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Biomedical subjects

E Erdmann

Publications and source records attributed to E Erdmann.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Altered expression of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase and beta 1-adrenergic receptors in the failing human heart.

BACKGROUND: In chronic heart failure, the positive inotropic effects of beta-adrenergic receptor agonists are greatly reduced, in part as a result of two alterations of the cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors: loss of their function (receptor uncoupling) and reduction of their number (downregulation). In vitro studies have shown that a major mechanism leading to beta-adrenergic receptor uncoupling involves phosphorylation of the receptors by the specific beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK). METHODS AND RESULTS: We have therefore investigated expression of beta ARK and beta-adrenergic receptors in samples from the left ventricles of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic cardiomyopathy and from nonfailing control ventricles. Contractile responses to beta-receptor stimulation were decreased in the failing hearts compared with control hearts, whereas those to forskolin and calcium remained unchanged. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of beta ARK, beta 1- and beta 2-receptors, and of glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase and beta-actin as controls were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reactions. In addition, beta ARK enzyme activity assays were performed, and the levels of beta 1- and beta 2-receptors were determined by radioligand binding. beta ARK mRNA levels were increased almost threefold in both forms of heart failure, and beta ARK activity was enhanced. beta 1-Receptor mRNA levels and beta 1-receptor numbers were decreased by approximately 50% in both failing groups, whereas these levels were unaltered for beta 2-receptors. There were no differences between dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy for any of these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to other alterations found in failing hearts, the diminished response to beta-receptor agonists appears to involve the combined effects of enhanced expression of beta ARK and reduced expression of beta 1-receptors.

Adult↗

Cardiac adenylyl cyclase, beta-adrenergic receptors, and G proteins in salt-sensitive hypertension.

The present study investigated whether high salt intake (8%) in Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats with and without hypertension produces a heterologous desensitization of cardiac adenylyl cyclase as observed in various types of hypertension and human heart failure. In membranes from Dahl salt-sensitive rats on a high-salt diet (8%) basal, isoproterenol-, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate-, and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was reduced compared with the low-salt (0.4%) group and Dahl salt-resistant rats on either 0.4% or 8% sodium chloride. The activity of the catalyst was depressed, and the expression of the immunodetectable inhibitory G proteins Gi alpha was increased in Dahl salt-sensitive rats on 8% sodium chloride, whereas the density of beta-adrenergic receptors and the activity of the stimulatory G protein Gs alpha reconstituted into Gs alpha-deficient S49 cyc- mouse lymphoma cell membranes were unchanged in any condition studied. We conclude that high salt intake in salt-sensitive hypertensive Dahl rats produces hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heterologous desensitization of cardiac adenylyl cyclase. The latter alteration is due to an increase of Gi alpha proteins and a depressed catalyst activity of adenylyl cyclase. The results demonstrate that heterologous adenylyl cyclase desensitization can precede the development of contractile dysfunction in later stages and can occur independently of changes in beta-adrenergic receptors.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Alterations of K+ currents in isolated human ventricular myocytes from patients with terminal heart failure.

Prolongation of the action potential has been postulated to be a major reason for the altered diastolic relaxation of the heart in patients with severe heart failure. To investigate the electrophysiological basis for this action potential prolongation in terminal heart failure, K+ currents were recorded in single ventricular myocytes isolated from 16 explanted hearts of patients undergoing transplantation. Results from diseased hearts were compared with ventricular cells isolated from six undiseased donor hearts. Action potential duration was significantly prolonged in cells from patients with heart failure. A delayed rectifier K+ current was hardly detectable in most cells, and if it could be recorded, it was very small in both diseased and undiseased cells. When currents were normalized for cell surface area, the average current density of the inward rectifier K+ current was significantly reduced in diseased cells when compared with normal control cells (hyperpolarization at -100 mV, -15.9 +/- 2.2 vs -9.0 +/- 1.2 microA/cm2; P < .01). In addition, a large transient outward K+ current could be recorded in human myocytes. The average current density of the time-dependent component of this transient outward K+ current was significantly reduced in heart failure (depolarization at +40 mV, 9.1 +/- 1.0 vs 5.8 +/- 0.64 microA/cm2; P < .01). Action potential prolongation in severe heart failure may partially be explained by a reduction in current densities of the inward rectifier K+ current and of the transient outward K+ current. These alterations may thereby have a significant effect on cardiac relaxation.

Action Potentials↗

Characteristics of transient outward current in human ventricular myocytes from patients with terminal heart failure.

A variety of outward currents exists in ventricular myocardium of different species influencing action potential duration and electrical activity. Transient outward currents have been reported in ventricular tissue of some animals but are small or absent in others. This study was conducted to investigate whether a transient outward current exists in human ventricular myocardium and to characterize its basic electrophysiological properties. Currents were recorded from enzymatically isolated human ventricular myocytes obtained from explanted hearts of 22 patients with terminal heart failure. In almost all cells studied, a transient outward current could be recorded on depolarization to between -20 and +80 mV. The size of the transient outward current was usually large enough to mask the Ca2+ current. It could be recorded under conditions in which Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ transients were suppressed. Basic current characteristics were similar to transient outward currents observed in other species. Inactivation of the transient outward current was monoexponential, with a time constant of 54.8 +/- 3.7 milliseconds at +40 mV. Half-maximal activation occurred at 16.7 +/- 1.6 mV; half-maximal steady-state inactivation occurred at -34.5 +/- 2.3 mV. Frequency-dependent reduction of peak transient outward current was 29.8 +/- 1.4% at 2 Hz compared with resting conditions. Recovery from inactivation was voltage dependent and had a biexponential time course; the faster time constant (41.0 +/- 6.5 milliseconds at -80 mV) accounted for 86.0 +/- 5.2% of total current. The transient outward current was sensitive to 4-aminopyridine (IC50, 1.15 mM). These results indicate that a large Ca(2+)-independent transient outward K+ current is present in human ventricular myocytes that might be regulated by physiological or pathological events and is a potential site for pharmacological intervention.

4-Aminopyridine↗

[The "stunned" and "hibernating myocardium"--diagnosis and clinical implications].

Myocardial stunning and myocardial hibernation gain increasing importance for the therapy of myocardial ischemia. It has been demonstrated that myocardial stunning may be reversible after successful reperfusion, although this may need weeks or even months. Similarly, noncontracting myocardial areas may regain contractile properties after successful dilatation of high grade stenoses or after bypass operation (myocardial hibernation). The diagnosis of myocardial stunning or myocardial hibernation usually is made by nuclear medicine (201Tl or 99Tc-MIBI). 201Tl-Imaging after 24 hours or after reinjection seems to be the best method to prove myocardial hibernation. Dobutamine stress echocardiography may gain importance in the future.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Cardiac inotropic as well as coronary and pulmonary artery actions of epinine in human isolated tissues.

The present study was aimed to characterize the effects of epinine, the metabolite of the p.o. active dopamine derivate ibopamine in human cardiovascular tissues such as myocardium, coronary artery and pulmonary artery. Isometric force of contraction was studied in electrically driven papillary muscle strips from nonfailing (brain death), moderately failing (New York Heart Association class II-III, mitral valve replacement) and terminally failing human myocardium (New York Heart Association class IV, heart transplants) as well as in auricular trabeculae (aortocoronary bypass operation). Epinine increased force development in a concentration-dependent manner. In comparison to isoprenaline, epinine had a significantly lower potency but a similar efficacy to enhance force of contraction. Depending on the degree of myocardial failure, the effectiveness of epinine was reduced, whereas the potency was similar. Only in nonfailing myocardium, epinine increased force of contraction as effectively as Ca++. Prestimulation with forskolin or milrinone enhanced the potency of the epinine-mediated inotropic effect. In contrast, the beta-1-selective antagonist CGP 207.12A [2-hydroxy-5-(2-(hydroxy-3-(4-((1-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl)-1-H-imidazol -2-yl)-phenoxy)-propyl)-aminoethoxyl)-benzamide] and the beta-2-selective antagonist ICI 118.551 [erythro-(+-)-1-(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3- isopropylaminobutan-2-ol-hydrochloride] shifted the concentration-response curve of epinine significantly to the right, indicating action at both beta-2 and beta-1 adrenoceptors. Epinine exerted higher affinity at beta-2 compared to beta-1 adrenoceptors in radioligand binding experiments ([125I]iodocyanopinodolol). In human coronary artery rings and pulmonary artery rings epinine alone as well as epinine in the presence of propranolol initiated a concentration-dependent increase in tension development in precontracted (prostaglandin F2 alpha, 0.3 mumol/l) as well as in non-precontracted rings. These results suggest that epinine exerts no direct vasodilatory activity in human coronary and pulmonary arteries at concentrations which are capable to produce positive inotropic activity. The supposed beneficial effects of ibopamine in the treatment of heart failure may not be due to positive inotropic actions as the concentrations producing positive inotropy are much higher than the clinically observed plasma concentrations.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Effects of ribose on exercise-induced ischaemia in stable coronary artery disease.

There is no established treatment specifically aimed at protecting or restoring cardiac energy metabolism, which is greatly impaired by ischaemia. Even after reperfusion, myocardial content of ATP remains low for more than 72 h. Long-term post-ischaemic dysfunction and irreversibility of ischaemic damage have been associated with low ATP content. Evidence that the pentose sugar ribose stimulates ATP synthesis and improves cardiac function led us to test the possibility that ribose increases tolerance to myocardial ischaemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). 20 men with documented severe CAD underwent two symptom-limited treadmill exercise tests on 2 consecutive days; we postulated that the ischaemia induced might bring about changes in ATP metabolism lasting for several days. Patients whose baseline tests showed reproducibility were randomly allocated 3 days of treatment with placebo or ribose 60 g daily in four doses by mouth. Exercise testing was repeated after treatment on day 5. At that time mean (95% confidence interval) treadmill walking time until 1 mm ST-segment depression was significantly greater in the ribose than in the placebo group (276 [220-331] vs 223 [188-259] s; p = 0.002). The groups did not differ significantly in time to moderate angina. In the ribose-treated group the changes from baseline to day 5 in both time to ST depression and time to moderate angina were significant (p less than 0.005), but these changes were not significant in the placebo group. In patients with CAD, administration of ribose by mouth for 3 days improved the heart's tolerance to ischaemia. The presumed effects on cardiac energy metabolism offer new possibilities for adjunctive medical treatment of myocardial ischaemia.

Aged↗

Cholinergic baroreflex vasodilatation: defect in heart transplant recipients due to denervation of the ventricular baroreceptor.

Afferent denervation of the ventricular baroreceptor may impair reflex vasodilatation after heart transplantation. This may alter the regulation of blood pressure and contribute to arterial hypertension. A baroreceptor-loading procedure was performed in 23 heart transplant recipients with cyclosporine A immunosuppression and 11 control subjects using a continuous infusion of increasing doses of angiotensin II (15 and 30 ng/kg.min). After m-cholinoceptor blockade the procedure was repeated in order to study the contribution of cholinergic effects on vasodilatation in humans. Instantaneous vascular resistance was calculated as the ratio of mean blood pressure to stroke volume as evaluated by echocardiography. When heart transplant recipients were compared with control subjects, infusion of 30 ng/kg.min of angiotensin II resulted in an increase in mean blood pressure of 43 +/- 20 vs 31 +/- 13 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) and an increase in instantaneous resistance of 1.21 +/- 0.61 vs 0.65 +/- 0.38 mm Hg/ml (p less than 0.01), respectively. M-cholinoceptor blockade with atropine (0.015 mg/kg) did not produce any change in blood pressure or resistance response to angiotensin II in heart transplant recipients. However, m-cholinoceptor blockade resulted in a significantly increased blood pressure and resistance response to angiotensin II in control subjects, which was similar to the response in heart transplant recipients to angiotensin II alone: The increase in mean blood pressure during administration of 30 ng/kg.min angiotensin II amounted to 47 +/- 11 mm Hg, and the increase in instantaneous resistance to 1.13 +/- 0.48 mm Hg/ml (for both, p less than 0.001 vs control subjects without atropine; p = not significant vs heart transplant recipients).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Ca(2+)-currents and intracellular [Ca2+]i-transients in single ventricular myocytes isolated from terminally failing human myocardium.

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that steps between the excitation of the cell membrane and contraction are altered in cardiac failure. Ca(2+)-currents and [Ca2+]i-transients were measured in single ventricular myocytes isolated from explanted hearts of patients with terminal heart failure undergoing transplantation, or from donors whose organs could not be used for technical reasons. Peak Ca(2+)-current densities were unchanged, as was the current-voltage relation. However, in myocytes isolated from severely failing hearts resting [Ca2+]i-levels were elevated, peak [Ca2+]i-transients were significantly smaller, and the diastolic decline of [Ca2+]i was markedly slowed. As the trigger for the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is unchanged and the systolic [Ca2+]i-transient is reduced, severe heart failure can be described as partial electromechanical uncoupling.

Calcium↗

Quantification of Gi alpha-proteins in the failing and nonfailing human myocardium.

Heterotrimeric Gi-proteins play an important role in the regulation of cardiac adenylate cyclase. Besides a downregulation of beta-adrenoceptors with an accompanying reduction of the positive inotropic effects of cAMP-dependent positive inotropic agents, an increase of pertussis toxin substrates (Gi alpha-proteins) has been observed. The increase of Gi alpha has been reported to be associated with a reduced adenylate cyclase activity in dilated cardiomyopathy from hearts with heart failure class NYHA IV. Since the quantification of Gi alpha-proteins with the pertussis toxin labeling method is hampered by a number of biological and technical factors, Gi alpha-proteins were quantified radioimmunologically using the iodinated C-terminus 125I-KENLKDCGLF as tracer, purified retinal transducin alpha as standard, and an antiserum (DS 4) raised against the same peptide. With this technique Gi alpha-proteins were increased by 118% in dilated cardiomyopathy and 48% in ischemic cardiomyopathy, although pertussis toxin substrates were only increased by 40% in dilated cardiomyopathy and no change was observed in ischemic cardiomyopathy. In cardiomyopathic tissue, an inverse relationship was observed between the increase of Gi alpha and the positive inotropic effects of isoprenaline or milrinone. These data provide evidence for a functional role of Gi alpha in the reduced positive inotropic effects of cAMP-dependent positive inotropic agents. In addition, results obtained with pertussis toxin labeling for quantification of Gi alpha-proteins do not necessarily reflect the expression of Gi alpha-proteins in the human myocardium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Force-frequency relationship and inotropic stimulation in the nonfailing and failing human myocardium: implications for the medical treatment of heart failure.

In isolated papillary muscle strips from nonfailing donor hearts (NF) and from the hearts of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with severe heart failure (NYHA IV), the force-frequency relationship was studied. Experiments were performed under basal conditions and in the presence of 0.01 microM or 0.1 microM isoprenaline and 0.02 microM ouabain. In NF, there was a positive inotropic effect following an increase of the stimulating frequency, whereas in NYHA IV, the force gradually declined under these conditions. Low concentrations (0.01 microM) of isoprenaline prevented the negative inotropic effect in NYHA IV, whereas at 0.1 microM the mechanical function deteriorated in NF and NYHA IV. Ouabain had no effect on the force-frequency relationship compared to basal conditions. It is concluded that a reduction of high frequencies does improve the contractility in the failing myocardium. It is not unreasonable to speculate that this mechanism might be involved in the beneficial effects of drugs which reduce the heart rate, such as beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and cardiac glycosides, in the condition of congestive heart failure in which the sympathetic tone is high.

Adult↗

Existence of PAF receptors in human platelets and human lung tissue but not in the human myocardium.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether platelet-activating factor (PAF), PAF receptors, and PAF receptor-mediated effects in the human myocardium play a role in cardiac depression during anaphylaxis or septic shock. The effects of PAF, the biologically inactive derivative lyso-PAF, and the specific PAF antagonist WEB 2086 were studied in human myocardial tissue, in human coronary arteries, in human platelets, and in human lung tissue. PAF (C16-PAF, C18-PAF; 0.000001 to 1 mumol/L) had no effect on isometric force of contraction of electrically driven right atrial trabeculae (patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery) and left ventricular papillary muscle strips (mitral valve replacement). PAF (0.2 mumol/L) did not influence the concentration-response curve of either the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (ISO, 0.0001 to 1 mumol/L) or the m-cholinoceptor agonist carbachol (CARB, 0.0001 to 10 mumol/L). The effectiveness (ISO +4.7 +/- 0.7 mN, PAF + ISO + 4.3 +/- 0.44 mN, CARB -2.7 +/- 1.06 mN; PAF + CARB -2.6 +/- 0.52 mN) and the potency--as indicated by the EC50 values--of both isoprenaline and carbachol were identical with and without pretreatment with PAF (0.2 mumol/L). PAF at concentrations of 0.000001 to 10 mumol/L exerted no effect on force of contraction either precontracted (prostaglandin F2 alpha, 0.3 mumol/L) or unprecontracted in human coronary artery rings. Histamine (0.01 to 100 mumol/L) and noradrenaline (0.001 to 30 mumol/L) initiated concentration-dependent contraction in human coronary artery rings (EC50: histamine, 1.86 mumol/L; noradrenaline, 0.69 mumol/L). At lower concentrations (PAF, 0.01 mumol/L) PAF produced complete aggregation of human platelets. In human platelet membranes and lung membranes, 3H-WEB 2086 exhibited saturable high-affinity binding (KD 14.4 nmol/L and 14.3 nmol/L). The maximal binding capacity was 292 fmol/mg protein and 268 fmol/mg protein, respectively. In displacement experiments PAF (0.01 to 10000 nmol/L) and WEB 2086 (0.01 to 10000 nmol/L), but not lyso-PAF, completely displaced 3H-WEB 2086 from its binding sites on human and lung membranes. In contrast, neither in left ventricular membranes nor in right atrial membranes was specific binding of 3H-WEB 2086 observed. These results suggest that there are neither specific PAF receptors nor direct PAF-mediated actions in human myocardial tissue or human coronary artery rings. The effects of PAF on myocardial function may be due to the activation of mediators (e.g., histamine).

Azepines↗

Inotropic and lusitropic dysfunction in myocardium from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Isometric force of contraction (DT), peak rate of tension increase (+T), peak rate of tension decrease (-T), time to peak tension (TPT), and time to half-relaxation (T 1/2 T) were measured in electrically driven human papillary muscle strips (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class IV heart transplants, dilated cardiomyopathy; nonfailing (NF) donor hearts, brain dead) (1 Hz, 37 degrees C) under basal conditions (1.8 mmol/L Ca2+) and after stimulation with isoprenaline, ouabain, and Ca2+. There was no difference in the isometric contraction (+T, -T, TPT, and T 1/2 T) between NYHA IV hearts and NF hearts under basal conditions. Inotropic stimulation above 300% of basal DT increased -T significantly more in NF hearts (p less than 0.05) compared with NYHA IV hearts. The effectiveness of ouabain and Ca2+ to increase DT was not significantly changed in NYHA IV hearts compared with NF hearts. The isoprenaline-mediated increase in DT was reduced (p less than 0.05) in NYHA IV hearts to a similar extent (70%) as beta-adrenoceptors were downregulated. When the rate of stimulation was increased to 3 Hz (force-frequency relationship), force of contraction increased only in NF preparations, whereas it decreased in NYHA IV myocardium (p less than 0.05). It was concluded that the contractile apparatus in terminally failing human myocardium is sufficient to maximally increase DT. During inotropic stimulation, abnormalities in diastolic rather than systolic contraction become evident. This may indicate abnormal intracellular Ca2+ handling.

Calcium↗

Role of altered G-protein expression in the regulation of myocardial adenylate cyclase activity and force of contraction in spontaneous hypertensive cardiomyopathy in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The question of this study was whether alterations in the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide binding protein alpha-subunits (G(i)alpha) contribute to alterations in adenylate cyclase regulation in hypertensive cardiomyopathy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). DESIGN AND METHODS: G(i)alpha was measured by pertussis toxin-catalysed 32P-adenosine 5'-pyrophosphate (ADP)-ribosylation and radioimmunochemically by competition of rat myocardial membrane extracts to DS 4 antiserum binding to the 125I-radiolabelled C terminus of retinal transducin alpha (125I-KENLKDCGLF). Cardiac beta-adrenoceptors, m-cholinoceptors as well as isoprenaline-, guanine-nucleotide [Gpp(NH)p]- and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and inotropic responses to isoprenaline and carbachol were studied in SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY, control) rats. RESULTS: In native membranes of SHR there was an increase in pertussis toxin substrates, but a larger increase in the presence of non-ionic detergent Lubrol PX. The radioimmunological quantification of G(i)alpha revealed an increase in membrane extracts of SHR. In addition, myocardial beta-adrenoceptors and myocardial m-cholinoceptors were reduced in SHR compared with in WKY rats. Basal adenylate cyclase, isoprenaline-, Gpp(NH)p- and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were also reduced. However, in the presence of 5 mmol/l MnCl2 no differences in adenylate cyclase activities between SHR and WKY rats were detected under either condition. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the amount of G(i)alpha-proteins and not only pertussis toxin substrates are increased in membranes of hypertrophic hearts from SHR without heart failure. The results obtained with pertussis-labelling depended strongly on the substrate quality of G(i)alpha. Increased G(i)alpha expression and reduced beta-adrenoceptor number might have functional relevance in the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity and force of contraction in SHR. An increase in G(i)alpha expression might play a pathophysiological role, not only in terminal heart failure, but also in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Na(+)-channel activators increase cardiac glycoside sensitivity in failing human myocardium.

Na(+)-channel activators increase intracellular Na+ and thereby enhance the transport rate of sarcolemmal Na+,K(+)-ATPase. We investigated the interaction of the new Na(+)-channel activator BDF 9148 (BDF) with the cardiac glycoside ouabain (OUA) in human myocardium. The influence of OUA (0.01-0.1 microM) and of OUA after prestimulation with BDF (0.1 microM, 1 microM; BDF+OUA) on isometric force of contraction (FOC, force of contraction; +T/-T, peak rate of tension increase/decay) of electrically driven (1 Hz, 37 degrees C) papillary muscle strips from terminally failing [New York Heart Association classification IV (NYHA IV) heart transplants, n = 19] human myocardium was studied. We also examined the effects of BDF and OUA on nonfailing human myocardium (brain death resulting from traumatic injury, n = 5). 0.01 microM OUA enhanced FOC only after prestimulation with BDF (NYHA IV+2.9 +/- 0.4 mN; p less than 0.01). The time until maximal (Tmax: BDF+OUA 117 min, OUA 166 min), half-maximal (T1/2max: BDF+OUA 47 min, OUA 85 min) inotropic effects and time until toxic signs (contracture, extrasystoles) occurred were significantly shorter with BDF+OUA as compared with OUA alone. BDF influenced Tmax, T1/2max, and time until toxic side effects occurred (Ttox) of the OUA-mediated inotropism in a concentration-dependent manner. Both OUA and BDF enhanced +T and -T. The effectiveness of OUA and BDF in increasing FOC was similar to that of Ca2+ (1.8-15 mM) but significantly (p less than 0.01) higher as compared with the beta-adrenoceptor-agonist isoprenaline in NYHA IV. In myocardial membranes, [3H]ouabain binding (Bmax, Kd) was not affected by BDF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗