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Biomedical subjects

G R Elliott

Publications and source records attributed to G R Elliott.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The use of signal detection theory to assess DSM-III-R criteria for autistic disorder.

Sixty cases from the DSM-III-R field trials for autistic disorder (AD) were studied to derive an optimally sensitive and specific combination of scoring criteria based on the 16 DSM-III-R criteria for AD. Signal detection theory, a statistical method new to psychiatric research, was applied. Two of the sixteen criteria tested with this methodology yielded a sensitivity of 0.82, a specificity of 0.89, and a total predictive value of 0.91 relative to clinical diagnosis. Excluded criteria were redundant; unrelated to diagnosis; or highly correlated with degree of mental retardation, mental age, and/or chronological age.

Adolescent↗

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits and indomethacin and aspirin enhance, A23187-stimulated leukotriene B4 synthesis by rat peritoneal macrophages.

1. The calcium ionophore, A23187, stimulated leukotriene B4 (LTB4), thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis by 4 day carrageenin-elicited rat peritoneal macrophages. 2. At concentrations of 2 x 10(-7)-2 x 10(-5) M indomethacin and aspirin enhanced A23187-stimulated LTB4 synthesis and inhibited PGE2 and TXB2 formation. 3. PGE2 inhibited A23187-stimulated LTB4 and TXB2 formation as well as the augmentation of LTB4 release caused by aspirin and indomethacin. However, PGE2 was ineffective when the cells were challenged with arachidonic acid (AA). 4. Dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cyclic AMP) partially inhibited A23187-stimulated LTB4 production. 5. Our results suggest that PGE2 inhibits macrophage LTB4 synthesis by limiting the availability of AA. Indomethacin and aspirin, possibly by removing the regulatory effect of PGE2, promote the synthesis of the pro-inflammatory LTB4.

Animals↗

Indomethacin stimulation of macrophage cytostasis against MOPC-315 tumor cells is inhibited by both prostaglandin E2 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor.

Indomethacin enhanced macrophage cytostasis against MOPC-315 tumor cells in vitro. The effect of indomethacin was inhibited by prostaglandin E2 and by the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Prostaglandin E2 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid also inhibited indomethacin stimulation of macrophage thymidine incorporation. Indomethacin inhibited macrophage prostaglandin E2 formation and stimulated leukotriene B4 synthesis. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibited leukotriene B4 production. Our data indicate that eicosanoids play a role in regulating macrophage cytostasis.

Animals↗

Specific lipoxygenase inhibition reverses macrophage cytotasis towards P815 tumor cells in vitro induced by the calcium ionophore A23187.

A23187-stimulated cytostatic activity of peritoneal macrophages towards P815 tumor cells served as a model for macrophage activation: a macrophage enriched preparation, separated on the basis of cell size in a discontinuous FCS gradient column, expressed cytostatic activity when stimulated by A23187. This was inhibited dose-dependently, by AA-861 but not by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). AA-861 inhibited 5-lipoxygenase specifically, NDGA inhibited both 5-lipoxygenase- and cyclooxygenase activity. The ratio cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase products increased with AA-861 but not with NDGA. These results show that lipoxygenase products are necessary for expression of cytostatic activity of these arachidonic acid metabolite-producing macrophages and that the ratio cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase metabolites plays an important role in macrophage activation.

Animals↗

The adenylate cyclase of rheumatoid synovial fluid macrophages is more sensitive for dl-5E, 19,14-di dehydro-carbo-prostacyclin, a stable prostacyclin analogue, than for prostaglandin E2.

dl-5E, 19,14-di dehydro-carbo-prostacyclin (DDH-carbo PGI2), a stable prostacyclin (PGI2) derivative, but not prostaglandin (PG) E2, stimulated the adenylate cyclase of synovial fluid macrophages, isolated from rheumatoid patients with an active synovitis, in a dose dependent manner (10-1000 ng/ml). DDH-carbo PGI2 also stimulated synovial macrophage cAMP synthesis when injected into the knee joint. Exogenous arachidonic acid (AA) had little effect on cyclic-AMP (cAMP) formation or PGI2 release (assayed as 6ketoPGF1 alpha). It stimulated, however, the release of PGE2 and, to a lesser extent, thromboxane (Tx) A2 (measured as TxB2).

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Diabetes mellitus associated with cystic fibrosis.

The prevalence of overt diabetes mellitus and carbohydrate intolerance was studied in 448 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) developed in 7.6% of patients (13 male and 21 female). Survival was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in the IDDM-CF group, with fewer than 25% surviving to age 30 years, whereas nearly 60% of the nondiabetic CF population reached this age. A significant deterioration in CF clinical status, based on NIH score, became apparent 2 years before onset of overt IDDM (P less than 0.05 at 2 years prior, P less than 0.01 at IDDM diagnosis). Total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher for the total CF population (7.3% +/- 1.2%) than for the general non-CF population (6.5% +/- 0.7%), and in the IDDM-CF group (P less than 0.05) compared with normoglycemic CF control patients. Female patients had a higher mean HbA1 after 12 years of age than their male counterparts did (P less than 0.02). HBA1 did not predict the development of IDDM, but there was a weak inverse relationship between HbA1 and both NIH clinical score (r = -0.41, P less than 0.02) and standard pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity, r = -0.25, P less than 0.01) in the general CF population. Therefore, impaired carbohydrate tolerance in CF is associated with progressive clinical deterioration.

Adolescent↗

How children with autism are diagnosed: difficulties in identification of children with multiple developmental delays.

We obtained chart reviews and parent surveys for 75 autistic children to understand better how they, and other children with uneven or unusual behavioral development, are identified and diagnosed. Our goal was to determine when parents became concerned about developmental delay, what concerns they expressed, to whom they expressed them, when evaluations were made, what kinds of evaluations were carried out, and which diagnostic models were most effective. We found that, most often, parents expressed their initial concerns to pediatricians, noting both language and social delays by the time their child was 1 1/2 years old; they began diagnostic evaluations when their child was around 2 1/2 years old, and received diagnoses of autism at around 4 1/2 years. These results are discussed in terms of the role of the child's primary care physician in improving early identification, and placement into early intervention programs. The relationship between problems in the diagnosis of autism and other developmental disabilities is considered.

Adolescent↗

Enhanced prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 release from resident peritoneal macrophages isolated from morphine-dependent rats.

Resident peritoneal macrophages from morphine-addicted rats (4 days) released more prostaglandin (PG) E2 and thromboxane (Tx) B2, but not 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, than cells from control animals. This effect, which was due to an enhancement of endogenous AA turnover, was not related to any changes in cAMP synthesis or lysosomal enzyme secretion. [D-Ala2]-Met-enkephalin had no effect on eicosanoid release in vitro. Both morphine and PGE2 have been shown to depress macrophage functions. We suggest that morphine-stimulated macrophage PGE2 synthesis, and the consequent inhibition of phagocytosis, could contribute to the decreased resistance to infections associated with opiate addiction.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Practolol inhibits human skin fibroblast cell mat hydroxyproline accumulation.

Despite being poorly absorbed practolol (N-4-2-hydroxy-3-(1-methyl-ethyl)-amino propoxy phenyl acetamine) inhibited the accumulation of cell mat hydroxyproline, a measure of collagen synthesis, by human skin fibroblasts (DT2PH) in vitro, (ID50 0.8 X 10(-3) M). The degree of inhibition was dependent on the concentration of practolol used and the incubation time. Neither preinitiation of collagen synthesis nor omitting ascorbic acid from the incubation medium modified this inhibitory action. In contrast, in vitro generated metabolites of practol, using normal and aroclor induced hamster liver preparation, and structural analogues of practolol had no effect on cell mat hydroxyproline levels. Related compounds, propranolol, (1-(isopropylamino)-3(1-naphthyl-oxy)2-propranolol), and paracetamol, (N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide), both inhibited hydroxyproline levels. Fibroblasts derived from uninvolved skin of a psoriasis patient (PS1) were several fold more sensitive to practolol and propranolol than cells derived from normal skin but showed little change in sensitivity towards paracetamol.

Cells, Cultured↗

Copper modulation of macrophage cyclooxygenase metabolite synthesis.

The effect of copper on the release of cyclooxygenase metabolites from starch elicited, rat, peritoneal macrophages was investigated. Copper sulphate, in the range 10(-6)-10(-5) M, inhibited the formation of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and thromboxane (Tx) B2, the stable metabolite of TxA2, in a dose dependent manner but had no effect on the production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable product of prostacyclin. At higher concentrations (5 x 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) the synthesis of all three metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) was stimulated as was the release of radioactivity from macrophages prelabelled with 14C AA. Copper had no effect on the metabolism of exogenous AA however. At 10(-4) M copper also stimulated secretion of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucuronidase (GUR). Copper nitrate (10(-4) M), but not zinc sulphate, also stimulated eicosanoid formation and lysosomal enzyme release. Our results are consistent with the idea that copper stimulates eicosanoid formation via an effect on PL activity.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Oxidative response of human neutrophils, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages induced by unopsonized surface-adherent Staphylococcus aureus.

In contrast to results with bacterial suspensions, phagocytosis of unopsonized bacteria readily occurs when bacteria are adhered to glass or plastic surfaces. However, in contrast to neutrophils, alveolar macrophages produced much less DNA denaturation as measured by acridine orange metachromasia of phagocytized Staphylococcus aureus. We have studied the phagocytosis of unopsonized surface-adherent S. aureus and the subsequent production of reactive oxygen species by peripheral blood neutrophils, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages. Phagocyte-free systems were then used to show the relationship of the reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils and alveolar macrophages and the denaturation of unopsonized S. aureus DNA with acridine orange. Peripheral blood neutrophils, monocytes, and alveolar macrophages from normal human volunteers were added to vials with adherent S. aureus without opsonin. Bacterial uptake and luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence were measured. Neutrophils developed much greater luminol-dependent chemiluminescence than monocytes or alveolar macrophages. Compared with neutrophils and monocytes, alveolar macrophages developed significantly greater concentrations of superoxide, as measured by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and ferricytochrome c reduction. These findings suggested that products of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide pathway were generated when peripheral blood neutrophils were stimulated and that alveolar macrophages primarily produced superoxide. When these reactive oxygen species were generated in phagocyte-free systems containing S. aureus, products of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide pathway produced denaturation of S. aureus DNA, whereas superoxide did not. Thus, differences in reactive oxygen species produced during phagocytosis may be related to the different capacities of neutrophils and alveolar macrophages to denature unopsonized adherent S. aureus DNA.

Acridine Orange↗

Linoleic and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acids modulate granuloma growth and granuloma macrophage eicosanoid release.

We have already demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) inhibits carrageenin-induced granuloma growth in vivo and that this effect is related to an increase in prostaglandin E2 formation. As prostaglandin E1 has been shown to be more effective in inhibiting granuloma growth than prostaglandin E2 we investigated the effect of linoleic acid (LA) (18:2 omega 6) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA) (20:3 omega 6), potential precursors of prostaglandin E1, in this model. LA and DHGLA inhibited the development of carrageenin-induced granulomas in the rat when injected locally. Both fatty acids (FA) stimulated the release of prostaglandin (PG) E1 from granuloma macrophages (M phi) in vitro, DHGLA being most effective. LA had little effect on the release of PGE2, 6 keto PGF1 alpha, the stable product of prostacyclin (PGI2) or thromboxane (Tx) B2, the stable metabolite of TxA2. DHGLA had no effect on the release of 6 keto PGF1 alpha, but inhibited PGE2 and, to a lesser extent, TxB2 synthesis.

Alprostadil↗

Aerosol penetration ratio: a new index of ventilation.

Superimposition of nuclear medicine scintigrams and standard radiographs provides a unique opportunity for merging functional information intrinsic to nuclear medicine images with the high resolution anatomic detail of radiographs. A newly developed image processing system allows the merging of two separate films of greatly varying sizes to form a single composite image. Subsequent quantitative analysis of the composite image may be performed. Using the superimposition technique, [99mTc]DTPA aerosol ventilation scans (4.5 X 4.5 cm) were superimposed upon chest radiographs (35.6 X 43.2 cm) in 17 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Subsequent quantification of the area of nuclear scan ventilation and the radiographic lung area was then performed. A new quantitative radiologic index of ventilation, the aerosol penetration ratio (APR), was defined. Linear correlation of aerosol penetration ratio with residual volume (RV) as percent of total lung capacity (TLC) measured by body plethysmography was good. We conclude that the APR has validity as a physiologic parameter which localized regional excessive residual volume and correlates well with RV/TLC, the "gold standard" pulmonary function index of obstructive airway disease.

Adolescent↗

Changes in resident rat peritoneal macrophage eicosanoid release, induced by altering the buffer K+/Na+ ratio, are Ca2+ dependent.

Altering the buffer K+/Na+ ratio ([K+]o/[Na+]o) resulted in a biphasic change in the basal release of prostaglandin E2, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (the stable breakdown product of prostaglandin I2) and thromboxane B2 (the stable metabolite of thromboxane A2), from resident rat peritoneal macrophages. Changing the [K+]o (at the expense of [Na+]o) from 15 mM to 0 mM or 75 mM (combined concentration of [K+]o and [Na+]o was maintained at 150 mM) resulted in a stimulation of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 release. Prostaglandin E2 synthesis was also stimulated when the [K+]o was decreased from 15 mM to 0 mM. When the [K+]o was increased to 45 mM, prostaglandin E2 formation was inhibited but returned to values observed at 15 mM K+ when the [K+]o was further increased to 75 mM. Prostaglandin E2 synthesis at 75 mM K+ was still only 40% of that measured in the absence of K+, however. When cells were incubated in a Ca2+-free medium (+EDTA) eicosanoid release was drastically reduced and the changes in arachidonic acid metabolite release observed on changing the buffer [K+]o/[Na+]o were abolished. Total release of radiolabel ([14C]arachidonic acid and its radiolabelled metabolites) from macrophages prelabelled with [14C]arachidonic acid followed the same pattern as basal eicosanoid release, suggesting that changing [K+]o influenced phospholipase A2 activity, and hence, substrate availability. At all [K+]o values, from 0 mM to 75 mM, cicletanide reduced the release of radioactivity from macrophages prelabelled with [14C]arachidonic acid (by about 15%). In the presence of [K+]o, cicletanide had a stimulatory effect on the metabolism of the free fatty acid which masked the decrease in eicosanoid release expected due to inhibition of arachidonic acid release from phospholipid. In the presence of 5 mM K+, cicletanide inhibited the basal release but enhanced the arachidonic acid-stimulated synthesis of eicosanoids from resident macrophages in a dose-related fashion, confirming the dual action of the drug, i.e., the inhibitory effect on arachidonic acid release and the stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. The possible in vivo significance of these results is discussed.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Differential regulation of the cyclooxygenase pathway in starch elicited rat peritoneal macrophages by prostaglandin E2, U-44069, a stable endoperoxide analogue and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP.

The basal and carrageenin-stimulated release of thromboxane (TX) B2, the stable product of TXA2, 6-ketoPGF1 alpha, the stable breakdown product of prostacyclin (PGI2) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 from 24 h starch elicited rat peritoneal macrophages was inhibited by dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP). PGE2 also inhibited the release of TXA2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha whereas the stable endoperoxide analogue, U-44069, stimulated PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha release but inhibited TXB2 release. The effects of all three mediators tested were related to an increase of Mø intracellular cAMP content.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗