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Biomedical subjects

R Rosenstein

Publications and source records attributed to R Rosenstein.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The molecular organization of the lysostaphin gene and its sequences repeated in tandem.

The gene encoding lysostaphin of Staphylococcus staphylolyticus was cloned in Escherichia coli and its DNA sequence was determined. The complete coding region comprises 1440 base pairs corresponding to a precursor of 480 amino acids (molecular weight 51 669). It was shown by NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the purified extracellular lysostaphin from S. staphylolyticus that the mature lysostaphin consists of 246 amino acid residues (molecular weight 26926). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a similar molecular weight for the most active form. By computer analysis the secondary protein structure was predicted. It revealed three distinct regions in the precursor protein: a typical signal peptide (ca. 38 aa), a hydrophilic and highly ordered protein domain with 14 repetitive sequences (296 aa) and the hydrophobic mature lysostaphin. The lysostaphin precursor protein appears to be organized as a preprolysostaphin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Consistency in platelet morphology in whole blood.

The morphology of instantaneously fixed platelets in whole blood was assessed for intra-subject consistency in 24 subjects; 10 were healthy and 14 had metastatic carcinoma. In both groups two samples were obtained from each subject. The time between samples varied for the normal group from 1 to 17 months (average of 6 months) and for the cancer group from 13 to 39 days (average of 14 days). Analysis of variance pertaining to unactivated discs (i.e., discs without pseudopods) revealed that a factor that differs among individuals rather than any uncontrolled artifact probably accounts for the large range of values obtained. Additionally, it appears that, in a given individual, platelet morphology in whole blood, expressed as % discs, remains fairly constant over a period of weeks or months. These findings suggest that characteristic levels of unactivated platelet forms exist in whole blood and that these levels reflect in vivo conditions.

Analysis of Variance↗

Diurnal variations of benzodiazepine binding in rat cerebral cortex: disruption by pinealectomy.

In a previous work, pinealectomy was found to depress benzodiazepine (BZP) receptor binding in cerebral cortex membranes of rats killed at noon. In order to assess the effect of pineal removal on diurnal variations of BZP binding site concentration and affinity, groups of intact, pinealectomized, or sham-pinealectomized rats (subjected to surgery 2 wk earlier) were killed at six different time intervals during the 24-h cycle. BZP binding was assessed by Scatchard analysis of 3H-flunitrazepam high-affinity binding to cerebral cortex membranes. In intact and sham-pinealectomized rats, a maximum in BZP receptor concentration was found at midnight. Pinealectomy blunted the nocturnal peak of receptor concentration and caused a significant depression of binding site number at noon. No changes in the affinity of the binding sites for the radioligand were detected as a function of time of day or following surgery. In a dose-response experiment for melatonin ability to restore the depressed BZP receptor concentration of cerebral cortex membranes of pinealectomized rats killed at noon, a minimal effective dose of 25 micrograms/kg body weight was obtained. These results further support a link between pineal activity and brain BZP receptors in rats.

Animals↗

Benzodiazepine binding sites in human pineal gland.

The high affinity binding of [3H]flunitrazepam (FNZP) to crude membrane preparations was examined in human pineal glands. Scatchard analysis of the data at equilibrium revealed a single population of binding sites with dissociation constant = 2.36-2.53 nM and binding site concentration = 59-108 fmol/mg protein. When various benzodiazepine (BZP) analogues were tested for their ability to inhibit [3H]FNZP binding the following Ki (nM) were found: clonazepam (0.13), RO 15-1788 (0.60), FNZP (2.14), diazepam (13.5), Ro 5-4864 (greater than 10 000). In both human pineal gland and cerebral cortex 10-100 microM gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) increased BZP binding by about 30%, an effect inhibited by the GABA receptor blocker bicuculline. The stimulatory effect of GABA on [3H]FNZP binding in rat cerebral cortex (about 60%) decreased as a function of time elapsed postmortem at room temperature to reach values similar to those observed in human brains. These results suggest the existence of central type BZP receptors in the human pineal glands.

Adolescent↗

Procainamide-induced thrombocytopenia.

An 81-year-old female developed marked thrombocytopenia associated with numerous megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, but without anemia or leukopenia, after taking procainamide (3 g/day) for a period of 2 months. Despite continuation of this medication, treatment with prednisone led to rapid rise in platelet count, and withdrawal of steroid was followed by prompt recurrence of thrombocytopenia. The platelet counts returned to normal after discontinuation of procainamide, and readministration of this drug was followed by reappearance of thrombocytopenia. These observations indicate that exposure to procainamide can cause isolated thrombocytopenia, probably due to immune-mediated destruction of platelets, and that treatment with prednisone may be promptly beneficial in patients with procainamide-induced severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding.

Aged↗

Cyanide prevents the inhibition of platelet aggregation by nitroprusside, hydroxylamine and azide.

Sodium cyanide (CN-) in concentrations of 10 uM or more prevented the inhibition of epinephrine (2.5 uM) and of ADP (4.0 uM) induced primary and secondary aggregation brought about by 10 uM sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cyanide alone in the same concentration had no effect on platelet aggregation induced by epinephrine or ADP. Even when the addition of CN- was delayed for as long as 9 min after epinephrine and SNP, it immediately reversed the SNP block and initiated a bimodal wave of aggregation. The effect of CN- on SNP inhibition of platelet aggregation appears to be competitive and reversible. Although they are less potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation than SNP, the effects of hydroxylamine (HA) and azide were also prevented by SNP. In our hands, sodium nitrite did not inhibit platelet aggregation consistently. The inhibitory effects of glyceryl trinitrate, papaverine and nitric oxide hemoglobin on platelet aggregation were not prevented by CN-. These interactions probably have no significance in vivo, but they indicate that SNP, HA and azide act on platelets and on vascular smooth muscle by similar or identical biochemical mechanisms. They also suggest that there are at least two sub-classes of so-called nitric oxide vasodilators. The effect of CN- may be mediated through an inhibition of the formation of nitric oxide from SNP, HA and azide.

Azides↗

Characterization of idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA using monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies.

The isologous antiidiotypic response in BALB/c mice to immunization with the DNP-binding IgA myeloma protein, MOPC 315, alters the expression of the anti-DNP antibody repertoire and confers immunity against MOPC 315 myeloma tumors. In order to characterize the idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA which elicit this response we have isolated four monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies (AIA) D10 (IgG2a), A2(IgG1), G3 (IgG2b) and F1 (IgG2a), produced by splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with MOPC 315 IgA in three independent fusion experiments. These AIA react with MOPC 315 IgA, reassociated H315 L315 and FV31¿5 but not with free H315, L315, VH315 or VL315. In addition the AIA do not react with the closely related DNP-binding IgA myeloma protein, MOPC 460, suggesting that they are directed against private idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA. These idiotopes can be divided into two groups. Group I, defined by D10, A2 and G3 consists of two overlapping idiotopes, one of which is related to the hapten-binding site. The two idiotopes are formed by an interaction of amino acids in H315 and L315. Group II defined by F1 consists of one idiotope which is related to the hapten-binding site. This idiotope is comprised of an amino acid sequence on H315 which requires an interaction with either L315 or L460 for expression. A2 and G3 react identically with the same idiotope but were derived from two independent fusion experiments. This indicates an identity of AIA clonotypes among individual mice and suggests that the isologous AIA response to MOPC 315 IgA is restricted.

Animals↗

Quantitation of human platelet transformation on siliconized glass: comparison of "normal' and "abnormal' platelets.

A series of typical morphological stages, representing progression of transformation, may be defined following adhesion of platelets to a siliconized glass surface. Platelets are visualized by new light microscopic techniques that allow quantitative categorization of transformation of large platelet populations by morphological stage, and thus the detection and elucidation of platelet defects which influence transformation. Living platelets form each of five subjects with bleeding disorders, due to platelet defects, exhibited a pattern of morphologic transformation which differed from normal. In addition, the pattern observed with the platelets from a subject with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia was sufficiently different from that observed with the platelets from four subjects with thrombopathy, so as to point to a qualitative difference in the activity of the platelets in the two disorders. These findings indicate that the analysis of platelet transformation in vitro through the use of light microscopy may allow for detection and further classification of platelet abnormalities.

Blood Platelet Disorders↗

pH, PCO2 and PO2 in "high-volume" platelet concentrates prepared by discontinuous-flow centrifugation and stored in polyvinylchloride and plyethylene containers.

High-volume (200 ml) platelet concentrates prepared by discontinuous-flow centrifugation, with counts as high as ca. 2.0 x 10(12)/l, were stored in either 600 ml-capacity polyvinylchloride bags or 800-ml capacity polyethylene bags. Both polyvinylchloride and polyethylene bags appeared adequate for 24-hour storage of platelet concentrates with counts greater than 0.5 x 10(12)/l. However, at 24 hours the platelet concentrates in polyvinylchloride bags showed a reduction in pH and an increase in PCO2 that were proportional to the platelet count. Only with storage in polyethylene bags did the pH and PCO2 of the platelet concentrates show little change for periods of as long as 120 hours.

Blood Platelets↗

Transformation and motility of human platelets: details of the shape change and release reaction observed by optical and electron microscopy.

Blood platelets from 10 normal human subjects have been examined with a sensitive differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope. The entire transformation process during adhesion to glass is clearly visible and has been recorded cinematographically, including the disk to sphere change of shape, the formation of sessile protuberances, the extension and retraction of pseudopodia, and the spreading, ruffling, and occasional regression of the hyalomere. The exocytosis of intact dense bodies can be observed either by DIC microscopy, or by epifluorescence microscopy in platelets stained with mepacrine. Details of fluorescent flashes indicate that the dense bodies usually release their contents extracellularly, may do so intracytoplasmically under the influence of strong, short wavelength light on some preparations of mepacrine-stained platelets. The release of one or more dense bodies leaves a crater of variable size on the upper surface of the granulomere. Such craters represent the surface component of the open canalicular system and their formation and disappearance can be directly observed. Because these techniques permit quantitation of several parameters of motility which are not readily observable by other techniques, it is suggested that high extinction DIC microscope examination may become a rapid and useful method of studying congenital and acquired platelet disorders. Many features of platelet transformation have been confirmed and extended by scanning electron micrographs. These can in turn be interpreted by reference to time-lapse films of living platelets.

Blood Platelets↗

Reduction of salivary tissue factor (thromboplastin) activity by warfarin therapy.

The coagulant of normal human saliva has been identified as tissue factor (thromboplastin, TF) by virtue of its ability to cause rapid coagulation in plasmas deficient in first-stage coagulation factors and to activate factor x in the presence of factor VII and by virtue of the fact that its activity is expressed only in the presence of factor VII and is inhibited by an antibody to TF. The TF is related to cells and cell fragments in saliva. Salivary TF activity has been found to be significantly reduced in patients taking warfarin. The decline in TF activity during induction of warfarin anticoagulation occurs during the warfarin-induced decline in vitamin-K-dependent clotting factor activity, as judged by the prothrombin time. The decrease in TF activity is not related to a reduction in salivary cell count or total protein content or to a direct effect of warfarin on the assay. It is hypothesized that the mechanism by which warfarin inhibits TF activity may be related to the mechanism by which it inhibits expression of the activity of the vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors. Inhibition of the TF activity may be involved in the antithrombotic effect of warfarin.

Factor VII↗

Standardization of the one-stage assay for factor VIII (antihemophilic factor).

Although considerable progress has been made in perfecting the one-stage assay for factor VIII (antihemophilic factor), there remain variables that influence test results within laboratories as well as reproducibility between laboratories which have not been adequately evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate certain aspects of this assay that have not received adequate consideration and to describe the authors' assay method in order to provide a basis for comparison with results from other laboratories. It appears that variability results from: (1) differences in coagulability of different batches of substrate plasma obtained at different times from the same individual; (2) instability of some batches of stored substrate or standard plasmas; (3) variation in coagulability among vials of stored substrate or standard plasma from the same batch; (4) variation due to non-plasma reagents and instrumentation used to execute the test.

Blood Coagulation↗

Effect of temperature on short-term preservation of platelets for in vitro tests.

We have evaluated the effect on the response of citrated platelet-rich plasma to aggregating agents of storage at 4 degrees C versus room temperature (21 degrees C) for 2 and 4 h after venipuncture. While there were small decreases in some responses to epinephrine, ADP and collagen attributable to 21 degrees C storage, only in the case of ristocetin-induced aggregation was a profound difference noted. Platelets stored at 4 degrees C for 4 h showed no significant change in response to ristocetin. In contrast, those stored at room temperature showed a marked decrease. This change is not likely to be attributable to a change of pH, although pH rose less with storage at 4 degrees C than at 21 degrees C. It is recommended that PRP for in vitro testing be stored at 4 degrees C.

Blood Platelets↗

Arterial hydrogen ion versus CO2 on depth and rate of breathing in decerebrate cats.

Arterial blood hydrogen ion concentration (Ha+) was altered over the range of 25 to 110 nM (pH 7.60 to 6.96) by slow intravenous infusion of 1.0 N NaHCO3 or 0.5 N HC1 at controlled levels of Paco2in unanesthetized decerebrate cats. Respiratory f varied as a single function of Vt irrespective of a lterations in Paco2 and Ha+ even after interruption of the carotid sinus nerves. The dependence of f upon Vt was abolished by vagotomy. However, Vt continued to respond to changes in Ha+ over its entire range after combined section of the vagus and carotid sinus nerves. In all statxceeded by 5 to 10 times the delta Vt/delta Ha+ response to acid or bicarbonate infused under isocapnic control. Increases and decreases of ha+ caused downward and upward shifts, respectively, in the operating setpoint of the CO2 regulation system.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗