Interactions between certain fuel sulfur compounds and nitric oxide (NO) in turbulent gaseous and distillate oill diffusion flames were experimentally investigated utilizing a 75,000 Btu/hr laboratory combustor. Aerodynamics, air preheat conditions, and overall excess air conditions were varied to determine their role on any such interaction. Results indicated that addition of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to natural gas flames could enhance or inhibit NO emissions. Local flame stoichiometry and temperature, which were influenced by fuel injector type, determined which effect was observed and the extent to which it occurred. Thiophen (C₄H₄S) and pyridine (C₅H₅N) were added to #2 diesel oil to determine effects of fuel sulfur on conversion of chemically bound fuel nitrogen to No. No discernible effect was observed at "zero" air preheat conditions. No emissions were enhanced at high air preheat conditions. Addition of SO₂ to natural gas flames doped with ammonia (NH₃) produced a significant increase in conversion of NH₃ to NO at high air preheat conditions. Inhibition effects were explained in terms of homogeneous catalysis of recombination reactions by SO₂. Hydrogen abstraction reactions involving reduced sulfur species and other oxidation reactions involving SO₂, or a reduced form, were considered to explain the enhancement effect.

The gaseous messenger, nitric oxide (NO), has emerged as a key component of olfactory systems. Localization and imaging studies in the moth, Manduca sexta, suggest that NO may affect the excitability of olfactory neurons by modifying neuronal membrane properties through sGC-dependent mechanisms. This hypothesis was tested using a multidisciplinary approach, including two types of physiological recording techniques and immunocytochemical analysis of sGC antibody expression in the Manduca brain. The excitability of large populations or individual antennal lobe (AL) neurons was monitored with in vivo physiological recordings while various NO pharmacological agents were bath applied to the brain. To examine possible targets of NO, the binding site of sGC was blocked and the results were compared to NO blockade. Finally, sGC immunocytochemistry was used to also determine possible targets of NO.Two NO synthesis inhibitors and a sGC blocker were potent effectors of resting, baseline activity in the Manduca brain. Blocking NO synthesis caused significant decreases in AL neuron conductance. This conductance decrease led to changes in baseline activity, including the appearance of bursts in some neurons, and increased and decreased firing rates in other neurons. Further, the neurons had a decreased responsiveness and excitability to presynaptic input. Blocking the sGC binding site caused similar effects in most neurons, which indicates that NO likely acts through sGC-dependent signaling to exert its effects in at least a subset of neurons. However, some neurons had different responses to NO and sGC blockade, which indicates that NO may act through other signaling mechanisms in some neurons. Further examination using sGC immunocytochemistry revealed that only about 90% of projection neurons (PNs) and 30% of local neurons (LNs) contained sGC immunoreactivity.The results in this dissertation indicate that NO performs a global function in the antennal lobe to maintain the resting membrane conductance of AL neurons. NO likely exerts its effects through both sGC-dependent and sGC-independent mechanisms. Finally, these results have major implications for odor coding in all species, as NO has been found in the olfactory systems of every animal examined thus far.

This thesis describes the development of a new type of sensor for nitric oxide (NO) that can be used in a variety of combustion diagnostics and control applications. The sensor utilizes the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the NO molecule to determine the concentration via optical absorption spectroscopy. UV radiation at 226.8 nm is generated by sum frequency mixing the outputs from a 395-nm external cavity diode laser (ECDL) and a 532-nm diode-pumped, intracavity frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser in a beta-barium borate (BBO) crystal. This radiation is used to probe the (v'=0, v"=0) band of the Α*Σ+ - Χ*π electronic transition of NO. The ECDL is tuned so that the UV radiation is in resonance with a specific energy level transition, and it is then scanned across the transition to produce a fully resolved absorption spectrum. Preliminary experiments were performed in a room-temperature gas cell in the laboratory to determine the accuracy of the sensor. Results from these experiments indicated excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental absorption line shapes as well as NO concentrations. Further experiments were performed at two actual combustion facilities to demonstrate the operation of the sensors in realistic combustion environments. Tests on a gas turbine auxiliary power unit (APU) at Honeywell Engines and Systems and on a well-stirred reactor (WSR) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base produced excellent results despite the harsh temperatures and vibrations present. Overall, the sensitivity was estimated to be 0.8 parts per million (ppm) of NO (at 1000 K) for a 1 meter path length and the measurement uncertainty was estimated to be ±10%.

Maternal and fetal stressors during development can permanently alter various physiological functions and impact long-term health. These alterations are said to be programmed because they persist long after the original insult. Current evidence indicates that iron deficiency (ID) during pregnancy can induce a host of long-term programming effects, including cardiovascular complications and behavioural deficits. Despite the relevance of ID as a model of developmental programming, these effects have not been extensively studied. The purpose of the present series of experiments was to develop a model of maternal ID throughout pregnancy to study its long-term cardiovascular and behavioural consequences in neonatal and adult offspring. Female rats were fed either a low iron diet (3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg Fe) or a control diet (> 225 mg/kg Fe) prior to and throughout gestation. At birth, all dams were fed a control diet (270 mg/kg Fe). This treatment caused altered growth trajectories which persisted in adulthood. Adult perinatal ID (PID) offspring, despite showing no signs of anemia at that time, had persistent elevations in arterial pressure (AP), as well as enhanced responsiveness of AP to high and low sodium intake. These animals also had altered responsiveness of renal medullary blood flow to changes in AP. PID offspring also had altered function of intrarenal and vascular nitric oxide signaling. Similar studies performed in acute ID animals revealed opposite trends in intrarenal and vascular NOS function, as well as in effects on the cardiovascular system. In addition to the cardiovascular effects, adult PID male offspring exhibited a number of behavioural changes, as assessed by monitoring locomotor activity in their home cages (by radiotelemetry) as well as in a novel environment. PID male offspring also performed poorly in a Morris water maze compared to controls. These differences were not observed in female PID animals. In summary, these studies provide evidence that ID during gestation has deleterious effects on various aspects of the offspring’s physiology. Given the global incidence of ID, as well as its propensity to afflict pregnant women, developmental programming from this condition could have profound implications on global health. / Thesis (Ph.D, Pharmacology & Toxicology) -- Queen's University, 2009-01-22 23:32:40.931

Inflammatory bowel disease causes structural and functional alterations in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Since the onset of intestinal inflammation involves the activation of resident immune cells as well as rapid influx of infiltrating cells, we proposed that changes in the ENS are a result of the release of toxic inflammatory factors. We hypothesized that early damage to the ENS in inflammation is caused by harmful levels of nitric oxide (NO) generated by the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) found in immune cells. This was assessed in the 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-model of colitis in rats. Large increases in infiltrating granulocytes, particularly neutrophils and blood-derived monocytes were found in the muscularis layers adjacent to the ENS. A rapid increase in iNOS immunoreactivity in the muscularis regions during early stages of inflammation (6 – 24 hr) was observed. Whether high NO levels generated by chemical donors could be toxic to neurons was tested in a co-culture model of myenteric neurons, smooth muscle and glia enzymatically isolated from neonatal rats. Exposure of co-cultures to NO for 48 hr resulted in significant, concentration dependent decrease in neuron survival. We then developed a model that permitted the direct study of immune cell interactions with myenteric neurons. Myenteric neurons were co-cultured with activated peritoneal immune cells that expressed iNOS and generated high NO levels (49 + 6.2µM) for 48 hr. This caused significant neuronal death, reducing neuron number by 19 + 5%, and disruption of axons. Pre-treatment of immune cells with a selective iNOS-inhibitor, L-NIL resulted in neuron numbers that were not significantly different from control (96 + 2%) suggesting that NO played a central role in mediating the damaging effects of immune cells. Lastly, when direct contact between immune cells and neurons was prevented in the previous experiment through use of trans-wells, unanticipated neurotrophic effects were observed. Increased axon outgrowth (282 + 57%) was detected in addition to loss of the neurotoxic effects in spite of similar experimental conditions. We concluded that proximity and contact plays an important role in determining the nature of immune cell mediated alterations in enteric neurons. / Thesis (Master, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2009-11-30 10:09:38.384

Age-related muscle atrophy and the importance of satellite cells in muscle maintenance, growth and repair led us to examine the effects of mechanical stretch, nitric oxide (NO), and age on satellite cell (SC) activation and gene expression in normal young and old mice. Baseline variables (body mass, muscle mass, fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle strength, SC population, stretch activation and gene expression) were obtained from normal C57BL/6 mice at 3-, 8-, 12- and 18-months-of-age. Activation was assayed by 3H-thymidine incorporation into extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles isolated for culture. In a second experiment, muscle from 8- and 18-month-old mice was treated with one or more of: stretch; NO-donors (L-Arginine (LA), isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN)) and; Nω-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester (LN). EDL muscles from 6-month-old mice required a greater stretch stimulus (20% vs. 10% length increase) than EDL from younger mice to increase SC activation. Stretch did not increase SC activation in mice older than 6 months-of-age. NO supplementation from an exogenous source (ISDN) increased SC activation by stretch in 8- but not 18-mo-old EDLs. In a third experiment, 8- and 18-month-old mice were subjected to 3 weeks of voluntary wheel running, or not. The EDL, tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius (GAST) and quadriceps (QUAD) muscles were selected for analysis following sacrifice. The QUAD muscle from 8-month-old mice was the only muscle that demonstrated an exercise-induced increase in SC activation, elevated expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I) and downregulation of myostatin, a gene that inhibits muscle growth. These results suggest mechanical stimulation of satellite cells and regulation of gene expression that controls muscle growth in voluntary contractile tissue is muscle-specific and age-dependent.

Previous work in our laboratory indicates that the diameter of brain arteries and arterioles can be increased by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. We looked for expression of NMDA receptors and endothelial cell responses to NMDA receptor agonists and antagonists in the mouse brain endothelial cell line bEnd.3. Using RT-PCR and Western blotting we found evidence supporting the presence of NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2C. Treatment of bEnd.3 cells with combinations of 100 μM glutamate and D-serine significantly increased intracellular calcium. However, we saw no direct evidence that NO was produced in response to NMDA receptor activation using the Griess method. We did observe an NMDA receptor-dependent increase in protein nitrosylation. This increase is unlikely related to enhanced NO levels since it was not correlated with NO production and was not inhibited by the endothelial NO synthase inhibitor L-NIO.

Hemoglobins (Hbs) are heme-containing proteins belonging to the globin superfamily that are ubiquitous in most living organisms including prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In addition to the first legHbs found in leguminous plants, there are another three classes of phytoglobins (Pgbs) identified in various plant species including dicots and monocots. The ability of heme groups to bind gaseous ligands such as oxygen, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide (NO) places Pgbs as multifunctional players in various processes during plant growth and development under normal or stress conditions. The objective of this project is to investigate how transcriptional manipulation of ZmPgb1.1 and ZmPgb1.2 influences somatic embryogenesis in maize (Zea mays). Suppression of either of the two genes is sufficient to induce programmed cell death (PCD) through a pathway initiated by accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) and zinc (Zn2+), and mediated by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effect of the death program on the fate of the developing embryos is dependent upon the localization patterns of the two Pgbs. During somatic embryogenesis, ZmPgb1.2 transcripts are restricted to a few cells anchoring the embryos to the subtending embryogenic tissue, while ZmPgb1.1 transcripts extend to several embryonic domains. Suppression of ZmPgb1.2 induces PCD in the anchoring cells allowing the embryos to develop further, while suppression of ZmPgb1.1 results in massive PCD leading to embryo abortion. Cells suppressing the Pgb genes are also depleted of endogenous auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) localization established by polar auxin transport (PAT), thus suggesting a possible involvement of this plant hormone in the observed processes. Collectively, it appears that the cell specific expression of Pgbs has the capability to determine the developmental fate of embryogenic tissue during maize somatic embryogenesis through their effect on PCD. This novel regulation has implications for development and differentiation in other species.

Oxidative stress is one of the major characteristics in Alzheimer’s disease, and converging evidence indicates that cysteine S-nitrosylation might be related in AD pathology. My results demonstrated exogenous S-nitrosoglutathione was able to S-nitrosylate vAChT, vMAT2, vGluT1 and vGluT2. S-nitrosylation of these vesicular transporters inhibited the uptake of [3H]acetylcholine, [3H]dopamine and [3H]glutamate respectively. APP/PS1 transgenic mice were used to investigate neurotransmission dysfunctions of Alzheimer’s disease. Global protein S-nitrosylation was increased in the 9 and 12 month APP/PS1 mice. Further investigation demonstrated an increase of vAChT and vGluT1 S-nitrosylation in frontal cortex of 6, 9 and 12 month APP/PS1 mice and an increased vAChT and vGluT1 S-nitrosylation was found in hippocampus of 3 month APP/PS1 mice. These findings together suggest that S-nitrosylation of vesicular transporters inhibits the uptake of neurotransmitters, and S-nitrosylation of vAChT and might be associated with the neurotransmission dysfunction of acetylcholine and glutamate in Alzheimer’s disease.

Age-related muscle atrophy and the importance of satellite cells in muscle maintenance, growth and repair led us to examine the effects of mechanical stretch, nitric oxide (NO), and age on satellite cell (SC) activation and gene expression in normal young and old mice. Baseline variables (body mass, muscle mass, fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle strength, SC population, stretch activation and gene expression) were obtained from normal C57BL/6 mice at 3-, 8-, 12- and 18-months-of-age. Activation was assayed by 3H-thymidine incorporation into extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles isolated for culture. In a second experiment, muscle from 8- and 18-month-old mice was treated with one or more of: stretch; NO-donors (L-Arginine (LA), isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN)) and; Nω-nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester (LN). EDL muscles from 6-month-old mice required a greater stretch stimulus (20% vs. 10% length increase) than EDL from younger mice to increase SC activation. Stretch did not increase SC activation in mice older than 6 months-of-age. NO supplementation from an exogenous source (ISDN) increased SC activation by stretch in 8- but not 18-mo-old EDLs. In a third experiment, 8- and 18-month-old mice were subjected to 3 weeks of voluntary wheel running, or not. The EDL, tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius (GAST) and quadriceps (QUAD) muscles were selected for analysis following sacrifice. The QUAD muscle from 8-month-old mice was the only muscle that demonstrated an exercise-induced increase in SC activation, elevated expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I) and downregulation of myostatin, a gene that inhibits muscle growth. These results suggest mechanical stimulation of satellite cells and regulation of gene expression that controls muscle growth in voluntary contractile tissue is muscle-specific and age-dependent.