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Biomedical subjects

A Lang

Publications and source records attributed to A Lang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Increase in plasma total and lipoprotein cholesterol during incubation of whole blood samples at 37 degrees C--influence of LCAT inhibitors.

Incubation of whole blood samples at 37 degrees C caused a time-dependent increase in plasma cholesterol concentrations. In samples from 40 fasting healthy males, plasma cholesterol rose by 13.6 +/- 3% during 24 h (P less than 0.001). Changes in cholesterol concentrations were found in both the HDL fraction and the VLDL/LDL fraction. The increase in lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations correlated positively with the initial levels of HDL cholesterol and apo A-I; and with the original levels of VLDL/LDL cholesterol, apo B and triglycerides. The increase in plasma total cholesterol was not related to the HDL cholesterol and apo A-I concentrations. It was more pronounced in samples with elevated plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, VLDL/LDL cholesterol, apo B and triglycerides. The elevation in plasma total cholesterol resulted from an increase in cholesteryl esters, whereas free cholesterol decreased. After LCAT inhibition no changes in total, free and esterified cholesterol were observed. Therefore, increase in plasma cholesterol seems to represent a LCAT-dependent cholesterol transport out of blood cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Changes at cholecystokinin receptors induced by long-term treatment with diazepam and haloperidol.

Fourteen days administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg daily) prevented the motor depressant effect of caerulein (an agonist at cholecystokinin receptors, 15 micrograms/kg) and the antagonistic effect of caerulein (100 micrograms/kg) against (+)-amphetamine (5 mg/kg) induced hyperlocomotion in mice. The antiaggressive effect of caerulein (40 micrograms/kg) in saline-treated mice was replaced by increased aggressiveness after long-term haloperidol and diazepam (5 mg/kg daily) treatment. The anticonvulsant effect of caerulein (125 micrograms/kg) against picrotoxin (10 mg/kg) induced seizures was abolished after 14 days diazepam, but not after haloperidol, treatment. The above described changes in the mouse behaviour are probably related to the development of subsensitivity at CCKA receptors, whereas the CCKB receptor subtype becomes more sensitized to the action of caerulein after long-term haloperidol and diazepam treatment.

Aggression↗
PubMed1992

Contractile behaviour of skinned papillary muscle in mitral valve disease.

The contractile behaviour of Triton-X 100 skinned left ventricular papillary muscle from 19 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for mitral valve stenosis: n = 6, mitral valve incompetence: n = 7, or combined mitral valve disease: n = 6 was analyzed. At supramaximal activation the "vibration induced force clamping technique" was used for isometric analysis of time course and extent of isometric postvibration force recovery. Afterloaded contractions were applied for extrapolation of the maximum shortening velocity at zero load (Vmax). The Calcium sensitivity was analysed by variation of the free EGTA-buffered Calcium concentration at a passive resting force of 2 mN at 26 degrees C. In different types of mitral valve disease the characteristics of isometric force development were unaltered in terms of maximum force development, force per square mm, Calcium sensitivity and the time course of isometric contraction after force clamping. However the capability to shorten as expressed by Vmax was reduced in mitral valve incompetence (3.87 +/- 0.37 ML/s) as compared with mitral valve stenosis (5.29 +/- 0.35 ML/s) or combined mitral valve disease (4.83 +/- 0.51 ML/s). The ratio between the inverse value of Vmax and the time constant of isometric force development after force clamping was significantly different in mitral valve incompetence as compared with other types of mitral valve disease (p < 0.0001). These data argue for the presence of different resistances against shortening in various types of mitral valve disease, due to altered cross-bridge cycling characteristics or to morphological factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The involvement of sigma and phencyclidine receptors in the action of antipsychotic drugs.

An atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine and a selective sigma antagonist BMY 14802 were significantly less effective in the behavioural experiments (against apomorphine, d-amphetamine and MK-801), as well in the radioligand binding studies against 3H-spiperone (dopamine2-receptors) and 3H-haloperidol (sigma receptors) in the rat brain, as compared to a typical antipsychotic compound haloperidol. Contrary to haloperidol and BMY 14802, clozapine was a relatively selective antagonist of MK-801-induced motor excitation in the mouse. A nearly 3-fold lower dose of clozapine was needed to block the effect of MK-801 (6.4 mumol/kg) as compared to the action of amphetamine (17 mumol/kg). Haloperidol and clozapine, but not BMY 14802, antagonized apomorphine-induced aggressiveness in the rat. After long-term treatment (for 15 days) with BMY 14802 (10 mg/kg daily), haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg daily) and clozapine (10 mg/kg daily) the motor depressant effect of apomorphine (0.15 mg/kg) was reversed. Chronic haloperidol treatment, but not administration of BMY 14802 and clozapine, increased the number of dopamine2-receptors in the rat brain. BMY 14802 caused upregulation of sigma receptors in frontal cortex, whereas haloperidol induced the opposite change in cerebellum. Repeated treatment with clozapine significantly augmented the motor stimulating effect of MK-801 in rats. Simultaneously with a behavioural change the density of 3H-TCP binding sites in the rat forebrain was elevated after long-term treatment with clozapine, probably indicating the involvement of PCP binding sites at NMDA channel in the action of clozapine.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Essential tremor.

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Data Collection↗
PubMed1992

Differential cytotoxicity of an ether lipid on lymphoma and bone marrow cells and its role in purging malignant lymphoid cells from remission bone marrow contaminated with tumor cells.

Four human clonogenic malignant lymphoid cell lines (CEM, Su-DHL-4, Li-A, and Raji) as well as normal human bone marrow stem cell progenitor cells were investigated for clonal in vitro growth before and after incubation with the ether lipid ET-18-OCH3 for various times (1, 4, and 18 h) and at increasing concentrations of the drug (25, 50, 75, and 100 micrograms/ml). The clonal growth of the malignant lymphoid cell lines was inversely correlated with concentrations and times of drug incubation. The antineoplastic effect of ET-18-OCH3 was further amplified by subsequent cryopreservation. In a situation of 4-h exposure to less than or equal to 50 micrograms/ml ET-18-OCH3 and subsequent cryopreservation, in which greater than 50% of the normal human bone marrow progenitor cells survived, 1-3 logs of the malignant lymphoblastoid cells were killed, indicating a potential value of this drug for bone marrow purging in lymphoid malignancy. In order to simulate the situation of autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in complete remission of the disease, we contaminated normal human bone marrow cells with malignant CEM or Su-DHL-4 lymphoid cells at a ratio of 100:1. Results show that 4 h of incubation with 75 micrograms/ml ET-18-OCH3 and subsequent cryopreservation can eliminate 2-3 logs of clonogenic cells of the malignant lymphoblastoid cell lines under conditions that allow recovery of greater than 50% of the normal human hematopoietic progenitors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1992

Leiomyosarcoma of the rectum.

Leiomyosarcoma of the rectum is a rare entity. Approximately 150 cases have been described in the literature. Differentiation from its benign counterpart, leiomyoma, and other connective-tissue tumors is often difficult, but it is important because each tumor has an entirely different prognosis. The case of a patient in whom an 11 x 5.5 cm leiomyosarcoma of the rectum was surgically excised by abdominoperineal resection is presented. Literature review shows disagreement over the therapeutic approach, most likely due to the lack of a large series of patients with this disease. At present, a selective treatment approach appears to be the most advocated. Lesions less than 2.5 cm in size and limited to the bowel wall can still be treated by wide local excision. More radical surgical resection is indicated for larger tumors and those extending outside the bowel wall.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Differential involvement of CCK-A and CCK-B receptors in the regulation of locomotor activity in the mouse.

The influence of the CCK-A antagonist devazepide and the CCK-B/gastrin antagonist L-365,260 on the locomotor activity of mice was studied. Devazepide and L-365,260 had opposite effects on spontaneous locomotor activity, and on caerulein- and apomorphine-induced hypomotility in the mouse. Devazepide in high doses (0.1-1 mg/kg IP) reduced spontaneous motor activity, whereas L-365,260 at a high dose (1 mg/kg IP) increased the activity of mice. Devazepide (0.1-10 micrograms/kg) moderately antagonized the sedative effect of apomorphine (0.1 mg/kg SC) and caerulein (25 micrograms/kg SC), whereas L-365,260 (1-10 micrograms/kg) significantly potentiated the actions of dopamine and CCK agonists. Concomitant administration of caerulein (15 micrograms/kg SC) and apomorphine (0.1 mg/kg SC) caused an almost complete loss of locomotor activity in the mouse. Devazepide and L-365,260 (0.1-10 micrograms/kg) were completely ineffective against caerulein-induced potentiation of apomorphine hypomotility. Devazepide in high doses (0.1-1 mg/kg), reducing the spontaneous motor activity of mice, counteracted the motor excitation induced by d-amphetamine (5 mg/kg IP). The CCK agonist caerulein (100 micrograms/kg SC) had a similar antiamphetamine effect. Devazepide (1-100 micrograms/kg) and L-365,260 (1 micrograms/kg) reversed completely the antiamphetamine effect of caerulein. The results of present study reflect apparently distinct role of CCK-A and CCK-B receptors in the regulation of motor activity. The opposite effect of devazepide and L-365,260 on caerulein- and apomorphine-induced hypolocomotion is probably related to the antagonistic role of CCK-A and CCK-B receptor subtypes in the regulation of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. The antiamphetamine effect of caerulein is possibly linked to the stimulation of CCK-A receptors in the mouse brain, whereas the blockade of both subtypes of the CCK-8 receptor is involved in the antiamphetamine effect of devazepide.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1991

Posthospital care for older people: a collaborative solution.

This collaborative model of "short-term, long-term care" (Brody, 1987) for older persons returning home after a hospital stay involved three hospitals, a senior center, and an Area Agency on Aging. The program provided short-term (up to 6 weeks) case management and nonmedical, supportive services to elderly individuals, in their own homes, immediately following discharge from acute-care hospitals. Client satisfaction was high, costs were moderate, and only one-third of the clients required formal services after 6 weeks. The program was discontinued due to lack of funding.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Patient perception of tics and other movement disorders.

To determine the subjective perception patients have of abnormal movements, 170 patients with various hyperkinesias were interviewed with questions directed at the "voluntary" or intentional versus "involuntary" aspects of their symptoms. One hundred and two of 110 patients with non-tic disorders thought that the abnormal movements were entirely involuntary. Forty-one of 60 tic disorder patients stated that all their motor and phonic tics were intentionally produced. Fifteen others had both voluntary and involuntary components, usually with the former predominating. A "voluntary" response could be used to predict the correct diagnostic category (tic versus non-tic) in 8 of 9 patients for whom the referral category was incorrect. These results suggest that a large proportion of the motor and phonic symptoms experienced by tic patients are irresistibly but purposefully executed, more akin to compulsions than to the other "involuntary" hyperkinesias with which they are commonly discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Usefulness of a writing device in writer's cramp.

Fifteen of 20 patients with writer's cramp treated with a writing device noted an improvement in their writing ability, some quite marked. Despite this benefit, nine patients preferred to use alternate methods. In the absence of adverse effects, we suggest that trials of writing devices be the first recourse for all patients with writer's cramp requiring treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of interleukin-1 beta on the production of cathepsin B by rabbit articular chondrocytes.

Rabbit articular chondrocytes in monolayer culture were stimulated with human recombinant interleukin-1 beta. Under the influence of the cytokine the intracellular pool of the cysteine endopeptidase cathepsin B was increased by a 2-4-fold factor, while enzyme secretion was not stimulated at a significant level. Under the same conditions, the secretion of collagenase, measured as an internal control, was stimulated about 6-fold. The effects of interleukin-1 beta were compared to those caused by phenotypic modulation. Chondrocytes modulated by serial subcultures in monolayer secreted more cathepsin B, but less collagenase than differentiated cells (cultured within collagen gels). Thus, interleukin-1 beta and phenotypic modulation affected differently two endopeptidases which are relevant in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Animals↗