Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W J Scott

Publications and source records attributed to W J Scott.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Embryo-maternal distribution of basic compounds in the CD-1 mouse: doxylamine and nicotine.

The intracellular pH of the early postimplantation rodent embryo (pHi) is alkaline with respect to the corresponding plasma of the pregnant dam. This transplacental pH gradient is of considerable importance in the accumulation of teratogenic weak acids by the embryo. The importance of pH in the partitioning of basic drugs across the early mammalian placenta has not been investigated. Theoretically, the maternal plasma should retain a higher concentration of basic drugs than the embryo due to a greater degree of drug ionization in the more acidic plasma. To explore the significance of pH partitioning upon the transplacental distribution of basic compounds, two bases, doxylamine and nicotine, were administered to pregnant CD-1 mice during early organogenesis. The maternal plasma and embryonic concentrations of the bases were measured and the resulting embryo/maternal plasma (E/P) ratio was calculated and compared to the ratio predicted by the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Following ip injection of nicotine on Day 9 of gestation, the E/P ratio was significantly greater than the predicted ratio 10 min after injection and continued to rise for 3 hr. For doxylamine succinate administered by oral gavage on Day 9 or 10, the E/P ratio was also significantly greater than the ratio predicted from the pH gradient. Our results indicate that the partitioning of these basic compounds between the maternal plasma and the early postimplantation rodent embryo is not a consequence of the pH gradient between the two compartments alone.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Advanced three-dimensional evaluation of acetabular trauma: volumetric image processing.

Volumetric image processing is a new approach to generating simulated three-dimensional images from transaxial CT data. The major advantages compared to conventional surface-rendering 3D technique include: preservation of every pixel of CT data for increased accuracy of rendered image; tissue layer translucency allowing appreciation of multiple tissue layers on each image; simulation of real-time rotation in varying axes for optimal appreciation of abnormalities; and a high-speed, high-capacity computer setup which generates high-quality images rapidly, giving the system sufficient flexibility for these complicated functions while remaining user friendly and fast.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1989

Changes in cytoplasmic carbon and nitrogen pools in a soil bacterium and a fungus in response to salt stress.

The effects of water potential on the cellular compositions of a soil bacterium and a fungus were examined by growing the organisms in media with various KCl concentrations. In media containing up to 1 M KCl, C/N ratios in Aspergillus flavus increased significantly, while those for a Pseudomonas sp. did not. For both organisms, the proportions of cellular C and N in cytoplasm increased by a factor of 10 as salinity increased from 0 to 1 M KCl. Such compositional changes have implications for microbial biomass dynamics in soils of varying water potential and for biomass measurement by chloroform fumigation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Decreasing pH of rat embryos and fluids estimated by transplacental distribution of DMO.

Utilizing the transplacental distribution of a weak acid, 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO), we have measured the pH of cells within the rat embryo in vivo on days 11.5-14 of gestation. This is a period of rapid organogenesis in this species when the cells of many organ systems begin to change from a proliferative mode into a differentiated state. We found that intracellular pH of the day 11.5 rat embryo is 7.47 +/- 0.03 and decreases steadily to day 14 at which time it reaches 7.11 +/- 0.03. Because there is a concomitant fall in proliferative rate over this span of development, we suggest this correlation to be additional evidence of an association between proliferation and alkalinization of the cell interior. A number of other compartments including embryo plasma, amniotic fluid, exocoelomic fluid, and yolk sac have a decreasing concentration of DMO as development advances, indicative of a steadily declining pH. These changes could have developmental and pharmacokinetic implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Biliary stone disease in adults with cystic fibrosis.

A 27-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis had a 6-month history of fatty food intolerance and biliary colic. Ultrasonographic studies confirmed the presence of gallstones. A cholecystectomy and appendectomy were performed. An intraoperative cholangiogram showed anomalous drainage of the cystic duct into an accessory right hepatic duct. Patients with cystic fibrosis now commonly survive into adulthood and are at high risk for the development of cholelithiasis. The diagnosis may be obscured by other common gastrointestinal complications of cystic fibrosis. Optimal surgical management includes meticulous preoperative and postoperative pulmonary care. The surgeon must also have a thorough knowledge of the biliary tract anomalies that have been described in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Legless, a novel mutation found in PHT1-1 transgenic mice.

In this report it is shown that the PHT1-1 line of transgenic mice exhibited a pattern of developmental abnormalities when the mice were homozygous for the transgene insertion. Hindlimbs were uniformly truncated at the distal end of the femur, resulting in a "legless" appearance. Forelimbs lacked anterior structures including digits and the radius. The brains had many defects, particularly in the anterior structures of the cerebrum, including the olfactory lobes. Craniofacial malformations in the form of facial clefts also commonly occurred. Furthermore, heterozygotes of this line, with only one copy of the DNA insertion, and other transgenic lines carrying the same DNA construct appeared normal, suggesting that in the PHT1-1 line a gene significant in mammalian development has been disrupted.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Strain differences in the teratogenicity induced by sodium valproate in cultured mouse embryos.

Strain differences in the teratogenicity of valproic acid (VPA) have been reported in mice. Finnell and Chernoff (Proc. Grnwd. Genet. Ctr. 5:162-163, 1985) showed that 300 mg/kg of VPA twice a day on days 6-8 of gestation induced exencephaly in 82% of SWV embryos but in 0% of C57BL/6J embryos. In the present experiment, we have collected similar results and investigated this strain difference using whole embryo culture in an attempt to determine whether maternal or embryonic factors are responsible for the difference. Mouse embryos were explanted on day 8.5 (plug day 0), and embryos at the 6-8-somite stage were cultured for 48 hours in rat serum containing various doses of sodium valproate (NaVP). All the embryos died within 24 hours with 4.5-mM and higher doses of NaVP in C57BL/6NCr1BR (C57) and with 3.0-mM and higher doses in SWV. Unfused brain folds were recognized in embryos treated with 3.0-mM and higher doses in C57, and with 1.0-mM and higher doses in SWV. Irregular somite formation was observed in many embryos treated with 1.6-mM and higher doses in C57 and with 1.0-mM and higher doses in SWV. These results indicate that SWV embryos have 1.5-3 times the sensitivity of C57 embryos to the embryolethal and teratogenic effects of NaVP. Furthermore, the results suggest that the basis of the strain difference resides within the embryo rather than the mother.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Low teratogenicity of 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin) in the mouse corresponds to low embryo concentrations during organogenesis: comparison to the all-trans isomer.

13-cis-Retinoic acid (isotretinoin) is teratogenic in man at therapeutic doses (0.5-1.5 mg/kg body wt), but only marginally teratogenic in the mouse at exceedingly high doses (greater than 100 mg/kg). On the other hand, the isomer all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin) is teratogenic in the mouse at dose levels which are 10 times lower than those for the 13-cis isomer. We have therefore studied whether the greatly different teratogenic potencies of these two compounds in the mouse are the result of differences in their transplacental kinetics. Following a single oral dose of 100 mg all-trans- or 13-cis-retinoic acid per kg body wt, concentrations of the parent drugs, of the C-13 isomerization products, as well as of their 4-oxo metabolites were determined in maternal plasma and embryo at two sensitive stages of organogenesis, i.e., Days 9 or 11 of gestation. All-trans-retinoic acid and its 4-oxo metabolite were transferred to the embryo to a much greater extent (embryo/maternal plasma concentration ratios, approximately 0.4) than the 13-cis-retinoic acid and its 4-oxo metabolite (embryo/maternal plasma concentration ratios, approximately 0.02). Embryo concentrations of all-trans-retinoic acid on Day 9 of gestation exceeded those on Day 11, whereas the embryo levels of 13-cis-retinoic acid were minimal at both gestational stages. The concentration of the 4-oxo metabolite of all-trans-retinoic acid was generally lower than that of the parent drug, whereas the level of the 4-oxo metabolite of the 13-cis-retinoic acid was comparable with or even higher than that of the parent compound. Concentrations of the C-13 isomerization products in maternal plasma were less than 20% of corresponding parent drug levels. However, due to the different extent of transfer of the two isomers, the concentration of all-trans-retinoic acid in the embryo exceeded that of the cis isomer even after administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid. Our results indicate that the low teratogenicity of 13-cis-retinoic acid in the mouse is the result of minimal placental transfer of this compound and of its 4-oxo metabolite, which contrast sharply with extensive placental transfer and high teratogenicity of the corresponding isomers with the all-trans configuration.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1987

Teratogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 2-ethylhexanol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, and valproic acid, and potentiation by caffeine.

It is hypothesized that the teratogen di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) acts by in vivo hydrolysis to 2-ethylhexanol (2-EHXO), which in turn is metabolized to 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHXA), the proximate teratogen. Teratological studies were conducted with Wistar rats, with administration of these agents on day 12 of gestation. On an equimolar basis DEHP was least potent, 2-EHXO was intermediate, and 2-EXHA was the most potent of the three agents, which is consistent with the hypothesis. Similarity in the types of defects found with these agents also suggests a common mechanism, with 2-EHXA as the proximate teratogen. All three agents were potentiated by caffeine. Valproic acid, which is an isomer of 2-EXHA, also produced similar defects, and was approximately twice as potent as 2-EHXA.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1987

Reduction of uterine blood flow by phenylephrine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, in the day 11 pregnant rat: relationship to potentiation of acetazolamide teratogenesis.

We have demonstrated previously that phenylephrine, a selective postsynaptic alpha-1-adrenergic agonist, significantly potentiates the incidence of acetazolamide-induced right forelimb ectrodactyly in a dose-response manner. As reported herein, phenylephrine also decreases maternal uterine blood flow in a dose-response manner as measured by radioactive microsphere methodology. At the potentiative dose of 12.5 mg/kg phenylephrine decreases uterine blood flow by 86.8% when compared to control. In turn, pretreatment with prazosin, a selective postsynaptic alpha-1-adrenergic antagonist, prevents this large decrease in uterine blood flow and abolishes the potentiation of acetazolamide teratogenesis by phenylephrine. Although the effects of acetazolamide or acetazolamide + phenylephrine on uterine blood flow were not measured the data suggest a correlation between decreased uterine blood flow and potentiation of acetazolamide teratogenesis.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1987

Ocular complications of Tangier disease.

Tangier disease, or familial high-density lipoprotein deficiency, is an inherited disorder resulting in tissue deposition of excessive cholesterol esters. Although associated corneal clouding has been reported to produce little visual impairment, this patient with Tangier disease had corneal clouding, decreased corneal sensation, and cicatricial ectropion and experienced slowly progressive marked visual impairment. All ocular cases of Tangier disease are reviewed. Ectropion and incomplete eyelid closure may precede corneal clouding and should be recognized as signs associated with Tangier disease. The combination of exposure keratopathy and corneal infiltration can cause significant visual impairment.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Alteration of effective exposure of dam and embryo to caffeine and its metabolites by treatment of mice with beta-naphthoflavone.

The effect of treatment of pregnant C57BL/6J (B6) and AKR/J (AKR) mice with the cytochrome P-450 inducing agent beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF) on caffeine metabolism and on exposure of dam and embryo to caffeine and to its metabolites theophylline (TP), theobromine (TB), paraxanthine (PX), and trimethyluric acid (TMUA) was investigated. Treated dams were given either 20 or 80 mg beta NF/kg ip on Days 9 and 10 of gestation. Caffeine, 175 mg/kg, was given ip on Days 11 and 12 of gestation. Concentrations of caffeine and its metabolites were monitored in maternal plasma and in embryo homogenates at 0.083, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hr after the second caffeine injection. Effective exposure was expressed as the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 6 hr. Caffeine loss in B6 mice was best described by an expression incorporating capacity-limited kinetics. Pretreatment induced formation of TB and PX, while it induced elimination of all three of the monodemethylated metabolites, in B6 mice. Consequently, pretreatment caused marked reductions in exposure of B6 dams and embryos to both caffeine and TP. Exposure to TB and PX was less consistently affected, although it was reduced by pretreatment with 80 mg beta NF/kg. In contrast, exposure of AKR dams and embryos to caffeine and its metabolites was only slightly affected by beta NF pretreatment. The prevalence of paw malformations in the offspring of treated mice correlated well with effective exposure to both caffeine and TP, but not at all with the administered caffeine dose.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Ventral duplication of the autopod: chemical induction by methoxyacetic acid in rat embryos.

Administration of 2-methoxyethanol to pregnant rats on day 12 of gestation induced ventral duplication of the autopod, presumably via its oxidative metabolite, methoxyacetic acid. Morphological observations indicate that the limb bud periderm is severely damaged by methoxyacetic acid so that large patches of this structure are actually missing during an extended period of limb bud development. A high concentration of methoxyacetic acid (10 mM) was found in the extraembryonic fluid and we postulate that the damage to the periderm was initiated from this extraembryonic exposure. The ventral duplication of the autopod is thought to arise through an attempt by the embryo to repair the periderm lesion.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1986

Prevention of caffeine-induced limb malformations by maternal adrenalectomy.

Caffeine at high doses is a known rodent teratogen and induces limb malformations along with cleft palate in various strains of rats and mice. Fujii and Nishimura ('74) postulated that caffeine was teratogenic by virtue of catecholamine release from maternal or embryonic tissue. We tested this hypothesis by surgically removing the maternal adrenal gland on day 6 of pregnancy and then administering 175 mg/kg of caffeine intraperitoneally at 1600 h day 11 and 900 h day 12. The teratogenic effects of caffeine in adrenalectomized versus nonadrenalectomized AKR mice were assessed in day 18 fetuses. Thirty percent of the surviving offspring were malformed in caffeine-treated, nonadrenalectomized dams compared to 7% of the offspring from adrenalectomized dams. Therefore we believe caffeine teratogenesis is initiated by release of catecholamines from the maternal adrenal gland.

Adrenal Glands↗