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Biomedical subjects

M R Turner

Publications and source records attributed to M R Turner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Vasopressin constricts outer medullary descending vasa recta isolated from rat kidneys.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) can selectively decrease blood flow in the renal medulla, but the sites of vasoconstriction are uncertain. We have examined the effects of vasopressin-receptor agonists and antagonists on the diameters of outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR), isolated and perfused in vitro. AVP can constrict OMDVR, apparently via V1a-receptors. Ablumenal AVP (10(-10)-10(-6)M) or the selective V1a-receptor agonist [Phe2, Ile3, Orn8]-vasopressin (PO-VT, 10(-8) M) constricted OMDVR focally and (at higher AVP concentrations) transiently. The V1b agonist ideamino-Cys1,D-3-(pyridyl)Ala2,Arg8)vasopressin (DP-VP; 10(-8) M) and the V2 agonist [deamino-Cys1, D-Arg8]vasopressin (DDAVP; 10(-8) M) did not constrict OMDVR. The V1a antagonist [d(CH2)5(1), O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin (CTM-VP, 10(-10) 10(-8) M) inhibited vasoconstriction by AVP 10(-9 M), whereas the V2 antagonist [d(CH2)5(1), D-Ile2,Ile4 Arg8]vasopressin (II-VP) at low concentration (10(-10) M) did not. V2 stimulation seems to inhibit V1a constriction of OMDVR. DDAVP prevented constriction by PO-VT (10(-8) M) applied at the same time and dilated OMDVR preconstricted with PO-VT.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Molecular sieving of small solutes by outer medullary descending vasa recta.

Molecular sieving of small solutes by outer medullary descending vasa recta (OMDVR). Descending vasa recta (DVR) plasma equilibrates with the medullary interstitium by volume efflux (Jv), as well as by influx of solutes. Jv is driven by transmural osmotic pressure gradients due to small hydrophilic solutes (delta pi s), NaCl and urea. DVR endothelium probably contains a "water-only" pathway most likely mediated by the aquaporin-1 (AQP1) water channel. We measured the ability of microperfused OMDVR to concentrate lumenal 22Na and [3H]raffinose when Jv was driven by transmural NaCl gradients. Collectate-to-perfusate ratios of 2 x 10(6) M(r) fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran volume marker (RDx), 22Na (RNa), and [3H]raffinose (Rraf) were measured in the absence and presence of Jv. During volume efflux (Jv > 0), RDx was 1.37 +/- 0.31. RNa increased from 0.64 +/- 0.03 when Jv = 0 to 0.82 +/- 0.05 when Jv > 0 and Rraf increased from 0.83 +/- 0.03 to 1.13 +/- 0.05: Mathematical simulations predict RNa and Rraf most accurately when the OMDVR reflection coefficient to the tracers is assigned a value near unity. This indicates that the OMDVR wall contains a pathway for osmotic volume flux that excludes small hydrophilic solutes, a behavior consistent with that of aquaporins.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Twenty questions for the consumer: a quality assurance tool for the lactation consultant.

A simple post-service consumer survey is presented with which the lactation consultant can gather and analyze data to determine the extent to which services are meeting the needs of clients. The brief survey can be used to gather data from all clients or from a sample of clients. The survey can be administered by telephone or by postal return form. After analyzing the data obtained, the lactation consultant can identify where improvement in practice is needed. An additional " self assessment questionnaire" enables the lactation consultant to identify areas where personal growth is needed.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1992

Liquid flow through monolayers of cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

The rate of liquid flow per unit area (Jv/A) through Madin-Darby canine kidney cell monolayers has been studied at temperatures between 0 and 38 degrees C and at transmonolayer hydrostatic pressures between 14 and 44 cmH2O. Jv/A decreased exponentially with time during application of a constant pressure to the free surface of each monolayer. This behaviour resembles the sealing of cultured vascular endothelium. For monolayers sealed between 33-38 degrees C and 30-33 cmH2O, the mean (+/- S.E.M.) half-time (t1/2) of sealing was 228 (+/- 88) s (n = 6). The decrease in Jv/A during sealing can be expressed as a fraction of the initial Jv/A. Between 33-38 degrees C and 30-33 cmH2O, the mean (+/- S.E.M.) sealing fraction was 0.58 (+/- 0.06; n = 6). Mean sealing t1/2 was longer at lower temperatures, and longer for glutaraldehyde-fixed than for unfixed monolayers, but did not vary with transmonolayer pressure. Sealing fraction was not affected by variations in temperature or transmonolayer pressure, or by glutaraldehyde fixation of monolayers. It is argued that sealing is a physical, rather than a biological, phenomenon and that monolayers have non-linear mechanical properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Electrical resistances of cultured bovine arterial endothelium in solutions of various resistivities.

Relationships between the electrical resistance (Rm) of cultured endothelium and the resistivity (rho) of the bathing solution have been investigated, using eight monolayers of bovine arterial endothelium. Bathing solutions of differing rho were prepared by mixing culture medium and isosmolar (290 mM) sucrose in various proportions. Relationships between 1/Rm and 1/rho were linear, as predicted, with a mean 1/Rm intercept of zero. The slopes of the relationships give a mean fractional area per unit path length (Ap/delta chi) of 12.7 cm-1 for the paracellular pathways of the cultured endothelium. This resembles previous estimates of Ap/delta chi for mammalian endothelium in arteries. The 1/Rm intercept of zero indicates that the major electrical conducting pathways of cultured arterial endothelium are paracellular.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Flows of liquid and electrical current through monolayers of cultured bovine arterial endothelium.

1. Monolayers of arterial endothelium on porous membranes were exposed to a constant pressure between 15 and 35 cmH2O. The rates of liquid flow per unit area (Jv/A) through the monolayers were monitored, together with the electrical resistance (Rm) of the endothelium. 2. At constant pressure, Jv/A decreased with an approximately exponential time course, towards a stable baseline value. This behaviour resembles the sealing previously described for cultured vascular endothelium. At 30-35 cmH2O and 37 degrees C, the mean (+/- S.E.M.) half-time (t1/2) of the decrease in Jv/A (the sealing t1/2) was 548 +/- 141 S (n = 5). The difference between the initial and baseline values of Jv/A was expressed as a fraction of the initial value. The mean (+/- S.E.M.) of this sealing fraction was 0.64 +/- 0.03 (n = 5). Mean (+/- S.E.M.) hydraulic permeability (Lp) was 23.9 +/- 6.4 x 10(-7) cm S-1 cmH2O-1 (n = 9), when measured after sealing. Endothelium appeared damaged after sealing at 30-35 cmH2O and 37 degrees C. 3. Sealing was also observed using glutaraldehyde-fixed endothelium at 30-33 cmH2O and 26-28 degrees C. There was no significant difference between the mean sealing t1/2 of these fixed monolayers, and that of unfixed endothelium at 30-35 cmH2O and 37 degrees C. However, mean sealing fraction was significantly larger for the fixed monolayers than for unfixed endothelium at 30-35 cmH2O and 37 degrees C. There were no significant difference between the post-sealing Lps of these fixed and unfixed monolayers, although the fixed monolayers appeared undamaged after sealing. 4. For unfixed endothelium, Rm was lower after sealing at 30-35 cmH2O and 37 degrees C than before pressure application. There was no significant difference between endothelial Rm before and after sealing, for glutaraldehyde-fixed monolayers. 5. Sealing was also observed at 0 degree C, using unfixed endothelium at 30 cmH2O. Mean sealing t1/2 was not significantly different from that of unfixed endothelium at 30 cmH2O and 37 degrees C. However, mean sealing fraction was significantly smaller at 0 degree C than at 37 degrees C. Unfixed endothelium appeared undamaged after sealing at 30 cmH2O and 0 degree C. Despite this, the post-sealing Lp was not significantly different from that of unfixed endothelium sealed at 30 cmH2O and 37 degrees C, after allowance was made for the effect of temperature on Lp. Rm was not measured in these experiments. 6. It is proposed that sealing is due to pressure-induced deformation of monolayers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of proteins on the permeability of monolayers of cultured bovine arterial endothelium.

1. Monolayers of arterial endothelium on porous membranes were exposed to a pressure of 15 cmH2O at 37 degrees C, or of 30 cmH2O at 0 degree C. At constant pressure, the rate of liquid flow per unit area (Jv/A) through each monolayer decreased with time, in the way previously described for cultured endothelium. This phenomenon has been called sealing. After Jv/A stabilized, the pressure was reduced and the hydraulic permeability (Lp) of the endothelium was calculated from the relationship between Jv/A and pressure. Endothelium was seen to be damaged after some experiments at 37 degrees C, but appeared undamaged after experiments at 0 degree C. 2. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) did not influence the Lp of cultured endothelium. At 37 degrees C, the mean (+/- S.E.M.) endothelial Lp was 47.2 +/- 7.3 x 10(-7) cm s-1 cmH2O-1 (n = 10) in the presence of BSA (5 g (100 ml)-1). This is not significantly different from the mean (+/- S.E.M.) Lp of 53.4 +/- 9.0 x 10(-7) cm s-1 cmH2O-1 (n = 9) in the absence of added protein (P greater than 0.10). At 0 degree C also, there was no significant difference between mean Lps in the presence of BSA (0.1 g (100 ml)-1) and in the absence of added protein. 3. Solutions of BSA (5 g (100 ml)-1 or of the neutral polymer Ficoll 70 (4 g (100 ml)-1) did not exert any effective osmotic pressure across endothelium at 37 or 0 degrees C, respectively. 4. BSA (0.1 g (100 ml)-1) did not enable solutions of Ficoll 70 (4 g (100 ml)-1) to exert an effective osmotic pressure across endothelium at 0 degree C. 5. The mean Lp of endothelium at 0 degree C was significantly lower in the presence of cationized ferritin (CF; 0.1 g (100 ml)-1) than in the absence of added protein (P less than 0.001). Native ferritin (NF; 0.1 g (100 ml)-1) had no effect on Lp. 6. In the presence of CF (0.1 g (100 ml)-1), solutions of Ficoll 70 (4 g (100 ml)-1) exerted a mean effective osmotic pressure of 27.7 cmH2O (n = 5) across endothelium at 0 degree C. The mean effective osmotic pressure exerted across endothelium by solutions of Ficoll 70 (4 g (100 ml)-1) plus NF (0.1 g (100 ml)-1) was 1.2 cmH2O (n = 4).

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Underestimation of visual texture slant by human observers: a model.

The perspective image of an obliquely inclined textured surface exhibits shape and density distortions of texture elements which allow a human observer to estimate the inclination angle of the surface. However, it has been known since the work of Gibson (1950) that, in the absence of other cues, humans tend to underestimate the slant angle of the surface, particularly when the texture is perceived as being "irregular." The perspective distortions which affect texture elements also shift the projected spatial frequencies of the texture in systematic ways. Using a suitable local spectral filter to measure these frequency gradients, the inclination angle of the surface may be estimated. A computational model has been developed which performs this task using distributions of outputs from filters found to be a good description of simple-cell receptive fields. However, for "irregular" textures the filter output distributions are more like those of "regular" textures at shallower angles of slant, leading the computational algorithm to underestimate the slant angle. This behavioral similarity between human and algorithm suggests the possibility that a similar visual computation is performed in cortex.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Acylation of lyso platelet-activating factor by splenocytes of the rainbow trout, Oncorhyncus mykiss.

In mammalian systems, platelet-activating factor, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, (PAF) is rapidly inactivated by a deacetylation/reacylation system that produces 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine which is highly enriched in arachidonic acid. There is some evidence that n-3 fatty acids may have an impact on this system in humans but the nature of this impact is unclear. In rainbow trout, n-3 fatty acids are known to be essential dietary components which are derived through the food chain. Substantial quantities of n-3 fatty acids are found in trout membrane phospholipids. We show here that in sharp contrast to mammalian cells, trout cells acylate lyso platelet-activating factor, alkyl-GPC, 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, (lyso-PAF) with a high degree of specificity for n-3 fatty acids. When [3H]lysoPAF was incubated with these cells, only three molecular species of alkylacylglycerophosphocholine were produced, and 92% contained n-3 fatty acids. Since isolated membranes yielded similar results, it appears that the acylation proceeds via a coenzyme A-independent transacylase as found in mammalian systems.

Acylation↗
PubMed1989

Synthesis of platelet activating factor by tissues from the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.

In mammals, platelet activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a lipid mediator with biological activity at concentrations in the subnanomolar range. Although PAF is known to have many activities in mammals, little is known about its synthesis and importance in other vertebrate groups. We demonstrate here the synthesis of PAF from [3H]acetate by slices of trout gill, kidney, liver and spleen. PAF synthesis was stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187 and was time-dependent. The radiolabeled PAF produced was characterized by TLC, HPLC, derivatization and by saponification and phospholipase A2 hydrolysis. These findings suggest that PAF may be an important mediator in fish.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Distribution of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the ether- and ester-linked phosphoglycerides from tissues of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.

1. Data presented here demonstrate that polyunsaturated fatty acids in the phospholipids of rainbow trout tissues are compartmentalized differently than in mammalian tissues. 2. We have determined the distribution of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids in the alkyl-, alk-1-enyl-, and diacyl- subclasses of phosphatidylcholines (PC), phosphatidyl-ethanolamines (PE), phosphatidylinositols (PI), and phosphatidylserines (PS) from gill, kidney and spleen of rainbow trout. 3. Alkyl-linked PC and alk-1-enyl-linked PE were the most abundant ether-containing phospholipids, amounting to 10-15% of each class; no ether-linked PI or PS was detected. 4. C20:4 n-6 was found in high concentrations only in PI; the n-3 fatty acids were found in highest concentration in the ether-linked phospholipids as compared with the diacyl subclasses and C20:5 n-3 was especially prevalent in 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and C22:6 n-3 was prevalent in PS.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Texture discrimination by Gabor functions.

A 2D Gabor filter can be realized as a sinusoidal plane wave of some frequency and orientation within a two dimensional Gaussian envelope. Its spatial extent, frequency and orientation preferences as well as bandwidths are easily controlled by the parameters used in generating the filters. However, there is an "uncertainty relation" associated with linear filters which limits the resolution simultaneously attainable in space and frequency. Daugman (1985) has determined that 2D Gabor filters are members of a class of functions achieving optimal joint resolution in the 2D space and 2D frequency domains. They have also been found to be a good model for two dimensional receptive fields of simple cells in the striate cortex (Jones 1985; Jones et al. 1985). The characteristic of optimal joint resolution in both space and frequency suggests that these filters are appropriate operators for tasks requiring simultaneous measurement in these domains. Texture discrimination is such a task. Computer application of a set of Gabor filters to a variety of textures found to be preattentively discriminable produces results in which differently textured regions are distinguished by first-order differences in the values measured by the filters. This ability to reduce the statistical complexity distinguishing differently textured region as well as the sensitivity of these filters to certain types of local features suggest that Gabor functions can act as detectors of certain "texton" types. The performance of the computer models suggests that cortical neurons with Gabor like receptive fields may be involved in preattentive texture discrimination.

Discrimination, Psychological↗
PubMed1985

The effects of native and modified bovine serum albumin on the permeability of frog mesenteric capillaries.

Single capillaries in the mesenteries of pithed frogs were perfused sequentially with two frog Ringer solutions. The first solution contained no protein; the second solution contained either native or chemically modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) at a concentration of 3-5 mg ml-1. During each perfusion capillary permeability was assessed from the hydraulic conductivity of the capillary wall (Lp) which was determined from measurements of fluid filtration rate at two or more different capillary pressures (Michel, Mason, Curry, Tooke & Hunter, 1974). Lp measured during perfusion with protein-free Ringer solution was on average three times greater than its value for the same vessel perfused with Ringer solution containing native BSA. This confirms the findings of Mason, Curry & Michel (1977). BSA, which had been succinylated to modify the free amino groups of its lysine residues, appeared to be as effective as native BSA in reducing Lp. After modification of its arginine side chains by exposure to 1,2-cyclohexanedione (CHD) in the presence of 0.2 M-NaOH, BSA lost its property of reducing Lp in capillaries perfused with Ringer solution. Exposure of BSA to 0.2 M-NaOH followed by dialysis against normal Ringer solution did not affect its property of reducing Lp. CHD-treated BSA at a concentration of 2.5 mg ml-1 had no effect upon the effective osmotic pressure exerted across capillary walls by Ringer perfusates containing the neutral polymer Ficoll 70 at a concentration of 40 mg ml-1. Native BSA raised the effective osmotic pressure from 7.07 +/- 1.93 cmH2O to 20.50 +/- 2.37 cmH2O (n = 7; P less than 0.001). It is concluded that the effects of BSA on permeability depend upon specific sites in the BSA molecule. It is suggested that these sites involve positively charged arginine side chains of the albumin molecule. The results are discussed in terms of the fibre-matrix hypothesis of capillary permeability and in terms of Brown's (1976) theory for the structure of albumin.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The effects of cationised ferritin and native ferritin upon the filtration coefficient of single frog capillaries. Evidence that proteins in the endothelial cell coat influence permeability.

To investigate whether certain macromolecules reduce capillary permeability by binding to the surface coat of endothelial cells, the effects of cationised ferritin (CF) upon the filtration coefficient (Lp) of individually perfused frog mesenteric capillaries were compared with those of native ferritin (NF). With perfusate CF concentrations between 0.1 g 100 ml-1 and 2.5 g 100 ml-1, Lp was reduced to approximately 30% of its value for the same vessel perfused with protein-free Ringer solution. Electron micrographs of the perfused capillaries revealed that over this range of perfusate concentrations. CF was concentrated uniformly in the endothelial cell coat, occupying 8.5% of its volume. Neither the effect of cationised ferritin upon Lp nor its concentration in the cell coat varied significantly over this range of perfusate concentrations. When perfusate concentration of CF was reduced to 0.01 g 100 ml-1, CF no longer reduced Lp and its concentration in the cell coat fell below 2%. Native ferritin, which is excluded from the cell coat, did not reduce Lp at a perfusate concentration of 0.1 g 100 ml-1. At a concentration of 2.5 g 100 ml-1, NF reduced Lp in a few very permeable vessels (Lp greater than 60 X 10(-3) microns sec-1 cm H2O-1) but had no significant effect on vessels with lower and more normal values of Lp. The effects of CF upon Lp can be described in terms of the Kozeny equation if a major proportion of the hydraulic resistance through the capillary wall is attributed to a fiber protein matrix.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Platelet aggregation in rats in relation to hyperuricaemia induced by dietary single-cell protein and to protein deficiency.

A major limitation to single-cell protein (SCP) as a human food is its high nucleic acid content, the purine moiety of which is metabolised to uric acid. Rats given a Fusarium mould as a source of SCP in diets containing oxonate, a uricase inhibitor, showed elevated plasma and kidney uric acid concentrations after 21 d, which were related to the level of dietary mould. ADP-induced and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation was greater in the hyperuricaemic rats than in controls and a progressive increase in aggregation with increasing levels of dietary mould was observed. Furthermore a time-lag, exceeding the life-span of rat platelets, was observed between the development of hyperuricaemia and the increase in aggregation. A similar time-lag was observed between the lowering of the hyperuricaemia and the reduction of platelet aggregation when oxonate was removed from the diet. If human platelets react to uric acid in the same manner as rat platelets this might explain the link that has been suggested between hyperuricaemia and ischaemic heart disease. In that event diets high in nucleic acids might be contra-indicated in people at risk from ischaemic heart disease. In rats given a low protein diet (50 g casein/kg) for 21 d ADP-induced and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and whole blood platelet count were reduced compared with control animals receiving 200 g casein/kg diet but not in rats given 90 or 130 g casein/kg diet. A study of the time course on this effect indicated that the reduction both in aggregation tendency and in whole blood platelet count occurred after 4 d of feeding the low protein diet. These values were further reduced with time.

Animals↗