Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “actionable alterations”

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 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Increased benzodiazepine receptor number elicited in vitro by a novel purine, EMD 28422.

EMD 28422 (N6-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-bicyclo-2.2.2.octyl-(3)]-adenosine) was demonstrated to increase the number of binding sites for [3H]diazepam (Bmax) in vitro without an accompanying increase in receptor affinity (KD). The increase in receptor number was observed in both crude synaptosomal preparations (P2) and thrice-washed membrane preparations with and without the addition of 50 microM GABA. Furthermore, this effect appeared to be independent of the concentration of chloride ion, since the increases in Bmax were observed in both Tris-HCl and Tris-maleate buffer. The effects of EMD 28422 were stereospecifically antagonized by the GABA antagonist bicuculline, despite the lack of effect of EMD 28422 on [3H]muscimol binding at concentrations which markedly increased benzodiazepine receptor number. Neither EMD 39011 nor adenosine, the two parent moieties of EMD 28422, increased [3H]diazepam binding at concentrations of up to 1 mM. The increases in benzodiazepine receptor number observed with EMD 28422 in vitro suggests that this compound induces a conformational change in the benzodiazepine receptor which may cause the dissociation of an endogenous noncompetitive inhibitor of [3H]diazepam binding from the membrane, thus 'unmasking' binding sites. The stereospecific antagonism of this effect by bicuculline and the apparent inability of GABA to alter the action of EMD 28422 suggests the presence of a novel type or different functional state of GABA receptor which may play a permissive role in the rapid modulation of benzodiazepine receptor number in vitro.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1990

Effects of bepridil compared to those of its quaternary analogue on femoral arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of bepridil and its quaternary analogue, methylated bepridil, were studied on femoral arterial strips from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methylated bepridil relaxed precontracted strips more rapidly than did bepridil, but bepridil was a more potent vasorelaxant. Both drugs non-competitively inhibited arterial contraction evoked by voltage-dependent or alpha-adrenoceptor-operated Ca2+ influx with bepridil being more potent than methylated bepridil. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the contractile responses of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHR arteries to norepinephrine and caffeine were reduced similarly by methylated bepridil and bepridil. It is suggested that the effects of bepridil involve both extracellular and intracellular actions. The altered sensitivity of the contraction mechanism with norepinephrine-releasable Ca2+ to the Ca2+ antagonist may be due to an abnormality in the intracellular vasocontraction process distal to Ca2+ release from storage sites of the SHR blood vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Activation of 5-HT3 receptors enhances the electrically evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline in rat brain limbic structures.

The ability of 5-HT receptor agonists to modulate the electrically evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline was tested on preloaded slices of the rat brain. The 5-HT3 receptor agonist 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (2-methyl-5-HT) (10-100 microM) concentration-dependently enhanced the electrically evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus, but only at 100 microM in the frontal cortex. The enhancing effect of 2-methyl-5-HT was blocked by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron. Elevated levels of endogenous 5-HT, achieved through selective reuptake blockade with paroxetine, as well as the addition of exogenous 5-HT in the medium, also enhanced [3H]noradrenaline release. Furthermore, this effect of paroxetine was blocked by nanomolar concentrations of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists ondansetron, tropisetron and (S)-zacopride. Only high concentrations of the 5-HT3 receptor agonist m-chlorophenylbiguanide increased [3H]noradrenaline release from hippocampal slices, and this effect was not blocked by ondansetron nor by (S)-zacopride. The possibility that the enhancing effect of 2-methyl-5-HT could have been due to the antagonism of alpha 2-autoreceptors of noradrenergic terminals was ruled out by the unaltered effectiveness of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist UK-14,304 (1 microM) to attenuate [3H]noradrenaline release in the presence of 100 microM of 2-methyl-5-HT. Moreover, in pseudo-one-pulse experiments 100 microM of 2-methyl-5-HT increased [3H]noradrenaline release in the absence of autoinhibition through alpha 2-adrenergic autoreceptors. The 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor agonists 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propyl-amino)tetralin and CP-93,129, respectively, as well as the 5-HT1 receptor agonist 5-carboxyamidotryptamine, were devoid of effect on the release of [3H]noradrenaline. The 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane increased the release of [3H]noradrenaline, but this effect was not blocked with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron. Lesioning 5-HT fibers with the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine did not alter the action of 2-methyl-5-HT on [3H]noradrenaline release, indicating that this effect is not attributable to an action of this 5-HT3 receptor agonist on 5-HT terminals.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗
PubMed1994

The Soriano Award Lecture. Emerging infections of the nervous system.

The epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency disease [AIDS] has focused interest on the origins of "new" infectious agents. Great plagues are well known from the distant past, but a number of novel diseases affecting the nervous system infections have emerged in recent years. The causes of such new disorders are diverse: whereas rapid mutations of microbes allow the evolution of truly novel agents, the appearance of new diseases is more often due to changes in human or vector populations or changes in societal mores that result in dissemination of preexistent microbes. Examples of recently emerging infections that involve the nervous system include the enterovirus 70 epidemics with poliomyelitis-like disease, the appearance of California virus encephalitis in the midwestern United States, the rapid spread of Lyme disease with its many neurological complications in the eastern United States, and the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United Kingdom, in addition to the devastating epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which will cause nervous system disease in over half of those infected. As the world population increases and modern transportation brings us closer into a "global village" more new agents will emerge and more will be sustained. Knowledge of the molecular biology and ecology of the agents and awareness of how our actions can alter their behavior are our best defense.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Contraction of bovine coronary vascular smooth muscle induced by cocaine is not mediated by norepinephrine.

This study was designed to assess the effects of cocaine on coronary arterial smooth muscle and to determine whether previously reported cocaine-induced coronary vasospasm is mediated by substances released from the endothelium or by increased adrenergic receptor stimulation. Concentration-response relationships for cocaine (0.1-300 microM) and norepinephrine (0.1-300 microM) were studied in vitro using 2 mm segments of bovine proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Each segmental ring was mounted in a 70 ml tissue bath for the measurement of isometric tension. Cocaine (3-300 microM) caused significant, concentration-dependent, increases in developed tension (p less than 0.05). Removal of the endothelium or pretreatment with prazosin (0.1 microM) or propranolol (1 microM) did not significantly alter this action of cocaine. In contrast to cocaine, norepinephrine (10-300 microM) caused significant decreases in developed tension (p less than 0.01). These findings suggest that cocaine-induced contraction of bovine coronary vascular smooth muscle is not mediated by endothelium derived contracting substances or norepinephrine.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of cocaine on oxygen consumption and mitochondrial respiration in normoxic and hypoxic mice.

The administration of cocaine hydrochloride intraperitoneally (25 mg/kg) produces a drop in VO2 in both normoxic and hypoxic mice. The critical PO2 is also decreased and so is the body temperature. The mitochondrial respiration shows a large fall in ST3 and RCR. The addition of cocaine in-vitro to the incubating medium induces changes in the mitochondrial respiration similar to those found after in-vivo administration. This report shows that in addition to its in-vivo actions cocaine alters the respiratory function of the isolated liver mitochondria.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Sympathoadrenal function in genetically obese Zucker rats.

The effects of genetic obesity on the actions and alterations of the sympathetic nervous system were studied in 10-12-month-old obese (fa/fa) and lean (Fa/-) Zucker rats. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and free fatty acids (FFA) concentrations were measured in blood samples taken through a permanent heart catheter before, during, and after exercise or intravenous infusion of E and NE. Baseline plasma FFA and insulin levels were markedly increased in the obese animals. Exercise, i.e., strenuous swimming against a counter current for 15 min, led to reduction of plasma insulin concentrations and an increase of all other blood components in lean Zucker rats. In obese animals, an exaggerated increase of blood glucose and a large suppression of plasma insulin occurred. Plasma FFA levels tended to decline during exercise. Plasma catecholamine patterns in the exercising fatty Zuckers were not different to those of the lean animals. Infusion of E caused an increase of blood glucose and a decrease of plasma insulin concentrations in both groups of animals. The increase in blood glucose in the obese animals was significantly larger compared to the changes in the lean animals. Infusion of NE significantly reduced plasma insulin concentration in obese but not in lean animals. The results revealed that activation of the sympathetic system, expressed as exercise-induced alterations in plasma E and NE levels, is normal in obese Zucker rats. However, postsynaptic receptor effects of catecholamines on glycogenolysis and lipolysis are different in obese and lean animals, which points to permanent changes in adrenoceptor mechanisms on adipocytes, hepatocytes, and muscle cells in obesity.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1992

Angiotensin II potentiates neurally mediated contraction of rabbit airway smooth muscle.

The effect of angiotensin II (AT II) on cholinergic neurotransmission in rabbit tracheal segments was studied under isometric conditions in vitro. AT II concentration-dependently potentiated the contractile response to electrical field stimulation (EFS), and caused a leftward shift of the frequency-response curves for EFS, so that the stimulus frequency required to produce a half-maximal effect (ES50), decreased from 7.0 +/- 0.1 to 3.0 +/- 0.1 Hz (P less than 0.01). In contrast, the contractile response to acetylcholine was not affected. Non-peptide AT II receptor antagonist CV-2961 attenuated the effect of AT II on the EFS-induced contraction. Pretreatment of tissues with thiorphan or phosphoramidon did not alter the action of AT II. Thus, AT II may prejunctionally potentiate the neurally-mediated contraction of airway smooth muscle through activation of AT II receptors on the cholinergic nerve terminals, and this effect may not be modulated by endogenous neutral endopeptidase.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1977

Restraint alters the effects of morphine and heroin on core temperature in the rat.

The importance of restraint in determining the magnitude of alteration in the rat's core temperature (Tc) after the administration of morphine sulphate (M) and heroin hydrochloride (H) was investigated. M, in doses of 5, 15 and 30 mg/kg, or H, in doses of 0.1, 1 and 5 mg/kg was administered IP to either the restrained or free-moving rats as Tc was measured. After the administration of 5 mg/kg of H or 30 mg/kg of M to the restrained rat, a marked hypothermia was observed which reached a maximum mean depth of 3.1 and 4.5 degrees C below the baseline Tc, respectively. Conversely, a mean increase in Tc of 1.5 and 1.9 degrees C occurred following the administration of these same doses of M and H in the unrestrained animal. Furthermore, the hypothermic effect of the highest dose of M was not observed when the third of 3 consecutive injections of M, administered at 48-hr intervals, was administered to the restrained rat. On the other hand, when M was repeatedly administered to the free-moving rat, the hyperthermic response was consistently observed. Pretreatment with naloxone hydrochloride (5 mg/kg IP) effectively blocked the opiate-induced hypothermia in the restrained animal, but a total dose of 10 mg/kg was necessary to completely block the hyperthermic response in the free-moving rat. Although the factor of restraint itself did not alter the rat's Tc, it did dramatically alter the action of M and H on the body temperature of the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Chronic caffeine and the anticonvulsant potency of antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock.

The anticonvulsant activities of intraperitoneally (IP) given carbamazepine (CBZ) or diphenylhydantoin (DPH), expressed as their respective ED50 values in mg/kg, were assessed after caffeine (CAFF) treatment against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. CAFF was administered IP either in a single dose or every 12 h for 3 (subchronic CAFF) and 14 days (chronic CAFF). Moreover, the protective activity of the antiepileptics was determined in mice which, following chronic CAFF, received a challenge dose of CAFF after either 24 or 72 h since CAFF withdrawal. A significant reduction of the protective efficacy of CBZ was observed after chronic CAFF treatment (in a dose of 11.55 mg/kg), while a single dose and a 3-day treatment did not alter the action of CBZ. In case of CAFF (23.1 mg/kg), a significant elevation of CBZ's ED50 value was noted after 3- and 14-day treatments with CAFF. In contrast, chronic CAFF (23.1-46.2 mg/kg) decreased the anticonvulsive activity of DPH to the same extent as did acute CAFF. Moreover the ED50 values for both, CBZ and DPH, evaluated 24 h after a 14-day treatment with CAFF (in doses of 23.1 and 46.2 mg/kg, respectively), were significantly elevated compared to respective control groups. A strong impairment of the anticon-vulsant action of CBZ and DPH was observed when a challenge dose of CAFF was injected following either 24 or 72 h injection-free time. Pharmacokinetic interactions do not seem to explain the obtained results in terms of total plasma levels of the antiepileptics after chronic treatment with CAFF. Our results may suggest that epileptic patients should avoid CAFF-containing beverages and medicines.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of low-dose methotrexate on the disposition of glucocorticoids and theophylline.

Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy has been recently proposed as alternative therapy for patients with severe steroid-requiring asthma. Several questions have been raised regarding the mechanism of action, including alteration of pharmacokinetics of two medications used in these patients, specifically, glucocorticoids and theophylline. To address this question, pharmacokinetic studies were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment with either intramuscular MTX or placebo (folic acid). Plasma concentrations of theophylline were measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (TDx, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Ill.). Prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and cortisol concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Fifteen adults were enrolled in the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. No change in prednisolone pharmacokinetic parameters was found. Theophylline clearance decreased an average of 19% in patients randomized to receive MTX, from 48.0 +/- 2.0 ml/hr/kg to 38.9 +/- 3.6 ml/hr/kg (p less than 0.05). This change resembles change observed with theophylline and phenobarbital clearance in which a high degree of interpatient variability is observed. The most likely explanation for the change in theophylline clearance is inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity. Three patients complained of adverse effects, and dosage was reduced in one patient. The variable effect of MTX on theophylline clearance indicates that theophylline concentration monitoring should be performed in patients receiving both drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A consideration of simple measures and organizational structure.

Organizational structure provides the context in which all other measures (either simple or complex) are generated, developed, set in place, related to each other, interpreted, and acted upon. The focus of this article is on the contextual nature of structure and its influence on organizational assessment and learning. Assessment mechanisms are part of the organization's learning system, whereby it reflects on its actions and alters its notions of how the internal and external world work. An organization's philosophy of rationality is an important part of its structure. Notions of cause and effect and standards of desirable performance are given particular attention. The situations of community mental health centers is examined in terms of structure and environment. Hypotheses are offered regarding what constitutes a healthy organizational structure and management system.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMed1988

Human monocytes exposed to Biostim (RU 41740) alter lymphocyte mitogenesis: mechanisms of action.

The immunomodulatory agent RU 41740 (Biostim), which is derived from Klebsiella pneumoniae, may augment mitogenic responses of purified human blood lymphocytes. In non-purified preparations, however, responses may be sharply reduced due to the fact that Biostim induces monocytes to secrete immunosuppressive factors. This investigation has shown that both these biological activities can be exerted by a single, major glucoprotein fraction of Biostim termed F1. The Biostim-induced suppression of mitogen responses was not blocked by antibodies directed against IFN alpha or IFN gamma, thus speaking against IFN as being a mediator of suppression. Reduced suppression, however, was observed in the presence of drugs which inhibit arachidonic acid transformation. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors meclofenamic acid and indomethacin, which diminish biosynthesis of prostaglandins, could partially block the Biostim-induced suppression. Such an effect was not observed with 5,8,11-eicosatrynoic acid (ETI) which is an inhibitor of 12-lipoxygenase and leukotriene biosynthesis. Combinations of ETI and meclofenamic acid, however, were more potent than the latter tested separately. Another drug termed diclofenac Na, which apart from being an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase, rapidly clears cells of free arachidonic acid by binding to triglycerides, was found to be the most potent in preventing Biostim-induced suppression of mitogen responses. It is concluded that Biostim-exposed monocytes liberate increased amounts of immunosuppressive eicosanoids such as prostaglandins.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1985

Aminoglycoside-induced biphasic hindlimb paralysis in the rat: a histological and electrophysiological assessment.

The intrathecal injection of gentamicin into a human patient with gram-negative bacterial meningitis as well as its intracisternal injection into rabbits caused spongy-like lesions in the gray matter and tetraplegia in rabbits. To characterize this neurotoxic effect, gentamicin was injected into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar spinal cord of the rat. A biphasic hindlimb paralysis ensued which consisted at first of a transient flaccid paralysis lasting 1 to 5 hr followed by a permanent flaccid paralysis which developed after 24 to 36 hr. The initial paralysis occurred simultaneously with the transient loss of reflex transmission through the cord but in the absence of lesions in the spinal cord or physiological alterations of neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction. The onset of the second phase of paralysis occurred concomitant with changes in reflex transmission and appearance of lesions. Loss of neuromuscular transmission and appearance of signs of denervation (e.g., depolarization, alteration in action potential parameters, and chemosensitivity) appeared after the second phase of paralysis was established. Both the initial transient and late permanent paralysis originated in the spinal cord. The early transient paralysis appears to be due to a central block of transmission while the late paralysis apparently resulted from neuronal damage. The neurotoxic effects of aminoglycosides on neuronal elements in the spinal cord resulted in secondary effects (signs of denervation) in hindlimb muscles.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1989

Effect of magnesium on depression of the monosynaptic reflex induced by 2-chloroadenosine or hypoxia in the isolated spinal cord of neonatal rats.

Superfusion of the isolated spinal cord of neonatal rats (4-9 days postpartum) with physiological medium containing 2-chloroadenosine (2-CA) or anoxic medium (equilibrated with 95% N2-5% CO2) depressed the evoked monosynaptic reflex (MSR) recorded extracellularly from a ventral spinal root. The effectiveness of 2-CA or anoxic medium in depressing the MSR was significantly reduced when the concentration of Mg2+ in the physiological medium was lowered from 1.25 X 10(-3) M to zero. The absence of Mg2+ resulted in a 7-fold shift to the right of the concentration-response curve to 2-CA and a reduction in the maximal depression of the MSR from 100% to 65 +/- 4% (mean +/- S.E.M.) of control. A 10 min exposure to anoxic medium containing 1.25 X 10(-3) M Mg2+ decreased the amplitude of the MSR to 23 +/- 6% of control, whilst in zero Mg2+ a decrease to only 50 +/- 5% of control was observed. These data provide further evidence that the response to adenosine, at the A1-receptor, is sensitive to Mg2+ ion concentration and suggest that there is an absolute requirement for Mg2+ in order to obtain full expression of the adenosine effect. Furthermore, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that adenosine is an important mediator of hypoxia-induced depression of the evoked MSR in the spinal cord, and suggest a potential role for Mg2+ during or after exposure to hypoxia in altering the actions of adenosine on neuronal activity or synaptic events.

2-Chloroadenosine↗
PubMed1991

Ethanol sensitivity of the GABAA receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes requires 8 amino acids contained in the gamma 2L subunit.

Expression of brain mRNA or cRNAs in Xenopus oocytes was used to determine what subunits of the GABAA receptor are required for modulation by barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and ethanol. Mouse brain mRNA was hybridized with antisense oligonucleotides complementary to sequences unique to specific subunits and injected into oocytes. Antisense oligonucleotides to the alpha 1, beta 1, gamma 1, gamma 2S + 2L, gamma 2L, or gamma 3 subunits did not alter GABA action or enhancement by pentobarbital. Action of diazepam was prevented by antisense oligonucleotides to gamma 2S + 2L and reduced by antisense sequences to gamma 2L, but was not affected by the other oligonucleotides. Ethanol enhancement of GABA action was prevented only by antisense oligonucleotides to gamma 2L (which differs from gamma 2S by the addition of 8 amino acids). Expression of either the alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 2S or the alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 2L subunit cRNA combination in oocytes resulted in GABA responses that were enhanced by diazepam or pentobarbital, but only the combination containing the gamma 2L subunit was affected by ethanol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗