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Biomedical subjects

S G Smith

Publications and source records attributed to S G Smith.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Renal responses to atrial natriuretic factor in hydrated and hydropenic dogs.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF 101-126) was compared to the standard diuretics, furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, and to the vasodilator, acetylcholine in hydrated and dehydrated anesthetized dogs. ANF 101-126 (20 pmole/kg/min, ira) modestly reduced solute-free water clearance in water-loaded dogs and slightly lowered free water reabsorption in dehydrated animals. This pattern of responses most closely resembled those produce by 10 mg/kg, ira of the distally-acting diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide and a natriuretic dose of acetylcholine (2.5 micrograms/kg/min, ira). In contrast, the loop diuretic, furosemide (1 mg/kg, ira) drastically suppressed both free water clearance and reabsorption. ANF 101-126 produced changes in free water handling which were not readily distinguishable from those induced by either hydrochlorothiazide, a distally-acting diuretic, or acetylcholine, a vasodilator.

Acetylcholine↗

Neodymium:YAG laser damage of intraocular lenses.

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) suitable for implantation were analyzed for the presence of refractile particles. These were found in lathe-cut and injection-molded lenses from various manufacturers. A YAG laser was focused 2 mm beyond the IOLs in a special test chamber and fired through them. The IOLs were then analyzed for damage. A photographically documented study of six IOLs using Q-switched and mode-locked lasers showed optical breakdown occurring within the IOLs; this was not clearly related to refractile particles. Optical breakdown did not occur in two IOLs with a similar number of refractile particles. Damage was seen with the mode-locked but not with the Q-switched laser. The optical breakdown occurred more frequently at high power (5.0 mJ) than at low power (1.2 mJ).

Lasers↗

An experimental model for uveal touch syndrome.

Posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) were implanted in cat eyes after extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification. Various degrees of iris and IOL contact occurred. In 52% of the eyes in which contact was present, there was associated fibrovascular membrane formation, which was statistically significant when compared to eyes in which there was no iris-IOL contact. The eyes were examined histopathologically; proliferation of anterior cuboidal cells, as well as a fibrous response within the stroma, was noted in eyes with the most extensive contact. Human clinical correlates are discussed. This study demonstrates experimentally that the iris will not tolerate significant prolonged IOL contact.

Animals↗

The synthesis of stereoselectively labelled porphobilinogen and its incorporation into protoporphyrin-IX.

11-(R)-2H porphobilinogen, stereospecifically labelled with deuterium in the aminomethylene group has been incorporated into protoporphyrin-IX by haemolysates of chicken erythrocytes. High field NMR spectroscopy confirms that the overall biochemical process is stereospecific, deuterium being retained at the alpha-, gamma- and delta-meso positions and lost from the beta-meso position.

Animals↗

Crystallographic analysis of the three-dimensional structure of baboon alpha-lactalbumin at low resolution. Homology with lysozyme.

The crystal structure of baboon alpha-lactalbumin has been determined at 6 A and at 4.5 A (0.6 nm and 0.45 nm) resolution by the method of isomorphous replacement. The principal derivative was prepared by reducing a disulphide bridge in the crystals and inserting a mercury atom. Detailed comparison of the electron-density maps with corresponding maps of hen egg-white lysozyme shows that they are closely similar, with correlation coefficients of 0.57 and 0.44 at 6 A and 4.5 A resolution respectively. This result, in accordance with earlier predictions based upon comparisons of amino-acid sequences, provides further evidence that class C lysozymes and alpha-lactalbumins are homologous proteins and it is in keeping with the hypothesis that the alpha-lactalbumins evolved from a lysozyme precursor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Topographical anatomy of the ciliary sulcus.

The topography of the ciliary sulcus area in humans was examined by slitlamp biomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Characteristics of this area included the following: the sulcus was angulated anteriorly; the ciliary processes were of unequal length; the zonules did not insert on the tips of the ciliary processes but, instead, inserted slightly posteriorly; the contour of the sulcus area was irregular; bands stretched from the base of the ciliary processes to the posterior surface of the iris, making the sulcus a potential space in some areas of the eye. Effects of this topography on IOL implantation are postulated.

Aged↗

Nucleotide sequence homology to pertussis toxin gene in Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella parapertussis.

Multiple strains of Bordetella parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica were examined for the presence of nucleotide sequences which hybridized with a cloned 4.5-kilobase (kb) fragment of B. pertussis DNA containing the genes responsible for pertussis toxin expression. All six B. parapertussis strains tested had nucleic acid sequences that hybridized with the cloned 4.5-kb fragment in Southern blot analyses. When the B. parapertussis DNA was digested with restriction endonuclease PstI, the pattern of hybridization was identical to that obtained with B. pertussis. Only five of the seven B. bronchiseptica strains tested had sequences that hybridized with the 4.5-kb fragment. Three of these B. bronchiseptica strains had a hybridization pattern identical to B. pertussis upon PstI digestion and Southern blot analyses. Two B. bronchiseptica strains were shown to lack a PstI cleavage site downstream from the region analogous to that coding for the pertussis toxin structural genes. Monoclonal antibody analyses were unable to detect pertussis toxin subunits S1 and S2 in Western blots with cellular material or culture supernatant from several B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis strains that possessed the DNA homologies. In addition, preliminary Northern hybridizations with RNA isolated from B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis strains suggested that the homologous regions were not transcribed. The data show that the gene coding for the toxic component of B. pertussis is common in other Bordetella species, though the gene probably is not expressed.

Bordetella↗

Effects of renal perfusion pressure on the natriuresis induced by atrial natriuretic factor.

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF 101-126) was infused at 1, 5, 25, and 125 pmol X kg-1 X min-1 into the renal artery of anesthetized, one-kidney dogs. During administration of 25 and 125 pmol X kg-1 X min-1 of ANF 101-126, fractional sodium excretion (FENa) rose from 1.4 +/- 0.3 to 6.6 +/- 1.1 and 5.6 +/- 1.3% when renal perfusion pressure (RPP) was at its basal level (112 +/- 5 mmHg). When base-line RPP was lowered to 101 +/- 5 mmHg by tightening a suprarenal aortic constriction, the same doses raised FENa to only 5.6 +/- 1.6 and 5.1 +/- 1.6%. A larger reduction of beginning RPP to 82 +/- 4 mmHg suppressed the natriuretic responses to 25 and 125 pmol X kg-1 X min-1 of ANF 101-126 to only 1.4 +/- 0.8 and 0.8 +/- 0.3%, respectively. During the peak natriuretic dose of 25 pmol X kg-1 X min-1, renal vascular resistance (RVR) fell from 0.88 +/- 0.10 to 0.68 +/- 0.07, from 0.78 +/- 0.10 to 0.68 +/- 0.12, and from 0.60 +/- 0.06 to 0.61 +/- 0.06 mmHg X ml-1 X min-1 at RPP = RPP = 112, 101, and 82 mmHg, respectively. ANF 101-126 did not affect glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at any level of RPP tested. In conclusion, the natriuretic responses to ANF 101-126 occurred without changes in GFR and were modulated by the prevailing levels of renal perfusion pressure and renal vascular resistance.

Animals↗

Comparison of a new renin inhibitor and enalaprilat in renal hypertensive dogs.

The hypotensive efficacy of a potent new renin inhibitor (N alpha-isovaleryl-L-histidyl-L-prolyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-histidyl-ACHPA+ ++-L- phenylalanyl amide) containing (3S,4S)-4-amino-5-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxy pentanoic acid (ACHPA) was compared with the converting enzyme inhibitor (enalaprilat) (MK-422) in conscious one-kidney dogs before and after tightening a renal artery clamp. Dose-response curves to 0.003 to 0.1 mg/kg/min i.v. infusions of the ACHPA-containing renin inhibitory peptide or enalaprilat (0.003-0.1 mg/kg i.v. bolus) were obtained in one-kidney dogs before and 3 days and 14 days after renal artery constriction. The ACHPA-containing renin inhibitory peptide and enalaprilat maximally decreased blood pressure by 10 +/- 2 and 9 +/- 2 mm Hg before constriction and by 12 +/- 2 and 12 +/- 4 mm Hg in dogs treated 14 days after renal artery constriction, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow were unaltered or slightly improved. In sharp contrast, both compounds elicited significant, dose-related decreases in blood pressure (-26 +/- 4 and -20 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively), glomerular filtration rate (-21 +/- 3 and -23 +/- 3 ml/min), and renal plasma flow (-45 +/- 14 and -48 +/- 13 ml/min) in dogs examined 3 days after renal artery constriction. These data demonstrate that ACHPA-containing renin inhibitory peptide and enalaprilat are equally effective antihypertensive agents in dogs with renin-dependent renovascular hypertension and lend credence to the contention that the renin-angiotensin system supports renal function in hypertensive states in which renin levels are elevated.

Animals↗

Intravenous and intragastric self-administration of chlordiazepoxide in the rat.

Rats were implanted with intravenous (IV) or intragastric (IG) cannulas and allowed access, by lever-pressing on a CRF schedule, to chlordiazepoxide solution in 10-h sessions at doses of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg/injection. Self-administration behavior was acquired by both routes and for all doses of the drug by 60-70% of subjects tested. Subjects given access by the IV route showed more pronounced responding at the lower 2 doses and greater drug intake with the higher 2 doses than the IG group. A 2-lever study, controlling for possible motor effects of chlordiazepoxide, supports the interpretation that responding was indeed the result of reinforcing effects of chlordiazepoxide rather than an artifact.

Animals↗

Antagonism of U46619-induced aggregation of human and canine platelets by four TXA2 receptor antagonists.

We compared the abilities of four TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists, AH 23,848, SQ 29,548, BM 13.177 and BM 13.505, to inhibit aggregation of human and canine platelet rich plasma (PRP) induced by the stable cyclic endoperoxide analog, U46619, alone (human) or in combination with epinephrine (dog). The rank orders of potency of these antagonists, which correlated well between human (h) and canine (c) preparations were [IC50]: SQ 29,548 [28 nM (h) and 92 nM (c)] greater than AH 23,848 [0.5 microM (h) and 0.6 microM (c)] congruent to BM 13.505 [0.4 microM (h) and 0.8 microM (c)] greater than BM 13.177 [3.9 microM (h) and 4.4 microM (c)]. The second wave of aggregation of human PRP induced by epinephrine and platelet activating factor (PAF) was abolished by similar concentrations of the TXA2/PGH2 antagonists, whereas aggregation of canine PRP induced by ADP, serotonin plus epinephrine, or PAF was unaffected by these concentrations of the TXA2/PGH2 antagonists. Epinephrine plus U46619-stimulated aggregation of canine PRP was abolished by RX 781094 (1 microM) but not by prazosin (10(-4) M), selective alpha 2- and alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, respectively. Thus, four selective TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists, compared in two species, yield IC50's ranging from 28 nM to 4 microM and nearly identical rank orders of potency.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Molecular cloning of pertussis toxin genes.

We have cloned a 4.5 kb EcoRI/BamHI DNA fragment from Bordetella pertussis which contains at least two genes responsible for expression of pertussis toxin. The S4 subunit of the toxin was isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography and the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence determined. Using a mixed synthetic oligonucleotide probe designed by reverse translation of a portion of the protein sequence, a cloned DNA fragment was identified which contains the coding information for at least the S4 structural subunit of the toxin. Sequence analyses indicate that the mature protein is derived by proteolytic cleavage of a precursor molecule. Southern blot analyses of Tn5-induced B. pertussis toxin-deficient mutants show that the Tn5 DNA is inserted 1.3 kb downstream from the S4 subunit gene. This second gene could code for another subunit required for assembly of the mature toxin or a non-structural transport protein, possibly in the same polycistronic operon. The molecular cloning of pertussis toxin genes provides the basis for development of a safer recombinant "new generation" vaccine for whooping cough.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A comparison of synthetic rat and human atrial natriuretic factor in conscious dogs.

The renal and hypotensive responses to intravenous infusions of 10, 50, 100, and 200 pmol/kg/min of synthetic rat atrial natriuretic factor (Arg101-Arg-Ser-Ser-Cys-Phe-Gly-Gly-Arg-Ile110-Asp-Arg-Ile-G ly-Ala-Gln-Ser-Gly -Leu-Gly120-Cys-Asn-Ser-Phe-Arg-Tyr; disulfide bond between cysteines) were compared with those produced by synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor (Met110) in five conscious dogs. Increasing doses of rat or human atrial natriuretic factor lowered mean arterial pressure in a dose-related manner. At 200 pmol/kg/min, the maximally effective dose for both peptides, mean arterial pressure was reduced from 116 +/- 4 to 96 +/- 5 mm Hg and from 117 +/- 5 to 100 +/- 3 mm Hg (p less than 0.01), respectively. Neither peptide affected heart rate. Fractional sodium excretion increased from 0.69 +/- 0.22 to 3.95 +/- 1.23% and from 0.69 +/- 0.16 to 4.62 +/- 0.72% during infusions of 200 pmol/kg/min of rat and human atrial natriuretic factor, respectively. Urine volume and fractional chloride excretion rose during infusions of rat or human atrial natriuretic factor in a manner that resembled the elevation in sodium excretion. The stimulation of fractional potassium excretion by both rat and human peptides was more variable and not as clearly dose-dependent. Glomerular filtration rate was enhanced by both rat and human atrial natriuretic factor, while neither peptide significantly changed renal plasma flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Milrinone produces a positive inotropy but is not inhibitory to gastric ion transport.

The cardiac drugs ouabain and milrinone are positive inotropic agents. Since ouabain has inhibitory effects on ion transport in the gastrointestinal tract associated with vasoconstriction and hypoxia, milrinone needed to be tested also. This report indicates that therapeutic levels of milrinone on either side of the isolated stomach wall of the guinea pig has no significant effects on active chloride ion transport or the electrical parameters of the tissue. To verify that milrinone was active in the heart at these same levels, contractility of the isolated heart of the guinea pig was measured. Milrinone significantly increased ventricular pressure and pressure development. Thus milrinone may be expected to exert its inotropic stimulation of the heart during heart failure without compromising gastrointestinal functions.

Animals↗

Renal and systemic effects of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor.

A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence of 26 amino acids contained in endogenous rat atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), was infused into one renal artery of anesthetized dogs for a comprehensive in vivo evaluation of the renal and systemic effects of pure ANF. The results proved conclusively that ANF acted directly on the kidney since urine volume and fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium were elevated in a dose-related manner in the ANF-treated kidney, but were not significantly affected in the contralateral saline-infused organ. The maximum effects achieved with the synthetic ANF were higher than any reported following intravenous administration of crude extracts of rat atria and were similar to those produced by thiazide diuretics. In four of the five dogs studied, renal vascular resistance fell progressively as doses of ANF were increased. Glomerular filtration rate was not significantly elevated during ANF infusion, but was correlated with sodium excretion rates. Even though mean arterial pressure was progressively reduced, there was no significant change in heart rate and no stimulation of renin secretion. Arterial cyclic GMP concentration was higher in the basal state and rose more rapidly than did renal venous levels, indicating that increases in circulating concentrations of arterial cyclic GMP originated from an extrarenal source. Dose-related elevations in urinary cyclic GMP excretion could be explained by increased cyclic GMP filtration, by enhanced production in tubular cells, or by renal tubular secretion. Especially in the saline-infused kidney, there was a clear dissociation between excretion of cyclic GMP and fractional sodium excretion. We conclude that the synthetic ANF increased electrolyte excretion via a direct renal action which was not solely dependent upon changes in renal vasculature, renin secretion or cyclic GMP levels.

Animals↗