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Biomedical subjects

A C Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to A C Anderson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

A new method for determining concentrations of Endod-S (Phytolacca dodecandra) in water during mollusciciding.

A hemolytic method was developed for the quantitative determination of oleanane saponin (Endod-S) in Phytolacca dodecandra (Phytolaccaceae), a plant with potent molluscicidal properties. A chemical method based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used as a control for comparison with a hemolysis test. Standard curves for calibration of both tests of Endod-S gave high correlation coefficients. The hemolysis method gave a correlation coefficient of 0.98 for saponin (Endod-S) levels ranging from 1.6 to 4.2 mg/l. The TLC method gave a correlation coefficient of 0.99 for saponin levels above 1.5 micrograms. Due to the action of saponins on erythrocytes, the hemolysis method could not be used at levels below 1.6 and above 4.2 mg/l. Similarly, sample size limited TLC quantitation of these saponins at levels below 1 microgram. Both the TLC and the hemolysis methods on identical Endod-S water samples gave comparable results at saponin levels between 2 and 6 mg/l. A snail bioassay showed that the LC50 and the LC90 concentrations of Endod-S to the snail Biomphalaria glabrata (albino) were 2.57 and 2.92 mg/l respectively. These values fell in the standard curve range for the hemolysis method thus indicating that the hemolysis method is of practical value for testing Endod-S concentrations that would actually be used in field applications for snail control. The hemolysis method is less expensive than TLC and can be easily adapted to field conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Spontaneous epileptiform activity and alteration of GABA- and of NMDA-mediated neurotransmission in amygdala neurons kindled in vivo.

This study was designed to analyze in vitro the changes in synaptic potentials that occur in neurons of the basolateral amygdala 4-6 weeks after kindling in vivo. The following 3 phenomena were observed in basolateral neurons which were contralateral to the kindling site: (1) spontaneous epileptiform bursting; (2) evoked epileptiform bursting or 'extra' evoked synaptic potentials; and (3) the absence of GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials either spontaneous or evoked. Epileptiform bursting, spontaneous and evoked, and 'extra' evoked synaptic potentials were depressed by NMDA receptor antagonists and were recorded in normal physiological solution. These data suggest that the amygdala is an area of the brain particularly sensitive to epileptogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Characterization and vaccine potential of a novel recombinant coccidial antigen.

A cDNA clone derived from sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella and encoding the expression product GX3262 was identified using a monoclonal antibody raised against Eimeria acervulina sporozoites. The cDNA fragment containing the coccidial antigen gene was cloned in bacteriophage lambda gt11, transferred to a plasmid, and introduced into Escherichia coli for analysis of the gene products. The strain carrying the plasmid produced GX3262 as part of a fusion protein consisting of the first 1,006 amino acids of E. coli beta-galactosidase and 112 amino acids of the E. tenella protein of approximately 12 kilodaltons. Partially purified antigen, heat-killed recombinant bacterin, and live E. coli containing the recombinant coccidial antigen were used to immunize 1-week-old or newly hatched broiler chicks. Several immunization protocols were utilized, including boosts with partially purified beta-galactosidase-GX3262, bacterin, or small numbers of live E. tenella oocysts. After challenge with an experimental E. tenella infection, the birds were evaluated by scoring cecal lesions to determine the level of protection. The greatest degree of protection was seen after only a single immunization of 2-day-old birds with a live recombinant E. coli preparation. The results presented here identify GX3262 as a potential candidate coccidial vaccine antigen and provide evidence for the first time that newly hatched chickens can be successfully vaccinated with a recombinant antigen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Interpretation of microbial bioassays using kinetic parameters.

A method analogous to that used for enzyme kinetics was applied to estimate maximum growth rates and oxygen depletion rates as measures of microbial toxicity. Selected toxicants including phenol, formalin and CuSO4 were tested against an axenic culture of E. coli and a mixed culture derived from soil to determine reproducibility of the test procedures. Optical density was used as a measure of growth over time. Oxygen uptake over a short term (less than 20 min.) and over extended time (greater than 4 hrs.) was also monitored. Microbial growth rate constants (g) and oxygen depletion rate constants (k) were calculated and the EC50 values for toxicity were taken as one half the maximum growth rate or oxygen depletion rates, respectively. The method proved a reasonable and reliable measure of toxicity.

Copper↗
PubMed1988

Baroreflex modulation by cardiopulmonary receptors during chronic sodium depletion.

Chronic sodium to depletion is associated with a reduced baroreflex responsiveness to carotid sinus hypotension. One hypothesis to explain the mechanism of the reduced baroreflex responsiveness involves a redistribution of blood volume toward the cardiopulmonary circulation during sodium depletion. This volume redistribution may result in enhanced discharge of cardiopulmonary volume-sensing mechanoreceptors, which tonically inhibit the expression of the carotid baroreflex. In this study, when the pressor and tachycardic responses to carotid occlusion were tested, the baroreflex responses were significantly smaller in sodium-depleted dogs (P less than 0.05). When the vagal and aortic depressor nerves were removed, the baroreflex responses to carotid occlusion were increased in both sodium-replete and sodium-depleted animals. However, the pressor and tachycardic responses were still attenuated in the sodium-depleted animals after vagotomy (P less than 0.05). Thus the results of this study indicate that cardiopulmonary volume receptor discharge is not increased in the sodium-depleted state, and removal of cardiopulmonary vagal afferent influences does not normalize the impaired baroreflex responsiveness of sodium-depleted animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Bacterial survey of well water--Tehran, Iran.

One hundred twenty-one wells throughout the city of Tehran were monitored during the four seasons of the year for the presence of bacterial indicators of fecal pollution. None of the sites monitored was connected to Tehran's main water distribution system but represented drinking water sources for small communities, individual factories, hospitals, etc. Only 17 samples showed no indication of fecal bacterial contamination throughout the study. The remaining sites were positive for at least one of the following at some season of the year: Escherichia coli, Shigella sp., Citrobacter sp., Klebsiella-Enterobacter group, Clostridium perfringens, or Streptococcus faecalis.

Enterobacteriaceae↗
PubMed1986

Modulation of serum complement levels following exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins.

Subchronic 14-day exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suppressed serum total hemolytic complement activity (CH50) in female B6C3F1 mice at doses of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms/kg. Serum levels of complement component C3 were also suppressed at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms/kg. Another dioxin isomer, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HCDD), also produced dose-dependent suppression of complement activity at doses of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 micrograms/kg with decreased C3 levels at 10 micrograms/kg. Both TCDD and HCDD enhanced susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterial pathogen whose host defense is complement mediated. Recovery studies demonstrated that complement activity in TCDD (1 microgram/kg) and HCDD (10 micrograms/kg)-treated animals was suppressed until 50 days post-treatment, while low doses of HCDD (0.1 and 1.0 micrograms/kg) elevated CH50 levels. Acute exposure to TCDD (14 micrograms/kg) also suppressed complement CH50 and C3 levels. These studies demonstrate that the complement system and innate immunity represent potential target sites for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Accumulation of cadmium, mercury and lead by vegetables following long-term land application of wastewater.

Several vegetable species which are part of the daily diet of Tehran's population were examined for potential uptake of cadmium, mercury and lead from soil following longterm land application of wastewater. The three study sites located in the south of Tehran have been receiving untreated domestic wastewater by flood irrigation for many years. Elevated levels of cadmium, mercury and lead were found in the upper layers of soil. Examined vegetables accumulated some cadmium, mercury and lead from treated soils, but accumulation was relatively low. Due to the low concentration of these metals and their poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (excluding absorption of lead in children), it does not appear that the short-term consumption of these contaminated vegetables would produce acute toxicity. However, since absorption of dietary lead in children is relatively high and children are very sensitive to lead toxicity, short-term consumption of these vegetables plus other environmental sources of these metals in Tehran may produce chronic effects in children.

Cadmium↗
PubMed1986

Depletion and resynthesis of tissue thiols by helenalin and tenulin.

The depletion of tissue thiols by two anti-leukemic agents helenalin and tenulin was studied in mice. Helenalin (100 mg/kg) and tenulin (213 mg/kg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were administered orally, and the acid-soluble total thiol concentrations in the liver, kidney, stomach and small intestine were determined at 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0 and 24.0 hr post-treatment. The lowest tissue thiol levels (42-84% of pretrial values) were observed within 0.5 - 1.0 hr following helenalin treatment. The tenulin treated mice exhibited the lowest values (46-80% of pretrial control values) at 3.0 hr post-treatment in all tissues except in the stomach, which reached its lowest value at 1.0 hr. The most dramatic effects were found in the stomach and small intestine where the mean thiol concentrations varied from 43% to 141% (at 1.0 and 24.0 hr) and from 76% to 169% (at 0.5 and 24.0 hr) of pretrial values, respectively, among helenalin treated mice. The tissue thiol levels in DMSO- and physiological saline (PSS)-treated mice fluctuated probably due to fasting and/or diurnal changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Fate of foreign compounds in the environment.

The behavior of a foreign compound, once introduced into the environment, depends upon the nature of the compound and its interaction with the physical, chemical, and biological components of the ecosystem. It is important to understand the interaction of exogenous compounds with the ecosystem, because only in this way can the potential human health effects of these compounds be predicted. This paper outlines the various parameters that must be considered when predicting the fate of a compound in the environment. An example is then given which relates these factors to the distribution and fate of arsenical compounds.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1985

Suppression of mouse complement activity by contaminants of technical grade pentachlorophenol.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is an antimicrobial agent used chiefly for the preservation of wood. Subchronic oral exposure (14 days) to Technical Grade PCP significantly inhibited the functional activity of female B6C3F1 mouse complement when measured in a microtiter hemolytic assay. When evaluated one day following the final exposure the highest administered dose (100 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the Classical complement pathway, the Spontaneous C1 autoactivation pathway, the Alternate pathway and the level of complement component, C3. Reconstitution studies using C5-deficient serum also demonstrated deleterious effects on this complement component. The Classical pathway was the most sensitive to Technical Grade PCP effects. Animals treated with 100 mg/kg Technical Grade PCP had CH 50 levels 30% of vehicle controls. Animals treated for 14 days and allowed a 15 day recovery period had CH 50 values 36% of control and animals which recovered for 30 days had only 52% of the complement activity of control animals. C3 recovery studies also demonstrated continued suppression on days 15 and 30 post-final exposure. Doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg did not produce the marked effects observed with the highest dose; however, a dose-dependent trend was observed for all responses. Animals treated with 100 mg/kg of EC-7, a PCP preparation with reduced amounts of contaminating dioxins and dibenzofurans, did not demonstrate detrimental effects on the complement system.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Determination of the half life of fenthion in New Zealand White rabbits using three routes of administration.

The purpose of this research was to determine if the route of administration influenced the biological half life of fenthion, an organophosphorous insecticide. Twenty mg/kg fenthion was given to groups of New Zealand White Rabbits via the oral, subcutaneous and intravenous routes respectively. The distribution of fenthion in the blood of New Zealand rabbits followed an open two compartment model. There were no significant differences in the kinetic parameters (2, beta, K12, K21, Kel) derived for the three different routes of administration. The biological half life of slightly over 11 hours, did not differ significantly with the route of administration.

Administration, Oral↗