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Biomedical subjects

R G Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to R G Taylor.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

McArdle's disease heterozygotes. Metabolic adaptation assessed using 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance.

Two daughters of a propositus with documented McArdle's disease were shown by enzyme assay, gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting to be partially deficient in skeletal muscle phosphorylase and, presumably, heterozygous for the trait. Both exhibited only the adult form of the skeletal muscle isozyme. By 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance, both heterozygotes showed a greater production of acid during fully aerobic exercise than when blood flow was occluded in ischemic exercise. This pattern is in contrast to that of control subjects, where there is significantly greater acid production in ischemic versus aerobic exercise, and distinct from that of phosphorylase-negative patients in which no acid is produced in either circumstance. We suggest that these heterozygotes may have adapted to their diminished phosphorylase by enhancing utilization of plasma glucose. If so, this mechanism could account for the observation that most of the symptoms of McArdle's disease are often manifest only in adulthood. These studies also show that although there are very high concentrations of phosphorylase in skeletal muscle (approximately 2% of the soluble protein), such a high level is essential for normal muscle glycogenolysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Endothelial cell proliferation and monocyte adhesion to atherosclerotic lesions of white carneau pigeons.

Two of the early changes that occur at sites of developing atherosclerotic lesions in pigeon aortas are monocyte adhesion and endothelial proliferation. We characterized these events in the abdominal aortas of lesion-free young pigeons and in mature birds that developed either naturally occurring or cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis. Compared with mature animals, very young (7-day-old) pigeons had elevated endothelial cell labeling with 3H-thymidine in normal regions of aorta as quantitated by scanning electron microscopy. All regions of atherosclerosis exhibited at least a fivefold increase in both monocyte adhesion and endothelial proliferation. Adhesion and proliferation were highest at the developing edge of lesions. When naturally occurring lesions of 5-year-old birds were compared with lesions of younger birds fed a 0.5% cholesterol-supplemented diet for either 15 or 52 weeks, monocyte adhesion and endothelial cell proliferation were found to be similar. The same parameters were studied after regression of atherosclerosis in pigeons fed 0.5% cholesterol-supplemented diet for 1 year, followed by cholesterol-free diet for 2, 6, or 11 months. The regression regimen resulted in significant reduction in both monocyte adhesion and endothelial proliferation at lesion sites. It is concluded that progressing atherosclerotic lesions, whether occurring naturally or exacerbated by cholesterol feeding, have similar and significant increases in monocyte adhesion and endothelial cell proliferation. Regression of atherosclerotic lesions is accompanied by a decrease in these two cellular events.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Smoking, allergy, and the differential white blood cell count.

Dutch workers have proposed that people with asthma and those smokers who develop chronic airflow obstruction share a common allergic constitution. To study whether smoking itself is associated with indicators of allergy, we have examined 237 men aged 51-61 years (120 smokers, 73 ex-smokers, and 44 non-smokers) who were recruited to a long term study of lung function in 1974, at which time men with a clinical diagnosis of asthma were excluded. Smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers did not differ in personal or family history of allergic disease, but the prevalence of positive responses to skinprick tests was greater in ex-smokers (59%) than in the other two groups (33% and 34%). In men with negative responses to skinprick tests total serum IgE was greater in smokers (log10 mean 1.41 IU/ml) and in ex-smokers (log10 mean 1.53 IU/ml) than in non-smokers (log10 mean 1.12 IU/ml). In men with positive skin test responses serum IgE was similar in the three groups (log10 mean ranging from 1.68 to 1.78 IU/ml). Geometric mean total white cell counts in the peripheral blood were higher in smokers (7.34 X 10(9)/l) than in non-smokers (5.82 X 10(9)/l); the value in ex-smokers (6.16 X 10(9)/l) was intermediate. Absolute blood eosinophil counts were increased in smokers disproportionately to the increase in total white cell count. Thus smoking is associated with small increases in some markers of allergy. These changes are probably acquired after the onset of smoking but sequential studies are required to amplify these cross sectional observations. Smokers whose skin test responses are positive appear more likely to give up smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Bronchial reactivity to inhaled histamine and annual rate of decline in FEV1 in male smokers and ex-smokers.

We examined the relations between bronchial reactivity, baseline FEV1, and annual decline of height corrected FEV1 (delta FEV1/ht3) over 7.5 years in 227 men (117 smokers, 71 ex-smokers, and 39 non-smokers). Men with a clinical diagnosis of asthma or receiving bronchodilator treatment were excluded. Bronchial reactivity was determined as the provocation concentration (PC20) of inhaled histamine sufficient to reduce FEV1 by 20%; subjects were divided into reactors (PC20 less than or equal to 16 mg/ml) and non-reactors (PC20 greater than 16 mg/ml). Thirty per cent of smokers, 24% of ex-smokers, and 5% of non-smokers were reactors. When smokers who were reactors were compared with non-reactors, the reactors showed a lower baseline FEV1 as percentage predicted in 1981-2 (85% v 108%), and a faster delta FEV1/ht3 (14.1 v 9.2 ml/y/m3). Baseline FEV1 correlated with PC20 in both smokers (rs = 0.51) and ex-smokers (rs = 0.61), and all 15 subjects with an FEV1 under 80% of the predicted value were reactors. In ex-smokers delta FEV1/ht3 was similar in reactors and non-reactors (m 9.0 v 7.4 ml/y/m3), despite significant differences in baseline FEV1. When analysis was confined to men with a baseline FEV1 over 80% predicted, the prevalence of reactors was significantly increased among smokers and slightly increased among ex-smokers compared with non-smokers, though the mean FEV1 was higher in the non-smokers. Bronchial reactivity was not increased in smokers aged 35 years or less. In smokers delta FEV1/ht3 was faster in those with a personal history of allergy (usually allergic rhinitis), but was not related to a family history of allergic disease, total serum immunoglobulin E level, absolute blood eosinophil count, or skinprick test score. delta FEV1/ht3 was also faster in all subjects taking beta blocker drugs. Thus increased bronchial reactivity was associated with accelerated decline of FEV1 in smokers. Although the association could be a consequence of a lower lower baseline FEV1, a trend towards increased reactivity was found in smokers with normal baseline FEV1 and delta FEV1/ht3 was dissociated from increased reactivity in ex-smokers. These findings are compatible with the "Dutch hypothesis," but the association between allergic features and accelerated delta FEV1/ht3 was relatively weak, and increased reactivity may follow rather than precede the onset of smoking.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1985

Platelets interact with fibrin only after activation.

Interactions between platelets and fibrin have been visualized by phase contrast, epifluorescence, and scanning electron microscope examination of clots formed with dansylcadaverine-labeled fibrin and gel-filtered platelets. After thrombin activation, the platelets appeared as fluorescent aggregates with bridging strands of fibrin; formaldehyde-fixed platelets were not fluorescent under the same experimental conditions. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated that thrombin-activated cells had numerous pseudopods to which the fibrin strands adhered; fixed platelets exhibited a smooth discoid appearance and did not interact with the clot. Platelets trapped in clots formed with Batroxobin (Pentapharm) (platelets are not activated by Batroxobin as confirmed by light-scattering aggregometry measurements) remained as nonfluorescent, discoid cells, whereas platelets first activated by adenosine diphosphate formed brightly fluorescent aggregates. Light-scattering data of thrombin activation (0.2 U/mL) indicated that preincubation of platelets with 0.1 mmol/L prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) prior to addition of thrombin decreased the extent and rate of platelet shape change and resulted in 100-fold slower aggregation. Clots formed in the presence of PGE1 revealed decreased fluorescence intensity and fewer platelet-fibrin contacts. Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro, which blocks fibrinogen binding and fibrin assembly, was also effective in blocking platelet-fibrin interactions. These results indicate that platelet activation is a prerequisite for attachment of platelets to fibrin.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1985

Histopathologic features of phorbol myristate acetate-induced lung injury.

Rabbits given daily intravenous injections of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) develop acute and chronic pulmonary disease. We distinguished three phases in the histologic progression of the lung injury. An acute phase (occurring within 1.5 hours of the first injection) involved hemorrhagic pneumonitis, increased lung weight, and increased numbers of neutrophils as well as erythrocytes in alveolar fluid. The intermediate phase (occurring 1 to 7 days after the initial injection) involved interstitial pneumonitis: neutrophils and macrophages infiltrated into lung interstitium and alveolar fluid. The relative number of type II alveolar epithelial cells increased dramatically and lung weight became maximal during this phase. In the chronic phase (occurring within 14 days and lasting greater than 77 days) diffuse interstitial fibrosis progressed, whereas inflammatory changes abated. Animals treated daily with PMA developed a linear increase in lung hydroxyproline content beginning on the 7th day of treatment. Values increased to three to four times above controls by day 77. Animals treated with PMA for only 14 days and sacrificed up to 63 days thereafter had lung hydroxyproline values that were intermediate between controls and animals injected daily for 77 days. Their fibrosis neither progressed nor reversed when PMA treatment was stopped. In contrast, animals receiving a single dose of PMA developed only the acute and intermediate phases of injury; no detectable fibrosis occurred, and their lung reactions resolved completely. Finally, animals made neutropenic with nitrogen mustard did not respond to PMA with increased lung weight or changes in alveolar lavage fluid cellularity during the early or intermediate phases of the disease. They did, however, exhibit increased interstitial cellularity. Thus, PMA produces abrupt pneumonitis that progresses to fibrosis. The acute and intermediate phases of injury are neutrophil dependent and reversible, whereas the chronic fibrotic phase is irreversible and requires continued PMA injections for progression.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Bronchial reactivity to histamine in young male smokers.

Bronchial reactivity to inhaled histamine was determined in 17 non-asthmatic young male smokers and 21 non-smokers who were free of airflow obstruction. The 2 groups were similar in forced expiratory volume, maximal expiratory flow at 50% and 25% of vital capacity, slope of phase III of the single-breath nitrogen test (delta N2/l) and closing volume (CV/VC%). Bronchial reactivity was determined as PC20, provocation concentration reducing FEV1 by 20%, threshold concentration reducing FEV1 by two standard deviations, percentage reduction in FEV1 with histamine 16 mg/ml. Similar numbers of smokers and non-smokers had a PC20 below 16, 32 and 64 mg/ml. Threshold concentrations were the same in smokers and non-smokers, as was the reduction in FEV1 with histamine 16 mg/ml. The bronchoconstrictor response to histamine was significantly related to baseline measurements of expiratory flow (particularly in non-smokers), but not to delta N2/l or CV/VC%. Bronchial reactivity to histamine is not increased in young male smokers with normal lung function. The abnormal reactivity seen in older smokers is acquired, either from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke itself, or resultant airway narrowing.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Serotonin-induced contractile and structural changes in fast and slow skeletal muscles in mice.

The effects of serotonin on the contractile properties of the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles in mice were studied after chronic intraperitoneal administration with and without a recovery period, and compared to contractile studies of the same muscles performed after acute administration of serotonin. A curarized in vitro preparation of both muscles was used throughout for the contractile studies. In addition, structural changes were studied in the chronic preparations. Chronic serotonin administration produced histologic changes in type 1 and 2A fibers and a reduction in twitch and tetanic tension and the rate of twitch and tetanic tension development limited to the slow (aerobic) soleus muscle. Acute in vitro administration of serotonin altered the contractile properties of both soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles with the latter being more involved. The effects of chronic serotonin administration appear to be primarily related to ischemia while the effects of acute administration appear to be mediated by direct, nonvascular action on skeletal muscle.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effect of pentobarbital on contractility of mouse skeletal muscle.

Pentobarbital is a hypnotic drug commonly used as anesthesia for in vivo studies in various animals. A direct effect of pentobarbital on the central nervous system and skeletal neuromuscular junction has been known for at least 30 years. A recent study using single fiber preparations from amphibian muscles indicated a significant acute and direct effect on muscle contractility at drug concentrations within the anesthetic range. The present study using whole muscles from mice demonstrated a similar augmentation of twitch tension and rate of tension development whereas tetanic tension was reduced by this drug at similar concentrations. In addition, most time parameters of contraction were prolonged. It is of interest that the slow (oxidative) muscles were considerably more sensitive to pentobarbital than the fast (primarily anaerobic) muscles. We suggest that pentobarbital should not be used as the anesthetic agent for in vivo studies of other interventions when conclusions are based on changes in muscle contractility.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Fatiguing weakness: an initial symptom in cervical compressive radiculopathy.

Exercise-induced weakness (fatiguing) is described in three patients with cervical compressive radiculopathy. In all three cases, the patients had symptoms only while at work, and in two cases, symptoms occurred in life-threatening situations. All patients had seen several physicians with a functional diagnosis being considered in all cases because of symptoms only at work and the absence of objective findings during examination. Precise history and examination techniques led to the correct diagnosis and treatment after appropriate investigation. The fatiguing weakness in our cases is thought to be a manifestation of early or mild neurologic involvement unmasked by exercise, rather than a manifestation of compression or ischemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A restraint chair for primates.

A humane, adjustable and comfortable restraint chair is described which is suitable for a wide variety of experiments on unsedated primates weighing between 3.5 and 15 kg.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Concurrent endothelial cell turnover and leukocyte margination in early atherosclerosis.

Leukocyte margination and migration into nascent atherosclerotic lesion have been suggested as two early events in aortic atherosclerosis. It has also been suggested that altered endothelial cell function may mediate the margination process. In this paper we present quantitative data on leukocyte adherence to the luminal aspect of the aortic endothelium and correlate it with severity of atherosclerosis and extent of endothelial cell turnover. Both naturally occurring and cholesterol induced atherosclerotic lesions were studied. The sites of endothelial cell turnover were determined by scanning electron microscope whole mount autoradiography of 3H-thymidine labeled aortas. Morphometric analysis of atherosclerosis severity and leukocyte adhesion was accomplished by stereological analysis of conventional SEM preparations. Leukocyte adherence was localized in atherosclerosis susceptible areas of the aorta and increased dramatically over atherosclerotic lesions. Endothelial cell turnover also increased in atherosclerotic areas as indicated by an increase in the number of labeled nuclei found over lesions. Both leukocyte adherence and endothelial cell turnover occurred over the entire extent of the lesions studied, but were particularly prevalent at the growing edge of the lesions.

Animals↗