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Biomedical subjects

T Ford

Publications and source records attributed to T Ford.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Phospholipase A2-activating protein induces the synthesis of IL-1 and TNF in human monocytes.

Phospholipase A2-activating protein (PLAP) is an important mediator of eicosanoid generation. PLAP can also be found in high concentrations in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and injection of PLAP into animal joints results in an inflammatory, rheumatoid-like lesion. We have demonstrated previously that TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta stimulate formation of PLAP before phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme activation and production of eicosanoids. To further explore the mechanisms found in the inflammatory response, we examined the ability of PLAP to stimulate release of TNF and IL-1 from human peripheral blood monocytes. TNF and IL-1 protein levels were measured by ELISA, and IL-1 and TNF mRNA were determined by Northern blotting. PLAP, PLAP peptide, and melittin, a bee venom PLA2 activator with homology with PLAP, all increased IL-1 and TNF production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Heat-denatured PLAP and actin (an irrelevant protein) failed to exert this effect. PLAP stimulation of TNF and IL-1 could be enhanced with co-treatment of cells with free fatty acids, such as arachidonic or linoleic acid, but it was not blocked completely by PLA2 inhibitors. These results demonstrate not only that synthesis of PLAP can be stimulated by cytokines, but also that PLAP may regulate cytokine synthesis and thus perpetuate an immune or inflammatory response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Toxic metals in aquatic ecosystems: a microbiological perspective.

Microbe-metal interactions in aquatic environments and their exact role in transport and transformations of toxic metals are poorly understood. This paper will briefly review our understanding of these interactions. Ongoing research in Lake Chapala, Mexico, the major water source for the City of Guadalajara, provides an opportunity to study the microbiological aspects of metal-cycling in the water column. Constant resuspension of sediments provides a microbiologically rich aggregate-based system. Data indicate that toxic metals are concentrated on aggregate material and bioaccumulate in the food chain. A provisional model is presented for involvement of microbial aggregates in metal-cycling in Lake Chapala.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Iodixanol: a nonionic iso-osmotic centrifugation medium for the formation of self-generated gradients.

The physical and biological properties of Iodixanol, a new nonionic density gradient medium, are described in this paper. It is effectively a dimer of Nycodenz and it exhibits two significant advantages over previous iodinated density gradient media--its aqueous solutions are iso-osmotic up to a density of 1.32 g/ml and it is capable of forming self-generating gradients in 1 to 3 h. It has a very low toxicity toward biological material and enzyme assays can be carried out in its presence.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1994

The preparation of subcellular organelles from mouse liver in self-generated gradients of iodixanol.

This paper reports the use of a new density gradient compound, Iodixanol, for the resolution of the major organelles from mouse liver. A major advantage of Iodixanol over other iodinated density gradient media is its ready ability to form self-generated gradients. Gradient-forming conditions have been modulated to provide optimal recoveries of Golgi membranes, lysosomes, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. The organelles were isolated in high yield (80-90% of gradient input) and high purity. Nycodenz and Iodixanol were compared using preformed gradients. Iodixanol provided resolution superior to that of Nycodenz, notably of peroxisomes and mitochondria and the separation of lysosomes from endoplasmic reticulum. Because Iodixanol does not interfere significantly with marker enzyme activities, gradient fractions can be analyzed without removal of the gradient medium.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Airborne environmental endotoxin: a cross-validation of sampling and analysis techniques.

A standard method for measurement of airborne environmental endotoxin was developed and field tested in a fiberglass insulation-manufacturing facility. This method involved sampling with a capillary-pore membrane filter, extraction in buffer using a sonication bath, and analysis by the kinetic-Limulus assay with resistant-parallel-line estimation (KLARE). Cross-validation of the extraction and assay method was performed by comparison with methanolysis of samples followed by 3-hydroxy fatty acid (3-OHFA) analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Direct methanolysis of filter samples and methanolysis of buffer extracts of the filters yielded similar 3-OHFA content (P = 0.72); the average difference was 2.1%. Analysis of buffer extracts for endotoxin content by the KLARE method and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for 3-OHFA content produced similar results (P = 0.23); the average difference was 0.88%. The source of endotoxin was gram-negative bacteria growing in recycled washwater used to clean the insulation-manufacturing equipment. The endotoxin and bacteria become airborne during spray cleaning operations. The types of 3-OHFAs in bacteria cultured from the washwater, present in the washwater and in the air, were similar. Virtually all of the bacteria cultured from air and water were gram negative composed mostly of two species, Deleya aesta and Acinetobacter johnsonii. Airborne countable bacteria correlated well with endotoxin (r2 = 0.64). Replicate sampling showed that results with the standard sampling, extraction, and Limulus assay by the KLARE method were highly reproducible (95% confidence interval for endotoxin measurement +/- 0.28 log10). These results demonstrate the accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of the standard procedure proposed for airborne environmental endotoxin.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1994

Genetic and molecular ecotoxicology: a research framework.

Participants at the Napa Conference on Genetic and Molecular Ecotoxicology assessed the status of this field in light of heightened concerns about the genetic effects of exposure to hazardous substances and recent advancements in our capabilities to measure those effects. We present here a synthesis of the ideas discussed throughout the conference, including definitions of important concepts in the field and critical research needs and opportunities. While there were many opinions expressed on these topics, there was general agreement that there are substantive new opportunities to improve the impact of genetic and molecular ecotoxicology on prediction of sublethal effects of exposure to hazardous substances. Future studies should emphasize integration of genetic ecotoxicology, ecological genetics, and molecular biology and should be directed toward improving our understanding of the ecological implications of genotoxic responses. Ecological implications may be assessed at either the population or ecosystem level; however, a population-level focus may be most pragmatic. Recent technical advancements in measuring genetic and molecular responses to toxicant exposure will spur rapid progress. These new techniques have considerable promise for increasing our understanding of both mechanisms of toxicity on genes or gene products and the relevance of detrimental effects to individual fitness.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Pollutant effects on the microbial ecosystem.

Genetic diversity of a microbial community will inevitably be affected by environmental stress. However, our understanding of the implications of these effects is limited. Genetic exchange between natural microbial communities appears to be a common phenomenon, mediated by a number of microbial processes (conjugation, transformation, and transduction). These mechanisms of change are presumably adaptations to natural environmental perturbation, e.g., the low levels of antibiotics produced by other organisms. However, anthropogenic influences on the environment may be accelerating genetic change within microbiologic ecosystems, beyond these natural adaptation rates. This article highlights some of the perceived risks to ecosystem health and research questions that need to be addressed.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1990

Ulcerative duodenitis with luminal constriction in two horses.

Proximal enteritis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs of disease in 2 Standard-bred yearlings from the same farm. Large volumes of fluid were repeatedly obtained during gastric decompression. The horses did not respond to treatment with IV administered fluids, antimicrobial agents, cimetidine, and metoclopramide. Postmortem findings confirmed severe focal chronic active duodenitis with stricture formation. An etiologic agent was not identified.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Isolation of the major subcellular organelles from mouse liver using Nycodenz gradients without the use of an ultracentrifuge.

Commonly, subcellular organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, lysosomes, and Golgi membranes are isolated first by differential centrifugation in low-speed or high-speed centrifuges and then purified by gradient centrifugation in ultracentrifuges. We have prepared these organelles using a new high-speed centrifuge (28,000 rpm max) which allows the generation of higher radial centrifugal forces (rcfs) than are available in standard machines. We have shown that most subcellular organelles can be purified by using low-viscosity Nycodenz gradients at rcfs lower than those normally used in ultracentrifuges, without increasing the time of centrifugation. Use of Nycodenz also allows rapid harvesting of material from gradients and we have adapted a number of enzyme assays to facilitate gradient analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Umbilical keloid: an early start.

A case of umbilical keloid formation following cord separation in an infant is described. Treatment involved excision of the mass and reconstruction of the umbilicus with histological confirmation of the excised lesion. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an umbilical keloid occurring at such an early age.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Intracellular transport of asialoglycoproteins in rat hepatocytes. Evidence for two subpopulations of lysosomes.

The intracellular transport and degradation of asialoorosomucoid (AOM) in isolated rat hepatocytes was studied by means of subcellular fractionation in Nycodenz gradients. The asialoglycoprotein was labelled by covalent attachment of a radioiodinated tyramine-cellobiose adduct ( [125I]TC) which leads to labelled degradation products being trapped intracellularly and thus serving as markers for the degradative organelles. The ligand was initially (1 min) in a slowly sedimenting (small) vesicle and subsequently in larger endosomes. Acid-soluble, radioactive degradation products were first found in a relatively light lysosome whose distribution coincided in the gradient with that of the larger endosome. Later (30 min) degradation products were found in denser lysosomes which banded in the same region of the gradient as the lysosomal enzyme, beta-acetylglucosaminidase. Colchicine, monensin and leupeptin all inhibited degradation of [125I]tyramine-cellobiose asialoorosomucoid ( [125I]TC-AOM) and reduced the formation of degradation products in both the light and the dense lysosomes. In presence of monensin and colchicine no undegraded ligand was seen in the dense lysosome, suggesting that uptake in these vesicles was inhibited. Leupeptin allowed accumulation of undegraded ligand in the dense lysosome. Therefore, transfer from light to dense lysosomes is not dependent on degradation as such. In the presence of monensin two peaks of undegraded ligand were found in the gradients. It seems possible that in the monensin-sensitive endosomes, dissociation of the ligand-receptor complex is inhibited, allowing ligand to recycle with the receptors in small vesicles.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Intracellular degradation of asialoglycoproteins in hepatocytes starts in a subgroup of lysosomes.

Isolated rat hepatocytes take up and degrade [125I]tyramine-cellobiose-labelled asialofetuin [( 125I]TC-AF). The labelled degradation products are trapped at the site of degradation. The intracellular transport of [125I]TC-AF was studied by means of cell fractionation in Nycodenz gradients. The labelled ligand was kept in a small, slowly sedimenting vesicle during the first minutes after uptake in the cells, and was then transferred to a larger endosome. Labelled degradation products first appeared in an organelle with the same density distribution as the larger endosome and then in a denser organelle. These observations suggest that two types of lysosome, 'light' lysosomes and 'dense', are sequentially involved in the degradation of the asialoglycoprotein. The bulk of the lysosomal enzymes is associated with the dense lysosome.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1984

Separation of endocytic vesicles in Nycodenz gradients.

The endocytosis of 125I-labeled asialofetuin by rat hepatocytes was studied using Nycodenz/sucrose gradients. It was shown in pulse chase experiments that the ligand endocytosed initially (after 1/2 to 1 min) was in small, slow-sedimenting vesicles of similar sizes. The vesicles containing the ligand increased in size, and after about 2.5 min 20-30% of the ligand was recovered in larger, faster-sedimenting vesicles. After 15 min almost all internalized ligand was recovered in the fast-sedimenting vesicles. The initial, small endocytic vesicles and the later, larger endocytic vesicles have similar buoyant densities; the maturation of the endosomes can only be revealed by rate sedimentation, not by isopycnic centrifugation. Dissociation of ligand from receptor was found to occur in the larger, faster-sedimenting vesicles. The presence of ammonia inhibited the increase in size of the ligand-containing endosomes. The methods employed here offer the possibility of obtaining endocytic vesicles at various stage of their development for further studies.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed1983

Buoyant densities of macromolecules, macromolecular complexes, and cell organelles in Nycodenz gradients.

Nycodenz is a new nonionic iodinated density gradient medium which has several advantages over metrizamide. Although, overall, biological samples band at similar densities in Nycodenz and metrizamide gradients, a number of significant differences were found. As compared with metrizamide, not only does Nycodenz appear to interact less with proteins but also the buoyant density of chromatin is less affected by the amount loaded onto the gradient. A high degree of resolution is obtainable using Nycodenz gradients; thus, it is possible to separate density-labeled DNA and to subfractionate subcellular membrane fractions.

Animals↗