Removable partial denture design assisted by osseointegrated implants.
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Dental Abutments↗
Biomedical subjects
M A George
Publications and source records attributed to M A George.
Allergic conjunctivitis: a survey of new antihistamines.
The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic value of a wide variety of H1 antihistamines for potential ophthalmic use by performing ocular toxicity and efficacy tests in rabbits and humans. Fourteen antihistamines were formulated into ophthalmic preparations and were screened in the rabbit model; of these, thirteen were preliminary evaluated for toxicity and efficacy in humans. Based on comfort and efficacy, four (pheniramine, chlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine and pyrilamine) were selected for more extensive dose response and efficacy testing. 0.3% chlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, pyrilamine and pheniramine significantly reduced histamine-induced itching (p less than or equal to 0.01 for each drug) and conjunctival injection (p less than or equal to 0.02 for each drug), when compared to contralateral eyes receiving PBS. When compared to 0.3% pheniramine in the fellow eye (mean difference score = 0.79 +/- 0.21), 0.3% chlorpheniramine (1.5 +/- 0.22; p = 0.04) and 0.3% dexbrompheniramine (1.71 +/- 0.18; p = 0.01) were superior in decreasing histamine-induced itching. Dose-response curves demonstrated that 0.4% and 0.5% pheniramine were statistically superior to 0.3% in relieving itching and redness. Compared to 0.3% pheniramine, 0.1% and 0.2% chlorpheniramine and 0.2% pyrilamine were statistically superior in inhibiting redness and itching. The results of this study suggest that 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% chlorpheniramine, 0.3% dexbrompheniramine, 0.2% pyrilamine, and 0.4% and 0.5% pheniramine were effective in relieving the itching and conjunctival injection associated with topically applied histamine. These seven formulations should be considered as possible new preparations for use as ophthalmic antihistamines and may warrant further evaluation.
Animals↗
The incidence of abnormal morphology and nucleocytoplasmic ratios in 2-, 3- and 5-day human pre-embryos.
Human cleaving pre-embryos at 2 and 3 days and cavitated pre-embryos at 5 days post-insemination have been examined for cell number and the incidence of mononucleated cells. At least 60% of polynucleate or anucleate cells have been detected at all these stages and regardless of morphological grading at day 2. It is concluded that even by the time at which pre-embryo replacement would occur therapeutically, the majority of pre-embryos are unlikely to have full developmental potential. The possible origins of the abnormalities of nucleocytoplasmic ratios are discussed.
Blastocyst↗
Effects of Vasocon-A in the allergen challenge model of acute allergic conjunctivitis.
The ophthalmic combination product of 0.05% naphazoline hydrochloride and 0.5% antazoline phosphate (Vasocon-A) was evaluated as an antiallergic agent in 100 subjects with a known allergic history to cat dander, ragweed, or bluegrass pollen. Three independent study sites were used. The allergen challenge model of acute allergic conjunctivitis was selected to assess the agent as it provided a standardized and precise way to measure drug effectiveness for this indication. In a double-masked randomized fashion, the subjects were assigned to one of three groups that received one drop of Vasocon-A in one eye and one drop of either 0.05% naphazoline (group 1), 0.5% antazoline (group 2), or placebo (group 3) in the contralateral eye. After 10 minutes, the dose of allergen shown to elicit a 2+ redness and itching reaction was instilled bilaterally. Signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis were evaluated after 3, 5, and 10 minutes. Subjects were then rechallenged 2 hours after drug administration to assess the duration of action of the agents. Vasocon-A was found to significantly inhibit all five major signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis: itching, redness, chemosis, lid swelling, and tearing, for more than 85% of the comparisons when compared over time with placebo, naphazoline alone, or antazoline alone. The results of this study indicate that the combination of naphazoline and antazoline was more effective in inhibiting redness than naphazoline and more effective in inhibiting itching than antazoline. These findings support the use of such a combination for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
Allergens↗
Down-regulation of squamous cell-specific markers by retinoids: transglutaminase type I and cholesterol sulfotransferase.
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Animals↗
Pathways of differentiation of airway epithelial cells.
The question being examined is whether one or more morphologically distinct cell types can be identified in the conducting airways of adult rabbits possessing stem cell functions. The term "stem cell" is used to denote cells with extensive self-replicating potential and the ability to produce differentiated progeny. According to various models of cell renewal in the conducting airways that have been proposed over the years, two different cell types have to be regarded as primary candidates for the stem cell: basal cells and some type of secretory cells. The question is complicated by the fact that significant differences exist between species in the distribution and morphological characteristics of airway cell types. In addition, different airway segments may or may not be occupied by different populations of stem cells. Previously, investigators have addressed the problem by studying normal cell regeneration or injury induced cell regeneration in vivo in the whole animal. We decided to attempt a different approach, namely, to separate specific cell types and to study the proliferation and differentiation capacity of such cell isolates using in vitro and in vivo cell culture techniques. Our studies lead us to conclude that the conducting airways of adult rabbits contain at least two distinct cell populations endowed with stem cell potential, namely basal cells and bronchiolar Clara cells. From that it follows that the trachea and bronchi, on one hand, and the bronchioles, on the other hand, are occupied by two different stem cell populations governing renewal of the epithelial lining.
Animals↗
Effects of bryostatins and retinoic acid on phorbol ester- and diacylglycerol-induced squamous differentiation in human tracheobronchial epithelial cells.
Previous studies have shown that normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (HBE) cells undergo squamous differentiation upon treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In this study, we report that induction of this differentiation program is accompanied by an increase in the accumulation of cholesterol sulfate and in transglutaminase type I activity, two markers of squamous differentiation. Several carcinoma cell lines did not exhibit an increase in these differentiation markers after PMA-treatment and appear to have acquired a defect in the mechanism that triggers differentiation. The diacylglycerol analogue, didecanoylglycerol (diC10), was also able to induce squamous differentiation. Bryostatin 1, another activator of protein kinase C, did not induce terminal cell division or increase cholesterol sulfate accumulation or transglutaminase type I activity. Bryostatin 1 not only failed to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce differentiation but antagonized the PMA- and diC10-induced commitment to terminal differentiation. The bryostatin blocked both the PMA-induced terminal cell division as well as the expression of the two differentiation markers. Retinoids were found not to affect the PMA-induced commitment to terminal cell division but did inhibit the expression of the differentiated phenotype. Our results indicate that the bryostatins and retinoids affect the multistep process of squamous differentiation in tracheobronchial epithelial cells at two different stages.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
The influence of handling procedures during mouse oocyte and embryo recovery on viability and subsequent development in vitro.
The effect on mouse oocyte and embryo viability of prolonging the time that they spend in the oviduct prior to flushing has been investigated. Oocytes and embryos from oviducts that were flushed quickly and with as little temperature variation as possible were compared with oocytes and embryos flushed from oviducts that had been left for 30 min, either at 37 degrees C in saline or in the intact dead mouse before dissection. It was found that retention of the eggs and embryos in the oviducts leads to a lower viability at recovery and also affects the subsequent developmental potential of embryos in culture.
Animals↗
Keratin 13 expression is linked to squamous differentiation in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells and down-regulated by retinoic acid.
Rabbit tracheal epithelial (RbTE) cells in primary culture undergo at confluence a multistep program of squamous differentiation. This study examines the expression of keratins in RbTE cells in relation to this differentiation process. During the exponential growth phase RbTE cells are undifferentiated and express three major keratins, K5, K14, and K19, and two minor keratins, K6 and K16. Squamous differentiation is accompanied by increased expression of keratins K6, K16, and K19, and in particular of keratin K13, which reacts specifically with the monoclonal antibody AE8. These changes in keratin synthesis coincide with the commitment to terminal differentiation. Retinoic acid, an inhibitor of the expression of the squamous differentiated phenotype, inhibits the increase in the expression of K6, K16, and K13 and reduces the expression of K5 and K14; however, retinoic acid treatment results in increased levels of keratin K19 and K18. Retinoic acid inhibits the expression of K16 and K13 at concentrations as low as 10(-9)-10(-10) M. At least some of these changes in keratins appear to be related to alterations in the cellular levels of the respective mRNAs. Our results indicate that specific changes in keratin expression, in particular keratin K13, correlate with the onset of squamous differentiation in RbTE cells. Induction of the expression of keratin K13 may function as a marker of squamous differentiation in tracheobronchial epithelial cells.
Animals↗
Squamous differentiation in normal and transformed rat tracheal epithelial cells.
Morphological observations suggest that rate tracheal epithelial (RTE) cells undergo squamous differentiation when maintained in cell culture. The purpose of the studies presented here was to examine and define differentiation of cultured RTE cells with the help of markers previously shown to be specific for squamous differentiation. Furthermore, we wanted to determine whether neoplastic transformation of these cells causes significant disruption of their differentiation program. Our experiments showed that squamous differentiation occurs in normal primary RTE cell cultures. Epidermal transglutaminase (transglutaminase type I) activity increased approximately 20-fold in RTE cultures as a function of time. Cholesterol sulfate, another marker of squamous differentiation, increased only modestly with time. A significant number of cells formed cross-linked envelopes in cultures growth-arrested at a cell density of approximately 250 cells/mm2. However, no significant changes in keratin expression were detected. Neoplastically transformed RTE cells which exhibit a greatly increased growth capacity expressed the same three markers of squamous differentiation as normal RTE cells. However, transglutaminase type I activity was relatively low. The cross-linked envelope formation was independent of cell density in the transformed cells. Like in normal RTE cultures, cholesterol sulfate accumulation only increased moderately with increasing cell density. The keratin pattern of transformed RTE cell lines was identical to that of normal primary RTE cells. A well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma derived from one of the neoplastic cell lines expressed in vivo keratin markers typical of keratinization (56 kd acidic keratin and 65-67 kd basic keratins). We draw the following conclusions. (i) The biochemical studies confirm that normal RTE cells undergo squamous differentiation. The pathway of terminal squamous differentiation is cell density dependent. (ii) In transformed RTE cells, growth as well as differentiation are less subject to regulation by cell density than in normal cells. (iii) Transformed RTE cells are differentiation competent; the main abnormality appears to be that in transformed cell populations proliferation and differentiation occur concomitantly.
Animals↗
Quality control in the IVF laboratory: in-vitro and in-vivo development of mouse embryos is unaffected by the quality of water used in culture media.
We have examined the effect of media made with tap water or with various purified waters on the fertilization of mouse oocytes, their development to blastocysts, their rate of hatching in vitro and their survival after transfer to recipients. Zona-intact and zona-free embryos, as well as cell clusters from 8-cell stage embryos, were also used. The macromolecular composition of the media was varied. We were unable to find any adverse effect of tap water under any condition examined. The implications of these findings for quality control in IVF units are discussed.
Animals↗
Increased cholesterol sulfate and cholesterol sulfotransferase activity in relation to the multi-step process of differentiation in human epidermal keratinocytes.
In this study the synthesis of cholesterol sulfate is examined in relation to the process of squamous differentiation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) in culture. During the exponential growth phase, NHEK cells exhibit a relatively high colony-forming efficiency and appear undifferentiated on the basis of their morphology and expression of biochemical characteristics. At confluence, the cells undergo terminal differentiation that is characterized by the commitment to terminal cell division (reduction in colony-forming ability) and expression of the differentiated phenotype. An accumulation of cholesterol sulfate accompanies this program of differentiation. This accumulation of cholesterol sulfate parallels the increase in transglutaminase type I activity and the competence to form cross-linked envelopes, whereas it precedes the "spontaneous" formation of cross-linked envelopes. Increased cholesterol sulfotransferase activity appears to account for the increase in cholesterol sulfate. The cholesterol sulfate accumulation, as well as the increase in cholesterol sulfotransferase and transglutaminase activity, are inhibited by retinoids. However, the presence of retinoids does not prevent NHEK cells from undergoing terminal cell division at confluence. Two NHEK cell lines expressing SV40-large T antigen also undergo terminal differentiation at confluence and start to accumulate cholesterol sulfate. Two other, differentiation-defective cell lines do not exhibit an increase in cholesterol sulfate at confluence. These results show that epidermal keratinocytes in culture, like cells in the epidermis, accumulate cholesterol sulfate when undergoing squamous differentiation. This program appears to consist of a retinoid-insensitive step (commitment to terminal cell division) and a retinoid-sensitive step (expression of the squamous differentiated phenotype).
Calcium↗
Action of phorbol esters, bryostatins, and retinoic acid on cholesterol sulfate synthesis: relation to the multistep process of differentiation in human epidermal keratinocytes.
This study examines the action of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on the synthesis of cholesterol sulfate in cultured normal and transformed human epidermal keratinocytes and assesses the antagonistic effects by retinoids and bryostatins on PMA action in relation to the multistep program of squamous differentiation. Treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) with PMA induces terminal cell division (irreversible growth-arrest) and causes a time- and dose-dependent increase in the incorporation of Na2(35)SO4 into cholesterol sulfate, a marker for squamous cell differentiation. This stimulation in sulfate incorporation appears specific for cholesterol sulfate and is due to increased levels of cholesterol sulfotransferase activity. The increase in cholesterol sulfate accumulation parallels the increase in transglutaminase type I, another marker for squamous differentiation. Several transformed NHEK cell lines do not exhibit increased levels of cholesterol sulfate and transglutaminase type I activity after PMA treatment, indicating that they acquired defects in the regulation of squamous differentiation. Bryostatins 1 and 2, and several diacylglycerol analogues neither inhibit cell proliferation nor increase cholesterol sulfate synthesis or transglutaminase activity, indicating that these agents do not induce terminal differentiation. In contrast, the bryostatins block the increase in cholesterol sulfate and transglutaminase activity as well as the commitment to terminal cell division by PMA. Bryostatin 1 inhibits the commitment to terminal cell division and the accumulation of cholesterol sulfate significantly even when added 8 h after PMA administration. Retinoids inhibit cholesterol sulfate accumulation and the increase in transglutaminase activity by PMA but do not affect the commitment to terminal cell division. In summary, phorbol esters induce in NHEK cells a program of squamous differentiation. This process of differentiation consists of the commitment to terminal cell division and expression of a squamous phenotype. Expression of this phenotype is accompanied by an accumulation of cholesterol sulfate and increased cholesterol sulfotransferase activity. Bryostatins 1 and 2 and retinoic acid affect this differentiation process at different stages.
Bryostatins↗
Cholesterol sulfate accumulation in tumorigenic and nontumorigenic rat esophageal epithelial cells: evidence for defective differentiation control in tumorigenic cells.
In this study the regulation of squamous cell differentiation in several rat esophageal epithelial cell lines is examined. Nontumorigenic RE-149 cells undergo a program of squamous cell differentiation at confluence. This program of differentiation is influenced by the concentration of calcium in the medium and by the presence of retinoic acid. High calcium concentration stimulates terminal cell division, as indicated by a reduction in colony-forming efficiency, and increases the expression of the differentiated phenotype as indicated by an increase in cholesterol sulfate accumulation and cross-linked envelope formation. Retinoic acid inhibits squamous cell differentiation as both cholesterol sulfate accumulation and cross-linked envelope formation are reduced. Two tumorigenic cell lines, RE-B2 and RE-2BT, do not undergo squamous cell differentiation in vitro. High calcium concentration in the medium did not significantly reduce colony-forming efficiency or induce cross-linked envelope formation. High calcium concentration or retinoic acid had only a limited effect on the accumulation of cholesterol sulfate. RE-B2T cells exhibit high levels of cholesterol sulfate and cholesterol sulfotransferase activity. These levels appear no longer controlled by calcium or retinoic acid, indicating that the synthesis of cholesterol sulfate occurs in a constitutive manner. The altered responses of RE-2B and B2T cells to calcium and retinoic acid suggest that these malignant cells have acquired one or more defects in the control of differentiation.
Animals↗
An analysis of the effect of the PMSG--HCG interval on the two-cell block.
The effect of increasing the interval between the administrations of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and HCG to female mice from 48 to 60 h on the mating frequency, ovulation rate, fertilization rate and development through the two-cell stage has been investigated. It is concluded that use of the longer interval is of no advantage, and may be disadvantageous.
Animals↗
The influence of cooling on the properties of the zona pellucida of the mouse oocyte.
Mouse oocytes were exposed to a variety of cooling regimes prior to insemination in vitro. Exposure to 4 degrees C, but not to 25 degrees C, was associated with a reduced fertilization rate, but development to the blastocyst stage of those oocytes that fertilized was not consistently different from that of non-cooled controls. The reduced fertilization rate seems to result from an effect of cooling on the zona pellucida, since it was not observed if the zona was removed prior to insemination, and since cooling rendered the zona pellucida resistant to the action of chymotrypsin. Using chymotrypsin resistance as an assay, the nature of the cooling-induced effect on the zona was investigated. It is suggested that rapid cooling to 4 degrees C may promote release of cortical granules and a premature zona reaction.
Animals↗
Awareness under anaesthesia due to a defective gas-loaded regulator.
Awareness under anaesthesia occurred in two patients due to a defect in an anaesthesic machine, which caused an inadequate supply of nitrous oxide. A defective fail-safe gas-loaded regulator was found to have caused communication between the pipelines for oxygen and nitrous oxide. This resulted in oxygen flow through the nitrous oxide flowmeter. A simple test to detect this type of defect is suggested.
Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
When and how does cell division order influence cell allocation to the inner cell mass of the mouse blastocyst?
Aggregate 8-cell embryos were constructed from four 2/8 pairs of blastomeres, one of which was marked with a short-term cell lineage marker and was also either 4 h older (derived from an early-dividing 4-cell) or 4 h younger (derived from a late-dividing 4-cell) than the other three pairs. The aggregate embryos were cultured to the 16-cell stage, at which time a second marker was used to label the outside cell population. The embryos were then disaggregated and each cell was examined to determine its labelling pattern. From this analysis, we calculated the relative contributions to the inside cell population of the 16-cell embryo of older and younger cells. Older cells were found to contribute preferentially. However, if the construction of the aggregate 8-cell embryo was delayed until each of the contributing 2/8 cell pairs had undergone intercellular flattening and then had been exposed to medium low in calcium to reverse this flattening immediately prior to aggregation, the advantage possessed by the older cells was lost. These results support the suggestion that older cells derived from early-dividing 4-cell blastomeres contribute preferentially to the inner cell mass as a result of being early-flattening cells.
Animals↗