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Biomedical subjects

G Werner

Publications and source records attributed to G Werner.

250 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduced responses of nitrendipine in PGF2 alpha-precontracted porcine isolated arteries after pretreatment with methylene blue.

Vascular activity of nitrendipine (NTD) in different depolarized and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha)-precontracted isolated porcine arteries was examined in the presence and absence of methylene blue (MB). Presence of MB potentiated the PGF2 alpha-induced contractions in all vessels studied and reduced the response of NTD in coronary and basilar arteries seven- to 23-fold. Only in ulnar arteries was the affinity of NTD slightly increased. In contrast, MB did not modify the affinity of papaverine under these conditions. Furthermore, MB had no influence on KCl-induced contractions and subsequent vasorelaxation by NTD. It is proposed that MB impaired endothelium derived relaxing factor, thereby stimulating and/or increasing the calcium influx through receptor-operated calcium channels.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of endothelium on the action of PGF2 alpha and some dihydropyridine-type calcium antagonists in porcine basilar arteries.

Vascular endothelium modulates the effect of various vasoconstricting mediators as well as the affinity of dihydropyridine-type calcium entry blockers. To further investigate this influence, vasoconstriction by PGF2 alpha as opposed to KCl and the affinity of nitrendipine and some related 3-ester side-chain derivatives were determined in isolated porcine basilar arteries in the presence and in the absence of intact endothelium, as well as in the presence of methylene blue. Treatment with methylene blue or mechanical endothelial damage increased the contractile work of basilar arteries stimulated by PGF2 alpha and reduced the affinity of the dihydropyridines in such precontracted vessels. Both experimental conditions resulted in nearly the same effect. In addition, the degree of intact endothelium, as determined by substance-P-induced vasodilation, significantly correlated with the corresponding efficacy of all dihydropyridines examined. In contrast, KCl-mediated contractions remained unchanged. It is suggested that the endothelium (probably due to the production and release of endothelium-derived vasorelaxing factors, such as EDRF and/or prostacyclin) may attenuate PGF2 alpha-induced transmembrane calcium influx through receptor operated calcium channels, whereas potential operated calcium channels seems to be unaffected.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Different rhinovirus serotypes neutralized by antipeptide antibodies.

Recently, Rossman et al. have described the three-dimensional structure of a human rhinovirus. A possible host cell surface receptor binding site was identified with a cleft on each icosahedral face. Two highly conserved amino-acid sequences found in rhino-, polio-, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) viruses are located near the base of this site and could be important in maintaining its topology. We have prepared site-specific antibodies to two synthetic peptides which include these sequences. The antibodies bind to the predicted capsid proteins of rhinovirus and neutralize approximately 60% of 48 rhinovirus serotypes tested. These results could provide a route to a rhinovirus vaccine effective against most of the numerous serotypes of this virus.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Capacitated and acrosome reacted spermatozoa of goat (Capra indicus): a fluorescence and electron microscopic study.

Plasma membrane alterations accompanying in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction of goat spermatozoa were studied using lectin labelling, scanning electron microscopy, and freeze-fracture methods. Fluorescein isothiocyanate linked lectins namely; Canavalia ensiformis (ConA), Maclura pomifera (MPA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Glycine max (SBA) and Triticum vulgaris (WGA) agglutinin were used to examine the distribution of surface carbohydrates during these two events. The head and the sperm tail reveal altered lectin labelling features after capacitation and acrosome reaction. After capacitation the surface coat components for MPA, SBA, and WGA are shed from the spermatozoon head. ConA receptors on the head are retained after capacitation but are partially shed in the acrosome reacted spermatozoa. SBA receptor sites appear on the sperm tail of the capacitated spermatozoa. Unusual morphological changes attending capacitation involve the sperm tail-end which develops a novel entity, which we have termed 'spatula'. The 'spatula' shows strong binding with ConA and WGA only. In the acrosome reacted spermatozoa the spatulated tail-end unwinds with a concomitant loss of lectin labelling. Highly ordered membrane particles, 'ladders' of the middle piece of the epididymal sperm tail, disappear and IMP clearings appear on the middle piece and in the spatulated ends of the capacitated spermatozoa. But in the acrosome reacted sperm IMPs reappear and are randomly disposed on the middle-piece and are clustered in small patches on the principal-piece. IMP free areas appear on the plasma membrane covering the acrosome and the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM) of the capacitated spermatozoa. The plasma membrane and OAM fuse at multiple foci and appear as acrosomal 'ghosts' which remain associated with the sperm head even after acrosome reaction.

Acrosome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early testicular response to intraperitoneal administration of ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) in the goat (Capra hircus).

Early morphological changes in the goat testis after a single intraperitoneal injection of ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) were investigated using both light and electron microscopy. The compound was administered at two dose levels: 75 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg. While the former resulted in some deaths due to toxicity, the latter had no noticeable toxic effects on the animals. The testicular effects at both dose levels were similar. Six (6) days post-treatment, Leydig cells were refractory to EDS challenge but there was a marked disruption of spermatogenesis. These Leydig cells exhibited ovoid or irregularly round nuclei, abundant cytoplasm containing spherical, ovoid or elongate mitochondria and a preponderance of smooth endoplasmic reticulum typical of the normal cells. Lipid droplets were rare. In the seminiferous tubules germ and Sertoli cell degeneration was observed. Changes in the germ cells included: spermatogonial degeneration, condensed chromatin in leptotene spermatocytes and failure of chromatin re-organization resulting in the formation of clumps in the cells at the telophase stage of cell division (stage 4 of the seminiferous cycle). The nuclear envelope of primary spermatocytes showed marked irregularity and there was an overall reduction in cell size. There was peripheral re-distribution of chromatin in developing spermatids of stages 1, 2 and 5, often resulting in thick margination along the nucleolemma and leaving a pale nucleoplasm. An accompanying retention of maturation phase spermatids in stage 2 tubules was also observed. Sertoli cells exhibited extensive accumulation of intracytoplasmic vesicles, obscuring the rest of the organelles. Intercellular vacuoles also occurred within the epithelium. The results suggest that while EDS does not have any effect on goat Leydig cells, it causes severe disruption of the spermatogenic process. Furthermore, it is concluded from the results that the optimum dose in this species is 25 mg/kg.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Status of water supply treatment techniques].

The paper portrays the difficulties with which the water works presently have to contend in the preparation of drinking water from polluted sources. Particular emphasis is on describing the present state of water treatment methods and what they are capable of achieving. After an overview of the substances found in ground and surface water that impair the preparation of drinking water, the methods available today for water treatment are described. Finally, practical examples showing the most effective combination of these methods in modern water treatment plants are presented.

Disinfection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Separation of anionic surfactants using aqueous and nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis.

Capillary electrophoresis is well suited for the analysis of anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates, ether sulfates, and sulfonates in commercial products. Because of the lack of absorbing constituents in the analytes, chromophores are necessary as a background for indirect photometric detection. The influence of various absorbing buffer components and their concentration and pH has been investigated. For improved separation efficiency, organic solvents in different contents, up to 100%, have been used. Applications to the analysis of household detergents and toiletries are described. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) could be determined with a detection limit of 4.7 x 10(-6) mol/L.

Acetonitriles↗