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Biomedical subjects

R B Moore

Publications and source records attributed to R B Moore.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effects of late gestation heat stress on postpartum milk production and reproduction in dairy cattle.

Carry-over effects of late gestation heat stress on postpartum productive and reproductive traits were estimated from DHI records using 341 lactations from six sites in Mississippi. Climatological data were gathered from records of weather stations near the sites. Using multiple linear regression analyses, predictor variables for lactations were age at calving, lactation number, maximum degree-days (above 32.2 degrees C) during the periods 30 and 60 d prepartum, and precipitation 30 and 60 d prepartum. Months and sites were indicator variables. Dependent variables included milk and fat production during early, mid, and late lactation; days to peak lactation; days open; services per conception; and body weight. Age at calving affected milk and fat production in mid and late lactation and services per conception. Degree-days for 60 d prepartum had the greatest negative influence on production variables; its statistical significance was shown in predictions of milk and fat production in early and midlactation. Days open were higher for July than for cows calving in August or September. Sites had effects on many milk and fat measurements and some reproductive traits. These results indicate that heat stress in the last 60 d of gestation has negative effects on some production variables.

Age Factors↗

Reconstitution of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ transport in erythrocyte membrane vesicles requires a cytoplasmic protein.

We have demonstrated that calcium-dependent potassium transport in erythrocytes requires the participation of a cytoplasmic protein. Activation of calcium-dependent potassium transport causes an increase in the membrane-bound levels of this protein which is dependent on the calcium concentration and which is highly correlated (r = 0.791, p less than 0.0001) with the loss of potassium. Reconstitution of this transport pathway in sonicated erythrocyte membrane vesicles was achieved only in vesicles containing the cytoplasmic protein indicating a causal relationship in this transport system. The protein is found in high levels within the cytoplasm of erythrocytes (5.6 mg/ml red blood cells) and yet less than 1% of the protein located in the cytoplasm is required to bind to the membrane in order to initiate the potassium efflux. The analysis of rat organ homogenates demonstrated that this protein is located in most tissues with particular enrichment in adrenal glands, brain, lung, and blood. These results demonstrate that there is a cytoplasmic protein, herein named calpromotin, which is a necessary and sufficient cytoplasmic component of calcium-dependent potassium transport in erythrocytes and perhaps other tissues.

Animals↗

Nephrotoxicity of 4-aminophenol glutathione conjugate.

4-Aminophenol (p-aminophenol, PAP) causes selective necrosis to the pars recta of the proximal tubule in Fischer 344 rats. The basis for this selective toxicity is not known, but PAP can undergo oxidation in a variety of systems to form the 4-aminophenoxy free radical. Oxidation or disproportionation of this radical will form 1,4-benzoquinoneimine which can covalently bind to tissue macromolecules. Recent studies have shown that certain benzoquinol-glutathione conjugates can cause renal necrosis in rats. We have synthesized a putative glutathione conjugate of PAP. The effect on the kidney of this conjugate and the sulphate and N-acetyl conjugates, known metabolites of PAP, have been examined in Fischer 344 rats. 4-Amino-3-S-glutathionylphenol produced a dose-dependent (92-920 mumol kg-1) necrosis of the proximal tubular epithelium and altered renal excretory function. The lesion at the low dose was restricted to the pars recta of the proximal tubule in the medullary rays, while at the higher doses it affected the pars recta region of all nephrons. In contrast, PAP-O-sulphate and N-acetyl-4-aminophenol (paracetamol) caused no histological or functional alteration to the kidney at 920 mumol kg-1. The renal necrosis produced by 4-amino-3-S-glutathionylphenol was very similar to that produced by PAP (367-920 mumol kg-1), both functionally and histologically, except that smaller doses of the glutathione conjugate were required. These studies indicate that glutathione conjugation of PAP generates a metabolite that is more toxic to the kidney than the parent compound. A possible mechanism of toxicity (analogous to that reported for glutathione conjugates of certain quinones) involving oxidation to form a 1,4-benzoquinoneimine thioether that could redox cycle is discussed.

Acetaminophen↗

Ascorbate protects against tert-butyl hydroperoxide inhibition of erythrocyte membrane Ca2+ + Mg2(+)-ATPase.

The incubation of erythrocyte suspensions or isolated membranes containing a residual amount of hemoglobin (0.04% of original cellular hemoglobin) with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP, 0.5 mM) caused significant inhibition of basal and calmodulin-stimulated Ca2+ + Mg2(+)-ATPase activities and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive products measured as malondialdehyde. In contrast, the treatment of white ghosts (membranes not containing hemoglobin) with tBHP (0.5 mM) did not lead to appreciable enzyme inhibition within the first 20 min and did not result in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. However, the addition of either 10 microM hemin or 100 microM ferrous chloride + 1 mM ADP to white ghosts produced hydroperoxide effects similar to those in pink ghosts (membranes with 0.04% hemoglobin). The concentrations of hemin and ferrous chloride which caused half-maximal inhibition of Ca2+ + Mg2(+)-ATPase activity at 10 min were 0.5 and 30 microM, respectively. The effects of several antioxidants (mannitol, thiourea, hydroxyurea, butylated hydroxytoluene, and ascorbate) were investigated for their protective effects against oxidative changes resulting from tBHP treatment. Over a 30-min incubation period only ascorbate significantly reduced the enzyme inhibition, MDA formation, and protein polymerization. Thiourea and hydroxyurea decreased MDA formation and protein polymerization but failed to protect against the enzyme inhibition. Butylated hydroxytoluene was similar to thiourea and hydroxyurea but with better protection at 10 min. Mannitol, under these conditions, was an ineffective antioxidant for all parameters tested.

Antioxidants↗

Purification and measurement of calpromotin, the cytoplasmic protein which activates calcium-dependent potassium transport.

A simple procedure is described for the purification of calpromotin, a protein from the cytoplasm of red blood cells which is capable of activating calcium-dependent potassium transport. The purification steps involve a salt gradient elution from an anion exchange column (Whatman DE-52) followed by a potassium phosphate gradient elution from a column of hydroxyapatite (HA Ultrogel). These steps result in a 54% yield with a 161 fold purification. The calpromotin is estimated to be 99% pure as determined by densitometry of the protein profile on an SDS polyacrylamide gel. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using rabbit anti-human calpromotin antibodies, is described for measuring levels of calpromotin in the 5 to 100 ng range.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of bone marrow in sickle cell disease: clinical, hematologic, and pathologic correlations.

A longitudinal, prospective, controlled evaluation of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of long bones in sickle cell patients was undertaken simultaneously with assessment of clinical status and hematologic parameters, including dense erythrocytes. MRI of bone marrow in sickle cell patients during steady states appeared patchy and were markedly different from those in matched controls (P approximately 0). Patients with severe patchiness were older than those with mild or moderate patchiness (P less than .03). Sixty-nine MRI were performed during 28 painful episodes occurring in 14 subjects with sickle cell disease (SCD). Increased signals on intermediate and T2-weighted images were detected in 35.7% of painful episodes. These abnormalities were distinct and not observed to occur spontaneously during the steady-state examinations (P approximately 0). Bone marrow infarcts were confirmed by biopsy in two instances and autopsy in one instance. Dense red cells decreased by 40.81% of baseline during pain crises (P = .00005), more remarkably in those who had pain in the lower extremities (P = .0145). Patients with change in MRI during pain crises had a greater percentage change in the dense cells than those without the change in MRI (69.7% v 31.3%, P = .0120).

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Hydroperoxides selectively inhibit human erythrocyte membrane enzymes.

Treatment of washed erythrocytes with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (0.5 mM, 10 min) inhibited basal Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity by 40% and calmodulin-stimulated activity by 54%. The inhibition was accompanied by the formation of methemoglobin and the aggregation of some membrane proteins into a high-molecular-weight polymer. Membranes, isolated from washed erythrocytes, showed a similar pattern of inhibition. Basal Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity was inhibited 50% at 10 min and 70% at 30 min while calmodulin-stimulated activity was inhibited 70% at 10 min and 84% at 30 min. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive products formed slowly during the first 10 min and then increased sharply between 10 and 30 min. The polymerization of membrane proteins was also observed during the tert-butyl hydroperoxide exposure. Inhibition of erythrocyte membrane enzymes was selective. The Na+ + K+-stimulated Mg2+ ATPase, like the Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase, was sensitive to membrane oxidation but the activities of Mg2+-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were less inhibited by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Acetylcholinterase was found to be very resistant to hydroperoxide treatment with less than 10% loss of activity. The effects of two other hyproperoxides on enzyme inhibition were studied also. Cumene hydroperoxide (0.5 mM) was found to be as potent as tert-butyl hydroperoxide but hydrogen peroxide at 10 mM did not produce thiobarbituric acid-reactive products or inhibit Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity until after 20 min. The selective effects of peroxides on these enzyme activities are discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Competition for polyamine uptake into rat lung slices by WR2721 and analogues.

The objective of these studies was to determine whether a series of structurally related radioprotective agents could act as substrates for the recently identified polyamine system in the lung. We have shown that WR2721 (S-2(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl phosphorothioate), S-2(4-aminobutylamino)ethyl phosphorothioate (S-ABEP or WR2822) and S-2(7-aminoheptylamino)ethyl phosphorothioate (S-AHEP) competitively inhibit the uptake of putrescine into rat lung slices. The ability of the radioprotectors to act as substrates for the polyamine uptake system was expressed as the Ki for each compound. The Ki values for WR2721, S-ABEP and S-AHEP in the absence of dithiothreitol were 48, 57 and 7 mumol dm-3 compared to 155, 88 and 15 mumol dm-3 in the presence of dithiothreitol, indicating that the disulphide form may have a higher affinity for the transport system. By analogy with other substrates for the polyamine uptake system we have concluded that it should be possible to target radioprotectors to the alveolar epithelial type I and II cells and the Clara cells in the lung, as they prossess this uptake system, and thus protect these cells from oxidative stress.

Amifostine↗

Spectrin-alpha I/61: a new structural variant of alpha-spectrin in a double-heterozygous form of hereditary pyropoikilocytosis.

Recent biochemical studies have led to the identification of abnormal spectrins in the erythrocytes of patients with hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) and hereditary elliptocytosis (HE). In this report we describe the biochemical characterization of the erythrocytes from a proband with severe HPP who is doubly heterozygous for two mutant spectrins (Sp): Sp alpha I/74 and a new, previously undetected, mutant of alpha-spectrin designated Sp alpha I/61. The proband's erythrocytes are unstable when exposed to 45 degrees C, and her membrane skeletons exhibit instability to shear stress. The content of spectrin in the proband's erythrocyte membranes is decreased to 75% of control values. The amount of spectrin dimers in crude 4 degrees C spectrin extracts is increased (58%) as compared with control values (6% +/- 4%). Limited tryptic digestion reveals a marked decrease in the normal 80,000-dalton alpha I domain, an increase in the 74,000-dalton fragment that is characteristic of Sp alpha I/74, and an increase in a series of new fragments of 61,000, 55,000, 21,000, and 16,000 daltons. Both parents are asymptomatic, but they have increased amounts of spectrin dimers (17% to 25%). Limited tryptic digestion of the father's spectrin demonstrates the presence of a previously identified abnormal spectrin (Sp alpha I/74) that is characterized by a decrease in content of the 80,000-dalton peptide and an increase in concentration of the 74,000-dalton peptide. The mother's spectrin digests show a decrease in the amount of 80,000-dalton peptide and the formation of new peptides of 61,000, 55,000, 21,000, and 16,000 daltons. The data indicate that this severe form of HPP is due to the inheritance of two distinct abnormal spectrins, Sp alpha I/74 and a new spectrin mutant, Sp alpha I/61.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗

The myocardium in ankylosing spondylitis. A clinical, echocardiographic, and histopathological study.

Cardiac function was investigated in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) age 21-65 years who had no cardiorespiratory symptoms or known abnormalities of heart or lungs. Chest radiographs and standard electrocardiograms were normal in 73 of 74 subjects. In echocardiographs of 30 men, left atrial size and left ventricular cavity size and wall thickness were normal. Minor abnormalities in the valve roots were present in 3 older men. Early diastolic abnormalities of the left ventricle were demonstrated in 16 of 30 subjects. This finding was confirmed by repetition of the echocardiography a year later in 15 subjects and by comparison of 11 probands with their healthy brothers. Myocardial tissue obtained at necropsy from 28 AS patients without ischaemic or valvular heart disease or hypertension was studied. A mild, diffuse increase of interstitial connective tissue was seen but there was no inflammatory change or amyloid. Computerised image analysis showed 30.7% interstitial reticulin compared with 17.7% in age/sex matched controls (p less than 0.0001).

Adult↗

Quantitative assessment of left ventricular function after myocardial infarction using the minnesota Q-QS codes for resting electrocardiograms.

The electrocardiogram as a quantitative predictor of left ventricular systolic function was investigated in subjects with one myocardial infarction. The first 509 consecutive subjects to enter the Program of Surgical Control of Hyperlipidemia were studied by selective left ventriculography. Electrocardiograms taken during a prior hospitalization of the subjects for acute myocardial infarction were classified according to the Minnesota Q-QS codes. This study showed that the lower (ie, the more significant) Q-QS codes were highly correlated with reduced left ventricular function as measured both by a lower ejection fraction and by a greater number of left ventricular segments showing abnormal systolic motion. In addition, the location of segmental wall motion abnormalities correlated with the electrocardiographic site of the Q-QS code.

Adult↗

Relation of regional echo amplitude to left ventricular function and the electrocardiogram in left ventricular hypertrophy.

In order to determine the relation between three manifestations of left ventricular hypertrophy--ST-T wave changes on the electrocardiogram, diastolic disturbances, and increased myocardial echo intensity--M mode and cross sectional echocardiograms were recorded in 12 normal subjects, 15 athletes, 16 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 42 patients with secondary left ventricular hypertrophy due to aortic stenosis (20), severe essential hypertension (8), coarctation (7), or subaortic stenosis (7). M mode echocardiograms were digitised and cross sectional echocardiograms were analysed for regional echo intensity. In patients with hypertrophy regional echo amplitude was significantly increased in mid and basal septum and posterior left ventricular wall. Patients with increased echo amplitude in any region showed a higher incidence of ST-T wave abnormalities than those without and of diastolic abnormalities--including prolongation of isovolumic relaxation time, delay in mitral valve opening with respect to minimum cavity dimension, and a reduction in peak rate of posterior wall thinning and dimension increase. There was a significant rank order correlation between median pixel count and these diastolic abnormalities. No significant differences were demonstrable in these relations between the diagnostic groups. By contrast, electrocardiographic findings, diastolic function, and pixel count were uniformly normal in athletes, although the increase in left ventricular mass was similar to that in the patients. Thus an increase in left ventricular mass alone is not responsible for repolarisation or wall motion abnormalities occurring in pathological left ventricular hypertrophy. These latter changes are, however, strongly associated with the change in myocardial properties detected as an increase in echo intensity and may be due to increased interstitial fibrosis.

Adult↗

Relation between electrocardiographic repolarisation changes and mechanical events in left ventricular hypertrophy.

The relation between ventricular function and the presence of electrocardiographic "strain" in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy was examined using digitised M mode echocardiography and 12 lead electrocardiograms in 64 patients with pressure overload, 21 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 14 athletes. Although all had increased left ventricular mass, those with strain had a prolonged interval from minimum cavity dimension to mitral valve opening and a reduced rate of early diastolic posterior wall thinning and dimension increase compared with those with normal ST segments and T waves. Both groups had normal systolic function (fractional shortening and peak velocity of circumferential fibre shortening), and the time between the termination of the T wave and minimum dimension was similar. In athletes, however, electromechanical systole was shorter than normal, and the end of the T wave and minimum cavity dimension were synchronous. It is concluded that abnormal electrical recovery in left ventricular hypertrophy is closely related to impaired early relaxation and may be dissociated from impaired systolic function, cavity dimension, interventricular conduction delay, and the presence of increased mass alone. The normal relation between electrical and mechanical systole is preserved even when the polarity of repolarisation is reversed.

Adolescent↗

Calcium-dependent hydrolyses of polyphosphoinositides in human erythrocyte membranes.

Incubation of erythrocytes with [32P]phosphate resulted in a linear incorporation of the label into PtdIns(4,5)P2 (phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate), PtdIns4P (phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate), and PA (phosphatidic acid) over a period of 2 h at 37 degrees C. Exposure of 32P-labelled erythrocyte ghosts to calcium caused a loss of label from PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns4P, but not PA. The concentration of calcium required for half-maximal hydrolyses of both polyphosphoinositides was about 1 microM. Strontium, at higher concentrations, stimulated the hydrolyses of both polyphosphoinositides but barium, up to 1 mM, had little effect. Intact erythrocytes incubated in the presence of Ca-EGTA buffers and the ionophore A23187 did not show marked losses of [32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2 or [32P]PtdIns4P, but rather exhibited a dramatic increase in the level of [32P]PA. In contrast, cells which had been depleted of their ATP lost significant amounts of [32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2 and [32P]PtdIns4P and had less change in their levels of [32P]PA relative to intact cells. The calcium activation curve and the time course for [32P]PA synthesis in intact cells were similar to the calcium activation curve and the time course for the hydrolyses of [32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2 and [32P]PtdIns4P in ATP-depleted erythrocytes. These results strongly support a link between Ca2+-dependent polyphosphoinositide breakdown and PA synthesis in human erythrocytes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗