The Social Security Administration's continuous work history sample.
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Actuarial Analysis↗
Biomedical subjects
C M Smith
Publications and source records attributed to C M Smith.
Comparison of bovine and human platelet deformability, using micropipette elastimetry.
We evaluated the deformability of bovine platelets and contrasted the effects of pharmacologic and thermal perturbations on cytoskeletal structure of human and bovine platelets. Platelets were aspirated into micropipettes (0.7 to 0.8 micron in diameter) by stepwise increments in tension. The resulting lengths of the cell extensions were recorded. The cell extensions aspirated from bovine platelets were shorter than the extensions drawn from human platelets. Disassembly of the circumferential microtubule coil allowed human platelets to pass through the pipette, but the same treatments only slightly increased the deformability of bovine platelets. Alteration of the actin filament cytoskeleton caused increased mechanical fragility of human platelets. In contrast, even the combined use of microtubule and actin filament-disrupting agents only modestly increased the deformability of bovine platelets and did not cause premature fragmentation of the cells. Unusual cytoskeletal structure, absence of an open canalicular system, and disparity in granule size may all contribute to the variance in deformability between the platelets of the 2 species. Reduced cell deformability may impair bovine platelet surface interactions by diminishing the ease of cell spreading and formation of areas of contact between the platelet and other cell surfaces.
Actin Cytoskeleton↗
Epinephrine-induced reversal of aspirin effects on platelet deformability.
The present study has evaluated the influence of epinephrine on the resistance of platelets to aspiration into micropipettes, and the effect of epinephrine on the altered deformability of aspirin treated platelets. Unlike other platelet agonists previously studied, epinephrine stimulation did not alter platelet deformability at a concentration capable of causing platelet aggregation. Aspirin caused a dramatic decrease in the resistance of platelets to aspiration. Pretreatment of platelets with epinephrine prevented aspirin from altering platelet deformability, and exposure of platelets to epinephrine after treatment with aspirin reversed the increased deformability produced by the drug. Blockade of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors with yohimbine or clonidine prevented epinephrine antagonism of the mechanical effects of aspirin. The studies provide further evidence of the novel antagonism between epinephrine and aspirin on platelet structure and function.
Aspirin↗
Altered platelet deformability in patients with type IIa and type IV hyperlipoproteinemia.
Platelets from subjects with hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP) differ from normal platelets in lipid composition and function depending upon the phenotypic classification of the HLP. The present study has evaluated the deformability of platelets from human subjects with type IIa and type IV HLP. Platelets suspended in autologous plasma diluted 30-fold with buffer were aspirated into micropipettes 0.7-0.8 microns in diameter by step-wise increment in tension, and the resulting extension lengths were recorded. Platelets from type IIa subjects could not be aspirated as far into the micropipettes as normal platelets. However, less tension was required to reach maximum cell extension than with normal platelets, and the initial extension lengths and slopes of the stress responses were the same as the control. In contrast, platelets from subjects with type IV HLP showed a generalized increase in deformability. The initial cell extensions aspirated from type IV platelets were longer than normal, and larger maximum cell extensions were achieved at lower tensions than control platelets. The type IV platelets were also mechanically fragile and fragmented at lower tensions than control or type IIa platelets. The variance in platelet deformability between subjects of the same phenotype was not directly correlated to plasma lipid or lipoprotein concentrations. This study confirms alterations in the structural organization of platelets from subjects with type IIa and type IV HLP.
Blood Platelets↗
Serine proteases promote human CFU-GM in methylcellulose culture systems.
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Cells, Cultured↗
Erythrocyte carnitine: a study of erythrocyte fractions isolated by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation.
Erythrocyte fractions of varying density were isolated by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation of washed erythrocytes of five subjects (three adults and two cord bloods). Free and total carnitine concentrations were determined in each gradient fraction to compare the carnitine content of less dense with more dense erythrocytes. Erythrocyte, leukocyte, and reticulocyte counts and hemoglobin were measured on all fractions of each gradient. The density gradient studies showed that the highest proportion of reticulocytes were associated with the least dense gradient fractions of all five subjects. Linear regression analyses revealed significant positive correlations (r = 0.94 to 0.99, P less than 0.02 to P less than 0.001) between the number of reticulocytes per fraction and the total or free carnitine concentrations per fraction for all subjects. No correlation was found between free or total carnitine and hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, or number of leukocytes per fraction. It appears that erythrocyte carnitine is localized in circulating reticulocytes which have mitochondria and carnitine-dependent fatty acid metabolism.
Adult↗
Heterotopic middle ear gliomatosis.
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Child↗
Word fluency in patients with early dementia of Alzheimer type.
The relative fluency with which 15 patients with Alzheimer-type dementia (DAT) retrieved words with specified first letters and belonging to semantically defined categories was assessed. Patients with DAT were always less fluent than controls but, like the 12 normal elderly subjects, they were more efficient in accessing words belonging to semantic categories. Their deficit in retrieving words with specified first letters was greater than that predicted on the basis of verbal intellectual ability. No differences in word fluency were detected in presenile and senile patients. These data support the conclusion that word fluency may prove useful in the detection of early dementia.
Aged↗
Biological activity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 and 24-epi-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2.
The biological activity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 [1,25(OH)2D2] and 24-epi-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 [24-epi-1,25(OH)2D2] has been determined in vitamin D-deficient rats. The biological effectiveness of 1,25(OH)2D2 is equal to that reported previously for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] (15) in intestinal calcium transport, mineralization of bone, mobilization of bone calcium, and elevation of plasma inorganic phosphorus of rachitic rats. However, 24-epi-1,25(OH)2D2 is at best one-half as active as 1,25(OH)2D2 in stimulating intestinal calcium transport and in the mineralization of rachitic bone. The 24-epi-1,25(OH)2D2 is one-third as active as 1,25(OH)2D3 in binding to the chick intestinal receptor for 1,25(OH)2D3. Thus receptor discrimination may account for the twofold difference in intestinal calcium transport activity. 24-Epi-1,25(OH)2D2 appeared inactive in in vivo mobilization of bone calcium or bone phosphorus. On the other hand, in fetal rat bone in culture, the epi compound was only five times less active than 1,25(OH)2D2 in inducing resorption. Short-term experiments on bone mineral mobilization in vivo show that the 24-epi-1,25(OH)2D2 does induce bone calcium mobilization but that its activity in this respect is short lived. It is suggested that 24-epi-1,25(OH)2D2 and, as a result, it shows preferential activity on intestine whose response to a single dose of 1,25(OH)2D2 remains for several days, whereas the short-lived bone system does not remain stimulated during the 24-h period between doses.
Animals↗
The duration of action of the combination of fenoterol hydrobromide and ipratropium bromide in protecting against asthma provoked by hyperpnea.
We compared the duration of the protective effect of two beta-adrenoceptor agonists, fenoterol (200 micrograms) and salbutamol (200 micrograms), the anticholinergic agent ipratropium (80 micrograms), and the combination of fenoterol (200 micrograms) and ipratropium (80 micrograms) against challenge by eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH). Twelve patients with asthma performed EVH for two or four min at 60 percent maximal voluntary ventilation, 30 min, 2 and 4 h after treatment. All treatments (Rx) produced significant bronchodilation after 30 min. The Rx containing a beta-adrenoceptor agonist maintained this bronchodilation for at least 2 h. While all the Rx with a beta-adrenoceptor agonist significantly reduced the fall in forced expiratory volume in one second after EVH at 30 min, only the combination of fenoterol and ipratropium provided significant protection after 2 h. We advise that the duration of protective effect of beta-adrenoceptor agonists is short and patients with moderate to severe exercise-induced asthma may be better controlled by combination therapy.
Administration, Inhalation↗
Heat and water loss from the airways as a provoking stimulus for asthma.
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Asthma↗
Effects of halothane anesthesia on the clearance of gentamicin sulfate in horses.
Inhalation anesthetics decrease the clearance of some drugs that are eliminated by renal excretion. The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the effects of halothane anesthesia on the pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of gentamicin sulfate, using the horse as a model. Using a crossover design, pharmacokinetic values after a single IV dose of gentamicin (4 mg/kg) were compared in halothane-anesthetized and unanesthetized horses. Compared with unanesthetized horses, the anesthetized horses had significant decreases in total body clearance (P less than 0.01) and apparent volume of distribution (P less than 0.05), and a significant increase in half-life (P less than 0.05) of gentamicin.
Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
Halothane hepatotoxicity in Fischer 344 rats pretreated with isoniazid.
Male Fischer 344 rats were used to investigate the hepatic effects of exposure to halothane under normoxic conditions (FIO2 = 0.21) in isoniazid-treated rats. Animals were treated with saline or isoniazid (50 mg/kg) for 7 days and then were exposed to either 1% halothane or air for 2 hr. One-half of the rats from each treatment and exposure group were killed 24 hr postexposure; the remaining were killed 4 days postexposure. Twenty-four hours following halothane exposure, serum transaminase levels were significantly elevated in isoniazid- compared with saline-treated rats (i.e., aspartate aminotransferase = twofold; alanine aminotransferase = seven-fold). Cholesterol levels were significantly depressed by halothane exposure in both saline- and isoniazid-treated rats. Other serum parameters indicative of hepatic and renal function were not different: alkaline phosphatase, total protein, total bilirubin, hematocrit, uric acid, creatinine, urea nitrogen, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and inorganic phosphate. Neither saline-treated nor isoniazid-treated rats exposed to air exhibited histologic evidence of hepatic damage. Halothane-exposed rats, however, showed a circumscribed disruption of cellular morphology. The most severe lesions were observed with isoniazid-treated animals with extensive pericentral hepatocellular necrosis and infiltration by leucocytes and Kupffer cells. Serum concentrations of two products of the oxidative metabolism of halothane, trifluoroacetic acid and bromide, were significantly elevated in isoniazid- compared with saline-treated rats. Serum levels of fluoride, a product of reductive metabolism, were not different. These results strongly suggest that hepatic injury following halothane administration can be produced by intermediates of oxidative metabolism.
Alanine Transaminase↗
The effect of pantothenate deficiency in mice on their metabolic response to fast and exercise.
The changes in fuel metabolism during fast and exercise were compared to the tissue total CoA levels in mice maintained on pantothenate-deficient and pantothenate-supplemented (control) diets. In nonexercised mice maintained on a pantothenate-deficient diet for 65 to 105 days, the total CoA levels of many tissues were significantly lower than in controls (liver 18%, kidney 23%, spleen 21%, heart 38%, and leg skeletal muscle 66%). However, no differences in total CoA levels in brain or epididymal fat pads were observed. During a 48-hour fast, the total CoA levels increased in the heart and liver of both pantothenate-deficient and control mice (heart 32 and 19%, respectively; liver 39 and 45%, respectively), but the level of total CoA remained lower in the deficient mice. Liver glycogen levels were 17% lower in deficient mice than in controls and liver ketone bodies were 17% higher in pantothenate deficient mice than in controls. Separate groups of mice on deficient and supplemented diets were trained to run to exhaustion. Compared to trained mice on pantothenate-supplemented diets, the trained pantothenate-deficient mice had lower running times until exhaustion, lower body weights, lower liver and muscle glycogen content (even after rest), and elevated liver ketone bodies both during rest and after running. In summary, the pantothenate-deficient mice were unable to maintain normal glycogen stores, but had a normal ketogenic response to fast and exercise in spite of the lower levels of liver total CoA.
Animals↗
A new method for measuring the yield stress in thin layers of sedimenting blood.
A new method is presented to describe the low shear rate behavior of blood. We observed the response of a thin layer of sedimenting blood to a graded shear stress in a wedge-shaped chamber. The method allows quantitation of the degree of phase separation between red cells and plasma, and extracts the yield stress of the cell phase as a function of hematocrit. Our studies showed that the behavior of normal human blood underwent a transition from a solid-like gel to a Casson fluid. This transition began at the Casson predicted yield stress. The viscoelastic properties of blood were examined at shear stresses below the yield stress. The measured Young's elastic moduli were in good agreement with published data. The yield stress of blood showed a linear dependence on hematocrit up to 60%, and increased more rapidly at higher hematocrit.
Blood Sedimentation↗
Viscoelasticity of packed erythrocyte suspensions subjected to low amplitude oscillatory deformation.
Concentrated adult erythrocyte suspensions were subjected to low amplitude oscillatory shear in a Weissenberg rheogoniometer equipped with a cone-and-plate assembly. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of the suspension were measured over a broad range of frequency by a numerical solution that accounted for fluid inertia. Variation of shear amplitude and cell volume percent, and comparison of buffered saline, plasma, and dextran as suspending media showed that the cellular elements had undergone small bending and shearing deformations. Studies of normal adult erythrocytes, hypotonically swollen cells, temperature-altered cells, and erythrocyte ghosts suggested that the method was evaluating membrane material properties. The normal membrane was found to exhibit a shear rate dependent elastic modulus that increased by more than a factor of 20 over a frequency range from 0.0076 Hz to 60 Hz. The membrane viscosity showed a substantial drop with frequency indicative of a frequency thinning phenomenon. At high frequency of deformation the viscous response of normal erythrocytes was no longer indicative of a membrane property due to the dominant influence of the internal hemoglobin solution. The studies generally supported the ability of the method to quantify relative membrane material properties and detect changes in membrane structure.
Adult↗
Methacholine responsiveness increases after ultrasonically nebulized water but not after ultrasonically nebulized hypertonic saline in patients with asthma.
Airway obstruction can be induced in patients with asthma by the inhalation of ultrasonically nebulized aerosols of nonisotonic solutions. It is the change in osmolarity of the periciliary fluid that is believed to be the stimulus for bronchoconstriction. However, it is not known whether hyperosmolar and hypo-osmolar aerosols induce asthma via the same mechanism. We have previously reported that patients with asthma have a reduction in the dose of provoking agent that induces a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20) for methacholine after challenge with nebulized water. To determine whether hyperosmolar aerosols also increase sensitivity to methacholine, we studied 13 subjects with asthma on 3 days. On day 1, the PD20 to methacholine was determined. On day 2, a challenge with nebulized 4.5% saline was followed by a challenge with methacholine 40 to 60 minutes later. On day 3, a challenge with nebulized water was followed by a methacholine challenge. Sensitivity to methacholine was significantly increased after water (p less than 0.02) but not after 4.5% saline. Furthermore, there was no relationship between the PD20 to water and to 4.5% saline. When the Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to compare sensitivity to the challenges, there was a significant relationship between the PD20 to 4.5% saline and methacholine (p less than 0.01) but not between the PD20 to water and methacholine. These results suggest that the mechanism of asthma induced by hyperosmolar and hypo-osmolar solutions is different.
Adolescent↗
Cromolyn sodium inhibits the increased responsiveness to methacholine that follows ultrasonically nebulized water challenge in patients with asthma.
We have previously reported that airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in subjects with asthma is increased 40 to 60 minutes after challenge with ultrasonically nebulized water. This study reveals that increased responsiveness to methacholine is abolished by administration of cromolyn sodium before the water challenge. The mean dose of methacholine (95% confidence limits) inducing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20) was 1.10 mumol (0.43 to 2.80). The PD20 after water challenge was 0.42 mumol (0.17 to 1.01) that was significantly lower (p less than 0.005) than that observed for the initial challenge. Administration of cromolyn before the water challenge abolished this increased responsiveness to methacholine. The mean PD20 was 1.32 mumol (0.47 to 3.68) that was not significantly different from that measured for the initial methacholine challenge. Methacholine responsiveness was unchanged when challenge was performed 40 to 60 minutes after cromolyn alone or after methacholine itself. We conclude that cromolyn abolishes the increased responsiveness to methacholine and probably does so by inhibiting the release of mediators.
Adult↗