Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “UBF”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Interaction of 4-hydroxylated estradiol and potential-sensitive Ca2+ channels in altering uterine blood flow during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in gilts.

This study was conducted to define further the role of catechol estrogens (CE) as intermediates in estrogen-stimulated uterine hyperemia. Previous studies from our laboratory strongly suggest that changes in uterine blood flow (UBF) result from alterations in uterine arterial tone (distensibility) and/or contractility (reactivity to alpha 1-adrenergic agonists). Tone changes appear to set the baseline rate of flow, whereas contractility changes result in short-term reductions in luminal diameter. Changes in uterine arterial tone and contractility result from alterations in Ca2+ uptake through potential-sensitive channels (PSCs) and receptor-operated channels (ROCs), respectively. Uterine and mesenteric arteries were removed from 6 gilts at estrus (Day 0), 9 gilts on Day 13 of gestation (high estrogen, high UBF), and 8 gilts on Day 13 of the estrous cycle (low estrogen, low UBF). Arterial measurements included initial tone (baseline perfusion pressure [BPP] to a constant intraluminal flow) and increased tone after exposure to KCl, the contractility in response to the alpha 1-agonist phenylephrine, and specific uptake of 45Ca before and after exposure to the CE 4-hydroxylated estradiol (4OH-E2). Contractility of uterine arteries from Day 13 nonpregnant (NP) and Day 13 pregnant (P) gilts to phenylephrine were similar and significantly greater (p less than 0.01) than contractility of vessels from estrous gilts. The BPP and responses of uterine arteries from Day 13 NP gilts to KCl were greater (p less than 0.05) than the BPP and responses of arteries from Day 13 P and estrous gilts, which were similar to each other.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Hemodynamic effects of intravenous isoproterenol versus saline in the parturient.

The use of epinephrine as a test dose for epidural analgesia in obstetrics remains controversial. Isoproterenol as a test dose may be efficacious in the parturient. However, the effects of isoproterenol on the uterine blood flow (UBF) and umbilical blood flow (UMB) in the parturient are unknown. In a randomized, double-blind study, the hemodynamic variables in 60 nonlaboring women at term were studied 5 min before and for 10 min after an intravenous injection of either 5 micrograms isoproterenol or 5 micrograms saline. The UBF was assessed in 35 women and the UMB in 25 women using a color Doppler technique. The results of 50 women were used for further analysis. Maternal heart rate (MHR) was measured continuously, and maternal mean arterial pressure was measured every minute. MHR did not change after saline but increased significantly after injection of isoproterenol. UBF also increased significantly after isoproterenol during the same time interval. UMB did not change. Other hemodynamic variables did not change. We conclude that isoproterenol, 5 micrograms, may be a suitable test dose for epidural analgesia in obstetrics.

Adult↗

Magnesium sulfate decreases maternal blood pressure but not uterine blood flow during epidural anesthesia in gravid ewes.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether administration of magnesium sulfate decreased maternal blood pressure during epidural anesthesia in gravid ewes. Twenty-two experiments were performed in 11 chronically instrumented animals between 0.8 and 0.9 of timed gestation. The experimental sequence included: 1) T = 0: magnesium sulfate 4 g intravenously over 5 min followed by an infusion of magnesium sulfate at 4 g/h, or normal saline iv followed by an infusion of normal saline alone; 2) T = 135 min: 500 ml normal saline intravenously over 12 min; and 3) T = 150 min: epidural administration of 2% lidocaine. The initial bolus of magnesium sulfate slightly decreased maternal mean arterial pressure (MAP) but increased uterine artery blood flow (UBF). The increase in UBF was accompanied by an increase in fetal PaO2 at 145 min in the magnesium sulfate group but not in the control group. At 165 min (i.e., 15 min after the epidural injection of lidocaine), epidural lidocaine resulted in a median sensory level of T-10 in the magnesium sulfate group and T-11 in the control group. During epidural anesthesia, maternal MAP was lower (P = 0.001) in the magnesium sulfate group than in the control group. At 165 min, maternal MAP was 18 +/- 3% below baseline (P = 0.0001) in the magnesium sulfate group but did not differ significantly from baseline in the control group. Maternal cardiac output and UBF did not differ from baseline after epidural injection of lidocaine in either group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Repression of RNA polymerase I transcription by the tumor suppressor p53.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is frequently inactivated in tumors. It functions as a transcriptional activator as well as a repressor for a number of viral and cellular promoters transcribed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and by RNA Pol III. Moreover, it appears that p53 also suppresses RNA Pol I transcription. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism of Pol I transcriptional inhibition by p53. We show that wild-type, but not mutant, p53 can repress Pol I transcription from a human rRNA gene promoter in cotransfection assays. Furthermore, we show that recombinant p53 inhibits rRNA transcription in a cell-free transcription system. In agreement with these results, p53-null epithelial cells display an increased Pol I transcriptional activity compared to that of epithelial cells that express p53. However, both cell lines display comparable Pol I factor protein levels. Our biochemical analysis shows that p53 prevents the interaction between SL1 and UBF. Protein-protein interaction assays indicate that p53 binds to SL1, and this interaction is mostly mediated by direct contacts with TATA-binding protein and TAF(I)110. Moreover, template commitment assays show that while the formation of a UBF-SL1 complex can partially relieve the inhibition of transcription, only the assembly of a UBF-SL1-Pol I initiation complex on the rDNA promoter confers substantial protection against p53 inhibition. In summary, our results suggest that p53 represses RNA Pol I transcription by directly interfering with the assembly of a productive transcriptional machinery on the rRNA promoter.

Genes, Tumor Suppressor↗

Local and systemic estradiol-17 beta: effects on uterine and systemic vasodilation.

Systemic estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) administration increases uterine blood flow (UBF), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), and plasma renin activity (PRA). We sought to determine if the E2 beta-induced systemic responses were dependent on the observed uterine responses. Nonpregnant, ovariectomized ewes (n = 5) received 3 micrograms E2 beta into both uterine arteries followed 120 min later by systemic E2 beta, 1 microgram/kg. At 120 min after local E2 beta, UBF increased from 26 +/- 5 to 161 +/- 21 ml/min (P less than 0.05); uterine vascular resistance (UVR) decreased 83 +/- 2.5% (P less than 0.05); and systemic parameters were unchanged. At 120 min after systemic E2 beta, UBF remained elevated and CO had increased gradually from 4.4 +/- 0.2 to 5.5 +/- 0.32 l/min (26 +/- 3.4%, P less than 0.05), reflecting a 37 +/- 3.9% (P less than 0.05) increase in HR; mean arterial pressure (MAP) remained unchanged. The increased CO was associated with a 20 +/- 3.1% (P less than 0.05) fall in systemic vascular resistance (SVR), with % delta SVR less than % delta UVR (P less than 0.05). Base-line PRA and angiotensin II, 1.31 +/- 0.2 ng.ml-1.h-1 and 10.3 +/- 2.1 pg/ml, respectively, were unchanged by local E2 beta; systemic E2 beta caused increases to 3.56 +/- 0.51 ng.ml-1.h-1 (P less than 0.05) and 34.1 +/- 11.3 pg/ml (P less than 0.05), respectively. E2 beta-induced uterine hyperemia occurs independent of its systemic effects and is not responsible for systemic cardiovascular alterations, and the relative uterine vascular responses exceed systemic responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin II↗

Role of angiotensin II and alpha-adrenergic receptors during estrogen-induced vasodilation in ewes.

Estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) produces uterine and systemic vasodilation in nonpregnant ewes without altering mean arterial pressure (MAP). Mechanisms responsible for maintaining MAP and thus uterine blood flow (UBF) may include activation of the renin-angiotensin and/or adrenergic systems. We therefore investigated the effects of systemic blockade of angiotensin II (ANG II) and/or alpha-adrenergic receptors in nonpregnant, castrated ewes, using saralasin (Sar) and/or phentolamine (Phen) in the presence or absence of intravenous E2 beta (1.0 microgram/kg). In nonestrogenized ewes neither antagonist alone had substantial cardiovascular effects; however, Sar + Phen decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) 20 +/- 7.4% (SE) and increased heart rate (HR) 50 +/- 19% (P < 0.01); MAP and UBF were unaffected. Following E2 beta treatment SVR fell 17 +/- 2.4% (P < 0.01), UBF increased more than fourfold, and MAP was unchanged. Compared with E2 beta alone, Phen + E2 beta decreased SVR 42 +/- 4.7%, and MAP fell 11 +/- 1.8% (P < 0.05) despite 40-50% increases in HR and cardiac output (P < 0.05). Responses to Sar + E2 beta were similar to E2 beta alone, except for a fall in MAP, whereas responses to Sar + Phen + E2 beta resembled those of Phen + E2 beta. E2 beta-induced uterine vasodilation was unaltered by Sar and/or Phen. During E2 beta-induced vasodilation, MAP is maintained by enhanced activation of the alpha-adrenergic and renin-angiotensin systems; however, uterine vascular responses to E2 beta are independent of both systems and perfusion pressure.

Angiotensin II↗

Endothelial vasodilator production by uterine and systemic arteries. IX. eNOS gradients in cycling and pregnant ewes.

The follicular phase (FOL) and pregnancy exhibit increases in uterine blood flow (UBF), estrogen levels, and uterine artery (UA) endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. UA branching within the mesometrium increases the total vascular cross-sectional area, which reduces the vascular perfusion pressure gradient, thus locally decreasing the blood flow velocity. Shear stress (SS) activates eNOS and may be associated with UBF elevations during FOL and pregnancy. We hypothesized that regional differences in eNOS responses are observed with both decreases in vessel diameter and during the ovarian cycle and pregnancy. Endothelial isolated proteins were collected from renal (RA) and internal iliac arteries (II) as well as from primary (UA 1 degrees ), secondary (UA 2 degrees), and tertiary (UA 3 degrees) UA branches of nonpregnant luteal phase (LUT; n = 6) and FOL (n = 6) as well as midpregnant (MP; 82 +/- 1 days gestation, n = 6) and late pregnant (LP; 127 +/- 3 days gestation, n = 6) ewes (term = 145 +/- 3 days gestation) for Western blot analysis. LUT RA, II, and UA 1 degrees eNOS levels were similar. There was a 60.7 +/- 9.8% reduction in eNOS expression in UA 2 degrees and UA 3 degrees. A similar decreasing eNOS regional expression gradient was observed in LP ewes. No eNOS regional expression gradient was observed in FOL or MP ewes because eNOS increased in UA 2 degrees and UA 3 degrees. In UA 2 degrees and UA 3 degrees, MP > LP = FOL > LUT. Thus, with increasing UBF, FOL and pregnancy rises in SS may regulate eNOS protein expression in smaller diameter UAs. A decrease in LUT and LP UA 2 degrees and UA 3 degrees endothelial eNOS suggest a possible negative feedback mechanism due to downregulation of eNOS if SS is normalized.

Animals↗

Role of alpha-receptors in estrogen-induced vasodilation in nonpregnant sheep.

Estradiol-17 beta (E2) produces vasodilation in several systemic vascular beds, but most extensively in the nonpregnant uterus. It has been postulated that E2 induces this vasodilation via blockade of vascular alpha-adrenergic receptors. This hypothesis was tested in six chronically instrumented, nonpregnant sheep by comparing the systemic and uterine hemodynamic responses to intravenous E2, to an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, phentolamine, and to both agents given together. Uterine blood flow (UBF) increased significantly after E2 administration, from 20 +/- 7 to 233 +/- 37 (SE) ml/min. In contrast, phentolamine had no detectable effect on UBF or on the UBF response to E2 when both were given together. Similar contrasting responses were observed in the effects of E2 and/or phentolamine on the systemic vasculature. When responses to alpha-agonists were evaluated, there was no evidence of alpha-blockade following E2 despite the substantial vasodilation; in contrast, alpha-blockade was present during phentolamine administration when no vasodilation was noted. Therefore, we conclude that E2-induced vasodilation in chronically instrumented sheep is not mediated through blockade of vascular alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Animals↗

Regulation of types I and III NOS in ovine uterine arteries by daily and acute estrogen exposure.

Nitric oxide contributes to estrogen-mediated uterine vasodilation; however, the nitric oxide synthases (NOS) involved and their location within uterine arteries are incompletely documented. We investigated the effects of repetitive daily and acute estradiol-17beta (E(2)beta) exposure on uterine hemodynamics and NOS abundance and localization in uterine arteries from nonpregnant ovariectomized ewes receiving daily intravenous E(2)beta (1 microg/kg, n = 5) or no E(2)beta (n = 7) for 5 days to determine NOS abundance, cGMP contents, and NOS immunohistochemistry. Daily E(2)beta increased basal and E(2)beta-mediated rises in uterine blood flow (UBF) 36 and 43% (<0.01), respectively, calcium-dependent NOS activity 150% (P < 0.02) in endothelium-intact and -denuded ( approximately 40% of total NOS) arteries, and cGMP contents 39% (P < 0.05). Endothelial (eNOS) was detected in luminal endothelium, whereas neuronal NOS (nNOS) protein was only in the media. A second group of ewes received E(2)beta (1 microg/kg iv) for 4 days and acute intravenous E(2)beta (n = 8) or vehicle (n = 4) on day 5. UBF rose 5.5-fold (P < 0.001) 115 min after E(2)beta, at which time only endothelium-derived calcium-dependent NOS activity increased 30 +/- 13% (P < 0.05). Daily E(2)beta enhances basal and E(2)beta-mediated increases in UBF, which parallel increases in endothelium-derived eNOS and smooth muscle-derived nNOS. Acute E(2)beta, however, selectively increases endothelium-derived eNOS.

Animals↗

Calcium-activated potassium channels and nitric oxide coregulate estrogen-induced vasodilation.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) contributes to estradiol-17beta (E(2)beta)-induced uterine vasodilation, but additional mechanisms are involved, and the cellular pathways remain unclear. We determined if 1) uterine artery myocytes express potassium channels, 2) E(2)beta activates these channels, and 3) channel blockade plus NOS inhibition alters E(2)beta-induced uterine vasodilation. Studies of cell-attached patches identified a 107 +/- 7 pS calcium-dependent potassium channel (BK(Ca)) in uterine artery myocytes that rapidly increased single-channel open probability 70-fold (P < 0.05) after exposure to 100 nM E(2)beta through an apparent cGMP-dependent mechanism. In ovariectomized nonpregnant ewes (n = 11) with uterine artery flow probes and catheters, local BK(Ca) blockade with tetraethylammonium (TEA; 0.05-0.6 mM) dose dependently inhibited E(2)beta-induced uterine vasodilation (n = 37, R = 0.77, P < 0.0001), with maximum inhibition averaging 67 +/- 11%. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and E(2)beta-induced increases (P </= 0.001) in heart rate (13%) and contralateral uterine blood flow (UBF, approximately 5-fold) were unaffected. Local NOS inhibition plus BK(Ca) blockade, using submaximal doses of nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (5 mg/ml) and TEA (0.3 mM), did not alter basal UBF but completely inhibited ipsilateral E(2)beta-induced uterine vasodilation without affecting MAP and E(2)beta-induced increases in contralateral UBF and heart rate. Acute E(2)beta-mediated uterine vasodilation involves rapid activation of uterine artery BK(Ca) and NOS, and the pathway for their interaction appears to include activation of guanylyl cyclase.

Analysis of Variance↗

O2 delivery to the pregnant uterus: its relationship to O2 consumption.

Normal sheep were studied at intervals of 3-5 days during the last weeks of pregnancy in order to evaluate variability in rate of O2 consumption (QO2) of the uterus in relation to several variables involved in delivery of O2 to the organ. Among-animal differences of uterine QO2 were statistically significant and directly related to birthweight of the lamb. Among-animal differences of uterine blood flow (UBF) and uterine arteriovenous O2 content difference [C(a-v)O2] also were statistically significant, though neither was related to birthweight, presumably since they tended to vary inversely with one another. In a given ewe relative magnitude of UBF and of C(a-v)O2 was related to maternal arterial O2 content (CaO2), day of pregnancy, and whether the animal carried singlets or twins. Variability in QO2 was most closely related to UBF, although its relations to C(a-v)O2 and CaO2 were significant also. These data suggest there are systematic relationships among variables involved in the delivery of O2 to the uterus of pregnant sheep.

Animals↗

Angiotensin II indirectly vasoconstricts the ovine uterine circulation.

The uterine vasculature of women and sheep predominantly expresses type 2 ANG II receptors that do not mediate vasoconstriction. Although systemic ANG II infusions increase uterine vascular resistance (UVR), this could reflect indirect mechanisms. Thus we compared systemic and local intra-arterial ANG II infusions in six near-term pregnant and five ovariectomized nonpregnant ewes to determine how ANG II increases UVR. Systemic ANG II dose-dependently (P > 0.001) increased arterial pressure (MAP) and UVR and decreased uterine blood flow (UBF) in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes; however, nonpregnant responses exceeded pregnant (P < 0.001). In contrast, local ANG II infusions at rates designed to achieve concentrations in the uterine circulation comparable to those seen during systemic infusions did not significantly decrease UBF in either group, and changes in MAP and UVR were absent or markedly attenuated. When MAP rose during local ANG II, which only occurred with doses > or =2 ng/ml, increases in MAP were delayed more than twofold compared with responses during systemic ANG II infusions and always preceded decreases in UBF, resembling that observed during systemic ANG II infusions. These observations demonstrate attenuated uterine vascular responses to systemic ANG II during pregnancy and suggest that systemic ANG II may increase UVR through release of another potent vasoconstrictor(s) into the systemic circulation.

Angiotensin II↗

Heart rate and blood pressure response and metabolic changes in the sheep fetus following reduction of uterine blood flow.

The cardiovascular and metabolic responses during acute fetal hypoxia were studied in 7 pregnant sheep near term. Complete reduction of uterine flow (UBF) for 180 s was performed in 13 experiments by inflating a balloon positioned in the maternal aorta. Fetal heart rate (FHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and fetal arterial oxygen saturation (SO2) were measured continuously. Blood samples were taken at short intervals and analyzed for pH, PCO2, PO2, SO2, base excess and lactate. Following the reduction of UBF, FHR began to rise after 4.7 +/- 14.4 (SD)s and fell after 31.3 s paralleled by the rise of the BP after 23.2 +/- 8.2 (SD)s. The fall of FHR was not related to the SO2 at control, but to the decline of the SO2 by 10-15%. There was no critical limit of SO2 at which the FHR started to fall and the BP began to rise. The rise of the FHR after UBF had been released was significantly correlated to the rise of SO2. Lactate production during hypoxia was related to the slope of the SO2 decline, i.e., to the fetal O2 consumption. The total metabolic response during hypoxia and recovery given by the pH area was correlated to the SO2 at control. No correlation between dip area of FHR and PH area could be established.

Animals↗

Energy metabolism in the exteriorized fetus.

Umbilical blood flow rate (UBF) was measured in 9 exteriorized fetal lambs by weight changes of the fetus during total umbilical vein occlusion. Concentrations of oxygen, lactate and pyruvate in umbilical arterial (UA) and umbilical venous (UV) blood were determined. Rate of fetal oxygen consumption (.QO2) was 5.2 +/- (SEM) 0.48 ml. kg(-1) . min (-1), and was correlated with UBF (r = 0.793), but not with the content of O2 in UA or UV. The UV-UA differences in lactate/pyruvate ratios indicated varying degrees of anaerobic metabolism in those fetuses with highest UBF and .QO2, but not in poorly perfused fetuses with low .QO2. Fetal exteriorization can result in inadequate perfusion of fetal tissue, lowering of fetal oxygen consumption and some anaerobic metabolism.

Animals↗

Effects of Cis- and trans-clomiphene on the uterine blood flow of oophorectomized ewes.

Changes in the left uterine artery blood flow (YBF) after intraarterial administration of estradiol-17beta and cis- and trans-clomiphene citrate to conscious, oophorectomized ewes were monitored by chronically implanted electromagnetic flow probes. Cis-clomiphene produced UBF increases comparable to or greater than those produced by estradiol-17beta but at dose levels 20 times greater. Comparison of UBF response curves for cis-clomiphene with those for estradiol-17beta showed a delayed onset of initial vasodilation and a delayed peak response. The duration of uterine vasodilation produced by cis-clomiphene was dose-dependent and exceeded that produced by estradiol-17beta. Similar reponses were observed with trans-clomiphene but at dose levels at least 1,000 times those of estradiol-17beta. The characteristics of clomiphene-induced UBF responses that differed from those after estradiol-17beta may reflect differences in estrogen receptor activation between the compounds.

Animals↗

Genetic parameters and responses of performance and body composition traits in pigs selected for high and low growth rate on a fixed ration over a set time.

Two lines of Large White pigs of common genetic origin were divergently selected over four years for high and low growth rate during a 6 week post-weaning test period in which all pigs were fed the same total amount of food (80% of estimated ad libitum intake). Genetic parameters and direct and correlated responses in performance and carcass traits were estimated on 2884 pigs with pedigrees comprising a total of 5324 animals, with restricted maximum likelihood and best linear unbiased prediction methods applied to a multi-trait animal model. Estimates of heritability (+/-SE) were 0.19 +/- 0.04 for lifetime daily gain (LDG), 0.16 +/- 0.03 for test daily gain (TDG), 0.25 +/- 0.04 for ultrasound P2 backfat (UBF) and 0.16 +/- 0.03 for food conversion ratio during test (TFC), and 0.15 +/- 0.04 for daily carcass weight gain (CDG), 0.43 +/- 0.06 for carcass backfat (CFT) and 0.40 +/- 0.06 for carcass lean percentage (LEAN). Common litter effects for TDG, UBF and TFC were less than 5% and for LDG, 17% of total phenotypic variance. Genetic correlations between performance and carcass traits were moderately to highly favourable. After four years of divergent selection for growth rate, the selection responses in estimated breeding value (EBV) for TDG were 40.14 and -41.11 g (SED 2.95) for the high and low growth lines, respectively. The regressions of EBV on year of birth, indicate that the annual genetic trend for TDG, was 8.73 g/yr in the high and -8.48 g/yr in the low lines (P <0.001). Correlated genetic responses in the high and low lines respectively were 5.28 g and -12.40 g (SED 2.09) in LDG, -0.35 mm and 0.56 mm (SED 0.009) in UBF, -0.145 units and 0.185 units (SED 0.012) in TFC, 3.17 g and -10.97 g (SED 1.53) in CDG, -1.13 mm and 1.01 mm (SED 0.155) in CFT and 1.24% and -1.27% (SED 0.150) in LEAN. It was concluded that selection for increased post-weaning daily gain on a ration of fixed amount reduces the age at slaughter and the level of backfat and increases the efficiency of food utilisation, weight and leanness of pig carcasses.

Animals↗

The effects of S+-ketamine and racemic ketamine on uterine blood flow in chronically instrumented pregnant sheep.

UNLABELLED: Ketamine could be a useful maternal analgesic in obstetric surgery, as it might avoid the need for opioid administration and associated side effects in the newborn. Racemic ketamine passes the placental barrier and has oxytocin-like properties but does not seem to affect uterine blood flow (UBF). S(+)-ketamine was recently approved for clinical use, but its effects on UBF have not been evaluated. Therefore, we studied the effects of S(+)-ketamine on maternal and fetal hemodynamic variables. Equianalgesic doses of S(+)-ketamine (10 mg.kg(-1).h(-1)) or racemic ketamine (20 mg.kg(-1).h(-1)) were infused in 12 chronically instrumented pregnant sheep. Maternal and fetal vital signs, blood gases, and UBF were recorded over 120 min. Neither compound affected uterine perfusion or maternal and fetal hemodynamics. Whereas racemic ketamine increased maternal (+19%) and fetal (+11%) PCO(2) significantly, S(+)-ketamine was without effect. However, both compounds significantly decreased maternal (racemic, -0.05; S(+), -0.03) and fetal (racemic, -0.06; S(+), -0.02) pH. The effects of racemic ketamine and S(+)-ketamine on uterine perfusion are similar, and because of its limited effect on hemodynamics and respiration, S(+)-ketamine might therefore be of interest as an analgesic in the obstetric setting. IMPLICATIONS: The effects of S(+)-ketamine on uterine perfusion and maternal/fetal hemodynamics are similar to those of the racemic mixture in chronically instrumented pregnant sheep. A decreased effect of S(+)-ketamine, as compared with the racemic mixture, on maternal and fetal PCO(2) levels was noted.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

3-D organization of ribosomal transcription units after DRB inhibition of RNA polymerase II transcription.

In each bead of the nucleolar necklace, using adenosine analog DRB-treated PtK1 cells, we investigated the three components of rDNA transcription, i.e. the gene, transcription factor UBF and transcripts. In situ hybridization revealed the unraveling and 3-D dispersion of most of the rDNA coding sequences within the nucleus. The signals were small, of similar intensity and tandemly organized in the necklace. This observation is compatible with the fact that they might correspond to single gene units. Active transcription was visualized in these units, demonstrating that they were active functional units. Transcript labeling was not similar for each unit, contrary to UBF labeling. UBF and rRNA transcripts were only partially colocalized, as demonstrated by 3-D image analysis and quantification. As visualized by electron microscopy, the necklace was composed of a small fibrillar center partially surrounded by a dense fibrillar component. The 3-D arrangement of this individual unit in the necklace, investigated both by confocal and electron microscopy in the same cells, showed that the individual beads were linked by a dense fibrillar component. The reversibility of this organization after removal of DRB indicated that the beads in the necklace are certainly the elementary functional domain of the nucleolus. In addition, these results lead us to suggest that the organization of a functional domain, presumably corresponding to a single gene, can be studied by in situ approaches.

Animals↗