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Biomedical subjects

D Strong

Publications and source records attributed to D Strong.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

The molecular and structural basis of hearing impairment in mice with the cpk mutant gene.

We studied hearing impairment and cochlear ultrastructure in C57BL/6J mice containing the cpk mutant gene. Heterozygous cpk/+ mutant mice, 6-8 months old, showed a marked hearing loss as demonstrated by auditory evoked potentials with some showing hearing loss at 90 db sound pressure. Ultrastructural studies of first cochlear turn disclosed the absence of organs of Corti, no tissues on the basilar membrane, scanty spiral ganglia, normal tectorial membrane, and vacuolation of the stria vascularis. Reissner's membrane is normal at the endolymphatic side, but transparent at the perilymphatic side. In the second turn the organ of Corti are normal but Nuel's space is full of debris. The cpk mutant mice have hearing impairment perhaps due to deficiencies of genes expressing vital basement membrane components.

Acoustic Stimulation

Studies of the mechanism by which androgens enhance mitogenesis and differentiation in bone cells.

Recently, we reported a direct effect of androgens on murine and human bone cells to stimulate bone cell proliferation and differentiation. To test whether this effect of androgenic steroids might be mediated by growth factors, we measured relative concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) in the conditioned medium from androgen-treated murine calvarial cell cultures. Only the concentration of TGF beta was increased. Consistent with the increased secretion of TGF beta in the mouse calvarial cell system, we observed an increased expression of TGF beta mRNA in a normal human osteoblastic cell system. We also determined whether androgens alter the response to growth factors. We found that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment enhanced the mitogenic effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and IGF-II but not those of IGF-I. The enhanced effect of FGF and IGF-II after DHT pretreatment was not affected by addition of TGF beta-blocking antibodies or by changing the culture medium. This indicated that in addition to increased release of TGF beta, another mechanism might be involved in the action of DHT on human and murine bone cells. Thus, we investigated the binding of human IGF-II to human osteoblastic cells and observed an increase in IGF-II binding after DHT treatment. Our results are consistent with a mechanism of action of androgens on bone cells that involves the induction of TGF beta and, in addition, may sensitize the cells to show an enhanced response to FGF and IGF-II, possibly by changing the receptor binding of mitogenic growth factors.

Androgens

Acute changes in renal function associated with deferoxamine therapy.

In three patients who received intravenous deferoxamine there was a twofold to eightfold increase in plasma creatinine level and a parallel decrease in creatinine clearance that resolved when treatment with the drug was discontinued. In two thalassemic patients, diuresis was evident by urine output exceeding fluid intake. The mechanism was studied in dogs that exhibited an acute and significant decrease in inulin and para-aminohippuric acid clearances induced by intravenous deferoxamine. Saline diuresis could prevent the decrease in the glomerular filtration rate but not the decrease in renal blood flow caused by deferoxamine. Deferoxamine induced an acute increase in the fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and urate, which may explain the relative diuresis observed in two of the patients. In a subsequent experiment, ferrioxamine induced an increase in the fractional excretion of sodium and chloride but did not affect the glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow. Our studies suggest that adequate hydration may be needed to preserve renal hemodynamics during intravenous deferoxamine therapy. Repeated measurements of renal function should accompany treatment with this agent.

Adolescent

Interaction of fibrinogen with staphylococcal clumping factor and with platelets.

Fibrinogen, a clottable plasma glycoprotein, participates in cell adhesion phenomena involving prokaryotic cells, e.g. staphylococci, and eukaryotic cell fragments, e.g. platelets. Among the three chains (alpha, beta, gamma) of human fibrinogen, the gamma chain bears the main site recognizing the staphylococcal clumping receptor and human platelet receptor induced by ADP. The platelet receptors are also recognized, albeit less avidly, by a site associated with the alpha chain. The gamma chain site recognizing staphylococcal clumping factor exists on the COOH-terminal segment of this chain encompassing the 15 residues (gamma 397-411) including the COOH-terminal valine. The location of the gamma chain site interacting with the human platelet receptor had been pinpointed to the 27 residue CNBr COOH-terminal segment (gamma 385-411). The results of enzymatic degradation of the 27-residue peptide indicate that the continuity of the last 15 amino acid residues at the COOH-terminal end of the gamma chain of human fibrinogen seems to be essential for its interaction with human platelets. The sequence of the gamma chain interacting with the platelet receptor (gamma 385-411) indicates that this segment is a unique region of fibrinogen endowed with three important functions: cross-linking of fibrin, clumping of staphylococci, and aggregation of platelets. [Note added in proof: Recently we obtained evidence that dodecapeptide gamma 393-411 fully retains platelet receptor recognition site (Kloczewiak et al. 1983. Clin. Res 31:534A.)]

Amino Acid Sequence

Arteriovenous fistula complicating renal transplantation.

A case of arteriovenous fistula of the major transplant vessels contributing to posttransplant hypertension hypertension and severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is reported. Improvement in blood pressure and correction of anemia followed ligation of the fistula. This case reinforces the need for diagnostic evaluation of all patients with sustained post-transplant hypertension.

Adult