistically compared using the Fisher's PLSD test. Results: At birth, animals with CO had a decrease in glomerular size compared to controls. At 3 and 8 weeks of age, however, these animals showed appropriate glomerular maturation and growth although glomerular size remained smaller than controls. Glomerular size in animals with 1 week of UUO showed no change at any point compared to controls. There was no difference in glomerular density among any group at any point in time. -smooth muscle activity was greater in CO animals than in controls at birth but showed minimal progression with time. Animals with UUO showed greater -SMA activity than either AT2 mice or controls at all ages. Relative to controls, there was no increase in macrophage number at any age in animals with CO compared to a very large increase in the number of macrophages in animals with UUO. There was minimal staining for interstitial fibrosis in the CO animals and this did not progress with age. Animals with UUO showed moderate interstitial fibrosis at both 3 and 8 weeks following one week of obstruction. Conclusion: Renal parenchymal injury clearly occurs in animals with congenital obstruction of the urinary tract, however these changes occur to a much lesser degree and appear to progress at a much slower rate than in animals with surgical UUO. This fact may certainly relate to a variable degree of obstruction in the CO population. Maldevelopment of the kidney in animals with congenital obstruction, however, appears to be preprogrammed during embryonic development and shows a minimal inflammatory component as opposed to surgical UUO which results in a significant inflammatory response with subsequent interstitial fibrosis. This study supports the fact that surgical obstruction and resultant parenchymal damage is a poor representative of congenital obstruction. Future efforts will focus on the embryologic aberrations that occur in these animals with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract., John C. Pope IV, MD, Keisuke Oshima, MD, Matthew Hassen, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, Agnes Fogo, MD, John W. Brock III, MD, FAAP, Iekuni Ichikawa, MD. Divisions of Pediatric [...]

Background: Much debate continues about the appropriate initial surgical management of patients with ureteroceles. Factors that influence treatment include the nature of the ureterocele, function of the involved segments and the presence of reflux. We reviewed our recent experience with ureteroceles concentrating on the natural history of associated reflux. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our last 75 patients with ureteroceles. As expected, most occurred in females (58:17) and duplicated systems (69:6). Initial presentation was infection in 39 patients, antenatal diagnosis in 33, prolapse in 2 and incontinence in 1. Patients with antenatal diagnosis were all evaluated in the first two months of life, and the others were evaluated at a mean age of 3.5 years (range l month to 16 years). Function above the ureterocele was considered good in 17 upper pole or single systems and was decreased to absent in 61 units. Lower pole or contra-lateral impairment was relatively rare (12). Vesico-ureteral reflux was common occurring in 45 units (lower pole -29, upper pole-7, contra-lateral -9) and 35 of 75 patients (47%). Ipsi-lateral reflux was virtually always severe ([is greater than or equal to] Gr III); any low-grade reflux was usually noted contralaterally. Treatment included an upper tract approach in 37 units, endoscopic incision in 30, open bladder repair in 6 and observation in 2. Results: Follow-up is available for 74 of 75 patients. In terms of the fate of pre-existing reflux, 5 patients underwent open bladder repair and one is being observed. Of the remaining 29 patients, decompression of the ureterocele was achieved by endoscopic incision (16) or with an upper tract approach (13), usually heminephrectomy. Regardless of management, reflux persisted in 19 units (18 patients), resolved in 11 units and improved in 3. New reflux after decompression occurred in 12 units (11 patients). Most involved the upper pole (8) after endoscopic incision although new lower pole or contra-lateral reflux was noted (4). After endoscopic incision among patients without initial reflux, upper pole reflux was created in 8 of 18 patients. Upper pole hemi-nephrectomy resulted in new lower pole or contra-lateral reflux in 4 of 18. We have not found subsequent resolution of any reflux to an upper pole system after ureterocele incision. In fact, only one of 28 patients with any new or persistent reflux after effective decompression of the ureterocele has shown late resolution despite being followed up to 5 years (mean 2.2 years). Conclusions: New or persistent reflux after ureterocele decompression very rarely resolves. Consequently, patients with such reflux should be treated surgically or eventually followed off daily antibiotics; numerous yearly voiding studies should be avoided. Any ureterocele decompression in the setting of reflux should probably be recognized as the first step of a staged repair. Perhaps, more initial consideration of complete bladder repair is warranted., R. Wayne Hatfield, MD, Martin Kaefer, MD(*), Richard C. Rink, MD, FAAP(*), John C. Pope, IV, MD, John W. Brock, III, MD, FAAP, and Mark C. Adams, MD. Divisions of [...]

Background: The renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) and the Kinin-Kallikrein System (KKS) are linked such that a single enzyme, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), increases the activity of the RAS while simultaneously decreasing the activity of the KKS. Both systems are altered following renal parenchymal injury such as unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). For reasons not completely understood, the renal expression of the kininase enzyme kallikrein has previously been shown to decrease after renal injury. Mice with a known mutation in the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2) are known to demonstrate a higher susceptibility to renal injury following UUO. This study evaluates the effects of a bradykinin antagonist, HOE140, on the KKS following 3 days of UUO in a mouse model. Using a known tissue marker for renal parenchymal fibrosis (TGF-[Beta]) we also investigate the possible reno-protective effects of HOE140 following UUO. Methods: AT2 mice (n=18) and wild type mice (n=14) were grouped into 4 equal treatment arms: 1) no intervention, 2) treatment with HOE140 only, 3) creation of UUO only, 4) creation of UUO and treatment with HOE140. Animals with UUO were harvested 3 days following obstruction and renal mRNA was analyzed for TGF-[Beta] (a marker of fibrosis) and kallikrein expression by Northern blots. Results: HOE140 alone had a minimal effect on TGF-[Beta] levels. UUO alone caused drastic elevations in TGF-[Beta]. This effect was greatly blunted by the concomitant treatment with HOE140, to a greater extent in the AT2 mice. Kallikrein levels increased in the AT2 but not in the wild type animals when treated with HOE140 in the absence of UUO. All mice showed striking decreases in Kallikrein after UUO and there was no difference between the AT2 and wild mice. Treatment with HOE140 partially reversed this effect to an equal extent in both groups. Conclusion: Antagonism of bradykinin ameliorates elevations of TGF-[Beta], a marker of renal parenchymal fibrosis, following UUO. In addition, bradykinin antagonism lessens the decrease in kallikrein activity induced by UUO. Injury induced by UUO is mediated not only through the RAS but the KKS as well. Lessening the activity of the KKS in the setting of urinary tract obstruction may offer protective benefits to the kidney., Paul K. Pietrow, MD, John C. Pope IV, MD, Mark C. Adams, MD, John W. Brock III, MD, FAAP, Valentina Kon, MD. Divisions of Pediatric Urology and Pediatric Nephrology, Vanderbilt [...]

IN THEIR RECENT POLICY FORUM 'Ecosystem-based fishery management' (16 July, p. 346), E. K. Pikitch et al. review ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) as it is currently conceived. However, the conceptual [...]