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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Agonist-induced internalization of leukotriene B(4) receptor 1 requires G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 but not arrestins.

The leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) receptor (BLT1) becomes desensitized upon repeated agonist stimulation. Little is known, however, about BLT1 internalization, which follows desensitization in most G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). In the current study, transiently expressed BLT1 readily internalized, after LTB(4) stimulation, in RBL-2H3 cells that express high levels of endogenous GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) but did not in COS-7 or human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, which do not overexpress GRK. The internalization of BLT1 could be blocked in RBL-2H3 cells by coexpressing dominant-negative (DN) GRK2 K220R and could be promoted in HEK293 cells by coexpressing wild-type (WT) GRK2. Coexpression of WT or DN nonvisual arrestins had no effect on BLT1 internalization. Moreover, upon stimulation with LTB(4), BLT1 did not induce arrestin-green fluorescence protein redistribution in either cell type, even in the presence of overexpressed GRK2. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that BLT1 could associate with GRK2 but not with arrestins. A C-tail-truncated mutant of BLT1 lost the capacity to internalize and associate with GRK2 upon exposure to LTB(4), suggesting that the C-tail was required for receptor internalization and association with GRK2. Taken together, our results indicate that the C terminus of BLT1 plays a pivotal role in receptor internalization and GRK2 association. Moreover, ligand-induced BLT1 internalization is dependent on GRK2 but independent of arrestins. This may allow differential, cell-type-specific signaling in response to LTB(4), depending on GRK expression levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

From wooden limbs to biomaterial organs: the ethics of organ replacement and artificial organs.

This paper discussed issues of ethical assessment and moral concern associated with organ replacement and physical enhancement: research, allocation, organ donation, artificial organs, xenografts, biomaterials, and neuromaterials. While emphasizing the medical and moral benefits over associated risks, it calls for a better integration of moral assessment into technology assessment and for the establishment of a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary International Ethics Committee for Organ Replacement Therapy.

Artificial Limbs↗
PubMed2003

Potential organ-donor supply and efficiency of organ procurement organizations.

The authors estimated the supply of organ donors in the U.S. and also according to organ procurement organizations (OPOs). They estimated the number of donors in the U.S. to be 16,796. Estimates of the number of potential donors for each OPO were used to calculate the level of donor efficiency (actual donors as a percent of potential donors). Overall, donor efficiency for OPOs was 35 percent; the majority was between 30- and 40-percent efficient. Although there is room to improve donor efficiency in the U.S., even a substantial improvement will not meet the Nation's demand for organs.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Significant mercury deposits in internal organs following the removal of dental amalgam, & development of pre-cancer on the gingiva and the sides of the tongue and their represented organs as a result of inadvertent exposure to strong curing light (used to solidify synthetic dental filling material) & effective treatment: a clinical case report, along with organ representation areas for each tooth.

Because of the reduced effectiveness of antibiotics against bacteria (e.g. Chlamydia trachomatis, alpha-Streptococcus, Borrelia burgdorferi, etc.) and viruses (e.g. Herpes Family Viruses) in the presence of mercury, as well as the fact that the 1st author has found that mercury exists in cancer and pre-cancer cell nuclei, the presence of dental amalgam (which contains about 50% mercury) in the human mouth is considered to be a potential hazard for the individual's health. In order to solve this problem, 3 amalgam fillings were removed from the teeth of the subject of this case study. In order to fill the newly created empty spaces in the teeth where the amalgams had formerly existed, a synthetic dental-filling substance was introduced and to solidify the synthetic substance, curing light (wavelength range reportedly between 400-520 nm) was radiated onto the substance in order to accelerate the solidifying process by photo-polymerization. In spite of considerable care not to inhale mercury vapor or swallow minute particles of dental amalgam during the process of removing it by drilling, mercury entered the body of the subject. Precautions such as the use of a rubber dam and strong air suction, as well as frequent water suctioning and washing of the mouth were insufficient. Significant deposits of mercury, previously non-existent, were found in the lungs, kidneys, endocrine organs, liver, and heart with abnormal low-voltage ECGs (similar to those recorded 1-3 weeks after i.v. injection of radioisotope Thallium-201 for Cardiac SPECT) in all the limb leads and V1 (but almost normal ECGs in the precordial leads V2-V6) the day after the procedures were performed. Enhanced mercury evaporation by increased temperature and microscopic amalgam particles created by drilling may have contributed to mercury entering the lungs and G.I. system and then the blood circulation, creating abnormal deposits of mercury in the organs named above. Such mercury contamination may then contribute to intractable infections or pre-cancer. However, these mercury deposits, which commonly occur in such cases, were successfully eliminated by the oral intake of 100 mg tablet of Chinese parsley (Cilantro) 4 times a day (for average weight adults) with a number of drug-uptake enhancement methods developed by the 1st author, including different stimulation methods on the accurate organ representation areas of the hands (which have been mapped using the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test), without injections of chelating agents. Ingestion of Chinese parsley, accompanied by drug-uptake enhancement methods, was initiated before the amalgam removal procedure and continued for about 2 to 3 weeks afterwards, and ECGs became almost normal. During the use of strong bluish curing light to create a photo-polymerization reaction to solidify the synthetic filling material, the adjacent gingiva and the side of the tongue were inadvertently exposed. This exposure to the strong bluish light was found to produce pre-cancerous conditions in the gingiva, the exposed areas of the tongue, as well as in the corresponding organs represented on those areas of the tongue, and abnormally increased enzyme levels in the liver. These abnormalities were also successfully reversed by the oral intake of a mixture of EPA with DHA and Chinese parsley, augmented by one of the non-invasive drug-uptake enhancement methods previously described by the 1st author, repeated 4 times each day for 2 weeks.

Body Burden↗
PubMed2001

Differences in the kinds of problems consumers report in staff/group health maintenance organizations, independent practice association/network health maintenance organizations, and preferred provider organizations in California.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the extent to which consumers have specific problems with their managed care organizations (MCOs) or whether these problems differ by type of MCO. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence at which consumers in managed care report specific problems and to assess whether rates in preferred provider organizations (PPOs), independent practice association (IPA)/network health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and staff/group HMOs differ. DESIGN: Random probability sample of insured adults weighted to reflect the underlying population in California. A computer-assisted telephone interview survey was conducted in September 1997. Logistic regression models estimate the adjusted odds of reporting each problem in the last year in IPA/network HMOs versus PPOs, IPA/network HMOs versus staff/group HMOs, and staff/group HMOs versus PPOs. SUBJECTS: One thousand two hundred one insured adults who had resided in California for > or = 12 months. MEASURES: Prevalence of 11 consumer problems in MCOs. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of adult Californians in managed care in our sample reported > or = 1 problem with their MCO in the last year. Adjusted odds that adults in IPA/ network or staff/group HMOs reported delays in getting needed care, not receiving the most appropriate or needed care, and being forced to change doctors were higher than for adults in PPOs. Adjusted odds that adults in IPA/network HMOs reported difficulty getting a referral to a specialist and difficulty selecting a doctor or hospital were higher than for adults in PPOs and staff/group HMOs. Adjusted odds that adults in staff/ group HMOs reported misunderstandings over benefits and coverage; important benefits not covered; and problems with claims, billing, or payments were lower than for adults in PPOs and IPA/network HMOs. Adjusted odds that consumers in HMOs in our sample reported any problem with their health plan was higher for those in IPA/network HMOs compared with staff/group HMOs. No differences were seen by MCO type in the rates at which consumers reported being denied care or treatment, forced to change medications, or language and communication barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Rates at which consumers report problems with managed care and the kinds of problems they report differ significantly across different types of MCOs. These findings have important implications for federal and state policy for consumer protections in managed care.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the bioconcentration of organic chemicals in aquatic organisms--a review.

Current knowledge on the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the bioconcentration of organic chemicals in aquatic animals (water fleas, mussels, amphipods and fish) is summarized. A graphical representation of the available data gives an overview of the magnitude of the observed effects. Most of the studies have shown decreases in bioconcentration in the presence of DOM (2 to 98% relative to DOM-free controls). However, at low DOM levels, up to 10 mg/L, also enhancements of bioconcentration due to DOM, ranging from 2 to 303% have been reported. Generally, the change in BCFW (Bioconcentration factor on a wet weight basis) per mg/L DOC was most pronounced at low levels of DOC. The data also show that DOM from different sources with different characteristics and quality can lead to substantial variations in the bioconcentration of organic compounds at comparable levels of DOC. While decreases in bioconcentration have generally been attributed to a lack of bioavailability of DOM-bound chemical, no mechanisms have been proposed to explain increased uptake of xenobiotics caused by DOM.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Water solubility enhancement effects of some polychlorinated organic pollutants by dissolved organic carbon from a soil with a higher organic carbon content.

To elucidate the role of a soil humic acid (HA) in the transport of polychlorinated organic pollutants (PCOPs), such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and coplanar-polychlorinated biphenyls, their partition coefficients (Kdoc) into an HA were compared with their adsorption coefficients (KOC) for a soil with a higher organic carbon (OC) content. The soil sample (ando soil) used in the present study was collected in the same location as the HA. The log Kdoc values were positively correlated with logarithm of octanol-water partition coefficients (log KOW) of the PCOPs, indicating that the partitioning of PCOPs into the HA was mainly due to hydrophobic interactions. However, the correlation between log Kdoc and log KOC was negative. This can be attributed to the enhanced water solubility of the PCOPs as the result of the dissolved organic matter from the soil. That is, when the more hydrophobic PCOPs with higher log KOW values are partitioned into the HA, then the larger quantities of PCOPs that are partitioned into the HA are able to dissolve in the aqueous phase. These results suggest that, in a soil with a higher OC content, the HA can serve as more effective carrier of PCOPs from the soil to an aquatic environment.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

[Alternative to donor organs--the method of cultivation from fragments of tissues of "new organs" in an organism of the recipient].

A method of "new liver" growing inside of the recipients' organism as an alternative of the donor organs is presented. Experiments were carried out on the 90 Wistar rats. Animals were divided into 3 equal groups. All of the animals were subjected to 40% hepatectomy. The liver fragments were harvested from resected lobe. The animals of the I group received liver fragments transplantation into the greater omentum pocket, animals of the II group--into the peritoneal cavity and animals of the III group--into the "Kakabadze Biocontainer". All animals were under the standard vivarium conditions and were sacrificed in the different time points. The maximal follow up period was 6 months. Performed investigations have shown that vascularized, denuded segment of small intestine is uncial site for the engraftment and future development of transplanted liver fragments.

Animal Structures↗
PubMed1993

[The juxta-oral organ (Chievitz organ)--a sensory organ in the bucco-temporal area?].

Samples of a juxtaoral organ were examined immunohistochemically with antibodies against light-chain cytokeratin (KL-1), cytokeratin 19, desmin, chromogranin, neuron-specific enolase, and S-100 protein. The epithelial cells were found to be immunoreactive only with the two cytokeratin antibodies. Transmission electron microscopy was also performed. The results are best compatible with a mechanoreceptor function of the organ.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Measurement of the relative hydrophobicity of organic compounds without organic solvent. Effects of salt composition and pH on organic acids and nonionic compounds.

Partitioning of a variety of nonionic and acidic organic compounds was examined in aqueous dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) two-phase systems of different ionic composition at pH 2.00 and 7.40. Relative hydrophobicity of the compounds was estimated in terms of equivalent numbers of methylene units. Effect of the ionic composition and pH of aqueous media on the relative hydrophobicity of organic compounds was established and described quantitatively. The results obtained indicate that the ionic composition affects the relative hydrophobicity of ionized compounds and has no effect on that of nonionic compounds and ionizable compounds in the undissociated state. Ionization of a given ionic group seems to bring about a constant change in the relative hydrophobicity of a compound. This result supports the applicability of the additivity principle to the relative hydrophobicity estimates obtained with the aqueous two-phase partitioning technique.

Benzoic Acid↗
PubMed2001

Sink-limitation and the size-number trade-off of organs: production of organs using a fixed amount of reserves.

To analyze the nature of size-number trade-off of organs, we develop models in which the effects of sink-limitation in the growth of organs and the loss of resources by maintenance respiration are taken into consideration. In these models, the resource absorption rate of an organ is proportional to either its absolute size or its surface area and either the initial size of an organ or the total initial size of the organs produced is fixed. In all models, organs are produced using a fixed amount of reserved resources and no additional resources become newly available for their growth. We theoretically show that size-number trade-offs are nonlinear if the resource absorption rate of an organ is proportional to the absolute size of the organ and the initial size of the individual organs is fixed or if the resource absorption rate of an organ is proportional to the surface area of the organ. In these nonlinear size-number trade-offs, the size of individual organs increases less rapidly than in linear trade-offs with a decrease in the number of organs and the total size of organs is an increasing function of the number of organs produced. This implies that increasing the number of organs produced is advantageous in terms of resource-use efficiency. In contrast, size-number trade-off is linear if the resource absorption rate of an organ is proportional to the absolute size of the organ and there is a linear trade-off between the initial size of organs and their number. To exemplify the effects of those size-number trade-offs on the life-history evolution, we calculate the optimal offspring sizes that maximize the number of offspring successfully being established. In the case of nonlinear size-number trade-offs, the optimal offspring sizes are smaller than the optimal offspring size in the case of linear size-number trade-offs, namely, that in the model of Smith and Fretwell (1974). Our optimal offspring size depends on the metabolism of organ development; the optimal offspring size decreases with an increase in maintenance respiration rate relative to the growth coefficient of organs.

Absorption↗
PubMed2001

[Knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding organ transplantation: the impact of the first transplantation from a brain-dead donor under the organ transplantation act].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding organ transplantation, and to estimate the impact of the first organ transplantation from a brain-dead donor under the Organ Transplantation Act. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A telephone survey was made using the Random Digit Dialing method in May 1999. People living in the Tokyo Metropolitan area ages 20 years or over were asked about their knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding organ transplantation, and their opinions on the first organ transplantation conduced in February 1999. The results were compared with an opinion poll made 7 months previously to estimate the impact of this first case. RESULTS: The number of respondents was 489 (response rate: 46.0%). 1) Knowledge of organ transplantation: most people knew that organ donation from brain-dead donors was possible under the act, and that written consent on a form and family member's agreement were necessary before donating. More people knew about donor cards. 2) Organ transplantation: more people were willing to donate their organs when they die, and to agree to donation when a family member died who had wanted to donate his/her organs on their death. In the poll 7 months before, fewer people were willing to donate their organs or to agree to donate their family member's organs after brain death compared with after heart arrest. However, no such difference between brain death and heart arrest was found in this later study, suggesting that the distinction between the two was no longer considered to be so important. 3) Respondents themselves having donor cards constituted 15.2%, showing a marked increase from 7 months earlier. Another 39.7% wished to carry a donor card; the most common reason for not carrying one was they did not know how to acquire it. 4) The first transplantation was considered to have contributed to the increase in knowledge, and a favorable change in attitudes and behavior toward organ transplantation. 5) Respondents who agreed to that organ donation from children aged under 15 should be possible constituted 46.4%, of the to be this not being allowed at the present time. 6) The majority of respondents considered that the brain death was diagnosed properly in the first case and that the donation was made voluntarily, concluding that the transplantation was made fairly. 7) Respondents who considered that the privacy of the donor and the recipients was violated were 46.2% and 36.1%, respectively. The attitude of the mass media toward the first transplantation was criticized by 56.9% of the respondents. 8) Respondents who had a favorable impression of the organ transplantation were 61.9%. Such people are likely to donate their organs, to agree to a family member's donation, and to have a donor card than people who had not gained a favorable impression. The two groups exhibited no difference in their knowledge concerning organ transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in knowledge and a favorable change in attitudes and behavior regarding organ transplantation was confirmed in this survey, as compared with results 7 months earlier, probably because the first transplantation took place. The majority of the respondents considered that the first transplantation was made fairly, although they criticized the attitude of the mass media invading the privacy of the donor and the recipients. Further studies should be made to facilitate effective delivery of donor cards to people who want to carry them, and to change the rules on organ donation from children.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Aggressive organ donor management significantly increases the number of organs available for transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of transplantable organs has become a national crisis. Despite various attempts to expand the donor pool, the difference between organ supply and organ demand continues to widen. With no foreseeable increase in the number of donors, it is necessary to maximize the utilization of organs from the existing donor pool. METHODS: Records of all patients referred to the regional organ procurement organization for possible organ donation over an 8-year period (1995-2002) were reviewed. A policy of aggressive donor management (ADM) by dedicated physicians was instituted in January 1999 involving intensive care unit admission, pulmonary artery catheterization, aggressive fluid resuscitation, early use of vasopressors, prevention and treatment of complications associated with brain death, and liberal use of thyroid hormone in hemodynamically unstable donors. Data regarding referrals for organ donation, actual organ donors, organs recovered, and donors lost due to cardiovascular collapse before organ donation were compared before (January 1995- December 1998) and after (January 1999- December 2002) ADM. RESULTS: There were 878 patients referred for organ donation during the 8-year period. Of those, 469 (53.4%) were confirmed as potential donors, but only 161 (34.3%) became actual donors. When compared with the period before ADM, the period after ADM showed a 57% increase in total referrals (p < 0.001), 19% increase in potential donors (p = 0.01), 82% increase in actual donors (p < 0.001), 87% decrease in the number of donors lost due to hemodynamic instability (p < 0.001), and a 71% increase in the number of organs recovered (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A policy of ADM increases the referral pool for organ donation and reduces the number of organ donors lost due to cardiovascular collapse. The net result is a significant increase in the number of organs available for transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Organic dusts and disease: a continuous research challenge.

Research on organic dust during recent years has revealed major clinical effects and some causative agents. Many of the symptoms reported are caused by an inflammation in the airways, characterized by a neutrophil response. This condition can cause a non-allergic asthma. There are also reactions characterized by lymphocyte accumulation and by specific IgE antibody formation. Causative agents identified as bacterial endotoxins, molds, and different allergens.

Asthma↗